Chapter 37.

Hunter POV.

Bella was beginning to get nervous as the time ticked by. The Cullen's would be arriving shortly, and I could see she was becoming restless, fidgeting with her hands.

"And your sure he won't be here?" she asked for the twentieth time.

"I promise, Bella. He won't turn up," I answered patiently. I knew she was just freaking out, and needed the reassurance. She just nodded, and looked back at her hands.

A few minutes later, I could hear the family arriving. I thought warning Bella would help.

"Get ready. They are almost here."

She gasped slightly, but straightened her posture. When they knocked on the door, she jumped anyway.

"You okay?" I whispered, before answering the door.

"Um … I … yeah. Yes. I'm okay."

"Remember, I'll be right with you. They are looking forward to this too. You don't need to be so nervous," I said, answering the door.

"Hey guys. Come on in. Bella's in the lounge," I said, stepping aside to let everyone in.

I noticed that tiny Alice managed to slip past them all first.

"Bella!" she screamed, launching herself on the couch, and grabbing her in a bear hug. Tears started to well in Bella's eyes, and I knew she would burst at any moment.

"Hey, Alice," she managed to whisper, hugging her back.

"Oh, I missed you so much," Alice said, pulling away slightly so she could look at her properly. "And," she said, looking her up and down, "we need to do some serious shopping!"

Bella laughed, and her tears finally gave way, rolling down her reddened cheeks.

"Alice, let her be. We have only just come back, and you want to torture her with shopping?" Rosalie asked. Bella started slightly at the voice, and turned slowly to face Rosalie.

"Hi, Bella," she said softly.

"H … hi… Rosalie." Bella sounded astonished, and I remember her telling me that her and Rose didn't really see eye to eye. I wondered about the change.

Rosalie walked over, and hugged her gently, but awkwardly, and I could see Bella stiffen slightly at the unusual show of affection.

"It's good to see you, Bella. Truly."

"Thanks, Rosalie. You too," she answered, her cheeks reddening further.

Esme was next. They didn't say a word to one and other, but instantly pulled each other into an embrace. They stayed like that for a solid ten minutes, with Bella sobbing uncontrollably now. Carlisle was the one to make them break contact.

"Ahem," he mock coughed. "Esme, can the rest of the family say hello?" everyone chuckled.

After more hello's and more crying, they all settled down into a comfortable conversation of what everyone had been up to, over the past few months. I stood back in the kitchen with mom, and gave them their space together. Every now and then Bella would look round, making sure I was still here with her. I would smile at her each time, and she would return the smile with one of her own. She was so at ease with them, and they with her, that it looked like she was a part of the family. Even Rosalie was talkative today. Bella looked surprised each time Rose spoke to her, but at least she had stopped spluttering her answers.

"She looks better already," mom whispered to me.

"Yeah," I agreed. "I just hope she will be okay when they leave again."

"I'm sure she will be fine. She knows now that they want her in their lives, and I think she has finally accepted it."

I nodded, and sighed.

"You okay sweetie?" mom asked.

"I'm getting tired again. I think I need to hunt. I'll take Bella a juice through, and see if she would be okay with me leaving for an hour."

"Okay. I'll go and visit Charlie for an hour, too, and let them be alone."

I nodded as I took Bella her juice.

"Thank you, Hunter," she said, looking at me quizzically. "You okay?"

"Um. I need to hunt, Bella, but I don't want to leave you if you don't want me to."

She looked shocked at first, but then her features calmed. "No, you go. I'll be okay. You will stay while he's gone, right?" she asked the family, almost fearful of their answer.

"Of course, dear. For as long as you want us to," Esme answered her.

Bella smiled, and looked back to me. "See? I'll be fine. You go. You need to hunt. I can see it in your eyes," she smiled.

"Okay. If you're sure?"

"Just go, Hunter," she chuckled.

"Okay, okay. I'm gone. I'll see you guys later."

"Bye, Hunter," they answered in a chorus. I rolled my eyes and left out the back door.

I was pleased she felt comfortable enough for me to leave. I never would have, if she showed the slightest sign that she didn't want me to go. But she seemed happy for the time being, and I really did need to hunt. I ran into the forest, and almost immediately, I caught the scent of a mountain lion. I followed it's trail, and five minutes later, I found it eating it's own kill on a thick tree branch. I lunged instantly, and knocked it to the ground, and sated my thirst. When I had finished, I stood and brushed myself down.

