"My grandfather used to say that almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Then my Grammy would answer, "yes, Poppa, everybody knows, almost doesn't count." It's true. Think about it. When is almost good enough?" ~Bella, Almost Doesn't Count

This is a companion fic to Almost Doesn't Count, not sure if it will be able to stand alone or not. It's all Edward, all the time. YUMMY! This will be a series of outtakes of sorts, letting us in to the wonderful world of Edward. His past, his thoughts, his conversations we didn't get to listen in on w/BPOV, etc. All will be revealed. It may be sad at times because of Esme. Hold me. ~ Mrs. R.

**Proceed with caution, this is unbeat'd**

~x0x0x0x0x~

I'd just hung up my cell with Bella. She was confirming what time we would meet tomorrow for our temporary custody hearing. Without even thinking twice, I offered to pick her up at her office. We'd have the whole day to ourselves, and that made me very excited. Not that I expected for anything to happen, but a day with just another adult was long overdue for me. I wouldn't know how to act!

Emmett picked up Ethan fairly early, they were going to eat breakfast before heading to watch Disney on Ice at the Seattle Center.

The few chances that I get to drive without Ethan, I took advantage of the situation and drove my Ashton Martin. I missed the freedom that I felt in my younger years cruising around in it. Now I mainly drove my 'Dad' SUV and kept this piece of me locked away in the private parking deck across the street. Carlisle was worried that it'd get stolen or damaged, and he was always encouraging me to drive it back to Forks and leave it parked in the garage at home.

In the short distance driving to her office, my stomach began to churn with nerves. What was the deal? This wasn't even a date! I'd just saw her the other day, nothing had changed between us, but for some reason to me this felt like this was the next step kind of... for us.

Then maybe it was because this - um, 'meeting,' had to do with the adoption. I hadn't even entertained the idea that this adoption wouldn't eventually happen, I had one hundred and ten percent faith in her abilities. Ethan becoming my son was nothing more than fate and maybe, just maybe, a certain brown-haired beauty fit into our destiny somehow.

I exhaled slowly before entering the large glass door to her office building, only to suck my breath back into my lungs as soon as we met face-to-face in the open doorway. I looked her over from head to toe, and a million and one compliments ran through my mind all at once. Unfortunately, all I could spout off was, "Well hello, Ms. Swan, don't you look smokin' hot today?"

Smokin' hot? Who says that?

My words didn't even faze her as I watched her eyes drift over my body. Talk about a turn-on, knowing that she too was checking me out. Then she rambled something off about my car and then 'sex-on-legs.' I nervously laughed, she wasn't helping my thoughts to stay within the limits of the PG rating I was aiming for.

"Sex on legs? That's a new one," I answered.

I followed her to the curb and watched the way her hips swayed within the confinements of her black pants and the taut curvature of her thighs – what was it she said about sex and legs again, because I could think of a few things myself...

She slid into the car and we began to discuss the Vanquish and she impressed me referencing James Bond.

As we fell into easy conversation, all of my earlier nervousness melted away leaving only pride and contentment and a little bit of lust thrown in there too.

This friendship thing was going to be be harder than I thought it'd be - no pun intended.

When we pulled up outside the courthouse, Bella practically molded herself back into the seat. "Do I have to get out? I just want to sit in here." She purred as she rubbed on the leather interior.

So-help-me-God, if this wasn't my adoption hearing we were going to, I would have offered to drive her anywhere; Canada, Colorado, California, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York...Maine. Anywhere and we could just sit in the car and talk for days if that's what she wanted. Instead I motioned for her to get out and lightly placed my fingers on the small of her back. Any physical contact with her was more than welcomed in my book and who was I kidding? I couldn't resit!

I took note that she obviously had a slight crush on my car, and the more points in my corner – the better. I leaned forward and let the tip of my nose graze her ear lobe as I whispered, "Silly girl, I still have to take you home, but just so you know, you can ride Mr. Vanquish anytime." I fought the urge to slap her ass and kept my fingers in their proper place.

For now.

~x0x0x0x0x~

Watching Bella march around that courtroom and demand attention worked me up more than anything else ever had. She was confident, graceful, sexy and... smart and... holyshit – I wanted to bend her over that desk so damn bad, that for the most part, I couldn't of told you a flippin' word she'd said. Not to mention that more than once I wiped drool of my chin and I constantly had to rearrange my package to lessen the ache from the friction of my wood grating against my zipper.

I sighed as I watched her mouth move as she spoke, her tongue darting out to wet her lips and every so often she would look over at me and smile.

Friends huh?

Maybe not for long.

Please...God, do you hear me?

~x0x0x0x0x~

As soon as we excited the over-sized wooden courtroom doors, Bella grabbed my hand and we practically ran down the steps toward the car.

She did it!

"Edward Cullen, you are my lucky charm. Can I fold you up and put you in my pocket so you can come to court with me every time?" Her smile was bigger than I'd ever saw it and she wore the look of success well.

The weight on my shoulders I'd been carrying concerning Ethan and this adoption was being lifted one rock at a time and it was all thanks to her – because at least for now, he was mine. "Bella, you don't need a lucky charm. You were perfect in there. You had an answer to every question and you really knew your shit. But more importantly... You did it!"

Without even thinking I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. Her arms wound around me and her toes rose up off the sidewalk. I twirled her around and around in nothing but pure excitement and joy. She did it!

In return she squealed and embraced me a little tighter.

My movements slowed to a stop, but I didn't let her go, she pulled her head back just enough to look into my eyes as I found myself lost in her's.

"Yes! Little Ethan is all yours for the next 6 months and then we just have to make it permanent Edward. It will be forever!" She said in an almost whisper.

Then it was like everything around us faded away, as her eyes were darting back and forth peering into mine. I swear, she could see down into the depths of my soul and maybe I wouldn't have to tell her how I felt, maybe she could just spy inside of me and see it. She continued to look at me and I felt her fingers twitching as they rested on my neck. Her eyes darted down to my lips... my jaw... my mouth, and I knew we were toeing that fine line. If she attempted to kiss me or even gave me the inclination that she wanted to, I knew I was a goner. I couldn't resist her. Not with the way she smelled. Not with the way she looked. Not with the way she was studying me. Not the way I felt with her perfect body pressing into my own. I wasn't strong enough. She made me weak – literally.

Then with a wave a guilt, I sat her down. This wasn't fair to either of us, pushing this envelope was dangerous. I had to be patient.

I swallowed hard as I repeated to myself 'good things come to those who wait,' and I would wait. I would wait a long, long time if I had to.

"Thank you Bella." I finally whispered. She had no idea I was thanking her for more than just today. I was expressing my gratitude for stirring in me emotions I thought might never surface in me and even more so for giving me... hope.

Her hands dropped from my neck to my waist and she still hadn't stepped back. My body was on alert to her close proximity and I wanted her back in my arms.

"You are more than welcome Edward. You deserve that little one. Soon, I promise, soon." She said and I grinned at her because yes – soon everything was going to work out. Very, very soon.

~x0x0x0x0x~

"It's not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game even starts."
~ Addison Walker

Hello?

*taps mic* Is anyone out there?

It's been so long since I updated.. and now that ADC is complete, I wondered if anyone would still read this? As long as I have just one reader, I'll continue to write it.

Next chapter is the fair!