"Rose! I'm here and I brought a shit ton of pizza!" It had been a rough week, I needed to vent and to get somewhat tipsy. I needed to talk to someone impartial. Well, almost impartial.

I put the pizza's on her kitchen bench and put the oven on low. I then put the pizza's in the oven for constant heat as per routine when I heard the delayed answer:

"I'm in the living room!" Wondering what exactly put the giggles in her voice I went in. And then promptly stopped in the doorway.

"You know if I'm interrupting anything I can take the food and be gone Blondie." I crossed my arms and smirked as I took in the scene. Pillows everywhere. A naked Emmett laying on the too short couch, arms crossed behind his head and with a blanket covering his hips while looking at Rose with a begging look. Rose standing with messy just-had-sex-hair, glaring down at Emmett while trying not to smile. And failing. Oh, and with her shirt inside out.

"You're not interrupting anything B, He was just getting ready to leave." Her hand landed on her hips, giving her a stern look.

"I can see that. I'm guessing he arrived in only a trenchcoat then?" I wiggled my eyebrows at Rose to soften the tone of sarcasm I had going on.

"Yep, and he will be kicked out without one if he doesn't get his cute butt dressed pronto." She glared at him again. He smiled.

"But babe, I'm soooo comfortable here and Sugar over there said pizza!" He whined and buried himself deeper into the couch.

"Pronto. Or else I and B will be forced to change your anatomy to fit in with our girls night." One raised eyebrow in challenge made Emmett shot up of the couch and hug Rose around the waist saying "No, no, I'm going, no need for anything drastic." And in the process dropping the blanket. I flinched and realized that I didn't agree with Rose on the 'cute butt' assessment.

"For fucks sake Emmett! I did not need to see your hairy ass!" I covered my eyes with my hands.

"But aren't you better off with the experience of such a prime example?" He then wiggled his ass at me making me gag and Rose laugh. Then she preceded to suck his face off. Then they got handsy. I had had enough.

"I'm way to sober to watch you two have sex, so come when you're done." At my words Rose jumped away from Emmett. I turned and left when I heard a smug:

"Oh, she'll come alright."

Smack.

"Ow! Rose! Why do people always hit me?!"

"Because you deserve it!" Came the simultaneous answer from me and Rose. She entered the kitchen and gave me a high five.

"We've still got it." She said. We grinned. I handed her a glass of white wine. Emmett walked into the kitchen fully dressed and kissed Rose on the cheek.

"Alright ladies I'll leave you alone, call me if you need anything babe." With a wave and a longing look he walked out and drove off.

"I'm sorry 'bout him, B." Rose said with a rueful smile.

"No you're not, you love him Rose." Her eyes flicked from the edge of her glass to mine, full with emotion.

"I really do B, I really do."

"Does he feel the same?" He must- otherwise he wouldn't be able to make Rose smile like that, but I wanted her to confirm it.

"He has, in fact he told me this morning. He loves me too." I clinked my glass against hers.

"Good work Blondie. I'm proud of you." As far as I could recall, Emmett was the first person to really break the wall around Rose, being persistent enough to show her that he wouldn't run and she had trusted him. It was big. A quiet "I know." left my best friend, and being keen to break the tension and emotion currently filling the room I said:

"So, Pizza?"

After a few hours we moved from the kitchen to the living room, changed from wine to tea and from pizza to a giant candy bag that Rose had bought. It was time to start the explanation I'd promised.

"You remember that weekend a fortnight ago?" I began cautiously.

"You mean the weekend when you did some weird flip-over thing to Emmett and then apparently knew all of the Cullen's, killed a dude and exposed yourself as a part-time assassin plus verbally fought with Edward, making him turn to one of the biggest assholes I've ever seen? That weekend?" Raised eyebrow.

"Ha, yes that weekend." I curled up against the armrest of the couch, mentally preparing myself.

"I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you, but it was not the most relevant thing when" At Rose's angry stare I backtracked. "No, it's important to know that I was trained as an assassin- yes. But at the time I met you it wasn't the focus I had, I had just started up the shop and I was totally focused on that, however, I will understand completely if you never want to talk to me after this."

She nodded for me to continue.

"When I was younger me and my parents were good friends with the Cullen's and then when my mother died, both me and my father withdrew from them mainly because of all the memories. We used to do everything together. And the reason for that is that my dad and Carlisle used to..." I stopped myself. What if Rose didn't know?

"Rose do you know what Emmett works with?" I really fucking hope that she does.

"If he's told me about The Notorious Cullen Mafiosos? Yes, yes he has."

