*Edward and Bella*

"How long are you in town, Mom?" Bella wanted to know, taking a seat by her husband on the couch once more. "Just for tonight?"

"Well…" Renee began. "I'm staying for tonight, at least…I didn't actually make a plan when I got on the plane this morning…"

"You're more than welcome to stay in Bella's old room…" Charlie put in quickly.

Edward gave him a look.

I'm not going to say anything… Edward caught a piece of Charlie's thoughts. Wish they'd just tell her the truth…she can handle it…

"I don't know…" Renee sighed and shook her head. "Now that I've cleared things up…and seen you…" she looked at Bella and paused. "I mean, if you want me to stay a few days…"

"Of course we want you to stay." Bella said quickly, glancing at Edward. "Now that you're here…"

"Bella…what about our—?"

"The trip can wait…" Bella pursed her lips. "…a few days." She finished, and smiled at her parents. "Dad's right…you're more than welcome to stay in my old room…unless you'd be more comfortable in a hotel…"

"No, no." Renee shook her head and smiled. "Your old room is just fine…besides…staying is this house brings back some memories…it'll be good for me."

"Have you eaten?" Charlie wanted to know. "Bella's quite a cook...but I'm sure you remember…"

Cooking? Bella's nose wrinkled. It had been so long since she'd even considered touching human food…and she wasn't sure she could handle it.

Renee put a hand to her stomach and laughed. "I haven't, no…gosh…I guess I was just too nervous to eat anything earlier…"

Bella swallowed hard. "I can whip something up…" she managed. She hoped the look on her face didn't show her disgust.

"That sounds great." Renee smiled. "I'll help you."

"Okay…" Bella said hesitantly and stood.

Edward's phone buzzed suddenly in his pocket. Sliding it out and glancing at the screen, he noticed that it was Alice.

"Who is it?" Bella looked over at him.

Edward shrugged. "Alice…I'll call her back a little later…she's probably just wondering when we're coming home for dinner…" he lied quickly.

"Your sister has always been so sweet to Bella…" Renee's face took on an appreciative look. "Tell her that I say hi, would you?"

"Of course." Edward nodded, following them into the kitchen.

"What sounds good, Mom?" Bella questioned, opening Charlie's refrigerator and peering inside. As she did, a rancid smell hit her nostrils…it really had been a long time since she'd tasted or smelled anything but blood. When Renesmee did eat human food, she usually ate it with Jacob…

"Oh gosh, I don't know…" Renee's voice trailed. "I don't really know what I'm hungry for…"

"I've got some stuff for spaghetti in there…" Charlie pulled out a seat at the table and sat down. "You used to love that, Bells…"

She shot her father a look. "I still do." she said, widening her eyes.

Swallowing again, Bella searched through the freezer for hamburger, and retrieved all the necessary sauce ingredients from the cabinets before starting the meal for her mother. At home, she kept a few non-perishable things in the cabinets for Renesmee to snack on, but she never usually cooked. She realized that she was a little out of practice.

Edward had taken a seat next to Charlie at the table and seemed to be watching her with amusement. In her human days, he'd been around her on numerous occasions while she ate…and now that she was a vampire, she wondered how he had ever stomached it…

Renee helped her put utensils on the table, and carry the food over from the stove. Watching her bustle about, Bella remembered her human days with her mother. She was the same Renee…she looked the same…smelled the same…and still had the same tendencies. Bella smiled to herself. She really was glad to see her…

As they sat down at the table, Renee offered the bowl of spaghetti to Edward. "Hungry?"

Edward almost leaned backward in his chair. "No, thank you." He smiled. "We ate a little while before we came…"

"Bella?" she held it out to her. "What about you?"

Bella put up her hands. "No, thanks, Mom…Edward's right…we ate before we got here…"

"Suit yourself." Renee shrugged and served herself. "Charlie?"

"I'd love some." He smiled at her. "Looks great, Bells."

"Thanks, Dad." Bella smiled with satisfaction. She'd done well for not cooking in years…

Edward's cell phone vibrated once again in his pocket.

"Alice, again?" Bella wanted to know from across the table. "Answer it this time, Edward…tell her we'll be home soon."

"It's Rose, this time." he took an unneeded breath and put his phone to his ear. "Hello?"

He paused to let his sister speak on the other end. Bella couldn't quite make out the conversation, but Rose sounded excited…or distressed…

Edward tensed in his chair.

"Where is she?" he spoke with concern into the phone.

He listened for the answer.

"She was supposed to—Emmett was—." His voice was firm…

"What is it?" Bella put a hand on his arm.

"Okay, we're on our way…" he said quickly and nodded. When he hung up the phone, he dropped it onto the table and closed his eyes.

"What's the matter?" she wanted to know.

"It's Renes—." He began, but stopped himself. "Alice…" he lied, but Bella knew exactly what he meant. He looked at her with worried eyes. "She's gone…"