All right. So hopefully I've been bitten with the writing bug again. Sorry this took so long!

Oh and I haven't taken French class in ages so any phrases may very well be wrong :)

I own jack shit.

Mais la question que j'me pose

Sans cesse : Où j'pourrais trouver

Du courage

Edward Cullen

I shivered as I stepped into the night air. Leaving Bella had been surprisingly hard for me. I didn't know how the night was going to turn out but it exceeded whatever expectation I could have held for it. I was over the moon that Bella wanted me to be in her life and the baby's. I knew she was a strong woman and could probably raise this baby alone but I wanted to be there to help.

I smiled all the way to my apartment thinking about the new editions to my life. Of course there were questions I still had, namely who the father was, but I didn't want to push for too much information in one night.

I smiled as I crawled into bed and Bella filled my thoughts for the umpteenth time.

~*~

"Edward," Bella whined on the other end of the line. "No way." I couldn't help but laugh. I had just offered Bella a proper first date at Du Soleil, a quaint French restaurant, and she didn't want to go.

"And why not?" I asked, confused.

"Because I've wanted to go there since it opened-" I interrupted her,

"Then why can't I take you?" She sighed heavily.

"Because I've wanted to go there since it opened," she repeated but I let her continue. "And I know how expensive it is." I rolled my eyes.

"That doesn't matter. Don't you think you deserve at least a night of getting something you want?" I turned away from the students entering the classroom.

"No," she said flatly. I couldn't help but laugh in response.

"Do you think the smells will bother you?" I asked, hoping this was the real reason and not that she was just stubborn. She sighed loudly before answering.

"No," she said drawing out the 'o'. "That place is probably the only place that still smells really good to me."

"Then there's no argument there."

"Edward," she whined again. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll pick you up at seven," I said finally before hanging up and turning back to my class. I couldn't wait for my first real date with Bella.

The day droned on and on as I talked about music without really paying attention to what I was saying. I was pretty much consumed with the thought of what this evening held. I raced home as soon as I was allowed and went straight to my closet.

I picked a blue button up dress shirt and black dress pants and laid them on my bed. I knew I had a good two hours before my date but I was too excited.

Thirty games of computer solitaire and a glass of brandy later it was finally time for me to get ready. I hopped in the shower quickly to make my hair more manageable, which was pretty fruitless, and changed. I gave myself one last look over before heading out.

I couldn't believe how much of a fifteen year old boy I felt like as I knocked on her apartment door.

"Ow, dammnit! I'm coming!" I heard her call from behind the door. I couldn't help but laugh. She was possibly the clumsiest person I knew. A good twenty seconds later she flung the door open.

"Hey," she greeted with a sweet smile. I breathed out heavily when I saw her. She was dressed in a grey pencil skirt, white blouse tucked into it and a coral cardigan.

"Wow," I breathed. She fidgeted uncomfortably and let her hair fall forward. I instinctively reached out and brushed it behind her ear. I smiled as another blush crept across her face. "Ready to go?" She nodded before throwing her keys in her bag and closing her door.

"You look amazing," I said as we made our way down her hallway to the elevator.

"Thanks," she said looking up at me from under her lashes. She really didn't know what that could do to someone. I was drawn into a trance like state that was only interrupted by the ding of the elevator. I didn't realize how close I had gotten to her until I had to straighten up to pull away. It was as if we were in our own little bubble.

We boarded the elevator and made our descent.

"This is your last chance, Edward," Bella said out of nowhere. I cocked an eyebrow at her.

"For what?"

"To take me someplace far more reasonable," she finished. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. She would have to learn to get over this 'don't spend anything on me' complex she had going.

"Bella, I make more than enough to afford one nice dinner for us," I argued. She didn't need to know that this would be the first of many. She huffed but didn't say anything for the rest of the ride down. I led her to my car and opened the door for her. She had the cutest, saddest pout on her face. I crouched down until I was eye level with her.

"Bella, can you please just enjoy yourself tonight?" I asked as I placed my palm against her smooth cheek. "Just let me spoil you a bit."

"But Edwa-" I silenced her by running my thumb across her lips.

"You've had a lot to deal with lately, beautiful. Just enjoy yourself," I said as I leaned in quickly and planted a kiss against her cheek before shutting her door and climbing into the driver seat. She blushed and smiled at me as we took off. About ten minutes into the drive I looked over to find a very pale faced Bella.

