Good-bye Bella

I didn't sleep that night. I watched Edward do it instead. The hours flew by and at 4 am, the alarm clock rang. Edward hit the off button and sat up, stretching his arms. He seemed surprised that I was awake, but kissed my forehead.

"Good morning sweetheart."

"Good morning Edward."

He dressed slowly while I called room service, asking for the breakfast platter. They said it would be up right away and Edward came to my side of the bed to hug me.

"Are you okay?"

"For now."

I was being a little distant, and very stiff. I wouldn't fall apart until I had to, I loved him too much to worry him now.

He pulled me out of bed and draped the blanket over my shoulders, a small smile on his lips.

"It's okay to be sad Bella."

"You're not."

"On the contrary, I'm very upset I have to go today. But, I get to go saying good-bye to my wife, whom I love very much."

A tear prickled on my eyelash and I sighed, putting my face against his chest.

"You have no idea how much I love you."

I felt him shake just a little and he put his head against mine.

"I think I do."

"When do you have to leave?" I said in a quiet whisper, afraid if I said it too loud he would have to leave right away.

"In two hours, I have to be on the plane at 7 and you know how long that could take."

I did, airport security was tedious and since Edward was going for the military it might take longer. I opened my bag next to the bed and found a shapeless sweatshirt and sweatpants, pulling them on as I spoke.

"Where will you go?"

"They said the midwest. I don't know the exact location, but if I can I'll tell you."

"You'll write to me won't you?"

"Of course honey."

There was a quick knock on the door and a call of room service. I sighed and released him as Edward went to the door to get our food. He paid the bellboy with a generous tip and a whisper and came back, smiling.

"Doesn't this look great?"

The food did look delicious, but I knew he was planning something.

"What did you tell the bellboy?"

"You'll see."

I sighed and took a cresent roll from the tray. After nibbling on it I kissed his forehead.

"One hour left."

"Time goes by too quick."

I nodded and he opened his arms for me. I sat between his legs and leaned against his chest, eating slow.

"Edward?"

"Yes?"

"What are you going to eat there?"

He chuckled and wiped crumbs away from his mouth.

"I'm sure the delectable food you hear so much about."

"Army food?"

"Army food."

We laughed together and he kissed the top of my head with a sigh.

"I wish I didn't have to leave you behind."

"I wish you didn't either Edward."

He hugged me tight and we ate in a comfortable silence. The minutes ticked by, the food slowly went away. At 5:30 he was up and gathering his things, making sure he could leave right away to say good-bye to the rest of his family. I'd barely eaten anything, and he noticed my mostly-full plate.

"Bella eat something."

"I can't really be hungry right now."

"Promise me you'll eat soon okay?"

"I promise."

He swept me into his arms and held me tight, his body tense.

"I love you so much Bella."

I felt something wet on my head and I couldn't hold it in anymore. I burried my face against him and cried softly.

"Please don't leave me Edward."

I heard him sniff and he looked at me, his eyes red and teary.

"I have to Bella but I'll be back as soon as I can, you know I will."

He looked at the clocked and sighed, but I couldn't bring myself to let go.

"Edward... please don't leave me."

He took my hand and helped me rise from the floor, the teardrops growing in size. He slung his bags over his shoulders and I took mine, holding it tight. We walked slowly out of the room, and I stopped dead as he was about to shut the door.

"Wait!"

"What's wrong?"

I threw the bags of clothes to the ground and went back inside the room to the table net to the bed. On it, was my ring. I'd taken it off because I didn't want it to scratch him. I put it on and held my hand to my chest for a minute before walking back to him.

"Bella are you okay?"

"I had to get my ring."

He smiled and held out his left hand for me to take. I kissed the ring and held his hand tight as we walked to the elevator. Inside it, he kissed me gently and I memorized his kiss, tasting the tears as our tongues moved together. A bell dinged and we were at our floor. We went to the front desk and gave them the card-key and the bellboy from before came to Edward.

"Can I have that address again?"

"Of course."

He handed him a slip of paper with bills of money tucked inside.

"Make sure it's at the right time."

"Of course."

I glanced at Edward confused, but he just shook his head.

"You'll see."

Alice was waiting with the car, giving us both a sad smile as she checked the streets to pull out. Edward's bags were discarded on the floor and I sat on his lap, holding his arms tight to me. Alice didn't say a word about seatbelts like she normally would have and Edward's arms seemed warmer and stronger than usual.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too."

