"Bella, we have something to discuss with you." Came Edward's divine voice as he led me to the couches where his family was sitting. It was Carlisle who spoke first…
"Bella, we have been discussing the future, and how we factor you in as seamlessly as possible. Here in Forks you have people who know you and will see the change, we have people who know us and will be suspicious if you abruptly start to reside in our home. So we would like to get your view on leavening Forks and starting somewhere new, enrolling you and everybody else in a new high school, and completely leaving this life behind." He said those last few words a little more deliberately than the others.
I didn't know what to say at first… Forks had become my home… the substantial, drenched, underbrush had become a safe haven for me. Though the thought of being a Cullen was overpowering my devotion to Forks by a significant amount. "Where would we go?" I inquired in a soft tone.
"Well, we have a home in Cashmere that we could go to. Its still in Washington and the weather is almost identical to Forks."
"When…"
"...Today…'
The word rang in the silence of the exquisite room. My eyes fell to the ground as to avoid they eyes of everyone around me. I didn't want them to misunderstand the grief in my eyes, I was not sad to start over with the Cullen's or leave my friends behind, I was sad to say goodbye to Forks. It was in this damp little town that I had met Edward… that I had fallen in love with Edward… Forks would always hold the most exquisite memories I would ever have. I felt Edward place his strong, delicate hand on my shoulder and I remembered that as long as I had him with me… there would be more moments to remember ahead.
"Then today it is." As I said this I looked up straight into Carlisle's eyes, they seemed to soften as the words left my lips…he understood the sacrifice I was making.
"Esme and myself already have our things together… we will go ahead of you all and enroll you all in the high school. Edward, you remember the way to the house." This was more a statement than a question.
"Of course."
"Great, when everyone is prepared, meet us at the house." Carlisle and Esme had already stood and were advancing toward the door. After he finished giving his instructions they were gone.
"Okay guys… you know what to do. The house in Cashmere already has all our old stuff, only grab what you brought with you when we came here." As Edward spoke everybody began to disperse to different areas of the house. Once everybody had gone Edward slipped his hand into my palm and led me to his room.
When we were behind the closed door of his magnificent room Edward turned to me, "Bella, are you honestly okay with this?"
I took a moment to make sure my answer was the truth, "I am, you are all that matters to me, all that will ever matter."
To this, Edward had no words to respond with. He simply pulled me closer to him and placed his lovely pale hand softly onto my cheek, looking into my eyes for an untold amount of time. Then, he leaned down and kissed me lightly, though all the same overflowing with passion. I could feel the significance of this act, it was the beginning of our life.
"Okay… do what you have to do, I don't want to hold you up." With my words Edward released me, as reluctantly as I was to let him, and glided to a door on the west side of his room. Then, swiftly snatched a bulky duffle bag.
I flopped onto his couch while I watched him toss CD's, the keys to numerous cars, and other objects into his bag. When he was done he zipped up the bag and flung it over his iron shoulder.
He extended his long beautiful hand toward me, flashing a heart-breaking smile, an irresistible invitation. I hopped up and slip my hand in between his chilly fingers. Before we moved he pressed his saintly lips to my forehead, then we strode back down the hall and glided down the massive winding staircase.
"Okay, lets go." Chirped Alice's always light voice. The rest of Edward's family was already assembled near the door.
"Emmett, and Rosalie, go in Rosalie's car, and Alice and Jasper will come with me and Bella." Edward's instructions sent the rest of them out the door and to their assigned car's without another word.
Then Edward led me out behind them and opened the car door with a gentlemanlike smile. Once I was inside he strode lightly around the front of the car to the drivers seat, Alice and Jasper where already inside the car.
"You ready for this Bella?" Jasper's silky calm voice rang out in the silence of the car. When I glanced into the back of the car I saw that Alice and Jasper were both watching me with intent eyes. I suddenly wondered what was being discussed before me and Edward had descended the staircase…
"I'm ready to start a new life, if that's what your asking." My eyes revealed that it was the truth, simply because it is. There is nothing more that I want than to spend the rest of forever with the love of my life. It's the perfect fairy tale.
"Bella, you have no idea, I…." Alice hesitated and looked me right in the eye. "We have been waiting for this for so long." As soon as the words left her perfects impish lips an involuntary smile took over my face. It was so good to hear that it wasn't only me, that I was wanted as much as I wanted them. Edward's satin hand brushed along my cheek, then rested firmly in my hand. I could feel the enthusiasm rolling off him, I knew that he was as thrilled as I was to know that I was welcomed, that I was family to them.
Then I saw a sign partially enveloped in sopping green brush, "You are now leaving Forks." I was surprised at the emotion that was surging through my mind. It was sorrow yes, but the pain was accompanied by something else, a mixture of exhilaration, anticipation, and pure untainted bliss. I was sad to see my safe blanket of green receding in the rearview mirror, but I couldn't help but to be nearly jumping out of my seat with pleasure. it was really happening. I was really going to be with Edward forever, and the thought of that is nothing but indescribable. Out of the corner of my eye I could see jasper eyeing me suspiciously. I could only imagine what my insane mixtures of emotions were doing to him.
The remainder of the ride consisted with a lot of Alice trying to explain the new house…so far all I had gathered from Alice's rapid fire speaking was that it was much like the other one in that it was very open and lightly colored, also that the high school was much bigger that the one in forks…joy… one thing that never changed however, was Edward's hand remained firmly in mine, every now at a stop sign or red light he would lean over and kiss me innocently, much to the amusement of Alice.
Then suddenly we turned down a long, beautiful driveway. It was made of gravel and lined with spectacular apple trees. At the end of the winding driveway there was a small circle with flowers filling it to the rim, and the driveway turned to brick. Then I saw it, it was breathtaking with large open windows and a massive front door. The white shillings contrasted beautifully with the houses dark shutters. There was a round room with a pointed ceiling, and completely made of glass, protruding from the side of the home. Rich green vines crawled up the east end of the exquisite home giving it a timeless elegance. I was awe struck.
"Extraordinary, isn't it?" flowed Edward's velvet voice.
"Extraordinary doesn't even begin to explain its beauty." My eyes were glued to its magnificence. I couldn't believe that it was real. Edward got out of the car and came around to open the door for me, extending his perfect hand for me to once again hold.
The steps up to the exquisite front entrance were white marble, and made the house appear even more regal. When Edward opened the door to the home I caught my first glance of the inside of this astonishing home. It was even more striking that the outside. Just like their other home the entire back wall had been replaced with glace, giving the appearance of complete openness to the huge front room, and everything from the wood floor to the couches and the shelves were varying shades of white. A grand staircase sat on both sidewalls of the vas room, both leading to other incredible rooms I'm sure. Most wonderful of all, in the middle of the welcoming room stood Carlisle and Esme smiling warmly at me while Edward held me close to his own godly body.
"Welcome home my love." Whispered Edward as his lips touches my own.
"Home" I beamed.
