Chapter 26

Disclaimer for all chapters: I do not own the Twilight Saga. SM owns it. This story contains mention of physical and emotional abuse, strong language, etc. Do not read if you are uncomfortable with such topics. To the readers who've added this story to their alerts and favorites, thank you for your support and requests to update. Thanks for your patience between updates. RL is very busy (I became a mom since my last update), but I am committed to finishing this story as soon as I can.

Chapter 27

We didn't talk about Tanya or our kiss. We both seemed to be more comfortable with that and truthfully, the next few weeks passed by in a blur of activity.

Riley had discharged me from PT, telling me that I was in charge of my recovery now. "Bella, I taught you to fish. Now go fishing." His statement made me laugh because it was something I could imagine Charlie saying. I was so grateful to Riley, Rosalie and Edward, and … well the list just went on.

I had "Bella can walk" celebrations, yes multiple celebrations, with Charlie, Billy, Jacob and Leah. Word spread fast. The town paper tried to contact me to do a human interest story, but I refused.

The Cullens started their senior year at Forks High, and I studied frantically for my GED. When the big day arrived, Edward, Alice and Jasper drove me to the Peninsula College Forks Extension site in downtown Forks so I could take my GED. I was nervous. As we drove over, I was distracted.

Things were changing; I could feel it too. There was a lot to think about. What did I feel for Edward? How can I stay with the Cullens over time when I will age and they won't? Now that I was walking and getting stronger every day, Edward had tried talking me into returning to Forks High for my senior year, but I wouldn't. Rosalie, Emmett and Alice tried too. After everyone was shot down, Jasper didn't even try. As much as I wanted to be with Edward and the rest of the Cullens, I knew I didn't belong at Forks High. I hated that place.

If I passed my GED, then I decided that I was going to get a job and work for a year to save money for college. I already had a little bit of a nest egg, well if you could call almost $250,000 "little." Someone had finally bought my parents' house. I talked with Mr. Cheney and Carlisle who advised me to put it in savings. They also helped me take care of the tax issues so that I was able to keep most of the funds from the sale of the house. Carlisle, Esme and Mr. Cheney – all refused the attempts I made to pay them back for all they had done for me. So, unbeknownst to them, I made them my beneficiaries should anything happen to me.

As we pulled up, I looked at the door. Edward started to get out and come around to open the door for me, but I put my hand on his sleeve to stop him.

"I'm okay. Let me do it," I asked.

A hurt expression flitted across his face, and I said. "Edward, I'm sorry. I don't mean to hurt you. I feel your support in here," I said, indicating my heart. "I know you will be with me in there. "You too," I said including Alice and Jasper. "I just need to do this for myself." It was hard and embarrassing for me to share. I felt I needed to reclaim parts of my life that Phil took from me. I hated school because he was always there and because no one in that fucking building, except for Angela, gave a shit about me. Going into the GED test, literally on my own two feet, was another way for me to shake off Phil's legacy.

"We'll be waiting for you when you finish," Alice said. "Good luck, Bella," Jasper and Edward chimed in.

"Thanks," I said relieved. Alice made this moment easier for all of us.

I opened the car door, got out and shut the door. I waved to the Cullens and then turned to face the building. I squared my shoulders and started walking slowly into the extension office. The staff had me seated and started on my test in no time. Luckily, my favorite subjects were at the end, Language Arts Writing and Language Arts Reading because Science, Math and Social Studies had drained me. After several hours of testing, I waited for my score.

I know I only needed a 2050 or minimum on 410 in each section to pass, but I hoped I did really well. I rarely cared about my grades in school, but this mattered. I was working really hard to live the best life I could with the second chance I was given, so it was important to me not to coast. The best I could do was 800 on each section or a total of 4000. I found myself tempted to bite my fingernails as I waited. Oh no, I'm not starting that bad habit again.

The proctor came over and handed me a slip of paper. Did I want to open it here or wait? I stuck the paper in my pocket and walked outside to wait. I pulled out my cell phone and texted Edward.

I'm done. Get here quickly (but safely) so we can find out how I did.

I smiled at my message. Silly vampires and their need for speed.

In a few minutes, Edward, Alice and Jasper pulled up. Edward got out and escorted me to the passenger side of the car. "Did you really wait to see how you did?"

"Yea, of course," I replied, patting my pocket where I stashed my test report. He seemed really pleased, and his reaction made me smile.

