About a million and one thoughts were running through Bella's brain as she bolted out of Heaven, but all of them were centered on none other than Edward Cullen.

"This is…oh my God," she said again as she raked through the hair at her temples. She couldn't understand what emotions were going through her – was there grief? Shock? Panic? One thing was for sure, though. The vault of feelings she had so closely guarded and locked up was now wide open.

"Bella! What's going on? Where are you going?"

Bella stopped her pacing and turned around to see Jacob jogging towards her. She didn't think she could handle anyone being too close at the moment, so she was thankful when he stopped approaching.

"I just…I need to go," she replied as she felt her pockets. Once she had her keys, she walked briskly to her car.

"Go? Go where?" Jacob asked, completely bewildered.

"Northwestern," Bella said in lieu of an answer. "You said he was at Northwestern."

"Wh – Edward? Yeah, that's where he is. Is that where you're heading to?"

Bella didn't respond. Rather, she climbed into her old Honda Accord and drove away.

Okay, that was probably rude, Bella realized as she made her way through the city. She didn't feel too sorry about it, however, since her mind was definitely elsewhere. When she reached the hospital grounds, she surprised herself by not feeling the least bit hesitant as she entered and asked the front desk where Edward's room was.

It was only when she was standing outside of it did the nerves settle. Out of nowhere, Bella's heart pounded faster, and she could feel her throat beginning to dry.

"God, what are you doing?!" she whisper-yelled to herself. "You haven't seen the man in nearly a decade, and yet here you are, just about to waltz into his room? You're freaking insane." She paused to take a deep breath. "Calm down and think about this for a second, Bella; don't do anything drastic."

But it was too late to back-out then. The door opened and Esme Cullen suddenly came into view.

"Oh my!" Esme exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest. Bella merely gasped and took a step back.

For a while, the two women just stared at each other, until Esme finally gained her composure. She smiled warmly and chuckled.

"I'm so sorry, dear. You caught me by surprise. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Bella's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. She hadn't factored in seeing anyone else, which was stupid on her part. Of course there would be someone keeping Edward company, his parents especially.

"I…um," Bella stuttered when she regained the ability to speak. "I just…uh…"

"Wait," Esme interrupted her rambling as she looked at her from head to toe. "Isabella?"

"I, um…yeah. It's me," Bella laughed nervously, twisting the hem of her shirt. "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Cullen." She had been over at the Cullen's enough times in high school to know the heads of the family well, and Esme hadn't changed much in the past eight years.

"Oh, honey, none of that 'Mrs. Cullen' stuff. Come here!" In a move unanticipated by Bella, Esme pulled her into a warm hug. The smell of honey and warm cookies filled Bella's senses, relaxing her somewhat.

"I haven't seen you in ages! How've you been?" the older woman asked when they pulled away.

"I've been okay," Bella replied with a smile. "I just…I heard about what happened to –" she paused to swallow. "To Ed-Edward and I wanted to see him."

The smile Esme had on her face faltered a bit, and she nodded sadly. "Of course, dear. Please, come in."

She ushered Bella into the luxurious private room which boasted its own private kitchen and a small living room. None of those registered to Bella, however, as she was more transfixed on the still figure on the bed.

A gasp escaped her mouth when she saw fully Edward's state. She already knew that the damage he took must have been extensive if he was in a coma, but she couldn't help her reaction. Esme wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

"He's okay," she said. "I know that with all the wires and the tubes, he looks like he isn't, but the doctors have said that he's doing just fine."

"What happened?" Bella whispered. She knew that he was caught in the middle of an accident, but she didn't know what the specifics were.

"To put it simply, he crashed into another car," Esme said. "Edward was driving too fast. You know how he is with speed."

Despite everything, Bella smiled. She did know how much Edward loved to go fast. He constantly teased her about how slow her old rusted truck was, and she knew first-hand how many speeding tickets he could have gotten if it weren't for his uncanny ability to sense nearby police cars.

"How long has he been in a…asleep?"

