A/N: We passed 100 reviews! Thanks to everyone who left one.

I don't own Twilight, just the thoughts in my head.

Chapter November—Gone for Thanksgiving

After Halloween, Bella and Edward went back to their original routine and she welcomed it. Seeing Edward every morning before class and during lunch, was a source of comfort to her, even when they held hands. Her warning signs were long forgotten and every Friday night was always date night. He would walk her right to her door. The first time Edward did it he hesitantly kissed her goodnight. Once their lips touched, he knew she no longer felt the need to pull away. Joy filled both their bodies, but things still stayed innocent.

"Thanksgiving is this Thursday," Bella said during their usual week night phone conversations.

"I know."

"I have to go to my parents for Thanksgiving, remember?"

"I've been trying to forget. There's no way I could convince you to come to Chicago with me?" Edward persuaded.

"I'm sorry. My parents are counting on the visit. It's been a while since I've seen them."

"I'll miss you. You know you could come Friday or Saturday. You don't need to see them the entire time."

"Edward."

"I know, I know. Obsessed boyfriend . . . crazy monster . . . all alone with no help."

"Right," she said.

"You won't be alone. You'll be with me. You know I'll protect you from anyone who'll harm you," he declared.

"But who'll protect me from you?" she mentioned sarcastically.

Edward paused for a moment. "Don't forget you are supposed to see me off at the airport, right?"

"Yeah. Why do you have to work on Thanksgiving?"

"Technically the night of, I'm not working, but the rest of the days I am," he clarified. "The clients need to see I'm available for them. That's just the way businesses work."

Edward was all ready at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport saying goodbye to Bella Thursday morning. He took out his phone and asked for hers. One of the bystanders took a picture of him and Bella with each camera.

"I don't want you to forget me," he said.

"You're a little hard to forget."

"How am I supposed to function without seeing you?"

"It's four days. We've gone weeks without each other before. Besides, we'll talk on the phone and you have a picture of me now," she reminded him.

Edward leaned in close and took a deep breath, inhaling her essence.

"Oh, that reminds me. I have something for you." Bella opened her bag and pulled out a shampoo bottle.

"Elite - Strawberries 'n Cream," he read aloud. His mouth morphed into a grin.

"So you'll have my fragrance with you."

"Thank you." He pulled her into a hug. He didn't let her go right away, instead he whispered into her ear, "I love you. Always."

Slowly he released her and got onto the plane before she could say something. Bella was slightly taken aback. They haven't mentioned the L-word since they got back together. She actually thought he may never say it again. Her stomach bubbled uncomfortably, but she still smiled. She was glad she still had his heart.

Edward landed safely at Chicago O'Hare International Airport where his parents waited. Edward's mom was round around her curves and shorter than him. She had blond highlights her natural caramel hair with the same golden brown eyes as him. She was manicured and well dressed. Her sense of style was in fashion. His stepfather had blonde hair, cropped short and blue eyes. He was tall like Edward, but was soft around his middle. They saw him carrying the bottle.

"Did you think we ran out of shampoo?" his mother queried.

"No. It's from Bella," he smiled. He told them all about her while showing them her picture.

"She's pretty," his stepdad commented.

"You should see her on a good day."

Bella gathered her luggage placing it in her truck. The drive home didn't take very long even with the holiday traffic. When she arrived, her parents came out in a rush to see her.

"Mom, Dad!" She jumped out of her red Chevy and gave them a big hug. "Mom, you lost weight." Bella's mom, Renee, was slightly heavy with long wavy hair worn in a ponytail. She had the same brown eyes as Bella.

"Your dad has been taking me out on your bike recently. I've lost twelve pounds already." She looked affectionately to her husband Charlie who was physically fit as an athlete. Aside from being a Police officer, he coached the boy's little league baseball team in Phoenix.

"She gave me trouble to start, but I think she enjoys our rides as much as you did when I took you."

"Guess who's in town for Thanksgiving?" Renee asked.

"Who?"

"Mike!"

"Mike? What!"

"He said he missed you and to call him when you got in. You want me to dial?"

"Oh. No, that's okay. I want to spend Thanksgiving with my parents. That's why I'm here. And not in Chicago where I should've gone." Bella added the last part in a whisper.

"What was that?" her father questioned.

"Ah . . . nothing," she answered.

