Chapter 25

It was when I was walking into our bedroom that I first caught a glimpse of myself. I wasn't fully convinced it was me at first and had to take a double look. I stood shocked at the new me staring back in the mirror.

My hair appeared to be healthier, holding a natural shine. My lips, even though full as a human, were even fuller now and a deep red color. My skin was the same alabaster tone that all the Cullen's possessed. I was thoroughly impressed by how defined all my features had become. Every muscle in my body appeared to be toned.

I felt a little conceded as I glanced at my new reflection. It was then I caught full attention of my eyes. They were a deep crimson. I shuddered at the sight of them. Seeing them reminded me of Victoria.

"Love?" Edward said as he walked into our room.

"Oh sorry," I replied noticing he had entered the room.

"No need to be sorry," he chuckled as he closed the distance between us.

"I could barely recognize myself,"

"You have not changed much love,"

I looked at him skeptically. Did he honestly think that I didn't realize how plain I was before?

"Honesty Bella, your beauty has only been enhanced,"

"Edward, I was plain and you know it," I laughed.

"No love, you certainly were not plain,"

"Edward," I started but he stopped me by placing his finger to my lips.

"Bella, you have never seen your self clearly. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on," He gazed deeply into my eyes as to stress his point and removing his finger he planted a sweet kiss on my lips. Pulling back slowly Edward held me against his chest

"Edward,"

"Yes?"

"I love you," I replied listening to his steady breathing.

"I love you Isabella,"

I could have stood there with him forever, never moving an inch.

"Bella,"

"Hm?"

"We need to pack our things,"

I could hardly believe that tomorrow we would be heading out, leaving Forks forever. Since taking the Audi out for a spin the aspect of leaving had weighed heavily on my mind.

"Bella, are you ok?" he asked pulling me to our bed. I sat down on the edge with him and contemplated my thoughts.

"Please tell me what you thinking," he said after we had been sitting for a couple minutes.

"Sorry. I was just thinking of how hard it's going to be to leave tomorrow," I sighed. I hadn't let him know that I was scared of leaving. I knew it was silly to worry about going to Alaska. I also knew as long as I was with Edward and his family that I would be safe. I just couldn't help but feel sad that I was leaving such a special place.

"I know love. We have had a lot of happy memories here,"

"Yes, a lot of happy memories," I replied taking his hand in mine.

"Bella, what are you so worried about?"

"It's not really worry. I guess a part of me is just sad that we have to leave here,"

"I know it's going to be difficult Bella. But think of it this way, we will be going to a whole new place that we can discover together and make even more happy memories,"

"Yes, I guess your right,"

"But something is still bothering you," he stated as he played with the wedding band on my finger.

"Deep down I guess its knowing that we can't ever return here," I admitted. Once we left here there would be no more coming back. The wolves had made it clear that we were no longer welcome here.

"Maybe one day we can,"

"No, we can't,"

"The wolves won't be around forever,"

"But an agreement is an agreement," I said. If it were a million years from this very day and I knew that the agreement had been long since forgotten I would not return here.

"Bella, I'm sure after a couple hundred years the agreement will be forgotten,"

"No Edward, it won't,"

"How can you be so sure?" he asked.

"Because I will remember," I stated.

"Silly Bella," he laughed.

"Besides, there's nothing really left for us here," I stated. We would no longer be able to enjoy Forks as we had before I changed. I couldn't come in contact with anyone I had previously known for fear they would notice the changes that had occurred to me. Also, people in the community seemed to notice how the Cullen family never aged.

"I guess you're right," he said stroking the back of my hand with this thumb.

"Don't be sad Edward. I knew this day was coming,"

"I'm only sad because you are," he said turning his sad gaze towards me. I smiled lightly trying to show him that I would be ok.

"Edward really, I'm fine,"

"Love, I promise you will find happiness in every place we go,"

"I know I will," I replied confidently. Although I might grow attached to some of them, I knew that as long as Edward was on my side happiness wouldn't be far away. Smiling at my response he kissed the back of my hand and stood up, pulling me with him.

"We need to start packing,"

"Alright," I smiled as I followed him to our closet. Outside of it sat cardboard boxes, ready for our things. He handed me different clothing items and folding them I would lay them in the boxes.

It took us well over two hours to get our entire room packed. All that was to be left behind was the furniture.

"That's all of it love," Edward said as he taped up the last box.

"Good!" I exclaimed. Packing up had proved a very boring and tedious task.

"Carlisle would like us to join the family downstairs to discuss tomorrow,"

"Ok," I smiled. Standing up we walked down to the living room. Everyone else was waiting for us.

"Room all packed?"Alice asked.

"Yes," I sighed. Edward and I sat down on the couch beside Jasper and her.

