A/N: Hello lovelies. Long time no see. Alternate POV's here so I hope you enjoy. See ya at the bottom.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot!

Chapter 36

EPOV

I lay awake in bed, head pounding and muscles tense. Three days...That's how long its been since I've left the house, since I've slept more than a few hours.

Of all the places she could have gone, what led her to Forks, to my hometown?

I imagined in my head our seeing each other going differently. Our eyes would meet; she'd give me one of those gorgeous smiles and run into my arms. I'd hold her close, vowing to never let her slip through my fingers again. What transpired was a bucket of ice water being dumped on and flooding my dream, thrusting me back into reality and the gravity of the situation. How can I forgive her when I can't even deal with my own shit? Do I even want to forgive her? My head says no, but my traitor heart says yes...I want to follow my heart…

It wants me to get out of my bed and go find her.

My eyes drift over to Claire who has just woken up. She rolls her chunky body over and crawls up on her hands and knees. Shaking the fogginess from my mind I move from my bed and approach her pack-n-play. She looks up at me and smiles.

"Hey beautiful." I scoop her up into my arms. She rests her head in the crook of my neck and I hold her tight. I love this little girl so much. She's my world, my everything. My happiness lies in her big smiles and hugs.

"Da da da da." She sings slapping me in the face, not hard but I guess she wants me to pay attention to her.

"Let's get you a bath."

I enjoy bath time with Claire the most. Now that she's able to sit up on her own she has so much fun exploring the water and bubbles. She screams in delight when I grab her pink rubber ducky and dunk it under water. She's oblivious to the craziness going on around her...I just wish her mother were here to enjoy these moments too. I don't know, I can't understand how she can look at her child and not fall completely in love.

"Knock, knock." Alice walked into the bedroom already dressed for the day. Everything in order from her perfectly styled hair all the way down to her leather pumps. She's another person I don't understand, and probably never will.

"How's my princess?" She closed the lid on the toilet and sat down. Claire answered by splashing water, some of it sprinkling over the tub and almost landing on Alice's shoes.

"Watch it sweetheart. Auntie loves you to pieces but these are Louboutins."

I shake my head and go back to playing with Claire.

"How are you feeling?" Alice asked.

"Fine."

"You don't have to keep everything inside you know."

"Alice please, if I have a problem you are the last person I would come to." I realize how harsh that sounds too late when her eyes fill with tears. "Shit Al, I'm sorry."

She shook her head and composed herself. "No, don't apologize because I know you meant it."

"It's just followed by something nasty from you and I don't need that right now."

"Well forgive me for wanting to protect my brother."

"Being protective is one thing but being downright rude is another. I can't talk to you when I know how you are."

"What if I promise not to say a word. I'll keep my mouth closed."

"Not possible." I pull Claire from the tub when she starts to prune. Alice follows me back to my bedroom.

"It is possible."

"How long have I known you Al?...Like, your entire life. You haven't stopped running your mouth since mom and dad brought you home from the hospital."

"You know you make me feel bad when you say things like that." She pouted, crossing her arms and sitting down on the edge of my bed. I really can't bring myself to care about her feelings right now. I dress Claire while Alice continues to mope around the room.

Now, when it comes to taming my daughter's hair I'm a lost cause. I hand her over to Alice who proceeds to style her hair into two pigtails, and when she's finished she holds Claire up in the air. "Look how beautiful you are my princess. You're my cushy wushy stinky butt dumpling aren't you?" Alice and her baby language are strange but Claire loves it so I don't say anything.

"Tell your daddy you need more pink clothes."

"Tell your aunt she should have her own baby so she can dress her like a pepto bismal bottle."

"Tell your daddy that Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper are working on it." She winked.

"Ewww!" I kiss Claire on her cheeks and grab some clothes for myself; just more lounge clothes since I'm not going anywhere.

"No, you are going to dress like a human being today; we're making a trip up to P.A. for lunch and shopping!" Alice yelled after me.

