Chapter 5

The plane landed safely on the dark runway. I watched as the people on the plane stretched and yawned, looking lazily around their seats for their various bags. Edward simply stood, making his way swiftly into the aisle and out of the plane, avoiding the herd of people.

Alice and Jasper were right ahead of us as we exited the plane, and into the dimly lit airport. Rosalie, Emmett, Carlisle, and Esme stood off to the side of the anxious humans, Esme immediately rushing to Edward's side, hugging him tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Edward," she said into his shoulder, sobbing slightly. It pained me to see Esme acting like this; I had often thought of her as a second mother.

Looking closely at Carlisle and Emmett, I discovered that they also wore the same sad expression as Esme. Rosalie, much to my surprise, seemed sad as well, though it didn't affect her as much.

I had no idea what to do; and I was sure Edward, Alice and Jasper were just as lost as I. How could we calmly tell the rest of the Cullen's I was here?

Carlisle sighed, suggesting that they should get home. Alice nodded gratefully, and the Cullen's began to walk through the baggage claim to reach their cars. I walked silently by Edward's side, unsure of how I would alert the rest of the family to my presence.

I couldn't possibly scare them, though would a simple "Hello" be enough?

Would Alice or Edward have to tell them?

Or should I refrain from telling them at all?

I sighed, catching Edward's attention. I looked up at him hopelessly, and I was sure he knew why I wore that expression. We continued to walk next to each other, Emmett and Rosalie walking away from the group to Rosalie's red convertible, and Alice and Jasper walking with Esme and Carlisle to Carlisle's Mercedes.

Edward followed Emmett and Rosalie, hopping into the backseat. I sat next to him, resting my head on his shoulder.

I watched Rosalie steer us out of the garage, and I noticed Emmett hadn't said one thing since I had seen him. I frowned, wondering if my death really could have affected the Cullen family this much.

I gulped, wondering if I should tell Emmett now. But, how would Rosalie handle it? She had never seemed too fond of me.

I watched the speedometer creep past 120 as Rosalie skillfully maneuvered her car through the lanes of the highway.

The silence in the car had become uncomfortable for me, though, I was positive the vampires were handling it better. And, honestly, I couldn't say anything now; any noise I would make would probably frighten Emmett and Rosalie.

So, I sat in silence, watching the scenery rush past the window. I shut my eyes, and though I knew I couldn't sleep, I still found the small act relaxing.

I felt the car slow down to a gradual stop. Gravel crunched beneath the convertible's tires, until the only sounds were of the car doors opening and closing. I opened my eyes, and discovered that Edward and I were the only ones left in the car. Edward rubbed my shoulder gently. "We should probably tell the others now. Do you have a plan?"

I shook my head. "I have no idea."

Edward sighed, helping me out of the car. "I guess we will just have to see what happens."

I nodded, and followed Edward into the massive house. It was definitely not the one in Forks, and I realized I had no idea which state we were in. No doubt the Cullen's had numerous houses of enormous sizes in various places of the country.

I floated into the house, admiring the beautiful decoration inside the home. Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, and Jasper were seated at a large table, talking quietly. I followed Edward to the table, and stood behind him as he sat in a chair.

"Thank you for returning to us, Edward," Carlisle said softly. "I can't imagine what you are going through now."

Edward nodded. "Thank you Carlisle."

Alice gazed at Edward questioningly, while Jasper eyed my position in the room. He could probably tell my nervousness from the rest of the family's grief.

Esme shifted uncomfortably. "We understand if you don't stay here long. It's perfectly fine with us, and though, as much as we'd love you to stay, we know leaving may be the best fit for you."

Edward shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Though I am still upset, I have gotten over my grief to an extent."

Esme raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you are all right, Edward?"

She looked at him as if Edward, at any given moment, would be overcome with grief. Edward simply shrugged, causing Esme to watch him carefully.

I watched the entire table, realizing that there were eight chairs around the table. I hesitantly reached out to the back of the chair, gaining the attention of Edward. He raised an eyebrow at me, his eyes looking towards the chair. I shrugged, realizing that there was no way that I could reintroduce myself to the Cullens that wouldn't seem completely weird, or frightened them. I gently pulled the chair against the floors, trying to allow for enough room for me to sit in the chair.

Hearing the soft scratching sound created by the pull of the chair, each of the six family members watched the chair intently.

"What the hell?" Emmett said, his golden eyes wide.

Esme's eyebrows were pulled together in concern. I continued to pull the chair out slowly, and sat down on the plush cushion. Satisfied, I scooted my chair back towards the table.

