I do not own Twilight or any of these characters

BPOV

Chapter 8

Preparation

Graduation was a few short weeks away and we were sending in our final paperwork for the University of Alaska. I decided to give social work a fair go as a major, I figured that if it wasn't working out for me, it would be early enough to change my mind at the end of freshman year. Edward was keeping his major a secret from me. All he told me was that it was a subject that he had never pursued before but had become quite interested in the past few months. I let it go at that. The university itself was located in Anchorage, but Anchorage was a fairly urban area and the Cullens liked their privacy, they had a house in a small rural area on the outskirts of the city, closer to the mountains. The 'cousins' of the Cullens that lived in Denali were a few hours away from us if we needed anything. It seemed like a pretty good arrangement and I was beginning to look forward to it. Edward said that the climate during the summer, fall, and spring were close enough to what it was out here, just a little cooler and a little shorter in duration but that the winters were very cold. I would have to bring lots of layers of clothing, it didn't sound much different than living in Forks. He showed me pictures of the house his parents owned that we'd be living in for the next four years but said that I couldn't quite get the effect of it unless I saw it for myself. He wanted to make arrangements for him, Charlie, and me to go out to Alaska before classes started so that Charlie could see where we would be living. He thought it might ease his mind a little, but Charlie could not get the time off from work. Graduation came and went and the summer was on. Alice threw a huge graduation party for the three of us of course and invited the whole school. Surprisingly, most of them showed up, Edward claimed that the only reason for that was so that everyone could get a look at the mysterious home of the reclusive Cullen children while Alice claimed it was because they were our friends. I thought it was a little bit of both. Alice was going to stay fairly local with her education this time around. Jasper still wasn't ready to be around a lot of people and so far from home yet and Alice didn't want to be far from him, so she was going to attend school somewhere in Seattle and commute every day. She was still planning to pursue her veterinary technician major and was looking for a practice to do an internship. It was all very strange to see, but then again, what was she going to do with all the time she had on her hands?

It was the end of July and Edward and I would have to be leaving for Alaska in a couple of weeks. The summer had gone by too fast; I spent as much time as I could with Charlie and my school friends. I flew out a couple of times to spend time with Renee and Phil. I felt like once I was in Alaska, it would be a long time before I saw any of them again. Edward was very understanding and kept his distance while I said what seemed like goodbye to everyone. I even went fishing with Charlie and Billy a few times. Jacob, Billy's son, my friend, came as often as he could but, supposedly, he was away a lot these days with the pack. I thought he was away more because he was still upset with me since Edward had come back. Jacob saw Edward differently than I did, Jacob saw Edward as an enemy, and Edward was not too fond of him either.

This afternoon was muggy and overcast, I sat on a broken tree trunk on the edge of a meadow Edward and I frequented and fanned myself with my school schedule.

"You really didn't get your schedule in the mail yet?" I asked with skepticism in my voice.

It startled me when I looked up and saw him hanging by his legs upside down in a young spruce tree above me. "You look ridiculous." I laughed.

He laughed softly, "Honestly Bella, I haven't gotten anything from the university in months."

"Really?"

"Sorry." He said continuing to hang from the low branch. "Except, wait a minute," he fished through his pockets while maintaining his balance perfectly. "What's this?" he pulled a piece of paper out of his jeans that looked similar to the one I had in my hand.

I grabbed at the paper impulsively and he snatched it away from me. With one fluid movement that I could barely piece together he flipped out of the tree landing on his feet on the ground and started reading from the paper.

"Monday, nine o'clock, advanced chemistry one, ten o'clock college literature one, eleven o'clock…" he continued on. I jumped up from my tree and tried to grab his schedule out of his hands. I was fighting a losing battle, but in the end, he let me win.

I read the schedule through once, twice, three times, my lips moving quickly with every word. My eyebrows furrowed a little and I crinkled my nose up in confusion when I realized what his major was. "Edward Cullen, freshman, culinary arts major?!"

I looked at him in disbelief, "you're going to be, a culinary arts major?"

A wide grin crossed over his face, "Does that seem strange to you?" he asked innocently.

