Chapter 29 – Separated & Together

EPOV

Bella is gone and I traveled on my own. I knew where she was and I missed her terribly. Our last conversation ran through my head, cutting into me even deeper everytime. How could I be so stupid? Why did I just let her go? Walking down the street, all I saw was her face. Her golden eyes were set into every woman's face that passed me. The scent of her hair followed me wherever I went.

Even when I hunted, it held less and less significance. My prey's pleads meant next to nothing. Before, they made me laugh, but now, I showed mercy. My hands moved quickly, letting them die quickly. Days became weeks, but it was all a blur. I missed my wife and I hated not seeing her. the pain was so unbearable, I couldn't even stay in an apartment. Within a day, Bella would have added her own personal touches and made it a home.

On one hunt, I took done a mugger and enjoyed his death too much, because of the girl her was assaulting. The innocent girl was walking, when the beast threatened her with a knife. She had brown eyes and dark curly hair. She looked like my Bella. "Oh, thank you," the girl breathed. She reached out to touch me, but I flinched away from her, "Just get home safely." She remained for a moment, He looks upset. Before she could say anything, I walked away for her.

I found myself wondering west, in the direction I knew she was in. It wasn't voluntary. It just felt better heading in this direction. When I reached Chicago, the city had grown. To my surprise, our home was still standing. No one moved into it. It was believed Bella and I were murdered in the house. Mrs. Wells and Eric knew the truth, but the rumors still spread.

I broke in and found all the furniture back in their place. The air was thick with dust. My fingers trailed over the dining table, leaving a trail in the settled dust and mold. The bedroom Bella selected for the baby was still shut. My hand rested on the handle and the door creaked open quietly. Mrs. Wells and I never told Bella that we had furnished the room. It was our surprise for her.

In the room, a large crib took up the center space, with white curtains hanging around it. There was a dresser, waiting to be filled with the infant's clothing. We used Bella's neutral colors to decorate the room. My body leaned against the wall of the potential nursery. This was supposed to be our lives, not this half-life she and I had to live. In the corner was a rocking chair and my mind envisioned Bella craddling an infant as she rocked back and forth. She hummed a lullaby, soothing our child to sleep. Pain ripped through me as my vision of her looked up with her borwn eyes and smiling face.

After showering, I dressed in our bedroom. The bed, like everything else, was covered with a layer of dust. I sat on the edge and looked around the room. Our human scents were very faint, marred by closed-in air. On top of the dresser, there was Bella's jewelry box. Crossing the room slowly, I went over to it and found her old bracelet she had gotten from her grandmother. I'm surprised she left this behind. Well, Bella and I were in such a rush to leave the house, we forgotten some things.

Inside of the closet, there were some of our clothes. I didn't bother to look through them. They were considered old-fashioned now. Bella's human scent lingered on the fabric and it was just as sweet as I remembered it from her bedroom in Cicero. I inhaled at her scent and the venom flowed in my mouth. Her human scent was very floral; freesias and lavender. I smiled to myself. It was only natural Bella had a floral human scent.

I thought back to the first time I saw Bella sitting under an archway of hanging flowers with petals falling in her hair. I leaned back against the wall and slid down to the floor. One hand wrung the other. Looking out the window, all I saw was Bella's face looking back at me. My ears played tricks on me, playing back the sound of her humming from the kitchen. The sounds of her footsteps as she cleaned the living room came next. Her scent was strong in my head, making the hallucinations stronger.

I stayed on the floor for the rest of the day, thinking about the woman I loved. The woman I missed beyond all reason. To make myself feel better, at least I could hear her voice. The phone in the kitchen hung in its place and I hoped that the line was still working. Picking up the receiver and the line buzzed, waiting for me to dial the number. Without looking, my fingers turned the number wheel on the phone.

Carlisle's voice came over the phone. Slight disappointment ran through me from his voice, but I was closer to hearing Bella. "Hello, Carlisle." He and I exchanged pleasantries, but they stopped when I heard sobs in the background. "Carlisle, is that Bella?" Fear ran through me, was she hurt? "Yes. She just found out her mother passed away." My eyes widened, "Let me speak to her." I waited anxiously until I heard the voice I yearned for, "Bella, love?"

Her breath was shaky, "Edward," her voice broke, "My mom. She…. She…" "I know, Bella, I know. Carlisle just told me." Every sob that came from her tore through me, "Edward, please," her voice broke again, "I need you." That was it, I couldn't stay away any longer. "Of course, love. I'm coming. I'll be there as soon as I can." She exhaled, "Thank you, Edward." "I love you, Bella. I'll see you soon." "I love you too."

The phone slammed down on the base and I was dressed quickly. Before long, I was running. Everything passed me in a blur. I pushed myself faster than I ever had before. Within minutes, I was pass the state line and in Wisconsin. All the blood in my body was burning out of my system, but I still pushed myself even further. The ground was almost untouchable underneath my feet. I flew north to where I was needed most.

