Yeah.. Last chapter kinda made me sad.

But my reviewers make me happy. Power to the flannel shirts and to my women who are religiously reading my rapid updates.

What can I say? I'm on vacation!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I do own Bella's culinary talents.

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Eventually the tears stopped. My eyes felt swollen and dry, and my head was pounding.

But I felt so much…lighter.

I realized it wasn't good to hold so much in because then you were pretty much a loaded gun. But I hadn't felt relief like this ever.

I sat up gingerly, realizing I had to go to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, and pulled my hair up into a pony tail.

I looked as awful as I felt, but not emotionally.

I just let it go. I felt sorry for myself for once. And I was beginning to think that maybe I'd be able to enjoy L.A.

I would have to tell Alice about my 'breakthrough' of sorts. She would love the fact that I finally just let myself feel pity. And I felt good.

It would be a while before I let go of the resentment towards Jacob. And I would never forgive my father. And I might never let go of my insecurities either.

But this was progress, no matter how minimal. Isn't there some program that says acceptance is the first step to recovery?

Or is that for alcoholics?

Eh. Same shit.

I looked at the clock and jumped up. I had about two hours to wow Alice with a delicious dinner.

Somewhere in the back of my head I felt a brief jolt of shock. Had I been crying for three hours?

Uh, yeah.

I ran downstairs, taking the steps two at a time, sighing in relief when Edward wasn't on the couch or in the kitchen.

I came to a sudden stop at the sight in the kitchen.

All of the food was unloaded onto the counters. All 25 bags worth. He did it by himself.

I winced, trying to swallow back the shitty feeling in my stomach.

Working with my hands helped me take my mind off of things. I was seasoning the roast when I heard soft footsteps pad into the kitchen.

"Bella?" I heard his soft voice behind me.

I didn't turn. "Hm?"

"I'm- I'm sorry." He whispered timidly.

The man must've heard me crying like a freak and thought that I was having some kind of psychotic episode.

Try, Bella. Try.

"I'm cooking Edward. Not now."

"I- I know, but-"

"Later. We can talk later."

"I feel like shit and-"

He cut off abruptly.

"Later?" The surprise in his tone didn't go unnoticed.

I nodded. I turned to put the pot roast in the oven.

He stood there quietly.

I turned to look at him, and I'm ashamed to say it, but the ice queen almost broke.

His hair was sticking up in 42 different directions, he had obviously been running his hands through it while I moaned like a wounded wildebeest in my room. He was shifting softly from foot to foot like a nervous toddler, and wringing his hands rapidly.

The look on his face was heartbreaking. It was so pure and honest, nothing fake about it.

But we still had our shit to figure out so I turned around and began chopping vegetables furiously, throwing them into the crock-pot.

"Can I help?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah."

"What can I do?"

"Get out of my kitchen."

I winced at how bitchy that sounded.

"I mean, go watch t.v."

He didn't say anything and I turned around. He was already gone.

***

Alice walked in just as I finished cooking. I heard her squeal of delight as she undoubtedly smelled the roast and her pitter pattering heels as she ran into the kitchen and launched herself at me.

"Bella!! You cooked!"

I smiled. "Yeah."

"Edward drove you-" I saw her eyes narrow as she took in the state of my appearance. That bitch is ridiculously observant.

"Did he do something? Because I swear I'll take a crowbar and just jam it up his-"

"Alice. No."

Besides, I don't think there's any room up there.

She gave me a once over.

"You and me are going to have words. After we eat."

"Where are Rose and Emmett?"

"They're getting here later. They said to just eat without them."

I nodded.

"Will you set the table?"

She smiled and sprited away to do so.

I put the pot roast and vegetables on a serving dish and took them to the dining table. Edward was sitting down, head in hands.

When I entered he looked up.

"Can I help?"

"Could you get the potatoes? They're in the kitchen."

He jumped up at once and almost tripped over himself in his haste.

I frowned. Sucking up didn't work for me.

Alice came in with the plates and set them down, cutlery on the sides.

I looked up at her.

"Do you have any good wines?"

She grinned. "Not tonight Bella. I don't want you to throw up on my shoes."

I groaned and started dishing food onto plates.

Alice disappeared and came back with a pitcher of iced tea.

After everything had been served and poured, we dug in.

Edward was ridiculously quiet and he averted my eyes at all costs.

Alice made conversation, talking about her day.

When we had finished Alice politely asked Edward to do the dishes.

He nodded and began clearing things up.

She shot me a meaningful look and motioned for me to follow.

Interrogation time.

***

"Oh, Bella, I'm so happy for you." Alice squealed as she leaned in to hug me.

I had relayed the story of my afternoon to Alice, with a few tears in the process. And I felt even better than I had before.

"Yeah, and I'm trying to be more…calm towards Edward. I just.."

Alice gave me her signature look.

"Bella, he had no idea, I'm just saying. And I told you he doesn't think before he talks. It's a family trait. I'm sure you've noticed I do it too. You just think it's endearing because it's me."

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Yeah. I know… I'll- I'll try."

Alice squealed again and hugged me tighter.

She suddenly got very serious and sat up straight.

"And, remember, Bel, You're not the only one whose had a hard life. He has problems too.."

"Alice, will you stop being so cryptic?"

"He'll tell you when he feels it's time."

She stood and stretched. "I'm ridiculously exhausted. Thank God tomorrow's Friday. Are we going in Saturday to start setting up?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay." She kissed my forehead and made to leave. She stopped at the door, biting her lip.

"Goodnight, Bells. I just- I want you to be happy here."

I gave her a soft smile. "I think I can be Alice."

She smiled back and left the room, closing the door softly.

I turned my stereo on and sat down on my window seat. I could see the full moon from my window.

I was drifting off with a book in my lap when I heard a soft knock on my door.

"Alice?" I asked groggily.

The door opened.

"No, it's me." there stood Edward, in his pajamas.

"Can we talk?"

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Eh, somewhat of a cliffy.

Revieww women and make my day!

: )

-g