3.

Billy greeted them when they returned home. "Hey, guys. How was the beach?" Though the question was directed at both of them, his eyes fixed on Bella.

Bella shrugged while Jacob answered. "It was great! A bunch of guys were there and we played volleyball. Until Embry threw the ball in the ocean. After that it got kind of boring."

"Did Bella join you?" Billy asked.

Bella glanced at her godfather and blushed involuntarily when she noticed him still looking at her. She looked at the ground and waited for Jacob to answer.

"No, she watched."

"Did you invite her?" Billy demanded. It was impressive how intimidating he could manage to be while in a wheelchair.

Sensing a fight, Bella quickened her pace and hurried inside the house. Logically she knew that Billy would never hit Jacob, but all her years with Charlie made her uneasy around angry people. She hoped that neither of them would notice her absence but didn't stop walking until she was in her room. Only when she was safely alone did she breathe a small sigh of relief. She laid down on Rebecca's old bed and closed her eyes.

Edward had said she could go with him! The memory of him on the beach with her brought a smile to her face. He didn't wait until tonight to tell her. Did that mean he expected her to be ready? Was he going to take her away tonight? The thought filled her with a burning anticipation she didn't even know she still had.

She got off the bed and took out her suitcase from under the bed. She flung it on the bed and opened it, throwing as many of her clothes into it as she could. The photo of her with her parents and her battered copy of Wuthering Heights soon followed.

When she'd crammed as much of her stuff into it as she could she zipped the suitcase up and pushed it back under her bed, just in case Billy or Jacob paid her a surprise visit. The task didn't take up as much time as she thought, so she was left with nothing to do and more free time than she'd planned.

She contemplated going into the kitchen for a glass of water but she didn't want to run into either of them. While she knew their intentions were good, she didn't want them feeling the need to ask her twenty questions about her well being.

But it seemed her worry was for nothing, because a minute later there was a knock at her door.

Managing to suppress her sigh, Bella said, "Come in."

The door opened and Billy wheeled himself in to the room. Bella stepped back near the window to make more room for him. She watched him look around and saw immediately what he did: Rebecca's bedsheets, Rebecca's posters, Rebecca's books, Rebecca's decorations. There was nothing in the room that suggested Bella lived here at all.

Aside from the packed suitcase under the bed, but Bella had made sure that was well out of eyesight.

"You know you can decorate this room to your liking," Billy stated, parking himself by her bed. It wasn't a question.

Bella nodded stiffly.

"Because I don't see either of my daughters coming back to live here any time soon," he continued, and turned to look at her. Bella fought not to squirm.

He watched her, as though he expected her to say something, but Bella had no idea what to say. She could hardly tell him that she wouldn't be here the next day. And any reassurance didn't seem good enough to tell him.

"Why don't you sit down?" Billy patted the mattress next to him and smiled at her, though it looked strained and tired. For the first time Bella noticed the bags under his eyes and wondered when the last time that her godfather had gotten a good night's sleep was.

"Okay." Bella barely whispered the word as she moved away from the window and sat down on the edge of the bed. It was a little closer to Billy than she was comfortable with but she didn't want to hurt his feelings by scooting farther away from him.

She could feel his eyes on him and wondered what he wanted to say. She figured it would be along the same lines as their conversations usually went. He would want to know how she was handling everything that was going on; she'd say she was fine; Billy would persist and ask if there was anything she needed; Bella would say no. She was fine.

"So did you have a good time at the beach?" He finally asked after another moment of silence. "Please be honest."

Bella nodded vigorously. "I did. Mostly I watched Jacob and his friends play volleyball, but it wasn't that bad. They're fun to watch."

"Well, Jacob was under the impression that you wanted to be alone, but he felt bad about it. And I've got to say that you are spending a lot of time up here by yourself. You know you can always join us, right?"

Bella looked up at him and was surprised to find pain in his chocolate brown eyes. "I feel like I'm neglecting you, and I don't want you to feel that way," he continued, guilt the prominent emotion in his voice. "Your father and I were best friends. Before you came here, I was worried that you might think..." He trailed off, unable to continue.

