HERE YA GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Internet down. . . . .so. . . .no dedications. . . D:
Disclaimer: I own. . . .my. . . IPod and my BOOKS! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. . . .ha.
You MUST read the WHOLE Author's note at the bottom, or you'll be like "What the HELL?!" at the end of the chapter kay? And I really don't want a big mob coming after me. oO
OH! And I just thought I ought to mention, instead of Edward being 20, he's now TWENTY-TWO!!!!! Yeah, I just thought 22 seemed to fit him more. . . . . . . .
ENJOY!
BPOV
Three days later, and I'd done everything that I could possibly do. All of the items were inventoried, cataloged, and sorted. Edward had helped me move many of the bigger and heavier items, but I would decide where to put them. Everything that I'd come to do what finished, but I hesitated to go.
I procrastinated one more day, and it was almost a relief when the decision to leave was no longer in my hands. Edward and I had just finished dinner and were about to go on a walk, when the phone rang, stopping us.
Edward sighed. "I'm very tempted to ignore it. I've been on the phone basically all day, but I probably shouldn't. Wait a moment." He went into his office, and returned seconds later, handing the phone to me.
"Hello?" I said.
My sister's, Jessica's, voice came through the phone. "Dad had another stroke today. He's in the hospital."
I sat down suddenly, not sure how much longer my legs could hold me upright. Jessica could have broken the news more gently. "How bad. . . ?"
"I don't know. Lauren went with him in the ambulance. She said to have you call her there, if needed." Jessica started to tell me the name of the hospital, but I interrupted her.
"Wait just a minute. I need a piece of paper and pen."
Edward was standing close by, and he handed me a pen from his jacket, and grabbed a notebook from his office. With trembling hands, I jotted the information sloppily, as Edward read it as I wrote it.
"I'll come down as soon as possible." I said.
Edward knelt beside me. "What happened?"
"My dad had another stroke. I need to see him. I'll call a bus and see what time I can leave tomorrow."
Edward pulled me close to him, comforting me.
"I'll make arrangements for you to fly, and it won't take as long. I'm going to buy a round-trip ticket."
"No," I said. "I've finished my work here. I meant to tell you tonight. Even if my dad wasn't in the hospital, it's time for me to leave. But I would appreciate having you arrange a plane trip for me—someday I'll pay you back for all you've done for me."
"I've been in your debt since you walked into my office." He squeezed my shoulder. "But we'll discuss that later. You go pack, I'll see what kind of schedule I can arrange for you."
I told Angela I was leaving and needed to go pack, but when I went upstairs to my room, I sat on my bed. It happened too fast. I hoped to have a few days to get used to the idea of leaving Edward. I was mortified when I became aware that I was hesitating to leave and see my dad, who may very well die. How much did I really care for Edward?
I was still on my bed thirty minutes later when Edward tapped on my open door.
"Packed?"
I shook my head.
"You have a flight at ten-thirty in the morning and should arrive in Kansas by three in the afternoon. That's very good, considering you'll have a two flight changes. I also made a reservation at a hotel near the hospital your father is staying at."
"I'm being irrational." I said, shaking my head. "I should have called my sister first and see what my dad's conditions are before you made all of those arrangements."
Edward shrugged sadly. "Call now. It will ease your mind."
Just like Edward said, I did feel more at ease once I called Lauren and learned that my dad's stroke was only minor, and that he would be released as soon as the doctors regulated his medications and made sure his vital signs were good to stop from future strokes arising.
"Why don't you stay a few more days until he goes back home?" Edward said hopelessly, already knowing the answer. I shook my head.
"I promised Charlie that I'd head back home once I was finished with the tasks at hand. I'm sure he'd anxious to see me again."
"Will you come downstairs after you've packed? It's not too late for us to take a walk."
I nodded, and started the distasteful task of packing. When Angela came in and offered to help, I said, "I was going to pack everything with me, but, if you don't mind, I'll pack just enough for a few weeks and you can send the rest to me later?"
"Aren't you coming back?" she said, surprised.
I shook my head. "I've finished my work here, I have no other reason to stay any longer."
"I don't believe that. I may be old, but I have perfectly good eyes in my head."
I ignored that remarks, so Angela said, "I'll send anything you want. But, please, do not make any hasty decisions."
