I know I know, booo me. It has been so long since I updated and for that I apologize. Life has this little nasty habit of getting in the way. But I just wanted you all to know that I have not forgotten this story, and I will continue it. I just may not get to update like I want to. Finals are coming up as well as all those big projects that are usually due at the end of the semester. And me being the faithful procrastinator that I am, has waited until now to start them (well some of them). Some of you also pointed out little bits that just were not in character for Ed and Bella(and I guess being human is like BEYOND ooc for Edward lol), so I guess for the sake of the story (and I really do not want to mess them up) they will probably be OOC. Sorry! Thank you for the reviews and the alerts!! Oh……and 15 days til the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ----End of super long Authors note--- ps: Just to clarify, this is an ALL HUMAN story. On with the show
As soon as Edward was out of sight, Bella stopped the elevator doors from shutting and rushed back to Charlie's room. She needed to get out of the hospital quick. She did not have the energy to deal with running into anyone else right now. She didn't expect she could hide from the residents of Forks forever, no matter how tempting the idea was. She just wanted a little time to prepare herself. Running into Edward had been surprise enough. Before deciding to move nack to Forks, she had done a little asking around, or at least had Renee ask around, to see what Edward was up to these days. The story she got was he moved to Chicago and came back to visit once in a blue moon. Bella was going to have to check her calendar because she could have sworn there was no blue moon this week.
Edwards's impassive face popped into her mind and she winced at the hurt feeling it brought along with it. After all these years he should not be able to get to her like he used to. Her heart had skipped a beat when he had flashed her his crooked grin. Many nights were passed thinking about that perfect smile.
Their conversation had not gone too bad. Though he probably thought she was a bumbling idiot now. She was so caught up being worried about Daniel coming around the corner, or Edward going to see Charlie, that most of her sentences came out rushed or confusing. Edward, on the other hand, was Edward. The polite gentleman he had always been. She wondered what he was hiding under that calm exterior.
Bella could only imagine the feelings he was hiding, if any, while he was talking to her. He probably wanted to ask her why she left and never kept in touch, but he never even hinted to wanting to know. A small part of her was hurt. She mentally slugged herself. She had pretty much dropped off the face of the planet eight years ago with no good bye's, no warning, just abracadabra …gone. She had always prayed that she had not hurt him too bad when she left. But the selfish, twisted Bella that lived deep, deep down inside her hoped he would never move on. In all honesty though, he shouldn't care anymore. Hell, she was lucky he even stopped and talked to her. For everything she had done, she didn't even deserve his conversation and she knew that.
She turned the corner into Charlie's room noticing the faint signs of an approaching headache. She needed to get out of the hospital and fast. Her heart warmed when she saw Charlie and Daniel lying side by side in the hospital bed. They laid with their eyes glued to the television hanging on the wall.
"Hey, sweetie," she started, trying to sound as if she did not just run into the one person she was trying to avoid like the plague, "I think we need to let Grandpa Charlie rest a little.. We have to drive a long way to get to the hotel room."
"I don't wanna go," Daniel whined, tucking his head into Charlie's side.
"Hotel room?" Charlie questioned, adjusting his position to accommodate Daniel.
"Yes, Daniel and I are going to get a room in Port Angeles."
"Bells, that's crazy! Why don't you want to stay at the house?"
"I didn't want to impose," she confessed. "I didn't want to just show up and expect you to take us in. We will be alright at the hotel."
"That's nonsense. You are still my daughter and the house is still just as much yours," Charlie huffed. "It would be ridiculous driving all the way to Port Angeles and pay to stay in a hotel room when you have a room at the house. "
"Okay, okay." She held up her hands in surrender, feeling a bit relieved. She really hadn't wanted to just show up and ask Charlie to take them in, but she also could not afford to live in a hotel room. "We will go to the house."
"The house key is in my jacket pocket there on the chair." He pointed to the chair in the corner. "There's not much to eat, but as soon as I get out, we'll go grocery shopping."