"Just a few days."

"Does he have any other injuries?"

"Only a broken arm, a few bruises, and a nasty gash on his forehead, thank God," Esme said. "All of them are healing properly, though, so now we just have to wait until he wakes up."

Bella nodded. "I'm so sorry. About what happened, I mean."

"Don't be. It wasn't something we could control. Now," Esme steered her to one of the couches. "Talk to me about you. It feels like a lifetime since I last saw you! How is everything? Did you get to attend that culinary school you used to talk about? "

"Everything's okay," Bella replied. "And yes, I was blessed enough to be offered a scholarship at the French Culinary Institute. I graduated a few years ago."

"That's wonderful! And where do you work now? I think Edward told me before that you wanted to open your own bakery."

"That – that hasn't happened yet, I'm afraid," Bella gave a small smile. "I'm working for my aunt and uncle's café for now."

"Oh. Well, there's no rush. I'm sure you'll get there in time." Esme patted her shoulder before contemplating. "You know, now that I think about it, Edward's never mentioned that. I know I haven't seen you in a while, but do you and Edward still talk?"

"Um…no. We just went our separate ways after high school, I guess, and with how busy everything is, we…never got the chance to reconnect."

"That's a pity – the two of you were so close back in Forks. But you're here now and that's what's important. I know Edward would appreciate you being here. Your support has always mattered so much to him."

Bella merely smiled.

"So, how are your aunt and uncle? Is business doing okay?"

For the next few minutes, Esme continued to ask Bella question after question. The latter couldn't remember the last time she talked to so much; she still kept up a steady stream of answers, though, until the conversation reached a topic she couldn't discuss quite yet.

"And what about your father? Is the chief still working?"

A lump formed in Bella's throat, and she bit her lip to keep calm. "Um, no. No, he's not working anymore."

"That's good. He definitely deserves the down time, especially with all the overtimes he's had to pull. Why, I can't even remember all the times you stayed over because he was at the station all night," Esme chuckled and shook her head. "Is he still at Forks?"

"He – he passed away last month, actually."

Esme reached out to take Bella's hand. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I didn't realize – "

"It's okay," Bella smiled slightly. She patted the hand on top of hers.

"Did he – was it his job? I know the crime rate of Forks isn't high at all but…"

"No, it wasn't anything like that. He was diagnosed with – with cancer, and…well, he's finally at rest now, and that's what matters."

"I'm sure he is, dear. I'm so sorry for your loss." Esme leaned forward for a comforting hug which Bella reluctantly received.

The quiet moment was broken when the front door opened, and Rosalie entered the room. Esme stood to greet her.

"Rose! I wasn't expecting you, honey."

"I just thought to keep Edward company over lunch," Rosalie replied as she set her bags down and took off her coat. "I didn't realize you have a visitor."

"Oh, it's just Bella Swan, Edward's old friend," Esme gestured to Bella.

"Swan, Swan…oh! Izzy, is that you?" Rose exclaimed as she ran and threw her arms around Bella. "Omigosh, it's been forever! It's me – Rosalie Hale! You remember me, right?"

"Oof! I mean – yeah," Bella let out an awkward laugh as she patted Rose at the back. She was never friends with the blonde in high school and barely spoke to her, really, so she was surprised by the affection.

"So, what's up, girl? We have so much to catch up on!" Rose was playing long-lost best friend to a T, and Bella couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious.

"Ah, I'm doing fine," she said vaguely. "Y'know, just…the usual stuff, I guess. Nothing much to tell."

"Well, I have so much to tell you. You simply have to stay for lunch!"

"I'd love to, uh, Rose, but I can't. I have to go back to work."

"Oh, I'm sure they won't mind if you take a couple more hours off. And we don't mind splitting the food, do we, Esme?"

"Of course we don't," Esme squeezed Bella's hand again. "We'd love it if you can stay a while longer, Bella."

Clearly outnumbered, Bella conceded. "Alright, if you both insist."

