A/N: Some of you were understandably frustrated at Bella after the last chapter. Im not sure she's going to redeem herself just yet… Have patience, dear readers - she is on a journey and needs to learn some life lessons!

I can't believe this is Chapter 25 - I'd only planned to write about 12 when I started! Thanks for all your continued support & 'welcome' to any new readers.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.

Chapter 25

Bella flew into her apartment in a whirlwind of mixed emotions. The butterflies of nerves, excitement and – she was just going to admit it – lust were fluttering around inside her stomach at the thought of her date with Jacob. But guilt was also lurking there as well, like a big, pulsating chrysalis just waiting to burst out of its cocoon. She tried to ignore it. Like Alice had said, it was only a date. And Edward was just a friend. Who you wish was more than a friend, her sub-conscious helpfully reminded her. She told it to shut up.

Jacob had wasted no time in asking her out. He must have texted her while he was on his way home. She'd agreed to meet him for dinner on Saturday evening. That would give Alice a couple of days to pick out an outfit for her. She knew anything less than that and her friend would freak out.

Whether it was her impending date with Jacob or her blossoming friendship with Edward, Bella couldn't help feeling she'd started a new chapter in her life. While she was still fearful of letting someone into her life the way she had done with Mike, she felt like she could confidently close the door on all the heartache and hurt. For the first time in ages, she felt the urge to start working on her photo blog again. She'd taken nothing but the calendar shots since she'd started the Eclipse job and she had an overwhelming urge to photograph something other than naked male flesh, as strange as that may be.

Smiling to herself, Bella booted up her laptop and logged onto her blog page. The comments on her pictures had built up since she'd last looked at it, so she absent-mindedly scrolled through them. She sat up straight as one comment – or rather, one commenter – in particular jumped out at her. ECullen. The post was dated a couple of weeks before the Eclipse shoot had started, and presumably before Edward knew he'd landed the role of her assistant.

It read: "Bella Swan, you are incredible. Your photos make my life. It's like you can see inside my heart and then take pictures of all the beautiful things you know will make it beat."

Bella found herself a little overcome by the passion in Edward's words. He sure hadn't lied about being a fan. She knew if she'd read the comment when 'ECullen' was still a stranger she would have been flattered. But reading it now she knew Edward as a friend, she was truly moved. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat and typed a hasty reply, wondering if Edward would ever read it.

She didn't have to wonder for long. Within minutes, Edward had replied to her comment. "OMG, I can't believe you read that! *facepalm* I can't deny it though. Please tell me this means you're blogging again?"

Bella typed: "I'm thinking about it. I'm not sure my recent photos will be suitable though… LOL."

She barely had time to refresh the page before Edward's reply appeared: "Then let's get you out to take some new pictures. How about I take you to Colombia Park on Saturday afternoon? The trees look so stunning this time of year. We'll get some amazing shots. What do you say?"

Bella hesitated. Her dinner with Jacob was on Saturday evening. Screw it. She'd have time to do both. Her fingers flew over the keyboard. "OK, it's a date!" If only it really was, she thought wistfully.

oOoOo

Edward was looking a lot smarter than usual as he stood up from the park bench where he'd been waiting for Bella. He was dressed in a pale grey peacoat with a blue shirt underneath. Winter colours, thought Bella. Is he trying to look cool? But Edward's ruffled bronze hair and the flecks of gold in his eyes were more suited to the fall scenery, and betrayed the true warmth of his personality. Bella couldn't help a smile creeping across her face as she approached him.

"Well, someone's dressed to impress," she teased.

"I thought I'd better make the effort," grinned Edward. "Besides, all my t-shirts are in the laundry."

"And there was me thinking I was special." Edward laughed, but Bella thought she caught a hint of something in his eyes; a recognition of truth in her joke. She felt her cheeks glow in the chill autumn air. "Oh, here – I brought you something." Bella reached into her bag and pulled out the book she'd carefully picked out that morning at Barnes & Noble.

Edward read the title aloud. "Photos That Changed The World. Oh my god, Bella, thank you. Thank you so much. Wow, this looks amazing. What have I done to deserve this?" He look baffled, but pleased.

"Okay, it sounds kind of corny but… you've sort of changed my world, Edward. At least, you've changed the way I look at it. I mean, I was miserable, just wallowing in self-pity over Mike, and… well, your friendship has really helped me through that." Bella took a deep breath, glad she'd managed to get the words out without stumbling too much.

"Never underestimate the power of Dirty Scrabble," he grinned and Bella laughed, relieved at his attempt to lighten the heavy emotion of her little speech. "Really, thank you, Bella. This means a lot."

"Yeah, well… don't mention it." She tried to change the subject. "So you were right about this place, Edward. It's so beautiful. I can't wait to take some photos."

"Then what are we standing around talking for? Let's get started." He pushed his glasses back up his nose and pulled his new camera from his bag. Bella found herself marvelling again at the strong line of his jaw. He looked freshly shaved. She wondered what his smooth skin would feel like under her fingers.

They strolled down the winding path to a large duck pond, where a mother was feeding the ducks with her two small children, protected from the cold by oversized bobble hats and mittens. Bella and Edward stopped to watch a pair of swans gliding gracefully around a paddling of ducks fighting over the scraps of bread. Bella eagerly tried to capture the scene on camera.

