Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight are owned by Stephenie Meyer. The original characters, content and ideas of this story are mine.

Chapter 6

Starting Over

EPOV

I walked out of my room down the hall to Bella's room and knocked lightly before opening the door. She was sound asleep and I just stared at her admiring her beauty. No longer able to resist not touching her I brought my hand down to her face and cupped her cheek and her eyes fluttered open. She stared at me with a confused look on her face and I knelt down beside her bed.

"Edward what are you doing in here?" she whispered and I silenced her by placing my index finger over her soft pink lips.

"I wanted to make sure you were ok." I said bringing my mouth close to her ear and as I did that my nose skimmed across her cheek. I then placed a soft kiss on her forehead and pulled back to look into her brown eyes. Her scent was intoxicating and I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms and keep her safe.

Bella reached up and put her hands on either side of my face and held my gaze. The magnetic almost voltaic feeling from her touch did not escape me and I'm sure she had to have felt it too.

"Edward, I'm always okay when you're here you make me feel safe. Just promise you'll stay with me and I'll never have a reason to be scared again."

As I slowly closed the gap between us I could feel her warm breath breeze across my face and her hair and body scent was a pleasant mixture of strawberries and freesias.

"Edward "she whispered as my lips softly ghosted against hers and then I deepened the kiss letting my tongue run gently across her bottom lip and she parted them to allow my tongue entrance. I pulled her close to me and could not stop the moan that escaped my mouth as our lips continued to yield to one another.

"Edward" she whispered again and the seductive sound of her voice sent chills down my spine.

"Yes Love" I replied back and I let my hands roam down her back and tried to impossibly pull her even closer while kissing her neck.

"Edward" she whispered once again and her lips ran across my ear as I kissed her collar bone.

"Bella Love I'm here" I said working my way back up to her now swollen red lips.

"Edward Cullen!"

I suddenly jumped up sweating and breathing hard only to find my sister Alice standing in my room with her hands on her tiny hips patting her foot on the floor.

"Nice dream brother?"

"Don't you knock?" I said frustrated that she was even in my room.

"Uh… yeah about five times, I thought you were dead or in a coma at the very least.

"What do want anyway Alice?"

"Well if you're through fantasizing mom and I have to run out to the store for dinner tonight and dad is at the hospital so we wanted to see if you would be sticking around the house so Bella won't be alone. She's still sleeping and we did not want to wake her she needs the rest"

"It's 6:30 in the morning Alice! Where in God's name could I possibly have to go this early in Forks?"

"A little touchy this morning aren't we? Bad dream Edward?" she said raising an eye brow and smirking. So I did the only mature thing I could think of at that moment and hurled one of my pillows at her head. Needless to say I missed the little nimble pixie and she ingeminated the same maturity and stuck out her tongue at me while leaving my room.

I fell back against the other pillow on my bed trying to make sense of the dream I had about Bella and trying to convince myself that it was just a dream and nothing else. I had Tanya who I loved end of story. Deciding against trying to go back to sleep I slipped on a t shirt and a pair of sweats and headed downstairs to the basement where my mom and dad had converted one of the rooms into a mini gym. The one thing I did miss about Forks was my parent's house which I plan to have a similar one when I have a family of my own someday.

It's a quad level rectangular shaped house made of black marble and oak wood frame. The floors are all hardwood with the exception of the bathrooms which have marble flooring. The first floor has the living room which is decorated with all white furniture and navy blue accents, the formal dining room has a long cherry wood table with ten matching chairs with cream seat cushions, the kitchen has granite counter tops, white cabinets and stainless still appliances similar to my own but twice the size and the entire back wall is made of glass with sliding glass doors that lead to the deck and backyard. Esme and Carlisle's bedroom with their own bath suite are also on this level along with a guest bed room down the hall and guest bathroom. The next level up holds the remaining three bedrooms which are mine, Alice and another guest bedroom currently occupied by Bella. My room is the smallest bedroom in the house and is probably the simplest decorated room in the house with a connecting bathroom, bed, chaise lounge, my one wall holds my stereo and music collection which consist of a lot of classical music, my back wall is all glass with two doors that open to my balcony, the other wall is also all glass where my black leather chaise lounge sits and there is a twenty seven inch television mounted to the wall next to my stereo above my computer desk. Alice's room is the largest on this floor also with a connecting bathroom and all I can say is there's pink and purple everywhere, the guest bedroom has a queen size bed and dresser and another twenty seven inch television mounted to the wall with turquoise and brown bedding. The next level up holds Esme and Carlisle's offices which are separated by an adjoining bathroom. Carlisle often updates his patient's records and does research study right here from his home office and Esme uses hers to show potential clients looking to hire her to decorate their new or existing homes her catalogs. There is also a music room on that level with a baby grand piano that we used as children to practice our lessons. I was the only one who really took an interest and continued to play and write music throughout college, but once I became a doctor I didn't really have time to do either one anymore. Finally there is the finished basement which has four rooms a family room, a workout room, a laundry room and a bathroom and it connects to the six car garage. As kids we had lots of sleepovers.

