*Hides from things being thrown*
I know, I know! I'm so sorry for the long wait. Life has not been kind when it comes to allowing free time.

Huge thank you to Whatobsession for looking this over, even though her schedule is crazy busy!

Hope you guys like it!


Are you still in love with me

Like the way you used to be or is it changing?

Does it deepen over time like the river

That is winding through the Canyon?

Are you still in love with her?

Do you remember how you were before the sorrow?

Are you closer for the tears

Or has the weight of all the years left you hollow?

-Ray LaMontagne

EPOV

"You're here. You're really here," Bella said looking up at my eyes, tears brimmed in her own.

Instead of responding, I leaned down, kissed her forehead, her lips, then lower to her chest. She started to squirm below me, but I knew we couldn't have sex again. Renee was still oblivious I was in her home, let alone that I was downstairs having sex with her daughter. I couldn't help it though. It had been so long since I'd seen her last and neither one of us could stop.

Leaning over, I blindly searched around with my hand, trying to find her shirt. I handed it to her, and with a pout, she pulled it over her head. Reluctantly, I sat up to find Bella's pants and my own clothing. The last thing I wanted for my first night back was for us to get caught. I didn't think I could handle one more situation where drama was involved.

Once we were both dressed Bella didn't hesitate launching into questioning me.

"How are you here? You're leaving again, aren't you?"

"No, I'm not leaving again I -"

"How? Did you run away? How did you escape?" She looked so panicked and worried.

"Baby, let me explain it." I said with a little laugh, so she knew I wasn't annoyed with her.

I understood she was overwhelmed. Her face turned a little pink as she nodded.

"I don't have to go back, and no, I didn't run; they just let me go." I could see a million questions dancing in her eyes, but I continued before she could cut me off again.

"Every session I had with the doctor - every time I worked with him - I told him everything I could, tried to get him to see my side. After you came in - I can't believe you did that by the way." I tried so hard to make it so she wasn't involved, but she involved herself anyway.

"Once I knew where you were, there was no way I was just going to sit here. I had to try."

I felt bad for saying anything, and if the situation where reversed I would have burned the damn place down just to get her out. Grabbing her hand I went in to kiss her again.

"Thank you for trying to help me," I said, resting my forehead on hers.

"Of course," she responded, gently rubbing her head against mine, letting out a sigh.

"Anyway, after all of that, the doctor decided to call my mom and dad in so we could all talk together. My dad... well, he acted just like he does and blew up. Freaked out on everyone in the room before storming out."

Bella leaned back and rolled her eyes.

"After that, the doctor was pretty much on my side. Between him, me and my mom we worked out a plan. I could go home, but my mom and I have to do counseling together and separately. My dad can't come home until he also agrees to the plan set up."

"He won't stay away. You know he won't. What will happen then?"

"My mom insisted she wouldn't let him come home but Dr. Cullen - that's his name, said he would be checking in and also having social services check in. My dad really has no choice but to comply."

"Dr. Cullen... I hated him because he wouldn't let me see you. I'm glad you convinced him though."

"You know my parents. They're pretty good liars, but he saw through the bullshit eventually; he's a good guy."

"So that's it? You're coming back to school, and you're home for good?"

I nodded with a big smile. Her smile wasn't matching mine though.

"What's the matter?" My stomach dropped as my mind wondered if she changed her mind about me while I was gone.

"I just don't want you living there, even if your dad's gone."

"It's only for a couple months and then I'm moving," I said trying to reassure her. When her expression didn't relax I went on.

"It's going to be different... it has to be, that was the deal. I mean, I don't trust her - I never will again, but she seemed more sincere than I have ever seen her in my life. It's like someone finally got through her crazy."

Bella still looked skeptical and if I were honest, I wasn't feeling very hopeful myself but there was nothing else I could do. I just had to wait until I was eighteen and plan to make sure I could move out the second the clock hit midnight.

"Does she know you're here now? Why in the world did you break into my house?" she asked laughing. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry," I said, and I really was.

I wasn't expecting her to be up, let alone downstairs. As creepy as it sounds I just wanted to see her. I wasn't planning on waking her up, but I couldn't be so close to her without seeing her.

