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

Chapter 10

Making Adjustments

EPOV

I rushed to take a shower and get dressed settling on a pair of jeans and one of my NYU t-shirts from college. I then headed downstairs and left Carlisle a note letting him know I was taking his Mercedes. I sat on the bottom stair waiting for Bella and when I heard footsteps behind me I immediately stood and turned around and what I saw took my breath away. Bella was wearing a dark blue linen sundress that flowed right below her knees and the color was a perfect contrast with her creamy skin. Her hair hung in its natural wave pattern down her back and she had on a head band that matched the dress. I cleared my throat trying to find my voice.

"You look… beautiful."

"Thank you" she said blushing and there goes that rose color I love to see on her skin.

"You ready?"

"Yes"

We drove to the local diner in a comfortable silence and I kept trying to steal glances of Bella while driving. I thought about all that life has dealt her over the last few weeks and I just wanted to take all the hurt away and protect her from the world.

"So any plans after graduation today?"

"Not really I still haven't packed for New York. I didn't know you were coming to Forks"

"I wanted to surprise you and be here for your graduation. I'm so proud of you Bella, we all are I mean with all that has happen you've been so strong and I truly admire you."

"I couldn't have done it without you guys in my corner."

We arrived at the diner and took a booth in the back. After ordering I told Bella about the flight change for tomorrow and she advised me that her parent's insurance policy would be paying out in seven days so she can officially move to New York as early as next week if we found her a place.

The ceremony was long especially since Bella's last name was Swan. But when she did walk across the stage we all stood and yelled like we were at a rock concert. Afterwards we went out for dinner which was Esme and Carlisle's treat and this is where I gave Bella the floral arrangement my sister ordered for her from me. Her face lit up with surprise and there was something else there and I wish so bad that I could read her mind.

"Thank you Edward they are absolutely gorgeous."

"I'm glad you like them but I can't take the credit unfortunately because my sister picked them out."

Bella glanced at Alice smiling and I also looked at her silently thanking her again because I would buy Bella an entire floral shop if it would keep her smiling. Dinner was full of great food, wine and conversation including a trip down memory lane of our high school days at Forks High School.

Once back at my parent's house I sat in Bella's room at the end of the bed while she packed and we discussed some of the things she wanted to do while in New York this time.

"I've always wanted to visit the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty."

"Yeah me too."

"What! You've been living in New York for what almost ten years now and you mean to tell me you have never visited the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building? Seriously Edward?"

"I was always too busy with school and after I graduated from med school my schedule just became more hectic."

"Well we are definitely going to have to put that on our to do list this weekend. Do you think Tanya will mind?"

Oh that's right I forgot we haven't talked about Tanya yet have we?

"Bella… um Tanya and I broke up"

"I'm so sorry Edward…I … I didn't know. I would have never…"

"Its fine, please don't apologize I know you didn't know." I said cutting her off.

"Are you okay Edward?"

"Yeah I'm fine…we just wanted different things and… and it just would have never worked."

For the first time since breakfast there was silence and I searched my mind for something to say to relieve the tension, but I drew a blank and finally Bella broke the silence.

"Well just for the record I think you are wonderful and someday you will find that perfect person for you."

"Thanks Bella… I'm going to head to bed now since our flight is leaving so early in the morning, sweet dreams."

"You too, see you in the morning." She said giving me a warm smile

I headed to bed thinking about what Bella said about me finding the perfect person for me. Is there really such a thing as a perfect mate, a soul mate and if so how would you know if you've found them? I lay in the bed thinking of what my perfect mate would be like and I keep coming back to one person, Bella.

"Alice we will get to the airport in plenty of time, our flight leaves at 6 am and its only 3 am so please stop panicking and stop rushing Bella!" I whisper yelled trying to not wake Esme and Carlisle.

"What if we run into traffic or if the security check point line is long?"

"We are in Forks, Washington Alice you couldn't find traffic jam here if the whole town was out driving and trust me there will not be a long line for security at this time of the morning."

I love my sister dearly but sometimes she makes you want to bound and gag her just to shut her up and poor Jasper he looks like he will pass out any minute now from lack of sleep. I mean he gets in at midnight from work and now he has to ride to the airport with Alice. Bella offered to just drive her own car and park at the airport but Alice insists on driving us.

