Im sorry that this took to long to get up you guys.
But Im hoping that what I wrote, makes you guys happy
Anyway. Its summer vacation for college students here in NYC
So if Im not in the beach hitting it up Im writng for my readers
So no need to fret, Ill try and make you guys happy.

Enjoy!

Usual Disclaimer: RM = VA & SM = Twilight.

Chapter 17
Letting Go

EPOV

Things these past 1 ½ months were great in some ways.

Terrible in the others.

Rose was here and I couldn't have been happier.

Rose was also training so she could be ready to face the love of her before-life. That's what made me sad.

I never factored another person in my life besides Bella, and even then, I didn't factor her either until she just came in and stayed.

Just like Rose. She's my best friend and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

Everyone was intrigued with her.

Emmett liked he had someone to 'play with'.

Jasper liked the mood that radiated off her when she was unbelievably happy.

Alice liked her fashion sense.

Rosalie liked her because in a way she reminded her of herself.

Carlisle liked all the new information he could gain from all he's learned about her.

And Esme?

Her and Rose had some deep connection that I couldn't understand. Even as I was reading her thoughts, it still didn't seem to make sense to me.

But I didn't mind. I had a connection with her and I didn't understand it either.

So when I returned home Sunday afternoon and went upstairs to change, I wanted to surprise her with my return. But instead she surprised me when I saw her standing in my doorway after I put my shirt on.

When she ran into my arms like that I was relieved. I missed her a lot.

And when I voiced my concerns and she told me that it was what she had to do, I tried and made her reconsider.

I didn't want her to think that I thought she couldn't take care of herself. I know she can. She's proved it over and over again when she pounded my brothers into the ground after her practice fights.

I've felt the pain she can cause one of us, so I know she can take care of herself.

But when she said I can help in her quest if anything happened, I was relieved but at the same time saddened by the thought that I'd be able to help her when she was dead.

I didn't want to think of something like that, but I know that's the way she made it sound.

And I knew I had to make her that promise and I'd have to keep it because it's Rose.

And I couldn't deny her anything.

And when she fell asleep on my legs, her features seemed to change.

She was less guarded, and more beautiful. Her hair still had that shine, and her lips were fuller.

I stopped right there. I love Bella.

Only she's the one who calls to me, she can be the only one who captures my attention.

So why does Rose?

What does she have about her that makes me feel like she's more to me than my best friend?

I admit, Rose is beautiful in her own way. She's unique in her beauty and strength.

Her body has curves in all the right places, and she knows how to use her womanly charms to gain what she wants.

But there's something else about her that captivates me and I cannot put a finger on it.

So I stood up with her, cradled in my arms, and put her down on the bed.

She turned and was facing the window. She always did that when she fell asleep.

She looked even more beautiful in the moonlight. Like a goddess from a dream I've never been able to have.

"What is it about you?" I said as I put a strand of her hair behind her back.

It doesn't matter. I know who I love and nothing in the world can change that. I've waited a century for her, and letting her go, would be the biggest mistake for my non-beating heart.

So I left and went to watch her sleep.

When I arrived, she was in her normal sleeping attire. Her sheets were wrapped around feet, and her hair was a tangled mess.

She was the most beautiful creature on this planet.

"Edward" she whispered and a smile showed itself on those beautiful full lips of hers.

All was right again in my world.

Before she awoke, I slipped out her window and ran back to the house to change and then pick her up for school.

Rose was still asleep when I returned, so I quickly changed in the bathroom and when I came out gave Rose a kiss on the forehead, then ran to the car and made my way to Bella's house.

School was the same as usual. It was boring and I just wanted to leave as soon as possible. If it wasn't because of my 'age' I wouldn't have to keep up pretences. A century of going to school and two medical degrees, along with others, these kinds of things can become very boring. Especially after a century.

When school was over, I drove Bella back home and spent some time with her.

I hated being away from her for so long, but she kicked me out when my eyes were turning black. I know she was putting on a brave face when she told me to bag some good game, she knows I get bored easily with the deer.

But it was still hard to be away from her for so long.

"How's Rose adjusting?" Bella said.

"Emmett likes her a lot" I smiled. It's true. He enjoys fighting with someone other than Jasper. Especially when he learns something new.

