SM Owns Twilight
EP 1
XXX
The exhaustion took over as soon after Edward left, so Jacob carried her to his bedroom, where she slept for twelve hours. She was surprised to find Seth sitting on the floor in Jacob's bedroom.
"Seth, what are you doing here?" she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Oh, I just came in when I heard the change in your breathing. Jake wanted to make sure you were okay. He had to go to work, but told me to call him once you were awake. He needs to talk to you. Why don't you go freshen up while I call him?"
Bella dragged herself to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. As she splashed her face with cold water, she couldn't help but remember Edward's cold touch. It was hard to believe so much had happened within the last twenty-four hours.
By the time she got back to Jacob's bedroom, Jacob was already waiting for her. He stood up and walked towards her.
"Hey," she said, smiling up at him.
He didn't smile back.
"Come here, Bells," he said as he took her hand and led her to the bed. He made her sit at the end of the
bed before kneeling down in front of her, taking both of her hands into his own.
"What's wrong, Jake?" Bella asked, concerned.
"Bells, I don't know how to tell you this, but..."
"What, Jacob? What is it?" Something was definitely wrong. She could see the pain in Jacob's eyes.
"Bells, Alice and Jasper didn't go to Paris."
"They didn't?" Why would Alice lie to her?
"No, Bella. Alice and Jasper went to Volterra."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Bella's heart started to beat through her chest as she realized what this meant.
"Alice had a vision that the Volturi were going to check in on you. She found a way to keep you human. Jasper and Alice agreed to join their guard for the remainder of your life, and, well, Edward's going to join them as well."
Jacob pulled Bella to him when he saw the expression on her face. He hugged her tightly as she sobbed into his shirt.
"NO, NO, NO! Jake, they can't do that! I can't let them do that! No...oh Alice, oh God, Edward...Jasper,...why..."
Billy wheeled himself to Jacob's room when he heard Bella screaming. Jacob nodded towards his father, letting him know he would handle this himself.
"Bells, I'm sorry, but Alice asked me not to tell you until Edward left. She wrote me a letter, and she has one for you too. Here," he said, pulling both letters out from under the bed.
It took Bella a while to read the letters because the tears kept getting in her way. Jacob stayed with her while she read Alice's letter to him.
She asked him to leave before she opened the letter addressed to her.
"Jake, go back to work. Please. I'll meet up with you later. This is something I need to do on my own."
Jacob nodded and kissed her forehead.
"I love you, Bells. I'll see you later."
He wanted to stay, he wanted to comfort her, but he would respect her wishes.
After all, she would come to him when she was ready, just like she had done before.
Bella dried her tears, and opened the letter addressed to her.
Dear Bella,
Please don't be upset; I know it was wrong for all of us to lie to you, but it was the only way, Bella. Saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I always wanted to be a part of your life.
We were responsible for your introduction to the Volturi; now it our responsibility to make sure they don't touch you.
I see you crying over this letter. Please don't cry. You've shed enough tears for a lifetime. You have a gift, Bella. You get to be human. So, go on, live your life to the fullest. I know you will continue to be successful, and you will be surrounded by friends and family, and Jacob.
Be sure to maintain a balance in your life, Bella. Make time for people outside of Jacob (ha, ha, just joking...you can tell him I said that).
I wish I could be there for your wedding, to see you become a mother, to watch your children grow up and take them shopping.
Do not worry about Edward; his main concern has always been your life and your happiness.
Jasper sends his love.
Though we are not there in person, we will be there in spirit.
Goodbye, Bella.
Your best friend,
Alice
P.S. You better wear all of the clothes in your closet.
Bella read the letter five more times before putting it back in the envelope. She got up and went to the bathroom to splash some water on her face.
She stared at herself in the mirror for a good two minutes.
Alice, Jasper, and Edward were sacrificing themselves so she could live a human life.
She intended to honor their sacrifice.
Billy was waiting for her in the living room.
"Bella, how are you?" he asked, concerned.
"I'm going to be okay, Billy," she answered truthfully.
"Yes, you will be," he replied.
XXX
Carlisle hugged his son, promising him that he would always keep Bella safe.
"Thank you, Carlisle."
