Chapter 1: A Wanderer Returns

29th August 2009

Two Years Later…

Edward P.O.V.

Driving towards Forks, everything looks familiar. I've never classified anywhere as home, but after finding Bella and feeling a connection, Forks became the closest to being my home than anywhere else. The high trees and thick forests still surround the roads. Memories of how much time I spent in them flash in my mind. As I pass the school, it looks exactly how I remember it. The more I explore the surroundings, the more I think that Forks has been frozen in time. It could have been a day since I was last here rather than two years.

The first thing I did was drive to Bella's house, but to my horror I saw a car that I didn't recognise in the driveway. My first thought was that Bella had found someone else, but I see a woman and child at the window and I don't recognise them, but they look at home. I managed to get a quick look at the mailbox and with a swift look inside at some of the envelopes, it soon becomes clear that this is no longer Charlie and Bella's house.

Driving away I try to think what that could mean. Charlie had always lived at this house and his thoughts always suggested that he was a creature of habit. I park up in the town and get out for some fresh air. I walk aimlessly, paying little attention to my surroundings; just as I pass by the convenience store a familiar voice calls out.

"Cullen?"

Turning around, I groan. I knew exactly who it was. I would recognise that voice anywhere.

"Oh, hello Mike"

I stood rooted to the spot, my arms wrap around me as he approached. This was something which he would have never done when we were at school.

"Man, you look a mess!" He said, with a distinct air of smugness to his voice.

I wasn't sure how to respond to that, but I couldn't disagree with him. I just shrug and smile meekly. He walks around me and I cringe as he pats me on the back, I try not to react, but my patience is wearing thin.

"You know, I used to be jealous of you at school... The way Bella and the other girls used to idolise you... I just couldn't understand it, but look how you turned out. The best thing you ever did for Bell was leave."

Mikes words stung, but I refused to rise to the bait. I internally curse my current situation. All of those times I imagined knocking him out cold, but I always held back, I was always restrained and now here I am, with the perfect excuse to act on my desires and I just cannot do it. I just smile at him meekly as I remind myself this isn't why I am here.

"I'm sure your memory is all skewed Mike, I am sure Bella wasn't quite like that with me... Speaking of Bella, how is she?" I ask, keen to learn what I could.

Mikes eyes narrowed, he seems to have taken a disliking to the fact I was asking after her, but after a moment his shoulders sag and he shakes his head.

"When you left she was a mess, she was like a zombie, she walked and talked, but her eyes were empty, it's like she wasn't really there. Then she seemed to pick herself up and got on with things. A couple of months before graduation she disappeared for a couple of weeks, but with all the business with Charlie I can understand that. She got through it thought. She came back, she passed her exams and graduated with the rest of us. She also changed her appearance; she started wearing high heels and short skirts and looked really hot..."

Mike cringed and turned to study my reaction, he obviously didn't need me to tell him he'd gone a little too far. I tried my best to keep my face neutral, but I was aggravated by his comments and more than intrigued by the change in Bella.

"... I mean she looked really good for herself. She seemed to be coping very well, but then she has always had the support from her best friend, at least she never left her."

That hurt. I am still wondering what Mike meant about Charlie and I am keen to know who Bella's best friend was when she needed someone the most. I was about to ask him, but then Jessica Stanley joins us.

"Wow. Hi Edward, what a surprise!" she chimes in her usually sickly sweet voice.

I smiled at her, but inside I was reeling. I finally return to Forks to seek out Bella and my first interaction is with two of the people that I dislike the most. I watch as Jessica laced her hand through Mikes. Had any couple ever deserved each other so much?

"This is such a surprise. Did you graduate at your big city school? We all did well. I gave the speech at our graduation, it was great. Mike and I go to College together, but we travel back whenever we can. Are you going to College, what are you studying? Have you been back long? Have you seen anyone else? How are your family? Have you seen Bella yet?" Jessica rattled off her questions at high speed.

