A/N: First of all, I apologize for taking so long in updating this. I've been busy as heck with work, and frankly, this chapter just did not want to be written. It gave me so much trouble! I'd like to dedicate the last half of this chapter to Edwardluvermonkey52, as she requested an Alice/Bella shopping trip without Edward! For a visual reference of the dress, please see my profile!

Also, if you haven't done so, I've got another story I'm currently working on that I would love for y'all to read. It's much different from this one (it's rated M), and I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it! It's called "All You Wanted", again, you can find that in my profile! I think that's about it for right now. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you all for your continued support with this story! Love you guys!

Chapter Eleven

As I laid in the bed much later that evening, waiting for Edward, I found myself replaying the events of the day in my mind. I could freely and wholly admit now that I had overreacted, and the very thought disgusted me. I had come to Forks, Washington to escape the person I'd become when Jacob had broken me. I had promised myself before I even left Arizona that I would never give another person the power to destroy me as thoroughly as he had and yet here I was, in the very same predicament.

Edward wouldn't do that to you. Edward's not Jacob.

Well, this much was true at least. With a sigh, I rolled onto my side, hugging my pillow against my chest. I had to push Jacob from my mind, fully and completely. I was punishing Edward for the mistakes that Jacob had made and that wasn't fair to him.

It's not fair to you either. But you have to remember; Jacob cannot hurt you anymore unless you give him the power to do so.

I glanced up at the sound of the window sliding open with ease. "Bella love? Are you awake?"

His voice was soft and sad. Did he really think I wouldn't wait up for him? "I'm awake," I said quietly, knowing he would hear me. I heard the light thump of him landing on the hardwood floor before the sound of the window shutting reached my ears.

The bed dipped slightly with the weight of his body and I instinctively scooted back, desperate for his touch. I wasn't disappointed as he laid down behind him, wrapping his arms around me, pulling back into his chest. We didn't speak for a few minutes. I was content with just laying in his arms, savoring how utterly safe I felt here, cradled against his chest. He was the one to break the silence.

"What are you thinking love?"

"I'm thinking about how unfair I've been to you."

"What do you mean?" I turned in his arms so that I was facing him. I gazed up into his beautiful eyes before allowing my hand to come up and rest against his cheek. I smiled as he closed his eyes against my touch. I scooted forward and pressed a kiss to his nose. He opened his eyes as his gaze searched my face. He reached up and pressed his hand against mine. "Would you please tell me what it is you're thinking? I hate not knowing."

I sighed softly. "I feel like I'm punishing you because of what Jacob did."

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I'm afraid you're going to have to explain."

"Today, when I overreacted in the car, it wouldn't have happened if I wasn't so stupid."

"We've been over this. You aren't stupid. I understand that you've been hurt Bella. And I don't believe that you're… how did you phrase it? Oh yes. I don't believe you're punishing me for a past love. I do believe you're punishing yourself though."

I nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I kind of feel that way too. Which is stupid. Hence, me being stupid." He opened his mouth to protest, but I pressed my fingers to his lips. "Just… let me get this out, okay? This isn't easy for me."

"I'm sorry love," he said. "Please, do go on."

"I don't think I could deal if you left me Edward. I loved Jacob. What I felt for him though… it can't even compare to the love I feel for you, and that scares me. We haven't even known each other very long but that doesn't mean anything to me. I feel like I was meant for you. But if Jacob could… break me so easily… I'm afraid of what you can do to me if you decide that… that this isn't what you want."

"I'm not going anywhere Bella," he said softly. "I've been waiting for you to come along for years, I just didn't know it. There was always something missing but I didn't know what it was until I laid eyes on you. You make me feel… almost human again."

I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. My eyes were burning with unshed tears at his words. "You're going to be okay love," he whispered against my ear. "I'm not leaving you. I could never leave you. I love you far too much for that."

I could feel his cold hand stroking my hair as I snuggled closer to his marble chest. I could feel the coolness of his skin through his shirt, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I closed my eyes against him, breathing in his sweet scent. For the first time in awhile, I really felt like I could be okay.

Xoxoxoxo

One Month Later…

I made a promise to Edward that I would not dwell on that ridiculously emotional day and I was quite proud of myself for sticking to that promise. As far as I was concerned, things could not be going better in my life. Business at the gallery had picked up considerably to the point where Alice had come back to work so I was getting to spend even more time with her than usual. That was good, as I'd felt like I'd been neglecting her by spending so much time with Edward, but she didn't seem to mind.

