Edward~

I walked down main street on Wednesday afternoon swinging my brand new house keys around my finger and whistling. I must of appeared to be in a great mood. The residents of Forks were actually smiling and saying Hello. It was the first time since I arrived that I didn't feel like I was going to be run out of town with pitch forks and torches. I was on my way to Spoons. I decided this was the perfect time to go in and tell her about the house. I had so much to do. I had to buy furniture and new appliances. Emmett and I were supposed to walk through the house tonight and he was going to give me a rough estimate on what everything should cost. I had insisted on paying him for the labor but he wouldn't hear of it. It frustrated me but I didn't want to insult him so I backed off of the subject. I approached the coffee house and saw Alice sitting at an empty counter sketching. I smiled wide and decided it was time to make amends with Mary Alice Brandon. I opened the door and walked over to the counter.

"Did the happy bug crawl up your ass or something? You are smiling like a damn idiot." she said never looking up from her pad.

"I'm glad your here. I wanted to come in and say I'm sorry about everything and I hope you'll forgive me." I wasn't sure what Alice was more mad about, the book or the fact that I left and never returned.

"Apology accepted. Now get out. I'm working." she said and pointed to the door.

"Do you know when Bella will be back? I needed to talk to her. It's pretty important." I shoved my hands in my pockets and waited.

"Any minute now. She just had to return something to the florist." Alice was almost smirking.

"That's odd. What did she have to return." I wondered.

"Flowers....from Jake....." Alice mused.

"Why would she return flowers from her boyfriend?" thinking of them together made me a little sick but I kept my mouth shut.

Alice smiled a little, "Did you hear about Bella and Jake?" she asked me.

"What about Bella and Jake?" I grinned a little. I had forgotten how informative small town gossip could be.

"They broke up Monday." she said lightly and took a sip from her water bottle.

"Are we sad or not sad?" I asked. My good mood returning a little.

"Not sad....at all. He's nuts."

"Would you mind if I waited with you?" I said softly.

"It's your afternoon and this is a free country. Wait away." she said sarcastically.

" I did something and I hoped Bella might see it as sort of a gesture." I blushed a little.

Alic raised her eye brow at me and waited.

"I bought the house on Maple. It's mine free and clear. Emmett and I are going to start working on it as soon as possible. I'm hoping it will be enough to show Bella I'm staying."

"Holy crap! You could of just hung around. She would of understood eventually." Alice said with a smile.

"I was willing to try that but I Bella needs to visualize what I'm trying to do here."

Alice nodded in understanding, "Edward, I want you to know I am on your side. I think Lilly deserves a father but if you fuck this up I will hunt you do like a dog. Are we clear?"

"As crystal. Don't worry. I'm going no where. I've called my Agent and told him no more travel, no more tours. I bought a house. I'm here for good." I said with pride.

"She's a lot like you, you know." Alice smiled wide.

"Lilly?" I said with wonder. I always thought she'd be more like Bella.

"Yeah. She's stubborn like Bella and she loves to argue but she's inherited a few of your better qualities."

"Like what?" I asked. I was desperate to know what she was like.

"She's really really smart. I was thinking about letting her do my books for the store. She could probably do a better job than I could." we both laughed, "She's a reader. She loves books but I think she got that from both of you. She got your eyes and your hair. She's really really great." Alice said with pride. I opened my arms and leaned over to her. She hugged me back for a moment, "Thanks Ali." I said quietly. I was the only one to ever call her that. In high school she hated it but I was hoping she wouldn't mind it now. Our embrace broke and we settled in, talking and laughing as we waited for Bella.

Bella~

I drummed my fingers against the counter waiting for someone to come and help me. The large bouquet of Lillie's laid in front of me.

"Hey Bella, whats up?" Angela Webber Chaney smiled at me.

"I need a favor. If Jake comes in here and wants to send me any more flowers please just tell him I said no." I slid the lilies back to her.

"Uh. Can I ask why?" She smiled politely.

"We broke up which I am sure you already know. I don't want to give the wrong message so please if he comes in here and wants to send anymore just tell him I've personally requested not to get anymore deliveries." I was ready to bribe her if necessary.

