Disclaimer: i do not own any of the twilight characters or well known names and places i used in my story

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Chapter 12

Surprises and Arriving in Hanover

BPOV

A week and a half had passed since Edward invited me to join him on his trip to Hanover. It was now Tuesday and we were to leave this Thursday. I was thankful Carlisle agreed to remove my brace by then after seeing the repeat x-ray. I was worried since it had only been two weeks and Edward suggested at first that we keep it for another month. I guess Carlisle allowed it since Edward will be with me, he would be able to care for me if I have troubles with my hand.

Of course Alice and Rose were ecstatic about it and we had to go shopping... again. "Alice, I think I have enough clothes to bring," I whined.

"Oh Bella, you can't have enough clothes. And we need to buy you new lingerie," she said as she turned in her seat.

"I have enough of those, too. You buy me a new set every week!" I complained.

"Yes, but this is different. This is Edward. We have to get you new things and an evening dress," she said.

"Alice, why would I need an evening dress?" I inquired.

"Oh, sorry Bella it's a surprise," she said with her evil smirk so I just decided to drop it, knowing fully that I wouldn't be able to squeeze that detail out of her. We soon reached the mall and headed for Banana Republic. According to Alice I needed to buy the clothes first before getting the underwear. Why that is, I had no clue.

When we got into the store she sped off to the dresses and picked out quite a few. She then threw me into the fitting room and handed over the clothes. After about an hour I left Banana Rep with a cocktail dress, a pair of skinny jeans, a cardigan and a white textured top.

Next we headed to Bloomingdale's for my evening dress. After trying on about ten dresses, we settled on a navy blue cross back dress and a powder blue ruched dress. I was able to convince Alice that my silver strappy heels would do so she just got me a pair of extra flats.

Next we headed to Victoria's Secret. We went our separate ways once we entered the store. After about thirty minutes Alice found me and pulled me to the dressing room. "Ali, nothing is going to happen, I don't need more skimpy lingerie." I complained.

"Shush, you never know. Now put them on and let's see," she said. I tried on bra after bra with their matching panties. Apparently according to Alice my dresses would not need bras so she got me thongs that were supposed to show no lines under the dress. After a while Rose came in with tops, pants, and pyjama sets. After about an hour of trying on clothes we ended up with three pairs of pants, three pyjama sets, 5 kinds of panties, and 4 bra and panty sets. After paying we left and made our way home.

When we got home I prepared dinner, the usual salad and pasta and Alice insisted she would pack my bags. Since she had gotten me so many clothes I would not have to worry that I wouldn't have decent clothes to wear for the next two days. "Bella, tomorrow we're going to the spa. You need to get waxed," she called from my room. "Okay, Ali, whatever you say."

It was now Wednesday and I had a lot to cover in the office since I was on leave Thursday and Friday. I woke up, did my morning routine and dressed myself in a Lauren camel colored twill circled skirt and paired it with a white linen-cotton V-neck sweater. I decided to use my Louboutin d'Orsay pumps. I gathered up my things and headed to my car. Rose and Alice had to go the hospital to check on the progress of the building there so they left earlier than me.

I got to our office building and parked my car in the garage, after which I rode the elevator up to our floor. "Good morning Miss Swan," Amber our receptionist greeted me. "Good morning Amber," I greeted back. "Oh, you have a visitor in your office." She informed me and I smiled, nodded, and made my way to the office. Angela met me at the door of our room.

"Bella, Mrs. Cullen is here she wanted to discuss some stuff with you. She didn't specify what they were though." She told me.

"Has she been waiting long? You could have called me; I could have been here earlier," I told her. I was actually kind of nervous, and I didn't know why.

"No, maybe about ten minutes," she said as we walked into the office.

"Good morning Mrs. Cullen," I greeted her extending my hand. But instead of taking my hand she pulled me into a hug. I was surprised at first but returned the hug after I composed myself.

"Good morning Bella, please call me Esme. Mrs. Cullen is my mother-in-law," she said with a laugh.

