Right, im so sorry with the whole huge wait thing – im not going to waste valuable reading time with excuses, just know I'm extremely sorry.
Lets get on with it!
Edward saw Bella hunched up on the steps and felt that ache again. He made his way over to her and sat down on the step next to her. She looked up at him and he knew she was trying to sort things out.
He passed her the piece of paper he had scrawled on during the lonely hours without her. It had the address of the Cullen's home and his mobile number and the home number on it.
Bella read it, and then tucked it into her pocket. She smiled at him, and then, surprising him and herself, she leant against him and put her head on his shoulder.
They stayed like this for a while, watching the day grows darker.
"We're leaving tonight." Edward said, and it sounded like he didn't want to.
"Oh" Bella said.
Silence.
"Will you come?" Edward asked.
Bella sighed, "I don't know. I don't think so. I…I want to…"
Edward's spirits soared, "You want to?"
Bella looked at him, "I enjoy your family. I enjoy…your company. Right now…I feel…whole…"
Edward smiled, "I feel the same way. I get some weird little ache when I'm away from you"
Bella smiled, nodding, then pressed her face into his shoulder.
"You'll call me if something goes wrong? Alright?" Edward said.
"Yes. I promise." Bella smiled.
"And…if…if you want me to come back…or you just want to talk…or you just want to go out…" Edward listed.
"Yeah. That'd be nice." Bella smiled, feeling warm.
They watched the stars appear.
The front doors opened and the other Cullen's came out. They didn't move.
"Edward, we have to go now," Rosalie said, quietly.
Edward shut his eyes.
Bella smiled and took her head off his shoulder, "Go on Edward. You might hear from me sooner than you think"
"I hope not in a bad way" Edward looked at her.
"Yeah, me too." Bella nodded, and then Edward hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back.
When Bella watched Edward walk away with his family, it was one of the hardest things she had ever done. She watched them go…drive away…
She absent minded patted her pocket, where she had safely put her letter from Edward.
The front door of the hospital opened, and Bella watched as Cameron and his family, finally reunited, came out, smiling and holding each other.
"Bella!" Cameron brightened when he saw the teen on the front steps, "I thought you went! I'm glad you didn't! Mum, this is Bella, she saved me."
Bella blushed and Jenny looked at the small, teen girl. Jenny grew shocked at her appearance, dirty and scuffed. She gave a cry and embraced her like a daughter.
"Oh, thank you, thank you! Oh, I can't say how much im so happy that you saved him, oh darling, I owe you…I'll do anything! Do you need a place to stay? Some food? Money?"
Bella blushed and shook her head as Jenny pulled away, tears in her eyes.
"No, I'm fine, thank you."
Cameron gave her a big hug, and then looked at her seriously, "You can't stay here for the night. And your not walking around the streets. Do you want a lift to the community centre?"
Bella bit her lip, "I…I suppose that would be good."
Cameron smiled and held out his hand. She grabbed it and pulled herself up.
"Come on, we'll give you a lift" Jenny smiled and took little Suzie's hand and then took Cameron's.
Bella smiled at the family, and let them lead her to their car.
~*~
"Um, hello. I was…I was wondering if you had any spare beds?" Bella asked the bored lady at the desk.
She looked up; scanning Bella's appearance, then shook her head, "No. Sorry."
Bella was taken back; she turned around and headed back outside. She saw Cameron and her family sitting in the car, waiting for the sign that she was fine.
Bella put on a smile and waved. They waved back and the car slowly drove off.
She breathed in deeply and scanned the street. There was a bench, but that was too open.
"Excuse me, there is a bed free" Said the lady at the desk.
Bella looked around then walked back in the building.
"Oh, cool. Thanks." She smiled shyly.
The lady just nodded sharply and pointed down the hall, "Last door on the right. Grab a blanket from the pile as you go."
Bella nodded and headed down the hallway. The rooms had no doors, just doorways. Kids of every age slept in the bedrooms, and Bella noticed that one side was all guys, and the other was all girls.
She went through the last doorway on the right and saw a small white, metal bed in the corner. There were no windows and the paint was cracked. The floor was dirty and hard. Bella sighed; it was better than sleeping on the streets.
She ran her hand over the mattress, making sure the last person didn't leave anything unwanted. Reassured, Bella lay on her back on the bed, the thin blanket draped on her.
She stared at the ceiling.
Okay, short I know. Do you guys want it longer? Or is it about the right length?
Big thanks to EVERYONE who reviewed – you really spurred me on to get back on my case!
The next chapter will most likely appear tomorrow!
Happy late Valentines day - mine sucked. It kinda does when you're single.
