A/N: Yes the Cullen's should be coming into the story in a bit; I'm just trying to set up Bella and Will's relationship first. Then we will be jumping ahead a bit.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series, or any of the characters created by Stephenie Meyer. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Last time...

"Love you dad, rest now, and I will see you in the morning." I gave him a kiss on his forehead and walked out the door towards Will.

BPOV

Will greeted me just outside of my father's hospital room, standing up from the chair he had sat in and smiling gently.

"He's doing good." I said, "I'm going to leave him to rest for tonight and I'll come back tomorrow to check on him."

"Sounds good" Will said and turned to start making his way back out of the hospital, I followed behind him slowly, now relieved of the fear I had, had for my father, all the emotions and confusion of today was making itself known. I had to at least last until I got home I told myself, once home, I would deal with everything, but not until then.

We got to Will's car and he opened the passenger door for me helping me in as he had done before. "Thank-you" I said sitting inside looking up at Will

"You welcome Bella, its nothing" he said, stepping back and closing my door before walking around to his side of the car.

I wanted to stop him, to tell him I was thanking him for so much more than just helping me into the car, but that conversation would last for longer then we could have in this car and I still needed to stop by the store to grab food for the house. I'm sure the only thing Dad had in the house was beer, eggs, and bread.

Will was in the car just starting it up when I spoke, "Would you mind stopping by the store before we go to my house? I'll need to pick up a few basics; Charlie never keeps food in the house"

"No problem, just show me the way" he said. He was such a calming person to be around.

We drove to the Thriftway in silence and when we got there we both walked towards the store still not speaking really, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, it was more as if he knew I didn't want to fall apart yet and he was giving me the space I needed until we got back to Charlie's so that I could do it with some privacy. I knew that if I wanted to all I had to do was say the word and he would be there for me, talking to me, comforting me, anything I needed.

Will got a shopping cart and followed behind me while I roamed up and down the aisles, me throwing enough food to last a month inside the cart. Once we were done I paid and we left the store. He insisted I get into the car while he loaded the car with the groceries and after me insisting I should help he gave me a look that said arguing wasn't going to change his mind so I tried to give up gracefully and did as he said.

After returning the cart he got back into the car and I directed him to my house. I hadn't been home since Christmas and the house looked exactly the same yet totally different. Grabbing the key that always sat above the door I unlocked the door and stepped inside, turning on the lights while I moved toward the kitchen.

There in the sink was the plate Charlie had used for his morning eggs, waiting to be washed, and that was all it took for me to break down sobbing. Will came in behind me, arms full of grocery bags from the car and placed them on the counter before returning to me, his arms now free, and pulled me into a tight hug. " Shhh Bella, it's okay, it's all going to be okay now." he said gently into my ear, I could feel the warmth of his breath along my ear and I cried harder having missed feeling someone embrace me in such an intimate way, missing feeling safe and like it was okay for me to fall apart.

He must have held me for 15 minutes whispering reassuringly to me, me only vaguely paying attention to what he was actually saying. Finally I got a hold of my control a bit, I took a couple deep breaths and then laughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," I said extricating myself from his arms, "what you must think of me, oh I'm a mess" I said looking over myself.

"You have had an extremely stressful day today Bella, you have nothing to be sorry for and certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. And you're not a mess, I think your beautiful as always, maybe even more so" he said wiping the tears from my cheek with his thumb. "Why don't you go take a shower, I'm sure it will make you feel better and I will finish unloading the car okay"

"Yea, okay, good Idea, are you sure you don't want help unloading the car?"

"I'm sure, now go clean yourself up" Will said smiling at me

I walked up stairs and into my old bedroom; everything looked as it did when I was here at Christmas. I went to my drawers and grabbed some clothes and then my towel and headed into the bathroom. I jumped into the shower quickly not wanting to leave Will down stairs by himself too long. Jumping out and dressing, I towel dried my hair.

