A/N – Yeah I know, I'm slacking. B/T two sick kids, the husband working this weekend, and a lack of medication, it's been a bit nutty. But here is the next chapter. I'm not 100% in love with it, but it's necessary I believe. Sorry no Paul, hopefully he'll come wandering back to me and tell me what he wants to do. Hope you enjoy.

Bella POV

I wake up Sunday feeling content. It felt like the last vestiges of my longing for the Cullens were finally lifted. And it felt great! I had energy to spare and decided to use it wisely. I made my way downstairs for a cup of coffee and pop tart (ah, breakfast of champions!) From the note Charlie left, it looked like I would have the house to myself all day. He was gone fishing with Billy and Harry… Again. No surprise there really, but I didn't begrudge him. He needed a break from reality too.

After my quick breakfast, I made my way back up the stairs to start a thorough house cleaning. Floors were swept and mopped, bathroom was scrubbed, and windows were shining brightly. I did every room in the house before I touched my bedroom. I knew I would have to do more than just clean in there. I would be rearranging and tossing lots of stuff.

The morning cleaning had worn me out so when I finally notice the time, I decided I needed some lunch. I got the leftovers heated and sat down to quickly eat. As I munched, I contemplated the extent of what I wanted to do to my room. No paint today, but rearranging and cleaning out would definitely require some help. I didn't want to bother Jake since he seemed upset with me last night, so who could I call?

Ring, Ring

"Hello?"

"Hey Angela, it's Bella"

"Hey Bella! What's up?"

"Well, I was wondering if you could help me with something."

"Oh, what's that?"

"I need to rearrange my room. My furniture isn't heavy, but I need a creative eye and a second pair of hands to make it happen."

"Well, I suppose I can do that! Give me 20 minutes and I'll be there."

"Thank you Ange! I'll make you dinner as payment!"

We bid our farewells and I quickly washed my lunch dishes. As soon as I heard Angela pull up, I flung open the door to great her. She seemed a bit shocked at first, but smiled at me. We made our way upstairs to my room. She turned around in a circle a couple of times before facing me. "You really do have an awesome room Bella! I already have an idea of where to put furniture and everything. So what's first?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her exuberance. I led her to the closet first and told her she could have her pick from the mass amount of clothing Alice had given me. She always hoped I would wear what she deemed fashionable on me, but I honestly preferred simple, nice looking clothes. Well, except for shoes. I do love my shoes. She knew better than to buy me heels but the shoes (flats, sandals, boots), I LOVED.

Angela and I chatted easily as we went through the clothes. She was amazed at how many of them still had tags on them. I explained to her about Alice liking to play Bella Barbie and how she wanted me to mold to her wants and what she thought was "best" for me and my severe reluctance to do so. Angela agreed with me and gladly loaded up several garbage bags worth of clothes she wanted. The rest went into separate bags to be donated. I was quite satisfied with a much cleaner closet.

After the closet was cleaned and organized, we started on the room. I put on the radio and we danced around and sang (off key in my case!) as we shifted furniture around the room. We were acting like teenagers. No worries about anyone attacking me for a paper cut or draining me because I was their singer. Just being me felt awesome.

We were putting the finishing touches on the room when Angela called my name. I walked over and kneeled down beside her. There a loose floorboard where my bed used to be. "Did you know this was here?" she asked me. I shook my head at her as I pried up the floor board. I couldn't hold back my shocked gasp. There in the hole under the board was everything I thought Edward has taken with him. The pictures, the plane tickets, even the CD he had made with my lullaby on it.

I just stared at it for a minute before Angela's voice broke through the haze that had engulfed me. "Bella? What is this?" I shook my head to clear it. "Well it's… the stuff I thought Edward took. Apparently I was mistaken." I huffed angrily. Angela just looked at me curiously. I realized I had never really explained what had happened when Edward and his family left.

I took in a deep breath and began to explain to her what Edward had told me in the forest (sans anything vampire of course) and how I had noticed that these particular items were missing in the days after they left. I had honestly never imagined he would have left it behind. Was it for sentimental reasons? Or was it just another bout of cruelty to leave me reminders that I could possibly find one day.

Angela pulled all the items out of the hole and looked at me questioningly. I just shrugged and held out the bag we were using for trash. "You sure Bella?" she asked cautiously. I just nodded my head. There was no need to hold on to any of it. Even the airline tickets. I didn't want or need the reminders.

We hauled the garbage and give away bags downstairs and tossed them in my truck. Angela loaded her car with the clothes she picked out. After a quick trip to the dumpster and Salvation Army, we returned to the house and made our way to the kitchen so I could start dinner. "So Bella," Angela began from her seat at the table. "What brought all this on?" I smiled as I recalled my feelings this morning and how Paul made me feel last night. I had to resist the shiver I felt from the memory of his intense stare.

"Well Angela, it was beyond time for a change." I covered the pan so the sauce for our spaghetti could simmer and turned to face her, leaning my back against the counter. "I finally realized that in order to leave the past behind me, I had to change my present and future; mentally and physically." I went on to explain about the motorcycles I had found and hanging out with Jacob and his friends. He really was a bright sunny spot in my otherwise dull life and I made a mental note to give him a call tomorrow to see what he and Quil's problem was last night. I had to stop for a moment to gather my thoughts before I explained about the bonfire and Paul. As I drained the noodles and prepared our plates, I mentally went through everything I could and couldn't tell Angela.

"I think I've met someone." It was a quiet statement coming from my lips, but I knew Angela heard me. And it may have seemed out of left field, but honestly, it just felt… right. Angela stared at me wide eyed for a moment. I blushed under her gaze and proceeded to tell her about the bonfire and meeting Paul. I had to leave out the super-natural stuff of course, but that was ok. I was able to convey the magic of the stories and the mood of the evening. It was especially easy to tell her about the kiss Paul planted on my cheek because I could still feel the tingle in that spot.

By the time I finished, our plates were empty and we got up to wash them. "So," Angela says as I hand her a dish to dry. "He was hot?" My cheeks flame quickly and I laugh at her. "Oh yeah, most definitely hot." She laughs loudly and smiles at me.

"I think this is good for you Bella." I cock my eyebrow at her, curious as to why she thinks that. "Well, you have an attractive guy giving you attention, you have friends that you actually talk to, and you have a new project to keep your mind occupied. That's providing, of course, that those idiot boys get over their little snit." We both laugh at that and finish up the dishes.

After I tell Angela bye, I head upstairs to get ready for bed. Charlie had finally drug himself through the door after we had finished dinner and was currently ensconced in his chair watching Sports Center and eating his share of spaghetti. My thoughts wandered to what Angela said. I had to agree with her. I did feel like my life had changed for the better and I was finally healing. Now I just had to figure out how to get in touch with Paul again. Maybe another trip to La Push was in order. But overall, life was good. I had friends, a hobby, and a potential love interest that may get a little furry at times, but wouldn't drain my blood. And as Martha Stewart says, it's a good thing.