*Ok this one probably is triple the size of the other two chapters, but I wanted to pack a lot into this one. My week off is coming to an end and the chapters might be spread out a little bit more once I am back to work.

I'm not totally satisfied with this chapter but after writing it over twice I figured this was as good as it is going to get. Let me know what you guys think! I'm overwhelmed with the amount of traffic I've been getting for the story so far, but please leave a review and let me know what you think!

"What are you doing here?" A bright smile lit up Rosalie's face as she headed towards them.

"My sister's in town," Emmett motioned to Bella before accepting a hug to Rosalie.

"Oh, it's nice to meet you." Rosalie offered her a soft, yet well manicure hand.

"Same here. I've heard a lot about you."

Emmett was right, she is pretty.

"Only good things I hope," Rosalie grinned at Emmett.

""Of course," he smiled.

"Well I won't keep you, I just need to make one more pit stop then it's home to prep for the Johansen case." Rosalie sighed,

"Well where are you headed?" Bella piped up, "We haven't eaten yet today. Do you want to join us?"

"Sounds better then pizza," Rosalie chuckled. "I just wanted to run down to Firefly's. They just opened up a boutique here,"

"They do homemade jewelry there right?"

"Yea, I've gotten a couple of pieces from them when I was in Los Angeles." Rosalie smiled, "You want to take a look with me?"

"Absolutely," Bella winked at Emmett.

"Great! Maybe get some burgers afterwards?"

"A girl with a healthy appetite, I like it." Emmett tried to keep it cool, inside his nerves were about to explode.

"So Bella.."

Rosalie's sentence faded as the girls walked ahead of Emmett, as they chatted back and forth about Bella's ordeal earlier on that day.

Amazement took over him as the two chatted back and forth, both of them sneaking a look back at Emmett every now and then, they both laughed as he caught them, sticking his tongue out at them.

"Come on slow poke!" Bella shouted as they reached the entrance to Firefly's.

"You girls go ahead, I need to make a pit stop of my own,"

"What are you doing?" Bella mouthed.

"Give me a minute," he begged and headed down the hallway in the direction they had just come from.

"Chicken," Bella muttered.

"Where's Emmett going?" Rosalie asked, coming up beside her.

"He had an errand to run apparently."

"We probably would have bore the hell out of him anyway," Rosalie shook her head. "He never ws the shopper type, he gets antsy ordering lunch."

Bella raised her eyebrows, "You seem to know a lot about my brother."

"Well as much as anyone could if they were a co-worker," Rosalie shrugged, her fingers playing with the hemline of a white silk blouse that hung on a nearby rack.

"Something on your mind?"

Rosalie shook her head, "The job gets to you sometimes. Between the long hours and the mass amounts of stress, it gets hard to handle."

"Like you're feeling something you shouldn't?"

"Exactly," Rosalie frowned.

"Would you mind if I'm honest with you for a minute?"

"Please, it's welcomed."

"Is this about Emmett?"

Rosalie sighed and sat down in one of the chairs that was placed outside of the dressing room. "I swore to myself I'd never get involved with anyone at the office Bella. The last time I did, the job went south when we did."

"Emmett's not like that Rosalie, I mean take me for example. This is falling apart with our parents splitting up and I show up here and he takes me in, no questions asked. Well, besides the typical; how'd you get here? What do you mean you hitchhiked?" Bella smiled as a chuckle escaped Rosalie's lips.

"You hitchhiked here?"

"Not the point," Bella chuckled. "Emmett is this sweetest and most caring sole I know, and I couldn't be more thankful to have him as my brother. He really is a great guy Rosalie. If you were going to taker a chance on anyone, I would say that your odds are pretty high with him."

"That sweetness must run in the family," Rosalie smiled. "You talked me off of an emotional cliff in the middle of a department store."

"I know, I'm thinking about switching my major."

A loud chirping noise came from Bella's purse, causing them both to jump.

"Hopefully I wont need to start another counseling session here," Bella said as she stared at the cell phone screen. "Thankfully it's just my therapist."

"Go ahead, I found a dress I want to try on anyway." Rosalie shooed her away so Bella could take her phone call.

"Hello?" The number wasn't one she recognized, the only thing she was familiar with was the area code that matched Emmett's.

"Did you survive?" Jasper's voice came through the receiver.

"All is well," Bella laughed. "He's taking me shopping and everything."

"Good, we were keeping our fingers crossed for you."

"Hi Bella!" An unfamiliar female voice could be heard in the background.

"That must be Alice."

