"Like I told you before we are truly concerned. We talked to the kitchen assistant that helped her and were aware that kids sometimes may skip dinner at the cafeteria when they get upset. But what Cynthia did is kind of worrying. We admonished the kitchen personnel for aiding her, but our main concern is Cynthia wellbeing." The school psychologist explained to Alice and Jasper.

It seemed that Cynthia had been skipping meals and bribed the kitchen assistant with the food for her silence. It became worrisome when in an inspection of her room, they found she been feeding on juices only for a week.

"But we visited last weekend and she looked fine. She never mentioned any problem." Alice argued. She couldn't comprehend what happened to her lively girl.

"We believe she had a misunderstanding with one of her old friends, and considering she had been feeling lonely with the departure of her friend Sarah, we found logical she drew in." What the psychologist didn't mention was that she was aware that one of the girls was bullying Cynthia, but after she confronted the girl and reported her to her parents receiving the answer that 'the kid must develop a thicker skin', she knew it would be better to handle with the Whitlocks who were more concerned parents.

"As a member of this school staff, my first suggestion would be to ask for a couple of sessions a week." She stopped, "But as a professional and knowing how things can turn over here, I think Cynthia would fare better at home. She has abandonment issues. I think she's feeling left out. It isn't her best friend departure only. She resents your success, Mrs. Whitlock, feeling she will never measure up to your level."

So after a few minutes of discussion, they decided it would be better for everyone if Cynthia went back home immediately. They gave Peter a few days to say goodbye to his friends.

xxx

Later, when Alice made sure Cynthia was asleep, she let her tears fall. How could Cyn feel so bad to not eat? She was too thin as it was! And resent her? How? Alice always made sure to keep Cynthia close, to know she had their support to pursue whatever she dreamt of.

Jasper came to bed, his calmed demeanor unnerved Alice.

"What do you think we should do?" Alice was unsure.

"First, do you mind if we skip sex tonight? I'm not really in the mood."

Alice slapped his arm. "Jerk! How could you think about sex when our daughter is having those issues?"

"I'm just saying! I don't want you to complain about it later."

"I'm thinking to take her with me to work while we enroll her in the nearest high school. Maybe to my Zumba class too."

Jasper nodded. "I'm asking her for a date like I used to do when she was younger."

"I'm not sure she would like you to take her to the mall. It's where she likes to hang out with her friends now."

Jasper considered what Alice said. "Well, then ice cream parlor and maybe bowling. We both need to get closer to her, she must talk to one of us." What Jasper didn't say, was that he was afraid Cyn was intimidated by Alice. She would open up better to him, it was up to him to make it happen.

xxx

Bella was feeling better after leaving the cold behind. Edward made sure to come home early every day, bringing her comforting food and books. He doted on her and spoiled her daily. It was time to reward him with his favorite meal, lasagna.

While she was cooking, she received the always annoying call from Jessica, stating Edward would be late. Just, this time, she didn't have that smug tone she always used with her.

Well, either if he was coming home late, he would be comforted by the food. Poor Edward probably let a lot of things go by at work to take care of her.

The food was ready and Bella complimented herself for a well-done job. Edward will appreciate her efforts she thought when the door slammed open. Was he home early?

"Edward, are you fine?"

"Yes, sorry love. It's just that sometimes humanity annoys me. What that sinful smell?" He took off his jacket and got closer to Bella to kiss her softly.

"Hmm, well, you were an angel these past days and I thought you needed to know how grateful I am."

"Bella, love, it wasn't necessary."

Bella came closer and kissed Edward again. "But I wanted. Now sit before it gets cold."

Edward didn't have to think it twice. After a stressful day at the office, this was heaven.

"Why did you come home so mad? As a matter of fact, Jessica just called to let me know you were coming home late." Bella pointed.

"Please, don't make me remember. I had to have a few words with her."

Bella stopped mid bite. "Why? What did she do apart from being rude?"

Edward gave her a sardonic smile. "She tried to give me a lecture on the meaning of responsibility, in front of our boss mind you. She took it personal that I came home early, like I was failing her. I made it clear to her that what I did on my free time wasn't her business."

Bella almost clapped.

"Then, I also commented on the way she treats Tanya."

"Your new partner?"

"Yeah. It's like she has a disease. Nobody talks to her other than work related things. Jessica didn't acknowledge her, not even with a 'good morning'. Today I had enough. We were working on a new case and Jessica only spoke to me, I swear to you, it was like Tanya wasn't there. Of course, I got angry and reprimanded Jessica. We are supposed to be a team, we can't have that kind of preschool attitude."

Bella was surprised. But Edward had more to vent.

"It all comes because Tanya made the horrible mistake of having a relationship with Marcus Volturi, one of the main partners at the firm."

"Really? I thought he was married."

"No, divorced. From the daughter of the original owner from the firm."

"Oh, that explain it."

