A/N: Wow! Reviews already and I only just published today!! You guys rock!! Here's Chapter 4, hope you like it! And for my fellow Emmett/Bella fans, be patient! Their moment will come soon!

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THANK YOU FOR READING!!! :-)

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I gazed up at the clock on the cable box. 5:45. Edward had fifteen minutes. I sat on the couch next to Charlie and drummed my fingers nervously on the arm. He cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably.

"So…" he began. "Edward Cullen, huh?"

"Yep," I said.

"What brought this on?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the television.

"Don't know," I answered. "He called me yesterday and asked me out on a date."

"And he wanted to meet me?" Charlie turned to me and raised an eyebrow.

"Yep. He said he wanted to do quote 'the whole deal.'" I quipped.

"What's that mean?" Charlie looked very puzzled.

"Well," I sighed, "That means he wants to pick me up here, officially meet my father, take me out for a nice dinner and maybe a romantic stroll, and then drop me off at home before curfew."

"Sounds old fashioned," He turned his attention back to the television. "Do you have your pepper spray?"

"Dad!"

"I'm just saying," Charlie muttered.

A sudden knock on the door thankfully interrupted our awkward conversation. Charlie glanced over at me again as he stood and smoothed out the wrinkles on his shirt. He shook his head and proceeded to the front door. I heard the hinges creak and some mumbled greetings, then two sets of foot steps approach the living room. I scrambled up off the couch, tugged at the hem on my favorite blue sweater and straightened my long khaki skirt. I stared briefly at my feet and pursed my lips. I owned no nice shoes, so my dressy outfit was completely thrown off by a pair of low cut, black and white Chuck Taylor's. Can't win 'em all, I guess. I raised my eyes just then to see Charlie re-enter the living room, followed by Edward.

My God.

He looked absolutely amazing. He wore a cream-colored turtleneck sweater that clung to him in all the right places, accented with a black leather blazer. He had on a pair of black dress pants with black leather shoes that probably cost more that Charlie made in a month. He kept his hands clasped behind his back and smiled warmly at me.

"Bella," Charlie cleared his throat, "Your…uh…date is here."

"Thanks, Dad." I mumbled and cast my eyes down again.

"Bella," Edward's voice was like chocolate syrup on my favorite sundae. I looked up. "These are for you." He held out a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

"Oh," I exclaimed softly. I gathered them in my arms and buried my nose briefly in the smooth petals. "Edward, they're gorgeous. I… I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say a thing," he chuckled. "Why don't you go put them in some water and I'll get your coat." I could only nod in response and almost ran to the kitchen to find a vase. I realized just then that I had left Edward alone with my father. I sincerely hoped Charlie wasn't making an ass out of himself or trying to embarrass me. I crept back down the short hallway and hovered in the doorway just out of Charlie's line of sight. Edward had his back to me.

"Curfew is eleven pm." Charlie was saying.

"I shall have her home by ten forty five, then" Edward assured him.

"And no funny business," my father folded his arms and did his best to look stern.

"None whatsoever, sir," Edward remained perfectly calm and completely un-phased. "And you kids should wear your seat belts," Charlie continued, "Because you can never be to careful out there on the road."

"Chief Swan," Edward flashed one of his stunning smiles, "Your daughter will be safe with me, of that you can be certain…" he paused. "Are you ready, Bella? Or are you going to continue to lurk in the hall all night?" I jumped when he called my name. How had he known I was there?

"Coming!" I squeaked and rushed into the living room. Edward helped me shrug into my jacket and I slung my purse over my shoulder. Charlie walked us to the door and held it as we exited. He touched my arm lightly and I looked up. He pantomimed spraying an aerosol can and pointed to my bag. I rolled my eyes.

"I'll see you later, Dad," I mumbled.

"Have fun, Bells," he responded. He lingered for a moment and watched us walk away, then stepped inside and locked the door.

Edward offered his arm and I blushed slightly before sliding my hand through. He guided me to his car and opened the passenger door. He turned to me and smiled. I had to remind myself to breathe again.

"Your chariot awaits, m'lady," the words flowed effortlessly off his tongue and I wondered where he learned such elegant speech.

"Such a gentleman," I chuckled. I stepped around him and placed my hand over his where it rested on the door. I couldn't help but notice how shockingly cold he was. Well, it was a little chilly out tonight. He shut the door behind me once I was settled, then strode casually around to the driver's side and let himself in.

"So where are we going?" I asked as he pulled away from the curb and proceeded down the street. "A little Italian place I know in Port Angeles," he responded. "Are you cold? I can turn on the heat." He reached over to the thermostat.

"No I'm fine," I stretched my hand out to stop him and our fingers brushed for the second time that night. His touch was still icy. I cocked my head at him. "Are you?"

"Am I what?" he looked back at the road, oblivious.

"Cold," I said. "Your hands are freezing."

"Oh, that," he glanced down briefly, "I just have poor circulation in my hands. Had it since I was a kid. Doesn't bother me in the least."

"Uh-huh," I pursed my lips, skeptical. "Edward, is there something you're not telling me?"

"Of course not," he said simply. "I have no secrets."

"Right," I shifted uncomfortably. "Of course not."

Something still didn't add up, but I decided to let it go for the night. I was on a date with the most beautiful man in Forks. Dwelling on mysteries that may or may not exist was the least of my worries right now. I flicked the radio on to a random station and we rode in relative silence the rest of the way to Port Angeles. He would occasionally hum to a random song or wink at me to reassure me. I would smile weakly in return. We finally pulled up in front of a quaint little restaurant. Edward backed expertly into a space and turned off the engine. I barely had my seatbelt off before he had my door open and was offering me his hand . I looked up at him and slid my hand into his grasp with a nervous glance.

