Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
A/N: Edward and Bella are ten in this chapter! I skipped age nine and you'll see why but I didn't want to have any confusion.
Bella POV –Ten
I had decided to stay an extra year with Renee. I missed Forks desperately, and Charlie, the Cullen's and the Hale's and most of all Edward. But poor Renee. Whenever I brought up leaving she would break down into tears. I hadn't even gone to visit Forks in over a year. I felt too guilty about leaving.
The first few weeks after I moved, when I was eight, were the hardest. Everyone would see my cast and ask who Edward was and Alice, Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper. I would have to explain to them, they were my best friends, my family. I cried the first few times people asked me about Edward and they learned not to ask anymore. I didn't make any real friends in Phoenix. I was fine with just talking to Renee. Renee signed me up for ballet classes when I was nine but I quit. I was always in the back because I was so clumsy. Let's just say after ripping down the backdrop in my first recital, I decided that would be my last recital.
I had finally decided to go back to Forks. I still felt guilty about leaving Renee but I couldn't stand Phoenix any longer. Sure the weather was always beautiful, warm and dry. But I missed the squashy greenness of Forks. I even missed the rain. But most of all I missed Edward. We had talked on the phone at least once a week since I had left. I would usually say hi to Alice and Emmett, sometimes Jasper and Rosalie, if they happened to be over when I called. I needed to go home.
So today was the day I was going to tell Renee. My bags were already packed upstairs and I had bought a plane ticket online weeks ago, using Charlie's credit card. He let me have the number because he wanted me home too. As badly as he felt lying to Renee, he knew this would work. She couldn't object.
So as we sat at the kitchen table, eating chicken for dinner I decided it was time to let her know. My palms were sweaty and I could tell my voice was weak and scratchy due to my dry throat. I chugged my water but it didn't help.
"Mom?" I said, trying (and failing) to sound casual. I was right about my voice though. It sounded all scratchy and dry.
"Yes Bella," she replied. She seemed oblivious so far.
"Mom I want to go home," I said softly, picking at my chicken with my fork.
"You are home dear," Renee said. She sounded so hurt I wanted to stay and help her. But I couldn't. I had made my choice.
"No Mom. Home to Forks. When I came here, it was only supposed to be for a year. Now it's been two. I want to go to Forks. I miss Charlie. I miss Alice and Rosalie and…Edward." It still hurt to say his name. I missed him so terribly. "Charlie already helped me out and paid for a plane ticket. My plane leaves tomorrow morning. It's all paid for and I'm packed up. I really want this Mom." I finally looked up at her. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Stay strong, I told myself firmly.
"Bella honey. Why did you wait so long to tell me?" she asked, her voice sounding watery.
"I was scared of how you would react. I mean, I feel guilty leaving you here," I confessed. To my surprise, Renee jumped up and sat in the chair next to me, pulling me onto her lap. I was a bit too big for this now, at almost four foot six, but I still loved to be held.
"You don't need to feel guilty for me sweetie. You go where you need to be, don't let me affect your decisions," she said sincerely. Too late for that, I thought bitterly.
"So you don't mind then Mom?" I asked, surprise coloring my voice.
"Of course not. I'll miss you Bella, you know that, but I want you to be happy. Plus you know I've started seeing Phil." She blushed as she said this. Renee had recently started dating a man named Phil. He seemed nice enough, a little young for her, but they were cute together. "So I won't be all alone. I love you Bella but I'm not going to keep you here against your will." I wrapped my arms around her neck and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you Mom! I'll miss you," I said truthfully.
"When does your plane leave tomorrow?" she asked.
"Eight in the morning," I said sheepishly. I felt embarrassed by my secretiveness now.
"Well I'll drive you and we can do all the goodbye stuff then okay?" I nodded. "Go on upstairs and get ready for bed. We've got an early morning tomorrow." I jumped off her lap and ran upstairs.
"Thanks Mom!" I called. "Love you!"
"I love you too Bella."