The drive to the airport was too quick. I looked at the speedometer more than once, but Alice was driving at least 10 miles slower than everyone around us. Still, it went by too fast. I saw a plane go by in the sky and I wimpered, thinking of what would happen soon. Hearing me, he put his hand over my eyes and made a shushing sound in my ear.

"Don't think about it honey."

I tried to only think about him and how warm he was against me.

"Edward I love you."

"I love you too Bella."

I felt the car slow down and I gripped his arm. The engine shut off and a door slammed. Edward's hand moved away from my eyes and down to the floor to pick up his bags. He lifted them and kissed my lips before stepping out of the car. He took my hand and I squeezed it tighter than I thought myself possible as we walked to the building that loomed ahead. The doors opened and I heard a voice over a loudspeaker as voices chattered. Alice led the way to a part of the terminal and handed Edward a ticket.

"We already bought it for you."

He nodded and let go of my hand to go say good-bye to everyone else. He hugged Carlisle and kissed Esme on the cheek. He hugged Emmet and Jasper and patted Rosalie's arm. Her baby was kissed and Alice was hugged, and then he was back to me.

"Bella," he said softly.

I flew into his arms and bawled, my grip on him tight. His arms were tight around me and his lips were on mine but it wasn't right. I couldn't say good-bye, I wouldn't.

"Boarding call for flight 142 to Chicago."

He sighed.

"That's me."

I gripped harder and my heart started to pound.

"No."

"Bella," he whispered.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I jerked away.

"Edward don't go, please don't go."

"I have to Bella."

He bent down and kissed my lips softly, a tear of his mixing with one of mine.

"I'll be back before you realize it. I love you so much. Good-bye Bella.." he said hoarsely.

A hand pulled me away and I sobbed watching as he took his bags from the floor. He walked to the escalators and disappeared as he went up. I tried to pull away, to shout after him, to say good-bye but it was too late. I collapsed on a seat and held my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably. I felt Alice rub my back but it didn't help.

"Make him come back," I whispered.

She just hugged me and helped me stand up as the family slowly walked away from the airport. We came to the parking lot and we piled into the car but all I could watch was the sky as a plane flew by. Was that him on his way to who knew what? Maybe. I blew the plane a kiss, just in case and laid my head against the window so I could cry in peace. The drive had been too quick there, but now it couldn't be quick enough. All I could hear was the concerned whispers, the occassional glance at my back. I looked down at my chest and held the pendant, breathing softly. My cries were finished by now but I was still incredibly upset. Emmet tapped my shoulder and I looked at Alice.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to your house?"

"Yes please," I said quietly.

Alice nodded and I looked back to the window, hugging my arms to my chest. My wedding ring glittered in the sun and I kissed it, wishing desperately it was Edward's lips. The neighborhood around the car became familiar and the car came to a halt in my driveway. I opened the door and stepped out, turning to look at his family.

"I think I'll stay here tomorrow. I'll be back the day after okay?"

"Okay," Alice said with a gentle smile, "I'll come and get you then."

I nodded and shut the door, waving good-bye. They drove away and I went to my front door inhaling deeply. I turned the knob and the door opened, revealing my dad sitting in the living room with Jacob and Billy.

"Hi Bella," Jacob said brightly.

I stared at him dumbly and stepped inside, looking around.

"Did I miss something?"

"Your dad invited us over, to help cheer you up."

"I see. I'm gonna go take a shower now."

Charlie cut in, almost in a childlike pout.

"Bella I'm not going to let you mope all day."

"I'm not moping, I'm going to go take a shower."

What I said next was probably unnecessary, and mean, but I wasn't exactly in the mood to be kind.

"I just got back my wedding night, with my husband. I haven't gotten to take a shower yet, so if you don't mind, I'd like to."

Charlie's mouth hung open with Billy's and Jacob looked like he was ready to explode his face was so red. I dropped my bag on the floor and went upstairs, listening.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into her."

I turned on the shower as I scoffed and stripped off my clothes, testing the water before I stepped in. He could think whatever he wanted, at this point I didn't care. I just wanted this year to be over so that I could see him again. The water was hot, probably hotter than it should've been but it didn't matter. I washed slowly, making sure every inch of me was clean before I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my hair and body and opened the door to Charlie's yells.

