Disclaimer: I own the plot line, not the story.

Okay guys, I think I was thinking a bit too ideally when I said I'd be finished by Friday – how can I get another 5 chapters in by 3:00am on Friday morning! Impossible! So, yeah, I think I'm going to maybe do as much as possible – leave you guys on a nice-ish ending.

I burnt today! smacks self. So this chapter may have more than a few spelling mistakes – I'm rubbing after sun on myself every five minutes :')

"Rosalie!" Esme chided. "That wasn't very nice!"

"Don't worry about it, Mom!" Rosalie brushed it off. "Bella's up and running again, now!"

"But that still wasn't very nice. I know you meant well." Esme was always the mother.

"I'm fine, Mom, honestly." I grinned. "I know she meant well, too."

Esme sighed, and her smile was wistful. "I guess you don't need your parents as much as you used to."

"You'll always be my Mom, Esme." I smiled. "Whether I get more independent or not!"

She smiled happily and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm glad you're okay again."

"Thank you."

"You know he only did it because he loves you." She lowered her tone.

"I guess so," I hugged her tightly back. "Thanks Mom."

"For what?" She smiled.

"For helping."

"Oh, dear, I tried, but I think only Rose's terrible case of outspokenness could have pulled you from your sorrows!" She joked.

I giggled. "What a piece of work you are, Rose,"

"What a piece of work I am," she agreed, eyeing herself in the mirror.

Esme and I giggled companionably – the oestrogen levels in the room must have been rocketing!

"Better go and tell Alice that we're going to shop," Rosalie said. "Are you coming, Esme?"

"Yes, I'm coming." She smiled.

"Why? She'll have already seen it!" I laughed.

"She can't see you, silly!" Esme nudged me gently. "So she can't see us."

I smiled. "Let's go and tell her then."

I walked out of the door with my mother and sister, and only one thought ran through my head. I had forgotten about how I'd lost my love, I'd forgotten about my missing memories, and I'd forgotten about how my husband had lied to me.

Because, this was family.

"You can't go shopping!" Edward said, wrapping his arms around me.

"Oh yes, Edward, we can!" Rosalie giggled, dragging Alice into her room, leaving Edward and I in the corridor.

"Are you feeling better?"

I resisted the urge to ask him why in the hell he cared. "Marginally."

"I'm sorry." His arms tightened unconsciously around me and I pressed myself tighter to him.

"It's okay. But don't think this is over, Mr Cullen," I joked. "I want to know why you lied!"

"I didn't really lie-" He started, but I covered his lips with my own.

"Edward, you better think up a really good excuse, because I am not happy in the least. Now I'm going shopping!"

"Come on, Bella, we need to cover you up!" Alice shrieked. I hadn't heard her this happy...ever.

"Cover me up?" I laughed, gliding into the room.

The sight before me stopped me dead.

Alice and Rosalie were standing in the middle of the room in bikinis; Alice was covering Rosalie in some kind of thick paste.

"What on Earth is that?" I demanded, running over to them.

"Foundation!" Esme laughed, walking out of the bathroom.

Edward was in hysterics beside me, but I still hadn't gained control of myself enough for that, or anything else.

Esme's skin was a dark tan, covered completely all over. Alice had been busy. If I had not known better, I would have thought that Esme originated from Italy herself.

"Wow," was all I could push out of my mouth.

Esme eyed Edward. "Please, son. I don't look that bad, do I?"

I could sense the worry in her voice, and so I spoke the truth. "It's different to seeing your pale skin...but I like it!"

She relaxed visibly. "Oh, good! Because I quite like it!"

I smiled. "I like it too."

"Done!" Alice announced, pushing Rosalie away.

Rose's blonde hair contrasted with the tan foundation Alice had pasted all over her – she looked so much like a supermodel that it was unfair.

I wasn't given much time to react to Rosalie's appearance; Alice was stripping my clothes away at lightning speeds.

"Alice!" I protested; Edward was still in the room.

"Shut up, and close your mouth and eyes. Don't wanna impair you, now do I?" She joked.

At least, I hoped she was joking.

"Come on now, Alice," Esme reproached her. "Bella's never been smothered in foundation before!"

"And you have?" I mumbled, not wanting to open my mouth fully.

"Oh, yes." Rosalie laughed. "Africa was so fun! I was covered in the stuff. And bronzer! Oh, it was so fun!" She gushed. "And then Jasper and Emmett started rubbing the stuff off of each other, and they were sparkling..." she trailed off for effect.

"Good times," Alice agreed, slapping foundation on my legs.

"Why do you have to do my legs, Alice?" I protested through almost-closed lips.

