This one's a tad short, just because I wanted to get the rest of the angst out of the way. By the next chapter everything will be more cheery, I promise.

:)

And again, thank you all for your reviews! You're the BEST!

BPOV

The next few days were spent with Edward notifying all his family of the news, and making plans to take a trip back home to Chicago to finish the preparations for the funeral, as I sat by his side, giving as much love and support as possible.

The nights were spent just like the first. I lay in Edward's arms, my head on his chest, as he hummed that same song. I still haven't figured out what it was. I'm getting close to asking.

Each day as I stopped by my place to get a change of clothes, Alice would be there. Some days she'd help me pick out clothes, others we'd just talk.

This was a talk day.

"Hey, Alice," I called as I walked through the door and into the living room. She set her magazine down and patted the seat beside her. I obediently sat down.

"So, Bella, how did yesterday go?"

"Same," I sighed, crossing my arms and leaning back into the couch. "He talked with his family. I made sure we had constant contact, to keep him calm. Then we went to bed."

Alice nodded sympathetically.

"You know, I've been trying to think of things to cheer him up. Or at least take his mind off of everything for a little while. He's been under so much pressure..."

"Well, Christmas is coming up," she hinted, raising her brows expectantly.

"Yes, I'm quite aware of that," I sighed, biting my bottom lip in frustration.

I'd yet to come up with the perfect gift.

"So what are you getting him?"

"Honestly? I... don't know."

"Well, do you have any ideas?"

"None that are good," I scoffed.

A neck tie wouldn't do a whole lot of good to a man that's just lost his parents.

She nodded at that, her eyes glazing over as if deep in thought. I held my breath in anticipation.

Alice has never been wrong before. Never.

"Have you told him?" she asked suddenly.

"Um... told him what..."

"Have you told him," she repeated, firmer this time, while giving me a pointed stare. My face flushed.

"No," I squeaked, silently wondering how in the hell she knew.

But instead of elaborating, she just smiled and gave me a hug.

"Then I think you already have the perfect gift."

EPOV

After Bella left, I picked up the phone and called Jasper.

Though I was sick and tired of phones after spending the past few days talking to all of my family, I needed some advice. Something I couldn't ask Emmett.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jasper. I have a question for you..."

"Yeah? Shoot."

"Well, i'm having trouble with something. I... I don't know what to get Bella for Christmas. It needs to be... you know, perfect."

"Ahhh, I see. Well that's a tough one, Edward. I don't know Bella as well as you do. Do you have any ideas of your own?"

"Nothing very good."

The key to my place just doesn't seem like enough.

"Hmmm... Well... have you told her yet?"

"Told her what?"

"You know... told her."

"Ahhh, well, um, not exactly."

How does he know? What, am I just shooting off signals?

Jasper chuckled, making me want to crawl through the phone and force some answers out of him.

"Well, what? Do you have anything or not?"

"I think you've already got something perfect to give her. Just say those three little words."

"But... I... I mean..."

"Trust me, Eddie. It's the best thing you could give."

I let out a long, hard sigh at that, figuring he was probably right.

At least it's better than anything i've come up with so far.

"Good luck."

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

"No problem. And, uh... well, i've got to ask. How have you been?"

"Not too bad, considering my... well, situation," I mumbled, running a hand through my hair. "Bella has been amazing through it all. She's really been here for me."

"I'm glad to hear it, man. And, well, let me know whenever you want to hang out or something, alright? Me and Em haven't seen any of you these past few days. The phone lines have been tied up... You had us worried."

"Sorry about that. I was just... um, calling the family. You know."

"Right..."

We shared an awkward silence then that made me cringe.

"Well... i'll talk to you later then," he eventually said, making me sigh with relief.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Thanks for your help."

"No problem. Later."

"Later."

I hung the phone back up on the hook and leaned up against the wall, covering my face with my hands in frustration.

Please, Bella... Hurry back...

BPOV

The next day, Edward was going to leave for Chicago for a week. My heart twisted up into knots at the thought of him being alone.

As self absorbed as it might sound, I think I was the only reason Edward didn't have some sort of emotional breakdown. When I arrived back at his place after my talk with Alice, he looked like a complete wreck. I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down for a tender, passionate kiss. He responded eagerly, but then pulled away suddenly, leading me inside and getting ready for bed without a word.

I was starting to worry.

So tonight as we crawled into bed, I decided to talk about things.

"Edward," I said meekly, resting my cheek against his chest.

"Yes?"

"There's something i'd like to talk about."

"Alright."

"Well, um..." I glanced up to gauge his reaction. He seemed composed on the outside, but - having known him as well as I do - I could tell there was something waiting underneath.

"It's about you leaving for Chicago tomorrow."

"Bella, I wish I didn't have to go. Believe me."

"Me too," I replied quickly. "But I guess that's sort of it."

"Yes?"

"I'm... I don't know, I guess i'm just... worried about you being by yourself out there, having to deal with everything."

"I'm fine Bella, really, don't worry," he responded curtly. I flinched. His features immediately softened, his grip on me tightening. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine."

He sighed, bringing a hand up to run through his hair.

"I'm just... I really don't want to think about it right now, okay? I want to appreciate all the time I can with you before I leave," he whispered, pressing his nose into my hair.

I nodded, placing a soft kiss on his bare chest and then leaning my forehead against it.

"I don't know how i'll sleep this next week without you," I mumbled, more to myself than to him.

He didn't respond. Instead, he began to hum that damn beautiful song, easily lulling me into a deep, dreamless sleep.

After waking up, I helped Edward pack. He had insisted upon it, arguing that if he did it on his own he'd "forget too much". So I made sure he had everything all packed up, and walked him out to the cab that would be taking him to the airport.

"When will you be back?" I whispered, clutching his hand tighter in mine. He glanced down at me, the gleam in his eyes already gone.

"Christmas Eve."

"That late?"

He nodded, walking around to the back of the cab where the driver had opened the trunk for his suitcase. He tossed it in, slamming the trunk just a little too roughly. I cringed, releasing his hand. He sighed.

"Sorry."

He turned to face me, taking my hand back into his own and sighing again.

"Bella... There's something I want to give you."

"There is?" I asked meekly, suddenly worried that I hadn't gotten him anything in return.

"Yeah. Um... here," he grumbled, turning my hand so the palm was facing up, and setting a key on it.

"What's this?"

"The key to my place. I was hoping that maybe, well, you'll be there when I get back."

"Are you sure?"

He laughed at that, causing me to glance up at him curiously. He just pressed the key firmer into my palm, and closed my fingers over it.

"Yes, Bella. I'm positive."

I smiled, quickly sticking the key in my jean pocket just in case he changed his mind, which only caused him to laugh again.

"Then of course i'll be there."

"Good," he nodded, seemingly pleased with himself. "Then I guess... um, i'll see you on Christmas Eve."

I pouted and reached out to pull him into a big bear hug, not willing to give him up just yet. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, clearly not wanting to let go yet either.

"I'll miss you," I whimpered, trying not to think of spending an entire week without him. The past few days had spoiled me rotten.

"Not as much as i'll miss you, love. Believe me," he sighed, giving me one last squeeze before reluctantly pulling away. He turned to open the door of the cab, hesitating for a moment before turning back around. He placed a hand on my cheek and leaned in so close I could feel his warm breath on my face.

"Be safe," he whispered, giving me a quick kiss and turning around, getting into the cab without another word.

I watched helplessly as it drove off, taking a piece of my heart along with it.