Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you! Xoxo.

Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me. They belong to Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement intended.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of Charlie starting his cruiser. That meant it was 7:30am, he always left at that time because he needed to be at the station by 8. I was glad there would be no awkward conversation between us about the previous day or what I intended to do with my day. He had been completely understanding when I explained to him I was going to take a semester or 2 off to save some money. However, I never did tell him I quit my job at Newton's shortly after because Edward insisted I was taken care of.

Now that I was on my own it was time to get my job back. I got out of bed and plugged in my hair straightener Alice had previously given me. I had never used it before, but I wasn't the same girl I was when she had given it to me. As I waited for it to heat up, I logged onto my e-mail to see if I had any from Renee. There was one from Friday night I read quickly.

Bella,

I have BIG news I need to share with you, but I want to tell you in person. I'm hoping you'll be willing to come to Jacksonville to visit next week. I've already bought a plane ticket for you to leave next Friday. You can stay as long as you'd like. Your father is already aware and has agreed to drop you off at the airport. Call me as soon as you can! I love you x.

This was so unexpected, but would also be a welcome distraction from the mess that my life had become. I would call her after dinner later when I knew she would be off from work. The 3 hour time difference was frustrating and took some getting used to. I called her one night before I went to bed and she panicked because it was 1am there. Since then, I made sure to call her at the same times every week or just wait for her to call me when an e-mail wasn't enough.

I opened up my iTunes and put it on shuffle as I straightened my hair. Once I was finished putting on my makeup I picked out a pair of jeans, a cute knit top and a sweater. There was no need for me to dress up, although my head to toe Hollister outfit was just as expensive as the dress clothes I did own. Since I had met Alice, my old wardrobe seemed to disappear and was replaced with clothes from stores I had never been in before. I had to admit, I felt pretty in them.

I put on my shoes, grabbed my jacket and my keys. I headed downstairs and into the kitchen to grab a pop tart before walking out the front door. It was then I became happy with my decision to wear my new Uggs. There was half a foot of snow on the ground. Forks' weather has always been unpredictable. While it hadn't been warm yesterday and I was somewhat cold in my dress, it wasn't cold enough for snow. Although when I was around Jake, It always seemed warmer than it really was. Maybe it was colder than I remembered.

During my drive to Newton's I finished my pop tart and sang along with songs on the radio. I hadn't felt this relaxed in awhile. While I was still worried about my relationship with Jake, it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders after finally ending it with Edward. I didn't have any commitments to anyone but myself.

Mrs. Newton had been happy to see me, and of course so was Mike. She gladly told me I was welcome to have my job back, they hadn't been able to find a good replacement in the month I had been gone. I told her I would start as soon as I came back from visiting my mother in Jacksonville. I only planned to stay the weekend. I'd be working Monday-Friday from 10-4. $9 an hour was a dollar more than my previous pay, I think it was somewhat of a bribe to keep me from changing my mind. Not that I would have, but now it was a sure thing.

Mike asked me about my engagement to Edward, and I informed him we were no longer together. That may have been a mistake. He was incorrigible when it came to making my feelings for him clear. I think he just didn't want to accept the obvious. I told him I was late for something and quickly left.

It was 12pm by the time I got home. I had stopped at the grocery store so before the week was over, the fridge would be stocked for the weekend with dinners for Charlie. Otherwise, I'd come home to pizza boxes everywhere. I started upstairs, cleaning and vacuuming before heading downstairs. I had two full baskets of laundry to do, one for myself and one for my father.

I promised myself this morning I wouldn't think about Jake, or what he was doing but I was failing miserably. It was a strong attempt, but my heart hurt from the distance I felt between us. I wanted to tell him I broke it off with Edward and that I was ready to start over with him but I knew he would come around when he was ready… if he ever was.

I started dinner a few hours later. By the time Charlie was walking in at 5, it was ready.

"Smells great Bells." He commented, walking into the kitchen.

"Thanks dad." I replied as I placed two plates filled with the Penne Alla Vodka I had made, along with a full load of garlic bread on the table.

I grabbed a beer out of the fridge for Charlie and a bottle of water for me. I placed them on the table as we both sat down across from each other.

"I read moms e-mail this morning. She said you're okay with me visiting her for a few days?" I asked.

"Of course Bells. She and Phil have something huge they need to tell you. Just be ready by 5am on Friday. Your flight is at 6:30" He said, opening his beer.

I wasn't planning on such an early flight but if my plane left at 6:30, I'd be there at 2:30. I lose 3 hours during the 5 hour flight, but I could always sleep to pass the time.

We ate the rest of our meal in silence. Once he finished he moved into the living room and began watching television as usual. I cleaned up the kitchen, storing the leftovers in the fridge.

I decided upon going upstairs to call Renee instead of joining him. We talked for about a half hour about everything that's been going on since graduation. We had talked sporadically over the months but never in depth about my relationships with Edward or Jacob. Of course I had to leave out the Vampire, Werewolf aspects of it all but when it came down to it, that didn't matter to me anyway. I fell in love with each of them for reasons completely separate from the monsters they were. Actually, Edward was the only one I considered a monster. Edward had to fight against his nature to keep from feeding on humans while Jacob was a natural born protector of them. I was terrified the first time I saw him when he was phased but once I looked into his eyes, that fear disappeared. Thinking about it now, I kind of knew it was him before he confirmed it.

Once we hung up, the feeling of exhaustion overwhelmed me. I was happy I had spent my day cleaning and doing laundry, I'd spend my next 3 days packing. I changed into my pajamas and laid down in bed, headphones in my ears with some old blink 182 playing. I barely made it through the first song before I fell asleep.