After running on the tread mill for thirty minutes and lifting weights for another thirty minutes I headed back to my bedroom to shower and start my day. When I reached the second floor Bella's door was still closed and I wondered if she was still asleep. It was almost 8 am here in Forks which meant it was almost 11 am in New York so I decided to call Tanya.

"Hello" she answered in her sing song voice

"Good morning beautiful, how are you this morning?"

"Lonely and feeling a bit neglected by a certain someone."

I chuckled at her whining and imagined her poking out her lips.

"Just one more day sweetie and I'll be home. What's on your agenda for today?"

"Jessica and I are going to do lunch and some shopping."

"Jessica? Jessica from the hospital as in my receptionist?"

"Yes that Jessica."

"Hmm…really, when did you two become buddies?"

"I met one of her friends Lauren on a photo shoot and we all hung out afterwards."

"Ah, Lauren yes I know her well. Be very careful around those two sweetie they love the night life and to party. Not a crowd you should associate yourself with regularly, okay?"

"I'm a big girl Edward but I will be careful, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, bye."

I hopped in the shower and let the hot water relax my muscles from my workout. After dressing I headed to the kitchen to fix a pot of coffee where I found Bella already sitting at the kitchen table reading the morning paper. She looked up when I walked in and smiled.

"Good morning, I…um… made some eggs, bacon, biscuits and a pot of coffee if you're hungry." She said pointing to the counter.

"I'm starved thank you I didn't even know you were up."

"Yeah, I've finally mustard up enough courage to go view my parent's body now that they're ready for visitation."

"Oh, of course I can drive you and I will sit with you while you greet those who come to pay their respects."

"That's very kind of you, but Jake is picking me up at 11 am and he was going to sit with me until Rose and Emmett arrive. Visitation is from noon to 4 pm today and Rose and Emmet said they can make it to the funeral home after they get the boys at 2 pm"

Oh brother here we go again with Captain America Jake!

"Bella it's really unnecessary for Jake to drive all the way over here from… where does he live again?"

"In La'Push on the reservation with his father Billy. Billy was Charlie's best friend and Jacob was like a son to Charlie. Sue Clearwater and her two kids Seth and Leah also live on the reservation. We all grew up together and they will be picking me up with Jake today.

"I see, well do you want me to come along?"

"Uh, sure if you want to, that would be great. Maybe we can take my car and I will ask Jake to meet me there."

"Sounds good to me whatever you want Bella."

We arrived at the funeral home at about ten minutes to eleven and I could see the hesitancy on Bella's face. I got out of the car and noticed another car pull up right next to us with a woman and two guys which I assumed was Jacob, Leah and Seth. Out jumped a guy with russet colored skin and jet black hair that looked to be about 6'7" with a very muscular build. He swung open Bella's door and pulled her out into a tight hug and I could feel every muscle in my body tense up and my nostrils flaring. I presumed this one was Jacob.

"Bells, how are you I've been so worried about you."

"I'm okay Jacob and you I swear you grow an inch every time I see you."

The man and woman with him had similar looks with the russet colored skin and jet black hair except Seth was nowhere near as big as Jacob.

"Jake this is Edward Cullen." Bella introduced us and I held out my hand to shake his. "And this is Seth and Leah Clearwater. " Seth smiled and eagerly shook my hand; Leah on the other hand just waved and barely opened her mouth.

"So are you ready kiddo?" Jacob asked Bella placing a hand on the small of her back and I instantly wanted to snap his arm in two.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Bella said with reluctance.

"Don't worry Bells I'm right here and if it becomes too much we can leave." Jacob said grabbing both her shoulders and turning Bella to face him. She smiled and nodded back at him. That should have been me telling her that not him.

