A/N...Okay, so the boys are leaving, so this gets a touch emotional. This is the last chapter on the trail. And it's a little shorter than my usual chapters, but it looks like Thursday will be the next post date. Maybe...please don't hold it against me if it turns out to be Friday.

And I need to point out that these 6 people have been living as a family for almost 5 months. They know everything about each other, so don't think that when they're talking, they're doing it behind someone's back. Everyone knows everything.

Okay, the last of the trail...

CHAPTER 10

Maine – five months into the trail

A Parting of Ways

EDWARD

"The closest airport would be Portland, Maine," Emmett said as I searched on my phone. I nodded, taking a sheet of paper and a pen from an outstretched hand. "We can rent a car in Rumford, Ed. Uncle Garrett's looking it up now."

"'Kay," I sighed, pulling out my own phone. "Did they say what triggered it?" I asked without looking up.

Emmett had his phone on speaker. "Edward, your Uncle Aro approached him again on your behalf, and I'm sorry to say we both ended up in his office. Caius is trying to accuse him of some unlawful acts."

I sighed, my head falling back and my eyes closing in frustration. I looked at Emmett, whose face had turned fierce with anger. "You know what?" I growled, "I don't want to know, Uncle Garrett. Really. Dad's on his own."

"I don't blame you two. It's probably best." His voice was tight with concern. "But I'll warn you. Lou's going to want to see you when you get here. I think your dad has some sort of living will...and you boys will be responsible for Cullen Construction." Lou was my father's personal lawyer. If there was anyone that knew the shit that was under the rocks at Cullen Construction, it was Lou Williams. He wasn't a bad guy, but he had worked for our father so long, there was no going back.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Emmett growled, looking out around him and back to me. "Not a chance," he snarled. "We'll call you when we get to the airport, Uncle G. Tell Mom we're on our way. Okay?"

"Sure thing," he sighed. The call ended, the tension palpable between my brother and me.

Anything Carlisle Cullen had gotten himself into, he deserved.

Within moments, our little group had gone from completely relaxed to high alert. After another thirty minutes and with our uncle's help, we had all the arrangements made.

Until we were stopped by two very concerned faces.

"Let us come with you," Bella frowned, putting a hand over mine. I looked between her and Rose, and they were both dead serious.

"Rosie," Emmett sighed, shaking his head. He turned to me. He had the same question all over his face as I did. What do we say? It wasn't that we didn't want them to come, but we both would feel guilty about taking them away from finishing Bella's next book. We both didn't even want to go see a man we could barely talk about, much less talk to. And we definitely didn't want them involved in any investigation that my father might be under.

"Please, Em," Rose frowned. He sighed, pulling her aside.

I looked down to see tears pooling in Bella's eyes. Maggie was pacing circles around her, moaning in frustration at the feelings she was picking up on. "Love," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I tugged her to the closest rock and sat down, pulling her to stand between my legs. "You really don't want to see this. I don't even want to see this."

"Don't you want my help?" she asked, sounding completely heartbroken.

"Always, every day, my love," I nodded, brushing the hair away from her face. "But what about Mags? What about finishing this trail for your book, baby? And then you're moving to me, Bella. I'd rather wait so I can keep you. Permanently."

"I know," she sniffled, cupping my face. "I just...I really didn't want to finish this without you, Edward." She looked around and then back to me. I couldn't stop myself from reaching up and wiping away her tears. "I want to be there for you."

I took her hand and placed it over my heart. "You're right here," I whispered, feeling my own emotions take over. "You've completely moved in...right here." My forehead fell to her stomach, and I squeezed my eyes closed. I had finally found the one person that made me whole, and I had to rip myself away from her. Her sad face told me she felt exactly the same. She ran her fingers through my hair, placing kisses to the top of my head. "We don't want to go, baby. But you really shouldn't be around for this shit. Let us try and smooth it all. Let us see where we stand when we get there. If it weren't for my mom, Bella, I wouldn't go. I swear."

"I know," she breathed into my hair. She lifted my face by placing her palms flat on my cheeks. "You call me every chance you can. If I don't have a signal, you leave a fucking message. Got it?"

