Disclaimer: None of this mine, nor do I claim to be Stephenie Meyer. I just like to dabble in the playground that she created with Bella, Edward and her Twilight characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

We're going to hear from Bella next chapter and perhaps, we'll get some more Edward and Bella together, with a side of Katie. Thank so much for reading. Leave me your thoughts!

Chapter Five

Bella

"Thank you for seeing us," I said, holding my sick sister in my lap. It had been a long weekend and she was no closer to being better. "I got your name from …"

"Edward told me to expect your call," Dr. Marcus Volturi said. "He told me that your sister was not feeling very well and when she was at your office, Edward said that she'd had a very deep cough."

"I, um, wow …" I spluttered. "I never expected that he would call you …"

"I've known Edward for some time, Miss Swan," Dr. Volturi replied kindly. "And let's just say, I was just as surprised to hear from him, but if he'd called, it must have really worried him."

"Bella," Katie rasped. "My throat hurts."

"I know, Kit Kat," I frowned.

"That's why you're here," Dr. Volturi smiled. "I want to take some x-rays of her lungs. When I listened to her lungs, I heard some rattling. I also want to run a rapid strep test. Her throat may be sore from her coughing. I just want to rule everything out." He looked at my sister. "Do you want to see your bones, Katie?"

"You can do that?" Katie asked, eyeing him curiously.

"With a special camera," Dr. Volturi said, holding out his hand. Katie took it and hopped off my lap. "We'll be right back, Miss Swan." They left the examination room. I sat back, looking at the décor. It was reminiscent of Finding Nemo. I took out my cell phone, checking my email for work. I had to take another day off because of Katie's illness, but Alice and Edward were understanding.

Speaking of Edward … I pulled up his contact information. He'd given me his cell phone number. He'd also contacted Dr. Volturi, concerned about Katie. I bit my lip, opening up a new text message.

Edward, this is Bella Swan. I wanted to thank you for Dr. Volturi's number. We're at the appointment now. Hopefully, he'll help alleviate some of my sister's discomfort. ~ Bella

On the screen, the three dots began dancing. Edward was responding.

I'm glad that Dr. Volturi can help you out. He's an amazing physician. He works with my father. Let me know how Katie is? ~ Edward

I will. Thank you. ~ Bella

You stay healthy, too, Bella. Call me when you get a chance? ~ Edward

I blinked at that. My mouth opened and closed like a cod fish. I held my breath, responding to his text. Probably tonight. After Katie is in bed. ~ Bella

Does Katie, and well, you, like soup? ~ Edward

We've been living off soup all weekend. Kit Kat wanted me to make my mother's famous potato soup. Sadly, I'm coming up short. ~ Bella

It's a good thing that I can. My mom has a delicious recipe that tastes like baked potatoes. May I make soup for you and Katie? ~ Edward

Did I want my boss over at my house? Food was growing pretty scarce because I hadn't gone to the grocery store. Katie was so sick that I still didn't want her to stay with a sitter and she was too miserable to go out. Hell, trying to get her to the doctor was hellacious. There had been a lot of crying and throwing of stuffed animals. I had to resort to bribery. Once we got home, Katie would get to have ice cream for lunch and an hour of screen time.

I sucked as a parent.

Katie and I would like that. The pantry is a little barren … Here's my address … I tapped out my address, along with a few options for parking. Usually, there were very few spots on the street.

I'll be over around six, Bella. Call me if anything changes. ~ Edward

The door opened and Katie came back into the examination room with the initial nurse who'd checked us in. My sister clambered in my lap, snuggling close to me. "You okay, Kit Kat?" My sister whimpered, idly playing with my hair.

"She did awesome," the nurse smiled. "Dr. Volturi is looking at the films and preparing the strep test. He'll be back in a few moments."

"Thank you," I said, rubbing Katie's back. She coughed as she snuggled to me. The door clicked closed. "You're being such a brave girl, Kit Kat."

