Moving On
Laying Bella on our bed, I noticed the mess we'd made and the ripped carpet. The carpet had five small nail scrapes with five more across from the first lot. It was where Bella had been laying with me over the top of her as I made love to her. I'd have to fix that before anyone else saw it. For the moment, I ran round our cottage, tidying up clothes, books and blankets.
Lighting the fire, I lifted Bella into my arms and sat her on the couch. She had stopped crying by now and just sat numbly. Leaning forward, her elbows rested on her thighs as she stared into the fire. I scraped her hair off her shoulder and made the effort to pull her t-shirt off. Her elbows returned to her knees whilst I ran my fingers along her forearm.
In the crackle of the fire, I placed my lips to her shoulder. Her head turned towards me slightly and she let out a little breath. Removing my lips from her skin and placing them back down further along her shoulder. She started to relax with my touches so I replaced my lips again.
"Do you want a bath?"
A small smile touched her lips as she sat up straighter.
"A bath sounds nice."
It was the first time she'd spoken for a while and it comforted me a little. I pressed my lips her cheek and stood up.
"I'll go run your bath. Stay here."
Sliding my shirt over my head, I dropped it off to the side and I listened to her breathing change. After running her bath, I returned to find her in the same position as where I'd left her. I took both her hands in mine and led her into the bathroom. Leaving her alone, I started to carry all her bags from the truck and to our cottage. With the piano firmly in place, I heard Seth's approach and stood outside to greet him.
With two large bags and rucksack on his back, he placed the bags down and took a deep breath. Holding a hand out to him, he took it graciously; it was the start of a new friendship.
"Thank you Seth. For what you said back there. I know that was difficult for you but you didn't need to leave. Your family is back there. Bella would understand if you went back."
"No. I'm not going back. The pack doesn't respect me or Bella. She's more of a sister to me than Leah. I know that I won't be living with you guys so I think I'm gonna head of to California for a while."
"Any time you need anything, let me know. Money, food, a place to stay."
He nodded his head in gratitude as he stepped backwards.
"Bella would like it if you lived near us, if not with us, in about a year's time. We just need some time to settle and think about everything."
"I understand. Make sure you let me know when the wedding is."
"Of course. We both want you there."
"I think I'll be heading off now. The sooner I go, the sooner I can move on."
My eyebrows furrowed as he picked up his bags again.
"Won't you wait to say goodbye to Bella? She'd be upset if you just left."
"I won't be able to leave if…"
Bella zoomed past me and threw herself into Seth's chest. She held herself tightly to his chest in just her short, cotton robe. Whispering to him quietly, I couldn't hear what she was saying. When she pulled away from him, she had tears running down her cheeks.
"You'll have to visit all the time. You'll be welcome at any time. Just turn up. You'll be at the wedding. No matter what, you will be there. I need someone to walk me down the aisle."
"Of course Bella. I'd be honoured to walk you down the aisle. Why wouldn't I be? I'll be there for you whenever you need me."
"Be good and stay safe."
"Look after yourself Bella. Relax; enjoy your engagement. It might not last long."
She went to hit his shoulder in a playful way but he grabbed her wrist.
"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that you'll be married soon enough."
They were silent for a moment before she sucked in a deep breath.
"I should be going. I'll ring you when I've found a place to stay and settled in."
"You better had. I'll be waiting for your call."
"See you around Bella."
"I love you Seth."
"I love you too Bella."
He lifted his bags again and started walking backwards. When he got to the treeline, he nodded to me once and gave Bella a large smile before turning and running off. I let Bella stand for a moment. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into my chest.
"He's moving on. We're going to too."
Lifting her into my arms, I carried her into our bedroom and lay down with her. She didn't move. She lay still in my arms, her eyes closed and her head on my shoulder. When she finally moved, she brought her lips to mine before straddling my hips. Hovering her lips over mine, she spoke.
"You have to make it worth it. Everything I've been through has to be worth it. No arguments, no regrets. I'm leaving everything behind for you; because I love you. It has to be worth it."
"It will be worth it. I promise."
She pressed her lips to mine and that was it for the afternoon. We pretended that nothing had happened in the morning. I'd never spent so much time with my girl but now I had forever.
