CHAPTER SIXTEEN – Motion.

AN at the bottom, like always. I own nothing either.

Enjoy!

oOo

January 24th

BPOV

He held my hand in his, tight, clutching. He didn't let go as he uses the other the lock his car. He didn't let go when he pushed back the heavy doors. He didn't let go when we saw Charlie. He didn't let go when Charlie stared down at our joined hands, fingers, palms.

"Charlie!" He let go of my hand as I hugged Charlie, and then pulled it back to his grasp as soon as I let go.

"Where have you been?" I asked.

He shrugged and spoke offhandedly. "I was at the hospital."

I gasped, surprised. "Charlie!" I struggled to breathe and Edward clutches on tighter. "What happened?"

"I had cardiac complications. Had to stay there for a bit… It's hereditary, it was going to happen sooner or later…"

I shook my head, staring at the man I saw as a father. A constant comfort and relief. I looked at him more closely and he did look thinner, his cheeks more hollowed out and his eyes, tired.

Edward piped in. "What did they prescribe you? Did they give you any dietary instructions? They should. Have you been following them?"

He chuckles lightly, taking a seat behind the small desk.

"They did, Ed. Don't worry. No fats allowed, stuff like that." He waved his hands around and offered a generous grin. His hand found my arm and gripped it tightly.

"I'm alright."

I nodded and smiled at him. "Sorry, Charlie. I'm just worried, that's all."

There was a small pause in our conversation and Charlie looked back at the space between Edward and I. He took both his arms and stretched them behind his head, his hands clasped on the back of his head.

"So…" He began.

Edward laughed softly and lifted our joined hands so that they'd peek over the top of his desk. He gave it an affirming squeeze and, gesturing to it, said, "we're giving this thing a try…"

I laughed also, almost instinctively and dropped my head to rest on the side of Edward's arm. After we watched as he approved with a nod and another small chuckle, I let go of Edward's hand and moved behind Charlie's desk to hug him again. He patted my back lightly and reassured me that he was fine.

"Healthy as a horse, Bells."

I whispered into his shoulder, promising that I'd make him healthy oatmeal cookies. He tapped me on the back again and let go.

"Go on, you both. Get upstairs. Leave me alone, now." Charlie said good-naturedly, plopping back down in his swivel chair.

I took Edward's hand again, and smiling to Charlie, pressed the elevator button and into our apartments.

January 27th

He rolled up his sleeves, pointing to another piece. Ink embedded in skin. This was how he marked his milestones, his phases.

I wondered quietly if I'd make it to be part of his skin. Permanent. Art. Life, beauty, glorified.

"I got this one right next to a birthmark. Just to remind me that my real parents were out there, or at least, they once were."

I traced my finger over the small black drawing of a fawn. When I was done, I folded my hands and urged him to go on, nudging his arm lightly with my knee.

We were sitting on my couch, Claire at our feet. We were spending the night in, accompanied by some music and boxes of Chinese take out.

I found it fascinating, how he symbolized things. How he turned memories and phases, rite of passages to drawings. Ones he put into his skin. So that it wasn't just an emotional part of him, but physical too.

On his ribs, he had a large piece. It was a black and white drawing of a rod, entwined with a serpent.

I looked up at him and before I could speak to ask, he spoke.

"The rod of Asclepius. The Greek god of medicine and healing. I got it done a couple of days after I took the Hippocratic Oath."

I realized that this was his way of letting me in. His way of telling me that he trusted me with his stories, with the things that made him who he was.

I slung both of my arms on his shoulders, placing a kiss on his lips. Because the significance of some things can't be put into words.

January 30th

Alice and I sat in the middle of the bar, with an undisturbed view of the stage. The air was hazy, just like last time, vision clouded by cigarette smoke. The bar was packed full, as any Friday night in any bar in town. I clutched a cold beer in my hands as it rested on the small table.

Alice was bouncing in her seat, jittery with excitement. She had a girly drink on the table and her legs were swinging under the table, occasionally bumping into mine. I sighed and smiled softly, inhaling the bar's cloudy air. The night was going perfectly.

