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

Chapter 8

Discovering Friendship

EPOV

"Okay your flight leaves Port Angeles Friday morning at 6am and will get into New York at just after 2pm my time."

"I can't wait I have to get away from your sister. If she drags me on another shopping trip I am going to move out of the country and change my name." She said in a joking tone.

"Yes trust me I certainly know how crazy my sister can get with the shopping. She dressed me all through high school and it drove me nuts sometimes."

We both laughed and then there was silence on the line and for some reason I could feel tension from Bella though I was nowhere near her.

"Bella, are you ok?"

"I have a question and I want you to be completely honest with me"

"Okay I will."

"Do you think me moving to New York is a…drastic move?"

"Spontaneous, yes… drastic, no not at all. Why do you ask?"

"No reason, just asking."

"Bella" I said in a warning tone.

"It's not that big of a deal…it's just…Jacob thinks I am making a hasty decision because I'm upset about my parents."

"I agree." I said hesitantly

"What?"

"Well you are upset about your parents as you should be, but people grieve differently and obviously staying in Forks, with it being the small town it is, would be very hard for you. Your father was the Chief of Police so everyone knew him and your mother and there is not a place in Forks you can go that you won't be reminded of them. Moving to a place that is not so connected to the memory of Charlie and Renee I think will help you begin the healing process of learning to live without them."

"My attorney says I need to get the house cleaned out so that I can start the process of trying to sale it, but there is just so much to do I don't know where to start."

"Bella don't let anyone push you to do anything before you're ready. Do you want to sale your parent's house?"

"I… I don't know I guess I haven't really thought about it much with everything that's been going on."

"Then don't put it up for sale if you are not 100% sure. You have time for that and we can go over there to clean things out when you're ready not when someone tells you it's what you should do."

"Thanks Edward"

"Anytime…so Thursdays the big day huh?" I asked trying to change the subject and brighten Bella's mood.

"Yes finally I thought graduation would never come, I just wish Charlie and Renee were here to see me."

"Oh trust me; they see you and they couldn't be more proud of their baby girl."

"Well I have to go pick up my cap and gown so I guess I'll see you Friday?" she asked sounding a little more enthusiastic.

"Yes and be prepared for a night of basketball, Miami and OKC baby!"

Bella laughed and the sound was heavenly and made me smile.

"I will be ready, Talk to you soon, bye."

"Bye"

I hung up feeling like I was walking on a cloud and Friday could not come soon enough. I really wanted to go to Bella's graduation, but there was still the problem of my work schedule. I would have to get one of the other residents to cover my shift. I could ask Garrett and if he agrees I will cover one of his shifts next week for him so I quickly dialed his number. Garrett is a little older than me and took me under his wing when I first came out of medical school. Since then him and I had become very good friends.

"Hi this is Garrett"

"Hey Garrett its Edward how are you?"

"Better than you my friend, I heard that Tanya dumped you."

"She didn't dump me…it was a mutual agreement. We were just headed in two different directions in life."

"Well Kate seems to think you may be devastated she has been bugging me to call you. So you're not over there getting ready to slit your wrist or anything are you, because if you are I want your golf clubs."

"Well please tell your lovely wife I am fine no need to worry and if you touch my golf clubs I will come back from the dead and kill you."

Garrett and I both shared a laugh

"So what's up Edward?"

"I need a huge favor if you can do it. I have an old friend at home whose graduating college on Thursday and I want to attend the ceremony, but I am scheduled to work. Can you cover my shift and I'll cover one of your shifts next week?"

"Yeah sure that shouldn't be a problem. So who's graduating Thursday?"

"Bella she's a friend from high school and she's coming out of Grad school."

"Bella, I don't think I've ever heard you mention her name."

"Well she was more of Alice's friend in high school than mine. We've only just recently been in touch. She lost both of her parent's to a plane crash a couple of weeks ago."

"Wow that's rough, both parents? I don't know what I would do."

"I know I couldn't imagine losing either one of my parents." I said feeling a surge of pain just imagining how Bella must feel."

"So when are you coming back from Forks?"

"Friday"

"The next day? So you're going to fly 5 hours to attend a graduation and then get back on a plane the very next day for another 5 hour flight?"

"Yup"

"Are you working this weekend?"

"Nope"

"Oookay… sooo… what are you doing this weekend that you're coming back so soon?"

"I have a guest staying with me for the weekend."

"Damn Edward I guess you are over Tanya; but you're moving kind of fast don't you think?"

"No not at all and she's not that type of guest."

"Do I know her, who is it?"

"Bella"

"Wait a minute, Bella as in whose graduation you're going to?"

"Yup"

"When the hell did you and her happen?"

"We didn't happen; Bella and I are just friends."

"Just friends, but she is flying back to New York with you to stay the weekend… in your apartment."

"Yes and what's up with the twenty questions?"

"Nothing whatever you say man. Well I hope you have a safe trip and I'll see you when you get back."

"Alright and thanks again Garrett; Talk to you later."

