I unfortunately do NOT own Twilight, I'm borrowing the characters, the amazing Stephenie Meyer created.

Chapter 36

The Chapter Ends

JPOV

I woke up excited. I know we made fun of Seth yesterday, but I couldn't help but let my inner kid come out today, after all it was Christmas and it only came around once a year. Bella was fast asleep next to me, with a peaceful smile on her face. I planted two kissed on each eyelid and they fluttered open.

"Good morning" I smiled.

"Good morning" Bella stretched "Its Christmas Day" Bella grinned.

"Yep" I nodded "Charlie is probably over at dad's already"

"We should go over" Bella got out of bed and put on a t-shirt and jeans, she searched around my room, I chuckled at her looking through my stuff.

"What are you looking for?" I asked.

"I want one of your jumpers" Bella found one and put it on, it was about 6 sizes too big, but she didn't seem to mind "It smells of you"

"Why do you want something that smells of me when you can have me?" I asked.

"I'm greedy" Bella laughed. "Come on, lets go"

I got out of bed and put on a white t-shirt and jeans, we headed over to Billy's house, like I said Charlies cruiser was outside already. We walked in the door and the pack were already there with Charlie and Sue Clearwater.

"Sleep in guys?" Seth asked with his pile of presents waiting.

Bella took a seat on the floor by Charlies feet he patted her shoulder and Bella smiled, I sat down next to her and we opened all the presents. Bella had bought me dog tags with 'Jacob Black, Love You Always and Forever" on them, I put them over my head straight away. I had bought her another charm for the bracelet with the wolf I gave to her for graduation. This one was a diamond heart, so she would always have my heart even when we were apart.

BPOV

Sue got the dinner out the oven and I had never seen so much, the packs plates were piled up with three times the amount on my plate, everyone squeezed themselves around the table, Jacob taking his place next to me. I felt his warm hand resting on top of my knee a couple of times during dinner, Jake also managed to finish the left overs of my dinner, we sat around the TV watching a film. I cuddled up against Jacob and he wrapped his arms around me. It started to get late.

I was woke up the next morning when I heard talking coming from downstairs. Charlie had driven me home last night, but I was extremely tired and half asleep. I put on Jacob's jumper and my sweat pants heading out into the hallway. I paused when I heard Charlie.

"They just left?" he asked "I don't want to tell her, after what happened last time, what if it happens again?" Charlie waited for the other person to reply "I know she has Jake, but she had him last time and it still happened" Charlie stopped again "Yeah, okay thanks Billy, see you soon"

I heard Charlie put the phone back on the receiver. I headed downstairs and got the OJ carton out of the fridge pouring myself a glass.

"Morning" I spoke

"Morning" Charlie murmured sitting down at the table, he got out the newspaper and started to read it.

"Anyone interesting on the phone?" I asked.

"Only Billy" Charlie answered.

"Oh, is everything okay?" I questioned.

"Yes" Charlie snapped.

I was taken by surprise, Charlie hardly ever snapped unless something was very wrong. I think I had an idea what he was talking about on the phone, but why was it effecting Charlie like this, he hated Edward and wasn't afraid to let his feelings about him known. I put the glass in the sink and went into the living room, I switched the TV on and brought my legs up onto the couch resting my head on my knees.

I thought about the conversation Charlie was having. It sounded like The Cullen's had left town, but would Edward leave without saying goodbye. I hadn't spoken to him for ages, not since he broke my wrist, but still, he loved me more than anything and in honesty I still loved him, although it wasn't as much as I loved Jacob. Surely after what happened last time, he and his family wouldn't just disappear out of my life again, with no explanation. I remember back to last year when Edward left me, he had said.

"Carlisle is supposed to be 10 years older than he looks, people are starting to notice"

What if they had moved on? I would never see them again, they wouldn't come back to Forks for at least 100 years and by then everyone who lives her now would be dead or too old to remember them.

Why was I thinking about this? I had Jacob. My Jacob, we are getting married later this year, we will settle down together, start our own family and live a long and happy life together until we are separated by death. I was happy with Jacob, I loved Jake more than anything. He was my personal sun, he had been there on those cold, empty days and lightened up my mood, made me happy just by being there.

I was interrupted by Charlie clearing his throat. I looked up and he was sitting in the chair next to the couch, he was pointing to the TV.

"Hmm?" I asked

"Are you watching this?" Charlie asked.

"No" I shook my head.

Charlie changed the channel to ESPN. I rolled my eyes and got up getting some college work I had to complete, I put the books on the coffee table and sat on the floor leaning against the couch. I tried to do some work, but couldn't concentrate, I put my pen down and sighed looking at my engagement ring.

"I'm going out" I got up and grabbed my coat on the way out the door. I grabbed my keys and got into my car. A present from Edward.

I drove down the highway, going faster than I had ever driven in my life, I kept looking in my rear-view mirror not exactly sure what I was looking out for. I turned down the once familiar turning. I pulled up outside The Cullen's house. It was dark, and empty, just like that time last September when I finally got the courage to come here after they left.

I ran up the steps and looked through the windows on the side of door. I sat down on the porch steps. Why was I here? I was never supposed to be with Edward, he is a vampire, I am a human. Simple as.

I breathed out and stood up, I slowly stepped down the steps and turned to take one last look at the house. I vowed to myself this was the last time I would ever come here, it held too many memories. Good and bad.

I got in my car and started the engine. I noticed something on the passenger seat. I picked it up and read it, it was a note from Edward.

Dear Bella,
You may or may not know, we have moved on. I am sorry that I didn't come to say goodbye personally, I thought it would be best if we just left without a big show. I know you will have a long, full, happy life with Jacob and wish you all the best. Our time together were the best years of my existence and I will cherish them forever, my heart will always belong to you and no one else.
I love you always Bella.
Edward x

I didn't even notice I was crying until I blinked and all the tears flooded down my cheeks, I put the note in my pocket and drove for a little while. I had to pull over because my vision was too blurry to drive safely. I sank back into the seat and let all my built up emotions come out. I couldn't go home like this, I was a wreck.

A chapter in my life had just ended.