Chapter 21 – Saturday 23rd of December, 2006

It was a quiet morning. We all got up around seven o'clock and ate our breakfast together with the whole Cullen family.
They did like showing that they loved every part of the family and they wanted me to be a full part of it. And to be honest, for the short month I've been living here I've really grown closer to everyone here.
Carlisle is now Carlisle, not Mr. Cullen and I see him as my father-in-law first, Math teacher second. Even though that causes some confusion at school, but I'll get over it. Rose and I have become great friends over the short month I've been staying here, despite the age difference. She and Emmett were both nineteen now, Edward still eighteen and I had just turned seventeen this year, but they were totally fine with that. They didn't treat me like a nuisance which is what I first feared Rose would think if we were alone in a room, but I was wrong. We got along great. And Esme.. oh Esme. Esme is just the most amazing person you could have in a situation like this.
"If your father or that Black kid bother you, at school or somewhere else, you call me. Me first, anyone else second, Bella you hear me?" She had warned me that same weekend that I decided to take the offer to stay there. "Edward might be your first thought, but he is just a kid and can't afford to start another fight, alright? Think about that too. When he loses that temper of his, he can't stop. So me or Carlisle first, but I'm free more often than my husband. Promise me,"
"I promise,"
She was just an amazing substitute mom now that my own wasn't here to help me with that. Renee had filled Phil in on what happened in Forks and they were busy contacting lawyers and such. I didn't really want that, but my mother insisted. "I'm not having someone rough-up my daughter and not get away with it scot-free, Bella!"
It sounded as if I had no real choice in the matter.
Edward did not let go of my hand the whole way to the airport. We were in the back of Carlisle's car with him driving and Esme in the passenger seat and Emmett and Rose following us. "Here we are," Getting out the car did let go of my hand, only to get out though. "Well, Bella," Carlisle said with a smile. "It's not goodbye, so I won't make it too long. Have a good time at your mothers' and Merry Christmas!" I smiled and hugged him with Edward holding my hand still. It was very awkward in the way I held him.
"You too, Carlisle. Oh Esme, we said no tears! If you cry, I cry!" I laughed, hugging the lovely woman. Her brown eyes were filled to the brim with tears, threatening to spill over the edge. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Bella! Have fun, Sweetie. We'll see you again soon enough!" She wiped her eyes and scoffed at her own silly behavior. "Don't mind me,"
Emmett pulled me up and hugged me close in a very brotherly manner. "Merry Christmas, Bella! We'll miss ya for sure! Have a good time in sunny Arizona!"
"It won't be that sunny, Emmett," Rosalie tutted. "It's winter. Besides, it's not like Bella will come back with a tan, right?" She teased as we hugged each other.
I laughed. "No. Definitely not. Not me," Then it was time for Edward. I was dreading this. The sullen mood on his face made it even harder for me to say goodbye.
"I'm not leaving forever, you know?" I whispered to him, holding both his hands as best I could. "I'll be back in less than two weeks. Today included,"
He smiled and recovered back to the familiar cocky smirk that I knew and loved. "I know.." Swinging our arms left and right it was as if he was trying to stall for time. "It's weird saying goodbye. Like your.. Carlisle said. It's not goodbye. I'll see you later. I'll be back before you know it, Edward," Edward pulled the beanie further over my ears and kissed my nose that was turning red from the cold winter air. "So.. see you later,"
"See you later, Mouse. Love you,"
"Love you too,"

