All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

not beta'd

storyline - "beginning"

prompt - enchantment

Bella had just finished her toast and coffee when she heard the knock at the front door.

It was Edward. He'd called to say he was on his way, so she was ready for him.

She quickly put her plate and mug in to the sink and went to answer the door. Edward smiled, started to take a step forward, and then stopped as if he was unsure about coming inside.

"Come in, it's cold," Bella said.

Her house was warm and smelled of cozy mornings: coffee, cinnamon, pine. The smell was always changing, depending on what sorts of foods the girls were cooking or candles they were burning.

Contrarily, Edward's house was somewhat void of smells. This was good, he supposed, because living with a group of other guys could've resulted in some really disgusting odors but everyone was pretty clean. The days of hard partying were, for the most part, behind them. They all worked jobs in addition to attending school.

Basically, he had a place to sleep. Bella had herself a home.

"You okay there?" Bella asked, noticing Edward's blank expression.

He nodded. "Smells good in here."

"Did you want coffee? I can grab you a cup…"

Edward shook his head. "No, I'm okay. Thanks. I'm ready when you are."

Bella nodded. "Let me go brush my teeth real quick and we can head out."

In the car, Bella was reminded of how she'd first fallen for Edward, way back. Even now she tried not to look at him too much. Things were still raw and new. She knew that though they had broken up, the bond between them was still very real, and that a false step could land her right back where she didn't want to be.

There were specific reasons why she'd called things off, and to go back now would ruin any progress.

So they spoke lightly of general things: classes and jobs and post-graduation. Bella was considering moving back home. Not back to her tiny hometown, but at least to the same state. Edward thought he might stay in the city; his job was good and at the rate the business was growing he had the potential to really make a name – and maybe a life – for himself.

Neither of them wanted to admit it, but the knowledge that they might be separated at the end of the year struck a nerve.

Edward could see the caution with which Bella handled their interactions.

She had always been observant and considerate; had never clung to him or pushed him or made him feel suffocated. No, she'd always known when to stay close and when to keep her distance.

But this was different. There were very real lines between them now, and once again he mourned the loss of their closeness, and yes, their intimacy.

Still, Edward knew he would not push her. He didn't deserve her, and to try and beguile her back in to a physical relationship would be selfish and wrong. Bella wanted more than that, and actually… so did he.

After picking her car, Bella had left to go to class. Edward had gone to class too, slipping in silently and sitting in the back since he was so late. He listened to the lecture but his mind was on her: guarded brown eyes and reluctant smiles. It was funny, really. He was so taken by Bella, so caught up in her unintentional enchantment, that the distance between them only drew him to her more.

Snow melted. Days spun into weeks, which stretched into months. Spring came.

Alice and Bella delighted in the warmer, clear weather. The landscape was bright once again, vibrant greens against the bluest skies. They kept their windows wide open when they were home, wanting to absorb as much outside as possible.

With spring came Alice and Jasper's relationship. Bella was delighted that they'd finally given in; they were perfect together.

Meanwhile, things were somewhat stagnant with Edward. For awhile, they had started to get close again, often meeting at the café after class for coffee, meals and discussion. But then he had started to fade again and Bella, all too familiar with the mood swings, backed off immediately. She knew that the demands of his job and schoolwork could be extremely demanding, but there was another, less tangible pulling away that she could sense.

And then one night he was there when she got off of her shift at the café. Edward was standing on the sidewalk, like he'd been waiting for her. Bella wasn't sure why he hadn't just come inside, but something about the expression on his face told her that he was going through something.

"Edward?"

He looked at her, smiling faintly. "Hey. I… hoped I could talk to you."

Bella nodded. "Where?"

"Anywhere. Your place, mine…"

"You can come over," Bella offered, shrugging. "Alice and Jasper will be there soon, but we can talk for a bit."

"I'll follow you there," Edward said. "There are things I want to tell you."

Bella's heart leapt; maybe now he would open up to her. "I'd like that."