All characters are Stephenie Meyers. I don't own them I wish I did ;o)

Have a Happy New Year Everyone!

What a holiday I had. Busy as a bee I was. I am back into the full swing of things. This means I am back to finish typing this story. Truth is on the go (my human story) and I am going to finish Christmas Wish. I can't promise when but it will be done.

I got a new Ipod for Christmas and I am so happy with it. I have 4 Twilight play lists on it now LOL--- My husband and son (my boys) bought it for me to shut up about wanting a new one for Christmas. I got my wish. Now I hope to give you all the finished version of Christmas Wish soon.

I know bad munchkin. But I have also come away from Twilight. I stopped reading the books. Maybe a new idea for Christmas Wish will come in and take over so I can finish writing it. Truth is about 5 chapters in. All are around 40 pages written. I don't think I am going to split up the chapters. We shall see.

Only 3 chapters left people.

Here is the last little bit from the previous chapter.

I hummed her lullaby and she fell asleep quickly. Tomorrow is when the plan had to happen. After the house was put up for sale. I may hold off if there was a bite on the house. I hated to do this to her, but her statement that she didn't want to die alone was my final straw. She wanted to be with me forever. I wasn't going to deny her any longer. Yes I wanted her to live her live but she had simply stated that she had lived it and it was not great. I saw both sides of both of our points and this was my conclusion. I pushed my thoughts aside and I hoped I was doing the right thing.

I watched Bella sleep. She was peaceful tonight. Not like I expected her to be with what had happened. Usually a nightmare would follow with everything that had happened. I knew this may be her last peaceful night for a long, long time. So I let her sleep. I wouldn't wake her in the morning. I would let her sleep in.

~munchkin1978


Why?

Chapter 21

I did let Bella sleep in and I packed up the things she wanted to take to the Cullen house for her. I was placing the last box in the car when she finally awoke. I came back into the house and stood in the doorway to her room.

"Morning sleepy head."

Yawning and sitting up Bella looked at me through her sleepy brown eyes. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You were peaceful. I didn't want to disturb you."

"I wanted to help."

"It's done. We just have to call the realtor."

"Okay."

She wanted to make her own breakfast today so while she did that I called the closest realtor. They were there at the house an hour or so later. It just happened that one had no appointments for the early part of the afternoon. The paper work was drawn up and signed by Bella and I. Bella was happy that she was selling the house. She then called her mother and told her. Her mothers reply was in the form of a question if I had done it. She had flat out told her no it wasn't. It was her decision. Not mine. No matter how hard Renee tried she would always despise me. I was okay with that. I knew it bothered Bella most of the time, but she kept it to herself. She was trying to spare me the comments her mother made but I knew what they were. She had hung up the phone and was visibly upset again. I just held her and let her cry it out and she relaxed.

The next phone call Bella made was to the goodwill shop. Bella didn't want to keep anything. She wanted to start 'new'. Fresh, free and clear with the Cullen family.

I watched as the appointment was made for tomorrow. I called back after Bella disappeared upstairs and requested a time for today. They re-booked it for this afternoon. They called Bella back on her cell phone and re-booked it with her. Things were going quickly. Quicker than I had expected. My plan would be in motion all that much faster now.

Goodwill came and took what they could sell. Giving money to Bella for what they took. Mostly the furniture remained. All the dishes were gone, the appliances as well. Bella walked through the house when the realtor came back to go over the house. It didn't need any work. Charlie had always fixed what needed to be fixed.

I decided to wait a day or two before I put my plan into place. I had to make sure Bella was okay with the house and everything was taken care of. I think it would be better for her to be relaxed when this happened.

True to my word I had waited a few days. Bella didn't question my plan. She didn't ask a single question. She just spent the last few days relaxing with me and spending time with Alice.

Alice had seen the plan coming together even before I had finalized and thought of it. She kept it to herself. I thanked her for it. Bella had to walk into this blind or it wouldn't work. I had also sworn Alice to secrecy.

A day or so later the realtor came by with a young couple as Bella and I left the house with the last box of things that could be sold off. Bella wanted these things sold off.

We had been taking boxes of things to churches and goodwill places all over Forks and Port Angeles. Everyone had expressed their condolences when they had heard that it was Chief Swan that had passed away. Bella took it in stride and said 'thank you'. By time the last box was taken and we had returned to the house the realtor was still there with a bright smile on her face. I read her thoughts and I smiled in return. Bella's house was sold, with everything that remains in the house. I didn't tell Bella because I wanted it to be a surprise for her. Plus I wanted to know the whole deal myself from the beginning.

"Ms. Swan, I have some great news!"

"Did it sell already?" Bella asked.

"Yes. The couple wanted it. They have purchased everything that remains in the house for furniture and the remaining appliances. They want to move in as soon as possible."

"Well don't we have to sign the deal and the deed and all that legal stuff?" She asked.

