Chapter 4

Goodbye

The next morning after I shut off my alarm, I couldn't help but just lay there staring at the ceiling. What in the world was I doing? I shouldn't be trying to have dreams of Carlisle. He's happily married to Esme. I'm dating Edward. No, that's not it…I was just using my conversation with him as a safe harbor after all the excitement from last night. That HAS to be it. He was the only person calm during the whole fiasco. It was safer to picture continuing a cool and calm conversation with Carlisle than to just let my mind run rampant with where things COULD have gone instead. That would have to be why I still couldn't get Carlisle's beautiful face out of my head.

At that point, I decided that I had to stop this battle in my mind, I just shook my head and crawled out of bed. I'd need some more ibuprofen soon, my arm was sore and I was pretty stiff after being thrown halfway across the room. I wasn't too surprised, I expected that much, but it was still unpleasant to uncomfortably sore and stiff. I heard Charlie in the kitchen and made my way downstairs to join him.

With his coffee in hand, Charlie looked up from the paper when I turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs.

"Good morning Bells. How are you feeling?" He gestured to my arm with his nod when he asked.

"Mornin' Dad. I'm a little sore, but not bad. Definitely had worse," I said as I made my way to the fridge to pour myself some orange juice so that I could take my meds. I also pulled out some eggs when I grabbed the bottle of orange juice.

"That you have…just please don't make this a regular occurrence. Ok kid? Don't need to worry about you getting rushed off to the hospital on the regular you know," he said with a little chuckle.

"I'll do my best Dad," I said with a slight sigh. If only he knew just how close it came to really needing another hospital visit for sure last night. But I definitely won't be saying anything about it.

"Dr. Cullen is coming over this morning right? To check out your wound and bring some supplies?"

"He said he would be. He didn't give a time for sure though. Probably won't be too much longer," I replied as I was finishing up my eggs and toast to bring to the table.

"He's a good man…and an excellent doctor. This town really did get lucky to be able to afford his talents here," he said almost as an aside. "Well, I gotta get to work. See you later tonight." Charlie said as he grabbed his travel mug of coffee and headed to the door to leave.

"Bye Dad," I said as he walked out the door.

Quickly finishing my breakfast and washing the dishes and Charlie's mug, I realized that I needed to hurry up if I was gonna be ready for school by the time Carlisle got here so that he and Edward wouldn't have to wait for me to finish before he looked at my arm. I quickly grabbed my bag of toiletries to go and brush my hair and teeth before getting dressed. To make it easier, I opted for a white tank top with a red plaid button-up shirt to wear over it after he finished changing the bandages. I was just tying up my shoes when I heard the familiar purr of two very expensive cars quickly approaching the house. I quickly buckled my belt and grabbed my plaid button-up shirt and my backpack to head downstairs and meet them. They rang the doorbell before I made it halfway down.

Knowing they could hear me, I just said "It's unlocked."

They walked right in and met me at the bottom of the stairs. "Good morning Bella," Carlisle said with a smile. "How are you feeling? Any problems with your arm? Soreness and stiffness?"

"A little sore and stiff, but not that bad. I took two more ibuprofen with breakfast though…just in case. I haven't looked at my arm under the bandage yet though." Looking over to Edward, I could tell that he hadn't improved much, if at all, from last night. "Morning Edward."

"Good morning Bella." His greeting was polite enough, but still seemed stiff.

"Let's take a look at that arm of yours. I've got the supplies I promised. Shall we go to the kitchen table?" Carlisle gestured for me to lead the way and quickly fell into step behind me with Edward bringing up the rear.

Sitting at the table, I turned so that my left arm was supported on it, much like it had been on the Cullens' table last night. I started to bite my lower lip a bit and look away from my arm when Carlisle had sat in front of me again. I couldn't look him in the face again like I had last night. Especially after the dreams that I'd had. Nothing had happened, but the private conversations and setting we were in definitely made the whole thing seem far too intimate and I didn't want to have him see me blush like a fool right now.

"I'll try and keep this as pain free as possible," he said as he began to peel away the tape from the bandage. "The stitches might stick to the bandage itself and pull a little as I pull away the bandage, but it shouldn't be too bad," he continued as he finished with the tape and was about to start on the bandage itself.

It twinged just a little in a few places from the slight pulls, but it wasn't too bad. Carlisle was definitely very good. I only made a slight face for a fraction of a second a couple of times. When the bandage was removed, he gently moved my arm to thoroughly examine the whole wound.

