I wake up with Ulysses against my back and my face pressed into Edward's chest. It's the most amazing way to wake up. Suddenly, his watch alarm goes off, and I look as he opens his beautiful green eyes. He smiles when he sees me.

"Good morning, gorgeous."

"Mornin', handsome. How'd you sleep?"

"Blissfully with you by my side. You?"

"Same. Do you work today?"

He nods. "Unfortunately. I'd rather spend the day in bed with you."

"Me too, but duty calls. I have an hour before I need to be at the station."

"Same for me and the hospital. An hour is a long time, you know." He winks and pulls me on top of him. "Let's start the day right."

He doesn't disappoint. I ride him until we both come, and then lie against his chest, still connected to him, for a few extra minutes. Unfortunately, life is going on around me, and we do need to get up. We have a cup of coffee together, and then part ways with a deep kiss.

I put on jeans and a flannel, then my gun belt, and head out. I stop and get bagels for the guys, which they pounce on when I arrive. I steal one everything bagel for myself, and then head into my office, going over paperwork.

Mike Newton is in the drunk tank after getting plastered and screaming all down Main Street. So, I go and let him out first.

"You gotta stop this, Newton," I say, unlocking the holding cell. "This time, it's drunk and disorderly. Next time, you could hurt someone or get yourself killed."

"I know, Chief. I'm really sorry."

I shake my head. "Go to rehab. Get cleaned up. You have a son who needs you."

"I-I don't know where to start."

"I can help with that. But you have to commit."

He cries. "I'm so tired of living this way."

"Come on into my office. We'll make some calls and find you a bed."

He sniffles and nods, following me. I spend the morning making calls and, eventually, find him a bed at a center about an hour away. I volunteer to drive him, but first, we stop by his place so he can pack a bag.

He's quiet on the drive until he whispers a question. "What if this doesn't work?"

"It's on you to make it work, Mike. I know you're more than your disease. It's time to show the real you. We're almost there."

I pull up to the residential treatment center, which is just a large house in the woods. He's hesitant to get out, but I remind him about his son, and he slides out and shuts the door. I hand him his bag and walk him to the front door where we're greeted instantly by a counselor.

"We've been expecting you, Mr. Newton," she says.

"I'm going to leave, but you're in good hands, Mike. I put my phone number in the front pocket of your bag if you need to talk.

He nods. "Thanks, Chief. For everything."

I smile and pat his shoulder before getting back in my SUV and making the drive back to town. I'm hopeful for Mike. He's lost everything—his job, his home, his wife. He stays in a studio apartment above Bert's and sees his kid maybe once every other weekend. It's a sad situation, but if he gets clean, maybe he can turn it around.

I'm still on duty, but I don't want to go back to the station yet, so I park my car where Main Street ends and turns into a highway. I get three drivers from my covert spot and ticket them all for speeding. I decide that's enough and head back to the station.

There are no fires to put out, which is nice. Eric has three teenagers at his desk, and he's lecturing them about smashing pumpkins on people's doorsteps. Other than that, the station is fairly empty with most of my deputies out on the streets.

I work on some paperwork until around four, and then call it a day. On my way home, I stop to grab another bottle of rum and a decent-looking wine. Rosalie will be in town eventually, so I want to make sure I'm stocked up for her.

I'm home before Edward and take the time to clean up my house and start dinner—chicken cordon bleu. I change into black sweatpants and a hoodie, pulling my hair into a messy bun. Ulysses begs for a treat, so I give him a few crunchies. Eventually, I hear Edward's car pull up and wonder if he'll come over. I peek through the blinds and watch him walk this way, so I quickly go and open the door for him.

He's wearing green scrubs with a black fleece jacket, looking fine as hell.

"Hello, lovely girl." He dips his head and captures my lips. "How was your day?"

He follows me inside, and I say, "It was all right. I finally convinced Newton to go to rehab, and then I pulled a couple people over for speeding. How about you?"

"Not bad. Nothing too crazy. That's good to hear about Newton. I've had him in my ER too many times for alcohol poisoning. What smells so good?"

We step into the kitchen, and I open the oven, checking on my chicken. "Chicken cordon bleu, and it's almost done."

"Oh, that sounds great."

"It's one of my favorite dishes."

I give the chicken another five minutes, and then pull it out, plating two of them for us and putting them on the island. We eat in comfortable silence, and Edward compliments me a few times.

"What are you doing for Thanksgiving?" he asks.

"Probably working. Why?"

"Because I want to invite you to my parents' house. Now that you've met my sister, and we're not enemies anymore, my mom is dying to meet you. It's too soon, isn't it? Forget I asked."

I shake my head. "No, I … I'd love to meet your family, and I mean, it's still a month away, so I don't think it's too soon. I can get off work."

He grins. "Great. They'll be thrilled."

After dinner, I remind Edward about the stitches in my side, and he looks them over, declaring it's time for them to come out. He heads next door for his bag, and then makes quick work of cutting them out.

"Good as new." He smiles, putting his tools away. "How's the pain been? Are you still taking the narcotics?"

I shake my head, pulling my shirt down. "No, I stopped a few days ago. I'm mostly just sore now."

"That's good, but you still need to take it easy."

I nod. "I am. Thank you for taking such good care of me. You're a really good doctor, Cullen."

"And you're a good police chief. You risk your life every day for this town, which leaves me completely nervous, but I know you have a good head on your shoulders."

"You worry about me." I smile.

"Always have."

I blush and realize he's liked me for a long time. I was just too pigheaded to see it sooner. Now I see it though, and I like him just as much. Jesus Christ, I'm falling for Edward Cullen.

I don't own Twilight.

Thanks to Ashley, May, and Mary prereading and Sally for beta'ing.