Chapter 20: Never Saying Goodbye

Bella bit her lower lip; this day was one of the saddest days of her life. That day was when Emmett would go to college, now that the trial was over, and she had to stay in Forks and finish high school. Emmett was in his room, packing up the rest of the stuff he had left behind the first time. "When does your flight leave?" she asked.

"10:00 tomorrow morning," he replied as he put another baseball trophy into a box.

She bit her lower lip as she sat down on the floor wrapping up another picture of her and Emmett. Looking over, he saw the tears welling up in her eyes. "Baby…" he murmured kneeling next to her on the floor.

"I'm okay, I'm okay I promise," she answered.

"No you're not, come here," he murmured.

He pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "I'll be back, I promise," he whispered.

"Doesn't help the fact that I'm going to miss you," she answered.

"I know," he answered.

He rested his forehead against the side of her head. She looked up at him, her brown eyes locking with his blue eyes. Stroking her cheek gently with the back of his hand, he leaned forward, kissing her gently. Bella kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his back.

Deepening the kiss, he moved so she was moved back onto the floor. Bella stretched her body out underneath his, moving her hand over his spine. Reaching down, she pulled his shirt off while he was undoing her blouse. Emmett's kisses moved along her neck, his hands moving along her arms. Sighing softly, she tilted her head back. "Emmett!" Alice called opening the door.

"Jeez Alice!" Emmett exclaimed grabbing his shirt up, getting off Bella.

Alice's eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my God I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. Bella quickly buttoned up her blouse, her face blushing deep red.

"Don't you knock?" Emmett exclaimed.

Alice bit her lower lip. "Sorry, Esme was looking for you," she told them.

"Alright," he sighed before going downstairs.

Esme was in the living room when Emmett walked in. "You were looking for me?" he asked.

"Yeah," she answered smiling.

Esme let out a sigh. "Now that you're eighteen, your mother's will was read," she told him.

"Okay…" he started slowly.

Esme handed him an envelope. Opening it, he pulled out his mother's will. Reading it, he felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. "She kept a college fund for me…" he murmured. Esme nodded with a smile. He let out a deep breath, sitting down on the couch.

"Emmett?" Bella called.

She walked down the stairs to find her boyfriend staring at the will. "What's going on?" she asked.

"My mom…she left me a college fund," he replied still stunned.

Bella bit her lower lip as she walked over, hugging her boyfriend tight. Emmett hugged her back, letting out a sigh. "That's great baby, that's so great," she whispered. Closing his eyes, he let out a deep breath.

"It is," he answered.

She kissed the top of his head with a smile.

That night, Bella was lying awake in her bed when she heard tapping on her window. Sitting up, she saw Emmett sitting in front of the window. Getting up from bed, she opened the window, letting him in. "I thought you had packing to do?" she asked.

"I just finished," he replied.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. Emmett hugged her back, moving his hand over her back. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered.

"Hey, that's the lovely thing of new technology. Emails, phone calls, the works," he replied.

"It won't be the same," she whispered.

Sighing, he continued to rub her back. "No…but there are always holidays and weekends, times when I can come and visit," he answered. Smiling, she closed her eyes.

"I like that idea," she whispered.

Emmett held her close, kissing the top of her head. "It won't be forever, I promise," he whispered.

"I know," she answered.

Pulling away, their eyes locked again. Stroking her cheek gently, Emmett leaned forward, kissing her tenderly, lovingly. Kissing him back, Bella wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her up off the floor, moving her over to her bed when Bella pulled back. "Emmett, wait," she told him.

"What is it? Something wrong?" he asked concern.

"No," she replied.

She held his hands in hers, letting out a sigh. "Actually…yeah…" she murmured.

"What is it Gorgeous?" he asked quietly.

She let out a deep breath, moving her hands up and down his arms. "I'm not sure…if this is the right time to do this," she told him. Emmett kneeled down on the floor so she could look into his eyes. "I mean…the timing is off. You're going to college; I'm still here in Forks. I just don't know if this is…" she started.

"Baby…" he whispered.