Bella helped her mother prepare the turkey for dinner the whole Thursday, hoping Mike would never show up. Meanwhile in Chicago, Edward was busy. He saw clients, made phone calls, and did what he did best . . . run the company. Whenever he had a spare minute, he pulled out his cell phone and glanced at Bella.

That night Bella sat in her bed thankful Mike never showed up. She held in her hand her opened phone with the picture of Edward and her. Her land-line rang.

Edward.

"Hello," she said.

"Hey it's Mike. I was wondering when you were going to call."

Disappointment filled her head. "I wasn't planning on it."

"Come on, you're not still mad about what happened in July?"

Her ears turned a burning red. "I'm not having this conversation."

"I miss you. When are you going to come over?"

Her cell phone buzzed and she took hold of this opportunity to escape conversing with Mike. "Mike, there's someone on the other line." She pressed the flash button then left the receiver on her night table.

She didn't recognize the number. "Hello?"

"Hi there," a voice said.

"Who's this?"

"It's Edward."

Relief washed over her face and her body relaxed. "Hi. How has your day been?"

"Busy. I haven't had a moments rest till I sat down for turkey dinner."

"My dinner was uneventful. I helped cook the bird. Did you know it takes about six hours to cook the turkey?"

"No. How big was it?"

"Huge! There were only three of us. My parents are going to have leftovers forever!"

He laughed. The sound echoed in her ears in comfort.

"I can't wait to see you on Monday. It feels like forever."

"I know what you mean. It's Black Friday tomorrow. Do you have plans to raid any stores?"

"No. There's nothing I really want. Shopping for the sake of shopping is not my style. Especially on Black Friday when you could get killed if you fall down. I mean think about it, is it really worth risking your life just to get a sale."

"If it's a really good sale, maybe," he joked.

"What would be considered a good sale?"

"I don't know. Everything's in my price range." He laughed again. She closed her eyes imagining he was there beside her.

Edward noticed her silence. "Are you still awake, Bella?"

"Yeah. I was just imagining something."

"You sound tired. It's been a long day. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Edward." She yawned, shut her phone and went to sleep.

[A/N: I know what you're thinking . . . wasn't Mike still on the other phone? Yup! She left him there.]

The next morning Edward went back to work, but sent Mr. Jay out to get a very special present. Bella's morning started with a smile. She had a wonderful dream about going back to school and seeing Edward again. She sat down for a late breakfast with her parents, when there was a knock at the back door. Renee peeped through the hole and opened it to a bronze-haired male. Bella knew it couldn't possibly be Edward.

Ugh Mike. She thought they had to be related somehow or some weird genetic fluke.

"You left me hanging," he accused.

"There was someone more important I wanted to talk to," she claimed.

"Who's more important than me?" he boasted.

"Edward."

"Who?" her parents asked in a duel voice.

"Um, Edward Masen, my boyfriend," she admitted reluctantly.

"Edward Masen . . . why does that name sound familiar?" Charlie quested.

"He was on the news, that Special on boy geniuses."

"How did you meet him?"

"He goes to school with me. But, currently he's with his family in Chicago."

"Seriously?" Mike murmured.

"It's true. Here's a picture of him." Bella picked up her phone from the charger. She navigated through the menu to show the picture of Edward.

"That's a picture of us," Mike said deflated.

"No it's not. You and I were never at the airport together."

"Are you sure?" he mocked.

"Yeah." But Bella wasn't so sure. They did look very alike and had never seen them together. He thought for a moment. She knows for certain Edward got onto a plane at the airport. There has to be two of them. "Definitely!"

Her dad took her phone to look at the picture and shared it with Renee. "This Edward does resemble you Mike," her mom uttered.

"I know. Believe me I know. It made things very difficult at first," Bella chimed in.

"Are you two related?" Charlie asked.

"I don't think so. My parents would have told me if I had a twin, but I think Bella's just playing with our heads," Mike answered.

"Why didn't you tell us about Edward?" her mom asked.

"Yeah why is this the first time you mentioned it? Hmmm?" Mike taunted.

"I didn't want to jinx it, you jerk."

Renee felt the atmosphere grow tense and wished to dispel it. "Honey, are you planning on coming sale hunting with us later?"

"No. I'm just going to hang around the house. I'll watch some television or something. There are so many programs I missed while at college."