"Alright then, Esme, can I have Angela get you anything before we start?" I asked since I did not know why she came today. I saw Angela enter the room and wait for the request.

"Some tea would be nice." She grinned.

"What kind would you like? We have peppermint, chai, earl grey, black, red, jasmine and Egyptian camomile with apple." She enumerated.

"Wow, I think I'll have jasmine please," she said and Angela smiled and nodded and went to get the tea.

"So, what brings you here today Esme? Is there a problem with the building?" I asked.

"Oh, no dear, there is definitely no problem with the building. It's two things actually. First is another project and second is about my son," she explained as Angela returned with the tea and some Danish. Another building I understand but her son? I wondered which son, she does have two and a nephew she treats like a son.

She must have sensed my tension. After taking a sip of her tea she smiled and said, "Don't worry dear, I'm not here to stop you from seeing Edward," What? Were we seeing each other? I didn't know that. Just remain calm Bella, I said to myself.

"Uhm, Esme, I'm not seeing Edward. We're just close friends." I said a bit uncertain.

"Ok, dear, you keep telling yourself that." She said trying to hold back a chuckle. I then decided to change the subject. "What was it about another project?" I asked.

"Yes, we could talk about that first. As you know I work for several foundations, most of them were established by my father. Anyway, we would like to build a community center with a playground for the children in Somerville," she said.

"That is possible. What do you have in mind for the structure?" I inquired pulling out my pad and pen at the same time.

"I would like a court. If I can't have multiple one's then one that can be a basketball, volleyball, and badminton court all in one. I'd also like a pool and a couple of tennis courts. As for the rooms, I'd like to have a small library, an art room, and a TV room. Then a play ground outside for the children." She enumerated.

"Ok, what is your time line for this?" I asked.

"We can start after we're done with the hospital or at least when we're in the final stages so it would not be too hard for you. Also we have to finalize the acquisition of the land." She answered.

"Ok, then that won't be a problem. I'll discuss it with Alice and Rose and come up with a draft for you. When you approve it then we can discuss the things that will go inside the building. As for the play ground, I'll let Alice decide on the landscape then I'll design a structure around her landscaping." I explained.

"That would be great dear. Contact details are the same. Mary will still be your contact aside from me. She will email you the site details when we have finalized them," she sipped her tea.

"That would be fine," I said as I finished up my notes.

"Wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Ok, next topic, Edward."

A lump caught in my throat. "What about Edward?" I tried not to grimace.

"Well, dear, it's not just me, it's all of us. We see that Edward is really smitten with you and I am thankful to you for that. He has been caught up in his work for such a long time. And I know you are different because he is very cautious of his actions," she said then took a sip of tea. I was just staring at her.

"I guess you're wondering why I say this. Let me elaborate. I won't play my son as an innocent man. The Lord knows how many women he has been with, but never in his twenty-eight years has he asked me for help on what to give a lady," she said and I was stunned.

"What do you mean?" I inquired a bit puzzled.

"Well, you know the 'care package' he sent you?" she asked and I nodded. "Well, he called me up and asked for suggestions on what to put in it. He had the idea of what he wanted, but could not pin point the exact items that would achieve his goal. So we went to lunch then shopped for the items. I just kept suggesting and he just kept putting them in the basket." She smiled proudly.

"Oh, now I understand. Well, I do like your son very much and I enjoy the time I spend with him. He is very caring and never complains. We have both agreed to take things slow. So no title as of now. Our friends have been asking, but between both of us we do not know what exactly to call what we have." I explained and she responded with a smile and a nod.

"Slowly but surely is always what's best dear. I hear you are joining him this week end in Dartmouth, is this right?" she inquired.

"Yes, he invited me and I figured that I could use a break. He was so interested in my past and I would love to see where he spent eight years of his life. I also hear the museum is great so I plan to go there while he's at the lecture." I answered.

