Epilogue

Bella never would have thought that she would make it an entire year without Westmoreland. But she had. The job her father had found turned out to be wonderful and provided enough income for her to get an apartment of her own. She managed to finish her GED and officially earned her high school diploma. College really wasn't in the cards for her but that was okay. She was perfectly happy where she was.

She and her father had really mended and every Wednesday night he would come over or she would and they would have dinner together. It was beautiful. They were both healing in their own way. Even though she had promised, Bella did not return to Westmoreland even to visit. In some ways she was scared to. In other ways, she didn't want to revert back to who she was. She didn't want to be reminded of who she was. Jasper had been released a few months after Bella and they had caught up for lunch one day. He spoke nothing but praise towards her and she couldn't believe how good he looked. They exchanged numbers and vowed to keep seeing each other. So far, it had been working out great. Jasper had found himself a girlfriend, one that made him happy and Bella couldn't be happier for them both.

In a way that she couldn't remember, Bella somehow found out about Jacob's release. He proceeded from the institution to prison after an attempted rape and she shook her head as she thought about it.

And then of course, there was Edward.

Bella sighed. Poor Edward. While she may have hated him towards the end, there was something about him in the beginning that could have been love. She'd read about his suicide in the paper. A single shot to the head, no suicide note or anything to indicate he was suicidal. Yeah right, but Bella couldn't find herself to care that much. Edward's death only reminded her of just how special her life was.

Rosalie and Emmett's whereabouts were unknown. For all Bella knew they might still be at Westmoreland. Lord knew Rosalie appeared to be untreatable. But who knew.

Alice

Bella felt tears in her eyes again. She'd been crying a lot lately. Oh Alice. What couldn't Bella say about the poor girl? It was certainly a shame, all of it. But Bella never once regretted being with her. In her newly improved mental state, Bella knew that Alice played a hand in her recovery. She didn't hinder it like Jasper had suggested. She had made Bella realize so many things. She'd have to thank her for that someday.

Perhaps she would get to as the car turned and led her back towards Westmoreland. Bella didn't want to go back, but these things couldn't be disputed. Sometimes fate was cruel and Bella had learned to accept that. A certain feeling of unease filled her as she started up the long driveway towards the institution and she remembered all too vividly her first trip up here. Scars on her wrists and nothing but dejection in her poor heart. It was certainly a time she would like to forget.

The car pulled to a stop in front of the hospital and Bella climbed out, running to embrace Esme, who was waiting for her. "Bella! How come you never visited?" she asked as she squeezed the brunette.

"I just…couldn't."

"I understand."

"But I'm visiting now."

"Yes, yes you are."

Bella smiled and let her go, finding that Carlisle was now heading down the steps. They also embraced and Carlisle shook his head as they pulled away. "I never thought I'd see you back here again, Bella," he said almost sadly. Bella nodded.

"I know what you mean."

There was an awkward silence and the door to the recreation house opened again. Bella looked past the doctor and then ran past him, running up the steps. Alice was also making her way towards her and like Bella had with her father, they embraced in the middle. Bella picked her up and swung her around as Alice held her tightly and squealed. When she finally put her on the ground, Alice rose up on her toes and kissed Bella. "I told you you'd get better," Bella whispered to her, grabbing both of her hands.

"Yes, you did. I just didn't believe it."

"Well, I hope that now you do."

Alice answered by embracing her again and after tearful goodbyes to Esme and Carlisle, they were both in the car and heading away from Westmoreland. Alice watched the institution disappear and when it was finally out of sight, she sighed and faced the front, seeking out Bella's hand. "I'm sad to see it go," she murmured. Bella squeezed her hand and Alice's face lit up again. "But I'm happy that I'm with you."

"I'm happy that you're with me too."

Alice sighed happily and looked out the window as a small town came into view. "So, this is what normalcy looks like?"

"Alice, nothing is ever normal. Especially with you. I wouldn't have that any other way. But this is what living looks like."

"I'm so excited that I'm going to have my own bathroom," Alice commented, looking out the window.

Bella laughed, then shot a glance at the pixie. "You might have to share it with me from time to time."

Alice's eyes met hers and she smiled, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. "You know, I could probably handle that."

"Sounds perfect."

And for now, it was.