A/N: Welcome back.

Curse reality. I can't find time to write. Busy months. Exams, trips, reading, sickness, eating disorder, doctor's and dentist appts, assignments, trying to keep my marks up, looking for a job, doing a famine, ahh!

Thanks for coming back though. This story still exists.

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine.

(Bella POV)

"Hello?" I ask answering the phone. I didn't recognize the number and it was long distance so I questioned even picking up the phone in the first place. If they were really important, they would have left a message right? But no, I'm bored, waiting for Edward (who just left) to come home with the Chinese we ordered for lunch. He offered to pick it up since they don't deliver and I stayed at home. Why? I do not know. We have spent the entire day and every hour of last night together, so maybe it was a good breather to have our thoughts to ourselves. I mean of course I love him, but he makes me all fluttery and I need a moment to catch my breath ya know?

"Oh, hello. Is Edward around? Do I have the right number, I was sure that..."

"No, no. This is the right number." I assure her and I recognize her voice, I believe it's Edward's aunt. "This is his number. He's not here at the moment."

"Oh! This is... I know you. Bella, hmm?" I hear a swallow at the other end of the phone and I walk over to the bar stools in the kitchen and sit on the middle one, leaning my elbows on the counter.

"Yes, it's Bella."

"Oh, I didn't know you and Edward were still - ah anyways, Edward isn't around?"

"No." I reply quickly. "Is there a message you want me to give him? I can have him call you back..."

"Maybe it's best if you and I talk, honey. I saw how Edward all but glued himself to you when I saw you's at the airport. I never got the chance to talk to you privately." Lucy tells me in a sweet tone. Her tone is as sweet as honey, but it's almost too sweet. The refrigerator kicks and it startles me for a moment.

"I know, he's like that most of the time." I admit to her. "We also didn't have you at the house or anything."

"I know, hmm." She muses and I bet she's tapping her pointed chin. "Well, I'm assuming - actually I know for a fact - Edward has told you about his parents. Deceased? I know he hasn't spoken all that much about me. That boy is just like how his grandpapa was; boxed in. But I guess all men are like that... None of them like to talk all that much, especially about their feelings or their weak points."

"Yes, I know. We've spoken about his parents and about you briefly. I am filled in." I assure her and I try to keep my tone light. I tap my fingers on the granite bar counter top and flash my gaze over to the clock. Edward left two minutes ago. Great, just great. The Chinese restaurant is on the other side of town too. Even better. It's almost as though this call was planned.

"So you and him are serious? I'm just saying as Edward's only alive blood relative that's close to him, it's my... duty... to keep informed and look out for him. I love him like he came from me you know."

"I bet." I reply after Lucy doesn't continue to speak.

"So you're serious about him?"

"Yes."

"I don't know how well that works out." She admits.

"What are you saying?" I grit my teeth. Really? Another person trying to fu-

"I'm saying," She says harshly, interrupting my thoughts. "I know Edward is going through so much. The whole thing weighs me down and I wasn't even affected as much as he. He has responsibilities Bella and I really hope nothing gets in the way of that."

Does she mean me? I am getting in the way?

I huff.

"He has Alice to care for. She should be his priority and not some-"

"Whoa." I cut her off. "Alice is his top priority and she's one of mine too. Edward's an amazing brother to her and she's growing up in a good, well-mannered environment because of him. Edward's an adult too, he doesn't need-"

"I'm just looking out for him."

"Well, you don't have to worry about my relationship with him."

"Edward's never been serious when it comes to relationships. He distances himself. I worried and still worry about him and Alice. I have no idea how can he put up with a lover."

I scoff. "A lover?" I quote her sourly and taste iron in my mouth. Maybe that's the taste of pure disgust.

"Well..."

"Edward and I are serious," I cut her off. "We love each other. We're both adults and can make our own decisions. He's a good role model for Alice and he does just fine with his relationships. Yeah, the guy has been through Hell, but he's fighting back. He's living his life and being himself. He's a strong man. I know that. I love him for that. Okay? I'm glad you worry and I'm happy he has a relative looking out for him, but you need to know that Edward and I are kind of a package deal now."