After my teary goodbye with Renee, I found myself alone on the plane, practically bouncing with excitement. I felt like Alice. I couldn't help wondering how much everyone had changed. Was Alice tall now? Or at least regular sized? What about Emmett? Was he still as tall, still as big, or had anyone else caught up to him yet? And I'm sure Rosalie is just as beautiful. And Jasper probably looks the same except taller, maybe more muscular.
And Edward. Was he taller now? I certainly am. I had grown a full foot since I had last seen him. Is he bulkier? Could he possibly be muscled like Emmett now? Would his hair still be as untidy, the same bronze color? Would his green eyes still shine like twinkling emeralds? I hoped so.
I was so consumed with thoughts of seeing my friends again that the plane ride flew by. Before I knew it, the pilot was announcing our arrival in Seattle. When I climbed off the plane I saw Charlie waiting by the baggage claim. I was kind of sad it was only him but I was still excited to see him. I ran over to him and he scooped me up in his arms.
"How are you Bells?" he asked, ruffling my hair, his voice gruff.
"I'm glad to be home," I said.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too Daddy." My smile was hurting my cheeks I was so happy to see him again. Charlie managed to find my bags and pulled them along beside us. Neither of us were speaking. It was just nice to be together.
"So whatever happened to coming back all the time?" he asked. His voice was joking but I could see some real pain behind his eyes.
"I felt too guilty to leave Renee. But I got over it." He laughed. "How is everyone? The Cullen's and the Hale's? Jessica and Angela?"
"They're all just great. I didn't tell anyone you were coming back though. I figured you'd like to surprise them." Charlie's eyes were alight with excitement and I was excited too. I couldn't wait to see Edward.
"Thanks Dad!" I exclaimed. We talked a bit about Phoenix but not much else. We were back at the house in an hour. I brought my bags up to my room and unpacked. All my old winter clothes didn't fit anymore so I had to buy all new ones. I didn't have that much. Although if Alice hadn't changed then she would probably buy me new clothes, no matter how much I didn't want her to. I peeked at the clock. It was five at night. I knew the whole Cullen family would be eating dinner around now. Time to make my grand entrance.
"Hey Dad," I called as I came downstairs. He was sitting at the kitchen table, eating some scrambled eggs.
"Yeah Bells?"
"I'm gonna run down to the Cullen's house and tell them I'm back," I said, an unintentional grin spreading across my face.
"Have fun and be careful," Charlie warned as I made my way outside.
"Bye Dad!" I yelled. I walked to the Cullen's house, a bit faster then usual, causing me to trip a few times. When I reached the white mansion my stomach was suddenly filled with nerves, my mind with irrational thoughts. What if they didn't like me anymore? What if they forgot about me? They swirled in my head like the buzzing of bees, and I was unable to ignore them. But I still made my way up to the door and knocked tentatively.
"Who is it?" I heard Alice's perky, high-pitched voice call.
"Me!" I called back, disguising my voice.
"Me who?" she called back suspiciously.
"Open and find out!" I replied. And suddenly the door was opening wide and I saw the top of Alice's black hair. It was still as short and spiky as ever. Alice seemed to have grown but she was still at least half a foot shorter then me. She took one look at me and screamed, in a voice high enough to break glass. I covered my ears with my hands.
"Bella! Oh my God Bella!" she squealed. She ran outside and tackled me in a big hug. I found myself squeezing her back. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I missed you so much! I can't believe your back!"
"I know! I finally got the courage to leave and I figured I'd come see you guys first. I wanted it to be a surprise though," I said with a laugh. Alice continued to squeeze me in her arms. And for such a tiny girl she was strong. Her pixie face was alight with joy and a smile took up half of her face.
"We have to go shopping!" she shrieked.
"You haven't changed a bit," I said, still laughing.
"Mom, Dad guess who's back?" Alice called into the living room. I saw Esme and Carlisle look at me, both of their jaws dropping in unison.
"Oh Bella you're back!" Esme called happily. She ran over to me and scooped me up in a motherly hug, kissing my forehead. "Look how much you've grown." She stood arms length away and admired me. "You're becoming such a pretty young lady." I grinned sheepishly.
"It's good to have you back Bella. You're practically family," Carlisle said, giving me a comforting shoulder squeeze.
