A/N: So there was a gap between chapters. I'm sorry! Hopefully this one will keep you guys happy for a few days!

Happy reading!

Chapter 37

I woke early the next morning to my phone ringing. I rolled away from Edward towards the edge of the bed and was about to stand up when he grabbed me from behind.

"And where do you think you're going?" he mumbled, pulling me back into his arms.

"I was going to answer my phone," I smiled against him.

"They can leave a message," he whispered.

I snuggled back down and the phone rang again. "I have to get it," I said, rolling across to my side of the bed and grabbing the phone.

It was Alice. "What's up?" I asked.

"Jasper is," she giggled. "Raincheck on breakfast?"

I heard Jasper moan in the background. "So don't wanna know. Talk to you later," I said and hung up.

"Something wrong?" Edward asked.

"You don't wanna know," I said, shaking my head.

"Don't wanna know what?" he said, mocking my lazy speech.

"Alice and Jasper can't do breakfast because Jasper is 'up'," I said, wrinkling my nose. "I don't want to know what she was doing but he was moaning pretty loud!"

"Are you seriously telling me you've never heard Alice and Jasper when he stays here?" he asked. I didn't need to look up to know that he had one eyebrow raised.

"No, I've heard them. When they first got together. Then we set some ground rules. That's why Alice stays over there so much," I explained.

He laughed and pulled me back down against his chest.

I raised myself up on my elbows to look at him. "What time is your flight?"

"I fly out at eleven, so I guess I need to be there by about ten…gives us plenty of time," he finished with a wink.

I shook my head and smiled at him. "You men have a one track mind."

"Only where there's a gorgeous, sexy girlfriend involved who I don't know when I'll see again," he said sadly.

"Hey," I said softly, laying my chin on his chest to look up into his eyes. "I'm sure we can work something out. I can fly out to Chicago when I have a couple of days off, or you can come for a weekend or something…"

He smiled down at me. "You're right. It's just…these last few days have been amazing. I can't wait until I'm here for good and we can see each other whenever we want."

I lay my cheek against his chest and wrapped my arms around him. We lay still and quiet together, neither of us wanting to think about him going back to Chicago.

"So…" Edward started again.

"So indeed," I countered, not moving.

He sighed a big, exasperated sigh. "How long are we going to do this?"

"Do what?" I asked innocently.

"Avoid the elephant in the room."

"What elephant?" I asked, smiling now.

"The big green one in the corner," he said.

I didn't have a chance to reply as he quickly poked me in the ribs. I jumped about a mile in the air and he took advantage of my shock, quickly flipping me and pinning me to the bed.

"Still avoiding the issue?" he asked with a smirk.

"I'm a bit distracted right now – the elephant will have to wait," I mumbled as I stretched up to kiss him.

An hour later we lay in each other's arms, tangled in the sheets.

"We really need to get ready," I said with a sigh.

"I know," he whispered, holding me tight.

Knowing that unless one of us pulled away now Edward would miss his flight, I slowly extracted myself from his arms. I didn't look at him as I sat on the edge of the bed and held my tears in.

I felt him move behind me and suddenly he was there next to me, his hand making gentle circles on my back.

"Don't cry honey," he whispered, leaning in. "It won't be long. We can talk every day…"

"I know," I sobbed. "I've just been spoilt, being in Chicago with you and then having you here. And at the moment I don't even have work to distract me!"

"Shh," he soothed. "You'll be back at work before you know it. You didn't do anything wrong, it's ok."

We sat there for a few more minutes until I settled down, then I offered him a watery smile. "Shower?"

He nodded and took my hand, leading me to the bathroom. We took our time washing each other and then drying each other afterwards.

I dressed quickly and rushed to make breakfast while Edward packed. I scrambled some eggs and cooked some bacon and had just served it up when he walked into the kitchen.

"Smells good baby," he said with a smile, opening the fridge to get some juice.

We ate quickly and silently then he rose and cleared the table. He filled the sink with hot water and turned to where I was still sitting. "Domestic time?" he offered with a grin.

I couldn't help myself from smiling back as I stood up. We spent the next five minutes talking about Seattle and fun things to do, making a list of what we were going to do once Edward moved.

