All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just loved them so much that I put them in a new universe. Don't hate me… or sue me.

The next morning, the boys made us breakfast in bed. Edward and Jasper made us omelets while Emmett fumbled around looking for strawberry yogurt for Rosalie. The memory of her adventures with Emmett made me laugh.

After one base coat, two color coats and one top coat of nail polish, Rosalie's nails had been picture perfect.

"My gosh, Emmett, you could be a professional." She'd told him as she studied her feet.

"Thanks," He'd scowled, "I'll keep that in mind if the whole lawyer thing doesn't work out."

Apparently, Rosalie still wasn't forgiving him for his sexist comments before our little soccer game.

After a lovely morning filled with cuddling, we let the boys do some studying (classes were going to resume tomorrow). I focused on my work, getting a little drafting in and finishing a few other assignments before the early evening when the boys came back and made us all dinner. (It was only frozen pizza, but still, it's the thought that counts.) They continued to satisfy our every whim until we finally all settled down to watch a movie.

At 10 o'clock, Rosalie pulled Emmett away and into her room. I did the same with Edward, going up to his room and leaving Jasper and Alice in our room.

"What's going on?" Edward asked me as we made our way into his room.

"There's one more thing I want before midnight comes around."

He wrapped his arms around me, correctly anticipating my answer. "And what might that be?"

I placed my arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. "Just a little alone time with you."

"Ahh, I see." He kissed me back. "That sounds reasonable."

I smiled. "Good."

--

The next week was hectic. It was still freezing outside, but the streets were plowed and there was no excuse left for any cancellation of classes. The professors had more than made up for the missed class time; they'd piled on so much work that I barely saw any of my friends that following week. And classes were nothing compared to the grueling soccer practices that week. Coach Graysly had been thoroughly disappointed that hardly anyone on the team had bothered to train or exercise at all during the time we had off. She made up for it by working us extra hard, not three but four times that week. I found myself being unable to get my moves just the way I wanted. I worked extra hard on my time off to practice a little harder with no luck. By the time Friday rolled around, my body was so exhausted that I wanted nothing more than to sleep for the entire weekend straight.

It was late in the afternoon when Alice came grumbling inside the room, dropping everything and laying down in her bed.

"Everything ok?" I asked her, raising my head slightly off my pillow. I was already in bed, having arrived just a few minutes before her.

"Can't talk… too exhausted." She murmured.

I chuckled, "Okie doke. Sweet dreams."

"Oh, by the way, Bella," She began, "There's a party tomorrow that we have to go to."

I groaned, "No, please Alice, I'm so tired! And I have so much work to do. I can't go to a party."

"Yes you can, and you were expressly invited. It's being held by Logan, Josh and Jasper. I'm helping plan. It'll be a winter wonderland theme. Everything's all set up already. Everyone on campus is pretty much going to be there."

I sighed, admitting defeat. "Would it do me any good to argue with you?"

She giggled, "Nope."

I meant to argue with her anyway but I was too tired. I just fell asleep.

When I woke up from my short nap, I felt a pair of strong arms around me. I turned over to face the person beside me.

"Hello sleepy," Edward smiled his beautiful crooked smile at me.

"Hi," I smiled, my voice still raspy from sleeping. With one hand he swept my long dark hair out of my face and kissed my forehead. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Only about two hours. I just got here a little while ago, you looked so comfortable I had to join you."

I hugged him tightly, "I'm glad you did."

He returned to hug, digging his lips into my neck and placing soft kisses there. "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

Boy was it ever hard to concentrate when he was this close to me, "Um… besides this?"

I felt Edward chuckle against my neck, "Yes."

"Hmm…" I ran my fingers through his soft hair, "I don't know, did you have anything in mind?"

"Not really," his lips made their way to my jaw, brushing against my skin. I smiled and pulled his face up to meet mine, kissing his perfect lips.

Our blissful moment was soon interrupted by my phone. Groaning, I made to reach over to the bed side table and grab my phone but my sore muscles ached at the sudden movement. Edward reached over for me and handed me the cell phone. I took a quick glance at the screen to see who was calling before I picked up.

