World & Characters are owned by Stephanie Meyers! I just own the storyline! Please review, I love feedback. Let me know what you think!
CPoV
I wondered whether or not she had read the note, and I would've understood if she hadn't. Bella had been through so much and, though we all often forgot her youth due to her exceeding maturity, she was at her breaking point. I wasn't surprised. After overcoming everything they had, she and Edward had seemed to finally be safe, at least as safe as any of us could be. Then, on what should have marked the beginning of the rest of her life, everything was once again turned on end. I both pitied and admired her for all she'd endured and her quiet grace in the face of it.
For a moment I lay with my eyes closed, the early morning sun trickling in through the edge of drawn curtains. I was sure pity was the last thing she really wanted, seeing as it was so abundant with those around her lately. I took an unnecessary deep breath to ready myself and rose, deciding to wait a few more moments before going about my day. I had called out of work, which most people saw as understandable considering they thought my wife had left with the children. It sounded terrible, but really wasn't so far from the truth. Esme had, in fact, taken them all...aside from Edward.
The phone rang and in an instant I was at it, looking down at the Caller ID hopefully. 'BELLA'. I smiled to myself, knowing she hadn't been able to really speak to anyone about what had happened. A small but visible weight had been lifted from her during our brief meeting the day before, I could see it in her face as I turned to leave. I answered, pausing for a moment before speaking. When you had Caller ID, didn't it seem sort of silly to say 'Hello?' as if you didn't know who it is? Why was I suddenly questioning telephone etiquette?
"Hello, Bella." my words were suspended in silence and I could hear her on the other end hesitating. I wondered what was wrong, but she responded before I could ask.
"Clever, clever with the 'call me in the morning' thing." I nearly heard her smiling through the phone, and it warmed something in me to hear something other than misery or anger in her voice.
"I'm glad you called, to be honest." I leaned against the bedpost, my head tilted upwards, "I took the day off and I've realized that I have nothing to do nor anyone to do it with." I paused, and I'm sure if my face could've reddened it would've. Emmett's sense of humor was rubbing off on me, it seemed. What an awkward moment to realize it. I heard her suppress a giggle and knew she was trying her hardest not to point it out.
"They really don't come to visit?" She seemed surprised, as if we had been lying to her. I suppose I sort of had been. Sighing, I sat down on the bed, my forehead against the post.
"No, they don't." I looked up at a picture of Esme and I that hung beside the door and immediately dropped my gaze back to the floor. "They call. Alice and Jasper aren't gone forever, I'm sure, but Jasper still hasn't really forgiven himself for what happened." I hoped she wouldn't think to mention the others.
"He should, it was my fault for being a klutz yet again." I started to wonder if she would ever stop blaming herself. Beating herself up over the results of a paper cut wasn't worth it.
"Those things happen, it doesn't make you a klutz." I laughed softly, "At least, not that time."
"Gee, thanks. You're so sweet." Sarcasm dripped from her voice, but I still couldn't help but keep chuckling. It had been a long time since I'd heard her have any real humor and it was refreshing. Bella, when she was happy, was quite the sight to behold. Although even in sadness, she still had something fascinating about her that I couldn't pinpoint.
"Why thank you, you're not so bad yourself," I could hear her growl softly in playful aggravation as I stood up and walked towards the windows, opening the drapes to finally let the light in fully.
She gave an over-exaggerated sigh, "Remind me why I called again?"
"Because I'm irresistible." I said light-heartedly, poking at her further. Sometimes she was just too easy to be playful with, but it worked to her advantage I guessed. At least then people could easily cheer her up, or try to.
"Oh, yeah. Damn my petty human weakness. Just can't stay away." Her voice dropped off, as if she were trying to make a joke but it hit just a little too close to the truth. I closed my eyes for a moment as if I'd felt the words literally sting.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taunted. Tell me you plan to avoid motorcycles today." I still couldn't believe that she had gone to such extremes. Then again, maybe I could.
"I will, I will." She assured me, "I don't really know what I'm gonna do today, though." she paused, and I knew she wasn't finished. After a long sigh she continued, "It's like everyone else's problems seem trivial now... I know that sounds terrible, I just generally dislike most of my friends lately."
