A/N: Because the last chapter was so short and I had already started on this chapter and because you all have been so faithful with your reviews, I decided to update much earlier than normal. Thanks for the inspiration, my dear readers!

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Once Upon a Time;

Renée's PoV

"There's no more miracles left for me…" I shake my head vehemently and I think Jayden is crying alongside me but I can't bring myself to look up at him. "What about my Bella?" I demand, "What about Ch-Charlie?" And then I'm crying so much that I can't say anything else.

"You are a fighter," Jayden reminds me again, "fight for your daughter, fight for Bella, fight and see her…"

These words are like an unguent that eases everything into perspective and suddenly, I'm no longer crying and the young man that had reminded me just who Renée Dwyer is is looking down at me with something akin to mischievousness.

"Well, I have other patients to attend to, Fighting Dwyer," Jayden tells me with a wink and disappears.

Fighting Dwyer, catchy, I think and dry my tears, smiling, I like it.

…

…

Scouting for Prince Charming

Tale XIII:

Following Morning - A Parent's Love

Jasper's PoV

When I woke next, it was to the aroma of, by the smell of it, a wonderful breakfast being prepared down in the kitchen and no Bella in my bed. Heart pounding for some inexplicable reason, I chanced a quick glance at the clock, which told me that I had shut-eye for another forty-five minutes since the last time I'd woken up at the ungodly hour of five forty-five in the morning.

It is now six thirty-two in the morning and there is, still, an angry red light pulsing from my printer, letting me know that I have yet to retrieve the awaiting clothes itinerary for today, courtesy of Aunt Alice. With a slight shake of my shaggy bed head hair and a dejected sigh, I pull back the covers and got out of bed, ready or not, I have to get ready to face the school day ahead, bleak as it might be. James' and his impending fists of doom are in my horizon, after all…

Momentarily torn between my insistent, grumbling tummy, worrying over Bella's whereabouts, and a dire need to pee, I take a moment to sort out through my indecision without so much as moving a muscle before my need of a bathroom break wins out. Heading toward the bathroom, I pick up my itinerary from the printer on my way, making the annoyingly pulsing red light stop, finally, and smile as I see my outfit of the day. Aunt Alice had outdone herself once again.

Today she's providing me with a choice of steam-punk-geek attire and I have to admit I'm quite digging the choice, looking forward to seeing how it looks on me. Quickly entering the bathroom, I took care of business and did my regular morning routine of washing my face with clinic for men, none of that girly stuff, thank-you-very-much, a five minute shower, brushing teeth, a quick shave to get rid of the three facial hair on my chin, and styling the faux-hawk into a messy perfection that always takes longer than five minutes… it's always worth it, though.

Smiling at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I find that I am quite satisfied with the results and gleefully decide to go get ready for school and dressed in what my Aunt has picked out with me in mind. Padding down the hallway to my room in nothing but my towel, I make sure to stay alert, my eyes scanning the perimeter, and hope that I don't run into my mother in my current state of undress, or, heaven forbid, Bella Swan.

With no casualties, a moment later I'm safely entering my room and trying to regroup my scattered thoughts and worries about a certain missing eight-year old, I set about fixing my bed, else my momma will chew me out and kick my behind into next week, and making sure to remember to drop my dirty clothes inside the hamper, I undress after having acquired all the essential pieces of clothing.

Fifteen minutes later of frowning at questionable things and grunting, I'm staring appreciatively at my reflection in the mirror, which is conveniently hanging behind my bedroom door, through thick, black NERD-Geek squared frame glasses with clear lens that are just for show and bring out their turquoise hue in striking contrast.

Smirking and somewhat managing to scowl at the same time, I manage to resign myself to my fate today… all the drooling girls and males, the appreciative whispers, and the unabashed ogling that is sure to come my way today, thanks to how I look. Sighing, I can't help but feel like a martyr and chuckle at the morbid thought and audacity of it all.

