Day 362, Last Year
"Alice?" I'd answered on the first ring.
"I'm sorry, Edward. She never called. I don't see her calling."
I pressed my head against the wall.
"Edward? Can you hear me?"
"Yes," I whispered.
"I'm sorry."
My body shook with quiet useless sobs.
"I'm sorry. Come home. Take a break. Come see Carlisle and Esme - "
I threw the phone at the wall.
I didn't leave my room until I had a handle on myself.
"Edward?" Aro examined my vacant expression as I entered the chamber. "I thought you'd be on your way."
"I won't be taking leave after all."
He extended his hand but I didn't take it.
"I can help deal with the mess in Kazakhstan."
"Alright then."
When Bella chose Jacob, chose humanity, I'd gone to Aro and offered my servitude for her to be left in peace.
He'd gladly accepted.
He was generous, granting me leave as I desired. Initially it was just the trip to Washington, but when I saw Bella's disappointment with my lack of recreation, that changed.
I flew around the world, sailed across the Atlantic, hunted penguins in antarctica. Just so I could have something interesting to tell her the next time.
The next year.