Yeah, whatever.

An hour later Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and I pile into the Hummer to make the trip to Port Angeles. Mom and dad opted out, wanting to spend some quality time together. Rose wasn't feeling well but volunteered to watch Claire for me. It didn't feel right leaving her with the baby when she's not feeling her best, but she insisted. I honestly don't want to go.

"So Ed, what did you do to get Tanya to leave?" Em asked with a snicker.

"Nothing."

"I don't believe that." He smirked.

I roll my eyes. "She wanted to go so I gave her my keys."

When we arrived home from the diner after the clusterfuck of chaos Tanya was unusually quiet. I didn't care, as I didn't want to talk to anyone. I saw that she was packing her suitcase and when she spotted me she told me she wanted to leave. I dug in my pocket and gave her my keys. That was the end of that.

"Good riddance." Alice scoffed. So much for her keeping her comments to herself.

"Maybe it's for the best." Jasper replied, sounding unenthusiastic.

"For who?" I grunted, irritated to even be talking about this shit.

Emmett sighed. "All of us."

The rest of the ride was quiet.

That's not to say that once we got to Port Angeles the mood didn't change. It was almost like we were kids again. Running after Alice who has ADHD when it comes to anything would tire out the average Joe; but Emmett, Jasper, and I have had plenty of practice. Of course the mall was the first stop of the day. There's nothing more embarrassing than having your little sister force her two older brothers and her husband in to outfits, and then model them for her approval.

When dealing with the pixie, you grin and bear it if you want peace.

It got us a few cat calls from a group of elderly ladies out on a shopping trip. Emmett almost sent one into shock when he ripped his shirt off to show her his muscles. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, and then laughed some more when the little lady touched his chest and hyperventilated.

"Still got it!" Emmett flexed, sending the rest of the ladies into a giggling fit.

Jasper finally rounded us up so we could go grab a bite to eat. His wife wasn't happy to cut our mall trip short, especially since she hadn't bought anything but somehow he was able to reel her in enough to leave.

We decided to eat lunch at Bella Italia. It's been so long since we've been here, even with Emmett being the general manager of the chain our lives have been full of other shit we've neglected our family legacy.

Things were going great...We were enjoying a lovely lunch and talking. I was biting into my second breadstick when an uninvited guest decided to crash our table.

Riley fucking Biers.

"What's up Cullens! Long time no see."

The punk hadn't changed a bit, besides the premature balding and beer belly. The fucker followed Emmett and I around like a lost puppy for years under the pretense of "hanging out" but really it was more for exposure. In school, Emmett and I were popular without trying to be. Emmett played football and I was his smart but sexy younger brother *wink*; clearly everyone wanted to be around us for their own reasons. No one got on my nerves more than Riley, because it was like he was obsessed.

And then he really crossed the line when he decided to go after Alice. Called himself trying to get closer to her to get in good with the family. She was too young for that and it took my fist connecting with his ugly mug to make him realize it would never happen.

"What the fuck do you want Biers?" Emmett puffed out his chest, making Riley visibly uncomfortable.

"Uh...I...I just thought I would stop by and say hi to my favorite family. Its been a few years since we've all been in the same room together."

"For a reason." I huff.

"Can I sit?" Riley pulled up a chair to the table before we could object.

"Alice, good to see you sweetheart. You're just as beautiful as I remembered." He called himself flirting. Jasper quirked an eyebrow and Alice wasn't impressed.

"I wish I could say the same..."She trailed off whispering something to Jasper who in turn chuckled at whatever she said.

"How are you guys. I hear you all moved to Seattle?"

We remained quiet. "That's so cool. I was thinking about moving there but the wife isn't interested in big city living."

"Who the hell married you?" I just had to ask.

"Lauren Mallory."

At the mention of her name Emmett spit out his drink and Alice dropped her fork, failing to control her laughter. I just rolled my eyes. Don't even get me started on that.

"Wow, how's that working out?" Emmett asked, a laugh almost tumbling out but he had better control than my sister.

