A/N: Hope you have all had a lovely Christmas. Here's a little present for the Edward fans out there ;)

Chapter Twenty-One

Charlie is still ill.

It's been two weeks since I arrived back in Forks, and he is still in the ICU, despite Carlisle's best claims that he's getting better.

Word has no doubt spread that I am back in town, but I have seen no one. I have hidden in Charlie's house, cleaning out his store cupboard.

Now the time has come to face the town and the gossip mongers. I have to go grocery shopping.

The Chevy has long gone, so I have to walk to the store. It's not too bad, though I forgot how cold the damp air can be.

Inside the store, I begin the feel happier. Grocery shopping has always been a simple pleasure to me. It's partly why I agreed to do it every week when I first moved in with Charlie.

I see Mrs Mallory at the check out, who gives me a tight smile. I smile back, just as nicely, and disappear out of the shop.

I walk back to the house slowly. I am going to the hospital this afternoon. I go everyday, and everyday it is just as hard to see Charlie lying unconscious and struggling for breath.

I bow my head to watch the sidewalk as tears fill my eyes. I hate crying in public. I walk a little faster.

And I walk into someone.

They emerge from the bookstore just as I scurry past, and I collide with them, scattering both my shopping and theirs.

The person grunts with the force I hit them with.

"I'm so sor-" I begin as I whip my head up, but I am cut short. In front of me stands Edward- my Edward –but not.

I have to remember he's not.

"Hi," he says meekly.

"Hi," I reply. We stand in silence for a moment, staring at each other. I snap out of it first. "I'm sorry. Let me help you."

I drop to the floor to gather up his bags. One item- a book –has escaped, and I quickly grab it off the wet ground.

"It's fine. I've got it," Edward murmurs as he tried to intercept me. His hand closes around my wrist, but I already have hold of the book. He sighs and let's go of me.

I glance briefly at the cover, wondering why he didn't want me to retrieve it for him.

It's a copy of "Wuthering Heights". My favorite book.

"I…" I'm not sure what to say. I look up at Edward, and he watches me carefully. I swallow loudly. "Good choice."

I slip the book into his bag and hand it to him. When I stand back up, I notice a slight blush on Edward's cheeks.

"Thanks," he mumbles, and I know he's not referring to me complimenting his reading list.

I nod and bend to grab my own bags.

"So, I'll see you around," I tell him.

"Okay."

I pause for one more brief second before I step out around him and carry on back down the street.

I practically run this time.

A/N: FFn is not my friend today. It keeps undoing my spacing! *waa*#

Tomorrow, there will be a present for Jacob lovers too )