A/N- Sorry about not updating in forever. I have so many papers and tests to study for this quarter that my life has been school, school, school…. I've gotten a few chapters ahead, but I think I might continue to hold off until I'm done. I know where I'm going with the story so it shouldn't be too much longer until regular posts are coming up.
Black Wolf-Dog- Truces can last if there's something else distracting the two parties from fighting.
Romance4ever- I'm glad you like everything! Thanks for the review!
TwilightLuver- I'm glad you liked everything, including my incorporation of the movie lines. Don't worry about writing a lot, I love hearing from my readers!
Shesonfire94- It's in it's own world/universe so think of like Jane Austen period manors, but small towns like the west… it's weird, I know, but I like it. It's creates a needed separation.
Alice was correct, once again. Everyone sat around the table and acted cordially to their neighbors. Although Edward would never actually talk to James and James almost completely ignored Edward, they weren't trying to kill each other. Emmett was telling stories about some of his pranks and anything else he thought was hilarious. It seemed as though everyone in the family had at least one story told about them, but Edward and Alice definitely had the most. Every time Emmett told a story about Edward, he would grimace as soon as he knew what the story was then lean back, almost as though he was trying to hide in himself. I would just squeeze his hand and listen to the story. By the time Emmett was done, I would usually he laughing pretty hard since it was nearly impossible to keep a straight face during the story. I even notice Rosalie break into a smile a few times, but when Emmett tried to tell a story about her, she would smack him on the back of his head.
The next morning, I woke up to Alice pulling out a dress for me and telling one of the servants what needed to go into a suitcase. When I questioned Alice about it, she told me Edward would explain. I knitted my eyebrows in confusion, but nodded and just got ready for the day. Dara had yet to come downstairs when I arrived in the parlor, but before I could find a seat, Edward was up and escorting me back into the hall.
"I'm guessing this is about the suitcases Alice was having packed for me this morning?" I asked.
"It is." Edward nodded.
"I'm going home." I whispered.
"I know I can't keep you here forever. Your father will want to see you again soon and I'm sure if you do not return then the rumors will start to fly about your honor."
"Edward, I don't care what the town says. Dara always told me it never mattered, but until I met you, I didn't believe her. She's right though. What they think doesn't matter, it's just about what you and I think, and possibly our families. We know the truth, our families and friends know the truth, so I don't care what people on Forks are saying."
"I still don't want to keep you away from your father."
"But you said we would still have a bit longer after Dara left." I said.
"I know, but… if you go home now, the sooner other things can start."
"What other things?" I asked.
"I don't want to keep you away and then suddenly ask your father for your hand." Edward said.
"You… you already want to ask my father if you can marry me?"
"I do. Bella, I love you and while I won't change you into a vampire, I want you by my side as long as that is."
"Hopefully forever." I said. Edward glared at me and I sighed. "I understand and… I love you too." I said.
"Thank you for understanding." Edward said, pulling me into him and kissing the top of my head.
"Will you be staying with me at least?" Bella asked.
"I will stay with you for a few days, but…"
"There's always a but." I sighed.
"But I will return home with out you for a week or two. Then I'll be back and we'll see what happens." Edward said.
"Where's Alice when we need her?"
"And why do we need Alice?"
"So she can tell when you'll be back and if what will happen when you do."
"It wouldn't matter, Edward hasn't made any decisions yet." Alice said as she walked over. "Dara's about to wake up and breakfast will be ready soon. We should be getting back to the parlor."
"You have the worst timing, sister." Edward muttered.
"Well it's not like you will have more time together." Alice replied. She took my arm and walked me back to the parlor, Edward only a few steps behind us.
We hadn't been there long when Dara arrived down stairs. She looked around quickly before finding her spot by James. She would look over at me every once and a while and I would give her a small smile, but with the knowledge we were both leaving, it wasn't even a slightly happy smile. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Edward and a few of the other Cullens looked almost happy, but every time I looked up at Edward, the smile would drop.
"So… breakfast will be ready in two and a half minutes and Marcel is going to have it served outside. It's going to be overcast for the most part so we have nothing to worry about." Alice said, finally breaking the silence.
"We could just eat in here…" I started, but Alice quickly cut me off.
"Don't even try, Bella. I'd figured you've been here long enough to know what I say is pretty much going to happen." Alice smiled. "Now come on or Marcel is going to serve breakfast to an empty table."
