I watched as Bella glided out of my room. No longer fragile, no longer taking unsure steps and bumping clumsily into inanimate objects. I watched and wondered if I’d made a terrible mistake.

Then Alice skipped into the room.

“You always know when to make an entrance,” I said wryly.

“Of course, brother.“

“Well, go on and tell me. I know you must be bursting at the seams.”

“Tell you what?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled slowly. “Alice, don’t play games with me. I want to know -“

“She won’t leave you, if that’s what you’re worried about. She’s considering going to check on Charlie, but she’s afraid. She’s going to talk to Carlisle in the library now.”

I sat silent on my bed while Alice stood in front of me. We remained in this way for about a minute before I stood, too.

“I just feel so useless. She doesn’t need me anymore. She doesn’t want me anymore.”

“You’re just overreacting, Edward. As usual. Let’s not forget the nearly disastrous consequences of the last time you overreacted.”