"That would be great dear. I'm sure Edward has other plans for both of you as well. He was always the better charmer of the two. I think they got it from Carlisle." She laughed. I just laughed with her. "Oh my, I have to get going. I have to meet some board members for an early lunch," she said as she stood up. I also stood up and went around my desk to her. I walked her to the lobby then we said our good-byes as she got into the elevator. When the doors closed, I turned and walked back to my office and explained everything to Angela.

EPOV

Finally it was Thursday; I finished up my shift at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. I took the graveyard shift so I could take a nap before we leave for Hanover. I made my way home, had some cereal then went to bed. I got up a little before noon so I went to my kitchen had a sandwich then I went to make sure everything was ready to go. After I cleaned up I hopped into the shower then got dressed. At about 1:30 I sent Bella a text that I was on my way to get her.

I pulled up in my Volvo at their building then made my way upstairs. I rang the bell and heard her shout that she was coming to the door. When she opened the door she was glowing again and I could not help but smile. She was wearing white pants and a blue crew neck shirt with blue tie-die flats. It was a simple outfit but all her curves were accentuated. I was starting to imagine her without her clothes on. I gave myself a mental slap at the back of the head, head out of the gutter Cullen!

"Hi Edward," she greeted me.

"Hi, are you all set to go?" I asked her.

"Yes, my bag is over by the counter. I'll just get my hand bag and lap top," she said.

"Why do you need a lap top? I thought you were going to relax?" I asked her while I got her bag and we made our way to the elevator.

"Well, you never know. Just want to be prepared." she said as she shrugged her shoulders. We got to the car; I opened her door for her then closed it after she got in, and I put her suitcase in the trunk then got into the driver's side. I pulled out of the lot then made my way to I-93.

We were about thirty minutes into our drive just listening to music when she started a conversation. "I forgot to tell you your mother came to see me yesterday." Her eyes were down looking at her hands twirling her fingers. "Oh, what about?" I asked.

"Well, she wanted us to build her another building in Somerville, and she said a few things about you." She said the last part barely over a whisper. "Pardon, I didn't get the last part," I said.

She shifted in her seat to look at me. "She said a few things about you," she stated then just remained staring at me. "Really? What things?" I asked again, curious why.

"Uhm, something about never in your twenty-eight years did you ask her to help you with a gift for someone," she said and I felt my cheeks get hot. "Edward, would you mind telling me about the romantic aspect of your life?" she asked.

"No, I don't mind, but you'll have to share your story as well. We do still have a two hour drive ahead of us" I said. "Yes, I will tell you everything," she answered and I then thought about where to start my story. I guess from the beginning would be the right way to go.

"Ok, so I've had two real relationships. I won't pretend that there weren't any others. I've had my fair share of flings. My first girlfriend I had during my second year of high school. Her name was Irina. We were together about a year when she broke it off after realizing she liked females better than males. But we're good friends now; we had a clean break, no hard feelings." I looked at her and she just nodded.

"My second girlfriend was my best friend. Tanya is her name. We started as friends in our first year of high school but only got together in our first year of college. We did the long distance thing. I went to Dartmouth and she went to Brown to take up architecture. I would drive down to her or she would come see me and we would get together for the breaks. We called it off after two years since she just kept taking more and more, and giving less and less. I guess you could say I just got fed up with the situation. After about a year, she got together with a former classmate of ours. They're still together I think.

"We still actually stay in touch but I don't make it a point anymore to let her know how my life is going. She texts once in a while but I don't mind it too much. I'm not a virgin anymore, I lost it around my third year of high school, I don't want to get into details, I don't think it's proper. But I'm clean," I said adding the last part quickly.

"Well, then you came along." I said taking a peek at her. I saw her looking intently at me and I smiled at her. She then looked down, but I still caught a light blush come up her cheeks. "I first saw you in Seattle. You were sitting in the lobby reading a magazine. Jasper actually caught me staring at you." I continued with a laughed. "I kept stealing glances at you throughout the seminar and imagine my surprise when I met you in the airport through Em and Rose. There was just something about you that made me want to get to know you.

