A/n: I'm sorry for the huge delay in getting this out. My reasons are reiterated in my profile, so I won't go repeating them here. But yeah. I took the Stephenie Meyer approach to this chapter and threw in some unforseen and irrational plot twists to set up something akin to a climax. I hope you enjoy it!

And believe it or not, but my friend is actually NOT SICK!! Fingers crossed that this doesn't change ;)

Edward pulled his coat closer around him, shoved his hands in his pockets, and stalked down the road. The love of his life, the forgettable Bella Swan, had just dumped him for a smart gentleman who would not abuse her, a choice that utterly mystified Edward. Stepping off a curb and crossing the street, he contemplated the various courses of action that he could follow.

He could, as he had tried before, to control what friends Bella saw or order Alice to take her hostage for a two-day "sleepover." But where was the fun in that?

He could be an attention whore and go threaten to have the Volturi kill him in Italy. He would fly out there and wait dramatically for Bella to come rushing to his side.

He could, as any normal person would, get over it. Perhaps he could review what he did wrong in this relationship and improve it for next time.

Defying all rational thought (as always), he decided upon choice number two. Renewed with a sense of perverse purpose, he hailed a taxi and asked to be driven to the nearest airport.

While Edward was being driven in a cab that stank of sweat to the airport, Bella was talking to Layton in the coffee shop.

"So you're into puzzles," mused Bella, giving Layton an uncharacteristically flirty smile. "That's cool. I love a man with brains."

"Yes; I'd enjoy nothing more than to sink my teeth into a good puzzle," admitted Layton, swirling his coffee.

"Mmhmm, how would you like to sink your teeth into me?" Bella's voice dropped to a seductive whisper.

"Well," muttered Layton, clearly taken aback. "I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am not familiar with cannibalistic practices."

Bella suddenly remembered that Layton was a regular human gentleman, not a hormonal teen vampire. An awkward silence settled upon the two sitting at the table like a fog. Bella anxiously tapped her feet. Layton calmly took a swig from his coffee and examined a poster on the wall. The seconds seemed to stretch out longer than Meyer's all-too-detailed descriptions of Edward. Bella began to sweat.

"Have you read those Dan Brown books?" Bella finally broke the silence, her voice returning to its normal tone. "I hear they're chock full of puzzles."

"Regrettably, I have not. Are they any good?"

"Well, the first one was… it was set in Italy."

"Italy, you say? Interesting that you should mention that; Luke and I were planning to travel there tomorrow."

"That's so cool!" Bella exclaimed, leaning over the table. "I've always wanted to go there!"

"Well, would you care to accompany us? We could always buy an extra ticket."

"Oh, thank you! I would love to!" gushed Bella, completely forgetting her disdain for gifts and attention.

"Sounds good," replied Layton, getting to his feet and tossing his cup out. "I shall go find Luke and inform him of this new development."

As Layton walked out the door, Bella afforded herself a grin. Even though she was disappointed Layton's annoying little assistant would be tagging along, she had just scored herself a trip to Italy with the man of her dreams.

Layton spied Luke from across the park. Luke was shaking hands with what looked like a bodyguard. After the handshake, Luke turned and walked back towards the coffee shop. As soon as he saw Layton, he broke into a run.

"Professor! Professor!" Luke shouted. "Guess who I just met?!"

"Luke, it will not do to shout in public," Layton chastised gently.

"Sorry, Professor," Luke panted, arriving at Layton's side. "But that was Jacob Black!"

"Jacob?" muttered Layton, taken aback. "Isn't he Native American?"

"That's what I thought, too," Luke was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. "But he said that it's another detail Stephenie changed to make her story more palatable."

"How very interesting," Layton observed. "I guess his name is Jacob BLACK, after all. Anyways, Luke, I have just invited Bella Swan on our trip to Italy. Is that okay with you?"

Luke tried to keep a straight face as he gave his assent, but he felt like jumping up and down out with sheer joy. His stomach flipped faster than a fairground ride as his he began to imagine the new consequences Bella's presence would create,

This would be the best vacation of his life.

A/n: Christmas break means more time for updates! Stay tuned for Part Five, what I think will be the last installment... but then again, I don't really plan these things out, so who knows?

Thanks for all of your support so far! Keep it up! :D *Tosses out Christmas cookies to my wonderful audience*