"So, are you going to open it now?" Alice asked as soon as I got in the car. I hadn't thought that far.

"I don't know."

Edward said slowly, "How about you wait until everyone is home tonight? That way, if the news is good, which I expect it is, we can all celebrate. And if the news is not what we're expecting, we'll all be there to make you feel better."

I beamed. Yes, that would be perfect. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long. By the time we returned to the house, the rest of the Cullens had come home by then too. We were assembled in the family room together.

"I'm nervous," I said.

"I'm sure you did just find, honey," Carlisle said. His confidence gave me the boost I needed.

I tore the envelope open and then unfolded my score sheet. As I read the information a smile slowly broke out on my face. "I got a 3600," I whispered as I looked up at Edward.

"She passed everyone," Edward proclaimed.

"Sounds like she crushed it to me," Emmett added. "Way to go, Brainy Belly," he cried coming over and lifting me in a celebratory hug. Emmett spun me around as everyone cheered.

"Emmett, put her down," Rosalie demanded. "It's still early. We don't want her to injure herself because she is dizzy."

"Yes ma'am," Emmett said in a forlorn tone. He hated it when others curbed his fun. He set me down on my feet and I took a minute to regain my balance.

"So what's next, Bella," Jasper asked, "now that you are a high school graduate?"

"What any high school graduate does. Get a job."

You could have heard a pin drop.

EBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBE

It took a lot of discussion for me to convince the Cullens that I really wanted to work. Once they were sure that I wasn't giving up on college, and once they realized that by staying in Forks and working for a year meant that I could stay with them, everyone happily accepted my decision.

I decided to go back to work at The Forks Diner. Not too original I know, but I had really liked working there, and since I expected I would be leaving Forks for college next year, I wanted to spend some more time with Billy, Jake, Leah, and Charlie. They were my friends. There was the added benefit too that as a waitress, I would get a lot of walking in each day which was a key component of my continuing rehabilitation.

The Cullens liked that choice too. They wanted me to be around people that cared about me.

It seemed like Edward and I were getting closer. He seemed to be at the diner or with me at home every free moment he had. I loved it, and I realized what I felt for him… I loved him, but I didn't know or was too scared to tell him.

On one of my rare Sundays off of work, I found myself down at the Forks High track. I had asked Edward to bring me here so I could walk, but really, I was here because I wanted to try to run.

I looked around to make sure we were alone and then I said to Edward, "You know what I think is probably one of the best things about being a vampire?"

He clearly hadn't expected me to say that since he looked like I could push him over with my pinky finger. All he could do in response was nod his head "no."

"Your speed. You can run really, really fast. I missing running, a lot," I rambled on. "I haven't been running in over a year, and before that, I ran every day. Well, that's not entirely accurate. You took me running once. Did I ever tell you how much I loved it?"

Edward stepped closer to me, and as he did, it seemed his eyes darkened. "No, you didn't. I thought I scared you until I realized you were laughing and whooping it up," he replied. "I should probably explain about that, Bella," Edward started.

"Not yet…please?" I asked. "I don't want to lose my nerve. I asked you to bring me here today so I could try to run, Edward," and as I spoke he started nodding his head in disagreement…"let me finish. I know it is probably too soon, but I miss it, I really do. Do you know what it is like to really miss something that is integral to who you are?"

Edward looked at me mockingly.

"Oh shit, Edward, I'm sorry," I replied. "I'm so dumb. Of course you do. I'm an idiot, I'm sorry."

"Stop Bella," Edward said taking my hand. "You're not dumb. I find it astounding when you do this because we are dangerous, Bella, but the fact that you don't seem to think of me or my family as vampires first, is one of things that I quite value about you."

He then took my hand to his lips and gently kissed it. "It is too soon for you to try to run, Bella. I'm talking as a doctor now. You haven't done enough strength training in your legs yet, and if I let you try, both Rosalie and Carlisle will kill me. But now that I know you want to try, we can do what's necessary to make that possible."

He was so sweet. I couldn't understand how he couldn't see that about himself. "How about a compromise?" I heard myself asking. "How about you take me running again?" I held my breath as I waited for him to answer.

"It's not a good idea," Edward responded, his eyes to the ground.

Disappointment and rejection flooded through me. I couldn't help myself and moved to withdraw my hand from his.

"Wait," Edward replied. He lifted my chin to look me in the eyes.

"Bella, I want to, but…. I think we need to talk," he said.