I begin to wonder what Bella had told them, was I supposed to have disappeared to go to a bigger and better school. That was more than I deserved. Jessica had asked so much, but my thoughts were all centred on her last question. It gave me hope that Bella was still around.

"I have just arrived. I look forward to seeing everyone, but I would very much like to see Bella. I was just about to ask Mike where I could find her."

I could see Mikes expression turn sour, but Jessica didn't pause long enough to see it, she turned to me smiling brightly.

"She's at her new deli of course. She opened it right after graduation, with the money from Charlie. It's just on the edge of town. I always thought it was an odd location, but she seems to be doing very well, she's always busy and never seems worried about some of the big guys that go in there... I would have thought that she'd have told you all about it, have you not been in touch?"

"... of course we have, but I just can't remember where she said it was" I lied quickly.

"It's just outside of town. Take the main road out towards the edge of town- first left and follow the road out towards the forest. It's on the right hand side- you'll spot it straight away. It looks really good and the sign is pretty prominent."

"Thank you Jessica. I was just in such a rush I forgot to bring quite a lot of things."

I wasn't convinced that she believed me, but Mike was tugging at her to go. I waved them off and as they walked away I could hear them bickering in hushed tones.

"Why did you go and tell him where to find Bella?" Mike snapped.

"Oh come on Mike, quit being so hung up on her! She's never been interested in you. We're together now and besides, it's not as though she'll be interested in him anymore! Look at him, he's looks so rough." Jessica snapped back.

I watched as she tried to tug her hand away, but he pulled it back.

"Sorry babe, I suppose you are right. Maybe it'll be good for her to see him and get full closure, she's been through so much lately, but she's got over it all." Mike agreed sullenly.

Their voices faded as they walked away and my mind began to race.

What was going on? What happened to Charlie? Why have they moved out of their home? Why has Bella stuck around to run a Deli? Didn't she want to go to College? Does she run it on her own? Does she have anyone else? What had she told people about my leaving? Who was the best friend that stuck by her?

I tried to wrestle with my thoughts and I just couldn't make sense of them, besides I knew where to find her and I didn't want to waste any more time. Once in the car I followed Jessica's directions.

As I got close, I could see what Jessica had meant. The deli was the only building in the near area. It was a log cabin with beautiful flowers outside. The sign was very ornate and it said 'Bella's Deli'. The windows were decorated with quaint red and white checked curtains. I could see from a distance that it was busy inside.

I parked up nearby, but far enough away so I wouldn't be noticed. I watched and waited patiently. An elderly white haired man left the deli and he walked towards my car. He seemed to be in a very good mood. I rolled down my window and called out to him.

"Excuse me Sir, sorry to bother you. Could you tell me what time the Deli closes?"

The white haired man looked me up and down and I watched as his eyes studied my car. He tipped his head to the side and smiled.

"It closes at 5:30pm young man and I highly recommend it. The food is the best in town. The Coffee is to die for and the lady who runs it is very easy on the eye, very easy indeed."

The man winked and chuckled to himself and I tried my best not to respond to his comments about Bella.

"Thanks Sir, I'll be sure to give it a go."

The man tipped his hat and carried on walking. I took a quick look at my watch and decided to wait till nearer closing time. It was far too busy inside and I would rather see Bella alone.

I spent my time trying to think about what I would say.

How would I react if she has found someone else? What would I do if she told me to go away and never come back?

A big part of me felt like starting my car, driving away and fleeing, but I had come all this way and I didn't have much time left. I needed to see her, even if all she does is tell me to go away.

As the sun dipped in the sky, I checked my watch and noted it was 5:20pm. The deli was almost empty now and as the last customer left I walked towards the door. It was well shaded and as I got closer I could see that the tables inside had the same red and white checked covers on them, to match the curtains. It was immaculate inside, and it made me think about Esme and her love of interior design. I sighed as I realised just how much I missed them all. I took an extra look inside to make sure it was empty and stepped inside.-