"Of course. Hey listen, would you be around for dinner tonight?"

Bella peeked around the corner where Rosalie had been leafing through a rack of dresses, Emmet had joined her. Both were laughing as Emmett took one of the dresses off the rack and held it up in front of him.

"I had plans, but I have a feeling my brother is going to want some time alone this evening."

"I have a feeling that woman is involved? Does that mean you listened to what I said?"

Bella rolled her eyes, "Well he did."

"Yea yea yea. Anyway, we're not fall from the mall now. We could swing by and grab you?"

"Sure, my brother would probably like to meet the infamous hitchhiker anyway."

"Oh good, glad I'm off to a good start with him."

"Don't worry about it. See you soon!"

Bella snapped the phone shut and debated on whether or not she should interrupt Emmett and Rosalie.

"Bella! What do you think?" Emmett twirled around with the dress he had picked out.

Too late.

"I think Rosalie could pull that off alittle better than you could."

Rosalie grabbed the dress from Emmett, "I like that way you think. Let me go pay for this and we can get out of here."

"So what's going on there?" Bella asked once Rosalie was out of earshot.

Emmett began to turn a light shade of pink, "So far so good."

"Well good. I'm going to let you two continue you good evening with each other, Jasper is going to pick me up in about a half an hour."

"Bella no, you don't have to go. I want to spend some time with you."

"Hey not to worry, I have a feeling that you guys may want some time alone."

"Alright, all set. We ready to go?" Rosalie approached them, a pink shopping bag in her hand.

"It is for you guys, I'm actually heading out." Bella winked at Emmett.

"Not until I meet this Jasper," Emmett said as they exited the store.

"Who's Jasper?" Rosalie asked.

"Her hitchhiker friend."

Rosalie's eyes rose in curiosity at Bella.

'Well we'll scope him out when he gets here," Rosalie nudged Emmett in his side. "I'm an excellent judge of character."

"I don't know, you are choosing to hang out with Emmett on your own free will." Bella chided, and took off before Emmett had a chance to retaliate.

"She's sweet," Rosalie said as she and Emmett strolled down the path Bella had just run down.

"See, now I know you're full of it." Emmett grinned.

"Hey! She's a very kind hearted person, we got along pretty well tonight."

"Did you guys try on pj's and talk about boys?" Rosalie rolled her eyes, "That's between us girls."

Emmett shook his head, "If you say so."

"But since we are on the topic of what Bella and I talked about, would you still want to have dinner? You know, you and me?"

Emmett stopped walking and stared at her, "Really?"

"Why not?"

"Well I mean depending on what happens, it could change everything."

"Well then you should listen to your sister," Rosalie's amber eyes glistened. "She's smart for her age."

"Emmett!" Bella came bounding up to them, a tall blonde haired man in tow. "This is Jasper."

"Nice to meet you," Emmett said, still taken aback by the conversation he had just had with Rosalie. "And thank you for getting my sister here safely."

"It was no problem at all, I do what I can to help others out."

"I'd say so," Emmett smiled at his sister. "You take care of her Jasper, Rosalie and I are going to head out to dinner."

"Well we won't wait up then," Bella winked at her brother and pulled Jasper in the direction of the exit.

"I take it you've been listening to what I said?" Jasper asked once they were outside.

"Yes, unfortunately I may have to admit you were right."

"Hey now, what do you mean by unfortunately?"

"Well I'm considering all of these life altering changes but I've done them for everyone else but me. I'm still a spinster Jasper."

"You don't look like one." A short, dark haired woman got out of the passenger side of Jasper's Honda.

"You must be Alice," Bella smiled and held out her hand.

"It's a pleasure Bella," Alice wrapped Bella in a hug. "Now what is with this spinster talk?"

"I'm having a crisis basically."

"She is not," Jasper said as he walked around to the drivers' side. "She just hooked her brother up and she's starting to question what I talked to her about earlier, that I might actually be right."

"He usually is, I should probably warn you of that." Alice said as Bella climbed into the backseat.

"What did you say to her?" Alice asked as Jasper backed out of the spot.

"The whole live it and love isn't a disease speech."

"Hey you didn't always feel that way yourself you know."

Jasper took Alice's hand in his, "Until I met you."

"Exactly, and it WILL happen for you Bella. Just like for Jasper and your brother."

"If you say so."

"She sounds like your brother," Jasper said as he kissed the top of Alice's hand.

Alice swatted Jasper's arm in protest, "Edward's a busy man."

"Excuses," Bella muttered.

"See, she's learning already."

"I take it back Bella, don't listen to him."

