A/N: Thanks to my lovely team: my prereader and ficwife, EternallyCullen and my wonderful beta, Jenny Cullen, aka Jenrar. You are both awesome.

And thank you to all of you reading, alerting and reviewing! Each email alert gives me warm fuzzies!

Bella nervously tapped her foot on the floor, sitting on the edge of a chair so she didn't wrinkle her dress. Angela had left a few minutes prior, and now Bella was alone to await Edward's arrival.

Edward's arrival. The idea sent a shimmer of terror down her spine before she could stop it. A date. She was going on a date. With Edward Cullen. Oh, God.

It wasn't Edward she was so concerned about, if she were brutally honest with herself. She was more worried about herself – and her reaction to Edward. She had kept her walls up around him at first, but he had seen her at her worst and was still relentless. And when she looked deep inside herself, she knew that she was drawn to Edward, as well.

And that thought scared the hell out of her.

She was experiencing emotions and feelings beginning to burn within her that she had thought she had buried long ago.

And that thought scared the shit out of her.

She jumped when she heard the knock on her door. She took a deep, steadying breath and opened the door, to see Edward standing in front of her. He took her breath away in his dark suit and white button down shirt with a dark tie.

She had never seen him dressed up before. "H-Hi," she stammered. She opened the door, silently inviting him inside.

"Hi," he returned with a smile, his green eyes wide. "Bella… you look… You look beautiful." His eyes drifted from her head to her toes and back to her downcast eyes. "Really, you do."

"Thanks," she mumbled, her eyes on Edward's black dress shoes. "You… look nice, too."

He placed a finger under her chin and pulled her face up. "Bella? Are you all right?"

No… I think I'm gonna hyperventilate. "Um, yeah, yeah. I'm fine."

He could see the uncertainty swirling in her eyes. "Bella, we don't have to go out, if you really don't want to."

Bella shook her head and finally met his gaze. She knew she was lost in that moment. "No. I-I want to. I've just… never really done this… before."

Edward looked at her confused. "Done what?" What exactly did she think he had in mind for the evening?

She sighed. "Been out on a date. A real date. I'm just a bit nervous."

He smiled at her, but there was no mocking or teasing in his expression. "It's all right, Bella. All it is is time for us to enjoy each other's company. Actually, I'm being quite selfish, as I was hoping we'd spend the night allowing me to get to know you better."

She took a shuddering breath, releasing her nerves. "Okay. Sorry for weirding out on you."

He shook his head. "Think nothing of it. Shall we?" he asked, offering her his arm.

"Yes," she replied, her voice shaking slightly. She took his arm, and they walked out the door. "So, where are we going?"

Edward grinned at her. "It's a surprise."

Bella groaned. "Oh, God," she mumbled, causing him to laugh. "Am I dressed all right?" she asked worriedly.

He looked over at her appreciatively. "Yes. You look lovely."

She felt the blush spread up her neck to color her cheeks. "Thanks," she mumbled again. "So, you're really not going to tell me where we're going?"

Edward shook his head. "Nope. But I don't think you'll be disappointed."

At least, he hoped not. He had picked up a picnic dinner for them from a local café and was taking her to a special place he knew of. He had considered revisiting Bella Italia, but didn't want Bella to think that was his repertoire.

He opened her door for her and shut her safely inside the Volvo; he then trotted around to his side of the car and quickly got in, revving the engine and thrilling at the purr, as he always did.

"So, how's Matt doing?" he asked, wanting to start on neutral territory. He could tell that Bella was feeling skittish, and he wanted to take tonight slowly. He had a gut feeling that if things did not go well this evening, it would be their first – and last – date.

She smiled softly. "He's doing wonderful, Edward! His blood sugars have been stable since we got home, and he's been feeling really well. I really, really can't thank you and your dad enough for all that you did."

Edward shook his head. "Don't thank me, Bella. We were glad to do it; Matt needed help. I just hope that you don't resent me for taking over in the hospital and firing that quack of a doctor."

