Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Previously:

"Well, I guess we both knew one of us would be leaving sooner or later. I guess I'm just surprised because I thought we were friends. Friends who told each other when they were going to leave. Or were you not even going to say goodbye? You thought you could just up and leave and go on to live your life. You probably won't even remember us."

His words were like a knife to the heart. I wrapped my arms around my legs as I curled myself into a ball. Tears were pouring down my cheeks.

"Edward, you know I could never forget--"

"Save the lies, Bella. I think you should leave. I can't deal with this right now." He turned his back on me and I debated whether or not I should comfort him. I decided against it and practically ran out the door and tried to find Alice and Rose.

I probably looked like a madwoman as tears were streaming down my face and my hair was in every direction. I slowed down my pace to a jog as I entered the living room. The Cullen's were sitting down and looked at me in shock.

BPOV

I tried to secretly brush my tears away. I knew they could tell I was crying but I could try to mask the pain, right?

"Everything okay, Bella?" Rose asked before wiggling out of Emmett's grasp and heading over towards me. Alice followed and before I knew it, I was in their arms.

"He hates me." I couldn't hold in my emotions any longer. My body shook with silent sobs as I struggled to at least keep myself in control.

"Who hates you? Edward? I'll kick his ass if he hurt you!" Emmett stood up in an instant and began cracking his knuckles. I tried to give him a smile, but I'm pretty sure it was more of a grimace.

"Edward didn't hurt me, Emmett… I hurt him." I whispered the last part.

"Do you want me to make some tea and we can talk about it?" Esme asked as she started to head towards the kitchen.

I didn't deserve their hospitality. I needed to get out of here. Immediately, a plan began to form in my head.

"I actually have to go." I broke away from Alice and Rose. "But thanks for offering."

"Oh, well you just come over if you need anything." Esme looked slightly disappointed.

My heart broke in two. Little did they know that this would most likely be the last time I would see them.

I nodded my head and headed towards the door. With a shaking hand, I reached for the door knob. I paused and turned to look at the people who had become my second family.

"Thanks. For everything." My eyes landed on Alice and Rose and I gave them a small smile.

"We'll see you tomorrow, right?" Alice's voice broke the silence. A tug at my heart notified me that I needed to get out of there soon.

I didn't answer. Instead, I opened the door and stepped into the afternoon sunlight.

I didn't waste any time. When I arrived at my cabin, I began throwing everything that I owned into my suitcases.

One way or another, I was going to leave tonight.

-----

APOV

"Thanks. For everything." The way she said those words made me want to cry. It was as if she was saying goodbye.

"We'll see you tomorrow, right?" I was afraid of her answer. I wanted her to say, "of course!" But instead, I was met with silence. A pain in my chest began to form as I watched my best friend walk out the door and out of my life.

"She'll be back, right?"

"Of course." Rose replied; there was doubt in her voice. "We should go get Edward to tell us what happened. God knows he can jump to conclusions." And for the moment, we pushed away the thoughts of Bella never coming back and went to go help our brother.

EPOV

"I'm leaving." Like a broken record, her words were repeated over and over again.

I don't know how long I laid on my bed. Probably only fifteen minutes. I enjoyed the silence; I welcomed it. But I knew it wouldn't last. As expected, I heard muffled voices coming from outside my hall. It sounded like they were silently debating before one of them spoke up.

"It's Alice and Rose, can we come in?"

"I'm busy. Leave me alone." I mumbled. Apparently, they hadn't heard me because the next thing I knew a door was opening and Alice and Rose sat at the edge of my bed.

"I hardly consider staring at the ceiling as being busy." Rose scoffed.

"Well maybe I just wanted to be alone."

"Well maybe we want to know what the hell happened. Bella practically ran out of the house in tears." Alice retorted.

I remained silent.

"We're assuming she told you about her leaving." Alice said quietly. That got my attention. I quickly sat up.

"You knew? And you're not mad at her? After what she was going to do, how can you not hate her?" I fired off the questions.

"Yes, we knew. What the hell do you mean by 'you're not mad at her.' It's not her fault her mother is forcing her to go back to New York." Rose crosses her arms in front of her as she glared at me.

"Wait, what? Her mother. Didn't Bella-- wasn't she just going to up and leave? She's leaving tomorrow and didn't even tell us until today!"