"I wouldn't dare disobey that command, beautiful," I nodded, my brow wrinkling as I took a deep breath. "You won't be long – two weeks at most – before you're done with this thing. Then I want you to pack like the wind, my Bella. You get to Charlie's ASAP."

"I was planning on it," she chuckled, sniffling and wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. Maggie whined, unable to contain herself any longer. Her head squeezed between us so she could lick my face and nuzzle Bella's hand. "She thinks we're fighting or something," Bella smiled, biting her lip.

"My girls," I smiled sadly. "I'm going to miss you so much." I had come to depend on them both, to consider them mine and mine alone.

"Edward," Jasper sighed from behind Bella. "Let us all at least see you to the car rental place in that next town. Okay, dude?" Alice was agreeing with him at his side.

I looked up at Bella, and she was nodding like a child. I couldn't say no to her. I had a feeling I would never be able to tell her no, even if we lived to be a hundred. I looked over at my brother, who was holding a discouraged Rose. His arm was around her shoulders, but he nodded. He shrugged like he couldn't part either.

The hike into the next town took hours, but we made it just before the rental placed closed.

Once my brother and I had signed all the necessary paperwork, made arrangements to turn the rental back in at the airport, and loaded the sedan they had brought around to the front door, we set our things in the trunk with heavy sighs and even heavier hearts. Neither of us wanted to stop the hike. Neither of us wanted to leave the girls, or Alice and Jasper for that matter. And we damn well didn't want to get involved with our father's dealings. But the sins of the father always seem to carry over to the sons.

My brother immediately went to kneel in front of Bella, who was sitting with Maggie on a bench off to the side.

"We'll take care of her, Edward," I heard from beside me. I looked down to see Alice looking between us all worriedly. I glanced up at Jasper and Rose.

"I've got it, Ed," Jasper nodded. "I'll see them through 'til the end."

"Promise me," I said, holding out my hand to shake his. "Just promise me you'll keep her safe."

"And piss off my new bosses?" He chuckled, grasping my hand and pulling me into a one-armed hug.

"I'll see them on the plane back to New York, and then we'll call you in a few weeks once we've made it to Seattle."

Alice was nodding along with Rose, who pulled me aside. "You have to check in, Edward. She'll go crazy without you, without knowing you're okay." She raised a dangerous eyebrow at me.

"I will...we both will. Please be safe, okay?"

"Go," she nodded. "Take care of your mom, and I'll get her to you as quickly as I can."

"Thanks," I sighed, turning around to see Emmett kiss the top of Bella's head as she nodded at him. There were huge tears spilling down her cheeks.

I made my way to her, my heart breaking with every step. Emmett slapped my shoulder on his way by. I knelt in front of the girl that had changed me forever. The girl who, in a little less than six months, had become my world, had come to mean more to me than my own life.

Suddenly, our time apart loomed frighteningly before me. I knew my nightmares would return. I knew I was not ready to face the man, sick or not, that was partially to blame for what happened with Gwen. And I truly wasn't ready to leave the sweet, beautiful girl that was reaching for me.

"Say it again, Bella," I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I love you," she whimpered against my lips.

I scooped her into my arms, sitting on the bench with her in my lap. "And I love you."

BELLA

Maggie whined softly as she watched Emmett and Edward walk into the front doors of the car rental office. "Come on, Mags," I sighed, setting my pack down and falling wearily onto a bench.

My chest was aching, not only at the fact that Edward was leaving me early, but why he was leaving. I worried about his mom, but I worried even more about the strained relationship he and Emmett had with their father. And to walk into such a nasty situation on top of all of that made me anxious for them.

A car was pulled around, some gray nondescript four-door. The boys emerged from the office and loaded up the trunk with all of their belongings.

Maggie hopped up on the bench with me just as Emmett made his way to me. His usually kind, carefree face now harbored worry, wariness, and a touch of sadness.

He knelt his large frame before me. "I wish you were coming, Belly, but I know you understand why you can't." He sighed, reaching over to pet Maggie's head. "It's important that you finish this. It's important to Eddie and Rosie. The minute you're done, you move, though, okay?"

