Author's Note: Jacob wasn't actually with Bella when she dove off the cliff, so what if Alice did see Bella about to jump in her visions? This was a dream I had last night that was begging to be written. A note on Harry, he was mentioned as having heart symptoms a time or two before his heart attack the morning Bella dove off the cliff. In my version, he'll start showing symptoms of a heart issue the night before.

A lovely reader has translated this story to Spanish! You can search on for La-llamada-The-Call

I don't own Twilight or the characters. There is light paraphrasing towards the end. This is just for fun. Enjoy!

The phone rang just as I finished cooking dinner for Charlie to eat when he came home. I had been looking forward to cliff diving the next day with Jacob and was trying to keep myself distracted with the task at hand so I wouldn't feel the pain of missing him. I figured it must be Charlie calling me with an update about Harry.

I answered the phone. "Hello?" There was silence. "Charlie, is that you? Is everything alright?"

"Bella." a familiar voice answered softly. My heart fluttered in my chest.

I froze with one hand on the phone and the other wrapped up in the phone cord where I had started absentmindedly twirling it around my fingers. "Edward." I gasped, the hole in my chest making its presence very, very much known in that instant. I held onto the phone for dear life praying that he wouldn't hang up.

"Are you alright?" The velvet voice asked.

"Don't hang up."

"I won't."

There was another moment or two of silence. I wasn't sure what to say. What could I say after hearing his voice after months of nothing? I started to think this was another illusion when he repeated his question. "Are you alright?"

I thought about my answer for a second but settled on the truth. "No."

"What's wrong?"

I cried, unable to speak. How could I possibly tell him the truth knowing that it would just scare him away again? Risking that he might hang up for me never to hear from him again? How could I not screw this up?

"Bella?" he asked, still very softly, gently.

"I miss you." It slipped out before I could even have a chance of stopping it.

"I miss you too." He replied. I gasped, caught off guard.

"Then come home."

"I'm already on my way." My heart still fluttered in my chest and I tried to fight the urge to hope. His words in the forest that day echoed in my ear. You're not good for me. I don't love you. I don't want you to come. All I could do was cry. I was ashamed. I had dreamt of this possibility for months and now that I had him on the phone, I could barely speak to him.

"You're coming to Forks?" I asked, needing to be sure.

"To you. Wherever you are. I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella. I…I left because I know I'm no good for you. I needed to give you a chance to be normal, happy, human. But I can't do it. I just can't do it. I need you."

The hole in my chest swelled and made itself known again. It hurt to hope even the tiniest bit. I couldn't escape the overwhelming fear, the reminders of months of pain, but yet the sound of his voice made me so happy and I truly felt something, anything, for the first time in months.

"Where are you?" I asked, deciding to start with the simple topics and try to prove to myself that this wasn't an illusion and to keep him talking.

"Brazil." he answered simply.

"So far away." I replied.

"If I stayed any closer, I would have been back long before now. It's been so hard to stay away from you. I've nearly come home dozens of times. You have no idea how much I've wanted to come crawling through your window, begging your forgiveness."

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

"That's not what you said." I covered my mouth quickly with my hands. It had slipped out without thinking. Why was I arguing with him? At this point, I would take what I could get, even if it were just to hear him yelling at me, reciting the phone book, anything. To hear Edward say that he loved me after all these months was nothing short of amazing.

"I lied to you. I had to. I could see that you weren't going to let me go or attempt to move on if you thought there was any hope of me ever returning. I had to try to keep you safe."

"What about my happiness?"

"What about it?"

"I can't be happy without you. Not now that I've felt what it's like to be with you."

"Bella…" he sighed. I could imagine him pinching his nose and shaking his head, annoyed with me. "You're telling me that all these months of suffering were for nothing?"

"Yes." What was the point in lying to him?

"I'm so incredibly sorry. I thought you could move on eventually. I knew I hurt you when I left. I had to. But I couldn't possibly imagine that you could care for me anywhere near as much as I do you."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm a monster. I'm not good for you. And vampire emotions are so much more intense, we can only be changed by something extreme, like finding our mate. Humans fall in and out of love all the time. I knew that you loved me and it tore me to pieces to do that to you, but I only did it in hopes that you could find a human man to love, one who could give you everything I can't."

