I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, willing myself to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was hyperventilating. We were getting ready to go to dinner, and I knew that Edward was going crazy in the other room. Everything I did leading up to tonight just seemed to piss him off. I took his anger in stride though, knowing that his problem wasn't directly with me, it was with meeting James. Knowing that Edward was going out of his comfort zone for me, made me swallow my harsh words when I wanted to yell right back. I wanted to prove to Edward that I was his, and his alone, and that was just one of the reasons why I wanted to go tonight. Even though I knew he wasn't going to be sociable, part of me wanted to see James again. I cared about him, and I wanted to know how he was doing. He would always hold a place in my heart, no matter what happened. I knew I could never tell Edward such a thing, but that was how I felt.

We were meeting everyone at the Lodge, just like I thought we would. Once my breathing evened out as much as I could get it to, I turned from the mirror and put on a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt. I scrunched my hair with some gel and pulled back my bangs. I decided to forego makeup, knowing that Edward would have something to say about it. He really didn't like me wearing makeup anyway.

When I was ready to go, I found Edward outside, puffing on a cigarette. That was his way of relieving stress. Looking down, I saw that he looked dashing in a pair of jeans and a golf-style shirt. His hair was messy as fuck, but I loved it that way. I knew he was having a hard time dealing with all the family stuff, but once it was over, it would just be us again. He looked so anxious. I pulled his pack out of his pocket and took one to smoke. We headed to the car in absolute silence and it was slightly intimidating. A quiet Edward was scary. That meant he was inside his own head, coming up with crazy theories. I just wished he understood how much I loved him. I really didn't know how else to tell him, so I was going to show him.

When we pulled into the parking lot, I saw James walking in with Victoria, Jake, and his girlfriend. Edward's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. I rubbed his leg, trying to make him feel better, though I knew nothing was going to ease his tension.

"Bella, I don't want to do this," he said, putting the car in park.

"I know, but it's for my family."

"That was him wasn't it?"

"Yes," I said as he stared out the windshield. "I never loved him like I love you."

"Let's just go and get this over with," he said, getting out of the car.

I quickly got out of the car before he could change his mind. He took ahold of my hand and he held it tightly. I knew he was doing this for me, and I was grateful to him because of it. I brought our linked hands up and kissed his knuckles softly. As soon as we were through the door, I saw the huge group of people we were with. James was talking with Sue and my dad was staring him down.

"Okay, this may work out in my favor," Edward said as I giggled.

"Hey Bells," Charlie said before hugging me.

"Hi, dad, don't you look all handsome!" I said as he groaned.

"Sue made me," he said as Edward laughed.

"The things we do for our wives," Edward said.

My Dad chuckled, but gave me a stern look. Edward's double meaning wasn't missed on anyone.

"Bella! You look great," Irina, James' mother, said, coming up to us.

Irina and I had never really gotten along, and I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting to see her tonight.

"Thank you. How have you been?" I asked, not really caring.

"Not bad at all."

I felt Edward's elbow nudge my side gently, and I quickly made introductions.

"This is my husband, Edward. This is Irina," I said as Edward nodded his head at her.

"Oh, that's right. Jamie told me you got married," she said with a smile. She must have been on some new medication. She was way happier than I remembered.

"Bella," James' dad, Garrett said, sliding up to his wife and wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Hi," I said leaning into Edward. I didn't like Garrett; he scared me.

"Hey," Vicki said as she hugged me.

"You look great," I said to her.

"This isn't weird, is it?" she whispered in my ear.

"Zero weirdness," I said as we laughed. "This is Edward, my husband. This is James' girlfriend, Vicki."

"Nice to meet you," Edward said politely

"Hot," Vicki lipped to me as I giggled.

We both knew James would have a shit fit if he heard her say such a thing. I stiffened when James walked up to us, putting is arm around Victoria. The whole room had their eyes on us. My dad was in arms reach, just in case.

"Bella, marriage looks good on you," he said as I smiled and nodded my head in understanding. "James," he said, introducing himself to Edward. I was shocked when Edward shook his hand.

