So, I got writing again, and I thought you guys might like another chapter!

IMPORTANT: The author's note in Chapter 11 has been removed and the actual CHAPTER 11 HAS BEEN POSTED, so if you haven't read that just yet, I'd suggest you head over and do exactly that!

I'm going to let you read now!

Enjoy!

Artist: Three Doors Down

Song: Here Without You

I'm here without you baby, but you're still on my lonely mind.

I think about you baby, and I dream about you all the time.

I'm here without you baby, but you're still with me in my dreams,

And tonight, girl, it's only you and me...

Chapter Twelve

Memories Found Everywhere

The drive home seemed longer than the drive there, but perhaps it was because the tension was rolling between the both of us like tidal waves.

We didn't speak much, apart from when I asked him if he'd paid the bill before coming after me, and he replied with a simple yes.

He didn't seem angry, or upset, or overly emotional in any way. To be perfectly honest I didn't know what was going on in his head.

When we arrived back at the house and he parked the car, I got out as quick as I could, telling him I'd go make us something to eat considering we'd not even had anything at Bella Italia.

I went straight to the kitchen, lifting out chicken fillets covered in breadcrumbs from the freezer before hunting around for some potatoes I could cook.

Once the food was in the oven, I walked around the kitchen, acquainting myself with where everything was. I had no clue why I was doing it, but it made me feel more like I belonged there, instead of being some silly little guest.

I lifted out some plates and cutlery, setting the table before grabbing some juice from the fridge. I poured two glasses, setting them down before I heard the beep sound on the cooker.

Moving to take the food out, I saw Edward come inside out of the corner of my eye. I glanced up at him as I brought the chicken and baked potatoes over to the plates. I set the food out, placing the tray in the sink before I motioned to the dinner.

"I thought… I mean… I know we didn't get to eat anything back in Port Angeles…" I sighed, looking down at my pathetic attempt to make up for it.

"That's great… Thanks, I'm starved."

He sat down at the table, and I took my seat, looking up at him faintly as he began to eat.

It seemed ironic that not so long ago we were sat here looking at each other for the first time in years… And now we were eating dinner together…

We ate in a more comfortable silence than we'd experienced in the car, and when we were finished eating, Edward glanced at me, "Thank you, that was lovely… I've missed your cooking." He laughed a little before staring down at his glass, "Listen… I got a call… I have to go into work tomorrow." He met my eyes quickly to gage my reaction, but he continued to speak, "I've booked time off after that, so I won't have to go in again for a while… But they need me tomorrow… I asked Alice to come over, I thought you might like company, and maybe you two could catch up… If you don't want her here I can ring her back and tell her."

I shook my head, attempting to hide my melancholy at the fact he wouldn't be here tomorrow, "No, I'm sure it would be good to catch up with her."

He nodded, "I'll be gone in the morning, but I'll be home at around seven or so."

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek as I stood up, grabbing our plates to set in the sink, "I guess I should go to bed, I'm tired… I'll wash the dishes in the morning."

"It's okay, I'll do them now…" He got up, moving to the sink as he turned on the taps. I stood watching him for a short minute, and he gazed back at me with a slight smile, "I do the dishes forever, remember?"

I laughed a little in spite of myself, nodding my head before I wished him goodnight, walking upstairs towards the guest bedroom.

When I woke the next morning, the sun split so finely through the curtains that my eyes squinted automatically. I lay there for a long minute, waking myself up slowly before I got out of the bed. I grabbed my phone from my handbag, knowing I probably hadn't many messages to check, but I probably should check them nonetheless.

I walked down the hall as I turned the phone on, waiting for it to load as I descended the stairs. To my lack of surprise, there was only one message that came through, and it was from Jessica, wanting to know if I'd had any developments on the wedding dress front.

I slipped the phone into my pyjama pants pocket, before turning the corner to head for the kitchen.

In the back of my mind I was wondering what time Alice would arrive, because I knew that Edward was long gone by now. But when I walked into the kitchen, I saw a young woman by the breakfast bar, her back to me as the smell of fresh coffee wafted towards me.