"But he wouldn't be able to give me the one thing you can."

"I can never give you children."

"Who said I wanted them?"

"You might change your mind."

"And that's my problem. Not yours."

"Were you really about to throw your life away jumping off a cliff? Bella, I couldn't live with myself if you did that. I can't live in a world where you don't exist."

"Not exactly. And how did you know about that?!"

"Alice." He answered simply. "Then why?"

"I wasn't going to kill myself. I'm...sort of….an adrenaline junkie since you left." I whispered.

"An adrenaline - you promised to stay safe!"

"Yeah well you broke your promise too!" I was angry all of a sudden.

"I'm not sorry I called you."

"Me neither, but that's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"You said that you would make it as if you never existed, but there are reminders of you everywhere. As if I could ever forget you in the first place! You've been in every single thought I've ever had since we met." I finished in a whisper, almost ashamed to admit it. He was quiet for a minute and I was afraid I had scared him off. "Edward?" I asked softly.

"I'm here. I really screwed up, didn't I?"

I laughed a little, caught off guard by his admission. While I was still terrified, I could slowly feel a tiny bit calmer, happier. It was so good to hear his voice. "Yes." I said. Why lie to him?

"It's so good to hear your laugh."

"It's good to hear your voice. Are you really coming home?"

"As fast as I possibly can."

"When will you be here?"

"As soon as I can get a flight. I'm almost at the airport now."

"That means you'll have to hang up." I didn't want him to hang up. I didn't want his voice to go away.

"Not if you don't want me to. Although, I'll be there much faster if I do. If that's what you want?"

"Of course, I want you here!" As if there were any doubts.

"After all I've done to hurt you, you still want to see me?"

"It's all I've wanted since you left."

"Do you think you can ever forgive me?"

"That depends, how fast can you get here?" I asked, feeling a smile that didn't want to go away forming on my lips.

Edward laughed and I teared up at how happy it made me to hear his voice and his laugh, a pleasure I thought I would never get to experience again. I was still really upset with him. I still had many things to say to him and questions to ask, but it felt amazing to know that he hadn't forgotten about me and that he was coming home.

"Bella, please don't do anything reckless, at least until I get there." He said seriously.

"Alright. I'll stay home, cleaning and reading a book. Then, when you get home, we can do the fun stuff like mountain climbing and cliff diving. Is that satisfactory?" I asked, teasingly.

"Fine." He said, but he was laughing. "I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you."

"Me neither. I miss you too. Where is your family?"

"New York."

"Will I ever get to see them again?"

"I would be surprised if Alice at least wasn't already on her way back to Forks once she saw my decision to return."

"You're going to stay?!"

"If you'll have me."

"You mean it? Please don't get my hopes up for nothing."

"Isabella. I don't think I've explained myself well enough. I can't live without you anymore. I'm tired of trying. I love you. Love isn't a strong enough word but it's all I can say. I'm coming back and never leaving you again. Even if you make me leave, I'm not going to go far. I can't do this. I can't spend the rest of eternity sitting here, unable to do anything but see your face in my mind, especially now that I know that you aren't safe. The types of things you're considering…Oh, Bella. I was on my way back soon anyways. We have so much to talk about but please, just know that I love you and I'm on my way to you."

"OK." I whispered. It was all I could manage. I was so overwhelmed. I was crying.

"I need to go arrange a flight now. Will you be alright until I get there?"

"I don't want you to hang up."

"I don't want to either."

"I'll be fine, as long as I know you are really coming."

"I am. I love you."

"I love you too." I said.

"Hey." He said softly. "There's a loose floorboard in your bedroom. Why don't you go look under it?"

"You aren't hiding there are you?" I asked. He laughed and I felt it in my racing heart as it jumped with joy.

"No. But there are some things I think you might like to have. I'll be there soon." He said. "Leave your window unlocked for me. I love you." And then the line was dead. I hung the phone up and turned around, smiling but crying in an odd mix of emotions.

I was startled to see Charlie sitting at the table, looking at me. I tried to make my face more neutral and dry my tears.

"Dad! I hadn't heard you come in. I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

"I'm going to go freshen up. I'll be right back. There's dinner on the stove for you. It's probably still warm. How is Harry?"

"He's not doing well. But he's surrounded by family. The doctors are trying to take care of him."