"Haven't you two just become intimate together?"

"What?"

"You've just become..."

"Dating? We've been dating for over a month."

"A month isn't much of a commitment."

"It takes one moment to fall in love." I reply back quickly. "Look, maybe you should tell Edward this kind of stuff some other time, but I know he'll tell you exactly what I'm saying."

"I don't want you to hurt him." Lucy mutters.

"I never will!"

I hear a sigh and a sharp intake of a breath. "Can you tell Edward I called and ask him to call me back soon? I'd like to speak with him."

I nod even though she can't see it. "Yeah, trust me, he'll know you called."

...

"Alice," I murmur as I tuck her into bed. "What's a matter, dear?"

Edward's already off to bed for he had a long day at work with more action than usual. I didn't have the hear to tell him about Lucy because I know if he catches drift of how I took her tone, he'll be furious. I thought Lucy liked me, I thought she was happy to see Edward happy.

Edward is happy. Right?

I tuck a stray hair on Alice's forehead behind her ear. "Nothing." She stifles a yawn and stretches her arms above her head.

"You were quiet during dinner." I rub her cool cheek before pulling my hands back and setting them on my lap. "You can talk to me."

"Jessica was being mean at recess." Alice tells me but refuses to make eye contact with me.

"Mean, how?" I ask and swallow the venom I feel towards Jessica. Is it okay for a teacher not to like one of her students? Because I sure as hell-

"In gym this morning I threw the ball and missed and then I tried again and missed! Jessica laughed and at recess she told me I have an ugly shirt and my hair looks like a boys." She tries to fix her short hair, but sighs and gives up. She pats around her her teddy and when she finds it, she pulls it tight to her chest. "And how I had to move to the front of the class because I couldn't really see the board."

Ah yes. Lately Alice has been having more vision problems. At first I asked Edward and he said she didn't have 20/20 vision, but her eyes were still decent. I've noticed more recently, she can't read from long distances as well. I'll have to make an eye doctor appointment for her soon. If only I could remember.

"Jessica is-" A bitch of a kid. A clone of her two-faced, beach blonde mother. "Trying to be cool to fit in. She's probably just jealous because you're so pretty. Alice, everyone misses the ball in gym. As for your hair? It suits you, you style it nicely and it compliments your squared face. I like it. Certainly not like a boys."

"Really?" She fusses with her hair again.

"Of course." I smile genuinely. "I wouldn't lie to you." I lean forward and plant a kiss on her forehead. "Alice, I know it's hard, but can you please ignore Jessica the best you can? Don't let her hurt you. It's what she wants to do. Ignore her and she'll probably stop. If she doesn't, tell me and I'll talk with her. Thank you for telling me." I kiss her forehead again and stand up.

I watch as Alice pulls the covers up under her chin. "Thanks." She says into the darkened room.

"No problem Alice." I swallow and take a deep breath. "I love you."

"I love you!" She chirps back and I smile to myself as I leave the room. I tip toe my way to my room and quietly rummage through the dresser to get my pyjamas. I try to not wake Edward as I hear him snoring from the bed. He's not a loud snorer, but trust me when I say it's noticeable. Is it weird that I like it? It's almost soothing for me...

I sigh to myself.

So quickly have I gone from forever alone to Holy smokes I have a boyfriend and a young girl that's pretty much my blood. "Incredible." I mutter as I tip toe my way to the bathroom and get changed. I wash my face and brush my hair, checking myself out in the mirror. I make sure to brush my teeth getting hitting every individual tooth before swooshing around some mouth wash and high fiving myself in the mirror.

All good.

I creep back into the bedroom and crawl into bed next to Edward. Instinctively, I curl up against him and wrap my arms around her. In his sleep, he responds by pulling me close to him and pressing his face into my hair still snoring.

Now this is perfection.

Why can't my life stay like this?

A/N: Sorry for the long update again guys. These two months are jam packed... It's ten thirty as I write this... Yeah. A school night too.

I can't promise the next update will be super soon, but maybe within a week or two. Okay? Thanks for sticking with me. :)

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