This has got to be my favorite chapter so far. I hope you guys like it. Warning: if you don't like the ending to this chapter, stop reading. Thank you.

Parts in this chapter were taken (with permission) from JasperSAYSrelax128 (but we had a little fight so now I'm not too sure...)

I admit that I'm growing lazy with this story so the lyrics are going to stop. Sorry. I want to continue them, but I had certain songs when I was writing them and now I can't remember.


We heard a knock on the door, ruining all thoughts of strength and decision. He was here for me and I was waiting. Always waiting.

What's a New Leaf if You Forget the Tree it Came From?

The calming breaths I was taking were ruined as soon as Eleazar opened the door to Edward. There he stood in the doorway looking like a fallen angel, more beautiful than I ever imagined. All the Cullen's moved to the side of the room. Tanya, Kate, and Irina stood protectively in front of me. Nobody spoke. Nobody breathed. Nobody moved. It was like everything happened in slow motion. Edward took one step after another towards where I stood with my new family. I felt a connection to him, like he held my missing piece and the closer he got, the more complete I felt. It was like he really did have my heart all along.

Edward didn't stop until he was three paces in front of me. Suddenly, Irina stepped forward and slapped him. "I deserved that," he muttered, rubbing his jaw.

"You deserve far worse than that!" she snapped.

"Irina, please step aside," he asked in a strained voice.

I saw Kate's fingers twitch, dying to electrocute him. Tanya placed a hand on both of the girls' shoulders. They parted, exposing me to the black intensity of his gaze.

"Bella, what...what happened to you?"

I willed myself to look away, focusing on a lamp in the corner. "I...grew up, Edward. I left home and my old life behind...and everyone in it." Tanya squeezed my hand.

Edward remained silent; I counted to a hundred, twice. Finally I looked up. The pain in his eyes were almost too much to bare. "So you moved on...after I left," he stated emptily.

"Not so moved on as...died, really. I became an empty shell of what I once was." The pain in his eyes only deepened; I had to look away. "Stop looking at me like that!" I cried.

Kate moved towards him, but Tanya held her back.

I took a deep breath, trying to control the emotions on my face. "I'm living here now, Edward. I started over. Turned over a new leaf," I continued quietly, thoughtfully.

"This isn't a leaf! It's your life we're talking about!" He yelled showing anger to cover the pain.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Edward Cullen!" I snapped back. "I'm tired of you dictating my life. It was my decision! You lost your chance at an argument the day you left. You don't want me," I quoted gravely.

Everyone was silent. No one had been there when Edward left me in the woods, but they knew I was addressing it now.

"Bella..." Edward finally broke the silence.

I turned towards him as all the emotions I had shoved away came spilling into my eyes. In the corner of my eye, I noticed Jasper gripping his chest.

"We need to talk," he said.

I didn't say anything. I just stood there, frozen, waiting for the second time my heart would break. "Bella," he started again, watching my eyes. "I never wanted to leave. It killed me to say those words to you. I lied to you, Bella. I lied to try and keep you safe. I didn't want you hurt because of what we are..."

I cut him off, but still managed a calm voice. "But I was hurt because of what you are...family. I was hurt when my family deserted me. You may have tried to protect my life, but what was there to live for? Don't you see? You were my life. When that one thing in your life disappears, you change. Some move on, some commit suicide, others become an empty shell scarred for life. Me, I was the empty shell. When I was reminded of you, I realized I was forgetting. Every touch, every look, every word was blurring into a dream. A place you visit even when you don't want to. An easily triggered gun set to blow a hole through your chest at the slightest drop of a hat. I couldn't live like that anymore...I wouldn't." I concluded.

Once I started it was like I couldn't stop. I was telling him everything. It was like no one else was in the room. Just Edward and me. Each trying to decipher the others mind, but no longer on the same wavelength.

"Bella...I love you," Edward blurted. His eyes almost seemed at peace from saying those words, but mine were far from that.

I held his gaze calmly. "It was nice to see you again, Edward." I responded, walking away. Tanya, Kate, and Irina followed silently.

Once I reached my bedroom, I collapsed. "Bella, I am so proud of you," Kate said, patting my knee. "And Irina, when you slapped him...whoa."

Tanya wrapped her arms around me. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

I bit my bottom lip and nodded. "Yeah, I'm better, thank you." I hugged them all.

"So where do we go from here?" Irina asked, looking towards the door. "He's obviously not leaving."

I sighed. "When I figure it out, you'll be the first to know."

Edward's pov

"It was nice to see you again, Edward," Bella said.

I felt my finally restored heart break as she walked away. I had stabbed myself in the heart when I left her and she only turned the knife with every word she said.

She's just not sure how to react, Edward. Don't worry, she'll come back. Alice reassured me.

"Empty promises," I muttered, running out the door.

"Edward, please don't give up!" Esme begged.

I turned around, still walking backwards. "Give up? Never!" I smiled for the first time in seven months.


I know it was short. I can't remember if I promised a long chapter or not, but sorry. When I see a good ending, I stop. Hope you liked it anyway! Hold the flames or if you can't make them REALLY angry so I can laugh. Thanks!