I wasn't so pleased with the last chapter and had a bit of writers block

but after posting it this morning your reviews gave me the pick me up I've been needing.

Chapter 6 will be in two parts. First in Edwards POV, second in Bella's.

Thank you! :)

Chapter 6, Part 1.

EPoV

I had just won a high profile case that I had spent months working day and night on and was in dire need of a rest, so I did what I haven't done in over a year; I took 2 weeks off work seeing as I didn't have any cases I needed to work on or court dates for another month. Usually I cursed delays but this time around I was grateful. Monday I notified my secretary that I would be out of the office for a while and that she could contact me at home if it was important. It was sure going to feel good, being able to get up whenever you feel like, not have to worry about deadlines or stay at the office hours after you should have gone home.

Since working as a lawyer I now understood and apreciated the need for big cushy desk chairs. I'm sure I would have back problems by now without them.

This past week was the worst because James was supposed to be helping me but had left early on Friday to go who knows where, leaving me up to my elbows in reports and various other files. And then he called in Monday claiming he needed a personal day. James never took personal days. I didn't care, I was just a little ticked that he's pick now of all times to slack off.

Having such a hectic schedule for so long I was sure I wouldn't know what to do with myself, especially being alone after all these years of having someone around 95% of the time. It was nice to be out on my own but I won't deny that I missed the company. That evening I was surprised by a very energetic Alice when she appeared on my door step with a suitcase next to her rambling about how she just had to see me and had a feeling something great was going to happen. That little pixie sure had good timing. If I didn't know any better I would swear that she was psychic! I didn't even tell her that I was taking time off work.

Not long after I got kicked out I came crawling back, tail between my legs begging for Alice to help me get clean. It took the over dosing of a friend to realize that that was how I would end up if I didn't get myself straightened out. She and our parents welcomed me back with open arms glad that they were getting their son and brother back.

We caught up on what had been happening in each others lives since we last spoke. She was going to school in Seattle for Fashion and Design. I told her about seeing Bella again and she squealed in delight and wanted to go see her even through I could see that she was a little apprehensive about the whole thing. She hadn't seen Bella in years and never knew why she left int he first place. I don't even think they kept in touch. I could see the sadness in her eyes even though she kept it well hidden, she could never keep anything from her big brother. Bella was a touchy subject with her which is why she wasn't brought up much. I'm sure Alice thought about her all the time though.

In order to avoid Alice's shopping rampages I retreated to the gym while she shopped. Nothing was more exhausting than shopping with Alice, not even a full day at the gym! It was Wednesday and I was lifting weights next to Emmet, the guy that I had met here a few days ago. I recognised him from the bar that night but he was the first to start up a conversation. He had commented about how he was impressed at the amount of weight I was lifting for a 'guy my size'. We immediately hit it off and chatted every day we were there. Now I knew how he got so big, he worked out every day at the gym.

"I'm having a barbeque at my place Friday, it's gonna be awesome. You should come." Emmet said, watching the muscles in his arms flex in the mirror as he brought the weights up to his chest.

"That sounds great man but my sister is visiting and she would have my head on a stick if I ditched her when she's here" I grimaced knowing that even though Alice was half my size, she was a force to be reckoned with.

"That's cool. Bring her too. The more the merrier! My wife and little sister will be there so she'll have lady friends to hang out with" He grinned and I couldn't refuse. We made plans to meet at the gym Friday, after our work out I'd pick Alice up from the mall across the road and we would just follow him to his place.

Alice was besides herself at the mention of the barbecue. I'll never understand her enthusiasm, anything for an excuse to dress up I suppose.

Friday came quickly and we had just pulled in to the driveway of Emmet's big two story house. I could hear faint sound of music and laughter coming from the back yard. Emmet let himself in dropping his gym bag by the door and motioned us to come in. We walked through the house in to a dining room with two huge french doors, already open leading outside in to the yard. Emmet quickly jogged outside to a gorgeous blond sitting down on a lounge chair, smirking that the scene in front of her. I assumed it was his wife when he placed a quick kiss on her lips.

I turned my attention to the cause of her amusement and couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me. Walking towards a kiddie pool was a tall blond man with a grin on his face, brunette slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, kicking her legs in the air and pounding on his back with her small fists with all her might. I couldn't see her face from here because her hair was covering her face. I couldn't hear what she was saying or probably threatening but she must have said something that he wanted to hear because he stopped right in front of the pool, shrugged his shoulders and dropped her right in the middle of it.

The scream she let out was drowned out by laughter from everyone else in the yard and she stood up quickly. Cursing she pushed the hair back from her face before glaring at the blond man. At that point I knew exactly who the brunette was.

I heard a quiet gasp beside me and turned to look at Alice. Her eyes were wide and her hand was covering her mouth, "Bella..?"