This is the thirteenth chapter to my fourteenth story. Refer to prologue for info.

Disclaimer: These are Stephenie Meyer's characters. I have my ideas, and I'm fitting them in the month or so between New Moon and Eclipse.

A/N: I'm dating this story based on Twilight Lexicon's Timeline.

Bella's POV:

"Bella cut again," Edward said solemnly.

I turned to glare at him. Couldn't he just say 'fine' like a normal person would?

Nancy fidgeted in her seat and looked at me. "Is this true, Bella?"

"Mmhmm," I whimpered.

"I see," she continued. "Why do you think this is?"

"I don't know."

Why couldn't they all just be quiet and leave me alone? There was nothing wrong with me. I just had some pain and needed the release. All of the cutting would stop. Eventually.

"Well… Edward, what do you think?"

He was silent for a minute, pretending to think about what to say. I knew his words would only cause me more pain, so I mentally prepared for myself for the onslaught of emotions that I would face.

While waiting for his words to come, I thought back to the conversation Alice and I shared after the first meeting.

"He loves you, you know?"

"I do."

Why couldn't it be that easy? Why did I have to go around and ruin everything I had? Edward left, taking part of me with him, leaving nothing but an empty person. Now he was back and the void in my life was filled. So why in the world did I still have to suffer?

"I don't know. For once in my life, I don't know. It's my fault. I left her – I had no choice. We both fell apart and this is how she dealt with the pain. I just… I don't understand," he answered, sounding broken. I was on the verge of tears.

Looking around the room to do something other than meet their eyes, I observed the various objects. A stuffed monkey; rock crystals; several Native American dolls; a jewelry box with a rose on the top; a carved, chocolate, Labrador puppy; and an old-fashioned abacus all stood on a table behind the brown couch across from where Edward and I sat.

"Okay. Bella, what do you think?"

What did I think? Well, for one, it certainly was not Edward's fault. I didn't care what he said or what he went through, there was no way my actions were his fault. Secondly, I highly doubted there was a problem anymore. After all, just because I had done it again last night, didn't mean that I needed to do it again – it was just a little addiction.

"Nothing. Not anymore," I said confidently, looking at Nancy. "I just needed to escape the pain, and now I don't have to. Edward's back." A second later, I realized exactly what I had said. Turning around to face Edward, I needed to clarify. "Not that it's your fault. I made the stupid decision to try it out."

"I see. Well, our time is up so I won't see you until… Tuesday?"

Edward nodded his head in agreement and she scribbled a little more in a small planner. Come to think of it, Nancy had been writing stuff down almost the entire time.

We all stood and walked to the door. Edward and I stepped outside and Nancy waved goodbye.

When we were just outside the car, Edward turned me to face him. Both his hands came up to cup my cheeks and he stared into my eyes. He inhaled deeply and exhaled in a rush. The cold, sweet breath blew over my face, stunning my senses. His smell was just too intoxicating for me to be able to think straight.

"My behavior this morning and last night was inexcusable. I'm sorry. I'm not upset or mad or anything of the soft. It's just… everything was going fine and then…" He hung his head.

I felt so bad for misinterpreting his actions as anger. Reaching up in comfort, I touched his cheek. The cold feeling sent shocks through my body. It was drastically different, but felt so good all at the same time.

In response, he lifted his head and looked back into my eyes. "The roses," he whispered.

"Huh?"

"The roses – I know what they mean now. The love and the beauty are you. You, Bella – you're the rose at the end of this. And now, of course; all the flowers are so beautiful, and so are you. I love you."

I blushed at his words, and looked over his shoulder at the garden to escape his eyes. I saw the roses and tried to comprehend what he was saying.

Out of nowhere, his lips met mine in a soft and gentle, yet passionate kiss. I was completely lost to the moment of peace and love we were in.

All too soon, it ended. I was a bit upset, but I stepped into the car and we drove off.