a/n: Yes, it's hard to believe but I'm back :) I can't apologize enough that I went MIA for an insane amount of time, but I'm back with a long chapter and the promise of more frequent updates! I thought about abandoning the story for a while due to lack of response, but I have officially decided to finish it! Enjoy, and don't forget to Review!

From Better to Worse

BPOV

I take a seat at the dining room table across from Rosalie just as I place the last dish on the table.

"So Bells, I was talking to Edward this morning and it got me thinking so I called Detective - " Emmett begins with his mouth already full with food, before I cut him off.

"Hey - no work talk at the table." I say sternly. "I'm here to get to know Rosalie." As I smile at her across the table.

"You can call me Rose, Bella." She says.

The evening goes without too many bumps. Although a little awkward at first, Rosalie and I talk easily by the end of the night even to the point that Emmett is feeling a little bit left out. We continue our girl talk while he goes back into the kitchen for seconds, even though the food is probably already cold after sitting on the table for the past hour.

"That's unreal, Bella. An Oscar! That's amazing!" She muses.

I blush, "I was so surprised, I can't even tell you. It's such an honour to even be nominated." I continue, "Hey I'm going to Alice's tomorrow to pick out a dress, you should come, I could use your opinion! Edward will be there too. I'd ask Emmett but I highly doubt he'd even consider it."

"I'd love that! And you'd be surprised what he'll do for me if I ask." She smirks.

"I will truly never understand how you gained control over that boy, but I applaud you." I crack.

"Me and Em will be there, what time?" She asks, confident that she'll be able to bring him along, and for some reason I have no doubt that she'll succeed.

"I told Alice sometime in the afternoon but Edward doesn't get off until four. I'm going to go around three, so why don't you guys come around five? That way you'll only be there for the end to help me make my final decision and won't have to sit around while we narrow them all down."

"Sounds good to me, thanks for the invite, Bella." She smiles.

They leave shortly after and Jasper comes over to 'watch' me. I'm cleaning up the kitchen so I decide to text Edward.

How's your night going Dr. Cullen? Relaxing after a stressful day at work? - B

"It's kind of lonely but I'm getting settled in the new house. Almost half way done unpacking." - E

"Tomorrow you'll stop by Alice's after work? And then I can come over and help :) - B

"Sounds like a plan, love." - E

"Can't wait. I'm gonna go up to bed now, see you tomorrow. Xo - B

"Sweet dreams, Bella." - E

The next morning I wake up way later than usual. I have only about two hours before I have to leave for Alice's.

I quickly shower and do my hair as best as I can, because we all know trying on dresses goes better when you yourself actually looks presentable.

I'm running late but in the car by 3:15 with Jasper. I hear my phone vibrate but ignore it, knowing that it can only be Alice and that there is nothing more I can do as I'm already on my way.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I tell her repeatedly as we enter.

She glares at me but can't hold it for long as she is more excited than I am for the awards reception.

Jasper tries to approach her for some affection but she waves him off with a quick peck and runs to the back room calling after me to follow. He should know not to bother her when she's in her zone. Poor guy.

I try on what seems to be at least hundred dresses before Rosalie arrives with Emmett in tow.

The girls give me positive responses on most of the dresses I try, as the boys keep to each other on the couch, but I can't seem to decide on one. I'm waiting for that moment that says 'this is the one', as many brides do when picking out their wedding dress. Although it isn't that important, I would say the dress I wear to my first Academy Awards is almost up there, and it needs to be perfect.

Alice is disappointed when I tell her that I'm not positive about any of them yet, but I point out a few for her to lay aside so I don't wound her self esteem too badly.

"Al, this has nothing to do with you. They're all beautiful, I just haven't found the right one yet. We still have time, we'll find one the next time." I reassure her, preoccupied. I grab my phone to check it, as I haven't in the past three hours.

"Okay, okay, but you're coming back as soon as I get my new shipment in. We can't waste any time. What if you help me look for one and then we'll know for sure that you like it when it comes in?"

"Mhmm..." I agree, not really looking up.

"Bella!" She startles me.

"Yes, Al! What?"

"What is going on? You're not paying attention! This is important!"