"She's great. We're very much in love...got four kids." He pulls out his wallet and shows us pictures.

Sadly enough, poor Riley is either blind as a bat or just bat shit crazy. It could be a little bit of both.

See, Lauren Mallory has to be the biggest slut this side of Washington state. She was fucking in middle school and every guy in town has at least had her once or twice. I was one of those unfortunate ones, but I only got a mediocre blow job and never let her touch me again. These four kids are obviously no relation to Riley...Looks like Lauren has been visiting the reservation frequently. How can two blonde haired, blue eyed people produce four brown haired, brown eyed, brown skinned children?

"Wow." Jasper whistled handing the wallet back to Riley. The dumb idiot beamed with joy.

"Yeah, she's wonderful. Anywho, how long are you guys in town? Maybe we could get together and do something."

"Not gonna happen." Alice said sweetly biting into her food.

Riley frowned but put on a smile as he stood. "Well, maybe you guys will change your minds. It was nice bumpin' in to you but I've gotta get home. The wife has bible study out on the reservation and I'm watching the kids."

Poor Riley. I'm sure his wife will be worshipping something, and it won't be the good Lord.

He stopped suddenly. "Oh, I saw you guys at the Diner on the fourth. I had just pulled into the lot when I saw Alice and that new waitress fighting. She's a bitch, probably deserved getting her ass handed to her." The moment he clapped me on the shoulder I was on my feet and in his face.

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about so I suggest you take your stupid ass on home to your kids before you deserve getting your ass handed to you."

Riley about pissed in his pants; he tucked his tail and ran out so fast he was kicking up dust.

"I like this new you Ed." Emmett chuckled.

"Yeah, he's feisty. Now if only he would be this way toward other people in his life-" Alice mumbled the last part to herself.

I ground my teeth and tried not to immediately engage her in an argument. We're in public, and I've already made a scene with Riley. I held out my hand for Emmett's keys which he gladly handed over. He knew I needed some time to myself. "I'll be waiting in the car."

I just need some air...

Some time alone to gather my thoughts… I'm fucking angry, and I'm hurt, I'm sad...Lashing out feels real damn good right now. That damn girl has my head so fucked up; I want to see her. I need to speak to her, about what? I don't fucking know. This need I have is starting to stifle me. Emmett is the first one back at the car; he doesn't ask. The others return and he immediately starts talking so that Alice doesn't have time to start in on what I'm sure will be a tangent about Bella.

I'm silent on the way back... Thinking too much about every fucking thing going on. Trying to make sense of the way my heart is constantly pounding in my chest and my gut tightens; if people could really see the inner battle I'm dealing with under my carefully placed facade of anger they might actually understand how fucking hard it is, and how tired I am of trying to be strong. She's turned my world inside out...My Bella, who doesn't want me. So when we pass by Forks Diner, and I see her clear as day getting into a car with some guy who's fucking making her laugh, my insides turn at the sight. What the fuck is that? What does it mean? She's moved on, already?

Why should she be happy when I'm fucking miserable huh?

Not feeling so full of bravado I bite my lip nervously. "Pull over." I know they've seen her because things become tense immediately.

"Ed-"

"Pull the fucking car over!"

"Don't do this now." But Emmett pulls over on the side of the road.

"Edward let's just go home." Alice tries stopping me but I'm already out of the car, slamming the door in her face. I'll pay for that later, but right now I need air.

Fuck, why am I reacting this way, like I can't breathe? I've finally reached my breaking point. I'm going to fucking find her...And she's going to listen to what I have to say.

BPOV

"Thanks for the ride Paul." I open the door to get out of his beat up Honda Civic.

"Anytime Bells," he grabs on to my wrist, "We should hang out more. Come by my place sometime, I'll cook dinner." He looked so hopeful, and maybe if the circumstances were different I would think about it. Minus the fact that his dad is my boss and he fucked my aunt, Paul isn't such a bad guy.

