A/N: Thanks for reviewing. I know Edward is being dumb, but, well, men are dumb a lot.

Twike is my spectacular Beta. She fixes this stuff twice.

Characters are not mine.

Chapter 5 Procrastination

Bella had read enough Anne of Green Gables to know the difference between a friend and kindred spirit. A kindred spirit understood you to the core. They laughed at what you laughed at. They cried at what you cried at. A kindred spirit could finish most of your sentences or just know when you weren't okay and call. A friend was someone to hang out with. Alice was neither just a friend to Bella nor her kindred spirit. They didn't enjoy the same things. Bella hated to shop. Bella was restrained in public. Alice was a bouncy shopaholic. Still, what Bella found in Alice was so much more than she'd ever found in another girlfriend. Alice was the sister Bella always dreamed of.

When Bella had Alice by her side, she felt brave. Alice's self assurance rubbed off on Bella, and she would say and do things that she would never have the guts to do alone. Bella had called Alice several times to update her on Torigate as they had coined it.

It didn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what kind of person Tori was. Every time Bella described Tori's behavior to Alice, her friend seconded Bella's take on the situation. As much as Bella loved Edward's innocent cluelessness when it comes to women, for once she wished he'd open his eyes. Then again, Tori was extremely attractive, and maybe if Edward opened his eyes too much, he'd realize he could do better than… no. No. No. NO. Bella would not doubt Edward's devotion to her. He had proven himself time and time again, and she wouldn't let some two bit, extremely intelligent and beautiful whore come between them.

Alice came up with the plan for game day. They would keep their friends close, but their enemies closer. Tori would go home thinking she had two new BFFs. Throughout the day they planned to systematically draw a line in the sand, so Tori would know just how taken Edward really was. By the time she left, Tori would understand that going after him would be futile at best. Things didn't go exactly as planned, and by the time they got home, Bella was furious.

She was mad at Edward for being so nice, for being so beautiful, and for not realizing the things they planned to do together before their wedding were actually important to her. She was mad at him, because she had so much trouble staying mad at him.

Once Bella got started yelling, the words came pouring out. Before she had a chance to stop and think about it, she said things she didn't even believe like Edward needed to ugly himself up or she couldn't trust him. Sometimes she just needed to yell, and she was determined to get it all out.

After getting the call about Rosalie, they rushed to the hospital. Bella forgot all about the baseball game. Sure women went into labor early all the time, but Bella was used to things being as difficult as possible. Bella simply stared out the window and tried to just not think about anything.

"Bella, love, I really am sorry about today," Edward broke the silence and reached for her as he drove.

"It doesn't matter." It all seemed silly in light of what was happening now.

"We can talk about it later, but it does matter. You made some good points, and I'm sorry I was such an idiot. I won't do anything to compromise our relationship again."

"Thank you, but let's talk about it later. Really it's the farthest thing from my mind right now." Bella squeezed his hand trying to let him know they were okay.

They walked quickly to Labor and Delivery once they reached the hospital. Emory and Emily were sitting quietly coloring in the waiting room, and as soon as they saw Bella they ran to her.

"Auntie Bella, Mommy's having a baby! I'm going to be a big sister!" Emily said as Bella reached down to pick her up. Edward reached over and ruffled Emory's hair.

"I know, sweet girl. I can't wait to meet her," Bella smiled at her. Edward paid their sitter, who had agreed to stay with them until someone else got to the hospital.

Emory was quiet and withdrawn. "What's wrong Em?" Edward asked.

"Dad said it was too early. What if something bad happens to my mom?" Emory looked down and shuffled his feet nervously.

"Did I ever tell you that Alice can tell the future?" Edward asked.

"No she can't," Emory rolled his eyes.

"Yes she can, right Bella?" Bella shook her head yes.

Emory still looked suspicious, but didn't argue.

"I called Alice on the way here," Edward continued, "and she says everything will be fine. In fact Alice herself was born early, and the earlier a baby is born, the more energy they'll have later. You're going to have your hands full big brother."

