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Chapter 13

Bella's POV

After I had a quick shower I came down, carrying my bag that now contained my dirty clothes. Everyone was staring at me like if they had never seen me before.

"That's what I talked about Bella! See that dress looks lovely on you." Alice squealed. I wonder if she ever stops thinking about clothes and fashion.

"Alice is absolutely right about the dress." Esme complimented me. Thank god I can't blush!

"You look hot Bella!" Emmett stated. Rosalie smacked him.

"Mommy what does that mean? And why does everyone say that about you? You can't have fever, right?" Lizzie asked with a puzzled expression. That's it! I will kill Emmett! What is he doing to my baby girl?

"Huh… Mommy will tell you when you're older. Is that okay? It's grown-up things." I tried to explain. I glared at Emmett.

"It's fine mommy. You always look like a princess when you wear that dress."

"Thanks honey. Aren't you hungry?" When I changed I noticed that the yogurts and the fruit I had packed for them were still in my bag.

"Yes, but we want to give you the presents we made first." Lillian said impatiently dragging me to the couch and forcing me to sit next to Luke.

"What did you made me?" I asked. I don't like to receive presents but just because I don't like people spending money on me. This was different.

"We made charms for the bracelet uncle Jacob gave you." Luke said happily. Jacob gave me the bracelet after the triplets were born. Back then it hold just five little wooden charms: tree baby strollers, a wolf and a heart. During these last five years Jacob has been adding some and now that my kids learned the technique, they do it too.

"Let's see then."

"I made an L; it stands for Lizzie, Lilly, Luke and love." Lizzie said smiling. They had already put little cufflinks on the top of the charms so I only had to interlock them on the bracelet.

"Now, it's my turn. I made a strawberry because that's it's how you smell." Luke said handing me a small strawberry.

"And I made a chocolate bar because your hair is brown like chocolate and we love chocolate and we also love you…" I laughed.

"Thanks honey. Now come here and give me a hug." The three of them came hug me at the same time. I love them so much. I would die for them without a second thought. "Have you given the knives back to your uncle?" They immediately handed the knives back to Luke. I reached for my bag and took the yogurts handing one to each one of them.

"How was your hunt?" Luke asked.

"Fine."

"You'll take us next time, right?" Lilly asked.

"Sure sweetheart. I promise." I said caressing her hair. My cell rang. Was it me or my cell always rang when I was at the Cullen's.

"Bella?" I didn't recognize the voice and I didn't know the number either.

"May I know who I'm speaking with?" I politely asked.

"I should be upset that you don't recognize my voice, I thought we were friends but I don't think we ever spoke at the phone so you're forgiven." I was a really bad friend if I couldn't recognize my friend's voice. "It's David, Bella. Green eyes, blond hair… I work with your brother at the hospital…"

"Oh David! I'm so sorry."

"It's fine Bella. So… I called because… huh… I… wanted to… ask you something." He stuttered. He seemed nervous.

"Well, go ahead." I encouraged.

"I… wanted to know if you… I wondered if you would like to… catch a movie with me." Was he asking me out? On a DATE? I couldn't believe Natalie was right. I wasn't sure what to answer. Would I want to go on a date with him?

"I… We're out of town." What was I supposed to answer? David was goo-looking and very nice but I didn't know if I could be more than his friend.

"Maybe we can plan something when you come back." He insisted.

"Sure. I'll call you when we go back home." How bad could it be? I could at least go out with him once. It didn't mean we had to do it again or that I had to be his girlfriend. Friends go out with each other too.

"Thanks Bella. I'll be waiting for your call. Bye."

"Bye." I shut the phone. I wondered how he got my number. I was sure I had never given it to him. Only if… I turned my head to my side finding a very amused Luke. "You gave him my number." I accused him playfully, slapping him in the arm while he laughed.

"He's my friend and asked me a favor. What? Would it be that bad to go out with him? He's a very nice guy and you know it, besides he really likes you. Actually I'm surprised he took so long to call. I already gave him your number two days ago."

"I guess not. I'll see when we go back. You could have at least told me. I didn't even recognize him on the phone. I just made a fool of myself." I wept.

"I'm sure he didn't notice. He was too nervous; he couldn't even form a coherent sentence." Luke continued to laugh.

"Excuse me. I'm going to get some air. I'll be back soon." Edward said. He looked upset. Why would he be upset? Did I say something wrong?

"Are you okay Edward?" I couldn't stop myself from worrying.

"Just fine." He answered sarcastically, stomping angrily out of the room. What the hell was wrong with him? "What happened in here? Did I miss something?"

