To My Dear and Lovely readers,

if you spot a misspelled word or the wrong form of the word used in this story please let me know where and what it is so I may correct it ASAP. I have two differnt spell check apps that don't catch everything.

Sincerly, MJM

Bella woke up early to the smell of coffee brewing. She prepared it last night but she didn't set the alarm because she never knew when she would wake up and didn't want the coffee to burn.

Bella threw off the covers rolled out of bed. She grabbed her bat and walked slowly into the kitchen. Standing at the counter was someone she didn't expect to see for days.

"Alice, what in the hell are you doing here?" Bella asked. "You weren't supposed to be here for eight days."

"I had the opportunity to come home early and I took it. I wanted to surprise mom and dad by coming home early."

"They are here in the city."

"Why?" Alice asked.

"Because your aunt is driving your mom nuts," Bella said. "Something about her new age obsession or something."

"How did you learn that?" Alice asked.

"Your mother dragged me Christmas shopping a few days ago," Bella replied. "I see where you get it from."

"I am not that bad," Alice said. "So how has Edward been? He seemed depressed the last time I talked to him."

"Honestly I don't know. We don't really hang out without you. forcing us to do so," Bella said. "We tried once but it didn't work out."

"What do you mean," Alice asked as she poured coffee into two cups.

"I showed up at the agreed upon place and he never showed," Bella replied. "We have hung out since them but it's always been in groups."

Bella took one of the cups and fixed her coffee the way she liked it and sat down at the kitchen table. She was quiet as Alice fixed up her own coffee. Both women were quiet as they took their first sips of coffee.

"I always thought with me out of the way that you and Edward would at least hook up but I guess that didn't happen."

"Not even close," Bella replied. "Why did you think that we would get together in one way on another?"

"Because you guys were so close during high school, I always thought that it would be a matter of time until one of you broke and confessed your feelings but I guess I was wrong."

"We were just friends," Bella said. "Although there is someone he is interested In but I don't know who."

"I knew that much," Alice said. "So is it alright if I hide out here until I fly out to Washington?"

"Of, course, I never took you off the lease. I added Jake but I never took you off."

"How has he been working out?"

"There have been a few rough patches but for the most part he has been an okay roommate," Bella said. "I haven't kicked him out yet."

"That is a good sign."

"It is and thanks for starting my coffee but I have to take a shower and get ready for the day," Bella replied. "You should call Jasper if you haven't done so. I know he has missed you."

"I plan to but first I need to make myself up," Alice said.

"Alice you look like you could have stepped off a fashion runway two seconds ago you don't need to make your self up. Besides Jasper loves you just as much with the makeup on as he does without It."

"I prefer to have myself made up. We having seen each other in person or months."

Neither woman said another word. Alice headed for Bella's bedroom with her bags and Bella headed for the bathroom. She took a quick shower and went to change into her clothes for the day. Today was her last day with more than one class. Her last class although was on the fourteenth just before she would fly home if she chose to go home that is.

Bella was done getting ready for the day long before Alice was. She went back to the kitchen table this time with her phone and pulled up Jasper's number sent him a message. She only had a few seconds to wait before she got a reply. She smiled at it.

"Alice hurry up. We are going to the roof."

"What for?" Alice asked.

"You will see," Bella replied.

Alice went back to fixing herself up as she put and Bella drank another cup and half of coffee before Alice was finally finished. Bella found a Christmas card taped to her front door as the left and stuffed it into her coat pocket. She led Alice up to the roof by the stairs as the elevator was still closed down and did not reach the roof.

Bella was the first one through the roof access door. Jasper was waiting by the edge of the roof smoking a bad habit that he had yet to break even though Alice asked him to quit. He quickly snuffed out his cigarette and tossed the but into a nearby trash can. He then turned to face Alice just as she stepped onto the roof.

"Jasper," Alice yelled.

She rushed over to her boyfriend and jumped into his arms. She kissed him so deeply that Bella had to look away from the intimate moment. She walked to the other side of the roof and looked out at the city.

"Thank you, Bella," Alice said.

"It was no problem and I need someone to help me hide the fact that you are home early and who better to do that than Jasper?"

"No one," Alice said. "Do you know when my parents plan to head home?"

"Tomorrow I think," Jasper said. "I've only seen them a few times but we didn't talk about travel plans but they have invited me to celebrate Christmas."

"What about your dad?" Alice asked.

"He's spending it with Rose and her boyfriend," Jasper said. "Rose and I get along but things are still awkward between us."

"Well that is disappointing but I'm happy you chose to spend it with my family," Alice said. "You should come home to Bella."

"My dad has already asked me to come home but I don't know."

"You should. I already got you a ticket as my gift to you."

"Mary Alice Cullen," Bella said. "You know that I do not like having money spent on me."

"And when have I ever listened to you," Alice replied.

"Never."

"Now start packing your bags because I know it takes you forever," Alice said. "Jasper and I have some catching up to do."

"Well be careful if you don't want Edward to know that you are home."

"We will."

Bella left her friend and her boyfriend on the roof. She headed back to her apartment and packed her bags as Alice was sure to do it for her if she didn't do it.

The Christmas card in her coat pocket was forgotten as she packed.

Edward was doing good that morning, he had made another step in the direction of telling Bella that he was the one behind all the gifts she had been getting. Today he gave her a card he made out of simple white cardstock and some markers that were stuffed into the junk drawer in the kitchen. He spent hours making the card the night before. He had to find the perfect quote to put on the inside and he drew the tree, Santa, and Rudolph on the front cover. He even recurved Jasper to write something with a fountain pen he had gotten as a gift several years ago.

Right now he was working on the gift for tomorrow. He had gotten some studio time in one of the music rooms and decided to recorded instrumental versions of several of Bella's favorite songs. He could do the piano and bit of guitar so he got one of the schools' music majors to play the violin, bass, and cello for him.

"Was that the last you needed from me, Edward?"

"Yes, Cathy, you got them all on one take. You did really great." Edward said. "You would make a great studio musician if you can't get on with a symphony."

"I have three auditions set for this spring so fingers crossed I won't be in the studio again unless it is for my own work."

"Good luck," Edward said

Once Cathy was gone Edward turned his attention to the last bit of work he had to do on the song. The piano parts weren't quite right so he had to redo them. He did a couple of different versions before decided to head home for the day. His time in the room was almost up anyway and there were music majors that needed it to prepare for their final performances.