A/N: Let's begin to say our goodbyes

Disclaimer: I will always think of you...even though you aren't mine

*Begin*

I woke up to the first rays of light, or what could be called as light since it was snowing. It was the first time it snowed since I've lived here, and it couldn't have come at a better time since today marked less than a week from Christmas.

We were supposed to spend our school vacation at the Cullen's since Bella, and I bought dad a weekend camping trip to Bogachiel State Park for Christmas. We encouraged him to take Billy and Harry since they were his best buds. He wasn't going to go but we talked him into it by reminding him that he needed to relax enjoy some much-needed guy vacation time. He needed to just have fun fishing and drinking over a fire with the people who also loved to do that stuff because there was no way Bella and I were going to go. We also rented them an RV and provided them with lots of food and snacks.

I still couldn't believe that he had a heart attack. Bella and I tried so hard to make sure he ate right and with all the traveling he did to Seattle he was constantly walking for exercise. But I guess things happen for a reason. It was just a little strange that he had a heart attack 2 weeks after Harry almost died from one.

Even though I was sad and thinking of dad, I was more excited about spending some time with Emmett. The last few months with him were amazing. We only had that 1 fight, and it lasted no more than a few days. But after our make-up session we had a good run. We went on a couple dates and he bought me a couple things that I had been dying to get, like my new car and new clothes to keep in Emmett's room.

He did clean out space for me and let me fill it up as much as I wanted. We bought movies I liked and video games I wanted to play, even if he thought they were dumb. He let me pick out a new couch since the old one was worn down and not as comfortable as the new navy-blue lazy boy double recliner love seat. It had cupholders on the outside that folded into the couch when not in use.

I spent most weekends with him, and he would take me to practice. Something I was thinking of quitting since I just wasn't into it anymore. I don't know why I wasn't into it anymore because I didn't like most of the other girls or because I miss my old team, or simply because I enjoyed spending time with my boyfriend more than anything.

My phone started ringing on my bedside table and I smiled already knowing know it was.

"Hey sexy, I can't wait…"

"You can't come over this week." He sounded angry and even sad.

"Why? I miss you, I haven't seen you in 2 weeks and I'm looking forward to giving you your present."

"You can't come over, something came up and we have to leave town." He sounded disappointed now.

"When will you be back?" I was sitting up in bed now. There was a scowl on my face, I was not too happy that I was not going to see him for Christmas.

"Look baby. I don't know when I'll be back and trust me, I don't like it any more than you do. I have your present in my room at the house and you have the key to the house. I want you to open it on Christmas and not a day sooner." I could hear people in the background and then what sounded like someone over an intercom.

"Ok. Why couldn't you say goodbye in person? I would have been happier with a kiss then this phone call."

"I wanted to say…. hold on dammit I'm not done…Sorry the flight is boarding. Ariel the last few months I have felt more alive than I have in my whole life. I love you and I know it may seem quick, but I mean what I am telling you."

"Why does this seem like a goodbye." I had tears in my eyes. I wanted to tell him that I loved him too, but I was not going to do it over the phone.

"This is far from goodbye…Fuck off Edward…Ariel look I have to go. I am so sorry." He hung up before I could say anything.

I gave myself a good little cry before I ran downstairs to Bella's room. She was frozen on her bed and a bandage on her arm with a ton of bruises. I gasped and she looked up at me with tear streaks down her cheeks.

"It's all my fault Ari and I am so sorry that you have to suffer." She grabbed my arm and was sobbing again.

"What are you talking about? How did you get hurt Bella?"

"I never wanted you to have this life but now I know I can't keep it from you. My present for you is the truth because only then can you truly be happy. I know Emmett wanted to be the one to tell you but it's my fault he isn't here." She stopped crying now and was pacing the floor.

"Tell me what, your scaring me."

"Edward and I had sex last night. He hurt me, but not on purpose and I know he is beating himself up over what happened."

"I thought you guys were going to wait until you got married. And I'll kill him for hurting you."

"It's not his fault, it's just his nature. Let me start by telling you that I am not crazy, and I can prove everything." She stopped pacing to look at me. "They're vampires. Well they're half vampire and half human. Carlisle and Esme are full vampires."