"Really? Because I just don't get it. They started to date years after his divorce."

"Hmm, but probably princess heiress is still around the company, and no one would want her to get angry."

"Really? Are women that petty? She is almost about to remarry from what I heard. She's a forty-something woman, she's supposed to be more mature." Edward said between bites. "This is delicious, baby."

Bella smiled. He was so easy to get happy, he didn't latch on anger. It was one of the things that made her fell in love with him. Which brought her to another she admired from him, he always stood up for the underdogs, like this Tanya.

"Do you think she would like to come out for a few drinks with us? You know, make her see not everyone is nasty." Bellas suggested. Maybe she could develop a friendship with Tanya. Someone else on her side to bitch about Jessica.

"Sure. I'm going to ask."

xxx

Alice wasn't sure of her plans, but bringing Cynthia to the Zumba class seemed like a start, like something to bond over with her. Of course, she was nervous, and she made sure to get her partnered with Esme. Rosalie or Bella would intimidate her; making her susceptible daughter's almost gone confidence disappear.

"Now some latin rhythm!" Jane screamed. She was so glad to see Alice's daughter. Such a beautiful girl and she seemed to shy from the world. Jane noticed a natural dancer when she saw her, and Cynthia was a natural. She made this class her mission to lift up Cynthia spirits.

"This is reggaeton! Move those hips ladies!"

The lyrics weren't uplifting, but Alice noticed the easiness which Cynthia had to get on the steps. Maybe a few dance lessons will give her some confidence.

xxx

Later on, for their usual cup of coffee, Jasper came to pick up Cynthia. He planned to take her for ice cream or nachos. Maybe a movie? He wasn't sure what his baby would want. Kids these days... they were weird.

xxx

"And he asked her to come for drinks tomorrow evening. Do you think it will be fine? I mean, she works with him. I will feel better if she's on my side, not like Jessica." Bella was telling them about her plans for next day. Tanya seemed enthusiast to make friends. In Edward's opinion, she was lonely after her break up with Marcus Volturi.

Alice hummed. "I'm not sure about her. Jasper told me that the divorce from Marcus was a mess, Didyme always was confronting him and looking for a fight. She was insulted because her family choose to keep him because he was too good to fire him. So she decided to make his life hell. Then Marcus met Tanya and I'm sure if you realized she got demoted to work with Edward. She was in another team, with more experienced people. The rumor said Dydime threatened Marcus with taking away their kids so he broke it off with Tanya... after they moved in together."

"Really? In Tanya's place, I would had quit." Rose said.

"What if she couldn't find a job? If this Dydime is as vindictive, maybe she spread the word and nobody hired Tanya." Bella was beginning to feel sorry for the poor woman. This Marcus seems like a wuss, never standing up for his woman. She understood Edward and his eagerness to help her.

"Sorry for changing the topic, but Alice, what's wrong with Cynthia?" Esme asked. She was worried about the young girl. Her eyes were too sad.

Alice started to wail and between sobs, she explained what happened at school.

"And now she's living with us. I mean, the local high school said she could start in a couple of weeks after the next evaluation period ended. But how could I be intimidating? I'm barely 4'9''. I'm not clearly beautiful, and not a brain. I always encourage her!" She said between tears.

"But you're successful," Rose said, hugging poor Alice. "Maybe if you take her to your work, and make her help, she will realize she's capable of reaching your height."

"And if it doesn't work, she can come with me. We have to find where she feels more comfortable to give her the confidence to realize she's a great girl. She's a great dancer, she picked up the rhythm immediately, maybe dance lessons..." Esme added.

xxx

Rose opened the door to her empty home. Emmett had been working 'til midnight lately. Sure, he started to talk back to her, but he never apologized. She felt like she needed to take the first step.

She took a shower and moisturized her skin with that fruit scented lotion. She wore one of her raciest lingerie sets. Emmett would love it.

He came too late and he reeked beer. He took his boots, his pants, and his shirt. Usually, his sweat had something that turned her on. Not today.

Emmett lifted the sheets...

"Hmm, baby! You had a surprise for poor old me?" Emmett's eyes almost bugged out from their sockets. Rosalie was a sexy woman. He caressed the soft fabric of her ensemble.

"Only for you baby," Rose whispered.

Emmett didn't need more. He loose his drawers and pushed away Rose's ones. He got inside her and thrust inside her.

"Oh, baby! This is what I needed."

Rose felt like he scratched her. Would it kill him to kiss her or play with her for a second? There was some lube in his nightstand.

"Oh, Rose!" He kept going, completely unaware that Rose wasn't feeling it. She realized that in order to make him slip in easier, she had to open her legs a bit more and maybe turn her hips to the right.

Four more pumps and he was coming. "Yeah, that's it. Rosiee!"

He finished, kissed her cheek and turned to the side to sleep. Not even a thank you or good night.

This was the moment Rosalie realized they needed couple's therapy.