The full day and evening were spent behind the wheel as they took turns driving straight to Jacksonville from St. Louis, only stopping for gas, food, and bathroom breaks. After too many stops and a few redirected routes because of four construction zones, they finally turned into Renee and Phil's driveway.

Bella took in a deep breath, steeling herself for Renee's enthusiasm, knowing her mother's squeals of delight were a likely reaction. She had cut the headlights upon arrival to keep them from shining directly into the house, and now was taking a moment to see what she could through the dark.

Renee and Phil's house was a charming cottage-style house painted a pale peach with white shutters, and a front porch overflowing with various lush hanging flower pots and plant stands. Bella could smell the ocean air and hear how close the water was. Renee had forewarned her the back of the house faced the beach, but Bella hadn't expected that to be literal.

Leah was nervous about their very late (technically early morning, and two days behind schedule) arrival. Just as Bella told her not to worry about it and opened the door to climb out, Renee's porch light flooded the yard as the front door swung open.

Bella stepped away from the car, barely keeping her footing as a true-to-form squealing Renee threw her arms around her. "Baby! I'm so happy to see you!" Bella squeezed her back with all her might and laughed as a neighbor's light flipped on from the commotion outside. Each carefully took a step back, clutching the other's forearms as they appraised one another's appearance. Bella sighed over Renee's familiar, happy, and youthful smile. She had truly missed her.

Leah walked around the front of the car to greet Renee. As soon as Bella let go, and before Leah could utter 'hello,' Renee was hugging Leah too.

"You grew up to be so beautiful! I haven't seen you since you were little," Renee cooed. "My goodness! It's been… sixteen years, at least. I didn't expect your hair to be so short but it suits you. I see so much of your parents in you!"

Leah could only laugh at Renee's exuberance. Looking to Bella, she teased, "Is she always like this?"

"Yes," Bella nodded, grinning. "She's very excitable. Like a chihuahua."

"Oh, posh!" Renee pretended to slap Bella's shoulder. "My baby is here after nearly two years. I'm allowed to be excited."

"Yes, you are," Leah agreed, making Bella scoff as Renee beamed, looking prouder, somehow. Bella wondered if she wore the same goofy smile when Leah made her feel particularly brave.

"It'll be a much nicer visit than the last time we were together."

Bella subconsciously rubbed the scar on her wrist against her hip as the familiar burning sensation bloomed across her scar.

Renee's smile faltered momentarily before she teased, "Don't go falling out of hotel windows on this trip. Capisce?"

Leah glanced at Bella quizzically, but Bella avoided meeting her gaze as she shrugged. "My balance is much better these days."

Leah scoffed. "Sure it is."

"Bitch."

Renee gasped at Bella's unexpected expletive, but Leah just smiled.

The girls pulled their bags from the back seats of the SUV and followed Renee into the house. Wide-eyed, Bella and Leah took in the kitchen and living room before glancing at each other in disbelief. The layout was eerily similar to Leah's house, without a recessed living room or stairs leading into the hallway connected to the kitchen.

Rather than looking at the river through the sliding glass doors in the kitchen, the moonlit beach and ocean were within view. The walls were pastel yellow, orange, and green, the furniture an eclectic mixture of modern and antiques, oddly shaped tables, and knick-knacks. The light wood floors had mismatched rugs bursting with color. Just like the front porch, there were hanging plants and flowerpots everywhere.

Bella asked, "I'm guessing gardening is your current hobby?"

"I barely have to touch them." Renee shrugged, grinning, looking very much like her daughter. "They just thrive here. Lots of good energy in this house." As if on cue wind chimes hanging by the sliding doors filled the air. Renee grinned.

"This is crazy." Leah still looked stunned as she took another glance around the large space.

"What?" Renee asked. "Did you have Déjà vu or something?" Bella snorted. Renee was only observant in the strangest ways.

Leah said, "It looks like my house had a weird makeover. The small bedrooms are to the left of the kitchen and the master is off the living room. Am I right?"

Renee nodded in amazement. "How odd!" Shrugging again, she said, "Well, maybe it's a sign that you'll be comfortable while you're here! Say! Have you ever had your tarot read? I'd love to read for you!"

Leah's eyes widened in surprise as Bella laughed. "Forgot to tell you she's a little woo-woo." Bella twirled her finger in the air by her head.

"Like you don't let Old Quil read your tea leaves," Leah teased.

"Huh!" Renee leaned over and playfully slapped Bella's butt in reprimand, making Bella jump. Leah cackled as Bella's cheeks turned pink.