"No Bella. Edward is just being an ass for no reason. Don't worry." Rosalie said. I was really impressed. In the past days Rosalie had been really nice, but now that I was a vampire there was no danger that I would expose them, so I guess it made sense. I was very happy we were getting along.

"Okay." I didn't know why, but I was feeling guilty. I don't know what I did or said to make him so upset. Perhaps I should go talk to him… try to figure out why he was so angry. The Cullens were chatting with Luke and the kids. It was so good to see that my two families were getting along. Even thought the Cullens had left me I still considered them my family and even if I tried I couldn't hate them. Lillian was the only one who still offered some resistance but I knew that someday she too would give in. I hoped that my kids would soon look at the Cullens as their family too. Nothing would make me happier.

Everyone was distracted so no one noticed when I left the room and made my way outside. The sun was almost setting and the sky was painted in orange and yellow. Edward stood with his back to the house, looking at the sky. I just wanted to run to him and hug him. It took all my strength not to do it. I couldn't. Suddenly he turned around.

"Bella." He breathed. He was so beautiful. His skin sparkled a little as the last rays of sunshine met his skin.

"Huh… I…" Damn! Even after five years he could dazzle me. He could still leave me speechless with his beauty. "I just wanted to know… if you're okay. You seemed really upset."

"I'm fine, Bella." He insisted. I knew he was lying.

"I'm sorry if I said or did anything that upset you." I apologized.

"It's not your fault. Don't worry Bella. I'll be fine… I can only blame myself." He stared intensely at me, like if he was trying to tell me something. He seemed to be in pain. It broke my heart to see him like that. I just wished I could take his pain away. I longed to hug him, kiss him… I just wish there was something I could do to comfort him. He was suffering but I didn't know why and I couldn't think of any way to comfort him.

He had this crazy, desperate look in his eyes. Though that was not the only thing I saw, there was something else, something I couldn't describe.

He raised his hand and reached for my face. When his skin came in contact with mine I leaned against his hand. I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't stop myself.

"Bella…" The way he said my name made me feel so strange, it felt… right. "Can I hug you?" His voice was so frantic, so full of emotion. It was not smooth and calm like I was used to. I don't remember of ever seeing him like this.

Before I could say something he came closer and held me in his arms. Maybe later this would cause me pain but if took his away, I didn't mind. If this gesture relieved his suffering then I wouldn't mind at all. I fought against the feelings that were threatening to come over, all the words that I had kept in my heart for the last five years. It felt so good to be held for him again.

He tightened his embrace, like if he was afraid I would leave. He buried his head in my hair and inhaled, just like he used to do when we were together. I had to keep remembering myself that we were not together, that he didn't love me anymore. It hurt but I couldn't pull away because this was everything I had wanted to do for the last five years. I had wanted to touch him, to feel that he loved me just one more time. Suddenly he started sobbing, crying tearlessly, and hugged me even tighter.

"Thank you, Bella. Thank you so much." I didn't know what he was thanking me for. I didn't care. All it mattered was that we were together, holding each other. One more time. One last time.

Edward's POV

It tore my heart to hear Bella talking on the phone. It hurt to think of her with someone else. When she agreed to go out with the guy she was talking to on the phone… It was like all the hope that I had been feeling these last couple of days had vanished.

She was saying yes to someone else because I had hurt her, because I had told her the most horrid lies. There was no one else to blame but me. Right now the pain was stronger than the guilt.

When Bella ended the call and started talking to her brother about it, I couldn't take it anymore. It hurt too much so I decided to come outside and see the sunset. It was gorgeous but it had nothing on my Bella. I felt someone behind me and immediately thought of Alice. I quickly spun around ready to send her away when I recognized the person standing in front of me. Bella. My Bella.

Her skin was sparkling because of the sun that was almost set, the wind made her beautiful dress move, flowing around her legs, she was so beautiful. She was an angel, my angel.

"Bella." It felt so right to say her name. It made me feel complete.

"Huh… I… I just wanted to know… if you're okay. You seemed really upset." She had noticed. She cared enough to come outside and see how I was. Maybe there was still hope.

"I'm fine, Bella." I persisted.

"I'm sorry if I said or did anything that upset you." She whispered.

"It's not your fault. Don't worry Bella. I'll be fine… I can only blame myself." If I lost her I wouldn't be able to deal with it. I couldn't lose her now. I was addicted to her. I love her so much, it hurts. My fingers ache to touch her soft skin; my lips burn to kiss hers, every cell in my dead body wishes to feel her. I couldn't stand to be near her without feeling her in my arms. What if this was the last chance I would have to be with her? I couldn't let her go! I panicked. I can't lose her. I love her. I want to tell her the truth, so much.

