Chapter Elven: There is a Place

Bella's POV

"I give you, New York University's graduating class of 2014!" Dean Gregory exclaimed as I pulled my tassle to the other side. "Congratulations graduates!" He explained as kids threw their hats into the air.

I did it. I'd just graduated my dream school. The school that had given me everything I ever needed to know. Accedemically and about life. After getting my hat back, I went into the sea of black gowns to find Alice and Jasper. They were right where I suspected them to be and before I could go over, Jasper's friends had whisked him away.

Alice spotted me and burst into tears of joy as she ran over to me. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and began to cry too. We did it. College was over and now we had the rest of our lives to look forward to.

"I can't believe it!" Alice squealed as she scanned the crowd for her family. "We did it! We really did it!"

"I know!" I sighed as I hugged her again. "This is so surreal..."

"I know, it's hard to imagine that we won't ever..." She stopped in mid sentence as her eyes grew big with surprise.

"Alice?" I asked as a smile crept onto her face and just pointed for me to look behind me. "Alice, what are you..." I asked as I turned around and met the gaze of familiar blue eyes. "Oh god."

Suddenly, I wasn't thinking at all. I began slowly walking towards him, and we finally met after months apart. We stood silently and starred at each other for what seemed like a century. He gave me a small smile and I came crumbling down. I began sobbing and fell into his tight embrace. I could feel him shaking beneath me and I never felt safer.

"I'm so sorry." He cried. "I'm so sorry."

"You did what you had to do." I sobbed. "You made the choice so I could stay in school. You saved me."

"I left you alone and made you into a whore."

"You didn't do anything wrong." I told him. "You did what you had to."

"You were raped because of me."

"I was raped because Professor Michaelson is a creep who deserves to be in jail."

"I shouldn't have left."

"You had to."

"I'm so sorry."

"I know." I cried as I squeezed him tighter. I lifted my head when I felt someone starring and began crying harder when I saw Emmett standing with Edward who looked so different from the last time I saw him. He was a little taller, a little fatter, and more muscular. He smiled at me and like his dad, burst into tears. I pulled him towards me and Carlisle wrapped his arm around Edward as well.

This was worth everything I'd been through this year. Carlisle leaving, and Jake turning out to be a phony. It was all worth it to be reunited with the people I loved most in the world. I held Edward as tight as I could, almost afraid he'd disappear if I let him go. And I cried into Carlisle's shoulder like the world was ending that night.

"I missed you, Bells." Edward cried after he'd let go of us.

"I missed you too, Edward." I smiled as I gently stroked his cheek.

"Come on, Edward." Emmett smiled. "We're going to let your dad and Bella catch up." He said and Edward happily went with him towards the cookie station. I turned to Carlisle again and his tears were gone and he was now smiling the smile that always made me go weak at the knees.

"I love you so much." He said as he grabbed me and pulled me towards him. His lips met mine with a passion that had been missing for so long. Jake never kissed me like this and I just melted into him and gave into everything we'd both been missing out on for seven months.

"What now?" I asked after we'd pulled apart.

"Now, we figure things out." He laughed as I leaned into him again.

"Isabella Marie." I heard my father growl darkly and I never experienced a cold chill going down my spine like that before. I pulled away from Carlisle and turned around to see my parents looking disappointed and angry. They were holding flowers and I just realized I'd probably ruined what should have been a very happy day for them. Now, I'd have to tell them everything.

"Mom, Dad." I chirped nervously as Carlisle gave my hand a tight squeeze.

"I thought you were going to come find us after." My father said through clenched teeth, unable to keep his eyes off of Carlisle.

"I was looking for you." I shrugged. "It was a big crowd."

"Please tell me you aren't the slut sleeping with a professor." My father accused and my heart stung after he said that to me.

"Charlie," My mother snapped as she moved towards me. "What's going on, Bella." I turned to Carlisle who gave me a loving nod, telling me it was time to tell my parents the truth about us. I took a deep breath and put my arm around his waist and smiled.

"I'm not just a 'slut sleeping with my professor' dad." I sighed. "I'm a girl who is madly in love with this man right here."

"So, he isn't a professor?" My father asked, almost sounding relieved.

"Not...anymore." I gulped.

"Anymore?" My mother asked. "You mean...he was? He taught here at NYU?"

"He was my psyc professor my sophomore year."

"I knew there was a rediculos reason you tried a double major!" My father huffed. "Did you get him fired, Bella?"

"I left on my own." Carlisle interjected. "I was offered a job in Pittsburgh and took it. My ex-wife died at the start of Bella's sophomore year and it was very difficult for my son to move on while living here. So, I took the job at Pitt and moved us there this year."

"You left on your own?" My mother asked while I just looked up at him. He gave me a gentle wink, and reassured me to trust him. "You didn't get fired?"

"No." He smiled. "While the relationship Bella and I have been in was...unethical...we were very careful and resposible."