Renee led them to the guest room. Leah sat her duffle on the floor, still amused by the similarities of the houses. "I'm gonna be half asleep in the middle of the night, get up to pee, and wonder why I'm in Seth's room."

Renee laughed. "Why don't you girls get a few hours of sleep? I'll talk Phil into making brunch in the morning and then we can get some sun."

"That sounds perfect," Leah said as a yawn overtook her.

"We drove straight here from St. Louis," Bella said as she put her bag in a corner and unzipped it. "Sixteen hours!"

She pulled out the same clothing she'd slept in the night before as Renee told them goodnight and left them alone. Exhausted, Bella and Leah changed clothes, used the bathroom, brushed their teeth, and crawled into bed.

As she snuggled under the blanket beside Bella, Leah playfully tugged at Bella's shirt. "This smells like Kai."

Having spent most of the drive in hungover silence as the current passenger napped, Bella didn't expect Leah to bring up anything about that morning. She laughed as she lifted the material and sniffed it, surprised by the lingering hint of whatever cologne he wore. Recalling their drunken make-out session and falling asleep beside him, she blushed.

"God, I can't believe we did that."

Leah hesitated before asking, "Did you enjoy it? I mean, you seemed to enjoy it. You two took things a little farther than me and Declan."

Bella frowned, wondering if she was imagining the hint of disappointment in Leah's voice. "Not by much. We just kissed a lot longer than you guys did. He didn't even try to take it any further."

"Declan tried, but I just… couldn't." Leah sighed. "He didn't get upset or anything, though. He just laughed, snuggled up to me, and fell asleep."

Bella grinned, turning her face to the pillow as she tried to get comfortable on her side. "Do you regret it? Not going further?"

"Nah. I didn't have any protection. I didn't know if he did, and I didn't want to risk going any further if he didn't." Leah rolled onto her back and looked at the ceiling. "We'll probably never see those two again and barely know them. It was fun, though."

"It was nerve-wracking." Bella chuckled. "I was so fucking nervous."

Leah's brow furrowed at that. "I could tell… I think…" she turned her head toward Bella and sighed. "When we get back home, I might try dating again. I think it's time."

Bella tried to picture Leah going on dates with random people. Of course, Leah should be able to do that if she wanted, but Bella couldn't help but feel disappointed and a little sad. She might see much less of her friend if either began a relationship.

Meanwhile, so many things had happened between them over the last few weeks that had left Bella in an almost constant state of confusion. She was more than merely attracted to Leah. Of that, she was certain. Leah had clarified that she liked their unconventional friendship, which was a relief once said. Simultaneously, Bella couldn't help but wonder if the intense longing and desire Leah stirred in her meant there was far more between them than an 'unconventional friendship.' They were technically lovers, though only a kiss or two had happened since the night they'd spent with Paul.

Because Leah was so outspoken, Bella couldn't help but assume Leah would tell her if she wanted more… and 'more' terrified Bella. 'More' had cost her Jacob, and the thought of losing Leah made Bella feel physically ill.

It finally dawned on Bella why the night before had made her nervous. It wasn't simply Kai's physical familiarity or the faint sense of danger he and Declan provided, but the Leah of it all. She was terrified of Leah finding someone and pushing her away.

Leah had no qualms about openly flirting with Declan, and seeing Kai flirting with Bella hadn't bothered her. Kai's attention to Bella seemed to make Leah happy. There had been no jealousy, no anger, or bitterness. As her closest friend, Bella knew Leah wanted happiness for her, and physical affection, for Bella, was very satisfying. Was that why Leah was so physically affectionate with her or was there more to it than that? It was a lot to consider.

Bella couldn't help but wonder - and worry - if Leah already had someone in mind back home. What if that person and Bella didn't get along? What if Bella wasn't wrong when she suspected there was more to Paul and Leah than she knew? Would that leave her the odd man out, eventually?

Trying to sound interested rather than bothered, she asked, "D-do you have your eye on someone, or…?"

The sound of Leah's deep, even breathing was her answer. Leah had fallen asleep. Pushing her thoughts away, Bella moved closer to Leah's side. Leah turned to face her as she slid her arm around Bella's waist, and Bella drifted off to sleep as she buried her face against Leah's warm shoulder.

Bella woke the next morning alone, greeted by Leah and Renee's boisterous laughter in the kitchen and the clang of pots and dishes. She hurriedly climbed out of bed and shuffled groggily toward the noise, finding them seated at the kitchen table as Phil worked on brunch.