"I miss Mommy," she muttered, her voice so scratchy.

"I know, Kit Kat," I frowned. "We're going to figure out what's wrong with you soon. As soon as we know, we'll get you on the right medicine. You'll feel better soon. In fact, I talked to Edward. He's bringing over some soup. Do you remember him? You used his tie as a Kleenex."

"Is he bringing Sammy?" Katie asked.

"I could ask," I said.

There was a quiet knock and Dr. Volturi walked in. He had some supplies in his hands. Katie eyed him dubiously, trying not to cough. "We're almost done, sweet girl," he chuckled. "Just a rapid strep test."

"Do I need a shot?" she asked.

"No shot," Dr. Volturi replied. "I just need to run this cotton swab in the back of your throat."

"Can Bella hold me?" she whimpered.

"Yes, Miss Katie," he answered sweetly.

Katie slowly turned around, her legs dangling on either side of mine. I kissed her temple as Dr. Volturi sat down on a rolling stool. He explained what he was doing in a soft, calm voice. Katie did cough when he took the swab. She started crying, clinging to me. "Is she okay?" I asked, scratching her back.

"Her throat is obviously raw," Dr. Volturi explained. "I don't think she has strep, but I'd rather be sure." He put the cotton swab into some plastic tubule. "This will be ready in a few moments."

"So, what's wrong with her?" I questioned. "I mean, she's been miserable. Not necessarily with a cold. I don't know … I'm not a doctor."

"Tell me her symptoms again," Dr. Volturi commanded.

"It started with the sniffles, but I think that has more to do with allergies," I shrugged. "I'm also sniffly, but nothing else. It also gets better with allergy medication. Katie, too … her sniffles dissipate with allergy medication. The biggest concern is the temperature, deep cough and raspy voice."

"Well, according to her x-ray," he said, pulling up the image on his tablet, "it looks like she has a mild case of bronchitis."

"Mild?" I growled. "She's been miserable for almost a week!"

"She's been miserable because she needs antibiotics," Dr. Volturi explained. He blinked to the cotton swab. "She's clear of strep. So, here's my plan. Is Katie allergic to penicillin?"

"No. She's allergic to airborne stuff, dust, mold, pollen," I answered.

"I'm going to prescribe amoxicillin to kick out the bronchitis. I'm also going to give you some prescription strength cough suppressant and an inhaled steroid. It's a puffer," he said. "I've already sent down the prescriptions down to the pharmacy downstairs."

"A puffer?" I asked.

"An inhaler," Dr. Volturi said. "It might take a day or two for her to start feeling better, but this infection will be knocked out in a week. She may have a residual cough, but you will have at least two refills of the cough suppressant."

"Does the medicine taste icky?" Katie frowned. "Am I going to have a shot?"

"First off, you will not have to have a shot. I hate needles. I've also been told that they can make the cough medicine taste like anything," he grinned. "What would you like?"

"Grape," she answered. "What about the other stuff?"

"The antibiotic, I've been told, tastes like bubble gum and the puffer doesn't really have a taste," he chuckled. Looking up at me, he gave me a soft grin. "If her symptoms continue, or get worse, please call my office. If they become more acute, bring her directly to the hospital. I'm on staff at Northwestern." He handed me a card. "I don't give this out to many, but I want you to have it. This is my personal cell phone number."

"Dr. Volturi, thank you," I breathed. "I won't abuse this. I'm just floundering. I love children … I adore my sister. Being a single parent is …"

"I get it, Bella," he smiled. "Your prescriptions should be ready. Take this sweet girl back home and get some rest. I don't want to see you back here with the same symptoms."

"This is a pediatrician's office," I snickered.

"My specialty is children, but I can help you, too," he said, holding out his hand. I shook it. "Feel better, sweet girl."

"Can I get a sucker? Dr. Banner gave me suckers," Katie mumbled, scrambling off my lap.

