One chapter will talk about the past, one about the present until we reach the point where we began with the present. Confusing much? It keeps things interesting. ;)

Same disclaimer applies-Twilight belongs to S.M., but the idea of this story is mine.

Many thanks to my awesome betas and friends - TeamAllTwilight and m0t0b33. And to my newest help: Momma Laura.

A/N: We're approaching that moment. Proceed with caution.


June 2012

In the first half of this year, my life changed so much that I have no idea what to think of it.

At some point, I gave up worrying about my growing feelings for Edward.

We stopped being careful at work, too.

A glance that lasted longer than appropriate.

A hand on the arm as comfort, rubbing the spot.

Whenever we were alone in a room, we ended up kissing like there was no tomorrow.

We nearly got caught a dozen times in the smoking room.

During a meeting a couple months ago, Edward had his hand up my skirt, effectively distracting me and making my team look stupid. I couldn't even be mad at him, because right when James was scolding me for being distracted, Edward brought me to an earth shattering orgasm. And this time it was only his hands.

Edward made me wear different toys at work—if I wasn't so deep into doing it, I wouldn't have allowed it. The egg during the meeting with the people from Channel. Fuck, that was some experience. The poor men thought I was dying. I bet Edward had fun watching me convulsing in my chair. When I agreed to that, I never thought he'd do it during my freaking meeting!

But payback is sweet, so during the end of the month meeting in James's office, I made sure to rub him under the table. Footsie never grows old...until you get held up in the boss's office once everyone is gone and are scolded like a misbehaving student. My whole face was red, and in the end, Edward told him that we are dating. That shut James up.

I still didn't like the word, but after thinking about it, that is what we are doing.

We're exclusive.

We don't fuck around.

And to be honest, the time spent together isn't just for fucking; we talk, too, and have fun. Just the other night, I discovered a Wii gaming system in his entertainment room. Of course we stayed up the whole night.

For his birthday, I talk with his mother and ask if she allows me to surprise Edward with a weekend away at the beach house—just the two of us. She immediately agrees, winking at me.

That's how we spend the weekend before his birthday. We don't leave the house, but that's okay.

Besides the first time when we step in the house and simply have our way against the door, the rest of the time is something else—something out of this world.

I'm so scared to name my feelings, because it will make it real. And that really scares me.

I doubt he honestly feels it, too.

I can see something in his eyes and gestures, but he could never love me.

All through the weekend, Edward's acting odd. I catch him staring at me with that look, but when he realizes my eyes are on him, too, he smiles and looks away.

When we return to work, he still has that look.

On Monday, I'm still high on our weekend buzz until Tanya points out that we're holding hands, I didn't realize it. She immediately starts asking how it happened and starts gushing over about how cute we are.

On Tuesday, we're busy wrapping up the latest commercial, so we don't really have time to make fools of ourselves.

Then Wednesday happens.

I'm late meeting him at the car in front of my apartment building. That happens because today is his birthday, and I became a silly girl, insecure and in love. My bedroom floor is living testament of what happens when I over think my outfit.

Edward shoots me an amused look when I slide in his car.

I should apologize for being late, but he's so gorgeous, it takes my breath away.

I lean closer and kiss him softly. "Happy birthday."

He licks his lips, grinning like an idiot. "Now it's all better."

I smile back, offering him my hand. It's become a habit to hold hands while driving. Don't ask how that one happened.

"You're wearing it!" I exclaim, giddily, looking at his left wrist.

"Of course, I am. I had it the past two days, too." He puts his hand on top of the steering wheel making the new watch catch the sun and glint. Nice.

"I'm glad you like it." I squeeze his hand.

"I fucking love it." Edward raises our joined hands to his lips. "You're coming home with me tonight. No more excuses about being tired."

"I was tired last night. Really," I insist. "And how can I deny birthday boy?" I tease.

"You can't."

To my surprise, when we arrive at work, everyone is in the main area, and on the counter of Tanya's desk are bottles of champagne and plastic cups.

"Brown!" Edward hisses.

"Happy birthday!" James shouts, raising the bottle.

"Isn't it too early to drink?" I ask.

"We're celebrating today. Of course, after I get the commercials."

