Thanks again for all of your great reviews. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while but my family experienced an unexpected death. For the first time in months, I had a hard time concentrating on Edward and Bella. Thanks for being such awesome readers.

I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 16 – Leaving

BPOV –

I was looking mostly at my feet when we walked into the house. As I glanced up, I suddenly lost barring of where I was. I stopped at the foot of the grand staircase taking in my surroundings. The house that we left fully furnished and inhabited this morning was skeletal and bare only a half a day later.

"Wha," I started to ask but Edward cut me off with a sweet kiss.

"I called them while you were talking to Charlie," he said against my lips. "We're used to packing."

"But, how did you know?" I asked mystified.

He paused for a moment looking intently into my eyes. "I heard what Charlie was going to tell you, and I had a feeling you'd agree."

I just shook my head. "Unbelievable," I mumbled. The power the Cullen's held's continued to amaze me. I glanced around the room taking in the site.

Edward misinterpreted my hesitation. "Bella, there is no hurry. We don't have to leave immediately. Packing for us is as simple as doing laundry," he teased.

"No Edward, that's not it. No, Charlie was right, it's time." I looked up to see Edward's angelic smile. "When are we leaving?" I asked.

"All the final arrangements are being made now. We could be ready to go before sundown but it's up completely up to you. We can leave tomorrow morning, or afternoon, evening, next week, whenever."

I thought about that for a moment. "I wouldn't object to another evening in our room," I suggested, staring down at our entwined fingers.

When I looked back up at him, his angelic smile was replaced by one slightly more devilish. I smiled in return. Edward gently but swiftly took me in his arms and started kissing me before his foot hit the first step. I felt the soft bounce of our bodies as we ascended the stairs toward our room. Edward kicked the door shut behind him once we were inside and he proceeded to carry me to our bed.

Edwards gentle touch was like nothing I'd ever felt before. Nothing would ever compare to what it did to me. It was nearly impossible to remember that we were not the only two people in the universe when we were wrapped up in each other. When he touched me, nothing else in the world mattered, no one else existed except him and me. Our connection was like an open flame to gasoline. Our passion burned until it felt it would consume us and leave nothing but ashes in its wake. Regardless of this or its encompassing it held over me, I knew I'd never resist it, never say no to its seductive call.

"Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping... waiting... and though unwanted... unbidden... it will stir... open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us... guides us... passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love... the clarity of hatred... and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace... but we would be hollow... Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we'd be truly dead." (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Passion - Joss Wheadon)

A bustling of voices from the lower level stirred my consciousness. Our room was dark, lit only by the clouded moon. As I surfaced from my sleep, I realized I was alone. I was not wrapped in Edwards arms nor could I feel the comforting weight of his body next to mine. Slowly, the voices from downstairs became more discernable. I looked at the clock that read 11:54 p.m. in bright green.

"What are you doing here?" an angry voice asked.

"Just give me a minute," a familiar gruff voice pleaded.

I heard Edwards's velvet voice next. "Keep your voices down, Bella is asleep." His tone was polite but rang with definiteness.

There was a short pause before the angry voice whispered. "Say what you want and then go far away."

"I didn't come to talk to you," the gruff voice shot back.

"We'll pass the message along, you aren't going near her," Edward hissed.

Another pause and I realized what was happening. The familiar voice and the even more familiar hostility could only accompany a member of the pack, Jacob.

I jumped out of bed and headed for my clothes, doing my best to ignore the gnawing pest in the pit of my stomach.

EPOV –

"What are you doing here?" Emmett growled. He was clenching and unclenching his fists and jaw leaning toward Jacobs figure in our doorway. Just say the word Edward, one tiny word and I'll knock his teeth through his skull. Just say the word I'm begging you.

Oh calm down. "Just give me a minute," Jacob said.

"Keep your voices down, Bella is asleep," I snapped, looking only into Jacobs eyes. I ached for my Bella. I didn't want her to wake up to this, to see him again.

Edward, he's alone and on our turf, he broke the treaty already, we could use that. Just say the God damn word. "Say what you want then go far away."

"I didn't come to talk to you," and he looked between both Emmett and I. This is between me and Bella.

"We'll pass the message along, you aren't going near her."

Alice appeared behind us, Rosalie and Jasper following her. "What the hell?" Alice and Rosalie thought in unison. Jasper added, "oh boy".

Jacob took in the sight, rendering him outnumbered and his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I just want to talk to her, to apologize. Make it right before you make her a -,"

Emmett's hand wrapped around Jacob's throat so quick, even my eyes didn't keep up with the motion.

"If I hear you say 'filthy bloodsucker' one more time dog, you'll be sucking food through a straw for the rest of your life. I don't appreciate insults against my family in our house."

"Emmett," I said sharply, noticing the darkening of color on Jacobs face.

Emmett dropped his arm. Jacob staged back, out the door and down the steps. He hunched over and started coughing.

"What the hell is going on?" Bella's beautiful panicked voice came from the top of the stairs.

"Oh boy," Jasper thought again. I looked at him, exasperated.

"Bella," Jacob said from outside, still hunched over coughing.

"Jacob?" Bella asked, pushing herself through our anxious formation. I expected Bella to shoo us all away and prepared myself for defiance but instead, she entwined her fingers with mine and pulled me with her down the outside steps. She turned briefly and pointed to the furious faces of our siblings. "Stay," she commanded. This surprised me as well. Bella wanted our family to stay. I became hopeful that she'd learn to trust how much she meant to all of us.

Simultaneously, all four of them planted their feet, folded their arms across their chests and narrowed their eyes on our unwelcome visitor. I glanced back at Bella who was staring viciously at Jacob too. She didn't speak. She didn't even blink.