I hung up and immediately dialed Alice's cell number.

"You know if I had known that the trick to getting you to call so often was Bella I would have convinced mom and dad to move her in years ago Eddie." Alice said her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"My name is Edward and I am not calling for Bella…I'm calling about Bella." I said realizing how moronic I sounded.

"What about Bella?"

"I want to fly in and surprise her for her graduation; can you pick me up from the airport?"

"Again, what are you trying to rack up on frequent flyer miles or something?"

"Alice, can you or can't you?" I said a little annoyed now.

"I guess I can."

"Thank you I'll text you my flight time and don't tell Bella I want to surprise her."

"But isn't Bella coming to New York Friday?"

"Yes I am going to fly back with her."

"How, I thought her flight was already booked?"

"It is, but I'll just purchase two more tickets for that flight so we can sit together and she can use the other ticket for when she moves out her. She has up to a year to use it."

"Wow, you sure are jumping through hoops here Edward, are you sure you're not planning on proposing to her?"

"What…no I'm just trying to be a good friend to her she needs all the support she can get." I said a little too loud.

"MmHm, who are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

"Goodbye Alice."

"Tootles" she said in her sing song voice.

I hung up and quickly went online to book my ticket to Forks and our tickets back to New York. Afterwards I did some laundry, ran some errands and prepared for my flight the next day all the while I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I never thought I could ever be this happy about returning to Forks.

BPOV

As I sat in my room at the Cullen's house preparing for graduation I could not stop my mind from wondering back to the most stunning green eyes I have ever looked into. I could feel myself smiling and I felt like I was an adolescent again. I headed downstairs when I heard the doorbell ring alerting me that my cousin Emmett had arrived. He and Jasper were watching the game together tonight and Rosalie and the boys had come to hang out with Alice and me.

"Bella" Emmett said in his loud booming voice before pulling me into a bear hug that lifted me off the ground.

"Hey Emmett"

"Bellaaaa" my two younger cousins said while running to hug me. I kneeled down and wrapped my arms around the both of them and hugged them tightly to me. I had missed them so much.

"Hey sis" Rose said giving me a warm embrace

"Hey Rose, I am so glad to see you."

Just then Esme came downstairs and Tyler and Cody ran to greet her grabbing each one of her legs. We all headed towards the living room to sit down while Emmett and Jasper went downstairs to the family room to watch basketball.

"Hey Cody and Tyler I bet I have something in the kitchen you guys like." Esme said with a motherly smile. "How about some brownies and vanilla ice cream?"

Tyler being 2 just nodded his head grinned from ear to ear and Cody jumped up and starting running for the kitchen saying: "Yay, brownies and ice queam." We all laughed and Esme led them into the kitchen. Once they were out of sight I turned back around to Rose and Alice who were both grinning at me mischievously.

"Alright Bella spill it, what is going on with you and Edward and don't feed us that nothing you guys are just friends crap either!" Rose said making quotes with her hands in the air.

They both sat at the edge of the couch staring at me and waiting for me to give I guess an explanation of what though I don't know.

"What are you guys talking about; Edward and I are just friends! He has a girlfriend who he loves very much hello have you guys forgotten that?"

They both turned and stared at each other with questioning looks and then Alice shrugged her shoulders.

"What was that?" I asked looking between the two of them.

"Nothing!"

"What?" They answered at the same time looking equally guilty.

"Nothing, What" I said mocking the two of them still looking between them suspiciously.

"Then why do the two of you look like you just got caught with your hands in the cookie jar?"

Alice was the first to speak this time.

"It's nothing really we've just noticed you guys are talking on the phone a lot and this will be your second trip to New York in the last two and half weeks not to mention Edward's surprise visit here."

"Which by the way never happens." said Rose smiling.

"Guys it's no big I'm sure Edward is just trying to be a good friend and as far as me going back to New York well, how else am I suppose to find an apartment?"

"I just know my brother Bella and I have not seen him pay this much attention to anyone he was not romantically interested in."

Could this be true? Could Edward possibly feel any of what I have been feeling and I just haven't noticed or was he being a good friend as all the Cullens have been? The very thought of Edward possibly being attracted to me as more than just a friend alone made my body temperature rise and I could feel the heat in my face. My moment of pure ravelment was broken by the sound of Carlisle coming in the front door. He was instantly tackled by two little anxious boys and he quickly scooped one up into each arm and carried them to the living room with Esme close behind them.

"Did you boys thank Esme for the brownies and ice cream?"

"Yes" Cody said while Tyler just nodded.

"Hey since we are having one of Forks rare sunny days, why don't we utilize the deck out back and I can throw some burgers and hotdogs on the grill. I'm sure the kids will love to run around out there." Carlisle said while putting the boys down.

