A/N: Thanks for all the reviews last chapter. I really appreciate it! I would like to suggest to those who don't have a Fanfiction account here, to make one. That is the only way I can respond to comments. Also, there is a thread on Twilighted where you can discuss this fic if you have a Twilighted account. Stop by! Anyway, here is chapter 2, it is called: Home Sweet Home. We get to meet the first new character to the story in this chapter so be excited. Thanks to my amazing beta Albree.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or it's characters. I also don't own any pop culture references or celebrities mentioned in my story. They belong to their respectable owners. I don't own Scrubs or it's characters, I actually do own the LG Banter cell phone but I don't own its publicity rights, I don't own Orlando Bloom (sadly).

Rating: M for language, themes, and sexual content.

EPOV

The next morning, I awoke to the sun slipping through the window. I covered my eyes with my hands as I attempted to adjust to the light. It was one of the rare days that sun did shine in Forks, and all I wanted to do was shut my blinds and hole up in my room to wait for Bella to come home.

Unfortunately, Alice pounded on my door and called through the door that she made French toast and that Dad left me a note.

I groaned and slid out of bed and changed into some jeans, tossing the dirty pajama bottoms in the hamper before making my way downstairs to the kitchen.

Esme sat at the table, drinking tea and eating the meal Alice had prepared. She had a copy of the Seattle Times displayed in front of her on the table. She glanced up at me and smiled. "Morning Edward," she said, gesturing to take the seat next to her where a plate of French toast was on display in front of it.

I sat down and inhaled the scent of the delicious French toast just as Alice took a seat across from me.

"Heard from Bella yet?"

I shook my head in response. Of course she would bring up Bella. As if I didn't miss her enough!

"Dad left you a note on the counter," she muttered, stabbing her food with her fork and plopping it in her mouth.

I rolled my eyes. I remembered her mentioning the note when she woke me up; I just planned on reading it after breakfast. I got up slowly and wandered over to the counter where I had noticed a piece of paper earlier, just so Alice would leave me alone about the note. It said:

Edward,

I know the last few days have been hard for you, and I figured you might need some distraction. I worked it out with my secretary for you to come in and help her with filing and paperwork. Of course, if you are not interested, you don't have to do that, but if you are, give me a call and let me know when you want to come in. Today is fine if you don't have any plans. Hang in there, Edward.

Love, Dad

I bit my bottom lip and stared at the paper for a moment before folding it and slipping it into my pocket. My dad was being thoughtful, and I knew that, but did he really think hanging out with his fifty year old secretary would keep my mind off of Bella?

I sat back down at the table and began to eat my breakfast. I couldn't help but notice that both my mother and Alice's eyes were on me. I sighed and looked up at them.

"What?"

"Well, are you going to do it?" Alice asked in a slightly annoyed voice. My mother looked on curiously. She was less verbose than my little sister, but I knew she was just as curious to my answer as Alice was.

"I don't know. Can you pass me the syrup, Ali?"

The bottle of brown goo was practically shoved in my direction.

"I think you should do it," my mother said softly.

I set down my fork and ran my hand over my face. Why were they pressuring me so much? Were they trying to drive me crazy?

"If you guys stop bugging me, I'll do it."

No other words were uttered about the hospital or Bella the rest of breakfast.

Emmett awoke right as I was leaving my room after I had dressed to go to the hospital.

"What the hell are you doing today? I was thinking we could do some off-roading in the Jeep or maybe play some paintball."

Hmm, that sounded fun. Too bad I had already called my father. Fuck.

"I'm helping dad's secretary at the hospital, unfortunately."

"Why the hell would you agree to that? Is his secretary hot?"

"I wanted to keep my mind off…things, and no, she's like fifty-five and has side burns. Actually, that's just your type," I teased, receiving a smack on my shoulder.

"You saying Rose has sideburns?"

"You saying you never noticed?"

After receiving another smack from Emmett, I headed out of the house and towards the hospital, driving slower than normal. I honestly wasn't looking forward to working with Genie, my father's secretary. She really did have sideburns, and she always wore those high-waisted mom jeans that made her midsection look ginormous. I was surprised Alice hadn't tackled her for a makeover. I mean, the woman was still single, and I was pretty sure she was ready to mingle.