"Her doctor in Forks," I explained, standing up and putting my purse over my shoulder. "Should I call him for her records?"

"We can do that for you. You just need to sign a medical release form with Annie at the front desk," Dr. Volturi nodded, reaching into his pocket and holding out three options of suckers. "Pick one."

Katie plucked a grape sucker from his options, unwrapping it eagerly. She popped it into her mouth. "Fank oo," she smiled around her treat.

"You're welcome, Katie. Feel better," he grinned. She nodded, waving at him and tugging on my hand. Kit Kat was ready to go home.

We left the office, stopping at the front desk to pay for our visit and to sign the paperwork for Katie's medical records. We rode down to the main level of the medical building, stopping at the pharmacy. As Dr. Volturi said, the prescriptions were ready and waiting for us. I paid for them and we left the medical building.

When we got back to the house, I read the instructions for Katie's medication and gave her the first dose. She was dead on her feet. I tucked her into her bed, after I helped her back into pajamas. "Don't forget, Bella. Ask Mr. Edward about bringing over Sammy," she said sleepily.

"Thank you for reminding me, Kit Kat," I murmured, kissing her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Bella," she yawned, curling up into a tiny ball.

I left her room, walking back down to the family room. I wrinkled my nose. It looked like a tornado hit, but tending to my sister didn't really lend itself to promote cleaning. I sat down on the couch, pulling out my cell phone. I had a few hours before Edward would come over. With a sigh, I sent him a text.

Kit Kat requested that you bring Sam. Is that possible? ~ Bella

I'll be happy, too. How is she? ~ Edward

Bronchitis … Dr. Volturi gave her some medication. We'll see how she feels in a couple of days. It means more telecommuting. I'm sorry. ~ Bella

Focus on your sister, Bella. I'll see you in a couple of hours. ~ Edward

I put my phone on the table, huffing out a breath. I looked around and I knew I needed to clean up. "It isn't going to magically clean up itself, Bella," I muttered to myself. "Get off your ass."

I focused my attention on the family room, office, kitchen and guest bathroom. When I was done cleaning, I checked on Katie. She was sleeping deeply and her face was relaxed for the first time since she came home sick with the sniffles. I took a quick shower, putting on a pair of jeans and a warm sweater. The weather had taken a turn for worse since we'd gotten home. It was raining and miserable.

I did some work, sending off designs to Alice and Emmett for one of our newer contracts. I also checked in with Victoria and Laurent, asking if she was happy with the new plans we'd laid out a couple days ago. I woke up Katie around five. Her fever had gone down and she was kind grumpy. I washed her face, dressing her in clean pajamas. "Bath tomorrow, Kit Kat," I said, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

"Is Mr. Edward here?" she asked.

"Not yet. But, I wanted to get you up because you're so grumpy," I said, picking her up and kissing her temple.

"I'm not," she argued, putting her head on my shoulder. I carried her downstairs and settled her on the couch. "Can I watch a movie?"

"Which one?" I asked. Not Frozen … anything but Frozen.

"Um, Frozen II," she answered, pressing her cheek to the pillow.

Damn it. If I hear that one song ONE MORE TIME, I'm going to pull out my hair. "Okay, Kit Kat," I sighed, pulling it up.

"You don't like this movie?" Katie asked.

"I liked it. The first time I watched it, Katie," I deadpanned. "We've watched about ninety-eight times since then."

"So?" she sassed, arching a brow and looking so much like our mother.

"You do you, Kit Kat," I snickered. She grinned, watching the beginning of the movie. I sat with her until the doorbell rang. I got up, walking to the door. Edward stood on the front step, holding a very wiggly Sam. "Hello! Thank you for coming over."

"Can you take him? I've got some stuff in my car and I'm double parked," he said, handing me the leash.