"No. She has no idea that I'm here, but I'm done caring. She cried almost the whole way home then went right to bed."

Bella just stared at me waiting for me to answer the rest of her question.

"The back door is how I always snuck in and out of my parent's house. If you wiggle the handle the lock releases pretty easily. I assumed yours was the same... but I think I broke the handle." I admitted embarrassed.

Bella looked behind her at the handle that was hanging from the door lifeless. "You think?" she asked laughing.

"I'll fix it tomorrow, promise."

"Why didn't you just knock?"

I was embarrassed to tell her the truth but did anyway. Bella was sweet and just kissed me. When I looked out the window and saw the sun was rising I knew I needed to get home. There was no point in starting more trouble by not being there when my mom woke up.

Bella didn't want me to leave, and when her tears started I almost changed my mind. My family and I had made her cry enough. With a promise to be back in a few hours I left her house - through the front door that time.

~*E&B*~

"No shit! Sally? Is that really you?"

Jasper stepped back and rubbed his hands over his eyes dramatically. Bella stood next to me laughing. We had just gotten to school in time to catch Jasper smoking by his car. I assumed Alice hadn't won that battle with him completely yet.

"What the hell, man? You freaked us out with your disappearing act," he said, giving me an awkward half hug.

"Nice hardware," he said kicking one of my crutches.

"They're a pain in the ass. It comes off in a week." I motioned to my cast.

Bella and I caught him up on what had happened exactly. He assured me that his mom was still ok with me moving in after I turned eighteen.

"Yeah. Rose moved out, so her room is all yours. You should feel right at home, Sally - it's painted pink."

Well, Jasper hadn't changed.

"You know me too well," I joked, as we walked toward the building.

Bella and Jasper had class, but I didn't. Not only did my parents send me away, they actually pulled me from school. I was on my way to the office where my mom was going to meet me to get me re-enrolled.

Walking into the office building every face looked up and stared at me. I was now either known as the trouble maker who had to be pulled from school because his parents couldn't control him. Or, I was the kid with the crazy parents who pulled him from school for no reason. I lost either way. I sat on a chair looking down trying to pretend I didn't care what people thought - I didn't want to care.

My mom walked in and sat next to me. Neither of us said a word in greeting to each other. She turned to me and attempted to twice, but I kept my eyes trained on the carpet.

"Mrs. Masen, Edward, the principal is ready to see you."

A woman who I knew as the principals secretary, but had never met her before, walked us back to the principal's office.

"Edward. We're glad to see you back," the principal replied warmly to me as my mom and I sat in his office.

The meeting was a huge disappointment. Going back to my old classes was really not an option. In order to graduate on time, I would have to take some classes over the internet and work my ass off.

"I'm sorry, Edward, but it's just so late in the year."

"There's nothing you can do? He's a good student."

"Mrs. Masen, Edward has missed a lot of material. The classes he's re-entering are ones where the teacher is willing to spend the extra time to catch him up. The internet courses and classes with spaces are the only options at this point."

My mom just looked down to her lap. Sickening as it was it took that - all of that, the hospital, the fights, that meeting for her to realize how much she truly fucked up.

I was pissed. My parents fucked with my education just to prove they could force me to do what they wanted me to do. I looked over at my mom with what I'm sure was a look of pure hate.

"I hope you're happy," I said in an even tone.

I thanked the principal, grabbed my crutches and left, leaving her in tears.

With my new schedule I went through the day in shitty classes. I only had one class with Jasper and two with Bella. My lunch was separate from theirs as well. It was just another resentment to add to my growing list against my parents.

~*E&B*~

"We're so happy you're back," Renee said giving my shoulders a squeeze, as she sat a salad on the table in front of me.

"Thanks."

"So... catch me up. I already know you broke into my house," she said with a smile as she sat down.

I came over after school and fixed the lock, and Renee insisted I stay for dinner.

"Sorry," I said sheepishly.

"Next time just knock, ok?"

I agreed with a laugh. Bella sat down and we all ate while we caught Renee up with everything.

"Are you going to be ok there?" she asked with concern.

