"Honey wake up. I have to go now."
Charlie's soft voice broke through her dreams. She woke up and realized that nothing had changed. He was still gone. She was still alone. She looked at the date and groaned. Perfect, just perfect! Valentine's Day. Charlie was looking anxiously at her and she tried to make an effort. She gave him a fake smile and got up. He left for work a few minutes later. She looked out the window after her father. He was still gone. She started hyperventilating. She needed to find something to do, distract herself! She told herself to breathe over and over again but it didn't work. The adrenaline was pulsing through her veins, incapacitating her. A knocking at the door broke through the haze that was covering her eyes and ears but she couldn't respond. Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard the person opening the door and entering.
Mike swept her up in his arms and held her tight. It was so painful to see her like this, so broken down. He could kill Edward Cullen for what he'd done. She had calmed down now and he smiled at her, tried to make her feel safe.
"Get your coat" he said, still smiling.
She gave him a weird look.
"Where are we going?"
"I think you need to do something fun." He gave her a crazy smile and she almost laughed through the tears still covering her face.
0-0
Two hours later his car drew up in front of the amusement park. He paid their admission and pulled her with him.
"So, what do you want to go on first?" He said, happily.
0-0
Five hours later she was leaning against the wall watching him throw up in the garbage can.
"Hey, Mike? Maybe this wasn't such a good idea…"
Something in her tone made him look up. She had sounded teasing, almost like normal. She was even smiling, for real! Not her usual fake smile. He was about to smile back when he felt his stomach churning again.
0-0
Later, they got something to eat and luckily he didn't throw up again. She was in a good mood. It was almost like she'd forgotten about him. Mike gave her a hug, the way friends do, and smiled at her again.
"Ready to go home?"
She smiled back at him and nodded. They walked out to his car and he put some music on. Too late he realized that it was his old nursery rhyme CD. Bella burst out laughing but sang along anyway. Well, if it made her happy it was worth it. He started to sing along too.
Row, row, row your boat…
0-0
Two hours later they pulled up outside Charlie's house. She gave him a genuine smile.
"Thank you, Mike. I think this was just what I needed."
He smiled warmly at her.
"Anytime, Bells."
She started to get out of the car but stopped herself at the last moment.
"Oh, Mike." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Happy Valentine's day."
She got out and walked back to her house. He was painfully aware that he had a goofy smile plastered all over his face. Maybe there was hope for him after all. But for now he would content himself with being the person who made her smile. He started up the engine and drove off into the night.