"Oh thank god, it'll make this so much easier."

"Good, so you were saying?" By now Rose had leaned forward, unconsciously showing me her interest in my story.

"Okay, my dad and Carlisle knew each other because they worked together- more specifically, my dad worked as Carlisle's hitman or assassin if you will. He and my mom was known as La Sorte- one of the best taskmasters of their era. The thing is tho, I told you that my mom died, but I never told you how. She was murdered. And that really put a halt to our friendship with the Cullen's since they were so desperately intertwined with my parents and their work. By then my mom and dad had already trained me to some extent..." A gasp cut me off.

"Weren't you, like, eight when your mom died?" Said a very doubtful Rose.

"Yes, but they had only trained me in things that could be vital for my survival if something happened to them. For example acrobatics or pick pocketing or how to be invisible. I didn't start training fighting skills until I was 13. And then I started to help my father with some missions that involved two people or called for absolute stealth. Then at 17 as you know I moved to Italy and there got an aptitude for poisons. Since I came back I've been planning and starting up my bakery and only helped my father sporadically. Last weekend was my first mission in almost 2 years." I finished, anxiously waiting on Rose's reaction, because at the moment she just looked stunned.

"Wow, still that's kind of incredible B. Shit." She looked shocked- eyes wide and jaw dropped. I don't blame her. So I did the only thing I could think of.

"Refill?" I said pointing at our empty tea mugs. It would give her some time to process my words on her own. With a "Yes please." I left the room.

"Bella?" Rose said after I returned with our tea.

"Yes?" I prepared myself for rejection or at least some very difficult questions.

"You explained everything except why Edward treated you like shit. So why did he?"

"Well, that I don't know- but I have this theory that he felt threatened by me knowing all of his family and him not knowing me. Because Edward was a family member that I almost never met when we were younger."

"No, yes I buy that explanation. What I meant is why is he being such a asshole towards you when, at the same time, every time you turn away he looks at you like he is a starving man and you are food? Like you are his salvation?"

I promptly blushed.

"He does?"

"Yes, B he does." She looked at me imploringly. "Are you two together?"

"No! Yes... Maybe?" I hesitated.

"Explain Bella."

"I saw him twice before that weekend. We didn't talk, just watched each other but still, there was such an current off attraction in the air and after being a dick that Sunday he came to the bakery and apologized and things happened..."

"Bella." A stare that implored me to tell all.

"We kissed. But not a usual kiss, it was electricity, it was fire- it was all consuming and..." I could feel my blush and I knew I was rambling, but I simply couldn't help it.

"Then why are you so unsure?"

"Because this weekend he gave" A sharp inhale from Rose gave me pause.

"This weekend Tanya happened! How the hell could you stand her climbing all over Edward if you two are together? And why have you not maimed him yet?!"

"Because a blind man could see that Tanya is delusional! But he is coming over tomorrow to talk. I need to know where we stand and in that case if he wants to tell everyone soon."

"He disappeared with that bitch for a long time as well! Bella do you need help with some reconstruction?" She asked.

"I thank you for the support, and I'll let you know after tomorrow." I winked to disguise all the emotion that wanted to break through at the knowledge that I had Rose's support no matter what I decided to do.

"But thank you Rose I desperately needed to vent." I hugged her.

"Anytime. Now go home it's late." A mock stern looking Rose pointed towards the door.

"If you say so!" I saluted and threw her a kiss as I walked through the door.

One awkward conversation done. One to go.

Back and forth. Back and forth. Circling the table, round the couch and back to the kitchen counter.

When is he going to be here?

Why did I not say a specific time?

Breakfast could be anywhere between 7 and 11 am! Fuck it.

I had come home from Rose's and thrown myself on the bed, falling asleep. I however woke up 2 hours later. Barely rested. And since then I had worked out, sketched some on future wedding cakes and paced the length of my house. Twice.

Shit.

I tried to persuade myself that it was just another person, just Edward. Which was my problem. Edward.

I needed to not think about him. So I did something I could do in my sleep. I baked.

Scones, muffins, cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies- everything I could think of that did not require special ingredients and that was somewhat freezable. I also per habit turned my music up loud. So loud that I almost missed the sound of a car entering my driveway. I quickly turned down the music to a conversation friendly level and took off my apron, smoothing down my hair and beating myself up for caring that much.

At the knock I went to the door and opened. He looked rugged, with messy hair and only wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans. He had bags under his eyes- as if he hadn't slept properly in several nights either.