I nodded. "I know. Can you two handle this?"

"That's hard to say," he shrugged. "But if we can't, then you shouldn't be witness to it. Our father's betrayal runs deep. We're only going to be there for Mom."

"Take care of him for me," I begged, my eyes sliding past Emmett. Edward looked nervous as he talked with Alice, Jasper, and Rose.

"You have no idea what you've done for him." Emmett shook his head, a small but sad smile playing on his face. "You focus on getting through this trail and then getting packed. He won't make it long without you, I'm afraid."

"Me, either," I mumbled, nodding.

Emmett studied my face for a moment. So many emotions played over the once happy but now completely serious features of the guy I had grown to love as my big brother.

"Our dad," he frowned, almost growling, "has a way of really pushing Edward's buttons. No matter what, Belly, you need to remember what you two found here. Even if he forgets." He raised an eyebrow at me. "It's really important that you promise me that, okay?"

"Okay," I nodded, frowning at the direction Emmett was taking this.

"He's easily discouraged, and will shut down if this goes badly. He's like Mom that way. I've been protecting him my whole life, Bells. But you do a better job than me." He grinned, standing up and kissing the top of my head. "Take care of my girl. She means a lot to me." He looked longingly at Rose and then back to me.

"I will."

"Good," he nodded. Kissing the top of my head again, he whispered, "You're the little sister I've always wanted." He chuckled when I sniffled a laugh, giving him an eye roll. "We'll keep you posted, but you get to us soon."

I nodded, unable to smile as I watched Edward run an anxious hand through his hair as he made his way to me. The sob that I had been holding in let loose when he knelt before me, pressing his forehead to mine.

"Say it again, Bella," he begged, his voice a velvet whisper. My arms wrapped around his neck as I lost the last bit of control I had.

I pressed my lips to his, whispering, "I love you."

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him. Lifting me up, he sat down and kept me in his lap. "And I love you."

I buried my heated face into his neck, letting his nervous pulse thump against my skin. We were quiet for a moment, just holding each other. My fingers caressed the side of his neck as his hand rubbed my back soothingly.

"Hey, beautiful," he sighed, his own voice cracking, "look at me." He pulled my face up with his fingers gently. "I'll call when we land."

"I'll call when we finish," I nodded. "And every time I have a signal."

"Good girl," he smiled, kissing my forehead. "It's stupid for me to say I'll miss you. It goes beyond that, love."

"I know," I nodded, leaning into his hand when he wiped away my tears. "I'm worried for you," I sighed.

"Don't be," he smiled sweetly. "Maybe my nightmares will turn into torturous dreams of you – of how beautiful you are. Maybe they will be replays of every time you were wrapped naked in my arms."

"Edward," I shook my head, unable to fight my smile. He chuckled softly, kissing my head. "Maybe I can call you every night once we're back in New York. I can tuck you in," I grinned, biting my bottom lip.

"I'd really like that, baby," he nodded like a child. His eyes slipped past me, and I tensed when I realized he had to get on the road.

"It's time," I nodded, my breath hitching. He nodded slowly, his own green pools dark with sadness. He tilted his head at me. "Kiss me, Edward."

"I was hoping you'd say that," he groaned, placing his hand on the side of my face.

What started as something soft and sweet and sad, turned heated and desperate in mere seconds. I gripped his hair fiercely as his own hands lost control. The one on my back grasped my shirt in a fist. The one on my cheek slid up into my hair, turning my head. There were grunts of frustration and whimpers of sobs, only stopping when we ran out of air. "I love you, Bella." His breath ghosted over my face.

"I miss you already," I frowned, grabbing his face and kissing him fully on the lips one more time. "I love you."

"No more tears, my love," he smiled, his own threatening to fall down. "Six weeks, right?" he asked, and I nodded. I stood up from his lap and smiled as he leaned over to let Maggie lick his face. I heard him whisper, "My girls," one more time before he stood up.

He grasped my hand tightly as we walked to the car. Emmett was already standing by the open driver's side door. Rose's eyes were wet as she nodded at whatever he was whispering into her ear. Her face was completely serious.