"Her mother called yesterday. She tried to buy more time but her mother's words were final. She had no say in when she was able to leave. She wanted to tell you but she didn't know how. That's why she asked to talk to us first. I'm not sure the others know yet. I doubt." Alice explained.

Shit. Once again, Edward fucking Cullen jumped to conclusions and didn't bother thinking with his brain.

My brain was trying to comprehend what I just heard.

Bella was trying to tell me that there was nothing she could do, but I was a stupid ass who tried to turn the situation on her.

"I have to go see her." My mind was in overdrive. Frantically, I jumped off the bed and ran out the door and down the stairs where my family looked at me like I was crazy. I would deal with them later. Right now, I had to get to Bella.

I cut through the woods hoping it would be a short cut. In record time, I was standing on her porch banging on the door.

Please, Bella, open the door. I'm so sorry.

I stood there for a few more seconds before going around her house and looking into the living room window. Everything was in it's place. Bella's laptop wasn't on the coffee table, her favorite book, Wuthering Heights, wasn't left on the couch. There was no sign that she had been here.

I was too late.

I staggered back to her porch and let my body slide down the side of her house. I buried my head in my hands and choked back a sob.

I could hear footsteps approaching to my right. "Go away, Alice. She left; I want to be left alone."

But the footsteps only grew louder and soon a hand touched my shoulder.

My head snapped up. "I said I want--" My heart stopped pounding as I looked into the brown orbs I thought I would never see again. "Bella?"

"I'm here, Edward. I didn't leave yet." Without thinking, I brought her into a bone crushing hug. Tears escaped the corners of my eyes as I rocked us back and forth. She was here. She hadn't left yet. There was still hope for me to fix this.

"I thought you had left. I panicked; there's so much I have to say." I breathed in her scent of freesias and strawberries; it was intoxicating.

"I was just about to leave. I was going to go to the airport and trade in my ticket for an earlier flight. I couldn't stay here knowing you hated me. I couldn't handle it."

"I couldn't possibly hate you. I'm sorry, Bella. You have no idea how sorry I am. I thought that you had planned leaving long before; I didn't know about the phone call with your mother. I'm--" A finger to my lips broke me from my rambling as I looked into the eyes of the woman I loved.

"Edward, stop apologizing."

"Bella, I told you to leave. I falsely accused you of something out of your control! Please, forgive me." I whispered. I guided her chin up so that I could look into her eyes.

"I-I forgive you." Her words caused my heart to rejoice.

I didn't deserve her. I was aware of that. But at that moment, I didn't care. I only knew one thing: I was in love with her. I had fallen in love in only a short month. And I had fallen hard.

I crashed my lips to hers. I tried to memorize the taste of her lips and how our lips moved in synchronization. All too soon, our kiss had ended and she pulled away.

"Edward, I still have to leave tomorrow."

"And there's nothing to make you stay?" My lips trailed her jaw line.

"Edward…" She sighed. "You know I would do anything to just stay here, but I have to go back."

"I know. Can't blame me for trying. It's not everyday I meet a beautiful, mesmerizing woman like you."

"You don't have to lie, Edward. I'm not beautiful. You're the one who dazzles me on a regular basis."

"I dazzle you?" A smile was tugging at my lips and it took all my restraint to keep me from taking her right then and there.

"Frequently." The blush that I had come to love filled her cheeks.

"Well, I hate to break it to you Love, but you don't see yourself clearly. You're absolutely stunning." I captured her lips again and at that moment, I knew everything was going to be okay. We would make it through this.

"I wish we could just stay like this forever." Her head rested on my shoulder and I hugged her closer to my body.

"So do I." I murmured before we fell into a comfortable silence.

"I want you to know something, Bella…"

A/N: Review if you want to know what Edward has to tell Bella! And you'll also get another mini episode called A Day At The Island. Just remember to review under a registered name. But anonymous reviews are also welcomed.

If you didn't receive a mini story for the last chapter, let me know and I'll try to resend it in a PM because I know for a FACT that I sent everyone who reviewed a mini excerpt.

One more thing, this story will be changing names to A Home Away From Home because I do not feel that the present title fits the story. So be on the lookout for a title change.

Thanks for your cooperation and patience. Please review.

Love,

Kristi