"I cannot believe my brother's never even mentioned his gigs…"

I turned to her, eyebrows raised. She looked at me in question, yelping out an offended, "what?"

I shrugged. "Alice, you would've dragged all your girlfriends and your parents and made a big deal about everything… Heck, I wasn't even supposed to know."

It was her turn to raise her eyebrows this time. When I stayed quiet she kicked me under the table and I grunted in pain. Rolling my eyes, I gave her a condensed version of the night I ran into him here.

Alice had already known about my job, well, my previous job. She said she already somewhat knew since I never looked happy enough to have thought that a fight for a relationship like that was worth it. I was glad for her though. She didn't judge and let me cry about my stupid decisions some more, and then got us drunk at her apartment that night, too much cheap vodka, pizza and ice cream in our system.

Jasper soon made his appearance, kissing Alice on the cheek as a hello and hugged me lightly. He took a seat, also facing the stage.

Edward was going to show up later, unbeknownst to him that Alice and Jasper were there. They found out the other day when I had them over for dinner and I mentioned it in passing to Edward when I asked him what time his gig was. He didn't answer, instead, making crazy hand signals, gesturing to Alice. She'd heard and grilled me about it in the morning, forcing me to tell her.

Edward was not going to be happy. But he was going to do his gig, I knew this. He'd promised. A tiny redhead at the bar named Arlene had taken a liking to him and said that he could have 2 songs the next time he dropped by. I didn't know whether or not he was going to take up the offer but he'd been looking forward to the gig for the past few weeks.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out of my jeans pocket.

Why is pixie and her cowboy here? – E.

I pursed my lips and tried to casually look for his figure in the back of the bar, looking in the crowd of people by the door. I saw his head of hair, thank goodness for his height.

I typed back a response.

Allie made me tell… Sorry :( - B.

My phone didn't buzz again and I was starting to worry if he was angry. I looked around the bar again when Alice and Jasper were talking. I spotted him again, he was by the bar, chugging down what looked like a shot of some drink. He proceeded to move by the stage and behind the thick curtains.

I typed in a quick good luck text to him, sure that he would see it before he got on. Then I reached over and tapped Alice's arm with my beer bottle, gesturing to the stage.

"He should be up soon."

She jumped around some more and Jasper's arm pressed down on the back of her chair, trying to make sure she didn't fall over.

I laughed at their antics and turned back to the stage, waiting for Edward.

Arlene showed up at the stage, practically sprinting to the mic and after hushing the cheering crowd, introduced Edward. I clapped my hands and cheered, calling out his name like an excited fan in the crowd. I looked over to Jasper and Alice and found that they were doing the same.

I was reminded of the first time I saw him here, the first time I saw him on the stage. The same stool was set in the center, the same lights… It felt all too similar and familiar but yet different. I sat next to people I loved and loved me back. It was a different situation too… Things were much, much better now.

He sat on the stool, his guitar strap already around his shoulder. He positioned the instrument on his lap and adjusted the microphone stand. The crowd was a quiet, hushed murmur.

He cleared his throat and spoke softly, his voice throaty and velvety smooth at the same time.

"As was last time, the song's for Elizabeth Bennett." My heart swelled. He paused, and found my eyes in the crowd. I could see that he was contemplating saying something else, he didn't. He cleared his throat again and continued. "This song's called Lightness."

Everyone erupted into another round of applause and quieted back down when he started strumming lightly.

There's a tear in the fabric of your favorite dress

And I'm sneaking glances.

His eyes dropped closed and his foot tapped lightly on the ground. I watched him as I did that night. Small movements in his lips, small twitches in his eyelids.

Looking for the patterns in static

They start to make sense the longer I'm at it.

The crowd cheered and I clapped my hands quietly and my eyes didn't move.

Ivory lines lead

Ooh whoah-oh, ooh whoah-oh

His eyes opened again and he looked to the crowd. His fingers were picking at the strings now and the song grew softer. His eyes found mine again and he looked at me as he sang.

Oh, instincts are misleading

You shouldn't think what you're feeling

They don't tell you what you know you should want

His eyes dropped closed again as the crowd cheered. I was calling out his name and cupped my palms around my mouth as I called out his name. Alice was doing the same and Jasper was shaking his head, smiling as he clapped.