With more hugs from Alice, the boys got in the car. When I could no longer see the tail lights, my heart shattered. A tall, warm body wrapped around me, and I realized Jasper was holding me up. "Easy, Bells," he sighed. "Edward was afraid this would happen. Let's get this trail done. What do ya say, huh?"

I nodded, letting him drag me over to the bench to help me with my pack. I followed them all blindly back to the trail.

We were all quiet that night, barely speaking as we set up camp. Jasper took charge, understanding completely that there were two aching souls with him that just needed time to adjust. He played his guitar softly until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I crawled into the tent I had shared with Edward for almost four months and let the tears flow.

OoOoOo

By late the next day as we set up our camp, I finally checked my phone for a signal, and I had two voice mails. I sat down in my tent, holding the phone tightly to my ear as if I could melt into Edward's voice.

"Hey, beautiful," he sighed. "We made it okay to the airport. I'll call you again when we land. I love you so much, Bella. You and Mags take care of each other. I miss you two already."

In the next one, he sounded exhausted.

"Hi, baby," he yawned into the phone. "We just landed at Sea-Tac. Emmett's driving me nuts. I think he's lost it for Rose, love." He chuckled into the phone. "Anyway, we haven't decided if we're going straight to the hospital or home. I just wanted to hear your sweet voice on your message. Call me if you can, okay? Love you."

I immediately hit redial. He picked up before the second ring.

"Bella," he sighed in relief. "Hey, baby."

"Hey," I breathed, squeezing my eyes shut. I really did just want to just text myself to him or something. Just the sound of his voice made me feel better. "Where are you?"

"My parent's house. We came straight here to catch some sleep. It was too late to visit the hospital by the time we landed, got our stuff, and waited for Uncle Garrett to pick us up."

"Have you slept?"

"It doesn't seem like it," he murmured. I knew that voice. He'd had nightmares already. "How about you guys. Everyone okay?"

"We're fine, though I think Jasper's new mission is to watch us like a hawk. He's been trying to push us further every day, but keeping us calm at night."

Edward chuckled at the other end of the line. "And Mags?"

"Is sleeping with me..." My voice trailed off. I didn't want him to worry that nightmares had started haunting my sleep again.

"Well, she gets you all to herself again," he chuckled. "I'm envious, actually."

"She would gladly give up space if you were here. She misses you. She looks for you at night."

"I miss her...I miss you both." He yawned loudly, taking a deep breath.

"Edward, I love you," I sighed. "Get some sleep before you go to the hospital."

"Yes, ma'am," he mumbled. "Love you, too, beautiful."

I crawled out of the tent and saw I was the first one up. I stoked the fire and began the usual routine of making coffee and heating water. Maggie walked with me to the woods and stood silently by my side as I washed my face and brushed my teeth.

I walked back to camp to see Rose pouring coffee, yawning widely.

"They're at their parent's house," we both mumbled at the same time. I snorted, shook my head, and took the cup she was holding out to me. I sat down on a log with a sigh.

"What do we do, Belly?" Rose snickered, sitting down next to me and laying her head on my shoulder. "Have we ever been this bad before?"

"Over guys?" I chuckled. She nodded with a giggle. "Hell, no."

She snapped her head up to look at me. "I really like him, Bells."

"I know."

"No," she shook her head. "I mean it. I really like him." I stared at her for a moment. For Rose to lay it all out there was rare, but I could see she meant every word.

"Okay," I nodded. "What do we do about that?" I asked, tilting my head at her.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Move like the wind? Run like hell?"

I laughed, shaking my head and leaning into her. "Did Emmett tell you anything about their dad?"

"You mean, what he's in trouble for?" she asked, and I nodded. "No. Nothing. But does it matter? He sounds like an ass. It sounds to me like they came to investigate him, and it was too much."

"That's kind of what I thought, too," I sighed, staring into my cup. "I think he was involved in the whole Gwen thing." Rose's head shot up as Alice joined us. I poured another cup of coffee and handed it to her once she came back from the woods. "Honestly, I think Carlisle had something to do with Gwen. He did something – I just don't know what."