As I walked downstairs and into the Kitchen I pulled my still damp hair up into a messy bun. Will was standing by the counter unloading the groceries from the bag onto the counter, he turned and saw me, "Feeling better" he asked

"Much better, thank you" I said walking up to the fridge and opening up the door, inside was a 12 pack of beer, a dozen eggs, and some cheese. "Oh Charlie, If it wasn't the car today, it will be a heart attack tomorrow." I said to myself

"You weren't kidding about him not keeping food" Will said behind me. "Why do you call your dad by his first name most of the time?" he asked while handing me some of the groceries from the counter to put into the fridge.

"I don't know really, I just always have, never to his face of course, or at least I try not to" I laughed. "I was never really close to him as a child you know and even now that we are closer, we just have one of those relationships you know." I said contemplatively

"And what about you mother?"He asked

"Oh, Renee, same deal with her but for different reasons I guess. My mom is a child at heart really, and growing up I was always the adult in the house, talking her out of stupid idea's, making sure the bills got paid on time that sort of thing." I never thought about it much but I guess it was kind of weird how I called my parents by their first names.

"Does it bother you that you had to be the grown up all the time" he asked

"No, I mean I don't really know what it would have been like any other way so it's not like I worry about it or anything, plus I mean it came in handy, I'm not living off Kraft dinner while going to University because I don't know how to cook, I don't take what I have for granted because I know how much stuff costs and what having bills to pay is like. I'd rather be boring old me then wasting mine or my parents money on tuition so that I could party and cut classes." I said while putting the last of the groceries in the cupboard.

"You're not boring Bella" Will said

I looked at him and smiled."So what do you feel like for dinner?"

"Whatever you feel like" he answered

"Hmmm," I said looking around the kitchen' "Well, something quick I think you must be starving, it's getting late, How about a quick stir-fry" I said.

"Sounds perfect" he agreed.

"Here I'll show you the Bathroom and you can clean yourself up if you want to," I said, "Follow me," I took him upstairs and showed him the bathroom, "feel free to use anything you need, If you can't find anything just ask or check the medicine cabinet, you can sleep in my father's room. I'll change the sheets for you while you shower, his room is the last door on the left; And here is a towel" I said grabbing one from the linen closet and placing it on the counter. "Anything else you need before I go?" I asked.

"No, I think I've got everything I'll need thanks, I'll just go grab my bag from the car first" he said and slipped down the stairs.

I headed to the linen closet and grabbed the spare set of sheets for Charlie's bed, changing them quickly. I put his used sheets into the washing machine before I started cooking so they would be clean for when Charlie came home.

The rice was almost done and the stir-fry was sizzling when Will came back down the stairs, hair damp, in a sexy pair of jogging pants and a tight t-shirt. "Oh" I said and blushed.

Will laughed a bit and walked up behind me, "It smells amazing Bella, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Umm, well you could set the table I guess, plates are in that cupboard there." I said pointing to the cabinet to the left of the fridge. "And cutlery is in the top drawer"

"Sure thing" He said while walking to the cupboard to start setting the table.

In ten minutes the food was done and on the table. Before I sat down I put a pot of water on to boil.

"What is that for?" Will said motioning to the pot of water with his chin.

"Oh I told my dad I would make him beef stroganoff, a family recipe he loves and bring it to him tomorrow" I answered

We talked over dinner about nothing of substance and I would occasionally get up to do something for the stroganoff. When we finished I grabbed his plate and started doing the dishes.

"How are you holding up Bella? You don't have to talk to me about it if you don't want to, but know that I'm here if you do want to." He said picking up the dish cloth and starting to dry the dishes I had finished washing.

"I'm doing better now thank you. You know, it's kind of funny in a way, I've never really been the type that liked to rely on others, but I have to thank you for today, it was nice not having to worry about anything except what was happening with my father. I know I kinda had a bit of a breakdown there when we first got here, but I'm fine now, Charlie will be fine, nothing he won't heal from given time."

"You're Welcome Bella, but really you don't need to thank me so much. I wanted to be here for you, and I'm glad that my being here has eased at least some of your stress." Will said while finishing drying the last of the dishes. "I..."

After a bit I realized he wasn't going to continue, "what where you going to say?"

"Well, see the thing is, I don't know how or what to say. I know this isn't the time to be saying anything and in fact it might not be something you want to hear at all, but I want to be here for you Bella, and I know I'm your professor and I don't know how you feel, but I need you to know that I'm always here for you, no matter what, in as much or as little of a way as you're comfortable with." Will finished speaking, his head down watching his hands as he folded up the dish cloth.

