Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. SM does.

Author's note at the end is VERY important. Read to find out how you can get deleted scenes ;)

BPOV

Over the next two weeks, Alice had kept my secret. Well, mostly. She had told Rose since they were so close to each other. I didn't mind. I was just relieved that they weren't treating me any different.

Currently, it was about eight at night. I told the Cullen's that I was taking another work day to catch up on some articles. However, in reality, I was putting a scrapbook together that held the fondest moments of my vacation. The idea came to me a few days ago when I was laying in bed. I was trying to think of a way to repay them for all their kindness and this was the only way I could think of to truly show them how grateful I was.

The next day, I told Edward I had to go to the store to pick up some things. He, being the intelligent man he is, noticed that I was not running low on food and couldn't possibly see what I needed to buy. So, to shut him up, I told him tampons. Needless to say, he had backed off. I bought the book and printed multiple photos, half were of Edward and I(where we were completely unaware of the camera). That could only mean one person: Alice. To this very minute, I have successfully hid my creation from their sight.

As I glued yet another picture into the pages, my phone began to ring.

"Fuck." I pushed all the scraps around trying to search for my hidden phone. At last, I found it and whipped it open, hoping not to miss the call.

"Hello?" I muttered. I searched for a pen and scribbled a date along with a caption underneath the photo.

"Bella! Where the hell have you been?" The pen dropped out of my hands and I held the phone tightly against my ear.

"Mom?"

"Of course it's your mother! I have been so worried about you. You only called once and that was more than three weeks ago!"

"Don't even give me that crap. I have been emailing you every two days and you know it."

"You write two sentences per email. It's the same thing every time: 'I'm fine. I've been busy.' What exactly have you been doing this past month?"

"I met some people. We've been hanging out ever since. And before you freak out, I've been sending all of my writing to my boss so it's not like I'm slacking down here."

"Well, I think it's time you come home." I immediately grew angry.

"I really don't think that's up to you." I said through gritted teeth.

"I am your mother and you are getting on the next plane heading towards home. It's been almost a month and it's time to come back. You have a responsibility to your job, and your family."

"But my family is here." I countered.

"Bella." Her tone held a warning that if I continued to argue, she would personally take it upon herself to drag my ass back to New York.

I sighed, knowing that she was right. She always was. "Fine, I'll come back. Give me a few more days."

"Good. You have two days. I already booked your flight to leave August 2nd. Your flight leaves around noon, I'll pick you up at the airport. I can't wait to see you! Bye honey." She hung up before I could fully grasp what she was saying.

Of course. She would have already booked my flight. She knew exactly how this phone call was going to go. Mothers.

I chucked my phone at the couch before letting out a scream of frustration. How was I supposed to tell the others?

----

That night, I finished the photo album and closed it with a sigh. Each picture was different from the other; each one printed into my memory.

I slid the album into my bag and headed to the bedroom where I drifted into sleep. I knew tomorrow would be one hell of a day.

---

It was already one in the afternoon when I made it to their house. The bag was in my hand as I tried to put on a smile. On the inside, I was crushed. Today would be the last full day with them. A wave of depression passed through me. How could I live without them? They were my second family. And although it had been only a month, I had fallen in love. Not just with Georgia, for I knew I would be visiting soon. But also with Edward. I had taken this vacation in order to escape the grief of the miscarriage and Edward, unbeknownst to him, had the ability to take away the pain whenever he was near. And here I was. Standing on the porch of their mansion, probably for the last time. I took everything knowing that I would tell them right away so that we could spend more time together. But first, there was something I needed to do.

A door clicking snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Hey Bella! Come on in. The family's in the living room." Alice said as she tried to reach for my bag. "What's in there?" She cocked her head to the side as she tried to peek.

"Be patient, Alice. You will see shortly. I need to talk to you and Rose first." My voice had cracked towards then end and I tried to smile to let her know I was okay. But I couldn't and I wasn't.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes…" Real convincing, Bella. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "No. I'm not. And you two need to hear this before I tell the others." I tried to make myself look strong when on the inside I was crumbling.

"Okay…um. I-I'll go get Rose. Meet us upstairs, I'll think of a cover story as to why we suddenly disappeared." Worry was etched in her tone as she debated on leaving me alone.

"Thank you." I debated stopping there. However, my mouth had other plans. "For everything." I ran up the stairs before I could see the confusion flash in her eyes. I securely held onto the bag as I waited for them to join me. At this moment, the book I had made was all I had. It was my memories, my reminders. Of who I was, and how one family had given me the one thing, one feeling, that I never truly held: the feeling of being wanted.

I tapped my foot against the floor as I heard a shuffling of feet down the hall before they stopped in front of the door.

"Bella? It's me and Alice. Is it okay to come in?" Rose's voice was a whisper and you could tell she was distressed.

I nodded my head before slapping my head and letting out a quiet 'yes.' The opened the door and immediately came to sit down next to me.