"You know swans mate for life," said Edward. "That's why you always see two of them together."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"People argue against monogamy in humans, saying that animals don't stick to one partner so why should we? But swans are the natural world's way of saying that true love does exist." He looked searchingly at Bella.

"That's so sweet, Edward. But I'm kind of glad it's not true of humans though. Otherwise I'd be stuck with Mike Newton for the rest of my life." She half-laughed, pleasantly surprised she was now starting to see the funny side of what had been a living nightmare over the past few months.

Edward smiled fondly at her. "This is true. Bella, I'm glad you seem to be getting over all of that now. He sounds like he was such an asshole. It was breaking my heart to see you still hurting over him."

"I think Mike showing up again just gave me the closure I needed. It was so tough but I feel like I've turned a corner." She watched as the swans swam serenely past where they were standing. "I'm ready to move on with my life, you know?"

"That's great, Bella. Really, you don't know how pleased I am to hear it." Edward looked down at her with those intense golden eyes and she daringly held on to his gaze, her heart pounding with every second. It wasn't the first time Edward had looked at her like this. But while previously she'd been unsure whether they were sharing a 'moment,' there was no doubt in Bella's mind this time. Something special was passing between them.

"Hey Edward!" Edward turned around at the sound of his name, the sudden movement breaking the fragile spell that had been cast over them.

"Waylan," he grinned. "Good to see you, man. How are you keeping?" Bella looked past Edward to see a scruffy-looking old man dressed in a battered coat and woollen hat with a hole in it. Edward reached out to shake his hand.

"You here to take my photo again?" Waylan asked, scratching the grey stubble on his chin.

"Not today, Waylan. I'm just out with my friend Bella to take some pictures of the park," Edward smiled.

"Nice to meet you," said Bella.

"The pleasure's all mine. I can see why Edward here would rather be taking pictures of a pretty girl like you instead of my ugly mug," he chuckled, low and throaty. "Say, why don't I take a picture of you both? You make such a handsome couple. I'm sure I can figure out how to work one these new-fangled cameras."

"Okay, sure, why not?" said Edward, handing over his camera. He stepped back and put his arm around Bella's shoulder, leaning down to speak quietly to her. Goosebumps exploded on her neck as his warm breath tickled her ear. "So how does it feel to be on this side of the camera for a change?"

"Uncomfortable. I hate having my photo taken."

"Just play nice and say cheese." Edward pulled her closer in a playful squeeze.

Click.

"Oh, I think that's a good one," Waylan called out. "Let's take one more for luck. Edward, why don't you give your girlfriend a kiss in this one?"

"Oh, she's not…"

"I think you should do what the man says, Edward," smirked Bella. She giggled as Edward nervously fixed his glasses and lowered his head to kiss her lightly on the cheek. Her breath quickened and her body tingled all over. Given the excitement of some of her recent sexploits, she couldn't believe something as chaste as an old-fashioned peck could have such an effect on her. While she usually hated smiling for photos, Bella knew she'd have a big, goofy grin on her face in this one.

Waylan passed the camera back to Edward, who thanked him profusely and asked Bella if she wanted to see the shots. "No, thanks. I'll wait until you've photoshopped me to look better," she replied.

"Not possible," said Edward, with a twinkle in his eye.

oOoOo

"God, I'm starved," said Bella. They'd walked for what felt like miles all afternoon and she'd really worked up an appetite.

"Well, why don't you come back to my place for something to eat? I'm a pretty terrible cook but we could get take-out. That's probably the safest option." Edward laughed.

"Oh, er, take-out sounds great, but I already have plans for dinner this evening." She looked at her watch. "In fact, I should really get going or I'll be late. I've had such a great afternoon, I'd totally lost track of the time." A look fell across Edward's face like a wounded puppy, and Bella could almost see his facial muscles working to hide it from her as soon as he realised. She couldn't help but take a perverse pleasure in his obvious disappointment, but at the same time the guilt gnawing away at her stomach was almost too much to bear. She prayed he didn't ask her the obvious question.

"So who's the lucky guy?" He did. "Or is it just a girls' night out?" He couldn't disguise the hope in his voice.

"Actually… it's with Jacob. The model from the other day." Bella let the awkward silence that followed stretch out between them like a barren wasteland. I should have lied, she thought to herself, knowing full well she could never tell Edward anything but the truth. He didn't deserve any less. "It's kind of a date."

Edward shoved his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath, looking down at the floor where he scuffed his feet. He let out something like a laugh, but Bella knew there was no mirth there. "I'm such a fucking idiot," he muttered, shaking his head. Bella wanted to say something, wanted to comfort and reassure him, but the words wouldn't come. Edward looked out across the park, then turned his gaze on Bella, his golden eyes flinty with hurt and anger.

"Bella. I thought this was a date."

He spun on his heel and started walking away from her without another word, his shoulders hunched and his head hanging low. Bella stood there like a dumb fool, frozen to the spot, guilt and confusion wrapped around her like shackles. She knew she should call out to him. She wanted desperately to tell him how she felt. But she was terrified of what that would mean, of how that would change things. Her tongue was tied by fear. All she could do was watch as the bronze of his hair faded into to the autumn palette of the dying leaves.

A/N: A bittersweet chapter, but I hope you liked it. Let me know in a review. :)

'Photos That Changed The World' by Peter Stepan is available from all good book stores.

Thanks & love, Poppy xx