Hi there! Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews, your perceptive questions and thoughtful suggestions. You are the best readers ever!

Beta'ed by the ever-diligent Fran, and pre-read by the lovely Ipsita.

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter-10

The next few days passed in a humdrum manner. I went to work, went home, ate, and slept. Tuesday and Wednesday were my off days for now. On Monday, a couple of my classmates from college, who were in Seattle for business, invited me for drinks. I wasn't particularly fond of liquor, but I accepted because it would be an excuse to go out, see some new faces and do something different. I could sleep in late the next day and just laze around if I had a hangover.

However, a phone call from Esme resulted in a slight change in my plans.

"Edward, sweetheart, how are you?"

The affection in her voice made me smile. She was such a genuinely nice person.

"I'm fine, Aunt. How are you doing?"

"Good, I'm good. I wanted to tell you that I've found an excellent therapist for Bella. Do you remember Doctor Hale?"

"Doctor Hale…Oh, you mean the one Anthony used to see? In Port Angeles?"

"That's the one. She now has a practice in Seattle. I know it's a bit far, but she is the best, and she has agreed to see Bella immediately. Her first appointment is tomorrow, around eleven in the morning. I thought we could meet for lunch afterward. Will you be free?"

"Yes, of course we can do that. In fact, I would be delighted to treat both of you," I answered, my words rushing from my mouth as thoughts rushed through my mind.

I liked Esme very much, and meeting her was always a pleasant experience, but this time my first thought was I would also get to see Bella.

Why? Why did this warmth course through my body, this…feeling of anticipation ran through my mind? Who was she to me, besides the maybe-fiancée of my brother? I barely knew her, let alone being a friend, and yet…

"Well, I won't say no to a treat, especially from you," she said in a teasing tone. "It is so rare, after all."

I huffed, pretending to be offended. "And when am I supposed to extend an invitation to you? You hardly ever come to Seattle, insisting that I come to Forks instead. You feed me these scrumptious, home-cooked meals, and on the rare occasion that we go out, Carlisle never lets me touch my wallet! What am I to do—kidnap you and bring you to Seattle so I can take you to a restaurant?"

She laughed. "You know I'm just pulling your leg, Edward, don't you? I enjoy feeding you, as you have put, and Carlisle enjoys paying the bill when we eat out. It's his way of showing he cares for you, even if he doesn't say so in words. So, what time shall we meet? And where?"

I laughed too. "I know, I know. I suppose you're taking a cab?" My aunt was a fairly good driver, but no way was she going to drive to Seattle. It was far, and she had admitted long ago that the traffic in the city was not something she could get used to, let alone drive in.

"Yes, that's right."

I hummed, thinking. "Why don't I pick you up from the doctor's office? You should be done around twelve, right? Just text me the address and I'll be there. We'll see what we feel like having then and make a decision on where, okay?"

"That's a good plan, Edward," she said approvingly. "Though I have no idea how far the clinic might be from your place…"

I asked her not to worry about that, and we said goodbye.

I did go out in the evening, but I avoided hard drinks, having a couple of beers instead. I didn't want a hangover the next day; not at all. Also, my mood was better than before, and I was enjoying myself already. Even my friends remarked that I seemed to be in good spirits.

-/-/-/-

The next morning, I was up at seven, even though I could have slept more. I worked out, had breakfast, did my laundry, and then showered. I stood in front of my closet, debating what should I wear. Jeans or trousers? T-shirt or button-down? Esme had texted me the location of the clinic, and though it was not nearby, it wasn't terribly far either. I had already checked out the eateries around there, but where we ate would depend on Bella. Well, Esme too, but she would probably let Bella choose, as her guest.

After dilly-dallying for ten minutes, I realized how ridiculous I was being. No matter what Bella decided, we weren't likely to go for fine dining. I settled on a pair of dark jeans and a button-down shirt, thinking it would be appropriate for most places. Then I checked the time, grabbed my keys, and left for Dr. Hale's clinic.

I reached there a few minutes early. Esme was flipping through an old issue of Better Homes and Gardens in the posh waiting room. When she noticed me, she rose and gave me a hug, her face lighting up.

"Edward, honey! I have missed you!"

I chuckled. "Aunt Esme, you saw me just five days ago."

She slapped my shoulder playfully. "Smartass. Five days are enough to miss you." Her tone changed then, became more serious. "How have you been?"

I shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Working. I did have drinks with some college classmates last evening."

"Good, good," she nodded. "That's good." Her voice dropped as if someone was eavesdropping on us. "Bella hasn't been sleeping very well, poor girl. I'm afraid she's still having nightmares. I hope therapy will help."

I patted her back, trying to soothe her. "I am sure it will: it certainly helped Tony…" I stopped talking as my mind went into the past and I forgot what I was saying.