Bella just stood there, not knowing what to say, did he really just say what she thought he said? And if so did he mean what she thought he meant? She turned toward him and lightly ran her fingers down his arm towards his hand that held the dish cloth, "I'm glad you're here Will, as much as it surprises me to admit that, and I do want you in my life if you want to be."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying then? Is it possible that you feel the same way about me as I do about you? I don't want any confusion in this Bella, it's going to be hard enough as it is without any misunderstandings. I want you Bella, as my girlfriend, I want you with me. It will be tough though, it's not looked kindly upon student teacher relationships and if the wrong person got a hold that we were together it could be messy. I want to chance it though if you are willing to. You need to know this has never happened to me before, this isn't something I do or ever thought I would do, but from the moment you walked into my class room I've been hooked on you and then I got to know you at the coffee shop and my feelings have grown, I think we could have something special." Will said looking into my eyes.

Every piece of me was screaming, Run don't do this; I had made myself a promise that I would never again,to never be so attached to a man after what happened with Edward. That I would hold all the power in any relationship, but I also knew that everything that was screaming run was just scared, that I had been hiding behind my fear all this time, and that was fine because up in till this moment I had never felt for anybody what I was feeling for Will. And I knew that I couldn't let myself hide anymore, I couldn't pretend to live while not actually living. Life can be short that is a fact that I should have known by heart by now. Charlie's accident put things into perspective for me and I owed it to Charlie and to myself, for me to live.

I don't know how Will did it, but after all the time spent together at the coffee shop, he had chiseled away my wall, one piece at a time and I hadn't even known it until now.

"You want me to be your girlfriend" I asked again, buying some time for I don't know what reason.

"Yes, Bella, Will you be my girlfriend?" he said and I saw the fear in his eyes at that moment, he thought I was going to say no.

"Yes" I said softly, "But before you decide you truly want me, you need to know I'm broken, you'll be taking me with some baggage, stuff you don't know about, and I might drive you crazy at times because of it. I don't trust easily anymore Will, If you say you want me you get baggage and all." I needed him to have all the facts.

"Bella, we all come with some baggage, some just a little more than others. I'm yours, and we will work through everything as it comes at us but we will do it together, okay? I'll earn your trust, and just try to talk to me and we will be okay" Will finished and pulled me into a hug, "Oh Bella, My Bella, It feels so good to be able to hold you."

"It feels good to be held" I smiled and said into Wills chest, "It's not too bad to hold you either by the way"

He laughed "well that's something at least"

The Timer went off for the beef stroganoff and I extracted myself from his arms to go put it away until tomorrow. Will sat down at the table watching me. "Your beautiful you know, I don't think I've ever seen something as lovely as you and that smile you get on your face while you cook, so determined. " Will said

I laughed, "I think your feelings have blinded you Will." I could feel myself blush

"Never, I just know a beautiful person when I see one and you are beautiful inside and out." He said coming up behind me just as I was closing the door to the fridge.

"Come, Lets go sit down in the living room." I said. Pulling his hand towards the living room, shutting off the lights to the kitchen as we walked out of it.

He sat on the couch, pulling me into sit with him, and I grabbed the remote, turning the T.V. on and turning it to the menu.

"Oh Wuthering Heights, Would you mind watching that?" I asked.

"Of course not" he said pulling me closer "what version is it?"

"It's the 1992 one" I said "They never do get the movie quiet right, but they never do, do they when they try to make a book a movie."

"No they don't" he said

It had been a long time since I sat on this couch watching a movie with a man. Two more opposite men I probably couldn't find. One vampire, one man. One warm, one cold. One soft, one hard. And with these thoughts running around my head I leaned into Will's warmth and watched the movie.

I woke up in the morning lying in my bed, still dressed. The last thing I remembered was watching Wuthering heights. I felt gross after sleeping in my clothes and went to take a shower.

When I left the bathroom, freshly dressed and my hair dried. I smelled an unbelievable smell. Walking down stairs I entered the kitchen to see Will cooking breakfast, dressed in fresh clothes and looking happier then I think I had ever seen him.