I nodded, stepping back and guiding Sam into the house. Katie saw him and she squealed. Well, squealed as best she could with her sore throat. Sam tugged on his leash and I was dragged into the family room. I took him off his lead. He jumped onto the couch, kissing Katie's cheeks. She pet him eagerly, giggling at his reaction at seeing her. Edward walked into the house; his arms full of groceries. "Sam! You know better! Get off the couch!" he chided.

Sam barked at him, hopping down and sitting next to Katie. His tongue lolled out and his tail thumped on the floor.

"I'll take care of any cleaning," he frowned.

"It's okay," I said, waving my hand. "Did you buy us groceries?"

"I did," he answered, his ears turning a slight pink. "You said that your pantry was a little empty. So, I picked up a few things."

"Um, thank you, Edward," I answered quietly. "Let me help you."

"I've got it," he chuckled. "It's perfectly balanced and if I tried to pass it off to you, something will inevitably fall. Where's the kitchen?" I gestured to the rear of my brownstone. "Sam, stay on the floor. No couch."

"Can't he cuddle with me, Mr. Edward?" Katie asked.

"Katie," I sighed. "If you want to cuddle with Sam, sit on the floor with him."

"Okay," she huffed.

In the kitchen, Edward placed the bags on the island. "She's got some sass," he said.

"You don't know the worst of it," I snorted, watching him unload the bags. "Are there any groceries left at the store?"

"I didn't know what you liked," he replied, giving me a tiny smile. He pulled out a large plastic container. "This is the potato soup. It does need to be warmed up. I'm going to park the car and I'll be right back."

"Thank you," I said, taking it from him. I pulled out a sauce pan, pouring the soup into it and turning on the stove. About ten minutes later, he came back inside. I was stirring the soup and it looked and smelled like something you'd see at a restaurant. "Did you make this?"

"This weekend," he replied. "I like soups. My mom gave me her recipes and I cook on the weekends, if I'm not working. So, I had that in my fridge."

"It smells delicious," I grinned. "Do you want something to drink? I have milk, orange juice, soda, a bottle of wine and some beer."

"I'll save the milk and orange juice for Katie. What kind of beer do you have?" he asked.

"Corona, Stella and Heineken," I answered.

"Stella sounds great," he replied. I went to the fridge, grabbing two beers for us and pouring some orange juice into a sippy cup for Katie. "Did you renovate this place? This is a great kitchen."

"No. I found this place on Redfin. When my parents died, I used part of their life insurance policy to purchase this place," I explained. "Most of the furniture is new. I'd lived in apartments with hand-me-down furnishings and my parents' style wasn't my thing."

"How so?" he asked, folding the bags.

I handed him a beer and I began to put the groceries away. "My mother was very frilly. A lot of flowers, lace and frou-frou. I loved my mom, but her design aesthetic left much to be desired," I snorted. I pulled out my phone and showed him one of the last photos I'd taken with my mother. "See?"

"It looks you like modern, contemporary lines. But, wow … that is a floral nightmare," Edward laughed, taking my phone. "You look exactly like your mom."

"We could have passed as twins, but she had blue eyes, like Katie," I shrugged. "I have my father's coloring."

"Is this him?" Edward asked, showing me a photo of Phil.

"He's my step-father," I explained. "My dad died when I was about Katie's age, maybe a little younger." He handed me back my phone. I was still confused by him. He was still being nice. I didn't know what to make of him. "Are you possessed?"

"What?" he asked, arching a brow. "That came out of nowhere."

"Since that day … the one with the meeting …" I said.

"Where I made you cry," he frowned. "I am sorry for doing that, Bella."

"I appreciate the apology and your willingness to be flexible with my schedule," I rushed out. "But, you were a virtual ghost for the past couple of months and when I see you again, you're taking care of my sister. You gave me your cell phone number. You made arrangements for me to see the top pediatrician in Chicago. You bought me groceries! I'm confused. You go from this complete asshole to a saint? I'm sorry … I shouldn't have said that. You're still my boss."