"I actually felt bad I didn't get your number. Then the magazine came along, my mother needed a building built and you all had such impressive credentials that I was sure we could not go wrong. I asked my dad if it was ok with him that I use your firm. After he said it was okay I set up the appointment and things just started from there. You know the rest from that point until now." As I finished I looked over at her again. She nodded, acknowledging I had finished.

I noticed that we were pulling up to a rest stop. "Do you want to use the restroom?" I asked her.

"Yes, please, I'll grab some water and juice as well." She said. "I'll get those for you," I said then made my way to the store. I waited for her by the car holding the door open for her then handing her the purchases. When she was set I closed the door and got into the driver's side.

We pulled out of the rest stop; she took a sip of water then started her story. "Ok, so it's my turn. Our stories are actually similar. I had my first boyfriend in my second year of college. His name was James and he took up engineering at NYU. I think he's an engineer in the aeronautical field. We lasted about two years and he broke it off saying he just fell out of love. I took that one hard, maybe because he was my first love and all. I lost my virginity to him. We stopped talking for about a year then our paths crossed again and we were able to work things out and are also friends now. We actually realized that we have a better relationship now as friends. But like you, we only contact each other when absolutely necessary." She took another sip of water.

"My second boyfriend was also my best friend. We met in our first year of college in one class since he was taking psychology. His name was Jacob. He was a good best friend; we would cover for each other from our parents as long as we knew the other would be safe. There was even a point that he could not go out of his house unless it was with me. His mom didn't like his girlfriend at that time and she was trying to keep him from her.

"We decided to be a couple after our graduation. He went on to work in Colorado and I went to Boston for my Masters' with Alice and Rose. We were together a year and a half, half of that time we were apart. He broke up with me one day by e-mail. Then I found out he returned to his ex, Victoria, whom his mother absolutely loathed. She was a former teacher of ours and they had something going until she went away to work. I stopped talking to him and just let him be.

"This one didn't hurt as much since even before he broke up with me, I had a feeling there was something going on. So I just let him be. I guess I felt betrayed because I expressed my concern for that girl. He just kept saying he was mine and that I should not worry, but then he ended up going back to her. I would say it was expected, since I know she would get him by hook or by crook. There was no real closure with him, and I settled on not looking for one. I didn't even cry until a month after, and it only lasted about five minutes.

"But I have been cautious since then, mainly because I felt I did not know how to make a relationship work. Not even our four year friendship was enough for him. After that I swore to give myself a break. I felt my relationships were too close together and I needed time for myself, and to figure out things. Ali and Rose would keep trying to get me to go out but I would always go home early since I'd rather soak in the tub.

"And then you happened. I met you at the airport but really did not think much of it since you were so handsome I really did not expect you to do what you're doing now. I honestly was also not looking for a relationship and never would I have thought that you would be interested in plain old me. I also saw you in the article and I think I started to crush on you. So when I got the notice of your appointment I even thought that maybe it was another Edward Cullen, but something in the back of my head said it was you.

"Then we started to spend time together and I got to get to know you better. That's when I decided I was starting to like you in a special way, and so I decided to give relationships another go if you did express some interest in me. And so here we are," she finished and looked at me with an expectant expression on her face. I was not sure how to respond to that so I just nodded and smiled while contemplating my response.

"So I see we do have a lot in common. I guess that's why we understand each other better; we know where the other is coming from." I smiled at her and took her hand. "Bella, I honestly think this can go somewhere. But my answer remains the same, I do want to go slow and I don't want to hurt you. I want to show you that you are special and how much you have come mean to me." I kissed her hand.

She nodded and smiled as well, "Edward may I ask you something?"

"Anything, sweetie," I squeezed her hand.

"You still want me even if I'm not a virgin? That if the time is right you are not my first?" she asked looking down at our hands. At this time, I decided to pull onto the shoulder so we wouldn't get into an accident as I explain this to her.