"That smells wonderful" I said inhaling the heavenly aroma.

"Sit, Sit, get it while its hot" he said glowing, "I didn't know how you liked your eggs so I scrambled them I hope that's alright?"

"Actually it's not alright" I said, trying to sound serious, but not being able to hold back the smile, "Its Perfect, my favourite actually." Taking a bite of the eggs they were better then they smelled." Tell me, you're a biology professor, are all men born knowing how to cook delicious eggs? its gotta be a DNA thing"

"Well actually it's just me, so you should keep me close" he said giving me an adorable smile and winking.

"Aww black mail is it, I guess it's a good thing I was going to keep you close regardless of you cooking skills." I said. "I guess I fell asleep watching the movie last night, thank-you for putting me to bed"

"It was nothing; I just wanted you to be comfortable. What is on the agenda for today then?" he asked

"Well I was going to go to the hospital in an hour or so, take Charlie some decent breakfast and his stroganoff for later. I wanted to talk to the doctor and just make sure everything is how Amanda said it was, We'll be needing to go back to Seattle tomorrow, so I need to get as much done for Charlie as I can before I go. After I get back from the hospital I was going to cook up a bunch of meals to freeze so that Charlie has some decent food for when he's out of the hospital that are easy for him to cook. Maybe this afternoon I could take you down to first beach when I'm done, we could have a picnic on the beach?"

"That sounds wonderful Bella, Did you want me to come with you to the hospital or did you want to just take my car, I understand if you would like some alone time with your father?"

"If you don't mind I think it might be better if I go alone. I don't know how he will react to me dating one of my professor's. I think it might workout better if we wait until I'm out of your class to tell him" I said hoping he wouldn't be insulted.

"Bella, don't worry, I'll stay here and grade some work I have in the car. Take your time and see your dad, we have all the time in the world."

I went about my day spending time with Charlie, cooking up a storm, and getting the house in order. Around 4oclock Will and I went down to First beach and had our picnic, it was Saturday but I had called Jake that morning to tell him about Charlie and what was going on so I wouldn't be calling him later tonight. Will and I walked along the beach and spent time just sitting on the beach and talking. I was surprised at how much I opened up to Will. I told him about Edward, or at least as much as I was able to tell him, leaving out all vampire related issues; and he held me a talked to me and told me about some of his past relationships. I realised I was in love with him, It wasn't like it had been with Edward but it was real, it was what love was supposed to feel like outside the supernatural world.

It was getting late but we were both content to stay where we were.

"Did you want to stay to watch the sunset Bella?" will asked.

"You know in all the time I've lived here, I don't think I ever watched the sunset from the beach."I said thinking back.

"There is a first for everything" Will whispered into my neck kissing down to my shoulder. I sat between his legs leaning back into him, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

"Too true" I replied breathlessly turning my head towards his. He captured my lips and kissed me so deeply and passionately I felt like I had never been kissed before; and the truth was I had never been kissed like this. Besides the odd little peck I allowed to the guys I had dated since Edward I had never allowed myself to get this close to a man, and Edward had always been too afraid to kiss me like this, always guarding himself from anything too intimate.

Will and I kissed each other like it was the only thing holding us to this world, like if we broke apart for one second life as we knew it would cease to exist. After what felt like hours he pulled away slightly and spoke against my lips"look up Bella, The sun is setting just for you my dear." Looking up was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. A Monet Painting come to life, but so much better. The pinks and reds, and the oranges. The sky was on fire but it was the fire of passion not destruction.

We sat in silence until the last of the light had escaped from the water's edge. Will's head resting slightly on my shoulder the whole time.

"I love you Bella. I know it might seem too early for me to say that but I do. I could spend a life time watching sunsets with you in my arms." He said and kissed right behind my ear making me shiver in pleasure.

"Lets go home Will, and you can show me how you love me."

"Are you sure Bella? I don't want to rush you; I'll wait until you're ready no matter how long that is."