"I'll keep her company, if it pleases you guys," Mike offered angelically.

"It doesn't please me," Bella rejected.

Her parents left shortly afterwards and Mike followed her around the house like a puppy.

"Go away!" she yelled.

"So, you're dating me without actually dating me," he mocked. "I knew you weren't over me."

"Edward is not you, and you're not even in league with him."

"I got it. You really like this guy. So what does he have that I don't?"

"Ugh."

"Fine. We could still be friends, can't we? We used to be tight you and I. I know we could go bike riding," he suggested.

"No. I don't like doing that anymore. It's for little kids," she lied.

"We could do something else."

"I don't want to do anything with you."

"Come on. I doubt 'what's his name' would want you to be bored while you're here. We'll go to The Grill and have an early lunch. I'm sure the After Thanksgiving Special is great."

"I'm not hungry."

"How about we sit for a movie?" He grabbed the remote and spread out on the couch, switching on the cable box and TV. She worried about sitting beside him and his wandering hands.

She picked the lesser of the two evils. "Okay, we'll go out to eat!"

Mike flashed his teeth. "Wonderful."

They sat in the restaurant and ordered the Special, but she didn't take one bite. She felt utterly guilty for even being in Mike's company. After lunch, he took her home.

"It wasn't that bad hanging out with me," he concluded.

"You can't even magine," she mumbled flatly.

"I'll be going. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thrilled. Mike . . ." she began.

"Yes."

"Why don't you take a walk off a short cliff?"

Bella telephoned Edward that night. "Hi Edward, how was your day?"

"It was fine. Lots of meetings. Really boring. What about yours?"

"Annoying. Watched TV. Went out for lunch."

"With whom?"

"Oh, just some nobody," she dismissed.

"Aha."

She was silent on the phone. She had uploaded the pictures from her phone to her computer. Clicking through them, she found him.

"Well as fascinating as your voice is, I'm really busy right now. I'll talk to you tomorrow? Unless there is something you need to say?" he questioned. She decided not to worry him about Mike being around. She'll just grit and bare it.

"No, I just miss you."

"Miss you too."

The next day she took her dad's baseball stuff and went out in the backyard. She tossed the ball in the air and tried to swing the bat to hit it. The action reminded her of her carnival date with Edward. She struggled as Mike watched on the side.

"I could help you," he commented.

"No, thank you."

"Since when do you play baseball?"

"Since Edward showed me."

"Well he didn't show you very well."

"It's just . . . I can't get my hands around the bat in time when I'm tossing the ball."

"Well I could toss the ball to you and you could show me what you know." He grabbed a ball and stepped back a little. He gently tossed the ball toward her. She swung and there was a loud crack as the bat hit the baseball. It went straight toward Mike, just missing him by inches.

"Hey, take it easy! Wow, he showed you how to do that? Do it again." He grabbed the bag of balls and stepped further back. As he tossed the ball again and again, she hit it far. The next thing they knew, they had spent the morning and a good part of the afternoon playing a modified baseball game.

They were laughing as he chased her with the ball, when a familiar Volvo pulled into the driveway. Edward stepped out with a shocked. He wasn't expecting Bella to be with the guy so closely resembling him. She saw Edward and stopped short. Mike slammed into her and they tumbled to the grass entangled. She shoved him aside instinctively and stood up.

"Edward?" she said stunned. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Looks like I'm the one that got the surprise."

"Hi, I'm Mike." Mike stood brushing off the dirt from his pants.

"I know who you are," Edward said curtly.

"Edward, I thought you were working," she claimed.

"And I thought he was out of your life," he responded. His voice was cold.

"He's just here visiting for Thanksgiving," she justified.

"I spoke to you twice and you never mentioned him. Wait," he sneered at Mike, "unless he's the nobody."

"Hey! I told her I was coming to see her and she said she was thrilled," Mike worded convincingly.

"I meant that sarcastically," she pointed out to Mike. "I said it sarcastically."

"Were you ever going to tell me?"

"Yes . . . at school. I didn't want you to be nervous."

Mike came closer to Edward. "Look I get why you're nervous. You're the copy and now she has the original back." Mike's tone angered Edward.

"You wish."

She stared at the two of them in each other's face, practically mirror images and she shivered. "Could you two separate? You're freaking me out."

"No problem," Edward said, and walked back to get into his silver Volvo.

