Y'all aren't going to like the ending of this chapter, but more than likely, I'm probably going to post the next chapter tonight or tomorrow! Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

I sat behind the desk, staring at the open box. It had taken me a few moments to force myself to start digging through it. Not because I was nervous about Edward being right about the proof, but because this was obviously a very personal, private box where he kept his most sacred memories. Everything in here was special to him.

I sighed and carefully started looking through it. I didn't want to crinkle his pictures or damage anything. Even though he gave me permission to snoop, I still felt bad.

The only picture I lingered on when I saw it, was a picture of a small Edward and a blond-haired man. I wasn't sure who the man was, but in the picture, Edward was smiling widely, four of his teeth missing, and holding a small trophy that read, "Best Son Ever." I looked behind me, recognizing the trophy because it was currently sitting on his bookshelf. I smiled.

I carefully pushed the picture aside and resumed my digging. I didn't have to dig for too long before I found a folded-up news article. I sat back in the cushy chair and unfolded it, eager to see this picture.

I had to admit, I was hoping the picture was a very, very loose interpretation of what Edward had claimed but it was far to damning to interpret it any other way.

Edward and I weren't in the center of the photo, but we were easy to spot. We were standing away from everyone, close to a window. We were both laughing at something, holding champagne glasses, and looking like we were getting along very nicely.

Edward had his head thrown back in laughter, but I was staring up at him, smiling up at him widely. I could even see the red tint on my cheeks as I grinned up at him.

A ripped piece of a napkin fell out of the newspaper. It landed on my lap, face up, revealing my old phone number. The number was written very neatly, which wasn't my usual writing, which meant that I was writing carefully so he would be able to read the numbers. What made my face turn red as I looked at the napkin, was the light pink lip marks I had made.

I now suddenly remember this night. Seeing the picture and the napkin had completely jogged my memory and I could see it as clear as day. I even remembered that I had gone into the bathroom and put on the only thing that could be classified as makeup to kiss the napkin, tinted chap-stick. I hadn't worn any other makeup because I had only planned on staying for twenty minutes, maybe less.

But then Edward and I bumped into each other. My guard was up so high that I didn't even hear what he had said before I wrote him off with a snarky comment. I'm surprised the comment didn't perturb him because it was so bitchy, as I intended it to be to keep the ivy league rich boys away. Plus, I thought the whole party was silly. The only reason I went was because my father begged and begged me to go because he thought I was missing out if I did.

Now that I could remember this night, I also remembered that I still had Edward's phone number, shoved crudely in my college scrapbook. Again, something my mother wanted me to do while I was in school, but I had no interest. I shoved things in there just to placate her.

I stared at the picture, reminiscing that night.

Edward was so sweet and charming. He looked so different back then, but it had to be the suit and tie he wore and his combed hair and his clean-shaven face. Being in jail really took a toll on him.

Comparing the picture to Edward's appearance now really opened my eyes to how stressful being in jail must be. Edward constantly had dark circles under his eyes, his hair, although still very attractive, was greasy and messy. And having to stay in the most common of clothing made him appear different to me.

In this picture, with him in his tie, looking so handsome, he was a completely different person. He also wasn't as buff as he is now in this picture, so I guess being in the prison and having nothing to do but workout was a plus. Kind of.

I bit my lip, trying to control my smile. Jeez, that night was really magical. It honestly had been the best night of my entire college life. Edward was so incredibly wonderful and real. He was nothing like the frat-boys I was expecting to meet that night. And he seemed to be genuinely interested in me, which wasn't something I was used to.

I can't believe I had forgotten this night. I can't believe the fight with my mom was so bad that it made me forget. Now, the anger that I felt towards her that had long cooled off was reignited. Damn her. This was one of the best nights ever that I was convinced was going to lead somewhere else had been overshadowed by our fight.

"You ready?" A deep voice asked, causing me to jump and almost fall out of my seat.

I looked up to see a big, burly man standing in the doorway. He wasn't so much standing in the doorway as he was covering it. His head and shoulders were just one or two inches from touching the doorframe. And they were big doors.

"Uh, you are…?" I couldn't remember what Jasper had called him.

"Emmett," He answered as he walked into the room.

Now that he was standing in the bright light, I was able to see that his face wasn't as scary as his build led on. In fact, he had a very cute, almost boyish face. He had wide, dimpled cheeks, big brown eyes, and black spiral curly hair that framed his face and added to the boyish appearance. The only thing that saved him from looking like a little boy completely was his squared jaw.

"Oh, right." I nodded as I stood and carefully put the items back into Edward's lockbox. "Sorry, I was really distracted. I didn't hear you come in."

"You're fine," He said as he walked closer to see what I was doing. "How do you know Edward?" He asked as he watched me put everything back.

"I'm a nurse at the jail he's in," I said, being as careful as I could possibly be. "I've treated him several times now."

He nodded. "So, why did Edward let you come in here and search through his private things? He's never let anyone look into his memory box."

"He said we've met before, and I didn't believe him. He said he had proof, so he gave me permission to come here and see for myself."

