Thanks to all those who read and reviewed; especially those who support me through all of my stories. I really appreciate it, and it motivates me to write more :)
Disclaimer: I'm not the owner of Twilight, but you all know that.
There was one thing I had realized after watching that news report; all of this time I had subconsciously been holding on to the small hope that maybe one day I would hear something from them again. But that small glimpse of their family, all sitting and smiling proudly, showed me that they were happy without me, and I knew they weren't coming back.
With that, there was no reason to stay in Forks. All it did was bring painful reminders.
"Dad?" I asked one evening at dinner, about a week after seeing the news.
"Yeah Bells," Charlie said.
"I'm going to go back to Jacksonville to live with Renee. I like living with you, but I think it's time to move on," I said. He understood what I meant.
"I know. Thanks for coming to stay with me for a while, I've loved having you around," he said gruffly, looking at the table.
"I love you dad," I said, my voice thick with emotion as I got up and hugged him.
"I love you too Bells. I'm so proud of you," he said.
"Thanks," I said, embarrassed.
A week later I was on a plane to Jacksonville. Renee was happy to have me home, but the hardest part was the goodbyes. Mike and Jess had wanted to throw me a big going away party, but I'd said a definite no to that. The worst had been saying goodbye to Jacob. He spent hours trying to convince me to stay, but I told him I couldn't.
I started my new life in Jacksonville, where I would start college in a few weeks.
Edward's POV: 2 weeks later
I was running north the fastest I had ever run. For months I fought with myself, telling myself Bella was better off without me, but I had finally given in. I wasn't strong enough to stay away from her, and the thought of being able to see her again only drove me faster.
I reached the woods surrounding Forks and was outside of her house in minutes. I suddenly felt nervous; what if she didn't want me? What if she hated me? Or maybe she didn't love me anymore? That had been my plan all along, for her to move on without me. Was it unfair for me to come back now?
Either way, I had to see her again, even if she didn't know about it. Maybe I would watch her sleep as I used to, and be gone by morning, as long as I knew she was safe and happy.
I scaled the wall and hung easily from the window sill, peeking into her room. The sight surprised me. The bed was made and the room was neat and tidy, as though no one lived here. I opened the window carefully and stepped inside. Her scent was still here, but not as strong. It was obvious she hadn't been here recently. I began to worry; had something happened to her? Was she hurt? I had to find out. I planned on seeing Charlie in the morning to ask where she was. Until then I hid in the trees by the house, waiting for the sun to rise.
I finally heard Charlie yawn and get up, and listened as he clattered around the kitchen making himself breakfast. I was about to make a move from my hiding place when a familiar voice stopped me.
"Edward, wait." I turned to see Alice a few meters from me.
"You can't go see him," she said.
"Why not?" I asked. I delved into her mind to see a vision of me standing at Charlie's front door. Suddenly he began yelling at me.
How dare you come back here after all this time and expect to ask questions about her! Just leave her alone!
Then he slammed the door in my face.
"Let me ask, it will go down better," Alice said.
"Fine," I sighed. I just wanted to know what had happened as soon as possible.
Alice walked gracefully to the door and knocked. After a moment it opened to show a surprised looking Charlie.
"Alice Cullen? What are you doing here?" Charlie asked.
"Hello Charlie. I'm sorry to drop in so early, but I was just passing through town, and I was wondering if Bella was home?" Alice asked politely.
"No sorry Alice. Bella moved to Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago to live with her mother," Charlie said.
"Oh, alright, thank you," Alice said.
"Bye Alice," Charlie said before closing the door.
Alice ran back to me.
"You're not going to Jacksonville?" she asked, confused, as she looked through my future. I shook my head.
"She's obviously happy and moved on, I'm not going to bother her now," I said. I saw Alice about to look into Bella's future.
"No Alice. Leave her be. We won't meddle in her life anymore," I was becoming more depressed by the second as I realized Bella really had moved on without me.
She sighed and I turned and left quickly, trying to use running as a distraction from the pain.
What do you think? I'd love to know :) Next chapter's Alice and Edward's POVs :D Oh, and to those who didn't get it, Carlisle was doing work on blood diseases. Well, I thought it was funny, but maybe I'm just weird that way :)