"Bella? What's wrong?" I asked only able to glance at her for a second before turning back to the road and wishing I could give her my full attention.

"You're driving…really fast," she said quietly. I chuckled lightly, thankful she wasn't sick. I slowed down considerably which seemed to calm her.

"Better?" I asked. She 'mhmmed' an answer and stretched her fingers which had been wrapped around her seatbelt in a death grip. I laughed again as I grabbed one of her hands and brushed my lips against it.

We arrived quickly and parked just in time for our reservations. Bella couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes no matter how bad she wanted to. She laced her fingers through mine as we approached the maitre d'.

"Bonjour! Bienvenue a Du Soleil!" a young man said in a French accent. I smiled politely and prepared to answer but was beat to it by Bella.

"Bonjour monsieur. Merci. Nous avons des reservations pour Cullen," Bella answered in a perfect French accent. Son of a bitch that was a turn on. She turned to me and smiled shyly.

"I take it you speak French then?" I asked not really needing an answer. She giggled quietly. I guess there was still a lot about her I didn't know yet. I looked back to the host who was staring at Bella. I cleared my throat.

"Oh, right this way," he directed in English probably for my benefit. I placed my hand on the small of Bella's back and ushered her forward. The restaurant was very beautifully decorated with pictures of France scattered about and eclectic handmade looking pieces. We were led to a corner booth that was warmly lit by candles. To say that Bella looked beautiful in the light was an understatement. She seemed to be glowing. A little while after being seated a waiter came over.

"Bon soir! I'm Paul and I'll be your server this evening. Would you like a wine to start off with?" he asked not even sparing me a glance, only looking at Bella. She shifted a bit under his obvious gaze and I cleared my throat yet again in this restaurant. Maybe this place wasn't such a good idea. I doubt I'd get to know much about Bella from behind bars after beating the shit out of one of these guys.

"No thank you," I answered for both of us feeling safe seeing as how Bella was pregnant. She smiled as I ordered us waters and sent Paul on his way.

"This is beautiful," Bella said looking around wide eyed and exploring. She looked like a kid in a candy store. I couldn't help myself. I had to touch her in that moment. I reached across the table and clasped her hand in mine. She blushed slightly. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"Thank you for finally agreeing to come," I said with a wink which made her giggle. That was a sound I could hear forever and never tire of.

"I never actually agreed," she quipped back which made me shake my head. She was right. I hadn't really given her much of a choice about this date but I didn't hear her complaining currently.

Paul soon returned with our drinks and while taking our order continued his stare fest on Bella. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as he walked off. Bella had the nerve to laugh.

"Is something funny?" I asked. This made her laugh even harder.

"I'm sorry, Edward. It's just…he's what? Seventeen. I'm no cougar," she joked. I tried to scowl but couldn't when I really thought about how dumb I was being. I laughed and all possible anger was gone the moment I focused on Bella again.

The only way to describe dinner with Bella would be to say it was easy. The conversation flowed easily with nothing forced or awkward about it. An hour into the meal and I noticed that her plate was at least half full while mine was cleared.

"Are you feeling all right?" I asked. I leaned across the table to run the back of my hand along her cheek. She nodded.

"I just don't want to overdo it," she said with a fierce blush.

"You don't have to be embarrassed with me, Bella," I told her. "You can tell me anything." I smiled until I saw the tears forming in her eyes. I didn't think what I'd said was that bad. "What's wrong, Bella?" I asked. She just shook her head as the tears began rolling down her cheeks. I didn't know what I did but seeing her like this broke my heart. She should never have pain or sadness of any kind.

"Edward…I…you...kind…horrible," was all I could make of her muffled explanation. I stroked her hair and held her close until she stopped sobbing. I tilted her chin up so I could see her eyes. They were clouded with tears and I wiped away a few stray ones.

"Bella, please tell me what's wrong," I pleaded. "I can't help until I know what I did." She scoffed.

"Edward, you didn't do anything. It's all me," she whispered the last part. She removed herself from my arms and took a deep breath before she spoke again.

"Edward, I have to tell you something."

I'm pretty sure she'll finally tell him...pretty sure.

Thanks to those who still read and review!

song: Du Courage by La Grande Sophie