I'm just not interested.

"See ya later."

It's been a long day. Between dealing with lazy co-workers and demanding patrons I'm worn out to the max. Dad was pulling a double tonight so I had the place to myself, and nothing was going to get in the way of my sleep.

I hop in the shower, scrubbing the grease and grime away from my skin and hair. When finished I slip into a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top; I braid my hair so that it won't be all crazy when I wake up. I slip into bed and wrap myself in a soft blanket that doesn't quite cover my feet, but I don't really care.

I wait for sleep to take me...

...Any minute now I'll fall into a peaceful slumber. No worries and hopefully I won't dream. I've started having nightmares again. The most recent terrified me…

Renee was standing in the door, smirking at me. I was tied to the bed, screaming for Edward to help me. He walked into the room carrying my daughter, an evil gleam in his eye.

Renee held out her arms, "come to granny princess." She takes the baby from him and walks to the corner of the room where Phil is standing, looking at my daughter like she was a piece of meat.

"NO, LEAVE HER ALONE!" I scream. They all laugh at me, but this time the room is filled with the Cullen's, who are staring at me with evil grins.

I hear crying and I search the room, because I know it's my baby. I look to my left and she's lying right beside me. She's screaming...And Phil is standing over her. He's taking off his belt.

"NO...NNNOOOOO!"

A hand slams over my mouth and I look up to see Alice standing over me with a knife. On each side of her stood Mary and Charlie, watching and laughing. "Now you be quiet, this won't hurt a bit."

She slices into my skin. I scream for someone, anyone to save me. My daughter is screaming "Mommy" over and over again as Phil...as Phil...

The doorbell had me shooting upright. My dream was so real and even remembering it makes my skin crawl. I'm pissed that I would remember something so traumatizing, even if it never happened. The doorbell rang again. I looked around for a moment before unwrapping myself and moving gingerly from my bed.

The doorbell sounded again and I felt like yelling at whoever it was to just shut up and wait a bit but my throat wasn't ready to form words yet. Instead I just trudged onward, feeling the return of my mind as it slowly filled my robotically moving body. By the time I was at the door I was myself again, ready to tell whoever it was to scram.

When I open the front door however, all the air rushed out of my body; I was stunned. I wasn't expecting him today. "Edward."

He stands before me smoldering, with bags under his eyes and ill kept hair…He's beautiful in a tortured sort of way and I'm left feeling breathless as we stare at each other.

Oh...

Fuck!

What the hell am I supposed to do? I'm not ready...I'm really not ready.

"Can I come in?" He asks stepping closer. Like he's the black plague I shift uncomfortably backwards. The door is wide open and I'm standing here like an idiot with my mouth open.

Should I let him in? No, I don't think that would be a good idea. Charlie is at work and the last thing I want him to hear from the neighbors is that I am letting men into his house. But on the other hand I'm in my pj's and I don't want anyone to see me like this. Moving out of the way I silently beckon him inside.

I walk behind him shutting the door closed. The silence is deafening as I watch him step into the living room and look around, mostly at the pictures on the walls and mantle over the fireplace. Once he's satisfied he sits on the edge of the couch again observing for a moment before settling his eyes back on me. I don't know whether to sit down or stand up. I feel like I have to be ready for anything, because Edward doesn't look too happy right now, and I'm a little scared.

Put your big girl panties on girl!

I sit down on the other end of the couch.

Ok, I'm ready...

"How did you find me?"

He doesn't seem surprised by my question. "Someone tipped me off." He shifts in his seat and I catch a whiff of his scent...It still sends the blood racing through my veins.

Nervously, I clear my throat. "Why are you here?"

"Seriously? That's all you're going to say to me?" What am I supposed to say, I want to ask. "Maybe I just wanted to stop by to see how you've been?" His velvet voice is as beautiful as the day I first heard it, even when he's lying.

"I know you didn't come here to ask how I've been Edward."

The expression on his face speaks that of contempt. If he's trying to intimidate me it's working. "What are you doing in Forks?"

