Bella's entire body froze as her mind jumped into overdrive. How was she supposed to feel about that? Was she supposed to be angry? Happy? Relieved? She wasn't sure but she knew they weren't staying. They didn't age so people would notice very quickly that they were different, they'd probably need to leave in a year at the latest. So why? What was bringing them back so soon? Was it the same thing that held her here?
"Keep an eye on the matter. Inform me if the rumor proves true." She finally answered Nick as she continued up to the edge of the forest where she had left her clothes in the shed.
"Understood."
And nothing more was said on the matter.
Carlise didn't think Bella would be as forgiving as Edward seemed to think she'd be. He knew eventually she'd give in, Bella was much too kind to hold a grudge, but he didn't think she'd welcome them with open arms the moment they returned. Only a fool would believe that someone would forgive being abandoned for an entire year like it was nothing and that was exactly what they had done. Their motives might have been pure, but that was no excuse for what they had done. He chanced a glance at Esme, who was in the passenger seat of his Mercedes as he flew down the highway towards Forks, and almost immediately looked away.
He wasn't afraid of crashing, his reflexes were better than any human's and even if he did he wouldn't be hurt. He felt guilty. His feelings for Bella were wrong on multiple levels, the first being that Edward was in love with her or at least completely infatuated. The second was because it wasn't fair to Esme.
It was true that they weren't mates (they were both aware of this fact) however, it still felt disloyal to love someone else especially someone who was off limits. Esme didn't begrudge him his feelings, she understood, at least when it came to her. She was disappointed because she believed he was poaching Edward's mate. He wouldn't stand in between Edward and Bella if that was who she chose to be with but he didn't believe that the two were mates.
"What do you intend to do?" Esme finally asked. It was safe now, in the car by themselves, to talk openly without fear of being overheard.
"Nothing." Carlise replied heavily. "Edward loves Bella or at least he thinks he does."
"If he didn't would we be returning after a year just so he can be with her?" Esme interjected.
"I think he's fascinated with her." Carlise admitted. "He can't read her and her blood sings to him. What else is there?"
"He brought her home. He watched her sleep, told her things."
"Perhaps. I'm not Jasper and I don't know how Edward really feels but I do know that Emmet couldn't leave Rosalie like Edward left Bella nor could Jasper leave Alice."
"Shouldn't the same be applied to you? You left her too."
"I know."
"Do you think we're making the right decision?" Emmet asked the others in the car.
Emmet, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice were all together in his Jeep. Everyone had been silent so far ever since getting in but now Emmet couldn't help voicing his concerns.
Things had been different since they left Forks and by extension Bella. Everyone had been subdued and not at all like themselves. Alice had tried for a while to continue being upbeat, and going on shopping trips but after a couple weeks she had stopped. Jasper was often out of the house, unable to stand the emotional climate. At first he had blamed himself but came to realize the blame laid mostly with Edward. Rosalie, was the one probably the least affected but you could still tell that she wasn't herself. She spent hours upon hours working on their cars and when there was nothing left to do she would start all over as though she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. Emmet missed Bella. He couldn't joke around like he used to and the jokes he did make often fell flat. Edward was useless though. He would complain all day and night to anyone who would listen, and to those who wouldn't, that he had given up his mate. That she was better off and sometimes bragging that he had the strength to do what was best for her. Esme had been inconsolable the first few months. She had lost another child and her others were practically miserable and there was nothing she could do.
Emmet wanted to return and see Bella. The way he saw it all their problems would be solved once she was back with the family. He wasn't as stupid as everyone thought he was though, Bella would be angry with them or worse, maybe she didn't miss them at all and they were just being selfish.
"I think we're correcting a bad decision." Jasper answered. "We shouldn't have left at all."
"I agree." Alice chimed in immediately. "I just wish I could see something. We don't even know if she's still in Forks."
"What makes you guys think she didn't go back to living with her mother?" Rosalie asked. "Doesn't she love the sun?"
Everyone in the car had to agree it was possible. "Guess we're gonna find out soon." Emmet replied.
Edward sped faster than the rest of his family, determined to get to Forks first. To talk to Bella and correct his mistake before the others could realize the full extent of what he had done. What he had said.
He was convinced that he had done the right thing and when he spoke with Bella all would be forgiven. He was just trying to keep her safe after all and being with him put her in constant danger. She wouldn't question his return though, she would just be happy he was back. He even had his speech prepared.
Everything will be just fine once I get Bella back. He thought smugly.
Italics- cat speak
Underline - thoughts
