Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

This story is kind of cathartic for me and it's based in real life. Rated M for future lemons.

Chapter 4: The Lunch

When I got into my condo, I drank three bottles of water before heading to bed. As I was changing, my cell phone beeped and I looked to see what it was.

As requested, I'm texting you to know that I'm home safely. I look forward to our lunch tomorrow. Sleep well, Bella. – Edward

Thanks for letting me know. Also, I appreciate your taxi services. See you tomorrow around noon. – Bella.

I put my phone on my nightstand and finished getting ready for bed. I washed my face and crawled in between the sheets, curling up with my pillow. My eyes drifted shut and I eventually fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

xx AFS xx

When I woke up, I was so disoriented. I was hearing a shrilling sound. I reached for my phone and discovered it was ringing. The caller ID indicated that it was Alice. She was probably more confused than I was. "Morning, elf."

"How did I get home?" she croaked. "I'm so confuzzled."

"You called your cousin/brother and he drove you home. We dropped you off first and you were snoring something awful in the front seat of the car. I put you in your pajamas and helped you to bed," I said, my voice thick with sleep. "That's how you got home, elf."

"I really drank too much, Bells," she grumbled. "I have such a hangover. It's so bad."

"Drink some water and take some advil," I suggested. "I'm going back to sleep."

"Wait a minute, young lady. You need to get ready for your lunch date with Edward," Alice teased.

"How did you know that?" I squeaked, sitting up in bed.

"I'm omniscient," Alice said cryptically. "Wear that pretty purple sundress and espadrilles."

"He's picking me up to get my car and we're only going as friends, Alice. He is not interested. He helped me in a sticky situation last night, but he's not even remotely…"

"What situation?" Alice barked.

"Some nasty dude was trying to take me home and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Edward 'pretended' to be my boyfriend to give the guy a clue," I said. "No big deal."

"Huh," Alice said. "Wear the purple sundress and do your hair curly. He'll love it. Trust me."

"Fuck," I groaned. "Stop playing matchmaker with your 'baby brother.' Why do you call him that anyway? He looks older than you."

"We're only a few months apart. I was born in April and Edward was born in June of 1979. So, he's my 'baby' brother," Alice smiled. "Go get dressed and I'll nurse my hangover. Love you!"

"Love you, too, elf," I sighed. "Talk to you later." I hung up the phone and looked at the clock. It was a little after ten in the morning. I stretched and got up, walking to the shower. I hopped on the scale and grimaced at the numbers. I gained a few pounds, but then again I drank a ton last night. I took a quick shower, hastily shaving my legs and arms. I was putting on some lotion and I heard the shrill noise of my cell phone again. I ran and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Bella?" came a velvety voice.

"That's me," I smiled. "Edward?"

"Yeah," he said nervously. "I was wondering if I could pick you up around 11. One of my residents is sick and can only work until after one. I need to cover the last part of his shift."

"That's fine. I'm getting ready now," I answered as I walked back to my bathroom. "See you in a little bit."

"I'm looking forward to it," Edward smiled. "Bye."

"Bye," I answered and hung up the phone. I finished getting ready and applied my make up carefully, per Alice's instructions. I put some mousse in my hair and ran my fingers through it. I took out my blow dryer and used the diffuser to organize my curls. I slipped on my underwear and the pale lavender sundress that Alice suggested. It was a halter style dress and I didn't feel comfortable showing my shoulders, so I threw on a simple white cardigan. I slipped on my shoes and prayed I wouldn't need to go to the emergency room in these suckers. They were high and provided no ankle support. Not good for a gimp. At least I'm going out to lunch with a doctor.

As I was waiting for Edward, I hopped on my computer and decided to pay some bills. Ah, the joys of online bill pay. Makes life so easy. I was finishing up my bills when I heard my phone ring from my bedroom. I walked slowly to my room and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me. Edward. I'm outside but I would like to actually meet you at your door. What's your apartment number?"

"B208. Find my name on the roster and I'll buzz you up," I said as I scrambled to toss random items in my living room into my bedroom. I wasn't a slob, per se, but I didn't have to worry about impressing anyone with my housework skills recently. The wonders and perks of single life. I got my living room and kitchen pretty organized in the two minutes it took Edward to buzz the intercom. I rang him up and a few moments later a soft knock came through my door. I opened it up and found a very nervous looking Edward. "Hi. Come on in."

"Thanks," he said, giving me a crooked smile. He was dressed very formally in a pair of charcoal gray dress slacks, white dress shirt and a red tie. "You look lovely, Bella."

I blushed and tucked my hair behind my ear, turning away from him. "Thank you. So do you. I'm assuming this is for work and not for lunch."

