Hello all.

I apologize for how long its been since I updated. I've had a lot of family issues that have been keeping me extremely busy. I'll try to update more.

But enjoy this chapter and, in apology for my absence, I'll be releasing a one shot soon.

Anywho, here it is.

I have no idea how long I cry. When I finally lift my head from his chest, it's getting dark outside, but I can't tell if it's late or just cloudy. The only sounds in the room are my sniffles and an occasional purr from Velma. Edward doesn't say much, which I'm thankful for. Besides an occasional "shhh" and "it's okay," he stays silent and allows me to have my much needed moment of weakness.

I hate showing weakness, but sometimes it's unavoidable.

When I glance at the clock, I notice that's it's already almost 3:45. I know that I should get up and do something productive, maybe do some cleaning or homework. But Edward's arms are too comfortable, and his embrace is too inviting. So I allow myself a few more minutes of solace in his arms before I have to face my life.

Sadly, Velma has other plans. She slowly creeps up to me and Edward and paws gently at my face. I wave her away with my hand, but she thinks I'm playing and begins to bat at my fingers. I roll my eyes and, after a deep sigh, I lift my head off of Edward's chest and look at him.

"I'm sorry about that," I say. My voice is raspy, so I gently clear my throat.

Edward smiles at me and smoothes my hair back so it's no longer dangling in my face. "Don't apologize. I'm glad I could be here for you."

I smile at him and sit up slowly and he follows suit. Velma jumps onto my lap the instant I'm up straight and I rub her ears gently. She purrs loudly.

"So, do you have any plans tonight?" I ask Edward as I gently push Velma off of me.

Edward scratches his head dramatically in thought. "Well I did have an evening of self loathing and homework ahead of me, but I can always reschedule," he says with a playful gleam in his eyes.

I roll my eyes. "Smart ass. Would you like to stay for dinner? I can make us a mean pasta," I tell him with a grin.

Edward nods enthusiastically. "With alfredo sauce?"

I nod. "Sure. Come on," I say as I push Velma off of me. Edward moves off the bed and offers me his hand which I take without hesitation.

We head downstairs and make our way into the kitchen with Velma on our tails. She curls up in the corner of the kitchen on a pile of dirty laundry while I head to the stove and turn it on. Edward stays close as I rummage around the kitchen, getting out the ingredients that I need to make my alfredo sauce. I through the noodles into the boiling water and begin to stir the sauce. Thankfully, my dad and I had chicken a few nights before so I added that to the sauce as well.

Edward comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist and rests his head gently on my shoulder. I sigh with satisfaction as I relax into him.

Why am I so resistant to this? I love the way it feels when his arms are wrapped around me, but it terrifies me at the same time. Love can't be real. If it was, why was my dad miserable? Why did my mom leave us? Why did she find a bunch of drugs to be more important than me?

I think back to how amazing it felt to hear her voice on the phone. I hate myself for how excited I was to hear it. But as I stand here now with this amazing guy, I realize that I have to talk to her. If I don't, I'll never be able to let it go.

Edward and I enjoy a lovely dinner together. He hums with delight after every bite of the pasta and compliments my cooking constantly. Velma meows in delight when I toss a piece of chicken on the ground.

And for this moment, everything is perfect.

When Edward leaves, I spend almost twenty minutes pacing back and forth in the living room in front of the couch with my cell phone in my hand. I open it up several times and begin to dial the number I have committed to memory, but I chicken out and hang it up every time.

When my cell phone buzzes in my hand signaling a text message, I open it up quickly, glad for the distraction. It's a message from Edward.

Tonight was wonderful. Thank you :)

I smile and begin to text back but before I can, my phone buzzes with another message.

Oh. And call your mother back, Bella. It's time to get your answers.

I close the phone in surprise and blink. How did he know that was what I was doing?

You know me too well.

And before I can think about it too much, I dial my mother's number and hold my breath as I wait for her to pick up.

"Bella?"

I'm quiet for a long moment before I finally speak.

"Hi, mom."

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Lots of love

Emilia Elliot