I stopped by the doorway, taking in her short hair, her thin and tiny body, and her complete and utter perfection.

She'd always been so perfect.

Just like her older brother.

"Alice?" I whispered softly, watching as she spun around, her eyes widening as they met mine.

"Oh, Bella!" She began crying almost automatically, as if the sight of me was too much to bear.

She jumped down off her stool, rushing towards me as she held her arms out. We embraced each other tightly, and I shut my eyes as the feel of her hug brought back numerous memories.

Memories of my best friend.

"It's you…" She pulled back, looking at me with wide eyes, "Oh my God… It's really you."

"Yeah, it's me." I whispered, feeling tears clog my own throat.

She shook her head, "I thought it was myth… I mean I knew you were back but… Oh gosh… I never thought I'd see you again… I can only imagine how Edward feels everytime he looks at you!"

I laughed a little, brushing away my tears, "I've missed you Alice."

Her tear filled eyes lit up, "Really? You remember me?"

"Bits and pieces." I admitted, "It's kinda coming back to me more since I've came back."

"Edward said that would happen." She smiled, before grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the breakfast bar.

We sat beside each other as she poured me some coffee and I took her in. She was wearing a black pencil dress, with a red necklace and bright red heels, her nails painted the same colour.

"Still fashion obsessed, I see." I smiled.

Her face turned into a grin, "Clearly you remember me enough then."

I wrapped my hands around the mug once she'd handed it to me, "Go on then…" I nodded, "Tell me everything."

She paused for only a second before launching into an hour long story about everything I'd missed and some things I might have forgotten. She reminded me about her and Jasper's wedding that happened when Edward and I were in second year in College, and then Rose and Emmett's wedding that happened when we were in third year. Of course, it was after third year and our graduation that the accident happened, so she had a lot of filling in to do for me.

She told me about the business she'd set up two years back, and how Jasper handled business while she brought fashion into everything; homes, cars, clothes… She mentioned how Esme helped her with the interior decorating stuff from time to time when she felt up to it. She also talked about Carlisle and his job at the hospital which was still going strong, and how proud he was, and how proud they all were, of Edward's achievements in the medical field. She then brought up Rose and Emmett, talking about the bar they run together close to the Diner, and how they were currently trying for a baby.

By the time she was finished, we'd drunk two pots of coffee and she'd made me laugh and cry a million times.

She placed her hand on my knee as we finished our last cups of coffee, "Listen… Edward mentioned how you might not want to see everyone just yet… He said you get overwhelmed easily… So just let me know when you're ready, they're all waiting by the phone, trust me." She laughed.

I nodded, "I'll let you know… I guess I should go get ready." I smiled at her at I got up, "I'll be back soon."

"Take your time." She chirped happily.

I headed back upstairs, taking a shower before I got dressed into black jeans and a purple blouse. I blow dried my hair until it was presentable, heading back downstairs once I'd finished.

Alice was now seated on the couch in the living room, her heels off and her mouth full of something. She motioned for me to sit down beside her, and as I did she handed me a chocolate cupcake.

We ate in silence for a short moment before I spoke, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." She nodded.

"How did you know we were engaged?"

Her eyes revealed a hidden smile, and she shrugged nonchalantly, "You were my best friend… You still are… I can read you like a book." Her voice turned gentle, "You watched the wedding video?"

"Mmmhm." I nodded, staring down at my fingers as they folded the wrapper up numerous times, "If you can read me like a book… What do you see now?"

Our eyes met, and I could tell by the look on her face that she could see right through me.

But she shook her head, "You don't need me to tell you what I see… You already know what it is."

I looked down again, nodding slightly, "Edward…"

"Yep." She confirmed, "He never really left you, did he? He's still there…"

I scrubbed my hands over my eyes, not answering her as I asked another question, "He can read me like a book too though… Do you think he sees it?"

"Well, that is an amazing question… Edward will see it, but he won't believe it until you say it… That's how he works… He'll believe it's all in his head until you confirm it." I nodded a little, sighing slightly before she spoke again, "Have you been to the attic yet?"

