Colliding.

Hi! This is a Christmas story that's been lurking on my computer for a few years. I never finish it on time and the poor thing has to wait for another year. So, now I'm giving this one a chance. It's already written, but I'm still tweaking with some things as I'm dividing it into chapters. I'll be posting between today and tomorrow, to finish on Sunday. Meanwhile, I'll be posting the chapters from my other stories as I'll be on a little vacation time for next week.

This is a bit different from the usual Christmas story. The beginning is sad, and yeah, there's a death (not Bella or Edward). But I promise you, there's a HEA. There's mention of heaven, limbo, hell, angels and little devils. I hope to not offend anyone.


Thursday, November 10th.

Volturi Inc. Seattle's office. At the intern's farewell party...

"I told you, he's nothing. A nuisance." Bella pleaded.

"A nuisance that sent me a text... from your phone." Edward stopped and got his cell out of his pocket. "Let's see: 'I'll be late to the party. Mrs. Cope brought us cake.' So excuse me if I'm angry. Tell me, did the both of you laugh when you wrote it?" He said glaring at her.

Bella gasped. "How could you think I would... You, you don't trust me?"

"I always trusted you, yet, I came to find you dancing happily in his arms. Meanwhile, we were supposed to arrive together, so tell me why didn't you wait for me?"

"I... I..."

"You forgot!"

"No! It wasn't like that!" She was on the verge of tears. Who could he misconstrue an innocent gesture? Suddenly, she remembered something. There was a reason why she didn't go for him immediately. "I got an envelope." She said while Edward stood still glaring. "From the LA office."

Now it was Edward's turn to pale.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Bella pleaded.

"Because it wasn't important." He shrugged his shoulders.

"You receive the job offer of your dreams and think that it isn't important?"

"It isn't important because I rejected it. I'm not going."

Bella gasped. "But your worked your ass for that offer!"

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters, it's about your future."

Edward answered her with an exasperated smile. "My future? I always thought it was about OUR future. But I'm beginning to see, that maybe it's JUST MY future, right?"

The shouting match that followed gained the attention of their coworkers, but soon they were forgotten when Mr. Volturi, the CEO, went to the stage to say a few heartfelt words to the young crowd.

Well, a few eyes were still staring, with smug smiles.

"You didn't tell me! We're a team!" Bella cried in despair. "And you don't trust me anymore." The last part came as a whisper.

"I never doubted you... until now." Edward was making an effort to conceal his tears. "Here, take your phone. It fell from Michael's jacket." He put it on Bella's hand, still trying to linger for a few more seconds. It was the last time he would touch her.

Bella was crying, untying her necklace, the ultimate proof of their love. "Here, I think you should take it back." He took it, wishing he could turn back time, but what for? She was giving up on them.

"So, this is it."

"Yes."

"I wish you the best, Bella." He turned around fast and walked without giving her a second glance. Tears were spilling and sobs were threatening to come. If he could hold them just until he find a bathroom...

Bella didn't have the courage to watch him leave. She turned to the other side and ran to the exit. she was so glad it was her car the one they drove to work today.

xxx

Buffalo, somewhere around the highway.

Same night.

"Are you sure you don't like it? I mean, everybody loves chocolate!" The young chirpy blond argued. She couldn't believe how someone wasn't excited for a free bag of candy.

On the driver's seat, Leah was regretting her offer for a ride. See, Leah loved to drive on the highway. Being one with your car and the road... it always managed to bring peace to her saddened heart and the almost forty minute commute between work and her home always left her relaxed. But when she saw Leslie, her young coworker sad because her car broke and she found herself alone and drowning in the heavy rain, she offered a lift without a doubt. Leslie's home was only a couple of blocks down Leah's home, so it really wouldn't inconvenience her. That's it until she found out Leslie loooves to talk. Meaningless chatter filled the voids of silence and Leah found herself wanting to bang her head to the steering wheel.

