I stepped out of the building and the sunlight I had enjoyed earlier blinded me. The sounds of traffic sounded muffled and my head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton. Amber was parked at the curb in a cute Mini Copper so I walked towards her. I tried to smile at her but I wouldn't have been surprised if it came out as a grimace.

"Bella! How are you?!" She launched herself from her place leaning against her hood to hug me. She was wearing army green Bermudas and a white tank top. Her onyx hair was up in a pony tail and swung as she moved.

"I'm fine." I felt my smile become genuine as I forced the last half an hour from my mind.

"Ok, let's go. I'm absolutely famished." We climbed into the car and she whipped into traffic like a pro. I thought for a second that she would pull out into the wrong lane but no such thing happened. "So I was thinking we could go to this cute Thai place that I love. Do you like Thai food?"

"Yeah. That sounds great."

"Fantastic!" We took a sharp right and a few more turns before sliding into a spot. I forcibly released the arm rest as the vehicle stopped. Amber was a bit rambunctious behind the wheel.

The restaurant was small and brick sandwiched between two larger buildings. It had beads, elephant statuettes, and smiling Buddha's everywhere. It wasn't overly crowded so we found a table quickly. There were intricate patterns carved into the wood finish of the table tops and a beautiful beaded lamp hung above our heads. Menus materialized as a small Asian woman appeared. She could not have been taller than 4'5" and her hair was coal grey expertly spun to her scalp with chop sticks.

"Hello how may I help?" She smiled revealed tea stained teeth. We smiled back at her.

"I would like a glass of water with lemon please."

"May we also have a pot of green tea?" Amber asked as she eyes scanned the menu.

"Right away," she smiled again and shuffled away. I opened my menu and felt my eyes cross. I had never heard of most of these dishes before.

"Do you know what you want?" Amber asked as she twirled the end of her pony tail around on her finger.

"I have no idea. Any suggestions?"

"The Pad Thai is amazing. It's pretty simple, nothing to exotic. I suggest chicken for you." I nodded and searched for the correct title of my food. The old lady returned with our tea and my water.

"Are you ready to order?" Her wrinkled hands dove into the folds of her robe and came back with a small pad of paper and pencil.

"Yes, we would like two orders of Pad Thai, one chicken the other one shrimp."

"Ok, ginger salad good?"

"Yes."

"Ok, enjoy meal." She pun around and a tray of soup appeared. She placed the small bowls of soup and salad in front of us before disappearing again.

"So, do you really remember nothing from the other night?" Amber asked before stuffing a healthy bite of salad into her mouth. I picked up the bowl of soup and sipped it slowly. Miso soup warms the soul.

"I remember everything before the fall, and the next morning when I woke up on the couch wrapped in blankets, but everything in between is just gone."

"Well I guess you were unconscious for the most part."

"So what happened? I just remember tripping and flying over the rail."

"Well I was fighting off these gross guys trying to shag me. They thought I was a hooker. I thought I looked good that night, not trashy. But I might have been giving off the 'ugly old men can get in my pants' vibe unintentionally."

"Oh, Aro hires some girls to 'entertain' some of the male guests sometimes and maybe they were mistaken." I shrugged. "You did look really good. I actually remember you clocking a guy right in the face as I fell. I was walking towards you when it happened and then 'bam' right in the kisser."

"Oh ok. Well after I clocked the guy everyone heard a splash. We figured something slid off a table of something and into the water, no one saw you fall. They were too busy watching me fight. We all peer over the edge but can't see anything since the water was completely black. Aro thinks quickly and turns on the spot light and shines it into the water. I saw something shiny and then I see your dress. I start screaming 'Oh my god! Someone save Bella!' like the freak that I am. Honestly love I would have jumped in after you if I knew how to swim. I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off looking for a floatation device or something to throw you. Then there was another loud splash. I pushed my way back to the rail and see the most handsome man pulling you above the water." She fanned herself with the memory. "He lifted you onto his shoulder and climbed back up the boat ladder to the back. It took me a while to make my way back there but when I did I was not disappointed. Hot guy's black polo was just plastered to his chest. He was giving you mouth to mouth to resuscitate you."

"Wait, so who was the guy?" I had a feeling I already knew.