Bella laughed and shook her head, Jasper and Alice seemed perfect for one another.

Just one step at a time, Bella reminded herself as a ping of jealousy hit her.

"So everything went ok today?" Jasper asked after a moment or two of silence.

"Yup, I'm here for good now."

"I still think you should've given Florida a shot."

"Nah," Bella shook her head. "Then I wouldn't have met you guys."

Jasper smiled, "I have a feeling that this is the start of something good."

An unexpected sighed came from Alice as she stared down at an incoming text message on her cell phone, causing Jasper and Bella to divert their attention.

"What's wrong darlin'?" Jasper asked, his forehead wrinkling with worry.

"Edward's here."

"It's about time, what took him so long?"

"He had some stuff to finish up at Notre Dame and of course had to move his whole apartment by himself."

"Who's Edward?"

"My brother," Alice peered over the back of her seat. "He's at the airport ready to be picked up apparently, and wants me to come get him since Esme and Carlisle are still working on getting the moving vans there."

"Well we can go get him," Bella shrugged.

"Are you sure you don't mind? We can still get food afterwards."

Bella nodded as Alice shot her a thankful smile. "Emmett is probably going to want to be alone as long as possible anyway."

Jasper grinned at her from the rearview mirror, causing Bella to roll her eyes.

"So Bella, Jasper and I were talking about school and were wondering if you would like to come with us to campus sometime? Just so you can look around and get your schedule set if you like it?"

"That would be great Alice" Bella smiled. "You both have been incredibly nice to me."

"We do what we can," Jasper said as he merged onto the highway. "Considering everything you've been through."

Bella cast her gaze downward at the mention of the earlier events; it seemed it always came back up when she was happy.

But I suppose I should get used to this, I have a feeling it isn't going to settle down anytime soon.

"Hey Bella come on now! No frowning! New life remember?" Jasper wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Both girls burst into laughter at his expression.

In the short time she knew Jasper and Alice, she had already developed a strong bond with them. There was something about them, something as good and as genuine as the advice Jasper had given her.

Her eyes drifted from the hangnail she had been picking at to the bright lights that flew by outside.

"You know, this is the second time today I've been to this airport." Bella muttered as the large white "Port Angeles Airport" sign flew by.

"At least we're not putting your butt back on a plane," Jasper said and steered the car into the entrance.

"True," Bella sighed contently.

"Hey babe, let me run in and grab him so we don't have to pay an obscene amount of money to park here for fifteen minutes." Alice placed a kiss of Jasper's lips before getting out of the car, "Wait until you meet him Bella."

"Isn't this the uptight bother you were talking about?" Bella climbed into the passenger seat as Alice walked inside the terminal.

"He's not necessarily uptight, just career driven." Jasper shrugged, "he's busting his ass to get through his schooling as soon as possible. He's smart and extremely passionate about what he does, but with all of that he's kind of forgotten how the other half lives."

"You working your magic on him too?"

"Trying," Jasper drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "You both are about as stubborn as it gets."

"I might like him after all," Bella grinned.

"Watch it, you say things like that and I may run with it."

Bella shook her head, Jasper was pretty stubborn himself.

"Hey Bella, I want to show you something." Jasper said fishing around in his pocket, "I picked it up on my way home today."

"What is it Jasper?" Bella was somewhat taken aback by the sudden change in his voice.

He pulled the small object free from his left pocket, a small velvet black box sat on his palm.

"Jasper," Bella gasped as he handed the small box to her. "Is this what I think it is?"

Jasper nodded, a nervous hand running through his messy blonde curls.

"Oh my god, it is." Bella said in awe as she opened the box, revealing a single two carat diamond sitting on a silver band. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as she is."

"I cant believe this, when are you going to do it?"

"Whenever it feels right," Jasper smiled. "I'm still reeling from the fact that I bought it. But I told her how serious I was when I moved here, and well now I want to show her."

Laughter erupted outside of the car, causing Bella to snap the box shut and get it back in Jasper's custody.

Alice came bounding out of the glass doors, a tall messy haired brunette at her side. Both of them dawned big smiles, a single around arm wrapped around one another.

"So that's Edward huh?" Bella's eyes glanced over his strong, yes soft features. His face was smooth and his skin pale, causing his brown eyes hazel eyes to grow brightly. His hair contained several shades of brown, and stuck out from every possible direction on his head.

"That's him," Jasper nodded and got out of the car as the two approached.

Bella ran a hand through her hair, trying to calm down the strands that were sticking up near her hair line.

