Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Suggested Listening: "Monument" by Fossil Collective

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"So, honey, how has Maddie been adjusting? I know she was always so close to Embry, from what you told me on the phone…"

Bella's foot tapped anxiously beneath the table as one hand fidgeted with the cloth napkin on her lap, the other gripping the menu tighter. Glancing down, she swallowed hard, refusing to look at her mother.

They'd barely sat down and opened their menus before the question fell from Renee's mouth.

Taking a deep breath, Bella scanned the appetizers for probably the sixth time, seeing the words but not really comprehending them. A lot of them were in French anyway, and once again, Bella found herself wondering where the hell her mother came from. Why the little bistro was the place she felt compelled to pick when there were so many other places in Port Angeles. Places that had menus in English. Places that had hot wings, pizza, and milkshakes.

That was more her than where they were.

Bella hated brie. She hated oysters even more.

And Bella was willing to bet her mother would know that if for once in Bella's twenty-five years of life the other woman ever stopped talking long enough to listen.

Yet Bella was still there, wondering all over again who her mother was trying to impress or what kind of statement she was trying to make by forcing her daughter to put on a dress and curl her hair.

Wishing she did like oysters because so far, the slimy little things were the most expensive thing on the menu...

"She's doing fine," Bella answered curtly, finally looking up, her gaze landing on her stepfather. "How's training going, Phil?"

Phil opened his mouth to speak but was promptly interrupted by his wife.

"That's so good, sweetie," Renee continued with a breathy sigh. "If she is doing better, that's good. But you know, Bella, if you're still having trouble, there's nothing wrong with getting a little help. Maybe seeing someone." Her mother peered at her over her menu, both eyebrows up from what Bella could see in the bistro's dim lighting, clearly telling her it was something Bella should be doing anyway. "Sometimes the right therapist can work wonders if find one who knows what they're doing. I know I went and saw one for a couple years there when you were little, and they can be miracle workers when it comes to fixing a person."

Bella swallowed past the knot in her throat, her foot twitching faster beneath the table and her hand balling into a fist around the napkin.

"We're not broken, Mom."

"Oh, I'm not saying you are, honey, but it can't hurt," Renee trilled. "Something like this can sometimes do more damage in the long run if you don't try to deal with it right away. I've also heard acupuncture can help with emotional trauma. It chemically balances you, according to my acupuncturist, and I'm willing to bet she could refer you to someone around here if I asked her…"

Bella bit down hard on the inside of her cheek - so hard she swore she tasted blood.

"Renee, I'm sure Bella can find one without your help," Phil muttered, although his tone was resigned. Complacent. Like he knew even if he spoke up, it wouldn't do any good.

Bella probably knew it before he did though.

God, she just wanted to go home. She just wanted to go back to La Push, pick up Maddie from Jacob's and spend the night with her family.

Her family…

Glancing up, Bella thought she was seeing things at first. She blinked once - twice, three times - before she leaned forward in her chair, lowering her menu and trying to place the dark tousled hair pushing through the front door. How familiar it seemed, as her gaze traveled down, mapping out the outline of a frame she swore she knew, waiting for the person to step out from behind the couple who walked in the bistro first. For some reason, inexplicably holding her breath as the other people finally got out of the way.

As Bella lost her breath anyway.

Quil caught her gaze the same time she realized it was him - the same time a shocked smile pulled at her lips. The same time he offered a grin and a sly lift of his eyebrows before he effortlessly passed the couple in front of him, saying something to them she couldn't hear. Lithely weaving in between tables as he approached the one Bella, her mother, and Phil were sitting at.

Bella was frozen, but still smiling when he stepped behind the one free chair at the table.

When she didn't bother to look at her mother or Phil to see their reaction to their unexpected guest.

It didn't matter.

She was just thankful, filled with an overpowering gratitude simply because Quil showed up. That he was still there, even for that moment, one she couldn't help but feel like she desperately needed him for.

Bella shook her head, finding her voice a moment later. "You made it," she murmured, the words laced with a breathy disbelief.

"You bet I did," he replied, low enough that she knew her mother and Phil would have a hard time hearing him, "Luckily, Jake told me where you were going and Jared owed me a favor, so him and my grandpa's roof are getting acquainted."

Letting his gaze linger for a moment, Quil offered Bella a brilliant grin before turning it on the rest of the table. Bella took that opportunity to pick up her menu again, ignoring how her fingers inexplicably shook, and to glance at her mother, who was watching the intrusion with wide eyes and an open mouth.

"Hi, sorry I'm late," Quil announced, leaning over and offering Renee his hand. She took it tentatively, her lips pulling into a confused smile as he shook it. "Quil Ateara. You must be Bella's mom."

Bella's hand drifted to her mouth, hiding her smile as Quil finished his introductions. Her gaze lifting a moment later as his fell toward her. As she saw the mischievous spark in his eyes a moment before he bent at the waist, the scent of a subtle cologne she'd never smelled on him before filtering into her nostrils as he drew closer. As Bella held her breath for a reason completely lost to her.

As Quil's warm breath danced across her skin the moment his lips left a soft kiss on Bella's cheek.

Leaving Bella stunned and inexplicably breathless as he lingered for a single moment.

"Think that'll give your mom something else to talk about?" he whispered, his voice low and playful and her ear.

Bella clamped her jaw, biting down hard on her bottom lip to stifle a laugh the moment Quil pulled away, taking that scent and his warmth with him. As Bella cleared her throat, Quil pulled out the chair next to her and collapsed into it with a relaxed sigh, like his presence there and what he had just done was the most natural thing in the world.

Finally finding her ability to move, Bella's gaze alternated between him and her mother, who sat across the table, seemingly unable to think of a single thing else to say. Both eyebrows stuck in a state of shock as she glanced at Phil for some kind of confirmation she wasn't going to get. Before he shrugged and she simply picked up her menu, pressing her lips together in a tight smile.

Closing her damn mouth.

Lifting her menu slightly, Bella turned her head just enough to look at Quil.

"You didn't have to come," she whispered, noticing the smile pull at the corner of his mouth as he unrolled his silverware from the cloth napkin. As he draped it over his lap and Bella noticed how he was wearing clothes she'd never seen before. A nice pair of dark jeans and a crisp button-up shirt.

Clearing his throat slightly, Quil picked up his menu before warm, dancing eyes settled on her, still holding back that smile. Before he parted his lips, but let the silence hang between them like he was trying to think of something to say. To explain why he hadn't listened to her and why he was suddenly there.

Why he decided to show up even after she told him not to.

"What?" she whispered, feeling a subtle blush creep into her cheeks.

Quil still didn't speak. He didn't answer right away - instead, he simply watched her. Holding her eyes until the smallest of smiles spread across his lips. A different one, Bella noticed - one she'd never seen before and definitely not one she was used to.

Just like she wasn't used to the warmth in his eyes. The way they continued to linger, longer than they normally did.

The way it elicited a similar warmth in her, until she had to glance away. Releasing herself from it for a moment before she eventually looked back.

Quil lowered his gaze, leaning toward her slightly, black eyes peering up at her before he finally spoke. Whispering to her across the inches separating them.

"You're important to me, too, Bella."

Fooooooooled you! :D

Ugh, this chapter. Warm, anyone? Fuzzies?

Thoughts?