Each of the seven vampires was still staring at the chair. Feeling self conscious, I cleared my throat lightly. "Um, hello, everyone."

Carlisle's jaw was slack, and murmured, "Bella?"

Edward was quick to explain to Carlisle. "Yes, everyone, that was Bella. She's the one who saved me in Italy, along with the help of Alice and Jasper."

Rosalie glared at the seat. "Why can't we see her?"

Alice came to my rescue this time. "Edward is the only one who can see Bella. We don't exactly know why..."

I bit my lip, watching the four skeptical vampires consider Edward and Alice's words. Edward smiled sadly to me, his golden eyes burning into mine.

I sighed, the silence getting to me. Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, and Emmett still stared at the chair in shock. Why couldn't they simply accept my presence?

I swung my legs as I sat on the chair, my hands on my thighs. "I know you all may think you are crazy, but I assure you, you aren't. I really am here, in this room. In a world where vampires walk around with humans, is it so hard to believe that ghosts may exist as well?"

Carlisle shifted slightly. "I believe you, Bella, the idea simply takes some time to comprehend."

I smiled, standing up from the chair. "Thank you."

Rosalie stood up, and made her way over to the stairs. Alice and Jasper, smiled in my general direction before going up to their room.

Emmett looked in my direction briefly before leaving the table, while Esme offered a warm, yet cautious, smile to me before leaving the house.

Carlise stood slowly. "I'm going to see if I have any books on this subject. I highly doubt it, but perhaps there is some myth about ghosts that is similar to our situation."

Edward nodded, and gazed at me curiously. "Do you want to do anything in particular?"

I shook my head, and smiled at him. Edward grinned crookedly at me. "Well, we can go to my room until you decide on something."

"Alright. Lead the way," I gestured to the stairs, and watched as he began to walk up to his floor.

I grinned to myself and simply drifted up to his room. It took less time, so I was in Edward's room before Edward himself.

I spotted the large couch in the center of the room, then the large window on the wall. I drifted to the window, looking at the scenery. I remember standing in this exact spot as a human, though that would have been months ago.

The door opened slowly, and I heard a few soft footsteps come closer to me. "You cheated," a soft, musical voice accused.

I shook my head, keeping my gaze on the window. "I was simply using my new talents," I said quietly, a small smile creeping on my face as I heard Edward come closer.

Two strong arms grabbed my waist, pulling me against a slender, yet muscular frame. I grinned and rested my head against Edward's chest. When I tilted my head back, two loving, golden eyes gazed back at me. My smile grew, and Edward kissed the top of my head softly. "What are you looking at?"

I shrugged, still in his hold, and sighed. "Nothing, really. I just thought of something."

Edward released me, spinning me around to face him. His hands were on my shoulders lovingly, gently. "What was that?"

I frowned. "The last time I was here, I was human. Your family had accepted me, to an extent. But now? I'm a ghost. They can't even see me!"

Edward's mouth turned into a frown as well. "But I can. And they still accepted you. I heard it from their thoughts at the table, Bella."

I closed my eyes, shaking my head slowly. "No, they didn't. Emmett? He didn't say a thing. Rosalie? Granted, she never really liked me to begin with."

Edward pursed his lips. "I see your point. Though, Emmett and Rosalie merely need some time to get used to the idea of you as a ghost."

I shook my head more violently. "What if they can never get used to the idea? What if you take a look at me and decide you can't stay in love with a dead girl. I really don't belong here, Edward."

The idea was beginning to sink in. I really didn't have any business here. I should be up with the other newly dead people, waiting to cross over.

Edward's face was frozen, his eyes were pained, and his mouth was slightly open in shock.

"Edward, I don't belong here at all. You know it, and I know it," I said softly, placing my hand softly on his cheek.

Edward grabbed my hand in his, and continued to hold it as he brought it down from his face. "Bella, I would never leave you again, nor could I ever stop loving you. You have to understand this." His eyes gazed into mine with an overwhelming passion. "Bella, I belong where you are. You must know that."

I shook my head, and avoided looking at Edward. His expression would surely stop my train of thought. "I should be crossing over now. What about what you have always mentioned about my 'human life cycle'? Get married, grow old, die and go to heaven?"

Edward grabbed my chin and attempted to pull it up so I had to look him in the eyes. I simply let his hand drift through my chin as he tried to tilt it upward. Edward dropped his hand, defeated, and let it fall to his side. "Bella, I'm far too selfish to let you do that. Please, Bella."

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AN: Ah, that was slightly mean. But, realistically, I felt that Bella would have this thought process.

I'm working on the next chapter, and please let me know what you think!

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