"Hi Bella." His voice sounded like gravel- making my insides melt.

"Hi. Come in." I gestured him inside and pointed in the direction of the kitchen. I had to rein in my every impulse to touch him. He seemed to be thinking of something, because instead of going into the kitchen he just stood and watched me. Looking as if he tried to read my thoughts and being frustrated and mournful that he couldn't. I couldn't take it. I grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen. Relishing the small physical contact.

"Do you want coffee?" I broke the silence.

"Yes please." Came the quiet reply. I hated the stiffness of our interactions. We had never been this cold against each other. Irritated- yes. Passionate- definitely. Awkward- never. I turned away to make the coffee with slow movements. I didn't want to have him out of sight. With my back turned I tried to find something to say to break the tension, when I felt two big strong arms encircle my waist and a head leaning on my shoulder. I released a sigh. This felt right.

"You are an utter mystery Isabella Swan." Edward whispered to my neck, giving me goosebumps. I relaxed against him.

"I am?" A question, in my own mind I was a very simple person.

"Mm, I am good at what I do because I can read people. I know their soft spots and how to break them down. I know their intentions and wants. I know why they've come to me and want my help in the first 5 minutes of meeting them. You? When I think I got your character covered and figured out- you change it completely. It's frustrating and enticing and mysterious and desirable and irritating and alluring and..." He had started pressing slow kisses from my neck to my bare shoulder in between words and moved his hands over my waist and stomach in a caress.

"And?" I put my hands over his, stilling them and securing them to me.

"And," a slight pause and a kiss to my cheek. "Absolutely enchanting." I sighed and turned in his arms, needing to see him.

Devotion, adoration and hopefulness was swirling in his dark emerald eyes. I put my hands on his neck, caressing his stubble covered jaw with my thumbs. He leaned down and touched his forehead to mine, arms still firmly in place around me. I closed my eyes and voiced my fears.

"It's... It's to soon to feel like this. It's not rational. I've known you for two weeks. And I..." I shook my head and moved my hands from his neck to his back, mirroring his embrace.

"It's not rational. I shouldn't feel like this." He sighed and moved one hand to tilt my head up. I opened my eyes.

"What do you feel Bella?" He said roughly, choked up. He looked at me with a soft imploring gaze. Caressing my jaw as if he needed to convince himself that I was real.

"I... You are everything Edward. All that matters and I feel like I would and could walk through fire for you, despite how cliché that sounds and I have never ever felt..."

Before I could finish the sentence I was attacked. Soft lips insistent on mine, stroking and nipping. Full of feeling and questions. He grasped me tighter against him, hands roaming. I ran my fingers thru his hair, tugging and earning a growl that made my stomach flutter. He gently bit my bottom lip, opening my mouth and I met his tongue with mine, heightening all the sensations and making me hungry for more.

I hooked my leg over his hips- bringing us closer together. His hands went to my ass grasping and lifting me onto the counter behind me. After a while our roaming became slow caresses, our kisses went from frantic and needy to short sweet, reassuring ones. Loving ones.

I pecked his lips one last time and then slowly opened my eyes, feeling dazed. I looked directly into Edward's eyes and he looked the same as I felt. Dazed, adoring and loving- although I was not ready to confess the latter of those emotions. Being overwhelmed I put my head on his shoulder and started shaking with silent laughter. I couldn't keep the giggles away for long though.

"What?" I heard Edward's soft voice and felt his smile against my hair.

"This is not rational or logical, it doesn't make sense and is probably the completely wrong way of doing things but..." I raised my head to look at him, still with a smile gracing my lips.

"But it feels right, doesn't it?" He finished my sentence, mirroring my smile and looking completely at ease. My smile turned even brighter.

"Completely."

"When did you have time to make all of this?" Edward said astonished.

After acknowledging the fact that he was indeed hungry, we finally had breakfast. Well Edward did, I swear his appetite rivaled Emmett's.

"I didn't exactly get much sleep last night..." His smiling face turned serious at my admission.

"I didn't either. Not for the entire week honestly." He said. It was time to talk.

"I'm sorry if I was the cause of that. I just needed time to mull things over. I didn't realize that it would affect you so much."

"Of course I was affected. I thought that you had changed your mind about me and that I had lost my chance with you. Especially after what happened at dinner last week." I walked up to him and put my arms around his shoulders.

"Sorry for not telling you that I needed to be by myself. However I'm not sorry for doing it. And I still have some questions about Tanya." He looked apprehensive and a bit fearful at my sharp tone.

"Ask away." I sat back down on my chair and cradled my teacup.