I groaned as I pulled into a parking spot in front of the hospital. It had only taken me ten minutes to get here. Curse this small town and not taking more time to get places.

Walking sluggishly into the hospital, I considered numerous times that I should just get out of here, run back to the car, back to the house, and jump in Emmett's Jeep. I frowned when I couldn't get my legs to carry me anywhere but towards Carlisle's office.

Genie sat at her desk in front of his office typing away on the computer. She glanced up and smiled at me when she noticed my entrance. Unfortunately, all I could look at were her sideburns.

"Good morning, Edward. Dr. Cullen is checking on some of his patients right now so he won't be back for a while, but he said to get me to put you to work once you got here." She stood up and grabbed a fold out chair that had been leaning against the wall and opened it in the spot next to her. Today was going to be a long day.

After about two hours of filing papers and licking envelopes, Carlisle came and dragged me off the cafeteria for lunch.

"So how has helping Genie been so far?" he asked awkwardly as we got in the lunch line. I felt like I was back in the cafeteria at school.

"Fine." I pointed toward the chicken noodle soup and the lunch lady that looked vaguely familiar dished some up for me in a bowl and set it on my tray.

It didn't take long to get the rest of our lunch and find a table for two in a decent spot. My father and I were silent as we picked at our food. Every time I met his eyes, they were full of questions that he wasn't voicing.

"So, does J.D. or Dr. Cox work here?"

"Uh, there is a janitor that works nights named J.D. I'm not aware of any Dr. Cox though."

My father looked confused and I couldn't help but chuckle. He obviously didn't watch much TV.

"I was joking, dad. They are characters on this TV show called Scrubs. It takes place in a hospital, and it's ridiculously hilarious."

He raised an eyebrow. "I think I heard a few interns talking about that show. They said they wished that this hospital was more like that one."

"Edward?" I high pitch female voice said from behind me. My father's eyes widened at the person who had just spoke. I turned slowly and caught sight of the owner of the voice and almost vomited.

"Tanya," I said trying to morph the agonized look on my face into a smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm helping my dad's secretary with some paperwork for the day."

She nodded. "Oh, that's cool. Would you guys mind if I joined you for lunch?"

I was about to answer, but my father cut in. "Actually, we were just finishing, sorry."

I glanced at him and thanked him with my eyes. He nodded his head once in response before rising from his seat and heading toward a trashcan. I followed and bid goodbye to Tanya quickly, not even allowing her any other chance to speak.

We were about to walk through the doors of the cafeteria when her high pitch voice rang in our ears.

"Call me sometime soon, Edward! We need to catch up!"

I quickly pushed through the door, and my father and I walked hastily back toward his office.

"Sorry, Edward. I kind of forgot that she was interning here. That was actually the first time I've seen her since she started last week."

"That's okay. I forgot about her too. Now at least I know not to come back to help you at the hospital until the summer is over."

Carlisle and I shared a laugh before arriving back at his office. I sat down in my chair by Genie and she handed me a stack of papers to run through the paper shredder. About half way through, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled the little electronic device from my pocket and almost cheered when I saw I had gotten a text from Bella. It said:

I'm going to my house today. Don't call. I'll call you. I love you.

I frowned as I put the phone back in my pocket. Today was going to be tough for her. What I would give to be there with her right now. Instead, I'm stuck in the hospital with sideburns lady.

My father saved me from further torture by sending me home at six. Jasper was at the house watching a movie with Alice in the living room when I walked in. I nodded in acknowledgment at Jasper and waved to Alice before taking a seat in the armchair next to the couch.

"How was the hospital?" Alice asked cocking her head to the side.

I groaned at the mention of that institution. "Awful. I saw Tanya."

Alice giggled and Jasper scowled at the floor. I knew he hated Tanya, because she was trying to get me, therefore hurt Bella. He wanted her out of the picture.

"I forgot about her. Did you tell Bella you saw her?"

I shook my head. "I haven't really talked to her today. I got a text from her, but that's all."

"What did she say?" Jasper asked curiously.

"She's going to her house."

Alice gasped and Jasper shook his head and frowned. It looked like he was almost in pain.

"Should we call her, make sure she's okay?" Alice asked.

