A/N: Another update! Are you shocked? I think I am! Unfortunately, we are so very close to the end of this story... I can't see it taking more than three chapters, maybe five... but five would push it. And of course an epi!

Huge hugs to beta girls! Ninmesarra and Prettyflour always make it better! Thank you ladies! Any errors that remain are strictly my own and absolutely no reflection of their mad beta abilities.

I want to take a moment and tell all my readers that you guys are so awesome! I love each and every review you leave me- even when it's calling me evil for cliffies! ;) In all seriousness, the words of encouragement mean more than mere words could tell you! Thank you all SO MUCH!

*~C2C~*

Last chapter...

I was surprised to see fourteen missed calls and a voicemail to go with each one, as well as thirty text messages from Alice and Rose all telling me to call them asap.

I called Rose, she was always the less dramatic and more level-headed of the two, and waited for her to answer. "Bella, thank God. I've been trying to get a hold of you all night. Ang is gone..."

"What do you mean Ang is gone? I thought she was staying with you guys at Alice's last night since I was coming to Eddie's."

"She did... but well... We were drinking and Alice passed out. You know the pixie can't handle her whiskey at all. And I went to take a shower. When I came out, there was a note on kitchen counter from her. She said she needed to go think. But, Bella, she isn't answering her phone. I'm terrified for her."

"Okay, let me get dressed. Then, I'll call you right back. I need to think. Hey, did she say where she was going?"

"Just that she was going out. She probably went to a bar. She said that you would know where to look for her."

"I would know where to look for her? How the hell would I know where to find her? Shit. Okay, I'm getting dressed, then I'll call you back." Ending the call, I set the phone down on the coffee table. Running to Eddie's room, I hurriedly threw on my clothes from last night.

Where the hell would Ang go? Why would I know? What is she thinking? Christ, I don't know where to start looking for her...

Eddie had followed me. His voice broke into my thoughts, "Bella? What's going on?"

"Ang. She's gone. Rose said she left a note that I would know where to look for her. Eddie, I don't have a clue where to begin." I was beginning to get frantic. My hands wrung themselves together because I was so anxious.

Strong arms pulled me into a hug. "It'll be okay. I'm sure she's fine. Think of what she's been through. She probably needed a few minutes alone." He rubbed soothing circles in between my shoulders.

"I know. After Sam and I broke up, they all did the same thing for me. It's what we do. We take care of each other. But I know it can get it a little... suffocating."

"Okay, so think. Where did you go when you needed to get out?"

"I went where you were... To the bar."

"Then that's where we'll go. I'll call Garrett on the way and see if she went in there." He dressed quickly and dragged me out the door. "You know, I should probably meet your friends now," he said with a wink.

"Definitely. Just remember that they're a little overbearing, but they mean well." Rubbing his arm with the hand he wasn't holding, I asked, "Should you call Garrett now?"

He dug in his pocket with his free hand and scrolled the contacts list. Pushing the call button, he waited for Garrett to answer.

"Hey, Garrett. I have a question for you. Did we have any new patrons in the bar last night?" There was a pause while Garrett answered. "Damn," Eddie said, then mouthed, bachelorette party to me. "Well, did you happen to notice a lone girl come in? Her name is Angela." Brow furrowing at Garrett's response, Eddie said, "Okay, we're coming to your house. Get dressed. We'll be there in ten."

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Eddie hailed a cab. He gave the driver Garrett's address and tucked me into his side. "Garrett knows where she is."

"He does?" My forehead creased and I asked, "How?"

"He took her home with him last night. We're going to get a full explanation soon. I didn't ask for more details... I figured it would be best to hear it together. I have a feeling it's going to be a doozy."

"I shouldn't have left her to the vultures last night. She wasn't ready..."

"Hey. None of that. You are twenty-eight years old and fully allowed to have a life even when your friends are sad and going through a rough patch. It's okay to be happy, Isabella."

"I know," I whispered. Cuddling deeper into his side, I let him soothe me and tried not to feel guilty for being happy when Angela was miserable.

When the cab pulled up in front of another apartment building, I let Eddie pull me from the taxi. He walked us up to the third floor and knocked on one of the doors. Apartment 3D. Garrett answered the door and ushered us inside. We sat down on the couch and soon the three of us were joined by Angela.

"Angela, what's going on?" I queried.

"I was sick of Rose and her maternal instincts. I know she means well, but I needed out from under her watchful gaze. I mean hell, Bells, she tried to follow me in the bathroom."

Flinching in response, I said, "I'm so sorry, Ang. I shouldn't have left you alone with them."

"No, Bella. Quit. You can be happy. Even when I'm not. I'm glad that your life is finally back on track and that you're truly at peace and content. And I think I'm going to be." She paused, then added, "I'm moving out of Ben's."

I felt like she'd sucker-punched me. She was moving out of Ben's? But they were going to work everything out. They were happy and in love... Except for that they weren't. Not anymore. They fought all the time and he was a real jerk to her.

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" I couldn't help but be skeptical.

"I think it's only right. Since I'm married to Garrett."

"You're what?!" I needed answers. "When? How? What? Why? How... how did this happen?"

"I remembered what you told me about finding peace at Eddie's piano bar. So I went there. I sat on a barstool and talked to Garrett until his shift was over. We locked the bar up together and walked around for a while. Yeah, yeah, I know we're probably crazy for walking around in the middle of the night, but we did. Anyhow, we were talking about marriage and how we both felt like we should just find someone and do it. You never really know someone anyway, so why not? We went to his uncle's house- he's a judge- and he married us at four this morning."

"Y...you're married? You two," I motioned between Ang and Garrett, "got married? Last night?" I felt like I was in a daze for a minute. Then the clouds cleared, and I started laughing.