"I do not expect you to take us in as well as pay for us to eat." Bella told him sternly. "I will go grocery shopping tomorrow. And this is just until I can get on my feet and find a place of our own."
"You really going to be here that long?" Charlie asked a little apprehensively.
"That is the plan." Where else did she have to go?
"Well, you take as long as you need." Charlie lauded, smiling affectionately at Daniel. Bella had this odd feeling that living in a house with those two she would rarely ever win a battle. However, she didn't mind in the least.
Daniel was silent and pouting as she drove the familiar route to her child hood home. At first he had his arms folded angrily across his chest, but Bella caught him looking out of the window with curiosity, seeing the place she had grown up in. Downtown Forks did not look much different then it had before she left. Newton's Sporting Goods was still standing which brought a smile to her face. She remembered working there and spending the less exciting day's playing cards with Mike or playing Bigfoot with Emmett, whose employment there only lasted about a week due to his over the top demonstrations he performed showing the hunters what would happen if they didn't buy certain supplies.
She bit her lip nervously not wanting to look too hard at her surroundings. She knew the memories would soon break through the dam she had built in her mind and bring back everything she spent so long hiding away. There were a few newer buildings that caught her eye. She didn't recognize them and she wondered if they finally broke down and built a decent book store.
She pulled into Charlie's driveway behind an unfamiliar car. The door was slightly open and Bella could see a pair of muddy boots sitting outside on the porch.
"Come on." She told Daniel as she cut the car off. When she and Daniel got out of the car she heard the faint muffled sounds of music coming from the parked car. Not sure as to whom it was in the car, she locked the doors before shutting them. Fighting the urge to peer inside the car and see who it was, she met up with Daniel and grabbed his hand. They made their way up the steps and she pushed open the door. Unlike the guest already inside, she left her shoes on and called out. "Hello?"
"Who's there?" a feminine voice called from what sounded like the kitchen. Bella heard footsteps heading her and Daniel's way and stood in front of him protectively, out of habit. Bella did not recognize the woman right away. Her ebony hair had bits of gray in it and was shorter then Bella remembered, but Sue Clearwater still had her warming smile that always made Bella feel welcomed.
"Bella Swan." Sue smiled and held out her arms. "Charlie didn't say you were coming to visit."
Walking into Sue's usual greeting hug, Bella squeezed once and let go. "He had no idea I was coming. Just kind of showed up." She admitted with a blush.
"I bet he was surprised."
"He was a little caught off guard."
"Well I'm glad I have some back up now. He is stubborn as a mule when it comes to taking care of himself. I swear…." Sue stopped midsentence when she noticed Daniel standing behind Bella.
"Well, who is this?" she asked smiling at Bella then walking past her to Daniel. She knelt down to be eye level with him and stuck out her hand. "My name is Sue, what is yours?"
Daniel looked questioningly at Bella and she nodded her head. "Hi, my name is Daniel Swan and I am seven years old. "
"Wow, seven?" Sue admired passing a sidelong glance at Bella which made her nervous. "You are a big boy. Are you going to help your mommy take care of your grandpa?"
"Oh, yes ma'am." Daniel proclaimed, sticking his chest out. Bella smiled proudly at her son for being so polite.
"He sure is handsome," Sue commented as she stood. She eyed Bella for a minute and it looked as if she was going to speak, but then suddenly changed her mind.
"Thank you." Bella replied with some relief. She really didn't want to play twenty questions with Sue Clearwater.
"Well I was just here checking on things and dropping Charlie's mail off."
"Lookie what the cat drug in!" A deep male voice exclaimed behind Bella startling her. She grabbed Daniel and pulled him to her quickly guarding him from whomever it was. "Whoa, whoa calm down." The voice came again.
"Seth?" Bella asked in disbelief when she turned around and got a good look and the large frame crowding the doorway.
"In the flesh!" He smiled then held out his arms as if presenting himself. The last time she saw Seth he was tall and gangly, just barely in his teens. Now he was taller and not as gangly. He had filled out quite nicely to her surprise.
