Disclaimer: We do not own Twilight. Like we promised, the rest of the chapters will be posted fairly quick. Our posting schedule will probably be every other day until the story is complete.

game chang·er

an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something.

Things are about to get a little crazy...buckle up! ;)

Chapter 22

EPOV

I knew this moment was coming, yet I'm still unprepared for the words spoken to me over the phone.

Shock freezes my body and I'm barely able to spit out a response before hanging up and entering the penthouse. I carefully close the door to find Bella, watching me with wide eyes from the bedroom.

"Did you kill him?" she asks.

I raise my eyebrows at her in question before remembering I'd been speaking with James when my phone rang.

"No, I didn't kill him. I had to take a call and he used the distraction as an opportunity to escape."

That's right, asshole. Don't think I didn't notice you slinking away like the snake you are.

"You let him get away? Edward, how could you?"

"Bella, he's not going to bother us anymore. He wanted me to help him leave the country, and I refused. He tried to push me and I pushed right back. He won't be a problem, I promise."

"Do you at least know where he's going so I can tell Jake and Garrett?"

I know Bella is angry, confused, and probably scared, but I can't deal with James right now. The importance of his whereabouts isn't a priority—not after that phone call.

"Edward," she continues, "what's going on? What aren't you telling me?"

I force myself to sit on the sofa, my eyes stinging from the need to shed tears that will never fall as I look up at her.

"Esme is dead."

Bella gasps and rushes to me, wrapping her arms around me. I pull her onto my lap and bury my face in her neck as I try to make sense of the different emotions flooding my body: grief for my beloved mother passing away alone in a nursing home; relief for knowing she is finally at peace; dread from knowing I need to tell Rosalie soon; anger from my confrontation with James; love from the amazing woman in my arms; doubt from the lingering question of whether or not I should've changed my mother when I had the chance; and confusion from not knowing if I should change Bella.

Even with my vampire strengths, it's almost too much for me to bear, and I realize my body is practically vibrating from the strain of holding everything in. For the first time in many years, I don't know what to do.

Can vampires go into shock?

I don't know how much time passes until I finally register the feeling of Bella's fingers running through my hair. Her breath on my neck and her scent washing over me wakes me from my stupor and my arms instinctively tighten around her.

"There you are," she whispers. "I was beginning to worry you weren't coming back to me."

Bella. My rock. My angel. My everything.

"I have to tell Rose and McCarty; then, we must leave for Bellvue immediately."

She nods her head before saying, "You call Rose and I'll pack a bag for us." Her warm lips on mine temporarily clear my thoughts, but she pulls away before lust can overpower my sadness.

Less than an hour later, the four of us are packed and on our way to Bellvue Manor. McCarty is all business as he drives, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror to check on my sister. Rosalie has been uncharacteristically quiet since I told her about Esme dying. Her face is void of any particular emotion and, for the first time in many years, I wish I knew what she was thinking.

We don't like to acknowledge the fact that we're more similar than not, but I can imagine our mother's death has given Rose a lot to think about, just like it has done for me.

Looking to my right, I see Bella asleep under my arm, her face relaxed against my chest. What I wouldn't give to be able to close my eyes and sleep for just a few minutes, relaxing enough to briefly stop the constant turmoil in my mind. Instead, my thoughts turn to what it'd be like if I didn't have Bella anymore.

My vampire memory recalls my life before I met Bella too easily for my liking, but I'm not surprised to find that I was never as happy then as I am now. Before, my life was all about power and greed and myself; now, it's all about Bella. It will always be about Bella.

To have her and then lose her—I experienced that when I thought Bella had been killed by James, and it nearly ended me. This was even before she knew my secrets and loved me despite them. To lose her now after everything we've shared, after she revived my dead heart and showed me how to love—there's no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't survive but, then again, why would I want to?

Instinct causes me to tighten my hold on her and I inhale her soothing scent before placing my lips on her hair. As if sensing my tension, her faces presses into my chest, her hand grabbing onto my shirt, as she whispers my name.

No, living without this woman is not an option.

"Boss, we're here. Do you want me to take you to Bellvue Manor or to the house first?"

"Take us to the house. Rosalie and I can walk to the manor from there, but I want you to stay with Bella. Don't let her out of your sight no matter what."

"Sure thing," is his reply while turning down the road which winds through the forest for exactly three miles, ending at my front door.

After McCarty brings in the luggage and I've settled Bella in my bed, I meet Rose outside. Our unnatural speed has us on the main road in seconds, but we slow to a more acceptable pace in case someone from this sleepy town notices us.

For the first time since our phone call earlier, Rosalie speaks, and what she says stops me in my tracks.

"Edward, you should change Bella."

She has the nerve to smile at me while I stare back at her, my jaw hanging open.

"I'm serious. She's already said she wants it, so do it, sooner rather than later."

"What's brought this on?"

"Mother. Of course, I wasn't surprised when you told me she'd passed away, but it's made me rethink some things."

"Like?"

"Like, if it hurts this much to lose our mother—someone who hasn't been in her right mind for decades and who we only visited a couple times a month—I can't fathom what it'll feel like to lose someone closer to us."

"You mean Bella and McCarty."

"Yes," she whispers.

I don't give her a response. Instead, I grab her hand as we walk into the place that now holds our mother's body. For the first time in thirty years, I feel like I have my sister back.

Years ago, when Esme lost the ability to make sound decisions for herself, Rosalie was given Power of Attorney over her medical care. It was also decided that when Esme passed away, she'd be cremated. It's what our father wanted for himself, so we assumed it's what she would've wanted, as well. Our mother was a humble lady; she wouldn't have wanted us to make a big production, so we stick to our original arrangement and agree to the cremation.

After we finalize the paperwork and remaining payments, we're brought into a room to see our mother for the last time. It's not until Rose and I have left Bellvue Manor for the last time and are walking back to my house that I'm able to express any true emotion.

"Fuck, my eyes hurt! Why can't vampires cry?" I ask Rose, my voice cracking under the strain of my unshed tears.

She acknowledges my poor attempt to lighten the mood with a sad smile and links her arm with mine.

"She looked good, though, right? Peaceful?"

"She did. She was always a beautiful woman," I answer. "Are you angry with me for not changing her?"

It doesn't take long for Rose to answer. "No, not at all. Mother would've made a horrible vampire; she was way too nice," she says with a quiet laugh.

"True, she would've hated it even more than you do." I smile as I say this, but my sister only responds with an eye roll.

We continue walking, our pace increasing every few steps due to both of us feeling anxious to be with our other halves. It's funny the way death separates you from someone and, at the same time, makes you cling to those you love even more.

As we get closer to my house, I admire my surroundings. When I'm here in town, I'm usually too busy visiting Esme, working, and hunting, that I don't take the time to pay attention to the beauty of this area. Who knew there were so many different shades of green?

"Ready to run?" Rosalie asks, officially ending my musings and reminding me that I'm getting closer to where Bella is.

My muscles tense and are about to push me forward when I'm assaulted by the scent I love the most.

Bella! The scent is too strong, though. What is it?

"Blood!" Rosalie screams before taking off through the trees.

I'm right behind her when I catch a second scent—a mixture of alcohol, smoke, and filth.

James.

A/Ns:

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! We really appreciate all of you who have stuck around to finish out this story with us!

As always, we'd like to give much thanks to our beta, Mauigirl60!

Can't wait to "hear" your thoughts on this chapter! For those of you wondering, there are 3 regular chapters left and a futuretake. The next chapter will be posted on Tuesday!