A/N: Sorry, would have posted this earlier, i've been putting off the editing of this, too many words, I haven't written a long chapter for a while. Chapter 7 shouldn't take too long.

BPOV

I pulled faces as I watched my iPod battery starting to die. I had stupidly forgotten to charge it before I left home. I pulled the headphones off my head and left them hanging around my neck. Looking out the window, I could see that we were now flying through the clouds. I was lucky that my flight wasn't full so I was able to choose to have a seat by the window. And as there were plenty of seats free around on the plane, the one next to me was empty for the whole flight.

Just another 40minutes left announced the Pilot.

I felt relieve to be back, not to worry about anything and just enjoy some time with Renée. Phil was currently in Jacksonville for work and wasn't due back until the day I left.

Sometimes I questioned if Phil really was away working, or if he was being unfaithful.

Renée and Phil had been dating for 9years and still no marriage proposal. Renée always said she wasn't sure about the idea of being married again after the divorce with Charlie, but she never refused the idea of getting re-married.

Her and Charlie had been childhood sweethearts and were married just as young. Soon after they married, Renée had fallen pregnant with me and their marriage fell apart a year or so after I was born. I partly blamed myself for the failure for their marriage, but I was always reassured that it wasn't my fault, that the reason the marriage fell apart was because they had married too early.

Renée was the free spirited, hippy-like and a little scatterbrained. Charlie was a little recluse, more so after the split from Renée, and introverted. I looked like Renée, except her hair is generally kept shorter. I couldn't remember ever seeing it long in the years I've been alive, there were plenty of pictures to show, though. Of Charlie, I inherited his eyes and mostly his personality.

A little while after I moved out to live with Charlie, Renée briefly moved to Florida with Phil because his job was based there. But she missed Phoenix, so Phil willingly moved back for her, which meant that Phil would have to travel back and forth every few weeks. This was one of the reasons that made me feel bad for doubting Phil, I knew traveling back and forth was a pain, but I knew that all he wanted to do was to make Renée happy.

Collecting my luggage and as I walking out of the arrivals terminal, I looked around at the eager faces of friends and families waiting to greet their loved ones, the taxi drivers holding up signs with names of people and the couples who had found each other and were smiling and laughing. I noticed a someone holding up the sign 'B. Swan'. I wasn't expecting anyone, and it could be a coincidence that someone had the same name as me, it wouldn't hurt to have a look anyway. I casually walked towards the person holding the sign.

Renée.

I grinned and hurried up eagerly headed towards her. Her face lighted up and came running towards my direction.

We hugged for what seemed liked ages. I took a step back and took a look at her.

Renée, my mother and the best friend that I didn't talk to enough. She had a few more freckles than she had when I'd last seen her, and she wore her hair in it's natural wavy/curly-ness. She looked good, glowing and happier. When I'd spoken to her on the phone, she seemed a lot more enthusiastic. I could see how being with Phil made her feel. Pangs of more guilt shot through my mind for ever doubting Phil. I could see how having him in her life had changed her.

My next move would be for Charlie to find that same kind of person, the type of person that changed Renée like Phil had.

Renée kept staring at me with wide eyed eyed look I was giving he, I could feel her studying me now.

"Oh Bella! You look more and more beautiful every time I see you!" And embraced me in another hug. I let her pick at me, picking up my hair and letting it fall over my shoulders, pinching my cheeks and then rubbing them and then gushing some more.

I carefully swung my suitcase in the boot of her car and stepped into the front passenger seat and slammed the door. Renée started the engine as I put on the seatbelt. As we started moving, I asked how she was and how Phil was.

"Oh honey, we're great. Work is going well, i'm teaching a new class in a few weeks. Phil sends his love and is sorry that he's away while you're down, but he's going to try and leave a little early and see you off before you leave!" I faked a smile for her. It wasn't that I didn't not like Phil, I just found him tedious, and especially when I was living with him and Renée, before my move back to Forks, I tried to avoid spending time with him. I hoped he couldn't get the time off and I wouldn't get to see him. But this trip was to spend time with Renée, if I had to deal with Phil for a few hours, then so be it.

I had forgotten how hot Phoenix could be. Years of being away made me forget the heat. Even though it was getting really late, the air was still warm. I didn't want to think of how it would be in the morning. Thank god for air conditioning.

I sat in silence, watching the old familiar views of Phoenix while Renée chatted away besides me. Her voice was soothing, I had missed it. I didn't notice I had fallen asleep until we got home and she was gently nudging my shoulder.

"Honey, we're home."

I groggily looked up at Renée and saw that we were stationed outside my house. She laughed and switched off the car engine, taking the keys out and opening her door before looking back at me to see if I was fully awake.