"Oh great! That's all I need is a sister as crazy as Alice!" Emory laughed. Bella gave Edward an appreciative look, and sat down with Emily in her lap.

She was trying to act normal for the kids, but Bella was still a bundle of nerves. Edward noticed her anxiety and ventured out of the waiting room to try and get some information on Rosalie's condition. Bella was sure he must have dazzled some nurses, because he came back almost immediately with the news that Rosalie was in fact in labor and that everything was okay so far. Bella gave him a grateful smile after he told her, and he lovingly kissed her head.

After about an hour, Emmett came bursting into the waiting room. Everyone jumped to their feet, and Bella breathed a huge sigh of relief when she saw the huge smile painted on his face.

"Emaude's here!" he announced.

"Yea!" Emory and Emily jumped into their dad's arms.

"Is the baby okay? Is Rose okay?" Bella asked quickly.

"Rosalie is perfect, and Emaude is perfect. They say they have to keep her under close observation in case she goes into respiratory distress, but everything looks good. You guys need to go see her," Emmett beamed.

Emmett stayed with the kids while Edward and Bella made their way back to Rosalie's room. When Bella saw Maude, she was finally able to let go of the sense of dread that had been plaguing her since Emmett called. "She's perfect!"

"I know," Rosalie grinned. "She's only five pounds and eight ounces."

Bella leaned over to get a better look at her and stroked her tiny fingers. "I can't believe she's so tiny! Emmett's still calling her Emaude."

"He better not call her that in front of me, or his reproductive organs will suffer."

Edward winced at Rosalie's threat.

"You can come closer, Edward. She won't bite," Rosalie said to Edward, who was standing nervously by the door.

"She's beautiful, Rosie," Edward smiled.

Bella held her niece and told her about all the fun things they would be doing together over the next few years. Finally, she decided it was Edward's turn.

"Do you want to hold her?" Bella asked and Rosalie nodded her approval.

"I – uh I don't know. What if I hurt her?" Edward answered.

"Sit down in the chair," Bella directed. "You just hold your arms like I am, and make sure you support her head. You won't hurt her. We'll be right here."

Bella looked into his eyes to reassure him. He took a deep breath, nodded, and moved his arms into position. Bella handed the baby over and sat on the bed with Rosalie to watch.

Edward relaxed quickly and started stroking Maude's tiny fingers with one hand while he talked to her softly, "I'm your uncle Edward. You are such a pretty girl… yes you are… you're the sweetest little thing." Maude let out a yawn and whimper, and Edward's face lit up. "I think she likes me!"

Bella nodded in agreement and then gave Rosalie a look said, 'isn't he adorable?' Rosalie smiled through her tired eyes and agreed. Bella remained transfixed on Edward, and a million emotions went racing through her. Seeing how happy he was with the baby made her happy. She wanted to tuck this moment away and pull it back out every once in a while to enjoy during rainy days. Still she couldn't fight the despair that crept in, and in the end it started to win out.

After a few more minutes, they handed the baby back to her mother and told them goodnight. Edward was still glowing, and Bella tried her best to hide how she was feeling. Granddad had just arrived in the waiting room. He and Emmett were going to take the kids to see their sister, and then granddad was going to take the kids home.

Edward hugged Emmett and offered his congratulations. He kissed Emily, and hugged Emory. Bella smirked as she watched Edward hug granddad goodnight. His face still turned red every time granddad kissed him on the cheek. Edward had truly become a part of her family, which made her heart swell and ache at the same time.

"Bella, please tell me what's wrong. Are you still angry with me?" Edward asked cautiously once they were in the car.

"No," Bella sighed, "I'm not mad. I'm sad."

"Why are you sad? I don't understand?"

Bella leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. "I'm sad I can't give that to you. I want you to be able to hold your own child in your arms and look at them with that much love and joy in your eyes. I want to give you everything, and I can't." A single tear made its way down her cheek.

"No. Don't ever say that," Edward said forcefully. "Don't ever think for one minute I want anything more than what you are. I told you before, we can adopt. I would never in a million years want you to risk your health to have a baby."

