Chapter 8 – Moving On
Bella spent the rest of the day on the couch, staring at the Alaskan sky, just thinking. Replaying Edward's and her confessions in her mind. She thought of Carlisle and Esme's offer and Edward's promise. As the sunset, Bella went to her room and dressed slowly. She walked to the Cullen's home, at a human pace. Her arms were wrapped around her chest as she turned their block. As she entered their gate, Esme opened the door for her. They walked hand-in-hand to the living room, sitting on the black couch. Without a word, the Cullen's entered the living room. Edward and Alice leaned in the doorway of the dining room. They all stared at Bella. Looking at her hands in her lap, Bella began. "I don't know if Edward told you about our conversation and I don't want to know. Before he and I spoke, I made my decision, but afterwards, it gave me more to consider. Esme, you were right. I am not alone and despite your absence, I still felt of you all as my family. Therefore, I am going to move with you. It is what I want. I have been alone long enough and I don't like it, not anymore. I like being able to see all of you and know I can keep up with you. So, yes I will move with you." Esme smiled brightly, hugging Bella's shoulders. Everyone smiled, except for Edward. When hugging Alice, Bella looked at him, as he stared at the floor. Carlisle clapped his son's shoulder and said "Ok then. We are leaving tomorrow. Can you get yourself ready by then?" Bella nodded, "I don't have much. But I do have one request?" "Anything?" Carlisle encouraged. "Don't room me near Emmett and Rosalie. Alice and Edward have told me enough about them." Everyone laughed, except for Edward, who smiled slightly, still staring at the floor. "Done." Esme agreed.
Bella returned home and began packing her things. She called Jacob. "Hello?" The familiar husky voice answered. "Jacob?" Bella asked. "Yes. Hey, Bell." "Hey Jake, how are you?" Jacob laughed silently "I'm great. Amanda and I have twins; a boy and girl. Ephraim and Sara." "That's wonderful. I am so happy for you. I graduated and got my Bachelor's degree." "Congrats, Bell. I am so proud of you. What are you going to do now?" Bella sighed. "That's part of the reason I called. This is the last time you'll hear from me. I'm moving out East. You know; starting over, vamp style. I may go to grad school. I don't know yet. I just wanted to say thank you Jacob. Thank you for being the best part of the end of my human life and keeping contact with me. I still love you, I always will, and I am so happy that you have found someone. I hope you and your family stay happy and strong, as only the Blacks can. Goodbye Jacob." "Thank you, Bell. You'll always be my Bell and I love you too. Thanks for being the wonderful woman you were to me." Bella sighed. "Bye, Wolf Jake." "Bye, Vamp Bella." Bella hung up, staring at the phone. Someone knocked on her door. "Come in." Rosalie walked in. "Are you ready?" "Yep. Just had one last thing to do. How are we doing this?" "Do you mind driving Em's truck with Alice? He says he'll take over cross country." Bella smiled "That's cool."
The Cullen's drove across the country. While in Minnesota, they were refilling their tanks. Emmett offered to take over and Bella was about to refuse, when she caught sight of her father and his wife. Emmett watched what Bella was looking at. Bella sighed heavily and let Emmett drive. As Edward was heading back into the car, he saw Bella sitting in the passenger's seat, staring out her window. He saw the pained look on her face through the reflection and saw what she was looking at. "Charlie?" She nodded. "His new wife. And who is the boy?" Bella sighed deeply "My brother." Her voice broke. Edward warned his family to hurry because Charlie was near by. The Cullen's rushed to their cars and drove off. Bella kept her eyes on her brother, father and step-mom. She looked at her younger brother, his brown eyes; the one's she had.
Edward and Bella drove for hours, before Bella spoke. "At least, he has a new family. And, Rene had another baby too. I have a sister in Florida. I wish I could see her too." Edward looked at her. "This is the lot we have to bear in this life. It does get slightly easier as the years go by." "I know and this was my first time. I think I handled it well," she smiled slightly. "You handled it very well." Edward encouraged her. They arrived at their home in New Hampshire in less than a day, thanks to the Cullen's need for speed. Their new home was large and spacious, similar to their home in Forks. Bella began unpacking in her bedroom, which was on the same floor as Edward, but on the opposite side of the house. She was playing music in her room, when Jasper entered the room. "Hey Jaz. Something wrong?" "No, Alice saw a thunderstorm coming and you know the Cullen tradition." Jasper smiled at her. "Very well and sounds like fun." Jasper left her room and looked into Edward's, where he nodded yes to Jasper. The Cullen's played their game and the guys won this time. Bella stated she let them win so Emmett would not complain, as they ran back to the house. Bella went to her room and looked out the window. She still thought about her and Edward's conversation in Alaska. She knew she still loved him and he loved her. She heard classical music coming from his room. She recognized her favorite. Bella stared at the floor and thought to herself. He said he loves me and he will show me this. We have an eternity. I think in that time I can forgive him and show him I still love him too. He was once my life and now I have a new one. Edward's back in my life now and I want him to stay. If he leave's I don't know what I will do, but Edward is worth it to me. Bella looked to her door and opened it slowly. She walked down the hall and knocked on his door. He answered, with sad eyes. "Hi." "Hey," Edward said. Bella walked closer him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Edward wrapped his arms around his waist. He lifted her off the floor and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They fell back onto his couch, wrapped in each other's embrace. They pulled apart and Bella smiled. "It's time you started showing me." Edward smiled and stroke her hair "That's all I want to do."
