I don't know what the protocol is for releasing inmates so I just made up my own thing. Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Eight

For some reason, I was very nervous today. Ever since I got to work this morning, my stomach has been doing nervous flips that made me feel slightly nauseous.

I think it had something to do with Edward getting released today. I don't know why that would make me nervous. Maybe it was the fact that he'd be out in society without the prison's rules and schedules around to keep our interactions at a minimum.

There was also a part of me that was just nervous that… Edward only flirted with me because I was one of the only women in this prison. Once he was back out in the city where a lot of the women came in variation of tall, skinny, and blonde… who knew what would happen.

"Good morning, nurse Swan," Edward said as he sauntered into the medical office.

I turned around, half expecting him to be in a suit and tie, ready to leave this place behind him. But he was still in his orange jumpsuit.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready to get discharged?" I asked as I put my files away.

"I'm surprised you didn't know about this part of the discharge process," He smiled. "I have to have a medical evaluation before I leave. That way I can't sue for any prolonged injures afterwards."

"Oh," I felt momentarily stupid for forgetting that part of the medical evaluation. "Yes, uh, a doctor really should preform—,"

"No, it's alright. They asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital afterwards for a checkup or if I just wanted the nurse to do it. So, I wanted the nurse to do it."

I blushed and lead him into one of the private rooms. "Hm, okay, well it's a fairly simple exam."

"Yeah I know," He grinned as he stripped his orange jumpsuit off, "Should be quick."

He tossed his jumpsuit aside, leaving him standing in his tight, boxer-briefs. I felt flustered as he hopped onto the examination table. I couldn't help but notice how much tighter his underpants became against his bulge. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself focused.

"I'm going to check your heart now," I said as I gently pressed my stethoscope to his chest.

It was hard to get a good reading because I was very distracted by the firmness of Edward's chest muscles. I had a strange tingling in the bottom of my stomach. I tried shifting but it really didn't do much for me. I think what would help would be a very cold shower.

"Sounds great," I muttered to myself before looking up at Edward under my eyelashes.

"Great," He said, the corner of his lip lifting slightly in a way that made the tingling in my belly heat up.

I cleared my throat. "Let me just check a few other things."

"Of course. Do whatever you want to me, I am all yours." He said.

I rolled my eyes at his obvious flirtation and tried to hide my blush. I continued my examination as quickly as possible. I needed to get Edward out of my office and out of my head while I was here at work.

"So am I still meeting you at your apartment tonight?" He asked as he lay on his back.

"Uh, yes if you still want to."

"Of course I still want to. It's all I've been thinking about since you agreed to go out with me."

I did my best to hide my smile.

Edward thought the two of us were going out tonight, but Esme and Carlisle had just moved his party from tomorrow to today and they asked if they could have the party at my apartment. Edward had been okay with a party, but he didn't want one at his apartment and he had been dragging his feet about when to have it.

"And where are you taking me?" I asked.

"The best restaurant in town. Then a show, then maybe a walk-through central park. If you're up for it."

"Central park gets shut down at night." I said. "They lock the gate."

"Oh don't worry, I've arranged everything," He grinned. "You're going to love it."

"I bet I will." I said, concealing my smile. I felt bad that we were messing up his plans for the party, but I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to mess with Edward a bit.

"Alright you're done," I said. "You can put your clothes on now."

"You sure you want me too?"

I rolled my eyes. "Put your clothes on and go taste freedom again."

"Oh I certainly am," He said as he pulled his jumpsuit back on.

"So what are you going to do once you're actually out."

"Probably go see my fuckbuddy. It's been way to long." He said without skipping a beat.

"O-oh," I said in surprise. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, I mean, Edward was a good-looking guy and—

Edward fell into a loud fit of laughter. "You should've seen your face!"

I blushed. "What?"

"Why are you so red? You aren't jealous, are you?" He laughed.

I made an ugly face at him. "I am not jealous you stupid jerk!"

"Oh yeah? You sure look and sound jealous. You wouldn't be jealous would you?"

"I am not jealous I'm just grossed out."

He chuckled some more. "I was teasing you. I don't have any fuckbuddies. I just wanted to see your jealous face."