"The decision was already made before I came. I told Charlie that I'd come do my work then leave. I've done just that."
- - - - - -
BPO
Edward knew that I'd want to visit my mom's grave, so he headed in that direction when we left the house. I took in every aspect of Redwood as if I'd never seen it before. I picked a rose when we entered the garden surrounding the grave. I knelt beside the headstone and laid the sweet-scented red flower on the grass. Edward hunkered down beside me, and wrapped his arm around my waist. We just sat there for awhile, his arm around me, my head on his shoulder. When I started to get up, he took my hand and assisted me. He didn't let go of it as we walked toward the creek.
"I'm going to miss you." He said, sadly.
I sniffed, fighting back tears.
At the creek, we sat on the grass, watching a family of white swans drifting lazily in the quiet current. Edward turned my face toward his, and I knew what he saw in my eyes. Sorrow. I was sad because of my dad's health, and that I'd miss him.
"I know you need to go to your dad, but promise me you'll return." He said, in a soft voice.
I lowered my eyes. "I can't promise you that. If my dad doesn't get better, I have to look after my sisters."
"You have brothers that can take responsibility for them. It's time you think of your own happiness for once. And mine. Bella, I want you to marry me and live here as my wife. I love you more than anything. These past few months have been the happiest I've ever known in my twenty-two years of life. It's because you're here."
A few tears leaked out of my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away. I shook my head, not meeting his eyes.
He lifted my chin. "Look at me. I need to know. Is it because of my scars?"
My eyes widened. I smiled, moving my hands across the rough of his cheeks. "What scars?" I said, kissing several flaws.
Edward hugged me so hard I thought my ribs would break.
He laid his rough cheek against my face, and I felt wetness. Tears. "My love," he whispered over and over. "It's no wonder I fell in love with you." He kissed me long and tenderly. "If it isn't my scars, then why won't you marry me?"
"I want to marry you," I said. "but I have to be sure why I want to marry you. Would I marry you because that would mean I could return to Redwood, or would I want you even if we lived in a hut?" I laughed a little. "Or on a farm in Kansas? Until I know for sure, I won't promise to marry you."
Edward's smoldering eyes seemed to look into my core. "I want you so much, I'll take you no matter why you marry me, but I can understand why you have to be sure. We'll keep in touch? Call me every night?"
"Please don't tie me to any promises. I'll go back home to Kansas and see what's going on. I'll keep in touch for sure, but I don't know how often that will be."
Twilight was spreading through the sky, and I stirred in Edward's embrace.
"I still have some packing to do before I go, so let's go back inside."
"I love you," He whispered again. "If things get tough in the next couple weeks, always remember I love you. Forever."
- - - - - -
Telling Angela good-bye and leaving Redwood wasn't any easier than it had been a year ago. Crying openly, Angela hugged me tightly and bolted for her office. She was never good with good-byes. Edward realized how hard it was for me and didn't speak as he opened the door for me and loaded the luggage in the Volvo. Our drive to the airport was almost silent. I knew that if I tried to say anything, I'd start crying and I didn't want Edward to remember me with a runny nose and red, puffy eyes.
EPOV
I said all I had to say last night. The next move was up to Bella, and I knew that she wouldn't make any decisions until she saw her family. As I drove, I prayed for her safe and speedy return to Redwood, to me.
I stayed with her until she was checked in at the airport, went with her through security and helped her get settled in the waiting area. I knew that Bella was receptive to my caresses, and I didn't care what others thought. I smiled and held out my arms. She put her hands on my shoulders and snuggled close to me, looking intently into my eyes, taking in every detail of my features.
"I can't bear to stay and watch the plane carry you away from me," he whispered, "so I'll go to work. I don't think I'd ever get over it if you don't return, but I know you will. I believe we're meant to be together."
Her hand gently touched my blemishes, and spoke softly. "Kiss my now and go. This good-bye is tearing me apart."
I kissed her and gave her one last squeeze. "This isn't good-bye, Love. I love you and I won't let you forget me. Come back soon, you'll be taking my heart with you."
The End
-Sob- I can't believe it's over !!! D;
Don't you all just LOVE the ending???
KIDDING!!!!!!!!!
This is definitely NOT the end
There will be more in store (;
Till next time
Fatal