CHAPTER SEVEN

"God… that was fun," Bella said as she and Edward made their way across the parking garage and towards the elevator. "I don't think that I've ever had that much fun. And I mean that."

She'd sobered up significantly since her drink two hours before. After dancing, the six of them had went outside and walked through the streets, finding anything and everything to talk to about. Finally, after eyes started to get heavy and the night started to get colder, did they decide to part company and go home.

"Good," Edward said, smiling at her as they stepped into the elevator. She smiled as she leaned against the back wall, looking dreamily at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were still red, more so now from the cold night rather than the alcohol, and her hair had frizzed at her temples, leaving strange flyaways that jutted out awkwardly. She reached up and tried to smooth them back.

"Bella…" Edward said. She looked at him and smiled crookedly.

"What?" she asked.

"You look great," he said. "Even still. You don't have to do that."

"Do what?" Bella asked, licking her lips. Her pulse suddenly quickened. He stepped in closer to her and moved her hand away from her hair. He licked his lips and looked down at her and shook his head.

"You don't have to fix your hair," he said, smiling. "I've been with you all night and not once have I thought that you didn't look absolutely… amazing. My mind hasn't changed."

Bella was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say. Never before in her life had she ever been spoken to like this besides anyone other than Michael. Even in high school, boys just hadn't been present in her life. She'd never thought herself especially attractive until Michael was there to convince her otherwise. Now, after so many years, someone else, someone that she desired, was telling her that he was attracted to her and she didn't know what to say.

He moved in quickly, before she could even answer him or think of anything else to say. His lips were against hers as if, all along, they were meant to be there. His hand was at her cheek and she found herself kissing him back, tasting his lips as if she'd never craved something so much. She placed her hand over his and closed her eyes, letting him devour her. It was hot and passionate and she remembered her last night with Michael and how she'd pictured Edward the whole time. All of the blood in her body rushed between her legs and she felt that familiar throbbing of desire. But then she remembered who she was and the life that she had waiting for her beyond the elevator doors. She pushed Edward away from her as quickly as he'd come at her.

"I can't… I can't do this," she said, shaking her head. She couldn't look at him. She couldn't make eye contact with him. How had she been so stupid? Nessie was right. Michael hadn't done anything wrong. He was just busy and stressed and he was working for his family. This was not how Bella was supposed to repay him.

"Bella…" Edward started and he stepped forward. Bella put her hand up, keeping him from advancing any further. She shook her head and swallowed the longing in her throat. He had tasted so good and his kiss had been so perfect but it was wrong.

"No," she said. "I just… I'm married and I've got my kids. I don't want to lose them."

He looked at her sadly but then nodded as he licked his lips.

"I understand," he said, quietly. She nodded and was grateful when the elevator opened. She spilled into the hallway and Edward followed after her.

"Can I still see you?" Edward asked, before he opened the door to his apartment. Bella looked up at him, suddenly feeling weary. She took a deep breath. She wanted to say no, that it would be better if he just left her alone but she couldn't do that. Even when she wasn't kissing him, she was having fun. He was good for her and the kids were friends.

"Yes," she said. "But maybe… maybe after a few weeks. Just… I need some time." Edward nodded.

"Okay," he said. "I can do that. You call me when you're ready. The kids will be more than happy to see you again." Bella nodded as he opened the door and a silent understanding was passed between them. She would just call him.

Inside the apartment, Bree was harboring Bella's two sleeping children. Bella said an awkward good bye to Edward and then Bree helped her bring the kids down to her car.

"Thank you again," Bella said after they secured both Lana and Sam in their car seats. Bree nodded and smiled.

"Sure," she said. "And don't worry. Edward already paid me earlier tonight."

"What?" Bella asked. Bree smiled.

"He took care of it," she said. "So don't worry about it. I'll see you later, okay?" Bella nodded and watched Bree go.

"Bye," she called out. Flustered, Bella got into her car and started the ignition. As she waited for the heater to kick in and warm the cold car, she couldn't help but reflect on the nights events. Everything had been so absolutely perfect, even her and Edward's awkward moment of passion. She was still aching for him, wondering if maybe she had made the wrong decision. What if Edward realized that he couldn't have Bella? Would he find someone else? Would he forget about her? If so, Bella was sure that she'd be destined to an unhappy life again, living sadly with Michael. Swallowing her fears, Bella started the car and slowly she left Edward's apartment, leaving him and the kiss behind.

"I've got to work late tonight," Michael said, the following morning. Bella had hardly heard him. She'd been in a daze since the night before when she'd come home from her night out with Edward. Slowly, she processed what her husband had told her.

"But it's Sunday," she said, looking up to him from her place at the kitchen table. She was slowly feeding the kids, keeping Sam from destroying his high chair and making sure that Lana didn't get syrup all over the table.

"The Internet still runs on a Sunday, babe," he said and leaned in to kiss her forehead gently. Bella sighed softly and took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said. "Whatever."

"Whatever?" Michael asked, looking down at her.

"Whatever you want to do," Bella said, feeling indifferent to the entire situation. She didn't care so much anymore. She realized that Michael wasn't going to change. She could have been happy with Edward but now she didn't have him.

"I don't want to work. I have to work," he said.

"And I'm sure that you had to take the seven days a week, nine to sometimes eleven hour shifts too?" she asked, licking her lips and looking up to him. She made sure that Sam was content with his bowl of dry Cheerios and then she stood up and faced her husband.

"Yes, Bella, I did have to take those shifts," he said. "We're a big company in the market for a huge merger and that takes a lot of hours of the employee's time."

"Well, I'm sick of it! You have a family too! Have you even thought about us in all of this? You're never home, Michael, and we miss you. I miss you," she said, standing up to him. Michael shook his head and stepped away from her.

"I don't have time for this, Bella," he said. "You're being ridiculous."

"Ridiculous? For what? For wanting you to be home with us once or twice a week? For wanting you to go with us to the park, to play with Lana, to kiss Sam good night? What about this is ridiculous because I don't understand!" Bella cried. She stepped after him as he started to walk away from her.

"You, coming after me like this, is what's ridiculous, Bella! I'm trying to earn a living so that I can keep food on our table and a roof over our heads and you're criticizing me for doing so!" he yelled.

"It takes more than money to keep a family together, Michael! It takes loves and affection and time and you don't seem to have any of those things," she said, following him into the bedroom. He began gathering his things and reached for his jacket from the closet.

"We'll talk about this later," he said.

"No! I want to talk about it right now!" she cried, not realizing that she was crying. Michael turned and looked at her, his eyes fixed on her as if he'd never seen her before. She wondered what he saw her as now. She'd given birth to two children and she wasn't what she used to be. She was tired and plain, not having enough time to sleep or make herself look pretty or beautiful for every day.

"Stop using work as an excuse to get away from us, Michael," Bella said through her tears. He didn't move close to her. All that she needed for him to do was to wrap his arms around her and tell her that he loved her and that everything would be all right. But he didn't move.

"It's not an excuse, Bella," Michael said, quietly. "I have to go." But he didn't move toward the door. It was as if he were asking for her permission to leave. She shook her head and reached up to wipe her eyes.

"Then go, Michael. Go to work," she said. "We'll be here waiting for you to ignore us, just like we always are."

"Bella…" he said, reaching out to her but she stepped back and waved him off.

"Just leave Michael," she said. "I don't want to talk to you anymore."

And so he left, leaving Bella crying in the hallway and his children oblivious in the kitchen. Bella returned to them slowly and gathered her strength as she cleared their dishes. One after the other she freed them from their chairs and let them go. Lana hurried to her bedroom where her TV was waiting and Sam toddled into the living room where he found all of his toys. Bella sat down at the kitchen table and sighed heavily, trying to so hard to fight the heart ache that was overcoming her.