"I didn't catch his name. His hair was reddish brown, coppery, and that man was built. He got you breathing again and then forced his way to the lower deck. He wouldn't let anyone but Aro down to help him. I just remember him screaming something and then a group of bare assed geezers and a horde of skanks ran up the stairs. The party broke up pretty quickly after that. I tried to see you but that guy wouldn't let me by. I told him I was your friend and he said he would have you call me when you woke up. I refused to leave until Aro told me it would be alright. He said that we couldn't trust anyone more to take care of you."

I took an experimental bite of ginger salad as I processed the story. So Edward saved me, resuscitated me, and protected me. My heart swelled as I thought about it. He was my knight in shining armor and he hadn't even told me about his heroics. I sighed and smiled.

"So do you know who the hot mystery guy is?" Amber slurped her soup watching me. I nodded yes. "So who is he?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Yeah, what is it? Did he ravage you when you woke up?" She eyes glittered with mischief.

"His name is Edward Cullen, he is the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, and made official that day, he is my boyfriend." I blushed at the juvenile title. They really needed to come up with new names.

"Naw uh!"

"Yeah, we have known each other for a while and we finally figured out what we wanted that day."

"Wow Bells, I bet that man is hung like a racehorse!" I blushed a deeper red and glanced around the room. There were a few other patrons discreetly eavesdropping into our conversation.

"You can't say anything. I'm still in the 'telling people' stage. He actually just broke up with that girl Tanya, you know the strawberry blonde?"

"Yeah wonder bitch."

"Yeah well she blames me entirely for the break up and I don't think she is entirely wrong so she basically hates me with a fiery passion."

"Oh, naughty Bella. It doesn't matter though, she sound suck it up and move on, the better woman won." Our noodles arrived next and I moaned through my first bite.

"This is amazing!" Enthusiastically I scooped more food into my mouth.

"Careful. It' addicting."

"If this is wrong I don't want to be right."

OOOOOOoo

When I arrived back at the Sun Alice and I told Rosalie my news.

"Are you kidding?! How long?" Her jaw dropped and she stood at the information.

"We're not kidding and it's only been about three days." I blushed under her gaze.

"It's it great Rose! We can all be sisters!" Alice bounced happily on the corner or Rosalie's desk.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Alice, it's still young." Rose cautioned but seemed excited as well. I felt my eyes bug out at their train of thought. I would love to be their sister, but I was not even close to thinking about forever. My parents' marriage had me questioning whether or not I even wanted to get married ever, not to mention right now. My chest felt tight, as if steel bands were being placed over my rib cage one by one, slowly constricting.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, I just this they are perfect for each other." Alice moved to the space behind my chair and fluffed my hair.

"Well Rosalie I'm glad you know and all but I think I really just need to go home."

"You never told me how Jake took the news." Alice piped up as she ran her fingers through my hair playfully.

"I'll tell you later. I'm beat."

"Ok, later Bella." I lifted my hand farewell and walked out the door.

OOOOOoo

I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling and watched as the light slowly slid down the wall. Maurice was curled to my side and I absentmindedly stroked his soft fur. The elated feeling that I had this morning was nonexistent now as life passed me by. I knew that Edward wasn't thinking about marriage, not even close. It was way too soon to think let alone to even speak the word. Then there was Jacob. He was nice and funny and I liked to spend time with him, but he did not give me the same rush as Edward. Edward had my blood boiling just by being in the same room as me.

That is no knock against Jake though. He is quite handsome as well. The night I watched him play the saxophone I was completely turned on, but that could have been from my thinking of Edward. I would just have to tell Jake that I was in a relationship with Edward and that I was sorry, I was happy and I didn't want to string Jake along. My intercom buzzed so I rolled off the bed and trudged to my door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me." Edward's voice caressed my frazzled nerves and I felt myself relax slightly.

"Come on up." I pressed the entry button and waited for the knock. His knuckles had barely grazed my door when I opened it. Edward gave me a quizzical look as he held out a bag of take-out. I grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him inside. I did not want to think right now about anything else but Edward inside of me. I pulled his head down and kissed him brutally as I backed down the hallway. He kicked the door shut with his foot.

I pulled the food bag from his hand and set it on the counter as we passed not releasing our lip lock. My fingers wound themselves into his arm and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He bit my bottom lip lightly and walked me to my bedroom.

His nose skimmed down my jaw as his fingers nimbly removed my shirt and bra once I stood next to my bed. I tugged at his shirt only to have my wrists shackled together by one of his hands. The other traced lines along my collar bone. I shivered at the touch. He slid one leg between mine as our tongues dueled for dominance. I tried to pull my hands free but he refused to release me. I growled my frustration and bit his lip pretty hard. His eyes popped open in surprise but he released my wrists.

