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Chapter Fifty-Two

"Dude."

I tossed my toiletry bag into the suitcase.

"Duuude."

I rolled my eyes at Emmett's whining.

"Dude!"

"What could you possible want?" I ground my teeth together and stared expectantly at Emmett who was sitting on the bed watching me pack.

"Did you cry when you had to say bye to Bella?" he asked with a grin. "No judgement. I cried when Rose went to visit her parents in Montana."

"You cry when Rose has to go to work," I said flatly before throwing a pair of socks at his face.

"Uncalled for, man." He picked up the socks and added, "And that was one time; I don't know why you always have to bring it up. I was sick and needed Rose to take care of me. You know Mom had to limit my cough syrup intake when I was younger because it made me emotional."

"Tell me why you're here again?" I asked in irritation because I hated packing. I knew the irritation was geared more towards having to leave Bella instead of having to choose which shirt to bring on my trip.

"Because you asked me to drive you to the airport," he replied flatly. "Are you on your cycle? If you wanted Bella to drive you to the airport, why didn't you just ask her?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?"

"I wouldn't have to ask so many if you'd just answer at least one."

With a huff, I said, "I didn't ask her to drive me to the airport because I didn't want her to have to drive back to Forks by herself, okay? Seattle is quite a drive."

Emmett blinked. "She can just ride along with us then. I can drop her off at home."

It was my turn to blink. I wasn't sure why I hadn't thought of that myself.

"And you're the one with the college degree," Emmett snickered.

This time I threw my phone charger at him.

After I finished packing, I called Bella to see if she'd like to ride with us to the airport. It was Saturday and I knew she was off of work. I just hoped she wouldn't mind wasting a total of six hours of her day driving to and from the airport.

We had already said our goodbyes this morning, but I couldn't resist spending three more hours with her, even if it was going to be spent in a car with my brother.

Of course she agreed to ride along and I told her we'd pick her up a little before eleven.

The drive to Seattle was silent for the most part.

I drove while tapping my fingers on the wheel.

Bella fidgeted in the passenger seat.

Emmett slept in the back after forcing us to buy him a blizzard from the Diary Queen in Port A.

Bella's hand was in mine the entire time.

I almost wanted tell her about my visit with Charlie, but I couldn't do that with Emmett in the car, even if he were sleeping.

I wouldn't do that to her before leaving town.

We finally made it to the airport half past two.

Emmett sat up and yawned as I popped open the trunk and pulled out my suitcase.

Bella stood silently next to me. I focused on the hair falling over her eyes and the way she nervously bit the inside of her cheek, trying to look anywhere except at me.

"Hey." I tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. "I love you." She smiled sadly and I heard sniffling. "Bella, don't cry."

"I'm not crying," she said seriously before we turned and noticed Emmett standing next to the car.

"I'm going to miss you okay? I hate goodbyes," he said, wiping a few tears from his eyes.

"You have problems," I deadpanned and pulled Bella into my arms. "I'll call you when I land and I'll call you from the hotel and I'll call you-"

"Edward." Bella pulled back, shook her head and I cut off her laughter with a kiss. "Go. You're going to miss your flight."

"Look after my girl and don't get her arrested," I instructed Emmett. "Bella, refrain from baking him weed brownies, okay?" I joked, causing her to slap my arm and pull my shirt, needing another kiss.

"I love you." Her voice cracked and I smiled. "No Valley girls," she teased.

"Never," I admitted seriously. "Only you, Bella. I'll see you Wednesday. Maybe you can leave work early and catch a ride with Emmett."

I kissed her forehead and pushed Emmett off as he tried to kiss mine.

Looking back once, I waved and memorized her face.

All we had to do was make it until Wednesday.


A/N: What could possibly go wrong in four days? One more update later this evening. Thanks for reading.