"Edward, this is Bella." Alice said as Bella got out of the car.

"It's very nice to meet you." A crooked smile sat on his lips.

Bella only nodded as her skin met his warm, smooth hand.

"These two been driving you crazy?" He said as they walked towards the car.

"Nah, they're not that bad." She smiled, "How was your flight?"

"Not terrible, but I'll tell you one thing. Airplane food could kill you."

"Well I'm sure we can fix that, we were on our way to grab some sushi before we came to get you. You up for that?"

"You had me at sushi," Edward chuckled. "I'm starving."

"Hell yea," Jasper shouted as he put Edwards carryon bag into the trunk.

"I'll third that," Alice piped up.

"So what do you say? You ready?" Bella turned to face Edward.

"I suppose," he grinned at her.

"Alright, onward." Bella shouted and popped the right rear door open.

"I'll like your style," Edward winked, getting into the back next to Bella.

God Bella, what's your problem? Her pulse had increased ten fold since she had first lay eyes on Edward. Now is not the time for that."

"You ok?" Edward whispered as they started their journey towards the Sushi restaurant.

"Yea," Bella looked away from him quickly.

What is your problem?

"You just seem a little jumpy that's all."

"I'm fine," Bella assured him. "It's just been a long day."

Ain't that the truth.

Edward nodded, "I know how that feels. But hey that's what good friends and good times are for right?"

"That's right." Bella said, forcing a smile.

The conversation dwindled down to silence, with the exception of Jasper and Alice chatting back and forth.

Bella wasn't sure what her issue was, but her mood had changed drastically since they had acquired Edward. The days events were what she chose to place blame on as they approached the restaurant, but it didn't make her feel any better.

Her quiet demeanor remained throughout dinner as well. She only chimed in where necessary during the conversation the group had, making it seem like she was still trying to be a part of it.

Dinner passed by in a blur, as did the car ride home. Tiredness was beginning to take over her, making the stress of the day seem even worse.

When they approached the house, it was just as it was when Bella had arrived earlier on that day. Two rooms were lit, and Emmett's car sat in its rightful spot in the driveway.

Bella said her brief goodbyes to everyone, turning to take one last look at her newly found friends before heading inside. Alice and Jasper held bright smiles on their faces, but it was Edwards expression that stole a second glance. The happy and carefree look on his face was absent, and had been replaced by worry.

Bella shook it off before entering Emmett's house.

It was quiet, many of the rooms dark with the exception of the kitchen and his office.

Please tell me he's not working.

Sure enough, Emmett sat behind his large oak desk surrounded by papers.

"Ok, so what happened?" Bella's arms folded arcoss her chest.

"Nothing." Emmett said, not looking up from the papers he had in his hands.

"What do you mean nothing? What happened to Rosalie?"

"She went out to get us some grub," he looked up at her, a playful grin on his face.

Bella's eyebrows rose in curiosity, "Oh really? I take it dinner went well?"

"I'd say so. How was the outing with your friends?"

"It was nice," Bella shrugged and started to turn back towards the kitchen.

"Hey Bella, hold on a sec." Emmett got out of his chair and grabbed a blue gift bag sitting on a nearby chair. "I got you something."

Bella took the bag and carefully pulled the tissue paper out, a small leather bound journal sat inside.

"I figured with you starting our writing career you'd need something to put your ideas in," Emmett said quietly. "They engraved it for you and everything."

Bella ran her fingertips over the smooth leather binding, her name etched on a metal oval attached to the cover. Her lips began to quiver and a single tear spilled onto the leather binding.

"Bells whats wrong? If you don't like it we can take it back," a look of panic came over Emmett's face.

Bella shook her head, "No its not that. The journal is amazing. I just think the day is overtaking me, that's all."

Emmett's hand rubbed his sisters back, "I know. I knew this was going to happen. I tried to keep you busy as long as I could."

Bella wiped the tears from her eyes, "It's ok. It's better that it happened I guess, I couldn't keep ignoring everything."

"I know, I just wish there was someway to make it easier for you." Emmett wrapped her in a hug, resting his head on top of hers.

"I know, but time heals all wounds right?"

"That's true, but regardless I'm going to keep my promise to you Bella. I'm going to take care of you in every way I can."

"You already have Emmett, you've done more than I could have ever asked from you. I just need to let this sink it," Bella squeezed her brother before letting go. "Besides, you need more time with Rosalie."

Emmett turned as the windows at the front of the house lit up with Rosalie's headlights. "You sure you are going to be ok?"

Bella nodded, "Nothing a little sleep wouldn't cure."