"No, she told me not to call and that she would call me."

Just then, my phone went crazy in my pocket and I pulled it out. Bella's name was flashing on the screen.

BPOV

Phil awoke me bright and early with a phone call. If it were anyone else, I would've growled at him through the phone and demand what the fuck his problem was. Instead, I became Good Bella and acted all sweet and happy while he told me that we should head over to the house today to scope out its condition.

I opened my suitcase and gazed at its contents. What does one wear when seeing their old house for the first time since their mother's death? I almost laughed when I realized that Alice would probably know. She was the Queen of clothing.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and scanned through my contacts before pausing and setting my little LG Banter back down on the table. She would ask questions, and I wasn't ready for that, not from her. Plus, I hadn't even told Edward what my plans for the day were, and I figured that he should be the first to know.

I pulled out a simple gray t-shirt and the only pair of shorts I owned and threw them on. I noticed my phone vibrate on the nightstand and grabbed it quickly. It was like Alice knew I was going to text her earlier, because there was a text message from her.

Hey Bella! Hope all is well in Phoenix. Give me a call if u want to, I miss u a lot! I'm texting you to let you know that I'm planning a surprise party for Edward since his birthday is June 20th. Got any ideas for the party? I hope your back by then. It is only about a week away. Miss u!

I set the phone back down; I would reply to her later. I had totally forgot that Edward's birthday was June 20th. He was turning eighteen, and I knew it was a big deal to him. I would have to mention to Phil that I had to be back home by the 20th.

More down than I was earlier, I finished getting ready and gave Phil a call so he could pick me up. While I waited, I sat in my room and stared at the black of the TV screen. I waited for the girl mirroring me to do something, anything, but she remained still.

I kept telling her to get up and leave, go back to Edward so I could stay here and deal with all this shit. I yelled at her in my mind, but she stared back at me blankly, unmoving.

Phil called a few moments later, and I tore my eyes away from my reflection. I left her back in the room while I went out to meet Phil out front in his car where he was waiting for me.

Phil had the windows rolled down while we drove to my old house. I watched the familiar scenery fly past as the wind pushed through my hair, causing some of it to fly out the window and dance in the breeze caused by the speed.

We passed by numerous houses that I recognized. Some were homes of old friends. I remembered going to a few birthday parties at these houses. I wondered if the same people still lived in them or if some other family had moved in.

The car slowed as we entered my neighborhood. It was a middle class neighborhood on the outskirts of Phoenix, closer to Scottsdale. I noticed a few of the homes that I had memorized from my childhood looked different. Some were painted a different shade of tan since pretty much every home in Arizona was tan stucco. Some of them had new additions or more windows.

When we passed by my old neighbors house, I stopped breathing and closed my eyes. Even when I heard the engine of Phil's car stop and the wind stop messing my hair, I didn't open them.

Phil was patient as I sat, for what seemed like hours, with my eyes closed. He didn't say anything. Hell, I didn't even feel him watching me. Finally, I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

I blinked my eyes furiously, readjusting to the bright light of the sun before I could even make out the shape of my house. It looked just as I had remembered it. The lawn was non-existent, a rock garden instead like most homes in the west. The brilliant sun prevented grass to grow unless specially cared for.

The outside was the same brown gray as the mountains around them and the shutters painted a deep green that reminded me of Forks. The screen on the sun porch looked weathered and appeared to be in need of replacing. I heard Phil's door slam and saw movement pass in front of the vehicle before Phil showed up in front of my door. He slowly grabbed the handle and opened the door for me. I forced a smile as I stepped out before returning my gaze on the house.

"Are you ready to go in?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. He placed his hand on my elbow and led me up the driveway before I stopped abruptly and rooted myself to the pavement. Phil halted and looked at me with confusion as I began shaking my head.

"What's wrong?"

"Can we use the backdoor? The front door goes right into the kitchen and that's where...that's where...I'm not ready to see that room just yet." My voice sounded shaky, like it was coming through from tunnel hearing. It was like an out of body experience.

Phil nodded and led me around the side of the house to the back porch, then back door. He opened it for me, and I cautiously stepped through.

