Do You Believe In Fate?

Disclaimer: None of these characters etc. belong to me. They all belong to the wonderful and amazing Stephanie Meyer. I don't think I could ever be that creative. Lol. Stephanie rules!

Author's Note: Soooo... I have no excuses for not writing so long. I could say writers block (true) and I've been insanely busy (also true) but that wouldn't have stopped me if I'd really tried, so I'm trying now. I've resolved to finish this, because it's really close to being done, so hopefully it'll be done within a week. Hopefully! Anyways, I hope you like it!

And It All Comes Out

After the initial anger and grief had worn off, I realized I'd reacted a little… recklessly. I shouldn't have just run out like that. I was walking down the streets of Phoenix, with no car, and no idea what to do next. I sighed, and pulled out my phone. I needed to talk to one person, and one person only right then. I dialed Edward's number, which by now I knew by heart.

He answered on the second ring. "Bella? What's wrong?" I blinked in surprise.

"How'd you know something was wrong?" I asked.

"I had a feeling. Tell me what's wrong." He said, sounding slightly panicked.

"I told my mom. About us. She didn't take it well." I said. Edward sucked in a breath.

"Where are you?"

"Outside. We had a fight, and I left."

"Oh, Bella. I'm so sorry." He murmured. I took in a shaky breath, tears misting my eyes.

"Yeah, me too. I need to come home. I need to be with you." I whispered.

"Of course. Are you going to take a plane, or drive?" he asked. I smiled shakily. Trust Edward to start making a plan.

"Plane. I need to be there. Soon." I said, starting to feel desperate. I needed him to tell me everything was going to be alright. I need his comfort, his warmth, his strength. I needed him.

"I'll call the airline. There'll be a ticket waiting for you when you get there." He said. A breathe of relief shuddered out of me.

"Okay. I'll see you soon." I said.

"Okay. And Bella?"

"Yes?"

"I love you." He said. I closed my eyes.

"God… I love you too." I whispered.

"Everything will be okay. You'll be here with me soon." He said.

"Yeah. I'll be home soon." I said.

I hailed a cab, and gave him instructions to take me to the airport. When I got there, as promised, there was a ticket waiting for me. I only had twenty minutes to wait before I was on the plane, and on my way to Edward. While I was on the plane, I thought. By the time I was done thinking, I was more determined than ever that I had made the right decision. I knew Edward and I were different from my parents. We would get married, and we would stick to it. Not because we had to – because a piece of paper told us we had to, but because we wanted to. Because we loved each other, and would never stop loving each other. His family loved me, and I loved them. Our best friends were getting married as well, so that was an added foundation. Things would be different for us, I told myself. We would last.

When I could use my phone, I decided I should leave my mom a message. She'd worry, and as mad I was at her, I didn't want her to have a stroke or something. So I sent her a text, that went something like this. "Mom, I'm fine. I know you're worried about me. Don't. I'm fine. I'm going to Charlie's to cool off, and spend some time with him. I hope you can move past this. Love you. Bella." I don't know why I lied and told her I was going to Charlie's place. Well, I was going to see him, but I wouldn't be staying there. I guess I didn't want her any angrier than she was. Not to mention she knew Edward's parents lived in Forks. She had to know that if I was going to Forks, I'd be going to see them too. I just didn't feel like coming out and saying it.

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, I was being jostled awake by the landing. It was mid-afternoon and raining gently. I was instantly alert, and awake. My heart raced, knowing I'd be seeing Edward soon. I needed his reassurance more than anything else. I waited impatiently while we all shuffled slowly forward with our carry-on luggage, and then finally out the plane into the tunnel, then into the airport. A small part of the weight on my chest lifted, and I felt slightly less claustrophobic.

I was about to pull out my phone to call Edward to see if he'd give me a lift, when I heard someone calling my name. "Bella!" My head jerked up, and my eyes widened. And I saw the other half of myself. All I could think was, 'Oh. I can breathe again'. My bag slipped out of my fingers and dropped to the floor as he ran towards me. I snapped myself out of my trance, and bolted forward. I took a leapt, and wrapped my legs securely around his waist, and locked my arms around his neck. I breathed deeply as his arms held me to him, strong as iron vices. But I didn't feel caged. I felt safe. I felt loved.

"Bella…" he whispered.