"It looks good," he said as he continued to move my arm. "No sign of infection, so that's good. Don't get it wet for another 36hrs at least. After that, use this soap," he gestured to one of the items he brought, "and some water to lightly clean around the edges. Use the Aquaphor and apply it directly to the nonstick gauze pads like this," I watched as he demonstrated. "Then just lightly press the pad to your arm like this, so that it will stick in place till you can get the tape in place around the edges."

After he finished applying the new bandage he got up to throw away the wrappers and get the first aid kit from the hallway so that he could add all the new supplies to it.

"Thank you Carlisle," I said before he got too far.

"You're welcome Bella. Just take it easy for a little while and you'll heal up nicely." He reached into his bag and pulled out a paper. "Here, give this to your gym teacher and it'll excuse you from having to do anything in gym besides walking around the outside of the basketball court at most for the next two weeks. I want to make sure that it heals properly and doesn't have a chance to reopen before then."

"Thanks!" I said, stunned at his foresight. Being forced to take gym every year was not my idea of fun, but that's just how things worked in Forks, and a clumsy girl like me had it tough. I gave him a half hug while I looked at the paper to read what he wrote. He wrote in a beautiful calligraphy, maybe Edward learned it from him. I was stunned again. "Aren't doctors supposed to have chicken-scratch for their handwriting?" I joked as I smiled and laughed.

"I could, but I was never fond of that being the case," he said with his own smile and laugh. "I have to head to work, I'll see you two later."

After he left, I looked over at Edward who was still just standing there by the door to the kitchen like he was shortly after Carlisle started working on my arm. Looking at me for basically the first time, he finally said, "We should get going too."

I quickly threw my plaid shirt on over my tank top and left it unbuttoned before grabbing my light jacket. Edward had my backpack in hand and was holding the door open for me. I locked the door behind us and was surprised that Edward had started towards his car before taking my hand in his.

"Are you ok Edward?" I asked as I slid into the passenger seat of his Volvo.

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you," he said when he slid into the driver's seat.

"I'm fine Edward. Perfectly healthy," I said. "Don't worry about me."

"Don't say that. If you were perfectly healthy, you wouldn't have had to have Carlisle stitch up an 8in long gash down your left arm." The steel in his gaze was beginning to seem like it was going to be a permanent feature.

"It was an accident. It was nothing."

"No, the papercut was nothing. That was an accident. That was normal."

"I'm not normal Edward. I never have been," I said while trying to hide my frustration with him and the way he was acting.

"If you had been at Mike Newton's and you got a papercut, what would've happened? At most you would've needed a band-aid."

"Why in the world are you bringing Mike Newton into this?" I asked surprised.

"He'd be better for you," Edward said without missing a beat.

"But I'm in love with YOU Edward. YOU are my boyfriend. Not Mike Newton."

"Maybe he should be."

"Stop this Edward!" I was beyond frustrated now. "I'm not going to date Mike Newton!"

The rest of the car ride was silent. I grabbed his hand and laced our fingers together. I could tell that he was reluctant, but he humored me and let hold his hand. If he was going to continue to act like this, it was going to make for a very long day. We had nearly every class together this year, and if he was going to be this quiet, the whole day would feel like sitting on the edge of a knife blade.

I had been right, the whole day really was proving to move by like hours instead of minutes were ticking by on the clock. He talked to me, when I asked him direct questions. He just refused to offer any conversation willingly or even really act like a normal person. He held my hand during lunch, but refused to answer everyone's questions about where Alice was or when she would be back. Deciding to take the lead here and put a stop to the endless questions from the ever over excited Jessica Stanley, I came up with a plausible lie.

"She went to go stay with Esme's sister for a while. She's been sick and it hasn't been looking good. Alice is really close to her aunt and asked if she could go and help her out for a little while. She only expects to be gone for a few weeks…a month a most."

Edward just looked at me. I couldn't quite make out what it was he was thinking, and it had me worried.

"Did Mrs. Cullen go too?" Jessica continued to interrogate.

"She…" I got off by Edward before I could really even get started.

"She will be joining her shortly. Esme just had a few things to finish up around here before she could leave and sent Alice on ahead."

His reply, though logical, made me seriously wonder what was going on. Was Esme going to leave too? Had she left already? Was she going to go help Jasper with his control so that he could come home sooner, if she did leave? Was anyone else going to leave, or was this all just to placate Jessica's non-stop rambling questions?

The rest of that day was the same as it was before lunch. Blank stares and a hard set jaw was Edward's permanently etched look for hours. So by the time we were heading out to the car after the last bell, I decided it would probably be good if I reminded him that I had to work today since Alice had switched my schedule around so that I could go to my birthday party.

"Hey…Edward, I have to work tonight because my schedule got switched when Alice asked Mrs. Newton if I could have the night off last night for the party." I waited for him to say something about it, but he was still being silent, lost in his endless thoughts. "Will you come over tonight after Charlie goes to sleep?"

