[Disclaimer] Everything Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer

[A/N] Welcome back to another update. Thanks for your support for my little story here.

**14**

Bella didn't like going to places where she knew that children would be around. It was too painful, especially when she ran into a kid that was the same age Marissa would be now. She took a deep breath and gave Alice's hand an encouraging squeeze before they stepped out of the car.

When they entered the building Bella could hear several light voices laughing. Her heart cramped. Just try to ignore it, she told herself. How will that look if you get a crying fit now?

"Ma'am, can I help you?" Jasper asked, looking up from a children's book he was reading to two little boys. "Oh hi, Gidget, I knew you'd come back."

Bella stepped in front of Alice and snarled. "I'd like to talk to your boss."

"Are you the mother of one of the kids with lice? I swear to you that we're not responsible for—,"

"I'm not a mother." she stated, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. "Is your boss here today? It's important."

"I'm sure I can help you with everything you need. Maria is pretty busy."

"Pretty busy is she. How nice. Well, if she's unavailable I talk to you. Listen, Mr….ahm…,"

"Whitlock, Ma'am, my name is Jasper Whitlock."

"Mr. Jasper Whitlock, are you familiar with the term sexual harassment?"

"Are you from the police? I didn't do anything."

His eyes moved to Alice and she instantly took another step backwards. This was embarrassing for her. She could feel her knees beginning to tremble.

"I want to know why you think it's acceptable to molest one of your volunteers. She told you she's not interested in you. I hate men like you who are too stupid to grasp the meaning of the word no. I should let you get fired. You'd deserve it."

"Ma'am, she's lying. I never touched her. This is just some big misunderstanding."

Bella shook her head. "I'm sure the press would be very interested in this. Sexual harassment is something people like to read about. This place here is paid by the citizens of this town. That means I am paying your worthless ass. Correction, I paid. You won't keep this job. People like you should not be around kids."

"Maria won't fire me because of some stupid rumors."

"Well, I'm sure she won't like me to take this to the press. No one is going to donate money to a place where their kids get lice and the female employees get molested."

With that she turned around, pulling Alice with her. They were almost out of the door when a little girl with blonde curls tugged on Bella's shirt.

"My doll lost her head. Can you help me find it?"

Bella could feel her head starting to spin. She couldn't endure being around little children. How old was this girl? Three perhaps? Just like her Marissa. She had bought so many dolls for her when the doctor had told her she was expecting a girl. No one would ever play with those…

"Please!"

"I'll help you search." Alice told the girl. "Where did you lose it?"

"Sandbox,"

"I'm sure we'll find her head again. Come with me."

"Alice, we need to leave. I need to go back to my office." Bella told Alice while she followed her and the little girl into the garden behind the house.

"It won't take long. I'll just help her to find the head of her doll."

"I'll wait in the car." Bella whispered, her voice cracking nervously. She rushed off and when she reached her car the tears were streaming down her face. Maybe James was right with the therapy thing. She was trying so hard to forget what had happened but it was impossible for her.

"Bella? Why are y-y-you crying?" Alice asked when she entered the car a few minutes later.

"Because I'm stupid," she sniffed, pulling out a tissue. Alice wrapped her arm around Bella and rubbed her back. "You're not stupid. W-w-what you did w-w-with Jasper was awesome. Y-y-you're my hero."

Bella sighed and leaned back in her seat. "I don't feel like a hero. But let's not talk about me now. You were good with that kid. Maybe you should try to find a job in a kindergarten or something like that."

Starting the engine of her car, Bella could feel Alice's small fingers moving up and down her forearm in gentle caress.

"It's because of your baby, isn't it? All the children in there made you feel uncomfortable, right? I'm sorry."

"Please, stop asking. I can't talk about this. I just can't."

Alice sighed. She thought it would be way better for Bella if she didn't try to keep her feelings to herself. But what did she know about losing a child? After a few minutes of listening to the radio in silence, she finally decided to change the subject of their conversation to something lighter.

"So, the wedding is tomorrow. When are you going to pick me up? I need to be ready with my hair and everything."

"Your hair is pretty the way it is. I like when it's all wild and curly, suits you well."

"Thanks. I want to look n-n-nice for you. Crap, I didn't think of buying them a present."

"Don't worry about that. I bought something from their list. We just have to remember to put your name on the card."

Bella parked her car in front of her office and sighed. "I need to go back to work. Do you want to have dinner with me tonight? I mean, only if you're not tired of spending time with me."

"Of course, I want to. I l-l-lo-," Alice stumbled out, barely managing to stop herself from confessing her feelings for Bella. "I love being around you."

"Maybe you should try to find some friends your own age. You're young. Go out and have some fun."

"I'd rather be with you, if you don't mind."

Bella's mouth twitched. "No, I don't mind." she whispered, leaning over to press her lips against Alice's cheek. "I don't mind at all."