I better not get kidnapped today; I have enough on my plate as it is…

Slightly amazed, despite it all, I blink as I take in the full effect of my outfitted reflection, gawking as my eyes roam and perform a quick full-body scan from my faux-hawk to my feet, clad in light-gray high top sneaker with white soles and deep violet lacing that come from the back of the ankle, where there's a zipper heading from the ankle to the heel, and pulls around, tying at the top of the tongue.

One of my favorite sneakers, from the Ali-By brand, which I can practically wear all day and still feel my feet by the end of it. Nothing atypical there, I'm used to being surprised that I'm surprised at being surprised by my Aunt's amazing skills, keen sense of style, and even keener eyes.

Not that I'm self-absorbed or anything but, well, I look… well, surprisingly good, smart, and handsome, even, if I do say so myself. Not that I have ever doubted Alice in her choice of outfits before, but still… this is a showing off of her skills that really has me more in awe of my Aunt than ever and takes her amazing skills to a whole new level.

Because practically every single piece of clothing I have on right now, except my underwear, is from her high-end brand, G3erd by Ali-By. Even the chain I'm wearing is from her brand Faction by Ali-By, which showcased all kinds of men and women jewelry that always ends up having some kind of angel wings embedded in their design.

Therefore, not only is Alice an excellent FX artist, she is also a brand name designer. In all accounts, she is amazing! Smiling, I recall being five and being buried in Aunt Alice's latest fashion conquests, along with Emmett, as she tried to create her portfolio, while taking care of us and designing nightmarish monsters so that she could do the proposal for her own brand, Ali-By.

Loads of sleepless nights, sweat, tears, pricked fingers, blood, tons of caffeine, and coffee induced panic attacks later, and she somehow managed to pull it off singlehandedly with the support of her family, Jayden, Emmett, my momma, and I, her personal support group. Now, everyone has heard of her brand, her name, and admire her work in movies and photos alike, especially those interested in body paint. Incidentally, every weekend she goes to this body art club, further into the city, where everyone who works there wears nothing but the paint Aunt Alice uses to "dress" them in.

The brand name Ali-By, a name composed of her nickname, the first letter of her maiden name, and the last letter of her husband's, Uncle Jayden's, last name. Something that my own momma had accidentally come up with one day, being tired of calling Aunt Alice by her full name every time her experimental clothing found their explosive way into our room at the time.

For example, mine is dragon scale style, 6mm thickness, 30 inches in length, and 92.5% sterling silver, Bali chain with black oxidized finish to accentuate the details on the chain, which ends in two delicate separate angel wings that clasp together, one over the other, like a hook. And right under it I have my nametag chain, which Uncle Jayden gave to me when I turned thirteen and ever since, became my most prized possession.

Currently I'm sporting G3erd by Ali-By, to start naming one. Consisting of a slim fit, swallowtail steam-punk, color-block blazer jacket, Korean style, with a hoodie in lapis colored velvet torso and back with a dotted texture, and charcoal wool sleeves and collar with a bold lapis lining, and asymmetrical, vintage silver, French metal, one-inch buttons with black painted backs, and a design of spirals, which forms something like a shield, with etched "A"s in the middle.

On the inside of the blazer I'm wearing NФmэ Sakё by Ali-By, a simple tee-shirt that's pale gray with silver letters that spell my name across the length of my right side. And then, to complete the look, I have on my straight fitting, nudie skinny jeans in washed out gray with deliberate rips here and there, hanging dangerously low on my hips with a light gray military style belt and exposing the elastic waistband of my AX boxer briefs, legs going straight into and giving way to the light gray high tops.

"Jasper!" My momma's voice startles me out of my trance and I glance down at my gunmetal Diesel, DZ 7247, watch and realize that it is seven-o-five in the A.M. "Breakfast is ready, darlin'!" momma tells me and I grin at my reflection with apparent hunger in my eyes. "Come and get some!"

"Commin'!" I shout back.

And quickly begin moving around my room in a flurry as I exchange all the contents of my backpack into another one, a gray one, so that it goes with the theme of my look. Yup, Aunt Alice had threatened me to do so in a rather extensive post note that warned that she would find out, one way or another if I did or didn't and would make me pay if I didn't. Not wanting to suffer her wrath, I decide on obeying the Prada wearing She-Devil, just in case.