"Shhh…" I murmured. "Just give me a second." I said. He didn't say anything, just held me closer, and buried his face in my hair. I breathed deeply again, breathing in his scent. Sunshine, pine, and man. Edward. Safety. I smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too." He murmured. He pulled back gently, and those incredible green eyes roamed over my face, then his mouth followed. "She's wrong." He murmured.

"I haven't even told you what she said yet." I said.

"I don't care. Whatever she said upset you, made you doubt things, so she's wrong." He said. I was a little surprised at the harsh tone of his voice. I pulled back a little, and saw anger flickering in his eyes. But I also saw fear. He was afraid I'd leave him. That was understandable. Ridiculous, but understandable.

I framed his face gently with my hands. "I'm not going anywhere." I told him. From the look on his face, I'd been right. "I'm not leaving you again, Edward. Never." I said. I kissed him gently, and let it linger. "I'm yours. Forever." I said. He sighed.

"Sorry. Guess you're not the only one with fears." He said. I smiled.

"That's good to know." I said. He smiled too, and I slid carefully down from my perch around his torso. He groaned, and I grinned.

"You're evil." He said, glaring at me. I laughed, and kissed him again.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I said. He grumbled, and picked up my bag for me.

"Come on. I have a surprise waiting for you in the car." He said. My interest piqued.

"What sort of surprise?" I asked. He smirked.

"The surprising sort." He said. I glared him.

"You suck." I said, pouting. He laughed, and wrapped his free arm around my waist.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He said, tossing my words back at me. Like he had, I grumbled, but went with him.

When we got out to the parking garage, I was thinking about what the surprise could be. Then we turned a corner, and I saw what it was. "Bella!" They all greeted me. My family. Alice, Rose, Jasper, Emmet, Edward's parents; they were all right there waiting. I gaped at them, then felt happy tears fill my eyes when I saw the look of concern and love they all shared. I rushed forward, and allowed myself to enveloped in a big group hug.

"Bells, we're so sorry." Edward Sr. said.

"Yeah. Your mom's a crazy person." Emmet agreed. I let out a watery laugh as I tried and failed not to cry.

"Yeah, I know." I said, pulling back. I looked at them all, and smiled. "Either she'll get used to the idea, or she won't. Either way, I'm sticking." I said. Edward came up behind me, and wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned into his strength, and warmth, and sighed. "I'm sticking." I repeated softly. Edward pressed his lips to my neck, and sighed.

"I hate knowing you're hurting." He murmured.

"I know. I'll be okay. I promise." I said.

We all got into our cars, and started the drive back to Forks. Alice, Rose, and I rode together, (after some debating with Edward), and they happily took on the task of slowly extracting me from the blanket of grief I'd wrapped around myself. The chattered cheerfully, and slowly I shook off my mood of doom and gloom. It was my birthday after all. Just for a few days, I was going to enjoy myself. I was going to forget all my worries. Just for these few days, then I would be able to deal with it.

When we got back to the house, I felt the very last shadows get chased away at the sight of what had been, for the longest time, my home away from home. I relaxed fully, and even managed a sincere smile. Alice and Rose smiled too. "There's the Bella we know and love." they said. My smile brightened.

"Yeah, I'm back. Just took a little vacation." I said teasingly. They laughed.

"Well, we're glad you're back." they said, each other them putting on arm around either of my shoulders. I sighed contentedly. It was so good to have friends like them.

When Edward got out of his car, and walked straight to me, his eyes never leaving my face, I felt my heart trip. I was strengthened, knowing the simple and unshakable truth that Edward loved me. He loved me, and that would never change. He wrapped me into the easy, warm strength of his embrace, and held on tight. I nuzzled the side of his neck, and smiled. "I'm okay now." I whispered. Some of the tension in his shoulders eased. He kissed the special place under my ear, and I shivered.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm positive." I answered. He pulled back, and studied my face carefully. Whatever he saw there must have satisfied him, because he smiled, and kissed me softly.

"I'm glad." he said. I smiled back.

"Me too." Edward's parents got out of the car, and Emmet and Jasper followed. Em and Rose went inside, and Jasper and Alice were right behind them. Edward Sr. and Aunt Liz each smiled at me, and walked inside with Edward and I. When I walked inside, all I could think was that it was good to be home.

I went upstairs, and straight into Edward's old room. I dropped my bags on the floor, and collapsed into the bed. I smiled. The pillows smelled like him. "Comfy?" I smiled.