"What's the matter, sweetie? Did something happen since yesterday?" A comforting hand was placed on my back as Rose rubbed small circles.

"I-I-" The words were on the tip of my tongue yet I struggled to get them out.

"You know you can tell us anything. We won't be mad, I promise." But you will. I've seen the possible outcomes of this situation and if there is one thing I know for sure, it is that this will not end well.

"I'm leaving." The words rushed out me and just as predicated, a silence filled the room. I could feel the water gathering in my eyes.

"When?"

"Tomorrow." A sudden pain ripped through my chest as each passing moment made the thought of my departure that much more real. I clutched in vain to get my heart under control.

"Bella!" The two girls shouted at the same time before getting me to come back to them.

"Honey, are you okay?" Alice looked as though she was about to run and get Carlisle any second.

"I'm fine. I just… I don't want to leave. You guys are my family. I don't think I could stand losing you guys too." Three. Two. One. The tears had spilled over and I slid to the ground as I held my head in my hands. Alice and Rose mimicked me as they cradled me in a comfort hug.

"Why do you have to leave? If you don't want to, then you shouldn't have to." Alice said and Rosalie agreed.

I sighed. If only it were that easy. "My mother called me two nights ago. When I came here, I never expected to get so attached. I thought I would just stay to myself and think everything through. But you guys came along and I knew I would eventually have to go. But each day, we grew closer and here we are. But I had promised my mom I would only stay a month and then return straight home and focus on my job instead of wallowing. She informed me that she had already booked my flight and that I was heading home whether I liked it or not."

"Surely she can't force you to go home?"

"I'm afraid she can and she did. And deep down, whether I refuse to acknowledge it or not, I know she's right. I have my work to get back to."

"We're going to miss you. So, so much. Carlisle and Esme will be devastated. They look at you as their own child. Even Emmett and Jasper will hurt. And of course, me and Rose."

"You know I'll miss you too. There won't be a second that goes by that I won't think of all of you. There's just one thing that I'm scared about." I bit my lip in a desperate attempt to calm myself.

"What is it?" Both of them had sat up straighter and waited patiently for me to continue.

"How do I tell the rest of them. Especially Edward. I don't want him to hate me."

"That's a tricky one. But I know for a fact that Edward will not hate you. I can see you two like each other but deep down, we all knew you wouldn't be staying for long. Even our family has to leave some time. We just like to spend the longest time possible down here before we get sucked up in the real world once again. As for the family, you should probably tell them tonight at dinner. We'll celebrate your time here until you'll have to leave."

"That's a good idea. I don't know what I would do without you two." I brought my arms around them and gathered them into a hug.

"Your like a sister to us. We don't have a lot of close friends back where we come from, we usually keep to ourselves. But you've easily brought a new sense of life to this family and we can't thank you enough for coming into our lives. And we will definitely be keeping in touch. You can't get rid of us just by leaving, you can count on that." Alice sniffled at the end of her rant as we all laughed and cried hysterically at the same time.

"Oh! Before I forget." I twisted my body so that I could peer over the top of the bed. I quickly spotted the bag I had brought and brought it to my lap. I gently took out the scrapbook and traced the title. The brown background looked worn and faded as four words were written elegantly in a gold font. Once Upon A Time…

Two audible gasps could be heard on either side of me and I smiled to myself in appreciation. I handed the book to them. "Look at it after I've left."

"Bella! You shouldn't have! Just the cover looks fantastic." Tears were brimming in all of our eyes once again and I hugged them.

"I have you guys to thank. You have all been so nice to me. Thank you. We should head downstairs. I don't want your family thinking I kidnapped you guys." We stood on shaky legs as we tried to make ourselves look more presentable.

"Let's go." I said as we made our way downstairs.

----

"Bella, dear, there you are! We were just about to go check on you." Esme said as she came to give me a hug.

"Oh, I'm fine. I was just asking Alice and Rose a favor." I forced my lips to curve upwards although it probably looked more like a grimace than a smile.

I felt someone standing behind me I cautiously turned. There stood Edward in all of his glory. "Bella, how are you today."

I felt a stab in my heart. "I'm lovely. And yourself?" My eyes searched his green emeralds as he smiled my favorite crooked smile.

Flashing his white teeth, he said, "Better now that you're here. I actually wanted to steal you away for a moment or two if that's okay with the rest of the family?" He looked around and everyone except Rose and Alice practically shooed us away. He led me down a hall and entered a room I hadn't seen before. The room itself was huge and the walls were lined with benches. A Grand piano was placed in the center of the room.

Leading me towards the piano bench, he held my hand in his as we sat down.

"I was thinking and I believe that I owe you a mini concert." His green eyes flashed to mine and my heart melted. But I couldn't shrug off the feeling that something was going to go bad.

"I believe you do. What are you going to play?" I leaned forward and examined the title's of the innumerably papers. He pushed some aside and pointed to a sheet that caused my jaw to pop open. The name? Bella's Lullaby.