"Bella!!!"

"What?"

"Some kid's here with a box for you."

"Can you have Jacob put it in front of your bedroom door? I need to change."

"Sure."

I closed the bathroom door again and made sure the towel was securely around my body. I rubbed my scalp with the towel and took it off, shaking out my hair. I took a comb from a drawer and pulled it through my hair, the damp strands clinging to my face. I swept my hair over to my left shoulder and looked at my shoulder. On it, there was a hickey from him sucking on the skin. I smiled and rubbed my hand over it. It was a tiny reminder of him, at least for now. The door opened and I jumped, gripping the towel. Jacob stood with the box in hand, his mouth hanging open.

"You look like a fish. Close your mouth and get out."

"You don't have to be mean Bella."

"I'm being honest. You shouldn't be in here Jacob, I'm married."

"I was giving you the box."

In his hands was the box Alice gave me and I blushed.

"Look, just give it and get out."

I walked over to him and held out an arm to take the box. He was looking me over and I sighed loudly.

"Come on."

Without warning, he pulled me into a suffocating hug and swished my arm against my chest.

"Don't hate me Bella. You just stopped talking to me, you didn't tell me you were getting married or anything."

"It was supposed to be a private wedding to begin with. I was also trying to spend my last few days with Eward before he had to leave and you kept interferring, on purpose."

"I'm sorry."

"Good. Now please, get out."

He sighed and let go of me, slamming the box on the sink.

"I hope you're happy, being married to someone who might not even come back."

The minute the words left his mouth he looked shocked and I became furious.

"Bella I didn't-"

"Get out."

"I'm sorry."

"You have 5 seconds to get out of this bathroom, out of my sight, and to shut up."

"Bella."

"5."

"I said I was sorry!"

"4."

"Fine."

He stomped out and I slammed the door, breathing hard. Jacob might be my friend but he was seriously pissing me off. I opened the lid to the box. Nothing looked damaged, but everything was in a different position. Something white and unfamiliar peeked out from the bottom and I took it out, holding a small white card in my hand. On it, was a tiny plastic bag with a lock of auburn hair inside. Edward.

Bella, hopefully this gets to you at the right time. I'm sorry I have to go and I'm going to miss you so much. I wanted to give you a piece of my hair, so you can have something to remind you of me while I'm gone. Downstairs, in your bag because I'm sure you haven't looked in it yet, is one of my jackets. The big navy blue one that you thought was soft. Wear it while I'm gone. I love you so much and I can't wait for all this to be over. I love you Bella, good-bye. -Edward-

A tear fell down my cheek and I got dressed again, the card back inside the box. I draped the towels over the shower curtain rod and took the box with me to the top of the stairs. I saw Billy and Jacob at the door, Charlie holding it open.

"I'm really sorry she yelled at you Jacob. I just think she's a little upset about him leaving."

A little upset? The understatement of the year.

I waited until they were outside and the door was shut before I started walking downstairs.

"Bella, how could you be so rude."

"Well for starters, I didn't ask for a pity party. Secondly, I don't know about you, but I think it's a little inappropriate that he just barged in on me after I was in the fucking shower. He knew where to put the box, he just barged in. I could've been naked."

"It was harmless Bella."

"That was not."

"It was rude of you to yell at him."

"And it's rude of you to ask like I don't love or miss Edward."

We glared at each other and I sighed, leaning to the floor to open my duffel bag. Like he'd said, the jacket was inside. I pulled it out and slipped it over my sweatshirt, hugging it close to me. Charlie had gone into his room and I laid on the couch, sighing. I turned on the TV and found a cartoon to watch. The duffel bag was now by the couch where I'd moved it, safe and sound. I would call Jacob later and apologize, because I didn't want to lose his friendship, but right now I was too emotional. The hours went by of me flipping through channels and getting small snacks from the kitchen. When I was about to go to bed, I called Jacob and left him a message since he wasn't answering.

"Hey Jacob, it's Bella. Listen, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. It's not okay that you walked in on me, but I shouldn't have yelled. Call me tomorrow, I'll be home, and maybe I'll see you tomorrow. Talk to you later, bye."

I hung up the phone and turned off the TV, covering myself with the blanket. It was warm and I fell asleep quickly, dreaming of Edward.