Chapter Thirteen

Saying Goodbye

Bella POV

It was funny. I remembered the long trips from the airport to Charlie's house when I would visit, and think about how short and quick the trips back to the aiport were. This was the same thing. It seemed like it took forever to get to Tanya's house, but getting back to Carlisle's seemed to take minutes. I even stopped and hunted on the way. Yet, in no time, I was back in the familiar woods, set around the beautiful Cullen household. There was no need for me to run anymore, so I took my time zig zagging through the trees, only to be brought to an upbrupt stop.

"Bella..."

I whirled around startled. "Shit! Dammit Emmett! Someone as big as you shouldn't be allowed to be able to be as quiet as you are."

"Sorry. Where were you? I came to see when you wanted to go get your things and you were gone." Emmett huge stature was only made bigger as he crossed his arms across his huge chest.

"Okay, don't flip, because nothing serious happened. But...I went to the Denali's. To, well, attack Tanya."

Shock splashed across his face and his finger was already wagging in my direction. His hands were flailing in every direction as he scorned me. "Bella! Are you out of your fucking mind?! You're not a newborn anymore. She could have shredded you to fucking bits!"

I rolled my eyes and put my hand up for him to stop his rant. "I told you Em, nothing happened. I didn't attack her and as you can see, I'm still in one piece."

"So what did happen?"

"We just talked. She explained herself, and I listened. Yes, I did go there to fight, but it just didn't turn out that way. In some way, I actually understand her now." I explained shortly. The details weren't really necessary, so I spared him.

Emmett had calmed down immediately and was now sitting on the leaf covered ground, propped up against a thick tree. He seemed sullen, which was unusual for him. Even when he should be upset about something, he was still, well, Emmett. I watched him for a moment, but he didn't say anything. He was thinking. About what though, was still yet to be heard.

"Em, what's up?"

It took a few more minutes before he let out a huge, deep sigh. "You know I love you, right? You're my sister. I mean, right from the first moment I met you, it was like something clicked in me, I could feel it in my bones that you were meant to be my little sister. It felt like we grew up together and though you had Edward to protect you, and Alice...I always felt that there was a big brother, little sister thing that was special between us that no one else had."

"Em, that's all true. You know I honestly think of you as my brother. Even if I were still human and had never gotten with Edward, we are brother and sister. Nothing changes that. You know that, I know you do. So what's the problem?"

He still couldn't look at me. "Things have escaladed in the family. Alice and Jasper are fighting over what's happened. Jasper's pissed because he thinks it's fucked up the Alice actually helped keep Edward's secret. I feel the same way, which of course has led to Rose in full on bitch mode towards me, causing us to fight. Esme and Carlisle aren't really speaking. And of course Edward hasn't set foot in the house since the last time. It's not good for any of us. I don't want you to go, but I also think it might be what's best right now. At least until things cool down."

I couldn't say that didn't hurt, but I knew he was right. That was one of the reasons I wanted to go on my own anyways. I knew what had happened between me and Edward would cause something like this to happen. Hearing though, only strengthened my resolve to leave.

"It's okay Emmett. It's true. This need to be calm for a while. You know me, I have this orbit around me that attracts disaster. It really makes sense for me to go away for a while. Besides, that's why I'm here anyways. I was going to see if either you or Jasper was ready to come with me to the house so I could get some things. I'm burning time here man, I gotta get going."

I smiled, trying to make light of the situation. I could tell Emmett was torn, and he didn't need to deal with crap at home just because of me. He looked up at me once I had made the joke and smiled. He hopped up onto his feet quickly and grabbed me in what could only be described in a death grip. If I were human, I would be seeing my life flash before my eyes as my lungs struggled for air. Fortunately, my lungs didn't care. Before my bones turned to mesh, Emmett finally let me go and flung his arm over my shoulders. We walked towards the home I had shared with Edward. I loved my big brother.

"Jasper would come, but um, since I'm here with you, he's being attacked from both sides by angry women. It's not pretty. So, thanks for saving my ass there."

"Hey, no problem. Let me know when I can do something else to bring all hell into the household. Though it may be Jasper's turn that time." I joked.

He let out a big laugh as we approached the small house. I could smell Edward all around the place. The scent got stronger the closer we got. "He's here."

Emmett stopped quickly, looking down at me. "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, I can go in there and get what you need. I have a pretty good idea. Panties, bras, shirts..."

"Please! You're not going anywhere near that drawer in the dresser!"

We both laughed as we got to the front door. Emmett knocked as I stood somewhat behind him. I didn't want this to get ugly. Just in and out. No mess. Edward opened the door, and without even looking at us, he just went back to the couch and sat down.

"Don't worry about me, Bella. I won't move from this couch until after you leave the house." Edward stated flatly. God, he sounded sad. I wanted to say something to him, but something prevented me. The words were there, so close to being said, yet nothing came out. Emmett nodded at me to get started and with quick vampire speed, I went into our bedroom.

I hurried around in the bathroom, grabbing my human necessities that I could live without, but didn't want to. I pushed aside the glass door to the shower, reaching in, I grabbed my favorite strawberry shampoo. Quickly getting back into the bedroom, I looked around swiftly to see if there was anything in the room that I needed before gliding towards the closet.

Before entering the closet, a pain shot through my entire body, causing me to stop. I couldn't move. I knew what had stopped me. The pain and memory from the night in the closet. I'm sure the hole was still there and I couldn't see it right now. My breathing started becoming more and more rough and I knew that I would need Emmett's help. Then again, I didn't want him seeing that hole. He would automatically know what it was from because it's Emmett of course. Then I would get that embarrassed ashamed feeling that I didn't want right now. I couldn't ask Edward to go into the closet, because that meant that I would have to talk to him.

I stood motionless for what seemed hours, when in reality was probably just a few seconds. The decision to go into the closet or not to was going back and forth through my head, literally making my head hurt. I needed clothes. What I needed was out of this house.

"Bella! You okay in there?" I heard Emmitt call from the other room.

That decided it. Screw the clothes. I'll just get some more wherever. I just had to get out of this house. I grabbed the duffle bag roughly and slung it over my shoulder with the intent on getting the hell out of dodge. I rushed out of the room and headed for the front door.

Edward turned around in the couch staring at Emmitt. "Why are you rushing her?! She needs her things, just let her get her things!"

"Don't you fucking start Edward!" Emmitt pointed at him, his eyes like daggers. "I'm just here doing what Bella wanted me to do! So shut the fuck up!"

I didn't want to hear all this. I just wanted to go. "Emmitt, let's go." Emmitt placed his hand at the small of my back, ushering me towards the front door.

"Wait Bella. Here's a couple of cards. I know you'll need money. At least until you get situated before you start getting your own money. Just...take these. I don't want this to be hard on you more than it already is." He held out two credit cards, waiting for me to take them. He wasn't even looking at me, he just kept his eyes planted to the floor.

"I don't want the cards." I stated flatly. "I don't want the cards because then you could possibly know where I was. I don't want to make it easier for you to track me down."

Edward's head shot up, eyes full of hurt and regret. If he could cry, I knew he would be. But at this moment, it was getting easier and easier not to care. Which made me sad, because I wanted to care.

"I...uh...I understand." His words came out barely audible.

And with that, Emmitt and me left.