"Yes we can do that now. I want you both to look it over and tell me if there is something off or out of place. Have your lawyer look it over if you wish. I want you to be comfortable."

"Okay."

"This is the fastest sale I have ever done I have to say. It is a great house. Well looked after. Was it you that looked after it Mr. Cullen?" She asked me.

"No it was Mr. Swan that owned the house. He has just recently passed."

"Oh I am so sorry to hear that, I had no idea."

"That is alright. Everything I can see is okay. Edward can you look at this? It needs your signature as well."

"Sure love."

I looked over the documents. They were in order and the amount of money offered was well more than was required. I signed on the dotted line under Bella's and handed it back to the realtor. I didn't need a lawyer to sign or look it over. I had bought and sold the Cullen houses over the years.

"If you two are in the market for a house I can find you one." I'd give the realtor her dues she slid that comment in quite nicely.

"Thank you but we are living at my family home just outside of Forks."

The thought crossed her face as she followed what I had just said. "The only home that is outside Forks is the…. You said outside Forks right?"

"Yes."

"That property has been sought after for years and years."

"It's a family home. Passed from generation to generation." I let the lie seed itself in her mind. I didn't need her snooping around the home trying to get us to sell it.

"I have heard it is a beautiful home."

"It is and we will pass it onto the family when the time comes. It's a tradition." I looked at Bella and she smiled. She knew what I was trying to do. I was trying to bail on the conversation.

"Well I should take that to the young couple that has purchased it so they can put their signatures on it."

"Thank you for such a quick sale." Bella said as she disappeared into her car.

Moments later I turned to her. She folded a piece of hair behind her ear as I spoke. "Well my love that went quicker than expected."

"Yes. Now we have to wait."

"I have a feeling you won't have to wait long. The sale of homes goes quickly from this point on. I am surprised at how quickly it sold in the first place."

"Me too."

Now that everything was pretty much settled I could tend to my plan. I helped Bella into the car and we drove off towards home. She was looking exhausted again. All the emotions she had been going through must be catching back up with her again. I know with my moody self I took a toll on my family. We remained quiet in the car and as I sped up the drive the voices in the house were very evident. Alice was telling Carlisle that I shouldn't do this. That there had to be another way. Carlisle was telling her to keep it quiet, that this was my plan and no one else's. I pulled to a stop and both turned to see us in the car and they stopped the conversation. Bella shouldn't know what I was planning. I got out and circled the car to get Bella. On my way I spoke to Alice.

"This is the only way it will work with the wolves Alice. Please keep it to yourself. Bella can't know yet or it won't work."

I finished walking around the car and retrieved Bella from the car. She questioned my look that I had given Alice and Alice being Alice returned the worried look. Bella didn't say it out loud but the expression was there. I glared at Alice to cut it out and we headed into the house.

Bella didn't want to sit with the others so she headed upstairs to lie down for a while. She was reading one of her many 'well read' books for the millionth time. The only one she had actually put away was Romeo and Juliet. I suppose it reminded her a little too much of the past.

Bella flopped onto the bed and picked up the book. I sat beside her watching her as she flipped to the last page she read. I watched her prop herself up on the many pillows available on the bed. Her brown hair fanned out around her as she tucked a few pieces behind her ears. I watched as she started reading lifting the dog eared corner as she went. I was also trying to keep myself apprised of the situation that was going on downstairs. Bella won that attention battle. I wouldn't take my eyes off her. Now was my chance. I didn't know when another would come like this.

"Bella, love."

"Hmm…" She said looking up from the book.

"Carlisle is going hunting. Will you be okay for a while?"

"Yes. Go have fun." She paused. "I guess I have been kind of dominating you the last few weeks haven't I?"

"Not at all, my love. I'm yours Bella. Forever."

"Go hunting. Go have fun. I am just going to read for a while."

"You're sure?" I had to ask.

"Yes go before I dominate you more." She let out a chuckle and shooed me out of the room.

I kissed her and said my quick goodbyes. If I had long ones she would start to wonder. I hope what I was about to do wouldn't hurt her. It was better this way. It was better and I had to make her see that.


Well what did you think?

I know I have to finish all my stories. The only one that is not written is the Christmas Wish story. I am so stuck on that one. I keep coming back but then I loose my train of thought and have to start all over again. Eventually I will come back to it. I promise.

Ornament season is over. It was a big season this year. Lots of family special order ornaments. Those seem to take precedent over anything else I have going on. I have a faery order that I have to get started on too. Busy, busy bee I am! LOL – I will always find time to type out my stories for you. This I promise!

If you haven't read Truth go read it--- It is 9200 words for the first chapter but it is all human and the first chapter is in Edwards's eyes. I like it and it was begging to come out and be born. Please read and review that one too!

Please read and review. Let me know what you think!

~munchkin1978~