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Always so tough," she joked but left the subject alone.

"Do you have your car - your phone?"

"I repaid the insurance during the time they took it away so she's letting me drive my car again and -

"Wait. She made you pay the insurance during the months that they wouldn't let you drive the car?"

I just looked at her and nodded. I was still embarrassed when the details of how stupid my parents were came out; even if it was just in front of Renee.

"Unbelievable," she said under her breath taking a bite of her dinner.

"What about the phone?"

"She said I don't need one, and I'm not eighteen yet so I can't get my own."

"Yes, you can. We'll get you a pre-paid one for the next couple months and if she doesn't like it, she can deal with me."

I didn't know about my mom, but I wouldn't mess with Renee when she was like that.

"I'm starting my job back up next week. Billy is gonna let me work whatever I can with school, so I should have enough to move out in a couple months."

"Just let us know if you need help, Edward."

I nodded.

"I'm serious," she added.

We spent the rest of dinner catching up. It was obvious that the two were still in unbearable pain from the passing of Charlie, but it seemed they were learning how to live a new life - a life without him.

After dinner Bella and I went up to her room. I'd been home a couple of days but we had yet had time to just sit and talk.

"Door open!" Renee yelled up the stairs. Bella rolled her eyes but left the door cracked to appease her mom.

When she sat on her bed I took a minute to look at her - to really look. She had obviously lost weight, and it looked like she hadn't slept in weeks. I looked around her room and noticed tissues by her bed and everything else in chaos, from its normal clean look.

"Are you ok?" I asked. She knew what I meant. She looked down and her lap and started playing with her hands.

"Tell me what happened while I was gone," I demanded softly, and she did.

With some tears and some laughs she told me about her waiting for me every morning to take me to school. She told me how much it scared her when I never showed. I got pissed but hid it, when I found out how she confronted my parents and Emmett to find me.

She told me how Jasper looked out for her at school and how he stood up for her against my parents. She told me how Alice and Jasper had stood by her and helped her. Reluctantly, she told me how her mom and Alice thought she was depressed. When she told me some of the things she was doing, I couldn't disagree with them. I felt like shit that I didn't know what to say - I didn't know how to fix that. So much had happened while I was locked away, and I wasn't sure how to make it right.

~*E&B*~

"No, he won't agree to any of it."

I didn't know where my dad was, but he wasn't home.

"And you've kept to your agreement." My mom nodded then Dr. Cullen turned to me.

"I guess she has. I mean, it's too late, you know? They pulled so much shit. There's no way I can just get over it and act like nothing ever happened because she's being nice for a month."

"I understand that. It's going to take hard work from both of you if you want to repair this relationship."

I wasn't so sure I wanted to repair anything.

I'd been home for a month. My cast was off and it was great to have my leg back to normal. She had backed off a lot compared to before, but it wasn't good enough. Like I said to Dr. Cullen - too much had happened. She was still weird about my time with Bella, but not as much as she had been before. I had a curfew and still some ridiculous guidelines, but I just played by her rules, for the most part, because I would be leaving in a month.

We talked for a few more minutes before Dr. Cullen excused us. The drive home was uncomfortable.

"How has Bella been?"

"Fine." The last thing I wanted was to make small talk with her.

"Do you think we should invite her over for dinner this week?"

"No." Like I would ever ask Bella to be around her again.

"Well, Edward, we're working on things, I would like to have the opportunity to work things out with her as well."

"It's not an opportunity you deserve."

I could feel her staring at me but never bothered looking her direction. For the long drive home my eyes were glued to the passenger window. I was done talking with her.

I was anxious to get home. All I wanted to do is go see Bella. Alice and her mom said she seemed better since I had gotten home, but I still noticed differences in her, big differences. She wasn't the same person anymore. Some of the changes were subtle and some were more drastic. I understood. Nothing in her life was the same way as it was before - nothing. So why would she be the same; it wouldn't make any sense for her to be.

It was April and the flowers opening gave the air a light open feel. A drastic opposite from the stifling tension in the car. Pulling into the driveway I let out a big breath. I wanted out of that car and away from her. I opened the door and jumped out before she came to a complete stop. I had my keys on me and jogged to my car.

