So... no update yesterday. My apologies, but you probably wouldn't have seen it anyway... we all know why. You very possibly won't see this, either, but I'm crossing my fingers.
More at the bottom, but for now...
...
Chapter Ten
Bella
"How is he, Carlisle? How is he really?"
He looks at me.
Sighs.
And doesn't lie to me.
"He's not good, Bella."
I knew that. "He thinks he's... "
No.
I won't say it.
But I don't have to.
"He really should be in a hospital, honey."
"He doesn't want to be in a hospital."
"I know. Because he's stubborn."
"It's hard for him to admit that he needs... "
"I know a young girl like that. It's hard for her to, too."
"I need my dad to get better."
"I'm afraid that's not going to happen, honey. And you shouldn't be alone when it doesn't."
"I didn't know I was alone."
"Of course you have us. Esme and I. And Alice will be home soon. And Emmett and Rose. But that's not what you need, Bella. Not all you need."
Please don't...
"It's okay to need him, Bella. And it's okay to tell him you do."
"But-"
"And it's okay to let him be needed. He wants you to need him."
"I do. But... "
"He's waiting for you to tell him. Waiting, Bella. Do you understand what I'm telling you? He's in the middle of nowhere... just waiting for you to tell him."
Is that why he won't tell me where he is?
Oh, Edward... that's not what you're supposed to be doing... You're supposed to be chasing your dream. Don't you dream anymore? You used to...
And I want him to still...
"But, Carlisle... if I... "
"Life doesn't always go according to our plans, Bella. Or our dreams."
"But I want it to for him. I don't want to be the reason it doesn't."
"Like you are now?"
Ouch.
…
"How's Charlie?"
"He's... I don't know." I don't want to say...
"Well, I talked to my dad, so... "
"So... ?"
"So... I wish you would tell me things. Say things."
"I wish you would tell me things, too."
"I do."
"You don't."
"I say more than you."
"I love you, Edward."
"I love you, too, Bella."
"You know that, don't you?"
He pauses.
Sighs.
I hold my breath. Please say yes...
"Yes. I do."
I let it out and close my eyes.
"Edward?"
"Yes, Bella?"
"Where are you?" Please...
"Nowhere."
"You break my heart when you say that."
"But it's where I am."
"Edward?"
"Yes, Bella?"
"Where do you want to be?"
"Anywhere... with you."
…
There's a knock at the door.
And I wish...
Hope...
For a moment...
But I know it's not.
And still open it with a smile.
And nearly get tackled to the floor.
"I'm back!"
Alice.
"You're tan."
"Yes I am. And you look like you've never seen the sun."
"I burn in the sun."
"That's because you're delicate."
She kisses my cheek.
And closes the door.
Then puts her hands on her hips.
And glares at me.
Scary Alice...
"So, why are you trying to be such a hard ass with my baby brother?"
"I'm not... "
"You were... because I wasn't here to kick your ass. But now I'm back. And you're not going to get away with it anymore."
"Alice-"
"Alice, nothing. He wasn't going, Bella. When I left, he wasn't going. But as soon as I was gone, you convinced him to leave."
"I don't want him to regret anything... "
"Because you love him. But sweetie... you're wrong about what you think he'll regret."
"I don't want to be wrong... I'm trying to-"
"I know, baby girl. But I'm here now to guide you. Your older, wiser, someday-sister."
"You're only a year older than us, Alice."
"That's because my parents were horny freaks back then."
"Alice!"
"Don't act innocent and shocked, Bella. I know better. You and Edward are horny freaks, too. I bet if I looked at your phone, I'd find all kinds of sexting."
"Don't touch my phone! Weirdo."
"You love me."
"I do."
"And you love my baby brother."
"I do. More than anything."
"I know you do... but he doesn't so much at the moment. But we're going to fix that. And you can tell him when he gets home. And do freaky stuff. To show him."
"No, Alice... I'll tell him, I'll tell him a thousand times, but-"
"But, nothing. Now, I'm going upstairs to see Charlie. And you're going to go soak in some bubbles or something, cuz you look like shit. And I'm not letting my baby brother come home to shit."
"Alice-"
"Go!"
She's definitely back...
And bossier than ever.
And one more person on Edward's side.
And one more person that doesn't see that that's where I'm trying to be.
... WYCYE ...
I just wanted to say thank you to all who are reading and reviewing. I love to see your thoughts about these two. And I love my new banner for this story. If you want to see it, it will be posted on my fb (Chloe Masen), along with all of my others. FrozenSoldier made this one, and it's awesome. SHE's awesome. Endless thanks to her.
And, for anyone reading Say Goodbye, it updated yesterday. FrozenSoldier made that banner too, btw, in all of its wicked splendor. As for the update... the 'crickets' are kind of killing me. Edward had a special treat in store for Bella that I think you might like. And the cocky bastard's got a sense of humor, too. So, go read it. Please.
And as for this... See you tomorrow!