"Don't worry, Bella," he smiled again. "All is well!"

"I don't doubt it," I answered in my bravest voice, which I'm sure he could see right through.

"I just need you to close your eyes and hold tight to my hand," he instructed as I stood.

"Why do I have to close my eyes?" I frowned

"It's a surprise!" he exclaimed.

"What is?" I demanded.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," he rolled his eyes.

I extricated my hand from his and folded my arms across my chest.

"I'm not going in there blindly, Edward. I am a born klutz and I just know I will knock over a candle and burn the whole place down."

"Bella," he sighed, "I'm not going to let you fall. Will you just trust me?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Please?" he grinned.

"Fine," I grumbled, unable to resist his charm. "But if disaster ensues it's your fault."

He only laughed in response as he took hold of one of my hands and placed the other on the small of my back. I shivered briefly at his touch and let him guide me into the restaurant.

The light tinkling of a bell let me know that we had entered. My nose was suddenly assaulted with a bevy of mouthwatering smells. It was all I could do not to drool. I heard Edward speak quietly with the hostess, and then a gentle pressure on my back told me we were on the move. Less than a minute later we came to a stop. Edward spoke again, and then all went quiet.

He slid my purse and my coat off my shoulders and placed my hands on what felt like the back of a chair. His cold hand on my back let me know that he had returned to my side.

"Open your eyes," he whispered in my ear.

I slowly opened my eyes. He had reserved a private table for us in a quiet corner of the restaurant. Two candles glowed softly around a bouquet of early spring flowers. Our dinners were already laid out for us, the steam still rising from the plates. Classical music wafted out of a nearby stereo.

"Oh, my," was all I could manage.

"Do you like it?" he asked . I smoothed my skirt and sat down in the chair he offered. He gently pushed it in and took his seat across the table from me.

"It's so…" I trailed off as the scent of my dinner reached my nose. "Is that…?"

"Mushroom ravioli," he grinned.

"My favorite!" I gasped. "But how did you know?"

"I asked Charlie," he shrugged. "But you never answered me. Do you like it?"

"I…of course! It's very…" I faltered, trying not to sound cheesy. "It's very nice."

Nice? That's the best you could come up with? I chided myself.

"I'm glad it meets your approval," he didn't seem to mind my lack-luster rating of our night thus far.

Things from there progressed much more smoothly than I had imagined. We enjoyed a quiet dinner with minimal interruptions. Anytime the waitress would try to catch Edward's eye or butt in on our conversation, he would casually shoo her away. We swapped stories of our past and I skillfully avoided the subject of my brother. I wasn't ready for him to know that part of me, or about what happened in the aftermath.

After dinner Edward took me for a walk along the pier. It would have been a beautiful sunset had it not been for the thick bank of clouds hanging overhead. There was no rain, but a cool mist started to drift in off the bay. I shivered as we walked and rubbed my arms against the damp. Edward placed his coat around me and slid an arm over my shoulders. He massaged my arm gently to help warm me, and the chivalry of the gesture took my mind off the fact that his jacket was unusually cold. I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder as we strolled. He broke our peaceful silence with a low chuckle. I stopped and looked up at him.

"What?" I asked, curious.

"Nothing," he smiled. "It's…just you."

"What have I done?" I quirked an eyebrow.

"You started off this evening completely untrusting and totally wary of me," he began, "And now here you are, wrapped up in my coat and leaning on my arm." He ran a finger lightly down the center of my forehead and tapped my nose. "You confuse me to no end."

"I do, huh?" I couldn't hide the blush from his adorable caress.

"Yes, terribly," he sighed. "I just can't figure you out. But have no fear, my Bella," he hugged me to his side and we continued our walk. "It's a very endearing quality."

"If I'm so confusing," I smirked, "I guess you'll never know what to expect from me."

"I guess I won't," he answered.

We stopped just as the street light above us flickered on. I glanced up at him and realized he was smiling down at me. The soft glow from the lamp illuminated his face and made him look even more angelic. He reached out and gently stroked my cheek, his fingers so cold they seemed to burn.

"Do you want to head back? " he asked.

"Not just yet," I slid my arms up around his neck.

"It's getting late, Bella," he looked at me quizzically.

"I know," I smiled and started twining my fingers in his hair.

"What are you…?"

I cut him off suddenly by pulling myself up on my toes and softly kissing him. It almost felt like a jolt of electricity shot through me as his icy lips moved against mine. I fisted my hands in his hair and he carefully wrapped his arms around my waist. We lingered in our embrace a moment longer until he finally broke the kiss.

"Am I clear enough for you now?" I giggled.

"Crystal, my love," he whispered. He rested his forehead gingerly against mine, and I couldn't stop the next question that came to mind.

"Edward, why are you so cold?" I inquired.

"I told you, love," he sighed. "Poor circulation."

"But, you said it was your hands…"

It was his turn to stop me now as he laid a soft, chaste kiss on my lips. I completely lost my train of thought as the charge shot through my body for the second time that night. His hand lingered under my chin just long enough to lift my gaze to his. I was immersed entirely in the warmth of his amber eyes.

"You were saying?" he chuckled.

"Hmmm?" I mumbled.

"That's what I thought," he smiled crookedly. "Come now, my Bella," he slid his arm over my shoulder and pulled me to him. We began the slow walk back to his car. "I promised Charlie I'd have you home at a decent hour."

As we drove home that night, I slid my hand into his. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth . He squeezed my hand gently, brought it to his lips, and kissed it. I couldn't help but think he was hiding something from me, but at that moment I just didn't care. For this was the first time in two years that I felt utterly and completely happy.