"No, its normal Bella. You've been through more than they could imagine... you just don't relate to them." I hung my head, hearing the conflict in her voice as she struggled to return to her normal life unsuccessfully and I sympathized. It couldn't be easy to smile and pretend the world was what you once thought it to be. "Come over." I blurted out, not quite thinking it through fully. What would we even do, watch movies? There was a moment of silence and the air in the room seemed to thicken as I placed one hand on the window frame and leaned forward.
"You wanna see me?" Again with the surprised voice. Had I never shown her that genuinely cared for her? I caught myself and realized why she was so stunned. She had only ever seen me when she was with Edward, like a father-figure, it would be natural for her to assume I wouldn't be interested in a usual 'friendship'. Having a conversation was so difficult with her.
"I wouldn't offer if I didn't." I began, "Besides, you ought to have some company that you can speak openly with. It must be nerve-wrecking to edit out details to everyone when you just want to vent. That's what I'm here for." Sitting down on the window ledge, I looked out into the woods and felt foolish. I couldn't take it back, though. After all, this was the first time in God-knows how long that I'd been alone, so maybe I needed the company just as much as she did. I could hear her biting her lip on the other end, it was a nervous tick of hers that always gave her confidant act away. I found it to be endearing.
"Okay." she finally agreed, and suddenly I felt the air get much lighter, "only one problem..." I grinned, there was always 'one problem'.
"Whats that?" It was too early for any serious complications so I wasn't too concerned, but she seemed hesitant.
"What do I tell Charlie?" Ah, that explained it. I squinted against the now-steady sunbeam coming through the window and tried to think. Then it hit me.
"Does he usually ask you where you're going?" I heard her release the breath she'd been holding while waiting for my response.
"Good point, its 8:30," she started, "do you want me now or later?" I heard her stutter and again my mind channeled Emmett's crude humor, "I mean, um... Fuck. No, not fuck. I meant, like, damn. UGH. I'm hanging up." I couldn't help but burst into laughter, and I knew on the other end of the line she was fuming and plotting her revenge. She was trying so hard, and she really didn't need to.
"Wait, wait," I composed myself, barely, "Now is fine." I heard her pause for a moment, debating on what to say, then a sharp 'click'. I hung up and went the closet, opening the doors to try and find something to wear. Alice, ever the fashionista, had gone through and tried to update my wardrobe before she left. I grabbed a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt, deciding to be as casual as I was capable of being. Leaving the shirt un-tucked and unbuttoned to just below the hollow of my throat, I changed into tennis shoes and went downstairs. 8:30, she probably hadn't eaten breakfast yet... I'd make her something when she got here. It was always nice to cook, actually use the great kitchen we had... I had, now.
I stopped at the foot of the stairs, wondering why I was dwelling. Squeezing the banister, I looked down and reasoned with myself that I was just happy to have someone I could actually relate to around for the first time in months. She would be Edward's mate... eventually. Hopefully, if he ever came to his senses. I just hoped it wouldn't be too late when he did, he wouldn't forgive himself if she moved on. I sat down on the bottom step, exhaling to relieve tension as I leaned my head back against the railing. Looking up, various photos from over the years stared back at me. My family was gone and, at least for now, Esme and I were the only two who understood the gravity of that separation. Tears would've come if the could've, I'm sure, but they couldn't. Sometimes that just made things hurt more. Maybe Edward had been right about how seeing me would make things harder on her... maybe I was being selfish.
I felt like a fraud. Here I was, trying to console her when I couldn't even console myself. I couldn't even admit to myself that I was indeed being selfish. I had no one else, and I suppose her misery was just an excuse to have a companion. How pathetic I had were right; behind every great man stands a great woman. Without mine, it seemed I wasn't so great, but I couldn't continue on this way. Esme wasn't coming back, even if the others did. I had to consider and accept the fact that it may just be Bella and I for a very long time. How long would 'very long' be was the question. For the moment, that meant very different things to both of us.
I looked up at the clock above the door as I heard her truck pull into the driveway. As usual, I'd had an hour's worth of thoughts in only a few minutes, further proving the difference in our definition of time. As I saw her walk towards the door, I rose and went to open it. Whether I was being selfish or not, it was too late to reconsider.