"Not tonight Bella," he said in a fairly flat voice. "I'm going hunting with Carlisle and Esme tonight."

"Will you be gone long? Or is this just a short trip?"

"Not exactly sure. I know that neither of them want to go too far away, but there's a lion problem in California and I could really use the extra boost of control that the lion would give me. I'm going to see if they wouldn't mind heading out there for a couple days."

"Oh…well…I'll miss you," I said feeling at a loss as to what to think or say. "Stop by when you get back home?" I asked with a hopeful tone and look in my eyes. I wanted him to know that I really did want to see him, regardless of how he was acting right now. I was sure that was just a reaction to everything that had happened at the party. It wouldn't last. It couldn't last.

Smiling at me with my favorite crooked grin he said, "Of course love." We had just pulled up to my house by the time he finished saying that. Then he turned to me and then kissed me very sweetly on my lips and then again on my forehead.

"I'll see you later then," I said with a slightly dazed look and a blush. Even after all the kisses that we've shared, he still had such a crazy effect on me.

Heading inside, I set my backpack down next to the bottom of the stairs before heading to the kitchen to grab a quick sandwich and a glass of milk before I had to head to work for a few hours. After washing my dishes and putting them on the drying rack to put away later, I grabbed my bag to set on my bed before changing into my work clothes.

When I was about to head out to my truck, I remembered the CD that Alice and Edward had given me and grabbed it. It would be a nice inaugural run for my new stereo in the truck. Sliding into The Beast, as I've taken to calling it, I eagerly got the disk out to put into the beautiful new sound system I had. The first song on the CD turned out to be a duet of Edward on the piano, with Alice joining in on the flute, playing what sounded like Esme's favorite song. It really was a beautiful tune, and the stereo definitely did not disappoint. Emmett would definitely be pleased with the improvement. I just had to laugh at that thought as I started my drive to Newton's Outfitters.

The night was going to be a long one. I was stuck working with Mike again, and for some reason, he felt he had to ask me all about my dating life whenever we were alone.

"You're working tonight?" Mike asked in surprise.

"Yeah…your mom agreed to switch so that I could have last night off instead."

"Why would she do that last minute?"

"She did it as a favor for Alice," I said after a couple of minutes. He'd been staring and basically been begging me for an answer.

"Why?" he asked again. He sure was full of questions tonight.

"Well…" I really didn't want to bring up the fact that it had been my birthday. Knowing Mike, he would've made a big deal about wishing me a belated birthday or something.

"Well…?" he asked.

"Alice wanted to throw a small birthday party for me…family only kind of thing."

"Oh…well happy belated birthday!"

I was quite surprised that he left it alone at that…at least for now. Who knows when that would change though. For now, he seemed to just act like business as usual…and smile at me a little bigger. Oh well, looks like Mike will never truly take the hint that he and I would never work out.

The end of my shift arrived and I was so glad to get out of there and finally head back home. I had only a little homework to finish, only about an hour's worth from all my classes. But I had so much on my mind that the reprieve from all other distractions to allow me to properly think would definitely be welcome. My shift ending at 8:00 tonight probably meant that Charlie would've ordered food in so I wouldn't have to worry about cooking. I was grateful for that thought.

Walking in the door, I heard the TV playing with a highlight reel of the recent games so far. Like they were doing a comparison of how a particular player was doing.

"Hey Bells. There's pizza on the table in the kitchen if you want it," Charlie called over his shoulder when he heard me coming through the door.

"Thanks Dad. Just gonna take some up to my room to eat while I finish my homework."

"Sounds good," Charlie replied without fully turning around. He was definitely focused on the sports program on.

After grabbing a plate and a glass of the Dr Pepper he bought to go with it, I made my way upstairs to my room so that I could start my homework. I was grateful there really wasn't a lot to do for homework tonight. My mind was just on too much as it was. Once I finished my homework, I remembered that I should really reply to any emails from Renée. She was probably expecting a long one after my birthday surprises anyway. So I decided to start up my computer before heading to the bathroom for my nightly routine, which was just only a little longer because of my need to replace my bandage on my arm. By the time I had finished that, my computer had just finished getting warmed up and running, ready for me to read and reply to my emails.