The door to the doctor's office opened and Bella appeared, dressed in some kind of leggings and a loose sweater over a T-shirt. Her eyes still had dark circles under them, and her expression was rather woebegone. Still, when she saw me standing next to Esme, she put on a brave smile and greeted me, thanking me for taking the time to come by and hoping it wasn't too much trouble.

"It's no trouble at all," I assured her. "Now, what would you like to eat? There are tons of eateries around, so we can have almost any cuisine.

Bella hesitated as Esme helped her with her coat, draping the left side over her shoulder. "Um, whatever you and Esme feel like is fine with me, really. I don't have a preference."

Esme smiled as she fit a beanie on her head, and we stepped out into the chill. "I knew you would say that, but Bella, as a guest you must choose. I promise you, if I don't like that cuisine, I will tell you."

I opened the back door of the car and helped her in, and then the front door for Esme. She smiled encouragingly at Bella while I put on my seat belt.

"Can we have Mexican?" she asked finally, looking at both of us in turn. "I like their rice…"

Esme beamed as if Bella had unlocked a treasure chest. "Oh, I love Mexican food, it's so flavorful. Edward?"

"I like it," I agreed, googling once again. "Okay, there's El Borracho in the Pike Place Market; only ten minutes away. I have been there; it's good."

Luckily the lunch crowd hadn't invaded the restaurant yet, so we got a table immediately. While we were placing our orders, Esme's phone rang.

"It's Alice," she said as she took the call. I knew Alice was something of a chatterbox when she talked with her mother, so I was surprised when she ended the call in a couple of minutes.

"She's taking a break from studying and asked if she could join us. It's not far, so it should be okay," she said, looking happy. "Otherwise, I would have asked her not to bother. Bella, she is looking forward to meeting you."

A little pink stole on to Bella's pale cheeks. "That's nice of her. I hope she isn't disappointed."

Esme laughed. "Why would she be disappointed, dear? She's not interviewing you for a job, you know? You are my new houseguest and she wants to meet you, that's all. I think she is hoping to be friends with you."

Bella released her breath slowly, as if she had been holding it. "I just thought…she might expect Anthony's fi-fiancée to be more, you know? Beautiful, smart, lively…just like him."

"Oh," whispered Esme, her smile falling. "I'm quite sure Alice is not expecting anything. I think I should tell you that she wasn't very close to Anthony. Age gap, I suppose. And…"

"Here's your order," announced the waiter cheerfully as he began to place platters of nachos, tacos and Mexican fried rice in front of us. We had ordered a variety of items so we could share and taste everything. Well, except Bella, who said she was happy with the colorful rice. But I would make sure she tried other items as well. She still looked as if she wasn't eating much.

Also, she had just been to the therapist, and although I had no personal experience, I had an idea that it must have been a tough hour. I wish I could brighten her day.

"I wouldn't worry about Alice not liking you," I said lightly as we began to eat. "Evidently, you have already conquered Esme's heart. She really is enjoying having you there, that much I know."

"Why wouldn't I? She is a sweet girl, and oh, Edward, you have to hear her sing!"

"Esme, please." Bella blushed a bright red this time. But Esme's enthusiasm didn't wane.

"You don't have to be embarrassed about it, sweetheart. You do have a very nice voice, and you can carry a tune beautifully. In fact, once you feel better, you can help me teach the children at the elementary school. If you want to, of course. We're thinking of doing a musical in the spring, although we haven't decided which one we should do. Would you like to help me?"

A genuine smile lit up Bella's face. "I would love to! Oh, Esme, that would be a wonderful experience." Then she frowned. "Wouldn't the school teachers mind? I'm a stranger to them, after all."

Esme waved her hand. "Of course they won't; you will be a big help. Now, any suggestions for the musical? Not Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast, please. Something different."

Bella bit her lip as she thought about it. "What about Thumbelina? I have always loved that story; how that tiny girl faced problems with courage and kindness, and finally found the life she wanted. She had so many adventures too."

A delighted laugh burst forth from Esme. "Perfect! That will be perfect! I can already see the children having fun with it. The scenes, the costumes, the songs—yes, it will be great!" She actually clapped her hands, her eyes shining.

"What's so great that it has you clapping your hands, Mom?" Alice asked as she appeared behind my aunt, leaning down to give her a kiss. Esme got up and hugged her, smiling widely.

"Oh, Alice darling, sit down. I will tell you in a minute. Let me introduce you to Bella first."

A.N. The story is taking a more positive turn now. Time for the darkness to recede and light to shine!

Do you think Alice and Bella will be good friends? Is Thumbelina a fun play for kids to perform? And how will Edward make his space in Bella's life? :)