"Wow! Nice growth spurt." She commented. He stepped through the doorway and threw his arms around her, gripping her tightly then lifting her off the ground.
"Okay, Seth," Bella wheezed, "I can't breathe."
"Seth, stop it!" Sue scolded, flicking him on the ear. He set Bella down, and then was caught by surprise when he noticed Daniel come to her side. Here goes another explanation, Bella thought.
"Whoa. He your's?" Seth asked in disbelief, raising his eyebrows when she nodded. Unlike his mother Seth did not introduce himself. He just waited for Bella to introduce them.
"Seth, this is my son Daniel. Daniel, this is momma's old friend, Seth." Daniel raised his chin then grasped Bella's hand tightly.
"Looks like you got yourself a body guard, huh." Seth chuckled. "Jake is going to be stoked when he hears you're back."
"Hold up, Seth," Bella said quickly. She glanced at Sue as well. "Can you all keep this quiet just for a day or two, until I can get settled in?"
Seth looked at her confused, but Sue nodded and headed to the door pushing Seth out. "Of course, sweetie. Our lips are sealed. We will let you get settled though. If you are ever in LaPush you bring Daniel by the house. He and Brandon, Leah's little boy, can play together."
"Okay, thank you, Sue."
"No problem."
Once Sue and Seth were gone, Bella's almost headache went to full on throbbing mode. She had asked them to keep it quiet that she was back, but she knew Seth would not be able to contain himself. It would be all around LaPush by tomorrow, Forks would be next. It was inevitable though. People were going to find out sooner or later, she just preferred later.
She and Daniel brought up their suitcases and put them into her old room, which had not changed at all. It still had the same bed, the same painting, and the same curtains. The only thing different was there were a few boxes of clothes in the closet and an exercise bike acting as a clothes hanger near the window. Bella stripped the bed and threw the sheets in the washing machine so Daniel could sleep on clean sheets. She would let him have the bed and take the couch until they could come up with a different arrangement.
"Mom, I'm hungry," Daniel announced leaning against the wall. "I looked in the fridge, but all I saw was some bologna and moldy lettuce." His eyes suddenly went animated, "and mom, there are a lot of TV dinners in the freezer."
Knowing Charlie, Bella believed him. With her head still aching she followed Daniel down to the kitchen. He was right. The fridge had all of four items; mayonnaise, mustard, bologna and moldy lettuce. He was also right about the freezer full of TV dinners. There had to be at least ten. She was just glad he had appendicitis and not a heart attack from all the pre-processed foods. Charlie's cupboards were no better. There were cans of stew and other soups and Bella cringed when she saw the ridiculous amounts of Spam.
"I think we will go out to eat tonight." She announced. It looked as if she was going to be making a trip to Port Angeles anyway. "We will probably get some groceries too." May as well go ahead and get that out of the way. She honestly didn't mind though. If she was out to eat and busy shopping, she would not have time to reflect on everything that had happened that day and consequently make her headache worse. There would be plenty of time for that later.
Edward drove around the small rainy town before returning to his parent's house. He was still overwhelmed with emotions. He knew he should be mad with Bella, beyond mad really. She left him without so much as a goodbye or a reason why. One day she just didn't show up for lunch. Edward was out of his mind with worry. He begged Charlie to tell him where she went or even why, thinking he had done something to upset her. He had even stooped as low as asking Jacob Black where Bella went, but he didn't have any idea either. Edward decided she probably needed some fresh air or some space. He decided he would wait. The days had turned into weeks, the weeks into months, and still nothing from Bella. Nothing but the aching hole she left behind in his chest.
His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. How could she have left him? How could she have just left and never call or let anyone know she was alive. After years of waiting, Edward finally decided something terrible had happened to her. He quit asking Charlie where she was, he stopped searching the obituaries and eventually the hole in his chest became numb. He became numb. Nothing had mattered anymore after Bella left. The only thing that saved him was his music. He put all of his hurt and his pain into his music that was the only time he let his emotion show. It flowed through his fingers onto the keys of his piano telling a story of heartache.