"Will do but you know Jake. He wont give up that easy." I smiled sweetly at her, "Thanks for your help Angela." I gave a little wave and walked back down the street to my coffee house. In the last few days I had received flowers, cards, candy, jewelry. Really anything he can think of to send he sent it. I sent it all back of course. I didn't want to accept anything from him. He had gotten the wrong message before and I didn't want that to be an issue again. I stopped in front of my store window. I could see Edward and Alice chatting happily. The whole town really had lost there damn minds. I opened the door more roughly than needed and walked back behind the counter.

"Look who stopped by!" Alice said happily. I reminded myself I had to be nice. We had to co exists. This town had never felt smaller to me.

Hi Edward. How are you?" I said with very little emotion. Alice hopped down off her stool and danced over to her store. I put my apron back on and planted my palms on the counter in front of me.

"What can I get you Edward?" I wasn't in the mood to be pleasant and pleasing. Being alone with him wasn't a good idea today or any day. Just being in the same room with him still made my pulse race. I was pissed off and irritated with the world but I was turned on by his very presence. That just annoyed me more.

"I didn't come in for coffee. I wanted to know if you had plans this evening." he smiled, the bastard. It was crooked and gorgeous. His lips pulled up at the corners. The smile was slow and lazy. That smile made me crazy. I had to remind myself we weren't kids anymore. We were rational adults who didn't think with their hormones. They thought with their brains.

"the reason I ask is I have something I'd like you to see. Is it possible for me to see you tonight?" I bit my lower lip and let his warm voice wash over me.

"Lilly goes to bed at nine. I'll only be able to be gone for a bout twenty minutes." I said softly.

"Won't your Dad watch her?" he asked me. I shook my head, "She's my kid. I'll watch her. Twenty minutes. Where should I meet you?" I said curtly. My stomach was flipping over at the idea of being with him tonight even if just for a little while.

"Corner of Maple and Elm. I'll wait for you there." he knocked the counter once gently with his fist and walked away. He was still so cool. Bastard. When he was gone for sure I laid my head on the counter and groaned.

"Stop fighting it. You know you wanna sleep with your baby daddy!" she called from her store. I gave her the finger. She laughed hysterically and sang some obnoxious rap song about baby daddies.

Edward~

I walked all the way home which in Forks wasn't that far. I couldn't stop smiling. My arms ached to hold Bella and my hands itched to touch her. It was getting to the point where I was laying awake in bed at night just thinking about going over to her house. I laid there and wondered if she still left her window unlocked. She used to do it all the time when we were younger. That's how I got in undetected. I reminded myself that we were grown ups now with a child to think of. Neither of us could afford to do anything crazy. I would have to keep my hands to myself until I was sure she wanted me too. That was going to be very hard but it was what I had to do. I walked in the house and shut the door behind me. My mother was in the kitchen arguing with someone.

"Listen, I don't give a damn what you think. This isn't fair and if you cant help me I'll find someone that will." she paused for a moment and continued, "How dare you call me unethical. It was unethical for him to do this to me. I was his wife for thirty plus years damn it and I want what's mine!" she yelled. There was something in my Fathers will she didn't like. She was trying to get it changed. Was it legal? Could she do it?

"Look she never earned anything of his. She didn't even know him. For her to have a stake in this is ridiculous." Who was she talking about?

"I'll just find someone that is willing to do this for me. It cant be that hard to do!" she slammed the phone down into it's cradle. I opened the front door and slammed it closed, making my presence known.

"Edward? Is that you?" she called. Her tone was totally changed. It was a little disturbing how quickly she went from yelling and menacing to my sweet voiced mother I remembered.

"Yeah mom. It's me." I walked into the kitchen smiling like I hadn't just heard her conversation.

"Sweetheart you're on your own for dinner tonight. I am going out with Esme. We have theater tickets for a play in Seattle." she smiled warmly. She clearly didn't remember we weren't speaking. She had lost a lot of weight since I'd been here. Her face was thinner. Her arms were almost frail looking.

"Mom. I have to tell you something." I said. I stood up straighter.

"Oh dear. What have you done?" she asked. She sat down on a kitchen stool laying her bony hands in her lap.

"I bought a house. It's all done. I just wanted to say thank you for letting me stay here." her mouth fell open in shock, "Edward, you aren't staying here. You have an apartment in New York. Your publisher is in New York. Your life isn't here." she said.