"Esme is quite taken with her as well"

She smiled. "That's nice. I was worried that she might've not been adjusting very well, considering her memory is still a mystery"

I sighed and nodded. "I know, I thought the same, but I was wrong. She's adjusted fairly well in the house"

She sighed and snuggled herself onto me some more. "That's good. I'm very happy with her"

"She seems to like you as well" I told her.

She laughed. "Yeah. She's pretty interesting when we talk. I like her too"

"I'm glad you're getting along with someone who's a little more normal then us"

"Normal isn't always great Edward. Then there would never be anything exciting and the world would be a dull place to live"

I laughed. The workings of her mind are something I can never understand.

We talked some more and when it was time for her to start making dinner for Charlie, I took my leave.

"I'll see you tonight?" she asked.

I nodded. "Tonight"

When I sped home, I found the house with only Esme. "Where's everyone else?"

She smiled. "They went to play with Rose"

I smiled. "I think I'll join them then"

I ran out the house and followed her scent. She was all over, and when I finally caught up with her scent, there were others around it. The ones of my family and ones who were foreign and I couldn't place.

"Rose!" that was Emmett's voice.

I saw through him thoughts.

Rose was passed around, surrounded my ash, and three other guys who were about to take her.

I can't let it happen.

"Who are you?" asked this tall man. He had long hair to his shoulder. He was muscular and obviously the leader of this group.

"What I want to know is who the hell you are and where are you taking Rose"

"Rose is the leader of this team and we're taking her back"

That stopped me in my tracks.

"You're dhampirs"

That stopped them all from advancing in anything.

"How do you know about us?" asked the obvious leader.

"Rose told me all about you guys. I know who she is and she knows who I am. So just put her down and let's talk"

He tightened his grip on her and I don't think that sat well with me.

"I don't think you understand," I said as my family started surrounding the Dhampirs. "Rose stays until she awakens and then we'll give her the decision if she wants to leave or not"

He narrowed his eyes and I could see he was prepared to attack. "Maybe we should listen to them talk" said the pale boy with the dark blue eyes.

"Are you sure" said the leader.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure. They're only hostile because we want to take Rose"

"Ashford" the leader said and one other strong looking Dhampir came forward. "take Rose for a while until we settle this"

The Dhampir nodded and held onto Rose as if she was light as a feather, and just as gentle.

"What's your name Dhampir?" I said as I looked at the leader.

"Belikov. Dimitri Belikov" I froze. Is this the Dimitri Rose has been waiting for?

I was about to attack when Alice stopped me.

"It's not him" she said.

I looked at her questioningly and she shook her head.

"Listen to her Edward" Jasper said.

"Edward Cullen" I said. "This is my family"

He nodded. "This is Christian Ozera" he pointed to the pale, blue eyed boy. "Mason Ashford" he was the one holding Rose. "and Eddie Castile"

"It's nice to meet you all" I said.

I didn't want to be polite. They wanted to take Rose away from me and I couldn't allow that. This isn't what she wanted anymore. She wanted to be free of Guardian life. The only reason she continued to train was because of her awaiting for Dimitri to make a move.

I still don't understand how this Dhampir is Dimitri, and the one she's waiting for is Dimitri. That's another problem I'm looking to take care of.

"If you'd like, you can come back to our house and Rose would also have somewhere comfortable to be until she regains consciousness then we can all talk comfortably"

The leader or should I say Dimitri looked uncomfortable and contemplating whether or not he can trust or believe me.

"Look" I said. "I just want Rose to be safe and comfortable. Besides I think the warmth and inside of a house is a little more comfortable than waiting for the rain to arrive and us waiting for her to wake up"

He nodded. "Okay" he said. "we'll follow you"

I nodded to him and looked back to my family. With just a look, we started our way home.

I could tell they were acting against their own nature. Because that's something Rose would say. But I know that Dimitri just has her best interest at heart.

"You can't hear their thoughts either?" asked Alice.

I just shook my head.

"So maybe it's something about them and their kind and not just something to do with Rose"

I just nodded my head.

"We'll find out one day" she said in awe.

She sounded like Carlisle. The awe in something learning something new. I do understand some of that. It's the way I am with Rose and Bella. I want to know what's going on inside their minds.

After that one time I heard Rose's thoughts, I didn't hear them anymore. I became disappointed again and because she doesn't talk in her sleep, her thoughts when she's conscious I can learn because of the way she talks and the way her facial expressions are when she's quiet in thought.