I turned us around and knocked him onto the bed.

"Bella what are you…" He was cut off as I pounced on him. I straddled his lap and attacked his lips once more. I gripped the edge of his shirt and yanked it up and over his head. He looked at me questioningly but didn't argue. I tugged at his pants but needed his help to get them down. Mine came next. I wouldn't stop until we were skin to skin.

Edward tried to take over once more as he flipped us so I was underneath him. Once again he tried to slowly our pace and work his way down my body but I didn't let him. I grabbed his shoulders and pushed him over. I was using all my strength but he barely budged. I took his moment of confusion as an advantage as I straddled him once more. I grabbed his hands and forced them to his sides when he went to flip us again.

"You just sit back and relax and enjoy the ride, I'm leading this show." I whispered into his ear as I rubbed my hip against his erection. His eyes rolled partially back into his hand and he wet his lips with the tip of his tongue. I kissed him again roughly pulling his bottom lip into my mouth before releasing him. I gave him small love bites along his neck as I slid down his torso. I released his hands so mine where free to roam his body. His fists clenched at his sides trying not to grab me.

I bit his nipple and he moaned as I continued my descent. Slowly I lowered myself onto him and his hands grabbed my hips instinctually. I waited for my walls to stretch to accommodate him before I moved. It wasn't slow and loving as usual, it was fast and hard. I pistoned myself up and down with his hands helping my speed as I hurled myself over a climax. Edward wasn't there yet so I continued to ride him. I reached back and cupped his balls and tugged slightly and he exploded inside of me. I clenched him and milked him dry until I collapsed onto his chest completely spent. We were both panting heavily.

I rolled to my side once I had enough strength to move but Edward kept his arm around me. That connection that I once reveled in now seemed constricting but I allowed it. He leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Bella," he barely got out between labored breaths. "That was amazing." His eyes were bright with awe. I felt a tingle of satisfaction for getting such a reaction from him but I stayed nonchalant.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I could get use to coming home to something like that." He was joking but I felt myself tense. My tired muscles protested as I pulled myself out of the bed and Edward's arms. I grabbed my bathrobe and turned.

"So what kind of food did you bring? I'm starving." I smiled at him but made no comment about his previous statement. My mind screamed at me to run that Alice was right, but I stayed where I was. I was over reacting.

"Chinese actually, I'm quite hungry myself." Edward got up and stretched. His perfect chest slowly calmed to a natural breath rate and he pulled on his pants and a shirt. "So how was your day?" He followed me into the kitchen.

"It was good; I went to the best Thai food restaurant for lunch with my friend Amber. Their Pad Thai was heaven on earth."

"Really? Which restaurant? I'll have to check it out." He grabbed plates from my cabinet as I gathered silver ware and serving utensils.

"I think I was called Zen Garden or something like that."

"Great I'll have to check it out. Dig in." We each heaped food onto our plates and began eating. Dinner was uneventful, until we each chose a fortune cookie. I cracked mine open and popped half in my mouth after fishing out the small piece of paper. Edward did the same. "'You will have a great success in future days.' I hope it's talking about the pregame this weekend. The Cowboys are looking good this year and I want to see what our rookies can do."

I crumpled my fortune as soon as the words registered in my mind.

"What's wrong? Are you ok? Is the food making you sick?" Edward pressed a hand to my forehead but I flinched from the touch.

"No, I just realized I left my laptop on my desk at work today." I tried to smile. "I hope a janitor doesn't steal it or something. What were you saying about the Cowboys?" My hand shook with the fortune inside.

"They picked up a few quality players this draft so I hope the rookies are up to it."

"Won't you play?"

"I doubt it. Coach doesn't like to use first string players in preseason games in case of serious injury so we test the rookies in battle against one another. It's pretty entertaining actually, they really get into it." I nodded as if I was listening.

OOOOOOOoo

Hours later once Edward fell asleep in my bed I crept back into the kitchen to fetch my fortune from the trash can. My hand shook as I retrieved it.

There is a choice to be made on the horizon; one will lead to eternal love, the other to destruction.

I had never put much stock into fortune cookies but this one was a bad omen. I walked back to the living room and tucked it into the side pocket of my computer case and pushed the case back under the couch where Edward wouldn't find it.