After a cup of champagne, everyone scurries away to finish the task.

Right before lunch, I hand James my team's commercial then we join the celebrations.

"I'd like to make an announcement," he says loudly, walking to Edward's side. "Besides being my friend, you're one of my best employees, so I decided it is time for a change."

"Fired on my birthday. Best present ever," Edward mumbles amused.

"Actually, I'm making you vice-president."

There's silence for about a moment, then everyone starts cheering. Only Edward is staring shocked at our boss.

"Congratulations!" I clink my cup to his, rising on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Edward smiles at me, clearing his throat. "I have an announcement of my own." When he's sure he has our attention, he turns his green gaze on me.

Shit.

I feel my legs shaking.

What's he doing?

He cups my cheek and steps so close we're only a breath apart.

"I want everyone to know that I've been captivated by this marvelous woman from the moment I met her. Not feeling sorry for breaking your rules," he adds to James. "I love you, Bella." His mouth covers mine.

I can't move.

He could be kissing a statue because I feel like one.

I can't believe him!

The nerve!

What's he playing at?

How can he say it in front of the company?

Why didn't he say something last weekend?

This just proves he doesn't love me—not this true feelings.

I push against his chest.

"How dare you?" I hiss.

Edward blanches, looking like I just kicked him.

"You can't say something like that in front of them! This is fucking private! I knew it was a mistake to let you take over my heart!" I poke him in the chest with my finger to emphasize my words.

"Bella, what is…?" He scratches his hair. "I've been feeling this for the longest time. You kept denying us to have it all."

I'm aware we have an audience, but I don't care.

"You don't really love me, Edward!" I shout. "If you did, you'd have told me this over the weekend when we were alone!"

"I did try. Believe me, but I lost my nerve."

"Or any time before now! We've been in this relationship for over a year! You could have told me in December when you insisted on us dating!"

"Bella, don't do this. Please. I do love you. Don't doubt my feelings."

"Well, I did, too, asshole! You men are all the same! When you lose control of the situation, you do something you think will make it all better. Let me tell you that your declaration of love made it worse! It was so wonderful and maybe…just maybe I was planning to come clean tonight."

He frowns at my words and I want to punch him.

"I loved you, too!" I snap, turning around. "I quit!" I bark at James.

He looks shocked, worried, a little upset—probably because he knew better of why that rule was there.

"Isabella, don't do this!" Edward groans, grabbing my arm. "We can go and talk about it now."

"There's nothing to talk about."

I wrench my arms free and push the button to call the elevator.

"Bella." He reaches me again, turning me around before falling on his knees.

I stare at him in disbelief.

"Marry me."

The elevator dings and still shocked, I walk backward until I'm in the box.

Before the doors close, all I see is Edward's bloodshot eyes.

Fuck. My heart hurts.

Maybe I overreacted.

But he is an idiot for declaring his love for me for the first time in front of everyone. Then to ask me to marry him.

Marry!

What did he want to prove?

Maybe he should have pissed on me if he felt threatened.

I march out of the building, my tears blinding my eyes.

This is not how I wanted today to go. At all.

I cross the busy street, narrowly missing a car.

That's when I hear it.

"Bella! Don't leave, baby! I really love you. Please!"

His voice breaks my heart.

"Wait, Bella!" he shouts again.

Then, when I'm about to turn, my heart jumps in my throat at the sound of tires screeching on the asphalt—brakes squeal violently, and metal crashes into metal. People start shouting.

I whip my head around and…

"NO!" I yell, sprinting to Edward.

He's sprawled on the ground.

"Edward!" My voice is shaking horribly. "Edward, honey." I cup his cheek. "No, please." I sob, looking up. "God, no. Please, no."

I extract my phone from the pocket with shaky hands and dial a number I never thought I'd need.

"What's your emergency?" the person on the other side of the line asks professionally.

A sob escapes me. I can't talk.

The person repeats the question, prompting me to give them details.

Someone take the phone from my hand and rattles out the address.

I realize it's James.

I'm so ashamed of everything that happened in the past half an hour that I can't even meet his eyes.

If something happens to Edward, it will be only my fault. I'll feel guilty forever.