I was assaulted by the smell of dust and sand. It was musty in the house and needed all the windows opened for a few days to make it less stuffy. It had remained closed off for too long.

The room we had entered was the living room. I took a few steps to my right and opened the window that was placed there. Luckily, the house sat on a hill and got a good breeze. The room already felt more comfortable. While opening the window, I got a good look at the backyard that I had ignored on the way to the back door. The swing set I had received for my sixth birthday was still set up out there. Of course, it had aged a lot and was probably unsafe for me, let alone a child, but it still looked the same as I remembered it.

I awoke that morning of my sixth birthday much too early for any person to ever wake up. I held onto my baby blanket, which I had named Binks, as I made my way downstairs. I was surprised to find my mother awake at such an hour, but she smiled at me and set her coffee cup down on the counter and led me to the backyard for my birthday surprise.

"You're going to love this, baby," my mother said picking up her pace. I tried desperately to keep up and managed to trip on the way.

"What is it, mommy?" I asked as we neared the backdoor.

She chuckled. "Just wait a moment, sweetie."

My mom slowly opened the back door and tried her best at a dramatic drum roll as I processed what she had gotten me. I grinned up at her. She smiled back before I bolted toward the swing set for an entire day of play. She stayed with me the entire time, only leaving when she had to use the restroom or cook us lunch and dinner.

I blinked back into the present and realized a few tears had slipped from my eyes. I wiped my eyes quickly and stepped back from the window and met Phil's eyes. He looked uncomfortable.

"Uh, so this room doesn't need much work to get a sale," I said awkwardly so he wouldn't feel the need to comfort me. I didn't need it yet.

He nodded. "Yeah, I don't think this room is any worry."

Instead of heading into the dining room, which would've led to kitchen, we made our way upstairs. I stopped in the hallway between my mother's room and mine and looked at the few pictures that hung on the wall. There was the same picture that Charlie had put in my Christmas ornament last year hanging proudly on the wall. The rest of the pictures were just of me. The rest didn't contain my mother. For some reason she didn't like displaying pictures of her around the house. She thought it was vain, or at least that's what she told me. I honestly didn't understand it since it was her house.

Phil led me into my mother's room first. I thought it would be hard to be in there because that was where she had slept for almost my entire childhood, but it wasn't. The room didn't look like it belonged to anyone. The tables were bare except for one small picture of me and a few lamps. The comforter on the bed was white and neatly made as she had left it. It looked more like a hospital room, and it didn't take long to decide that this room, too, didn't need any work except for a dusting.

We briefly checked out her adjoining bathroom which was pretty much decorated in the same way, white and sterile, before heading toward my old bedroom. I took a deep breath as Phil led the way down the rest of the short hallway to my room. He glanced at me before opening the door, probably to make sure that I was okay.

I bit my lip as I entered the room. It was like I was sucked into a time warp and I was thirteen again. The walls were covered with dusty posters of celebrities I once thought were hot. Some still were, but they held no interest for me. I met the eyes of my favorite poster of the bunch, the eyes of Orlando Bloom. I took a few shaky steps over to the dresser where he hung above and took a good look at him. Perfect as he had been since I was thirteen. Why did I think a poster of a man would change?

My eyes darted down from the good looking man to my dresser. It was unbelievable dusty and caused me to make a disgusted face. I looked at the few framed pictures that lined my dresser. Most of them were of me and my friends, well, ex-friends from Phoenix. I picked up one of my neighbor, Kate, and I and studied our faces. We smiled up at the camera with our arms around one another. I remembered getting this picture taken. My mom had taken it.

"Kate, Bella, come here, I wanna get a picture of the two of you!" my mother called.

We were at the bowling alley for Kate's fourteenth birthday party. My mom had decided to stay and hang out with Kate's parents. I had begged her not to, saying that she would embarrass me by staying and the other kids at the party would think I couldn't go anywhere without the supervision of my mother, but she waved me off.

Kate smiled at me and grabbed my hand, dragging me the few feet away from where my mother stood, waving at us with the camera like a madwoman. Kate threw her arm around me and smiled up at my mother, ready for the picture. I groaned before flashing my waiting mother with a cheerful smile before she snapped the picture. My mother grinned and gave us the thumbs up before Kate dragged me off to begin the game.