She jumped behind the car. "No, don't leave! Mike, you leave!" she commanded.

"Fine. See you later, Sweetie." Mike spoke in a cutesy voice.

She got into the car.

"You said we looked the same. I didn't realize that the same. You should have told me he was here, that he was still around," he reprimanded her.

"I'm sorry."

"When did you two even breakup?"

"This past July."

"So I'm the rebound guy?"

"No!"

"Every touch, every kiss, you imagine him in your fantasy world where he didn't dump you," he concluded.

"No! Never! Every kiss was you. I was always with you. He's just trying to push your buttons, because he's jealous."

"How am I supposed to believe you when you keep this from me?" he interrogated.

Bella put one hand on each side of his face. She looked him in his dark watery eyes and explained, "I never doubted how I felt about you. Even when we were apart for three weeks, I never doubted the fact that I loved you." She paused, "You and only you." His eyes averted to his lap. "I forgot to give you something before you went on the plane," she said.

"What's that?" A tear rolled down his face.

She leaned in and caught it pressing her lips to his cheek. Slowly she moved them salted to his mouth. Her hands slid around his neck. His resolve melted and he slid his arms onto her back, pulling her closer. Her face moved to the side. "I love you, Edward. Always." She put her lips back on his. Her tongue touched his lower lip. He wasn't anticipating this type of kiss and he tightened his hold. Fire emanated within them both as the kiss deepened.

There was a knock on the driver-side window and they abruptly pulled apart. Bella's father stared at them intently. The two quickly exited, pink faced.

"Dad, I could explain!" she rushed.

He waved her off. "No need to explain. I knew you were going to win her back, Mike, but I didn't realize it would be so quickly." Edward lifted his eyebrows.

"No Dad," she interrupted. "This is Edward, my boyfriend from school."

"Nice to meet you, sir," Edward said while shaking Charlie's hand.

Charlie tensed his forehead. "Aren't you supposed to be in Chicago?"

"Yes, but I couldn't stay away." Edward looked over at her. "Could we go for a walk?"

"Sure, anything." She took his hand tightly.

As they walked, she commented, "You've been using my shampoo. You smell amazing. No wonder you're always sniffing me." He laughed nodding.

When they came to the end of the block he said, "I got you a present. I risked life and limb to get this for you on Friday."

"You did not. You probably sent someone out to get it for you. I wouldn't be surprised if the store brought the products to you."

"Okay, you're right. Mr. Jay needed the rest of the day off to recover."

"I thought you didn't give gifts in general?"

"With you I'll make an exception. It's not what you think."

She was breathless. He was holding out a small gray velvet ring box. "I don't think it's anything," she uttered as she took it. She smiled as she opened it to see a gold turkey charm.

"It's for your charm bracelet," he explained.

"I don't have a charm bracelet."

"Yes you do." He held out larger red box. Inside was a bracelet with two charms already attached. "There's one for each month we've known each other." He held out the bracelet and pointed to the ASU letter charm. "The first one is for September, when we first met at school. The next is for October. It's a fairy, because you wore that on Halloween. You're supposed to add the turkey here for November," he instructed.

She had no words for how this gift made her feel. She had a lump in her throat and her tears threatened to spill again.

"Bella?" He tilted his head.

"I don't know what to say."

"Say thank you."

"Thank you. It's beautiful." He helped her attach the turkey and put the charm bracelet on her wrist.

"It must have cost you a fortune," she guessed.

"I told you. Everything is in my price range. With each new month we're together, you'll get another charm until we finish up the year. Then I'll just have to get you something else. An anniversary gift, I guess."

"You really shouldn't do all that."

"Don't worry about it. I want to. I never felt this way about anybody."

She took his hand again, but he pulled her close. He used his other hand to caress her face, going for another kiss. He let go of her hand and slid his arm around her waist.

"You know you never asked me what my birthday wish was," she claimed a little breathless.

To him this seemed out of the blue. "Okay, what did you wish for?"

"I wished I was still with you for my next birthday."

"Why? I mean you wasted your wish. That wish is guaranteed. You should have asked for something impossible."

Bella laughed. "Do you want to officially meet my parents?"

"Sure."

Back at the house she introduced them.

"Edward this is my dad, Charlie Swan."

"It's good to see your face off my daughter." Her cheeks heated.