He looked at me, his green eyes searching mine. I was waiting for the explosion and for him to tell me that I was fired. He moved his hand from his beer, sliding it to mine. His fingers were cold, but his hand was soft. "You have every right to be wary, Bella," he said quietly. "I was an asshole to you."

"But, what happened? It's like you've been replaced by a pod person," I snorted. "I like this friendlier version of you. It was the man I met in the park."

He ran his thumb across my knuckles, keeping his eyes on mine. "Let's just say that I'm familiar with what you're dealing with, Bella," he sighed. "I'm a mess, to be honest."

"Is everything okay? I'm a pretty good listener," I shrugged.

"It's a long story," he replied, but not really expanding on what he said. "For now, I want to share my mom's baked potato soup and spend time with you and Katie."

"Do you do this for all your employees?" I smirked.

"Only ones that I make cry," he retorted, sipping his beer. "As an apology."

"You've already apologized," I argued.

"Not enough," he whispered.

"I've forgiven you, Edward," I whispered back.

"It'll take some time for me to forgive myself," he answered honestly. "Why don't you sit down with Katie? I'll watch over the soup. Plus, I need to make some bacon. It enhances the flavors."

"I can help," I argued.

"Go, sit, let me do this," he said, handing me my beer, turning me around and guiding me to the family room. "Twenty minutes and then dinner will be ready."

"I was hoping that I didn't have to watch Frozen for the eleventy billionth time," I grumbled. He laughed, guiding me to the family room. Thankfully, Katie was more excited about seeing Sam. They were playing on the floor and the television was still paused. I turned it off, sitting on the couch. Sam ambled over, plopping a toy in my lap. I pet his head and he quietly barked.

"Can we please get a dog?" Katie pleaded, climbing into my lap.

"Maybe, we can just play with Sam. Having a dog is a big responsibility, Kit Kat. I can tell you that I'm not ready. You're also too little."

"Am not," Katie grumbled. "I can take care of Sam."

"Sam weighs the same as you, Kit Kat. Stop asking for a dog. Please?" I asked.

"Mommy and Daddy would have gotten me a dog," she snapped. She started wriggle off my lap. I stopped her. "Bella! They would have!"

"Katherine Marie Dwyer, you need to stop acting like a brat. Yes, you are sick. Yes, we're navigating the loss of our parents, but that doesn't mean you get to be disrespectful to me or to Mr. Edward. You can go to bed if you keep this up," I growled. "I know, for a fact, that they wouldn't get you a dog. Dad was allergic."

"No, he wasn't," Katie hissed.

"Yes, he was. When I was a teenager, I brought home a stray. He was hovering behind one of those garbage cans near the high school. I coaxed him out with some food and brought him to the house. He was ugly, but sweet. I wanted to keep him, but Dad's face got swollen and he couldn't breathe," I explained. "We had to have the dog removed and we stayed at a hotel while the house was scoured." I knew rationalizing with her was pointless. She would beg for a dog until she found the next thing she wanted, or think she wanted.

Edward poked his head out of the kitchen. "Dinner's ready," he said with a shy smile. He must have noticed Katie's pout. "Is everything okay?"

"Katie is just acting like a four-year-old," I said.

"I'm almost five, Bella," she argued.

"Going on fourteen," I deadpanned. "You're tired and cranky, Kit Kat. Dinner and then bed."

"Bella," she whined.

"You're still getting over bronchitis," I explained, standing up and walking my sister into the kitchen. The island was set with three bowls of steaming soup. There was also smaller bowls of chopped bacon, cheese, green onions and sour cream. In a basket, there was some crusty bread. "Wow … Edward, this smells delicious."

"I also have a salad in the fridge," he said.

"Thank you so much," I grinned, helping Katie to sit at the counter. She rubbed her hands together, reminding of Phil when he dug into my mom's famous lasagna. "What do you want on your soup, Kit Kat?"