Everyone got up and followed Alice out to an empty table on the patio. Of course it wasn't empty long and Marcel's delicious food was placed in front of Dara and I. Esme smiled and thanked the servant's who brought us the food while Dara and I started to eat. After Dara and I were done, the time for goodbye had come. Both my bags as well as Dara's were by the door. A servant was already loading Dara's bags into a buggy while another was loading mine into a carriage.
"Have you decided when we're coming back?" Bella asked Edward.
"That part is still undecided." Edward said.
"Yes, it would be great if you decide soon. I keep seeing the future change and I'm getting a headache." Alice whined. Jasper just tightened his arms around her and kissed her head and apparently, all mental pain was forgotten,
"I'll send my letter here and then I'm sure Alice can get it to you in Forks." Dara said, turning my attention away from Alice.
"O of course, that's not that hard, but this means we can also go to Blythe! O! Shopping trip!" Alice clapped happily. Jasper and Edward were rolling their eyes at Alice's idea, but neither of them were frowning.
"Dara, we should get going." James said sternly. "I wouldn't want to waste anymore of the Cullen's precious time."
"Alright." Dara said. She nodded quickly to James before turning back to me. "I'll be talking to you soon."
"I'll miss you." I said. I gave Dara one last hug.
"I'll miss you too." Dara said before breaking apart. She thanked the rest of the Cullens for their hospitality before letting James help her onto his horse.
"Hopefully, you won't be calling on us anytime soon." James said.
"While the feeling is mutual, I don't think we can avoid each other much longer." Carlisle said. "We'll keep you updated on the wolves."
"Please do." Laurent replied. I have a feeling that James wanted to reply otherwise, but Laurent made sure to keep the parting as amicable as possible. Then just like that, they were specks on the horizon and finally gone.
"And now it's your turn to go." Rosalie said, flicking a speck from under her nails towards the carriage.
"Rosalie." Edward growled. She just rolled her eyes and shrugged before walking into the house.
"See ya later, Jelly Belly." Emmett said. He gave me a big hug before taking off to find his wife.
"Bye Bella, I'll see you soon." Alice said. She gave me a quick hug before returning to Jasper's side. Jasper just nodded before letting Alice lead him inside.
"It was nice meeting you Bella." Esme said. Like Alice, she gave a quick hug before returning to Carlisle's side.
"I hope we'll be seeing you soon." Carlisle said with a smile.
"Hopefully." I whispered.
"Edward, we'll see whenever you get back?" Carlisle said. Edward nodded, but remained silent next to me. Finally, Carlisle and Esme returned inside their home, leaving Edward and I.
"Are you ready?" Edward asked.
"I don't think I'll ever be ready to go back." I replied.
"You must miss your father and your life back there." Edward said.
"I miss my Dad, but my life really wasn't much. It mostly revolved around the Inn, but I don't really have to worry about that much anymore." I replied.
"You can take control of it again." Edward suggested.
"You're starting to sound as though you don't want me to come back." I said. Edward shrugged, and looked at the ground. "What did I do wrong? Why don't you want me coming back? I… I can change, I swear."
"It's not that. I just… I don't want something to happen to you. What if the wolves come back? What if they find you unprotected?"
"And I will be unprotected if you leave me in Forks." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
"But then you'll have a normal life."
"I don't want my life to be normal anymore. I thought I did, but not anymore, not if a normal life doesn't include you."
Edward sighed and looked down at his feet before looking back at me. "I'm not going to be able to convince you otherwise am I?"
"Not even if you left." I replied.
"I'll still have to leave you in Forks for a bit, but I'll be back as quick as I can."
"I still don't see why you have to leave at all." I complained. Edward smiled slightly and helped into the carriage before replying.
"There are things I need to take care of, it's as simple as that." Edward said.
"If it were really that simple, then I could come with you." I countered.
"Not with these issues, but I promise you, I'll be back as soon as possible." Edward whispered to me. He closed the door to the carriage and found his own horse. Signaling to the driver, we were off. Really, I would much rather be riding like Dara, with Edward and not just next to him. Still, I'll take what I can get since it seems Edward's constantly going to be holding back on me.