I set the picture down, along with the memory. She had taken that picture two months before she decided to end her life. If looked at the woman smiling and taking the picture of her daughter and her friend, you wouldn't think she would be a candidate for suicide. I guess looks can be deceiving.

I turned around and looked over at my bed, and I laughed. I had forgotten how ridiculous my style used to be. The bed was a large white canopy bed, pink fabric resting on top and a pink cheetah print bedspread over the mattress. Phil must have noticed my gaze, because I heard him begin to chuckle along with me. My room was, I decided, ridiculous.

Once I had finished examining my room, we headed back downstairs and right into the dining room. I grew nervous again; the next room was this kitchen, and it only promised pain and horrible memories.

"This room also doesn't need much work. Just like the rest of the house, a good dusting," Phil said, interrupting my fearful thoughts.

I nodded and folded my arms over my chest. Glancing around the room. This room was about as undecorated as my mother's bedroom. It was a formal dining room and we only used it for when we had visitors.

"Are you ready to go into the kitchen?"

I looked up at Phil and bit my lip before nodding. He put his hand on my elbow and gently led me toward the kitchen, slowing down to a halt in the doorway. My eyes were on the floor, and I noticed that by the front door, the same rug that said 'Home Sweet Home' was still there. I had made fun of my mom when she bought it because it was so cliché, but she ignored me. There were still some of her shoes sitting by the door.

My eyes wandered upward until I met the wood of the cabinets. They were fairly new, and I knew that would be a good selling point for the house, but I remembered my mother had loved them. Whenever anyone would come over, she would always take them to the kitchen to gush about her solid oak cabinets. It was really weird, but I always thought it was kind of cute in its own odd way.

When I finally let my eyes take in the whole kitchen, they immediately zeroed in on the metal ceiling fan. The one that had helped to end her life. I remembered listening in on the police when they came to examine the scene to make sure the incident was actually a suicide. How could it not be when someone hangs themselves in the kitchen?

"I can't believe that fan didn't break from the weight," one of the police officers said.

The other hummed in agreement. "There is some ceiling damage around the fan, though, it probably wouldn't have held much longer. Would've crushed the body."

They took a few pictures of the fan and discussed how they never would've thought Renee Swan would've done this to herself.

I shook my head, hating to think of that conversation. I looked up at the fan again and let my eyes examine the cracks around the fan that the police had mentioned that day. Those would need repair. It wouldn't be safe for anyone who bought the house to use the fan until those cracks were fixed.

"You need to fix those cracks," I said pointing to the fan to alert Phil to what I was talking about. I saw him nod from my peripheral. I realized finally that I was crying. My whole body was shaking with tears. I felt Phil's hand on my shoulder, but I jerked away and bolted toward the front door, stepping on the Home Sweet Home mat and rushing out of the house.

I made it to the driveway before I stopped and sunk to the ground, the sobbing taking over my entire body. I didn't know how long I sat out there, but eventually I pulled out my cell phone and hit the speed dial button for Edward's phone. He answered after about three rings.

"Edward," I bawled into the phone.

He immediately went on worried mode and began to try to calm me down, saying encouraging things into the phone and telling me he loved me. It worked a little bit, enough to change my hysterical sobbing into just quiet tears.

"Bella Swan?" a female voice called.

My head attached to the phone jerked up and looked for the owner of the voice. I noticed almost immediately a girl standing at the end of the driveway. She looked familiar with her blonde hair and tan skin as she began to approach, but I couldn't quite make out who she was through my tears.

"Edward, I gotta go," I murmured quickly into the phone before ending the call as the girl got closer.

I wiped my eyes and examined her face. "Kate?"

A/N: Enjoy this chapter? You got to meet Kate, her neighbor. If you watched the trailer, she was Mischa in the video. I will post a picture of her in my profile so you can see what she looks like if you didn't watch the video or just want to get a better video. Anyway, sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. Check out all the links for this story in my profile. Oh, and for those of you waiting for an update on Fade into You, I will try to do that soon. I've been busy and I had a ton of ideas for this chapter that needed to come out.

Please Review! It's only the second chapter, but I would love to hear your thoughts.

Do you have a welcome mat in your house? If so, what does it say?