A New Beginning

Part One

Edward

Preface

I never imagined having to choose between the one I love, and myself. But I've found a door, a way out. A way around making the choice. A way where no one wins. Even if it hurts the one I love, and if it is hurting myself in the process, I need to take it. My hands trembled as I walked forward, sacrificing myself.

Chapter One

SURPRISE!!

Edward. Alice's voice echoed inside my head, blocking out the sounds of the other thoughts.

We sat at our family's table in the cafeteria. I looked up at the ceiling, appearing to be looking at the cracks and water damage from the leaks in the roof. Only Alice knew I was shaking my head. I was hoping not to tip off the others.

Are you sure you're okay? We haven't hunted for weeks, and I know it's hard for you, with Bella. There was concern in her voice.

Again, I looked at the ceiling, and back at Bella. Alice knew what I meant.

Bella sat at our table, next to me, holding my hand. We weren't afraid of public affection, everyone already knew, and they were jealous.

The next day was Bella's eighteenth birthday, and it pained me to see her slipping into a depression.

"It's my birthday. Can I ask for one thing?" She started shivering as the Volvo came to a stop in the school parking lot. I took off my tan leather jacket and wrapped it around her.

"Anything, love." I said, hoping she wasn't asking for what I thought she was. She wouldn't be in agonizing pain on her eighteenth birthday. Not tonight.

"Tonight, no presents. No party. No celebration. In fact, mourn for me. I can't be happy. Not when I'm turning one year older than you'll ever be. That and…" she had an edge to her voice. "My house. Tonight. Be there?"

"I don't think I can do anything about not having a party. I'll meet you at eight, and then we'll have to leave at nine. Whether you like it or not." It pained me to say that. I kissed the top of her head, than got out of the car to open her door.

"What is Alice doing?" she demanded. We started walking to biology. She wrapped her arms around my waist and leaned her head on my shoulder as we walked toward the building. I put my arm around her shoulders.

"I've said too much. You know how Alice is. Alice gets what Alice wants. And Alice demands you be happy on your eighteenth birthday. I can't do anything about it. The last real birthday we've celebrated was Emmett's. Alice loves planning things."

Alice suddenly pops up next to Bella, acting like she'd been there the whole time.

"Yup. He knows me well. Bella, YOU WILL HAVE FUN TONIGHT!!! WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT!!!" Alice was definitely determined that Bella would have a party and she would like it.

I sped down the wet road and pulled into Charlie's driveway.

Bella stood at her window, smiling down at me. I winked back and walked toward the front door. She wouldn't have wanted me to take the window. Not with Charlie home and probably watching my every move. After what happened six months ago, he doesn't really prefer me to be around Bella anymore.

I rang the doorbell and I could hear Bella yelling to Charlie, "I'll get it, don't worry…"

She opened the door and surprised me with a kiss. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I put one of my hands on her waist and kissed her back.

She took me upstairs and sat on her bed looking me right in the eye saying, "One more thing,"

"Anything, Bella." I said, trembling. She sat me down on the bed and kissed me.

"I don't know how to say this," she sounded embarrassed. Slowly, she started unbuttoning my shirt and kissed me again. With one graceful move, she was on my lap, my arms around her, rocking her back and forth, kissing her cheek.

"You know what I want to do. I believe we should wait. It's the one rule I haven't broken. It's the one rule I want to keep unbroken."

"But you said anything!" I hate it when she does this to me. She knows how hard it is for me to say no to her. "Can't you make an exception?! You said anything!! Please???"

"You know what I want. I sacrifice everything for you. This is ONE thing I want. Can't you at least let me have that?" She knows I absolutely hate saying no to her beautiful face, but she also knows why I'm saying no. I have good reason.

"Okay. But only because I respect you and love you. I'm sorry for arguing. Now you made me even more depressed." She felt guilty. So did I.

She kissed me again, getting off of my lap and laying the both of us down on her bed. She's trying to charm me into it.

"Bella," I said with a sigh. I sat her up on the edge of her bed. "You're not going to charm me into getting what you want. I'm sorry."

"Fine," she said, "but can you at least let me do this," she said, laying down again, kissing me.

"You're the only reason for me to stay," I said, putting my hands on her waist, "alive. You know I hate upsetting you, but we have to leave. Alice will be depressed if we don't go to your party within the next 45 minutes. Alice gets what Alice wants."

"Okay," she said, "let me get your leather jacket. Do you want it back?"

"Keep it. I'm sure you need it more than I do." I knew she would want it.

I opened the front door and walked her to my Volvo in the driveway.

"You kids have fun tonight. Oh wait, Bells. I have something to give you."

We walked back to where Charlie was standing in the living room.

Charlie pulled out a brand new digital camera with a small red bow on the top. He handed it to Bella with a big smile on his face.

"Renée wanted me to give you this," he said, pulling out a pink gift bag that had silver tissue paper sticking out of the top.

Bella slowly took out the tissue paper, and at the bottom of the bag was Victoria's Secrets pajamas. Underneath the pajamas was a pair of car keys and receipts for plane tickets to Forks, Washington.

"What are these?" Bella asked, holding up the receipts.

"Renée should be pulling in the driveway right about now," Charlie slowly started to smile, and pointed toward the driveway.

A yellow cab was in the driveway, the back door opened and Renée stepped out, looked through the window, then smiled at Bella.

Bella ran for it, ripping open the front door and grabbing her mother as fast as she could.

"Mom, I've missed you so much!" Bella hugged her mother tightly, almost suffocating her.

"I've missed you too, honey! I'll be staying here for a few days, since you're on fall break for a few weeks. We can spend some quality time together."

"I'll take the couch, Renée. You can sleep in my room next to Bella's."

"No, that's fine Charlie. I'll survive. I'd hate to impose on you."

"Don't worry, you're not. You're probably tired from the flight. You'll need a good night's sleep more than I will."

Charlie was generous enough to give is ex-wife his bedroom so his daughter can have bonding time with her mother.

"And," Bella's mother started, "I have two more presents for you." She dug through her purse and pulled out plane tickets to Florida. She handed them to Bella.

"Mom, there's three tickets. Whose the third for?" Bella sounded confused.

Renée looked at me, then back at Bella

"I thought you'd like it if Edward could come. Florida is amazing, Bella! It's so warm and sunny! You'll love it!" Her mother sounded so excited and happy for us.

"What's the second present?" Bella asked, sounding confused again.

"You'll have to bring the car keys with you to Florida and find out."

Renée smiled at Bella.

"I'm sure I will love Florida, mom. But Edward and I have to leave right now. His sister Alice is throwing me a birthday party at their house. I wish you could come." She sounded guilty.

"No, no. That's fine. This gives Charlie and me a chance to catch up while you're gone. You have fun now." Renée hugged Bella, then we walked to the car and pulled out into the dark street.