What would happen if Alice never had her vision and Edward never came back? This is the story of Bella's life seven years after the Cullen's notorious move.
(BPOV)
The sun was just beginning to rise as I turned onto the long stretch of driveway that led to the familiar white house. I had made it a point the last couple of years to come visit this hollow place on the rare sunny days in Forks because for some unknown reason, whenever the bright light of the sun hit the large windows of the house, I felt whole. Because even though I had learned to cope with the great loss in my life, I still had this ache of something missing.
I sat down on the wide front steps, next to the large metal box and pulled out the small white envelope that was in my jacket pocket. I unlocked the box and placed the envelope on the ever-growing pile of letters that sat within. It wasn't a question of whether these letters would ever receive a response because I knew that the person that they were meant for would never acknowledge my attempts to keep him informed of my life but it brought comfort to me to know that I was at least trying to keep him in my life any way I could.
I wasn't sure how long I sat on those stairs and just stared off into the horizon, thinking that no matter where they were in the world they were seeing the exact same thing. The vibration of my phone jerked me back to reality, and I didn't even need to look at my phone to know who it was. Charlie.
"Hey dad. Yes, I'm fine, I just had a few things to get out of the way this morning. Its nothing to worry about, I will be home in twenty minutes so don't start the fun without me. Love you to dad." I clicked the phone shut and took a deep breath; I looked around once more at the beauty of the forest and the peaceful silence that accompanied it until the next sunny day when I would visit the Cullen's home. I walked slowly to my truck and glanced back one more time at the house when I noticed the lock on the box swinging lightly back and forth in the still air. I opened the door and slid into my truck and as I started the engine I whispered, knowing that I would still be heard, "Goodbye Edward." as I threw the car in reverse and headed home.
-----(EPOV)
She was even more beautiful than I remembered. She looked more mature and confident but yet still the same. She was still my lovely Bella. This wasn't the first time that I had seen her since my departure, but I was still stunned by her beautiful smile and big brown eyes.
As she sat down in the old stairs I wanted nothing more than to sit down next to her and never let her go again but as much as I deeply desired to hold her I knew it would only bring back more pain for the both of us. She seemed to be going about her life rather normally now, according to her letters, which I read time and time again, she had come to realize that I had loved her but just because I left doesn't mean the world ends. I was happy for her but it broke my heart to read her thoughts. Bella had gone to college and became a high school science teacher; she still lives with Charlie because after his heart surgery he needed someone there to help him around the house. She seemed to be okay now, she smiled again; she laughed more; but most importantly she learned to live again.
I watched her stare at the glowing sun and how the light danced on her face, until I heard Charlie's panicked voice on the phone.
"Bella! Bella, are you okay? Where in god's name are you? I woke up this morning and you were gone. Alright…okay, I love you Bells." It was nice to hear her sweet voice again as she tried to calm Charlie out of his panic. Bella got up and made her way to the old truck, that I had tried to get her to sell countless times for a more modern car, and I took this opportunity to run and pull the new letter from the box before returning to the safety of the shadows. I noticed that she had paused before opening the door and over the loud roar of the engine I heard the soft words escape from her mouth, "Goodbye Edward." I wasn't surprised that she had noticed my presence she was always so observant of my movements and as she pulled out of the drive way I whispered a goodbye back before opening the envelope. I pulled out a small card and as I read the fine script words my hands began to shake and my chest felt like it was being torn apart.
'You are invited to the wedding of Jacob Black and Isabella Swan . . .'
The letter fell from my trembling hands and my knees hit the ground. I had known that it was over between us and that she had moved on but this was so final. Bella was finally shutting the door to us and opening a new one, a new one that involved Jacob Black. I picked up the invitation and noticed something scrawled on the back in Bella's messy handwriting. The words shocked me, shattering my heart once more.
'There will still always be a place in my heart for you. I will love you always Edward. ---Bella'
I placed the card and envelope back into the box and started to run towards a place I hadn't been in nearly seven years. Standing on the edge of the woods I could see people setting up chairs and tables. I took a seat on the cold, hard ground and waited for the service to begin. After all hadn't I been invited?