AN: Alright guys so here it is...we are back to present day POV's...we are done with the flashbacks...woo hoo. I posted pictures of Bella's and Edward's new cars as well as what Toulouse (their dog) looks like in my profile. I hope you like what i've written. Thanks for the reviews...keep em coming please! They are my motivation after all :) much love xox

PS: i have no idea how long it would take to drive from Washington to Boston so i just said two days...hehe.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns these characters...except for Mimi and Sophie of course:)

Chapter 23

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go. Dr. Seuss

Where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. Oliver Wendell Holmes

Edward's POV

The next few days flew by. Between packing, seeing Bella, spending time with my family, and getting prepared for university I barely had time to think. It was the night before I was leaving for university and I was a stress ball. Bella's car had been delivered last night. I was so worried it wasn't going to make it on time. Alice had attached a big red bow to the hood and parked it in the garage so it was nice and safe. I also got a nice surprise from my parents, one I wasn't expecting. Instead of getting my Cadillac Escalade I got a Porsche Cayenne. My father claimed the Cadillac wasn't good enough for me and insisted I drive the Porsche. I was ecstatic. Jasper had picked up Toulouse for me from the training facility and Alice had bought every dog toy possible for him. He indeed did turn out to be very cute. He took instantly to me and followed me everywhere I went in the house. I prayed he liked Bella too. I had packed up most of my belongings into the back of my new car leaving room for Bella's stuff too. Toulouse would sit the back seat. The keys to mine and Bella's new house had been mailed to me once the decorating was completed and my grand piano was delivered.

Driving arrangements had already been made. Bella was totally unaware of my intentions and had no idea about her car. I was going to pick her up at 6:00 am tomorrow. Alice, Jasper, and my dad would be driving down to Boston with us but I left that detail out when explaining the plan to Bella. I'd be driving the Porsche with Bella, Jasper and Alice would drive my Volvo, and Carlisle would drive Bella's new car. From Boston Alice and Jasper would leave for New York. They had already fed-exed their belongings to their apartment where Jasper's parents would receive them. My father was going to speak at a convention at Harvard for a day and then fly back home. The drive was going to be a long one but we all had intentions on driving very fast. Even then the trip would take two days and we would be making a stop in Wisconsin. My dad had already booked a suite at a hotel for all of us to stay in that was dog friendly. Even though my mom, Rose, Emmett, and the girls couldn't accompany us on our way down to Boston, they were going to see us off from Bella's house in the morning. Everything was set and Bella was going to be in for a big surprise.

Rose, Emmett and the girls had decided to spend the night at my house after we had our last dinner as a whole family. There was no point in them driving all the way home just to have to get up at the crack of dawn to say goodbye to us.

It was getting pretty late at night and I was dead tired. Everyone had already said goodnight to me. The only one keeping me company was Toulouse. He sat with me on my bed as I examined my now very empty room. Sadness overwhelmed me. I couldn't believe this was it. I felt like I had just started high school yesterday and now I was off to university. I was really going to miss my family but I knew I'd had to let go sometime. It was just too soon. I was thankful at least that my dad, Alice, and Jasper would be with me for awhile longer before I'd have to say goodbye.

I had called Bella early in the afternoon to remind her of the plan. I didn't bother her after that because I knew she wanted to spend some time with Charlie.

I finally decided that it was time to go to bed around midnight. I was so anxious about tomorrow I doubted I would ever fall asleep. Toulouse sat at the end of my bed near my feet. Once I was all snug in bed I began to think of all the good things that were coming my way…all the good times and new memories. My sadness washed away suddenly and I fell asleep peacefully.

Bella's POV (Back to present day)

I sat on the end of my bed staring at all the boxes that surrounded me while music blared. I was just about finished packing. Tomorrow was the big day…I was leaving for college with Edward. I had never intended to follow Edward to college but I couldn't resist…I couldn't carry on without him…I loved him that much.

I had spent most of the last couple of days with Charlie. He had taken some time off work to be with me. We ate out quite a bit, did some school shopping, and just sat around the house talking about stupid things. I was really going to miss him. I hoped I wouldn't get all emotional tomorrow as I said goodbye.

I buried myself into the rest of my packing, trying not to think about actually having to leave. Edward would be picking me up at six in the morning and Charlie would see me off. We'd be driving down. I had already said goodbye to the rest of the Cullen family the last time I visited their house. Around midnight I had packed all of my personals up and had placed them next to the front door. I kissed my father goodnight as we walked up the stairs together. He got a bit teary eyed knowing that I wouldn't be kissing him goodnight again for awhile. I had told him that I was having thanksgiving in Boston and he booked the time off to come down. It wouldn't be so bad. It was only three months till I'd see him again.

