It took a lot of focus around my rage to not destroy the front door in my haste. Who does he think he is trying to make me feel bad about something he caused? Everything that had occurred since I'd arrived had been from his actions; why should i need to change my ways under his instruction?

Shaking my arm with a flick of the wrist, i sat down on the sofa as i glance to the spot where Edward had grabbed me. It looked no different from this morning and was unharmed, which made me wonder even more about the jolt I'd received. I'd never felt it before when we'd had contact and it made me anxious; was it something to do with the fact he'd created me? The connection passing between us?

I immediately growled, never happy with the creator mentality towards him. If that jolt was related to his actions, then it was another thing to dislike. I shook off my wrist again, trying to rid the ghost of his touch when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Surely, he wasn't crazy enough to follow me here?

"It's Alice, i wanted to see if you were ok." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "May i come in?"

I still felt defensive, but i couldn't see a good enough reason to stop her entering. "Yeah, you can come in."

Her cautious eyes met mine as she walked through the doorway, closing it carefully and standing before me, keeping a respectful distance. I indicated to the space beside me and she sat down, her posture more formal than relaxed. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing she was still apprehensive around me since our fallout, but my annoyance remained at the forefront as i waited for her to speak.

"Anyone would think you'd excelled in martial arts. You threw him with a very strong and efficient arm."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me, not expecting the compliment. "I was too awkward and clumsy to even consider it before, but it's nice to know I'm doing something right." I tried to keep my tone playful, but i couldn't help the sad edge that slipped through.

Alice met my eyes again. "Bella, you're doing a great job; we aren't just saying that to make you feel better."

I waved her off; the Cullen's were always quick to reassure me. "So you all keep saying and i appreciate it, but it doesn't make this any easier."

She nodded in understanding, likely unsure how to respond as she dropped her gaze.

"I appreciate you coming to check on me, though."

"Always." She nervously met my gaze again with a shy smile, which i returned after a moment. "I'm also checking because i want to make sure you're ok, not because I've been told to. I don't want you believing otherwise."

Despite our recent disagreement, i knew her heart was in the right place. "Again, thanks."

"I mean it, Bella. I know you were upset with me before you ran into Edward. I find it difficult to tell you things that may distress you."

I thought back to our discussion before i'd left the house. I'd asked her about my mom; how was she handling my disappearance? Alice hadn't wanted to give me the answer, providing what felt like excuses for why she couldn't look and how it was difficult for someone she didn't know. With my mood swings never far away, I'd told her to forget it before leaving. Now i was able to focus again, i looked to her with concern. "She isn't...?"

"No, nothing like that."

I breathed a sigh of relief. My greatest fear was my mom doing something stupid and putting herself in danger, but I'm sure Alice would've told me that.

"What didn't you want to tell me if she's ok?"

Alice pursed her lips as she considered her words. "She's alive, but she's not doing too well right now. I see her in a dark room with a single bed; she's curled up on the sheets crying, food left untouched... it's not a thought I'd wanted to leave you with."

I swallowed at the image she presented, knowing she's likely in my old room struggling to accept my missing status. "What about Phil?"

Her eyes glazed again as she searched, focused concentration on her face before rejoining a few moments later and looking back at me. "He's there for her, trying to encourage her to eat, but she's not interested. She's shut herself in that room and he's sitting outside the door, waiting for the moment she wants him."

I felt my eyes prick at her words, unsure in that moment if i was relieved i couldn't cry anymore. I was grateful Phil was there with her; even if she wasn't interested in anything else right now, at least she wasn't alone. My mind very quickly wandered to my dad, wishing someone was there for him during this. I could only hope Billy was dropping by when he could.

"Are you alright?"

I looked back at Alice, who was watching me with concern. I nodded with a sigh, trying to not get swept away with the sadness seeping in. "I will be, it's just difficult to know i can't help them or let them know I'm alive."

She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and, again, didn't say anything which i appreciated. We stayed like this for a while until i regained myself, another exhale as i met her eyes again.

"I want to apologize, Alice."

"You haven't nothing to-"

"No, i do. You've been wonderful to me since we met and I've returned it with sullenness and pushing you away."

"It's perfectly understandable why you did, i hurt you and you reacted like anyone else would. You don't have to say this just because of Edward."

As always, my hands clenched and a scowl crossed my face when i thought of him. Despite my hatred to agree, he had made a point earlier and struck a nerve doing so. My mind returned again to the electrical sensation when he grabbed me, but i quickly pushed the thought away as i focused on Alice.

"As much as he irritates me, he was right. You did what you thought was best at the time and i know you wouldn't do that again."

She watched me quietly as i offered her a weak smile.

"I'm still not there yet to fully let it go, but i understand and I'm trying to move past it."

"I can be patient when i want to be." She gave me a wink which made me chuckle, squeezing my shoulder again before she let go.