"I'm sorry." I said. "I know how much he means to you."

"It's not your fault." Charlie said.

I went upstairs to my bedroom and eyed a squeaky floorboard suspiciously. I didn't have time to worry about how much Charlie had heard or what he was thinking. I needed to know if everything that had just happened was real. I bent down and lifted off the floorboard, tears falling freely as I saw what was underneath. There were all of my birthday presents and memories of Edward, including his notes and pictures.

I took everything out and sat in the floor, crying as I held a picture of Edward and I together just months before. He was so breathtakingly handsome. My memory hadn't done him any justice.

Charlie walked in and sat down beside me just a minute or two later. I couldn't move. I was in shock.

"That was him on the phone, wasn't it?"

"Yes." There was no point in lying to Charlie when he had heard at least half of the conversation.

"He hid your things from you."

"I believe so. He just told me to come look under the loose floorboard in my room."

"He's coming back to Forks?"

"Yes."

"The Cullens aren't human. Are they?"

"What?!" I asked, caught off guard. How much had Charlie heard? What had I said? I thought through the phone call in my mind but couldn't remember anything that would have caused Charlie to pick up on them not being human.

"They are what the Quileutes call cold ones. Cold ones with yellow eyes." Charlie took the photo out of my hands and I just hid my face. I had no idea what to say. I was terrified to say the wrong thing. "It's alright, Bella." He carefully handed me Edward's photo back. "At least some of this makes sense now."

"What do you mean?" I was holding my arms around myself, trying to be really careful what I said and what faces I made. I was trying to not lie, knowing what a terrible liar I was, or give anything away with my expression.

"Obviously, I grew up around Billy and Harry, so I've heard the tales a few times. I never really thought there was any truth to them though. Harry is a little out of it and kept saying something about the 'wolves' and blaming the 'cold ones' and the Cullen name came up once or twice in his ranting."

I gasped but kept my face hidden. I couldn't handle the thought of Edward and his family being in danger because he was coming home for me. I had to try to think of some way to warn him. I was sobbing.

"Has he ever hurt you?"

"No."

"Bella, why did he leave you?"

I couldn't answer. I shook my head.

"Don't do this again. You looked so happy when I walked in and saw you on the phone. That's why I didn't want to bother you. It's the first real emotion I've seen from you in months. I was relieved. I just want you happy. I figure if this creature were going to hurt you, he would have already done it. Hurt you more than his leaving, I mean. You can tell me the truth."

"You won't hurt him?"

"Not unless he hurts my baby girl again."

"You don't mind?"

"I don't think I'm ever going to like any boy you bring home to me, Bella, human or not."

"You won't tell anyone?"

"Honey, who would believe me? Other than the Quileutes, people would think I've gone off my rocker, going around town ranting about 'cold ones' and 'blood suckers.' That's a way to lose my job and my reputation real fast, don't you think?"

"Dad!" I said, grabbing him in a hug. He was stiff at first, unused to this. Charlie and I weren't typically very emotional or close. He held me tightly and let me cry though. I felt oddly relieved.

"So, he's on his way back?"

"Yes."

"Where from?"

"Brazil."

"Wow! Why did he leave? You obviously love each other, maybe a little too much." To hear my dad admitting that he knew Edward loved me was shocking. I would expect that kind of statement from my mom, but never him.

"He was trying to protect me."

"From what?"

"Him. His kind." Charlie had so much figured out; I decided no additional harm would come of answering his questions.

"I thought the Cullens didn't hurt humans."

"They don't. But not all of them are like the Cullens."

"Are you in any danger right now?"

"No. Definitely not from the Cullens if so."

"So why then?"

"He thought I would be better off without him. He was afraid he was putting me in danger just being around me. He felt bad because he could never give me children and stuff." I was still careful to not go into too much detail. "I told him I didn't want any, but he thought I might change my mind someday. He said he was trying to give me a chance to be normal."

Charlie laughed loudly and I jumped. "You have never been normal. Not a single day of your life."

"I guess not. You aren't mad?"

"Well I don't care for him very much. But at least knowing that there was a reason for him doing this makes me feel a little better."

"Me too."

"Why did he leave you in the woods all alone?"

"He didn't. I chased him."

"And you got lost?"