"Hey Dad." I said into the phone.

"Hey Bells, how've you been?" I heard him respond.

"Pretty good," I leaned comfortably into Edward as I talked with my father, "How's Forks?"

"Oh pretty much the same as always." Charlie said with a small chuckle, "I miss you, kid."

"Miss you too, Dad."

Charlie hesitated on the line, "So Bella…" He paused again.

Uh-oh, I though to myself. I knew that tone. It was his I-Have-Bad-News/Something-Uncomfortable-To-Talk-To-You-About tone. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Bella, I just need to talk to you about something…" Another pause, "Do you remember what March 17th is?"

I froze.

Like I'd ever forget the day Renee was taken away from me.

"Yes," I responded once I found my voice. March 17th was a day I unsuccessfully tried to avoid for almost quite a few years now.

"Well, Bella, this year will make it an even ten."

I didn't know what to say. I was overcome by a powerful urge to run away, end this conversation, go for a run, watch a movie… anything to take my mind off of this.

"Bella, are you still there?"

I closed my eyes trying to regain my composure and cleared my throat. "Yes." I felt Edward's arms wrapped tightly around me; he could probably tell something was wrong.

Charlie continued, clearly uncomfortable, "Well, honey, I was thinking about having another memorial service." I don't know where it came from but a strange panic arose within me. I was only half listening as my father spoke, "A few of her old friends brought up the idea to me and I thought it was a good one."

"Dad…" What could I say? That I didn't want to go? "After all this time… why?"

"It's a good thing to do, Bella. Besides I thought this would be good for you too… the last time you weren't-"

"Dad," I interrupted, "I was there the last time, okay?"

"Not for the entire thing."

"Is that why you want to do this, because if it is then that's ridiculous. I don't see the point in opening up old wounds. It happened, we dealt with it and its over." I felt a little bad about talking to my father that way, but I couldn't go through that again. I don't know how I got through it the first time.

"Bella, I didn't call to argue with you. But it's happening and I thought I'd give you enough time to open up your schedule for it. You should be there for it this time."

"I was there the last time!"

"Not entirely, Bella. You can't deny that."

Panic, once again, "Dad… I have finals around then anyway…"

"Isabella Marie Swan," Charlie said my full name acidly into the phone. It wasn't often that he got angry, but when he did, he could be very scary. "This is your mother's memorial service! I'm booking you a flight for the day before and you will be there. Do you understand?"

I sighed in defeat, "Yes sir."

"Good." He sighed too, calming down, "Thank you, Bella … I love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

I hung up the phone and turned to face Edward, sighing and leaning my head into his chest. His embrace was so comforting.

But the silence didn't last long, "Is everything ok?"

I nodded.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded again.

He kissed the top of my head, "If you need to talk, Bella…"

I stopped him before he could finish the sentence, "I know." But I didn't need to talk. That's the last thing I needed. Why is it that everyone always insists in talking about death and dealing with it? It happened and it's over.

That's it.

I've spent almost ten years trying to never forget my mother, I didn't need another memorial service to remember her. She's the reason behind almost everything I do. The reason I came to this school, the reason behind my involvement in the Twilight League. Her memory is the catalyst for all my major decisions. I could never forget her, on the contrary I've spent my days fighting to become closer to her, even if it is just her memory.

In all honesty, though, her death was never real to me. Part of me is still waiting for her to appear, if I could find her again. Oh God, I sound insane… even in my own head.

"Bella?" Edward said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hmm?"

Instead of answering me, he tilted my face up to meet his, suddenly locking our lips together and working his rhythmically against mine. His touch was heavenly, I felt myself getting lightheaded as his fingers gripped my waist and pulled me closer to him. If this was his way of bringing my attention back to him, it was definitely working.

--

Okay, so we're getting into more serious things here, folks. Please bear with me while I get through these next couple of chapters, its important to the story but the cute stuff will be in there too. I know this was short but the next chapter is turning out to be much longer than I planned so I had to split them up. Wish me luck on my finals! Those of you who are going through the same thing, I'm sorry.