"Mom I am staying here. It's the big colonial on Maple. I bought it. In cash. It's done. You should be happy. I am your only son for crying out loud." I pinched the bridge of my nose with my index finger and thumb.

"Edward I wanted more for you. I expected more for you. Really if this is all about Bella...." she raised her hands in exasperation.

"It's not all about her. I'm not happy in New York. I don't have any real friends there. It took coming home to see that this is where life is." I don't know why but I needed her to understand. She shook her head, "This is a very expensive mistake but it's your mistake to make. I have to go get ready. Excuse me." she walked slowly down the hallway and up the stairs to her room. I heard her bedroom door shut with a thud. I walked over to the hall closet and quietly got the keys from my fathers hospital bag. I felt like shit for doing it but I had to make sure I could still have access to the house if I needed it. If the secret she was hiding was so big she was willing to commit estate fraud she might change the locks on me too. I couldn't risk it. I walked out of the house a few minutes later to go meet Em.

I waited at the front door. I didn't want to go in alone. I was afraid I would see the damage and panic. I ran my hand into my hair and sighed. I should of listened to Tanya and toured it before I bought it. It wouldn't of changed anything but it would have been nice to see what I was up against. Especially because I didn't know how to do any home repairs myself. Em's truck pulled up against the curb. He climbed out with take out in one hand and a six pack of beer in the other.

"Congratulations. I cant believe you actually did it." Em said loudly. I ran my hand over the back of my neck and grinned.

"What's all this?" I asked and pointed to the bags.

"House warming party. Jasper's on his way. Steaks, salads and baked potatoes. Figured we'd eat....have a couple beers and hopefully find some shit for me to blow up!" he gave a booming laugh. I was pretty sure he was kidding but with Em sometimes it was hard to tell.

"Are Jasper and I okay since he beat the shit out of me?" I asked him.

"Yeah. You know how it is." he shrugged.

"Where the hell is he? I'm starving!" I announced.

"He said he had to stop first. Said to start without him. Let's go in and see how bad it is." Em smiled wide. I turned and opened the door slowly. The first thing that hit me was the musty smell. This house had not been entered in a while. I stepped cautiously inside and looked around. The paint was peeling off the walls and just from the smell I could tell there were mice and possibly bugs. The floors creaked and groaned when I walked further in. there were holes in the floor boards and some of the steps had rotted away on the stairs.

"We have a lot of work to do." Em commented absently.

"How much do you think...." I asked him. The price didn't matter. I'd do anything to make this happen.

"Ball park?"

I swallowed hard and prepared myself, "Yeah ballpark."

"fifty thousand." He said absently.

"We haven't even been upstairs yet!" I said.

"You're right. Sixty thousand. First things first you need to have it bug bombed and get a professional cleaning crew in here to clean up the mess after." I nodded and made a note.

"Jesus Christ, that smell is awful. Let's eat in the yard." Em turned and walked back outside. I went with him. Jasper joined us a few minutes later. He acted as if nothing had ever happened between us. It was the way I preferred it. We didn't need some big drawn out scene where we hugged in a manly way. Jasper was a quiet person and if he never wanted to talk about it again I didn't mind. Now all I had to do was count the minutes until I saw Bella.

Bella~

I watched closely while I made dinner and she sat on the floor in the living room with "Where the sidewalk ends" by Shel Silverstein. "Everything okay in there?" I asked her from the kitchen. She sighed like she was very annoyed with me, "Yes. I'm just reading." I went back to making dinner. I was nervous about meeting Edward tonight. Why did I even agree? I should of told him to back off or just leave but no being the sweet overly pleasing person that I am I agreed. The side screen door slammed.

"This has total disaster written all over it." I mumbled to myself and put some pasta in boiling water.

"What does?" I jumped a foot and turned around. Jasper had nearly scared me to death.

"You nearly killed me! Good lord. I am going to put a frickin bell on you or something!" I laid my palm on my chest.

"Sorry. I wanted to talk to you. Is this a good time?" he smirked.

"Yeah. It's fine. Do you want to stay for dinner?" I turned back to the stove.

"Nah. I'm meeting Em and Edward." he pulled out a chair and turned it. He sat down resting his arms over the back of the chair.

"I don't understand how you can just forgive him." I cut a loaf of French bread roughly.