I yawned and stretched as much as the car would let me, undid my seatbelt, grab my bag placed next to my feet and got out of the car.

I took a good 360º look around on the spot. It had been so long since I was in this neighborhood. Everything looked the same as I had left it 6years ago. I walked up my driveway and into the house. I was about to turn back to the car as I had forgotten to get my suitcase but saw it in the hallway. Seemed like Renée got there before me.

I walked around the house I had long abandoned, details of the memories I kept of it had blurred. Everything looked new yet familiar. Though some things had changed.

The average sized square box t.v was now a plasma flat-screen on the wall. The second-hand sofa I remembered had been replaced by a mustard yellow leather one. Pictures of me as a child, yearbook photos, a picture of me and Renée at my surprise 21st birthday dinner - she had flown down for the weekend to celebrate my birthday, one of Alice and I with cheesy grins, and a few of Renée with Phil, adorned the mantle of the fake fireplace. The kitchen was the same but with a new added dining table. I peered through the back door, looking into the garden. I couldn't see much because it was dark so I figured I would check the rest of the house out tomorrow, I was so tired.

I wasn't sure how I found the energy, but I managed to drag my suitcase up the flight of stairs, I was eager to know what had happened to my room. Slowly opening my door handle, turning on the light switch, I wasn't sure what to expect.

The room had changed from when I had last left it. My posters of music bands and actors I had crushes on were gone and the walls were painted a pastel mint green, not dark purple. My bed was made and there was what looked like fresh flowers in a vase by the bed next to a lamp I barely remembered owning. There was less furniture than when I used to live here, it looked tidier and bigger, more space. But my old wardrobe, desk and rocking chair had stayed. It felt nice to be back. I was about to throw myself onto the bed when I noticed a card by the vase.

"Bella,

Welcome home, I've missed you. I hope you don't mind that i've changed your room, it gets used by the odd guest and when Phil's Mother comes down to stay. I love you.

Mom xxx"

..................

I guessed I had fell asleep again when I woke up to see the sun rising.

Renée must have turned off the light and put the covers over me. I got changed out of the clothes I had been wearing since I left my flat the day before, and into something more comfortable, unpacked some clothes into the wardrobe, my laptop and charged my iPod before going downstairs in search for her. I felt a little guilty for falling asleep, she had surprised me by coming to pick me up at the airport and I barely got to spend time with her the night I returned after many years.

I searched around the house for her, no-where to be seen but the car was in the driveway. Remembering the last place I still hadn't checked, I looked out into the the back garden, Renée was talking to one of the neighbors, I watched her, all smiles and laughter. It was when the neighbor pointed out to her that I was standing there by the door was when I snapped back to reality. They both gave a wave over to my direction, I didn't recognize the neighbor but I waved back anyway.

I walked through the house again, taking everything in with new eyes. I felt home, but not the feeling that Forks gave me, but this was my childhood. I didn't feel like doing anything in particular so I thought I'd just sit outside on the doorstep and just watch the neighborhood go by. I sat down on the step, basking in the bright sun and hot heat. It felt great to be in such a quiet area, to be able to sit outside your home and relax. Eventually I got up out of the now blinding sun, it started to get too hot to handle when I remembered I had promised Alice that I would let her know when I got here. She would be worrying about me.

I was right. When I got to my phone, somewhere deep in my carry on bag, on silent, I had 3 missed calls, a voicemail and 5 text messages.

Voicemail.

"Hey Bella, it's Alice, you should be on the plane and nearly arriving at Phoenix. I hope the fight went well and let me know when you touch down, just so I know you're safe. I'll miss you, and say 'hi' to Renée for me. Love you. Bye."

Messages: four from Alice and one from Jake.

"Hey. Not sure if u got my voicemail, remember to call me when u get there! xx"

"If u've forgotten to let me know, do it now! Seriously, I hope everything is ok xx"

"BELLA!!!!! Im getting really worried now. Don't make me call the police on your ass xx"

"I hope u fell asleep and just havent checked ur phone yet. Im giving until 12pm today and if u havent contacted me im hunting u down personally xx"

Oh shit. It was 10:48am, I had better call her now. She beat me to it though.

"Hello?" I pretended to be none-the-wiser, I knew how Alice was when I forgot to switch my phone back off silent.

"Bella? Is that you?!?!" Yes, she sounded pissed, but relieved.

"I love you. Yes?" I anticipated her to scold me a little.

"What the hell, Bella, I was so worried about you! I would have called Renée myself but I don't have her number in my phone anymore. You're lucky I didn't call Charlie!" If this had reached Charlie, he definitely would have called missing persons. "So how was the flight?" She seemed her usual calm self now, she was just relieved that I was OK.

"Yeah everything was fine, Renée surprised me at the airport, I was planning to get a taxi but she was there to pick me up."