"I'm Edward, the husband."

"Lucky man. You have one hell of a girl right there," he said as I smiled. James and I locked eyes for a split second, and I knew I couldn't look at him again. "So, you like being tied down?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Edward said kissing the top of my head.

"I hope to settle down one day," he said, hip bumping Vicki. All she did was smile at him.

Edward nodded politely before making an excuse to pull us away from the awkward situation we found ourselves in.

"I'm starving!" Edward said as we walked to a table.

"Couldn't say it any better myself," Charlie said as we all sat down. I was pissed when James sat directly in front of me. Edward placed his arm around the back of my chair and we shared a menu.

"Getting steak?" I asked Edward.

"You know me well. I'm going to get a salad; do you want me to ask for extra croutons?"

"Yes please," I said with a big smile. I could see out of the corner of my eye that James was watching us with interest.

"Sorry, we're late," Leah said from behind us. I turned to look at her and I saw that her shirt was buttoned wrong. I quickly stood and dragged her to the bathroom, smiling the entire way.

"Fucking one-oh-one: make sure your shirt is buttoned right before going around family," I said once we were in the bathroom.

"Shit, do you think anyone saw?"

"No, but check yourself next time," I said with a laugh.

"Jared is a freaking beast!" she said as I laughed. "He almost left a hickey on my neck."

"Yeah, don't let Charlie see that," I said knowingly.

"Oh my god! I forgot to tell you. I heard them having sex, and I think your dad was choking my mom. She sounded weird…like she couldn't breathe. I had nightmares," she told me as I laughed until my face and stomach hurt. "Glad you find it so funny."

"I'm sorry, but that just gives me one more reason to never live with parents again."

"How's it going out there?"

"Better than I thought it would. James looks good," I said.

"How are you?" she asked, looking me in the eye.

"I'm okay, it's just weird, ya know?"

"I'm sure it is, but you love Edward no matter what James says," she said as I nodded. "Let's do this."

She was in too good of a mood. It seems she and Jared had gotten pretty serious about one another, but she was happy, so I was happy for her. I know she always felt like the girl who always had guy friends, but no boyfriends.

We sat back at the table and Edward asked what was going on. I told him and he chuckled, throwing a wink at Leah. She glared at him and I laughed. Jared was very quiet; he seemed uncomfortable. I really couldn't blame him. Irina and Sue talked about everything. No one else could really talk, and I was pretty sure they were doing it on purpose. I talked with my dad and Leah for the most part. Edward stayed quiet, and I showed him as much attention as I could. He played with my fingers, ran his hand up and down my leg, and he even stole a kiss or two. The night was going great; there was no focus on us, and that was what I wanted. Toward the end of the meal, I was ready to go home. I yawned and Edward rubbed the back of my neck.

"So, Bell, have you applied to any schools yet?" James asked as everyone's eyes turned to me.

"Yes, just the community college for now. I'm not sure what I want to do yet," I said.

"Have you been writing?" he asked as I looked down. I hadn't written since I moved to Forks.

"No, not really," I said with a shrug.

"Why? You are crazy talented. I still have one of your poems on my wall," James said as he beamed with pride for me.

"You wrote that?" Vicki asked as I nodded my head yes. "It's my favorite poem in the world!"

"She cried the first time she read it," James said smiling at Vicki.

"That's sweet of you," I said leaning into Edward.

"I didn't know you could write," Leah said.

"It's just a hobby, but I haven't written anything in a while." I really wanted the attention off of me. Edward was bouncing his leg, so I knew he was getting angry.

"She's being modest. She could write a whole book and I wouldn't be surprised." I wanted to die at the end of James' little speech. I had no idea that he even thought that way toward me; he never said anything while we were together. I looked to Edward and he wouldn't look at me at all.

"I never knew, kiddo," my dad said to me.

"Like I said, it was just a hobby." I was grateful when the check came at that moment.

I was ready to get away from everyone. I was shocked when Edward reached for the check. My dad looked at him like he was being rude until he saw my husband pull out his wallet.