"Edward, you don't even eat. Technically, you're not supposed to, doesn't it make you sick?"

"A little." He shrugged. "But, that's irrelevant. I kind of, enjoy, cooking and you have to eat, so I figured, why not?"

"Aren't you worried you're going to have to try a lot of the things you prepare?"

"I have food allergies." He didn't seem too concerned.

"Wouldn't you rather be a history major or something? You haven't tried that yet."

He crinkled up his nose as if the mere suggestion offended him. He answered "I'm not really into history. Land, money, power, that's basically what it's all about. That doesn't appeal to me; I get much more out of a subject that stimulates my senses." He walked closer to me and touched my bare arm with his hand and traced a line around my wrist. "Besides, isn't that what every woman wants, a man who cooks?" he wrapped his bare arms around my waist and held me in a cool embrace. When the weather was hot like this Edward worked better than central air.

"That's what I hear." I said smiling, "but you could work on a maggot farm and I would still want you."

"Maybe I'll change my major after all." He teased as he leaned in to kiss me.

The morning of our departure to Anchorage had come, I had planned to stay overnight at the Cullens and Charlie would meet us at the airport the next morning to see me off. He had relaxed his parental reach over me the last couple weeks since he figured Edward and I would be at school together anyway. He had also been easier on Edward since their outing together, but was still frosty at best most days.

I had been packing the few things I had for three days and little by little, my bedroom became more vacant. I had always pictured myself going shopping for a dorm someday. Having to buy flip flops to shower in and that obnoxious little bathroom tote that all college students were notorious for having. I pictured myself buying door beads, wall posters and bean bag chairs and of course the micro fridge filled with wine coolers and frozen dinners. I had imagined getting some nightmare of a roommate, I figured with my luck she probably would have been some kind of Goth kid or a pothead. I probably would have gotten along better with the Goth kid. I can't say that I had looked forward to this aspect of college life, nor did I dread it either, I just figured it would be a rite of passage for me. Maybe I would have met someone my junior year and we would have moved in to an apartment together off campus. It turned out that none of that was going to happen, I felt like I had skipped over it all together. I wondered what it would be like living with Edward, we were always together as it was, but I've heard that moving in together is a completely different experience. I hoped it would be all I thought it was going to be, that he thought it was going to be. I didn't have any doubts as I looked at my empty room, it just looked like a room now, it didn't look like it was mine anymore. It didn't seem like some of the most important and wonderful nights of my life had taken place here. I looked sentimentally at the window that Edward always used, and my mother's old rocking chair, it all seemed like a dream to me, a wonderful, impossible dream.

My thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the front door, it wasn't Edward's knock, it was Alice's. I opened the door and saw her gleaming heart shaped face bubbling over with delight.

"Bella!" she put her tiny little arms around me and gave me a big bear hug. Jasper was coming up the driveway behind her. "I brought manual labor!" she said gesturing toward him as he came up the front stairs.

"Hello Bella." Jasper said warmly. His blond hair was tucked up under a baseball cap and he was wearing a blue cotton button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looked like he should be on a beach somewhere in California with all the other beautiful people of the world. He gave me a quick smile as his gold eyes, not unlike Edward's met mine.

"Jasper, grab Bella's things." Alice ordered. Without a word he quickly headed up the stairs to my bedroom to grab my stuff.

"Oh, no, I can help him, there's like three things up there," I started, within seconds Jasper was out the front door carrying all of my bags and a trunk toward the jeep parked in the driveway. "Erm, thanks." I said uneasily

Alice smiled sweetly at me, "are you ready to go?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." Charlie wasn't home, so I didn't need to say goodbye to him yet. I made sure I had my keys in my hand, took one more look at the living room and headed out to the car. I passed my old red pickup truck on the way and suddenly stopped, "wait a minute!" I ran over to the front of my truck and saw what I wanted, the Chevy emblem. I took a pocket knife out of my jeans and slipped it under the metal plus sign, it took a little jiggling but then it finally popped off. I pulled the nails out of it and shoved it into my pocket with the knife.

