Disclaimer: Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, quotes and songs aren't mine either. Only the plot belongs to me.

"The soul of conversation is sympathy."

- Thomas Campbell

I may have stared at my phone for an hour or even just twenty minutes. I literally frozen in my bed, holding my phone. Finally Brody started severely licking me all over my face, and I was jostled back into reality. I remembered what had just happened. Edward had texted me; texted that he was coming home to Washington after over a year away. .Fuck. I didn't know whether to be ecstatic, or pissed as hell...I didn't even know if I could fully process what had just happened to me. All I knew was, I needed my sister.

It felt like forever before Rose finally picked up the phone.

"Bella?" She answered groggily.

"Will you come over, please?"

"Oh my God, what's the matter? Are you home, what happened to you? Is everyth-."

"Rose! Stop, shut up, and just come over. I'll explain when you get here, I just need you, Sis." I said quietly, using the same name I'd called her as child.

"Okay, Bell. Be there in ten." She hung up the phone before I had time to say anymore. I looked back at the text message that was sent over an hour ago, my eyes starting to glisten. Maybe, I was just being over dramatic and maybe I was totally over analyzing what the message said. So he was coming home, big freakin' whoop. I could handle it, just like I handled it when he left.

Even though he left me with hardly a goodbye, and we hadn't spoken since that sucky evening when we left each other. I wrapped my arms around my stomach, suddenly feeling really sick. Brody looked up at me with his droopy eyes, licking me all the way up my face.

"I don't know Brod, you think I should be happy? Or that I'm being a big baby?" I asked my dog softly, and was answered with a long sigh. I stuck my tongue out at him, as I petted his head. "God, I wish you could talk Brody." My stomach was really starting to hurt, and I knew that I was going to end up throwing up. I ran to the bathroom just in time, and heard the front door open and shut, Rose called out to me worriedly.

"Bella! Where the hell are you?"

"In the bathroom."

"Holy Shit." She squatted down on floor where I was laying. Feeling my forehead to see if it was warm, she went into the bathroom closet to wet a facecloth to put on my flushed face.

"What happened? Honey, come here. Sit up for me okay? You look pale, well more pale than usual."

"Psh, thanks Rose. I'm fine, just got sick for a second there, but I feel a little better now." I said as I walked to the living room. I honestly had no idea how to approach this, telling Rosalie that Edward called me was going to start a nuclear war in my kitchen. So, I decided to do what any person would do; I got some Ben & Jerry's from the freezer and stuffed a huge bite in my mouth, and let her have it.

"Ewar tex meh." I really hoped she couldn't understand me. Of course, being the lucky person that I am, she completely knew what I said, ice cream or not my sister knew me too damn well.

"Are you fucking kidding me? What, when, why?" She exclaimed.

I still didn't know what to say, so I walked into my room quietly and got my phone. I shoved it in her face, letting her see the text message and her eyes widened.

She looked at it for a good five minutes before saying anything. Having the same reaction as I did, I just figured that it rendered her speechless.

"I can't believe-what is he? Oh man, why would he open that wound again? Obviously, he still doesn't care about anyone elses feeling but his own. Obviously, he's still putting his career before you, again. How could he do this? If Dad were here, he'd personally pick him up from the airport and rip his balls off in front of everyone. I will personally rip his balls off if he comes anywhere near you! After a year and a half, I could kill him!" She was breathing really hard after her rant, but I knew she would end up saying everything I wish I could.

Unfortunately, Bella Swan cannot handle random text messages from ex boyfriends, who just happened to be rockstars. And whom have their heads up their asses, and can throw away a fifteen year friendship like yesterdays news.

Whatever, I was over it. Kind of...basically. Okay, looking at Rose even she could tell I was definitely not over it. Fuck my life.

"Bella, what in the world are you going to do about this?" She looked at me at me expectantly.

"Um, well. I guess- I have no idea," I answered blowing a piece of hair out of my face, "Maybe, just ignore it and pretend he has the wrong number?"