Geeze, I've never seen her like this. Jacob thought and I understood. Of everything Bella was, hostile was not one of them. But now, hostility was emanating off her in waves. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

I laughed out loud.

"I know you're leaving soon," Jacob said, ignoring my outburst, "and I just didn't want to leave it like that between us. I can't Bella. I'm so sorry about Charlie and Paul and this whole mess. I just wanted you to know that before you," he hesitated glancing at Emmett, "leave, I mean." Jacob searched her face but Bella didn't flinch.

I am not going to miss them when we leave. This came from Alice.

You can still say the word Edward. I shook my head for Emmett's benefit.

"Thank you," Bella finally whispered. I heard her heart thumping loud and steady and she tightened her warm grip around my hand. She was quiet for another long moment. "Keep Charlie safe, please."

The exchange was the coldest I'd ever seen between Bella and Jacob.

Jacob continued to study Bella's features. She's already gone. He nodded and looked down at his feet. Silently, Jacob turned and walked toward the trees, not looking again at any of our faces.

Once he was out of sight Bella sighed. "I'm ready to leave," she announced. "I'll wait to say goodbye to Charlie but then, I want to go."

Thank God! Rosalie tired of Forks months ago.

"We'll get the cars ready," I commented, trying desperately to read her face. Suddenly I saw something in her eyes. A spark of a familiar emotion I hadn't seen on her face for some time; unsurpassed excitement for the unknown.

BPOV –

Edward insisted I go back to bed after Jacob left and I was too tired to argue. I woke at 8:00 with a new high running through my veins. I dressed quickly and packed the remaining tidbits from our room. Only the furniture remained. The room looked skeletal and cold from what it once held. I allowed the latch to catch on the door, closing it for the last time and saying a little goodbye. I already knew today would be filled with farewells, some easier than others.

I walked the hallway slowly, trying to take in the sights and sounds, imprinting them permanently into my memory. I let the smooth finish of the railing slide through my fingers as I took step by step down the stairs for the last time.

Edward and his family were convened in the front room. I walked toward Edward and he took me into his lap wrapping his arms tightly around me. He first kissed my lips lightly but then moved to my cheek and then to my hair. His scent moved through my strands attacking my senses.

"I'm not riding with them," Emmett said, jabbing me in the arm with his elbow.

I flushed scarlet of course, and Emmett laughed. Trying to revert the attention away from me I asked, "So, what's the plan?"

Carlisle answered, "We're ready to go. If you'd like to take this time and say goodbye to Charlie, we'll wait here." I nodded and a small lump entered my throat.

"I'd like to join you, if that's okay," Alice said.

"Of course Alice," I agreed while I standing up. "Let's go." I wasn't looking forward to this but I knew it had to happen.

Alice followed us to Edwards Volvo parked out front of the house. The drive was fast and quiet. The silence was out of character for Alice who stared out the windows with a mix of emotions playing on her features. When we pulled into the drive, behind Charlie's cruiser, we all took in deep breath and reached for our door handles. In unison, we stepped from the car and headed up the walk.

"Dad," I called after opening the front door.

"Bella?" he sounded startled.

I walked into the front room, hand in hand with Edward, Alice following closely behind.

"Hey kids!"

Charlie was laying across the couch watching a game on the TV. His bandaged legs were hidden by a blanket and bright red gashes polluted the skin on his face and arms. In front of him was a TV tray riddled with the remains of a microwaveable dinner. I rolled my eyes.

"You're looking better Charlie," Alice commented.

"Thanks dear. I'm feeling better too. The pain isn't as bad anymore. Please tell your dad again how much I appreciate his help." Charlie glanced at our faces. "Good," he said, "You did as I asked Edward, thank you."

I sat down on the few inches of open couch next to Charlie. "Are you sure you're going to be okay dad?" I asked.

"Don't start Bella," he said firmly but I could see the slight quiver in his lower lip.

Beyond my control, wetness welled in my eyes and spilled onto my cheeks. "I'm going to miss you dad." I plunged into his chest and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He patted my back and spoke into my shoulder. "Well, I'll miss you too kid but we'll keep in touch. It's not like you're dying."

A sob broke through my chest.

"Hey, it's okay Bells."

After another few moments of my sobbing, and his soft pats, I leaned away from him so I could look into his eyes. "I love you dad. Thank you for everything."

Charlie lost a little control as well and for the second time I could remember, Charlie cried. "I love you too Bella."

"I'll call you as soon as we get there okay?" I said as lightly as I could. I knew Charlie was not comfortable with emotions and as far as he knew, I'd be back for fall break.

"Sure, you be safe you hear, all three of you," he added for emphasis.

I hugged him once more until I heard his sharp intake of breath. "Oh sorry," I said, releasing him and patting the air around him.

He smiled tentatively.

I stood up and backed away from him, blindly searching for Edward'ss hand. His cool fingers brushed my arms before taking me into his grip. Alice neared Charlie and took him into a tight hug.

"Take care of yourself Charlie," she said.

"You too Alice, I'm so glad Bella has you as a friend. Oh, I guess sister now," he chuckled softly.

"Me too," she said while turning and winking at me.

Alice came and took my hand while Edward shook Charlie's. No one could argue with the profound respect that shone through Edwards eyes. "Thank you Charlie," he said.

Charlie replied with a grunt and signaled us toward the door.

The walk back down the hall, out the front door and down the walk to the car was unsounded. Each step that took me away from my dad was a step down the path of my new life. A piece of me ripped and tore as the distance between us increased but almost in chorus, the closeness of my desire was healing me.

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