Disclaimer: Do I really have to? (Looks at lawyer with puppy dog eyes; lawyer nods; I sigh sadly) I - I do not own the Twilight saga and its characters, unfortunately. It all belongs to the outstanding Stephenie Meyer.

A/N: So sorry for not updating for quite a while. I was too caught up with my real life, and sadly, the next chapter wouldn't be posted until three weeks from now. But I might change my mind if you all tell me in your reviews what you think of this story... Thank you so much!

Thanks to my betas (they're so wonderful!): EvilPumpkin and BrownieCrumbs. There are no words for these two.

Chapter 2: Creating him

I woke up bright and early the next morning. I knew I should feel refreshed, but if I was being truthful, that wasn't the case. Being a morning person was something I was starting to hate. Whenever I woke up at this hour, the morning just seemed to stretch on for so long.

I performed the usual rituals: fixing my bed, taking a shower, brushing my teeth, and some other things. I was only half-aware of my surroundings as I maneuvered my way around the kitchen, my stomach churning after a night without meals.

A few minutes later, I was done cooking. I set the stack of golden pancakes on my plate. Not forgetting to top it with my favorite syrup, I devoured my morning meal.

My eyes automatically landed on the wall clock opposite the place where I was seating. It read eight o'clock. I heaved a deep sigh. Time was starting to slow, in my opinion. I lifted my now empty plate and placed it on the sink. I hummed "Once upon A December"from one of Disney's animated movies, Anastasia, as, I washed the dishes. I used to love it as a child, but after Charlie's death, the sound kind of reminded me how alone I was. That was why I was suddenly surprised to find myself singing it.

"Dancing bears, painted wings," I sang softly. "Things I almost remember, and a song someone sings, once upon a December."

For the first time, I felt like Anastasia. It was like something was trying to enter my mind, like it was trying to make me remember...

I shook off that feeling. It was just a song, for goodness sake.

I meandered through the living room and decided to watch something, just to pass the time. I popped A Walk to Remember – something I already watched ten times – inside the DVD player.

I was about to sit and make myself comfortable when three rapid knocks came from the front door. I inwardly groaned and pressed the pause button. I walked towards the door and turned the doorknob.

Alice appeared in front of me, her face was excited and hyper – as it usually was. Her spiky black hair was still that untidy and her tiny frame was still clad in extravagant designer clothes. The only difference to the usual scene of Alice visiting was the fact that she was holding a passport in her small hand.

"Bella!" she squealed. "Oh, our flight changed. We're leaving in about an hour. Did you hear that? One. Hour. Jasper didn't give me any time to shop. You need your wardrobe updated before I leave. Oh, Bella, I'll miss you." She said everything in a fast pace that I didn't understand everything.

"Alice," I said slowly since my best friend was panting after her rant. "Relax, okay? Come inside and start all over again."

She nodded and followed me inside. I instructed for her to sit on the plump cushions, and miraculously, she followed. I was surprised and amazed. Alice Brandon-Whitlock was definitely not an obedient person, but here she was following what I ordered.

"Bella," she started, finally calm. "I'll be leaving for Chicago in an hour, and I don't think that's enough time for me to say a proper goodbye to you." She frowned.

I couldn't help but laugh. Even though Alice was known for her perky and blunt attitude, she still had a soft spot for her friends. "Oh, Alice, you are worrying over nothing. The thing you're supposed to be doing right now is packing your designer clothes." Goodness knows how many she had.

"But, Bella, it might take months before we see each other again. You won't have someone to eat lunch with if you're totally bored, no one to post for you in your works," – she winked, and I laughed merrily, remembering the old times – "and you'll have no shopping partner." She seemed horrified at the idea. I just put an arm around her shoulders in a friendly manner.

"Alice, there's a reason why phones were invented. We can still talk to each other and I promise to update you on every boring thing I'm doing," I said solemnly. Alice frowned again.

"I think Jasper and I will be very busy full stop I might miss your calls," she thought out.

My eyes popped wide open. I pulled my arm away from her shoulders and stared at her in mock surprise. "Alice Brandon-Whitlock, that wasn't the type of excuse I expected to hear from you."