"I do have another question for you."

Her head tilted slightly as she examined me, seeming to make a point of not searching ahead to whatever i had to say. "Yes?"

"Is there..." I trailed off, unsure why i felt the need to ask this, but the thought had been in my mind for a while now. "Do you see a point in the future where Edward and i get along?"

She looked genuinely startled by my question and i could almost see the mental cogs churning as she looked for the reason. "What brought this on?"

I tried again to explain what was on my mind. "It's not that i want us to be best friends and i don't believe he deserves my forgiveness. I just don't like that a fight of some kind is inevitable when we're around each other. I know part of my abrupt, emotional changes are due to the newborn stage and i can't always control it, but it bothers me that you all have to live in this environment."

She listened to my babbling, still appearing to contemplate an answer. "You're worried about what it does to us being around you both?"

"Kind of? I'm not the type who likes to make others uncomfortable, yet i feel it's all i do now. I just wondered if you saw any future where we were actually civil with each other rather than us always coming to blows. I'm not sure if i can last the full year if this is how it's going to be."

I watched her wince at my words and, before i could query why, she quickly responded. "It was only the mention of the year; I'm always hopeful that you may decide to stay a little longer."

"Well, between the two of us, you're the one who can see if that's a potential option."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Only if you decide to, Bella. Right now, i see a lot of avenues for you in the future and nothing is set in stone."

I absorbed that for a moment; it made sense considering my own, confused mind. "Are any of them civil between us?"

Her lips twitched into a smile. "Yes, there are futures i see you both acting amicably."

I blinked in surprise, not having expected it despite asking. "Really? How?"

She shrugged in response. "I couldn't tell you the trigger for those paths as they vary, but i see both a friendly future and an aggressive future between you two."

I struggled to piece it together; how did we find a way to work things out? Right now, the very idea repelled me, but maybe there was a point in future where i could forgive him.

Doubtful.

Alice interrupted my thoughts. "Do you mind if i ask what it is that causes the fights?"

"His presence, usually." I thought over the times we'd butted heads and all i could pin point was the hatred and anger whenever i laid eyes on him. "It's instinctive; i can't control my responses around him even when i try to hold back. It's harder now he's starting being a jerk, too."

"I guess he decided to match your attitude towards him and returned fire."

I couldn't help the annoyed glance i fired at her. "Are you defending him?"

"Not at all, I'm just saying it makes sense."

True, it did. You could be the nicest person in the world, but everyone had a limit for hostility. Not that i felt sympathy for him; he had it coming and more.

"Maybe if he stopped looking at me like I'm a problematic mistake would help." I mumbled and rolled my eyes as she looked at me questioningly. "It doesn't exactly warm me to him after everything that happened, nor do the reminders."

"Reminders?"

"By all means, he should be apologizing for what he did, but it doesn't help when it's laced with referring to me as the mistake he won't forgive himself for."

"I don't think that's the context he means it."

"Regardless of the intent, that's how it feels; a mistake he regrets crossing paths with." The venom in my words is hard to hide as my head falls, the sensation of feeling unwanted coursing through me.

"We'll always want you here, Bella." She wraps me into a hug, my head against her stone chest. "I'll get him to curb his words around you."

I quickly sat up, breaking the connection. "No, don't."

She looked confused. "Why not? If the words upset you, then he shouldn't be saying them. He may be an idiot and not realize it, but he would stop if he knew."

"You're right about the idiocy part, but pushing that aside, i don't want to add more eggshells or ammunition between us than there already is."

"I understand; i won't say anything unless you ask." She then stretches her arms in a human way, similar to working out stiffness. "Now, how about we head out? There's still some time before the night settles, plus Rose and i would like to steal you tonight. It's been a while since we had a girly evening together."

Her expression was hopeful and i could see how much it meant to her. I gave her a nod with an agreeing smile. "Sure, we can do that."

She squealed and hugged me quickly before bouncing to her feet, pulling me up with her and rushing towards the door. I couldn't help shaking my head, bemused at how happy the simple action made her. It was difficult to stay mad at Alice.

"Let's go a bit further today. I know you haven't hunted for a couple of days and maybe something stronger than deer will pique your interest."

She was right; I'd sulked inside the cottage instead of hunting like i should have been. It was easier to hunt regularly since locating the place in my mind to tune out what was happening, but it did still occasionally catch me off guard.

"Sure, lead the way."

.

Alice was still giggling to herself by the time we returned to the house. Despite previous reassurances, i refused to go into direct sunlight and panicked if one of the Cullen's moved towards it, using my newborn strength to keep them beside me. Alice had tried to playfully encourage me into the sun's rays, but I'd tackled her further into the shade before she'd had the chance. Now with dirt, leaves and sticks knotted into my hair and the forest staining our clothes, we walked into the house well fed and immediately drew Esme's concerned, curious eyes to us.