"Huh. Prison life must really be taking a toll on him. He doesn't let just anyone come in here without him being here. He's a very private person."

"Oh. Maybe." I said as I closed the box and locked it again.

"I'll take that," Emmett said as he pointed to the key. I placed it in his hand, not wanting to piss this giant off. "Go wait for me by the front door."

When he turned his back I rolled my eyes and made a face at him. I had already been in here for almost an hour by myself, did he really think I was going to steal something now?

Even though I was annoyed at his command, I still followed it. I went to the front door and waited… and waited and waited. I huffed, checking my phone every few minutes and wondering where the hell he had gone.

He finally came downstairs, not seeming to notice that he took an obscenely long amount of time to put the key back.

"Why did it take you so long?" I asked, my irritation too great to hold back.

"Just making sure you didn't take anything." He bluntly said.

I gawked. "Excuse me, but I would not ever steal. There's nothing Edward has that I would even want to steal. I am not a thief."

"Yeah, but I don't know you." He said. "This is the first time Edward has ever had the girl in his life come to his apartment alone and look through his things."

My face reddened but not with embarrassment. "I am not the girl in his life. Edward and I are just f-friends." I stuttered on the word. Wait, was I friends with Edward now?

Emmett shrugged and continued down the hall towards the elevator. He had taken the apartment and elevator keys from me. I wouldn't have cared so much about it if he didn't imply that I was a thief.

"I'm not a thief." I said as we stood in the elevator.

"We've just met. I don't know you well enough to make that judgement." He said, causing me to shake my head and throw my hands in the air.

I crossed my arms and started to think of several different excuses I could make so I didn't have to ride with him. He was a jackass.

"It's nothing personal." He said after a moment. "I'm sure you're a nice girl."

"Then why are you making assumptions about me and acting like a jackass." I hissed.

From my peripheral vison, I could see the corner of his lip lifting in a little smile.

"Well, you just have no idea what kind of people we have to work with." He said. "Just safer to be on guard with everyone and assume the worst. That way, they can't put a bullet in your back when it's turned."

My head turned sharply to look at him. I would've just assumed his phrase was nothing more than that, but the way he said it made me believe that he had witnessed this himself.

The rest of the way to my apartment was a silent one.

I walked into my morning shift just as Edward was walking in for his morning medication. As soon as he spotted me, he grinned widely.

Debra was in the office again instead of Gerry. I frowned, hoping he would've been back. I liked his company; he was easy to get along with. Not that there was anything wrong Debra, I just didn't know her as well as I knew Gerry.

"Gerry still sick?" I asked.

"Yeah," She said sadly. "I think it's a little worse than just a cold."

"Oh no," I said. "I hope he's okay."

"Me too," Debra said before looking over at Edward and then around the room. "Where's the PO?"

"They just drop him off." I said as I laid all of my bags down. "It's fine."

"Maybe I should stay…" She said, eyeing Edward.

"No, it's okay Debra." I smiled at her. "Really, it is. Go home and sleep. I know you're exhausted."

She hesitated a little before sighing softly. Debra had worked all night and was used to going home way before this. I knew she would be completely drained by the time I got in.

"Alright, if you insist." She said as she grabbed her things. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine." I smiled. "He behaved yesterday, so he's earned a little trust."

I saw Edward grin at my words in the reflection of the computer screen.

Once Debra left, Edward took a seat at the table and placed all of his food down. I grabbed the grocery bag and placed it in front of him.

"What's this?" He asked.

"Breakfast," I said as I sat down across from him.

His eyebrows raised in surprise. "You brought me breakfast?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so it's just the basics. Scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and sausage."

He smiled widely as he took the takeout container. "Well, isn't this just the best surprise. How very thoughtful of you. It smells incredible. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

I smiled at him. An actual genuine smile. Probably the first I had given him since we first saw each other here. That fact wasn't lost on him, and he was quick to comment on it.

"There's that beautiful smile that's been in all of my dreams," He said. "So, what did I do to deserve such kindness today? I'm assuming you did go to my apartment last night?"

"I did," I nodded. "It was over the top which wasn't surprising."

"A huh," He said as he opened the plastic fork. "And were you able to find the proof you needed?"

"Yeah I did actually." I said as I bit my lip and leaned back in the seat. "Seeing the picture made me remember that entire night. I'm sad to say this but it was the best night of my entire college life."

He chuckled. "That's good to hear. I'm glad you remember. Hopefully now you can see me as more than just an inmate."

"Maybe." I said as I watched him eat.

"So, I have to know," He took a quick bite before continuing. His eyes rolling back just slightly. "What happened that night to make you forget?"

"Just some bull crap." I shrugged. "Nothing important."

"No, c'mon, you owe me an explanation. It's been killing me for nine months to know what happened."

I shook my head, biting my lip.

"Come on," He said, batting his eyes and giving me a handsome half-smile. "I let you go into my apartment last night and look through my things. Plus, I bought you lunch yesterday that you never ate. You owe me a little something."

I sighed, shaking my head. I wish he wasn't right, but he was.