Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight!!
A/N: You guys better come after me with pitchforks and flames. I am a terrible person for not updating in all this time.
Ch. 21: Promise
I looked, shocked beyond belief. But I finally came to my senses, taking a step forward.
"Bella! No! Don't!" I yelled. Bella's head whipped around, taking me in.
"No!" I heard her whisperer. "It's just a dream, a shadow. He's gone. Forever."
"Bella!" I shouted, and ran to her side, wrapping my arms around her waist. "No, Bella. I'm here. Don't do it."
Tears rolled like the rain down Bella's cheeks as she clung to me tightly, unable to support herself any longer.
I suddenly wished I could cry. Just one tear, to shred with the thousands that were Bella's. Just like magic, a raindrop suddenly hit my face, sliding down slowly. I looked up at the sky, looking at the stars that shone through the treetops.
Bella, feeling me move, looked up at the sky, her tear scared face shinning in the moon.
"Why, Bella?" I asked as seemingly forever silence settled between us.
There was another lifetime pause as Bella looked down. "I don't love him."
Jacob. She had to be talking about him.
"Well, at least not now. I used to. But then…" she looked me straight in the eyes. "I met you."
Bella…loved me? I was too stunned to silence by her once again.
"Bella, " I told her, feeling my heart ripping open. "You don't have to stay with Jake. You don't have to stay here. Bella, I'm not supposed to be here."
"Edward…you gave me freedom. You gave me light. You made me realize that…that I don't have to stay with someone I don't truly love." As Bella spoke, her eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to lose that…or you."
I grabbed her, forcing her to look me in eyes.
"Listen to me, Bella. You don't have to. You can walk onto a plane, and never come back. Bella, don't let this life suck you in. Escape."
I took a deep breath. "Be happy."
Bella looked to the ground, refusing to meet my gaze. I couldn't help but to sigh.
"Bella, " I whispered, putting a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at me. "We can't be together…not in this life. But you're going to live to be an old lady, with lots of kids and a man you love. One day, you'll die. And you're going to walk through that light, walk through that white room. Then we'll be together. We'll be together forever. Do you promise? Promise you won't give up. Promise me."
Tears running down her cheeks, Bella nodded her head. "I promise, " she whispered.
Watching one ice blue tear roll down her pale cheek, I reached out and touched it, feeling her pain. And a single teardrop ran down my face. Stunned, I reached out and touched it, but the liquid disappeared at my touch.
Out of nowhere, the light flared out, just barley out of the corner of my eye. I turned to Bella and gave her one last crushing hug.
"Remember, Bella," I told her. "Remember your promise."
"Always and forever, " she whispered, her voice muffled from the way her face rested against my chest.
I slowly pulled apart from her, and stepped back, into the light.
This time the doors were opened. I walked slowly through the room, closed my eyes, and stepped over the threshold.
I took one look around the bright space, beautiful, full of life. The sky shone above, and in front of me, my family and friends stood together, smiling big.
As I ran towards my parents, I could never remember being happier. And as Tommy and Jack hit me across the shoulder, asking where I'd been, I knew I was home.
BPOV:
As Edward disappeared, I expected to fall back into sobs, collapsed on the ground before me. But I didn't.
The knife slipped from my grasp. I made no move to pick it up , letting it lay in the muddy ground below me.
No. I wouldn't give up. I was going to live.
Very calmly, I walked through the twisted path I had taken. As darkness turned to light, I stood at the only plane station in Forks, asking for a ticket to any or everywhere.
I didn't know where I was going. I didn't know what I'd do.
All I knew was I was going to live. I knew Edward would be proud, I'd be happy, as I stepped over the threshold, into the light.
A/N: It is done! Thank you to all my faithful readers and reviewers! I'll be putting up another story soon! I can't believe it is done! Please, please, please review!!