Cell phone in hand, school books and notebooks securely inside the exchanged backpack, I hurdle my way down the stairs and into the dining room unnoticed as I pocket my cell phone in my back pocket. Instantly, I see my momma seated at the dining table, watching Bella work her way around our kitchen just like last night. Suddenly, my heart feels as light as it should for so early in the morning at the sight of Bella, and her obvious state of wellness, cooking once again in our kitchen.

Only, this morning, she's the one responsible for the amazing smell of warm breakfast that woke me up in the first place. And as if on cue, my stomach grumbles, asking me to stop being a brute and feed it! Soon, soon… I promise, nursing the nudging pain of hunger away and walking closer to where my momma is seated to take a seat myself.

My eyes are still set on Bella as I unceremoniously drop my backpack on the empty chair next to the one I plan to sit myself for breakfast and I notice that she's still wearing the same clothes she wore to bed last night, but her hair seems to have been hastily brushed, giving her a rather carefree look, and she looks, otherwise, ready for the school day ahead.

With a bit of a startled realization, I note that what she's wearing can be considered as dance clothes. Now that explains a lot, considering that she wasn't planning on having a sleepover anywhere yesterday, I muse. She's been using what she always has on her dance class duffle bag. Just as I'm critically investigating for any signs of anything out of the ordinary, Bella turns, catches my scrutinizing gaze, and freezes while I fight a blush of embarrassment for being caught staring.

"Jasper!" Bella greets beamingly. Though I instantly relax with her swift dismissal of my red-handed discomfort, my heart strangely skips a beat and then goes back to normal. "Good morning…" She flushes as she takes a real good look at me and I think I hear her mumble something along the lines of, just like Prince Charming… I fidget uncomfortably and smile tightly as she blinks quickly. I sigh.

"Morning," I greet, grinning slightly and try not to stare at her flushed cheeks too long, or to further fidget and pull at my blazer under her gaze as she looks me up and down, from faux-haw to light gray high tops. Suddenly, I'm not feeling as self-assured about how good I thought I looked moments ago… Finally, Bella releases my gaze and turns back to what she was doing in the kitchen before I came in and interrupted, still blushing furiously, and in a breathless rush, I can breathe again.

I hadn't even realized I'd been holding my breath!

Just then, as I'm still frozen by the end of the dining table, my hips halfway shifting onto a chair, I notice that my momma's been staring at me this entire time. When I feel ready and my eyes meet hers sheepishly, she quirks a brow and smirks with a knowing look in her gradient eyes. Heart thundering for some reason I don't get, I try to bite back a groan and momentarily panic as I realize that she probably saw... last night… Oh God…

"Alice?" Though posed as a question it is obvious that she means it as a statement, not even a guess. My entire demeanor relaxes when she doesn't tease me about last night and I hold hope that maybe, just maybe she actually didn't see Bella sleeping in my bed… last night…

I nod and instead of answering, greet, "Mornin' momma." Standing up again, I go over to my momma's side of the table as she reciprocates the greeting and kiss the top of her crazy blonde curls before smiling at her winningly. Distracted by the sight of toast, I grab a couple and diligently gulf down the two at the same time in practically three bites on the spot. Emmett would be so proud of me… I think, smirking around the mouthful.

"Slept well?" momma asks, eying me knowingly and fussing over my blazer, swatting away at imaginary dust on my shoulders and a few wayward crumbs on my chest before bringing me down to her level and patting my left cheek and kissing the right one. I'm slightly frozen from the waist down.

Making sure to grab another piece of toast, I make a quick dash to my seat and drumming my fingers along the edge of the rectangular mahogany table, wait to finally taste the mouthwatering aroma rather impatiently.

And as my beat picks up to the rhythm of Emmett's and my food anthem, I mentally sing along to it;

Food, glorious food!

We're anxious to try it!

Three banquets a day, our favorite diet!

Oh, Food! Wonderful, food!

