AN: The next chapter, and like I promised it's an Edward POV.

Hope you enjoy!

chapter 4 - Getting the confidence

EPOV

'Come on then, Mike.' I muttered. 'let's go to the park.'

Although it was a bit of a drive, I didn't mind doing it for my boy. He didn't really like walking in the city, no… he liked it just fine, I just hated it because the damn dog would want to be pet by every single person we met. Before I would reach the grass where I could let him do his business we'd be an hour on.

I just didn't have the patience for that most days. So I drove to the park out here whenever I could to let Mike get all his pets and plays in and so I could just sit down or take a run or walk around the park. He loved it and that in the end was what mattered most.

I also hoped I would get to see her again. The mystery woman whom I'd met Saturday. I hadn't seen her yesterday, although I made sure to go around the same time I'd been there the day before. I had been kicking myself when she'd left that I hand't asked for her name or her number. She was beautiful and funny. And she obviously cared about dogs. I was intrigued by her and in the brief time we'd talked I'd gotten interested in knowing more. But here I was with no way to contact her.

so I trudged along the park, my hands deep in my pockets as I glanced around looking for any sign of her, or her humongous dog.

I didn't find any.

I was almost back to the car when just around the bend, a large black and white fluffy dog came barreling towards us. Mike froze for a second before barking in glee and setting off towards the charging bull. I grinned and my heart beat faster as I glanced around looking for Jake's owner. The dogs were playing merrily and ran around each other and me, but then they set off away from me and as I followed their trajectory I found my mystery woman.

But elation quickly turned to horror when I saw she was directly in the path of the oncoming freighttrein that was our dogs.

'Watch out!' I yelled hoping she'd have enough time to sidestep.

But she was distracted it seemed.

Her head came up slowly and she looked around before turning back and looking for what was going on. Her eyes widened and time seemed to slow down.

A resigned look overcame her features as she stared at the oncoming dogs. They barrled into her and she fell backwards, her butt hitting the ground first, her arms shooting out to catch herself as she skidded along the path a bit. Then her back hit the ground and finally her head bounced down.

I winced. That couldn't have been good.

I hurried over to her and told to dogs to back off. She was lying motionless on the ground and I feared for a moment she was unconsicious. But as her dog began to growl and snap at me, her voice came out sure and strong and some of my panic eased.

Although I was still staring at the beared teeth of her dog, or was it really a bear? So that was a different kind of panic.

She told Jake to calm down and put her hand in his fur. That seemed to releax him and although his eyes didn't leave me he did allow me to get closer to her. She was slightly dazed and I think a bit confused, which made me worry that she might have a head injury. I'd seen enough injuries to know that she definitely needed to get hers checked out. And although I knew I wasn't a substitute for a real doctor, I did have enough first aid knowledge to help her.

She protested of course. She seemed incredibly reserved but also independent. Like she didn't want to impose on me, even though I offered. Multiple times.

I finally just decided to take her to my car. She didn't seem to weigh anything at all, and I knew I was strong enough to carry her regardless. I swung her up in my arms, being careful not to jostle her too much and set off towards my car. The dogs trotted along beside me, wearily keeping an eye on what was going on.

She protested some more and I simply ignored it. I think she secretly kind of liked that was not letting her get away that easily. But I couldn't be sure. After I refused again to let her down, she huffed adorably and put her arms over her chest. I tried not to focus on how soft she felt or how right she fitted my arms. Her frame was lithe and petite and I could feel the definition of her leg muscles and her arms. She worked out. I could tell.

Then again with a dog that was over twice her weight she probably needed the extra muscle to walk him.

We reached my car and I quickly shifted her a bit to hit the unlock button on the keys of my car. I got it in one and walked over to the boot, waving my foot underneath to trigger the latch opening. I sat her down and quickly started checking her over. The dogs sat down patiently waiting and observing what was happening.

We talked a bit as I cleaned and bandaged her wounds and I was again struck by her. My first impression had not been wrong. She was interesting. And beautiful. a timeless beauty that needed nothing artificial to enhance it. She wore little make up and her hair was natural as it hung down her back in waves.

When we finally introduced ourselves something stireed in the back of my mind. Her name seemed familiar but I couldn't place it. I looked her over carefully, but I was sure I had never met this woman before in my life.

After I'd checked all her injuries and satisfied myself that she was mostly fine, if not a little sore, we fell into a slightly uncomfortable silence. I wanted to ask for her number, or out on a date. But I wasn't sure how to go about it. Before I could work up the courage to do it she suddenly sprang from the car.

'Thanks for helping me out.' she said, not meeting my gaze. 'but I have to get going again. It's been nice meeting you.'

Before I could react she'd had Jake's lead on him and was leading him away. 'see you around.' She said over her shoulder, but she quickly rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.

'Fuck.' I muttered, gripping a hand in my hair. Mike stared up at me. 'yeah, I know… I chickened out okay?'

I sighed deeply then released it in one go. This woman was going to make this hard. I had her name, but that still wouldn't get me very far. I didn't even know her last name!