"I might think you what?" she asked before she could stop herself. It was obvious that whatever Billy had been about to say wasn't easy for him.

Billy looked up at her again, meeting her eye once more. "I had no idea he was capable of doing anything like that to you." His words were soft, as though he was embarrassed to say them. "He wasn't always like that, back when you still lived here. He was the best father I knew. A great man." He paused, and for a moment Bella thought he wasn't going to say anything else, but then he continued. "When you moved in, it had been so long since we last saw each other. And then when you began to keep your distance I thought you might think...well, I'm not going to end up being another disappointment to you. I was afraid that you might think that, and especially since you seemed to stay away from Jacob and me. I don't think I ever told you that we weren't going to do anything other than provide you a good home until after you graduate. I just wanted you to know."

Bella was dumbfounded. Of all the things she'd been expecting him to say, that wasn't one of them. Deep down she knew that he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. She wanted to say that wasn't the reason she'd been keeping her distance. But she couldn't seem to get the words out.

"I do know," she finally managed to get out. She was surprised at how choked up her words were. "I'm sorry if I'm coming across as distant. I really don't mean to be."

Billy's smile was warmer than Bella had ever seen it. "We know you're going through a lot," he said, his voice full of compassion. "We understand if you need some time to yourself. But maybe from now on, Jacob and I can do a better job of including you and you could come out and spend a little bit of time with us. I hate the thought of you feeling so alone here. We're here for you if you ever need anything."

Bella smiled, and for once it wasn't forced or tight. "Thanks. And I promise I'll try harder."

"That's all I'm asking for. I don't think I've told you this enough, but I think you're doing great." Then he stops, as if he's embarrassed, then wheels himself back. "Well, I'll leave you be. Dinner will be in a couple hours, but if you feel like coming out before that, please do."

And with one final smile, Billy left Bella's room.

Bella sighed, feeling like a leaden weight had just dropped into the pit of her stomach. Why did Billy feel the need to say all this now? The night, of all nights, when Edward was finally taking her away? She knew she was going to feel guilty for leaving the Blacks, but it couldn't be helped. She'd been looking forward to leaving with Edward for so long that it felt engrained in her. She had to do this, no matter what.

So why wouldn't the heavy feeling of guilt leave her?

That night at dinner Jacob and Billy made a huge effort to involve Bella in their conversation. Bella wished they wouldn't but she couldn't ask them not to, especially after her talk with Billy earlier. She knew she was going to be expected to hold up her end of the bargain, so she smiled at them and answered their questions as politely as she could.

"I was thinking of going to Port Angeles tomorrow. You know, to look for some parts I need. Did you want to come with? I can take you to the bookstore or something. If you want," Jacob suggested rather sheepishly.

Bella wanted to close her eyes and wish up a black hole to swallow her up. "Yeah, Jake," she said, using her old nickname for him for the first time. "That'd be great."

She didn't think his triumphant smile could get any wider.

When they were finished and Bella had all the spaghetti she could handle, she offered to do the dishes.

"You don't have to, I really don't mind..." Billy started.

"Please, Billy," Bella interrupted, giving him an apologetic look for doing so. "I want to. To make up for being so distant."

She couldn't tell him that it would ease some of her guilt for leaving. She just continued to stare into his eyes, hoping she looked as hopeful as she felt.

Billy smiled. "Of course, Bella. I'd really appreciate it."

Billy and Jacob put their empty plates in the sink while Bella turned on the water, waiting for it to get hot. Before he left, Jacob said that he and Billy were going to watch a movie. "Did you want us to wait for you?"

Bella bit her lip, torn. She did, but she also didn't want to keep Edward waiting just in case he came early. She shook her head. "No, that's okay. Maybe when I'm finished I'll come in."

Jacob nodded, apparently not going to argue with her, and left for the living room.

Bella turned back to the sink and began cleaning up, surprised at how relieved she felt at doing such a familiar task. She'd done the dishes three times a day when she was still living with her father, and she'd hated it every single time. As she washed the dishes, then the pots, she couldn't shake the feeling that always came over her whenever she did the dishes. They had to be perfect. They had to be perfect, or else Charlie would see them and beat her for not doing them perfectly. If there was one thing Charlie strived for, it was perfection. Maybe that was why she'd never been able to meet his standards. She certainly wasn't perfect in his eyes.