"I should be asking you the same question."

He sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. I once found that gesture endearing; now it just makes me sad. "This is my hometown. My family and I are here on vacation. There, I answered your question, so now answer mine."

"Well, it's a long story."

"I'm not leaving until I get some answers, so start talking. Why are you staying with Chief Swan? Is he your pimp?"

"Fuck you Cullen." I jump to my feet.

"What am I supposed to think? You're in a town living with strangers!"

"He's my father asshole! I'm not prostituting anymore for your fucking information."

My revelation seemed to startle him, and the pompous asshole was knocked down a few pegs. He sits forward resting his elbows on his legs and bowing his head into his hands. "Wow, I'm happy you found him." He seemed to exhale a sigh of relief.

I'm still too pissed to calm down after his accusation. I guess in a way I can understand why he would immediately think that I'm back to selling myself, with this situation being so fucking unbelievable. It's still sometimes hard for me to process that I have a family now and the way we met was by sheer pure luck. Edward doesn't know that, no one really does… And I can't be mad at him because he doesn't know this new person I've become. I have to bite my tongue to stop from cursing him and demanding he leave.

This, us meeting, was bound to happen.

He's here and he wants answers from me, and I at least owe him that right?

"Help me understand where things went wrong Bella." He's pleading, and I am starting to doubt that I can be strong enough to tell him the truth.

"Everything was wrong-"

"No, no it wasn't. We were good...great even."

"That's what you wanted to think Edward. I'm sure in your mind everything was perfect, but I think you failed to see the truth."

How can I explain things without making him upset?

"...Was it me? Did I run you away?" He's so frail in this moment, and my heart breaks just a little more.

"Yes-" I started and watched as sadness seized him, "but not in the way I'm sure you're thinking." I take a deep breath. "You scare me Edward." I whisper.

He looked up at me "What?"

"From the very beginning your compassion has terrified me. You took me in, a complete stranger, because you couldn't bear to see me pregnant and selling my body. You put up with my shit, my lies, my anger, my sadness. You were patient when you shouldn't have been...You showed me what it was like to feel loved every time you touched me, and when we made love you never once made me feel like I was unworthy of how amazing it can be," I paused wiping away my tears. "But above all of that you love my baby. You loved her before I did...I had a plan before you came along, and you blew it to pieces, and even after I gave birth you still wanted me and the baby...that was a lot for me."

Through my haze of despair I see him move closer to me. I want to curl up in a ball and hide away from him because this is hard…Facing him is hard and I'll say things that will hurt him. I never wanted to do any of this to him…He deserves so much better. And when he touches me, for the first time in seven months I feel that shock, that tingle coursing through my veins. I remember what it felt like to be in his arms, to hold him, to kiss him. That unmistakable zap of electricity that only happened when we were together; I've missed it.

"I was there with you. There was no reason to be afraid." His hand is on mine, pulling, searching for something.

"But I was."

"We could have worked this out..I..I would have helped you...I-"

"You've done enough Edward, don't you see that? How much more can you give? I didn't want to take advantage of you; I refuse to do it. I have to fix myself now-"

"THAT'S NOT FAIR! YOU DON'T JUST WALK OUT ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE LIKE THAT. YOU DON'T BELLA!" He's on his feet pacing and I realize just how much damage I've done to him. He can't see it, but I can. I see how tortured he is; the pain of losing so much in his life. I was too selfish before to understand that my leaving would devastate him.

"I didn't know what else to do. I was scared, I'm still scared. I never know what the hell is going to happen!"

"You want to know what these last seven months have been like for me, huh? I come to the hospital to find out that you ran away during the night, leaving your daughter behind without a note or anything. Just gone, vanished into thin air…But I didn't have time to cry about it because I had to fight to get my daughter. They were going to take her away from me," tears streamed down his face, he didn't bother to wipe them away, "I fought for her and all the while I never stopped looking for you. I can't tell you some of the things that ran through my head, about where you could have gone or what you were doing. I haven't slept right in months because I've been worried sick. Once I adopted Claire I thought things would get better, that I wouldn't miss you so fucking much…But no. That has never stopped. You know why?-" but he stops, stumbling back down to the couch looking so defeated I only cried harder.

