Disclaimer; Once again all the credit goes to S.M

A/N Thank you for your reviews and favourites etc - it makes me happy that you're happy.

Chapter 20

I knew that Edward heard me tell Esme that I was coming to talk to him, but it still surprised me to find his bedroom door waiting open for me. I stood in the doorway trying to get up the courage to go in when I heard him call to me "It's a little bit late for you to change your mind, isn't it love?" I took a breath and stepped over the threshold. His room had changed so much since the last time I was in it - gone was all the books and music that lined the walls and the floor was littered with almost packed boxes and in the middle of it all sat Edward.

I stood in doorway until he lifted his hand and motioned me over to him "Sit down" he said patting the floor beside him. I tried to think of a reason not to, the familiarity of the situation was just too much. We had sat on this very floor and held each other more times than I could ever count. "I know it's awkward love, but could you do it - for me?" he said. I knew that this could very well be the last time I saw him for a while so I gave him a small nod and made my way across the room to join him.

Once I sat down beside him he turned to face me fully. Even though we were no longer together I couldn't deny that having him this close and looking at me so intently did nothing for me, because I would be lying. "Your nervous" he told me quietly. "Yes" I whispered. He cocked his head to the side slightly "Why?" he asked. I felt my heartbeat quicken. I scowled at him and shuffled away slightly "Stop listening" I told him "It's very off putting trying to have a conversation with someone whose listening to your heartbeat."

He laughed quietly and said "It's not really something I can help doing, it's so loud." "You know, I didn't come here for you to laugh at me" I told him seriously. His face seemed to lost some of its humour "I am aware of that" he told me "But in your words Bella, why did you come?"

I took my time before replying to his question because I knew how important it was to get it right. "I wanted to end this right" I told him "I haven't been very fair to you, lying to you - I had to make sure that we parted on better terms." He reached over and patted my knee gently "And I'm very grateful for that love" he said.

We sat in silence for a few moments until I asked him a question that had been bothering me "Edward" I said softly "Why do you still call be love?" As he looked at me, there seemed to be a kind of sadness in his eyes - something… kind of heartbreaking, and part of me acknowledged that it was my doing. That it was me who had broken him this time. "Just because you have fallen out of love with me Bella, doesn't mean my heart can to the same" he said.

My chest ached….. I wonder if it really is possible for your heart to ache? "Edward" I told him "Just because I'm with Carlisle now doesn't mean that I no longer love you, it's just that - that love has changed slightly. You will always be my first love and no one, not even Carlisle can take that away from you."

He reached out and squeezed my hands gently "Thank you Bella" he whispered. I squeezed his hands back "Your welcome" I told him. He stood up slowly, still holding my hands and then he gently pulled me up. "It's time for you to go now Bella" he said softly. I felt my eyes start to sting and I knew I would cry very soon "Now" I asked him.

"Yes, now" he replied softly. "But I haven't got what I came for" I told him. He smiled again and stroked the side of my face softly "Yes you have" he replied "Because I forgive you. There was never any doubt that I wouldn't." He led me towards the door and it occurred to me why he was doing this "You want to let me go now, before you decide you can't, that's it isn't it. The reason why you're rushing me out of here" I said.

"You always were perceptive" He told me quietly and then added "I have no doubt that we will see each other again someday, but until then my heart needs time to heal." We were out of his room now and he was leading me down the stairs to the door. My eyesight was starting to blur with the tears in my eyes. He let go of the arm he had been holding and opened the door for me. I stood there for a second debating whether or not I should argue with him, but I knew that he was right. We had to make this a clean break. I walked out of the front door, my eyes focused on my truck that was parked in the drive. I was determined that I wouldn't look back that was until I heard him whisper the words "I forgive you Isabella Swan." I turned around so I could see at him one final time but I did, the door was closed and he was gone.

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