The Gift

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers owns all Twilight and the Characters

Chapter 31: I Understand

EPOV

I looked over at the clock and realized that everyone would be home shortly from the hospital. Bella was on her way here, and I was on my way out of here. I grabbed my bag that was sitting by the door and headed downstairs. I left mom a note on the kitchen counter and left the house. Starting the Volvo I thought one more time to myself if I was doing the right thing. Shaking my head I backed out of the driveway and headed out of Forks.

BPOV

"You ready Bells," Emmett said busting into my hospital room.

"Yes," I said with a sigh of relief. "I'll be so happy when I am home and able to relax for once."

"Alright you are good to go," Charlie said walking into the room with Carlisle following closely behind. "Let's try not to come back anytime soon."

"Dad," I said as everyone laughed. It was nice to have everyone here. My whole family was here except one person. The one person that mattered the most to me, and I had taken for granted. My heart ached a little knowing that he wasn't here. I felt someone squeeze my shoulder and looking over it I noticed it was Esme.

"He's at the house," she whispered into my ear. I didn't say anything but instead nodded my head in agreement.

"Emmie," Carly said getting everyone's attention. We turned around into their direction to see Emmett dancing with the I.V. stand. "It's my turn to dance with the pole."

"Okay," he said pushing the stand out of the way. He picked her up and the two of them started to dance.

"When did he grow up," I asked Rose when she came to stand beside me as we watched them dance.

"When he thought that you were gone for good," she said putting an arm around me and giving me a half hug. "In his eyes you are his little sister, and he was miserable when you were gone. He blames himself for you being kidnapped that day."

"It's not his fault," I told her and knew then that I would need to speak with him. I was so ready to get out of this place. "Can we go now?"

"Of course," Alice said grabbing some of the flowers that I received. "Jasper and I will take the flowers home."

"Will do," Jasper said scooping up the rest of the flowers and trying to get Alice's attention. "Now Alice darling, please be careful walking out. I don't need you to be admitted next into the hospital."

"You ready Carlybug," Carlisle said grabbing my bag and holding out his free hand. "Why don't you, me and Grammy head on out to the car?"

"Okay," she said skipping over to him and taking his hand.

"Bells," Charlie said next as Carlisle, Esme, and Carly walked out. "I'm so happy that you are alright."

"Me too," I said hugging him. "I love you daddy."

"Love you too," he said wiping a stray tear off of my cheek. "I have to get back to the station. I'll stop by before I head home and check on you."

"Okay," I said as he walked out of the room. Rose and Emmett were following him out, but I need to straighten things out with Emmett first. "Emmett, can I talk to you for a minute alone?"

"Sure," he said as Rose went on out. "Watch do you want to talk about?"

"Stop blaming yourself," I told him point blank. "What happened to me isn't your fault?"

"I should have," he said taking breath and sitting on the bed. "I should have gone into the house with you that day. I should have made sure everything was safe."

"It wouldn't have mattered," I said sitting down beside him. "They would have gotten me one way or another. What would've happened if they took Carly as well?"

"I didn't think about that," he said hanging his head down low.

"She is safe," I said placing my hand on his shoulder. "I'm okay. I will have the scars but in the end everything will be okay."

"Okay," he mumbled out.

"So stop blaming yourself," I told him one more time as I stood up. "If you don't I'll kick your ass in front of everyone."

"In your dreams," he said laughing as he got up from the bed. "You couldn't hurt a fly Bells."

"Wanna bet," I managed to say as I laughed.

"Let's go," he said as we walked out of the room and out of the hospital.

I rode with Carlisle and Esme on the way home. Emmett had managed to convince Rose that since was now pregnant that she needed to eat every four hours. We all knew that it was him that wanted to eat every four hours. Carly dominated the ride home with all that she had to say. While I listened to her talk about all the activities that she had done and all the places she had gone. I couldn't help but think when did she get as talkative as Alice. Besides that I kept thinking about Edward and what I needed to say to him. I just hoped that he would want to talk to me after he heard what I said.

"Carly," I heard Esme say as we pulled into the driveway. "Leave your mommy alone, sweetie."

"Grammy," she said in a whining tone.

"Carly Esme Swan," I said speaking up for the first time since getting in the car. "There will plenty of time to tell me everything. I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay," she said defeated and got out of the car.

"Bella," Esme said as I got out of the car and looked around counting cars. There was one missing and it was Edward's silver Volvo. "What's wrong dear?"