When we arrived back at the house, Esme was happy that we were back home. But when she heard more than one heart beat she got curious and came out to see what was happening.

When she saw Rose in someone else's arms, unconscious she began to get frantic.

"What happened to Rose Edward? Who are these people and what are they doing here?"

"Esme, please calm down" I began to reassure her. " Rose had a bit of a memory problem in the meadow when she saw these men. They're from her team apparently, and they've come to bring her back home"

"I don't want her to leave Edward" said Esme. "She's become one of my own and I don't trust these men. Is there any way for her to stay and them leave?"

I've never seen her this worried or sad before. But I can't make that decision for Rose. She has to make it on her own when she gains consciousness.

So I just shook my head no just once and led the others inside to the living room.

"She'll be okay here. Just put her on the couch"

Mason put Rose gently on the couch and, went to stand beside Dimitri and the other members of the team.

"We want an explanation" said Dimtri.

"There's not a lot I want to you to know about us, so why don't you ask the questions and we'll answer as best as we can"

He nodded.

"Has she been here long?"

I shook my head. "No. she's been here for a month and a half. I found her in the meadow we just came from. She was unconscious for maybe three days. I brought her back here, where she was asleep for some time before she awoke"

"So it's true she lost her memory then?" asked Christian.

I nodded. "Yes, it's true. She work up knowing only her name. it was a day or two later when she found out who I am and who she is. But not all of it has come back"

"How did she regain some of her memories?" asked Dimitri.

"A couple of Strigoi knew who she was an attacked her when she was exiting the mall, with my mother Esme"

"Was she hurt?" Dimitri asked. He had a kind of small panic in his eyes. So I shook my head.

"No she was fine. But a little worn out. She just awoke that same day and I'm guessing she wasn't very active and also possibly was kind of slow in remembering how to defend herself from them as well. It was then when she took out the second one, that she remembered who she was and finished the fight quickly. But she still was tired and fell asleep once she was brought back to the house"

"Can you tell us more about her stay here?" asked Christian.

"She fit right in. she's been training after she regained her memory. My brothers and her train in the woods almost every day. There's more that I want to say but they're her personal problems and they aren't for me to disclose without her permission"

Dimitri nodded. "I understand. I know how she is sometimes when it comes to her thoughts. Will it be alright if we stayed here beside her until she regains consciousness?"

Esme nodded. "Of course" she said. "you are welcome to stay until she awakens. Maybe after that we can all talk"

Dimitri nodded. "Thank you" he said.

I nodded.

"But I want to know one thing first" I said.

"Okay" he said.

"Why are you really here?"

He looked at me curiously. "What are you talking about?"

"I know you're here to take her back correct?"

He nodded.

"But I'm also guessing there's another reason why you're also here?"

"I still don't understand what you're getting at" he said.

"I'm thinking something of greater importance is required for Rose to come back with you"

Christian shifted and I took a quick look at him. He seemed sad but also determined.

"Yes" Dimitri said. "something's happened and Rose is the only one who can help us. But the main reason we're here is because we want her back. She belongs in our world. Not yours"

The double meaning behind those words could be heard. He wanted Rose back with him. So he must've been the Dimitri she called in her dreams.

"I'll leave you to be with her now"

I started walking out and the rest of my family followed.

We traveled up to my room and when Esme finally entered, she closed the door.

"You better not let her go Edward. I don't want her to leave. You know my views on violence, but this is the one time I will overlook that rule and fight for what's fair"

"Esme please. These are her kind, her people in a way. We are not part of her world. We can't force her to stay if she doesn't want to. You'll have to wait until she awakens so you can hear her decision. This isn't for us to decide"

She went and sat on my couch, looking out the window that faces the river and the forest.

"You're right" she said. "but I can't help how I feel Edward. I don't want to let her go"

"I understand that better than anyone Esme. But I also know that we have to let Rose decide her own fate"

That's something I regret saying on the inside. I don't want her to leave, but I also know that she doesn't belong here, as much as I wish that, Rose's place is with her kind and whatever family she might have.

But then everything that seemed like it was crumbling down because of the possible loss of my best friend, everything changed when she softly and quietly said my name in her unconscious state..

"Edward"

So what did you guys think about this chapter?
We'll find out more on what Edward was insinuating on in
maybe the next chapter, havent decided on it yet.
Anyways. Leave me some review love

Peace In

-Kristy