"I know, I'm sorry, you're right. It's just that Edward was supposed to be here an hour ago..." I trail off.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure he just got stuck at work. I'm going to kill that boy. He's the reason you didn't like any of the dresses, isn't he? You've been distracted!" She rambles.

I laugh, humorously, still thinking about what's holding him up.

"Why don't you all come over to my place?" Alice suggests.

Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper quickly agree and they all turn to face me.

"I was supposed to go to Edward's to help him unpack. Let me call him and see what's going on."

I dial Edward's number and let it ring three times before it goes to voicemail.

"Hi, you have reached Edward Cullen. Please leave me a message and I'll get back to you. Thanks."

"Hi, Edward, it's me. Bella. I thought you were coming, but I guess you got held up. Call me when you get this, I'll be at Alice's." I leave, trying not to sound too disappointed.

"It's so unlike Edward to do this." I mutter to Alice.

"Don't worry, Bells. Come to my place, he'll meet us there when he's done."

We have fun at Alice's despite my waiting for Edward's call. We eat, drink, laugh, and have a fun night until midnight when I tell Jasper I should be getting home. Of course, Jasper, the responsible body guard has nothing to drink, so he drives us each home, dropping off Emmett and Rosalie first, reminding them to pick up their car in the morning.

When we get back to my place, I give Edward another call, but this time is goes directly to his answering machine.

"Edward, this is ridiculous. I'm worried. Call me." - B

I text Edward first, knowing it's no use because his phone is now off, and then Alice.

"It went right to voicemail, Al. I'm worried now." - B

My phone vibrates literally ten seconds later, and at first I'm excited that it's Edward, but of course it isn't.

"Bella, he's a big boy, he's fine. Get some rest, I'm sure he'll call in the morning." - A

I'm not convinced, but instead of annoying her, I just turn my phone on silent, say goodnight to Jasper, and crawl into bed.

I lay in bed thinking about Jacob Black, of all people. I begin to compare him to Edward and the fact that I could always depend on him. He had never pulled a stunt like this, until of course he started cheating. I'm immediately consumed with guilt, because what if none of this was Edward's fault? What if something had happened to him and he couldn't call even though he wanted to? Edward was decent, and everything that Jacob was not. They aren't even comparable.

Eventually, I daze off into a deep sleep, half worried that something has happened to Edward, and half angry at the possibility that he had neglected to remember our plans.

EPOV

Laurent and James. Both nice enough guys, great doctors. Laurent, my mentor, and James, my supervisor as I'm just getting comfortable in my new placement. The irony is that Laurent is almost as new to the hospital as I am, and James is a doctor in the department I was hired to run, but still considered my 'supervisor' until I take over all of the responsibilities as I get oriented.

Both of their shifts end at 3:30 today so they insist that they wait for me until four so we can go out to get a drink.

"But I'm meeting my girlfriend at five..." I tell them.

"We'll be out of there by 4:30, you'll make it!" James insists, "We just want to get to know you, Cullen."

"They encourage out of office relationships you know." Laurent adds, "As your mentor, it is my duty."

I laugh, and reluctantly agree.

We drive to a bar five minutes away from the hospital, take off our ties, and walk into the pretty much empty establishment.

We order three beers and get to talking. I'm enjoying myself but glancing at my watch every few minutes.

By 4:15, we're all starting our second or third drinks, and having a great time.

I learn that they both like baseball too, and we make plans for the next Red Sox game.

Fourth drink.

Fifth.

"Shit, it's five. I have to go." I slur, and stand up.

"You're not going anywhere Cullen." They joke, "You can barely walk."

"One more round!" Laurent calls to the bar tender for our table.

"Look at the ass on that girl." James points, as a couple enters the bar.

I smack his hand down, "She's with a guy, be a little less subtle." I say sarcastically.

They turn their attention to me, "Cullen, How's California treating you? You have a girlfriend?" Laurent asks.

"Yep." I say, popping the 'P'.

"What's her name, what's she like?" They press.

"Bella, she's amazing." I say, probably sounding so whipped, especially in my current state.

The bartender brings us our sixth round.

"So... What does she do?"