"Vampires?"

I think I blocked everything else out after that, but I did hear bits and pieces of what she was trying to tell me. I heard about James and Victoria and about what really happened at her birthday party. She told me about what happened last night and how she bit too hardon her lip and Edward ended up biting her, almost killing her. She was only alive because as soon as Edward tasted her blood, he stopped then saved her.

She told me how the Cullen's only drink animal blood which is why their eyes have a slight golden tint to them. They could live off human blood but occasionally needed blood to satisfy their other half. She told me how they were stronger and faster than the average person but not as fast as Carlisle, Esme, or Jasper since they were full vamp and only drank animal blood.

She told me that even though their body craved human blood and it smelled delicious to them, the actual taste of it was disturbing. It tasted like old rusted metal which made them strong enough to resist it. But once they bite someone, that person gets injected with a poisonous venom that will kill them. Unless you were a full vampire then they enjoyed human blood and the taste. The venom they inject will turn that person into a vampire.

She tried to tell me other things, but I completely blanked out. It wasn't until she was shaking me that I snapped out of it.

"So, your telling me all this why?"

"Because they left because Edward hurt me. He thinks if he has time away this will be forgotten. He left to get over what he did, and he asked the whole family to go with him. He will try to keep them away but if I know them as well as I think I do, they will be back. Its just a matter of when."

"And you want me to have my eyes open for when they come home."

"I want you to understand why they are the way they are, and I don't want you to hate Edward. I love him and even though I never wanted to marry anyone or half a family, but I want that with him. And I want you to know what you want when the day comes when you have to decide on what you want."

"I need to think." I walked to the door and tuned one last time to Bella holding a picture of her with Edward.

I went up to my room and laid back in bed. It was a long couple hours and I had a lot to think about and going to bed was just the answer, I didn't care if it was only3inthe after noon.

*Couple Days Later*

I hadn't spoken to Emmett since Sunday and it was now Thursday. It was Christmas day and with dad gone on his trip and Bella hiding in her room, it was very depressing. My family wasn't around, and my boyfriend was missing. He hasn't tried to contact me, but I know his number hadn't changed and he hadn't cancelled his line.

I know this because I called him Tuesday night, before I fell asleep.

Emmett hadn't called in 2 days and it was finally getting on my nerves. I missed him so much that I was staying at the Cullen house by myself. I slept in our bed all alone in one of his shirts. I stared at the small perfectly wrapped Christmas gift for hours and I honestly didn't want to open it until he decided to come home.

I think I cracked because I hopped out of bed and slid into a steaming hot bubble bath that I made from his Axe bodywash. I had candles lit all over the room and soft music playing from one of the surround sound speakers I brought into the room, the music was coming from a C.D in the DVD player in the other room.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number, I wanted to hear his voice, even if it was his voicemail. It usually rang a few times then went to voicemail and I knew he was doing it on purpose. But this time, it rang once and then there was a click, then finally static. He had picked up, but I don't think he was going to say anything, so I was going to have to do all the talking.

"I know you picked up and I know that even though you won't say a word, I have much to say. I miss you is the main thing, but I also want to say, please come home. I am lonely and I am tired of sleeping in this bed by myself." I choke on my words.

"I have been staring at your present for 2 days, waiting for you to walk through the door. I want you to be the one I wake up to tomorrow. I want to wake up to your kisses and your smile and I want to tell you everything I feel inside." I don't hold back the choke this time and I know I'm crying.

"I know what you are, Bella told me. She wanted me to be prepared in case I chose to live my life with you and even though it scares me to know you could kill me with a single bite, I want to take that risk. I want to know that you care about me so much that you would never let what happened to her, happen to me. I am not scared of you Emmett. And I refuse to open your gift until you are with me again and I can give you your gift at the same time." I slapped the water in anger. I could hear his breath pitch in the background.

"Why wont you talk to me, this would be so much easier if I could at least talk to you. Did Edward say you couldn't? I get you can't see me but dammit just talk to me, tell me anything." I waited a few minutes, so I tried another tactic.