"You're wearing a kaftan – but you'll still be able to see your legs through it."

"Hmph," was my answer.

"Done!" She trilled. "Open eyes!"

When I did, I flew over to the mirror, ignoring Alice's whining.

"Wow." I breathed.

"Yeah, yeah, you look hot, now come do me!"

"Who looks hot?" Emmett boomed, walking into the room.

He stopped dead when he looked up, calling to the corridor, "Jasper, we have four half naked women in here rubbing chocolate spread on each other, you might wanna get in here!"

Jasper didn't come whizzing in like Emmett would have; he walked in as though he wasn't even interested.

Though, his emotions were pure excitement.

"Don't get too excited there boys, it's just foundation!" I laughed. "And from what I heard, you've both been covered in it before!"

"Bella," Emmett whistled, coming up behind me. "You look smokin'!"

Rosalie whacked him upside the head.

"What, Rose?! She does!" Rosalie hit him again. "Ouch! Back me up here, Jasper!"

I watched Jasper walk further into the room, and his eyes raked up and down my frame.

"I agree. Smoking."

"Don't sound so indifferent!" I laughed, swatting him playfully as he approached me.

"Well, I think you look beautiful," Edward compensated, kissing me gently on the lips.

I turned back to the mirror, eyeing myself – I looked fabulous.

"I think if you look long enough, Bella, you'll turn into Rose!" Emmett joked.

Rosalie hit him again, making an exasperated sound.

"I want foundation on!" Alice whined. "Stick it to me!"

"Fine," I sighed, leaving the mirror image of my gorgeous body behind and taking another foundation pot from her outstretched hand and bending down to rub it over her legs.

"Guys, let's get out." Emmett hissed, stiffening. "I can't take this!"

"Can't take what, Emmy?" Rosalie asked sarcastically.

"Rose...three of you are in bikinis...and Bella's there...bending...in her underwear and they're practically...see through..." Emmett trailed off, and Rosalie hit him again - it had no effect, he continued ogling. "Guys...seriously, let's get out of here. I can't handle it!"

Edward and Jasper laughed, following him out of the room.

"What are we wearing, then, Alice?" Esme laughed, twirling me around in front of the mirror giddily.

"Wait 'til you see! I'm so glad I brought all this stuff! I had a vision that Rose and I were shopping, so I'd imagine you and Esme had gone somewhere else – that's how I could see."

"Yay!" I squealed "Let's see!"

"Rose, for you..." Alice was instantly in fashion mode, laying outfits out on the bed. "Roberto Cavalli visor!"

Rosalie squealed excitedly.

"Espadrilles and an art print bikini from Chloe..."

Esme let out a low whistle in appreciation.

"A tie dye dress from Lulu, and a bag from Escada!"

"I love you, Alice!" Rose squealed, picking up her outfit and scampering off to the bathroom.

"Esme!" Alice squealed. "Wait until you see!"

Esme was excited too – more so than myself, even.

"You didn't!" Esme gasped.

"I DID!"

I felt like I was part of a movie – where the main character and her clique squeal about something no one else understands.

"What?" I asked.

"I got Esme the asymmetric swimsuit – with a buckle – from Gucci!"

Rosalie came screeching back into the room. "You've wanted that forever, Esme!"

Esme was holding the swimsuit in her hands – it did look fabulous. "We have to go swimming, girls!"

Alice nodded eagerly. "It'll be fantastic!"

"So, Esme, a maxi-dress from French Connection, gold thong sandals and a gold woven bag from Miu Miu!"

"Thank you, Alice!" Esme squealed, changing instantly.

"Bella..." she smiled. "This is for you. It's a Diane von Furstenberg kaftan – and it was a complete and utter bargain!"

She held in her hands a red kaftan – chiffon in material, with gorgeous gold detailing at the hem.

"Really?" I smiled. "How much?"

"1,896 dollars!" She squealed.

"Right. What else?"

"These," she handed me a pare of square sunglasses – red rimmed. "They're Kirk Originals!"

"Oh, and Chloe flip flops! Aren't they gorgeous?!" Rosalie nodded in appreciation.

I smiled. I had no idea who these people were.

"And this bandeau bikini. I had it specially made!"

I smiled beatifically at her. "Thanks, Alice!"

"What did you get yourself, Alice?" Esme asked kindly.

"A gold bandeau bikini by Miu Miu, a floral kaftan by Antik Batik, gladiator sandals and Michael Kors sunglasses."

"Lovely!" Rose exclaimed, examining the sunglasses.

"Get changed, Bella. Once I do your make-up we're hot to trot!"

"Sure, Alice!" I laughed. I loved my sisters.