"Ah, yes. I have a meeting with the board of directors. All of the department heads do, today. We're discussing budget issues and possible layoffs. I hate it. I wish I could just practice medicine, but the administrative portion is an integral part of my job description," Edward said, pushing up his glasses.

"If you don't like it, why did you become the head of the emergency department?" I asked, immediately regretting asking such a personal question. "Sorry, if it makes you uncomfortable."

"No, it's not a big deal. I wanted to be an emergency room doctor. I am good at it. Really good. However, I'm also really good at handling sticky administrative situations. I was the head of the department at the hospital I worked at in Seattle and that was FAR more paperwork than Craven. I spent more time in my office than I did on the floor," he chuckled. "At least here, I'm able to be a doctor and an administrator. Also, my uncle is the chief of staff. He practically begged me to come work for him. His goal is to make Craven a level two trauma center. The previous head of the emergency department didn't share that vision. I can see the potential and I'm working with the rest of the hospital and vendors to make it happen."

I nodded and turned to get my purse from my bedroom. "Ready?"

"Definitely," Edward smiled. "I'm taking you to a small Italian place, if that's alright. La Bella Italia?"

I giggled and nodded in acquiescence. I picked up my car keys and we walked to the door. Edward opened the door for me and I locked it as we left my condo. As we walked down the hallway, Edward kept his hand on the small of my back, almost protectively. The touch didn't go unnoticed and I could myself grow flushed. When we got out to Edward's car, he opened the passenger door and I slid into the Volvo. He got into the driver's side and took off his glasses. He slid on a pair of sunglasses and started the car. "When I saw you at Slammers, you weren't wearing glasses?"

"I usually wear contacts, but I'm working a double tonight and I hate the dry feeling I get when I wear my contacts for too long," Edward replied as he eased his car out of the parking spot. "Also, if I catch some shut eye, they get really itchy. Drives me insane."

"Lasik. It works wonders," I said. "I had it done two years ago and I was so thrilled."

"How bad was your prescription?" Edward asked.

"Really bad. I had coke bottle glasses, they were so thick," I chuckled. "I grew tired of dealing with contacts and the rigmarole with that and so I got the Lasik done."

"Any side effects?"Edward asked warily.

"I have something in my tear ducts to help to produce more tears, but other than that, no. Why?"

"I'm thinking. Thinking about it. I'm still leery about a flipping laser in my eyeball," he shuddered. "One wrong move and I'm blind. Not food for a doctor, you know?"

"You kind of need to see," I teased.

"That would be a good thing," he smiled. "Who was your optometrist?"

"Dr. Eva Sandoval. She was wonderful," I answered.

"Can I get her number to make an appointment with your Dr. Sandoval?" Edward asked.

"Sure. I'll give it to you at the restaurant," I said. "You have to drive, buddy."

"Yes ma'am," he snorted.

We pulled into the parking lot of La Bella Italia and Edward got out of the car, opening my door for me. We walked into the restaurant and the hostess was ogling him. I think I saw a little drool on her chin. He brusquely requested a table for two and she led us to the front of the restaurant. Edward frowned and requested something quieter. The hostess blushed and obliged his request. We were in a booth in a secluded part of the restaurant. It was very romantic.

You're out as friends, Bella. Remember that. Dr. McFuckme is not interested.

"Bella?" Edward asked.

"Sorry. I spaced out on you," I tittered nervously. "Have you been here before?"

"No. But Dr. Gerandy highly recommends it," Edward smiled. I brushed my hair back from my face and took a hesitant sip of water. "Have you?"

"Once. My ex-husband had a work function here. His company rented out the back room for some party. We had their catered fare. It was good," I answered, playing with my napkin.

Why am I so fucking nervous? Holy hell!

Edward stared at me and his jade eyes twinkled. I dropped my gaze and took a glance around the restaurant. It was very typically Italian. It had red checked tablecloths, wine bottle candles and bread sticks on the tables. All I needed was a plate of spaghetti and someone singing "Buona Notte" and I'm in a Disney movie.

Our waitress came out of nowhere, pulling me out of my reverie. "Welcome to La Bella Italia. I'm Roseta and I'm server for today. Would you like to hear our specials?" she asked in a bored tone.

"Sure," Edward said politely.

"We have mushroom ravioli in tomato vodka sauce, chicken saltimbocca, shrimp diavolo," Roseta said, chewing her gum. "Do you need some time or are you ready to order?"

"Can you give us a few minutes?" Edward asked.

"Can I get you some drinks while you wait?"

"I'll have a coke, please," Edward said.

"Water with a slice of lemon," I answered.

"Be right back with those."

"What looks good, Ms. Swan?" Edward smirked.

"I'm probably going to go with the mushroom ravioli. I'm a sucker for their vodka sauce," I said, pushing my menu away. "You?"

"Hmmm," he thought. "I'm going with the chicken saltimbocca. Sounds different."

