AN Thanks again for all the readers and reviews! It's been really fun hearing your thoughts on Bella, Edward, and their decisions.

If you are on Facebook, come join the NOP group that the lovely Nicffwhisperer made! You can find it at http/www. groups/ 461654163848405(just take out the spaces).

Thanks to Nicffwhisperer, Kikki7, Vampshavelaws, Julie, KittyVuitton, Stephanie, Perry, Jaime, Nolebucgrl, and Sydney Alice for all of their help pre-reading/betaing and supporting my crazy ass. Special thanks to SusanQ who helps me out with my last-minute changes. I'm always tinkering until right before posting and any mistakes are mine.

Alice Arrives

"Wait…what?"

"I'm here! I'm on my way to campus now to drop my things off at my residence hall. Do you want to meet me after that?"

Rose and I were in the middle of perusing some Jimmy Choos when Alice called with the good news.

"How? I thought you weren't arriving until late tonight."

"Wellll…let's just say that a certain someone—whose name rhymes with Mr. Sullen—arranged for me to fly privately. I even have a chauffeur driving me right now."

I wanted to laugh at Alice's giddiness, but my mind was whirling with thoughts of Edward. I couldn't believe he'd done that for her and never said a word to me.

It was so thoughtful and sweet. I was already trying to come up with ways to thank him.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see you." I looked at the time on my phone."It's only three now, so why don't you drop your things off, pack an overnight bag, and have the driver bring you to our house. You can just stay with us tonight so we have plenty of time to catch up."

I figured if Edward went to the lengths of flying her here and hiring another driver, he wouldn't mind if I invited her to stay over. It's not like there wasn't plenty of space.

Alice squealed. "That sounds like a great plan. I'll see you in a couple hours."

I hung up the phone after our goodbyes, grinning from ear to ear.

"I take it your Alice is here," Rose commented with a chuckle.

I grabbed her arm. "Yes! I can't wait for you two to meet. Do you care if she comes shopping with us?"

She laughed even harder. "Bella, I work for you. I'm pretty sure you can bring anyone you want."

"Oh yeah. I forgot." I waved my hand as my cheeks heated. "It's more like we're just friends when we're out."

Rose stopped me and gave me a little hug. "We are."

We hurriedly made our purchases and arrived back home soon after. Felix and Rose helped me carry in all my packages, and I promised Rose I'd call her in the morning to figure out when we would meet up the next day.

Before Alice had called, I'd been grilling Rose all day about what had happened between her and Emmett yesterday. She had a secret smile on her face but didn't give me many details aside from the fact she thought he was fantastic. She told me they'd traded numbers, but she wasn't sure if she wanted anything more than friendship right now. I wondered why she wouldn't pursue a relationship if she liked him, yet I didn't feel comfortable pushing her for answers. She'd tell me more when she wanted to.

All I knew was if Emmett had even a small percentage of Edward's persuasive tactics, then Rose was going to have a hard time saying no.

Once I had all my packages put away, I changed into some shorts and a tank top and flew downstairs to await Alice. I found Hannah in the music room.

"Hannah, Alice just got to New York, and she's on her way over. I wanted to let you know she'd be here soon." I couldn't help feeling like I was seeking permission, however silly that idea was.

She looked up and gave me a smile. "I've already got all her favorites ready. She's here a little earlier than you were expecting."

I nodded. "Yes." I bit my lip, but my mouth turned up in a grin anyway. "Edward flew her in early."

She had a knowing smile on her face, and I wondered if perhaps she was in on this secret plan with Edward. When I'd told her days ago that Alice would be here, Hannah had insisted I tell her all about Alice's favorite things so she could be welcomed properly. It made me feel warm inside that she would care enough to make my best friend—and me by extension—happy.

Before I could question her about knowing Edward's plans, the doorbell rang. I rushed out, running to answer the door.