"Of course not! Edward, you don't know how long I'd wanted to do that, but I didn't have a choice. It was him or nothing."

"You probably could have done better than him anyway," he said with a chuckle.

She laughed along with him. "Probably so; the only problem would be that the pharmacy wouldn't take a prescription written by me."

He laughed along with her, and just smiled at her puzzled expression as he turned off on a small road that was almost hidden by brush.

"Where are we going?" she asked again, knowing it was futile, but clearly confused that he had not continued on toward Port Angles.

"It's a surprise." He continued to take the hairpin turns with ease. "This is a place I like to come to when I need a break."

"Oh," she said, staring out the window at the trees rushing by in the darkening light.

Finally, they reached the top of the summit, which had a small clearing. Looking up at them were the harbor lights of Port Angeles.

Bella opened her door without waiting for Edward. "Oh, wow, Edward. This is beautiful. How did you find it?"

Edward was in the process of removing the special dinner he had ordered, along with a big fluffy blanket that he spread on the ground. "I found it one day when I was out, just driving, trying to clear some stress after a big test I'd taken. I'm thinking a house once stood here, which is why it's clear of trees, but I haven't ever found any trace of one. I've never met anyone else up here, either."

"Be a good place to dump a body," she quipped. "You are planning to take me home, right?"

He laughed. "Of course. Your friend knows you're with me."

She smiled at him before turning back to the view. "You can even see the water from here."

"I know," he said quietly, right behind her. She jumped in surprise when his arms came around her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head and inhaled her scent, luxuriating in the smell of strawberry, lavender, and freesia.

Bella tentatively placed her arms on top of his and leaned back into his embrace. She wasn't sure what else to do, so she just stood there, allowing his warmth to seep through her dress and relax her taut muscles.

"So," he breathed into her hair. "Are you hungry?"

Nope. Not at all after this. But she knew she couldn't be rude. "Sure."

He reluctantly pulled away from her and led her by the hand to the layers of blanket that would keep the twilight chill from seeping into them. "Voila!" he said, opening the basket to reveal grilled chicken with steamed vegetables, rolls, a bottle of wine with two glasses, and two huge brownies for dessert. "I hope I did okay. My father recommended the wine. He's something of a connoisseur."

"Mmmm," Bella said, inhaling deeply. "It smells wonderful. How did you come up with this idea?" she asked, impressed at his originality. She had just been expecting a regular restaurant.

Edward shrugged. "Well, I had planned on taking you out to eat, but then realized we'd be constantly interrupted by waiters and other people, so I decided to bring you here, where we could actually be alone and get to know each other some."

"I'll admit; I'm impressed. This must go over fabulous," she muttered, continuing to look out at the twinkling lights. Sounds of bells in the harbor faintly reached her ears.

"With whom?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Whomever you bring here." She figured this was something he had done before with another girl – or girls.

Edward shook his head and dug in the basket. "I've never brought anyone here before," he said softly.

She turned around and saw nothing but honesty in his face. "Really? Why not?"

"I guess I've always wanted to keep this one spot to myself. Until I met you."

She felt the blush spread up her neck to her cheeks. "Wow. Th-Thank you, Edward. For sharing this with me."

"It's truly my pleasure. Shall we?" He gestured to the plates he had arranged with the food. "And there's plenty here." He poured them both a glass of wine.

Bella settled herself down on the blanket and picked up her fork, beginning to eat. Her stomach was in knots, but she knew that she needed the food in her stomach with the wine, or she would either royally embarrass herself, or pass out. Neither of those options was very appealing, so she bit into the chicken and groaned. "Oh, my God. This is so good. Where did you get this?"

"From the Corner Café in Forks. They do special orders, along with sandwiches and soups."

She laughed. "I don't believe I've ever been there. Whenever we do go out to eat, it's always with Charlie, and he prefers the grease of the diner than this healthier food."

Edward laughed with her. "So, tell me about your parents. Have you always lived in Forks?"

She began to feel her muscles loosen at the casual banter they had going back and forth. For once, she didn't feel like a project to him and found herself spilling her life's story to him. Until she came to the part of James.