"Everything," she grinned. I snorted, covering her pajamas with a napkin before loading up her bowl of soup with everything. I also grabbed her orange juice sippy cup. "Can I have a piece of bread?" Edward handed her a piece, sitting down next to me. She ripped off a chunk and dipped it into the soup. She grinned when she tasted it. "This is better than Mom's soup, Bella."

"I can bet," I chuckled, adding the toppings. "Can I get the recipe?"

"Of course, but I don't mind cooking," he replied. "I like to do it. Cooking for one is tough."

"I lived with roommates while I was getting my degree and masters. I did most of the cooking," I said. "But, I lived in a house with four girls and a two guys."

"Boyfriend?" Edward asked, his cheeks turning a soft pink.

"The two guys were dating. They felt more comfortable with us because their last apartment … they were practically thrown out because of their sexual preference," I frowned. "We accepted and loved them, no matter what. In fact, we all wanted the relationship that they shared. They were perfect for each other."

"What made you decide to have that many roommates?"

"It was cheaper to find a home for rent near campus," I explained. "Eric and Tyler, the two guys, they lived in the master bedroom and they paid the most in rent. They also had full-time jobs. The remaining bedrooms were divided among the rest of us. For the first couple of years, I lived this girl, Angela. We got along great. When she got engaged, I had my room to myself until I got the phone call about my parents. Then, I moved home and stayed there until we made the choice to move to Chicago."

"So, you lived with seven other people for how long?" he chuckled.

"My senior of college until I completed my master's program. So, about five years," I answered. "I worked for a year to save some money, deferring enrollment in my graduate degree. I also worked during my time in graduate school, only attending part time. I was determined to not have student loans."

"Did your determination pay off?" he asked.

"It did," I smirked.

"Cheers," Edward smiled, holding up his beer. I giggled, clinking my bottle with his.

"Mr. Edward, is this the only soup you can make?" Katie asked, her voice sounding clearer.

"I'm good at following recipes," he replied. "Most of what I make, my mom taught me."

"What does your Mommy look like? Is she nice?" Katie chirped.

He pulled out his cell phone and found a picture. "This is a picture of me and my parents at a recent event."

He handed me his phone. I looked at the picture. His parents were elegantly dressed and were obviously proud of their son. However, it was clear that Edward did not share any traits from his parents. His father was tall and similarly built to Edward, but his facial structure was totally different. His mother was tiny, barely coming up to Edward's shoulder. I handed the phone to Katie. "Be careful, Kit Kat."

"You're Mommy is tiny like Bella," Katie giggled.

"She is petite," Edward chuckled. "But, what she lacks in height, she makes up for with her sass. Like you, little one."

"I'm not sassy," Katie argued.

"Yes, you are," both Edward and I countered. We both laughed. But, Edward's face flamed. Katie scowled, giving me the phone. I passed it off to Edward, who slid it into his pocket. "Do you want some salad, Kit Kat?" I asked.

"Not really," she answered, pushing her bowl back. "I'm tired."

"Well, it's time for your medicine and then it's bedtime," I smiled, brushing her messy curls back. Katie was clearly sleepy. She nodded without any argument. I gave her the medication. "I'll be right back, Edward."

"Take your time, Bella," he said.

I held out my hand to Katie and she took it. However, her eyes were drooping. I lifted her into my arms and carried her up the stairs. Sam followed us. "You watching over your new friend, Sam?" I asked as I tucked Katie into bed. He quietly barked, putting his head next to Katie's hand. She smiled sleepily, petting his nose. He gave her a few doggy kisses until her fingers stopped moving. "Come on, pup. Your dad is waiting for you."

Sam seemed to huff, but he followed me out of Katie's room. I left the door open, walking down to the kitchen. A pristine, sparkling kitchen. "You didn't need to do the dishes, Edward," I frowned.

"It was fine," he said, grinning crookedly. "I put the leftovers into a container. You should have enough for another meal."