We talked a little while longer, I was asking how everything back home was when I heard Renée calling for me, we said goodbyes with me promising her that I would pick up my phone the next time she rang. I hung up and turned off the silent mode.

I nearly forgot about my message from Jake.

"Hey Swan, remember i'm coming down? My flight is booked for the 25th. Sorry, couldn't get it any earlier, will have to make up for ur birthday. xxx"

I looked at the calendar on hanging on the wall.

Hmm... 25th... 25th.. just over a month. We would have to sort out some plans to meet up and I had nearly forgotten my birthday. Another year older.

Alice would be making a big deal of it like she did every year. I always told her that I really didn't want anything planned, just something small at home or go for a dinner. But every year, no matter how much I warned or advised her not to do anything, she always managed to find and surprise me. I once thought I was fine when I told her I was going to be out of the country for my birthday and then hid in Starbucks until they closed, planning to stay in the home for the rest of the night. I should have foreseen Alice's plans when I was offered a free mini cupcake and a balloon. I was told the cupcakes and balloons were leftover from a celebration, and they were giving them out to customers. It should have been obvious that something wasn't right, but I had honestly thought Alice was convinced I was not in the country. At all. It didn't even dawn on me then that I was the only customer with the free balloon, though no-one hardly payed attention me or to my balloon.

It was only when I started walking up stairs to my apartment that the warning signs were now firing at me. Faint traces of glitter leading me up the stairs, into the flat... I opened the door with caution and I was welcomed with party poppers and more balloons by a grinning Alice, Jasper, Emmett and the same stoney faced Rosalie. I honestly didn't understand how she found my plans. Every year I gave my excuses, and every year Alice wormed her way into a birthday celebration for me.

I couldn't be bothered to avoid her plans this year and will just let her do whatever she wants. I quickly replied to Jake.

"Jakey! Thats brilliant, cant wait to c u. Im in Phoenix at the mo, visiting home. Will call u when I get bk. Where ru staying? xx"

I put the phone down and went to find Renée.

She was in the kitchen. making sandwiches. I laughed, she had remembered how I never trusted her cooking when I lived here and she still remembered it now. It was always me or Phil who cooked, while Renée did minor things like set the table up, prepare salads or wash up.

She saw me looking at her from the doorway.

"Morning honey," she spoke gently, looking up from cutting the sandwiches, "I hope you're hungry 'cos I can't eat all of this myself!" I walked over to her and hovered over which plate I should take, "take whichever you want, they're the same. I also stocked up the fridge, go wild!" Her arms up in the air, grinning.

I laughed at the 'go wild!' comment and took a look in the fridge. She wasn't kidding when she said she'd stocked up, it was so full with various fruits, snacks, drinks, whatever you wanted, that I worried the longer I kept the fridge door open, the bigger the risk of it all tumbling out. I carefully picked out two slices of cake and two apples.

I followed a cautious Renée who was carrying our two plates, two cups and a bottle of something that seemed like juice, into the front room. We sat on the couch, sat facing each other legs crossed. The t.v was turned up but with the volume low, background noise. Enough to hear what was going on but not loud enough to interrupt our conversation.

It was mainly Renée asking questions with me answering. She asked about how life was treating me, the shows I walked and the places they took me. She left the questioning of my love life until last. This was something I knew would be asked but dreaded. I hadn't been in a real relationship since this guy called Mike, it was brief, but it was a relationship. That was back in Forks. He left me for one of my friends, Jessica. I didn't care, I was planning to split up with him anyway, he wasn't faithful and couldn't be trusted regardless. Since him, I had many many dates and just as many casual flings. I couldn't tell this to Renée, I had to edit the amount of 'casual' flings I'd had.

I didn't tell her about the bartender from the bar a few weeks back, there wasn't much to tell. Hot bartender in a club that I didn't know the name or location of, I didn't talk to him and I left so early that nothing possible could have happened. Renée was usually good at knowing when I was holding something back. If she knew something about me today, then she wasn't saying anything and didn't badger me to tell her.

I leaned over for a hug, hoping she took this as a thank you for understanding and not forcing me to tell her anything I didn't want to say. For rest of the afternoon, we flicked through various channels and ate what was in front of us and talked about her and Phil.

In the evening, we went out for dinner, my treat. We talked a lot about how Charlie was, and how life in Phoenix compared to Forks and where I lived now. I also remembered to pass on the message to Renée given to me from Alice.

The first night sleeping properly in the house, in my old room felt odd. It was still my room, yet everything had changed.

................

