IITS ch39

A/n: Last one for tonight...TISSUES ...more bleeping TISSUES...

EPOV

As I held Bella in my arms I drank in her scent, I memorized the feel of her against my chest...and I knew that I would never find anyone like her again.

She was the one for me.

I knew without a doubt in my mind.

But, I had to let her go if that's what she needed to do. I couldn't ask her to stay for me. I couldn't beg her on bended knee to be mine. I had to make this easy for her because it was the right thing to do.

She'd been through so much hurt already that I would not be someone else in her life that caused her unnecessary pain.

"I understand why you need to go home. I'll support your decision Bella. I'll miss you and Kendall so very much, but you need to be home. You need to be near your dad." I whispered against her temple before I placed a kiss there.

She tightened her grip on me, "Thank you for understanding," she whispered and leaned in closer to my body.

"I need to tell you something, too." I knew without a doubt that it was the right time to tell her. I just wished that I had more time with her and Kendall. I had come so close with the two of them to having all my dreams come true.

"Oh...okay." She didn't move away from me for which I was glad. I enjoyed the feel of her in my arms. It made me feel strong and protective and what I had to tell her made me feel weak and insecure I knew with her this close that I could tell her anything.

"I met this girl, Kate, when I was in college. I thought that she was the one for me. We were great friends and I thought that I was madly in love with her. I told her all my dreams; of becoming an accountant, buying a house...getting married, having a few kids. You know, just a simply family life. She agreed that those were her dreams, too so after dating for two years, I proposed. We had this fairly elaborate wedding planned and on the day of our wedding, she changed her mind. She realized that she didn't want to settle down, have kids and that be it to her life. She wanted to move to New York or Los Angeles...work in a glamorous job with high fashion and design. She wanted so much more than what I had to offer her." I paused and closed my eyes to steel back the feelings of hurt and betrayal all over again.

"She left me a note in her dressing room as I stood at the alter in front of our two hundred guests." I let the words out as the feel of shame washed over me. I had never been one to enjoy the spotlight and that day I was clearly the center of attention.

"We waited and waited before finally Alice went to her dressing room to find her. Her father and mother were in a panic when she found them because they had no idea where Kate had gone. She'd told them she needed to use the restroom and then she just vanished. When Alice found the note she was furious. She came and got Jasper to tell him what was going on. He pulled me into the vestabul and gave me the news." I felt the hurt and rejection all over again as I retold the story of that day.

"Where were your parents?" Bella's quiet voice said against my neck.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"Well, when I was a Senior in high school my parents were killed in a car accident. They were hit by a drunk driver and died upon impact. Jasper had been soul guardian from then on out." I explained as I let out a deep breath.

"Oh Edward. I'm so sorry." She said and sat up to look me in the eyes. Her deep brown orbs held such sadness and sympathy for me.

I kissed her forehead and she laid her head back down.

"So you see, my Bella, dear...this time I have a choice. I've never had a choice before because my parents were killed and Kate left me at the altar. But you...you need to go and be free from the hurt that being in Phoenix causes you." I said as my throat began to tighten around the words I spoke.

"I'm sorry, so sorry, Edward." She cried and I felt her tears through my shirt, once again.

"Me too, baby, me too." I whispered as I held her even tighter.

A/n: He is the perfect man...only a truly selfless man could let his heart break to do 'the right thing' to ease someone else's pain...(sighs) I flove him.

See you tomorrow...HANG ON...I REPEAT...HAVE FAITH:)

kyla