Bella made it through the viewing and as time passed more and more visitors came and went. It seems as if the entire town came out to say their farewells to the Police Chief and his beloved wife. There were policeman, fireman, local politicians and business owners as well as just the people in the town that Charlie and Renee had come in contact with over the past twenty five years they'd lived in this town. Soon Emmett and his wife Rosalie came with their two son's Tyler and Cody and we all talked and laughed and I listened to some pretty fascinating stories about them growing up with the Police Chief who I only knew for a brief stint in high school.

Once visitation was over Bella announced that she was going to go back to the reservation for a couple of hours to spend some time with her friends and I could drive her car back to my parent's house. I offered to go with her but Jacob jumped in and announced he would bring her back to our house in time for the family dinner tonight. After chatting with Rose and Emmet for a little while longer and playing with their two adorable sons I headed home unfortunately without Bella.

As I entered the house the aroma from the kitchen was very enticing. I could smell mom's baked lasagna and Alice's butter garlic twist rolls cooking and my mouth watered thinking about how long it had been since I had my mom's cooking.

"Hey mom, Alice" I said as I gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi Edward honey how are you?"

"Good mom you need help with anything?"

"No there's nothing left to do but ice the cake and prepare the salad which Rose will do when her, Emmett and the boys get here, so you can go relax and watch TV with your father and Jasper they're downstairs in the family room."

"Hey, where's Bella?" Alice asked

"She went to visit with her friends in La'Push, for a couple of hours, but she'll be here for dinner."

I headed downstairs to join my father and Jasper who were playing pool

"Edward son we've been waiting on you, how did the visitation go and how's Bella?"

"She actually did very well surprisingly and I think having all her friends there from La'Push helped her a lot."

"Oh you mean Jacob, nice young man. Were the Clearwater's there also?"

Why does everyone seem to know this Jake so well but me, had I really stayed away that much?

"Yeah Jacob and yes the Clearwater's were there too. How do you know them dad?"

"Well I met Jacob and his dad Billy when we were at Bella's house for her and Alice's senior prom he was Bella's prom date and when Henry Clearwater had his stroke I was his neurologist before he passed away. Seth and Leah are his children and Sue was his wife."

I guess I did miss and awful lot when I went away to college. In the past ten years I've only been back to Forks maybe five or six times. My family usually had to come see me especially once I graduated from med school. I missed Alice's prom and high school graduation and it took her a very long time to forgive me for that. Alice like Bella is three years my junior so when I came out of high school they had just completed their freshman year.

"So Jasper you're popping the big question tonight, huh?"

"Yeah I'm going to propose right before dinner and hopefully she'll say yes."

"Are you kidding me my sister has been planning her wedding day since she was ten!"

We all laughed and then a booming voice sounded upstairs letting us know Emmett and Rose had arrived with Tyler and Cody. Emmett came down stairs holding one of the boys in each arm and sat them on the couch as he grabbed a pool stick.

"I've got next game." Emmett said leaning against the wall. "Hey did you guys catch the game last night Indiana seriously blew that one."

"Too many turnovers in the third and fourth quarters" said Jasper

"Not to mention all the three pointers they let Miami score in the fourth quarter" said Carlisle

I nodded my head as if listening but really my mind was on Bella and what time she would be back. So Jacob was her prom date did they use to date? And if so does she still have feelings for him and vice versa? Why I was even thinking about this was beyond my own comprehension right now. So as to not be found out I made up and excuse about having to call the hospital regarding one of my patients and excused myself to my room.

First I tried watching TV, then reading and then after pacing and looking out my bedroom window several times, in my frustration and a desperate attempt to relax, I put Debussy's Claire De Lune on repeat while I lay across my chaise lounge with my arm over my eyes.

A soft knocking at my bedroom door startled me awake and when I uncovered my eyes and looked up I was greeted with a warm beautiful smile that I had waited hours to see again.

"Hey sorry to wake you but Esme says dinner will be served in ten minutes"

"Bella you're back I must have fallen asleep while listening to music"

"Claire De Lune, one of my favorites"

"You listen to classical music?"

"Yeah, especially while studying or whenever I just really need to relax"

"Me too, I love to listen to it after a long day of work, but Tanya hates it. I sometimes play it for my patients who have prolonged stays in the hospital and I've found that even though they are children classical music lifts their spirits and in some cases I've even seen improvements in their health which though I have no proof, I would like to credit to classical music."