"Um, Bella? Are you okay?" Eddie's concern was evident in his voice.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine... I'm just laughing because now Ang has to tell Alice and Rose..." I knew it was probably insane- and I probably looked insane- but it really was funny. Allie and Rose were going to be pissed at her for denying them the chance to watch her get married.

Face paling, Angela fisted her hands. "They're going to be so mad, aren't they?"

"Are you kidding me? They'll be pissed. Until they know that you're happy and that Garrett will take care of you." I glanced pointedly at the offending male, "You will treat her right, won't you Garrett?"

Gulping audibly, Garrett nodded. "I promise that I'll do my absolute best to take care of her. It may sound cliche or even silly, but I really did know she was it for me from the moment I set eyes on her."

"I'm warning you, Garrett, as much as I like you, if you hurt her in any way, I'll beat the hell out of you or shoot you. And before you ask, yes, I can hit a target. Remember, my dad's the chief of police."

"I could never hurt her." He leaned across the space separating their chairs and kissed her lightly.

"As long as you're happy, Angela, that's all I can ask for." I searched her eyes for any speck of uncertainty I could find. I found none. She never wavered. "Okay then. When do you want to start moving your stuff over here? You know the girls and I will help. And I bet Eddie would too." I glanced up at him questioningly.

"You know I will," he answered, bumping my shoulder with a soft smile lighting his face.

Angela jumped up and clapped her hands, bouncing on her toes. "I knew it! You two are in love!"

Looking up at Eddie adoringly, I confirmed her suspicions, "Yeah, we are."

After Angela and Garrett had cleaned up a little bit better, we all went to a cafe down the street for breakfast. In the middle of it, I remembered to call Rose back.

To say she was furious with me was an understatement. "Bella! You were supposed to call me back two hours ago! I thought you both fell off the face of the planet. Did you find her? Did you find Angela?"

"Yeah, I did. And she's fine. Better than fine, actually. She has something to tell you and Alice. Are you still at Alice's?"

"Yes. We're both still here. I'll call Jasper and Emmett. We sent them out searching for both of you when you didn't call me back."

"I'm sorry, Rose. We'll be over in an hour or so."

After ending the call, I reached across and squeezed Angela's hand when Eddie asked, "Bella? Do I really want to meet Rose and Alice? You and Ang almost have me terrified."

I laughed with Angela at Eddie and Garrett's faces. "Really, guys. There's not much to be afraid of where the girls are concerned. They're just looking out for us. Now Jasper and Emmett on the other hand... You might want to be afraid of them. We're the little sisters they never had. You already know who Emmett is and Jasper was a major in the Army before he mustered out."

Both of the guys swallowed, their adam's apples bobbing in sync. "Bella, don't scare them like that. Emmett and Jasper are both just big teddy bears. You guys will be fine."

After the tab was paid, we hoofed it to Alice's. Angela had pointed out that we were only ten blocks away. It would be faster to walk.

When we knocked on the door, we were soon met by four angry glares. "Hi guys. Can we come in?" I asked.

Alice, finding her hospitality, gushed, "Yes, yes, of course, please." She pushed the other three out of the way and made room for us to pass. I led our group to the living room. We all sat around, Eddie was beside me with Ang on my other side and Garrett on hers. She had a death grip on both of our hands. Alice perched on Jasper's lap in the chair while Rose and Emmett took over the loveseat.

Rose spoke first, "So who is going to tell us what happened?"

I looked to Ang, but her pleading eyes implored me to go first. "Well, first of all I'd like to introduce you both to Eddie. He's my boyfriend."

Alice jumped from Jasper's lap squealing, as she thrust her hand out for Eddie to shake. "It's so nice to meet you finally! We've heard so much about you! Haven't we Rose?"

Nodding in agreement, Rose studied me for a moment, and then burst out with, "Oh my God! You finally got laid!"

I could feel the blush spreading from cleavage up. Glancing at Eddie, I noticed his ears were flaming with scarlet heat in embarrassment. "I think that can wait until later... don't you, Rose?" I just knew I was going to die of mortification. "I just thought it was time you guys all met. Ang on the other hand, has something to tell you both."

Clearing her throat, Angela tensed with anxiety. I could feel the nervousness rolling off her. "Where do I start? Um... Well... I guess... I should say that I'm thankful for you guys looking out for me. I love you guys all dearly, you know that, right?" Our heads nodded, so she continued, "Well, last night, I needed to get some fresh air. I went to Eddie's bar because Bella always said it was peaceful there. She was right. Anyhow, I got to talking to Garrett here, and the next thing I know we're locking up the bar, walking around town, then married. I'm moving out of Ben's and the sooner the better. Can you guys help me? Of course you will. Because you love me and want me to be happy. And this is me on my road to happiness. I've had more peace in the last fifteen hours with Garrett than I ever did with Ben. Please don't hate me." She ended in a whoosh of breath.

Rose and Alice stared at her, stunned. Then Rose shrieked, "Oh my God! I knew it! I never liked Ben. He was a creepy little man. I always thought you could do better. That's why I didn't hesitate to break my hand on his jaw."

Alie was still sitting there stunned. When she found her voice it was just to say, "We could never hate you Ang. I just want you to be happy."

Cracking his knuckles, Emmett leaned forward and said, "But if either of you fuckwits hurts my sisters, I'll eat you for dinner."

"We'd never do that," Eddie said sincerely.

"When are we moving you out, Ang?" Jasper asked.

"How about now?"

*~C2C~*

A/N: I know... another small cliffie. But we get some interaction between all of the guys and girls next chapter! Let me know what you guys think- I'll send a big hug from a half-naked Eddie to you each!