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 was intended.

This story will eventually have a HEA. So please be patient as I get my characters into position. There will be extreme adult subject matter, drama, talk of abortion and angst; please be advised.

Thank you to carolinacullen2012 and piesmom for everything you did to make this story what it is today. I love you ladies with all my heart. Could not have done it without you!

Agreeing to meet Edward at a restaurant was exciting yet scary at the same time. I was a strong girl. I never put up with anyone's shit, and I could hold my own on any day. Most of my best friends were guys, but something about him made me nervous. I needed to do this and not make an ass out of myself in the process.

I had wanted this to happen for as long as I could remember. I can't even recall the first time I laid eyes on him. The only thing I did know was that he was different from any other guy I had met in my life. There was something about him, something more I needed to know and needed to figure out.

During the week we talked a few times on the phone, confirming our date and time. Were we really going on a date? Or was this just two mutual friends hanging out? I was so confused and worried. No, he couldn't think of it like that, could he? Fuck! I needed to stop over thinking everything and just go with the flow. If he likes me … well, than we will go from there. If he doesn't, I have no choice but to move on.

I am a strong independent woman!

He must have sensed I was a little nervous, so he decided to bring his brother, Jasper, along. He suggested that I should bring Ali because she would give Jasper a run for his money. I laughed, he really didn't know her very well yet, but most people could tell she was a wild one.

Ali and I both got ready and decided we would meet the guys at the bar. We walked in a few minutes after seven. I saw Edward and who must be his brother sitting up at the bar.

"I … am in love. You will be my matron of honor, right?" Ali spit out as we were walking.

"What the hell, Ali? You just looked at him. You have never even talked to him. Now, you're planning your wedding? I seem to already be married in it … besides you have two children at home. Did you forget?"

"He loves my girls already, remember psychic." She pointed to her temple.

I wanted to turn around and walk right back out the door. I knew this was going to turn out either really bad or really good. Ali and I were a force to be reckoned with when we were together. However, I became this shy thing around him for some reason, and Ali was a tiger on the prowl tonight. Well, here goes nothing. We held hands and walked up the stairs. I locked eyes with Edward, as a smile came across his face when he saw us.

We kept our eyes locked on each other's the entire time I walked toward them. I really don't know how I did not fall over someone or something, but I made it. He stood up and held out his hand toward a couple of chairs, which they had saved for us. The bar looked pretty busy tonight; they had some kind of trivia game going on. Ali leaped across both Edward and me to sit in the spot where he had been sitting. Now she could sit next to who I was really hoping was his brother. I had made it this far so I didn't really care who he was; let her do her thing. Edward sat down on the end, allowing me to sit next to Ali.

"Ladies, I want to introduce you to my brother Jasper," he said, winking at Ali. I knew he could tell what she was doing now.

"Jasper, this is Isabella and her best friend Alice. I expect you to be on your best behavior tonight," he added with a head nod.

That sent Ali right over the edge. I could hear the whispering about showing him what bad behavior really looked like. I had to tune that conversation out if I planned on making it through this date or whatever it was. I turned my focus back to Edward. I knew Ali would do something soon to bring the focus to herself and wouldn't waste time.

"Bella, would you like something to drink?" he asked, while motioning for the bartender to come over. I was a little panicked. I didn't know if he knew my age. I sure as hell didn't want to get carded in front of him and look like a fool. If we were at 'Twilight,' this wouldn't be a problem. Sometimes, I got away with it, sometimes not. As the bartender walked over, Ali came to the rescue, while I was wrapped up in looking at Edward's beautiful face.

"Hmmm, hey baby! How about you get us pretty ladies a couple of Bud Lights and a couple shots of Jager? Add whatever these guys want to the tab and pour yourself one also," she said, leaning over the bar flirting with the bartender. Whatever she did, it worked, no questions asked. I can usually work my magic too. God gave me tits for a reason. However, I wasn't going to do that now!

The night started off slowly. We all talked together about things we liked and disliked. I started to become really relaxed and even started to, dare I say, flirt a little. Ali was pretty much dry humping Jasper, on the bar stool, by this time. We were all having fun.

We played the trivia game that was going on. They asked all kinds of silly questions about TV shows, movies, and music. We really were all having a great time laughing. We would jump up and down screaming, when we knew the right answer. Ali and I excused ourselves to the bathroom because I had been holding it way too long, and we needed a little gossip time.

"I'm done, Alice. I don't know what to do. I really like him, I mean really like him."