The days leading up to going back home, it was the same plan everyday, hanging out with Renée, catching up with gossip and alternating between cooking dinner and going out. Sometimes I suspected that Renée was trying to feed me more than usual, I caught on early and told her as much as I wanted to pig out, I had a casting job in a few days and couldn't eat everything she gave me. Of course, Renée being Renée, she kept adding food onto my plate whenever she could.

On the last day, Renée drove me to the airport. I knew she been putting off doing work in the duration of my stay. I had told her to stay at home, catch up on her work, but she insisted on driving, she argued that it would probably be a while until we saw each other again, I couldn't deny it, she had a point.

In the car, I leaned my head out of the car, taking in the landscape, feeling the warm breeze in my hair, on my face, zoning out while Renée spoke to Phil on her hands-free for most of the ride. I didn't mind, we had kinda run out of new things to talk about. It had felt great just to be in her company again.

She got off the phone to Phil just as we saw the airport in the distance. I felt a little jolt in my stomach, I didn't want to leave Renée again and was already starting to feel a little homesick. I looked over at Renée, she was concentrating on the road, I looked away and discretely dabbed the little tears away from my eyes. As we pulled into a space, I took a deep breath before getting out. Again, Renée was quick to get my suitcase out before I had a chance.

We had arrived 30minutes earlier than expected as there was no traffic so we took our time walking into the airport terminal. We walked up to check-in my flight first, again choosing a window seat. We went to have a coffee before going through final security checks, and overall, leaving Renée. We made small talk, mainly choosing to watch other people looking lost looking for the departure terminals.

Eventually the time to leave each other came and she walked to the security checks with me. We walked to the back of the line, it was short so we'd had better say our goodbyes now. I couldn't help it, I started to tear up a little, which got Renée going and eventually we were just crying in the line. There were only a few people ahead of me now so we hugged and squeezed tightly. We wiped our tears and laughed as we said goodbye and I handed over my passport and ticket. I waved goodbye from the entrance and walked through to the metal detectors. I was all red and blotchy eyed by the time I waited for my bag to be screened. The security checks people looked at me but they made no judgement. They probably saw this all the time.

Checking the time on my phone, 12:02pm. I had another 23minutes until my flight opened. I decided to do a little duty-free shopping and have a little lunch. I passed on the offer of breakfast earlier because I was too nervous to eat.

I was doing a second round of walking around the shops, nothing took my liking and I didn't need anything in particular, except batteries and maybe some water. The announcement of my flight boarding called and I wheeled the trolley thing and went to find my terminal.

...................

I stifled a giggle as I watched the air stewards and stewardesses doing their routine of emergency exits on the plane.

As we were finally told that it was safe for electronic devices to be turned on so I took out the iPod, fully charged, and stared out through the window. Watching the plane lifting off the ground, heading for the clouds.

This time, there was no-one waiting for me by the arrival gate, and no-one taking me home. It was to be expected, I was a bit ambiguous about the arrival time of my flight, I didn't feel like making plans with Alice tonight.

I was texting her as I opened the door, expecting the place to be empty. I walked in to find the light off but t.v on. No obvious sign of anyone breaking in, I cautiously opened the door and switched on the light. Nothing. Perhaps Alice had left the t.v on while she went out. I sighed a relief and put down my bag and kicked off my shoes. I was dragging my suitcase along to my room when I saw a small figure sleeping on one of the couches.

A sleeping Alice was my surprise visitor.

I left her there for a moment, going into my room to put aside my suitcase to unpack later, I got changed and went to shower.

I let my hair down and re-tied it back up in a bun. I walked over to where Alice was sleeping and gently woke her up. She made incoherent noises and words as she started to wake up. She blinked a few times, covering her eyes with her hand, she turned her head towards me.

"Bella! You're home! I didn't even hear your phone ring!" She sat upright and rubbed her eyes and yawned. I watched her and waited until she was fully awake. She leaned over and hugged me, I squeezed back.

"Yeah, I didn't call, I was just sending you a text as I walked through the door and well, saw you sleeping there. Sorry to wake you up, you can go back to sleep if you want." Perhaps I should have left her sleeping, I felt bad for waking her.

"No, no, it's OK, I wasn't sure when you were coming back and I wanted to be there for you."

I sat next to her, both of us mindlessly watching the t.v. She asked me how my trip was. I told her how I had missed being back home with Renée.

A few moments later, still watching whatever was on the t.v,

"Bella."

"Yes, Alice?"

"What are have you got planned for your birthday? I mean, I know it's a few weeks away, I just wanted to see what excuses you were going going to make this year."

Busted, but fuck it, there was no point in avoiding what couldn't be avoided.

"I'll be here, ready to be surprised."

"Good idea Bella, good idea."

A/N: Doing the whole leaving people at the airports make me sad, therefore it makes Bella sad. Plus she hasn't seen Renée for a while, that doesn't help.