The next day I went shopping with Esme, she was redecorating the library and apparently needed my opinions. After a couple of hours sorting through paints, carpets and some furniture we decided to get something to eat at a tiny little cafe that had just opened up.

After we had ordered hot drinks and some food, Esme and I sat around the fireplace. We were deep in conversation, and I was just starting to relax, when who should show up but Bella! I saw her walking through the front door. I suppressed a sigh and tried to focus all my attention on Esme. But of course Esme noticed my distraction. She looked at me curiously, before turning to glance towards the door. Bella caught her gaze and a beautiful smile lit up her face. Esme waved her over, she hesitated only a moment when she saw me, but decided to come over anyways.

'Bella? Oh my you've grown so much! It's been too long!' Esme gushed, standing up to hug Bella.

'Yeah, it's been too long.' she agreed, 'How are you?'

'Great.' Esme responded, 'Why don't you join us so we can all catch up?'

'Um...' Bella looked towards me, probably trying to come up with a good way of getting out of it without hurting Esme's feelings.

I was glaring at her again, Esme looked at me disapprovingly and I immediately wiped the scowl off my face.

'Please?' Esme asked.

It was almost impossible to turn Esme down, 'Sure.' Bella agreed, 'Just let me go get some coffee.'

When Bella had walked off, Esme turned on me, 'What was that look for?' I shrugged, 'Edward?'

'I don't know mum.' I answered, which only made her more mad.

'I thought I taught you better than that.'

I groaned, 'I just don't know why she wants to pretend now that we're best friends.'

'Edward, you and Bella used to be best friends when you were younger.'

'Yeah, we used to be.' I muttered.

Bella joined our table then, she smiled timidly at me, I tried my best not to scowl. Then her and Esme launched into conversation like nothing had ever changed. Throughout the dreadful conversation Bella kept glancing up at me, I kept my eyes focused on the cup in my hands until Esme forced me to talk. I said the bare minimum, just enough to keep Esme happy, but not enough to let Bella think we could ever be friends again.

Finally Bella's phone rang and she had to go home. Esme hugged her goodbye, then we made our way back to the car.

'She is such a nice girl.' Esme said, 'What ever happened to her?'

I shrugged, 'You'll have to ask her that one mum, I'm still trying to figure it out myself.'

'Asphyxiate.' I said, placing the tiles down on the board.

'Damn it Edward!' Emmett groaned, Esme shot him a disapproving look and he smiled innocently.

'Alright I'm out of tiles, I pass.' Alice announced.

'Yeah me too...' Jasper agreed. 'Time to tally it up?'

Rose nodded, and began to add up all our scores. Her head was bent over the page, deep in concentration. When she had finished she lifted her head, a soft hush fell over the room as we determined who had bet her this time. Her eyes fell on my face and I shrank back. I think sometimes Rose forgot we were just playing a game.

She broke eye contact when Emmett nudged her, 'Babe, c'mon. It's just a game.'

Laughing she got up, 'Yeah, and now it's my bedtime. Goodnight.'

Esme, Carlisle and Alice all left with Rose to go to bed. I'd slept most of the day so my clock was kind of messed up. Jasper, Emmett and I decided to play the X-Box.

I was nearly at the end of the level, beating Emmett by miles, when Jasper, who had been quiet up until this point, said, 'I think I'm going to ask Alice to marry me.'

'W-what?' Emmett spluttered.

I smiled slightly, ran through the gates, then turned to Jasper.

'That's great Jazz!' I said, really happy that he wanted to take things further with Alice.

Emmett glared at me, 'He wants to marry our sister.'

I laughed, nudging Emmett, 'His not that bad a choice...and you know Alice wants to get married some day. I'd rather it be Jasper than anyone else.'

Emmett scrunched up his face, 'You have my blessing...but don't think I wont be keeping my eye on you, punk!'

Jasper laughed, knowing Emmett was half joking, 'Thanks man...and I love Alice, I'm going to do everything I can to keep her safe and happy.'