"Like you said Will there is a first time for everything and tonight is a night of first's; I'm ready, I want to make love to you" I said still gazing out over the now black ocean, The stars were shining like I had never seen them. It was a new beginning and the skies were blessing us. By some miracle I hadn't even blushed, Will made me feel confident and sexy like I was a prize, and I felt worthy of him.

We packed up our blankets and picnic and made our way to his car, holding hands the entire time. While we drove, he kept his hand on my thigh rubbing circles with his thumb. We arrived to my darkened house and I lead him inside. He left the picnic basket and blankets at the bottom of the stairs and followed me upstairs to my room, holding me in his arms and kissing me again.

"I need a moment, do you mind?" I asked

"Not at all, Take all the time you need" He said.

I went into the bathroom; of all the times to have to pee this would have to be it.

The separation made me anxious it was easier to be confident when I was in his arms. I decided to take a quick shower; he had said take all the time I needed. I pulled my hair up not wanting it to be wet and not wanting to have to take the time to have to dry it.

It felt good to feel clean, all the grime from cleaning today and from being in the hospital washed away.

I picked up the pyjama's I had grabbed from my room before leaving, holding them up in front of me. It was a champagne silk Camisole set, with lace bordering along the bust and thighs. Alice had bought it for me and I had laughed at her telling her I would never be wearing that to bed, and here I was about to put it on for another man. Did she see this happening when she bought it? Does she know what I'm about to do? And then I remembered, she doesn't care, She didn't even say goodbye. I slipped the top on and just the cold silk alone rubbing past my nipples made them harden. The bottoms were a far cry from my regular cotton underwear and old sweatpants.

I looked at myself in the mirror; it was odd thinking of my reflection as me, the light fabric of the camisole doing nothing to hide my hard nipples. I brushed my teeth quickly and spayed a bit of perfume into the air and walked through the mist. I was ready, or at least as ready as I was ever going to be.

I walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom, Will was standing at the window looking out, the moonlight hit his face and he glowed, as if he wasn't beautiful enough without the lighting. He turned when he heard my footsteps and looked me over. "You're gorgeous my dear" he said walking up to embrace me again.

"I'm sorry I took so long, I had to get the hospital feeling off of me" I whispered, I felt like if I spoke normally some spell would be broken.

He took my chin lightly in his hands, running his thumb along my jaw, "No apologies Bella, especially not tonight. Anything you choose to do or not do is fine." He captured my mouth again, his kiss a question, would I still have him? I pulled him in closer to me and told him it was okay, that I was ready answering with my body.

He deepened the kiss and ran his right hand down my neck, over my shoulder, and down my side grazing the side of my breasts as he moved his hand lower. When he reached the hem of my camisole his warm fingers laced underneath it trailing along my lower back. He held me to him with his right hand while his left hand left my cheek and followed the rights example. He held onto my hips with both hands and moved his kisses to behind my ear working his way down along my neck to my collarbone stopping every now and again to suck and mark my skin. When he reached the top of my breasts his hands took the bottom of my camisole and started to lift it, slow enough that I could stop him if I wanted. He stopped just under my breasts, hands resting on my ribcage, savouring the moment."I love you" he said again as he pulled the camisole off the rest of the way, revealing my naked torso to himself. He held the discarded camisole in his right hand, it tangled in his hand along with my hair. He hadn't stared like I thought he would but instead just went back to kissing my mouth letting me adjust to the feeling of being half naked before he went any further.

He worked his way back down my body but this time there was no barrier when he reached my breasts. He pulled my left nipple into his mouth, it felt wonderful and new and yet I put my hand to the back of his head guiding him, encouraging him. I may not have done these things before but it seems my body had auto pilot for these things.

I pulled him back up to my lips and kissed him while I started to unbutton his shirt. I wasted no time and soon he stood before me in only his boxers. My hands roamed his abs, exploring his body, trying to memorize it.

He picked me up by my ass and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his hips. He walked forward still kissing me until he felt the bed and then, slowly leaning forward, deposited me in the middle of it, my legs still wrapped around his hips and him still lying on top of me. I could feel his arousal growing, and I felt a power like I had never felt before. I was doing this to him, my body, he wanted me.

I unwrapped my legs and he sat up for a minute kissing each breast before getting off the bed, I was about to ask where he was going when he slipped his boxers off and to the floor, crawling back to me.