We attacked each other as soon as the door opened, hugging and laughing in the entryway. Her driver left her bag before nodding to us and leaving.

"Oh my God, Bella! I'm here! We're really here!" She pulled her bag inside before taking my arm. Her eyes bugged out when she started looking around. "Holy shit! Look at this place. Wow."

"I know!" It was still hard for me to believe I lived here, and I remembered how stunned I was the first time I walked in. I led her around the downstairs, pointing out the different rooms before stopping in the kitchen. "Hannah, I'd like you to meet Alice."

I watched as the two of them greeted each other, and it was like something clicked inside me. It was the first time everything in my world fell into place. Alice was my only link to my past, my sister. Now that she was here, in my new world, meeting my new family, it felt right.

I felt whole.

Hannah set out a platter of cheeses, crackers, chocolates, and assorted other goodies and made us sit down for a minute so Alice could eat a little something after her day full of traveling. I was sure my face was cracking from the huge smile on my face as Alice and Hannah chatted like old friends.

"Oh, Bella." Alice turned back to me. "You won't believe what happened to Mike Newton."

I raised my eyebrows, thinking about that awful last night in Forks.

"His scholarship was yanked, and when his parents found out what he did to you and about all the alcohol at his party, they forced him to withdraw from UDub. They are making him live at home, work in the store, and attend community college in Port Angeles for a year."

My mouth dropped open.

"What did he do to Bella?" Hannah asked as I sat there in stunned silence.

Alice told her about the incident at his house while her face went from sad, to shocked, to raging.

"Little prick!"

Hannah's exclamation snapped me out of my stupor, and Alice and I doubled over in laughter.

"That's the rumor as I've heard it. Jessica's never been shy about lamenting his size," Alice added, wagging her eyebrows.

"But how did anyone find out about what he did to me? He and I were the only ones out there."

Alice patted my hand. "I told them what happened."

"And they just believed you?" I was surprised his parents would take Alice's word against their son's.

"It helped that there was a sworn affidavit by Alec included with Mr. Cullen's evacuation of the scholarship. I didn't get to read it, but it probably described Mike forcing himself on you."

I nodded at Alice's explanation, wondering why Edward and Alec didn't tell me what they'd done. That was just another thing I needed to add to the list of items I'd have to discuss with Edward.

I also couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for Mike. Sure, he was a complete moron, but I hated that his future was being compromised so harshly because of one drunken mistake where I wasn't even harmed.

"Hannah, these are sooo good," Alice commented with a mouthful of chocolate, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head. "Ugh. Don't feed her too many sweets. She'll be bouncing off the walls all night."

Alice snorted but shrugged in agreement before downing another treat. "So when do I get to meet the illustrious Mr. Cullen?"

"He should be here in a couple hours. He usually gets home around seven." I fiddled with my phone, wondering if I should call him.

"I'm making lobster and steak tonight," Hannah said, chuckling at Alice's happy dance. "Bella, why don't you show Alice around, and you girls can catch up before Edward gets home?"

We both hopped off our stools, and I finished giving a tour of the downstairs. Alice was dying to jump in the pool and I promised we'd take a dip at some point. After grabbing her bag, I took her upstairs and brought her to the room I had stayed in the first night.

"This is awesome." She flopped down in the middle of the bed, making imaginary angels on top of the duvet.

I laughed and moved to lie down next to her. She turned on her side to face me, and I looked over when she remained silent.

"What?"

"Are you happy?" she asked, reaching out for my hand.

I smiled and twined my fingers with hers between us. "Yes, I really am."

"Why did you do it?"

I took a deep breath and averted my eyes.

"Bella, look at me."

There was no way I was going to be able to lie to her face, and she knew it. I met her questioning eyes again, feeling sick to my stomach. I didn't want to lie to her.

"Why did you marry him?"

My insides twisted with guilt and shame. I felt the words bubbling up my throat, as if they had to get out. But what would she think of me if I told her the truth?

I didn't know if it was my shaky breaths, the tears welling in my eyes, or my tensed body, but she seemed to understand how difficult this was for me. She sat up and pulled me to her in a fierce hug.

"Please talk to me, Bella. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I love you and nothing will ever change that. But you're scaring me right now. Please, just tell me what's going on."

So I did. I spilled everything.

The meeting. The contract. The secrets.

My fears.

I told her every detail as she sat silently and took in my words. She never made a sound, but she kept a firm grasp on my hands as it all poured out of me.

I took a deep breath once I'd finished, actually feeling a thousand pounds lighter from getting it all off my chest. I watched her eyes closely as she thought over everything I'd said.

She finally nodded and squeezed my hands again. "I can't say I'm too surprised."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean when you told me you two fell instantly in love, I knew something was off. I've never seen you make any snap decisions before, especially when they involve emotions. You've always been guarded about letting anyone in because you think they are going to leave you sooner or later. The fact that you agreed so readily to his proposal shocks me, but it makes more sense than your Cinderella story romance you initially painted to me."

I grimaced at her words but was relieved she didn't seem too upset with me for lying to her over the phone.

"Please tell me you didn't agree to this to fill some hole left in your life because of your parents dying. You don't think of him as a father figure, do you?"

I shook my head vehemently. "No! I'm very much attracted to him. The chemistry between us is like nothing I've ever felt before. He makes me feel..." I shivered and couldn't even come up with the right words to describe the way my body and mind responded to Edward. "It's indescribable."

She pursed her lips and nodded. "Okay, okay. I was just making sure." She blew out a breath. "I'm not going to say this isn't strange, or even somewhat concerning. Because you have to be honest, Bella…it is."

My stomach fell, and I looked back down at my lap.

"You think I'm a whore, don't you?"

She tugged on my arms angrily until I met her eyes again. "No! Stop that. You are not a whore, or a prostitute, or any of the other ugly things that I know are whirling around in your silly head right now." She huffed and paused a moment. "I know you better than anybody in this world. You have a good heart and a good mind. I also know that you have this deep-seated need to belong. I'm just hoping Mr. Cullen didn't take advantage of this and lure you into something you couldn't turn away from."

"He's good too, Alice." I wasn't going to let her think Edward had malicious intent.

He'd been nothing but kind and generous to me.

"Do you think you could love him?" she asked.

"Yes." It came out with no hesitation. "I care for him. I know we are going about all of this completely backwards, but he's kind. He's good to me, and I know he cares about me. I'm only scratching the surface in learning about his past, but I think his reasons for going into this agreement are legitimate. He has problems trusting people."

Alice snorted. "He has put an awful lot of trust in you, and you two barely know each other."

"We have a connection. It's hard to put into words. But I trust him too. I really do."

She sighed. "I want to believe that this will all work out. You know me, I am the glass half-full girl. It's just a little creepy. He's so much older and this whole kids thing." She waved her arm around. "I don't want to see you end up locked in his basement with a needle in your arm."

Despite the serious conversation, I erupted in laughter at the image she put in my head. Knowing how sweet Edward was with me made it all the more ridiculous. A small smile broke out on her face before she joined me in my mirth.

"I promise that won't happen. You'll see when you meet him that he's not creepy-like. He can be a little overbearing and controlling at times, but it's because he's protective. Of me…and himself. I understand him, Alice. I think I understand him better than anyone."

"But kids. Kids, Bella? Seriously? Are you sure you're ready for that?"

"He needs me."

She jumped up and pointed at me. "That! That's it right there. Your motivation in all this is based on your craving to feel wanted. It's not him you care about so much as it is the security you feel by him depending on you for something he feels he can't get anywhere else. My worry is that this is going to blow up in your face. You're building a house of cards on no foundation." She paced around the bed, glancing over at me every few seconds. "What happens if you can't give him what he wants? What if for some reason you couldn't have kids with him?"

She just voiced my biggest fear, and I felt sick again as I placed my hand over my stomach.

"I…I don't know."

She moved to kneel down next to me on the bed again. "I'm scared you are going to develop feelings for this man who may be incapable of returning them. Say the worst case scenario happens and you can't have kids. Does he just toss you out?" She hugged me when the tears fell from my eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't want to say hurtful things here. I only want you to protect yourself." She pulled back and gripped my shoulders as she stared hard at me. "This isn't the only place…he isn't the only one you could be meant to be with. There are plenty of men out there who would love you for you, and who would eventually want to make a family with you in whatever capacity they could just because of that love. It wouldn't be built on a contract, on demands, on rules and secrets."

I closed my eyes and thought over her words. Of course, she was trying to be logical and smart. But they hurt. They also didn't feel right. I was beginning to think Edward wanted me for more than just making babies.

He wanted me for me.

And I wanted him.

"I know you're trying to protect me, but I know what I'm doing." I straightened my shoulders and looked her in the eye. "I want to make it work with Edward. It feels right being with him."

She paused and eventually flashed a hesitant smile before giving me another hug. "Okay. I've got your back. I'm here no matter what happens. I can't wait to meet him."

"Don't say anything to him yet about knowing the truth. I will tell him when it's the right time."

"I won't. You know I'd never say anything to anyone without you telling me to."

"I know that." I squeezed her harder. "I'm so glad you're here. I actually feel better having been able to talk all this out with someone."

She released me and fell back on the bed with a grin. "All right, enough of the heavy. Now tell me how he is in the sack."

I burst out in laughter before giving her a brief overview on the extraordinary abilities of Smugs Jr.

~NOP~

As soon as Edward got home, I left Alice with Hannah in the kitchen and followed him upstairs while he changed. I ignored my raging hormones as I watched him taking off his suit and putting on jeans and a t-shirt.

The man could wear a pair of jeans, let me tell you.

"What's up?" he asked finally as I sat silently on the bed.

I patted the space beside me and he walked over and sat down.

"Did you really take away Mike's scholarship?"

He took my hand in his and I turned so I could face him.

"I wasn't going to let him get away with what he did, Bella. Nobody—and I mean nobody—is going to threaten you on my watch."

Was it wrong how much his words made my heart pitter-patter?

As much as I liked the way they made me feel, I was still torn about the consequences.

"I guess I feel guilty." I sighed at his questioning expression. "I have moved on and I don't want anyone back there to have any reasons to resent me...even him. He made a stupid mistake, but I don't think he should have to pay so much for it."

Edward leaned over and kissed me softly. "You are so good. Entirely too good for me."

I pulled back and shook my head. He was crazy if he thought I was too good for him.

"It's the other way around, Edward."

He only gave me a sad smile before hugging me tightly. "You don't have to worry. I didn't take his scholarship away completely. I gave him a stipulation. If he keeps his nose clean for a year, and does voluntary service at the abused women's shelter in Port Angeles, then it will be reinstated."

"Really?" I asked, lifting my head to look at his eyes.

He nodded and I could literally feel the space he took up in my heart expand. His kindness and generosity overwhelmed me at times. I pulled his face to mine, kissing him with everything I had.

"You're amazing," I told him between kisses. I felt his lips curve into a smile against mine. "Thank you for doing that. And thank you for flying Alice here like you did."

He moaned into my mouth when my tongue slid against his. The sound just spurred me on as I pushed him on his back and crawled on top of him.

His hands gripped my waist to still my movement. "Baby, if you keep this up, I'm never going to meet the infamous Alice. I'm going to have you naked in about two seconds."

An internal war raged inside me. I wanted to have him naked, but I also wanted him to meet my best friend. He chuckled as I debated silently with myself.

"Fine, but we're returning to this later," I told him, forcing my libido to take a breather as I pushed myself off of him.

"There's no doubt about that." He sat back up and leaned over to give me one more chaste kiss before we went back downstairs.

~NOP~

"MTV is lame! I mean it's Music Television with no freaking music!"

"There has definitely been movement away from videos to a more reality television-based programming schedule, but like I said before, I'm not really involved as much with that network as I was a decade ago. You'll have to take this up with Jasper." Edward held his hands up and grinned.

I just sat back and watched my best friend and husband, the conversation volleying back and forth between the two of them all during dinner and afterward. Not only did Alice seem to like him immediately, their constant stream of varying opinions over every topic under the sun was highly fascinating to watch. They were almost sibling-like in their striving to one-up the other and have the last word.

I tried hiding my giggles at their behavior behind my hand at one point.

"What are you laughing at? Huh?" Edward wrapped his arms around me and pulled me onto his lap to tickle my sides.

Once my screams for mercy were over, I caught Alice's eye and was blown away at her happy, wistful smile and slight nod of acceptance. It meant more than any words she could say because I knew she was giving Edward her thumbs up.

The laughter started up again when she told us of the rude receptionist at her residence building and how they almost went to blows over one of her housing forms. Edward got a front row seat to the hilarity that was an angry Alice. But it reminded me of the altercation Rose and I had the day before at his office.

I gasped and turned in his lap to face him. "Speaking of rude receptionists...who is the blonde woman who works outside your office?"

He frowned and looked a bit confused. "Tanya was rude to you?"

"Yes. Very rude. To both me and Rose when we showed up there yesterday. Did you not tell her we were coming?"

He gave me a small smile after swallowing a couple times. "Sorry, baby. I didn't think of it. I figured the meeting would be over by the time you got up there."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "She does know you're married...right?"

"Yes, absolutely," he said with a nod. His fingers trailed over my waist again and I giggled against my will.

"Well, she was rude and glaring and bitchy," I added before the light bulb flashed in my head. "Wait a minute. Did you say her name was Tanya? As in Tanya Denali?

"Yes, that's her name."

I growled and Alice laughed. Edward just had a perplexed look on his face.

"She's the one who messed up the scholarship business in the first place. She was the one who called me and I'd just bet she was the one that kept all my letters and emails from you.

"You shouldn't be mad you know. She actually did you a favor, if you think about it," Alice chimed in. "She brought you two together in an indirect sort of way."

Edward's arms tightened around me and I smiled despite my anger.

"I suppose you're right." I turned from Alice back to Edward. "Looks like her scheming didn't work. She's jealous you know."

He grimaced and shook his head. "She's only been there a few months. I think she had a little crush when she first started, but I quickly let her know there would be nothing beyond a professional relationship."

Poor, clueless man. Mega Bitch was smitten and hated my guts.

I let him off the hook for the moment. Maybe I'd just make sure myself that Tanya understood the bottom line.

Alice finally stood up and yawned while stretching her arms above her head."If it's all right with you two, I'm going to go pass out. I feel like I've been up for days."

"I'll walk up with you," I said, Edward helping me up off his lap. I turned back to him. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

He nodded and kissed my hand. "Alice, it was a pleasure meeting you. We'll have to continue our debates soon. You know you're welcome here any time."

"Thanks. It was great to meet you too, Edward."

She and I made our way upstairs, sticking with small talk until we were behind the closed bedroom door.

"Oh, Bella!" She pulled me into a hug and was swaying us back and forth."I so approve. Meeting him and seeing the way he looks at you…" She pulled away and covered her heart. "I'm pretty sure he's in love with you even if he hasn't said it yet."

I sat down on the edge of the bed. "How does he look at me?"

"Like you are the most important thing in the world."

Her words stuck with me as I walked down the hall a few minutes later toward the master bedroom.

Did Edward love me already?

Alice has arrived! What did you think of her conversation with Bella? Will Edward be mad when he finds out Bella told her the truth?

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