I put our linked hands on her chin to force her to look at me. "Bella, I will not be a hypocrite. I would love to have been your first. I mean every guy would love to be a woman's first, it's a boost to the ego you know. But considering that I myself am not a virgin, I do not expect my girlfriend or partner to be one. So the answer is yes, I still want you even if you're not a virgin. Though to some extent it is important, it does not make you who you are. I have gotten to know you and have seen that you have so much more to offer," I said then she brought our hand to her lips and put a kiss on mine. I pulled back onto the highway and continued driving towards Hanover.

We shared a few more stories of our past loves when I noticed we were near the hotel. I pulled up to the lobby and we were met by a bellhop. He unloaded our bags and Bella stepped out of the car and rotated her head to look around at the architecture. When the bellhop was set and I had handed the keys to the valet I went over to Bella and took her hand, lightly tugging on it. "Let's go check in."

I went over to the desk and Bella walked around the lobby. I reserved the Baker Tower suite. It only had one bed, but I wanted the space and the couch is quite comfortable in case Bella was hesitant to sleep beside me. When we were all set I collected Bella and we made our way up to the room.

When we got to the room I opened the door and saw Bella's eyes go wide. "Edward, this is amazing. It even has a kitchen area. I'll make you breakfast tomorrow," she said excitedly.

"Sweetie, there's room service for that. Besides I did not bring you with me for you to cook for me." I said as I watched her make her way to the window. She stared out the window for a while then I went over to stand beside her. I put a hand on the small of her back then she looked at me and smiled. "I just have to use the restroom," she said then left. I decided to sit on the couch and open the TV.

"What would you like for dinner? We can dine here or we could pick-up something outside." I had dinner plans Saturday night so I hope she took the latter option.

"I think I'd like to eat out. What are my options?" she asked.

"Well, they're all beside each other so we can go down this street and you can pick one." I suggested.

"Ok, shall we?" she asked and reached out her hand. I stood up and took her hand and we made our way down South Main Street. She opted for the Thai restaurant. We had shrimp, chicken, some vegetables and fried rice. While we ate, we continued to share some of our childhood stories and got a good laugh from it.

When we got back to the hotel I offered for her to use the bathroom first. She took her toiletries and a change of clothes then went into the bathroom. She was done in about twenty minutes and she came out in a tie-die blue pyjama set. I saw she brought the slippers I gave her. I couldn't help but smile at that thought as I made my way to the bathroom.

I showered and brushed my teeth then dressed in flannel pyjama pants and a t-shirt. When I went out I found Bella with her laptop on the dining table wearing glasses. That was so irresistible; it just made me want to kiss her. "What are you doing?" I said standing behind her. "Just writing down some ideas." She looked at me.

"Well, I was wondering, there is only one bed, which I offer to you and I'll sleep on the couch. It's not intentional that there is just one bed but this room is the best and most spacious that's why I got it," I explained. She began to look like she was contemplating something.

"Well, I wouldn't want you to sleep on the couch since this is your trip. I would stay on the couch but I'm sure you won't allow that. I'm confident you're not a rapist and your mother seems to have raised you well so I think it will be safe for me if we both sleep on the bed." She smiled.

"Are you sure you're ok with that?" I asked, just to be sure.

"Yes, I am ok with that." She shut off her computer, set aside her glasses, then took my hand and pulled me to the bed. "Which side do you want?" she asked me.

"You can choose. Ladies choice," I said.

"Ok then, I'll take the left side." She said then crawled up the bed and scooted over to the left side. She then cuddled under the sheets then turned to me, "Will we be able to eat breakfast together?" she asked.

"Yes, I have pre-ordered breakfast. The lecture starts at nine." I replied.

"Ok, good night Edward. Sweet dreams." She pecked at my cheek.

"Good night sweetie, sleep well." I leaned over to kiss her on the forehead, lingering a bit longer than necessary. She just smiled at me then pulled the covers tighter. I settled in myself falling asleep and dreaming of Bella.