Phil caught her in his peripheral and spun toward her. He grinned, utterly ignoring whatever he'd been doing to rush toward her for a hug. "Hey, Darlin, We've missed you around here!" He practically yelled his greeting, looking far more excited than she'd ever seen him.

"Hey, Phil." Bella tentatively hugged him back, happy with the surprisingly warm welcome. Phil had only been kind to Bella, but she'd suspected he couldn't wait to be rid of her when she'd chosen to move to Charlie's, so his enthusiastic greeting caught her off guard.

Returning to his tasks, Phil said, "I'm so glad you brought a friend, Bell. Leah's already threatened to whoop my ass in volleyball later today."

Leah chimed, "And I will, too."

For possibly the first time, ever, Bella saw Phil throw his head back and cackle. "Okay, who are you and what did you do with Phil?"

Renee snickered as Phil guffawed. Bella met Leah's radiant gaze and, for a moment, could only stare, grinning back like an idiot. How this beautiful woman could be her best friend and still steal her breath was beyond her, but Leah managed it at least once a day.

As Leah chuckled, Bella shook the besotted stupor from her head. Sitting beside Leah, she said, "I hope you know I still have zero coordination with sports. I'll be working on my non-existent tan."

"Probably wise, Swan. I remember what happened the last time you exerted yourself on the beach." Leah slid her arm around Bella's shoulders.

Bella tried not to blanch over the reminder of her freakout on the beach or the bruise-riddled back that took over a week to fade.

Leah said, "Maybe we should start jogging when we get home. It might help your balance and my clothes are getting tighter. I can't afford a new wardrobe and you just got me the coolest shit. I would like to wear them more than once."

"There's not an ounce of fat on you," Bella shook her head. "But it seems like you've gotten a little taller. Maybe it's because you're not one of the short ones in the room right now. We're away from all the giants."

Renee asked, "Like your cousin Quil?"

"Yes," Bella and Leah said simultaneously and laughed.

Renee's coffee cup stopped midway to her mouth as she laughed. "I forgot you two shared a cousin. How funny! Is everyone in the family very tall?"

"Mostly." Leah nodded. "Jake and Quil are just… massive, both of them. Seth is growing like a weed. He's fourteen and looks twenty. My mom has already threatened to beat one woman away with a stick. They're not the only ones, though. The Uley guys are all huge, too. It's insane."

"Wait. I thought there was only Sam," Bella said, frowning.

Leah chuckled. "Paul's grandma Ruth was a Uley, Bells. He and Sam are cousins. Rumor has it Embry might be Sam's half-brother, too."

Bella pursed her lips as she frowned and shook her head. "That explains why he's so patient with Embry and lenient with Paul. He helped Paul fight Jake even though they were fighting about me. We all know Sam loathes me so that never made much sense."

Leah smirked and nodded, as though she'd had the same thought. Bella wondered how she'd feel if she told her about his visit before they left, knowing it was probably better not to.

Chuckling, Renee asked, "Baby, you have boys fighting over you?"

"More like fighting about me," Bella said. "Jacob thinks I can't make my own decisions, and Sam just thinks I make poor decisions. Paul…" How could she describe Paul? He'd gone from an enemy to lover, then a friend. How does that even work?

"Paul's hard to describe," Leah finished for her. "He's an asshole, but has a soft spot for his little Ducky, here."

Phil laughed, drawing Bella's attention to the stove, where he was busy flipping strips of bacon. "He calls you Ducky?"

"He calls me anything but Bella unless it's a serious situation. When he's pissy with me, he calls me Princess. Ducky is his most recent favorite."

Renee gasped as her eyes widened in recognition. "Bella, is it that boy that used to bully you at the beach?" Leah laughed as Bella blushed and nodded.

Leah sounded almost affectionate as she explained, "He's not a dick to her anymore. They've become pretty close. Paul's protective of her but trusts her to think for herself."

"He's still bossy, though," Bella said. "I think the only people that don't boss me around are you and Charlie."

Leah laughed. "That's not true. Charlie and I boss you around, too. You hold your own, though, when it matters. You're tougher than you think."

Renee patted Leah's hand as she stood. "I'm glad she has you, Leah. You're a good friend."

As she went to the counter to refill her coffee cup, Leah whispered, "Guess Charlie doesn't tell her everything, huh?"

Bella reached behind Leah and pinched her butt, making her jump, then laugh as Leah grabbed Bella's retreating hand and threaded their fingers together. The girls each leaned on the table, grinning at each other for one long, peaceful moment. Neither noticed Renee nor Phil watching or the silent exchange passed between them before Renee returned to the table.

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