"I know it's not possible for us. I just wish things were different. Sometimes I feel like God jipped me."

"Well I feel like the most blessed man alive. I have everything I want sitting in my car with me."

"Edward, I love you, but you can't always make every problem go away by saying stuff like that," the frustration in her voice was evident. "You saying that doesn't change the fact that I want to make a baby with you, and it's not possible. That sucks. That really sucks. Quit acting like it doesn't matter. It's just like when I told you that Tori was acting inappropriately toward you, and you thought the only reaction necessary was to tell me you love only me. You don't take some things seriously enough."

"You're right, it sucks, okay? As for Tori, what am I supposed to do, fire her? Granted, she's creepy, but it's not like I can file a sexual harassment suit. It's not that I'm ignoring the problem. I just don't know what I'm supposed to do about it. I already told her to be more professional."

"Well you could start by not inviting her to family outings," Bella huffed.

"I said I was sorry." Edward pinched the bridge of his nose. "I will do my best to distance myself from her as much as possible. I don't want you to feel threatened or insecure. I promise you I would never even look at her twice, even if she were throwing herself at me. You do know that don't you? You know I could only ever want only you?"

"I know," Bella sighed. "For my sake though, I would appreciate it if you would try and stay away from her."

"I promise, although I did invite her to chaperone the prom with us next weekend."

"You what!" Bella screeched.

"Kidding. I'm just kidding." Edward grinned at her.

"That wasn't funny," Bella growled and pinched his side.

"Ouch!" Edward squeaked like a girl.

"You deserved it." Bella pretended to pout, but she already felt better.

The rest of the week went by quickly. Bella was busy helping Rosalie, getting ready for Charlie's visit, and preparing for her Prom. Alice drug her all over town shopping for the big night. Truthfully dressing up, wearing heels, and being around a bunch of high school kids didn't exactly sound fun to Bella, but she knew it was important to Edward so she played along.

Charlie would arrive a few days later. Bella was nervous and excited at the same time. One good thing about Rosalie having Maude early is that Charlie would finally meet all of his grandchildren. Charlie alluded to the fact that he wanted to explain some things to Bella and start making up for the past fifteen years. Bella was worried about dredging up all those old hurts, but she prayed that in the end it would all be worth it.

Alice and Bella fought all week over what dress Bella would wear to prom. Bella insisted that a floor length gown with beading and embellishments would not be appropriate to wear as a chaperone. They finally settled on a pale blue dress that went to her mid calf and was strapless.

The night before the prom, Bella stayed over at Emmett's so Rosalie could get some sleep. It was only their second night home with the baby, but Rosalie was worn out. Bella was up with Maude on and off all night, so she was too exhausted to argue with Alice about her hair and makeup. She resigned herself to the fact that this day was about making other people happy and let Alice have her way.

"Oh my goodness! You look amazing!" Alice chirped and clapped her hands with glee. "You should totally be paying me for this."

Bella looked in the mirror and liked what she saw. Her hair was in tight curls that flowed over her bare shoulders. She had more makeup on than usual, but it was still subtle enough that she didn't feel like a clown. Maybe she should give Alice more credit.

"Edward will be here soon. He is going to die when he sees you!" Alice said and sprayed Bella's hair one more time with hairspray.

"Alice, I don't want to be too flammable!" Bella coughed.

Just then they heard the doorbell ring downstairs. The girls looked at each other. "Maybe it's Edward," Alice shrugged.

"Why would he ring the doorbell? We're at his house." Bella stood up and walked barefoot to the door. Bella looked out the peep hole and was overcome with giggles.

"Who is it?" Alice asked impatiently.

"I think it's Dwight Shcrute," Bella answered and opened the door. Edward was standing there with white short sleeved button up shirt, thin black tie, pocket protector, pens, black dress slacks, black rimmed glasses, and a huge bouquet of flowers.

"What are you wearing?" Bella cackled.

Edward just stood there with his mouth hanging open staring at Bella. "Edward! What are you doing!"

Edward shook himself and finally tried to speak. "You look… you look… there are no words. There is so much skin!" he grinned.

"Stop! You're embarrassing me." Bella crossed her arms over her chest trying to hide behind them. Edward just kept staring. "Edward! Seriously, what are you wearing?"

"You told me to ugly it up," he smirked. "I was worried about your reaction if those high school girls tried to molest me."

Bella started laughing so hard she snorted and tears began to run down her cheeks. "Edward, if she messes up her makeup, I'll never forgive you!" Alice stomped.

"I'm okay. I'm okay." Bella fanned herself and then reached out to hug Edward. As he started to release her she stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, "It didn't help. You still look incredibly sexy."

At that, Edward wrapped his arms around her waist again and pulled her flush against him. He let out a low growl and started to pepper her shoulder with kisses.

"You guys, gross!" Alice scolded. "You're supposed to be setting an example for the children tonight!"

"Yeah, Edward, think about the children!" Bella laughed and pushed him off of her.

"If you wanted me to think about anything else, you shouldn't have worn that dress." Edward took Bella's hand, lifted it, and twirled her around.

"Good luck doing that once she's got shoes on," Alice teased.

"I look forward to catching her all night," Edward said still entranced with Bella. The way he looked at her made Bella's heart beat faster, and she didn't think it had anything to do with her transplant. It was times like this that he made her feel like a completely different person. He made her feel desirable and confident instead of her usual insecure and clumsy self. The times she let herself see who she was in his eyes, she felt whole. She marveled at the glory of love and considered belting out that song from Karate Kid. Instead she put her shoes on so they could go.

Their first stop was dinner. Edward had an entire instrumental playlist picked out for the car ride, and they wound up the hill to Flagstaff Restaurant. It overlooked the city, and though Bella had heard about it, she had never been there.

They were seated at a secluded table with a beautiful view, but Edward just kept studying Bella. Bella however was studying the menu. Edward," she whispered as she looked at it, "a cup of soup is eighteen dollars!"

"Shhhh," he chuckled.

"I just don't understand. Do they put gold flakes in their soup?"

"Please don't worry about the cost tonight, and please stop talking about it out loud."

"I don't know what to get," Bella sighed and put down her menu. "I have no idea what parsnip rabe, escarole or foie gras even is, and that kurbutta pork cheek just sounds dirty."

"May I order for the two of us?" Edward asked politely. Bella had convinced him to put on a jacket and lose the pocket protector. She made him keep the glasses though. She liked the glasses.

"Sure," Bella yawned, which made Edward yawn.

"Hey why are you yaaaawning?" Bella asked.

"I stayed up late trying to get some work done so we could have the whole weekend together," Edward answered and rubbed his eyes.

"Wow don't we make quite the pair. We're going to fall asleep in our twenty buck soup."

Edward rolled his eyes at her, and Bella ran her fingers over his hand where it rested on the table. He flipped it over and intertwined their fingers together.

The waitress came by, and Edward ordered some stuff Bella didn't understand except for the word salmon.

"I'm surprised you didn't order any wine, Mr. Cullen," Bella said.

"I thought it might not be wise to drink before we babysit. Besides then we'd fall asleep for sure."

"And here I was hoping you had a flask in your jacket. I thought you wanted me to have an authentic high school experience."

"I swear, you're never satisfied," Edward teased back and then yawned again.

Bella enjoyed their meal. It tasted fantastic, but she kept resisting the urge to point out how small it was for price. They left the restaurant and drove to the hotel that hosted the prom. Bella hoped they would be able to tuck themselves away in a corner, but Mrs. Beach, the prom Nazi had other ideas. She positioned Edward by the photo area and told him to monitor the students for inappropriate groping in their pictures. She had Bella guard the punch bowl for spikers. Bella really wished Edward had that flask so she could spike it herself. Being across the room from Edward instead of in his arms was not exactly what she had in mind. Besides, there wasn't anyone to catch her if she tripped in the stupid heels.