"Did you two have a fight or something?" Rose questioned as she walked into the room, staring at the two of us.

"Nope, just trying to help Bella's aversion to the unholy terror that is... the sun!" Her voice was jokingly over dramatic at the end, laughing as i nudged her with my elbow.

"Shut it, Ali." My words were mixed with my own laughter as my nudge accidentally knocked her almost to the ground. Well, i thought I'd nudged her lightly...

"You girls are a mess!" Esme flitted over and immediately started removing the foliage stuck in my hair.

"Don't rope me into this, it was all Bella!" Alice hopped out of striking range as Esme backed away, sighing as she looked at me from head to toe.

"I think you need to wash it out, honey. You can use the shower upstairs in your room and there's still some clothing in the closet, too."

"Thanks, Esme." I offered her a gentle smile, knowing she'd expected me to head to the cottage instead and determined to make more of an effort. "You're probably right and i don't want to break more brushes trying to get it out."

The girls laughed, recalling the 3 combs and 7 brushes I'd broken the last time I'd come back a mess before giving up. Alice followed me up the first flight of stairs and slipped into her bedroom as i continued to the next, eyes automatically glancing towards Edward's closed door. I could hear the faint strains of music, a common sound from this floor and realized i missed it; being alone in the cottage came with a lot of silence. I shook off the sensation as i headed to the shower, working out as much of the forest as i could with twigs hitting the floor. Once clean, i collected the debris from the drain and dropped it in the bin before working through my now-manageable hair. Tying the damp strands into a high ponytail, i slipped into some spare leggings and an oversized top while deliberately ignoring the labels; Alice refused to purchase anything that wasn't a designer brand. Opening the door to head downstairs, i noticed Edward's was now slightly ajar before it suddenly opened fully, his form in the doorway as his eyes met my startled ones.

"Oh. Hi, Bella." His voice was odd, stilted and uncertain. "I didn't expect you to be here."

I couldn't help the questioning frown that appeared in my expression. "You didn't hear me in there?"

"No, i wasn't paying attention."

I stared at him again untrustingly, his darkened eyes trying to avoid mine. "I thought vampires could hear everything, are you an exception or something?"

"No, no i-" His hand came up to push through his messy bronze hair as he abruptly silenced himself, again appearing unsure. He then closed his eyes, let out an exhale and i watched his expression return to its usual, stoic mask before he looked at me again. "I was focused on my music and didn't know you were here."

"Sure, ok." I continued watching him skeptically. "What's up with you today; hit the trees too hard? You're acting even weirder than usual."

His eyes and jaw tightened slightly, leaning against the door frame as he glanced down, seemingly taking in my attire before returning to meet my gaze. "I guess i didn't realize you were changing as i didn't hear the sound of ripped clothes, cursing or crushed brushes. Well done; that's an achievement for you."

My expression hardened as he sarcastically applauded, turning away from him with a growl as i headed back down the stairs. I could hear him following, practically feel his eyes on me as i abruptly stopped on the middle floor, turning on the spot and glaring up into his surprised face.

"What do you want now? Another trip through the window? Or maybe something sturdier will knock some sense into that thick skull of yours."

He rolled his eyes in response as he folded his arms. "Very funny, Izzy, but don't flatter yourself; my life doesn't revolve around you. I'm going out with my brothers to hunt and leaving you girls to it."

Mockingly, i pulled my hand to my heart as if touched by his words. "Oh my, how enormously sweet of you Eddie; you absolutely made my night!"

"Regular comedienne as always, aren't we?" He doesn't wait for my response before moving past me, raising one hand in silent farewell though I'd half expected him to flip me the bird as he went.

I gave myself a few moments to calm down, focusing on my breathing and relaxing further when i heard the sound of the outer door closing. I couldn't help doubting Alice's earlier words; that was the closest to civil we'd been and it still ended unpleasantly. I shook it off before heading to the living space, smiling as the girls invited me to join their sofa huddle.

"Esme found her copy of Sense and Sensibility, we thought it could be fun to have a movie night together if you're up for it?"

Alice's excitement was catching and my smile widened at her choice of film. With a nod, i moved to the side of the sofa before finding myself shuffled towards the middle, surrounded by the three of them. As the movie started i glanced to each one; Rose sitting beside me playing with her hair, Alice's lit up expression as she watched from the ottoman in front and Esme's one of joy as she observed us all, love for her family emitting from her happy eyes. I could almost feel the aura surrounding us as my focus returned to the film, absorbing the sensation and enjoying our time together as i pushed all thoughts of Edward from my mind.

A/N: A difficult duo, but at least Bella's starting to feel the Cullen's love a bit more.

Thanks as always for the feedback and support, i wouldn't be doing it without you =]

Heading off to Rome for a few days with my husband and can't wait for a break, i hope everyone's doing ok wherever you are and getting the 'me time' you deserve!