She seemed confused for a moment, before her eyes shone with understanding, and she giggled. "Not like that, you silly girl. I mean, I will be busy with the company and Jasper will have to finish his World War II article soon so he can send it to his boss, though that was a very nice suggestion." She was nodding her head seriously, as if she hadn't thought of what I actually said beforehand.

I ruffled her black hair and she squealed at the sudden action. "You pixie, I know you're such a good actress, so don't tell me that lame excuse again. Now, are you going to Chicago or not?" Not that I wanted her to leave, but she might really miss her flight if she stayed for so long.

"Just a moment, let's go arrange your wardrobe first," she declared. I groaned but followed her to my room.

Alice walked to my room as if she owned the place. She opened my door and deftly maneuvered to the cabinet on the eastern side of my room. Without further ado, she started her mission.

I spent ten minutes listening to Alice drone on and on about the proper handling of clothes. I would just nod my head at her "did you get it's", and she would suspiciously narrow her eyes at me.

Finally, she stood up, declaring that it was time for her to leave. Before she could, however, her eyes landed on the drawing pad that was lying innocently on my bed. Edward's drawing was turned upwards and I saw a flicker of recognition passed her face.

"Bella, is that the Edward you kept on telling me about since junior year?" she asked as she walked to my bed and picked up the thick pad.

"Um, yeah," I finally admitted.

"Oh Bella, when are you going to realize that he's just a figment of your imagination?"

"But he isn't," I argued, suddenly angry.

"Oh, and how do you know?" Alice raised her eyebrows at me, daring me.

"Because I can feel it, okay?" I explained, my tone rising. "I know it sounds stupid and weird, but, I don't know, I just can't allow myself to say he isn't." My voice was barely above a whisper as I said the last part.

I didn't know what Alice's expression, because of the fact that I was looking at the floor but I heard her drop my drawing pad. She walked towards me and her small feet entered my line of vision.

"It's all right, Bella. Let's not fight over this, okay? I wouldn't want to leave Forks if my best friend and I were not on good terms."

I smiled and finally looked up. "You really should leave, pixie." I pointed to the clock behind her.

She turned her head and gasped when it said she only had six minutes left until they leave Forks, and wait in the airport. "I really have to go now, Bells. Bye, and remember what I taught you or else!" I simply laughed at her threat.

I watched her leave in her yellow Porsche, her right hand waving out of the window. I waved back with a smile on my face. When her car was lost among the green dense trees, I closed the door, sighing.

I sauntered to the living room where the movie was still on pause. I pressed play and watched the movie in silence.

"Are you afraid?"

"Of death?"

At that part of the movie, another knock sounded. I groaned, this time not in my mind, as I pressed pause for the second time and rolled out of the sofa.

My eyes were half open as I twisted the doorknob and pulled it open. My eyes instantly widened when I realized who it was.

"Morning, Bella," Jacob greeted me. He was one of the workers at Ms. Cope's and the regulator of the delivery service. Quil, another worker, had told me in private that Jacob never went to deliveries but since he had happened to come with them one day to my house, he made excuses to with them every time I was on the delivery list. Jacob indeed showed interest, but I couldn't see him in any place other than as a friend.

"Hi, Jake," I greeted back. "Is it just me or did you grow up?"

He laughed loudly. "You always say that, Bells. Anyway, here's the receipt of your order and just sign over here." He pointed the spot where I should sign. I scribbled my signature quickly. "No wonder you're so artistic, Bella, you're left-handed." He sighed in amazement.

"Didn't you notice before?" I asked curiously.

"Nah, I was busy looking at your cute face to even notice anything." He chuckled.

I blushed scarlet and playfully smacked his arm. "Shut up, Black, before I could accuse you of flattery."

"Is that a crime?"

"In my opinion, yes."

"Okay." He shrugged and grinned at me, his teeth a contrast to his russet skin.

"Hey, Bella," someone called behind Jacob. I craned my neck and saw the other Quileute boys removing the strings around the huge bark of tree that was behind their delivery truck.

"Hey, guys," I said cheerily. I turned back to Jacob and said, "Can you carry that huge tree upstairs?" I pointed the humongous tree the rest of the boys were struggling with.

"Are you kidding, Bells? You know what we Quileutes are made up of." He grinned playfully, then jogged down the stairs and helped with the carrying.