He stroked her cheek gently. "No need for an explanation," he murmured. Smiling a little, she leaned into his touch. "I will wait for you; as long as it takes I'll wait for you. I've waited this long to be with you at all, it'll be worth the wait when we are ready to take that step," he assured her. She smiled a little, moving her hands over his arms. "Bella, I love you so much. What we have is more than just a high school fling. I love you, my heart beats for you. I'll wait for you as long as you'll wait for me," he whispered.

Bella smiled, moving her thumbs over his hands. "I'll wait for you," she answered. She rested her forehead against his, closing her eyes.

"When the time comes, it'll be special I promise," he whispered.

"I trust you," she answered.

She moved her thumb over his jaw. "I've always, always trusted you," she added.

"Good, you should always feel safe with me," he whispered.

She nodded her head slowly. "Could you just…hold me?" she asked. A smile appeared on her boyfriend's face, making her heart flutter again.

"That is a question you never have to ask Gorgeous," he told her.

Climbing into bed, he wrapped his arms around her after kicking off his shoes. Resting her head on his chest, she closed her eyes. Stroking her hair gently, Emmett smiled as he watched her fall asleep. "I love you Bella," he whispered.

"I love you too…" she answered quietly.

Once she was asleep, he wrapped the blankets around them, pulling her even closer if it were at all possible. Sighing, he looked out the window and closed his eyes as sleep overcame him.

The next morning, it was a slow, sad morning. Bella was standing at the airport with Emmett, he was getting his things checked in and they were now waiting for his flight to be called. "You have everything?" Esme asked.

"Yep," he replied.

Carlisle smiled, hugging Emmett. "Good luck son, call if you need anything," he told him.

"You got it," Emmett answered.

He hugged Esme, kissing her cheek gently. Esme hugged him back, rubbing his back gently. "Call when you get there," she told him.

"Promise," he answered.

When he reached Alice, he easily lifted his petite future sister-in-law off the floor, swinging her back and forth. "Take care Pixie," he told her.

"You too Emmett, be safe," Alice answered.

"Have no reason not to be," he assured her smiling.

Once he reached Bella, the other three-moved back to leave them alone. "Déjà vu," she said quietly. He gently moved his fingers over her hands.

"We know this time…it's not forever," he murmured.

She nodded her head slowly, letting out a deep breath. "I love you," he told her quietly.

"I love you too," she answered.

Emmett put his duffle down on the floor to hug her. Wrapping his strong arms around her waist, he lifted her up off the floor. Bella wrapped her arms around his neck with tears in her eyes. "I don't want to say 'goodbye'," she told him her voice shaking.

"It's not goodbye," he answered.

He kissed the side of her head. "Never goodbye, instead it's a 'see you soon'," he answered. She nodded her head slowly, letting out a shaky breath.

"Flight 721 to Stanford, California is now boarding," the flight attendant announced.

Setting her down on the floor, Emmett rested his forehead against hers. "I love you Bella," he murmured.

"I love you too Emmett," she answered.

Kissing her gently, he moved his thumb over her cheek. She kissed him back fighting as hard as she could against the tears forming in her eyes. Pulling away, he kissed her forehead. "See you soon Gorgeous," he told her.

"See you soon," she answered.

She held onto Emmett's hand until he was out of her reach, reluctantly letting him go. Watching as he handed the flight attendant his ticket, he turned back to her waving. Smiling a little, she waved back before he disappeared through the gate. Once he was out of her sight, she let out a shaky sigh. Alice walked over, resting her hand on her shoulder. "You okay?" she asked.

Lifting her head, she sniffled. "I will be when I see him again," Bella replied.

"Come on," Alice told her quietly.

Nodding her head slowly, Bella glanced at the gate once more before they left the airport, heading back to Forks.

Author's note: Just thought I'd catch everyone up on the character's ages lol.

Emmett: 18 almost 19

Edward: 19

Jasper: 20

Rosalie: 19

Alice: 18

Bella: 17 almost 18

Thanks everyone for your support on this story *smiles*. Don't worry the story is far from over hehe. Thank you again for the support.

Arwennicole