Chapter 37: Making an Effort

BPOV

I moped around my room for two full days before deciding that I had to do something. I missed Edward terribly. There was a huge hole in my chest, and I knew it would forever be a constant reminder of what I did. I knew I had done what was best, and I knew Edward would move on and be happy.

I woke up on the third day and dressing for the day. I put on a pair of old comfortable jeans and any shirt I could find. I grabbed my purse heading downstairs. I wanted to take a drive, and clear my head. I needed to try to put some part of my life back together.

"Bella, you're out of bed!" Anne exclaimed causing my father to look up from the morning paper and his cup of coffee. The look of relief on his face was very obvious.

"Have breakfast," He offered as I shook my head. I had barely eaten in the last two days, and my stomach was not up for that.

"I'm just taking a drive. I need to do some thinking." I answered with a forced, weak smile.

I waved at them heading out to my beat up red truck. My father had time and time again offered to change the car, but I had refused. I had acquired the car on my own through babysitting and I was proud of that. She wasn't Rosalie's convertible, but she fit my purpose.

I jumped into the truck heading down the familiar path away from Forks. I knew I would be passing near La Push, but I figured nobody would be looking for me. They could identify my truck easily, but I knew they wouldn't bother me. They were good people, and my problems with Jacob had nothing to do with any of them.

My mind was relatively blank for most of the drive. I concentrated on the loud noise of the engine figuring it was safe territory. I was not going to allow myself to think of Edward.

I was so gone from myself that I barely noticed the gathering storm clouds or the fact that my car was making very strange noises. I was just relishing the few minutes of blankness I had. I still felt the pain, but I felt as if I was out of myself. As if I had somehow disengaged myself from the burning hole in my chest.

But the feeling lasted less than a few seconds before my truck lurched forward and stopped. Thunder struck loudly around me, and the smoke billowed out of the hood of my car.

I jumped out of the truck lifting the hood and stepping back quickly as the smoke poured out, and the rain began to fall. I looked around studying my surroundings. I knew where I was, and I knew this was not the place I wanted my car to break down.

I was just outside the limits of the reservation, and at least twenty minutes by car to the nearest small town not on the territory. I cursed myself for leaving my cell phone in my room. I had turned it off after the fifth call from Rose and Alice begging me to return. I didn't need to hear that nonsense, I missed Edward enough as it was.

I cursed loudly kicking the truck moving my wet hair out of my face. I was stuck, and had nowhere to go. I climbed back into the truck hitting the steering wheel before the tears overtook me again. I cried, because I was alone. I was alone now, and without Edward. I felt completely vulnerable and devastated.

"Bella," I heard someone scream as there was a tap on my window. How long had I been crying? I didn't know.

"Sam," I whispered locking eyes with him. He was standing in the pouring rain completely drenched and his car was on the other side of the street.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in Europe?" He asked as I shrugged.

"I just got back." I explained trying to wipe my tears, but I knew it was useless. "And now my truck broke down."

"Well, you can come back to the house. I'm sure Emily will be thrilled to see you." He stated. "We'll wait for the storm to pass and then I'll drive you back home."

"It's alright." I mumbled as the thunder crashed loudly . I was always really close to everyone in La Push, but I had withdrawn from them once my relationship with Jake had ended.

"I'm not leaving you out in the rain." Sam protested taking my hand.

"I can't, Sam." I complained as I followed him into his car. I didn't need to see everyone, it was embarrassing enough the way Jacob had left me.

Sam ignored my complaints as he drove to the house he shared with Emily through the torrential downpour. I ran inside after Sam smiling at Emily who immediately squealed giving me a tight hug. She didn't seemed to mind that I was drenched to the core.

"What are you doing here, Bella? I've missed you so much." She talked rapidly leading me inside.

"I've missed you too, Emily." I admitted with a warm smile. I really missed the time we used to spend just talking and hanging out.

"You know there was no need for you to disappear just because Jacob was an ass." Sam added giving me a towel to dry off.

"I needed to get away." I sighed realizing how much I missed them and everyone else. I had practically lived in La Push during my teen years, these people were my best friends.

"Come on, you can change into something of mine and I'll throw your clothes in the dryer." Emily offered as I followed her into the bedroom. "How are you, Bella?"

"I've been better." I admitted slipping on a pair of black sweats and a white T-shirt.

