OH. MY. GOD! In the last chappie, I accidently put 'pin' in one part, instead of necklace! D: It was supposed to be a pin at first but I was like "Nah, I want it to be a necklace!" X3 So yeah….

Here's the new one!

ENJ—wait!

I haven't done the dedication part! :O

For have an awesome review that made me smile, the dedication goes to *drum roll* :

ColorTuesdayBlack

!!!!!!

Anyways

EnJoY! (got creative there :3)

BPOV

The day had been long for me. I'd never spent a birthday from away from Charlie, and stopping by my mom's grave didn't give me that boost I needed. My steps lagged as I walked to the house. The floral arrangement was a big ray of sunshine. Tears pricked my eyes as I looked over the tiny card. Charlie couldn't afford to send me one rose, let alone three. That made the gift even more precious.

I picked up the vase and walked down to Angela's apartment. She was cradling the house phone when I entered.

"Look Angela, my dad sent roses. I knew he wouldn't forget my birthday, even if he was able. I'd like to call and talk to him, but I certainly can't call from here."

"Sit down," She said, and got up from her armchair. "I have a feeling conditions are going to improve. You, my dear, have an invitation to dinner." She said, smiling.

I listened to her as she repeated what Edward had told her earlier. "How did he know?" I asked.

"He was the one who signed for the bouquet when it arrived."

"But…but… You and I were supposed to celebrate it together!"

"It makes no difference. We've been eating together since the day you got here anyways. If Mr. Cullen wants to start treating you as a guest rather than his hired help, I certainly won't throw a hitch in his master plan." Angela said, a scheming glint in her eyes. "I'll send that Italian crème cake I made for dessert, and he won't ever need to know I'd already prepared it."

Looking down at my dirty clothes, I said, "But my clothes! I only brought one or two casual dresses for when the weather's nice."

"Have you forgotten that box of clothes you left when you moved to Kansas?"

"Oh, yes. I hardly thought I'd have much use for nice dinner clothes on the farm. That's the reason I asked you to donate them to charity."

Angela just laughed. "I didn't have the heart to do that! I stashed the box away in my closet." Bouncing with so much energy, she bounced to her bedroom.

When she came back with the rather large box, I thought of the sadness I felt when I was packing those clothes away for what I thought to be the last time. I remember the silk, linen, cotton, and knit garments I never expected to see again. Appraising me, Angela said, "You've lost some weight, but these should still fit you alright."

Not wanting to overdress for the occasion, I picked out a blue dress with a v-neck, and frills at the bottom.

"That is a nice choice." Angela approved. "You look very nice! I can freshen the dress by running it through the fluff cycle of the dryer. Pair that with your mother's diamonds and we'll see if that won't open up Edward Cullen's eyes.

"Angela! Mr. Cullen is only being kind to me because it's my birthday."

"No. Edward Cullen is lonely. Play your cards right, and you might not have to return to Kansas."

"Stop that kind of scheming." I replied coldly, even scaring myself. "Or I won't even go to dinner. I'll be ill at ease anyways without you talking like that."

But, truth be told, I got giddy as a school girl when she said that. Was I truly falling in love with Edward Cullen? Or just the fact that I might not return home?

I brushed my hair and let it flow freely over my shoulders, enhanced my already pear-like skin with a little make-up, careful to leave out blush; I wouldn't be needing it. I sprayed on a faint fragrance of French perfume out of a bottle I hadn't used since moving to the farm. I wore the blue dress without any jewelry.

A few minutes before seven, I went downstairs and presented myself to Angela for inspection. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Mr. Cullen asked me to bring you to the dining room."

Located across the gallery from the formal sitting room, the dining room was furnished with two tables, the biggest meant for large parties, was cleared, and the smaller one meant for a family, was set with the nicest crystal, china, and silver, only used for very special occasions. I stood on the threshold, with a sly smile as Edward approached me.

"Happy birthday!" He exclaimed, his emerald eyes glowing. I'd never seen him, or anyone for that matter, in this kind of mood. His happiness was overwhelming. Did he enjoy making others happy? "You should have told me, so I could have made more elaborate plans."

He wore a black suit with a green vest and tie that reflected the shade of his unusual eyes. He had his smooth profile turned toward me, and he looked very handsome.

"I hadn't given much thought to my birthday." I said truthfully. "It's thoughtful of you to take notice of it."

He seated me at the table, saying, "I asked Angela to provide us with your favorite foods."

He sat to my right, so that each time I looked at him, I would see his scarred face. Had he deliberately done this?