After the washing up was done we both quickly brushed our teeth and Edward threw the last few things into his bag. I felt my eyes fill with tears again and quickly walked out to the living room. I heard his footsteps behind me and then I was crying all over his shirt.

I felt better after I let it all out so I sniffled and wiped my eyes before looking up at him.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yep," I said, surprised to find that I actually meant it.

We were about to head out the door when my phone rang. "Just a sec," I said to Edward, holding up one finger. "Hello?"

"Doctor Swan? It's Doctor Johns," the deep voice came from the other end.

Oh shit, I thought, sitting on the arm of the couch. "Hello sir, what can I do for you?" I asked, knowing full well why he was calling.

"Given the events on the trauma floor of late, we'd like you to come in for a chat this afternoon. I know you were rostered on to start at two and I also know that you've been informed that your class has been suspended with pay at the moment. We would like for you to come in at two this afternoon for an informal chat," he finished.

"Informal?" I asked, not believing my ears.

"Doctor Swan, it is the unanimous feeling of all of the attendings and myself that neither yourself nor Doctor Whitlock have been negligent during this time. We just need to be seen to be interviewing everyone," he said kindly.

I realised I had been holding my breath and let it out slowly. "Two o'clock is fine, Doctor Johns. I'll see you then," I said, following it with a goodbye and hanging up.

"Everything ok?" Edward asked.

"I'll fill you in while we drive, otherwise you'll be late," I replied.

I finished my tale, including all of Lauren and Mike's stuff ups, as I pulled into a spot in the short stay car park at the airport. I turned off the ignition and turned to get out of my truck, but Edward stopped me.

"Bella, I don't want you to come in if it's going to be painful," he said softly, not meeting my eyes.

"Do you not want me to come in at all?" I asked, trying to hide the hurt in my voice.

"Of course I want you to come with me!" he exclaimed. "I just don't want to hurt you."

"I'll be fine," I said with a smile. "Airports are like my second home now!"

With that settled we walked hand-in-hand into the airport. I lined up with Edward while he checked his luggage and got his ticket. He led me away from the crowds and wrapped his arms around me once more.

"I guess this is it," he said to the top of my head.

I pulled back slightly and looked up at him. "It what?" I asked. "It's not like you're leaving forever. We'll talk tonight and by then I'll know what's happening at the hospital so we can plan a visit!"

He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose. "I love your optimism."

"Just gotta make the most of things," I shrugged. "You'd better go catch your plane."

"Are you sure you'll be all right? I can call Emmett or Alice, ask them to take the day off?" He was so sweet.

"I'll be fine. I'll go home and make lunch, talk to Jazz and see if he has to go in as well, make something horribly fattening for dinner…it'll be fine!" I said, squeezing him around the waist.

"I'll call you as soon as I'm in Chicago," he promised.

"Just call me when you get home, it'll be ok," I assured him.

"Okay." He sighed. "I love you Bella."

"I love you too Edward," I said, laying my cheek against his chest and listening to his heart beat.

We stood there like that for a few minutes before I pulled back and looked up at him. "You're going nowhere fast," I teased.

He grinned down at me. "I'll talk to you soon, ok?"

"Ok. You'd better get going," I said again.

He cupped my cheek with his hand and kissed me softly. "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied.

We released each other and Edward slowly walked away, smiling at me over his shoulder every few steps. When he reached the door he turned and smiled, waved and then blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it and placed my hand on my cheek, then blew him one back. He mirrored my actions and smiled again as he headed towards his gate.

I smiled as I headed back to my truck, proud of the way I had handled his leaving. I had no doubt that one of us would visit the other again soon. I was just about to start up and head home when my phone rang again.

"Hello?"

"I'm so sorry about this morning!" Alice squealed into the phone.

I laughed. "That's ok. I've heard worse!"

"So I'm forgiven?" she asked.

"Of course you are!"

"Sweet!" she chirped. "Want to have lunch with Rose and me? We're going to Jacob's since I missed out this morning. I have a craving for their all day breakfast."

"Sounds good – I'll meet you guys there at twelve thirty?" I suggested.