He didn't make a piece just for me, did he? "I don't believe I have heard this song before." I muttered.

He chuckled. "Bella, I composed it for you."

"But--why?" I sputtered.

"You inspire me." That was all he said until he faced the keys and began to play. He played like a professional and immediately I was entranced into the melody being played. My eyes closed on their own accord and I became immersed in his playing.

He wrote it for me. I sighed before realizing that the piece had come to an end.

"I haven't figured out the ending yet. But I guess it will come to me in time. What did you think?" His eyes anxiously looked in mine and I wanted to cry and laugh from the mixed emotions I was feeling.

"It was beautiful. I love it. You're a wonderful pianist."

We gazed into each others eyes as our heads pulled towards each other. I hadn't realized what was happening until I was kissing him. The taste of his lips on mine sparked a new emotion in me. Lust. I tangled my hands into his messy locks and pulled him closer. He responded with a moan.

And then I realized what exactly was happening. I was leaving tomorrow and he was making it very difficult for me to go. I immediately pulled back and put space between us.

"Edward, this won't work." I ran my fingers through my hair as he stared at me with a confused and hurt look.

"I'm sorry. I kind of sprang on you. We should take it slower." He replied.

"That's not what I meant. I meant this-" I pointed to him and me. "- won't work."

His eyes filled with anger. "And why not. Since when were you the only making these types of decisions." His voice was accusing.

"Edward, trust me. If this was a different situation. A different life. Then I would give it all I had to make this work. But this is reality, and it won't."

"Why not?" He gritted out between his teeth. His hands had balled into fists and he pushed himself away from the piano.

I was hoping we could avoid the 'why.' "I-I just know."

"Dammit Bella! What kind of an excuse is that?! If you don't want to be with me then just say it. Say something, because I don't know about you, but I think we definitely could be something. I may not know what we could be but at least I'm willing to give it a try. While you. You aren't even trying to make an effort." He pinched the bridge of his nose as he paced back and forth. "What I'm trying to say is that I like you Bella. More than I should but I can't help the way I feel. Before you came, I had always been fine with being single. I thought it was easier that way. But then, when I was with you, you made me feel, you made me whole. And every time you went back to your cabin, the feeling of loneliness would appear and it was like I was dying."

"I feel the same way about you but this can't work out between us! I just-- ugh! I'm so frustrated. I would do anything to make this work but the truth is, we barely know each other."

"Bullshit. Over the past month, I have gotten to see the real you. I know who you are. And you know who I am. So what is the real reason why this won't work?" He demanded.

I rubbed my forehead and sat down on a bench using the wall as a support for my back.

"I'm leaving." I mumbled.

"I'm sorry. What? I don't think I heard you correctly."

"I'm leaving. Tomorrow to be exact. I'm sorry." My face crumpled as I saw his eyes flash with pain. But he instantly covered it up as he put on a blank mask. I couldn't stand the silence.

"Edward, say something."

"Well, I guess we both knew one of us would be leaving sooner or later. I guess I'm just surprised because I thought we were friends. Friends who told each other when they were going to leave. Or were you not even going to say goodbye? You thought you could just up and leave and go on to live your life. You probably won't even remember us."

His words were like a knife to the heart. I wrapped my arms around my legs as I curled myself into a ball. Tears were pouring down my cheeks.

"Edward, you know I could never forget--"

"Save the lies, Bella. I think you should leave. I can't deal with this right now." He turned his back on me and I debated whether or not I should comfort him. I decided against it and practically ran out the door and tried to find Alice and Rose.

I probably looked mad as tears were streaming down my face and my hair was in every direction. I slowed down my pace to a jog as I entered the living room. The Cullen's were all sitting down and looked at me in shock.

A/N: You guys didn't think this story would be all fluff did you? : )

I'm evil but I can admit it. This author's note is EXTREMELY important for several reasons. So bear with me, a hundred more words won't hurt.

First, have any of you noticed how I don't update on a regular schedule? Raise your hand. (Raises her own hand and hides her shameful eyes from view.) Well guess what? For those of you who review, I'll send you a deleted scene. Can you guess where the scenes will come from? The scrap book! But your review can't just be, "give me the damn excerpt." Let's be a little more creative, I know you can do it! So, leave a review and a REGISTERED name so that I can send you the mini story in a PM. Keep an eye out on your inbox.

The first picture: A chiseled looking Emmett, holding a certain brunette above his head as he threatens to throw her in. And don't forget the bronze haired God who doesn't look to happy in the background. Are you curious as to what goes down in the lake? I know I am.

By the way, I won't be home every second of the day so if you review, give me a day, two at tops, to send you the little excerpt. This will continue for many chapters to come. So while you're waiting for me to update again, indulge yourself in fluff.

Next, I'm thinking about changing the story name. Ideas would be appreciated. Review to show some love. And I'll give you some love back.

Until next time my lovely readers,

Kristi