"I bet she will be someday," Esme said lightly, smiling knowingly at Carlisle who grinned back.
"Hey Mom, do we have any- Bella!" I heard Emmett's voice from the door and the next thing I knew I was being gathered up in a big Emmett style bear hug. He squeezed me until I couldn't breath before plopping me back onto the ground.
At age eleven, Emmett was huge. He looked at least thirteen and he must be at least five foot five. He was even bigger than before and I hadn't thought that was possible. His broad chest and thick neck led up to his familiar face and curly mass of black hair. His face had lost some of its boyish roundness and he looked much more grown up.
"Hey Emmett!" I cried.
"When did you get home?"
"This morning. I wanted it to be a surprise," I informed them all. Alice was jumping up and down in excitement.
"Jasper! Rose! Come on in, you won't believe who's here!" Emmett called into the backyard.
"What is it Emmett?" Rosalie's voice came, slightly annoyed. She walked into the room.
She was taller too. Maybe five two. She was still unbelievably skinny and beautiful. She could pass for sixteen if she needed too, thirteen without make-up. Her long blonde hair looked like corn silk. Her face broke into a perfect smile when she saw me.
"Oh Bella!" she shrieked. She ran over to me and hugged me and I marveled at how she was so much taller than me. We had been almost equal height before.
"It's so good to see you Rose!" I said sincerely. Jasper came up and hugged me next.
"Good to have you back Bella," he said.
"Thanks Jasper." When he stepped away I noticed the Cullen's and Hale's had all formed a semi-circle around me. They were beaming at me and I was beaming right back.
"Where's Edward?" I asked excitedly. Esme's grin widened, if that was possible.
"He's out but he should be back in a few minutes or so. He'll be so pleased to see you again," she answered. I felt a little disappointed that I couldn't see him right away.
"Let's all just wait in the living room and see how long it takes him to notice me," I suggested with a giggle. At that exact moment the sound of a car coming up the gravel driveway sounded. We all spread ourselves around the living room, the kid's all giggling. I placed myself in an armchair in the corner, so if you walked into the living room you're back would be facing me.
"I'm home!" I heard Edward's velvet voice call. I wanted to jump up then and wrap my arms around him but I resisted. "Where is everyone?" He then trotted into the living room.
He had grown, that was for sure. He had to be almost as tall as Emmett, maybe a few inches shorter. He was more muscular then I remembered, but not as bulky as Emmett. His hair was as untidy and bronze as ever. He stared curiously at everyone's wide grins.
"Hi Edward, how was Ben's did you have fun?" Alice asked at rapid speed.
"Yeah. What's going on?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion. I bit my lip to hold back my laughter.
"Oh nothing," Rosalie said through her giggles.
"Then why is everyone laughing?" Edward asked. He still hadn't moved. He was only a few feet in front of me, his back to me.
"No r-reason," Emmett joked through his chuckles.
"Tell me!" Edward demanded.
"How about you sit in the armchair and tell us?" Jasper suggested. Edward gave him an odd look before wheeling around and seeing me. Everyone burst into laughter. Edward stared at me in complete shock for a minute and then a wide, crooked grin spread across his face.
"Bella!" he called, more enthusiastic and excited then any of his siblings. I jumped up and he gathered me up in his arms, picking me up into the air. I lifted my feet as he pulled me off of the ground and I was surprised by how easily he could hold me. I was laughing still, and a few tears of joy slid down my face. "I can't believe you're really here," he whispered into my ear.
"I missed you so much," I replied.
"I missed you too Bella," he said. He kissed my cheek before setting me back down. Almost everyone had left the room, to give us some privacy. Esme was leaning against the doorway, smiling at us, the same knowing smile she always had when she looked at the two of us.
"What?" I asked her.
"Nothing. It's just good to see you two back together again." She smiled once more before turning and leaving.
"It's good to be back," I murmured, wrapping my arms around Edward once more. He kissed my forehead.
"I'm so glad you're back Bella. My Bella."
A/N: Okay they are just too cute! So in the next few chapters we'll have the dramatics of middle school and then they will finally be old enough to have some real romance. But will that romance be with each other? Keep reading to find out. And review always help wink wink