Maybe that was why Bella let her old habits return. After every dish she cleaned, she inspected it and rewashed it, even if there was nothing wrong with it. It made doing a task that should've only taken a few minutes last close to half an hour. Bella felt frustrated with herself, but she didn't know how to stop from doing it.

When she was finally finished she dried her hands on the towel hanging from the oven handle then quickly wiped the stove. When she was finished she was satisfied to see that it looked spotless. Maybe Billy would remember her as doing her share when he woke up the next morning and noticed that she was gone.

She passed the living room on her way to her bedroom. She hoped to be quiet enough that they wouldn't notice her, but Jacob called out, "Bella!" the moment she came into view.

"We aren't that far into the movie. Only the big car chase has happened so far. Do you want to watch?" Bella hated the hopefulness in Jacob's voice. It made the small amount of guilt she'd been able to get rid of earlier return with full force.

She shook her head, refusing to meet his eyes. "No, thanks. I'm tired. I'll probably just go to bed."

"Okay. See you later, then." The disappointment in his tone was unmistakable.

Hating herself, Bella looked down and hurried down the hallway to her room, closing and locking the door behind her. She was a little disappointed to see that Edward wasn't there yet, but it was still early. He usually came much later.

Still, Bella dragged her full suitcase out from under her bed and placed it gently by the desk near the window. She wanted to be ready when Edward came for her.

Not up for doing anything else, Bella laid down on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She couldn't help but wonder where she'd be going. She knew Edward had some kind of family because he'd mentioned them before. He'd told her that they were very excited to meet her. Did they live close by, or somewhere farther like Seattle or even Oregon? She didn't relish the thought of going back to Seattle, but she would if that's where Edward lived. He'd gone to her every night for as long as she could remember. That had to mean he was close.

Bella didn't remember dozing off, but the next thing she was aware of was a cold hand on her shoulder. Her eyes snapped open and she jumped involuntarily at the touch.

"Shh. I didn't mean to scare you," Edward said softly.

"Edward!" She couldn't help but exclaim as she shot up from her bed and wrapped her arms around him. She couldn't remember being this excited to see him since she was a little girl. "I'm so glad you're here. Where are we going?"

Edward chuckled a little, though it sounded forced. She couldn't remember him ever sounding like that before. "Patience, Bella. Are you ready to go yet, or do you need a few minutes to get ready?"

Bella pointed to the suitcase in answer. Edward turned to look at it, and for some reason a sad smile came over him. "Okay, then. Let's go. Do you want to leave a note for Billy? It wouldn't be right to make him worry over nothing."

Bella hadn't thought of that. "Yeah, sure. I won't be long."

She quickly rummaged through the desk and came up with a small notepad and a pen. She scribbled a note on the paper, her chicken scratch even worse than normal because of her rush.

Billy,

I've gone to live with a friend. Please don't worry about me. He's a great guy, like you, and I hate myself for leaving you like this. But I have to do this. Maybe I'll see you again.

Sorry. Thanks for everything.

Bella

She didn't show the note to Edward. Instead she folded it and placed it on top of her pillow where Billy was most likely to find it. When she was done she turned back to Edward. He was staring out the window, Bella's suitcase clutched in his right hand.

"Okay. I'm ready now," Bella said to get his attention. He turned to face her, smiling again, but it wasn't as bright as it normally was. Bella was confused but didn't want to ask him. She was too happy about him finally taking her with him. Wherever he lived.

Edward offered her his left hand. "Hold on tightly. And whatever you do, don't let go."

Bella put her hand in his. He gently led her on top of her desk, which he usually jumped over to get to the window, then crouched by the window.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

Bella nodded. "Of course."

"Then hold on tight." And the next thing she knew, he'd jumped from her window, still holding her hand, and landed on a sturdy tree branch outside. Before Bella could ask him anything, he jumped again, and they were gone.

So she's finally gotten her wish. But will it turn out as happily as she thought it would?