Summary: Seven years ago, Bella Swan left Forks, Washington without so much as a second thought. After her father has a minor heart attack, she decides she must return to take care of him. But just being back in town dredges up feelings and memories Bella had so carefully been avoiding for years. And then she sees him – the very person who broke her heart and drove her from her hometown several years ago. He's back. And what's more? He's getting married.

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My apologies for the sub-par summary, I'm still trying to hone my summary-writing skills (is that a thing? I feel like it should be). I don't know what else to say. Enjoy? Good luck? Happy reading? Perhaps all three of those things. Enjoy, good luck, happy reading!

I feel the start of a new and wonderful catchphrase coming on.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot.

Can't Go Back Now: Chapter One

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The afternoon sky was grey and gloomy, the clouds layered over one another, blocking out any traces of the sun. Deep thunder echoed from above, heavy with the weight of the approaching storm. I nervously gripped the steering wheel of my car. I wished the scenery could at least be of some comfort, but the dense forest that surrounded the area only added to the claustrophobia that was slowly creeping up on me.

Just breathe, Bella, I told myself, taking a deep breath and exhaling after a few seconds.

I'd been driving in silence thus far, struggling to not let misery consume me. My car radio had been broken for quite some time now, and without the distraction of music I was left completely alone with a head full of anxious thoughts and old memories.

I hadn't visited my hometown since I left it seven years ago.

The only thing that prevented me from going over the edge was the fact that it hadn't rained yet, despite the threatening storm clouds overhead. The dry sky was comforting, since the small town of Forks, Washington, usually saw nothing but rain.

I took another deep, steadying breath, and as I exhaled, a steady torrent of rain began to fall from above. The big, fat drops of rain thudded heavily against my car.

I fumbled to turn on the windshield wipers. The sound of the rubber skidding against the glass was oddly a comforting one.

I hummed the nursery rhyme my mother used to sing to me as a little girl in an attempt to cheer myself up. Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. Little Bella wants to play. Rain, rain, go away.

It didn't help.

Frustrated I pulled over to the side of the road. I rubbed my face in my hands and took deep steadying breaths. I could do this.

I could do this.

My phone vibrated in my pocked and I jumped, startled. I fumbled to answer it; it was my father, Charlie Swan. My reason for returning to town.

My father had been the Chief of Police of Forks ever since was I born. Though I'd spent most of my life with my mother in Arizona, I had lived with Charlie in Forks all throughout high school.

After high school I moved in with my mother and her new husband in Florida, attending the University of Florida and getting my bachelors in English, specializing in Creative Writing. After graduating, I successfully managed to get one of my original works published, and I bought my own apartment.

About a week ago Charlie had a minor heart attack. Despite his claims that he was fine, I couldn't rest until I was in Forks with him. Someone had to be there to take care of him.

I flipped open my phone. "Dad?"

"Hey Bells…could you pick us up some dinner from the diner?" He asked, sounding guilty.

I laughed. "Let me guess, your home-cooked 'Welcome Back Bella' dinner didn't quite turn out as planned?"

My father was a mess in the kitchen. It was a wonder how he'd fended for himself all these years. I had luckily been blessed with adequate cooking skills, and had cooked for the both of us while I lived with him. I'd taught him a few simple recipes, but clearly he hadn't improved much.

I promised him that I would pick up some food from the diner, omitting the fact that the meal would be healthy and heart-friendly, rather than his signature burger, fries and cobbler. I was going to do all I could to prevent him from having another heart attack.

Eventually I started my car, reminding myself that my father needed me.

Realistically, I had nothing to worry about; the very thing that drove me out of town was no longer in it.

As I drove towards Forks my surroundings became more and more recognizable. I passed by a familiar grouping of trees that had fallen in an intricate way, a telltale sign that one was nearing the town. Sure enough, a couple metres ahead was the "Welcome to Forks" sign.

