I do apologize this wasn't out sooner. I just started full time work and it's kicking my ass. Major respect to all of you that do it and have been doing it for a while. I'll try to get the next chapter our sooner. It's more exciting.

I would also like to thank all of those who took the time to review. I really do appreciate them all, even if I haven't replied to them :)

It took a minute for me to register what the noise was. I glanced at the clock on the DVD player, it was 11:45pm. What could possibly be so urgent? I'm not really sure I want to open the door. The noise continued and was followed by a loud voice shouting "BELLS!". I couldn't ignore it now.

I hurried to open the door, hoping all this racket hadn't disturbed any neighbours. That's the last thing I needed right now.

"Took ya long enough" Jacob said as he made his way, or should I say stumbled his way into my apartment.

"I could say the same thing to you" I shouted "I didn't realize when you said you would be here soon, you meant in four hours!" I needed to calm down, but I am way too tired and frustrated to deal with this in the right way.

"I lost track of the fucking time, shoot me!" he practically slurred and slumped himself down on the couch, making a move for the remote control.

"You lost track of time? What a bullshit excuse! It's nearly midnight, you knew you were going to be late and you didn't care!" I rushed forward and took the remote from his hands. I can no longer stand the television being some kind of buffer between us, a third person almost in our relationship. Its unhealthy.

I shouldn't argue back to him when he is like this, but I can't help myself. I am fighting against the hurt and disappointment of him obviously choosing to go and get drunk with his buddies, rather than spend the evening with me. I probably deserve it, but he doesn't know that. So in that respect I do deserve better.

"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM BELLA? You have never cared this much if I missed a stupid dinner before!" His loud voice echoed around the apartment. Stupid Dinner? Great.

"It wasn't just any 'stupid dinner' as you put it. It was meant to be special. I made your favourite food, I lit candles, bought wine and got dressed up for you and you left me here to wait for you all night while you were off getting drunk with your buddies!" It was getting more and more difficult to mask the quiver in my voice.

"What did you do all that for?" he asked somewhere in between irritated and confused.

Once again no 'I'm sorry' or even a 'That was nice, thank you'. Just 'What did you do all that for?'. Now I really wanted to cry.

"I did all that because we need it!" I stressed.

"I don't need any of that shit" he replied indignantly.

"Did you ever think I might? What was the last romantic thing you have done? Just because you have me, doesn't mean you get to stop putting any effort into me or our relationship! We are falling apart Jacob!"

"Is this about all that sex shit again? Because its not my fucking fault you turned frigid" he said shrugging his shoulders.

Hah. What an asshole. At this point I really wanted to scream in his face what had happened with Edward and how un-frigid I really am. But I bit my tongue, it wouldn't help anything. Instead I took a deep breath and got to the point.

"Actually it has nothing to do with sex. It has to do with our relationship slipping away. All aspects of it. I have never felt more disconnected from you, than I do now. I don't remember the last real conversation we had, the last time we laughed together or even had fun. We are not affectionate or attentive to each other anymore and I don't even remember the last time we said 'I love you' to each other. Our relationship is falling apart. That's what it's about" I sighed. I didn't even feel angry anymore, by the time I got all of that out I felt… deflated.

"Bella…I…"

I didn't want to hear anything. I just couldn't tonight. What was the point anyway? Was he even going to remember this conversation in the morning?

"I'm calling you a cab. I want you to leave" I said as I brought my phone up to my ear. Jacob just looked at me blankly.

Once the call was made, I walked past him without saying another word and into my room and shut the door. I slipped under the covers and started to cry. Everything was such a mess right now. How did I let things get like this? I heard the front door close and breathed a sigh of relief that he at least left quietly and without objection.

Now that I was alone and everything was quiet I couldn't stop the questions going through my mind. Do Jacob and I have anything left? Could I possibly end things? Should I? That would mean throwing away the last five years and just giving up. I'd feel like a failure. What would Charlie think? He loves Jacob, he was so thrilled when he proposed. We're engaged but are we at a point in our relationship where we could progress into marriage? No. Not at all. At least I knew the answer to that one…

Honestly the thought of ending it scared me to death. It's a lot to lose… to give up. He is basically all I have ever known, my only serious boyfriend, the only person I have ever loved. I still love him, but is it enough anymore? I don't really want to be alone.

