All normal disclaimers apply.

Chapter 5

Driving to the hospital as fast, yet safely as I can, while keeping a hold of her at the same time is not easy, but I manage to pull it off. After checking in we sit and wait for her name to be called out, when it is, I stand with her.

"Are you her father?" the nurse asks, and I know she's about to deny me the ability to go with her.

"No, he's not my father, but he's my fiancé," Bella says and the nurse just looks between us.

"What?" she asks after looking between us for a few seconds like she disapproves.

"What's your deal, I'm eighteen," Bella says with a strength I've not heard before in her voice. "Look, as much as I'd love to stand here all day tell you how in love we are, and how we're meant to be, I have a large cut on my hand, so how about we deal with that first?"

The outburst from Bella seems to remind the nurse her place and she shows us to a room.

"Sorry," Bella mutters when the nurse leaves us alone. "I just didn't want to be left in here by myself. I was unsure if I said my friend's father, they would allow you in."

Smiling at her, I push her hair back out her face.

"It's fine," I tell her having enjoyed her laying claim on me.

"You and Emmett have the same soft touch," Bella carries on, making me feel like a bucket of ice water was thrown on me.

"But, you seem to leave me with a tingling feeling that I don't understand. I feel this buzz inside me even now. I still feel it, even though you are no longer touching me," Bella pouts a little closing her eyes. "I know I don't make much sense, do I?"

I shake my head knowing she can't see, but I do know what she means, because her touch leaves me with the same feeling.

"Hi, Miss Swan, I'm here to have a look at your hand and stitch it up."

I move to Bella's other side so the doctor can get in.

"Will you hold my hand?" Bella asks me with pleading eyes.

"Of course, sweetheart," I say kissing her forehead.

Letting my lips linger there, I feel myself getting even more emotionally tied to her.

As the doctor stitches her hand, I talk to her about my work, even getting her to laugh a few times.

"Why are you still single?" Bella asks when the doctor leaves the room. "I mean, you're smart, sweet, handsome and funny. Emmett says he gets his charm from you, and honestly, if you've taught him everything he knows, you give prince charming a run for his money. You're a great dad, kind and caring. To top it all off you seem to be as good looking on the inside as you are on the outside. I just find it extremely hard to understand how it's possible that you're still single."

I swallow a little, not really wanting to talk to her about my love life or lack thereof.

"Are you dating anyone right now? My aunt—who's a single parent—dates on the side, because she doesn't want her kids to know or meet anyone, until she's sure the relationship is worth it? Is that what you do, date and keep them away from home to protect Emmett?"

"Yes, I have dated without Emmett knowing, but honestly not often. I'm still single, I guess it's because I've never found the right woman."

Bella looks at me sadly. "I'm sorry, but you shouldn't give up hope. The perfect woman for you could be right under your nose," she says as her hurt hand comes up to my face. She winces as she touches me, and I gently remove her hand kissing it.

"Careful there, sweetheart," I tell her as she sits up.

My whole body seems to move closer to her on its own. Just as our lips are about to touch, the door opens and the doctor walks back in.

"Here are your antibiotics to help prevent infection. According to the chart and records, your tetanus booster is up-to-date. The only thing I need from you is a signature and for you to return in about twelve days so we can remove the stitches." He places a pill bottle down and Bella signs the form.

We leave the hospital without saying a word to each other. When we get back to her place, I feel worried about leaving her alone.

"Get a change of clothing and anything you need for the night and morning, you are coming to stay with us tonight," I say quickly.

Bella just looks at me.

"Come on, sweetheart, you're hurt. You haven't eaten anything yet and it's almost ..." I look at my watch seeing how late it is, "... almost midnight."

"But—"

"It's ten minutes before midnight, please let me take care of you?" I plead.

She nods at me and I follow her inside the house to help her. I'm grateful it only takes her a few minutes to get her bag together. As soon as she packs it, I take it from her and carry it. She locks up the house and I help her back in the car. When we arrive at my home, all is quiet and I know Emmett has gone to bed.

I guide Bella into the kitchen and heat us both up some dinner.

"Tell me what your plans are; what profession is it you want to get into?" I ask taking the first bite.

"I would love to be a teacher," Bella says as her face flushes. "But more than likely, I'll still be working as a waitress, like I do now on the weekends."