Once we boarded the plane Bella insisted on the window seat which put me in the middle and right next to an older woman who I think successfully told me her entire life story including her childhood memories, her two marriages, the birth of all her children, grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was 93 years old so she talked more than half the flight and finally she fell asleep. Bella wore a smirk on her face while pretending to be sleep.

"Thanks for saving me." I whispered being sarcastic

"What, she's a sweet old lady." She whispered back

"Oh yeah, so then why didn't you talk to her?"

"Because she seemed quite interested in talking to you and you didn't look like you needed my help." She said while holding in a laugh. I laughed softly through my nose and laid my head back to try and get some rest for the remainder of the flight.

"Edward what hotel am I staying at?"

My eyes flew open because yeah I totally forgot to tell her that I was planning on her staying with me since I have the two extra bedrooms. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that we are actually on our way to New York I don't know if Bella will be okay with staying with me. I swallowed hard before answering her.

"I was thinking…that maybe…I mean if you wanted to…if you felt comfortable enough..thatyoucouldstaywithme."

I said that last part as quickly as possible and I could feel Bella staring at me, but she was silent and I just knew any minute now she was going to let me have it. But instead she smiled and placed her hand on my thigh while thanking me for being so generous and opening up my home to her again. I looked down at her hand and I couldn't believe the voltaic charge that went through my leg as she touched me not to mention my hormones were all over the place because let's face it I'm still a man with needs.

"I really appreciate you letting me stay with you again I hope this is not an inconvenience for you."

"No…n not at all." I finally choked out while trying to ignore her hand still on my thigh.

I then closed my eyes and begged for sleep to come so that I would not attack this beautiful woman sitting next to me who is totally oblivious to the effect she has on me.

"I'll get those for you." I told Bella as we retrieved our luggage from the trunk of the taxi.

Once in my apartment I sat down our bags and we both collapsed on the couch exhausted from our trip.

"Are you hungry? I went shopping before I left and I could fix us some sandwiches."

"No I'll fix them it's the least I can do since I did get to sleep on the flight and besides you look sort of debilitated right now." She said while chuckling

I couldn't describe the feeling, but having Bella around made me feel alive and free. I could be myself around her and not worry about her criticizing who I am. Bella's voice broke me away from my thoughts.

"You know it's too bad I don't have a place here yet because now that I've graduated I really have no reason to go back to Forks." She said while walking back into the living room with our sandwiches.

"But are you ready to move to New York?" I said trying not to let on how excited I am about her being here.

"Well…yeah, I mean I've done all the paperwork with my attorney for my parent's insurance policies which will be more than enough for me to live on until I can decide exactly what I want to do, I've already graduated and let's face it I won't be going back to stay at my parent's house anytime soon if ever. So besides your family and Emmet and Rose what am I going back for?"

I guess she had a point and I certainly was not opposed to her never leaving again.

"What about the rest of your things back home?"

"Besides my car, some pictures and clothes there really isn't anything else I need and I can have Alice ship those things. Maybe I could stay at a hotel close by until we find me an apartment."

"Or…maybe you…you know…could just stay here."

"No I couldn't intrude like that and I have enough money to stay at a hotel until I find an apartment."

"Bella it has nothing to do with money, I want you to stay here and I could use the company."

She sat with her legs crossed on my couch and I could tell she was trying to think of reasons to say no but I had no plans of giving her that option.

"Come on Bella it's not rocket science and you're going to have better luck finding an apartment if you're here to actually look for one. What are you going to do fly into town every time I tell you that I may have found an apartment you like?"

I could see the look of defeat on her face and I wanted to do a fist pump in the air but I remained calm.

"Okay fine, but you have to allow me to cook while I'm here because eating at the hospital will not do and I will pay rent while I am staying here no if, ands or buts about it!"

I opened my mouth to protest but decided against it. I would just have to find a way to give her money back to her.

"Deal whatever you want; so then it's settled you are officially moved, welcome to New York!" I said reaching over and pulling her into an embrace and she thanked me while laughing.

"Well I'm going to take a nap now that was a long plane ride." She said and headed for her bedroom. Huh, her bedroom I definitely liked the sound of that and as for me I headed for a cold shower literally so that I could calm myself down because this woman honestly has no idea of what her presence does to me. How will I ever survive being just her friend?