All righty.. A little short but I needed to write this alone as one chapter. I was listening to 9 crimes by Damien Rice the whole time. It kinda set me in the mood.

Memory

One by one, they each started gathering pieces of bodies. Some pieces wriggled, an attempt to show they weren't completely lifeless. After creating three piles mixed of dry wood and vampire's flesh, Carlisle pulled out a lighter and lit each pile on fire. Thick black smoke combined with a peculiar odor filled the air.

The only light Edward and his family had, besides the rising flames, was the light from the moon shining above. Edward continued to stare at the flames, not sure what to do. His family did the same. They treated the scene as mourners would at a burial.

But mourn for what? Victoria was dead. Never again to harm the ones Edward loved. Though he felt relief, there was something else slowly stirring inside him... yet he couldn't place it.

Jasper felt Edward's confusion and snuck a glance at Emmet. Emmet quickly turned to look at Alice who was staring at Edward, an unfathomable expression on her face. Both Jasper and Emmet looked quickly back at the fire, preparing themselves for what was to come.

Victoria's dead. Edward heard Alice think to him. She was standing across from him, on the other side of the pile they were at.

He looked up and nodded curtly before returning his gaze to the flames.

Alice tried to conceal her anger which was now threatening to burst forth from her. What do you have planned for yourself now?

"I don't know." Edward spoke quietly. Emmet, Jasper, and Rosalie braced themselves for the wrath that they knew would soon follow Edward and Alice's private conversation. Carlisle put his hands in his pockets and calmly waited.

Alice took a deep breath, her small frame slightly shaking. I think– She hesitated. You should go see Bella.

"I can't do that, Alice." Edward spoke calmly. He knew Alice would bring this up and prepared himself.

Why not?! Alice screamed in her head, causing Edward to wince. You know, I can't help but start to think that you actually meant what you said to her. About you not loving her.

"Then stop!" Edward growled.

Stop what?

"Stop thinking!"

Alice laughed sounding a little delirious, scaring Jasper. Oh, Edward. She shook her head. You need to stop being so selfish.

Edward's head snapped up to look at Alice. Him selfish? "I love Bella. I'm avoiding her to save her, Alice! Shi-"He stopped and took a deep breath.

"Avoiding her! Why on Earth do you feel the need to avoid her, Edward?!" Alice spoke out loud now. Her nostrils flared and her eyes stared menacingly at Edward. He was about to interrupt but she didn't give him a chance. "She. Looks. Like. Hell! She's been through Hell! You leaving, us leaving her! It wasn't right!No matter what stupid reasons you convinced yourself for leaving Bella, you know you didn't want to. You know it wasn't right."

"Of course I didn't want to! But it being right? It was the right thing to do at the time."

"At the time." Alice growled and then scoffed. "Did you ever think of the effects your leaving might have on her?"

"Effects?" Edward raised his eyebrows, slightly confused. "She'd be sad for a short time but Bella would get over it. She's only human after all."

Alice snorted, disbelieving. "You seriously doubted her love for you." She shook her head and then stilled as she remembered her visit with Bella.

Perhaps I should show you the aftermath of you leaving her. It can't be that bad. After all.. She's only human.

Edward winced and fell to his knees as images of Bella entered Alice's mind. He tried to block them out but Alice wouldn't allow him. She was pissed for a better use of words. She knew she was hurting him but Alice had to make him realize. Just as she'd done to Bella. Alice thought of when she had the vision of Bella, how she found her in the vision.

Bella lying spread-eagled on the ground, eyes open, with a trickle of blood coming from her mouth.

"No!" Edward gasped, grasping his head. More images came.

Alice finding Bella in the meadow with a gun in her hand. Bella sobbing as she allowed Alice to drag her home. Bella thrashing around and screaming relentlessly in her sleep.

"No! Edward, don't leave me!"

"Bella!" Edward screamed, his eyes closed as he grabbed at nothing. Nothing but air.