I'm surprised to learn Bella has a part-time job. The more I find out about her, the more different she seems to be from Emmett's other girlfriends.

"What makes you say that?" I ask, wondering why she doesn't think she'll be able to make her dreams come true.

"Come on, Mr. Cullen—"

"Edward," I interrupt with a sigh and Bella swallows but does give me a nod, acknowledging me.

"Edward, there are many other people who are qualified teachers who are unable to get a job. The odds are stacked against me."

"You sound almost defeated."

"My dad studied business and did well in school; he's a truck driver. My mom tried to become a nurse, but she had me making her leave college early; she's now a maid in a hotel and a part-time bookkeeper for a small business in the city. Life is hard and it doesn't always go the way you want it to go. Being a teacher is what I would enjoy doing, but I also love the catering industry, and do have some cooking skills. Just like I told Emmett, it's always best to have a backup plan. Sometimes it's good to have more than one, just in case. Let's face it, life is full of lemons, and we should always be ready to spring back on our feet and make lemonade."

I smile at her; her understanding of real life is correct, and I love that she has been clearly imparting her common sense on my son. "I've told him the same thing," I tell her making her blush.

"I know, he said I sounded like you, but your life experiences with him alone should've already shown him that. He just needs to realize a little extra work, and taking a different path can still give you happiness, even if it's not your life's dream."

I bob my head at her; I may not be the doctor I wanted to be, but I'm happy – well, mostly happy in my job.

Bella and I carry on talking and it's not until she yawns that I remember I have work and she has school tomorrow. I look at my watch seeing it's close to three in the morning.

"Fuck, Bella, I'm sorry. It's so late, you've got to be beyond tired," I tell her.

"Come on, I'll show you the spare room."

Taking her upstairs, I leave her in the guestroom and head for my own room. As soon as I walk in my room, I'm hit with the guilt of how tonight made me feel. I feel as if I just had what would have been the best dinner date of my life with my son's girlfriend. The most shameful thing of all is I'm desperate to spend more time alone with her. I close my eyes knowing I'm fucked.

I lay in my bed unable to fall asleep. When my alarm goes off, my mind is set on the fact that I can't spend time alone with Bella again. I make the decision I should stay the hell away from her if Emmett isn't around. I cannot gain any more feelings for her. I'm already in dangerous territory. With sadness in my heart I take my shower and head downstairs.

I hear Emmett and Bella's soft voices and I linger in the background watching them. The pain in my chest seems to return much stronger than before, seeing Emmett be so gentle with her.

"Emmett, I'm fine – stop fussing," Bella says lightly.

"Bell's, you got hurt. I should've gone with you."

I can hear the hurt there in his voice.

"No, I was fine; besides, your dad watched after me."

I quit listening and walk in with a smile on my face. "Morning," I say as cheerfully as I can. "How are you feeling, Bella?" I ask and she smiles at me.

"Dad, she's in pain, and trying to hide it. Tell her to just stay here today," Emmett pleads with me.

"I'm fine, and we have a test today," Bella says as she tries to reassure Emmett.

"Bell's, I love you," my son says, sounding completely sincere.

My heart crashes to the bottom of my chest hearing my son's declaration of his feelings to Bella so boldly.

"But you're a shitty liar, you are in pain, I can tell."

I know he's right in what he said. I can hear the pain in her voice, and I really would lock her in the house to keep her home, if it were up to me, so I could take care of her.

Looking at Bella I know I can't act indifferent to her, so my only way out of this without hurting Emmett is if I stay far away from her.

"Emmett, she has a test, I'm sure she'll be fine with just taking some over-the-counter pain medication," I say harshly.

"Dad?"

I look at him. "Emmett, I have things to do today. I can't take the day off work to watch over her."

"She's not a child, Dad," Emmett says getting angry.

I know I'm being an asshole, so he is acting appropriately.

"Yes, I know that, but you know my rules. I don't leave you home alone when you're sick; why would I leave a girl I don't know here alone to get up to God only knows what?"

"She wouldn't do anything," Emmett says quickly moving toward me.

"Emmett, let's just go to school," Bella says getting between us.

Everything in me wants to grab her and put her behind me, but instead I have to watch Emmett walk away with her—my life.

A/N: So a little shorter of a chapter than we realized, but it is full of Bella and Edward interactions. Tell us what you think of how things went at the hospital and of course your thoughts on Edward's self revelation.