Peripheral Existance
Bella is standing perfectly still in the last light cast by the dying rays of an August sun. Her hands are limp by her sides, and on the third finger of her left hand a simple white-gold band has joined the jewelled engagement ring that had belonged to Elizabeth Mason nearly a century before. The white dress Alice had commissioned is gently moving in the breeze, the style old enough to be considered vintage.
Inside the house people Bella knows and loves are moving to and fro, circling the room, chatting idly and picking at the delicious food the Cullen's had procured from somewhere or other. Bella can't really hear them because she isn't really listening. The noise they make is a distant hum, comforting, but irrelevant. She can survive without it; she must. She knows that after today they'll be gone from her world as she disappears into an eternity of peripheral existence. But Bella knows that she can survive without almost everyone in that room. There's only one person she needs as much as she currently needs oxygen and he's walking towards her, sensing her disquiet.
Hands wrap around her waist, cold like ice and Bella smiles. Edward. Her husband. She even manages not to cringe at the thought. Just for today her family and friends have forgiven her for marrying so young, forgotten how foolish she is being and because they can forget, she doesn't have to remember how much she's about to hurt them. She leans back into Edward's embrace and he tightens his arms around her, kissing her cheek softly.
They stand for a while, content to stare into the middle-distance, seeing nothing at all. There is no need to rush; they have eternity ahead of them. Around them, darkness falls and the lights on the trees (resurrected from the graduation party) shine gently over their world. Eventually Esme and Alice appear in the doorway, calling Edward and Bella in. Edward takes Bella's hand and begins to walk back towards the welcoming lights of the Cullen's house.
'Wait,' Bella says 'You go ahead. I need a moment – it won't take long; I'll be right in.'
Edwards smiles and lets go of Bella's hand. There's something in his smile that makes her think he knows what she's waiting for. He can't read her thoughts, of course, but he knows her better than anyone and he's probably worked it out. He kisses her lightly and walks towards his mom and his sister. Alice throws a questioning glance at Bella, but Edward shepherds her inside.
Alone again, Bella looks out into the darkness, and beyond all logic she sees what she needed to see. Beyond the trees and silhouetted by the starlight a russet brown wolf stares at her. She can't see his expression, she's only human, but she's overwhelmed by the sudden feeling that everything's going to be alright. The wolf stands, stares at Bella for a few more moments, then runs off into the trees.
The lack of tears surprises Bella less than the sense of contentment she feels. She slowly walks back towards the house and stands for a moment in the doorway, but she doesn't look back towards the darkness the wolf disappeared into. She knows she's seen Jacob for the last time, but she also knows that she's standing exactly where she belongs.
Edward's approach is silent, as ever, but Bella isn't surprised when his hand slips into hers. His eyes ask the question his lips shouldn't. Bella smiles.
'I'm fine Edward,' she reassures him gently 'And I'm home…'
WRITER'S NOTE: I'm sorry, it wasn't meant to end so sappily. But sometimes I just can't help myself! Hope you enjoyed – my first Twilight fic, so reviews very welcome! Thanks, Scarlet. x