The remaining Cullen family members were thrilled...and devastated to see Edward. He had returned after two years, but would now be leaving for several decades.
"Stay safe, bro," Emmett said, hugging his brother. He would really miss Edward and Jasper.
Esme stared at her son's face, recalling the words she had told him long ago. She told him that he deserved happiness, that fate owed him that much, and it would all work out for the best. She didn't understand how it had come to his. Her son was leaving for the worst place on Earth. He lost the love of his life. This was not the future she had wanted for Edward.
"Esme, I'm happy if Bella's happy. I spent five glorious years with Bella; that's more than I deserved."
Edward hugged his mother, patting her back as she sobbed into his chest.
Rosalie stood in the corner of the room, unsure of what to say. She had a hard time looking Edward in the face; something she never expected. On one hand, she had fought for Bella to remain human, but at the same time, she felt somewhat responsible for her brother's heartache.
"Don't think like that, Rosalie. You fought for her life, like you always have. I appreciate it," Edward replied stoically.
"We'll come visit you, bro," Emmett said.
"No, Emmett, you can't visit us. I don't trust Caius for one second; if he thinks he has a chance to kill her, he'll take it. I think it's best if you stay here and make sure Bella's safe."
"We will be here, Edward. Nothing will happen to her," Esme reassured him.
"Thank you." He walked towards the door and opened it, but turned around one last time to look at each of his family members. "I want to apologize to you, for all the trouble I've caused. I never meant to hurt any of you, and I'm sorry for all of the pain you suffered because of me. Please take care of yourselves...and Bella."
"Goodbye, my son," Carlisle replied, his voice full of grief.
"Goodbye," Edward said before leaving.
He ran towards his destination, leaving behind his family, his past, and the reason for his existence, his Bella.
XXX
Bella went to Charlie's house to shower and change her clothes. Jacob had to patrol after work, so she planned to meet him down at First Beach later on.
Before putting her clothes into the hamper, she raised her shirt to smell it; Edward's scent still lingered on it. A part of her wanted to put the clothes in a bag and keep them unwashed, so she could smell his scent whenever she felt like it. The rational part of her mind told her to put the clothes in the hamper, because it was time to move on.
So, Bella inhaled Edward's scent once moreāfor the last time, and threw her clothes in the hamper before heading out of the house to meet Jacob.
She drove down to First Beach, making her way to her usual spot, and waited for Jacob to join her.
The night sky was filled with thousands and thousands of stars, and the moonlight reflected off of the ocean waters beautifully. Bella couldn't believe she had spent the night with Edward in their meadow under the same sky, just one day before.
It seemed like it all happened in another lifetime.
She stood up walked towards the water, looking up at the sky.
Bella closed her eyes, and thanked her guardian angels.
'Thank you for giving me this life. I miss you. Edward, I'll always love you.'
She felt two warm arms wrap around her waist.
Jacob hid his face in her hair.
"You okay?"
Bella looked at the sky for another second, before turning around to put her arms around Jacob.
It was time to move on.
One chapter in her life ended; it was time to start another.
She nodded, bringing his face down to hers.
Jacob kissed her passionately before taking her hand and leading her back to 'their' spot.
Bella sat in between his legs as he wrapped his arms around her, kissing the side of her head as they looked out over the ocean.
They sat in silence for an hour, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Three," she whispered.
"What?" Jacob asked. She pointed to the distance.
"Two kids there, and one in here," she said pointing to her belly. "Three."
Jacob laughed before whispering in her ear,
"Deal."
XXX
"I don't know what the hell is going on with the youth of this town!" Charlie yelled.
"What's wrong, Dad?" Bella asked as she made her way to the door with the trash bags.
"Vandalism, that's what's going on. Some dumb kids broke into the school and carved out the letters E and B on a desk, along with some random numbers in between," he said, frustrated.
Bella smiled as she walked down the stairs to throw out the trash. She waited until she reached the lawn before laughing hysterically.
She put the trash bags in the can and turned around to go back inside when she spotted a breathtakingly beautiful figure standing in the trees.
Rosalie.
Bella smiled and waved at her.
Rosalie nodded, and turned around to leave.
Bella swore she saw a smile on her face.