With Angela hovering in the background, we were served a salad of fresh fruits. But, before he started eating, Edward hesitantly asked, "Do you want to say grace?"

"Yes, please." I bowed my head, wondering if I could give grace at the very table I had once eaten at every night. The last time I had given grace was the day my family and I vacated the house and left for Kansas.

At the end of my prayer, Edward looked up and said, "My name is Edward, not Mr. Cullen."

I lifted my fork and took a bite of the ripe fruit laced with a light honey syrup. Still smiling, I replied, "Yes, I know."

"I looked at the card, I'm sorry about that, and noticed that I'm not much older than you. Even though we're practically strangers, I'd like for you to call me by my given name."

"I you want me too."

The salad plates were removed, and the main entrée of steak, curried rice, fresh green beans, steamed broccoli and buttermilk biscuits was served. (I'm VERY VERY hungry right now, If you couldn't tell XD)

"I wish you wouldn't treat me as your employer." He said, rather testily.

I lifted my eyebrows. "How else should I treat you? Our relationship is a bit difficult to define. Theoretically, I'm working for my father, but the items I'm cataloging will be sold to pay off his debt to you. I feel as though I'm your employee."

"I don't like your servile attitude." He said harshly. "I've done nothing to make you feel like you're indebted to me."

"Of course you haven't," I said earnestly, "but since Redwood was once my home, it would be easy to overstep my position. I never forgot that this is your home now, not mine, and I'm nothing more than a visitor. I appreciate all that you've done for my family, and I've tried to be circumspect."

He didn't comment, but instead asked about my day's work.

"I'm not progressing as fast as I hoped. I promised my sisters that I would return within two months, so I hope that I can meet that deadline. There are a few items I've laid aside so I can get your opinion on which category they belong in. Perhaps we can go to the warehouse after dinner and you can advise me."

He shook his head. "No. This is your birthday, and you shouldn't have to work tonight."

"This has been a delicious dinner," I said, "and all of the foods are favorites of mine."

When dessert was served, I exclaimed over the three-layer pecan cake, topped with coconut frosting. After we'd each been served a generous slice of the cake, I said to Angela, "Please take the rest to the workers in the kitchen, and thank them for the meal. I've certainly enjoyed it."

I lowered my eyes, realizing that I'd just stepped over my position after all. Edward was the one who was supposed to send the congratulations off to the kitchen staff, not me. And what should I do now? The meal was finished. Should I excuse myself and go to my room?

"Angela, please bring coffee to the garden room." Edward said as he stood behind my chair. "Or do you prefer tea?"

"Tea, if I may." I said, trying not to sound servile, but his closeness made me feel breathless. He put his hand under my elbow and walked beside me into the garden room. Furnished with wicker sofas and chairs, and light brown cushions, the room had always been one of my favorite places. Sliding glass doors on three sides gave access to the brick and stone terraced garden planted with perennials, herbs, and flowering plants in shades of brown and gray.

Edward guided me to a sofa and sat beside me. Again, I was on his right, in full view of his scars. Angela soon appeared with a silver tray that held a coffee urn and a teapot.

"We'll serve ourselves when we're ready, Angela." Edward said.

He took a small gift wrapped box from his pocket and handed it to me. "I could have done better if I had more time."

Flustered, I said, "I didn't know you were able to buy anything in such a short time."

His lips curved up in a crooked smile—the first time I'd ever seen him smile, and boy, did he have a nice smile.

"I called in a favor, with my friend Emmett. He doesn't do anything else with his time, so he might as well do a favor for me once in awhile."

My hand's moistened as I held the gift. How can I deal with the change in Edward? During the past few weeks, I was conscious that our relationship had altered. We worked well together at the warehouse—sometimes in comfortable silence, and others discussing what my father had collected. I'd enjoyed the walk from the warehouse each evening and always experienced a sense of loss when I turned toward the back stairs and he walked toward the main section of the house. Almost, I'd come to view him as a friend, but tonight was different. Should I accept his gift?

"Open it." He encouraged. Yet, I shook my head.

"The dinner was enough. I can't take anything else from you.

Edward took the box, unwrapped it, opened the box, and removed a necklace. I gasped at the dazzling jewelry. I knew it was expensive, because the name on the outside of the box indicated that the necklace had been purchased from the jewelry store my family and I shopped in our affluent days.

He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around me and leaned forward…

MUHAHAHA!!!!! The despicable cliffie!!!! Anyways, that was a LONG chapter. About 2,000 words! Holy crud….Anyways, you know the drill. Oh, and by the way, Edwards clothes, Bella's clothes, the house, and necklace, etc. etc. are on my profile.

~Fatal