"Sorry, sir," he responded.

"This is my mom, Renee Swan," she continued. Edward shook Renee's hand.

"The resemblance to Mike is uncanny," she mumbled.

"You two met in school. Do you share classes?" Charlie asked.

"No. She worked for me for a week, showing me around campus. It didn't end well. Instead we became friends."

"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Bella's mom suggested.

"Is Mike going to be here?" Edward qualified.

"We don't know, he just shows up," Bella answered.

"Rude," he mumbled. "I would love to stay for dinner."

Mike was absent for dinner and the silence was thick as they ate. When dinner was done, Bella's dad asked Edward about himself.

"What classes are you taking? I mean you already have a good job. Aren't you just wasting time?"

"Actually, I think college isn't a waste of time. I'm taking business classes since I am running a business," he said seriously. "Besides, more people would take me seriously if I had a degree. If you needed a doctor, you would want someone with an M.D. attached to his name. Not just some medicine man. Even if he learned about medicinal herbs his whole life and knew what he was doing, it's a matter of trust, a standard stamp of approval."

"You do have a point," Charlie agreed.

"Were you together on your birthday or did you keep it a secret, Bella," Renee asked.

"He knew. Angela blabbed." Bella smiled, "He gave me a cupcake with a candle in it. It was very thoughtful."

"That's it? No shiny gifts or dinner?" Renee challenged.

"He doesn't give gifts in general," Bella stated. Edward became confused. He glared at Bella and she glanced at him shaking her head slightly.

"It's getting late. I have to go to my hotel. Dinner was delicious," Edward complimented.

"I'll walk you out." Bella got up and took the plates to the sink. Then they walked out to the car.

"Why didn't you tell them?" he queried.

"I don't want my parents to push me to like you."

"But you do like me."

"Yeah, but they'll figure gifts for me . . . gifts for them. Does the term 'gold-digger' ring a bell?"

"Your parents aren't like that, are they?"

"Not in the strict sense. They'll also start dropping hints about getting married," she sighed.

"Ah, back to that again." He smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow." He touched her chin gently with his fingers, got into his car, and drove off. She took a minute then went back inside.

The next day Edward arrived just after breakfast, so did Mike.

"Hi boys. Bella went to the store. You both can take a seat in the kitchen. I'm sorry I'm not really sure which one is which," Renee revealed.

"Oh, well I'm Edward," Mike uttered.

Edward turned. "What?" surprise colored his tone. "No, I'm Edward."

"What a liar you are."

"Charlie! We have a problem here," she called out. Bella's parents were completely confused about who was really Edward.

"I'm sure Bella will straighten everything out when she arrives," Charlie hoped.

"I don't know why you are claiming to be me," Mike stated deceptively. Edward stayed quiet. He knew Mike was just trying to goad him.

Bella came into the house ten minutes later and stared at the two of them at the kitchen table. She smiled at the sight of the "twins." How likely was it to bump into your doppelganger?

Her mother told her they were both claiming to be Edward. "Could you please tell which one is which?"

"Mike this isn't funny," she said with her back to them both, as she put the milk in the fridge. "You're making Edward angry."

"But which one is Edward?" Renee asked. The two boys were quiet.

Bella turned around, held onto her necklace and smiled at the real Edward. He noticed her recognition and smiled back. Mike assumed correctly the necklace was bought by Edward.

Mike stood up. "I bought you that necklace."

She frowned. She pointed at him. "That's Mike."

"Are you positive?" her dad asked.

"A hundred percent."

Charlie reprimanded. "You need to leave now."

"Dad, could Edward borrow your bike so we could bike ride a little?"

"Sure. It's in the garage."

As they walked the bikes down the street, Edward asked her how she knew. "You two aren't exact twins and I've been staring at your face for the past month. My necklace also helped."

"Because he gave himself away."

"Please. I knew which one was you the second I walked through the door."

"Then how did the necklace help?"

"Only the person who gave me this necklace sitting on my heart could make it burn my skin when I looked at him."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm beginning to scar," she joked. "Now get on the bike and show me how well you ride."

They bike rode till early afternoon when they headed back to her house. Edward left to pack his stuff up from the hotel. She packed her things and they drove back to the university following each other in their separate vehicles.

AN: Well is it better this way? I could go back to the smaller chapters if you want. Let me know.