A/N: Thank you to all of you who put me on your alerts - I really appreciate it. For any of you who may have seen Federal on Twilighted(dot)net, you will know it is currently on hiatus there. But, exciting news! Hopefully, it will be be live again within two months. I re-juggled everything so that I can carry on writing it, and I'm pretty psyched. I miss this fic. I miss the green eyed lawyer... Whoops! Did I say too much?

See you at the end!

Chapter Four: Dinner Date

It had been too long since I had sat here.

I leant back in my plush, leather chair, coffee mug clasped between both hands and surveyed my office.

It was a little small but I didn't care. I had kitted it out within the first month of working here with a beautiful beech wood desk and matching side table to contrast with the deep blue walls and now it was my own private space. I had it set out all wrong of course, with my desk facing away from the door and toward the large window instead but I figured it's my office and if I like the window I can goddamn look out of it.

I sat there now, gazing out the glass to the street outside. We were only on the third story so you could still see bits of the sidewalk and road. I liked to be able to see outside. It helped with my work. When I had lived in Phoenix, I had never really cared for gardening and the outside but after I moved to Forks I had really started to appreciate it. The perfect mismatch of emeralds and jades that had covered every surface in Forks had inspired me and made me who I was today.

In fact, the majestic shades of green and grey of the forest in Forks had painted my teenage memories. It was everywhere, coating an unearthly glow over my memories and make them even more special. I truly did owe it to that rainy little town.

I remember this one time, Tyler and I went for a walk in the woods one Saturday when we came across the most beautiful meadow in existence. The clearing seemed to suddenly appear among the endless trees and was filled with the most luscious swaying grass and vivid wildflowers. Purples, whites, pinks, yellows... It became Tyler and my special place that we regularly visited and, when the flowers died in the winter, I decided them that I would strive for the rest of my life to recreate its perfection again.

That's how I had ended up here, in truth. My mom had come into contact with Esme while planning a wedding where Esme was a bridesmaid. They had become friends, as everyone who meets my mom does, and Renee convinced her to give me an interview for her landscaping company. I showed her my ideas the following week and she hired me straight away, despite me not having an iota of designing experience.

Now, Esme was like my second mother. She had taken me under her wing and taught me all I need. Forks inspired the dream; Esme was making it come true. I heard the office door open as I continued to day dream and I knew it was her to expect. She came to see me every day and I knew she would have been missing me this past year.

I spun my chair to face her still slightly pensive. I was right. It was her. She stood statuesque at the edge of the room, golden blond loose curls quivering slightly around her pale heart faced face.

"It was so still in here I thought you weren't in," she began and made her way further into the room. She covered the space quickly and passed round my desk to take a seat on the other side, her movement diffusing the smell of her perfume around the room.

"No," I replied. "Just thinking."

"About what?" she asked.

"Whether Nessie would like a garden at home. I never really took an interest in the garden when I was younger and I think she should," I told her.

"You're such a mother!" she teased. I watched the way her skin creased at the corner of her hazel eyes and wondered if she envied me. She had never made it a secret that she wanted children but I guess it was almost too late now. "However, you seem pretty happy to be back at work and not with your daughter..."

She had got me. Because, in truth, I couldn't wait to get back to work. Not that I didn't love spending my days with Nessie but I also loved my job. I had taken the whole year off with Nessie and I was itching to get into it.

"Does that make me a bad mother?" I winced reflexively. Esme laughed, making her curls jiggle up and down.

"Of course not! You just have other hobbies but children!"

I laughed then too. We had often joked about those women. The ones who had children and never returned to work, instead becoming the embodiment of the term 'soccer mom'. I would've hated to be one of those. Not that I have anything against them, it's just not me.

"So, now I'm here," I began after we finished laughing. "Have you actually got any work for me?"

"I have actually!" Esme seemed to produce a folder as if from nowhere and placed it in front of me. "This gentleman called up a couple of weeks ago asking for landscaping for his and his fiancé's house just outside Port Angeles. It's a bit far, but I held it for you because the woman's previous billing address is Forks."

"Ahh, my neck of the woods," I murmured as I reached for the papers. "Anyone you think I might know?"

"I doubt it," Esme sighed. "A Mr Newton and Miss Stanley."

"Shut up!" I shrieked. "As in Mike and Jessica?"

"Well, he gave his name as Michael but I assume..."

"Holy Crow! Holy Crow! They were, like, some of my best friends in high school!" I had jumped up from my chair and now shouting energetically at Esme. "They're getting married? Oh my fucking God!"

I spun round with my hands on my head in disbelief, laughing to myself. It was then I noticed half the rest of the floor peering into my office to see what all the commotion was. I was not normally one to draw attention to myself. I stopped laughing instantly and felt my cheeks flush as I unintentionally met some of their gazes. I heard Esme laugh tinkling gently behind me and I settled myself awkwardly back into my seat.