Marvelous, Food! Glorious Food!

Food… Glorious food!

Oh food, magical food…

Just thinking of juicy meat…

Puts us in a mood…

For food, glorious food!

Marvellous food!

Fabulous food!

Beautiful food!

Magical food!

Glorious food!

...

Eventually, my momma's voice interrupts my internal orchestra in honor of the food to come… therefore, I force myself to pay attention and not be such a teenage boy that only keeps his brain wrapped around thoughts of food… Magical, glorious, beautiful food!

Distracted? Who, me? Please… I'm listening, promise… What was that about food? We weren't talking about food at all, you say? Oops…

"Geek day today?" my momma repeats patiently as I glance her way and stare, dumbly blinking at her, through the growing-teenager-stupidity-inducing aroma, trying to make sense of her jumbled words in my scrambled eggs -head, I mean.

It smells so good! I need to have that smell! I think and my stomach instantly agrees. Momma chuckles as if she knows what's going on in my brain, and mind you, she probably knows, she knows me too well for my taste sometimes.

"Steam-Punk-Geek," I correct with mock smugness, finally back on track and add, "I think."

"Ah… of course, I stand corrected." She rolls her eyes, smirks, and says, "No matter, same difference," her smile widens as she compliments, "It looks good on you. As I'm sure your Aunt already foresaw."

I nod, that she probably did. "Thank you," I say, feeling rather smug and bashful all of a sudden and glance quickly at Bella. She's fishing out juice from the fridge and then she goes in search of glasses, moving her stool along as she goes, owning the kitchen. I smile at the sight. Good, she didn't hear that…momma can be so embarrassing sometimes.

"Too good, if you ask me," she mumbles and my eyes zero in on her expression and I brace myself. Something's coming… "Just make sure to come back to your momma in one piece today, okay?" Ah! There it is! I gulp and she titters at the obvious sight of my unease. "I'll promise to still let you through the door with minor bruises and cuts," I groan, "battle scars, if you will?"

"Can't you be more, I don't know, sympathetic?" I whine and groan as my momma shakes her blonde curls in amusement. Glancing as furtively as possible at Bella under my momma's watchful eyes, I'm relieved to see that she's still busy pilling up scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes onto three different plates.

Thankfully, I observe, they all seem to hold varying amounts of food on each. Meaning that the one that holds the most food will be chucked down by me in due time, I'll make sure of it. Just the thought makes me salivate... Excuse me while I wipe the corners of my mouth with a towel…

"You, my son, are too handsome for your own good…" My momma tells me with a dramatic sigh and purses her lips, effectively distracting me from eating with my eyes, and looking me up and down critically. "It's that faux-hawk and the glasses, you know," momma continues, "they suggest far too much…"

"Momma!" I gape at my momma and my cheeks instantly flare up with a blush of obvious embarrassment in response. That definitely makes Bella look our way, a curious and humorous gleam shining in her dark doe eyes. A look that makes me think that she's probably been listening all along, I manage not to groan and try to say more of a comeback while ignoring just how nervous Bella's attention on me makes me. "Yo-you-you," I stutter and fidget, accusing, "you are supposed to be my momma!"

"That doesn't mean I can't tease you to my heart's desire," she curtly informs me as she stands to help a struggling Bella to bring the plates to the table. "What's a mother to do if she can't tease her own son?" She smirks and asks Bella, "Right Bella?"

Bella blushes, glances in my direction as I face palm myself, and nods in answer while biting her bottom lip. Soon after, she's shuffling all around the kitchen gathering knives, forks, and plates. I frown, thinking, I hope she knows she can't possibly carry it all… I make to stand and help but then remember a little detail about last night and jump on it.

"Hey, you didn't let me know you were on your way home last night," I accuse, trying to deviate the subject away from further Jasper-inducing-embarrassment and hungrily eye the steaming plate of goods set before me.

"Thank you Bella," my mother says, smiling gratefully at the blushing girl as she receives her own plate of steaming goods. Still, there aren't any utensils and I frown at this. Seems like she does know she can't carry it all.