Rosalie squealed and Esme grinned widely. Soon after that, Bella found herself seated between the two ladies with a spread of Indian take-out laid out in front of her.

"So, Izzy," Rosalie began after sipping some water. "Do you have anyone special in your life?"

Bella blinked. "Like a boyfriend?"

"Yeah. Or a husband, fiancée…by the way Edward used to talk about your baking, surely you would've snagged one by now. After all, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right?"

"Er, no. None of that sort. I just don't have any time for that kind of stuff, I guess."

"Aw, well that's a crying shame," Rose shook her head and sighed. "Oh well. Not everyone can be as lucky as Edward and I, I suppose."

"You and Edward?"

"Oh, you didn't know?" the blonde looked at her with exaggerated surprise. "We're engaged!" She wiggled her fingers so the diamond that rested there sparkled under the light.

"Y-You are?"

"Uh-huh. Isn't it so exciting?! Oh, I have to tell you about the night Edward proposed. See, we were walking down the…" Rosalie continued to blather on, but Bella couldn't hear a word she was saying. All she could concentrate on was the fact that Edward was going to marry her.

I'm too late.

Too late for what? Edward? Newsflash! You never stood a chance!

Bella almost slapped herself in the face. Of course she never did. Edward had chosen Rosalie in high school, and obviously, he still chooses her now. And why wouldn't he? Rose was a bombshell – every man's dream with her long blonde locks, killer body, and gorgeous face. What did plain-Jane Bella ever have aside from the ability to make people fat with her pastries?

The sound of Bella's phone buzzing away in her pocket fortunately kept her from continuing her depressing thoughts and Rosalie her elaborate engagement tale. After quickly excusing herself, she went to a quiet corner and answered.

"Hello?"

"Bella? Oh thank God. Where the hell are you?!"

"Calm down, Uncle Pete, I'm at the hospital."

"Hospital? Good Lord, girl, what happened this time? Sprained ankle? Fractured wrist?"

"No, I'm…visiting a friend. I just, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed back at Heaven, so I went for a drive and figured I'd might as well visit this friend."

"Oh. Well, okay. Are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good, because we seriously need you here. Pablo just fainted, so we're one chef short, and this lunch rush isn't dying out just yet."

Bella sighed in relief for the excuse to leave. "I'm on my way."

"Alright, I'll see you soon. Drive safe, okay kid?"

"I'll be careful, Uncle Pete."

Bella ended the call and returned to Rosalie and Esme. "Um, it was wonderful seeing you both again, but I really need to get back to my job now. They're short one person, so they need me to fill in."

"Of course, dear. Don't be a stranger, okay? Come back at any time. Edward would love it if you did. I'm sure he's missed you."

That made Bella's heart tighten. "Thanks, Esme. I'll bring by a cake sometime."

"You're leaving already?" Rosalie stood. "What is it you do, anyway?"

"She's a chef and head-baker at her uncle's café, Rose," Esme answered. She glanced at her watch. "Oh, and they're still having lunch service back there, I'm guessing."

"Yeah," Bella nodded. "So, I'll just be on my –"

"Wait, you're a chef?" Rosalie interrupted. "OMG, that's perfect! You know, the caterer for the firm's anniversary ball just backed out the last minute, and I would love it if you'd step in."

"But, Rosalie, I'm not a cater –"

"Nonsense! You were, like, queen of Home Ec back in high school. You could totally do it!"

"I can ask my aunt and uncle, I guess," Bella replied, but before she could finish speaking, Rosalie was shoving a card into her hands.

"Great! Here's my number; call or text ASAP and we'll talk about the details, mkay?"

"Uh, sure," Bella said hastily. "I'll see you some other time, then. Nice seeing you again, Esme."

And with that, she left the room.

"Okay, that was stressful," she mumbled to herself as she brisk walked towards the elevator. She was staring at her feet as she did, so she didn't notice anyone with her in the hallway until she literally ran into the person.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention," she apologized. When she looked up, her eyebrows shot right up as well.

"Jasper? What are you doing here?"