Emmett nodded and shot his sister a wink before she climbed the stairs.

"Oh it is blue in here," Bella muttered to herself as she entered the room she would now be calling her own.

Navy blue paint covered the walls, while white paint covered the trim around the windows and the door. All of the furniture was wood, mahogany stained the pieces. The most welcoming piece Bella had ever lay eyes on was the queen size bed that sat against the far wall, covered with an ivory down comforter.

Bella sighed and peeled off her polo shirt in jeans, allowing her body to fall onto the mattress. The white fabric engulfed her, wrapping her in warmness.

Soft voices were the only sounds she heard as she closed her eyes, smiling to herself as sleep slowly engulfed her.

"Bella?"

Bella's eyes opened, a gasp escaping from her mouth.

She was no longer in her room, a cool breeze brushing against her cheek.

"Edward?" She called out, walking through the dense fog.

Edward turned to face her. The same worried look sat on his face, slightly hidden by the collar of his charcoal colored jacket.

"Come here Bella." He said, his hand reaching out for her..

Suddenly, a loud buzzing noise erupted, wrenching her out of her dream.

"Are you kidding me?" she groaned.

Her eyes opened for real this time, revealing the blue walls of her room.

"Mom," she mumbled as she read the display screen on her phone, "Not now."

She silenced the phone and sat up, trying to rub the tiredness from her eyes.

The house was just as quiet as it had been when she had gotten ready for bed, only the voices of her brother and Rosalie were missing. She managed to slip her jeans back on before making her way down the stairs, and into the sun filled kitchen.

There better be coffee somewhere in this kitchen Emmett.

Her thoughts were answered as her eyes fell upon a bag of dunkin doughnuts coffee that sat in front of the coffee machine. A small sheet of white paper sat propped up in front of her the coffee, her brothers messy hand writing spawled arcoss it.

Bells,

You were snoring your butt off when I left and I figured you needed the rest so I didn't wake you. I'll be in court today until about three, but Rosalie picked me up so my cars there if you need it. She also stopped and picked you up some stuff on the way here, it's in the dining room. Enjoy!

Your brother.

Bella shook her head, starting the coffee pot before she made her way into the dining room.

Two shopping bags sat on top of the table, a 'Welcome' balloon tied to the biggest of the two.

Two pairs of jeans and two polo shirts were in the one bag, covering up some Victorias Secret essentials that sat at the bottom. The second, and larger bag held more dressier attire. A dark purple halter dress and a strapless white dress sat inside, along with a black and a white sweater jacket.

A neatly written message was scrawled on the larger bag's tag:

Thank you. Was all it said.

"No, thank you." Bella said with a smile.

A knock sounded throughout the silent house, causing Bella to jump.

She debated on answering it, it wasn't really her house afterall.

"Oh screw it," she muttered to herself as the second knock sounded.

She stood on her tiptoes as she reached the front door, peering through one of the small glass panes on the door.

"No, it couldn't be."

On the other side of the door, stood Edward. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes, and the light blue colored shirt he was wearing did very little to hide his well built abdomen. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, while his head craned to look through the living room windows to see if anyone was home.

Without thinking, Bella pulled the door open.

"Did I wake you?" He asked with a smile.

"No, why do you say that?" She leaned against the door frame.

"You just look, well rested." He laughed.

Bella's eyes grew wide and she ran towards the mirror in the entrance way.

"Oh my god." Her hair was all over the place, and a dark shade covered the skin under hear eyes.

"It's not that bad," Edward stepped through the open door. "I just feel like I'm intruding now."

"What are you doing here anyway?" Bella asked as she went into the dining room, reminding herself to thank Rosalie the next time she saw her.

"I wanted to take you out today, you know show you around." Edward stood in the entrance way as Bella flew by him.

"Why?" She asked, her head peering over the upstairs hallway railing.

Edward shrugged, "You seemed a little down last night. I thought maybe showing you the sights would help cheer you up."

Bella stared at him for a moment, unsure if she was hearing him right.

"I figured we could stop by the campus," he added.

"Ok, um, just give me a minute." Bella said and rushed towards the bathroom, completely in shock by the unexpected viist.

She placed the jeans and the polo shirt on the counter and shut the door behind her, pressing her back to the door.

You cant just hide yourself in here Bella, get a grip and get dressed. He's just trying to be nice.

Bella sighed and started to dress herself in the outfit Rosalie had bought her. Despite the pep talk she had given herself. She still couldn't help but to think that something else was going on here, something else besides a friendship.