The only thing I could do was just wait for another chance at the dog park. I sighed and loaded Mike back into the car and set off back home again.

'God damn it.' I muttered as I glanced at the time. I'd promised my mother I'd go over for dinner tonight. I quickly took a different exit and hurried to my parent's house.

When I pulled up, I spotted my sister's car already parked.

'we're gonna get it now, boy.' I muttered to Mike as I sighed and quickly got out. I was half an hour late. I hadn't realized it had taken that long to help Bella.

I quickly went to the door and rang the bell, before letting myself in with my key. I always rang the bell to announce myself, as a courtesy.

Mike barreled through the door as soon as I had it open and there were gleeful sounds from inside.

I quickly followed him after closing the door behind me. 'Sorry I'm late.' I said stepping into the living room.

My mother was busy petting Mike and just shrugged. But my father gave me a stern look.'Six means six, Edward.' He said gravely. But then cracked a smile.

'Yeah, I know dad.' I said smilng back.

Alice sat on the couch with a smile on her face. 'so why were you late?' she asked.

I sighed, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to say anything about Bella yet. 'I was a the dogpark, I didn't realize it was this late already.' I settled on a half truth.

'Did you have a good time?' my mother asked, more to the dog than to me.

I answered anyway. 'yeah, it was fun. He ran around like a maniac, chasing the other dogs.

'good.' She smiled.

Then she headed into the dining room. We all trailed after. I quickly slipped past into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl for Mike and filled it with some kibble. For this reason we kept a bag of his food here as well.

'Thanks for waiting on me.' I told my mother sincerely. I honestly didn't like being late.

She waved me off. 'We don't mind, Edward. You're never late. Your father was just playing around.'

I smiled and nodded. Then gave Mike his food before helping mom bring out the food.

We sat down again and started dinner. Talk flowed between all of us about what was going on. We usually had dinner together once a week to catch each other up on our lives. Alice was busy with her fashion boutique. She'd recently graduated and opened up her own store. She was busy designing a new line and talked animatedly about some new fabrics she'd received. I was barely listening. Neither was dad, juding by the look on his face. But we hummed and hawed at the appropriate times to encourage her. Mom was designing for a newly wed couple that had just purchased a new home. She gushed about hwo happy they looked and how the house was ready for a new baby.

Then she gazed meaningfully at both Alice and I. we both winced.

'Now Esme, you know they're still too young for anything like that.' Dad interjected.

'Too young for children, perhaps. But not to settle down. Edward's turning 27 this year. Alice will be 23 before we know it.'

'Times are different now mom, not everyone marries right out of college' I reminded her.

I wasn't sure if I was ready yet to settle down. Not that I'd been extravagant in my dealings with women. But I'd dated around a fair bit.

'And 23 is not old enough to settle down. I've barely had any time to enjoy myself.' Alice said.

I pulled a face at that. I did not want to think about alice sleeping around.

'So dad, how's work?' I quickly changed the subject as mom opened her mouth to argue with me and alice.

'Oh, Carlisle tell them the good news!' she gushed suddenly, all talk of settling down forgotten.

'Yes, I spoke to Paul LaPote today.'

My mouth dropped open. 'Really?'

He nodded. 'it seems they want me on retainer as their orthopedic surgeon. An exclusive contract.'

'Not with the hospital but with you directly?' I asked incredulous.

He nodded, a wide smile on his face.

'Dad that's amazing! I've never heard of something like that.'

'Apparently I came highly recommended.' He said winking at me.

I smiled and shook my head. 'I only mentioned in passing that you were available for a contract. I didn't think he'd actually listen. Usually his stick is so far up his ass that he can't hear anyone but himself.' I finished darkly.

Paul was knowledgeable about what he did. But he was also an absolute dickhead. We didn't really get along well.

'When do you start training again?' mom asked.

'In the next week. So we'll see each other around at the park.' I said smiling at dad. He nodded. 'but everything's still a bit up in the air because Mr Swan is doing worse.'

Dad sighed heavily. 'I heard. Stage four lung cancer. It isn't pretty.'

'No, we visited him a couple of days ago. He's looking rough.'

'Are they still treating?'

I shrugged. 'I'm not sure. He was on pain medication and he had an IV and the works. But they won't really tell us anything else, you know… privacy reasons.'

Carlisle nodded understandingly.

'His poor daughter.' Mom sighed.

'He has a daughter?' alice asked curiously.

'Yes, she's about your age I think. She's already lost her mother, and now with her father being sick… she's had a lot to endure already.'

'Have you met her, Edward?' dad asked.

I shook my head. 'she's not been in the park I think. I don't even know if she's involved in the business.'

Dad shrugged and we dropped the subject, talking about lighter topics for the rest of the night.

It was nearing eleven when I finally left again, saying bye to mome and dad and ruffling Alice's hair, earning a slap to my chest. I gathered up Mike and we headed back home.

My thoughts were a whirlwind, worried about Mr Swan, the furuture of the baseball team, my role in it, the troubling life of Mr swan's daughter and last but not least, the face of Bella swam through my mind on repeat. I really hoped I was going to find her again and this time I was going to ask for her number.