I didn't prepare Bella for the visit. I wanted her to react naturally, and if she ran off, she had the right to do it. I was anxious for them to come and kept watching the water for any sign of a boat. I was burying Bella in the sand when I saw a glint in the distance coming closer.

I pulled her from the sand and pointed out at the sea. "There is a boat coming, we might have visitors," I said, and watched her reaction.

"Why?" she asked as she covered her eyes to block the sun.

"It will be nice to have other people to talk to, don't you think?" I asked. She nodded as if I asked about wanting a cookie. I don't think she realized what having visitors would really mean, but she didn't seem afraid at the notion.

I walked to the dock and made sure to walk slowly so Bella could come with me. She stayed behind me but she never folded in on herself or let anyone else take over. Alice began screaming and waving frantically, making me laugh.

"That is my sister, Alice. She gets very excited," I said with a grin. Bella nodded, but didn't say anything.

The boat pulled up to the dock and I helped Alice and Rose out. Alice gave me a big hug and Bella didn't respond, but when Rose hugged me I heard her give a disgusted tisk. I quickly introduced Rosalie and her husband so Bella would understand they were together.

"This is amazing," Emmett said, anxious to get into swim trunks and in the water.

Alice showed them where to go and it would mean I would move into Bella's room. I never really slept in mine anyway; I spent the nights in the hammock. I began making them a sandwich after their long trip and Bella came over to watch me.

I smiled and said, "Would you like to help me?"

She gave me a wary look and then took the butter knife I was offering. I put a slice of bread in front of her. She put the knife in the jar of mayonnaise and then froze. I watched her to see if it was Marie shutting her down, but she raised her eyes and said, "I broke the jar once and he made me walk through it. My feet were bleeding."

I had a load of emotions run through me. I wanted to tell her what a horrible fuck Phil was, I wanted to assure her it would never happen again, and I wanted to praise her for sharing a memory she had kept locked away for so long.

I reached out and took the jar. "There are plastic bottles now and I'll make sure the house is stocked with those. I'm sorry you were hurt. You didn't deserve it."

She remained as little Bella, not shying away from the conversation or shutting down from the memory. I ran my hand down her cheek and then tapped her nose in jest. She smiled widely and we went back to making sandwiches.

Rose came into the room first in her bikini. Bella's eyes grew wide and she looked at Rose's massive chest and then down at her own. Alice walked in next, and I happened to know her impressive chest was a graduation gift from my parents.

I whispered to Bella, "Theirs are fake, yours are real." Although, I didn't know for sure on Rose.

The women took a sandwich and then Alice said to Bella. "Come with us to the beach. We are dying to get some sun."

Bella nodded and when Alice took her hand I called out, "Girls, her name is Isabella."

"We're not girls," Rose said with a roll of her eyes. I watched as Bella changed with the comment. She stood straight and walked with authority. Leggy walked out the door to spend the afternoon with Alice and Rose.

I sat in a chair and Jasper got us all a beer. I looked at Emmett and said, "How's it going with you and Rose?"

"No sir," Jasper interjected. "They are my patients now. And so is Marcus, thanks a lot for that bastard."

"What about Jane?" I asked, concerned for her just because she was Tanya's kid and that was enough to drive any kid crazy.

Jasper's eyes looked sad and he said, "She ran away and Tanya had her put into a finishing school. She hates it of course."

My first response was to call Tanya and tell her to cut it out, but I was a bit worried it was what she had intended for me to do by sticking Jane there in the first place. I looked at Jasper and said, "She's a good kid."

"Yeah, I'm doing what I can," he said with a nod of his head. "Your father has been sharing your emails. It seems to be going well here."

"I guess," I said with a sigh. "I'm seeing real progress, but the end seems so far away."

"There may never be an end," Jasper pointed out, and I nodded in agreement.

I took a drink of my beer and looked at the two men who I couldn't thank enough for coming. "Hey, let's go snorkeling," I offered, and they both jumped up enthusiastically.

I let myself forget about Bella for the rest of the afternoon. I hung out with the guys doing things we wanted to do and not worrying about a thing. Alice and Rose seemed to be handling Bella just fine, and I thought it was important for her to get some female companionship.

We were going to grill for dinner and Alice pulled me aside to speak privately. "Edward, can you explain something to me. If Bella was abused by a man, why does she trust you so much?"

"She loved her father very much and trusted him. She sees me as a father figure," I explained.

"Okay, then why does she love this Jake so much?" she inquired.

I felt my throat tighten. Bella had been talking to them about Jake and I hated the idea of it. Leggy was the one persona I couldn't get through to and it hurt my pride a bit. "Another personality admitted to kissing Jake, the Bella he dates is not physical with him."

She nodded and turned to walk away but I grabbed onto her arm, realizing something for the first time. "Hey," I exclaimed, "We've been here for at least three menstrual cycles, but she's never had one."

