I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

April and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and Fran, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 33

BPOV

A loud crash woke me up abruptly, I sat up in bed and blinked trying to register what had just happened. Alice was by the desk, trying to re-stack my books. She blushed bright red when she noticed I was awake.

"I am so, so sorry." She looked mortified.

"What happened?" I asked, clearing my throat to rid it of sleep.

"I was trying to get my sweater, and I tripped on the leg of the chair and fell into the desk. I feel horrible, please go back to sleep." She started to move to the door.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked, glancing around, looking for a clock.

"About two hours," she said.

"I'm going to get up or I won't sleep well tonight. What is everyone doing?" I stretched.

"Most of the men are watching the football game on TV. Edward and Jasper are in there, but they're concentrating more on their chess game. Esme is making turkey soup with the leftovers. Your mom, Mrs. Hale, and Rose are looking at circulars for the Black Friday sales." She came over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Ugh…I hate the stores on Black Friday. I'm glad I have an excuse not to go this year. Do you have to work?" I felt so bad for her.

"Yeah…luckily I got put on the late afternoon-evening shift. So hopefully the craziness will die down by then. The past two years I had to work the first shift, and it was insane. I can't believe people will trample each other for a TV or toys. How is that the spirit of Christmas?" She shook her head in disgust.

"How's everything else going? Is your father still hanging around?" I hadn't been able to talk to her alone since I left.

She rolled her eyes and looked to the window. "He's there. He claims he's here to stay." She wrung her hands in lap.

"Can I ask you something?" She turned back to me, looking perplexed.

"Of course." I nodded.

"He wants me to go with him to family therapy and try to repair our relationship. At first, I was completely against the idea but now…" She trailed off and shook her head.

I pondered for a moment. "I don't think there's anything wrong with deciding to try it. It will give you a chance to air any grievances you have and ask him why he left you in the first place. After you have your answers, then you can decide whether to close the door for good or try to repair your relationship."

"Do you think it can be repaired?" she questioned, looking lost.

"I can't give you that answer, Ali, I'm not you. I don't think this is one of those situations where there is one right answer, it's different for everyone. I don't want to see you hurt again but at the same time, this could be an opportunity to heal." I shrugged.

I wished I could help her more, but I was afraid to tell her the wrong thing.

"I know. I'm just so confused. Rose and Mrs. Hale think it may be a good idea, but Jasper is adamantly against it." Alice heaved a big sigh.

"I think that's because Jasper is being protective toward you. He doesn't like the idea of something or someone hurting you again." I gave her smile.

She gave me a shy one back. "Maybe. He has been very sweet."

I giggled. "I think that's more than a maybe. He acts no different than Edward does when it comes to me, but sometimes, despite the fact that they want what's best for us, they can be a bit unreasonable. You never told me how was your date?"

She blushed, but she suddenly looked much happier. Before she could answer, Rose entered the room.

"There you are, I thought we were going for a walk. What's going on?" she asked.

"We're just gossiping, Alice was about to tell me about her date with Jasper." I grinned.

"Did my brother behave himself or do I need to plot his demise." Rose's eyes sparkled humorously as she joined us on the bed.

"It was nice. We had dinner in Port A and then walked around window-shopping a bit. We drove back to the Hale's and then—" She ducked her head and mumbled the rest.

Rose and I both leaned forward, straining to hear her.

"Did you just say he kicked you?" Rose sounded confused.

Alice turned bright red and looked flustered. "No…um…he err…uh."

"Spit it out." I waved my hand dramatically. I was curious myself because I had heard kicked too.

Alice glanced at me then her eyes shot to Rose and she bit her lip.

Rose started to laugh. "O.M.G., Alice, you can tell me that my brother kissed you. I promise not to freak out on you."

"I just didn't know if that would be weird." Alice shrugged sheepishly.

"A kiss is nothing. If it goes beyond that I don't want the details as long as he's treating, you right." Rose stopping giggling and told her. "Anyways, that beats my dry spell."

"Are you still holding out on Emmett?" I asked casually.

"Emmett…pft…he hasn't even tried since Homecoming. I think he finally got the hint." Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

She turned back to Alice. "So was Jasper your first kiss?"

"No. There was another; a cashier, James, who I went out on a date with. He kissed me at the end of the night, but it turns out he was using me to make another girl jealous." Alice shrugged.

"What a loser." I shook my head.

"That's horrible. If it makes you feel any better, my first kiss was Mike Newton. It was spin the bottle in seventh grade." Rose's nose wrinkled.

"Ewww. I guess I faired better than the two of you. My first kiss was Garrett…"

"What?!"

The three of us jumped when Edward interrupted us.

"Geesh. You could knock." Rose's hand clutched her chest.

Edward ignored her. "You lied to me."

"I didn't lie to you, let me…"

"I thought I was your first kiss." He gave me a hurt look before turning on his heel and storming away.