"Spill it, Swan," Rose sighed, wrapping an arm around me.

"Okay," I nodded. I told the whole thing from beginning to end. I told them how Edward had met Gwen at UW and they hit it off. How he came to realize she was married when she showed up at a holiday party with her husband at the Cullen home. I told them how they decided to keep it quiet until they could figure out what to do. They both had looks of disgust on their faces when I told them that Emmett had seen her with other guys and had told his brother.

"Edward said he fucking lost control," I nodded when they asked what happened. "They usually met at this hotel, so when he went there to confront her about the other men, she told him she was pregnant. But here's where I get concerned," I held up one finger. "The very day he confronts Gwen about cheating on him, her husband shows up at Edward's to confront him? I mean, how did he know?"

"So he left her at the hotel?" Alice asked.

"Yup," I nodded, "he did just that. Now, he was wrong, but he was pissed...I get that. Edward told the husband that he wasn't the only guy and that she was pregnant." I winced when they both gasped.

"Do you blame him?" Jasper growled, and we all turned to see him crawl from the tent.

"No," I shook my head. "But I have a theory on that, too. I think she knew exactly who Edward was. I think she targeted him from the very beginning."

"Maybe," Jasper nodded, sitting next to Alice. "Emmett and Alice have told me most of this story. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

I shrugged, knowing that most of this was discussed at random times during our time together. We had been living as family for about five months; there were hardly secrets. "But how did the husband find out? Really?"

Alice stood up and started pacing, her dark brow was furrowed in concentration. "Okay, didn't the boys say that the husband...what's his name?"

"Caius Verducci," Rose and I spoke in unison.

"Right, Caius," she nodded, holding up a finger. "Didn't they say he was like competition for their dad?" We all nodded and turned to look at Jasper.

"From what I've gathered," Jasper said, looking at us, "Caius wanted to buy out Cullen Construction. Carlisle said no. So Caius went to Carlisle's biggest competitor, some guy named Harper. They merged."

"They merged when Caius married Harper's daughter, Gwen," Rose growled.

"Okay," Jasper shrugged, "but what would be the next step? Gang up on Cullen, right?" he asked, and we all agreed. "If Carlisle knew about Edward and Gwen...and he knew that Harper and Caius were gunning for his company, then, Bells, you may be right. Carlisle may have sold his own son to his enemy just to save his company."

"Bastard," we all growled.

"He's a piece of work," Jasper nodded. "I looked him up on my phone. He's brilliant and clever, but smarmy and unethical. And unbelievably fucking rich. I can't imagine what Caius has told their uncle, but it's quite possible he could see big trouble heading his way."

"I'm glad you'll be working for Emmett and Edward and not their dad," Alice snarled, pointing at him.

"Me, too," he chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender. "Though, with their dad out of commission, I wonder what will happen." We all got quiet on that note, everyone lost in their own thoughts. "Ladies," Jasper grinned widely, "let's get the hell out of Dodge, huh? The quicker we get through Maine, the quicker we can go help our boys."

"Can I get an Amen?" Rose laughed, raising a hand in the air.

We all joined her with a loud, resounding, "Amen!"

OoOoOo

"Hey, beautiful," Edward's voice crooned on my voice mail. It had been two days since I had talked to him. "My dad is in intensive care. They say he needs a new heart, and have put him on a list. My mom is...fuck, Bella, she's so broken." My man sounded tired, completely hurting for his mother. "They're going to try surgery first, but my mother is panicking, because she thinks he won't make it through." I could almost see his hand running through his hair. I could almost feel the stubble on his face, and my hands ached to touch him. "God, Bella, I miss you. I miss you so fucking much. All this shit...fuck...I need to hear your voice, baby. Call me soon, okay?"

I had to get myself under control before I hit redial. I looked over at Alice, and she wiped away a tear that had rolled down my face. "Call him," she whispered. "You need it. He needs it."

"'Kay," I nodded.