Within 24 hours, I was less than 50 miles from Bella. There was nothing else between us except the distance I still had to run. It would have made more sense to drive or take the train, but my mind didn't process that. All I knew was I had to get to her. Less than an hour and the house was within sight. Smoke billowed lightly out of the chimney. I could hear movement inside. There was humming and another was flipping pages. There was another noise that frightened me. Someone crying. Their breath was coming and going quickly.

Without hesitating, I burst through the front door. Esme jumped and whirled around. I caught my own reflection and my eyes were as black as the night, but that wasn't a concern at the moment. Where was my wife? Esme came to investigate who came in the house. She looked at me, seeing my clothes worn and my hair windblown, Edward!

Her smile grew as she threw her arms around my neck, Oh, I can't believe this. Bella will be so happy. I hugged her back, "Where is she?" Esme's eyes saddened. Her mind played over Bella getting the phone call from her father. Her hand crushed the back of one of the chairs. She screamed a barrage of 'No" denying the news she just received. Esme held Bella's hand to her sides and Carlisle took the phone from her.

He spoke to Bella's father, while Esme held Bella in her arms. She was shaking her head wildly, "It's not true! Tell me it's not true!" Bella clutched at Esme's arm when she started crying. Her finger tore at the dress sleeve on Esme's arm. Esme dismissed the damage trying to soothe her.

She's in her room. Carlisle found us, Edward. He wasn't so surprised to see me. I knew he would come home soon. Before I returned, Carlisle and Esme welcomed me back, as they did Bella. Hearing her muffled sobs, I flashed to the bedroom door and knocked. She cleared her throat, "Come in." I opened the door and saw the body of my wife on the bed. Her face was hidden underneath a pillow.

She looked up and her eyes widened. "Edward!" It took her a brief moment to realize I was standing here, when she leapt up and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her warm body was in my arms again and I felt better than I have in a long time. Our weeks apart were the worst thing I endured. I kissed her hair, "I'm never letting you go again." She returned the kiss and her breath hitched.

Her lip trembled as she leaned against me. "What can I do for you?" She tightened her hold on me, "Just be here." My arms crushed her to my chest, "Where else would I be?" She told me about what her father said. The funeral was in a week. Taking her up in my arms, I sat the both of us on the bed, keeping her cradled against me. She asked me what I did, but it was of no importance.

"I went back to the house in Chicago. Things are so different there. I'll have to take you back one day." Bella tilted her head back. Her fingers brushed underneath my eyes, "When was the last time you hunted?" I shrugged nonchalantly, "Did you run here?" I nodded, "I know there were other ways for me to get here, but all I knew was that you needed me, so I ran from Chicago." She lifted her head from my chest to look me completely in the face, "You did that?"

My arms tightened around her, "It was what I needed to do. I had to get to you as soon as I can." Bella smiled, "Thank you." Her honey eyes looked at me. They were the same eyes that I saw at our house. These were the eyes I longed to see again. "I love you." Bella smiled and leaned against me, "I love you too."


BPOV

Edward and I were going to my mother's funeral. Since he came home, he never left my side. I tried to persuade him to go hunting, but he refused. He was being so stubborn and I loved it. We were apart too long. He did everything he could to keep me from crying again. The world felt colder from the moment Father told me about Mom. I was packing a suitcase for us to go. Edward was gone, after I finally convinced him to go hunting. He was gone for an hour and I didn't want to think about who he was hunting. Edward needed to be at his best strength to endure being around human.

"Bella?" I looked up and saw his eyes were gold again. The book in hand fell onto the bed. My fingers grazed his cheek, "Your eyes…" He took my hand, "A bear. When I was running, I did a lot of thinking. I couldn't go about hurting people." He leaned closer to me, "Though I helped many people, it was chipping away at my humanity. And, as you said, we always have a choice. And, I made mine. I cannot live or be without you." His arms were around me and he pressed his lips to mine, "I love you and I won't disappoint you again."

Esme and Carlisle came with us to my mother's funeral. My father was happy to meet Esme, but from the look of him, Mom's death had taken a great toll on him. His eyes were red when I found him in his study. "Dad?" he turned from the sound of my voice. In his hand, he was holding one of Mom's gloves. She wore them every spring when she went for a walk. He stood up and his body shook a bit. I moved too quickly catching him. He didn't notice how quickly I moved. "How are you?" He shook his head, "I'm alright, dear." He tried to smile, but it was too feeble to be convincing.

He was trying to hide his grief but I knew him enough that he was in as much pain as I was. Lauren was speaking with Edward, Esme and Carlisle. Her voice was broken as she showed them to the bedrooms upstairs. My father and I stayed in the study as he told me about Mom's last days. She was sick for a while, but she never told me how bad it was. "She didn't want to worry you more than necessary."