"I heard about your Prince. I must say he's dreamy." She continued as I stiffened at the mention. It seemed that everyone had heard about it, and now I had nothing to say.

"I know," I said softly as Emily studied me carefully.

"What happened?" She inquired as I shrugged.

"It's not important." I lied as we went back into the kitchen Sam was already changed and was checking the food Emily had on the stove. "What's new?" I inquired taking a seat in their table.

"We got married." Emily stated as I got up giving each of them a hug.

"When? Where?" I questioned as Emily laughed.

"Last year on the beach right here. It was a very small ceremony, I didn't want anything too big." She explained as I smiled at her. Sam and Emily were the perfect couple, and deserved to be very happy.

"I'm so happy for you." I said honestly, I was happy that other people were able to find happiness even though I wasn't as fortunate. I would never have that happiness.

"Hey, guys!" I heard an all familiar voice say. "It's raining cats and dog!"

I froze at the sound of his voice. My back was to the kitchen door, but I didn't need to turn around to know who was standing there. I had run in to the one person I did not want to see; Jacob.

EPOV

It was the longest three days of my life. But I was finally on a plane to get my Bella back. I wasn't sure what I was going to say or how I was going to say it. All I knew was that I needed her back, because I loved her. She was my everything.

Ben sat next me on our jet as I looked out the window. It seemed the faster I wanted the time to past the slower it would go. I was literally aching to have her in my arms again. I felt as if there was a void within me that could only be filled by her.

"We're just about there." Ben said trying to fill the quiet. I hadn't talked much since Bella had left, and I knew Ben was trying to make me feel better. It was nice of him, but nothing but Bella would work.

I nodded taking out her letter and picture. I had reread them countless times, only because they reminded me of her. I missed her terribly, and every minute that passed seemed like a year.

I was mentally and physically exhausted by the time we landed in Seattle. Jetlag was a killer. Yet, none of that was important. I was thankful that nobody knew I was in the States, and that nobody was waiting for me when I got off.

My two guards and Ben followed me into the nondescript car, one of the guards telling the assigned driver where to go. We were headed to a hotel in Seattle, and I would then find a car to drive to Bella's house. I wanted to do that alone.

"Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" Ben asked for the millionth time since we had left Volterra. I knew he meant well, but the constant questioning was very annoying.

"Ben, for the last time, I need to do this on my own." I reminded him. "I need to show her that she's the one for me and I need to convince her that we belong together."

"I know." He sighed patting my back as we pulled into the hotel and were immediately escorted to the penthouse suite.

I didn't waste anytime looking at the suite. In all honesty, they all seemed to look the same to me. I had been in enough of them to know. And I was just anxious to get to her.

"Your car is waiting by the back." One of the guards said as he handed me the car keys.

"We have a few guards blending in Forks. They can be at your disposal at anytime." He stated as I nodded.

"Thank you, John." I said taking the keys as Ben followed me into the elevators and downstairs.

"Be careful, Edward." He warned. "And bring Bella back. We all miss her."

"I will, Ben. And thank you." I said shaking his hand as I boarded the silver Volvo they had set aside for me.

I took out Rose's directions studying them one last time. I had mesmerized them during the last three days, and I was pretty sure I could arrive blindfolded, but the last thing I needed was to get lost.

I drove through the streets my thoughts on Bella. The entire drive was only just over an hour, but it seemed so much longer. It seemed that Bella was further and further away from me, and that I was never going to get her.

I almost screamed in relief as I noticed the road Rose had told me to look for. I was literally minutes away from Bella, and I couldn't wait to have her back in my arms.

I took a deep breath when I parked behind her father's police cruiser. I still had no idea what I was going to tell her, but I knew I was going to be honest. She was my life, and I refused to live it without her.

A/N: I should probably go off and hide somewhere for leaving this chapter here. Two cliffies in one chapter. I know I'm mean, but it makes the story better. At least you can all count on my next update for this story to be on Monday. I have a set date, and I do my best to stick to them.

I want to clear something up from Author's Notes in the last chapter of the Vegas story. I will write a sequel to What Happens in Vegas and I will write the last part of Camp Wilderness. The poll is simply choosing which gets written first. I want to get both of those finished before starting a completely new story. Believe me I have many, many ideas to choose from (at last count there were eight in a Word document). Everyone please go vote in my poll…It will close on Saturday.

Next Chapter: Stay tuned until Monday (I will give things away if I gave clues) Sorry!

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