Not knowing how he made it home, Edward parked his car next to his fathers Mercedes. He didn't get out immediately. A heavy feeling set in his chest. He wanted to start his car and race to find Bella and demand answers. He wanted to know why she left, he wanted to scream at her, and he wanted to let her know just how badly she hurt him. But that was not Edward. Edward had always been a calm person, able to keep his temper at bay and his emotions under control. Except when it came to Bella Swan. She brought the worst, and the best, out of him.
Knowing he needed to get his thoughts together before seeing her again he reluctantly opened the door and stepped out into the cool evening air. He stared at his parent's house, the home where he grew up. It did not feel like home though. He had spent most of his days growing up at Uncle Carlisle's with Bella, Alice and Emmett. That was his happy place.
"Oh your home, darling!" His mother Elizabeth greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. "Tanya called and said she would be here this weekend, I bet you can't wait. She is such a nice girl."
"If you like the spoiled rotten type." Edward thought to himself then immediately regretted it. He had never thought ill towards Tanya. Yes, she was spoiled, but it was not her fault.
"Yes, mom," he replied. "She said she would be up this weekend as soon as Mr. and Mrs. Marshall left for their vacation.
"She should be here in time for the masquerade ball." His mother exclaimed. Edward hated the masquerade ball. His parents threw it every year for the rich snobs in town claiming it was for charity when really it was just to show off who had the most money. The only reason he went to the things was because people donated money to charity and, well, it would be rude not to go.
"I believe so, mom."
"What is wrong with you?" She asked looking him up and down. "You seem distracted."
"Nothings wrong." Everything is wrong. "I just spent some time with Alice and Emmett. You know how those two can be." Oh, and I ran into Bella Swan. You remember Bella don't you? The one that ripped my heart out and crushed it into a millions pieces? And though her leaving almost killed me, it did wonders for my music. He wanted to add, but knew better of it. His mother had never approved of Bella.
"Oh, yes," she smiled. "Emmett can be a handful and that Alice; I swear that girl has Red Bull for blood."
"I've got to make a call to Victoria and then I think I'll take a shower and go to bed." He said with a fake stretch and yawn. He really just needed some time to himself.
"Are you sure?" his mother asked looking concerned. "Annabelle made Chicken Alfredo."
"I'm not really hungry, mom."
"Okay." She shrugged as she walked off. Edward darted up the stairs into his old room. The walls were still blue and his bed had a matching blue comforter as well as pillows. He hated the color blue. He felt ridiculous sitting in his room. He was a grown man on vacation, at his parent's house. The original plan was to fly from New York, where he was helping orchestrate the music for a new movie, meet Tanya in Florida and from there they would go to Hawaii. But, no. Tanya had to be best friends with his mother and let her know what they were doing. His mother told Tanya about the ball and of course Tanya, being Tanya, just had to go to the ball.
His phone rang, distracting him from his thoughts. He looked at the caller ID then slid it up to answer.
"Hello."
"Good evening, Edward" Victoria purred.
The trip to Port Angeles was refreshing. Daniel was so excited about being somewhere different that he had to ask questions about every little thing. Why did it rain so much? What was the beach like? Why was it called the "Hoh Forest"? Where did Bella go to school at? By the time they got to the restaurant he had asked about a million questions, and was not done.
After eating their meal and chatting about when he would start school, they left and went grocery shopping at the supermarket in Port Angeles. She didn't get any frozen food for fear of it melting on the way home, but she got enough to sustain them until she could get to the store in Forks.
Daniel had passed out within minutes of getting in the car. He usually did not take naps, but Bella figured he had been so overwhelmed, and probably tired from talking. Though him being asleep left her time to remember things she thought she was done with. It was funny how just the slightest little thing could bring a memory from so long ago to life. While shopping, she had come across some blue curtains and immediately they took her back to when she was little, sneaking into Edwards's room while his parents hosted a dinner party. They would sit on the stairs and listen to the adults chatter away about different things and the women would gossip about everyone.
