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Chapter Sixty-Nine

"I was instructed to not interfere," Alice said as she clasped her hands together in her lap.

"Why do I get the feeling you're not going to follow that advice?" I quipped and looked away, still not completely comfortable with the current situation.

Alice's expression was calm, my attitude not affecting her in the least. "I know my brother well. As I said earlier, he is very persistent."

It was my turn to not look affected. "And?"

"And with that persistence comes a certain charm that-"

"You can save your breath," I said as I stood from the bench.

"I'm not trying to offend you," she insisted while delicately tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "He's the first person you met in town. Is that not true?"

"What are you trying to get at?"

She appeared thoughtful as she said, "What might you do once you become bored, Bella? Restless? I know you're young. I know you haven't lived-"

"You know nothing about me," I said curtly. "I know what you think and you're wrong. I'm with Edward because I want to be, not because there is no other option."

She took a moment to cross her ankles and slightly nod her head. "I see."

"No. You obviously don't see," I argued as my emotions got the best of me. "I don't want to hear about how Edward and I aren't right for each other because- according to you- I am 'young' and 'haven't lived'."

She held up a hand. "Bella."

"I've finally been given the chance to make my own decisions; choose my own life. I want to start living it without people questioning me."

"As you should. That is fine; great, even," Alice agreed, borderline patronizing. "Listen. I'm not trying to upset you. I just cannot help but worry for Edward."

I blinked. "Why would you be worried about him?"

"I don't want to see him hurt. I see the way he looks at you and it frightens me to think about your past."

"I don't want him to get hurt, either. I am not my mother," I proclaimed, fully believing my words.

Alice lowered her gaze. "I'm not very good at this, am I?"

"What?"

"Being friendly."

I refrained from snorting before allowing myself to sit again. "At least you're aware."

"That was my backward way of threatening you to not ever hurt my brother." Alice sighed. "I'm not sure that went over so well."

"I'm not sure threats ever do," I pointed out, causing Alice to laugh.

"It's real, you know," I murmured, more to myself. "I appreciate everything he has done. I love him very much."

"I understand your desire to want to be with him," Alice said with what looked to be a genuine smile. "I just hope you understand his desire, his need to be with you."

I swallowed and nodded. How could I be upset with her for wanting the best for her Edward?

"I don't belong in Edward's world; I know that." I opted against staring down at my lap and made eye contact with Alice. "But I belong with him. That much I do know."

Alice pursed her lips before waving at Emma on the slide. "How can you believe you belong with him but not in his world?"

That was a good question.

I had an even better answer.

"We have our own world."

My mind flashed to our times spend in his bed where most of our conversing, eating and other intimate things took place.

"That's a good thing to have," Alice said shortly.

"It's a great thing."

She narrowed her eyes for a moment. "I'm not the friendliest and I have problems of my own. I may offend you on more than one occasion, but please do not let that deter your feelings for my brother."

"Why didn't you just say that in the first place? You could have saved yourself some energy."

Alice uncrossed her arms, smiled and stood. "I already told you I am not good at this."

Emma ran over, red-faced and sweaty. "I don't want to go, Momma."

"Sorry, honey. We need to stop by Newton's to get your daddy a new staple gun and then we are dropping off Miss Bella at home."

My stomach flipped at the mention of Newton's and I ignored Alice's eyes as she noticed my enthusiasm.

Once we entered Newton's, I parted ways with Alice and Emma, telling them I would meet them out front in a few minutes.

Walking straight to the back of the store, I was mulling over whether or not I should tell him about my conversation with Alice. But when I reached his office, the door was shut and the lights were off.

When I noticed an employee pricing thermoses, I walked over and sweetly asked if Edward was around.

The answer was that Edward did not return after lunch.

I felt sick to my stomach, which was silly.

I trusted Edward. I really did. If he were keeping anything from me, again, I'm sure it was for my own good.

But I kind of wanted to call bullshit on that.

We were supposed to be together and trust each other and tell each other everything.

After everything we had been through, after everything I had admitted to him, it irked me that he still thought I wasn't strong enough to handle certain things.

I realized I huffing out loud and...still standing in front of the employee.

"Is there...anything else I can help you with?" he asked awkwardly, holding a pricing gun and staring at me as if I were crazy.

"No. Carry on," I said and walked away.

One thing was certain: there would be no counter sex tonight.

A/N: I almost felt obligated to write a lemon since this IS chapter 69...but...Edward didn't make an appearance and this isn't *that* type of fic, so...

Thanks for reading.