Her warmth filled my cold body as she wrapped herself around me, and I could hear the minds of my family, invading the time with the only one I wanted to be with.
Edward, we have to go, Alice urged, fear lacing her thoughts as she tried harder to see through the darkness of her visions, only to find exhaustion and comfort in Jasper's arms.
Son, we can't linger, Carlisle insisted.
We'll take care of her, Emmett promised protectively as I sighed, taking in her scent one last time.
Moving my hands from her small waist, I pulled them to my neck where her arms clung desperately. I grabbed each arm tenderly, yet firmly, dragging them slowly to her sides as her body shook desperately. I placed my hands on her waist, steadying her as she swayed. She stared only at my chest where her tears had discolored my shirt. I embraced her one last time, quickly and sweetly, kissing the top of her head.
"Be safe," I whispered, praying that she would listen. I let go quickly, as she steadied herself on the back of the overstuffed loveseat and I turned quickly, unable to look at her face without losing all conviction. Carlisle was holding the door open as Esme walked out gracefully and Jasper led a worn Alice out the door. I followed swiftly and tensely, dreading the upcoming week as I faced what I was causing Bella to give up.
Walking down the dark hallway, shaded from any incoming sun, we walked carefully to the parking garage, careful not to let our skin give us away.
She was so afraid, Jasper thought, letting his mind wander back to Bella as we walked into the dark parking structure.
"We just asked her to give up her entire life, what do you expect?" I whispered lowly as Jasper turned slowly to look at me, raising one eyebrow.
Not when we decided that, Edward. When she realized she would be spending a week. I'm almost certain she's not expecting you to come back. He thought carefully.
"If the wolves think she's gone, they're not going to even think about hurting any of us," I said, almost laughing that she was so ridiculously worried about my safety.
God, Edward, you honestly think that's why she doesn't expect you to come home? Now it was Alice entering our conversation. Could you be a little thicker?
"You honestly think she's afraid that I'll…" I trailed off, wondering if she was still so unsure of my promises.
"…Leave her and not come back?" Alice finished for me, "Yeah, I do."I sighed out of frustration. All of her fears, all of her pain because of a promise I had broken so long ago.
We reached the cars, as I pulled my keys out of my pocket, climbing into the driver's seat, and unlocking the doors so that Jasper and Alice could climb into the backseat. Carlisle and Esme pulled out of the garage, leading us to the airport. We followed in silence until we reached the airport's shaded parking structure, where Alice and Jasper wordlessly slid out of the back and into the Mercedes. Carlisle nodded as he waved us off and I took the lead, not even waiting for Jasper to start the car.
The open road greeted us as the sun shone off the dry Midwestern farms. I focused solely on the road, careful not to let my mind wander to the days ahead. Would I be able to act like the love of my life had died? I had felt that pain before, and acting was a part of my lifestyle, but did I want to reenact how I felt those miserable days when I thought she had flung herself off a cliff? Could I face her grieving father and mother and her friends when I knew I would go back to Alaska and see her again?
My head nearly ached with questions and frustrations as I realized how tense my body was, how rigid my posture was and how tight my grip was on the wheel. With more than two days left in this car without my angel, returning to Forks without her like I promised myself I wouldn't do, I braced myself for the most painful acting I had ever done.