I slipped into my room, tears now flooding down my face. I knew this would happen. I could only imagine how I'd be tomorrow. I crawled into bed and hugged my pillow close to me. I fell asleep crying.

Edward's POV

My whole family was up and at it at 5:00 am. We ate breakfast together in total silence. The mood was sombre. Toulouse sat eagerly at my feet. I threw him a piece of breakfast sausage and he gulped it down. I saw my nieces watching my every move from their parent's arms. Sophie giggled. This broke the silence amongst us all. Soon we were scurrying to get dressed and out the door.

I was the first to speed out of the driveway with Toulouse sitting in the backseat. He looked quite content. I was followed by Jasper and Alice in my Volvo. No one was even on the roads this early. Carlisle decided to be daring and drive beside me in the opposing lane since the road stretched forever. He looked like a fool driving a car with a huge red ribbon on it but I knew he was enjoying the ride. Following suit was Emmett driving way to fast with my nieces, Rose, and my mother. Jasper was riding my ass by this point. I was going way to slow. I tried to keep up with my father but Bella's car was far too fast. It felt exhilarating nonetheless. I laughed to myself as I pushed my gas pedal to the floor. There was the Cullen family having their own personal NASCAR race in the middle of a deserted road. I had never had so much fun in my whole life. Jasper was desperately trying to find a way to pass me but Emmett wouldn't allow it. I could see Rose flailing her arms around in the cabin of her car through my rear-view mirror. She was definitely giving Emmett shit for driving so fast. I threw my head back and laughed some more. This had to become a family tradition. Eventually the fun had to end when we saw a car approaching us. I took the lead once again and my dad followed behind me. Soon we were crawling onto Bella's street. We all parked against the curb. Everyone proceeded to get out of their cars. My dad fixed the bow on Bella's car. I was thankful it hadn't blown off in all that mayhem. I jogged up to Bella's front door and rang the doorbell.

Bella's POV

I had gotten up at five. My eyes were all puffy and red because of my crying. Charlie wasn't up yet so I decided to take the opportunity to shower. After my shower and drying my hair I got myself all pretty, hiding any signs that I had been crying. I was sure to use waterproof mascara today too. The last thing I needed was smudges. I threw on a pink jersey dress that hit just above my knees. I put a cropped jean jacket overtop of that. It fit very snugly. I slid on a pair of silver thong sandals, my diamond necklace from Esme and Carlisle, my watch, and some earrings. I grabbed my purse from my vanity and some other miscellaneous nick knacks that I still needed to pack up.

I made my way downstairs with dread. Today was the day I had to say goodbye to my dad. I threw my purse near the door and the rest of the stuff I was carrying into a box. I walked into the kitchen to see my dad dressed and ready for work. As soon as I left he was going to head off to work. He looked up at me once I sat at the table.

"You look beautiful Bella" he complimented.

"Thank you" I whispered trying to remain composed.

"So today's the day eh kiddo?" he asked me. I just nodded. The tears were forming. Damn it.

"I'm going to miss you…" he said as he got up from the table and stood by my side giving me a slight squeeze. That sent me over the edge. I jumped out of the chair, startling him. I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest. The waterworks had begun. I couldn't even speak.

"It's okay Bells" he cooed as he rubbed my back. "I'll see you soon. You know I can always fly down if you need me to…" he continued to comfort me. "Today should be a happy day for you honey. I know it may not seem like I'm happy out the outside but deep down inside I am thrilled…."

"I know" I sobbed into his chest. He continued to rub my back. I started to feel better after a little while. I pulled away eventually wiping my residual tears with the back of my hand. I was slowly beginning to regain my composure.

"That's my girl" Charlie commented. I laughed.

"Edward will be here any minute" I said as I looked at my watch. It was five to six. Charlie winked in response.

"You have everything packed and ready to go then?" he asked.

"Yeah, I've left some stuff here that I won't need down there. Don't go converting my room into a fitness centre or anything" I kidded with him. He chuckled.

"I wouldn't dare!" he exclaimed as he pulled me into a hug. Soon after the doorbell rang. He released me from his embrace.

