All characters belong to S. Meyer. I also know nothing about the military outside of google!

This chapter is pretty short. All mistakes are mine

Chapter 6

I was showered, comfortable, on my couch in leggings and my favorite oversized hoodie. I had just turned the tv on when my phone vibrated with a message.

Since we spent tonight out and we both just got off shift, I was thinking I could cook for you here. We could hang out and get to know each other better ~E

That actually sounds perfect ~B

We texted back and forth a little longer. We decided on an easy dinner, and I would bring dessert. He sent me his address and we called it a night.

XXX

"Alice, we're just going to hang out and have dinner".

"Uh huh. I'm just saying sis, be prepared", she laughs.

"I really like him Alice, I don't want to ruin things by jumping the gun, so to speak".

"I'm sure Warrant Officer Cullen would be thrilled for you to jump his gun", she cackled.

"I'm hanging up now", I threatened.

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry. Listen, just be yourself. Let things progress organically. You're both adults here, there is no specific timeline you have to follow".

"I know, I just want it to work out ya know".

"You deserve to be happy, and if Rosalie is anything to go on, the Cullen's are good people. Edward seems great".

"No, he is. I just hope we're on the same page, is all".

"I have a good feeling about this Bella".

XXX

I made turtle brownies, because, who can resist ooey-gooey caramel chocolaty goodness.

I pull up in front of Edwards adorable bungalow right before 6pm. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this. Maybe I expected some kind of bachelor pad apartment with miss matched furniture, but I am pleasantly surprised by the plentiful landscaping and glassed in front porch, complete with hanging swing.

I make my way up the walkway with brownie pan in hand, I look up and see Edward at the door. I smile up at him and he meets me with a chaste kiss.

"Hey, come on in, hope you found it ok".

"I did, I love it by the way".

"Thanks, I definitely lucked out finding it".

We walked in through the living room, into the kitchen. The whole back wall was windows with a door leading out to a deck. Just through the trees, you could see bits and pieces of the Sound.

Everything looked upgraded and new, but fit very well with the bungalow vibe. He told me his mother Esme was an interior designer, that she helped get this place ready for when he could finally move here.

"Were you overseas before coming home"? I ask as he hands me cold beer.

"Yeah, Camp Buehring in Kuwait".

"Oh, wow".

"I was happy to leave the dry desert and come home to dreary Seattle".

"Well I'm glad you made it home too".

Just then, a complete ball of fur rubs up against my leg.

"Oh my, look at you", I reach down to pet the grey ball of fluff.

Edward scoops him up and the cat sounds like an engine ready for takeoff.

"This is Chopper", he smiles and scratches under Choppers chin, who just soaks in the cuddles.

Me on the other hand, I'm done for. Seriously, can this man be any more perfect?

XXX

Eventually, Chopper wanders out of the kitchen and Edward and I work together to prepare a simple spaghetti Bolognese and salad.

Dinner is fantastic and conversation flows easily. He talks about growing up with Emmett and I tell stories of sneaking around my Police Chief father, thankful, I never got caught.

We're sitting out on the patio, enjoying the clear cool weather and warm delicious brownies and coffee, a fire pit burning to keep away the chill.

"You caught me by surprise Bella".

"What do you mean"?

He grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"I wasn't looking for you, I wasn't looking for anyone. I was content to come home and get my life together a bit before I added dating to the mix, but there you were, eavesdropping on me and my brother in the Cayman Islands".

At this, I laugh and squeeze his hand, "hey, I was there first, so I wasn't eavesdropping".

He just smiled and shook his head.

"Come here". He pulls my hand and gestures me over towards him. I settle into his lap in the oversized chair and cuddle into him, his arms going around me to hold me tight. I look up into eyes and see myself reflected back.

There was a lot of kissing that night, and so many nights after that.