"Yeah, steroids," I muttered to myself, chuckling. I walked to the kitchen to prepare them with something to drink. I heard them heaving the tree from the stairs and I shouted, "All right, there?"

No reply came and I chuckled, knowing that they couldn't be because of the weight of the tree. I carried the tray to the dining area and when I heard them descending, I called them in for their usual drinks.

After drinking and thanking me, they left, except for Jacob.

"What's up, Jake. Any problems?" I asked as I put the glasses on the tray.

"Well, I wanted to ask if you're free tonight?" he asked hopefully.

"Jake." I sighed. I had been telling him what I felt about him since he first asked me, but apparently, he wasn't easily discouraged. He was probably hoping that my mind would change – which I was sure definitely would not. "I told you months ago that I couldn't and besides, I have a new project," I reminded him, thanking Edward – I had to heave a deep sigh for my heart started beating frantically, just by the mention of his name – in my mind.

"Well, maybe another –" He was cut off by the buzz of his phone. He motioned for me to wait and I nodded my head.

"Yes, Dad, what is it?" He sighed deeply. I continued with my work, humming "Once Upon A December" once more. "What?" he asked after a moment. "Okay, I'll be right there soon." He shut off his phone.

"Um, sorry, Bells. I guess I'll also be busy soon. Dad's best friend, Harry, had a heart attack. I need to fly to Michigan." His eyebrows pulled together in an expression I couldn't comprehend.

"Oh," I said, quickly feeling sorry for his dad's friend. "Well, I hope he'll get better soon."

"So am I." He sighed again, this time in defeat. "Well, Bella, I have to leave now. Bye." He gave me a small smile before turning to the door.

"Bye, Jake," I called out.

I decided to have lunch. I watched the movie as I ate, not finishing it as I reminded myself of the dishes. After cleaning the dishes, I contemplated whether I should start with my work. I settled on creating him then. I started using 'him' for his name since I could instantly turn to mellow at his name. I mean, I knew he wasn't real – even though my heart demanded the opposite – but I realized that I wasn't that obsessed yet with my 'dream mate.' I had seen a lot of people, girls especially, screaming actors' names and yelling how much they looked hot in a movie. Most movies were fictional, right?

I shut the DVD, making a mental note to finish that soon, and made my way upstairs. Not forgetting to grab my drawing pad from my room, I continued my journey to the third floor of this house.

The Quileute boys knew where to place the tree, what with the amount of times I ordered there. It was on the farthest side of my work area and they had already done me the favor of moving some of my things away and putting varnish and paint on one side. They were probably Jacob's orders. I just shook my head at his attempts.

I opened the curtains and the afternoon light streamed through the glass windows. Actually, the walls of this floor were all made of glass. I sighed in contentment as I gazed at the vast scenery.

I circled the big chunk of wood, in my mind, making the proportional carves and etches. I grabbed my chisel and mallet and, with one last glance at the drawing, I began my work.

The sun had already set and the forest was dark and mysterious. I would've been scared but I was too focused on my work to mind it. Then, the sky was starting to lighten, ranging from black to grey; it indicated how much time had passed.

I let my hand fall on the varnished plane and checked to see if it was dry; it was.

My eyes greedily ran over my creation. I felt my heart tugging as I stared at his chiseled face. It was perfect – almost too perfect, I corrected, because I believed as an artist that nothing in this world was. Though made of wood, my imagination was wild enough to see him playing the piano that I had also carved myself. I knew that making Edward was very difficult and adding the piano would just become more complicated but, I wouldn't be contented if I didn't throw the piano in.

All in all, I created Edward in a loose shirt and pants and he was playing the piano. His fingers were poised at the first movement of "Fur Elise" and his eyes were closed. His forehead was scrunched up in concentration. It was such a sight to behold.

My tired eyes focused on the clock above the door. It said five-fifty.

"Wow," I said hoarsely for it was the first word I had said in a few hours. I cleared my throat and stared at Edward's form once more. "You're worth it, after all." I smiled sleepily.

I yawned and curled up beside Edward. I closed my eyes and immediately drifted to sleep.

The last thing I was aware of was a pair of arms carrying me.

A/N: As always, please consider leaving a review. Please.