"And what kind of relationship was that, Professor?" My father barked. "Because I am a cop and I will arrest you..."

"Dad, I was over the age of consent when Carlisle and I started seeing each other." I told him. "And yes, Dad. I am not a virgin. Haven't been for a while."

"Did he pressure you?"

"No, dad." I sighed. "I lost it when I was still in Forks."

"Bella,"

"Well, you asked." I told him. "Look, I love Carlisle. This isn't just some fling or cliche to be with a professor."

"Bella, what about the age difference?" My mother asked. "He has a child."

"Who I loved deeply." I sighed. "Mom, we aren't that far in age."

"Please tell me he's younger than your mother."

"Yes, he is." I sighed, turning back to my mother. "I love Edward more than anything."

"And the only reason he wanted to stay in New York was because of Bella." Carlisle told them. "Mr. and Mrs. Swan, I love your daughter very much and I would never do anything to hurt her. Everyday we spent apart this year was absolutely miserable and honestly, I don't want to be away from her again."

"Well, she's fresh out of college, buddy." My father growled. "So, you may have to spend more time apart for her job."

"Actually, I got offered a job in Pittsburgh." I told my father. "At the Post-Gazzette."

"You never mentioned it." My mother said.

"Well, when Carlisle left we agreed to...take a break...and we weren't sure if we'd get back togehter." I explained which was totally true. "So, I wasn't sure if I was going to take it."

"You took it cause of him?" My father asked. "I hope this is the best job offer you got and you aren't taking it for some guy."

"I got offered a job at the Times," I sighed. "But, Pittsburgh has everything I want. Not just a good job."

"I'll take care of her sir, you can count on that."

"You left her once, how do I know you won't do it again?"

"Because, she's graduated now and no one can interfere with us." He said. "Plus, my son is very happy where he is and I wouldn't dare uproot him again. He means more to me than Bella does."

"Which is exactly as it should be." My mother smiled at me. "I trust him, Charlie. He seems to love Bella very much and they seem genuinley happy."

"I'm watching you." He huffed as he walked away. My mother told me we'd meet at the parking lot when she found him so we could go out with Alice, Jasper and their families.

"You and Edward should come." I told him as I slipped my gown off. "It would be good to talk to my father around more people. He'll have to be at least civil towards you."

"I don't want to intrude."

"I haven't seen you in seven months." I reminded him. "If you don't say yes, I'm going to blow them off and go fuck you in your car."

"Then no." He laughed. "Bella, I'm not your dads favorite person right now."

"Neither am I." I laughed. "Come on, there will be plenty of people to distract him."

"This is what you want?"

"This is what I want."

"Then I'd be happy to join you and your family out to dinner."

Waking up the next morning had to be the best expierience I'd had in a while. I was snuggled into Carlisle's side and I could hear Edward snoring down the hall. I turned onto my side and just gazed at Carlisle as he slept. Since Edward and his parents were here, we spent our first night back together talking. Just talking. He told me how nice Pittsburgh was and how great Edward was doing in school. I told him about Alice and Jasper's engagement and the countless days in therapy after the rape.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there." He cried after I told him exactly what happened. "I should have been there."

"If you had been there, it would have been even harder to go back home." I assured him. "I had Alice and Jasper. I was really okay."

"But you didn't have me."

"No, I didn't." I said. "But, I got through it anyway and I'm okay now."

"You are?"

"As okay as I can be." I sighed. "I don't think I'll ever be one hundred percent okay and it will always haunt me. But, it's in my past and I have the most wonderful people in my life to get me through tough times. You're back in my life and that's all I care about."

"You don't have to worry about me going anywhere, ever again.

I trusted him completely.

"Are you starring at me?" He grumbled as he shifted.

"No, I'm gazing." I laughed as I brushed my lips against his. "How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in months." He smiled as he rolled me over on my back and rolled on top of me.

"Your son and parents are in the next room." I reminded him.

"Tonight." He smirked as he gave me another kiss and shifted next to me again. He brought me close to his side and we just laid together, enjoying the closeness. It had been too long since I smelled his cologne or felt his mucsles beneath me. I missed everything about him. After a half hour laying together, we finally got out of bed when we heard clatter in the kitchen.

Carlisle and I spent the day with Edward. As much as I missed Carlisle, I missed Edward just as much and needed to spend time with him as well. We took him to his favorite pizza place and down to a small practice field. Even with Carlisle and I ganging up on him, he still scored more goals than we did...and it was two against one.

"Damn, Edward." I panted after we'd called a quits. "You're fantastic."

"Thanks." He smiled. After that, we hit an ice creme shop before heading home. Carlisle had booked us a hotel room so we could finally be alone and his grandparents were taking him on a night on the town. He loved Pittsburgh, but New York City would always be his home. After they headed out, Carlisle dragged me to the car and drove to the hotel.

I was speechless when he pulled up to one of the nicest hostels in the city.

"Carlisle, this is too much." I protested.

"Look, I love you and I want to make this night special."