"You can't just ignore it, because you know he'll end up coming here. Edward had connections all over the place now, Bell. He will probably find you somehow, no matter what you do to hide from this."

"You're right. I mean, should I text him back? What does he even expect me do say?" I was basically talking to myself here, but it helped that she was here to listen.

"Hmm...well I guess we have all night to think about it. At least we have more ice cream, and some incredibly funny DVD's to watch for the rest of the night." Rose smiled and gestured toward the clock on the microwave. 4:30 in the morning; awesome I've officially been thinking about this fiasco for way too long. Sitting down on the couch with Rosalie, I watched her hold up The Hangover and Pineapple Express and I pointed at The Hangover; I was completely ready to get absorbed in someone elses story of their weird fucked up night.

--

I woke up to the sun shining directly on my face and the smell of coffee coming from the kitchen; smell of the Gods...seriously.

"Mornin' Bella Bean!" Rose exclaimed with a cup of hot coffee under nose.

"Why must you be so incredibly happy at," I took a peek at the clock, "11am?" I asked sleepily. Coffee or not, the girl was like a perky machine.

"Come on, drink this. You and I both know you'll feel much better after you do."

I had to admit, this definitely was going to help my mood. I drank a big gulp of the hazelnut goodness and let the steam enter my nose. Still, even with the sun and the coffee and a perky sister; I couldn't help but feel like I had huge dark cloud over my damn head. My shoulders sunk down, as I remembered the text message and the fact that Edward was coming home.

God, how could he do this to me? I mean no I wasn't completely over him, but I was finally able to function without sobbing or anything like that. I'd actually been able to watch him on TV last night at the bar, albeit not for very long...but still; definite progress. Now with him coming home, it was like that wound being ripped open again. I knew it would be even worse if I saw him face-to-face. I'm probably like a freaking time bomb waiting to erupt. And if that bomb would explode if it came anywhere near Edward Cullen. But I am think I've become a strong, independent woman, so maybe I'm still overanalyzing everything and it will all be fine.

"Bella, look I know your worried. But I'm going to be here every step of the way. I won't let you do this on your own, and I know what you're going through. I mean, I went through it with James, remember? And I got through it." Rosalie said as she sat next next to me on the couch.

"I know Rose, and I can't thank you enough for being here for me. If means the world, really." I told her as I dropped my head to her shoulder.

"It's no problem at all Sissy, you know I would do anything for you, just like I know you would do anything for me."

"It's going to be okay, isn't it Rosie?" I asked quietly, looking down at my lap, "'cause I don't know if I'll be able to it all over again."

"Yeah, it will. I mean, you know how hard it is, 'cause you've already been through it once. Which sucks, but I promise that it will be okay one day."

"I'm going to need to talk to him, aren't I?"

"Bella I think to feel any closure, yeah you're going to have to talk to him," she explained, "you never know what can happen in the future."

"What the hell does that mean?" I asked exclaimed.

"Listen, you know I hate him for the way he hurt you, and the way he left; how's he's treated you for the past year. But, he still writes songs for you Bell! And obviously he still wants to see you. Don't you want to know why? I mean, you must have so many questions that need to be answered. So I know this may be like a slap in the face to hear, but maybe you should be the bigger person in this situation and call him." Rose said shrugging slightly.

I sighed deeply and thought about what she said. Of course, she was right, just as she usually was. I sunk back into my sofa and closed my eyes, rubbing my temples. For some reason I kept thinking of a quote my mother, Renee always used to say to us, "maturity is the ability to reap without apology and not complain when things don't go well." My mother is an English professor at the University of Florida and too wise for words. That quote, along with Rosalie's guidance was what was going to get me through the next few weeks, I could feel it.

"Well, you're right. Rose, I'll text him and ask if we can get together when he gets here."

"I am so proud of you Bella Bean," she answered hugging me, tightly, "I'll be here whenever you need me."

"So I guess I should text him now, huh? Get it over with."

