Okay, no annoying author's note. Meh. On the bright side-- flipping heck! Not only did I get 500 reviews, you also surpassed that by bringing the total to 529!! I was completely gobsmacked! So thank you. :)

Date: 2nd January

Character: Charlie

Stimulus: Ring

The doorbell rings.

We both start—me and Bella. I know we're both waiting for someone, and I know that it's different people.

I invited Harry over.

She's still waiting for him.

I wish I could help her to move on. Help her to understand that no matter how long she waits, he won't be coming back. She stands automatically and moves upstairs. Her slow, dead walk hurts me more than I let on. I know that she's disappointed, hurt.

I open the door and true enough, it's Harry. As I usher him in with a smile, I turn towards the stairs. I don't think that Bella meant me to see the single tear, as she hesitated at the stop of the stairs, waiting to see if the visitor was, by some miracle, the one she's waiting for.

It's going to be a long time before she gives up hope.