"Edward, wait." I tried to detangle myself from the sheets so I could chase after him.

"Where are you going?" Rose asked.

"I need to talk to him. He's blowing this out of proportion," I answered.

"Well that's his problem it's not your fault he is acting like a jealous fool who's not willing to listen."

I hurried out of the room in search of Edward. When I got to the first floor, I looked around but didn't see any sign of him. I caught Jasper's eye, and he nodded his head towards the back door.

I stepped into the chilly air and found him on the porch steps. I sat next to him and waited for him to say something, but he stared straight ahead. I couldn't help but be concerned about him. He seemed to be reverting to the Edward I met when I returned to Forks. I felt a small twinge of guilt that my relapse was the cause of it. I reached out, so my hand brushed his, but he made no move to hold it.

"I didn't lie to you. We never really talked about the past while I was gone from Forks. So, I wasn't intentionally keeping anything from you, it just never came up. Garrett"—I paused to sigh—"I met him four years ago during my last relapse—he was a year older than me. Not long after we met, he found out his chemo and radiation were failing, and the tumor in his brain was inoperable."

Edward shifted uncomfortably beside me but remained silent. I drew small circles on the back of his hand.

"He told me he never got a chance to kiss the girl he had a crush on before he got sick. He asked me if he could close his eyes and kiss me and pretend for a moment that I was Katrina. So, I told him he could. It was very chaste, and it was over in a matter of seconds. There was no emotion or romantic feelings behind it—only a boy fulfilling his last request. Two days later, Garrett slipped into a coma, and he didn't wake up. I can apologize for not telling you beforehand, but I won't for letting him kiss me. It meant a lot to him, and I refuse to feel guilty about it," I told him.

"I'm an asshole," Edward muttered.

"You're not an asshole. You were a bit of a jerk, next time, please talk to me before you assume something and storm off," I pleaded.

"I'm sorry. I guess I got…" He searched for the right words. "Jealous. I thought I was your first kiss. You were mine." He gave me looked like a wounded puppy.

"You are my first boyfriend. My first date. The first person I told that I loved who I wasn't related too," I told him, hoping it made him feel better. "That has to count for something."

He managed a small smile. "It does."

I looked out into the yard. "You know, when I first arrived back in Forks, I was excited and nervous to see you again. I spent a long time angry that you didn't write me back. Then one day I realized maybe I wasn't being fair to expect that of you. I was hoping we could again be friends. And then I had an errant thought that you probably had a girlfriend, who may not like the idea of us being friends."

"Nope, no girlfriends or anything like that." He shook his head.

"It took some doing, but I'm glad you let me in. Even happier that we are more than just friends." I leaned against him.

"Me too." He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

He jumped back a little in alarm and looked me up and down. "You're freezing. You shouldn't be out here dressed like that."

"I was in a hurry to catch up with you. I guess I wasn't thinking straight."

He stood up abruptly and hauled me to him. "We need to get you inside before your parents kill me."

"They won't kill you, you didn't force me outside. I went out on my own, it's my own stupidity." I let him lead me inside.

"Yeah, but if I wasn't jerk then you wouldn't have followed me," he grumbled as he yanked the screen door so hard I thought it might come off its hinges.

"Calm down. I don't feel that cold." I slightly lied. I hadn't felt cold until he mentioned it.

Inside was much warmer, and I shivered as I rubbed my arms. Edward gave me a look, calling me out for my bluff and I gave him a sheepish grin.

"You're up." Mom came out of the kitchen. "You're still looking pale, are you feeling okay, sweetie?"

"I'm fine, I think I just need to eat something. Alice mentioned that Esme was making turkey soup, is it ready yet?" I asked.

"It is. I'll get you nice big bowl. I also have some of your tea, perhaps that will help. You go sit at the table, and I'll bring it right out." She turned back to the kitchen.

"Why did she say tea like that?" Edward asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

I glanced around, but my dad was nowhere in sight. The last thing I wanted today was an argument between my parents.

"It's a special tea for medicinal purposes. My dad isn't too thrilled with the idea of me using it. He wants me to eat and not be in pain, but he thinks there is a reason it's illegal. My mother prefers it to other medication, saying it should be considered as natural as any other herb," I explained.

"Gotcha." Edward nodded, pulling out a seat for me. "Would you like me to grab you a sweater or shoes or something?" he asked.

"I have a pair of slipper socks next to the bed and a knit hat in the top of my bag if you don't mind."

"Not at all. Be right back." Edward passed Jasper on his way back out of the room.

Jasper placed a bowl of soup in front of me and few rolls. "I was told to tell you that your tea will be out in a few. Do you need anything else?"

"As much as I enjoy having you wait on me—I'm good. Thank you." I smiled cheekily at him.

He snorted. "Don't get used to it, Swan. I expect the same treatment next time I'm sick."