Alice watched me in amusement, "Sentimental." I responded, pretty impressed with myself. A big grin went across her face and she threw her arm around my shoulders and skipped me over to the jeep. "You are going to love college!"

I got to the Cullens and Esme was in the kitchen cooking dinner with Carlisle.

"Esme, you didn't have to...I could have ordered something." I started, embarrassed that she was making me dinner.

"Nonsense Bella, you're going away from home for awhile, you should have a home cooked meal before your departure."

"Although rumor has it, you'll be getting plenty of cooked meals from Betty Crocker over here." A big voice boomed from the garage. I turned to see Emmett grinning ear to ear as he walked in with Edward trailing miserably behind him.

"All day I've been getting nothing but flack for this." Edward said annoyed. Emmett just kept laughing and slapping him on the shoulder.

"Emmett, stop giving your brother a hard time." Esme said in a motherly tone.

"Come on Esme, culinary? Edward can't eat! Why would he want to even take a cooking class, let alone become a culinary major?"

"I can think of one very good reason." Esme said crossly putting her hands on her hips.

Emmett gave me a glance and then turned his head back to Edward who was standing against the counter now with his arms crossed over his chest. "Man are you whipped." He said shaking his head. Edward raised an eyebrow in annoyance.

"That's enough Emmett," Carlisle interjected "Be respectful of your brother's choices. Bella can I get you something to drink?" he said turning his attention to me.

"Water is fine." I croaked, a little embarrassed.

I ate the meal Esme had prepared for me and it was delicious. She made what she thought was traditional comfort food; turkey meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and honeyed carrots, green salad and biscuits on the side. I wish I could have eaten more, but obviously, I was the only one eating. I insisted on cleaning up the dishes once I had finished, but she wouldn't let me, she said she was happy to do it. Esme was wonderful; it was like she had been put on this earth to be a mom, not just a mother, but a mom. I secretly wished she really was my mother sometimes. Edward took my hand and took me over to the piano and started playing softly.

"Do we have a piano at our place in Alaska?" It sounded strange referring to it as our place, I still couldn't believe that in less than twenty four hours we would be living together.

"No, we don't, but I've got a guitar over there, so that'll do for awhile." He answered.

"You play guitar too? I didn't know that, electric or acoustic?"

"Both."

"Of course, of course you play both." I sat and listened to him play for awhile and watched everyone around me. Rosalie had come back from wherever she had been and she and Emmett were sitting together on the loveseat watching a baseball game together cheering and booing at the opposing teams. Emmett apparently was a red sox fan and Rosalie was a Yankees fan and they were bickering back and forth as the two teams fought it out on the field. Carlisle and Esme were sitting together in front of the huge picture window as a late summer rain beat against the glass. Esme sat reclined on the massive couch reading and Carlisle sat at the end of the couch with her feet in his lap, rubbing them, totally engrossed in his lovely wife. Jasper and Alice sat at a huge mahogany table playing chess together, holding hands between moves. Is this really how simple life was once you found your other half? Everything seemed so peaceful and natural, I hoped it would be like that for us when we were together and had no distractions. Everybody here seemed like they had figured out what was important to them and now they were just enjoying each other. It was such a soothing feeling; I just took it all in and smiled. I hadn't even noticed that Edward had stopped playing.

"What are you thinking about right now?" He asked, studying my expression carefully.

"It's just so, peaceful here. Everybody seems like they just want to be with each other." I said stupidly.

"The nights are very quiet around here." He said softly, "One of the greatest advantages of living this long is that when you realize that you can achieve happiness, that you're allowed it, everything becomes very simple and straightforward. You find someone that makes you whole when you're with them and so, you make it your business to just be with them. It's not like you have a whole lot to worry about anymore after your body dies."

"I suppose that's true." I agreed.

He brushed a piece of hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear "Come on, let's go to bed, we've got an early flight tomorrow."

He rose from the piano bench and took my hand "Goodnight everyone, we're, well, Bella's going to bed."

"Goodnight son, Bella." Carlisle said warmly. Esme smiled and the four siblings just held up a hand to wave. I nodded back and followed Edward upstairs.

Because Edward didn't sleep, there was no bed in his room, I had never slept in here before, and it felt a little strange, forbidden almost. He did, however, have a massive couch that Esme had made up with a big down comforter and half a dozen pillows. I knew Esme had made it up because I could smell her elegant floral scent all over the blankets, it filled me with comfort.

"I'm sorry about the accommodations, Esme offered to make up the spare bedroom for you, but I thought you'd be more comfortable sleeping in my room, and I kind of liked the idea of it too." He said sheepishly.

"This is perfect, thank you." I assured him.

"Alice put all of your toiletries in the bathroom down the hall for you so you can do your human thing." He joked.

"I love your family." I said suddenly.

He smiled widely, "Well, good, because they love you too, even Rosalie, I think you're growing on her."

"I have noticed I don't feel the daggers she shoots out her eyes at me as much as I used to."

"That's a good sign." He laughed. "Oh, I forgot, I got you something, a little going away present you could say." He said excitedly walking over to his closet.

"Edward, you don't need to…"

"Shhh…" he put a finger over my mouth, "no, this is good, I think you're going to love it." he smiled mischievously as he brought out a bag from Hot Topic and handed it to me. "I figured you might want something new to wear to bed."

I glared at him and then smirked a little. I reached into the bag and pulled out a black fitted women's shirt. I unfolded it to look at the front of it, I burst out laughing when I saw what it said, "I run with vampires" I read aloud. I looked at Edward and he looked delighted.

"Do you like it?"

"I do, I do, but it's a size small, it's probably going to be too tight."

"I know" He purred. I paused and stared at him for a second and started to crumple up the bag, "wait, there's something else in there too."

I reached back into the bag and felt around, something very small and soft was at the very bottom. I pulled out a pair of black satin boy shorts underwear with red ribbons weaved up the sides of the legs, I glared at him.

"What? They're just pajamas." He said innocently putting his hands up in front of him, "They matched the t-shirt, the sales girl said so." I shook my head and got off the couch and kissed him playfully on the mouth. He pushed me back down on the couch and I took him with me giggling. He straddled me and hit me with a pillow, and then there was a knock at the door "come in," he said as he lightly pinned my wrists at my sides.

Alice came bopping in and let out a little gasp, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, everything's fine." He said climbing off me, "I just gave Bella her going away present."

"Do you love it?" Alice asked excitedly

"I do." I said sitting up

"I was pretty impressed that Edward picked it out himself, he's usually so serious." She said in a mocking voice. He shrugged his shoulders.

"What can we do for you Alice?" he asked

"I was wondering if I could talk to Bella for a minute?" she asked

"Absolutely. I'll come back later." He said lightly, he turned and walked out of the room flinging another pillow at me as he left.

"What's up Alice?" I asked.

She immediately got up and shut the bedroom door and I knew we were about to have a serious conversation. "I needed to talk to you alone."

"Ok," I said uneasily, "what's the matter?"

"Edward has told you undoubtedly about the visions I've been having lately right?"

"He told me of a vision you had." I said

"Which one?"

"The one where you see him becoming a human." I said quietly so no one would hear

"Bella, I have that vision at least a few times a week. It's constantly there, unrelenting and unchanging. It never goes away. It worries me."

"Why does it upset you so much?"

"Well, I'm worried that he's going to get into some kind of trouble, that he might be in some kind of danger, and I don't want to alarm either of you, but I can't take it anymore. I want you to promise me something." Her honey colored eyes were wide with concern.

"Anything Alice, you know that." I said trying to ease her mind

"You need to look out for my brother. He's going to be so far away from us that we'll be unable to help him if he needs us right away. If I can sense something is coming, I can try to get down there, but with everyday things, you need to watch over him."

"Of course I will Alice, that goes without saying. I'll help him get used to being human again."

"That's not what I mean Bella. I mean, of course he'll need a little help, but I'm not worried about that, Edward knows what to do. I think he may come across an, adversary of some sort, I can't be sure, maybe I'm just overreacting, I very well could be. But nevertheless, I want you to have something." She reached into the wide pocket of her apron shirt and pulled out a silver object.

"Jesus, Alice what is that?!" I said hopping off the couch in fear.

"Bella, sit down and keep quiet." She hissed, "This is very important. I'm not going to tell you what this is yet; all I'm going to tell you is that it could save Edward's life. I want you to keep this in a very safe place where he won't find it. I want you to practically forget that you have this until you need it."

"But Alice, how will I…" she stopped me short, she held up a finger to silence me and shook her head from side to side, her eyes were dark and serious.

"What I can tell you is that you will know when to use this. Trust me when I say, that your instincts will be correct and you will know what to do with this and when to use it, I can guarantee it."

"So I will have to use it then?" I asked wearily

"I don't know that for sure. Give me your hand." She held out her little hand, her red nail polish glistened in the light I hesitantly placed my hand out.

She placed the object in my hand carefully. It was a 35 ml syringe full of some kind of clear liquid. I take that back, the liquid wasn't really clear, it actually had an iridescent quality to it, when the light hit it just right, it shone a silvery metallic color. I closed my hand around the syringe and it was very cold to the touch. On the end of the syringe was what looked to be a 16 gauge needle, sharp and glistening and hollow. A chill went through me as I walked over to my trunk that Jasper had brought up and hid the syringe far out of site and hopefully out of my memory.

I could feel Alice watching me as I stepped carefully back across the room and took my place beside her on the couch. "Thank you Bella." She whispered smiling this time. All of the darkness and seriousness had left her eyes and she just looked appeased now.

"Alice, he's going to be okay right?" I asked anxiously

She put her arm around me and said, "Bella, as long as you're with him, nothing bad will ever happen to Edward. I know it." she kissed my cheek softly and stood up to leave.

"Alice," I called to her my voice trembling

"Yes," she said coming back toward me

"Do you know when, when Edward is going to be, transformed?" I couldn't think of a more descript word at the time.

"Um, I think it may happen at the end of November." She whispered "I see the two of you coming home for some reason and staying for about a week or so, I think it will happen then."

"Thanksgiving maybe?" I asked

"Well, technically yes, but the two of you weren't originally planning on coming home until Christmas right?"

"Oh, yes, that's right."

"You'll be back at Thanksgiving, but it will be for another reason."

"How long will it take?"

"Three days."

"Is he going to be in any pain?"

"Not that I can see, I think he might actually be sleeping the whole time." She said with a warm smile

I smiled to myself then, "He's going to get to sleep." I whispered. "Does he know about any of this?" I asked her

"No, I didn't tell him any of that."

"Will you if he asks?"

"I don't think I will, it would probably go better if it was unexpected. He's already made his decision."

"I know." I said

"Take care of him Bella, everything he does now ends and begins with you, I hope you know that."

"I do Alice, and I feel the same."

"I guess I knew that." She said sadly, "But I've got to say something I am his most annoying sister.

I laughed a little and she gave me a hug, "Get some sleep now, you've got some big things ahead of you.

I woke to Edward lightly shaking me and calling my name. "Time to get up, love."

"What time is it?" I croaked rubbing my eyes

"Five." He answered

"A.M?" I groaned in disbelief

"Our flight leaves at eight; we're meeting Charlie for six."

I grumpily sighed and rolled myself off the couch, not even looking at him and headed down the hallway to the bathroom. I took a shower and brushed my teeth and got dressed. This was going to be a long flight so I just threw on jeans and a t-shirt. I headed downstairs in search of something to eat. I almost forgot that I wasn't in my own house and hoped they wouldn't mind that I was just making myself at home. It actually startled me how comfortable I was here. I entered the kitchen and Edward was sitting on a stool at the counter reading a newspaper. I reached into a cabinet where I knew the bowls were kept, I could feel Edward watching me from behind his newspaper. I looked up at him and caught him in the act. I headed to another cabinet and reached for a glass. I heard him mutter something under his breath and chuckle softly.

"What?" I asked sounding a little more irritated than I meant to.

He folded up his newspaper and placed it on the counter. "Nothing. I've just never seen anyone so at ease in a house full of vampires."

"Have you ever invited anyone else over?"

"No, not really."

"Well then how do you know?" I stood at the counter with my empty bowl, spoon, and glass and then lost my nerve. Edward got up and reached into another cabinet and pulled out a box of cereal for me, and then poured me a glass of juice.

"Esme keeps the place stocked for when you come over." He gave me a playful smile. He sat back down at the counter and I took my spot beside him. "Ready to fly?" he asked brightly.

"Ready as ever." I said happily, "how long is the flight?"

"A while." He answered casually

"Ah." I said, "Glad I brought a book and headphones."

"Esme also packed you some snacks, Carlisle was concerned your blood sugar might get low."

"Are you serious?" I asked, I hated them fussing over me so much.

"They take better care of you than they do me." He said with a crooked smile.

"You seem like you can take care of yourself most of the time." My mind went back to the conversation I had with Alice the night before and I shuddered. 'Take care of him Bella,' her words echoed in my head, I shook it off.

"Good morning Edward, Bella," Carlisle greeted as he walked into the kitchen adjusting the cuffs on his shirt. "Almost ready to go?"

"Almost," Edward said nodding at me as I finished up my cereal.

"Excellent, I'll get Emmett to put your bags in the car, unless you need something out of them," he added, I knew it was directed toward me.

"Oh, no thanks Carlisle, I've got everything I need." I said cheerfully. Carlisle winked at me and left the room quickly, I heard him calling Emmett. I went to bring my bowl to the sink to wash it, but Edward had already reached for it and was cleaning it for me. He placed it silently back into the cabinet.

"You know, for a vampire you're very domestic." I said adoringly

"I do what I can." He said nonchalantly. "Come on, let's go meet Charlie." He took my hand in his and led me to the living room.

Although the airport was several miles away, it seemed like it took no time at all to get there. We arrived at six am on the dot and headed to the gate. Charlie waited for us with a coffee for me.

"Dad!" I called out hurrying over to him

"Hey Bells!" He said hugging me. "Do you have everything you need?"

"All packed."

"And did you get to eat this morning?"

"Yes, Esme bought me cereal and juice and she made dinner last night. I also have some stuff in my carry on if I get hungry."

"Good." He said. He paused and just stared at me for a minute, he looked like he was going to cry, so he just hugged me again. He let go and kept his arm around my waist and turned to face the Cullens, who were keeping their distance so we could have some privacy. We walked over to them and Alice was the first to greet him.

"Hi Charlie!" she called in her sing songy voice. She danced over to him and hugged him, was there anyone she didn't greet this way?

"Hey sweetie!" He mumbled back, clearly a little uncomfortable. He looked over at Carlisle and Esme and walked toward them to greet them "Dr. and Mrs. Cullen," he reached out to shake their hands.

"Please Charlie, you can call me Carlisle, and this is my wife Esme." Esme embraced him warmly. Charlie was not used to all of this affection.

"Alright," Charlie said with a little smile, "I want you to know that I really appreciate everything you've done for Bella. It's good to know she won't be living in some dorm and that Edward has relatives nearby. It really, um, puts my mind at ease. As hard it is to see her go, I know she's in good hands." He said glancing over at Edward.

"Bella's safety and happiness is just as important to us as Edward's Charlie, we're fortunate that we can do this for them." Carlisle said gently as the charm just oozed off him.

"Well, thanks again." Charlie said quietly. He then turned his focus to Edward and headed over to him, he looked calm. "Edward, you make sure you take care of my daughter." I expected Edward to lapse into some kind of elegant declaration of his commitment to me as he always did, but he didn't.

"I will always." He said simply. His answer seemed to satisfy Charlie's request because Charlie gave him a meaningful nod and patted his shoulder roughly. My heart ached for Charlie; I was going to miss him so much. I hoped he would find someone to take care of him while I was away.