"Very." I said. I looked up to see Edward smiling at me. I patted the space next to me, and he laid down next to me. He pulled me into his chest, and I settled down easily.

"You need some rest." he murmured. No argument there. I hadn't gotten much sleep on the plane, and what sleep I had gotten had been fitful and restless. Wrapped up in Edward, I could sleep like the dead. Which is precisely what I did.

EPOV

Bella was asleep the moment that I suggested she rest, as if the power of suggestion alone had put her to sleep. I smiled, and gently disentangled myself from her. Looking at her face, completely relaxed in sleep, made my heart contract. She'd been so distraught when she'd called me, saying that he mother had rejected the idea of us together. I hadn't the slightest idea why, but I knew that it made me angrier than I'd ever felt in my life. How anyone, especially Bella's own mother, could ever make her so unhappy was completely unacceptable, and beyond the realm of comprehension. I shook my head, and went downstairs to let Bella sleep.

My parents were in the kitchen, talking quietly. They looked up at me when I walked in. My mother smiled sadly. "How's she holding up?" she asked.

"She's sleeping. She's emotionally spent." I replied. My father sighed angrily.

"I just don't see why Renee's so upset." he said gruffly. "Anyone can see that the two of you are a million times happier together than you are apart. She'd have to be legally blind not to see that." he said. I smiled gratefully at him, though I was a little surprised at how angry he sounded. My smile widened, thinking that that was just the effect that Bella had on people. Everyone loved her and wanted to protect her.

I jolted when I realized that maybe that was exactly what her mother was trying to do. Protect her. In the only way that she knew how. "God, it's so simple." I murmured.

"What is, sweetheart?" My mother asked.

"Bella says that Renee hates the idea of her in a relationship. She's told me over and over that Renee's trying to protect her, but I didn't believe it until today. Renee's only known bad relationships, and it must have hurt her over and over again. That hurt has been the only thing she knows. And she wants to keep Bella from feeling that." I said. My mom frowned.

"How can she know that Bella will get hurt?" she asked.

"That's the thing. She doesn't. And it's that uncertainty that must drive her crazy." I said. She sighed sadly.

"It must be a terrible thing, to always be afraid of love." My father smiled at her.

"The crazy things that love will make you do." he said. My mom smiled back. I sighed. If only I'd seen it before, maybe I could have worked to make Renee believe that I'd never hurt Bella. Maybe then they wouldn't have had such a huge disagreement. I also wished that Bella had told her mother about us from the start. Maybe then it wouldn't have come as such a shock.

But deep down I knew that Bella was only doing what she thought was right. And it occurred to me that she might have kept her mother in the dark, to give us the easy, worry free time we'd spent together. If she'd told her straight from the start, we might not have had that. And I had to be grateful for that at least. But it didn't stop me from wishing that Bella had never had to experience what she had gone through today.

I rubbed my hands over my face, and rolled my shoulders. I could only hope that with time, and coaxing, Renee would come around to the idea of us. Because like Bella said, we would last. Neither of us was going anywhere without the other.

RPOV

As I paced my kitchen for the millionth time, worried, angry, and scared, and cursed my family's weakness for a handsome face. A weakness I had clearly passed on to my daughter. Why? After all the work I put in trying to protect her from those who might harm her, did she ignore my warnings, and go and fall for a pretty face? I tried all her life to protect her, and I'd failed.

Love was a fairy tale, the adult version of Santa Clause. It was nothing more than a tale we told ourselves to try and fill the loneliness that we all feel. But love was no Disney fairytale. More like the Brothers Grimm. I had yet to see a love story that had a shining happy ending. All that love had ever given me was pain, grief, and anger.

Now my own daughter had fallen for the allure of the bright shiny ending. But I knew she would never have it, because it simply did not exist. I looked for the fifteenth time at the text she had sent me. She'd taken a plane back to Forks, going to visit her father. My heart twinged, and I bit my lip against the pain, thinking about Charlie. I shook myself; he was just another handsome face and an unhappy ending. But I knew full and well she wasn't going just to visit Charlie. She would go straight to him; to Edward.

They'd been so close as children, it was no wonder that they'd been drawn to each other as adults. But I couldn't bear the thought of him hurting my little girl. And because they'd known each other for so long, things would be so much more intense, and so much more painful when everything went wrong… I had to try and save her. I had to do something!

My mind made up, I picked up my cell phone, and after some complications due to my minute knowledge of technology, I had a plane ticket to Forks. The one place I vowed to never go again. But to protect Bella, I would do just about anything….