She had fell in love with Edward when she was nine years old, sitting at the top of the steps listening to the women gossip during a dinner party. Someone had mentioned her mothers name and instantly caught Bella's attention.
"That Renee was such a floozy. Charlie was lucky she left." One woman said.
"But now he is stuck with Bella. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Another woman commented.
Bella balled her hands into fists and bit back the tears that threatened to fall. She wondered how the women could be so mean. They did not even know her or her mother. Before she could get good and upset, Edward had grabbed her hand, locking her fingers with his warm ones. Her little nine year old heart melted. She leaned her head on his shoulder and somehow knew that no matter what Edward would always be there for her. That was also why she had to leave eight years ago.
Bella tried hard not to think about the day she left. She turned up the radio, but then remembered Daniel was in the backseat sleeping. She glanced into the mirror at his innocent face. The sharp edges and the long lashes that lay on his cheeks were like his fathers but he had her dark brown hair. God, she had messed up his life. She thought she was making the right decision in leaving, but now that she was older, she knew better.
Edward and Bella had begun dating when they were fourteen. They stayed together through out high school and the summer after they graduated they spent every day together. Whether it was in Seattle at the movies or over at Alice and Emmett's, they were inseparable. They had plans. They were going to leave Washington and go to UCLA, though Edward could have easily gotten into Harvard and that was where his parents wanted him to go. They were going to share an apartment and live the life they wanted, with no one to butt in. A month before they were to move, Bella found out she was pregnant.
She was two weeks late. She had attributed it to stress over the coming move and the big step she and Edward were going to take, but when she started getting nauseas and was unable to keep anything down, she went to the drug store for a pregnancy test. She thought she chose the perfect time. There was no one in the parking lot, the store looked empty and she knew the only person working was some old guy who should have retired years ago. When she picked up the pregnancy test, she rushed to the front counter, only to bump into Lauren Mallory and drop her box on the floor. It was like something out of a movie. If only the director would have butted in and said cut.
She and Lauren spoke, but Lauren did not say anything about the box Bella clutched against her chest. So Bella had prayed Lauren did not see it. Bella was sick with worry by the time she got home. She ripped the box open and looked at the test for awhile. Her emotions were going crazy, anxiety mixed with anticipation. Worry mixed with needing relief. As the clock ticked she knew she had to get it done before Charlie got home.
After following the directions and peeing on the stick like the paper said, she closed the cap and waited the two minutes, which felt like an eternity. When she finally got up the courage to look at the test, she shrank down to the floor when it read it was positive.
Her life flashed before her eyes in that moment. Her stomach would get huge, she would have the baby and her life would never be the same again. While her friends could get up and go when they wanted, she would have to stop and make sure a diaper bag was prepared. While her friends were off at college hanging out and partying, she would be home changing diapers and burping babies. But then her life with Edward flashed in front of her. He would be a great father. He would help her no matter what. He would go to the store in the middle of the night to get whatever she was craving for. He would rub her back when she was as big as a house and massage her feet when she couldn't see them. When she looked like a baby beluga whale he would tell her she was beautiful. A smile spread across her face. Edward was her shining light in the bad situation. He would make everything better.
With her emotions running amuck, there was only one person she wanted to see. Pulling herself up off the bathroom floor and wiping away any tears that may have fallen. She straightened herself up and headed over to Edwards house, hoping Elizabeth was not home.
The ride over in her dilapidated truck was long. Not because it was far away, but because the truck wouldn't go over thirty five. Though it had charm and fit her just right, she just wished at the moment it would move a little faster.
Relief washed over her when she saw his silver Volvo parked in the driveway. His mothers Miata nowhere in sight, things were already looking better. When she knocked on the thick antique doors she did not hear the familiar sound of Edward hitting every other step as he made his way down to open it. Instead she heard the click clack of heels. Her stomach seemed to sink lower and lower the louder they got. When Elizabeth Masen opened the door, Bella could have thrown up right on her Versace suit.