I cleared my throat before hitting the send button. His phone went straight to his voice mail. "Hey, handsome," I smiled, trying to convey it through my voice. I needed to be the strong one on this end. He sounded like he had when I first met him. "Thanks for the update. I was beginning to wonder where he stood. Just be there for your mom, Edward. She needs someone calm and decisive. I know you and your dad aren't best friends, but you have to understand she still sees him as the man she met, dated, and married. That may never change for her. Maybe ignorance is bliss, but you can't fault her for worrying. I would be a nervous wreck in her place, baby."

I took a deep breath, shaking my head. "I miss you. I miss your arms around me at night, I miss my morning kisses, and I miss you hogging the covers," I giggled. "I miss you completely, Edward. We're doing our best to get done. I'll even have a new scar for you when I see you, okay? You'll love where it is...and it's all Rose's fault. She let a branch go too soon." I giggled again. "I love you, baby. Call me back when you can."

I looked over to Alice, who was smirking and giving me a thumbs up. I lay my head on her shoulder. "God, I miss him," I sighed. She ran her fingers through my hair, swaying me back and forth.

"Come on, ladies," Jasper called from the porch of the hostel. "Dinner time. Bells, you need to eat."

I nodded, standing up and holding out my hand for Alice. This was the last hostel of our trip. We were going to make the best of it. Rose was working the laundry, Jasper took cooking duty, Alice and I had clean up.

We sat down at the table at the end of the porch. I looked up at Rose, who was eying me with a worried expression. "What?"

"Have you spoken to Edward?"

"No, but I just left a message. Why?"

"Em says his nightmares are back, Belly," she sighed, shaking her head. "He says he won't talk about them. He's worried about Edward. Seeing their dad..." Her lip curled in anger. "Emmett said their dad all but flat out accused Edward of being responsible for the investigation, Caius, and even the fucking heart attack."

"The hell?" Jasper and I growled.

"What did Emmett say?" I asked, my hands clenching into fists.

She snorted slightly, shaking her head. "He told his dad that if he didn't shut up, he would have the nurse come in and knock him out with meds. He was pissed, Belly. Emmett was raging on the phone."

"Where was their mom? Where was Edward?"

"He said Edward took his mother home for some rest and something to eat."

"Good," Jasper nodded, eying my plate and then me. I smirked and nodded, starting to eat. "Maybe Eddie will rest, too."

"I have an idea, Bells." Rose's smile was evil, yet childlike. When we all just waited for her answer, she smiled and continued. "Send Charlie to the hospital."

"Charlie is not that subtle," I snorted, rolling my eyes. "He would walk into the hospital and say, 'My girls are worried, your old man's a crooked bastard, and if you break my girls' hearts, I'll shoot you'."

Our table exploded into laughter. I shrugged; it was damn well close to the truth.

"Well, yes," Rose giggled, "he could do that. But if we told him to just check, he would. He's pretty sly, you know. Just ask Mike." I my eyebrows shot up and my fork stopped half way to my mouth. "Do you really think Mike was pulled over for speeding the night before he was supposed to drive you to prom?"

Alice snorted into her glass, looking between us. "Oh, I really can't wait to meet Charlie. Seriously." She giggled, shaking her head.

"He'd love you," Rose and I said wryly.

"Anyway," Rose sighed, "it was a warning. Don't think it wasn't." She pointed her fork at me as she raised a dangerous eyebrow.

"I wouldn't send him yet," Jasper stated, frowning down at his plate. "I'd wait. I'd wait until their dad is a little better." We all looked at him with what I was sure were matching confused faces. An amazingly wicked smile crept over his face. "Oh yeah," he nodded, still grinning. "Imagine if the cop that pulled his son from that gruesome wreck showed up, asking his own questions. Imagine if we're right, Bells, and he was responsible in part for that mess with Caius...Carlisle might get a little nervous."

"Great," I snorted, "let's just finish him off with another heart attack, shall we? I'd rather not kill my boyfriend's dad, Jazz. Really. No matter how much he dislikes him."

"No, no," Jasper laughed. "I said wait until he's home, until he's better."

We were all quiet as we thought about it. My phone vibrated across the table, and we all jumped. I looked at the screen, and it read, "Edward."

"Go," Alice shooed me from the table. "I'll start dishes."

I nodded, jumping up from the table to have a little privacy. "Edward?"