My mind was going a million miles an hour, but I was so exhausted that sleep took me quite quickly. It was not a restful sleep however, I tossed and turned most of the night, no more decided than I was the night before. I woke up, my neck was stiff and I felt like crap. I looked at the clock, it was 10:30am.

I went into the bathroom to wash my face and tie up my hair and looked in the mirror. It was a sorry sight. My eyes were red and blood-shot and my skin was blotchy from all the crying. I had dark circles under my eyes from a poor nights sleep and my hair was a birds nest with bits going in every direction. I didn't look good. I didn't look happy.

Once I got myself looking a little bit human again I made my way into the kitchen to make myself a coffee. I don't know what I am going to do. I know I cant sit here and dwell on this all day. Its already doing my head in as it is. I need a distraction.

I decide the best distraction should be getting some work done. I am a copy editor at Volturi publishing. Its only a very small publishing company but I love it. I was lucky to get it as soon as I finished college and I am managing to work my way up in the company little by little. Honestly, it's the best part of my life right now.

There is nothing better for me than finding a good manuscript and getting completely lost in it. Which is exactly what I need right now. Ultimately my dream is to write a novel myself and I do have a lot of writing done already, but no confidence in being able to put it out there. Helping other people publish their work is good enough for me at the moment. Hopefully after a while of helping them achieve their dreams and their visions I will be able to do the same for myself one day.

I start on the book I am editing right now. It's the authors first book and its absolutely brilliant, this is definitely only the beginning for them. It also makes me nervous about my own work when I edit work to this standard, I wonder if I could ever even come close to something like this.

I got taken from the world of the book by someone knocking on the door. However there is no one I want to see and Rose has a key so I am going to choose to ignore it.

The knocking persists.

"I know you're in there Bella, I can hear you. Please answer the door. We need to talk and I'm not going anywhere!" Jacob spoke through the door.

Do I or don't I?

"Come on Bella, I don't want to have to do this through the door" he continued.

Maybe I should just get this over with…

I shut my laptop and made my way to the door slowly. I opened the door to find very apologetic looking Jacob holding a bouquet of daisies. Ignoring the fact that I don't like daisies and one tiny bouquet is not going to make up for anything, it does make me the tiniest bit happy. He hasn't bought me flowers in years and what girl doesn't like flowers?

"Bella, I am really sorry. I know I was a complete jerk last night. It was completely inexcusable and wrong. Can you please forgive me?" he said with some pathetic looking puppy dog eyes.

"I don't think its that simple. Yes you were a complete jerk, but that's not our biggest problem at the moment to say the least and daisies and a quick apology isn't really going to fix it." I wasn't going to have this conversation with him out in the hallway so I stepped to the side and allowed him into the apartment.

"I know. I remember what you said last night and I guess you are right. I know we have stuff to talk about and things to work out. But I would like to make it up to you a bit first" he said, sounding quite genuine.

"How?" I questioned. This better be good.

"I made reservations at that little Thai place you've been wanting to try for tonight. You are going to wear a nice dress and I'll even wear a shirt and I will pick you up and we can have a great night out and then we can talk tomorrow." he replied, pleading with me with his eyes.

He did seem sincere, but I was still mad. He shouldn't treat me like that. But if his willing to make up for it, should I let him? Will it make up for it? This is a big thing for him to suggest and actually bother to organize. Maybe he is serious about us. I probably owe it to at least try…

"Only if you promise me that we will actually talk tomorrow. It needs to happen, you cant avoid it" I reasoned.

"I know. I am not trying to avoid it, I am just trying to make up for what I ruined last night first. Then tomorrow you can come to my place and we can start talking" he replied and wrapped his arms around me.

"Okay" I conceded wrapping my arms around his large torso.

"I will pick you up just after six. I made it an early reservation because I know we both have work tomorrow. Okay?" he questioned pulling back from me.

"I'll see you at six then" I said with a nod.

"Great. See you then". He pressed a kiss to my cheek and he was gone.