Alice's mouth fell open and she said, "Could she be pregnant?"

"No, I seriously doubt it," I said, not feeling nearly as confident as I tried to sound. "Can you ask her about it?"

"Ask her if she's knocked up?" Alice gasped.

"No," I laughed, "Ask her if she has her periods."

"Oh, yeah," she giggled. "I can ask her that."

"And by the way, do you think it would be possible to get her tinier bikinis? Jesus, are you trying to kill me?"

Alice laughed loudly and then headed into the kitchen to help the women get some food ready. I went onto the deck and drank a beer while Emmett used the grill. Jasper came over to sit on the railing next to me and said, "Bella's drinking a beer, do you think it is advisable?"

"She's twenty-one," I pointed out. "And the legal age in Brazil is eighteen."

"It wasn't what I meant?" Jasper said dryly.

I didn't realize how close to the end of my own rope I was until I looked at him and said, "Do you think another person will come out, like it would make any difference. What will one more matter? We're having a fucking party, so let them all come out."

It grew quiet and I drank my beer completely before saying, "Sorry, I'm a bit stressed."

The girls came walking out and I headed back into the house and got another drink. I leaned against the sink and tried to steady myself. I was enjoying the company, but it only served to heighten the feeling of isolation I felt earlier. I eventually went back to the deck and took my seat next to Bella to eat.

She was still the professional personality, even when the sun set and only darkness remained. I wondered why Baby Doll didn't arrive, but I was also grateful I wouldn't have to worry about keeping her clothed.

Alice jumped up and ran into the house without explanation. We all broke into laughter until she returned with a board game, and then we all groaned. She set it on the table and said, "Okay, we'll be teams. Edward and Isabella will go first since they are the hosts."

It felt awkward to think of me and this version of Bella as their hosts. I hardly knew this woman and she was in love with another man. I picked up the dice and reluctantly dropped them onto the playing board.

The game was actually fun and I enjoyed being Bella's partner. Alice and Jasper won, of course, but when Emmett would get over excited and yell loudly Bella never acted intimidated or insecure. I could see how this version of Bella could get alone quite well in the world.

When it grew late and we were all a bit tipsy Rose suggested we go to bed. I stood, thinking we would go to the hammock but Bella headed to our room. I followed her and then leaned against the doorway as she dug through her clothes for something to wear. Baby Doll hadn't arrived and I wondered if she was actually going to sleep tonight.

I walked over to the bed and said, "Do you want me to sleep on the hammock?"

"Don't be absurd," she said with a chuckle. "The chair or the floor is fine."

I rubbed my face with frustration, since I had been sharing the hammock with her for weeks. "I won't touch you, but I'm sleeping in the bed."

"Fine," she said angrily. "I'll sleep on the floor. You are such a gentleman."

I was buzzed and I didn't care if she was ticked off. I pulled off my trunks and got into the bed. She looked at me with shock and said, "I am in a relationship. You can't sleep naked in my bed."

"I'm sleeping naked in MY bed," I pointed out. "The floor is your bed, and I'm not naked there." I turned away from her and pulled the pillow tightly to my neck as I close my eyes and tried to sleep.

She got on the floor but after only a few minutes she moved to the chair. She sighed loudly and dramatically for my attention and finally got into the bed. "Keep your hands to yourself," she warned.

I laughed loudly and then said, "Yeah, ditto." After all the times Baby Doll practically molested me it was funny to hear her warning. I kept my back to her but she tossed and turned uncomfortably. I finally rolled over and said, "What's wrong."

"I don't know, I can't sleep," she complained.

I rubbed my eyes and yawned before saying, "Do you usually have problems sleeping?"

"No, not at all," she said in confusion. I realized it was because Baby Doll made sure they remained asleep while she played. I wondered if she would appear if I kissed this Bella. I had no idea why she was gone all evening, either refusing to come out or unable to come out.

I leaned up on my elbows and said, "If you kiss me you'll fall right to sleep." Her eyes looked shocked by my suggestion and I realized it did sound rather odd. I didn't try to explain and said, "Trust me, it will work."

I leaned over her slowly, waiting to hear her giggle or her accent emerge. She shut her eyes softly and I touched my mouth to hers. She didn't latch on like Baby Doll usually did or pull me to her body. She kept her lips soft and I deepened the kiss. I pulled back to see her eyes flutter open, still in the persona of Leggy.

I moved in for another kiss and she let her hand rise slowly and wrap around my neck. It was an amazing kiss and she was warming up to me. My own body was reacting and I tried to scoot back so I wouldn't touch her. She was another man's woman, and I was kissing her, naked, and with an erection.

I finally pulled away and turned my back to her again. She moved hesitantly but wrapped her arms around my waist and snuggled up to the back of me. I fell asleep with the glorious feeling of being held by either Leggy or Marie, I wasn't sure which one.