"An actress."

They laugh, "Smart chick. Get in with a doctor so when her 'career' - " he air quotes, "fails, she can just stay at home and mooch off of you."

"Shut up," I growl, "She's not like that."

"Who is she then, Bella Swan?" James asks, as if any actress could be as good as her.

"As a matter of fact, she is." I reply proudly.

They both burst into a fit of laughter. "We should get you home Cullen, you're more drunk than I thought."

I wake up the next morning with two hammers pounding simultaneously on either side of my temples.

"Shit..." I groan, trying to get up as slowly as I can.

I check the time. It's ten in the morning.

Thank god I have a night shift tonight. I think to myself. There is no way I would be getting in to work now.

I look out the window and see that my car isn't on the driveway. I reach for my phone to text either Laurent or James, one of them must have driven me home.

My phone battery is completely dead, so I plug it in while I take a shower.

I stand under the hot spray trying to remember what happened last night. It was fun hanging out with my co-workers in a relaxed setting, and I was glad I could make some new friends in town. It must have gotten way more out of hand than planned though because I can't even remember the last time I woke up without remembering getting home in the first place. I remember going out and having a few drinks after work, but that was only five pm at the latest. We must have been there for hours after that for me to be this hungover.

As I get out of the shower, I run the towel over my hair to give it that towel dried look I always aim for.

I head over to my bedside table to turn on my phone, now that there is enough battery.

It immediately starts to vibrate uncontrollably. I wait until its fit is over and glance down to see that I have six missed calls and twelve text messages.

Three calls from Bella, two from Alice, and one from James. Eight texts from Alice, because she tends to add onto her thoughts multiple times after already hitting send,one from my father, and three from Bella.

Shit.

I dial my voicemail and get the most recent message first. It's from Bella, from about an hour ago this morning.

"Edward, please, call me back." She sobs, "I need to know you're okay. We're all worried sick. Just call, please - as soon as you get this." She pleads desperately, sounding as if she hasn't slept well.

I immediately hang up my mailbox and hit Bella's cell number on speed dial.

"Edward!" She half questions and exclaims.

"Yeah, Bella, god, I'm so sorry." I croak, my voice still a little groggy, despite my shower.

I can hear Alice yelling in the background, and Bella's faint reply, confirming it's me.

"Thank god, Edward. Are you okay? What happened? Why weren't you answering your phone? Where were you? Did something happen last night? At work? We couldn't reach you at the hospital either. Tell me you're okay." She rambles all in one breath.

"Bella, I'm fine, I screwed up. I - " I begin to explain.

"I was so scared it was the guy who was after me or something, Edward. Please tell me it was nothing like that." She interrupts.

"What?" I ask, shocked, "No! This has nothing to do with you. I, uhm, went out after work for a few drinks and next thing I knew, I woke up twelve hours later in my bed. To be honest I can't really remember what happened."

"You're kidding me." She replies dryly, like she doesn't believe it at first.

"Nope." I pop, the 'p', trying to play it cool, not knowing how she'll take my confession.

"Are you telling me that you disappeared for twenty four hours because of a drunken night out? This isn't funny Edward. What the hell happened?"

"I know, I know, it was stupid. Shit, I was supposed to come to that dress thing, wasn't I? NowI remember. Yeah, I must have lost track of time. I'm so sorry."

"Yeah that dressthing was important to me, Edward. You can't just disappear and not tell anyone what the hell is going on. None of us slept last night because we thought you had been killed or something. Alice is in tears, about to call your parents and the police if you hadn't called just now. What the hell is wrong with you?" She practically yells at me.

"Bella, I know, calm down, how about I - " I start.

"Calm down? Do you even understand what you just put me through? All of us? Edward, you have people that depend on you."

"Bella, I - "

"Do you want to talk to your sister? Cause I'm done with this. I'm just glad you're safe, but I can't deal with this right now. I need to get some sleep."

I groan, pulling at my hair as I hear her mutter on the other side of the line and pass the phone to Alice.

If I thought that was bad from Bella, a calm, understanding person, I just can't wait until my sister gets the chance to lecture me.

Cullen, you really screwed up this time.

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