"Done!" Alice said.

We said our goodbyes and hung up. Lunch taken care of, I headed home and got straight into cleaning. I was going to change my sheets but decided against it. I'll put clean ones on when Edward comes to stay next time, I promised myself. I did a load of towels and cleaned the bathroom, then tidied myself up and headed to lunch.

I walked into Jacob's just as Alice and Rosalie were sitting down. Jacob didn't appear to be in but Seth came over and took our orders not long after we sat down. Rose and I both ordered a BLT and Alice got the all day breakfast – sausage, bacon, eggs, toast with fried tomatoes and mushrooms.

"So, want to fill me in on this morning?" I asked her with an evil grin.

"What happened this morning?" Rosalie asked.

"Well, Alice and Jasper were supposed to meet me and Edward here for breakfast, but Alice called and said she couldn't make it because Jasper was 'up'," I said, using air quotes.

Rose burst into giggles and Alice turned bright red.

"Up?" Rose asked.

"Up," Alice said with a nod.

Rosalie and I exchanged a glance and burst out laughing again. Once we were under control, Rose asked, "So Bella, Jacob's twice in one day?"

It was my turn to blush. "We didn't make it here either," I mumbled. "But it was because Alice bailed!" I finished as Alice snickered behind her hand.

I was saved by the food arriving. Over lunch, Alice filled me in on her grand plans. "I'm giving my notice today!" she said with a huge smile. "This time in two weeks, I'll be a free woman. Which reminds me," she added, turning to Rose. "I want to have some kind of launch on the Friday night – will you model for me? And can you round up a couple of friends as well who'll do it for free lingerie?"

"Done and done," Rose said with a smile. "I'll ask Leah and Sue – I started with both of them at the agency and they're still freelance."

"Bella, if you have time, and if I can get the room I want for free, can you maybe help out with some canapés or something? I was thinking I'd ask Emmett and Jasper to walk around with trays for me," she told us.

"I'd love to Al," I said. "You know I love to cook."

With her plans made, Alice went back to her lunch and we finished in silence. Seth cleared our plates and brought us over a plunger of the Roast of the Month. "No milk or sugar ladies," he said. "This one doesn't need it."

He wasn't wrong. The coffee had a rich nutty aroma with a hint of caramel. "I think I just found a new favourite," I told him as he came back to take the empty plunger and mugs away. Alice and I gave Rosalie our money and she followed Seth to the register, paying him and leaving a healthy tip.

We said goodbye outside and they headed back to work. It was one thirty so I decided to go to the hospital early. I arrived with fifteen minutes to spare and headed for Dr Johns' office.

Not long after I took a seat, the door opened and Mike Newton walked out, looking pale. He shot me a look and then headed straight for the elevators without saying a word.

I was called in a short while later and gave what evidence I could. I tried not to comment on things I wasn't certain about and offered my medical opinion on the events leading up to Dr Young's collapse.

I was dismissed with thanks just before three, with a promise that we should be back at work on Saturday at the latest. I walked out to find Jasper occupying the chair I had vacated a shirt while ago.

"How was it?" he asked.

"It was fine," I assured him with a smile. "Nothing to worry about. You want to come for dinner tonight?"

"If you're cooking, I'm there!" he said.

The door opened again. "Doctor Whitlock?" Dr Johns asked.

I said goodbye to Jasper and headed back to my truck. I arrived home and pulled out my favourite cook books to look for something for dinner, as well as recipes for canapés.

Edward called when he arrived home to let me know he was there safe. We talked for a while and I filled him on Alice's plans for her launch and my meeting at the hospital. We hung up just as Alice walked in the door.

"Edward get home ok?" she asked, dropping her bag beside the door.

"Yep," I replied, stretching. "I invited Jasper for dinner, didn't think you'd mind."

She looked at me. "You don't want a girl's night?"

I laughed. "Alice, it's not the end of the world – I'll see him soon enough. Want to help with dinner?" I was taking my life into my own hands letting Alice help in the kitchen.

"You're trusting me in the kitchen?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I found a risotto recipe I want to try and I could use an extra pair of hands."

"Sounds good – I just have to make a quick call," Alice said, grabbing the phone.