"Nothing," I said lying to her. I didn't want them worry about this. Maybe he ran to the store for something. "I'm just a little tired that's all."

"Okay," she answered as we walked into the house. "The guest room is ready for you if you want to go lay down for a little while."

"I think I will do that," I responded to her helping take Carly's coat off. "Do you want to go take a nap with me Carly?"

"Nope," she said smacking her lips. "Auntie Alice said we would bake cookies."

"Alright," I said kissing the top of her head. "I love you sweetie."

"Love you mommy," she said skipping down the hall towards the kitchen.

"If you need anything," Esme started to say before she heard the crashing of pans coming from the kitchen.

"I'll let you know," I said as she hurried down to the kitchen.

"Alice Brandon Cullen Whitlock," she said before she disappeared into the kitchen.

I headed upstairs to the third floor taking in each small touch and smell. It felt so good to come to a home that felt safe to me. I made sure to go slowly up the stairs to keep from straining my stomach. Even though it was almost healed all the way I still wanted to be careful with it. When I made it to the top of the stairs I had a decision to make. Do I go left or do I go right? I looked over at his door and debated if I should go in there. I stood there for a minute and made my way to the door on the right. When I walked in I noticed that Carlisle had already brought my bag up to the guest room. I laid down on the bed and fell asleep into what I hope is a dreamless sleep.

EsPOV

"Alice Brandon Cullen Whitlock," I said walking into kitchen. I was worried about Bella, because there was something bothering her. You could call it a mother's instinct, but I knew something was up. "What is wrong dear?"

"Mom," she said holding a piece of paper with tears in her eyes. Carly was picking the pans up off the floor and Alice was just standing there.

"What is it," I said once more. This time she handed me the paper and got a napkin to wipe the tears off of her face. I didn't want to look at the paper just yet, and handed her the napkin.

"Alice," Carly said tugging her apron to get her attention. "Can we make cookies now?"

"Sure," Alice answered her still in a daze.

"Alice," I said as she went to the cabinet. I hated to say this but it was like she was in a zombie state. "Everything will be alright."

"I know," she answered me snipping out of that daze she was in. "You ready Carlybug?"

"Yep," Carly said as Alice handed her the bag of sugar.

I walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. In all reality I knew that something was going on. I could tell by Bella's facial expression in the driveway. I could also tell by the way Alice stood still starring at the kitchen counter. After watching the two girls bake for a few minutes I decided to look at the paper. When I saw Edward's handwriting I knew what was wrong with Alice and Bella.

Mom,

I know that you told me not to do this. I had no other choice. I don't want Bella to hate me anymore than she already does, and that's my reason for leaving. My flight for New York leaves at eight tonight from Seattle and won't land until late. Alec said that I could crash at his place for as long as I wanted or needed. I'll call you later, I promise. Give my sweet girl a hug and kiss for me. Also tell her that I love her so much. Please try to understand why I'm doing this.

Love,

Edward

"Why," Alice said as Carly started to cut the cookies into shapes.

"For Carly," I answered her placing the note on the table. I also knew that he was scared. Scared that Bella would get mad enough that she wouldn't let him see Carly any longer. Almost like when he found out the truth about Carly. I remember seeing her curled up on the couch that morning I went to see her. Then listening to Charlie telling me that she was scared Edward would take Carly away from her. "Also the fact that he loves Bella like there is no tomorrow."

"Where's daddy," Carly asked placing cookies on the pan.

"He had to go out of town," I told her being honest. It was the truth he did go out of town.

"I didn't say bye," she said hanging her head down.

"I know," I said getting up and moving over towards her. "He said that he loves you, and he'll call when he gets to where he is."

"Okay" was all she said and she went back to work.

"What's with all the snowflakes" I asked her seeing that was the only shape out of the cookie cutters.

"There mommy and daddy's favorite," she said with a smile. I was about to say something when we heard screaming. "What's that?"

"Bella," was all I said before I was out of the kitchen and the upstairs.

"Stop please," I heard her scream over and over. "Stop it please."

I managed to get to the third floor in record time for the first time since Edward was a little boy. Opening the door to the guest room I could see her tossing and turning on the bed. I run over to the edge of the bed and sat down.

"Bella," I said placing my hand on her shoulder and slightly shaking her. "Sweetheart it's just a nightmare. Come on Bella wake up."

"No," she screamed one more time as she sat up quickly. She was covered in sweat and crying.

"Bella," I said trying to comfort her. I pulled her into my arms and started to rock her. "It's over now. Your home safe and no one can hurt you."

"Esme," she said sniffling.

