Bella's POV

After we sat down and started eating, I said, "You know how we had talked about shopping tomorrow at home and then cleaning and stuff on Friday?" When she nodded, I continued. "Well, I think we'll need longer than that to let the paint dry, especially if it gets rainy on Friday. So I was thinking that we'd go ahead and buy the paint at Lowe's today; tomorrow, we can go over and clean and paint. Then we can finish up the shopping on Friday while the paint dries completely."

"Ooh, yeah, good idea! I hadn't even thought about the weather making it take longer for the paint to dry! Good call, Bells."

We finished eating and then headed back to the truck.

I looked at Angela after I had my seat belt on and the truck started. "Okay, I'm assuming you have directions to the Lowe's?"

"Of course. You know I came completely prepared," she said, sniffing and sticking her nose into the air.

I chuckled and acted like I was bowing to her superiority, and then I pulled out of the parking lot and followed her directions. Twenty minutes later, I was parking as close as I could without being in the way, and we were headed into Lowe's.

"Hmm, grab a pallet, I think," Angela said, pointing to the big, flat carts at the front of the store. "That way, we have plenty of room for all the lights and other things besides the washer and dryer."

After choosing one, I followed along behind her as she walked to the lighting department. "I think I want a pendant light to go above the kitchen table. I'm just not sure what to look for."

"I think you could get just about anything," she said, looking around at the lights on display. "You could stick with the chrome theme, or go for a darker metal to tie in with the wood. Although frankly, I don't think it truly matters. Just get what you like; who cares if it isn't a perfect match?"

"That's true. Oh, look at this one!" I was standing under a pendant that had a dark metal rod that was twisted so it looked almost like a candy cane without a hook.

"The green glass shade is beautiful. I love how it kind of flares out as it goes down, almost like an A-line skirt." Angela started looking around on the shelves for a box. "Ah hah! Found it. You want this for the kitchen, right?" When I nodded, she set it on the cart and then made a check mark on the list.

I told her what I was thinking for the living room, and a couple of minutes later, Angela called out, "Hey, what about this one?" She was pointing up at a very modern-looking, five-light chandelier in a silver metal with white glass shades.

"Ooh, I love it! Very cute and contemporary without being scary," I said, looking at some of the lamps with all sorts of dangling lights and funky-looking designs.

Angela had already found the box, added it to the cart, and was marking that off the list when I found the next ones.

"Okay, I want two of these torchieres," I said, pointing to a box. I didn't see them on display, but from the picture on the box, I knew they would go well. "Look, they even have the dimmer switch, which I'll enjoy." I pulled two boxes off the shelf and carefully added them to the growing pile.

"What kind of lighting are you thinking of for the bedroom?" Angela asked after marking off the last two lights from the list.

"I think I want something different. The living, dining, and bathrooms are all gonna be pretty contemporary. But with the dark wood and other features of the bedroom furniture, I kind of wanna just keep it soft and more romantic."

"I saw something online that I think you'll wanna see," she said, smiling before turning to the shelves. "I just hope they have 'em." It didn't take her long before she was pulling out a box from the shelf. "Here's the bedside table light. They're all matching, so you can see what they look like. I believe there should be a floor lamp and a beautiful chandelier here somewhere if you like it."

She handed me the box, and when I looked at the picture, I knew instantly that it was exactly what I'd been thinking of when I pictured my new bedroom.

The lamp had an antique bronze finish, with a hand-painted glass shade in soft red tones. The glass itself had a rose tint to it, which would cast a beautiful light throughout the room. There were pretty metal leaves decorating the stand, and it had two pull chains with little balls at the bottom to turn it on and off.

Angela took the box from me and added it and a second one to the cart before showing me the matching floor lamp and chandelier. The floor lamp had a three-way switch, and the chandelier had three lights with the same hand-painted glass shades as the others. I nodded without speaking, already envisioning them in the bedroom.

"Okay," I finally said, grinning. "What's next? Bathroom lights, right?"

Across the store in the bathroom department, Angela called from down the aisle, "Hey, Bella, come check this out!"