I stood with the recipe book and headed into the kitchen, lining up everything we'd need, from mixing bowls to saucepans. Alice walked in a few minutes later and we went through the recipe together. We started working, Alice chopping the vegetables while I did the rest. Soon the kitchen was filled with the smells of our meal and Jasper arrived just as we were serving up.

"Smells good ladies," he called from the door. He walked in to find Alice and I both still wearing aprons. "You let Alice cook?" he asked me warily.

Alice daintily poked her tongue out at him and pulled a bottle of wine out of the fridge.

"It's ok Jazz, I supervised her the whole time," I told him with a smile.

"Wine?" Alice asked us both.

"I swear you girls have a never-ending supply of booze in that fridge!" Jasper exclaimed, getting three glasses down for Alice.

"Last time Carlisle and Esme were here they bought us a mixed dozen," Alice said. "We keep them hidden in the pantry but every time we drink a white we replace it."

We chatted through dinner about the hospital and Alice's plans for her lingerie. "I'm so excited!" she exclaimed. "Rose called me back this afternoon to let me know she's rounded up three friends of hers, Kate, Leah and Sue, and they're all happy to model for me! Rose will wear her own set, Kate is similar colouring to you," she said, indicating me, "so she'll wear the 'Bella' set, Leah has really dark hair so she'll wear the 'Sunset' set I'm making, and that leaves sue with 'Evergreen'," Alice finished.

"Sunset and Evergreen?" I asked.

"The Sunset one is a topaz colour with a rust coloured lace, and Evergreen is an emerald colour with the same silver lace that your set has," Alice filled me in.

"Maybe I should theme the canapés around those colours then…don't know that I can do anything blue, but I can do some sundried tomatoes, some spinach or something, maybe some caramelised mangoes or something…" I mused.

"You could use blue napkins?" Jasper suggested.

"That's a great idea!" Alice said. And then she was off, chattering about making vests for Emmett and Jasper to match the lingerie and so forth. I tuned out for a while, coming back to the conversation when Jasper asked if I wanted to watch a movie with him while Alice worked.

We settled on The Bourne Identity and it was almost finished when Alice came in and sat down on Jasper's lap. "I'm tired," she mumbled into his neck.

"Hang tight for a few minutes until this finishes?" he asked.

She nodded sleepily and by the time the movie was over she was fast asleep. Jasper rose with her in his arms and carried her to her room. He came out a few minutes later. "She's out of it so I'll head home. Want to do something tomorrow?"

"You can taste test some of my ideas for canapés if you want?" I offered.

A smile lit up his face. "You're on. See you round eleven?"

"Works for me." I walked him to the door and he gave me hug on his way out.

After locking the door I quickly brushed my teeth and left Alice a note next to our toothbrushes, letting her know Jasper had headed home and to wake me in the morning so I could drive her to work and get some stuff from the supermarket on my way home.

I crawled into bed and quickly dozed off, dreaming of Edward and a mass of blue and silver.

I woke the next morning to Alice perching lightly on the side of my bed with a steaming cup of coffee. "For you," she said, extending it.

I sat up slowly and took the mug, sipping carefully. "To what do I owe this honour?" I asked with a smile.

"No reason, just wanted to," she said. "I guess I just wanted to thank you for being so supportive of my whole business idea."

"Well, you're good at it and you're passionate," I said. "What more could I want for you?"

I dropped Alice off outside her office just before 8 and headed to the supermarket. I stocked up on puff pastry and filo pastry and grabbed some fresh veggies and a few different spices.

By the time Jasper arrived at 11 I had a tray of different bite-size nibbles for him to try. I didn't tell him what was in any of them until after he'd given me his opinion. We narrowed it down to three different ones as his favourites and agreed to run them past Alice when she got home that night.

We were cleaning up when his phone rang.

"Jasper Whitlock speaking," he answered. "Mmm hmm…yes, I can be there…she's right here actually…not a problem…thank you sir…good bye."

"What was that?" I asked anxiously.

"Johns," he said. "We have to be at the hospital in an hour."

"Did he say why?"

"He wants to meet with all the residents, didn't say much more though," Jasper told me.