The next 3 days were long and lonely. Jake still hadn't made any effort to talk to me but I knew that when he was ready to, I'd get a text or a call. I obsessed over cleaning the house repeatedly. It couldn't possibly get any cleaner. I hoped it would last at least the weekend while I was away. I had cooked Charlie baked ziti, lasagna, and chicken cutlet parmesan. There was enough left over food in the fridge to last a week, but if Billy paid a visit, It'd be gone.

It was 4am Friday morning and I was completely packed and ready to go. I had coffee brewing for Charlie, and for once I made myself some pancakes. I was in the middle of eating when he entered the kitchen, I was hoping we could leave early so I could get through security and all that crap with time to spare. Thankfully he was already dressed and ready to go.

"We should get a move on kiddo, it's going to take a little while to get to the airport and then you'll need to go through security and all that stuff." He said as he sipped his coffee.

"Yea definitely, let me just get my stuff." I replied, cleaning my plate.

As I walked upstairs I contemplated texting Jake to let him know I was leaving, but I'm sure Charlie had already mentioned something to Billy and he would've told Jake. If he cared, he probably would've stopped by or made an effort to talk to me.

The drive to the airport was awkwardly quiet. I wasn't sure of what to say, and I didn't want to start any conversation that would lead to questions about Edward or Jacob. I don't think Charlie minded he looked like he was still in the process of waking up.

We said our goodbyes, and I started the annoying process of checking in my baggage and going through all the necessary tasks. Once that was finished, I spent my time in the bookstore, seeing if there was anything good to pass the time. I came across a book called 50 Shades of Grey. I had heard a lot about the book for weeks now, so I decided I'd give it a try.

6 hours later I landed in Jacksonville. Renee was waiting for me as soon as I got off along with Phil. After exchanging hugs Phil left us to go get the car while she and I got my luggage. Once we were in the car, she bombarded me with questions about my flight and if anything had changed since our conversation. I assured her my flight was endurable and I had pretty much slept the entire time. The rest of the car ride home we talked about Forks and my plans for the future. As always she assured me I was still welcome to live with them, but this time she wasn't talking about the colleges in Florida as usual. She didn't talk about any specific colleges actually, I was surprised.

As we walked into their house I noticed there were boxes everywhere. The only thing left in the living room was a couch and a TV. The kitchen wasn't any different. There were plastic cups, plates, forks and spoons on the counter.

"Mom, what was it you needed to tell me exactly?" I asked, curious as to where she was going to tell me they were moving next.

Renee and Phil were standing in front of me, his arm wrapped around her waist. It was then I noticed he had put on a hat since we got out of the car. It was blue with a white D on the front.

"Bella, Phil has recently been recruited by the Detroit Tigers. We're moving into a new house there sometime during this week." She announced.

I was expecting her to tell me she was pregnant, or that they had decided to go on the road again. Of course I was extremely happy for them. Phil had been waiting for this for years. I didn't know what to say, I was in disbelief.

"We want you to come live with us. The University of Michigan is a great school sweetie, you'd love it there." She added.

I finally realized I had yet to say anything. I couldn't leave Jake to go live with her. Forks is my home, and there was no way I was going to leave.

"Wow. Congratulations Phil, that's amazing. I'm so happy for you." I smiled, pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you Bella, and we really would be more than happy to have you if you ever decide you're ready for a change." He replied.

Phil and I had a decent relationship, the best I could imagine anyone having with their stepfather. He didn't try to act like my father, even in Phoenix. I was glad he was able to take care of my eccentric mother. However, I didn't want to live with them. It wasn't the same.

"Please think about it Bella, I miss you." Renee pleaded.

I was pretty sure I knew what the future held if I moved in with them. Phil would be gone a decent amount of the time, and Renee would leave to be with him every chance she got. I'd never stop her because I'd feel guilty knowing how much she missed him when they were apart. I knew the feeling all too well. Since I left Forks earlier, the pain I felt as a result from being away from Jake got worse. I would be alone and left to my thoughts too much in Michigan. I may be alone now, but I didn't plan on that lasting too long.

"I will Mom. I miss you too. But I think I'm going to take a quick nap." I answered and walked into what used to be my room.

I woke up in time for dinner. They had ordered Chinese food, no surprise there. I hardly expected Renee to cook, but I gladly would have. All I ate was some white rice. For whatever reason, I didn't have much of an appetite.

The rest of the night was filled with conversation about their move and new house. It was bigger than the one in Phoenix, here and Forks. It also had a big pool, hot tub and even a guest house she offered to let me have to myself. She could offer me anything she wanted, I still wasn't moving. It was then I thought about something that would truly only be a fantasy. That guest house could be mine and Jakes. We could leave all the drama and the crazy world in Forks where Vampires and Werewolves existed. I allowed myself for a minute to believe it could become more than a fantasy, but I was just kidding myself.

We talked for hours before we finally turned in for the night. Before going to bed I checked my phone. No texts and no calls, why was I surprised?

Tomorrow we had planned to spend the day at the beach. I could avoid further interrogation about my love life by burying my face into my new book.

It was 9am when Renee woke me up.

"Bella honey, wake up. There's someone here for you." She said as she tapped me on my arm.

I sat up quickly, surprised and completely confused. I didn't have any friends in Jacksonville, this made no sense. I grabbed my phone from the table next to my bed, it read 10 missed calls.

"He's waiting for you in the living room sweetheart, he seems very upset." She added before leaving the room.

I looked at myself in the mirror and brushed my hair so I looked presentable. My hair never behaved the way I really wanted it to. I gave up and tied it up in a pony tail.

When I walked into the living room he was sitting on the couch next to Phil, talking about baseball. Once he noticed my presence he eyed me up and down suspiciously.

Phil shook his hand and disappeared into the kitchen. I took his place on the couch, curious as to what he wanted. I looked into his eyes, hoping to get an idea of his intentions. "Jake, what're you doing here?"