Opening up my latest email from Renée showed her enthusiasm for a new fad for her she was trying out. She'd recently started roller-blading at the beach with Phil. At least she was safe and having some fun. She couldn't get too hurt doing this. She was also telling me about how her students in her class were doing and about a recent class project idea she was planning. It didn't take too long for her gushing to turn into questions about how my birthday went and what all I got. She and Alice had talked, but she knew that I had other friends who would surely go against my 'no birthday presents' rule. Oddly enough, she was right, as Jacob had been the only other person to give me a present. She would just have to be satisfied that he broke my rule and was the only one to give me a gift that she didn't know about. I wasn't sure if Alice had told her the gifts that I got from the family, so I'd wait to let her ask me officially about those. No sense in telling her things she already knew. So I told her about the dream catcher that Jacob got me and about the party…at least the version of the party that we told to Charlie. He surely had already told her about it anyway, so I figured that hearing it directly from me would possibly quell some of her potential fears. I thanked her for the photo album and for having Charlie get me the camera. Then told her I'd already made use of the camera and just had to wait to get the pictures developed.

After ending my email and hitting send, I sat there and looked over to where my camera was. I really should take a look and see how many pictures were on the memory card. I knew that Alice had taken several covertly plus the ones I took before the party. I needed to know what it all looked like. This camera was the most technological thing I owned, so I'd have to take it to the photo department of the local store in order to really get a good view of the pictures and print them out. I also thought about how Renée would also want to see a variety of other friends and possibly other things. But for right now, I could take a look what was on it and wait till tomorrow to add more pictures.

Looking at the view screen on the back, I turned it on and found the photo album of the saved pictures. Going through, I slowly rifled through the pictures I knew of. When I got to the party pictures I was surprised just how many Alice snuck. She got pictures of everyone! She got pictures of her and Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie, me and Edward, Carlisle, and Esme. She even got pictures of the cake and the small pile of presents. I was astounded just how many pictures that little pixie was able to sneak before I had even noticed she had the camera. There were larger group shots as well. She took pictures of me opening each gift, and then the people who had given the gift right after. She must've had Jasper take the one that had her and Edward close to me for theirs. I stopped and really stared at the picture of me looking up at Carlisle when I was trying to puzzle out what he had gotten me. Somehow, Alice had managed to get a couple of pictures, one showed the wink he gave me, the next showed my puzzled smile as I focused on him instead of the gift. That one was the last picture on the camera, since after that was when utter chaos ensued.

I kept trying to picture everything in my mind again. Did I really look like THAT while looking up at Carlisle? I had a bigger smile for him than I had when I looked at Edward in any of the other pictures. I couldn't understand that. It just had to be that Carlisle had managed to pique my interest with the words he told me before I started opening his gift. I couldn't even begin to imagine what I had looked like after I had actually finished opening his gift in my truck and attacked him with that hug and kiss. Remembering that enthusiasm I showed him made me blush again.

It had to be that I was just attracted to Carlisle because of his inhuman beauty. That's why I kept blushing like a fool. I was in love with Edward! Wasn't I? Did Edward even still love me after everything happened? How long would it be before they returned from their hunting trip? Would they forgive me for putting such stress on their family? It was then that I realized that I had been absentmindedly running my finger along the edge of my bandage. Carlisle had taken care of me. Cleaned me up and stitched me up quickly. With his guidance, I would be able to have minimal scarring when he was able to remove my stitches…if he was still willing to be my doctor that is. Had my constant need for his medical care made him feel like I could be a liability?

All these endless questions were driving me insane! They were just going to be gone for two or three days only. Edward had said so. Just long enough for them all, but especially Edward, to get well-fed on some mountain lions in California. They needed that extra boost from the carnivore in order to deal with everything that had happened. They would be back. I just needed to go to sleep and dream of pleasant things.

That night, I bolted upright after dreaming that Edward had sent me a letter telling me that they had moved instead of coming back to Forks. In it he told me that he never loved me. That I was just a curiosity to him. That he'd had his fill of me. That he was tired of all the danger that I brought to him and his family, all because he had pretended to love a human. It was only 1AM at this point, but I panted as I lay there, trying to calm down. After my heart stopped racing like I had run in the grand prix, I closed my eyes and willed myself to dream of other things. I tried for a while to think of happier things with Edward, but I couldn't get comfortable with his image in my mind. He still scared me that my nightmare was going to come true.

Instead, I thought about the dream that I'd had about me and Carlisle talking. Sitting there in some chairs out on an expansive lawn overlooking the beautiful English countryside of my thoughts, soon turned into a new following scene in my current dream. Carlisle reminded me of Mr. Darcy and Edward Ferrars rolled into one. I couldn't really see myself, but I imagined that I looked either like Elizabeth Bennet or Elinor Dashwood, or a possible combination of the two. Either way, we seemed to really fit in with Carlisle's old home. The English countryside truly was breathtaking! Though we were dressed for his time and place, our conversation flowed so smoothly and easily, as if it was taking place today…just with Carlisle's added English accent that made me glad that we were currently sitting, since the sound of his delicious accent would've had me too weak in the knees to be standing or walking.

