Bella POV

I explained what happened to Angie and she took the first flight out of California. I gave her directions to get to the cabin. She made it that night, bringing Brad and George and a whole box of liquor. We talked and talked all night. I cried and they helped me out so much. The crying actually helped me out a lot – it helped me empty out all my negative feelings out of my soul, out of my heart.

We all fell asleep on Jacob's king size bed. It was so funny how we were. Brad held Angie as she and I held hands tightly and George held me. We were fully clothed but we were tightly intertwined. I couldn't sleep anymore and finally wiggled out of bed to start some coffee. As I was drinking my cup, George found me on the porch swing wrapped around some kind of blanket looking at the forest.

"Hi honey."

"Hi to you too."

I moved over and he sat next to me under the covers.

"Bella, I am sorry for everything."

"George it wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was. I pushed you. I should have waited until you were emotionally ready and when I knew the idiot of Edward would be emotionally ready too. It's just Demetri…"

"Babe, I know – he was going down, how could you refuse him? How could you refuse his last request? I don't blame you. I don't even blame Edward. I should have waited. I should have made sure Edward had grown up. George, I am only 26 years old. He is as well. George, it was a mistake – a huge mistake on my part to even consider anything right now. I have to mourn. I have to also live. I have to change. I have to start thinking better about myself. I have to be more confident and I just have to be me."

He held me so tightly, "I knew you were going to come out to be a better you Bella. You know too that I love you and you will always be my life. I love you so much and it hurts me so that Edward did what he did. Promise me something though – don't let go of Mina. She loves you and I know you love her."

I would never let go of Mina. Never – she is and will always be my life.

As Brad and Angie woke up, we all decided it was time for me to slowly come back to the real world. It was a Friday and we decided to stay at Angie's place instead of my apartment. Once there, I would be able to see the Cullen's slowly. I also wanted to do a lot more things – the first thing was cut my hair. I felt that I needed to change everything. Style, makeup, hair, clothes – everything. Angie called her personal stylist to meet us at her place tomorrow. She was bringing the big guns too – Tim Gunn. He was bringing hairstylists and makeup artist to get me a new look. I needed this – I needed to change. This would be better for me in the long run.

Around 5:30pm we arrived at the apartment. I just plopped myself on the sofa as Brad plopped himself next to me. George was getting a bottle of water as Angie was on the phone confirming appointments for tomorrow. The doorbell rang and we all looked at each other trying to figure out who sold us out. In a minute, this little pixie of a woman jumped on me and held me like there was no tomorrow. She was crying in my arms – Alice – little strong Alice was just sobbing.

"Alice, what's wrong?"

"Oh Bella, we were just worried. I was just so worried." I noticed Jasper sneaking on my right side and smiling at me.

"Ah, Alice, I would never leave you guys – you know that. I just needed to think things out and I just needed to be alone."

"But you called Angie.."

"Alice – this is no time to be jealous. Angie and I go way back and well, we are sisters and well, it just happened. I came back though and I do need your help."

"Anything Bella!"

"Hi Jazzy!"

He gave me the biggest kiss on my cheek "Welcome back sweetheart. I am so happy you are back. I missed you so much."

I smiled back "I missed you too."

Rosalie, Esme and Carlisle followed in with Rosalie carrying Mina. I got up after telling Alice to get off of me and I ran to hug Esme first, then Carlisle and then Rosalie. Mina was screaming momma and I took her in my arms and adored her with kisses as she giggled her way more into my heart. As George came by my shoulder as I carried Mina, Emmett came in with Edward. Emmett was holding Edward by his neck. Emmett started talking:

"Bella, Edward is here to apologize…"

"Emmett, please let him go and don't make him apologize for something he doesn't want to. I am over it ok Emmy."

He saw my face and let him go. Then Emmett just came over to me and picked me up and held me tight in his arms. He didn't have to say a word, but I knew he was with me 100%. I was in my own little world when screaming started.

"You low life, you bastard – what the hell are you doing here?"

It was Angie – she was in Edward's face about to kill him. Emmett let me go and I went next to her as did Brad and George was right next me. I didn't even look at Edward.

"Angie, it's not worth it. Calm down – alright."

"No Bella, he needs to know how worthless he is. He is just scum – a piece of shit."

"Angie, enough! Please – his daughter is here and no matter what, we have to think of her."

"Bella, why? Why are you this? He didn't care about her when he was sticking his dick up that skank!"

"Angie – calm down. Really – it isn't worth you getting a heart attack for this. It had happened and it's done. There is nothing else that can be done."

Edward then had to say something…

"Bella, I'm really sorry – I didn't mean it to happen…."

Then it happened – both Brad and George took a shot at Edward at the same time dropping him to the floor. I screamed to stop and they did. The bad part was that no one from his family was helping him up.

"Guys – help him up – my god, he is still your brother."

Emmett started "I refuse to help him or talk to him Bella. What he did is unforgivable? How can you?"

"Emmy, really, if I think about it, well it will worsen my life and my heart. I don't ever want to be like him – heartless, conniving, stupid, and ass. If I don't forgive, I can't continue with my life. Forgive Emmy. All of you – just forgive. The hardest part is to forget and that my friend will be the testimony of my life."

Edward looked at me "You forgive me?"

"Edward – you weren't ready for this and it wasn't fair for Demetri to do what he did. You are still a child and well, you will probably always be a child. I need a man in my life – a man who first respects me – a man who will love me – a man who will be my friend as my lover. That man will never be you because you will never grow up. Demetri was a man but unfortunately our love wasn't meant to be. Now, it's time for me to mourn, to live my life and to change. If my life is destined to have a man in my life to love me, then I will be the luckiest woman on this earth. For now, I will be content with how life is."

After I said that, Jasper and Emmett helped Edward up and I took Mina and we looked out the window. Change will be good.