Chapter 3: The Memories
Bella sighed as she sat in the library with her homework when she felt a tug on her shirt. "Mama," Renesmee called. She held up a children's book. Bella smiled as she stood up, leaving her homework in it's place on the table before picking her daughter up and moved over to the pillows.
She sat down with her daughter in her lap. "What book did you pick out today?" She asked smiling. Bella looked at the book. "Goldilocks huh?" She asked. She sat back against the wall and opened the book as she started to quietly read to the toddler.
Bella smiled to see her daughter's shining eyes at the pictures. She kissed the side of her head at one point while she continued to read. When it came to being a mother, Bella never pictured becoming one. She always thought of getting a career and everything, but having children was the last thing on her mind. However, the day she found out she was pregnant with Renesmee, her thoughts changed on motherhood. She had thought over all the options, abortion, adoption, but she rejected them both. She couldn't punish a baby for living she also couldn't carry the baby for nine months and then give it away.
The moment Bella looked into her daughter's face, she was attached. Now, two years later she still adored the little girl. She felt that it would've been better if Edward was by her side during the time she was pregnant and during the times she needed him raising Renesmee. "Mama," Renesmee pouted, pointing to the book. Bella realized she had she had stopped reading."Sorry," she said quietly.
She turned the page in the book and continued reading quietly.
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When they returned to the apartment, Renesmee was asleep with her head on Bella's shoulder. "You guys got back later than expected," Jasper commented.
"Yeah, got to reading," Bella replied putting her backpack on the floor.
"Want me to take her?" Jasper asked.
"No I've got her," Bella replied.
She carried Renesmee to her bedroom and set her down on the bed, stroking her hair gently. She looked at the photograph on her daughter's nightstand. It was of her and Edward, during their prom. She smiled sadly as she covered Renesmee up and picked the picture up in her hands.
(Flashback)
Bella walked down the stairs in her prom dress with Alice. "Doesn't she look amazing?!" Alice exclaimed happily.
"Not as amazing as you," Jasper replied grinning as he pulled Alice to him.
Edward was looking at her with shining eyes. "You're perfect," he said quietly.
"Thanks," Bella answered.
She started to take a step when she slipped and fell. Edward quickly grabbed her before she hit the floor. "Clumsiness never takes a break does it?" he quipped lightly. She laughed a little before he set her back up on her feet.
"Look this way kids," Charlie chuckled.
Edward stood behind Bella, his arms wrapped around her waist. Bella had her hands over his with a smile and the camera flash went off.
(End Flashback)
Bella moved her fingers over the picture with a heavy sigh. Then her mind drifted back to the other day when she ran into him. Her heart ached at the thought, for two years she thought of seeing him again and when she did see him, she just felt so angry and hurt with him she couldn't even look at him. He disappeared on her, he left her alone and pregnant. She had to rely on her sister, brother, father, mother, and her best friend for help. She couldn't rely on the person she wanted to rely on. She saw the tear drops on the picture and she realized she was crying. She put the picture down on the nightstand and left the room.
Jasper was reading when Bella hurried out onto the balcony. "Bella?" he called quietly. He put the book aside and went after her.
Bella stood out on the balcony, leaning against the rail, sniffling. "Bells, what's wrong?" Jasper asked, leaning against the rail. She sniffled again, wiping the tears from her face.
"Nothing I'm fine," she answered.
He pushed his fingers through his hair. "Is this about running into Edward the other day?" He asked.
"Is it that obvious?" She asked.
Jasper handed her a tissue. "Bells, you're not going to wake up one day and the hurt will go away," he told her.
"It's been two years Jasper I should be over him," she answered.
Jasper was quiet for a minute. "I want to hate him, I want to go up to him and tell him how much I hate him," she added.
"Then what's stopping you?" He asked.
She let out a sigh.. "Because honestly, Jasper, it would all be a lie," she whispered. He rested his hand over hers and Bella sighed sadly. "Because there's so much there to just throw all away. The memories, the fact that I got a daughter out of the relationship," she answered. She swallowed hard. "I don't even know why he left, he just left. His own parents don't know what happened to him until I told them he was here!" She exclaimed quietly.
"Well for that I'm sure when Emmett finds him Edward's going to regret disappearing and scaring all of us," Jasper answered chuckling.
Bella laughed a little at the idea. "You know he didn't see what it did to all of us. What it did to Esme," she commented.
"As his brother, I won't sit here and defend him because even I'm angry with him. Mom didn't leave her room for the longest time," he answered.
"I remember that," she said quietly.
Jasper leaned back on the railing looking at the stars. "Either way, when we all see Edward again, there will be hell to pay because what he did was the most selfish thing that he had ever done. I had never known him for being so selfish," he commented.
"I know, which is what confuses me even more about why he did what he did. Edward never once did something like this because of how it would affect us all," she answered.
Jasper sighed. "I don't know, but I have a feeling we'll get answers for our questions soon enough," he said quietly. Bella nodded her head slowly and they looked out towards the city.
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At school the next day, Bella was walking around the campus, heading towards her next class when she saw Edward sitting under a tree. He had a few books open and he was talking to a girl, they both appeared to be studying.
Edward looked up and saw Bella standing towards the entrance of the school. They both held eye contact for a few minutes before he turned and looked back over to the girl next to him.
Bella let out a deep breath before she walked over to him. "Excuse me," she told the girl. Before Edward could react, Bella smacked him.
"What the hell?!" the girl exclaimed.
"That's for disappearing on us and worrying about you!" Bella snapped at Edward angrily.
She took off a ring that was on her right hand, throwing it at him. "Now it's officially over!" She snapped before storming away. Edward watched her walk away before he bent down and picked the ring up, recognizing it immediately as it sat in his hand. It was the promise ring he gave her junior year of high school.
"She still kept it…" he said quietly, stunned.
"Come on Eddie, we'll be late," the girl told him grabbing his hand and led him towards their class.
Edward followed her, but he was looking where Bella retreated to. He let out a deep breath and followed her inside their class.