"I'm sorry." Is all I can say, because I am. I'm sorry for fucking up his life.

"I think we're beyond that now don't you think?" He spat.

"Edward," I sighed feeling beyond tired and defeated, "What do you want from me?"

He shot back to his feet, and pulled me up with him. His face was so close to mine, he looked so tired and worn, worry lines present and clear as day. "I want you to hurt, like I'm hurting."

And then his lips are crashing down on mine.

EPOV

I don't know what possessed me to grab her the way I did…Or to kiss her the way I'm doing right now.

I put my arms around her waist feeling her relax into my touch, as she put her arms around my neck. Our bodies, like magnets crashed together so tightly nothing could get between us, at least not in this moment. Chests, stomachs, and thighs, so close…not close enough. I wanted to pull her into my body, absorb her into my skin. It was as if lightening had struck and electricity flowed around us, I held my breath when my mind came crashing back. Is this really happening?

"Breathe baby." She mumbled against my lips, giving the confirmation that I needed to know this was fucking real. Our lips parted simultaneously, the tips of our tongues greeting one another again after so long, testing and revealing the carnal passion we once shared. Her hands dropped from my neck and grabbed on to the back of my shirt, pulling me impossibly closer.

Nothing about this was right. I knew that after I let her go we would be just as confused and angry as we were before…but for now, while she's allowing me to do what I've only dreamed about for the last seven months, I'll kiss her with everything I have, because I want to.

I can feel her trembling in my arms as she holds on to me. I give her a gentle squeeze that I hope she takes comfort in. This is scary for me to.

All too soon our kiss comes to an end. We break our embrace and stumble back from each other, stunned into silence. I miss her already. I just want to grab her again and never let go, but nothing has been resolved. The kiss was just a testament to how weak we both are, but don't really know how to fix it. Fix us, and the mistakes we've both made. It changes nothing…Fuck, now it just seems harder. Her eyes are as wide as saucers and flowing with tears; I never wanted to make her cry. But I feel my eyes brimming too and I understand the way she's feeling. We've done something stupid that only complicates things more. What should I expect, I can't think straight around her. As much as I want to reach for her and tell her I forgive her and everything is ok, it's not. It may never be.

I can't hold back. I won't. "I'm pissed at you, I might even hate you for what you've done...But I'm relieved you're safe. You are safe right?" I just need to know that she's not in any danger.

"Yes, more than safe." She whispered.

I think it's time I go because if I don't, I'm going to do something I'll regret, I think.

Moving toward the door I stop, and the words are out of my mouth before I realize what I'm doing. "We're having brunch tomorrow at my house. I want you to come."

"Why."

"Just come. We're in the same town; you might as well see everyone in one place before they corner you somewhere alone."

"They've already done that." She shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"You afraid?" I knew she was, but I wanted to hear her say it.

"Yes." She didn't try to deny it. Good.

"I want you to remember that my family loved you. They took you in and treated you with kindness and respect. You hurt them just as much as you hurt me and I'm tired of having to come to your defense on my own."

"So you want me to come to your house so they can slaughter me?" She crossed her arms, looking pissed.

"No, I want you to come and put it all out there so they can hear it. So we all can hear your reasons for doing what you've done."

"So you want to punish me?"

That's not it at all. "You've already been punished…I want you to face it. I want you to stop running and face your problems head on. Stop being afraid."

"Listen, I know I messed up…but I can't come there and face them. I'm not going to be thrown to the wolves just because all of you are mad at me. How is that fair?"

Nothing about any of this is fair.

"It's not, but I do know the only way any of us can move on is if we face the facts. Here you are, standing on your own two feet, moving on with your life like you didn't leave a disaster behind you. I just want closure…We, just want closure."