When my alarm finally went off the next morning, I found that I had been smiling and felt well rested, even after the nightmare that had woken me in the middle of the night. My morning routines included my bandage change and cleaning my wound carefully before applying a new bandage, so I needed to get up and not lay about like I tended to do in the mornings. After getting ready for school, I went downstairs to join Charlie in the kitchen. He was just finishing pouring his coffee into his cup when made my way through the doorway.

"Morning Bells," Charlie said before taking a sip.

"Morning Dad," I replied as I was looking for something to eat in the fridge. I settled on grabbing some orange juice and planned to heat up some water in the kettle for some oatmeal. "Want some too?" I asked Charlie.

"Sounds good to me."

Breakfast was a quiet affair again. But that was ok. I was comfortable with the quiet around Charlie. Never felt like the silence had to be filled with meaningless drabble. Soon enough it was time for him to head to work and for me to make sure that I had all my homework in my bag and head out the door to school.

School was long and boring, especially since Alice and Edward weren't there. I had to field some questions about where Edward was and when he would be back. Just to make it easier to keep up with the lies, I told them all that Edward, Carlisle and Esme were with Alice for a couple of days at Esme's sister's place. They all seemed to take that news with relative ease and it looked like they would leave it at that. I had taken pictures randomly of my friends and I shortly after getting to school, also getting my truck in a couple of the photos while we stood around outside. Now that it was lunch, I handed my camera over to them and they passed it around and took a ton of goofy photos for a while. I didn't get my camera back till a few minutes before lunch ended, but I knew that I should definitely have plenty to print off and send to Renée to keep her happy.

The rest of school went by quickly and I soon found myself heading into the store to get the prints done for my photo album and some to send off to Renée. It didn't take too long to go through and see which ones I would print out. Some were doubles, and some were ones that I was going to print, just to send to Renée to hopefully appease her…then there was one that was going to be just for me. That last photo of me looking at Carlisle was just too good to not print, but I didn't feel right about letting anyone else seeing it. I could only imagine what everyone else might say.

Because I had decided to get the glossy prints, it had to be sent out, but would only take 2 days. I couldn't wait to get them back! For one, it would be easier to send the pictures off as soon as possible to Renée, for another, it would be nice to actually put pictures into my album. I still fully hoped that I would be needing the extra help that this album would provide. I knew that human memories fade after becoming a vampire. I may not have fit in very well anywhere, but I definitely didn't want to forget my human life, and the friends that I had. I'd always have this to remind me of it all later.

The next few days passed by agonizingly slow without Edward around. I also missed Alice so much that I was excited at the thought of accepting a shopping trip with her the next time I saw her! Boy was I a mess. After three days of the monotony of school, work, and sheer boredom, I was starting to panic about when Edward and the others would be home. He said they would only be a couple days, and three days without him felt like a lifetime! I definitely hated not having him around on the weekends.

On that third day, I stopped by the store and picked up my pictures that I had finally gotten finished. I also picked up a large heavy-duty envelope in order to send the pictures off to Renée in. After getting home, I immediately started sorting out the pictures. Stacking up the ones that would get mailed off into a pile on the left, while putting the others into my now very useful album. I even took the time to write the names of everyone in the photos and the dates they were taken. I almost folded up one of me and Edward so that I wouldn't be seen, but knew that there was no point in trying to hide. Besides, I loved the way he looked at me in the photo. It was very loving.

When I got to the photo of Carlisle and I looking so intently at each other, I just sat with it in my hands and stared. I wanted to keep this close, but not where anyone else would see…especially not Edward! I went through several ideas in my head for places to hide it, and finally decided that it would stay in my pillow case, under my pillow, whenever I wouldn't be looking at it. Hopefully it wouldn't be found there.

It didn't take long to finish up putting everything into the album and getting the envelope filled with a little note to go with the pictures to send off to Renée. I'd send it off to her after I got out of school the next day. After that it was time to go make Charlie some dinner.