My head raised, and as I looked at her face, her eyes widened in alarm, "The attic?"

"Nevermind." She shook her head before getting up, "Do you want something to drink? I might have more coffee… Maybe tea…"

"Alice…" I stood up, "What's in the attic?"

"It's not my place to say…" She trailed off, her eyes innocent as they gazed into mine.

"You're my best friend, right? … It is your place."

She clenched her jaw, staying quiet for a long moment before she sighed, "Alright, fine… But you don't tell Edward you know, okay? You let him show you when he's ready."

I was nodding before she'd even finished, my stomach churning as she led the way towards the stairs. We turned left towards Edward's bedroom once we'd mounted them, and it was then that I saw the little staircase at the bottom of the hall. She led us towards it, and we walked up the steps quietly, as if Edward was going to catch us at any second.

At the top of the stairs there was a wooden door, and I watched as Alice opened it slowly, pushing it open so we could move inside.

As I set foot in the room my mouth dropped open as I looked around. It had been converted into a bedroom, only it wasn't filled with any furniture except piles upon piles of bookcases lining the walls. The bookcases to the left were holding massive, thick books… Rows upon rows of them.

I turned to Alice, simply only throwing her a look before she explained, "Photo albums… They're all photo albums."

I gazed back at the mass covering the walls, shaking my head a little, "But… There are about a hundred of them!"

She nodded, "I know… It goes from around the time you first met, to the last day before… Well, you know…"

As she spoke, I moved automatically to the first album, pulling it out of its slot and opening the first page.

The very first photo was of me.

My eyebrows furrowed as I stared down at it, knowing in the back of my mind that I recognised it, but yet I couldn't put my finger on it.

I was sitting underneath a large tree, a book in my hands and my hair fanning down along my shoulders as I read intently.

"It's the tree out the back of Forks High…" Alice whispered, "It was the first photo he took of you, without your knowledge obviously…"

I smiled a little, bypassing the first picture to flick through the whole album, watching as numerous pictures of Edward and I flashed before me, just like a piece of film.

I put the album back in its place, moving to the middle of the long bookcase to grab another at random. As I opened it I was met again by shots upon shots of our life.

So happy.

So perfect.

As I set that photo album back, my eyes travelled to the last one.

What was the last photo we'd ever taken together?

I almost ran towards it, grabbing it from its place as I flicked right to the back.

As my eyes landed on it, the memory came flooding back tenfold.

I was grinning at the camera as Edward kissed my cheek. He was topless, and I was wearing only his shirt along with his stethoscope around my neck.

I could remember him begging me to give him it back because he had to go to work.

But I didn't want him to go.

"This was the day of the accident." I whispered, running my fingers over his face slowly.

Alice was beside me, and she simply nodded, not speaking a word.

I set the album back on the shelf, brushing away a stray tear as I turned to look at her again. As I moved, however, my eyes caught the other end of the attic, and I paused.

There were about ten sturdy wooden boxes, all lined up against the wall.

"What's in those?" I asked, already moving towards them as Alice followed quickly behind.

"More memories… He's kept the photo albums up here because that's where they could stay in order… This stuff though, he kept up here because he said that once you'd come home you could decide where to put it all."

I knelt down, running my hand along one of the wooden chests before I flicked the metal snap, opening it slowly as I glanced down at the contents.

My breath caught in my throat as I lifted out some of the things, my mind flashing back to the memories of its own accord.

The teddy bear Edward had bought me for our one month anniversary.

The fabric red rose he'd bought me in Seattle the first time we visited the College.

Our graduation caps from both Forks High and Seattle University.

The corsage he'd bought me for Prom.

All the birthday cards he'd gotten me.

All the wedding anniversary gifts and cards we'd gotten each other.

I could feel the tears running down my cheeks as I put the stuff back slowly. Once I was done, and the chest was closed again, I looked over to find Alice by another box.

"Open this one." She whispered.

I walked over hesitantly, kneeling down again as I lifted the latch. I let the lid fall back as I gasped softly, letting out a cry as I took in what was inside.

