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

Chapter 11

Settling In

BPOV

I lay on the bed in Edward's guest room trying to figure out what just took place. I mean seriously I just went from visiting for a few days to living here indefinitely. To top things off he's single and available now, not that he's interested in me at all, but just that knowledge alone makes it hard to be in the same room with him and concentrate on things other than his "assets" not to mention that crooked smile that makes me swoon every time and those stunning green eyes. I decided to call Alice to let her know we made it here.

"Hey Bella you guys made it huh?"

"Yeah we've been at Edward's apartment for about an hour and a half now. I'm just laying down resting for a bit."

"What do you guys have planned for the evening?"

"Not much I don't think I will probably spend the evening on my laptop looking for an apartment and Edward and I will watch the game tonight."

"You and your basketball sometimes you are as bad as the guys."

"Alice I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Why didn't you tell me Edward and Tanya had broken up? You could have saved me from putting my foot in my mouth last night by asking about him and her going out sightseeing while I am here."

"Well to be honest Edward didn't want me to tell you and it really wasn't my place to tell."

"But I'm your best friend Alice we tell each other everything, remember?"

"Hmm, do we? Because if we are really being honest I think you my friend has been holding out on me."

"What are you talking about Alice I haven't been holding out on you?

"Oh really…okay let's see I'm your best friend yet I had to find out from my brother of whom you have only been back in contact with for what three weeks now that not only are you planning to try and open your own book store but you plan to do it in New York? Oh yeah and let's discuss New York that's a whole other subject and while I love my brother dearly and I know he will look out for you I can't believe you would make such a life changing decision and leave me out."

"I'm sorry Alice…I guess I didn't realize how much I hadn't shared with you and please believe me when I say I didn't mean any harm. I guess I have shut you out and I am truly sorry."

"It's okay I understand and I have to admit my brother is a charmer if nothing else."

We both chuckled but I'm sure for totally different reasons.

"Well I promise from now on I will keep my best friend in the loop as far as what my future plans are."

"Good because I miss you and by the way when are you coming home we have to start shopping for your apartment and Esme and I have some great decorating ideas."

Uh oh, now how do I tell her I'm not coming home and if she and Esme are planning to shop for my apartment they need plane tickets to New York? Okay here goes.

"Okay so remember when I said I will keep you updated with my future plans… well see…Edward and I were talking a little while ago and well you know since I won't be going back to my parents house anytime soon and well… I… well we just thought it may be a good…"

"Will you just spit it out for Christ's sake Bella when did it become so hard for us to talk?" she said cutting me off

"Oh alright…I'm moving in with Edward until I can find my own apartment so I'm not coming back. But it will only be temporarily." I added quickly.

There was silence and I thought that she may have hung up.

"Alice?"

"Yeah I'm…I'm here I just don't believe what I'm hearing. Are you sure about this Bella?"

"I think I am I mean it's not forever and I hopefully can find an apartment before I get on Edward's nerve and …"

"No Bella I don't mean it that way… Bella my brother's an awesome guy don't take what I am saying wrong…it's just… I think he may… well Edward…"

"Okay now you just spit it out." I said cutting her off

"Bella I think, no I know that Edward really cares about you and you both are at a very vulnerable point in your lives."

"Well I really care about Edward too Alice and maybe we can help each other through these difficult times. He's been nothing short of incredible these last few weeks and I plan to be a really good friend to him also."

"I know Bella I just want what's best for both of you."

Just then there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"Hey Alice can I call you back in a little while?"

"Sure talk to you later."

"Bye" I hung up and sat up on the bed

"Come in"

"Hey I heard you talking and was wondering if you aren't too tired maybe we could go out for a little while and I could show you around. We might even get a chance to go to the Empire State Building if you're up to it."

"You know what, that sounds like a plan just let me freshen up and we can go"

This man obviously has no idea that I would follow him to the moon if he asked me to. When I walked past him to go to the bathroom his scent made my head spin. It was so refreshing and hypnotizing all at once. I definitely needed a shower if I was going to continue to act like a lady and not attack him.

We got out of the taxi at Central Park where we just walked for a while. I couldn't believe the size of this park and there was so much going on. There was music, artist drawing pictures and vendors selling souvenirs. The weather was perfect not too hot and sunny with a light breeze. There were children playing, dogs being walked and joggers passing by. Never had I seen this much activity in any park in Washington. As we walked I took in the scenery and I was in awe and as a biker passed by Edward grabbed my hand to pull me a little closer to him. The feeling that ran through me at that moment was indescribable and I never wanted it to end. We continued to walk through the park and I noticed Edward never let go of my hand, but I was okay with this because I didn't want him to. We talked about more of our future plans as well as places we planned to visit in New York since he had never really visited the tourist spots himself.

"Are you tired, because we can sit for a while I don't want to wear you out." He said giving me that crooked grin that I loved.

"We can sit down after you we get some ice cream first, my treat." I said eyeing an ice cream stand in the park.

Edward chuckled and we walked to get ice cream and sat on a park bench afterwards. We watched all the activity around us and I just listened to the busyness of the city. My thoughts were interrupted when Edward placed a stray piece of my hair behind my ear and my heart started beating in double time.

"A penny for your thoughts?" he said looking at me with a smile.

"I was just taking in the scenery, it's beautiful."

"Yes absolutely beautiful." He said while staring at me and somehow I don't think Edward was referring to the scenery of the park. I blushed and swallowed hard trying to keep myself calm. What is this man trying to do, kill me?