Going to the airport was hell. Not because of the airport itself, but what it meant; what it represented. Leaving. Going back. Something I'd always promised myself I would never ever do. Charlie had been the only man I'd thought I could have that bright shiny ending with. He'd been the one that I thought I could have it all with. But staying with him in Forks, when I'd been so young, I'd had my whole life ahead of me… I couldn't possibly settle down then! And it wasn't because we had Bella; if anything she made us stick together more, want to make it work more. But I was so young, and I had so much to look forward to! Just like Bella. I needed more than that sleepy little town, and poor Charlie could give me. I knew he'd never understand. And even if he had loved me enough to leave Forks for me, he would've never been happy anywhere else. He would have never been happy in the big city, and I couldn't bear to make him try to be. So I'd left, and taken Bella with me.

I suppose that was the second biggest regret I had, besides putting aside my feelings for Charlie. I regretted that Bella didn't have a father figure for most of her life. Sure they visited from time to time, but a girl needed more than that in her life. Maybe that was why she was so determined to be with Edward. She wanted that strong male presence in her life. But Edward couldn't be that for her. No man could. Why couldn't she see that?

My mind went in circle after circle, first in the airport, than on the plane. I just couldn't see what could possibly make her ignore all of my careful warnings, all the times she saw me hurt by relationships, and then eventually giving up. Because I had tried, with other men. I'd tried to find some semblance of what I'd had with Charlie. But none of them had given it to me. All of them had ended up hurting me, and eventually I resolved to be alone. Of course I didn't want Bella to be that way. But I just wanted her to wait! She was young, so young, almost the same age as I was when I was with Charlie. She had so much ahead of her; college, work, travel, the world! She could have it all, but love would only hold her back. Two people never agreed completely on anything; she would never be able to do exactly what she wanted, when she wanted. It would always be a compromise, and that wasn't what someone her age should have. She should have it all!

By the time I landed in Forks, it was early in the morning, and it had been over twenty four hours since I'd seen Bella. I was exhausted, but resolved. I knew exactly what I had to tell her, to make her see reason. She would understand… eventually. I got off the plane, and headed straight to rent a car. That taken care of, I was off, driving down eerily familiar winding roads, lined with evergreens, and trees just beginning to turn to flame with the coming of autumn. Almost nothing had changed in the almost twenty years since I had left. It was so strange, and yet… somehow almost comforting. And I couldn't deny that what had always seemed so disquietingly quaint, boring, and frozen, now seemed… charming. The familiar, and the quiet seemed to soothe my mind, and my worries a little. Bella was here, and she was with the familiar, in the quiet. So surely she was at least safe.

When I got to the house that Charlie and I had shared for several happy years, I nearly wept. I of course knew why I left, knew that it had been good for me… good for Bella, but… but oh how happy we had been! For that short amount of time before I'd grown so utterly restless, we'd been happy. Quiet Christmases with snow, chilly mysterious autumns, and Halloweens carving enormous pumpkins. Now that I'd lived a full, and adventurous life, I could admit that the quiet, and peaceful, and simple might have called to me a little.

Just when I was thinking of how nice it was there, Charlie came out the door. I knew he knew it was me. I could see it in his face. He didn't look surprised, angry, happy, or anything else. His face was blank, sort of brooding I suppose. He didn't do anything, make any move to come towards me, but he just leaned against the doorframe and waited, like he'd been waiting twenty years for me, and could keep on doing it, if that's what was needed.

It took everything that I had not to start weeping. I had to be strong; he couldn't see me fall apart. I'd always been like that when I was younger – emotional, flakey. But now I was mature… right? I got out of the car, and walked to the front door. "Charlie." I said, trying to keep my voice indifferent and cool, but it came out sort of shaky.

"Hello, Renee." Charlie said, as cool as you please. I thought I saw something glimmer in his eyes, but then it was gone. I drew myself up.

"I'd like to speak to Bella." I said, a little huffily. Charlie nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I figured as much. She's not here though. And if you are, I imagine you know where she is." I felt anger rising up in me, and trembled slightly. She didn't even come here first! She'd gone straight to him, even after our fight!