I didn't want to admit it, but I was kind of excited. We never did stuff like this. I had been wanting to go to that restaurant ever since it opened up, but Jacob always said it was too fancy making us opt for more low-key places that would still have a burger and fries on the menu. I can let Rose have all the leftovers from last nights dinner and maybe she can help me find something pretty to wear.

This was our new start. I had to believe it.

I decided to continue working on the manuscript for a few more hours, I didn't have anything else to do and it couldn't hurt to get a little bit ahead

This time it was Rosalie who brought me out of the world of the book as she made her way into our apartment.

"Are you working on a Sunday Bella? You really need to get a life" she said smiling. So I knew she was probably only half joking.

"I have a life. So much so that I have plans on a Sunday night. Actually need your help…" I stated.

"My help? With what?" she asked.

"Jacob is taking me out to dinner at a nice restaurant tonight and I need to good. So I was hoping you would help me find something to wear" I said as I shut my laptop off and started packing up my stuff.

"Again? I thought you were doing the whole romantic dinner thing last night" she said, grabbing an apple and sitting next to me.

"Um… he couldn't make it so we had to reschedule for tonight," I lied "which means there is plenty left over for you to eat tonight" I offered sweetly. I can't believe I am lying to her again, but I am excited, this is a big deal and I want to enjoy without her negative input and snide comments about him.

"Fucker" she said through an mouthful of apple.

"What?" I replied even though I'd heard her.

"Not you… never mind. I'd be happy to help you get ready. But I just so you know I am doing so you feel nice for yourself, not so you look nice for that ass hat" she said narrowing her eyes slightly.

I lent over and hugged her "Thanks Rose."

Two hours later I was ready in a short black satin dress and a pair of fairly small black peep toe heels. My hair was done slick and in an elegant side ponytail and I had on a little bit more makeup than I did last night. I had to admit, I looked good. I even felt good.

Putting the bit of effort into my appearance the last few days has been good and much needed boost to my self confidence, knowing and feeling like I can look good. It's made me miss not doing it regularly. Hopefully after tonight Jacob will be willing to go out more often. I know I wanted to.

"You look hot Swan, I don't know why you don't dress up like this more often" Rosalie sighed

So here I am now, completely made up and sitting on the couch with Rose having a glass of wine and discussing our weekends. Jacob was due to show any minute. I was really looking forward to tonight. I found myself sitting here and smiling, genuinely and for no particular reason.

My smile disappeared when Rose got up to get another wine and the clock ticked closer to six thirty. That's when the reservation is, we are going to be late if he doesn't come soon. I hope we don't lose it.

By 7:15pm I was fuming. Over an hour late and no phone call.

By 7:45 I was certain he wasn't coming. Again.

I was so excited and hopeful, not to mention I looked really good and he stood me up.

I don't think he even cares. How could he and do this to me? He knew how much we needed this and he doesn't show and doesn't call. Again. This time it was his idea, I wasn't pushing him and he still can't make it.

As soon as the realization kicked in, that he really wasn't coming, I quickly went into the bathroom to take off my makeup before the tears could wash it down my face. I slipped off my shoes and padded to my room to take off my dress and get into something more comfortable. Such a waste.

I quickly said goodnight to Rose, avoiding her pitying looks and various insults directed towards Jacob and went to my room and to bed. I didn't care it was only 8 o'clock. I was tired.

A few hours later I was woken by my phone ringing. I looked at the caller I.D. Jacob. Not a chance I am answering it. A minute later my phone beeped and signaled to me I had a voicemail. I dialed voicemail and listened.

Bella, I am so sorry. Its… it was Leah. Sam's gone crazy. He tried to hurt her. Me and the guys have been down with her all afternoon. Its been crazy. I should have called sooner, I thought I was going to make it back in time. I'm sorry. Call me. Please.

It didn't really make me feel any better. He was still seemingly prioritizing everything and everyone else above our relationship. My guilt over what I did to him was quickly dissipating, along with my willingness to care.

Edward will be back next chapter. Yay. The story is really about to kickstart in the next few chapters.

Review if you're excited for Edward! XD