"You were supposed to text or call before leaving work," I continue, trying to distract myself from the food before I decide to go all cavemen on our guest and eat with my hands and fingers, "You promised, remember?" Bella brings along her own plate along with another, which is stacked with more pancakes. Still, no utensils, I observe and pout.

"I did text," my momma informs me calmly, thankfully distracting me again. "It was around eleven thirty already and you never replied, so I decided to just go along with it and come straight home. You were probably more tired than you thought…"

Fishing my phone out of my back pocket, I confirm that she did, indeed, text me at 11:25 P.M. last night, saying; ON MY WAY SON, LOVE MOM. Flushing lightly I realize that I must have been really out of it and in dream land last night to not have heard my phone chime or vibrate with the incoming text.

"Sorry," I mumble. "I was already asleep by that time…" I trail off, scratching the nape of my neck and add, "Guess I was really tired, huh?"

"So I saw when I checked up on you before turning myself in." I'm barely breathing when my momma says this and certainly not daring to move a muscle. "I didn't have the heart to wake you when I saw how peacefully you were sleeping," she says gently and I relax, glad that she didn't bring Bella up. "I'm glad I didn't and you got a good night's sleep for a change."

"Yeah…" I chuckle uneasily, "me too." I did sleep uncharacteristically good last night… strange. Usually, I can't sleep at all on a regular basis and that takes a new meaning when strangers are involved, then I really can't sleep and go all insomniac for days and sometimes weeks. And if for some reason they need to sleep in the same room as me, I get really uncomfortable, not to mention same bed, like Bella did last night. Why was last night any different, I muse, glancing at Bella with a slight frown.

"Now, go be a gentleman and help our guest bring the breakfast she cooked over," momma instructs and I do as I'm told eagerly.

"I-I can do it myself…" Bella feebly stutters in protest.

I smile and gently say, "I know you can Bella, but I want to help." And with that, I grab the three juices and some napkins expertly and take them to the table.

Meanwhile, Bella followed behind me with the utensils. When we reached the table and handed over the juices and utensils, we finally sat down to eat and I scuffed down everything on my plate in record time. I could have given Emmett a run for his money, even.

"Thank you for cooking Bella. Though, you really didn't have to. But it sure was delicious…"

"Yeah!" I agree with my mother, pilling some more pancakes onto my plate. "You're like a little chef genius!" I compliment, already digging so I'm not quite sure if she understood that last bit…

"You are welcome!" Bella is blushing as she says this but she seems pleased.

"Slow down Jasper!" my momma admonishes as she chuckles. "You're gonna give Bella the impression that I don't feed you…" I shrug, still not slowing down, as if my life depends on it.

"Don't worry," Bella says darkly, a smirk that I'd never seen before appearing on her face as she conspiratorially informs my momma, "After watching how he eats yesterday, I don't think anything else will surprise me again…"

I practically choke on my pancakes at this and I'm eternally grateful to Bella as she dutifully hands me the orange juice to chase the dying dog cough away. My momma's laughing so hard that her face has a slight flush and she's holding her belly.

I scowl at her before turning my attention to Bella and in a croak tell her, "Thank you…" And point to the glass of half downed orange juice.

"No problem!" she chirps, smiling with mischief. Yup, she's growing on me… but if Emmett gets to her, she'll probably be corrupted, I think and I'm already dreading the very idea.

"Well kids!," my momma announces. "It is," she glances at her watch, "seven thirty-five. Which means we gotta get a move on so those plates will have to be done later…"

My nerves ending frying with dreading anticipation, Bella, my momma, and I are all seated and secured by seatbelts in our respective car seats and fifteen minutes into the ride to my school first. Basically, my mom doesn't even know it, but she's leading me by the hand like a lamb to the slaughter, school and purgatory have taken on a whole new meaning by my books now.

God, let me make it through today…

…

…

Rosalie's PoV

"Be careful on your way home Rose," Eleazar bids as I make my way to my car and bid everyone I meet on the way good night.