CPOV

I saw the anger and the grief light Renee's eyes, and I knew she was pissed. "Look, Renee. Bella called ahead, and let me know what was going on. You've got to understand, her and Edward… They're good together. I was wary about him too, at first, she's my daughter too after all. But after a while…"

"After a while?!" she gasped. Uh oh. "How long have you known about this, Charlie?!" she demanded. I cleared my throat, and scratched absently at my neck.

"Uh… since um, Christmas I guess." I mumbled.

"CHRISTMAS!" She shrieked. I winced.

"Look Renee, I know it's hard to take in, and Bella knew you'd react like this, which is the whole reason why she didn't tell you. She didn't want you to try and break the two of them up. And damn it, I went along with it for the same reason!" I said, starting to get angry. She wasn't gonna ruin Bella's happiness, not like she'd ruined ours…

Unfortunately Renee wasn't listening. She turned smartly on her heel, her short sunny hair bouncy, and marched off to her car. I rolled my eyes heavenward, praying for strength, and then marched after her. "Renee, Renee! You've gotta listen to me. You're overreacting!" She paid no heed. She got into her car, started the engine, and then sped off towards the Mason's house. "Sweet Jesus, here we go." I muttered. Then I tromped back into the house to call Bells and warn her. When she didn't pick up, I cursed under my breath. Then, resignedly, I picked up my jacket, and went out to get in the cruiser, and headed out. I couldn't help but feel I was wandering into World War three.

BPOV

When I woke up, it was morning somehow, and I figured I must have been utterly exhausted to have slept so long. I was in soft pajamas, though how I got into them was beyond me. Edward wasn't in bed next to me, so I wandered downstairs searching for him. He wasn't there, but I found Aunt Liz and Edward Sr. in the kitchen, laughing and talking quietly. "Good morning." I called sleepily. They both turned and smiled warmly at me.

"Morning sleepy head. Edward didn't want to wake you. He went out to get some groceries for me, and the other two happy couples are out and about spending some quality time together. They didn't want to crowd you, in case you were still… upset." Liz explained. I smiled.

"That was nice of them." I said. I sighed. "I'm afraid I'm still not one hundred percent, even after my gluttonous sleep." Liz patted my arm comfortingly.

"I know, darling. It's always hard when parents don't approve of the things you do." She said.

"Were your parent apprehensive about you and Edward Sr.?" I asked. They both laughed.

"Oh good heavens no. But Edward's parents were. Oh, your mother hated me for the longest time." She said, grinning. My eyes widened.

"How can anyone hate you, Aunt Liz?" I asked sincerely. She chuckled.

"She thought I was… um… what's the phrase darling?"

"A gold digger." He said, grinning.

"Ah yes. You see, Edward's family came from old money, and of course he does very well for himself, so naturally, me, coming from middle class family, had to be in it for the money." Liz said.

"She was obviously wrong, and eventually figured that out. Though there were some awkward family dinners before she did. Well, darling, we'd better get upstairs. You wanted to look through those boxes this morning, didn't you?" he asked.

"Oh yes, I'll be up right behind you." She said. Aunt Liz turned to me, and then grinned. "Want to know how I convinced her to shut up?" she whispered. I laughed.

"Of course."

"I told her it wasn't the money I was in it for… it was the sex." I gasped, flushed, and then tried not to burst out laughing.

"You didn't!" I gasped. She grinned wickedly.

"I did. It finally got that old bitty to keep her trap shut, she was so shocked." She said. She laughed, and then headed up the stairs after her husband. I giggled, and then helped myself to some of the toast and eggs they'd left for me. I seriously loved this family.

After my breakfast, I got dressed, and decided to go for a quick walk to try and clear my head. I pulled on some jeans, a light cotton long sleeve shirt, a jacket, and boots. While getting dressed, I found a note Edward had left for me on the dresser.

Bella, I volunteered to do errands, so I could give you a little space. I thought you might want some, even though it'll kill me. I love you, and try not to worry about anything, though I know you will. We'll make it, sweetheart.

Love Edward

P.S I was a perfect gentleman when I helped you into those pajamas… mostly.

The note made me laugh, and made me feel a little better. I tucked it into my pocket, and pulled my hair up into a pony tail. I walked downstairs, humming to myself a little, and just as I opened the door, I came face to face with my mother. She looked surprised for a moment, her hand still raised to knock, and then her expression hardened, and became cool. "Bella. We need to talk."

Ending Note: So here it is, finally! I hope you enjoyed it... those of you still reading... Jesus I'm awful about finished things... :( Anyways, I hope you liked it!