I slowly raised my hand and touched her face; her skin was smooth and flawless. Surprisingly she leaned against my hand. Touching her face wasn't enough for me. I wanted to hold her, to feel her close to me.

"Bella… Can I hug you?" I was afraid she would reject me so I didn't wait for her answer. I took her in my arms and held her small body against mine with all the strength I had in me. Our bodies fit like pieces of a puzzle. I couldn't let her go. She had to stay with me! What was I going to do without her? How would I be able to survive if she was with someone else? I buried my head in her hair, eager to breath in her sweet smell. She was my angel and I would never let her go. I would die before I lose her to someone else.

A huge hole was open in my chest and only Bella could close it. Only she could stop the pain I was in. Only she could save me. I started sobbing. I couldn't held all this pain inside me for any longer. I was so grateful she hadn't pull away. I tightened my embrace.

"Thank you Bella. Thank you so much." I had so much to thank her for. She had done so much for me. I just wanted to hold her forever. I would never leave her again. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her but I was afraid she would go away. I wasn't ready to let her go yet. I just wanted to hold her a little longer. Who knows when I'll be able to do it again?

"Bella?" Someone called from the inside of the house. Reluctantly I let her go. The places where her body touched mine immediately burned, longing for her.

"I'm going." She turned around and walked to the door. Before getting in she looked one more time at me, smiling sadly.

I had to get her back as soon as possible. She belonged to me and I belonged to her. I wouldn't let a lie to get in the way of our happiness.

***

A few minutes later, Bella, the kids and Luke left. Each day that passed made it more difficult to watch her go. Every day I wished she didn't leave.

"So… will you go?" Rosalie asked sitting beside me.

"Where?"

"To Bella's house tonight. I don't know what happened when you two were here alone but I know that neither of you wanted to part. It's not right. You shouldn't be separated. You love each other to much to bear this. You need her and she needs you. Being like this is only causing more pain to both of you. Honestly, I don't think you can take it anymore. This is tearing you apart Edward. Bella is suffering too. Do you want her to suffer?"

"Of course not."

"Then move your but, go have a shower and go fix this mess." She ordered getting up and leaving. I decide to take her advice. Tonight Bella would believe me. No matter how long it takes for her to believe me, I'll tell her how much I love her and how much I need her I my life.

Bella's POV

The kids had finished their dinner and Luke had already left to the hospital. Lilly and Lizzie were watching a bit of TV while I cleaned the kitchen and Luke (Jr.) was already sleeping. The kitchen was a mess. It took me at least twenty minutes to clean everything. My daughters should be already asleep on the couch.

I made my way to the living room stopping dead on my track when I saw him standing in the middle of the living room, looking lovingly at the girls.

"Edward? How did you came in?"

"The window. I'm sorry. It's the habit."

"What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

"Want to help me to put them in bed?" I asked hopping to delay our conversation.

"Sure." He answered without hesitation. He quietly picked Lizzie up and waited while I did the same with Lilly. Then he followed me to their room. When I looked at him I noticed that Lizzie had already adjusted her position in Edward's arms. She was holding his shirt with her little hands and had her face against his chest.

I laid Lillian in her bed and Edward moved to Lizzie's and did the same, carefully unclasping her little hand from his shirt. He put the covers over her, caressed her face and kissed her forehead. He made his way to Lilly's bed and did the same. I knew he would be a great father. The love he already had for our kids was obvious.

"Luke is in the room in front of this one." I informed him. He instantly headed for our son's room while I kissed our daughters goodnight.

I waited for him in the living room. What we did seemed so right. This was how it was supposed to be all along. For these few minutes we were a normal family. I was brought back from my thoughts when Edward entered the room.

"What do we need to talk about?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Us." He answered shortly. This time I wouldn't be able to escape.

Don't kill me please! Did you liked it? Were you disappointed? I know many of you were waiting that Bella and Edward would talk in this chapter so please don't kill me. I just wanted to give them some time together and a bit of family time before the big talk. Please review. The more reviews I get the faster I'll update. So show me how much you want to read next chapter. If you have questions, ask I promise I answer. Oh! Tell me what you think of Bella's dress. I don't know a lot about dresses because I'm more a jeans-and-t shirt kind of girl so I'd love to know your opinion. Anxiously waiting for your reviews. Hugs