"Now that we are all packed we need to discuss our plans," Carlisle said gaining everyone's attention.

"The truck, Aston Martin, and Audi have been sent ahead of us. Jasper will be driving the moving van in front, then Esme and I will be behind him followed by Edward and Bella, then Rosalie, Alice, and then Emmett. Bella, to avoid coming in contact with humans we will take intervals getting gas. When Edward needs to refuel you will get in the car with one of us and once he is fueled you can get back in the car with him,"

"That sounds like a good plan," I smiled. I knew that the precautions they were taking for me would mean extra time. I felt a little guilty knowing this.

"What time are we leaving?" Jasper asked.

"Six o'clock tomorrow morning," Carlisle replied.

"Does it look like we will have any trouble Alice?" I asked. I was still extremely worried over the possibility of coming in contact with a human.

"Nope, we will have a safe trip," she reassured me.

"I can't wait to see the house!" I said turning my attention to Esme. She had been working on finding one before the wolves had given us our official eviction notice.

"I believe you all will love it," she smiled warmly.

"I know I will," I replied having full confidence in her abilities of being a homemaker.

"Alright, now that we have everything settled boys you can start taking the stuff to the van," Esme said as she stood from the couch.

"How come the girls don't have to help?"Emmett asked.

"Do you really want me to help?" Rosalie asked a very grim expression on her face.

"No, I was just kidding Rose," he said. I started laughing at the obvious fear he had of his own wife.

"Good, I wouldn't want to tire myself out," she laughed as she stood and walked up the stairs Emmett following behind her.

"Poor Emmett," I laughed.

"Don't feel too sorry for him," Edward said.

"Let's go upstairs," I replied standing up pulling Edward up with me. Smiling my favorite crooked grin he knocked me off my feet and ran with me up the stairs. I could hear Alice laughing behind us.

We entered the bedroom and closing the door behind us we went to our bed.

"I will really miss this bed," Edward said as he held me against him.

"Me too," I sighed resting my head against his chest.

"How did your hunting trip with Alice and Rose go today?" he asked changing the subject.

"Good, I took down a couple of does,"

"No bears?" he laughed.

"No bears," I sighed in fake disappointment.

"Did you miss me?"

"Of course!" I exclaimed. Being away from him this morning had been close to excruciating. He chuckled at my exclamation.

"I missed you too," he replied as I cuddled up closer to him as to hear his breathing better.

"Love?"

"Yes?"

"Could I give you one of your gifts now?"

"If you must," I groaned. Laughing he got up from the bed and pulled a small gift bag from the night stand drawer. Sitting down on the bed he handed me the bag.

"You better not have gone overboard," I said grinning ear to ear. Even though I didn't want to admit it I was anxious to see what was inside. Pulling back the tissue paper I revealed a silver IPod.

"Edward!" I exclaimed. I had wanted one for a while.

"I noticed you checking them out on the internet and I couldn't resist," he chuckled. I turned on the small MP3 player and saw that songs had already been loaded on it.

"Thank you," I smiled looking down the playlist to see my favorite songs.

"Your welcome," he grinned. It was then I saw it. He had downloaded my lullaby on it.

"Edward," I gasped. The presence of that one song made the IPod much more special.

"Yes?"

"You put my lullaby on here,"

"I thought you would like it,"

"I do," I smiled. I turned to meet his gaze. If tears were an option they would most definitely be streaming down my face now.

"I was just thinking that you would need something to keep you entertained on the long drive,"

"Thank you so much," I said as I sat IPod down on the bed. I scooted over to Edward and wrapped my arms around him.

"I'm glad you like it love," he laughed as kissed my forehead.

"I just wish I had something to give to you," I sighed.

"You don't have to give me a thing love,"

"But I want to,"

"Bella, you have already given me everything in the world I could possibly ever want," I met his gaze and was immediately dazzled. I wanted to argue with him and tell him that if I deserved gifts so did he, but when he gazed at me so I couldn't even think straight. I was literally putty in his hands.

He met my lips with his. His kiss momentarily took away all my worry. Wrapping my arms around his neck I pulled myself closer to him. I felt him grin against my lips as he continued to kiss me.

"Bella," Alice called from behind the door. Pulling back I groaned loudly.

"What?"

"Could I speak with you a moment,"

"Come in Alice," Edward said. Alice walked into the room and glanced over at us.

"Sorry for interrupting,"

"It's ok," Edward said. I was surprised that he was so calm. Usually when we were interrupted he was a lot less amiable.

"Bella, I think you should call Charlie before you leave," I hadn't even thought of Charlie. I had been so busy with recent events that my father had completely escaped my mind.

"Yes, thanks Alice," I replied.

"You're welcome," she said as she pranced back out of the room.