Edward refused to let her night be ruined though and made faces at her from his station. He kept pointing out the boys who danced the worst and would mimic them making Bella laugh. She was pretty sure she accidently spit in the punch a few times - so much for keeping it safe. Bella realized how inaccurate her visions of this night had been. Instead of romantic melodies drifting through the air, the kids spent most of the night bumping and grinding to Ludicrous. Bella started laughing again picturing Edward trying to pop and lock it.

Finally, Mrs. Beach relieved Edward of his post, and he headed straight over to Bella. "What's wrong?" Bella asked when she saw the look on his face.

"I'm tired of those two boys over there undressing you with their eyes," he said and wrapped his arm protectively around her waist.

"Oh Edward, the poor boys obviously couldn't find a date tonight."

"Well they can't have mine." He kissed her shoulder.

"Stop, or we'll get in trouble," Bella giggled, but she didn't really want him to stop at all.

They stood by the punch bowl and danced whenever a slow song came on. Bella felt right swaying in his arms, and nearly swooned when he started singing to her. Their relationship wasn't new anymore, and she appreciated the fact that he could still make her weak in the knees. The irony wasn't lost on Bella that the gorgeous man in front of her was Edward trying to ugly it up. She resigned herself to the fact that she'd be fighting women like Tori off of him for many years to come. It came with the territory.

Prom ended better than it started. Edward led Bella to the car, and she was grateful he had provided her with this experience. She looked at the picture they had taken together and knew she would treasure it always.

"So now what do you want to do? Shall we stay out till dawn making out in the backseat?" Edward yawned as he said it.

"I don't think I can stay awake till dawn," Bella yawned too. "Just take me to your house."

They drove in silence back to the house, and Bella struggled to keep her eyes open.

"This is strange," Edward said when they pulled into the driveway.

"What?"

"The garage door won't open."

"Just park in the driveway. We'll figure it out in the morning."

Edward insisted on carrying Bella to the bedroom, and plopped her down on the bed. He sat down next to her, and she reached up to loosen his tie for him and pulled it over his head.

"Can I borrow a t-shirt and some boxers," she asked.

"You know Bella, 62% of girls lose their virginity on prom night." He traced his fingers up and down her arm.

"I could never do anything so cliché. Besides, you totally just made that statistic up."

"I know," he sighed and went to get Bella some clothes to sleep in. After they both crawled into bed, Bella rested her head on Edward's chest and wrapped her arm around his torso.

"Thank you for a perfect night," she said.

"Can I ask you a question?" Edward replied.

"Of course, what is it?" Bella looked up at his face and was disappointed to see sadness in his eyes.

"Do want me in that way? I mean physically. It's just so hard to read you sometimes."

"Of course I do, Edward. I want you in every way," Bella was hurt by his question. She worried this was just another way she would disappoint him.

"Jasper said he thinks you might be worried about the fact that I have more experience than you do."

Bella grimaced. "You and Jasper sit around discussing my sexual phobias?"

"No, well, not exactly. So is that a problem for you? I've only been with one other person Bella. It's not like I've been slutty."

Bella let herself laugh a little at his attempt at humor, but quickly grew serious. "I just… I'm worried. What if I don't measure up? What if I'm bad at it? What if you are stuck for the rest of your life with someone that doesn't satisfy you?"

Edward let out a full blown laugh, "Silly Bella, you're right. You don't know what you're talking about. Trust me, that's not going to be a problem."

"How do you know though? I don't have any practice."

"That's part of it love, learning each other together. We'll find out together what the other likes, and I'll be happy to give you plenty of practice. Neither of us will get everything right the first time."

"You make it sound so simple," Bella sighed.

"You make it sound too complicated," Edward argued. "You've completely over thought the whole thing and freaked yourself out."

"Hey, I'm not the only one to blame… remember the whole hotel room and you saying Sarah's name thing. I was ready then, and you messed that one up buddy."

"Guilty. Please, let's just forget that night ever happened."

"So, okay, I guess we can try it," Bella said shrugged.

"Bella…" Edward moaned with exasperation.

