A/N: The more I think about this story I see it as a short one. It will only have two more regular chaptes and then an epilogue. After all it's about her being alone and coming to terms with it.

Chapter 3

Every day for the past month, I've gotten flowers, with a card from him. He's not going to break me into giving in and talking to him. Why should I let him in? Why can't he just leave me alone like I want to be? I hate this, so much; part of my brain says to forgive him that he really cares, but part of my brain goes, where was he when I needed him the most to help me through Charlie's death?

Does he know why his family abandoned me? More and more questions keep popping up in my head. I needed answers and talking to him is going to be the only way to get any of them. Darn I am going to have to give in even if I don't want to. I will let him in and then once my questions are answered, he is out the door!

It took everything I had inside me to call him and invite him to dinner. I picked up one of the many cards on which he's written his number and called it. My call went straight to voicemail. Oh, bother why should I leave a message? I hung up and found myself calling five minutes later.

"Jasper, this is Bella Swan, I thought it might be good to have dinner with you. Just let me know which day is best for you," I hung up as my voice got weaker and weaker, I didn't want him to hear me cry over the phone.

I can't deny it I'm lonely for company. I hate being so alone, but everyone I thought cared about me doesn't really care. I needed answers and answers are what I was going to get. I sat and cried for I'm not sure how long.

I finally picked myself up off the couch to get something to eat it might settle my stomach, which was turning. I ate and then went to take a nap, something I do every day. When you're alone, there's not much to do.

I'd just gotten up from my nap and made it to the kitchen to fix something for dinner, when the phone rang. The sound startled me since Deputy Marks stopped calling to check on me months ago.

I answered knowing it could only be one person. After all I called him and invited him to dinner.

"Hello," I said as I picked up the phone my voice was shaking, as was my whole body.

"Isabella, sorry I didn't return your call earlier, but I've been in court all day. I would love to come to dinner anytime, which day is best for you," his voice was so calm; it calmed the shaking in my body.

"I'm just starting dinner now and I always cook way too much, so if you want to come tonight that would be nice," I said not knowing where those words had come from.

"I'll be there in thirty minutes, if that is alright with you?"

"Yes, that would be nice see you in thirty," I answered and hung up before he could say any more.

Why had I answered the phone? Why had I invited him over to dinner? Oh, yeah I want answers and he's the only one who can give them to me.

I went back into the kitchen to work on dinner.

I'd just finished up with the noodles when the knock came. I answered the door, and just stood there staring at him. He was dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, and a tight fitting black t-shirt. I could see all his muscles in his upper body. Damn he was a fine looking man. I felt myself blush, before I could get the courage to ask him in.

"Dinner is ready, so go ahead and take a seat at the kitchen table and I'll dish up our meal."

I turned and walked into the kitchen to dish up the noodles and put stroganoff on top. It was a simple meal, but tasty in my book. As I sat the plate down in front of him, he said, "Smells great, bet it taste as good as it smells."

"Let's get right to the point of me asking you over here. Do you know why your family and the Cullen's have abandoned me?"

"I've talked with my parents and mom says you're not a child any more and need to grow up and learn to handle what life throws at you. I told her that was bullshit. I asked her if the Cullens felt the same way and she said of course. I asked why Alice who's supposed to be your best friend didn't even send a card and mom's answer was she was on her honeymoon and guessed she forgot all about it when she returned. This only got me upset as to how the hell did I not even get invited to my own sister's wedding as well as the person who she claimed as best friend. I hung up and haven't talked to them since! That was the day after you kicked me out of the house after holding you while you cried in my arms."

I just sat there and stared at him for the longest time not knowing what to say.

"So, I'm a grown up and need to learn to handle what life throws at me? Alice got married to Edward I assume and didn't invite me.? Wow, I must really rate as a best friend. We always talked about being each other's Maid of Honor, wonder who got that job?" I was fighting the tears, so I pushed back my seat and stood and ran to the bathroom. I didn't want to show how hurt I really was.

I knew running showed it just as much as my tears in the end as no sooner had I slid down the back of the door did he start knocking on it.

"Isabella, please stop shutting me out. I know I was wrong for not staying in contact with you or your dad once you went to college, but shit I had no clue my family or the Cullens would abandon you as they did. I thought , once you were out of college and Alice and Edward married, we would met again at the wedding and I would tell you how I felt about you. I've never dreamed all this would go so wrong. I've loved you since you were nine and I first met you in my parents' kitchen helping mom and Alice make cookies. I've always know you were it for me. I just needed to wait until you became an adult to let you know. I prayed that our eighteen-year age difference wouldn't bother you. God, Isabella I would do anything to set this right."

I slowly stood, turned, and opened the door, threw my arms around him, and just let all the tears and anger escape as he held me close.