"Hello, Bella," she greeted with half a smile, "Edward is not here right now. He and Anthony took my car to Seattle for the day."
"Oh, okay, Mrs. Masen. Can you just tell him I stopped by? Thanks." Bella said as quick as she could, trying to get as far away as possible as soon as possible. She turned on her heel and used every muscle in her body to stop her legs from running.
"Bella, wait." Elizabeth called after her. Bella's heart beat picked up. She prayed the woman couldn't smell fear. "Come in, I think I need to have a word with you."
"Um, actually, Mrs. Masen, I have to get home and get some things packed." Bella replied nervously.
"You're not moving for another month, dear, please. I need to speak with you. I had the most interesting conversation with Lauren Mallory today."
Bella felt the blood drain from her face. She didn't know how she was moving, but she remembered following Mrs. Masen into the living room and taking a seat on the cream colored sofa.
"So, your pregnant." It was a statement and not a question, Bella noticed.
"Umm."
"Lauren said she ran into you at the drug store and noticed you drop a pregnancy test. I know it isn't for Alice because, well, my niece is smarter then that. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for my son."
"It could have been for Emmett's girlfriend." Bella snapped, angry with the way she talked about Edward.
"No, dear," Elizabeth sneered, "Knowing Irina, she would have made Emmett go buy the test." Elizabeth straightened out her jacket as if looking for something more amusing then Bella. "Now, my son has already decided to ruin his life by following you to that school in California, but I will not have his life ruined because you all were not smart enough to be careful. A baby now would ruin Edwards's life. So the only solution is for you to have an abortion."
Bella stared at the crazy woman with her mouth gaped open. Did she realize she was talking about her grandchild? Despite the stupor Bella was stuck in, Elizabeth's words ran through her mind. "A baby would ruin Edward's life." And it was true; a baby would ruin Edwards's life.
All he ever wanted was to be a musician. He was going to go to UCLA with her and get his masters in music composition and performance. He worked so hard at his music, despite his mother's disapproval. A baby would put all that on hold. Bella knew she could tell him to continue his work and go for his dreams, but she also knew better. That was not Edward. Edward would do what he had to in order to take care of his child. Edward did not deserve that. He was better than that. Bella could put her life on hold for a little while, she would be fine. But Edward needed to fulfill his dreams. She would not be selfish and stop him.
"You're right, Elizabeth." Elizabeth looked shocked to hear Bella's response. Instead of explaining herself or saying anything more, Bella turned and walked out the door. Leaving her heart and soul behind her.
Bella wiped away the tears that always came with that memory. After her meeting with Edwards's mother, she called Renee when she got home to let her know how very wrong her life was going. Renee bought her a plane ticket to Phoenix, and despite the pleading from Charlie she packed her bags and left Forks that night. At the time it seemed like a good idea. A clean break. No good byes, no tears, no explaining. Edward would move on with his life and she would….she did not know what she was going to do. How could she live without Edward? How could she live without Alice and Emmett, and Carlisle and Esme? Then, there was Jake and the rest of the gang in LaPush. How was she going to leave her friends...no...her family behind? She still did not know how she did it. But she did.
As she passed the sign that said welcome to Forks, she wished she could go back in time and do things differently. Make smarter decisions. She wished she would have told Edward what was going on instead of just leaving him in the dark. So many times she wanted to call and tell Edward about Daniel. But she was always afraid of him being angry or hating her for leaving. Then it was too late. Years went by and she still kept it to herself. Now here she was, back in Forks still keeping Edward from his son, and Daniel from his father. Was it time to tell Edward? Was it time for Daniel to meet his father? She was so confused, but she felt it was time for Bella to make things right. Just, not yet.
I also want to send some shout outs to my wonderful Beta's who I have not shouted out to in awhile. My. .- she has got some fantastic stories with wonderful humor. Very talented writer! Also to LaSkeptical writer, who has original stories that are beyond wonderful!
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