"I did what I had too. It's done now. That's actually why I'm here." He offered me his hand. I took it and let him drag me to stand across from him.

"You still love him." he said plainly. I sucked in a strangled breath, "Do not." I said.

" I know he hurt you. I know he broke you and I am not saying you don't have a right to be upset or angry but you are keeping Lilly from him. It's not fair." Jasper looked me in the eyes. I looked away from him quickly.

"I'm protecting her." I felt like that was all I said lately. To Jasper, Alice, My dad.

"You're protecting yourself." I chewed my bottom lip and listened to him. I couldn't scream or yell. I refused to do that in front of Lilly.

"You have put up so many walls Bella. You protect her by denying yourself. You cant deny the way you feel about him to me. We both know that I know you like the back of my hand. I know you love him and I know all you ever wanted was to be with him. Thats why Jake never measured up. That's why no man was ever good enough. It's always been him. Now he's standing in front of you begging to give you everything you ever wanted and it's okay to be scared. It's okay to be scared enough for all of us but Bella, don't deny Lilly her father because you're scared. He doesn't want a title, he's not asking for that. He simply wants to know his kid." Jasper's voice was soothing. I understood what he was saying but he didn't understand how hard this was.

"You don't understand." I said softly. He stood and pushed his chair under the table. He kissed my forehead gently and smiled, "No. I don't but I know you and I know Edward. The two of you will meet in the middle some how. Just give him a chance."

"Thanks Jazz." I hugged him for a moment before he went in to say hello to his god daughter.

After Lilly was bathed and tucked into bed. I set off for the corner of Maple and Elm. I shoved my hands in the pockets of my leather coat. Jasper was right about so many things. I was scared. I was so scared that I was going to make a mistake. I was so nervous to let one brick slip from the wall I'd built. I knew in my heart I couldn't protect Lilly from everything forever. I never prepared for this. I always just thought he was gone. Now he was here and things were getting more and more complicated by the day. I approached the stop sign on the corner and saw Edward standing there. I put my head down and kept walking.

"Thanks for coming." he said low and sweet.

"I said I would so here I am. Let's make this quick." I put my hand in front of me offering him the lead. He took my hand gently pulling me off the sidewalk and across the street.

"Remember how you told me you wanted proof I was staying here? I think your exact words were 'I'll have to see it to believe it.'" he grinned and kept pulling me down the sidewalk.

"Yes, I remember." I said cautiously. Edward sighed, "Well take a look and see it." I looked up and there it was. My house, our house with a sold sign in the yard. I put my hand over my mouth in total shock. It was hard to breath. I couldnt stop staring. I couldn't meet his eyes. If I did i'd lose it and do something stupid.

"If I told you that i've given it all up for you and Lilly would this be enough proof for you?"

The tears ran down my cheeks before I could stop them.

"You bought it?" I asked in shock.

"Yep. Needs a lot of work but it's worth it. I would take you inside but I don't recommend it right now." he chuckled softly.

"This was our dream." I whispered. He rubbed my fingers gingerly, "I remembered. We had a lot of dreams. A lot of them are lost but not this one." he gently intertwined our fingers. I didn't get the urge to pull away or retreat. He hadn't walked away and forgotten me. Seven years had passed. He had a life somewhere else but he remembered our house, our dream. I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I can't believe you did this. Oh god Edward!" I hugged him tighter. He hugged my waist tight and stroked my hair. "There is so much I want to say. So much I want to show you. I've missed you so so so much." he whispered. I didn't want to let go of him. It had been seven years since he was in my arms. I wasn't ready to let him go.

"We have so much to think about now. It's not as easy as it used to be." I said over my tears.

"It's not going to happen over night, I know. We've got all the time in the world. You tell me where we start and we'll start there." I reluctantly pulled away from him. I wanted to see his face for what I was about to say to him, "Can you meet me at the football game Friday night?" he smiled wide "Sure, why?" I couldn't believe I was about to say this, "I think it's the best place for you to meet Lilly." I watched as the tears welled up in Edward's beautiful eyes, "Really? Are you sure?" he asked his voice cracking. I nodded, "My only rule is She comes first. As far as she needs to know you are an old friend of mine. When the time is right we will explain it to her. Any hard questions that come up we will decide how to answer them. If you can agree to that you can see her." I took a steadying breath.

