Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~MDE~

Chapter 14

As I walk into the restaurant, I can't help the smile that adorns my face. I know I will have to answer to the girls, but I don't care what they think. I, Isabella Swan, have a boyfriend. Granted, I have never seen him in person, or even heard his voice, but I know he is kind, sweet, caring, and I can't wait to get to know him better.

I walk to the table, and yes, there may be a bit of a bounce in my step. What can I say? A man I have never met has captured a piece of my heart. I pull out my chair and sit across from Rose, who instantly sees a difference.

"What's got you so happy?" Rose asks.

"Whatever are you talking about?" I reply with a giggle.

Alice looks to Rose and smiles as if she's just won the millions. "No way, it finally happened, didn't it?"

"What happened? What on earth are you talking about?" Rose looks utterly confused.

"She is in love. I knew it. I can see it all over her face."

Rose looks at me in shock. She seems to be studdying my face,I think looking for something. I guess she found it, because suddenly her face is a mirror image of Alice's, and anyone who knows Rose, knows she does not make that face.

"It's true. Wow, I never thought I'd see that day that you, my sweet little Bella would fall in love."

"Come on you two, I'm not in love," just really much in 'something' I think to myself.

"OK, so you may not be in love, but there is definitely a boy. Come on, tell me I'm wrong," Alice says as she stares intently.

"Maybe…"

Suddenly, there is a loud slapping noise, and I see Alice's hand bouncing off the table. She is all but jumping up and down and laughing. I love to see my friends this happy.

"Spill, who is it? Is it that teacher at school that has been bugging you for a date?"

"No."

"Then who is it," Rose asks, getting more curious.

My smile widens as I think of our date this morning. What it felt like to be called his girl.

"Oh…my…god…It's him isn't it?" Alice smiles and Rose just looks clueless.

"Who? OK, someone tell me what's going on."

Alice looks at Rose as she explains.

"It's Edward, the pen pal, isn't it?"

"Wait, how can that be?"

"Well, Rose, you see, I have been telling Bella that they are meant for each other."

"That again, come on, how can that happen under the circumstances?"

These two could go on, and on forever if I let them.

"Look, you're right. We went on a date today."

I tell them about our date, and how it all came to be; me, the girl of one Corporal Edward Cullen. Alice is beaming. She has been trying to tell me all along, and maybe she was right. Rose warns me to be careful. Out of the three of us, she is the one that thinks everything through. She is the one that looks out for us, and worries. She is hard on the outside, but on the inside, she is so kind and warm.

"So, do you two have any plans?" Rose asks.

"Well, we are going to plan a few more internet dates. It was so much fun. I don't know how it happened, but there is this pull to him. I have learned so much, and we like so many of the same things."

"Bella, how do you know it's true? I mean, how do you know he is who he says?" My face falls a bit at her words. "Sweetie, that's not what I mean. I just don't want to see you hurt."

"I know, and I love you for caring, but I don't know how to explain it. I just know he's true. I can feel it deep in my gut that he cares. I trust him, maybe I shouldn't, but I do, and I want to see where it goes."

We chat and have a few more drinks before parting ways. When I sit down, I spot the laptop and smile. I can't wait to get my fingers on it, and talk to him. I want to share my day with him and tell him how happy my friends are for us. I want to share myself with him. So that's what I do.

To:

Subject: Hello boyfriend

Date: 8/5/2011

My dear Edward,

I just got home from a girl's night. I know I told you that you could never be in the know of a girl's night, but I think I can share this once. They are happy for us. Yes, I may have caved at the first round of questions. You, Edward, have done something to me. They could see a change in me as soon as I walked in the room. We had a long conversation, and I couldn't wait to get home and write to you, my boyfriend.

God, I love saying that. I feel like such a schoolgirl. Today, I have had so much energy. After our date this morning, I went shopping. I know, what's so funny about that, well, I hate shopping, but I went. It was so hard not to write to you all day, but I didn't want to suddenly turn into the crazy stalker girl as soon as we started dating. I'm sorry about all the rambling; I am just one happy girl.

I hope you have a great day. If you are not up already, you will be soon. I can't wait until our next internet date. I had a great time, thank you for the idea. Maybe next time we will actually watch a movie; then again, maybe not. So how does this work, this type of dating? It's not like we can go to dinner and a movie. Have you ever done this before? I know I seem all over the place, and I'm sorry. You will learn that when I'm happy, I tend to ramble, and my mind jumps, and as you can tell from the email, I'm happy.

In all seriousness, I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and to see where this takes us. I don't want to think of what ifs, I just want to enjoy it. No matter where it takes us. I care for you Edward; I can't wait to get to know you better. I already feel like I know so much, but I know there is so much more to you. I want to know that part of you.

I mailed you a package today; let me know when you get it. There are also two containers of cookies in it. Please be sure to give one to Jasper. When I was talking to him this morning, he mentioned that he wanted some. I will know if you don't share, so don't even try to think about it.

Well, I am going to head to bed now. Please be safe. I know I tell you that all the time, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I know you have a family to go home to, but you have me now, and I'm here for you. I need you to be safe for me, for us.

Goodnight, Edward.

Your girl,

Bella