"Get the hell out," I said as I roughly shoved him to the door.

"I'm going I'm going," He said as he paused outside of the door. "I'll see you at six-thirty."

I rolled my eyes but smiled softly. "I look forward to it."

He nearly skipped with happiness out of the medical office. I watched him, shaking my head with laughter.

Alice's Apartment Seven Hours Later

"Okay, the thirty minutes are up, take them out." I told Alice.

She laughed and tossed back her glass of wine. "Oh my gosh you are so impatient!"

"I just hate the way these things feel," I said as I stretched my neck. "Why are they so hot? I feel like they're burning my scalp."

She got out of her seat laughing. "You're worse than a child. They are not that bad!"

I grumbled as she slowly unfurled my hair from the large rollers. My curls tumbled out even tighter than they were before.

"So why did I need to do this?" I asked as she ran her fingers through my hair. "My hair is already curly."

She laughed. "Because, while your curls are beautiful, they're wild. We needed to tame them a little."

I sighed. "Alright well, my hair is fixed, my makeup is done, can I run home now? I need to get dressed."

"Actually I got you a new dress," She said as she bounced away energetically.

"Alice," I said as I crossed my arms. "I didn't need you to buy me a dress. I have a dress."

"Yeah, it's cute and all, but it looks kind of… kidish, no offense," She said. "I got you a more mature dress. Something that really shows off your sexy figure."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, thanks, but there's really not much to show off."

"You have more than I do," She said as she walked back into her living room with a garment bag.

"How expensive is that dress?" I asked as I eyed the bag.

"Don't worry about it. It's on me."

"Alice," I hissed.

"Stop that. It's a beautiful dress and it's a gift. Just say thank you."

I sighed. "Thank you."

"It's your color too," She said as she unzipped the bag. "Spring blue. You're going to love it."

I took the dress from her and walked into her bathroom to change. The dress was a very lovely blue color. I wasn't typically a fan of pastels, but this blue was really pretty.

I slipped it on over my head, and felt it immediately shape to my boyish figure. I looked in the mirror at myself, twisting around to get a better look.

The dress was very becoming, as Alice said it would be. It hugged me in all of the right places, highlighting all of my best features without exaggerating them. I ran my hands down the front of the dress to feel the soft, petal-like texture.

"Come out let me see!" Alice called.

"I'm coming!" I called back as I opened the door.

She beamed widely, "I told you it was your color. You look beautiful."

"Thanks," I smiled bashfully as I looked down at myself. "I do really like it."

She laughed once. "I knew you would! Now, you're officially done. We should head back to your apartment, mom texted me. Everyone's there."

I nodded and felt the pit of my stomach twist almost painfully. There weren't a ton of people coming to Edward's party tonight, out of respect for him and my mid-sized apartment. I was nervous however, to see Mrs. Cullen again. I guess they convinced her to come. I would be on my best behavior, but I would only be pushed for so long.

Alice and I headed over to my apartment, which was just a short, five-minute walk. Subconsciously, I kept looking over my shoulder for my bodyguard, who was following us at a respectably distance. I couldn't relax until I knew he was near. It was the one thing I wouldn't feel guilty about Edward paying for.

My apartment had been transformed from a cozy, living space to a decorated party room. I was surprised. I mean, Esme had kicked me out and made me go to Alice's apartment after work. I thought it was to keep me and Mrs. Cullen separated, but now I suspect it was to decorate. Hell, she had even had the furniture either removed or replaced to better fit the theme.

"Hello beautiful ladies," Carlisle said when we entered the living room. He was sitting in a chair, dressed in a black suit and bowtie. He looked very nice, but something about his appearance was off. I couldn't help but take notice of how pale and clammy he looked.

Alice didn't notice, she just laughed and playfully swatted at him as he leaned over to kiss her cheek. She flittered away after her mother who was very preoccupied with the arrangement of the food.

I took a step towards Carlisle, who smiled at me in response.

"Good evening Bella, you look very lovely." He said.

"Thanks," I said as I gave him a quick look up and down. "Carlisle, are you feeling okay?"