He whispered a hushed thank you to the crowd and ran a hand through his hair, getting up and walking off the stage briskly. Another singer came up on the stage and the shows went on.

I felt him before I saw him, the familiar tingling and jittery feeling washed over me as he neared before sitting down on the chair next to me.

I leaned over to give him a kiss, softly brushing my lips against his. "You did great." I whispered against his lips. He gave me another chaste peck, smiling into the kiss.

"Hey, hey, break it up, you two!" Jasper's drawl broke us apart and our table was one filled with cheesy grins and genuine happiness.

We ordered a few more drinks and two plates of fried pickles to go with everything. The performances lasted well into the night and our laughter and conversation was wrapped around the music we had in the background.

Sometime before the night ended, Jasper cleared his throat and clutched Alice's hand on the table. Edward's hand on my knee stopped rubbing in soft circles. He knew what was up.

I looked around frantically at Edward and back at Jasper and Alice.

"I've asked for Alice's hand in marriage. The love of my life said yes."

I jumped out of my seat, quickly standing up and hugging Alice, forcing Jasper to let go of her hand. Somewhere in the corner of my eyes, Edward and Jasper did some brotherly-man-clap thing and I jumped around in my place hugging Alice, squealing. The crowd of people around us cheered also and yelled out a few congratulations.

After we calmed ourselves down, Jasper cleared his throat again.

"What, is she pregnant? Are you pregnant, J? Twins?" I teased them both.

Jasper laughed along but didn't continue. Alice reached out to clutch my hand and gripped it.

Alice's voice was soft but steady.

"We're moving to Chicago."

February 5th

Alice's wedding was a day after Valentine's. Of course, of course. She'd excitedly told me one night how it was entirely for convenience.

Sadly, I was inconvenienced.

Edward and I were going to celebrate our first Valentine's day with John Hughes movies and sitting in with his puppy Claire in our pajamas. Instead, I've spent the past week in Chicago, voluntarily offering my time and energy away from Edward to help her plan her wedding.

It was such short notice but Alice made it work. As her bridesmaid, my job was to plan her a bachelorette party and attempt to keep her sane. It was difficult.

She suffered a few small breakdowns during the week. I understood it, I mean, she hadn't even grown accustomed to the idea that she was engaged, let alone get married in less than a week.

I adored her tenacity though. She knew she was going to be a February bride. She didn't tell me how or why she even had the idea, leaving me to just be there for her.

Edward and I spent Valentine's day mostly texting and we spent hours on the phone talking. Multiple threats to Alice was made but we took them all back before the sun rose.

It was Alice's wedding day and everything passed in a blur. I sat on the bed in the hotel room, listening to her rant as she got her make up done. She was babbling off various complaints and minor imperfections in the décor but everything was dealt with easily.

She was worried and I was so glad I wasn't her. She had on the most beautiful gown and was going to marry the love of her life in a few hours but I would not trade places with her… Even thoughts of walking down the aisle and possibly tripping scared me half to death.

"…I mean, this is good preparation, Bella." She babbled in a knowing tone.

"Preparation?"

Alice shrugged nonchalantly, "I mean, you know what my brother feels about you…"

I smiled at her, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

"There's still a long time til then, Allie."

She turned around in her seat and looked at me, annoying the make up artist and hairstylist crowded around her.

She raised her eyebrows at me as a challenge.

"Just you wait, Bella."

oOo

I watched as Alice and Jasper exchanged their vows. I saw them look at each other lovingly. I watched them clutch each other's hands like lifelines. I watched Jasper lift Alice's veil. I watched as they took their first kiss as man and wife.

I watched Edward's face in the crowd as he watched them. I saw his eyes water like mine did. I was going to tease him a little for that. I watched as he searched for my eyes to see how I was reacting only to meet mine watching him. He looked at me knowingly, just as Alice did before. We smiled softly to each other, our eyes still watery from unshed tears.

Alice was going to be right again.

We danced at the reception as cheesy songs played in the background. Edward held me close, our bodies barely moving, just swaying softly side to side. I had one arm on his strong shoulders and my other hand on his chest. My cheek laid flat to the lapels of his tuxedo jacket.