"My wedding dress." I whispered.

I reached forward, my hand brushing the fabric as I lifted it out of the box, holding it up to my skin as I shut my eyes.

I wasn't sure how long I stayed like that, but I eventually opened my eyes again, glancing back into the box as I took in my wedding shoes, my veil, and Edward's suit.

I began to fold the dress up again, reliving the memory as my hands glided over the fabric on my wedding day eight years ago.

Just as I was about to put the dress in the box again, Alice bent down.

She moved Edward's suit to the side with one hand, lifting out a small blue box at the same time. I watched her curiously as she opened the box, "Edward still wears his wedding ring… But yours… Well…" She turned the box around for me to see, and there, sitting perfectly in the box was both my engagement and my wedding rings.

I let out a sigh, reaching forward to brush my fingers along them, remembering the feel of them wrapped around my finger.

"He put them in here so that when you come home, he could show you all this stuff in this room, give you this box, and let you claim your rings and your true identity back."

I smiled softly, watching them glimmer in the gentle light before Alice began to close the lid again, "I'm putting them back in here… When you're ready, you know where they are."

She placed the box back under Edward's suit, before lifting my dress from my hands, layering it on top, and then she closed the lid and replaced the latch.

We headed back downstairs, leaving everything as it was before we'd come up here. Alice closed the attic door behind us, and I led the way back down to the kitchen.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Alice asked, "We could watch movies and get pizza for dinner?"

I let out a laugh, memories of us doing that as teenagers coming back into my mind, "Sounds perfect."

I'd completely lost track of time as Alice and I sat crossed legged on the sofa with a 12 inch pizza each, watching numerous chick flicks and comedies.

I heard the door opening and closing before I glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece.

It was 7:30pm.

I turned my head as Edward appeared at the doorway, his briefcase and keys in one hand, his jacket in the other.

I smiled at him, "Hi. How was work?"

As I spoke, his eyes travelled to the pizza boxes, the TV screen, Alice, and then back to me.

His eyes were beginning to widen in despair and he stopped breathing as he turned as white as a ghost.

He turned on his heel suddenly, moving towards the kitchen without even answering me.

I glanced at Alice with a worried expression, moving to get up to go see what was wrong. Alice placed her hand on my knee, stopping me, "I'll go." She mouthed.

She got up, heading straight for the kitchen. I followed suit, walking closer until I was within hearing distance, waiting for them to speak.

"What's up?" Alice asked, "You just completely blanked both of us… Is something wrong?"

When Edward spoke, his voice was broken, "No, nothing's wrong… That's the point."

"I'm confused." Alice admitted.

"I walk in… I see you both sitting there with pizza and movies, so happy and perfect… She asked me about my day…" His voice turned into a whisper, "That's how it should be… That's how it would be if she'd never been gone…"

Alice sighed softly, and I could just imagine her reaching up to hug him tightly.

"It'll be okay, Edward… She's home now, that's all there is to it."

"No, there's a lot more to it… It's not like she can just come home and stay is it? She has another life now…"

"That's bullshit and you know it." Alice snapped, "She'd drop it all to come back here, I can see it in her eyes."

He didn't answer, and neither of them spoke for a few minutes.

It was Edward who broke the silence first, "We kissed last night…" He whispered.

"See? That's a good thing." Alice was smiling, I could tell.

"No, it's not." My heart sunk at his words, and I felt tears spring to my eyes without hesitation.

"How is it not a good thing?"

"Because… She's not mine anymore…" He replied with a murmur, "She belongs to someone else, and she might never want me back… And what do I do then, huh? I'm supposed to let her go again? Give her a divorce so she can get married to that asshat?" His voice was full of tears, and I heard him take a stabling breath, "I can't lose her again, Alice… I won't."

Did everyone enjoy? I hope so!

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Now that we've reached over 400 reviews, I've decided that from NOW up until 500 REVIEWS, everyone that reviews will receive a special Edward POV outtake, once we reach the coveted 500!

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