An hour later we were sitting in the conference room at the hospital. The only other time I'd ever been in there was on my first day when we got the tour.

"I wonder where Mallory and Newton are?" he whispered.

I shrugged in response, not wanting to share my theories.

The chatter stopped abruptly when Doctor Johns walked in with Doctor Taylor and Doctor Hussey.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," he said, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I've called you all together to discuss a very serious matter which you all know about. The residents from intake four A have been suspended on full pay after the seizure of an intern under their supervision recently. After a full inquiry, two members of that intake are no longer residents at this hospital. Their places will be filled by the end of next week. I would like to thank the residents from intake four B for covering for their colleagues over the past two and a half days. Residents from four A will be allowed back on the floor as of six tomorrow morning – your amended rosters will be available from Doctor Taylor at the conclusion of this meeting. The remainder of this week and next week will see many of you rostered on double shifts or back up shifts to cover the short fall in residents. If you have any concerns, please see Doctor Taylor."

Doctor Hussey stood up. "Doctor Johns has asked me to come along to talk to all of you about what we all expect of you in light of these circumstances. On a personal level, I have been impressed with the way the majority of you have handled what's been going on. Your patient care has remained at a high standard and your teaching and supervision of interns has not fallen by the way side. However, we need to make sure that an incident of this nature does not occur again, and as a result, each intern will be randomly questioned and quizzed by myself and the other attendings over the next month about each of the cases they work on." He sat down again.

Doctor Johns stood now. "Thank you all for your time this afternoon – I trust that you all understand this hospital is under extreme scrutiny from the AMA and the press – please keep your opinions about this incident to yourselves. You are dismissed."

Jasper and I sat for a minute while the room started to empty out. We took our new rosters from Dr Taylor on our way out and compared them in the car.

"Looks like its just the rest of this week and next week that's changed," Jasper mused. "What are you on tomorrow?"

"Morning, then backing up for the graveyard. You?" I asked.

"Afternoon, then backing up for the day shift on Saturday," he answered.

We gossiped all the way home about Lauren and Mike, not really caring how they were feeling but wondering how long it would be before they approached the media about their dismissal. We pulled up at my building.

"So I'm thinking I'll pick Alice up and take her to dinner tonight, then she can stay at my place so you can get to bed early?" Jasper said, almost thinking out loud.

"And so you guys can have some time together before we start the next eight days of hell?" I quipped.

"That too. At least our shifts have stayed the same for Alice's launch weekend – there's no way I'd disappoint her like that," Jasper said with a grin.

"She'd never forgive you!" I teased. "See you later when you bring her to get clothes?"

He nodded as I climbed out his car. I stood and waved as he drove off, then headed inside. I spent the rest of the afternoon making sure I had all my scrubs and favourite work t-shirts clean and making a list of what tasks I could fit in on what days.

I called Edward just after 5, hoping he'd be home. We talked for almost an hour about the meeting at the hospital and how he was really wrapping things up in Chicago now.

"I probably won't be able to call much over the next few days," I told him sadly.

"It's ok – you have to work. We'll talk when we can," he said.

We said our goodbyes and hung up. I made myself a small bowl of mac and cheese for dinner and then made a bigger serving for work for the next couple of days. I left it to cool on the bench while I ran myself a bath.

I grabbed my robe from my bedroom and headed back the bathroom. A few minutes later I was immersed in the lavender-scented bubbles, relaxing and daydreaming about Edward and a desert island.

"Bella? Are you here?" I heard Alice call a while later.

"In the tub," I shouted back.

"Ok. I'm just grabbing some stuff and then going to Jasper's," she said from the other side of the door.

"Talk to you tomorrow," I called, going back to my island.

I pulled the plug when the water was too cool to sit in any more and headed for bed, snuggling under the covers after setting my alarm.

I reached out for my phone and sent Edward a quick message;

Going to sleep now, wish you were here. Talk soon. xB

A few minutes after sending it my phone beeped softly.

Love you too baby, sleep tight. xE

I placed my phone back on my bedside table and drifted off to sleep.