The cabinet she was pointing out was dark chocolate wood, with frosted glass door fronts and brushed nickel handles that matched not only the bathroom fixtures, but the bedroom furniture, as well.

"I thought you might want one of these since there's a closet, but there's not a ton of storage room in it."

I nodded. "That's really pretty, Ang! Excellent. Let's add it to the cart." Together, we lifted the cabinet onto the cart.

I started looking around while Angela marked that off the list.

"Hmm, I like these," I said, pointing to a set of lights, "but they're kind of boring."

"What about this one?"

Angela brought over a box with a set almost exactly like the ones I'd been looking at. The four lights had the same white glass shades, but the brushed nickel rod was wavy instead of straight, giving it a bit more of an edge.

"That's perfect!" I held onto the cart and flexed a foot, stretching my legs. "Ugh, I am so almost shopped out," I groaned softly.

"Not much more, sweetie. You need the washer and dryer, an awning, and paint. Do you know what colors you want?"

As we walked toward the washers and dryers, I told Angela what I'd been thinking, paint-wise.

"Those are great choices," she agreed. "I can see the bedroom especially, and it'll be beautiful."

When we got to the right department, my eyes went immediately to a Whirlpool laundry pair. They were front-loading, which was great for my height, Energy Star-qualified, and a gorgeous ocean blue color. "This is what I want. No doubt at all," I said, running my hands lightly over the controls at the top.

"Fair enough," Angela laughed. "That makes it that much easier!" She waved to a salesman that had stayed nearby in case we had questions.

He flashed us a bright smile and said, "Hi. Did you ladies have any questions, or did you decide already?"

"I want these two, please," I said, returning his smile. "We have a few more items to pick up, though. Can they be taken to the front for us to get when we check out?"

"Absolutely." He looked at the tag and tore off a section. "Just give this to your cashier, and she'll have someone bring out the matching boxes. Can I point you in the right direction for the remaining items on your list before I go find these in the back?"

"Actually, that would be great. I need to buy an awning for above a door."

"Those would be right over there." He pointed to our right. "Aisle thirteen."

"Thanks," I told him warmly.

He smiled again. "No problem. Your things will be up front by the time you're ready for them."

We hurried over to aisle thirteen, both of us ready to get the last things on the list and start the long drive home.

"Oh, Bells, look! You said burgundy, right?"

I nodded, slowly pushing the heavy cart toward her.

"They have just the right size and in the perfect color!"

We high-fived each other and then both blushed a dark red when we noticed a couple walk by and laugh quietly at us.

"Oh well! So we're excited. What do we care that they noticed?" Angela said, giggling.

I couldn't help but giggle with her as we lifted the heavy awning onto the cart.

"Ugh, on to the paint and then home, please!" I begged, pleading for relief from shopping.

"Fine, fine!" Ang laughed and took over pushing the cart. "Hop on, Bells! I'll give you a ride back to the paint!"

I laughed, looking around, and then hopped on once I saw that no one was watching me act like a kid.

~*~CIBD~*~

"Hey, Bells!"

I was looking over the paint color cards to find the exact shades I wanted while Angela was finding the perfect brand and just kind of looking around. When I glanced over, she was holding a plastic jug-looking thing with a handle and screw-on lid that kind of looked like a laundry detergent container.

"Check this out! It's paint! No more of those messy cans!"

I grinned, shaking my head at her enthusiasm, and then started looking for my last few colors.

Thirty minutes later, I'd picked out paint for all four rooms of the apartment, plus the trim and window of the store. We had more paint sitting in a few big boxes than I cared to count, as well as a ton of supplies like brushes, trays, blue painter's tape, and everything else we could possibly need. Angela and I both worked together as we pushed the cart to a checkout line.

After giving the lady the slip for the washer and dryer, they were brought out and added to the charges on the register. Without even bothering to look, I handed over my credit card, almost crying at what I knew the total was going to be.

"Would you ladies like some help to take everything out?" the cashier asked.

We looked at each other and laughed. "Yes. Lots, please!" I groaned in answer.