"You should do it whenever you're ready, Bella. But I think sooner would be a lot better then later."

"Alright, let's do this then." I said getting up and walking to my bedroom. Grabbing my phone from my desk, I saw that Edward hadn't said anything else, besides that text message. My hand was trembling as I clicked on his name in my address book; I still hadn't deleted his number from my phone which doesn't say much for my progress. I decided simple and to the point would be best.

"Hey. I'd like to meet up when you get home. So...text me back for details."

I showed Rose the text before I sent it, and she nodded viguorasly, letting me know she approved.

"Short and to the point and you're taking charge of when and where. I've taught you well young padawon." She said nudging my shoulder.

"Yeah, you have." I laughed.

--

Rosalie left, with promises of calling me after she got done with her errands for the rest of the day. I decided that it was definitely time for me to get out of the house and take Brody for a much needed walk in the park.

"Brod, let's go for a walk baby. Come on you fattie." I exclaimed walking up to my dog, who was sprawled out across the floor. His head poked up at the mention of a walk, and he waddled over to me.

I put on his lead, and grabbed a little baggie, and walked out of the house. As the elevator chimed open, I stepped in and tugged Brody behind me. We walked into the lobby and I waved hello to the security guard at the front desk, Dennis.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Bella. You and Brody going for a walk, on this beautiful day?" He asked smiling widely.

"Yup, way too nice to pass up. Have a good day, D." I said as we walked out the door. It really was the most perfect spring afternoon in Seattle. We walked into Albert Davis park and I couldn't help but smile. This past day and a half had been kind of brutal, but maybe this meeting with Edward would finally bring some closure. Maybe that was the exact reason he wanted to meet with me; to gain closure. I didn't really want to think about why he would want or need closure, but I guess I would find out when we met up. My thoughts were interrupted by my cell ringing from my back pocket.

"Hold on, Brody. Let me just answer the phone," I didn't look at the caller id assuming it was my Mom or Rose, "hello?" I asked breathlessly.

"Bella?"

Holy.

Shit.

I would know that voice anywhere. God damn it, obviously texting was a bad idea.

"Bella are you there? It's me, uh, Edward." He asked skeptically.

"Uh, um...yeah I'm uh, here." Great, Bella way to sound super articulate.

"So I would really love to meet with you, and catch up. I miss you so fucking much, Bella."

Oh, no. He missed me? I needed Rosalie for this shit. At that moment, Brody decided it would be a good idea to chase a butterfly across the field.

"Brody! Stop, please. Ugh, don't do that!" I yelled as he dragged me across the open space.

"Oh are you with, someone? Whose Brody? Shit sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Listen you can just uh, call me back or something. It sounds like you're super busy, with uh, Brody."

"Edward, um, Brody is ah...well, my new-." I started to say, but he cut me off before I could say anymore.

"Listen Bella, I understand the way we left things was horrible, and I know I haven't talked to you in over a year...and obviously you have a boyfriend," I could just see him tugging at the end of his hair, "but I hope we can meet soon, we have a lot to talk about. And well...I'm willing to fucking fight for you, I let you go once and I can't go through that again. So, I was wondering if Thursday at four o'clock at the Starbucks on Main and 5th would be okay to meet?" He was rambling, and I was still trying to process what he was saying, so I could only nod.

Which he couldn't see, so I just stuttered out a weak, "yes," before he bid me goodbye. I was still holding the phone to my ear when Brody waddled over to me drooling.

About three things I was absolutely positive:

First, Edward thought I was dating my overweight bulldog.

Second, I was still reduced to a complete moron while talking to him.

And third, he wanted me back...and was obviously ready to fight anyone-even my fake boyfriend-to do so.

Fuck my life.

--

So there it is...chapter two :)

Next chapter will definitely be these two finally seeing each other again. My laptop was seriously dying...so I tried to finish relatively quickly.

Side note: quotes by Jim Rohn and S.M.

Enjoy!