The next eight days passed in a blur. I had the whole of Tuesday off but other than that I was either at work or asleep. I walked out of the hospital with Jasper on Thursday night at 6pm, feeling elated not only because our run of double and back up shifts was over, but because I had the next two days off.

"Lots of cooking tomorrow, huh?" he asked with a smile as we drove away in my truck.

"Yes and no, I managed to get a bit done last night and I'll probably do some more tonight, but yes, tomorrow will be busy," I said.

"Alice is so excited – she's been working so hard!" he said with a proud smile.

We rode the rest of the way in silence and Jasper dropped me off. "See you at the launch!" he called as he drove away.

I ran inside and Alice jumped on me as soon as I walked in the door. "Its tomorrow!" she cheered. "Come see what I've been doing!"

I followed her into the dining room. There were four garment bags laying across the table. She opened each one, showing me the lingerie inside, ready for the girls. Next she showed me the vests she'd made for the boys. They were a standard waistcoat, red with a black back for Emmett and emerald green with a silver back for Jasper.

"Who are the other two for?" I asked.

"Ooh! I've hardly seen you to tell you! Dad agreed to be the announcer for the night so his is the topaz and black one, and I didn't want Edward to feel left out so his is the blue and silver one!" she chirped.

I smiled. "You've worked so hard!"

"And I've got napkins in all four colours, and Rosalie and Emmett are helping to decorate the room, and the bar will be open and we'll have your food – it'll all be perfect!" She clapped her hands and bounced.

It was contagious. "So what am I going to wear? If one of your models is in my dress…"

"But she won't be! I didn't make the dress for you as part of the range – it's just for you!" Alice smiled. "So you can wear it…if you want to?"

"Of course I want to! I'll be the only person there in her very own AC Design original!" I said, giving her a hug.

Our conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Ooh, dinner!" Alice rushed to the door and came back in with Chinese takeout.

We spent the rest of the night finalising plans and went to bed early to get ready for the next day.

Alice woke me just after 9 with another steaming coffee. I drank it while I dressed and then headed for the kitchen. By lunchtime I was almost done as I sealed another lot of canapés into a container to take to the club where Alice was having her launch.

She called me at one to let me know that she, Emmett and Rose would be at our place in half an hour so I pulled some soup out of the freezer and had it ready when they arrived. We ate quickly and Rose and Emmett left with promises to meet us there at 8, ready for the launch at 9.

Alice and I both took time out for a nap during the afternoon and I was up and cooking again at four. We had a quick dinner of quiche and salad at seven and then we both took short showers and got ready to go.

We arrived at the venue just before eight and I helped Alice carry the garment bags and vests in. I set up the canapés on the table in the corner, ready for Jasper and Emmett to carry around. Rose arrived with her model friends soon after we did and Alice disappeared out the back with them.

Carlisle and Esme arrived at 8:30 and Carlisle went to find Alice while Esme set up her camera and tripod in front of the makeshift cat walk. Jasper came in five minutes later with Emmett and they quickly donned their vests and started circulating with food.

Five minutes before 9 I stepped out the back to wish Alice luck. "I'm so nervous," she said, stepping from one foot to the other.

"It'll be brilliant," I assured her. "All of your fabric suppliers are out there and the room is full of women who will love your stuff."

"Ready?" Carlisle asked, coming up and hugging Alice.

"As I'll ever be!" Alice squeaked.

I hurried back out the front and took my place next to Esme as Carlisle walked out and motioned to the guys running the lights and sound that we were ready to start.

Over the next half hour I heard some of the most flattering things I'd ever heard, all about Alice's creations. Carlisle wrapped things up by calling Alice out and introducing her to the masses and she received the loudest cheer of all. The models took one final turn on the catwalk with Alice in between and then it was all over.

Esme hugged me with a huge smile. "How brilliant was that!" I exclaimed.

"I can't wait to show Alice the photos!" she said, grabbing her camera and heading backstage.

I was about to head over and check on the food when a man's voice coming from behind stopped me.

"What's a beautiful woman like you doing down here, instead of being on that catwalk?"

I turned, ready to give a smart-ass reply but my words stuck in my throat. Standing behind me with a tray of my canapés in his hand, wearing his blue and silver vest, was Edward.