"Be home by curfew!" she hollered out of her window.

I rolled my eyes and drove away. It felt good to be back in my own car. To have some sort of illusion of freedom. I rolled my windows down letting the fresh air saturate the car and my lungs. There was a promise of summer in the air and with that a promise of freedom. We would be graduated and on our own then - I couldn't wait.

~*E&B*~

"You cheated!"

"You're crazy."

"I am not! You so cheated!"

Bella's head was thrown back, her face red as tears leaked out of her eyes. She was laughing. It's something we didn't see often anymore. Although Jasper and Alice's antics were obnoxious, I prayed they would never stop if they got her to laugh like that.

"Edward, you're up," Jasper said throwing the dice in my direction.

"Oh no he's not! You cheated and we're not moving on until you fix it!" Alice demanded laughing.

Jasper was going about his businesses pretending like he couldn't hear her. He addressed Bella and I but was acting like Alice wasn't in the room.

"Ugh, you act like you're two, Jasper!"

We all laughed and Bella stood up and went into Jasper's kitchen, coming back with bottled water for everyone. The game was quickly forgotten, pointless, because Jasper was cheating.

"I can't believe you guys are leaving this summer," Bella said.

"I know, I haven't even started packing yet."

"Alice, it's three months away, you have time," Jasper said. He only got an eye roll in response from the girls.

"Bella, we found a place! I forgot to tell you. You guys will have to take a trip down there with us so you can see it."

"Of course we'll come down. We're gonna help you move too, so we'll see it."

I saw some sadness in her eyes as she spoke. I know she wasn't looking forward to losing her best friend.

"We'll come visit you guys too, it's not that far." Alice sounded like she was trying to not only convince Bella, but herself too.

"Well we have a move to take care of before then, should we get started?" Bella asked with a big smile.

My birthday was the next day and I was getting the hell out of my house. We planned to spend the day at Jasper's to get my new room together. A ton of Rose's shit was still in there, but she said she was fine with us boxing it up.

We spent the afternoon cleaning the room out. I insisted it wasn't really necessary, because I would only be there about a month. We graduated the next month and Bella and I were planning to move into our own place. Jasper's mom insisted we do it though. I figured she saw it as free labor to get the room cleaned. It worked for me though. I really appreciated her letting me stay there for free.

"Shit, what time is it?" Jasper asked looking up from a pile he was loading in a box.

"Four," I responded. "We have time."

I had never met anyone with worse time management than Jasper. Billy was a pretty laid back boss, but Jasper was late nine times out of ten and he was losing his patients. Jasper couldn't afford to lose his job if he and Alice were going to move into their own place so he was trying to not be late anymore.

We had to be at work at five. Billy was bringing in all of his equipment to the yard and was paying us overtime to clean it. It would take up most of our Saturday night but the extra money was worth it.

"Well let's take a break, we can finish this tonight," Bella offered.

"You sure you don't mind?" I asked kissing her forehead.

"Nope, we'll have a girl's night," Alice responded for her.

Bella seemed more like herself today than she had in a while. It was nice to see her laugh and enjoy herself. It had only been a few months since she'd lost her dad, and I knew she wouldn't snap back anytime soon. It was nice to see her have days like this, when the grief would give her a break and let her be normal.

It was soon time for Jasper and I to leave. Saying goodbye to the girls we jumped into my car and headed to work.

"You gonna have enough money to move out by fall?"

"I think so," I responded, trying to add up the figures in my head. "How about you?"

"As long as I don't get my ass fired, yeah." We both laughed knowing it would be only by the grace of Billy's patience that Jasper wouldn't get fired.

"You excited to move out tomorrow?" he asked.

I nodded. I was excited, but I was also nervous as to how it would play out the next day. I planned to put whatever was mine to take in my car and drive away. My mom didn't know of our plans and I couldn't handle another blow out fight. I just hoped everything would go smoothly then Bella and I could move on with our lives.


There's only a chapter or two left. I'm thinking one more chapter then an epilogue.
Who's POV would you like to read for the last chapter? EPOV or BPOV?

Would love to hear what you think!