It used to be that I could not get enough of Edward Cullen; I was drawn to him like glue, almost to the point of obsession. And not just him, either, but to all of the Cullens—Esme and her gentility, Carlisle and his warmth, Alice and open, inviting personality, Emmett and the qualities that made him like the big brother I never had, even Rosalie; although she didn't quite like me, she was loyal to her family, always, and I admired that. And then there was Jasper; he worked so hard at being good, at being gentle, and I'd always admired the strength he showed. But that was then—now, now I'd do anything to stay away from them, and it has proven to be the most difficult thing in my life. For I am still somewhat in love with Edward Cullen and I still adore his family; but I have someone who needs me more, someone who needs stability in her life, my daughter Emily Aimee Swan. She's four now and she's only just begun her little life. A life back in Forks, Washington, where surely the Cullens had to have left by now… right?

***---***---***

I never thought I'd get over it when Edward insisted I leave to Jacksonville with my mother; I never dreamt I could survive without him…and yet, I did it, I left him and my heart behind for the sun and safety of Northern Florida. For a while there it hurt to even smile, to even pretend, but with Renee hovering I didn't have much of a choice, I had to at least try. For her sake, anyways. I met a guy about 6 months after living there; his name was John and he was sweet and romantic and passionate and protective and caring and he was…everything Edward had been for me. Except he was mortal, and in the end that was his biggest flaw. John was a rookie cop just out of college and I was in the middle of my senior year of High School; I got pregnant and well, 9 months later we had Emily. Two months after that John was shot in the line of duty—that's where the flaw came in. He died 8 hours after the surgeons retrieved the bullet from his abdomen; they said he bled out, that his body just couldn't handle the stress it was under. Edward wouldn't have bled out. Edward wouldn't have been fazed by the bullet at all, in fact.

So, here I am, four years later, a single mother back in the cold sanctions of Forks, Washington. It was the best move all around; I could work a steady job (which Charlie so graciously offered me) and raise Emily around people that my family has known for generations. Nobody ever left Forks, except for my scatterbrained mother, that is. And me there, for a while, but history has proven me to show right back up. I guess Forks is like my safety net, in a way. I came here when Renee needed to follow Phil around for minor league baseball, and I come back when I need to give Emily more than I already have; in other words, when the going gets tough I turn to Forks.

"I found you a great little house" Charlie said, looking over at me and Emily.

"Don't tell me it's my homecoming gift" I mused, picking Emily up. She rested her head tiredly on my shoulder and I could hear her begin to suck her fingers; she'd be asleep soon and then I could really get to unpacking.

"Only the down payment" Charlie mused. "Your old red truck is still sitting in the driveway too. Still runs great."

"Thanks, Dad, this is all great, but isn't this a little…much?" I eyed the tiny house. It was similar to Charlie's; not too big, not too small…then again, it was also right next door, so similarities were to be expected.

"I told you, Bella, I want to be there for you. I'm happy you came to me," Charlie's eyes lingered on me for a minute. A hug would have been acceptable here, but Charlie still wasn't that great with affection. I didn't expect him to ever get any better.

Charlie stuffed his hands in his pockets and gave his shoulders a tense shrug, "Well, why don't I help you guys inside and then let you two get settled in? Do you need anything?"

I shook my head and walked inside with Charlie, Emily still in my arms. "No, I think we're good for now, thanks"

"Yep" Charlie nodded; I watched him set our luggage by the front door then turn to leave. "I'll be right next door if you two need anything."

"Thanks, Dad" I smiled just a bit then locked the door behind him. I gazed down at Emily; she was asleep, just like I'd predicted. I set down a sleeping back in the corner of the living room and gently laid her down in it. She curled up with Mr. Bubbles (her stuffed pig) and turned, facing the wall.

It'd been a while since I'd seen her so relaxed; I think she knew deep down I wouldn't be leaving her now. Not to go to work, not to go out, not for anything. She felt safe here in Forks, the sky dripping with cool, moist water, the overly-friendly people, and her grandfather. And me. She felt safe here with me. With the thought that she and I could finally begin a life just the two of us like I'd promised her since the day her father died.

Boxes sat in the middle of my living room and I sighed, sitting down one of them, folding my hands in my lap. My watch told me the time was 3p.m. I could get a little unpacking done and then we could go get some dinner over at the diner, a little cobbler, maybe… or I could do what I've been telling myself I wouldn't do since arriving in Forks, and drive past the Cullens' old place, see what's new about it and what's not.

Against my better judgment I easily (and weightlessly) lifted Emily back into my arms. I tucked her safely into the truck, making sure to cover her up and stick Mr. Bubbles back in her arms then buckled her in. With one more hesitation (and without better thought) I climbed into the driver's seat of my truck and turned the key into the ignition, listening the engine of the old truck rumble to life. "It's a quick drive and then we'll come right back home," I promised Emily in a whisper as she slept.