"Anyway, what are your plans for Thanksgiving? I mean, you can come home with me. My mother would love to have you. She makes this wonderful stuffing and my big sister bring lots and lots of pies because we all have a sweet tooth. And I have the cutest niece, she's an angel. You'll see." Leslie said with one breath, eager to make Leah smile. She seemed so lonely and sad.

"Hmm, well, I was thinking to go back to my hometown. To visit my mother." Leah answered, trying to conceal her nostalgia. She had a big fight twenty years ago and left Forks without a second glance. The only form of communication she shared with her mother were the yearly holiday cards they sent each other. So when her birthday passed last month with nothing coming from her mother, Leah worried. And pushing her pride to the side, she decided for once, go back home to visit. She didn't know if her mother would even greet her but she had to try. It had been twenty years after all.

"Really? And where's your hometown? We moved here from Wisconsin, because after Dad accident, Mom wanted to move closer to my sister. You know, to keep an eye and to help her. Then she married and my niece was born, so I guess we're stuck here, not that I mind because I have Ralph." Leslie got the dreamy look as soon as she mentioned her boyfriend.

Leah, tired of hearing about the never-ending list of qualities young Ralph possessed, rolled her eyes and directed her attention to the road. It was raining cats and dogs, and she wouldn't be surprised if even whales were falling from the sky if you asked her. Leslie kept droning on and on about her wonderful boyfriend, completely unaware of Leah's lack of attention.

Suddenly, a pair of lights came out of nowhere, and Leah barely managed to avoid the other car.

"Jesus! Is he crazy?" Leslie shouted. Maybe she wasn't so unaware. "I'm so glad you're so skilled and avoided him."

What Leah didn't avoid was the car behind her which lost control trying to avoid the first one. It bumped Leah's on the back, pushing her out of the highway, right into the ravine.

Leah tried to maneuver, to get the car to stop, while Leslie was screaming in fear. But the rain wasn't helping. Leah could barely see what was in front of her, only the sound of twigs and branches crashing to the car was guiding her.

Soon, the car crashed into something. Leah's head hit the steering wheel, the windshield broke and another branch got inside and hit her again.

It took her a minute to recover. She could barely feel anything below the chest.

"Uh?" Leah turned around, finding Leslie unconscious. Carefully with her left hand, she tried to open her window, to assess the damage. The view she was granted almost made her cry. Her car was about to fall to the precipice, only being held back by the branch coming through the windshield.

Desperate, she tried to pull out from the safety belt. But her hands got bloodied... sinking on her belly. Leah wanted to cry. By her side, Leslie was recovering. She had a nasty gash on the head.

"Leslie! Can you move?" Leah whispered, scared to move or shake.

"Eh?" Leslie looked at Leah.

"Hun, I need you to try to open your door. Do you hear me? I need you to leave the car." While she was pleading to Leslie, Leah was unfastening Leslie's belt. She could get out of this, maybe if Leah was lucky, bring help. Because let's face it, Leah was trapped inside the car. The fact that her hand got inside her guts and she didn't feel a thing was a clear sign that she could not get out of the car without help.

"Bu-u-ut..." Leslie finally gave a look at Leah's body. She was about to panic and Leah couldn't let it happen.

"Shh... Just open the door and get out. I'll be fine."

Leslie shook her head vigorously, and the car moved a bit...

"Leslie, I can't get out and as you can see, the car is about to fall. Do you want to help me?"

"Yes," Leslie whispered.

"Then get out fo here and bring help!" Leah shouted.

Finally, Leslie opened the door and jumped out, limping and screaming for help. Leah, she just sighed. It was just her luck. Well, if it had to be one of the two of them, Leslie had a lot to do. She was young and full of hopes for the future. Leah wasted her life and really, no one was waiting for her. It was easy to make the decision. Easier when you realized she was very hurt.

The car started to roll to the left, the branch that was supporting it was breaking.

Leah did the only thing she could... She prayed. She prayed for Leslie to find help soon and thanked God for the chance to live.


So give me your opinion :)