"Hey, baby," he chuckled on the other end. "Were you running?"

"No," I laughed, "just eating dinner. We're at the last hostel of the trail, baby."

"Good girl," he snickered. I could almost see his crooked smile through the line. "So, what? About a week more?"

"Yup, give or take. How's the situation on your side of the planet?"

"My dad made it through surgery," he sighed. "They put in a pacemaker and a defibrillator. They think that may be for the best, and they can take him off the list for a new heart."

"And your mom?"

"Better, now that the surgery is over." I could hear Emmett in the background. "Yeah, Em, give me a minute, will you?" Edward growled at his brother. "Like he gives a shit if I'm there when he fucking wakes up."

"Edward," I said, wincing when I could hear the hatred in his voice.

"Sorry, my Bella," he mumbled. I could hear him light a cigarette. He blew out a long sigh.

"So what's next with them?"

"What? My dad?" he asked, and I told him yes. "Well, Lou, our dad's lawyer, wants to force retirement on him. That went over really well," Edward chuckled darkly. "We would have been better off telling him he was being put in an old folks' home."

I snorted into a giggle. "I bet. What will you do, baby?"

"I'd like to say fuck it all and move in with you and Charlie," he laughed.

"I'll let him know," I laughed.

"I wish, my love. I miss you so much," he groaned. "But if it goes the way I think it does, then my dad's company will be handed over to Emmett – lock, stock, and fucking barrel."

"Which means he'll want you with him," I guessed.

"Yes," he sighed. "You have no idea, Bella, the amount of corruption in that building."

"So go in and get rid of it."

"That's what Emmett said," he chuckled. "You two sound more alike everyday."

"I miss him," I laughed. "Rose is losing her mind without him."

"He's fallen pretty hard himself."

"And I miss you more," I whined, shaking my head. "Say it again, Edward."

"Oh, baby, I love you so much," he groaned. "I can't wait until you call me and tell me you're done with that damn trail. At least I can call you every night." Tears fell quietly from my eyes as he voiced one of my own wishes. "So, just where is this new scar, beautiful?"

"I'm not telling," I giggled, wiping my tears away with the back of my hand. "I'm saving it."

"It's mine," he growled sexily on the other end. "You know what? I don't care where the fuck it is, it's mine, love."

"Yes, sir," I laughed, shaking my head. I heard Emmett again in the background. "Go, baby. Go be with them. They need you, whether your dad realizes it or not. You are the better person, Edward. Please try to remember that for me, okay?"

"Bella," he huffed, and I could imagine the disbelief that would be all over his handsome face.

"You are, and do you want to know why?"

"Sure, baby," he said, but I could hear a slight smile in his voice.

"Because I love you. And that makes you better than anyone else."

"That just makes me a lucky bastard," he laughed. "But I know what you're saying, my love. Thank you. Call me when you can."

"You, too, Edward. Love you."

"Love you too, beautiful."

OoOoOo

A loud pop resounded from the last campfire we were going to see on the AT. I stared at it, my eyes watering as the orange glare was almost too bright. I twirled my fingers through Maggie's hair, drawing deep on the cigarette in my hand.

I missed Edward with an all-consuming need. And I just needed to communicate with him somehow. Turning my phone on, I squeaked a happy sound. My sleeping had turned to shit, and my appetite was even worse. I looked around and heard nothing. Everyone was still asleep. Of course they were, the sun hadn't even come up yet.

I only wanted to send a quick message.

B: I know it's late there, but I needed to tell you I love you.

What surprised me was I got a reply almost instantly.

E: You're either up early, or you haven't slept, my Bella. What's wrong?

B: Up early. I miss cuddling with you. ;)

E: That's not all you miss, I hope.

B: Nope, definitely not. I could say the same for you. Nightmare?

E: Yeah, but my daydreams are better. ;)

B: Do tell, Mr. Cullen...what are you thinking about?

E: The amazing places that new scar could possibly be.

B: Any guesses?

E: Mm, plenty. I'm thinking leg...maybe upper thigh? God, I hope so.

I had to cover my mouth to stifle my giggle. He was, indeed, correct.