I drove straight into town and stopped outside of the town's most popular (and only) diner, The Lodge. There were a couple other cars in the lot, and a tiny gang of motorcyclists. A car drove into the lot just as I turned off my engine. It was a beautiful sleek black car, clearly expensive and clearly out of place; most of the people here drove out-dated, family-friendly vans. And then there were the occasional pickup trucks, semi-decent cars and motorcycles.

I myself had driven a truck while living in Forks: a big red 1953 Chevy, with bulbous caps and a rusted frame – a gift from my father after getting my license. It was one of the few things I was upset to part with when leaving Forks.

My interest piqued as the owner of the black car stepped out.

And then I froze.

I recognized that man.

But he wasn't supposed to be here. Charlie told me his family had left not long after I had. That they had all left town and never returned.

I closed my eyes tightly and counted to ten- sure that he would be gone when I opened them again, nothing but a figment of my imagination. But when I opened my eyes, there he was, grabbing his wallet from inside of the car.

My breathing ceased.

Edward was really back in town.

I remembered the last time I saw him with crystal clarity. When he'd broken my heart and left me to pick up the pieces.

Several years had passed since then, but god, he still looked the same. The sexily dishevelled bronze hair that I used to run my hands through. The intense brows and impossibly green eyes that used to burn holes in me. The chiselled jawline and incredibly soft lips that I used to kiss. There was a light layer of stubble over his jaw.

He was wearing black slacks and a white button down without a tie. He looked incredible.

But what on earth was he doing in Forks?

I laid low in my car and waited until Edward entered the diner before starting my engine and backing out of the parking lot like a madwoman. My tires squealed as I sped down the street, forgetting about the dinner I was supposed to be picking up.

When I was safely parked in Charlie's driveway, I sat back in my seat and took deep, shaky breaths.

What on God's green earth was going on? What was Edward doing back in Forks? How long had he been in town? Did Charlie know? Why hadn't he told me?

I hopped out of my car and stormed to the front door, pounding on it furiously. I needed answers. I needed answers now.

Charlie opened the door quickly. He looked well, for the most part. A few grey hairs littered the dark brown hair I had inherited from him, and he had acquired a few more stress lines, but other than that he seemed strong and healthy.

I barrelled past him into the house, stopping in the kitchen. My father closed the door and leaned in the kitchen entrance. "Well hello to you too, kiddo." He said amusedly.

I paced furiously in the kitchen, unable to respond.

"Bells, are you alright?" Charlie asked, standing up straighter. Concern lined his face.

I must have looked like an unstable mess.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I managed to finally say, stopping to face him.

Charlie stared at me in confusion and worry. "Bella, what on earth are you talking about? Tell you what?"

I started pacing again, trying to gather the strength to say his name out loud. I hadn't spoken his name in seven years.

"About Edward, dad." I said after a few seconds of pacing. "Edward. What is he doing in town?"

Realization flooded Charlie's face. He closed his eyes and rubbed his face in his hands, exhaling wearily before looking at me again. "Bells… you might want to sit down for this." He warned me.

I stopped pacing and frowned. That didn't sound good at all.

I pulled out a kitchen chair and sat as advised.

Charlie took a deep breath, stress and worry etched into the lines of his face. I hadn't seen him look like this since, well…

Since Edward left me broken seven years ago.

Charlie cleared his throat awkwardly and crossed his arms. He closed and opened his mouth several times to speak, but said nothing.

"Dad," I exclaimed impatiently. "It's okay. Just tell me."

Charlie looked at me unhappily. "Bella, he's…" He trailed off.

You know that feeling of dread you get in the pit of your stomach when you receive a final grade and it's not what you were expecting? Or that feeling of anxiety that weighs heavily on your chest when someone solemnly says the words 'we need to talk'?

Well those combined feelings were now eating me alive.

Charlie let out a deep breath and looked me in the eyes.

"Bella, Edward's getting married."

Now comes the moment of truth. First impressions?