"They're my favourite, too," a voice called from the shadows. I whirled instantly, and then realised whose voice it was. Edward's. I couldn't believe I never sensed he was here. I must have been thirstier than I thought.

"Hey, Edward," I said tersely.

"Hi, Hunter," he said, walking out of the thick underbrush. "I thought I'd better wait until you were finished before speaking. Safer," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been in the forest all night, and when I heard you approach, I thought I would come and ask how Bella is doing."

"How do you think she is doing?" I almost hissed.

He hung his head, and whispered, "I know."

"Then why did you even ask?" I hissed this time.

"I know how you feel about me, Hunter, but please believe me when I say that I worry about her. I wanted to know how she was through your eyes, because you are the one that's closest to her. I know she will tell you the truth about how she's feeling, and not just tell you 'she's fine'."

"She said that a lot with you too, huh?" I asked, imagining her saying it in my mind.

"Yeah. A lot," he chuckled without humour.

I felt a little sorry for him. The devastation in his eyes was horrible to look at. He seemed totally lost. Maybe he did really love her, but it wasn't my place to forgive him for Bella. She was the only one that could do that, but maybe I could ease his pain a little. I could at least inform him of her thoughts and progress through this situation. I mean, if I knew Bella as well as I thought I did, then I knew she would forgive him eventually, right? Bella had me for support and comfort. Who did he have? Oh, I knew his family would be there for him, but I also knew he wouldn't burden them. So, maybe I could be there for the two of them. To either help resolve things, or help them move on.

"You really and truly love her, don't you?" I asked.

"More than my own life," he replied.

I could tell he was being truthful. The amount of emotion behind that small statement couldn't be missed.

"Okay, Edward. When you ask about her, I will comply and be truthful with my answers. You may not want to hear some of it, but I will tell you."

"Hunter," he sighed. "You have no idea how much that means to me."

"Oh, I think I do. But know this. You will not approach her, okay? And I will not pass on any messages from you until I feel that she is ready to hear them. And, so help me God, if you do anything to ruin it, I will not be held responsible."

"I understand. And I will do anything you say. I promise. Alice told me she would speak to me eventually, and I know it will take time, but I swear to give her all the time she needs. I don't know in what capacity she will talk to me again, whether it will remain as a friendship or not, but if that's all she offers, then that's all I'll take."

"As long as we understand one and other. You need to realise what you have done, Edward. It may not seem like much to you, but to her it was everything. Can you even grasp that? It was her life you were toying with by lying to her, and she may decide to never forgive you. Will you be able to handle it, if she decides on that course?" I asked.

"Honestly? I don't know. But whatever decision she comes too, I will respect it. For the first time, I will make sure her feelings come first. No matter what they are," he answered in a sigh.

"At least we are getting somewhere now. You have just acknowledged that everything you did was for your own benefit. That's a start, but there is plenty more you need to realise, before you can fully understand her way of thinking."

"Yes. I do realise that. I'm just sorry it has taken this for me to see."

I nodded at him. At least some of the situation was sinking into his thick skull.

"Hunter?"

"Yeah?"

"When we meet together, is Bella the only subject we will discuss?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, I was just wondering if you would allow me to know about you, when we meet. You are my son, and I so want to know you. I want to know your wishes and desires and dreams. I want to be able to spend time with you, too. Would you allow me that?"

I thought for a moment before answering. The rest of the family were awesome. Maybe he could be good, too, if he could just sort out his damn selfishness.

"Yes, Edward. I think I might like that. But it will take time with me, too. You understand that, right?"

"Yes," he answered, smiling slightly. "I understand."

"We won't be bosom buddies right away, but yes, I would like for you to know me, and I you."

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

"Oh, and one more thing," I said. "You have to let the family meet with her when they want too, okay?"

"What if she doesn't want to see them?" he asked.

"She does. In fact, they are at mine with her right now."

"I see," he said, looking lost again.

"I'm sorry, Edward. I know it hurts, but she missed them so much, and they have actually made her smile today. Don't ruin things by denying her this."

He nodded slowly. "I won't. I trust your judgement. Thank you, son."

I almost snapped at him for calling me son, but the way he was at the moment, I didn't have the heart to.