"Thanks Eli!" I shout back and rummage for my phone in my purse. "I will," I promise. "I don't want Jasper to get mad at me if I don't," I add and he laughs at our inside joke, knowing that it would be very likely for Jasper to get on my case about not being cautious at night and what not. Sometimes he's like an old grandfather, which gets me thinking about Grandfather Whitlock… In turn, that makes me think about before Jasper was born…

Getting into my car, I type Jasper a quick text to let him know that I'm on my way and wait five minutes for him to respond. When he doesn't, I frown, feeling slightly worried. I hope everything is okay at home, I pray and stealthily put the gears on reverse. Though I know that Jasper is usually very responsible and he would call me if something were to go wrong, I can't help but feel uneasy as I speed down the road on the way home.

Jasper almost always answers my text and calls within the span of five minutes, even when he misses one. Therefore, one can understand my apprehension when something out of the ordinary happens. Just as he is over protective with me, I'm twice as over protective with him, my one and only son. Smiling, I can't help but think, like I so often do, that despite the hard times Jasper and I have seen, I don't regret an hour or a moment of it.

Making it home in the record time of thirty-two minutes, it usually takes me forty-five, I'm glad that there were no cops to stop me tonight because they probably would have had to arrest me, since I would have gone all mamma bear on whomever for trying to get in the way of getting home to my son and see if he's safe and sound. I don't care if he's fourteen, twenty, or fifty some day, in my eyes he's still the same rosy baby I held for the first time in that hospital bed, when I was still planning to give him away…

Breathing a sigh of relieve, I kill the ignition. Noticing that our home seems perfectly serene with just the front door and the living room's light on, which Jasper always leaves on for me to easily find my way around during long nights like this, so thoughtful, my son, I know that everything will be all right. However, this gives me pause again, it all seems too serene. Surely, Jasper couldn't be asleep yet… not with Bella, practically a stranger, in the house, and just a room over from his?

With a deep frown, I grab my purse, house keys in hand, exit the car and lock it, and make my way to my front door. Once inside, I look to see that there's no sight of either Jasper nor Bella as I turn off the light outside and that of the living room and bound up the stairs toward his room in the hopes to appease my distress and finally get a much needed rest.

Clicking the dim hallway light that leads to my room on the right and Jasper and the guest room's room to the right, I make a right. Jasper's door is slightly ajar but there are no lights on within his room, I take in, but I can hear even, quiet breathing that suggests that he is surprisingly asleep.

Maybe having Bella around wore him out, I muse, chuckling inwardly as I make my way down the hall to the guest room and check up on Bella. But, when I push open the slightly ajar door I frown, Bella is nowhere in sight and the bed is still made… Walking the short distance across the hallway and to the closed bathroom door, I try the knob and it instantly gives. No one there either. It can't be…

Quietly retracing my steps, I lightly push Jaspers door open and when the hallway's dim light floods into his room, my breath catches… Bella is sleeping in Jasper's room and in his bed but that isn't what surprises me, it's the fact that Jasper too is asleep next to Bella, who is virtually stranger to him, and delicately holding her in his sleep as she holds him in her sleep.

For a long moment, I stand there watching them, not knowing how to react or what to do. I've never seen my son look so peaceful in his sleep before. I haven't seen him fall asleep this early in a while, period. And I'm sure Bella has everything to do with it. Instantly, I'm so thankful to this little girl that my eyes are watering up with tears and I feel like letting them fall but don't.

Instead, I make to close the door but leave it slightly ajar as I make my way to my room, my heart swelling with joy and foreign hope. What exactly am I hoping for? I wonder. That Alice is right about Bella? I honestly don't know, but I'm sure of one thing. What I saw tonight, will be something that I'll keep to myself so that I won't jinx it…

Taking my clothes off along the way, I finally enter my room and deposit the dirty clothes in the hamper, which I keep conveniently by the bathroom and decide on a quick shower so that I can relax my overworked muscles before passing out.