Almost, as if beckoned, our server came back with our drinks. She also took our order, offering us salad or soup. I got a small salad. Edward ordered the minestrone. As we tucked into our appetizers, Edward asked, "So you work with my crazy sister?"

"Yes. She is the choir director at the building we work at. We also co-direct the musical. When I first met you was our closing night and we were celebrating," I said, grimacing at our first meeting.

"What do you teach?" Edward asked.

"Accelerated language arts," I replied. "Lots of reading but it's a lot of fun."

"What makes it accelerated?" Edward questioned.

"I cram more into the quarters. Cover more concepts. Read more challenging novels. I'd rather teach the accelerated group any day. They are usually the cream of the crop," I said wistfully.

"So, I'm assuming your major was English literature or something like that?" Edward asked as he finished his soup.

"Yeah. English literature major with a minor in secondary education. I also have my masters in curriculum and instruction, with a reading endorsement," I said. "I finished it the year before I moved schools."

"Alice told me about that. Your old principal sounds like a douche," Edward said with wrinkled nose.

"He was. To add to his douchery, he made all of these decisions and he's no longer in the district. Fucktard," I grumbled. "I wasn't the only one who got screwed. I had a friend who was a PE teacher at my old building, Chapel Middle School, and he was essentially forced to be a full time health teacher. He isn't even certified to teach health. There was much bitterness and resentment toward 'Davie B,' my former principal. At the end of the school year party, we had a picture of him on a bullseye and we tossed darts at his head. It was very cathartic."

"And you said he's no longer at the district?" Edward inquired.

"Nope. He left the July following all of the madness. I would be hard pressed to not knee him in the balls if I see him on the street," I said, sipping my water. "However, I'm happy at Cherry Blossom. I like the people and the kids are awesome. It was not an easy transition, moving from building to building, but I'm glad I'm there."

Roseta came and delivered our meals. We dug into our lunches. "So, you're a doctor. Where did you go to school?"

"I did my undergrad at Dartmouth. I then went to University of Chicago for medical school," Edward replied. "I followed in my uncle's and my father's footsteps. Carlisle is a neurologist and my father, Edward Sr. was a pediatric oncologist."

"Alice mentioned about your parents. I'm so sorry," I said sympathetically.

Edward smiled sadly. "I miss them every day. However, I have Carlisle and Esme who took me in when I was orphaned at fifteen. I was a hot mess. In more ways than two."

"Okay?"

"Alice told you that they were in a car accident, right?" Edward asked. I nodded and arched a brow. "Well, I was in the car with them. They were hit head on by a drunk driver. I was sitting in the backseat and was thrown twenty feet from the car. I wasn't wearing my seatbelt. I had a nasty head injury and was in a coma for about three months. That's what fucked up my vision. I'm not sure if Lasik can work for me, but no harm in asking. When I woke up, I had to relearn everything. How to walk, how to talk, how to shave, how to take a piss; it was so demeaning and I was so angry. Angry at my parents for dying. Angry at the asshat who hit them. Angry at myself for not buckling myself in."

"Holy shit," I said, looking at Edward. He looked perfectly normal. No scars or anything. He actually looked better than normal. He looked beautiful.

"Looking for any physical remnants?" he teased.

"No. Yes. Shit," I said, burying my head in my hands. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I have a huge scar on the back of my head where they put in a shunt. I also have some scars on my torso and legs from surgeries and broken bones. Other than that, I'm perfectly normal, save for a few migraines every so often."

"How did you handle school?" I asked.

"Once I was able to read again, I had tutors. I also had an IEP for a traumatic brain injury. It gave me extra time on my tests to accommodate my slower than normal processing issues. It took me forever to write a sentence, but my intellect was still intact; just slower. I graduated from high school with my class as I took my anger and focused it on my school work. I wanted to prove all the doctors wrong who said I'd be a vegetable. In undergrad, I had the same accommodations until I was a junior, when I refused them. My first semester was a bit rough, but I did it. I continued to improve and I went to medical school. My struggled the most with the ER rotation, but I found it to be the most rewarding. I decided that was going to be my specialty and I worked extra hard to make it a possibility for me."

"Wow," I said, looking at this incredibly brave man in front of me. "I can't believe it. I would have never known."

"Yeah. I overcame all of the odds when I woke up. I defied the doctors when I learned how to do everything again. I flummoxed the specialists when I became a doctor myself. My career is rewarding but it came at a cost," he said sadly.

"What happened?" I asked.

"My wife died in my ER three years ago," Edward said, a lone tear falling down his cheek. "She was killed by a drunk driver, like my parents."

A/N: Cliffie…sort of, kind of. Edward is reaching out to Bella and she's starting to realize her attraction. Poor Widowward.