29.
Edward:
"Good-bye Mrs. Cullen", says Bella, stepping towards Mom.
We're at the airport.
Bella decided to tag along with me and Em while we drop our parents.
"Good-bye", replies Mom, taking a few hesitant steps towards my girlfriend.
Oh no. What's with that unusual look on Ma's face? Nothing good can ever come out of that look! Something big is gonna happen. Should I warn Bella and pull her away?
Just as I'm about to take action, Mom kisses both of Bells' cheeks, whispers in her ears and walks back to where Dad is.
What the heck was that?
I make a note to ask her later.
"Take care of yourself", says Dad before he grabs Mom's hand and walks inside.
The three of us stand there and watch their backs until they're far in the terminal and we can't see anything else.
"They're gone", says Emmett.
"Yeah", says Bella.
It's all over. No more drama. "I'm going to miss them both", I say. "Especially Dad."
Em looks at me with wide eyes. "Are you serious, lil' bro? Do you know what this means? Our freedom has been restored!" Then he does a fist pump.
I pull Bella over to me and wrap a hand around her stomach. "We're going home in a few months anyway so-"
"Eddie!" complains my brother, throwing his hands up in the air. "You love to ruin my fun, don't you?"
Yes, I do but it's not my fault you still act like a child.
"He does", laughs Bella.
My heart starts to beat faster the moment she laughs. It's such a wonderful sound and makes me feel so content with all I have. I'd do anything to see my girl smiling and laughing.
Anything to see her happy.
"We've still got a lotta time before summer starts", I say.
My brother scowls. "We've got to study too. In case you've forgotten, we're in med-school."
.
.
.
Bella:
"So where are you going in these vacations?" asks Edward, entering the students' lounge. "I know that there's a long way to go before we're through with this semester but I'd still like to know what your plans are."
"Probably a week with Mom, another week at Dad's and the rest of it with my Grampa Aro and Grandma Heidi. Unlike Charlie and Renee, they know how to be parents", I say.
"Oh", he says. "Oh."
"Is there a problem?"
"No", he answers. "I was hoping that you'd go to Chicago with me."
"Edward..." I say, touched at his revelation.
"It's okay. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time with your grandparents. In Minnesota."
"After I'm done with Charlie and Renee, can't you come over to Grampa's place?" I ask eagerly. "They'd love to meet you. Tyler and Mike also promised that they'd come to visit."
He thinks this over. "I like that", he says a while later. "And after that, you can come to Chicago with me."
"I can't wait to show you off to Grandma", I beam at him. "Grampa's gonna love you too. You don't mind fishing, right? 'Cause he'll drag you to the lake for sure."
"I'd like to try catching a fish", he says.
.
.
.
As I go to sleep that night, I can't help but think about the last few weeks. Meeting Edward's parents was quiet an experience and by the time they left, it seemed like Esme didn't hate me.
What a shocker.
Maybe she realised that I'm not a bad person.
If my parents were the type to pay attention to what goes on in my life, I'd have instantly told them about Edward. But they aren't so I haven't said anything to them.
Aro and Heidi Swan practically raised me.
To me, their opinions matter more than Mom and Dad's.
The next chapter is the last one. I hope you're ready for the end.
