Thanks for believing me with the whole HEA thing. I know Bella didn't make a smart decision, and it was wrong for her to do it, but it's done. At the time, it sounded like a good idea to her, even though it really wasn't. Give her a little time to grow, even though it might be too late.

She's making mistakes, like we all do…although I don't think I'd ever be able to do what she's doing.

Oh, and thanks oh so much to Wendy for the pre-reading =)

…

I shivered and tucked my coat tighter around my body as I stepped off the bus, taking in my new surroundings. I hadn't been out of Seattle for very long, but I was still amazingly relieved to be home. There was a dull ache in my chest as my mind drifted to thoughts of Avery, but I inhaled sharply and tried to think of something else. I didn't deserve her, and she would be so much better off without an incompetent mother.

Clutching my backpack, I made my way through the slightly crowded bus station and out onto the street. My mother only lived five blocks from here; I'd surely be able to walk. So I made my way through the streets, keeping my head ducked the entire time, occasionally reaching up to wipe tears out of my eyes. I had expected to miss Avery, but I hadn't expected the consequences of my rash decision to hurt so badly. My arms and legs felt like they were on fire, and part of me wanted to run back to Forks and stay with Avery forever. I quickly tried to shake those feelings away, trying to tell myself that she didn't need me; a sorry excuse for a mother.

By the time I reached my mother's small townhouse, I was shivering so hard that my teeth were chattering and my face felt numb.

I hadn't seen my mother for nearly sixteen months, and I missed her so much. I just wished she would take me in, because I really needed her right now. And then I realized that there were going to be times when Avery would really need me, and I wouldn't be there. But I had to keep telling myself that she wouldn't remember me, and that she would have Edward instead. And Edward was a far better parent, and person, than I was.

I had to calm myself down before I rang the doorbell, breathing heavily and biting my lip. And only a few seconds after the doorbell rang out, the door swung open and my mother stood before me. She stared at me and the smile slid off her face, her jaw dropping. "Bella…what are you doing here?" Renée asked, and I could hear hardness and detachment in her voice.

"I…I want to come home." I managed to say, my teeth still chattering almost violently.

Renée continued to stare at me, but eventually straightened up and opened the door up wider. "Why don't you come inside and we can talk?" I nodded and followed her inside, relaxing immediately as I was surrounded by warmth and comfort and familiarity. "What's going on, Bella? After you…got pregnant, I told you that I could no longer take care of you. You're an adult now, and you have a family to take care of." Renée said sternly, glancing over her shoulder at me as she led me into the living room.

"I left. I can't do it anymore…I left her with Edward and I want my life back." I said evenly, although tears started to pool in my eyes as I once again thought of my seven month old daughter.

"You left?" Renée asked loudly, and I nodded stiffly again, rubbing my hands together to warm them up a little bit.

"I can't do it anymore." I repeated. "I'm not a good mother and I resented nearly every part of it! The only thing keeping me around was Avery, and I realized that she'll be better off without me. Edward is a better parent than I am, and-"

Renée interrupted me, holding her hand up. "You think this twenty year old boy is going to be able to take of your daughter alone?"

"He has a job." I said weakly, not looking Renée in the eye.

"What about daycare? I'm guessing you stayed home with the baby while he worked- now what is he going to do?" Renée questioned me, and I instantly felt a deep blush appear on my face. "Bella, you can't just run away from the mess that you created and expect him to clean up after you and keep it all together. I know that you're young, but now you have responsibilities and a daughter-"

"Stop taking his side!" I shouted, tears running down my face. "I had to grow up way too fucking fast and I never got to have a teenage life! I'm a shitty mom and I don't want to fuck up Avery's life anymore than I already have!"

Renée fell silent as I started sobbing, and she reached over and started rubbing gentle circles on my back, whispering softly in my ear. "I'm not taking any sides." She soothed me, but I continued to cry. "But…you've got obligations, Bella. You…you had unprotected sex when you were young with a man you didn't love- let alone know, and the consequence of that was having to give up the rest of your teenage life."

Anger flared up in me, and I looked up and glared at Renée through my onslaught of tears. "Well, you didn't help much! You kicked me out of the house and forced me to live with Charlie. I could have…I could have…" I trailed off, not even sure of what I had been planning to say. "I'm sorry." I apologized, and Renée continued rubbing my back. "It's not your fault…I just miss her."

"You don't have too. You could go back right now, if you really want to." Renée pointed out.

"No." I whispered, wiping at my eyes with the sleeve of my coat. "I can't…I already left, and I know she'll be so much better off without me. I love her so much…but I was stupid to think I could handle being a mother. And I dragged Edward into it, too. He was good to us, and I threw it all away. But now they don't have to deal with me and they'll both be happier." I said firmly, and Renée sighed.

"Honey, do you really believe that? I'm sure they both miss you-"

"No." I repeated. "Please, mom, please. Can I stay with you? I'll get my GED and get a job and save up for college. Just please, don't make me go back."

Renée stopped rubbing my back and gave me a long, hard look. "I'll make you a deal. If you promise me that you'll write Edward a letter- telling him exactly why you left and telling him that you're sorry, I'll let you stay. And, I still have your college account, so I can help with college even though I still want you to find a job. I'm not saying what you did to Edward and Avery was right…but you're my daughter. You have a lot of growing up to do."

…

Now, Renée might seem in the wrong too. She kind of is, but guys…you would do anything for your child. Anything that seems right, even if it's really not so. I need to address this, also: Renée kicked Bella out because she thought Bella needed to get her own life started. But obviously, Bella has failed at that. And I don't know...I think I'd forgive my daughter for anything if she showed up on my doorstep freezing and crying. But Renee and I are both just big pushovers! And…

SPOILER ALERT: Bella will eventually go back…but not necessarily into open arms, and not too soon, either. She's trying to grow up, even if she's being a brat about it. I know, I'm mad at Bella too because I couldn't imagine leaving my daughter. But let her figure things out, okay?

HEA… HEA… HEA… HEA

Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie