This magic realm belongs to SM! But the pixies answer to me!
Edward
There were many questions burning in me and I needed my curiosity satisfied. I pulled her against my chest and wrapped my arms around her. She sighed and nestled her face over my silent heart.
"So what does Charlie think about you being here?" I could not believe that he might have agreed to let Bella come here alone.
"He doesn't technically know that I am here actually." She admitted sheepishly.
That's what I thought. "Where does he think you are?"
"He thinks that I am traveling with Alice and Jasper doing volunteer work abroad. You know, to fluff out my college applications."
That sounded a lot like Alice's idea. I wasn't angry with Alice anymore; having Bella in my arms again overshadowed any anger I might feel about Alice's machinations. I could not believe that she had gotten Jasper to go along with her plans though.
"Jasper knows you're here too?"
"Yes, it took a lot of convincing on Alice's part. She knew that Charlie wouldn't allow us to travel without a male escort." She laughed. "Charlie still didn't like the idea of me traveling to another country though, no matter how worthwhile the cause is. But Alice has Charlie wrapped around her finger and he finally agreed."
"Where are they now?" I knew that they could not be in Rio. I would have picked up Alice's or Jasper's thoughts easily since I was more tuned into their minds than most other people.
"Um, Santiago, I think. I am supposed to check in with Alice everyday. It seems silly to me since she already knows what I am doing or going to do, but it makes me feel better to talk to her. She always knows the right things to say."
"What do you mean?" There something in her tone that I could not identify.
"Well, it has been difficult to track you down. I knew that you were somewhere in the city but it's not like I could put up signs or something. You know 'Have you seen this man'?" I smiled a little at thought. She laughed a little then continued. "And I don't speak the language either so trying to make people understand has been interesting too. But she really just helped me keep my resolve."
"Your resolve?"
"Mmm-hmm. My resolve to keep looking for you. Alice has been encouraging, telling me not to give up hope and soothing my anxiety about seeing you again."
It made me sad that I had caused her so much pain that she had been worrying about seeing me again. Hearing that she might have given up searching for me had me holding her closer. She had been so brave to come here. A stranger in a strange place, not being able to speak the language and looking for someone she thought didn't want her. I would forever be in awe of her courage.
"I'm glad you didn't give up. And I'm sorry that you were so apprehensive about seeing me again. The way that I have treated you is abominable and I can never make it up to you but I will never stop trying." And I wouldn't.
"Edward, I am just so glad to be with you again like this. I was so afraid that you would turn me away, that Alice was wrong and that I was making a fool of myself. But being here, having you hold me again, it makes me so happy. Nothing else matters except that I get to be with you now." I could not fathom how she could forgive me so completely after everything. I truly did not deserve her.
"Bella, I promise you that I will never, ever leave you again. Being without you these last months…I don't ever want to feel that kind of pain ever again. And now, after seeing you and being able to touch you and have you in my arms again-there is nothing that could ever take me away from you ever again." We sat quietly together for a long moment.