"You look beautiful, Bella."

I looked up at him, teasingly.

"Eddie, baby, I always do…" Shaking my head.

His shoulders moved as he laughed quietly. He moved his lips to my ear to whisper.

"Don't call me that. And yes, you always do."

I laughed into his shirt and tie, pressed flat and smelling softly of him.

"Thank you."

I looked up at him the same time he looked down at me, and we kissed for the first time in a week. Our lips moving as if nothing had changed, as if we didn't live the past 6 days apart, missing each other terribly.

"I've missed you too much." My voice quivered, and I found myself weak again.

"Don't leave me again."

I nodded, placing a soft kiss to his jaw.

"Never."

February 20th

I stood in the kitchen, sipping from my mug of hot cocoa. I was looking at Phil and Edward, sitting together on my couch.

Unreal.

My mom and Phil were visiting for a few days. My mom nudged me with her elbow and sat her mug down on the counter next to mine.

"He's a cutie."

I looked at my mom and rolled my eyes at her, before we both burst out into giggles. I picked up my mug again and nodded at Renee's earlier statement, still trying to stifle the laughter. The tip of my forefinger traced at the mug's handle mindlessly as I continued to watch Edward and Phil.

Phil was far from being a father to me. But he was still family. It was a role he took by default. I was glad that he's never been pushy. He just made sure he was around for my mom and I. He was good for her. He kept her grounded, made her happy. Happier than she's been for a long time.

Claire then hopped off from the couch, seemingly bored at the lack of attention she was getting from Edward and jogged towards me. The action made Edward turn around, following Claire's path and then our eyes met.

I was such a sap these days, doubting my ability to hold my own. No, I knew I could still be independent if I made myself. If I forced myself to be. But there was no reason to be. He'd taken away any reason for me to doubt him, and hence also taking away any reason for me to be detached. Instead, I found myself dependent on him, invested in who we were and who we could be.

I leaned down to scoop up Claire into my arms, stroking her for a bit before I set her back down next to my feet.

I looked back up to find that Edward was still looking at me. I smiled at him, genuine, big and bright.

My mom nudged me again, her eyebrows raised.

I smiled at her too, raising my mug to meet my lips, leaning my head to rest on her shoulder.

It was enough of an answer.

March 20th

EPOV

I stroked her hair softly, soothingly. She had her hair in my lap, her torso stretched out over my couch. My other hand played with the hem of the afghan covering her. It was raining outside, a small drizzle, leaving the air thick and misty.

"I can't believe Charlie's gone."

I felt another tear drop onto the fabric of my pants, leaving the patch cold and wet. Nodding, I continued to stroke her hair.

"Me neither."

oOo

"Hey," I whispered, sitting up slowly. Having fallen asleep in my clothes, my jeans were twisted around my knees, stiff and tight. Bella looked at me, tiredly, her eyes swollen and her cheeks clouded by dark circles. I stood up from the couch and moved to unwind the wrinkles in my pants, walking over to where she sat on the kitchen stool.

I kissed her on the forehead, gently, and walked down the hall to use the bathroom. I washed my face and gargled some mouthwash, trying to shake away the last bits of sleep from my body.

When I came back, she was sitting on the couch with Claire next to her, her cheek leaning against her folded knees. I sat next to her, brushing away the hair around her face, the tangled mess of soft brown strands.

She moved to prop her chin up on her knees and shot me a weak look. I knew I looked the same way. She moved again, her movements slow and dragging, wrapping her hands around my waist, resting her cheek to my stomach. She wasn't crying anymore.

And I knew. I knew that this was her way of letting me mourn too. That it was my turn. And I did. She rubbed small circles on my arm and I cried for the loss of the man who made us both feel safe.

April 9th, Spring

BPOV

I folded away the last pieces of clothing I had lying around the apartment, walking around the small, bare space with a roll of duct tape on my wrist and a sharpie in between my teeth. I taped up the last of the boxes, uncapping the sharpie to label them. I gathered a few toiletries from my sink, my toothbrush and its holder. I clicked off the lights in the rooms for the last time. I picked up the guitar case from the corner, making sure to take it with me.