Edward was hanging on her every word as if it were a lifeline. He found himself enthralled with the delicate and beautiful creature sitting across from him. She only looks delicate. She's actually tougher than you are. Her voice had him spellbound, and he was laughing along with her as she recounted some of Renee's wildest ideas. He found himself thanking the Lord above that Renee had married Phil, which had brought Bella to Washington. He knew that without that vital piece of the puzzle, he would never have met her. When she cut off about her high school years, he felt as if he'd suddenly stopped short.

"So, then what happened?" he asked.

She sighed. "I met James."

Edward wasn't sure what to say when it didn't appear as if she would continue. "Then what?" he whispered.

Bella wiped under her eyes delicately. "He was a smooth talker. He was already out of high school, and I was so flattered that he was interested in me. Mousy Bella… Bookworm Bella. So, I was willing to do anything for him."

He felt as if his heart was being clenched by an unseen hand; his pain for her was palpable. "How long were you with him?"

She took a shuddering breath. "About six months. My dad didn't like him, which made him more appealing to me. Plus, he was the typical bad boy, and I was just so overwhelmed that someone like him was interested in someone like me."

"Bella, you don't see yourself clearly."

She shrugged. "Well, I'm still torn about what happened. On the one hand, I wish now that I'd never met him; yet, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have Matt, and he's the most wonderful thing in my life. He's what I breathe for."

Edward was silent, attempting to understand that level of love and devotion. He received it from his parents, of course, but had he ever cared for someone that much? He couldn't recall, other than his family, but even then, with them, he could be selfish and petty. He had never seen Bella do anything that would not benefit her son. He was what came first in all of her decisions.

"He's a special little guy."

"Yeah, he is. I just love him so much that sometimes I just ache for him, knowing that I can't take his medical problems away. I can do something about bullies, and homework, and scary movies, but his reality… I can't alter that, and sometimes, I don't think I'll be able to bear it."

Edward sat quietly, enjoying the closeness they were developing.

"But then, he'll do something or say something about his diabetes, or he'll take his shots without flinching, and I find myself in awe of him. How someone that small can have such an understanding… It puts everything right in my world, and we continue to deal with it one day at a time."

"That's amazing, Bella. You know, in my rotations, I've seen grown people act so childish when they'd get their finger stuck or their insulin injections. And then, I run into Matt, who takes it with such maturity. It's amazing."

She nodded. "Yeah, I try to keep his childhood as innocent as possible, but he's had to grow up way too fast, due to this."

"You do a wonderful job with him."

"Better than what you expected at the beginning?" she asked, a slight smile ghosting her lips.

He laughed out loud. "Absolutely. I can't believe I was such an ass."

"You were quite a big one," she said with a grin. "But of course, I didn't help matters."

They both chuckled at the beginnings of their relationship and how they had grated on each other's nerves.

"You know, I'm really glad Dr. Simon gave us that assignment now."

"Why?" Bella asked, confused.

He smiled at her crookedly. "Because if he hadn't, I wouldn't have met you."

"Like that would have been a big loss," she muttered.

He pulled her face around to look at him. "You don't know how big of a loss it would have been. You're an amazing woman, Bella."

She tried to look down, but Edward kept a firm hold of her chin. "Thanks," she muttered.

"So, has James ever tried to contact Matt or you?" he asked carefully.

He had released her, so she shook her head. "No. When I told him I was pregnant, he split. My dad went over to his apartment to find him when I told him, but he found the apartment empty. To this day, I don't know where he is. The child support division can't seem to find him, either."

"It's his loss," he said, sliding his hand up her jaw and tangling in her hair. "He has no idea what he's missing."

Bella's eyes widened as she watched Edward's face come closer to her. He was going to kiss her, she just knew it. What food she had managed to ingest was swirling in her stomach as she was attacked by nerves. What do I do… what do I do? she thought frantically, as she watched his mouth come closer to hers.

She didn't want to do anything wrong, so she let her eyes drift shut and patiently waited.