Things at home were even better. Charlie had warmed up considerably to Edward, and though he'd never admit this, I had the sneaking suspicion it was only because having Edward in my life gave me a reason to stick around. I had no reason to abandon Forks for a third time being that I had found what appeared to be my "Happily Ever After".

"Hello?! Bella! Snap out of it!" I glanced up, startled at the sound of Alice's unusually sharp voice. I hadn't realized she'd been talking to me. She rolled her eyes at my sheepish smile. "I guess you were thinking about my brother again."

"Is it that obvious?"

She snorted in an unladylike manner and still managed to make it sound beautiful. Stupid vampires. "You're always thinking about Edward," she complained. "Could you at least try to focus? I'm trying to plan a shopping trip!"

I tried to hide my groan. "Another one?"

"No complaints from you missy! You owe me!"

"How much more stuff could you possibly need though?!"

"It's not a matter of need. It's a matter of want. Besides, we're not going shopping for me. We're going shopping for you."

"What?!"

She rolled her eyes. "There's another gallery open house. Two weeks from Saturday. It's much more formal this time and let's be honest: I've seen your closet, Isabella. You don't have anything suitable to wear for this."

"Alice!" I whined.

"That's really not becoming, you know."

"You know how much I hate shopping."

"Yes. I know. You make it very clear every time I try to plan a get together, and you manage to weasel your way out of it with the help of Edward. Well not this time! Edward was warned if he even so much as tries to save you from this one, I'm going to rip his pretty little hair out! It'll never grow back, you know."

"You wouldn't!"

"I would," she responded. "He thought about trying to defy me. The vision was not pretty. He's got a lopsided head underneath all of that hair. Not attractive at all."

I sank back into the chair with a groan. "I really have no other choice?"

"Of course not. But don't worry. This excursion is much easier than any of the others we've taken. I already know what dress we're going to choose of course. You look lovely in it, by the way."

"Yes because that makes me feel so much better. I don't care about 'lovely'. I care about comfort!"

"Relax Bella," she said, patting my arm. "You'll thank me later."

"I doubt it."

"Again! Why does everyone always bet against me? I never lose!"

Xoxoxoxo

I tried everything I could think of to get out of the shopping trip. I faked being sick. I begged Charlie to take the day off from work so we could clean out the attic. I promised Edward I would love him even if he was as bald as a cabbage patch doll, all to no avail. I had resigned myself to the fact that I had to go, but that didn't mean that I had to enjoy it.

I sat in the front seat of the Volvo, my arms crossed over my chest, a scowl on my face as Alice drove. She was chattering incessantly about the latest vision she'd had regarding a television show she'd taken to watching religiously.

"…and they're so going to end up together! Within the next episode or so. And it's really about time because the sexual tension between the two main characters is completely unbearable! Did you see last week's episode?"

No response.

"Bella? Bella, are you listening to me?"

"No," I pouted. I could practically hear her roll her eyes. If she rolled them any harder, they'd be rolling right out of her head.

"You can survive one day with Edward, Isabella," she said sternly, wagging her slender finger in my direction. "I swear. It's like you two are attached at the freakin' hip. I had to remind him three times this morning about my warning. I'm surprised he didn't hide himself in the trunk."

"I can't help it! I just… you know what it's like, Alice. I can't help always wanting to be near him."

"I know that Bella. I can understand that, trust me. I hate being apart from Jasper for any amount of time, but that doesn't mean I go about making myself miserable anytime we aren't in the same room."

"It's different for you though Alice," I said. "You have forever with Jasper."

She pursed her lips as if to keep from saying anything more on the subject, and for a moment, I thought I'd managed to offend her. "I didn't mean to upset you or anything Alice," I said, frowning. "I'm not implying that–"

"You're right," Alice said. "I didn't think about it like that Bella. You seem so… natural with us that sometimes I forget you're not… that you're just a human."

I frowned at that, but didn't say anything. I could feel her eyes on me, but I kept my head forward, focusing on the stretch of road in front of us.

"Enough talk about all of this," Alice said, her voice falsely cheery. "If I promise to give you veto power on the shoes, would you at least pretend to enjoy yourself with me today?"

"Oh Alice! It's not that I don't love spending time with you! I just wish it didn't involve me playing dress up!"

"We'll be quick about it," she promised. "I had thought of making you try on a few dresses, just so I could be sure, but I already know that the dress is perfect. And you can pick out your own shoes."

"What about accessories? Can I veto those too?"