There was a knock on the door as Edward came in. "Chief Swan." My dad stood up, "Edward." Edward stayed at the door, "Esme and Carlisle are getting settled in. I'm just going to visit my mother." Edward's eyes fell on me and I nodded slowly, "All right. I'll be over soon."

The funeral was lovely. I picked the flowers for her casket myself. I couldn't bring myself to see my mother laying there. During the service, my eyes remained closed, so I wouldn't see her. The weather matched the mood of the town. There was a thick overcast, so our family could attend without worry. Esme stayed with me through the entire service and burial. My eyes pinched shut as my mother was lowered into the ground.

There was some whispering at the service about myself and Edward. He was 30 years old and I was 29, but we hadn't aged a day. I saw my childhood friends and enemies with their families. Meredith looked at me, her eyes narrowing a bit. She leaned closer to her husband. He glanced towards me, "She did you a favor. Remember what Damon did to her and her husband." Meredith sneered, then turned to her son, "Behave."

A familiar pang of pain hit me thinking about my lost child. Even Meredith was a mother now. Brittney was pregnant with her third child. Her eldest was named Isabella; named after me believing I was dead. "When I heard you were gone, I was inconsolable. After all you went through, you were gone." Brittney and I were sitting together on my front porch swing.

"Well, it was Damon who found me." Brittney huffed, "Yes, Damon," her voice lowered when she said his name. "You know, he's still at the mental institution." I looked at her, "What?" She blinked once and smiled, "Bella, he got the insanity plea in his case. He was ranting on and on that you threw him over a hedge and that you caught a bullet with your bare hand. He's gone off the deep end." Edward chuckled from inside. "What did happen that night?" Esme asked him.

Brittney trailed her fingers over her stomach, "Oh, he kicked." She took my hand and I felt the tiny bumps from her infant. My hand moved away slowly, remembering my own baby kick. Brittney looked at me for a long moment, "What's wrong?" I turned away from her and covered my face. "Oh," recognition came to her, "I'm sorry, Bella." I exhaled, "It's fine, B.B. Maybe one day," I couldn't finish the sentence knowing how wrong I was. Brittney's hand rested on mine. She wore a glove, so she wouldn't feel my cool skin, "Of course, Bella. You have plenty of time."

Before leaving, I had one errand to run. I found the institution Damon was in. I found him and time had taken its toll. He was older and heavier than he was before. "How are we feeling today, Damon?" a nurse asked him. Breaking in, I stole a nurse's uniform. I wanted to have some fun. I went to Damon's cell. He was sitting by the window. "Hello Damon." His body stiffened, then he slowly turned.

His eyes widened, "Bella?" I smiled at him, "How have you been?" He began to shake, "How is this possible?" I walked slowly toward him and he jumped out of his seat. Damon slammed into the wall, "You look exactly the same." Being wicked, I dashed across the room and stood in front of him, "Thank you." My golden eyes bored into his, "I just wanted to say 'hi.' I hope you remember how much fun we had in my garden. Remember?"

His eyes widened as a loud scream came from his lungs. I dashed out of the room as nurses ran to his room. I laughed wildly as I ran back to the house. Edward was sitting with his mother when I came in. Ms. Elizabeth stood, taking a cane into her hand. Edward held her elbow as she steadied herself. "Oh, sweetheart, how are you?" It was strange to see time taking its toll on our families, while Edward and I were untouched. She hugged me and she felt so frail. She was happy to meet Esme and overjoyed that we were still with Dr. Cullen.

The three of us walked through my garden. "Your mother hired a gardener to maintain your garden." I smiled looking at the work I once loved. Edward fretted over his mother, seeing her weaker. "Edward, I'm fine. I'm getting older like everyone else." Ms. Elizabeth had an undertone to her last sentence. Edward's eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

"She knows some things different about us," he whispered. She sat on the bench I was on when they first met me. She sighed in relief, "My knees are getting so stiff. My doctor says I should walk for at least an hour a day, but it's getting harder." Edward listened to her thoughts while she and I spoke. "Bella, how has life been with Dr. Cullen?" I smiled, trying to hide my teeth, "Wonderful. Edward is thinking about going back to school for his medical degree." She turned and smiled at her son.

"Esme and I are very close. I was very happy when Carlisle announced they were getting married." Ms. Elizabeth smiled, making her skin crinkle, "Ah, Dr. Cullen. He hasn't aged a day in 15 years." Edward and I looked at each other. We knew the risks of coming here. Carlisle tried to make himself look older by coloring his temples with powder to show age, but his flawless face was the downfall. "Mother, don't be silly." She looked back at him, "Edward, I've notice the same of you and Bella."

Ms. Elizabeth knew there was something about Dr. Cullen, but she never questioned it. She said she was just grateful that he was there to save our lives. She never asked what really happened, all she wanted was for us to be happy.