"Wow that's incredible Edward"

There was an awkward silence and then Bella spoke again

"Edward, I really appreciate you being there for me today I can't express to you how much your presence meant to me. The viewing was hard for me at first but my parents looked so peaceful and I know they are in heaven watching over me and cheering me on. They would want me to go on with my life and fulfill all my dreams and I am looking forward to moving to New York and starting over."

"You don't have to ever thank me for being here for you Bella because at this moment there is nowhere else I'd rather be and I promise I will be the best friend I can to you and we can explore New York together. I've been there for ten years and would you believe that I never even been to the top of the Empire State Building nor have I been inside the Statue of Liberty."

"What! How could you live in a city for that long and not visit landmarks like that?"

"I guess I got so consumed with school and then my residency I forgot to make time for me."

"We probably should get downstairs before dinner is served."

"Yeah you're right I'm surprise that Alice hasn't come up here after us."

We headed downstairs to the dining room where the rest of my family was already seated along with Rose, Emmett and the boys. After taking our seats Jasper asked for everyone's attention and announced that he had something to ask Alice. He proceeded to kneel on one knee and ask for her hand in marriage.

"Alice Cullen, I have loved you ever since you walked into my history class in high school and all the days in between leading up to this very moment you have filled with pure bliss for me. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I watched my sister's eyes spill over with tears as were Esme, Rose and Bella's also. I grabbed Bella's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Yes Jasper, I will marry you."

He placed her engagement ring on her left hand and stood up and placed a tender kiss on her lips and I think I saw my father's eyes glistening also. Looking around the table at all of my family I realized for the past few years I've had a void in my life that I have tried to fill with work and more work. I longed to have a wife and family of my own. After all this is why I went to school and worked so hard in the first place so that I can provide for my family and suddenly with all the happiness and laughter around me I felt sad. Something in my life had to change I could not go on pretending I was ok with just dating Tanya anymore. When I get back to New York we are going to have a serious talk about our future. I mean I'm not looking for her to change right away but we can at least start planning for a family in the future.

"Are you ok?" Asked Bella bringing my thoughts back to the dinner table.

"Yes I'm fine just thinking about some things I have to do when I get home that's all."

Dinner was filled with good food, old stories and lots of laughter. Emmett and Rose were the first to leave so they could get Tyler and Cody home and then Alice left with Jasper for the night. Bella and I cleared the table and Esme and Carlisle loaded the dishwasher.

After saying our goodnights we all headed to our respected bedrooms for much needed sleep. Bella's parent's grave side funeral was the next morning where everyone gathered at 10 am to say our final goodbyes. This was especially hard on Bella to leave her parent's behind for the final time. During the repast at Charlie and Renee's home people ate, talked, laughed, and cried and after a few hours we were cleaning up again. Jasper, Emmett and myself helped my parent's clean up while Rose and Alice helped Bella pack up more of her things to take to my parents house. She was still not able to stay at her parent's house and decided she would stay with my parents and Alice until her move to New York.

We then headed back to my parents house so that I could pack and head to the airport. Bella volunteered to take me to the airport and Alice would tag alone to look after her once I was gone.

"Edward I can't thank you enough for being here for me and I can't wait to move to New York and make a new start."

"I look forward to helping you make that new start."

"Call me when you land and let me know you made it safely, please."

"Will do"

I hugged and kissed Alice on the cheek and then hugged and kissed Bella on the forehead before walking away. I felt like a piece of my heart was being left in Forks and I wouldn't get it back until Bella came to New York. I boarded the plan and after taking my seat I stared out the window no longer able to deny my growing feelings for Bella and my constant need to have her around.

I slept most of the flight back and Tanya was waiting for me as soon as I exited the plane and as usual so were the cameras. I was used to it by now the photographers at the airport and occasionally at the restaurants and hotels came with the territory of dating a super model.

"Hey baby welcome back." She said planting a kiss on my lips.

Once in the taxi I gave her a proper hug and kiss but I noticed right away it felt different for me. While I did miss Tanya, her being in my arms still left me with a void and I knew I had to fix this. Being around my family made me realize how much I want a family of my own and Tanya needs to understand that there has to be a compromise concerning us and our future together.

A/N: Okay guys here is chapter 6 hope you enjoy and please read and review. Next chapter will be in BPOV. Thank you to those who added me to their favorite author/story list and also those who left reviews.