He frowned slightly. "I feel fine. I feel great actually."

Now I frowned. "Are you sure? You're looking a little—," My phone buzzed, cutting me off.

I picked it up to see that Edward was calling me. "Hey."

"Hey," He answered back, "I'm outside. Are you ready for me to walk up? Or do you need a few more minutes?"

"No, come on up," I said, "I just need to find shoes and a purse."

He laughed. "Unless you're putting makeup into that purse don't worry about it. I'm paying for everything tonight."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. Just come up."

As soon as I hung up the phone, I moved to Esme's side and told her that Edward was on his way up.

"Everyone quiet! Edward's coming!" She smiled happily. "Alright, Bella you invite him in and we'll just out and surprise him!"

"Are you sure—" I started but a knock on my apartment door made me stop. "Alright."

As everyone hid, I walked down the hallway, checking to make sure no one could be seen from the doorway before opening the door.

A blush covered nearly every inch of my body when I got a glimpse of Edward in his black suit and tie. I felt giddy, like a schoolgirl with a ridiculous crush, not like the nurse who pretended not to give a rat's ass about the inmate. This was the Edward that I had, in a very lame sense, fell head over heels for.

"Hi," I said, smiling widely.

He chuckled, "Hi, you look very beautiful."

I giggled, my blush becoming redder. "So do you."

"Are you ready? Or do you still need time to find shoes?" He asked as he looked down at my slippers.

"Oh right," I giggled again. "Sorry about that." I kicked the slippers off by the front door. "I don't really know what to wear with this dress."

"I wouldn't mind you going bare-footed, you have such beautiful feet," He grinned, "May I come in and wait while you find shoes?"

"Of course," I grinned widely, nervous butterflies fluttering around in my stomach as I moved to the side, "Come on in."

"Thank you," He said as he sauntered by into the apartment. "You do look very beautiful. I can't wait for—"

"Welcome home!" Everyone cheered, jumping out and surprising Edward.

Edward gasped, jumping slightly, and tensing his body. He looked around in alarm at everyone before looking at me with a somewhat of an agitated look. I just smiled and shrugged.

"Welcome home my baby!" Esme said as she ran over and threw her arms around him. She laid a flurry of kisses on his face.

"It's good to see you to mom," He said as he placed one arm around her back.

Alice was next in line to jump into Edward's arms. I stood back against the wall, watching their exchanges.

"My sweet, sweet grandbaby," Mrs. Cullen gushed as she walked over. She smacked her lips against his cheek, leaving a pink imprint of her lipstick. "I am so glad you're finally home from that hellhole. I had so much to tell you. Oh, and I met a lovely young woman. Very pretty, very classy, and very educated. I think she may be the one for you."

As Mrs. Cullen went on about the woman she had in store for Edward, she kept glancing my way. The glances were brief but certainly enough to let me know that she was talking about me. I only ignored her, but continued grinning to let her know that this pathetic display of trying to piss me off wasn't going to work. Even though it did really piss me off.

"That's great grandma," Edward said as he made his way back to my side. "Why," He said as he poked me in the ribs, "Did you not tell me about this?"

I giggled, "I thought it would be funny."

He sighed playfully and shook his head, "You are so not funny. I was excited for our date tonight."

I smiled at him, "Well, I'm free tomorrow and I don't have to work so it's better tomorrow."

"Alright, but I am coming to get you at eight a.m. tomorrow so be ready. And you're mine until I see fit."

"Ugh," I said with an eye roll, but the corners of my lips lifted slightly.

Emmett and Jasper each punched Edward in the arm and made a joke about him having a foot fetish, to which he blushed and said a rude comment. I shook my head laughing at them and went to stand by Esme.

"Nice party," I told her.

She looked over at me and smiled. "It really is. Thank you so much for letting us use your apartment. It's the perfect venue."

"It looks completely different in here, I'm shocked." I said. "Will all my furniture come back?"

She chuckled. "Yes it will come back, don't you worry. Once the party is over with they'll bring the furniture back."

"Dad are you alright?" I heard Edward ask.

Esme and I both turned our heads to see Carlisle, sweating profusely and holding his chest tightly.