"So, I take it you're in?" Esme asked, still laughing.

"You bet," I agreed, my cheeks still burning. "Sorry about the outburst."

Esme got up and made her way around the desk to place a delicate hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay, my dear, you're allowed to be happy. Now, I'm going to go tell everyone you're okay and haven't lost your mind."

She laughed at herself and made her way to the door. I spun around to face her before she left.

"Esme?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Thank you. I'll phone Mr Newton right away."

She simply laughed again and walked out the door while I turned back to my desk and picked up the receiver.

XXX

Mike and I arranged for dinner the following night so I could meet up with him and Jessica and start to discuss ideas with them. I was genuinely excited at the prospect of seeing them both again and slightly marvelled that I had known nothing of their relationship. They had been on and off at school but I never realised that had carried on after graduation. And Mike had said nothing of it at the reunion last year...

I felt a jolt in my stomach as I thought of that night. The closest I had ever come to even thinking of being unfaithful to Jacob. I know it was because I was just about to burst with Nessie but it still made me afraid when I thought of it. It was just an instinctive reaction I guess.

I came home slightly early so I could spend some time with Nessie and relieve our babysitter, Victoria, early as it was a Friday night. Nessie was ten months old now and starting to burble almost coherently. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen with skin so flawless it almost seemed to shimmer in the light. But it was still the eyes that knocked me for sixes every time she looked at me in that curious way of hers.

It was that look she gave me now as she sat on the bed watching me move around the room as I got ready to go out. I was already wearing my long black halter-neck maxi-dress with brown leather gladiators and just needed to pick out some jewellery. I moved over to my jewellery box on the dressing tables and picked up a set of chunky wooden pearls and thick gold rope chain. I whirled dramatically to face Nessie with a pout and purred: "Which do you think?"

She laughed and clapped at Silly Momma and pointed to the beads with a pudgy finger. Excellent taste my daughter had. I told her this as I looped the beads around my neck and she gurgled joyfully. I took a step toward the bed and scooped her up into my arms when I was done. She instantly reached for the beads and began playing with them. Then she looked at me with that burning curiosity in her eyes.

"Beads," I informed her and she nodded once before continuing to push and pull them around the thread. I smiled to myself and carried her with me downstairs to the kitchen where Jake was. He looked up as we entered the room and smiled instantly.

"There's my two favourite girls!" he exclaimed, winking at me. "You about ready to go, Bells?"

"Yeah, if you could just take Nessie I'll grab my bag," I replied. Nessie dropped the beads immediately and reach out for Jake as I passed her to him. She was such a Daddy's girl – she already spent hours with him as he tried to teach her how to build her own car. Not that it was any use anyway. She just giggled and batted his cheek playfully whenever he wanted her to pay attention. So, he would gather her in his arms and growl into her belly making her laugh even more.

I went out to the hallway to get my purse and grabbed a jacket as an afterthought not knowing how cold it would be when I came out of the restaurant. Then, I went to the kitchen to say goodbye.

"Your dinner's in the fridge and Nessie's already had hers," I informed Jake as I dropped a swift kiss on the top of Nessie's head. "Don't let her stay up too late and no TV!"

I looked at him sternly with my eyebrows raised for a moment before my face melted into an easy smile. Yeah right, like that would happen – he always spoilt her when I went out. I kissed Jake quickly and promised him I wouldn't be home late before heading out the door. I was excited to finally be on my way as I strapped myself into the car and took off down the road with a grin.

XXX

"Sorry I'm a bit late. I was expected with the Newton reservation?"

I announced myself to the maitre d', who showed me to a little table at the back of the restaurant where Mike was sitting.

"Bella!" he jumped up when he saw me, his arms flung wide.

"Hi," I greeted him as I stepped into his arms and kissed his cheek quickly, "No Jessica?"

"No, unfortunately she's having to do a night shift at the hospital but she's sent along her demands, don't you worry."

I laughed lightly and Mike gestured for me to take a seat. He was wearing a pale blue open-necked shirt tonight which made his turquoise eyes sparkle. How come he couldn't have looked like this in high school?

"Can I get you a drink?" he offered as I shrugged off my jacket. His eyes swept quickly over my outfit before he looked back at my face. A thrill zipped up my spine as I watched his eyes trace my slim curves.

"I'll have a small white wine, please."

"Best just bring the bottle," Mike told the waiter, who scuttled off without a word. I scowled slightly. I didn't really want to drink too much.

"Should we get straight to business?" I asked him sweetly. "What exactly is the project?"