…

It is six o-five in the morning and I groan awake I hear little feet padding along the hallway and into the bathroom. Realizing that it is only Bella, I try to sleep some more before I have to take her and Jasper to school… I really need more sleep…

Next, I'm jolted awake from the sudden fear of having overslept, only to see that it is six twenty-two in the morning. Sighing with relief, I get up and quickly go to the bathroom to brush my teeth before going downstairs to grab a LARGE cup of coffee, knowing that I'll need it if I want to survive today.

Once I make it to the kitchen, I'm happily surprised to find that my coffee's been made and waiting for me on top of the dining table. Soon, I'm frowning, that's strange…

"Morning," Bella greets me and I suddenly know who prepared my coffee. "I hope you don't mind, but I made you coffee… my mommy usually likes it with milk so I made yours like that too…" I smile at her ramblings, shaking my head in dismissal. This girl is a keeper, that's for sure.

"Mornin'" I reciprocate groggily and stifle a yawn behind my hand, sitting down and taking a sip of my coffee. "This is really good Bella," I tell her honestly, humming, surprised that it tastes better than the one's I make with the same coffee maker, milk, and sugar. What's her secret?

"It's nothing…"

"Honestly, I'm going to have to find you from now on just so you can do my coffee," I announce and she blushes adorably. "I hope your mother won't mind my stealing you…" She giggles and I smile at her. So cute!

"Jasper and you said almost the same thing," she informs me, giggling some more as she digs around my fridge. Is she planning to cook? I wonder worriedly. "I cooked last night," she explains, taking me by surprise, "and he liked it." She seems very pleased by this and I can't help but find her innocence endearing as I inspect my kitchen and see that it is still as spotless as I'd left it yesterday.

"Where's Jasper anyway?" I ask her, yawning again.

"I think he's still sleeping," Bella tells me and cracks open a couple eggs on a glass bowl.

"Then what are you doing up so early?"

"Making you guys breakfast?" she says, stating the obvious.

I hum, "You don't have to, you know?"

"I want to." She pauses. "Thanks for not asking me if I know how to cook…" She blushes and I smile, teeth surely showing.

"Well, you looked like you knew what you were doing before I came down here," I tell her shrugging. "Do you like to cook?"

"Yeah, it's fun!" Now she's the one smiling and I along with her. "Besides, I cook for my mom and me all the time… she can't cook…" I frown at this, there's something really worrisome about that woman. "Just like Jasper, but she's worse," Bella adds and I snort a laugh.

"You are right," I agree, "Jasper can't cook to keep himself alive!"

Bella giggles. "He wanted to poison me with his burnt grilled cheese," she covertly informs me, "that's why I offered to cook."

"Thank God, you probably saved me from coming home to a burnt house!"

And after that, we giggled some and talked more as she prepared breakfast and I enjoyed her company, until I decided to go get out of my pajamas and dressed. By that time, I was sure that Jasper was up and getting ready himself with the help of our dear Alice. She didn't dress me because I refuse quite vehemently to let her, much to her chagrin.

"I'll be back shortly…"

…

...

Peter's PoV

Today, despite not being able to find Bella yesterday, I'm excited! For the first time since first grade I get to attend school and there- I frown as my cell phone's vibration on my pocket deters my train of thoughts.

"James?" I greet once I've dug my phone out of my pocket and see his name flashing on my display as I hit the greed answering button. I'm very surprised, as anyone can imagine.

"Morning cousin!" He greets, sounding… well, too chirpy for, well, James. "The one and only…"

I almost gag at his use of the words my mother so often uses. "I didn't know you were a rise and shine kinda guy, cuz," I tease, smirking.

"Smart ass," He mumbles, but I can tell he's grinning, still in a good mood. "Oops, I meant smarty pants. I always forget you're a little booger." I frown further.

"So, why are you calling me at," I glance at my cell phone, "seven in the morning?" What on earth is going on? Is the world coming to an end or did Hell freeze over?

"What, your cousin can't call you now?"

"James…" James doesn't make house calls without a motive.

"Alright, alright… why is it that both you and Charlotte can be so bossy?" he huffs and I relax a little and that goes all away when his next words register in my brain. "Um… look, I'm calling -crap- look, have you -did you?"