"Sort of. I just stopped running and laid there." I guess telling my father that I had lost the will to live wouldn't be appropriate here.

"Bella, human or not, it's not healthy to wrap your entire existence up into one person. I just want what's best for you."

"I know."

"So, he's really coming back?"

"Yeah." I smiled. "He is."

"You promise that even when he comes back, you'll at least try to see your other friends? Jake? Angela?"

"I will."

"And if you're in any danger, will you just tell me?"

"Dad, how could you protect me from a vampire?"

"Silver bullets? Wooden stakes?" I laughed. Charlie laughed with me. "I guess not, huh?"

"No."

"I'll be sure to ask Harry the next time I see him." I was still giggling. "What's this?" Charlie asked, picking up the CD Edward had given me.

"Edward made it for me for my birthday. I asked for no expensive gifts, so he recorded himself playing piano instead."

"You like listening to him play?"

"I do. One of the tracks is a song he wrote for me."

"He wrote you a song?"

"Yeah."

"Can I hear it? Or is it too personal? Is it raunchy?"

"Dad!" I smacked his arm, smiling, and got up to look for my CD player. "It's instrumental."

"Ah, so the dirty stuff is implied."

"Oh my God…"

He wouldn't stop laughing. I was smiling. Charlie stood up and sat my birthday gifts on my desk for me. "It's good to see you smile, kid."

"Thanks."

Charlie left me alone in my room and I laid down on the bed, still smiling. I felt like everything would finally be alright for the first time in a long time.

After I calmed down some, I went downstairs to reheat dinner for me and Charlie. We watched a movie together and I was grateful he didn't mention Edward again. I took a shower and put on my nicest pair of pajamas. I hoped to not fall asleep, but I wasn't sure how long it would take him to arrive.

I dozed off and woke up feeling rested for the first time in a long time. I had pleasant dreams all night.

I took my time waking up slowly and stretching before looking around my room. I jumped when I saw Edward sitting in my rocking chair, smiling at me, his golden eyes sparkling and his skin glowing faintly in the sunlight. He was so much more gorgeous than I could ever remember. His bronze hair was just as messy as always and I loved it. My heart leapt at the sight of him.

"Edward." I smiled, but suddenly felt anxious too. "Why are you all the way over there?"

"I didn't want to assume." He said quietly.

"You can assume. Please." I held up the edge of the blanket in an invitation. Within seconds, I was held in his arms. My heart was racing. Tears formed in my eyes. I was thrilled. I was terrified. I was surrounded by his comforting scent and the coolness of his embrace.

"Bella." He whispered, breathing deeply, and snuggling close to me. I wrapped my arms tightly around him and lost myself in his golden eyes. "I'm so sorry. I can never apologize enough for hurting you. I thought I was doing what was right but-" he paused, swallowing, and taking a deep breath before continuing. "I was wrong. So very wrong."

"Don't ever do that again."

"Never. I promise."

"Even if someone threatens my life again? Your own family?"

"Even then. How could I possibly be so stupid as to leave you both miserable and unprotected? Not to mention what I did to myself. But how could you believe me so easily? After the thousands of times I've told you that I love you?"

"I'm only human. I always knew that I wasn't enough to hold your attention." I told Edward the truth. I had always felt this way.

"Your hold is unbreakable. Never doubt that. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I already have. Just don't go anywhere."

"Never." He stated simply, leaning closer to me, and then kissing me. The second our lips met, I lost any lingering doubts or worries. This was my own personal heaven. I kissed him back without hesitation. He was caressing the tears from my face and I rested a hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer. We kissed until I was nearly breathless. He pulled away only by inches. I could still feel his cool breath on my face. "I love you, Bella. So much more than I can ever tell you."

"I love you too." I suddenly remembered something frightening. "Edward! Charlie knows about you."

"Alice called me. It's OK. He doesn't seem to mind anywhere near as much as we thought he might." He laughed. "He's also not home right now. We're all alone."

"Oh! In that case…" I said, pulling him back to me to continue kissing him. I finally felt whole and happy for the first time in a long time.

Author's Note: I wrote this as a one shot, and I hope you loved it! I've started a few of my stories as one shots and then ended up continuing them later on when I thought of more ideas, so you may want to give it a follow just in case if you want to read more .