"Isabella Marie, go back out there and get your man. He loves you; he just doesn't know it yet," Ali said, while fixing her lip gloss because the gloss she put on earlier was all over Jasper.

"Oh, by the way Bella, don't tell me you're not in love with him. He's your one. You will never love anyone the way you love him," Ali said, as she slipped out the door in front of me. Why does she have to complicate my brain more than it already is? I took in a deep breath, walked back to the bar, and sat back down.

"BELLS!"

I jumped ten feet, right into Edward, of course, when Ali screamed my name. He softly rubbed my arms and laughed. I looked at him, while he smiled at me as I was basically sitting in his lap.

"What the fuck, Alice? I am right here! What is so important?" I asked, returning to my seat. Not that I didn't want to stay in his lap, but I didn't want to go to jail for indecent exposure. I really didn't know what Edward wanted at this point either, and I needed to take things back a notch before I messed everything up.

"It's the Name that Tune part! We are gonna kick ass," Ali screamed, as she stood up in between Jasper's legs. He held onto her hips, looking up at her with wonder, lust, and another emotion I didn't quite recognize.

The first song started to play.

Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come and tell me everything's alright
He'd kiss and tell me everything is alright
Can I get away again tonight?

"Son of A Preacher Man," Ali and I both shouted at the same time, laughing before she even got through singing the verse. I looked over at Edward to make sure he didn't think I was crazy yet. Who the hell knew some little ass song from 1968? I blew it for sure. I was singing the song now. Of course, my crazy personality was starting to come out. That's when Edward leaned forward towards me. I thought he was reaching for his drink, when he starting speaking.

"I would have never thought you to be a Dusty Springfield fan?"

I about fell off the chair. This man was becoming more mesmerizing to me every minute. How the hell did he know who sang that song? I turned to look at Ali, shocked. She and Jasper were singing to each other. He started singing the words softly with me.

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, he was

There were a few more song that played. We guessed and sang along, until my all time favorite song began to play. Ali and I love this song; we sang it all the time. People thought I was nuts. It was such an old song, but nothing compared to the emotions that were felt when she sang it.

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' fer a train
When I's feeling nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
And rode us all the way to New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I's playing soft while Bobby sung the blues, n-yeah
Windshield wipers slapping time I's, holding Bobby's hand in mine and
We sang every song that driver knew

I looked over at Edward and he looked at me. We sang the entire song to each other, word for word all while gazing into each other's eyes.

"Janis too I see," he said, with an eyebrow peaked.

"I love Janis! I have loved her forever. I had to do reports in school, so I did them on her. I even read her book, 'It's Called Love, Janis' There is actually a play in town right now, that is the based on the book. It would be so cool to go see it." I was babbling, drunk, happy, and according to my physic best friend, in love.

"Well, let's go to the play. I love her, too," he said.

"Really?" was all I could get out.

"Yes, it can be our first official date. Especially without those two sucking face over there."

I turned around to look and sure enough, Ali was on top of Jasper. Thank God, they had clothes on because they would be making baby number three right here at the bar. I turned back towards Edward; we both shook our heads and busted out laughing.

We decided to call it a night and started to walk to the parking lot. Edward grabbed my hand, and I felt all the warmth pour through my body again. Since Jasper came with Edward and Ali drove with me, they couldn't go home together tonight, but were busy making plans. Edward walked me over to my truck. I unlocked it and went to get in, but stopped. With every fiber in my body, I held myself back from jumping him.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and turned around. He was looking down at me; his eyes had a look of passion and lust in them. I licked my lips as he started to move closer. His lips had barely touched mine, and I was on fire. The kiss started off slow and gentle. When his tongue slid across my bottom lip, asking for entrance, I granted it. That's when his hands went from my arms to the sides of my face and then into my hair. Our tongues didn't fight for dominance. It was almost as if we were meant to be doing this. If I didn't love him before, as Ali had said, I fell in love with him the second his mouth touched mine.

We broke apart not because we wanted to, but because we needed air. I raised my fingers up to touch my lips. I couldn't believe the way they felt from the kiss we had just shared. Edward looked at me; I couldn't really tell what he was thinking. Just as he was about to kiss me again, we got interrupted.

"Let's go, Bitch! I'm hungry," Ali yelled, hopping into the passenger seat in my truck.

"I have to go."

"I'll see you soon, Bella." He leaned into the truck, kissing me on the forehead, and then he was gone. I let my head fall back against the seat and laughed. I looked over at Ali and shook my head at her. She knew exactly what I was thinking.

"I told you. Psychic, remember bitch," she said, while tapping her head.