"Does your family know about this? You inviting me over out of the blue?"

Mom and dad won't have a problem because they just want peace. The only person that I have to worry about is Alice…But even I know Bella can handle herself when it comes to my sister.

"I'll tell them. Don't worry about that. Just come. If it gets to be too much you can leave and we'll be done…But just come ok?"

She battled with the idea, but I wasn't leaving until she gave me the answer I wanted. Maybe I'm wrong for putting her in this position, but to be honest I don't know any other way. I'm doing this selfishly for my own benefit. I want her to see what she's missing out on. She knows how important my family is to me…Me hurting is one thing, but my parents, my sister? I won't allow her to get away with it any longer.

And I think she knows that too. "Fine I'll come."

"Good."

"But not alone."

I wasn't expecting that. "That's fine. Bring whoever you want."

She nodded and followed me to the door. Just as I opened it she stopped me. "You named her Claire?"

She caught that, did she?

"Yes. Claire Isabella Cullen."

Her breath caught and she placed a hand to her heart. "Why would you do that?"

I'm assuming she means Claire's middle name. "I did it because I wanted her to have a part of you, even if you didn't want her."

I walk out feeling a little better, but not much. I just invited her into the lion's den to face my family. I want her to come; I want her to face us. I want her to see how happy her daughter is. I want to twist the knife so she can really feel how hard these months have been. Maybe I'm a sick bastard for getting some kind of joy from throwing her to the wolves so to speak. I won't tell them to back off because she deserves to know how much she hurt them.

She's watching me as I stand at the curb in front of her home. I can feel her eyes; always have been able to know when she's looking at me. That current, that electric I keep talking about was always there when we were in close proximity. That hasn't changed. When you love someone the way that I love her you have a tendency to just know…to feel…to see…

Nothing was resolved tonight with my visit. I didn't expect to hear the things that I heard, or even kiss her. I still have hundreds of question that I need answers to, things I need to understand. To hear something that will calm this ache in my heart and stop the angry doubts in my head. Only she has that power to open those tightly sealed doors around her heart… To let me in like I've always begged of her. To see the real Isabella, and not just Bella the lonely misguided girl I met on a dark street so long ago. She was running then, and she's still running now. But I won't let her get away. I won't let her pretend none of this is real. I won't let her sweep my family or her daughter under the rug, or push my love out of her heart. Sure she's fine now, but who's to say she'll continue down this path. Things might get tough; will she desert her father too? Will she leave him stranded without answers?

I turn around when I hear the door shutting. She's retreated now back into her safe cocoon, shutting out the world. Will she go to her room…wrap herself up in a blanket and cry? I remember what that was like, hearing her cry in her sleep at night; wanting to hold her but being too afraid that she would lash out. And then when she would let me hold her, I was always afraid to ask because I didn't want to imagine what types of horrors she had to live through.

She's different now though…Maybe not whole, but different in a way that I can see. It's in the way she carries herself. Her shoulders are more squared and she seems to hold her head up with more confidence…That wasn't the case with me. She's changed…For the better? I'm not so sure.

Looking around as I step off the curb I know there's a lot of unfinished business for both of us. We're worlds apart, but yet so close. There's not much I can do now, or say that will make things better. It's getting late, and I know my family is worried about where I am. As soon as I step through the door I'll be bombarded with questions that I may or may not want to answer. I touch my lips for only a second, still tasting her there…and I know for at least right now I'm ok. What more is there?

I do the only thing I can right now…

I start walking…

A/N: Soooo, anyone still there. No excuse, just haven't had time to write. So this is the prediction here, five more chapters and I'm ending this puppy. I have other stories I want to post but I haven't because I wanted to finish this up. So let me know what you think.

Is Edward wrong for feeling the way that he does?

Is Bella really moving on with her life?

Should they have kissed?

Leave me your reactions. I will try to get back as soon as I can. Love you all and thanks for the continued support.