"Spit it out James!" I plead, getting impatient and, if I'm honest with myself, very curious.

"Peter, sweetheart?" my mom calls from the door, a brow raised in question.

"Hold on," I tell James, cutting him off again and put a hand over the receiver.

"Yes, mom?"

"Come have breakfast?" she offers, "We need to be on our way soon so it would be better if you wrap that up."

I nod. "It's just James, I'm sure he'll be quick," I inform mom and though she raises a brow she nods and goes on her way without asking much. "You were saying James?"

"Bella," he finally breathes. And I frown, my heart hammering against my chest disjointedly.

"Bella?" I repeat slowly.

"You know, Bella, you where at her birthday last month?" he elaborates.

Just as I feared. "What about her?" I ask carefully, trying not to panic.

"Well, have you seen her or talked to her recently?" he asks me impatiently. "Lottie's been worried about her and asking me all kinds of questions because apparently her mom didn't pick her up from class yesterday or something…" When James rambles that means that there's a lie somewhere in what he is saying, and given that everything he's said so far is true, I'm assuming the lie is that Lottie's been the only one worried about Bella. "And I remembered that you know her too and decided to call you…?"

"No, I haven't," I tell him. He sighs. "I was looking for her yesterday, though…"

"And?" he asks impatiently.

Sheesh! "Apparently she went to stay at the home of someone named Rosalie Hale," though her name sounded familiar, I couldn't place why, "from what this bookshop lady told us."

"Rosalie Hale?" he asks and then adds, "Jasper Whitlock's mom?"

"Hey, isn't that that guy that was also at her birthday?" I question excitedly, understanding, "The one dressed as Prince Charming?"

"He's the one," James grits out and I'm so glad we are over the phone; his face gets scary when he's like this. "He goes to my school… I wasn't sure but-"

"But what?" I ask exasperated.

"I did see her yesterday, at my school…"

"Are you at school yet?" I ask him, a plan formulating in my head.

"No, I'm on my way out, why?" I can just see him frowning and smile. "Talking of which… Charlotte, hurry and get down here! We gotta go if we don't want to be late!" I hear him bellow to my other cousin and it is so loud that I momentarily feel deaf as I take the phone away from my ear.

"You think you can drop by our house and give me a ride to school?"

"Did you forget you're home schooled, little punk?" James quirks, sounding quite affectionate. If he were like this all the time it would make things so much easier, I can't help but think, and calling him my cousin wouldn't shame me at times...

"Not anymore," I announce smugly, "as of today, I'm a St. Cullen's student, just like you and Lottie."

"Well, look at you…" he chuckles, "Hope you don't get too disappointed. I'll have your back so you don't have to worry about being so puny."

"Are you actually acting like an affectionet cousing right now?" I gape. He chuckles. I smirk. "I'm sure I wont," I assure him, "and by the way, thanks man, I'll take you up on that."

"Man, Lottie's gonna be so hyped when she hears," James chuckles. "Hear what?" I hear Charlotte's voice inquiring bossily. "That Peter's coming to school with us from now on," he tells her. "OH MY GOD!" she squeals and I have to cover my ears. "Shi- Charlotte calm down, it's too early for this shi- crap!" James yells at my cousin and I can't help but chuckle. "You better be telling me the truth you dunce!" Charlotte warns. "Yeah, yeah… you see?" Now the conversation is back to me.

"So can you give me a ride?" I repeat.

"Sure, we'll go pick you up then," he agrees. I sigh. "But you sure Aunt Athenodora will be okay with you riding with me?"

Exiting my room in search of my mother and a quick breakfast, I answer, "She will be."

…

…

A/N: This chapter was longer than the last and getting back on the normal loop of things, even though I don't feel I moved anything along. Please bare with me, I promise that the next chapter things will pick up again, since we'll be seeing what happens at school to poor Jasper at the mercy of James' probable wrath. Please remember, Reviews are rewarded with previews for the upcoming chapter.