"It would be special in a less expensive hotel."

"Hey, I haven't spoiled you in seven months." He laughed. "Please, just let me do this."

"Okay," I sighed in agreement because I really did want to stay there. We checked in and made our way up to our room. When the door was shut, he dropped our bags and spun me around. He crashed his lips into mine and the world went dark. The only thing there was, was Carlisle. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and began playing with the hem of his shirt.

He picked me up off the ground and began carrying me to the bedroom and when he set me down again, I pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his well sculpted abdomen. I softly ran my hands over his stomach and smiled. It was just like I remembered. I looked up and met his eyes and smiled as he pulled my shirt over my head, and pulled my bra over my shoulders, leaving me completely bare.

He gently picked me up again and put me onto the bed and crawled on top of me. He began kissing my neck and continued to kiss down my stomach until he reached my belly button, causing me to convulse with pleasure. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled him back up to my lips and reached out to unbutton his jeans. I pushed them down his legs, leaving him in just his boxers. I pushed his boxers down and left him bare. Just the way I liked him.

He pulled my leggings down my legs along with my underwear, leaving both of us naked. His lips met mine again and we continued to just kiss and feel each other, taking the time to remember each other before he finally pushed up onto his knees. He softly positioned himself at my entrance and looked at me, making sure it was okay. I smiled at him while nodding and he slowly pushed into me.

"Oh, god!" I moaned as he began to slowly pump in and out of me. It had been too long since I was with him and I was ready to explode within seconds of him being inside me. But, that night we didn't have rough, hot sex. We made tender love and made promises to each other. That night, we promised to always love each other and always be with one another.

"So, you're really taking that job in Pittsburgh?" My father huffed a week after my graduation. Him and my mom were flying home and I wasn't going with them...and that's something they thought would happen.

"Yeah, I really am." I sighed. I knew how much he hated the situation, but I just prayed he'd still be supportive.

"You need anything at all...you just call." He sighed, trying to be tough about the situation but I knew he was heartbroken. His little girl was all grown up and moving on with her life.

"I know, dad." I smiled. "I've always called when I needed you. Always."

"And if this...this thing with...Carlisle...doesn't work out," He told me. "You come home. We'll always be there for you, baby girl."

"Dad," I cried, wrapping my arms around him. "I'll be fine."

"I just want whats best for you, sweetie."

"Carlisle is whats best for me, dad." I smiled. "Carlisle's the only person who's actually been there for me. I trust him, and you need to trust me."

"I do trust you." He sighed. "Its just...you've never had the best luck..."

"Dad, Carlisle isn't going to rape me." I assured him. "One of the only thing he wants to do right now is kill Professor Michaelson."

"Really?"

"One of the first things he said to me." I told him. After I said goodbye to my mother and gave him one last hug, they got into their cab. I wanted as they drove away and turned back to Carlisle. We were going to have dinner with Emmett and his family and then the next morning, we were leaving for Pittsburgh. We spent the rest of the night with his parents and Edward before going to bed.

"I don't wanna leave." I sighed. I knew he had a life and job he had to get back to and pulling Edward out of school for a week was rediculose in the first place, but it was true. New York had been my home for four years, it was weird thinking this was it.

"Me either." He told me as he threw a sweated in his duffle bag. I rolled my eyes as I went over to him and found everything just rolled up in a ball. "Can you tell I hate packing?"

"Go watch TV with your parents." I sighed. "I'll do this."

"I can do it."

"Really?" I mocked as I pointed to his bag. He turned red before kissing my cheek and going downstairs. As I was putting the last shirt into his bag, there was a soft knock at the door. "Come in."

"Hello," I heard his fathers voice greet softly.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Cullen?" I asked as my body stiffened. I was afraid he hated me even more since his worst fear came true when Carlisle lost his job at NYU because of me.

"You don't need to be so formal, girl." He chuckled as he sat down on the bed. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure," I smiled as I put his shampoo and conditioner into the bag.

"I wanted to apologize."

"Apologize?" I asked. "For what?"

"The way I acted towards you when you and my son began seeing each other." He sighed. "No matter how afraid I was for him, that didn't give me the right to call you...a whore."

"Mr...George...that was a while ago."

"I know, but I never did apologize like I should have." He sighed. "It may have been wrong, but my son was happy with you. He smiled like he did before Esme cheated and Edward told me he was singing in the shower. He was happy and that's what should have mattered."

"You know Esme cheated?" I asked since Carlisle told me they didn't know and he told them things just weren't working.

"Yes, I know." He told me. "I wish I didn't, but I do. I figured it out when Carlisle went into such a depression that Helen and I watched Edward for two weeks before he could even get out of bed."

"He was depressed?"

"Very much." He said. "I figured he wouldn't have been that devestated if things just...'weren't working out' I know my son better than anyone."

"I want you to know...that I would never hurt Carlisle." I assured him. "Ever."

"I know." He smiled. "And so does Carlisle."