Dinner was just as quiet as ever with Charlie. He was more focused on finishing his meal as quickly as possible so that he could watch the news and see the sports highlight reels. After washing the dishes and putting everything away, I just went on up to my room to read some before passing out for the night. My dreams lately had me thinking that I should read something from Jane Austin again. I settled on Pride and Prejudice. I really loved Elizabeth's tenacity. I had always hoped for Jane's famed beauty, but knew that I could never be like her. Rosalie would've fit perfectly as Jane. I didn't spend too long reading before my eyes grew heavy and I fell into another dream set in Pride and Prejudice. I was thoroughly surprised when I was enjoying myself at a ball, much like Lydia and Kitty would, though without being so silly as they tended to be. While there, I danced with everyone. Mike, Tyler, Eric, and of course I ended up dancing with all the Cullen men. The Cullens had been my saviors on many occasions. Emmett with his loud and boisterous ways tended to scare off the others while still providing a fun time for me. Dancing with Jasper had been fun and yet very proper, reminding me of the southern gentleman he was. Edward played the part of a jealous lover and had hardly let me dance more than one song without him as my partner.

The few songs that I danced with Carlisle were like magic though. When he was my partner, it was like everyone else in the room just disappeared and the music just magically floated over to us. It was after one such dance with Carlisle, with the kiss he gently place on the back of my hand, as a thank you to the dance, when my alarm went off and pulled me from my sleep. It was then that I realized that I had fallen asleep while reading and that my book now laid on the floor having spilled there while I slept. It had been another amazing dream. I still couldn't understand why the best dreams I had lately starred Carlisle though. I just hoped that would change once things got back to normal after Edward got back.

After a slow morning at home, I finally made it to school only to be surprised that Edward was back. He said he would stop by once he got back!

"Hey Edward," I said a little shy. I had no clue how he was going to react.

"Good morning Bella," he responded.

"When did you get back? You said that you were going to stop by when you got back."

"We only just got back a couple hours ago. Not enough time to get showered and presentable before Charlie woke up and made it impossible to swing by your place," he said as he took my hand.

We walked slowly into the school still holding hands, but it felt forced. It felt like he was just having to put on a show, but I couldn't tell why or for who. He stayed quiet again all through school. Just like it had been before he left. I had seriously hoped that things would've been better for us after his extended hunt. He was usually much more…more after he got back from a hunt where he got to indulge on some carnivores. This was strange behavior and it had me worried about him.

He seemed to be anxious by the end of the day when he asked, "Bella, can I come by your house?"

I couldn't help the small smile that came to my lips. "Of course! I've missed you Edward. I just have to drop something off at the post office on my way home first though," I said as we approached my truck.

Looking at the package on my seat, he gave a slight grimace that I barely saw before smiling a little. "Let me, I'll drop it off and still be there at your house before you."

"Don't hate on the truck," I said smiling and giving a slight chuckle. When he continued to stare at me, I just said, "Fine, you can take it. You drive like a maniac, but we'll see who gets there first."

He smiled a little more, but it didn't seem to reach his eyes yet. Then he turned and headed towards his Volvo

I was pulling out before him, but Edward quickly passed me on the road and waved as he did. I knew that my poor truck would never be able to keep up, even if I had wanted to try. I was definitely not surprised when he was already at my house waiting for me when I pulled up. He was already at my door to pull it open before I managed to even get it fully set in park.

I grabbed my back pack to take it with me into the house, but Edward was soon taking it out of my hands.

"Let's go take a walk," he said as he put my bag back down in the driver's seat.

"Ok," I said a little slowly. It wasn't raining, just a barely starting to approach mist, so I had hoped we wouldn't be going too far.

He led us around the house and took off down the well-worn trail that leads into the woods. I followed behind him as fast as I could without letting my clumsy nature getting the better of me. I was surprised when he stopped just a little way down the trail. If I turned, I knew I would be able to see the opening into the tree line, though I wouldn't quite be able to see my house.

We just stared at each other for a moment, then he said, "Bella…we're leaving."

I was completely taken aback. I hadn't really given a thought about all of this happening so quickly. But I was glad that I had taken the pictures that I had when I did. Now I'd have those memories to go with me when we left.

"Ok…when? What are we going to tell Charlie?"

"We, as in my family and I Bella."

"What do you mean? What's wrong? Why now? Can't you wait till the end of the school year at least?" I was in such a rush, stumbling over my words in my confusion as to what was wrong.

"It's time," he said. "Carlisle looks like he's in his mid-twenties, and he's trying to pull off that he's in his mid-thirties."

"Why can't I go with you? I love you Edward."

"I'm no good for you Bella. You'll find someone new. Someone who can give you everything that you want and need."

"YOU are what I want and need Edward!" I couldn't believe my ears, yet I had felt that this day would surely come. "You're all I'll ever want."

Looking down and setting his jaw, he started to look frustrated before looking back up at me with a determined expression.

"You are not good for me," he said.

I gasped, then under my breath I mumbled "Not good enough."

"I care about you Bella, but I don't love you. I never did. You were just someone to occupy my time and my mind. Not being able to read your mind was a huge fascination to me. But that distraction has run its course."