She grinned and called two buff, good-looking guys over. "This is Jeff and Tommy. If they can't help you, no one can. Thanks again for shopping at Lowe's!"

One of the men said, "I'll grab the cart, and Tommy will follow behind us with the washer and dryer. How's that sound?"

I groaned, rubbing my sore arms. "Perfect," I agreed, laughing. "We have a big U-Haul outside."

Angela and I walked ahead of the guys, talking and laughing quietly. When we got to the truck, I unlocked the back.

"Wow, quite the shopping spree!" Tommy laughed when he drove up on a forklift with the washer and dryer on a pallet.

"I just bought a new place and uh, obviously needed to furnish it," I explained, blushing.

Jeff pulled the ramp down and then unhooked the appliance dolly from the back of the forklift. Together, he and Tommy had everything carefully loaded into the truck in only a few minutes, taking care with everything that was breakable.

"Thank you both very much," I murmured, blushing again when they both smiled at us.

"Our pleasure," Tommy said, and then he turned the forklift around and drove off toward the store.

"Come see us again, ladies," Jeff added before he smiled and left with the cart.

Angela took the keys, guided me to the passenger side, and said, "Buckle up, Bells. It's been a long day, and I know you didn't sleep well last night. Close your eyes, and I'll wake you when we get home."

The last thing I heard before falling asleep was Angela with the phone to her ear, saying hi to Ben and letting him know we were finally on our way home.

~*~CIBD~*~

Angela's POV

Bella's eyes had closed even before I'd left the parking lot at Lowe's, and she'd been asleep the entire way home. It had been a long day for her, physically and emotionally, especially after the rough night she'd had last night.

Thinking about the night before nearly made me cry again. Ben had held me as I'd cried for her before I fell asleep. I felt so guilty about turning what was a celebration of her new store into something that made her feel sad and alone. I looked over and brushed a hair away from her face. She was my best friend, and she was tough, so I knew she'd be okay. But she'd had to go through more in the last few years than anyone should ever have to, and I was still feeling guilty that I was leaving her. That's part of why I'd worked so hard today to cheer her up and why I'd taken the next few days off work before actually quitting. I wanted her to really understand how important she was to me and how excited I was about the bookstore.

I put on my Bluetooth headset and called the house.

"Hey, sweetheart." Hearing Ben's voice made me instantly feel better. "Where are you guys?"

"Hi, honey. We're about ten minutes from the house. Bella's still asleep, and I'm not sure she's coming out of it anytime soon. Could you come out when we get home and carry her into her room? If she stays asleep, I'll pull off her shoes and jeans and then tuck her in so she sleeps more comfortably."

"Sure, babe, I can do that. Oh, and I moved the cars so you can pull the truck into the driveway."

We continued to talk until I turned onto our street, and then I hung up so I could concentrate on backing the truck into the driveway. I got out carrying my purse, Bella's wallet, and all our papers, and then gave Ben a kiss as he walked up to the truck.

"Hi," I whispered, smiling softly.

"Hey. Good trip?"

I nodded.

"Come close Bella's door after me and make sure to lock them both. Then come open the front door."

I watched as Ben carefully undid Bella's seat belt, pulling her smoothly into his arms. Halfway to the house, she jerked awake and began to struggle, not awake enough to realize where she was or what was going on.

She calmed down immediately when she heard Ben's voice. "Calm down, Bella. You're home, and I'm carrying you into your room. You can go back to sleep if you want."

I opened the door and saw that Ben had lowered the lights in the house so they wouldn't wake her. I smiled gratefully, and once he'd laid her down on her bed, I kissed him softly. "Thanks, honey. I'll be out after I get her undressed and under the covers," I whispered.

He nodded and quietly left the room.

Bella didn't stir once while I removed her sneakers and carefully pulled off her jeans before moving the covers up around her. Ben had left the bathroom light on and door partially open so I could see enough to get her comfortable. I left it that way it was in case she woke up, unsure of where she was.

I looked down and smiled at her peacefully sleeping form before leaving the room, pulling the door closed quietly behind me.