"Shh," I said as she started to catch her breath. I released my grab just a little bit. "Was it a bad dream?"

"Yes," she said as I let her sit up.

"Do you want to talk about it," I asked moving a stray hair out of her face.

"No," she said shaking her head. When she was completely sitting up she looked out the bedroom door. I followed her gaze and noticed that she was looking at Edward's closed door. I then knew that I wasn't the person she wanted. More importantly I knew that she needed him more than ever, and he wasn't here.

"He left," I said to her. I saw her heart break again in front of my eyes. Her eyes started to water and her breathing started to pick up. "He'll be back in a couple of days."

"This is my entire fault," she said as she took her hands and wiped the tears. "If I wasn't so selfish then he wouldn't have left."

"Bella I want to tell you something," I said taking her hand. "I love you like you are one of my own children. When Edward came home and told me about the kidnapping I was scared. Scared that we would never see you again and scared about losing Carly as well. It was Carlisle, Charlie, and Edward who didn't rest until you were home safe and awake."

"I just don't know what to do," she replied to me. Her gaze took a steady glance on the floor as she continued to speak. "Everyone keeps telling about what he did. My heart is telling me one thing and my head is saying something different."

"Sweetheart," I said squeezing her hand. "He was the one who found you at the beach house before the police even had a clue. That house was the only remainder he had of your life together. He never took Tanya there even when she begged to go. You already know what choice to make."

"Grammy, mommy," Carly said coming in with Emmett following closely behind, before anything else was said. "I made cookies."

"They are wonderful," Emmett said with frosting on the tip of his nose. Bella and myself couldn't help but laugh just a little.

"Can I have one," Bella said looking over at Carly.

"Yep," she said grabbing one off the tray and handing it to her. "I made you favorite."

"I see," Bella said taking the cookie with a smile. I looked over at my watch and noticed the time.

"I'm going to go and start dinner," I said standing up and walking out of the room.

"Esme," I heard Bella say before I made it all the way into the hallway. I turned around to face her and she was smiling for the first time since she got home. "Thank you."

I headed back downstairs but stopped in the dining room first. I dug my cell phone from my pocket and sent a quick text to Edward.

I understand. Love you!

BPOV

It was nice to have a relaxing evening with my family. Esme made soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. What made it more exciting was the fact that everyone ate in the guest room with me. It was fun to be able to watch Carly interact with her family, and Alice try to use her as practice again. Now everyone has gone their separate ways and Carly was sleeping in the other guest room. Well it isn't a guest room anymore. Carlisle and Esme turned it into her very own bedroom, so that she would have a room to stay in here. I have a lot to think about and it's all weighing on my mind. I was heartbroken that he wasn't here for me to talk too. Then there was all the information that I had received from Esme and Nurse Sue. I couldn't be mad at him forever, but when would I ever get the chance to tell him now. I couldn't sleep in this bed, because it just didn't fit right. There was something missing. I got up and traveled across the hallway into his room. His scent encased me as I laid down on his bed. I felt safe and at home laying here. I was afraid to close my eyes but didn't want to say anything to anybody. I didn't want them to worry about anything else. Eventually the heaviness of my eyes won, and I fell asleep.

I had awoken to the feeling that someone was on top of me. Opening my eyes I saw a dark shadow over me.

"Don't move," he said pressing a knife to my throat. I closed my eyes taking in a deep breath. I could feel his breath on my neck, and it made me want to be sick. "You smell so sweet."

"Please stop," I managed to say as he ran his tongue down my jaw line, and turning my face away.

"What did I say," he said pressing the knife closer and harder.

"Fight," I heard Charlie say.

I was laying on my back as he straddled over me. Remembering the self-defense classes I took I bent my knees up with a hard jerk. The reaction was quick as his grabbed his parts and I flipped over trying to get to the open door.

"Stupid bitch," he said grabbing me by my hair and jerking me up. "I'll teach you a lesson yet."

He slapped me across the face before taking his knife and taking a quick swipe at my face.

"James," I heard Tanya's voice yell. "What the fuck did you not understand?"

"I just wanted to have a little fun," he said as I felt the blood trickle down my neck from my cheek.

"Stop," I said screaming and tossing from side to side.

"Bella," I heard that one voice I wanted to hear so badly. "Love, wake up it's only a dream."

I opened my eyes to see the most perfect emerald green eyes in the world. I didn't care if I was dreaming now or not. I was not going to let any more time go by. I grabbed his shirt by the collar and brought his lips down to meet mine.