"I'm in the tub, your tub. Its got steaming hot water and lots of Emmett scented bubbles. The C.D you made me for our 1-month anniversary is playing in the background. I know you can hear it and I think you can probably hear me playing with the water. My legs are freshly shaved, and I know how much you love rubbing them. Do you know it turns me on when your run your hands over me?" I gulped not really knowing what I was doing since this was the first time, I ever talked dirty.

"Moisture pools down there and I know it's my body telling me that I'm getting ready to want to have sex with you. I'm wondering though if you'll ever have sex with me after what happened last weekend. My blood boils and I want you to taste me as much as I want to taste you. I want to know you Emmett like I have never known another man. I can now understand why you stare at me so much, you must know whenever I want to jump your bones. Can you smell me when I get turned on? Am I sweet smelling?"

I hear a crash in the background, and I smile, knowing I am getting to him

"If you want your present, come home Emmett. As your better half, I am ordering you to come home. Please! I want you to touch me and kiss me and just let me look at you. I…I freaking love you too Emmett. Dammit now I'm mad at you! I never wanted to tell you like this, I had a whole plan and you fucked it up. Come home now so I can yell at you in person."

A knock sounded on my bedroom door. Bella walked in and chuckled.

"His voicemail isn't full by now? Edward's is and no matter how many text I send, no reply. I am so mad at him for this, I want him home already." There was a door opening and then I could faintly make out other voices.

"So, you've been trying to get a hold of Edward?" I needed her to keep talking because I had the feeling that Emmett had us on speaker so Edward could know what he was doing to her.

"Yes. Every day, at least 50 times a day. Its why I've been hiding in my room, I've been constantly trying to get him to talk to me, to get him to come home and it's like…he doesn't care how I feel." She started wiping at her face and I knew she was trying not to cry.

"I know the feeling. I miss Emmett so much I've been sleeping in his shirts. I get Edward is upset and needs time to punish himself, but I don't think he's thinking of you. Maybe he thinks he is by staying away, but I can see its killing you more. Look why don't we go for a nice long hike tomorrow, you can show me that spot in the woods that he takes you to. What do you say?" I saw her nod her head before leaving the bathroom.

"I love you, please come home soon or I just might go and drag you back home." I hung up the phone and finished my bath.

I think I really got him with that phone call because I had a gut feeling he would be home soon. Maybe he wasn't going to be home today, but I was hoping for the new year.

Bella walked into my room, ready in her hiking gear. We were supposed to go hiking yesterday but we got distracted decorating the house like we were supposed to do with Alice and Esme. We enlisted the help of Jacob and Seth to bring in the tree they kindly hacked down for us. And then we decorated it just in time to start on all the deserts.

We actually had a lot of fun and I think Bella forgot all about Edward for a day. We spent some much-needed sisterly bonding time and in the end, the house looked and smelled amazing. I wondered if Bella put the turkey in yet or she would wait until we got back. We were only going to be gone a few hours and since we got a small turkey, we didn't need to put it in the oven right away.

"Turkey is seasoned and back in the fridge. We have to leave in 10 minutes if you want to be back in time to start on dinner."

"Ok, I packed my hiking gear last night, so I just have to get dressed." She nodded then headed downstairs.

I quickly dressed in some thick sweatpants with tights underneath. I wore 2 pairs of thigh high socks and had both pairs go over my tights. I wore a sports bra with a tank top underneath a long form fitted long sleeve shirt that I tucked into my sweats. Then I grabbed one of Emmett's sweaters since it was big and comfy and tossed it on. I grabbed my bag along with a couple extra things and headed downstairs.

Once downstairs I stepped into my new knee-high boots that tied up the front. Bella came into the room putting on her last-minute stuff and snapping her backpack into place. I slipped my thick scarf around half my face, tucking the ends into the sweater. I put on my black gloves with slip resistant palms and stuck my head in my beanie, loving the puff ball on top. Then I slipped into my form fitted winter coat that had fur along the hood and ended in the middle of my thighs.

Once that was all done, I stuck my phone in a water proof case that I could still text or call through and stuck it in the zipper pocket. I snapped my backpack into place and grabbed my sunglasses so I could see through the snow.

We headed out and onto a much needed adventure.