"Edward, you really don't have to do that," Charlie said.

"I want to," Edward said as if it was no big deal. He pulled out our debit card and placed it in the folder.

"You're mighty young to have started a career that can make you much money," Garrett said.

"Well, my financial status really isn't anyone's business, but this check isn't even a quarter of what I have made in the last month. I can afford it. My wife and I are well off," Edward said as I smiled at him. I loved when he called me his wife.

"I love knowing that you can take care of my daughter, but I wanna know how. Nothing illegal, right?" I couldn't help but to laugh at Charlie.

"It's all legal. I invested in a couple of companies, and I'm big on stocks. I put half of my trust in a savings account so it will build up the interest. I have invested half of the other half and we live on the rest. If I do it right, neither one of us will ever have to work," Edward said proudly.

"How did do you all this?" James asked.

"My father and grandfather taught me all about it. Money doesn't last forever. My dad worked long enough to gain a pension, and he is still an avid investor when the opportunity comes," Edward said as he gave the waitress the bill.

"We will have to sit and talk about this more later. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two," my dad said as I smiled.

"I can do that," Edward said. I knew he was proud that he knew he could take care of us. I felt better knowing that we would be okay money wise. I never really knew how well off we were.

"Do you use an accountant or a financial adviser?" Garrett asked.

"No, I don't trust people with my money, so I do it all myself. I do talk to my father if something seems out of sorts, though, so I guess you could call him my adviser," Edward said. I could see that Garrett was trying to figure out how he could make the money Edward was. I could also see the jealousy on James' face, knowing that Edward could take better care of me than he ever could. Although, I was sure he thought I was just with Edward for his money.

"I'm glad you have a good head on your shoulders," my dad said as the waitress handed Edward back the folder. I leaned into him so I could look at the total; I was curious. There were fourteen of us, so I knew the sum had to up in the two hundreds.

"How much tip?" Edward whispered to me.

"She was really good, so maybe a hundred?" I said, questioningly. All Edward did was shrug his shoulders and he signed the slip. I was never great on leaving tips, but I knew that was definitely enough.

Conversation flowed around us as everyone wished Sue and Charlie the best of luck tomorrow. My dad was taking Sue to Seattle for the week for their honeymoon, and some of Sue's family that had flown in, were going to meet them up there for dinner before they flew back home.

"What about you, Bella?" James asked, moving my attention to him.

"What about me?"

"Will you be joining us in Seattle this week for dinner before Vicky and I leave?" he questioned.

I didn't even have to look at Edward to know that there was no way we were going. I didn't even want to go.

"Not this time," I replied as politely as I could.

I grabbed Edward's hand and gave him a light squeeze, shooting him a smile. "My husband and I have plans this week."

James nodded his head, and the conversation picked up once more, but I was ready to leave. The night had worn on me both physically and emotionally, and I was ready to be wrapped up in Edward's arms, underneath our covers, our bodies pressed together...possibly naked...No! Dammit. I needed to stop thinking like that at the dinner table. I pressed my thighs together in hopes that I wouldn't soak through my panties here. It was so uncomfortable to walk with wet panties on.

"What has you blushing, Bella?" Edward whispered into my ear.

His hand slipped from mine, and he slowly moved it down my thigh and to my center. I heard his sharp intake of breath as he felt the heat radiating from me, and I shyly bit my lip.

"Did you feel something you liked?" I asked him innocently.

"I'm very glad that you can keep up with me," Edward growled out lowly as I spread my legs for him.

I could feel my face heating up from his fingers playing on the outside of my jeans and I knew that we needed to get out of here. And quick!

"Take me home," I whispered.

"My pleasure."

And with that, Edward stood up and pulled me with him, leading me out of the restaurant without a backwards glance at the crowd we just left behind.

Okay we want to start by saying thank you for all the reviews. Thanks to my girls for all the help they give us. The true drama is coming next chapter, but that will be a few weeks before you will get to read. RL is crashing down on me pretty hard and I can't focus on ff right now. I'm sorry but this break is much needed.