"Here love," Edward said as he handed me the phone. This would be the first contact I had with Charlie since the wedding. I was nervous over his potential reaction.

Looking at the phone I realized that I no longer remembered my dad's number. How long had it been since I had called my own house?

"What is it love?" Edward asked.

"I can't remember the number," I replied.

"Let me dial it for you," he said taking the phone. He dialed the number quickly and handed me the phone.

"Hello," Charlie answered.

"Hey dad!" I exclaimed hearing his voice.

"Bells! How's it going?"

"Good dad. How about you?"

"It's going just fine kiddo. How's the married life treating you?"

"Oh pretty good,"

"Good, good,"

"I just wanted to call and let you know that we're moving sooner than we thought," I said knowing it was now or never.

"Oh, how soon?" he asked. I could detect a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Tomorrow,"

"Tomorrow!" he exclaimed. I felt myself growing nervous at his reaction.

"Yes, we wanted to get settled in before we started school,"

"School's not for another month," he started.

"No dad, it's in three weeks,"

"I guess you're right," he sighed.

"I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to come by,"

"I am to. I really wish I could have seen you before you left Bells,"

"Wish I could have seen you to dad," I replied honestly.

"I hope you have a safe trip,"

"We will," I assured him.

"Call me when you get there,"

"Ok, I will,"

"Be careful Bells, I love you," he said.

"Love you to dad,"

"Bye hunny," he replied as he hung up the phone. I closed Edward's cell phone and handed it back to him. My emotions were running high as I pondered over the conversation that Charlie and I had.

"Are you ok love?" Edward asked as he pulled me into his lap.

"Yeah," I sighed. I picked up his hand and held it between mine.

"Bella, don't be sad,"

"Sorry Edward, it's just a lot harder than I ever imagined,"

"I know love, I know," he said rubbing my back with his free hand.

"I'm glad I called him though,"

"Alice knew if you didn't you would regret it later," I then understood why he was so nice to Alice when she interrupted us.

"Thanks Alice," I said knowing she would hear it.

"You're welcome!" she called back. I rested against Edward and listened to his breathing, keeping his hand held in between mine. I was perfectly content sitting like that for the rest of the night, lost in my thoughts.

It was late in the night when Edward could take no more of my silence.

"Love, please tell me what you are thinking,"

"Sorry Edward, I was just thinking about the move,"

"It's ok love," he sighed.

"What time is it?" I asked. Time had completely escaped me as I sat lost in thought.

"Five," he answered.

"All ready?" I asked in shock. I had been sitting there a lot longer than I had realized.

"Yes,"

"I'm so sorry Edward," He must have been going mad trying to figure out my thoughts.

"Its ok love," he purred in my ear.

"Edward, we didn't pack our things to the truck," I said as I looked around the room noticing all the boxes.

"Don't worry love. I'll take care of it,"

"I'll help," I said as I stood.

"None sense,"

"Really, I don't mind," I laughed as I easily picked up two of the boxes. I walked out of the room before he could say otherwise.

The truck was almost full by the time we had brought our stuff down. I laughed at how meticulously Alice had been at packing. All her boxes appeared to be colored coded in some sort of fashion. I sat our boxes down between one of hers and one of Rosalie's. Edward was behind me, toting three of the boxes.

"Show off," I said as I ran past him. Once upstairs I grabbed three of the boxes and went flying back out the door. I couldn't let him out do me. I heard him chuckle as he flew by me up the stairs as I descended them. I knew then I would have to pick up my pace if I was going to beat him. I all but tossed the boxes in the back of the truck and ran back to the house. He flew past me as I made it to the second floor. He had four boxes this time.

Giggling I grabbed five boxes and darted out of the house. As a human one box would have easily weighed me down. It felt amazing being able to pack so much. Edward passed me on the second floor and he was in a mad fit of laughter at my display of strength. It must have been amusing considering how small I looked under the boxes.

Again I tossed the boxes in the truck and ran back up stairs. Edward passed me as I came through the door packing six boxes. With all I had I ran up the stairs and back to our bedroom. I saw that only four boxes remained. I grabbed all four and ran out of the house with them. He was waiting for me patiently against the truck.

"Cheater!" I said as I stuck out my tongue. I sat the boxes down and closed the truck back up.

"I didn't say I'd fight fair," he laughed.

"What time is it now?" I asked.

"Five fifteen," he laughed. I rested my frame against the U-Haul as we watched the sky turn from a dark gray to a light one. It was yet another gloomy day in Forks.

"I guess we should get dressed," I said.

"Yes," he agreed. Walking back upstairs we dressed in the outfits we had left out and prepared ourselves for the journey ahead.

Although I looked pulled together on the outside I was a nervous wreck. I had no idea what the future held, and it was making me anxious.