"I appreciate this," I said. I closed my eyes, feeling tears gather behind my lids. "It's been really tough and …"

He stopped and he walked over to me. His arms tentatively slid around me. I felt so comforted by his awkward hug. Other than Katie, I really didn't have anybody. The only person I kept in touch with from my roommates was Angela and her husband, Ben. Eric and Tyler, they sent a sympathy card, but they weren't as close to me as Angela. I melted against his warm body, gripping his sweater. "I'm so sorry, Bella," he whispered against my hair. He said something else, but it was muffled. He tightened his hold before releasing me. He wiped a tear from my cheek away. "You have my number. I mean it when I say that you should use it. Any time."

I nodded, giving him a watery smile. "I'm not sure if I'll be back this week. I can't send Katie back to daycare or preschool until she's been fever-free for twenty-four hours," I explained.

"Telecommute until she's better. I meant it when I said for you to focus on your sister," he said.

"Do you want some of the soup? You did all the hard work," I sniffled.

"I have some in my freezer. So, if you want more, I'm more than willing to bring it over," he answered. "I've got a meeting tomorrow morning." A shadow ghosted over his features. "I hope Katie is feeling better soon, Bella." He reached into one of the bags and produced a stuffed dog. "It's not the same as Sam, but this could work for the time being."

"She'll love it," I giggled. I looked up at him and his face relaxed into a brilliant smile. His eyes were swirling with soft emotions and he looked happy. And, really freaking handsome. "Thank you."

"Anytime," he breathed, giving me another hug. His fingers traced my jaw and he stepped back. "I'll see you when you get back to the office, Bella." With another tender, crooked grin, he called for Sam. He attached the leash to his dog. It looked like Edward wanted to say more, but he ducked out of the house.

Edward Cullen is one handsome man, but he confuses the fuck out of me.

A/N: I wanted to get further along in this chapter, but unless I'd alternate POVs in the chapter, it wouldn't work. So, it's slightly shorter than I would like, but Katie's on the mend. We are also seeing some sparks between Bella and CEOWard.

Also, in case you're wondering … Bella is 28 (just recently celebrating her birthday) and Edward is 35. She graduated from college at 22, took a year off to work and completed her master's program, attending classes part-time. She completed her master's at the age of 26, with her parents dying shortly after her graduation.

Anyway, pictures from this chapter, ALONG with the recipe for Edward's baked potato soup, are on my blog. You can access that through a link in my profile. . I suggest you follow me on blogspot since Facebook won't let me post teasers that way. Something about spam. Really? Whatever … I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79.

Up next, we'll hear from Edward. We'll hear his thoughts regarding the night he spent with Bella and Katie. I promise you; I will not rehash it. We'll also hear about his meeting in the morning and jump forward in time (it's early October at the time of this chapter). Perhaps, we'll have some Halloween hijinks and some MAC team building.

Damn, this author's note is nearly as long as the chapter. Leave me some and thank you for reading. You are awesome!

One MORE thing … some of you may be aware … one of our own has been stricken by COVID-19. Carey Anne Williams is on the mend, but the recovery is slow. Not to mention, costly. A number of us authors are donating our time for a Zoom conference call. If you donate $5 to Carey Anne's GoFundMe, you can meet with any number of authors. If you'd like to specifically to talk to me, my Zoom call is scheduled for August 22nd at 3pm CST. I will include information about the Zoom call in the blog post with this update. I'm still working on the logistics of what we're doing, but I'm open to suggestions …

So far, I've got name that tune, Twilight trivia, a chapter read-aloud, alternative ending for any of my fics and just time for questions and answers. I'm a teacher. I have to have a plan. Anyway … one thing I am certain of is that for each person that participates, I will be donating $5 to Carey Anne's GoFundMe. I'm in a place where I can help pay it forward … I hope you can do the same for Carey Anne.

I look forward to 'meeting' you all soon!