"What! I thought that's what you wanted!" Bella shot up so she could see his face completely.

"Oh yes, I feel so turned on by you shrugging and saying you guess," he rolled his eyes.

"Geeze, give me a dollar when I do something right." Bella slumped back on to the bed and rested her head on Edward's chest again.

"Let me rephrase that," Edward tried again. "I'm glad you want to try it. I would rather your first experience be a bit more romantic though, and right now we're both exhausted."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe in the morning then," Bella yawned. Edward laughed, but Bella was already asleep before he could say anything else.

The next morning, Bella sat cross legged on the bed watching Edward sleep. It was still early, not even seven yet, and Bella was trying to figure out how to start the sex. She was determined at this point to just get it over with. She was tired of worrying about it.

Should she just take off her clothes and wake him up? Bella considered waking him up by touching him like she never had before, but she couldn't get up the nerve. She could start kissing him, but he might not remember her plans for the morning and then she'd have to stop and explain it all to him. Bella wondered if Rosalie was awake. There was a good chance, but she hated to wake her if she was finally getting some much needed sleep. Bella didn't dare call Alice for advice. There was something sick and wrong about asking your best friend how to get busy with her brother.

Bella settled on taking off her clothes and waking him up. She lifted the t-shirt off her head and was about to wake him up, when a horn started blaring out front. Edward shot up in bed and gaped at Bella whose hands immediately flew to cover her chest.

"Bella! You're… you… uhhhhhhhhhhhh." Edward rubbed his eyes like he was seeing things.

"This is not exactly how I pictured this going," Bella grumbled still afraid to move her hands. The horn blared again.

"Why are you… well uh.. you know?" Edward mumbled without moving his eyes from Bella's hands.

"We were going to do it," Bella said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"While I was asleep? That's really not how it usually works, at least not until we've been married a very long time." Edward ran his hands through his hair and struggled to wake up enough to make sense of what was going on.

Bella's humiliation was interrupted by the horn blaring again. "What is that noise?" Edward asked.

"I think it's coming from the front yard."

Edward moved to look out the window, and Bella took the opportunity to put her shirt back on as quickly as possible. Bella heard tires screeching, and Edward growled, "Emmett."

Bella joined him at the window, and in the driveway, Bella's truck and Edward's car were completely covered with saran wrap. In fact they were saran wrapped together. "Wow," Bella breathed. "That took a lot of plastic wrap."

"I can't believe that jerk touched my car," Edward grumbled.

"Well we did toilet paper his house. Still, it's not our fault the idiot sprayed it all down with a water hose."

Edward stood up and got a pair of flip flops out of the closet.

"Where are you going?" Bella asked.

"To get that crap off my car," Edward said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Bella was irritated that she just told him what her plans were for the morning, and he was more distracted by the state of his precious Volvo.

Bella followed him down stairs, and they both stood with their mouths hanging open when they saw the state of the living room. "I'll kill him," Edward announced.

"He did the old Kowalik change up," Bella giggled.

"The Kowa what?" Edward asked failing to see the humor.

"When we were kids, we played this prank on the Kowalik kids down the street. We moved John's bedroom furniture into the tree house, and the tree house stuff into his bedroom. Let me tell you it was not easy."

"So you're telling me that my couch is in the backyard?"

"That's a pretty good theory I think," Bella nodded and plopped down on a deck chair in the living room. "I kind of like the table with the umbrella in here."

Edward sighed and went to the backyard. Bella got some coffee for the two of them and found Edward sitting with Aro on the leather couch under one of the trees. Bella sat beside him, handed him a cup of coffee, and turned on the TV. They were both impressed that it worked. After a few seconds, she worked up the nerve to look up at Edward. She smiled at him, and finally they both burst out laughing.

A/N: We haven't seen the last of Tori – she'll make her last stand soon. I think Charlie has to come in the next chapter. I'm kind of dreading that to be honest. I keep asking myself how I would react in Bella's situation.

This time if you don't review it will be really really mean because tomorrow's my Birthday.