Carlisle went out to start the fire on the grill, Emmett and Jasper took the boys out in the backyard to toss around their football, Esme made potato salad, Rose made a tossed salad while Alice and I seasoned the ground turkey to prepare turkey burgers for the grill. While the ladies were discussing the highs and lows of marriage and parenting my mind of course drifted back to Edward and how much I truly missed him. While I put on a good act in front of Rose and Alice I could not deny my attraction to Edward nor could I deny him being a major factor in my decision to move to New York. Even if I could only have him as a friend I would take it because Edward brought out the best in me and made me feel like I could accomplish anything. A gentle hand on my shoulder ended my daydreaming and I turned to see that there was only Esme and myself in the kitchen.

"Did you hear me dear?" Esme said while smiling at me

"Huh, oh…I'm sorry Esme what did you say?"

"I asked if you were all prepared for graduation tomorrow."

"Uh… yes… yes I am I'm just really glad to be finally putting school behind me."

"Yes I can only imagine that must be a huge relief. Is everything okay otherwise? You seemed to be in deep thought about something, do you need to talk?"

Esme always in mother mode with her intuition.

"No everything is fine; I was just thinking about my move to New York I'm excited, but scared at the same time."

"I can certainly understand why you feel that way. It's pretty intimidating moving from a small town like Forks where everyone knows each other to a big city like New York where you are needle in a haystack. In fact when Edward told us he was going to NYU I protested ,but it was Carlisle who helped me see that he needed to go out there and chase his dreams and experience life and when I look at Edward now my heart swells with pride. He's more than I could have ever hoped for in a son and I know you are going to go out there and make your parents and all of us proud of you too. Bella I know Carlisle and I could never take the place of Renee and Charlie, but we love you like one of our own and if things don't work out in New York this will always be home for you."

She pulled me into a warm embrace and I couldn't stop the tears from spilling over as I hugged her back knowing that she meant every word of what she said.

We sat on the deck drinking lemonade and watching the men run around with Cody and Tyler. I took out my phone and took a few pictures to text to Edward so that he could see the fun he was missing out on.

"Hey Edward c how much fun u miss when u stay away? Lol!"

He replied right back surprisingly.

"Wow, looks like u guys r having a ball and the boys r adorable. I wish I could b there."

"They r adorable and they should sleep well tonight after this workout, Jasper and Emmett that is!"

"Lol, I bet those little bundles of energy r wearing them out. Thanks for the pictures, but I didn't c u in any of them."

"Well that's bcuz I'm taking the pics, duh!"

"Well I think u should ask someone else 2 take a couple with u in them. I mean u never know when u may need to prove your whereabouts. In cas victim of mistaken identity and accused of a horrific crime, these very pics u send me could clear ur name!"

"Okay I don't think that's possible or probable, but if u insist I will send u a picture of myself."

I turned my phone to face me and took a quick picture of myself while slightly smiling. I then looked around the table to see if anyone noticed and was relieved to find them too wrapped up in their conversation about Alice and Jasper's wedding.

"Here is the pic u asked 4 it's not the best but it's me."

I was worried what Edward would think of the picture I sent him especially after seeing his taste in women, I knew I couldn't compare. My phone buzzed back with another text and for some reason I was nervous to look at this one. What if that picture reminded him of just how much out of my league he really is? I picked up my phone off my lap and pressed the button to read the text and braced myself for his reply. The two words I saw on the screen caused my face to heat up and turn deep crimson.

"You're Beautiful!"

I could not stop myself from smiling and this time when I looked up Esme, Rose and Alice were all staring at me and my face turned impossibly redder.

"Who has you all hot and bothered?" Rose said smirking

"I am not hot and bothered Rose; I was just texting a friend."

"Anyone we know?" Alice chimed in with a smug look. I looked over at Esme whose face also held a knowing smirk.

"It's Edward." I said barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry Alice did you hear someone say something?" Rose said cuffing her ear in a mock attempt to hear me better.

"Okay, okay… it. is. Edward." I said much louder this time trying to hide the embarrassment of being caught. Thank God Esme stepped in and saved me.

"Alright ladies I think we should start fixing the plates so we can all sit down and eat. Alice please get a bottle of red wine out of the wine rack and Rose please get the wine glasses."

This left only Esme and I at the table and she reached over and placed her hand over mine.

"I'm glad you found someone you can confide in. Edward is a wonderful listener and I'm not just saying that because he is my son."

"Thank you Esme."

Esme walked over to get the boys and sat them at the table while I went in the house to grab the buns and condiments for the burgers and hotdogs. We all sat down to eat, talk and just enjoy one another company and as I looked around the table at all the happy faces I felt so blessed to have Emmett, Rose, my two younger cousins and all of the Cullen family in my life. I also felt lonely for the first time in my life though I was surrounded by people who loved me.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of voices in the hall outside my bedroom. I looked at the clock to see that it was 7:30am and turned over with the intentions of going back to sleep when suddenly I heard a velvety voice that I would recognize anywhere and my eyes flew open and I gasp.

"Edward" I whispered still in disbelief.

A/N: Sorry for the delay with this chapter still trying to heal completely from the car accident. Thank you for the reviews and also those who marked this as one of the favorite stories. If you would like for me to continue this story please leave a review with your thoughts, I would love to hear from you! t