"Who is she to you? Fiancée? Leech? Casual acquaintances?" I said it with a voice that was laced with sarcasm. I took a small delight in his flinch at the word "Fiancée."

"I...Hm, she...I..." He hesitated. I got suspicious, if he couldn't come clean now, I don't know what I would do.

"She what? Is it true?" I snapped.

"NO! No." Came the panicked response. I put down the teacup and crossed my arms.

"Then what? What is making you hesitate?" A raised eyebrow. He rubbed his hand across his face before answering.

"I, it's... I'm ashamed about it Bella. The fact that I ever considered her dateable is disgusting to me now, I'm..." He took my hands in his enveloping them and looked into my eyes- begging to be understood.

"I was a very different man then opposed to what I am now and that is the only way Tanya Denali has ever done me good. She showed me what a complete dick I was being choosing girls like her. Thinking nothing about what I could do for them and only what they could do for me. But she was by far the worst of the lot."

He now locked his gaze at our intertwined hands. He let out a self depriving laugh.

"What we did can't possible even count as dating. We met and released some tension..." I was not taking the sugarcoating.

"You met up and had sex." He glanced up in my eyes again.

"Yes, we did, if you can call it that- I got rid of frustration and didn't think more of it. Anyway, that went on for about two months before she got delusional and started introducing herself as my girlfriend and then as my fiancée to get special access to parties and shows and the like. I always disputed the claims and after about a month of constant phone calls, texts and exploitation I had had more than enough and called the whole mess off. Tanya left soon thereafter for her vacation with her mother- most likely licking their wounds and I thought she had gotten the memo. Last week was the first time I've seen her in 7 months."

"And now she's back to calling herself your fiancée again?"

"Yes, please believe me when I say that I want absolutely nothing to do with that sorry excuse for a human being! Not now or ever again. When I told Mom and Alice they basically tackled me with joy."

"Sounds like them. Crazy bitch." I thought out loud. I then focused on Edward again. He smiled a genuinely happy smile at me.

"I hope that means you believe me?"

"Edward I saw how uncomfortable you were last week, and how fake she was... But why did you leave the room with her? Especially if she is so disgusting to you?"

"I'm so sorry for that, but I was trying to get her to leave. But she was persistent and was... Ehm, she tried to..." I watched his hesitation and weird gesticulation with confusion before the penny dropped.

"She groped you!?" I jumped out of my seat. That whorish slut! Groping my Man! Next time I see her I will not answer for the consequences. I swear I will... I stopped my internal ranting when Edward's hand gently gripped my forearm- apparently I had started pacing.

"Bella. Nothing happened." I took a deep breath and sat down.

"Okay, sorry. Continue."

"I fended her off and was about to throw her out when I saw you leaving and forgot myself. I had to say goodbye, but of course, Tanya was in my way. So I might have locked her in a closet. I might have done that. Might."

He looked sheepish. I forgot my ire and laughed. Laughed like I haven't laughed in what felt like a long time. Stomach aching, gut bursting laughter. I had to bend over to breath and almost hit the floor.

"Ha! You... You... The infamous, hah, infamous mafioso... Edward Cullen, locked his stalking ex in the closet?! Ha!" He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, hardy har har. Hilarious." I could feel the sarcasm rolling off of him.

"It really is! But sorry for the mental abuse she put you thru." I said jokingly as I pecked him softly on the lips, calming his indignation.

"I think you need to give me another one of those to make up for it."

"Very well then." I gave him a long intense kiss, pulling back to soon for my own liking and I'm guessing his since he followed my lips back.

"Not enough, I still feel scarred." He said with an adorable pout.

"Oh poor you." I got close enough that I could feel his breath on my lips- but I never closed the distance. I pulled away quickly to see a disgruntled face.

"Not fair. You tease." His hands went to my waist.

"Yes, absolutely." If I had the opportunity to actually tease, I took it. He laughed at my response.

"But seriously, what are we? What should we do?" I needed clarity.

"I know that I want you to be my woman. Mine and mine alone. And I think that the first thing you should do is kiss me and then we should tell the family, because if Alice find out in some other way I am certain I will lose my head." I smiled at the jovial way he said it. I leaned in closer and whispered in his ear.

"The first thing is easily done, considering that I've mentally referred to you as 'My man' for about a week now-" His arms tightened around me. "- and I kind of like you in one piece, so we should tell them soon." I leaned back to see his expression- it was elated, joyous and reassuring, it was loving. I realized that there was only one thing left to do.

I kissed him.