"I agree. She's first of course but you and I....." he was holding my hand again. It was making it hard for me to think straight. "You and I are friends. As I am sure you can understand, I've got issues." his hand was so warm. It spread heat all over my body. God how I'd missed his touch.

"I'll be here as long as it takes. I don't care if we are standing at Lilly's college graduation when you finally want to be with me again. I'll be there." he whispered. He leaned down and gently kissed my cheek. I sighed happily, loving the tingle his lips spread over my skin. Edward walked me home never letting go of my hand. Neither one of us had much to say. It was nice just being in each others presence. We stopped at my gate reluctantly. "I'll see you Friday." I said. "I can't wait. Thank you Bella, I know this is a giant leap of faith for you. I can't imagine how terrifying this must be." he had no idea.

"Just try to remember if you screw this up you aren't just breaking my heart this time. She's special Edward. Fragile. Try and remember." I looked in his eyes. They were emerald green under the street lights. I could of stared at him forever.

"I'll remember. I'll see you tomorrow morning." he said with a grin.

"Games not until Friday." I reminded him.

"I'll need coffee tomorrow morning. I am sure I'll miss you before then." he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. My heart pounded. God he was so smooth.

"Goodnight Edward." I said softly.

"Goodnight Bella. Sweet dreams." he mused. I watched for a moment as he walked in the direction of his mothers house. When he was gone I squealed just a little to let it out before I went in the house.

"To bad I couldn't get that reaction from you." my head whipped in the direction of the porch swing, "Jake? What the hell? Were you spying on me?" I asked indignantly. He got up and walked slowly down my dad's stone steps.

"I was waiting for you. Charlie said you went out but I thought it was just for a walk with Alice. I didn't realize you were out fucking cheating on me while Lilly slept." my eyes went wide. Emmett was right, he was nuts.

"Jake we broke up on Monday. Remember? Hence all the returned flowers and gifts" I asked him. I wrapped my arms around myself like a shield. His eyes were wild, there was no comprehension in his face.

"And I told you we weren't over. I told you I wasn't giving up. You lied to me." he yelled. I put my finger to my lips willing him to be quiet.

"I never lied to you Jake. I called it quits. I'm sorry I hurt you." I said softly. I was trying to sooth him.

"You said it wasn't about Masen and now here you are walking home with him. What did you do Bella? Sneak off as our daughter slept and have a little roll in the fucking hay with him?" my mouth gaped. Our daughter? Lilly wasn't his and he knew it. I had no intention of dignifying that with a response. I pushed past him and opened the gate.. He grabbed my upper arms and shook me. "How could you sneak out and act like a whore? How could you do that to me? I'm the only one that ever loved you! I'm the only one that ever cared!" I jerked back to get him off me. I stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk and fell. He took the opportunity and stood over me. Big and menacing.

"You're mine! You always will be!" he pointed down at me. I crawled back words until my tail bone hit the bottom step. I scrambled up on to my feet and ran up the steps and into the house. I locked it behind me and slid down the door with my head in my hands. The TV was off. My dad was in bed. I didn't want to bother him with this. Jake would come to his senses in a few days and it would be over. In the mean time I just wouldn't go anywhere alone. I took a few calming breaths and stood up away from the door. I walked up the stairs slowly trying to ignore my aching tail bone and the dull ache in the back of my thighs. I peeked into Lilly's room and thankfully she was sound asleep. I went in my room and changed into a soft comfy tee shirt and a pair of sweats. I went over and completed my night routine by taking off the minimal amount of jewelry I wore. I took out my earrings and lifted the lid on my jewelry box. The first thing I always saw was Edward's class ring. My engagment ring for all intents and purposes. I hadn't worn it since Lilly was a baby. I couldn't bring myself to looked at it most of the time but tonight was different. I lifted the heavy ring gently by the chain it was still attached to. I don't know why but I put it around my neck. Something about it made me feel comforted and safe. I laid down in my bed and sighed. It had been years since I missed the weight of him next to me but tonight I really did miss it. I curled my fingers around his ring and grabbed the pillow that should have been his, curled my knees up and that night I slept better then I had in seven years.

A/n- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! For all the reviews. You guys constantly inspire me. I am extremely proud of this chapter and I hope you all enjoy it. Next chapter Edward and Lilly's first meeting. Reviews as always are awesome!