It took us a day and half to get back to Forks even though we traveled straight through the night. I slept for part of it, but other than that I stared outside watching the landscape go by. There really is nothing to do while riding in the carriage. I should have borrowed a book from Edward's massive library so I had something to distract me, but of course I thought of it after I had left. Occasionally Edward would pull his horseback and check up on me, but there was little conversation between us. He would just smile, and I would return it. Then he would look up, presumably to the driver, and move back up to the front.
When we finally made it back to Forks, the sun was just starting to set over the trees and most of the people were already at the Inn. I could hear the cheering and what not coming from inside my old home, but my focus was spending these last few private minutes with Edward and then seeing my father. Edward was still ever the gentleman and dismounted his horse before helping me out. I just stood still for a bit and took in the sights of my old hometown. I hadn't realized how much things couldn't change. Everything was exactly the same and I found myself dreading the time I was going to be spending her again.
"Are you ok?" Edward asked.
"Hm? O yes, I'm just… waking my muscles up."
"Of course. I should have stopped and allowed you time to move around." Edward said, berating himself.
"Edward, it's fine. We're herein one piece, you should be happy." I said, taking hold of his hand.
"Of course." Edward smiled. Edward started to pull me into a hug when the door to my childhood home bust open. Edward immediately took a gentlemanly step back.
'Bella, it's good to have you home." Charlie said as he came over. He wrapped me in a hug, which was highly unusual for Charlie. He then reached over and grasped Edward's hand, shaking it. "Thank you for bringing her back in one piece."
"Why do you say that?" I asked. "Edward's a gentleman, of course I'd be fine."
"Wolves have continued to be seen and these two travelers continue to hang around town. They don't talk much and they always just walk off at night. Needless to say, people don't trust those fellows." Charlie explained. I looked up at Edward, but he was frowning and looking at Charlie.
"Well, Edward and his family took good care of me. It looks like someone was taking good care of you too. Is the food at the inn that good now?"
"Um… well…" Charlie kicked some pebbles around and refused to look me in the eyes.
"Father…" I pried.
"Sue, I mean Miss Clearwater, has been cooking dinners for me." Charlie finally confessed. A smile immediately spread on my face. I knew sue well Her husband had died a few winters earlier and they had never had any children. The Clearwater's always helped raise the town's children; giving the parents much needed rest.
"Is she here now?" I asked.
"Actually…" Charlie said.
"Isabella, it's so good to see you again!" Sue said as she rushed out of the house.
"Hello, again Sue." I said. Sue came over and kissed my cheeks before stepping back next to Charlie.
"Sue, you remember Edward." Charlie said.
"Of course." Sue said. "It's nice to see you again."
"The pleasure is mine." Edward said.
"Why don't you all come in? I have some chili heating up on the stove right now. It should almost be done." Sue said.
"I should go check into the inn." Edward said.
"Nonsense boy. You can stay here. We have an extra room you can use." Charlie said. "It might not be as comfortable as what you are used to, but there's a good bed in there."
"Thank you sir, but won't it strike a controversy for me to be staying within the same home as Bella."
"She just did it for the past few weeks, so if it was going to, it already would have. Anyway, most of these people don't know what they're talking about. They're trying to be like Blythe and they're forgetting we're just a small town." Charlie said.
Sue and Charlie led us back into the house. As soon as their backs were turned, I grabbed Edward's hand and squeezed it as we walked into the house. Charlie eyed our joined hands as we walked in, but said nothing of it. He took his place at the table as Sue started to fill the bowls.
"I don't need anything, I already ate." Edward said before Sue could fill him a bowl.
"Are you sure?" Sue asked. "It was a long journey."
"Quite sure." Edward said.
"You really should try some, my boy." Charlie said. "Sue's cooking is just as good as Bella's."
"You're only saying that because I'm home." I said.
"I can't choose between the two of you." Charlie shrugged.
"Anyway, Edward's on a special diet so he really did eat right before getting here." I said, convincing Sue and Charlie that Edward really didn't need anything to eat.
"Alright then, Bella you still want some?"
"Of course. I have to taste what my rival has to offer." I joked. Sue laughed and placed a bowl in front of Charlie and me before getting her own and sitting down. "This really is quite good Sue."
"Thank you."
"No wonder Charlie's gained a few pounds. I'm sure he's been sitting behind his desk doing nothing and you've been feeding him all this."
"Guilty." Charlie mumbled between bites.