"Consider it a deal." I nodded and stirred my soup absentmindedly. "Can I ask you something?

"You just did," he countered.

"Can we be serious for a moment," I asked.

The smirk fell off his face, and he took a seat across from me. "What's up?

"Is Edward doing okay?"

"Why don't you ask him?" Jasper raised an eyebrow.

"Because I don't think he'll give me an honest answer. I'm really worried about him." I bit my lip.

"You shouldn't worry over Cullen, you need to focus on taking care of yourself," Jasper told me.

"I can't help but worry about him. I've seen him get worked up over things a few times now," I explained.

Jasper sighed and glanced towards the doorway before he lowered his voice. "To be honest, I don't know if any of us really know for sure. I've seen him act that way too, like over those stupid candy bars. But I haven't seen a complete return of Edborg—if that's what you're worried about. He still sits with us at lunch and although he refused to join the track team, running with Emmett does seem to help."

I felt slightly better but not fully.

"Look, Bella, I promise to knock some sense into him myself if he needs it, okay? You worry about beating this thing. The sooner you're back home, I'm sure he'll snap out of it," Jasper said sincerely.

Edward came back into the room and paused when he saw us in deep conversation. His eyes narrowed slightly on Jasper before focusing on me.

"Is everything okay?" He handed me my things.

"Yup, Jasper was just filling me in on how hard it was to restrain himself from knocking Mr. Varner one," I lied.

Jasper smirked and played along. "I hope he invests in soap on a rope, he'll need some after my father is done with him."

RR

By Saturday afternoon, the only ones still at the house were Edward, Rose, her mom, my mother, and Phil. Everyone else had left the day before. We were settled in the living room watching the football game on TV. It was close to the end of the second half and Forks was up by a touchdown.

"Now, which one is your boyfriend?" Mrs. Hale asked for maybe the third time since the game has started.

Rose rolled her eyes. "I don't have a boyfriend."

"You know who I mean. The McCarty boy, he seems like such a sweetheart. Thank goodness he's nothing like his father," her mom commented.

"Emmett is number 23, the quarterback," Edward answered.

"Oooo, then we'll be able to see him real soon. Didn't the announcer say each quarterback was going to be interviewed?" Mom said.

"Actually, I believe they said the captains," Phil spoke up quietly.

"Well, Emmett is both, so it looks like we will be hearing from him either way," I told them.

Rose went to twirl her hair, and her hand came up empty. "Ugh, I keep forgetting that I cut it." She smoothed her short bob.

"It looks nice," I commented.

"Thanks, I'm still getting used to it. I can't remember a time that my hair has been this short. But after the boys shaved their heads, I started to think about donating my hair to Locks of Love," Rose said.

"I think that was great," I told her.

Twenty minutes later, Emmett appeared on the TV screen, looking pale and nervous. They talked to him about the season and even about colleges that have scouted him.

"That kid looks ready to hurl." Phil chuckled, and my mother slapped his arm and scolded him lightly.

"Wait…can I say one more thing," Emmett asked the reporter.

He was given the go-ahead, and he faced the screen. He ran his hand through hair and cleared his throat. "Uh…what I have to say has nothing to do with football, but I think it's very important. One of my closest friends has leukemia, and she just relapsed for the second time."

"What is he doing?" Edward said warily.

"Shhhh…." I hushed him.

"The thing is, she needs a bone marrow transplant. And she has no siblings, so she needs help finding her match. She's not the only one; there are others just like my friend looking for their matches. So, if you're able, please consider being a donor. Ahhh…thank you." Emmett gave the camera a nervous smile.

I wiped a stray tear away as I witnessed the guy who months ago could've been in the running for the biggest jerk, do one of the sweetest things ever. Edward's arm went around me, and he kissed the top of my head.

"Did you know that he was going to do that?" Mom turned to me, looking teary-eyed.

"No…he didn't say a word." I shook my head.

I looked at Rose, who shook her head and blinked back tears of her own. Edward appeared just as surprised as me.

"That was pretty cool though. I just wish there was a way that reached more people," Edward commented.

"Maybe there can be." Mrs. Hale tapped her chin and looked deep in thought.

A/N:

Thoughts? I know Edward overreacted. Edward was under the impression he was Bella's first kiss because he knows he's her first boyfriend. Although he has been sweet to her, he still has some moments where his stress and anxiety becomes overwhelming, and he's taken it out on the wrong people. Which is why Bella confided in Jasper. If she asked Edward, he would have denied it, she needed a third party opinion to know how he was dong without her there.

Emmett has come a long way since the beginning of this story. What do you think of his plea on TV?

Last chapter a few people were upset with Charlie, and I thought I need to explain him better. When he thought it wasn't a good idea for Edward to help Bella to bed, it wasn't because he thought Edward would try anything. It was more of a father having a hard time letting someone else help his daughter when she was that sick, nothing more.

Thank you for all your love and reviews you have given my story.