DISCLAIMER: All recognisable characters belong to the legend we call Stephanie Meyer, but the plot is of my own.

EPOV

Dinner had gone down well. We all caught up with Bella about what she'd done in the past 6 years. I almost left the room on 4 occasions when the subject of her dating had arisen. She had men try to chat her up or find a way into her underwear, and that's something no husband ever really wants to here. Apparently her new job as a receptionist for McCarthy Advertisements had brought her to the eyes of a few male employees, of course Alice asked about them. "Oh come on Bella! There must have been a dozen hot guys there!" she giggled. "I mean sure you're married but even I was, my eyes would wonder!" She laughed again and reached over to pat Bella's free hand and was still laughing when Bella blushed slightly. "Look at that face! Bella, have you had a bit of a wandering gaze?" Alice winked at her and smirked.

"Alice" My mother scolded. "I'm sure Bella isn't as superficial as that, I'm sure she can contain her urges." My mother looked over at Bella -who was bright red – and her eyes widened slightly. "Bella? Are you okay? You look a little flustered love" My mother reached for the wine. "Do you need a drink?" Bella just shook her head.

"I'm fine" Bella smiled at my mother and then her eyes flickered to me before she reddened some more, if I hadn't of know better I'd of thought she was choking on her Lasagne. She took another forkful and popped in her mouth, never letting her eyes stray from her plate. Something was a bit off, I mean I knew it had been an eventful day but I assumed everything was fine. I leant over and took Bella's hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze, her head shifted in the opposite direction slightly and she looked down. I stood up and tugged on Bella's hand a little, silently telling her to come with me. My mother watched me with curious eyes, while Bella refused to look at me at all. She mumbled something in Alice's ear before she came with me. It didn't escape my attention that Alice giggled to herself.

As soon as we were out of listening range of the ears in the dining room I spun round to see a very shy looking Bella. The fact she refused to look at me really was starting to upset me. "Isabella. Look at me" I commanded calmly. After a few seconds there was still no movement. "What's wrong? What have I done?" I was trying to think back to anything I had done tonight that may have upset her but I hadn't done anything that would have led to her quietness. Still there was silence from her. "Bella honey? You're worrying me" She looked up at me and could see the concern clearly on my face. She let out a sigh and stepped backwards. Was she leaving? It was happening again, the rejection was overwhelming. I couldn't lose her again, I couldn't let her leave me, I wouldn't be able to cope. "Please don't go" I barely whispered.

She looked up at me with humour in her eyes. She smiled at me and stepped closer again. She placed her hand on my cheek and I put mine over hers to hold it there. She looked straight into my eyes. "I'm not leaving baby, I promise. You haven't done anything." I was still confused as to what had upset her, if I hadn't done anything then why would she be upset. She exhaled jerkily and looked down. "About 7 months ago, I met this guy, he was called Mike, he was nice and he worked in McCarthy Ads." She paused and looked up at me, I nodded and she continued. "Well, we went out for drinks, it was platonic at first, but I realised about half way through the night, how unlikely it would be for you to ever want me back, and I wanted to move on, so.. I kissed him.. and it just went from there. We dated, if you would call it that for like, 3 weeks or something but it didn't feel right so I broke it off. I still get a glare from him even now." She laughed to herself.

I was upset. I was angry at this Mike. I was annoyed that she'd not mentioned she was married. I was upset because I never went after her. "Is that why you've been quiet?" She nodded. "So you dated a guy huh? Well that's nice to hear" I was laying on the sarcasm thick and she grimaced slightly. "I mean sure why not lets all have a fling!" I joked. She didn't take it as a joke though.

"Oh my God Edward! I'm sorry okay! But I thought this was over! What did you want me to do, mope around for the rest of my life? You know every day for 6 god damn years I thought to myself that you'd have moved on, you'd of found something better and that's why I never came back, that's why I never called, that's why I never wrote letters, it's because I didn't want to ruin the perfect little life I thought you had. And I wanted that. If you could be happy I wanted to be too. I felt shit all night because of a 3 week thing and I hate myself for it I really do, but you know what forget it because clearly me hating myself isn't fucking enough for you." She wasn't crying but her voice cracked and she looked as though she was going to break so I took her in my arms and held her close.

"I'm sorry, I was joking. But it seems we both had a bit of a shit time apart, what with you thinking I was having the time of my life and me thinking you were out with the hottest new man in town." I kissed her hair and hugged her closer. "But all that matters is we're here now, together. I've got my angel back and I don't ever intend to let you go" I felt her nuzzle her head into my chest and I sighed in content. "Shall we go join the others for dinner again?"

"Actually, I am a bit hungry… just not for food" She winked.

A/N
well well well, isn't bella a cheeky little thing when she wants to be! Drop a review guys!