I've currently taken a bit of a hiatus from my works as you can tell. I've been working on a novel and am currently in the process of editing and seeking being published. Also, junior year is a bit hectic, but do not fear, I'll eventually return to the comfort of fanfiction and my lovely readers. I'm also hoping to squeeze in some one-shots and a few updates if ever I should stumble upon some spare time. I won't abandon you all forever. Follow my new fanfiction tumblr for the latest news and updates www (dot) 911turbowriter (dot) tumblr (dot) com Happy reading!

After the rain has fallen,
After the tears have washed your eyes.
You'll find that I've taken nothing, that
Love can't be replaced in the blink of an eye.

-After The Rain Falls, Sting

After taking a short shopping break to get some coffees and a donut for Emmett, we were headed to the jewelry store to go pick up the wedding rings. Emmett was getting impatient as the woman behind the counter gushed on and on about how beautiful the ring set was.

"I don't mean to be rude." He huffed, "But we have a few stops to make today, so if you could just hand over the rings, that'd be great."

The woman nodded and rushed to the back. Jasper tried to console Emmett, and I used that opportunity to look around the store at some rings myself. I walked over to the far counter of engagement rings and browsed them. They were all so flashy and ostentatious. I could pick out several rings that would look fine on Rosalie's hand as she flaunted it to all of her friends and babbled about how Emmett had proposed. Or even on Alice's petite finger as she twisted it while thinking about her years with Jasper. But none of them were Bella. Bella wasn't much for attention or gifts, and I couldn't picture myself slipping any of these onto her finger, but I knew that I wanted to propose to her, and soon.

I made my way back over to the counter where Jasper and Emmett were now standing, examining the rings.

"You should get something engraved in hers." Jasper suggested, "It would really mean a lot to Rose."

"It's a good idea." I added, "Especially since she picked them out and saw them, she won't be expecting it. Alice will be holding on to them until the wedding anyway."

Emmett agreed that it was a good idea and he went to speak with the woman he'd blown off before about engraving Rosalie's ring.

Jasper frowned at me for a moment.

"Are you okay, Edward?" he finally asked

"Just a bit stressed." I breathed, pinching the bridge of my nose

"You've had a rough week." Jasper chuckled, "Your intern is convinced that you're practically married and you punched your girlfriend in the face. Not to mention you didn't trust your own best friend and brother-in-law. It's quite the load to handle."

I sighed. "I am sorry about all of that, Jasper. You know that I love you like my own brother and trust you, but Alice will always come first. I've got to look after her. I mean, surely you can understand after you tried to tackle Emmett when you found out that he was dating Rosalie."

"I know you're sorry, and of course I understand. What else is on your mind?"

"Bella."

Jasper smirked.

"Knock it off." I laughed, punching him lightly on the shoulder

"It's just that Alice was trying to get your mind away from her. Like give the two of you a break to see if you really wanted to be with each other. You've been moving awfully fast."

"I know." I groaned, "I've just had feelings for her for such a long time. I know that she feels the same way about me. Hell, even Jake approves of us being together. I don't want to scare her off though."

"I'm sure the girls are trying to get Bella to stop thinking of you, right now. Just let Alice and Rosalie have their way and see that you two don't need time apart. I know you were looking at rings for her, Edward."

"I was." I admitted, "But none of them are her. I was thinking my grandmother's ring."

"And that's your problem right there, son." Jasper laughed, "Here we are focused on Rose and Em's wedding and you're mapping out your future with Bella. Just relax for a second. That's all Rose and Alice are trying to get you to do."

I nodded. "Thanks, Jasper."

"Don't sweat it." He said, before checking his watch, "Shoot. We've got to head to the bakery to meet Alice."

"Emmett." I called, and he whipped around. I motioned to him that we had to get going. He jogged over to us.

"What'd you write?" I asked

"You guys won't understand." He grinned, "But it's good."

We headed over to the bakery where I was told to stay in the car like some damn dog. I watched through the window as Emmett walked up behind Rose and wrapped his arms around her before giving her a kiss on the forehead. Alice danced over to Jasper and reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips. I watched her laugh as Jasper rubbed her stomach and whispered to it. Finally, Jasper waved his goodbye and came back to the car.

"Where do our orders take us next?"

"Nowhere. Where would you like to go?'

"Home." I sighed

"My place or yours?" he asked, but then he paused

"What now?" I asked

"I'll have to take you back to your place. I'm sure after Rose and Em are done with the tasting, Alice will bring everyone back to the house, which includes Bella."

"Then my place, I guess." I sighed, "I'd like to get some sleep anyway. Keep an eye on Bella for me, okay?"

"Of course."

Back at my place, sat at my computer looking at the x-rays I'd gotten while trying to stimulate the surgery on a piece of fruit, but I couldn't concentrate. After what seemed like forever, I let my hand hover over my phone as I hesitated. I wanted to call Bella, but that probably wasn't allowed. Maybe I should call-

The phone rang and I picked up.

"Edward Cullen."

"It's Alice."

I sighed. Of course it was. She always knew when I was about to call her.

"I'm still convinced you're psychic."

She giggled.

"I was just about to call you. How'd the cake tasting go?"

"Good. They're wedding's going to be beautiful! How are you holding up?"

"Not well, Alice. Thanks to you, I've only been thinking about Bella more."

"Well, same here. Our plan was pointless. You can do whatever you please, now. Just give her some space today maybe. I know she misses you, it was Edward this and Edward that, but you really scared her the other day."

"I know I did. I scared myself. I just couldn't bear to see you get hurt. I acted impulsively, you know that. When you thought you'd lost Jasper, I couldn't look at you. I didn't want you to feel that way again. And when I saw him with Maria, I jumped to conclusions. I just wanted to kill him for hurting you and the baby that way."

I could picture her nodding.

"I'll give Bella space today, but Alice, you wanted us to be together. Now that we are, stop scheming." I laughed

"I know, I know. I should be focusing on the wedding, and Jasper and Jay anyway."

"You're off your feet soon anyway." I smirked

"I know. I'm just trying to get everything done ahead of time. I'm going to shoot myself staying in bed and doing nothing all day."

"It'll be quite the show for someone as hyper as you."

"Don't remind me." She sighed, "I sent everyone home, but Bella's spending the night. Emmett and Rose wanted to be alone. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Edward. I love you."

"Love you too, Alice."

I hung up the phone and sighed. My sister was just trying to help me and Bella by making sure that this relationship was what both of us really wanted. But I understood that we were moving quickly. It had taken months of Jake's convincing before Bella moved in with him, and we'd decided to do it immediately. Maybe we did have to slow down the pace.

I reached for the phone again, to call my mother. I wanted to ask for my grandmother's ring. I wouldn't propose now or for a while, but I wanted it to be mine for Bella just in case. I would try to take things slower with her. I didn't want to lose her. There were plenty of celebrations happening anyway. Alice and Jasper had their baby, and Rosalie and Emmett had their wedding. We'd wait for our moment in the spotlight.