"Well, we should probably get going." Carlisle announced, "You'll have to be heading up to the plane soon." He strode over to me and kissed my forehead, Esme followed and embraced me tightly. "Goodbye son," he said warmly to Edward hugging him, Esme looked like she was going to burst into tears. She grabbed Edward and kissed him a hundred times on his head and face. He smiled, a little embarrassed, and hugged her "Contact us as soon as you arrive." She said quietly to him, her voice trembling a little.

"I will, I promise." He answered

Alice was next, she came over to me and threw her arms around me, "Come home soon!" and then she said lowly in my ear so no one could hear "Remember everything I told you. It's all going to be fine." I nodded as tears filled up my eyes; this was beginning to get emotional for me. She hurried over to Edward and jumped into his arms nearly knocking him over, he started laughing and hugged her back "see you around." She said playfully.

Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper said their goodbyes as well and then it was my turn to say goodbye to Charlie.

"Oh dad," I whispered as I hugged him, "are you sure you're going to be alright? Cuz I'll stay if you need me to."

"Don't be silly Bells, your old man will be fine. You'll probably be back before I even know you're gone, your mother's the one who's the wreck." He joked trying to lighten the moment.'

"I love you Dad."

"Love you too Bells," he held me for a moment more, "now hurry up before you miss your flight.'

"Okay." I said with fat, wet tears in my eyes

Charlie was getting choked up too, before he lost it, he called over to Edward, "Edward, come here and get my little girl to stop crying." Obediently Edward approached us cautiously, Charlie gently pushed me toward Edward and he put his arms around me, I wiped my eyes on his shirt.

"Bye Bells," Charlie said weakly, "call me when you get there, I don't care what time it is."

"Okay dad," I whispered smiling sadly. With that Charlie and the Cullens turned and headed out of the airport together. I stood with Edward for a minute more trying to compose myself, and when I was ready we headed for the plane.

"Everything is going to be alright." He whispered in my ear when he caught me looking like I was going to cry again. "Charlie is going to be fine, I promise." I just nodded quickly, sniffling a little. I knew that if I tried to talk I would break down. He squeezed my hand as we approached the entrance to the plane. We took our seats and Edward let me have the window hoping that would help to calm me down.

I burst into tears the minute the plane started to move, full blown sobbing even, I was a little embarrassed, people were starting to stare at me. I wiped my face on the sleeve of my t-shirt. "Bella, what's wrong?" Edward asked concerned.

"I just, I'll be okay, I just need a minute. I thought I'd be okay, but seeing Charlie, and saying goodbye, and your family…" I stuttered my voice hiccupping a little, Edward's face grew more alarmed, "I didn't think it'd be this big a deal, and then, my bedroom is empty, and my truck and Charlie's alone, and…"

Before I could let out another stream of incoherent thoughts Edward gently placed his cool hands on either side of my face. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath; tears still trickled out of my tightly shut lids. "Bella," he said in the softest most angelic voice, "shhhh, calm down." He kept his hands on my hot, wet face and slowly moved his thumbs across my eyelids, I was instantly calmer. "Listen to my voice, shhhhh." It worked, all the background noise on the plane vanished, and all of my frantic thoughts quieted, all I could hear was him. I slowly opened my eyes and he was there. My hiccupping sobs ceased, he raised an eyebrow expectantly as if he were waiting for me to freak out again. His hands were still on my face, "Better?" he asked a little uneasily.

"Much," I said, "thank you."

He let out a deep sigh of relief and released my face, "thank God, I thought I was going to have ask the stewardess for a valium." He said, teasing now. He sat back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect to react that way." I said sheepishly looking down at my lap.

"Bella," he said tenderly, "we don't have to go through with this, if you're not ready, it's okay, we can go to school in Seattle or something."

"No, no! I'm ready I just needed, a moment."

"Are you absolutely sure?" he asked

"Yes I am." I said smiling for the first time in the last hour. I moved over in my seat and tucked my hand under his folded arms and rested my head against his shoulder.

He turned his head to the side and looked down at me "you're going to be the death of me yet." I then heard him mutter softly to himself, "I live for ninety years and this is what's going to end up killing me."

I smirked a little as I shut my eyes and tried to fall asleep.