"Well, it's my house but Jess is going to be moving in soon and, rather than redecorate the whole house for both our tastes, we decided we would do the garden together instead." Mike told me. Made sense enough. I voiced this out loud for his benefit.

"Makes sense."

The waiter came back with the bottle of wine then and we sat in silence as he poured us each a glass. Mike thanked him before he began speaking to me again.

"Jess wants something urban with decking and alpine plants," Mike rolled his eyes theatrically. "Does that mean anything to you?"

Jessica and I hadn't always seen eye-to-eye at school but it seemed we would now. This girl knew her stuff. I giggled quickly in delight. There's nothing better that hiring some totally hot carpenters to knock up some rustic bedding borders.

"Perfect sense," I told him with a smile. "You will not believe how excited I am. I seriously cannot believe you guys are getting married!"

"I know, right? It's crazy," Mike sucked in a breath through his teeth.

"I propose a toast," I announce suddenly, grabbing my glass. "To a wonderful marriage and a bitching new garden!"

"I'll drink to that!" Mike cried with a laugh and chinked his glass to mine.

I took a sip and began planning the garden in my head. A low deck nearer the house with two large planters at the edge filled with large Bougainvilleas which gave way to a secret rockery… I picked up the menu and let my eyes flick over the words. Of course, I would have to see the space first but it wouldn't be too difficult to change my initial idea…

This really was nice wine. I still held my glass in my hand and realised I had managed to down the majority of the glass during my reverie. I set the glass down quickly.

"Oops."

I felt myself blush as Mike laughed at me. I must look pretty unprofessional downing my drink. But the man really did know how to pick good wine, what could I say? The waiter arrived then, thankfully, to take our order and the evening passed in a blur.

Mike and I found we had so much to talk about. For the most we discussed the garden and arranged a meeting next week actually at his house so I could take my measurements but the rest was for reminiscing.

We remembered all the silly things – the time we all went surfing at La Push and Mike throwing up at the movie theatre. And then all the more serious things – graduation, prom, working together…

By the time we were finishing dessert my head was swimming with memories and alcohol. While we had spoken, Mike had ensured our glasses were always full and we kept clanging them together as we remembered another hysterical tale.

"Oh, Bella," Mike sighed after an especially hard laughing session. "You always did make me laugh."

"Yeah," I agreed with a giggle. "It wasn't too hard – you are a blond!"

And that set us off again, cackling until I clutched my sides in pain. My joke wasn't even funny but I hadn't had so much fun in forever with looking after Nessie and everything. Tonight had just been about relaxing and the copious amounts of wine had really helped.

A waiter interrupted us with a small cough and set the bill down on the table. I straightened up and glanced around to notice we were the only people left in the restaurant. Well that's embarrassing!

Mike grabbed the receipt and reached for his wallet.

"Halvsies?" I offered, bending to reach my own bag.

"Don't be ridiculous, Bella. I've got this," Mike insisted.

"Really? It only seems fair…"

"Mrs Black, put your money away!"

I grinned widely at him and dropped my purse. Mike finished paying and waiter returned our coats. Part of me was embarrassed we were the last to leave; the drunk part of me just didn't care.

I stumbled as I stood and Mike caught me in his arms.

"Oh dear!" I announced in a sing song voice. Mike set me back on my feet and we both started laughing again. Once I had recovered I slipped on my jacket and we headed for the door. Halfway, I spun back round to face the impatient waiter and blew him a kiss with a wink. I shrieked with delight as he blushed - I wondered what he would do if I really kissed him…

"Bella, move your ass!" Mike instructed from the door way and I skipped over to him. He patted me gently on the bum, forcing me out the door.

The cold air hit me and I shivered briefly but the wine kept off most the chill. I was grateful then that my sober self had thought to bring a jacket out tonight. Mike and I walked in silence for a while when I suddenly slapped my hand to my forehead.

"What's up?"

"I'm meant to be driving home!" I complained as I slurred my words together.

"Uh-oh."

"Yup, not gonna happen."

As if to prove this point, I tripped over my own foot and landed on the pavement with a bump. I began to laugh at my perpetual clumsiness. For some reason everything tonight was hilarious to me. I blame the wine. I blame Mike. He was funny.

Mike was laughing to and came and sat beside me. Obviously he didn't care how dirty the sidewalk was in his tipsy state. He grabbed a stray piece of hair and twisted it back behind my ear.

"How about we walk to my place and I'll call you a cab?" he offered very sensibly for someone who had downed nearly two bottles of wine tonight.

"Sounds good," I agreed and we helped each other up before staggering along to road arm in arm as only the best drunks can do.

A/N: Gotta love drunk, Bella! Check back next chapter for... well, you'll just have to wait and see! Hope you enjoyed and all... drop a note - I may just send you love back... ;)

Mel x