Rosalie's eyes widened as she stared at Edward. Emmet grabbed her hand. Jasper took in quick breaths as he felt Edward's anguish but he didn't try to calm him. Jasper loved his brother but he also loved Bella. He had to make Edward see what he'd done and that he had to make it right.

Alice closed her eyes and concentrated.

Bella waking up from her nightmare. Alice trying to explain to her that Edward needed her.

"He doesn't love me. He told me himself. I was a burden to him."

"No, Bella, no." Edward moaned, still grasping his head.

"No, no." Alice shook her head. "Edward does love you, Bella. He loves you very much. He left because he thought he had to. Edward believed that us being around you would put you in more danger than you were already in."

"Edward's hurting, Bella. I know you think he doesn't care about you but he does. I've had visions of you in so much pain. My visions of him are the same. You need each other."

"I need you, Bella." He whispered.

Bella whimpered. "Alice, stop. Stop."

"Why, Bella? What is so hard to believe?"

"All of it! You here! You telling me E–" Bella choked back a sob. "You telling me Edward still loves me! He told me he didn't, Alice! He made it quite clear!"

"I love you." Edward spoke quietly. It was as if Bella was there with him, Alice's thoughts were so vivid.

"He had to lie to you, Bella. Edward had to say what he knew would make you let him leave. He didn't mean it! Do you want to know what I see when I have visions of Edward, Bella?"

Edward watched Bella shake her head, sobbing.

"He keeps asking himself 'why? Why did I have to leave her?"

"He didn't." Bella moaned.

"But in his mind, he did. He thought it would be for the best. We all know it wasn't though." Alice continued.

"No . . . no." Bella put her head in her hands and sobbed.

Edward sobbed too. He sat and sobbed tearless sobs, barely aware of his family surrounding him.

Alice put her arms around her and hugged her. "I'm so sorry, Bella. I am so sorry."

"I– love– him." Bella choked out. "And it hurts, Alice. It hurts so bad."

"I know. He regrets ever leaving you, Bella. We all do. You are the rest of our family and we left you." Alice tightened her grip on Bella. "I am so sorry." She whispered.

"I'm sorry Bella."Edward whispered.

Alice allowed herself to think one more thing of Bella. Bella sleeping before they left to join Edward and Carlisle.

Do you need more? Alice asked Edward feeling a little drained as the past few day's events came rushing back to her.

He shook his head and continued to sit on his knees, staring down. Rosalie let go of Emmet's hand and walked over to Edward, ignoring her slightly baffled audience.

Rosalie got down on her knees in front of Edward and forced his chin up to look at her."Bella needs you Edward, just as much as you need her."

Edward's eyes widened as he took in her words. He knew she was right. A small part of him which was growing stronger with every passing second, was struggling to tell him that he needed to see Bella.His plans on avoidance were dissolving as he remembered Alice's vision of Bella sleeping peacefully.

So beautiful.

Jasper felt the love that was allowing itself to reappear in Edward. She loves you just the same. He smiled.

Rosalie stood up and quietly walked to Alice's side. Emmet went over to Edward and stood him up.

"I love Bella as my sister and I would do anything to make any of my sisters happy. You make her happy, Edward."

Edward was still recovering from Alice's thoughts. "You went to her." He struggled to comprehend.

Carlisle looked at his son. "They did what they had to. Now you do the same." Edward started to object but Carlisle held a hand up. "No. I know I had my doubts about you being with a human at first, Edward, but I have never seen my son as happy with someone else as you are with Bella. Without her, you have suffered pain that no one, human or creature, should endure. Your family suffers seeing the people they love in such anguish."

I am sorry if we ever made it seem as if Bella and you were never meant to be. But it is very clear that you need to be together now.

Edward nodded and looked at each of his family members with him, settling on Alice. She stared straight back with sadness in her eyes.

I'm sorry, Edward. I had to make you both realize. She looked down at the ground. The flame's cackling was the only noise in the night.

Edward continued to look at her.

"Thank you." He finally whispered.

As I said, a little short but there is a reason. I'll explain with the next chapter. What did you think?