The rest of the dinner continued on in pleasant conversation. Sue and Charlie filled me in on the local gossip, which wasn't much, but what there was was interesting. Apparently, the harpies were trying to entice the travelers to talk every night and every night they ignored her. One man apparently asked for me at one point and Jessica almost slapped him. Victoria pulled her away before she could, but they hadn't talked to that man again.
"I didn't think you knew those men, Bella." Charlie said.
"I don't. They came into the inn before I left with Edward and I talked to one, but it was only once. I'm surprised he asked for me."
"You're the only person he talked to so you must have made quite an impression on him." Charlie said.
"Well it doesn't matter, are you done?" I asked Charlie, picking up his empty bowl. Sue handed me hers and I took them into the small kitchen. Edward came in shortly after and leaned against the counter, but didn't say anything.
"Good night Bella." Sue called from the doorway.
"Good night Sue." I called back. I heard her and Charlie mumbling and while curiosity pulled me to watch I just kept washing the dishes.
"I'm going to sleep soon." Charlie said as he walked back in. "Edward, why don't I get you set up in that extra room."
"That would be great, sir." Edward said. He walked by me and disappeared deeper in the house with Charlie.
It only took a few minutes before I heard Charlie's heavy footsteps coming back. "Edward's set up in the extra room. I know he's courting you and all, but I expect you to remember some of society's more important rules…"
"Of course, dad." I replied. "I'm sure Edward's already asleep. Sue was right, it was a hard journey back here."
"You're right." Charlie breathed. "Alright, well get to bed yourself. I don't want to come out here tomorrow morning to find you asleep on the kitchen floor."
"I'm done, I'll walk back with you." I said. The answer seemed to satisfy Charlie the most and he nodded. Of course it only took a handful of steps to get to my room so I said a quick goodnight to Charlie and slipped into my room. I took my time finding a heavier shift and settling into bed.
I had just gotten under the covers when my door opened slightly and then closed again. If I hadn't already been looking in that direction I would have completely missed the action. Next thing I knew, Edward was sitting on my bed, staring out my window, saying nothing.
"Edward." I whispered…
"Sh…" Edward replied quietly. I frowned and waited for him to do something, anything, but it took a few minutes till he relaxed. "I had to wait for Charlie to fall asleep."
"Ya, I guess that would be a good thing…" I replied.
"I shouldn't even be in here right now. Not with you dressed as you are, not with your father down the hall…"
"I'm sure you can find a million reasons why you shouldn't be in here, but you are." I replied. "Are you going to stay?"
"For as long as I can." Edward nodded. "Bella, I'm going to have to leave tomorrow. I have to tell Carlisle the wolves are here."
"But you said a few days!" I exclaimed. Edward looked at me sharply since I had raised my voice and he remained quiet till he was sure Charlie hadn't woken up.
"I know what I said, but with the wolves hovering here, I need to get back to Carlisle. I'll be back sooner though. I don't want to leave you here with those mutts longer than necessary."
"How soon?" I asked.
"I don't know. Mutts always tend to complicate things. I'll have Alice check in on you as often as possible. I'll be here before anymore danger can find you."
"You promise?" I asked.
"Of course." Edward replied.
"Will you be informing James?" Bella asked.
"A message will most likely be sent, but no direct communication." Edward said.
"If I were to write a letter to Dara, could you send it with your update?"
"Of course." Edward nodded.
"I'll write it first thing in the morning, then." I resigned. Edward nodded as he slid one of his hands over mine.
"While I'm gone, please don't talk to either of the wolves."
"I'll try not to."
"Bella…"
"What would you have me do if they ask me a question? It's rude not to answer someone, especially a traveler who's considered a guest."
"They aren't considered guests, nor should they be." Edward growled. "Ignore them as much as possible. Stay here as much as possible."
"I'm not one to stay cocooned in my home." I said.
"I know… I knew it was no use asking you. Just be careful. I don't want Alice screaming that something's going to happen."
"I'll make sure to try and not let that happen." I said.
"Thank you." Edward said.
"Sit next to me?" I asked. Edward nodded and moved up so they he was sitting next to where I was lying. I settled deeper in the bed and placed my hand and head on his chest before closing my eyes. His hands were slow to wrap around me, but eventually he was surrounding me in his presence and I felt warm, even though his body was so cold…