He was glorious, he could have been a statue because his body was a masterpiece. He started back at my breasts where he had left me and worked his way down. When he got to my underwear he kissed my stomach and looked up at me, waiting. I nodded it was okay and he pulled them down my legs and threw them onto the rocking chair where my camisole had landed by this point. I was never so glad I had decided to get that bikini wax on Wednesday.

He took my foot in his hand and now worked his way up my leg kissing and licking until he was just below where I want him, when he stopped to go to my other leg giving it the same treatment. This time when he got to the juncture between my legs he didn't stop but instead kissed my outer folds.

He continued to pleasure me using his mouth and his equally talented fingers trying to prepare me for what was about to come. He brought me so close to orgasm over and over stopping every time just before I lost it, he was driving me mad.

He pulled his Fingers from inside me and liked them clean and then kissed me.

"You taste so good Bella" he said against my lips and then kissed me again. He pulled away then, leaning towards my night table and grabbed something off of it.

"What is that? " I asked not seeing what it was in the dark.

"A condom, I assumed you were not on the Pill seeing as you're a virgin and we just got together." He said ripping the package open.

"Oh, you're right, When did you get it though I know I didn't have that lying around" I asked.

"I got it while you were taking a shower, we are just lucky I happened to have one in my gym bag" he said while putting it on.

"Needing a lot of condoms at the gym are you?" I asked partly joking and partly curious.

"It's not like that Bella, my gym bag has always been my overnight bag as well, and I have always kept one in there just in case." He said, "Are you upset, do you want to stop?"

"No, I'm sorry I didn't mean to ruin the moment like that." I said

He rolled off of me and lay on his side looking at me his hand stroking my stomach and hips. "Bella I said no being sorry, you've done nothing wrong and you haven't ruined anything" he kissed my cheek, "Is there anything you want to know or ask before we go any further?"

I wanted to say no but I knew that as much as I hated it I had to know, "how many people have you slept with?" I asked.

"Four" he said, " three of them were girlfriends, all long term, one was a kind of friends with benefits you could say, it was right after a bad breakup of mine and I wasn't ready for a relationship, one of my collage friends was in the same situation and we kind of found comfort in each other, It ruined our friendship though, I soon came to feel like I was taking advantage of her because I couldn't see us ever being anything more, I wanted to stop and she didn't, the arrangement worked for her, so when I said I just couldn't anymore she said she didn't want to see me at all anymore and that was that."

"Four... okay I can live with four I think." I said thinking out loud. He was 26 and gorgeous I know he would have had a lot more opportunities than that, that he hadn't taken. No, four was not only acceptable it was pretty amazing, and he had cared for them all in some way. No he was a gentlemen he had proven that tonight in many ways.

"You think you can live with that? I don't want you to do anything until you know you can live with it Bella" he said

"No, I know I can live with it, don't worry I just hadn't thought about it before now it came as a bit of a surprise when I realised I had no idea, it's just a number Will, it means nothing to me what's important is that I'm not just a number to you" I assured him looking into his beautiful green eyes.

"You could never just be a number to me Bella." He said kissing me.

We made love then, and he was slow and gentle and passionate. He gave me time to adjust to him before continuing and there was never a moment I didn't feel loved and safe, like the world could be on fire around us and we were safe inside our own universe. I came and the force of it caused his own orgasm. After which he just held me close, stroking my hair and kissing my face.

I was tired, sore and satisfied, and as I lay there on the cusp of sleep I realized that Me, 19 year old Bella just made love for the first time to my 26 year old biology professor, and more important, I was happy and for the first time in over a year. I regretted nothing now, because everything up until this point lead me here to where I was right now in the arms of my lover and my love.

Well guys hope you liked it, I tried but like I said it's my first FanFic so there are bound to be some problems. Next chapter should be jumping ahead to Bella's 3rd year university, and I'll be slowly introducing the Cullen's to the mix! I have no set plan for this story so feel free to write in suggestions or idea's I'd be glad to try and fit them in if I can and it works for the story. Please review and tell me what you think!

And thanks to all those who have reviewed, I'm writing for you guys!