Merry Christmas! This short piece was excised from the next chapter of THTF. I hope you enjoy it. It's unbeta'ed, but I'd still like to thank the team: Kristi, LisaC, Mel and LisaJ!

Chapter 46 - Interlude

Four days before we were scheduled to leave for Vegas there was an unexpected knock on my door. I took a quick peek before throwing open the door and greeting my friend standing on the other side.

"Riley!" I squealed. We talked on the phone from time to time, but I hadn't seen him in months.

"Beautiful!" he squealed back, equally as excited.

We held onto each other, swaying back and forth. I felt a lump in my throat and that prickling sensation you get when tears are trying to form.

"What are you doing here?" I asked when we finally separated.

"Vegas, darling. You can't possibly spend four days in the desert with your current wardrobe. I'm here to make you climate appropriate!"

"That's really not necessary, Riley. I'm just going to babysit EJ. Shorts and t-shirts will be enough."

To say he looked scandalized would be an understatement. He sank down in one of the club chairs and fanned himself while giving me a reproachful look.

"Even babysitters can look hot, girlfriend. Why do you think all the dads want to do them?"

"Riley…."

"No, not another word." He stood up and marched into my room. I followed curiously and watched as he threw open my closet door. He stood in front of it, one arm wrapped around his own waist, while he used the other to prop up his chin. He made a silent, but thorough perusal of my clothes, which I thought was a bit unnecessary since he provided me with almost everything in there.

He made a rapid tsking sound before heaving a dramatic sigh.

"No, no, no, this just will not do." He whipped a pen and pad from his oversized purse and began mumbling to himself. "You'll need a sundress for traveling. I have the perfect one…bright yellow, eyelet, a deep V front and back. Denim Bermudas for perpetuating the story that you're there to babysit, bikini…white, I think. A pareo… Evening wear…two nights? Three? Better go with three just to be sure. Calvin's gold, sequined tank, the chocolate Adrianna Papell…hmmm, the Sue Wong only comes in white, but the ostrich feathers are really a treat…what to do what to do…?

"Riley." He didn't answer, lost in his own world. "Riley. Riley!"

He startled a bit and looked at me wide-eyed. "Why are you still standing there, Bella? I need to see your shoes. Start opening those boxes!"

"Riley, I'm wearing flip flops and bringing sneakers. There's no need for anything more. I'm babysitting, not vacationing."

He looked at me like I was a bit dim or being intentionally dense. Taking my hands in his he walked me over to the bed and sat down.

"Oh, Beautiful. I love you like the sister I never had. You are just too naïve for words." I could hear his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out quickly, glance at the screen, giggled and typed something.

"Texting?"

"Tweeting. You should tweet me sometime."

I just shook my head. He punched a few more buttons on his keypad and slid his phone back into his pocket.

"Where were we? Oh yes. Honey, this weekend is Edward Cullen's thirtieth birthday. It's not an event men spend alone. But there's no fun in hanging with two other couples and a kid."

My stomach got a heavy feeling. Riley was right. Edward would not want to celebrate alone. Perhaps it was a good thing I'd be in the room with EJ most of the time. I wouldn't have to watch him "celebrate."

I've always been an open book. Riley watched the play of emotions on my face before rolling his eyes and shaking his head.

"I don't know what to say to convince you, Beautiful."

I just shrugged.

He gave up. "Let's see those shoes."

Riley got on his knees in front of the closet and started digging through the stacked boxes. "No…no…no…y…no. Hm, these might be okay, try them on for me."

I kicked off my shoes and pulled off my socks. Riley glanced down at my feet and recoiled in horror.

"Oh. My. God. When's the last time you got a pedicure?"

"Before Christmas."

"What?"

"I got my nails done for the holiday. I left CE in early January and haven't really had a reason to go back since."

"You breathe, don't you? That's enough of a reason."

"Well," I snapped, "the money's not in the budget right now. I guess I can do my own."

Riley was bent over at the waist, staring at my toes. He grasped the hem of my pants and yanked them up my calves. He made a disgusted sound.

"You haven't waxed?"

"Razors work."

"If you use them," he muttered. "That is one hairy leg."

I was about to protest. I was hardly a Sasquatch but Riley pulled out his phone once more and starting pressing buttons.

"Ceil, baby, it's Riley. Fantastic, you? Good. Listen, I have a stage three emergency here," he started, pulling up my arm and peering down my sleeve. He shuddered. "We need the works, mani/pedi, and a wax job from the eyebrows down."

"Hey!" I protested. Riley pretended not to hear me.

"No, that's too late. Tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest." He paused. "She'll make time," he assured Ceil. Another pause and then, "Ceil you are the best! She'll see you then. Toodles."

"What did you do, Riley?"

"I saved your hairy ass. You're welcome."

Riley went back to digging through my shoes. Finally he was satisfied with what he found, stacking nine pairs against the wall in my room.

"Now, I'll be back tomorrow with the clothes. Will you be borrowing Cullen's luggage again?"

"Um, no."

He heaved another dramatic sigh.

"Fine, you can use mine." His expression was one of suffering. He started walking towards the door. I followed right behind. Before opening the door he turned around and reached out for another hug.

"Beautiful, have fun this weekend. Don't get so caught up in what was or wasn't or what might have been, that you aren't part of what's happening right now. Your appointment with Ceil is 2:00 tomorrow. Kiss, kiss."

With that, Riley swept from my apartment.

I stood silently at the door for a few moments, shaking my head. What in the world just happened?

I know it is short folks, but I wanted to post a little something for you today. A few reviewers have mentioned missing Alice, Jasper and Riley. Well, Alice and Jasper are going to Vegas… you'll see them there. This was just your Riley fix.

Riley's twitter account is real. You can add him as (at)THTFsRiley.

And if you're not reading The Plan you really are cheating yourself. QuantumFizzX is brilliant.