"Now let's not get ahead of ourselves. What if I agree to limit myself to five accessories?"

"Five?"

She offered a casual shrug. "Five accessories and you get veto power on the shoes. Either that or the deal's off."

"Ugh. Fine. Let's just get this over with!"

"That's the spirit!"

Xoxoxoxo

"Alice? Alice, I need help with this!" I'd called, frowning as I attempted to hold the dress up. I had to admit it was a pretty dress. It was a knee length strapless number, white in color with a black sash that tied around the waist. While I wasn't thrilled with the thought of it being strapless, I felt like I could deal with it. It was really too pretty to pass up.

I heard her thump the dressing room door, so I pulled it open, ushering her inside. "I can't get the back zipped up," I complained. I could feel her icy cold hands brush against my back as she zipped the dress up. She grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face her before I could get a good look at my reflection.

"No looking in the mirror now," she said, a mischievous smile on her face. "I don't want you to see just how much of a genius I am until the opening."

I rolled my eyes, but said nothing. "Will you at least be honest about how it looks then?"

"I told you already," she said. "It's perfect. You look absolutely beautiful in it. I think we'll do your hair in an up-do. Yes," she said with a nod. "Yes, I see. An up-do. A little make up. Yes. You're going to be the most gorgeous girl there."

I snorted at that. "Does that mean neither you, Rosalie or Esme will be there then?"

"Really Bella," she said, rolling her eyes. "You give yourself no credit at all." I felt her hands against my back once more as she unzipped me and yanked the dress down.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"I don't trust you not to peek! Now step out."

"Alice!" I screeched, trying to cover my body from her.

"For God's sake Bella, all my anatomy is the same as yours. Besides, I've seen you in less!"

"That's not the point! You've got to give me a little more notice than that!"

"Just step out! We've got a couple more stores to hit."

"Joy," I groaned, rolling my eyes as I lifted my leg to step out of the dress. Once she had the dress back on the hanger, she gave me a broad smile.

"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"

Xoxoxoxo

In the end, we came away with the dress, the shoes (which, though I picked out myself, even Alice approved), a purse, a shaw, clips for my hair, a new bra and new underwear. I wasn't exactly sure what the undergarments were for, but Alice assured me that I needed the strapless bra to go with the dress, and according to her, it was a sin to not match your bra to your panties. She'd also conned me in to allowing her to pick up various haircare products and new make up (even though I told her I had a whole bag of it sitting home). By the time we'd gotten everything into the trunk of the Volvo, I was beat.

"You know," I said, leaning my head back against the seat as she threw the car into first gear, "I actually had a pretty decent time today."

She beamed at me, reaching over to pat my hand. "I told you it wouldn't be as bad as usual!"

"You were right," I conceded with a nod. "I'm exhausted as all get out, but I'm actually looking forward to the gallery opening."

"And you should. Edward's going to die–uh, figuratively of course, being that he's technically already dead– when he sees you."

"You really think he'll like it?"

She gave me a look. "You could come out wearing a potato sack and he'd love you in it. But by the time I'm through with you, he won't be able to keep his hands off of you."

I could feel the blush creep onto my cheeks at that. "Could I… ask you something? Er… about… that?"

"About what?"

The blush deepened. "You know… uh…"

"Are you talking about sex?"

"Yeah! That!"

She shrugged. "Sure, go ahead."

"Do you think he will ever… I mean, with me?"

I could see her hesitate as she thought out her answer. "I think that he wants to very much. It's difficult for him to resist you in many ways with that being just one of them."

"Then why does he?"

"He's afraid of hurting you. He thinks he wouldn't be able to control himself."

"What do you think?"

"I think Edward's too hard on himself personally," she said, rolling her eyes. "But it's that whole tortured soul thing I told you about before. He thinks if he denies himself anything that would make him happy, it'll somehow make up for the monster he thinks he is."

"But you could… you could see if we did… that and he hurt me, right? You would know. And you could warn him."

"I've told you before that my visions are subjective. I've… this is going to sound disgusting but I've seen it already. He thought about it once before and I saw… well, I wasn't really looking you know, but anyway, I told him everything would be okay. He says there's no way for me to know that for sure and he isn't willing to take the chance."

"He said himself that no one should ever bet against you."

"He says that when it doesn't pertain to you."

"You still didn't really answer my question."

"What's that?"

"Do you think we'll ever do that?"

"It's hard to say," she said. "But one thing's for sure. When he sees you the night of the gallery opening, he's going to have a very hard time sticking to his decision of not doing that with you."