"This is it!" I said. Charlie just smiled and walked me to the door. I pulled the door open quickly and I nearly fainted. Charlie's mouth dropped open. For once it wasn't Edward that had taken my breath away, it was the car with a big red bow that sat on the road along with the Cullen family cheering and pointing to it that did it.

"What is that" I stuttered to Edward.

"My gift to you. That my love is your new car" he said with a smile as he bent down to kiss my cheek.

"Oh my god…" I barely whispered.

"Oh my god is right!" Charlie announced. "That's an Aston Martin!"

"Yes it is" Edward confirmed. I felt frozen in time right then. What was I suppose to do or say. After much deliberation I started to speak again.

"Uh thanks?" I said. Brilliant. I sounded like a total idiot. Charlie laughed.

"You're welcome" Edward said with a grin. He then proceeded to roll his eyes.

"I have to drive that to Boston?" I asked Edward. My voice was still shaky.

"Nope. My dad will….". I felt relived. I noticed that Charlie had gone to talk to Carlisle and Esme.

"Wait hold on. Your dad is coming to Boston?"

"Yepp. Alice and Jasper too…" he said quite contently.

"I don't understand…." I gasped.

"You don't need to worry about it right now. Look we better get going sweetheart. We have a long day ahead of us" he explained. I nodded and grabbed my purse and some boxes from near the door. Edward grabbed the rest. We walked slowly to the road. Emmett offered to help me with the boxes. He and Edward loaded the car up. I had noticed it was new too but I didn't say anything. I was so surprised to see the whole Cullen family there. I moved closer to my car to admire it. It was beautiful. I heard Carlisle and Charlie discussing the specs close by. I opened the driver side door and sat in the seat clenching my hands around the steering wheel. It felt so comfortable. I had even noticed my name was stitched into the seats. How sweet.

"Bella, honey it's time to go" I heard Carlisle announce. I stepped out of my car and proceeded to remove the bow that sat on the hood. I threw it into the passenger seat of the car.

Everyone now huddled around me. Esme was the first to kiss me goodbye. Emmett was next. He hugged me so tight I could barley breathe. Rose approached me slowly. I knew she was crying before but she looked fine now. She hugged me forever.

"I'll miss you Bella. Promise to call me all the time okay?" she said.

"I promise" I said. She gave me one final squeeze before letting go. Carlisle then approached me with Mimi. I took her in my arms and hugged her close to my chest.

"I'll miss you Mimi" I whispered. "You be good now…" I said as I kissed her tiny cheek and passed her back to Emmett to hold. Next Esme passed me Sophie. She was happy like always.

"Sophie you're such a good girl" I cooed as I kissed her cheek too. "I'll miss you honey. Don't forget me okay?" I joked before I handed her to Rose. The Cullen's now stood back so I could say goodbye to my Dad.

'Bye Dad" I said as I pulled him close to me. I didn't cry this time thankfully. "I love you" I whispered in his ear.

"You'll never know how much I love you Bella. Be safe. Call me when you get there alright?" he said.

"I will. I'll see you soon then?" I asked.

"It'll feel like you never left sweetheart…" was his simple reply as he kissed my forehead and stepped away from me. Edward was now by my side holding me still.

"Okay so this is it guys. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. It really means a lot. I love you all very much. I guess we'll be seeing you at Thanksgiving!" I said. Everyone laughed. I gave a slight wave goodbye as Edward led me to his car. He blew kisses to his family as we walked. Jasper and Alice hugged everyone goodbye and then got into the Volvo. Carlisle got into my car. Edward helped me into the front seat of his new Porsche. I had to admit it was fancy… not as fancy as my car, but hey who was keeping track. I fastened my seatbelt as Edward began to drive off. I turned to look out the back window of his car. I waved my hands furiously towards my family as they stood in the middle of the road doing the same thing. Emmett and Rose had even taken the girls hands in theirs to fake a wave. I smiled and waved until I couldn't see them anymore. Alice and Jasper's faces were all I could see now with Carlisle close behind. Then I looked down to see a set of eyes peering up at me. It was a dog.

"Oh my god! Who is that?" I asked Edward as I pointed the dog. He looked to see what I was talking about.

"Oh that's our dog. Toulouse" he said with a laugh. I could see Alice and Jasper laughing in the Volvo. They must have seen the shock in my face.

"He's so cute!" I exclaimed as I petted him. I then turned to Edward and kissed his cheek.

"You mister, are the best boyfriend on the planet" I said.

"I know" he said with a smirk. I couldn't help but mimic him.

In that moment I realized that this was the start of the rest of my life and I had never been so happy…