DISCLAIMER: I am not Stephenie Meyer, nor do I own any of the Twilight characters. The plot is mine, but that is all.

AN: well here you go folks the next chapter is up! sorry if you felt like i left you hanging too long..these things take time! thank you to all of you who have been reviewing! your reviews really make me happy and encourage me to update sooner. again, thanks to my beta katie m cullen...

so here it is...we left off with those two love birds sharing their FIRST kiss...

BPOV:

I rolled over in my bed to find a warm body snuggled next to me. My eyes shot open and what I found lying in front of me was something I would never have expected. There lying in my bed was Edward. His bronze locks all over the place, the hint of stubble on his chin, and a smile on his face.

That smile, oh that smile. It could melt any girl's heart. I thought to myself, then remembered last night. Edward showed up, we ate chow mein and pork dumplings, watched a movie, drank wine, and…oh god!

His soft, warm lips brushed against mine. When he pulled back I looked him dead in the eye.

"Edward, we can't…" I pleaded. What was I doing? My head was screaming no stay away Bella, he's not even divorced yet. What hurt was my heart yearned for those lips to find their way back to mine.

"You're right. This is wrong…" he started to say, but then it was like a light bulb went off in his head. "…but so right, Bella. Think about it. It's always been us, the two of us."

It has always been the two of us. Although it was the six of us, we all sort of paired off. Alice and Jasper, of course, Emmett and Rosalie, and then Edward and I. Alice and Jasper being the only two who seemed to create their happy endings together. It was just how things were, we never questioned it. Our relationship had always been strictly friendship, never anything more. Why was it suddenly changing now?

"Edward, there's a reason why, we…" I said motioning with my finger between us. "…never happened. It just won't work."

"Says who?" he looked at me, his green eyes burning a hole in my heart. Damn you Edward Cullen!

"Says me, because you're a married man…"

"Ah, correction little Bella, I'm a soon- to-be divorced man,," he said with a hint of triumph.

"Whatever, I'm a widow with baggage…" my voice trailed off. Damn my argument wasn't working. In all reality we fit together. Edward must've realized what I was trying to say and what I was thinking, because he started to laugh.

"Exactly Bella, exactly!" he chuckled.

"I don't want to be the rebound girl, Edward. What are we thirteen?"

"I'm not saying you are. For the longest time I've harbored these unknown feelings for you and I think I've figured out what those feelings are. I don't know where this is going to go or even what's going to happen. All I know is that kiss felt right. As wrong as it may be, it felt right."

I sighed, he was right. Man was he right.

He stirred in his sleep and started to open his eyes.

"Morning Bella..." Edward whispered, putting his arm around me pulling close to him.

"Morning," I sighed. "Listen…about last night-" I began.

"About last night, I meant everything I said, Bella," he murmured.

"I'm sure you did, but are we really going to try this?" I asked hoping he would have changed his mind.

"We'll take things slow, baby steps. I know both our situations aren't exactly ideal at the moment, but if it's meant to be things will work out."

Damn, damn, damn! Why did he say that with such…determination? I thought

It wasn't supposed to go that way. He was supposed to tell me that it was just the wine talking last night. I thought it was a one time thing, never to be spoken about again, but no, Mr. Edward Cullen wants to try.

"What about the others? What will they say?" That's right, play the friend card.

"They don't have to know anything. We're not even sure where this is going. I need someone to talk to, to be with. You, Bella, are the perfect candidate. Who knows maybe we are better off as just friends or maybe-" he trailed off.

"Don't say it, Edward." I brought his thought to a screeching halt. "If this is going to happen we need to take baby steps remember?" I argued.

He just smiled, kissed my forehead and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" I asked sitting up.

"I need to get going, I have to work in a few hours and as much as I would love to lay here with you all day I have to work and you have a very curious three year old who should be waking up anytime now," he explained. "Would you like to walk me to the door?"

I nodded and followed him to the door. He unlocked the door and opened it.

"Thank you for last night..." he whispered as he tucked stray hairs behind my ears.

I felt his other hand wrap around my lower back pulling closer to him. I looked into his eyes and leaned in to kiss him. It started out smooth, nothing dangerous or provocative. Then his lips moved rhythmically with mine, the whole entire world ceased to exist for that exact moment. His touch sent electric shocks firing through my system. I felt his hands entangle themselves in my hair. I pulled myself closer to him by locking my hands around his neck.

This, in some alternate universe, felt right. Could he be right? Could this actually work?

He was the first to pull away, catching his breath. I let a light whimper escape my lips.

"That was-" he gasped between deep breaths.

"Wow.." I finished. My answer made him happy, he flashed me that picture-perfect Edward Cullen smile and took my hands in his.

"Baby steps, Bella, baby steps." he reminded me as he placed a soft kiss on my hand.

I sighed. Baby steps, baby steps. With another smile he placed one last sweet kiss on the top of my forehead and left.

I shut the door and slid down the wall.

What was I getting myself into?

what'd ya think?! i hope you guys liked it..bella&edward deserve to be happy, even if their lives are getting turned in different places. i'll try to update soon..review,review,review!