Boxes.

My life was in boxes. Everything that could possibly define me and who I was. In boxes. I was taking my identity with me. Sure, a few things were thrown out, but I had everything I'd need. I was going to take them. I wasn't leaving who I was, rather, I was leaving behind the person the city had made me.

I breathed in a few deep breaths of the air, trying to memorize the nonexistent scent. With Alice and Charlie gone, there was no reason to stay.

Edward finished his last year of residency. He accepted the job in Chicago. We were moving.

The biggest step, quite possibly, for an adult. It was a rite of passage. Springs in Chicago were famous for being beautiful… I was bursting with anxiety. The excitement of moving, the thrill. The feeling of freedom and yet fear, because so many things could go wrong.

I heard knocks from the door, the last sounds to be made and heard from this same door, to this same space. I opened the door and Edward moves in, picking up the last few boxes and setting them down to a trolley. When he finished, I left the door unlocked, clicking the lights on and the room was engulfed in darkness.

I breathed in another deep breath.

I stepped into the elevator, my hand holding the doors opened as Edward rolled in the trolley.

We were moving down the elevator for the last time.

The last time.

I leaned into one of the walls and reached out for Edward's hand, his fingers quickly wrapping around mine. He looked at me, leaning in and kissing me, shuddering out a shaky breath.

"I'll miss this place."

I looked into his eyes again, a few tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

I knew he understood what I was thinking. That this same elevator brought us together. That I had to go through a terrible relationship to understand it. That we went through all of our firsts in this same elevator, this same building. He understood why I was close to tears. He understood the significance.

I pulled him close to me and I let his arms wrap around me.

April 10th

The apartment was quiet, dark. We stood around boxes of things yet to be unpacked. The entire day was spent letting in movers, hauling in new pieces of furniture.

I sighed, leaning on one of the tower of boxes that stood against the wall. He moved out of the bathroom, drying his wet hands on his jeans.

"Love, we've got to start unpacking."

I laughed, he moved closer to me and holds me. I followed his eyes and we stared out the window, the city's lights bright and twinkling in the distance.

I moved slowly, placing a soft kiss on his neck. "I think it's time."

His hands moved away from me, making me turn and look at him. His eyes were questioning, unsure.

"Are you sure? Love, there's no pressure, I told you. Everything at your pace."

We were going to live together. Although this wasn't the only reason, it was the one that made up my mind.

So I nodded, "It's perfect."

His hands found the sides of my face, his lips peppering soft kisses on lips, gradually moving down my face. His hands then moved, catching me under my knees and gently lowering me down the mattress we had placed on the floor. Our temporary makeshift bed. He lay down beside me, leaning over me, his lips hovering, touching. Barely touching. Our movements were slow, instinctive, soft.

I moved to kiss him and he held me in place. His breathing and the warmth moved over my skin. I moaned softly, almost an exhale. I had goose bumps wherever his skin met mine.

We moved, breathed and my tongue slipped across his lips, into his mouth. His tongue pulled at it, a soft welcome. His hand slid under my shirt, firm against my back and then pulling it off over my head. My hands moved in a frenzy, making quick work of his jeans, although there really was no rush at all.

My legs moved between his once my shorts were off. Barely any layers separated us and friction and heat was all that existed. Edward ghosted his hands over my exposed sides, soft little hairs on my skin standing up on end, slipping off my bra. His hands moving across my skin, across everything.

Our hands were hungry, claiming every new patch of skin we exposed. We moved, twisting, pulling, caressing. Soon enough, we were skin to skin and there was nothing left separating us, no barrier.

oOo

A/N:

Whoah. Longest chapter yet, and it's finally here. One chapter left. One last time to assert your thoughts on how to end this thing.

Thank you to all who's gone with me on this insane, insane venture to the FF world of this fandom. I can't tell you for sure whether or not I'll write again, but I know I'll miss it so much. That was part one of the epilogue, wait for the second :)

RosAlice22 – Thank you. Enough said. (insert heart emoticon here)

The last chapter should be up before August. Give me a couple of weeks. Leave me a review, if you will. Thank you for reading, everyone!

- Michelle.