The flight was silent, not a lot of people visiting Arizona this time of year apparently. I could see my mother and Phil waiting for me, waving their cute little banner and balloons that were tied to Phil's wrist.
!WELCOME HOME BELLA!
It didn't even cross my mind how embarrassed I should actually feel for them to do this for me. It was sweet. "Bella!" Renee screamed as I came closer to them. Her hug was big and warm and just what I needed after saying goodbye to Edward and his family there. I even hugged Phil as he came to greet me. "How was your flight?"
The ride home was short and it felt weird walking through these doors. Everything was the same since I left. Phil dragged my suitcase up the stairs and I quickly unpacked all my stuff so I wouldn't have to do that later tonight. Something hard was hidden between my shirts and I dug around the suitcase to find out what it was.
It was wrapped. Did I forget to put this with the gifts? I flipped it over and immediately recognized his small handwriting.
Dear Mouse, this is a small Christmas gift that I could give you while you're away. Sorry, it's not wrapped in the best way you would probably do it, but I did my best.
Hope you like it and have a good time with your mom and Phil.
Love you,
Edward

Carefully ripping the taped pieces from the gift wrap open I gasped at what I saw. Mitch Albom's' 'for one more day'. The book that I wanted. Edward had gotten it for me. With everything going on lately I forgot that it had come out recently. Did he really get this for me? Now I felt bad for getting him the simplest thing; a new draw dummy and some pens and pencils. Hopefully, he didn't see me placing them on his desk before we left, so he'd at least be a bit surprised. Wow. This was amazing.
Grabbing my phone I texted him, not knowing if he would be able to answer a call.
You are one sneaky man, Edward. Thank you for my gift. I just found it in my clothes. Thanks for not ruining my nice folded up clothes by the way XD Love you – B
His response came only a minute later.
Don't think I didn't find yours, Mouse. I will be doing a lot of drawing in the while you're gone, count on it. Glad you like it. I miss you already. Are you missing me too? Love you too – E
It wasn't the most sociable thing to do, but we texted for a whole half an hour before my mother called me back down. She did only have me for two weeks so she wanted to spend every second with me. And I kind of wanted that too. Edward and I will survive two weeks apart.

"What would you like for dinner, honey?" Renee asked me for the third time. I hadn't really been paying attention as I kept staring at my cast with Edward and I's portrait on it. I absolutely loved it and would definitely cry when it got taken off again like the last one. The doctor had complimented on my art skills and when I told her it was my boyfriend who had done it, I swear she swooned aloud.
"I don't mind, mom. Just something light is fine, we'll have a big dinner tomorrow,"
"Alright, so a salad okay?" She started grabbing vegetables from the fridge and prepared the kitchen to start chopping them up. I nodded. "Could you make your famous dressing?" I rolled my eyes, making her giggle.
"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" I remembered the last time she asked me to make her some salad dressing, I accidentally used cooking oil instead of vinegar, I was eleven so cut me a break and we all choked on the gooey, greasy substance that looked great, but tasted disgusting. "I know the difference now,"
We cooked together, laughed together and she even let me cook up some bacon to put in a separate bowl.
We sat down with Phil and enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner. It was weird to think just a few months ago I didn't want to leave this place. And now, being here again after a few short months sitting here felt better than it ever did. I only wish Edward was here with me.
"So.. how did you and Edward meet? In school or.." Phil asked.
I grinned. "Well.. I caught him stealing. So obviously I scolded him for his behavior and he's followed me around ever since. Can't seem to get rid of him, it's quite annoying actually," I joked, knowing damn well I was the one following him around most of the time. Phil frowned a little. No. Don't you dare! I've had enough of 'protective' father figures for a lifetime.
"What, Phil?" I nearly spat, getting a tense look from both him and my mother in return. "Not to your liking? Because honestly, I could care less about what you think about hi-"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Phil hushed me, getting defensive. Just like what I did when someone talked bad about Edward. "I didn't mean anything bad.. it's just.. if you know he stole something, doesn't that mean he's a.. a bit of a ruffian?"
My mother and I shared a glance and started laughing. Like deep, belly laughs where the tears flowed down your cheeks. "Oh, Phil.." Renee gasped. "Edward is fine, don't worry. He's a fine young man with great principles and big respect for Bella and his family. He's alright," It filled my heart with pride to hear my mother talk about him like that. I just wished my father saw all those qualities Edward had.

Aw, they have to say goodbye.. young love is always hard. Only a couple of chapters left! Thanks for reading!