B: We'll see. I'm still not telling. How are things?

E: My dad is pissed. Between Lou and Mom, they've forced him to retire.

I groaned softly, knowing he was not looking forward to taking over Cullen Construction.

B: What's next?

E: The company is running itself right now. Lou suggests that Em and I wait until they are done investigating Dad before heading in there.

B: Lou sounds smart. Are the accusations serious?

E: No. And Uncle Garrett isn't worried at all. Caius is a weasel and didn't want to go down alone. They nailed him on the tax evasion.

B: I wish I could be there for you, baby. I know this sucks for you. Wanna come help me pack in NY? ;)

E: Hell yes! I want to help you pack, move into Charlie's, take you to dinner, ravish you with kisses. But I don't know if I can get away.

B: I know, Edward. It was just a daydream. But the dinner and kisses sound like a date, handsome.

E: My date with you better end in more than just kisses. How much further on the trail, love?

B: Now I am looking forward to that date. Lol Tomorrow looks like it will be the last day.

E: Promise you'll call me. I want to know the second you're done, okay?

B: Will do. Try to sleep, baby. I'm worried about you.

E: Don't be. I love you. Call me soon, my love.

B: I'll call as soon as I step off the trail. I love you, too.

As I watched the sun slowly come up, I found myself smiling slightly at the accomplishment I had achieved. I had walked the entire Appalachian Trail. Suddenly, my mind was filled with how I wanted my book to look, and I was itching to see all the photos I had taken.

I started the coffee for the others, stoking the flames of the fire. I sat back and thought of everything I had learned, experienced, and felt on the twenty-one hundred miles of the AT. I smiled, shaking my head when the only thing that flew to the forefront of my mind was Edward's handsome face.

"My, my," Rose snorted. "And just what are you thinking about? Or should I say who?"

I giggled, waving her away as she walked past me to the woods and the water shed.

The camp came alive slowly, but once we were all up, we all felt the urgency to be done, to be finished with this path we had all taken for one reason or another. And we were all looking forward to moving closer to the friends we had come to love, and that we knew needed us whether they were willing to admit it or not.

We walked that day almost in silence, finally seeing the finish just ahead. I stopped, staring at it, and pulled my phone out. Rose did the same, looking down as we both hit send.

"Talk to me, beautiful," Edward chuckled on the other end. "You're done, aren't you?" His smile sounded ten miles wide.

"Not yet," I giggled at the groan on the other end. "Rose, Jasper, Alice, and I thought it would only be fitting if you and Emmett crossed the end with us. Is Em with you?"

"Yeah," he laughed, and I could hear Emmett's booming laugh in the background.

"Hey, Eddie! Hey, Em!" Alice and Jasper yelled into our phones.

"We couldn't finish without you guys," Jasper chuckled, waving us on.

"You guys are nuts," Edward snorted. "But thank you. I wish I was there."

"Me, too," I smiled, making sure that Maggie was by my side.

"Say it again, my Bella," Edward sighed. "And say it as soon as you're over the line."

"Okay. You ready?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely," he chuckled.

"Good," I sighed, my eyes closing as my foot stepped off the AT for the last time. "I love you, Edward."

A/N...I know...the group seems empty without my boys...really, I know. But as promised, this continues way after the trail. I felt that the trail laid the foundation to what we're about to go through. And forgive them for discussing Carlisle, and forgive their theories, he's a mystery to them.

Speaking of Carlisle, I feel the need to explain...I love...love...the Carlisle Cullen character...the vampire, the adoptive father, the compassionate soul. This. Is. Not. Him. And it was damn well hard to write about him, even up to this point. So, you need to prepare yourself for him. I felt this was a test of my writing skills to see if I could take a character that I normally love and adore and turn him around. I did, and it wasn't easy.

We now move into the real world. No more trail. No more little bubble of 6 happy people. Reality and moving and the sins of the father...all start to play major parts here.

Thanks to JenRar for beta'ing this...you rock, seriously.

Okay...I need reviews. You guys were quiet last time. I need more than that. LOL Let me hear what you think will happen once everyone is back at their respective homes. Later.