I just looked up at him and stared deep into his eyes, hard like amber. No longer did they seem soft and molten like warm honey. These eyes held no emotion.

"No, please! I can change Edward. Tell me what you need me to do and I'll do it."

"It's done. I'm the last one here. Everyone else is already moved on."

"What about the promises everyone made? Alice promised that she would only be gone for a few weeks…a month at most. Carlisle…he told me he would be taking out my stitches after five days, or at least seeing if they were ready to be taken out."

"Bella, just forget it. You've brought so much danger and drama into our lives, we're done. All of us are. Just move on with your life. Find someone new and be happy. You'll be alright."

I couldn't help the steady flow of tears as I was listening to him. He didn't love me. He never loved me. I never meant anything to him or his family. My heart was just breaking.

"Just do me a favor," he paused till I looked up him before he continued, "just stay out of trouble. For Charlie's sake."

All I could do is nod.

"You'll see Bella, it'll be like we were never here. You'll forget about us all. You'll forget me and be able to live a happy life."

He kissed me on the forehead once, then took off. My feet carried me before I knew what I was doing. But the more I followed, the faster he went till he just blurred out of sight.

"Edward! Stop! Please, don't go! Don't take them away from me!" I was screaming through my tears as I tried to follow him. He couldn't take his family, my family, away from me. I had to try and do something to stop him.

The more I ran after him, the more I stumbled and fell to the forest floor, scraping my hands and face on random branches trying to push them out of my way. I hollered at him over and over to stop and to give me another chance. I told him that I loved him and that I was sorry for what happened on my birthday. My jeans were covered in mud and debris from each time I fell. My jacket was as well, especially the cuffs. Why had I tried to follow him? I knew that I wouldn't have been able to keep up with him. Edward's a vampire that can run as fast as lightning! Yet I didn't give up, I kept trying to chase him and holler for him to stop.

It wasn't until my foot got caught up in some nasty roots and I hurt my ankle that I fell to the ground and finally stopped trying to get back up. I cried out for the pain of my ankle. I cried out for the pain of my broken heart. I cried out for Edward to come and save me again. It was then that I got hit with just how alone I was. Edward had abandoned me. He didn't love me. He wouldn't be coming back, no matter how much I begged him. I just started sobbing. The rain that started had me feeling even more defeated, so I just tried to slid back to rest against one of the massive trees. I knew I wouldn't get anywhere trying to put weight onto my twisted up ankle.

I lost track of the time while wrapped up in my thoughts. Darkness was really starting to set in. I could faintly hear voices hollering. They were probably calling my name. I tried to call out, by my voice was so worn out and hoarse from all the screaming and crying I did that there wouldn't have been any way that they could hear me. When I could no longer hear them, I gave up hope of being found by them.

I ended up falling asleep it seems, because a little while later I was jolted awake by a rustling in the leaves. It sounded like something huge! In my haste, I forgot where I was sitting and tried to get up and my foot got completely stuck between the roots of the tree I was resting against. I tried pulling it free, but found I wasn't able to budge. I was scared, and now stuck.

A few minutes later, I heard another noise, much less intimidating than the last. Mostly because it had been accompanied by someone calling out my name.

"Bella! Bella Swan!" The deep voice of a man I didn't recognize called out.

He was definitely much closer. "Over here." I managed to croak out. It still wasn't much, but either he heard me, or he was going to search this spot shortly anyway.

Looking up, I saw a big burly man. Based on his dark skin tone, jet black hair, and his facial features, I was certain he was one of the Quileutes from the reservation. Charlie must've pulled out all the stops and asked for help to find me from everyone.

"Have you been hurt?" he asked as he approached. Seeing my hesitancy, he asked "are you injured? My name is Sam. Sam Uley. Your father asked for help to find you."

"My ankle," I said hoarsely. "It's twisted, and now it's stuck. I can't get it out." I was surprised that he was able to hear me.

Actually, I was surprised that he wasn't freezing in this drizzle. All he had on were a pair of cut off shorts.

"Let me try and help. Can you stand on your uninjured foot?"

"I think so." My voice still so weak didn't seem like it would ever get back to normal.

Supporting my weight onto my right foot, Sam stepped close to me and bent down.

"Hold onto my shoulder if you need to," he said as he reached down and moved my foot.

It took a couple minutes of moving this way and that, but he was finally able to get my foot free. Without warning, he picked me up and carried me bridal style. He was massive, strong, and so very hot. His skin felt like it was on fire, but maybe everything would feel so warm to me since I'd been out in the cold rain for a few hours. I couldn't help but try and curl more into him, needing that warmth he provided.

"Your dad has been worried sick," he said as we made our way through the expanse of trees.

I had no idea how he knew where we were going, but it wasn't too long before I could start hearing voices of some panicked people, so wherever we were going, it was to where there were more searchers. When we cleared the tree line, I noticed that we were actually right behind my house now.

"Charlie! Over here! I've got her!" Same called out.

At his words, Charlie turned and ran over to meet us. "Is she ok?" Charlie asked in a rushed and worried tone.

"She's cold, wet, tired, and she sprained her ankle then got it stuck in some tree roots. But I think she'll be ok." Sam replied.

"Give her to me," Charlie said.

"I've got her Charlie, just open the door for me to take her in."

"Just let him take me in," I hoarsely croaked out.

"What happened Bella? What's wrong?" Charlie asked on our way in.

"Later," I said, hoping he'd not ask me anytime again soon. I needed to rest my sore and tire throat. Not to mention that I didn't want to relive it all again just yet.

Making it through the door, Charlie just said, "Set her down on the couch."

I made to look like I was going to protest because of all the wet and mud, but he refused to hear me out about it. "Don't worry about it Bella. Jacob, grab a blanket from the closet. She's freezing."

Apparently some of the crowd from outside had followed us in. I looked and saw several faces that I knew, but also quite a few that I didn't. Mike Newton and his dad were there. Apparently several of the Quileutes were also here. I recognized Jacob and his dad, Billy Black, and some that I knew by sight, but not able to connect their names with their faces at the moment.

I stopped trying to focus on the people around me when Dr. Gerandy started looking me over.

"Bella? Can you hear me?" he asked.

"Yes," was my weak and quiet reply.

"Are you hurt?"

"Left ankle…sprained it."

"What's wrong with your voice sweetie?" he asked while he took a look at my very swollen ankle to see if it was just a sprain or possibly worse.

At his last question, I couldn't answer, so I just turned my face towards the back of the couch and tried to hide as fresh tears started falling. I was surprised that there were any tears left to cry. I thought that all the hours of crying would've dried up my tear ducts forever.

He noticed my resistance to answer and finished up wrapping my ankle, asking someone to bring me an ice pack to help reduce the swelling. He concluded it really had just been a bad sprain. After that, he moved up to start checking my throat and my glands to make sure that I was ok.

"Her throat is strained from over use it looks like." Dr. Gerandy said while looking up at Charlie. "I don't see any signs of redness right now, but I do feel a slight swelling in her glands. All that time out in the rain might've made her come down with the beginnings of a cold. Physically, she looks fine, or at least she will recover from these minor inconveniences, but she looks very emotionally detached because of something. Keep an eye on her and let me know if there's anything else that needs to be addressed." He said the last couple of sentences rather quiet, just so that Charlie and I heard. I was grateful for that. I really didn't want the whole town to know something was wrong. Let them just think that I got lost in the woods on a random hike. "She needs some bedrest for a few days, but she should be fine after that. Her ankle might be sore for a few weeks after a sprain like that, so she'll need to keep it wrapped and try not to walk around too much on it."

After his diagnosis, Dr. Gerandy left and the rest of the town took off too after him. Now it was just me and Charlie. It wasn't long till he was half carrying me up the stairs so that I could get to my room and change into some clean, dry clothes and sleep in my own bed. Or at least I hoped I would sleep. After today, I was afraid I would be waking up to another nightmare like I'd had the other night, of Edward dumping me by letter. This would surely be worse though. This nightmare that I was SURE I was going to have, would be of him doing it in person, all over again…and this time, it would be real.

After helping me to gather a clean shirt and some pajama pants, Charlie left me alone in my room to change. I took my time. I dreaded laying down. The fear of the nightmares to come were all too real. I called out to Charlie when I was finally done and he helped me hobble my way to the bathroom so that I could take care of my nightly routine. I was glad I'd be getting some crutches in the morning. I couldn't stand the idea of constantly needing help to get to and from places, even in my own home, especially to the bathroom. My ankle really was pretty swollen, so no pressure on it for a while. Once I was finished and back in my room, I laid down and just stared at the ceiling for a while.

I knew that I couldn't put off sleep forever though. I just wanted to delay it as long as I could. Soon, the exhaustion, both physical and mental became too much. I closed my eyes, praying that I would have a dreamless sleep. But to my utter dismay, it was only just the beginning of what was sure to be an endless series of nightmares. Nightmares where the love of my life kept abandoning me over and over and over again…leaving me lost, lonely, and cold, out in the middle of nowhere, crying for him to come back. Not even my determination to think of Carlisle again could stop them. My family had gone. Edward took them with him. I was alone…seemingly forever now.