So here's to new beginnings and here's to breaking free
Let's chase a new horizon, chase who we're meant to be
Close your eyes and listen 'cause love's calling you and me
To see a new tomorrow, it's who we're meant to be
"New Beginnings" by Luminate
(~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~)
Isabel stood, staring into the mirror that long ago had been a way for both sides of her to connect. Sometimes, it still felt weird to be one whole person. She'd gotten so used to Izzy and Bella.
"Babe?"
She smiled and lifted the last box of her bathroom items, turning to the door and beaming at Paul, "I'm ready."
He gave a smile of his own and stepped inside, setting the box on the counter before wrapping her up in his big arms. "You okay?"
She gave a small sigh, "This is where Bella fractured into Izzy.. This is one way they would communicate without one of them feeling stupid in the beginning of it all.. And this is where they turned into me. It's still all a little surreal."
Paul stared at their reflection for a moment before nodding and placing a kiss onto the top of her head, "I get it. For awhile, I wondered if one of them would come back and just take you over. But you really are the perfect balance of them."
Isabel laughed and poked him in the side, "I AM them. Now let's go."
"Yep! Our new home awaits." He lifted the box and slung an arm over her shoulder as they walked out. Isabel took one last look around the place that had truly been hers. A lot of memories were made within the walls of that tiny place, and she hoped the new owner would make some of their own.
After a year of dating, Isabel had placed the home on the market for sale, accepting Paul's offer to take another step forward and move in with him. Angela would be moving in with Jared. They were both washing everything away and moving towards something much greater.
She locked the door and turned away after placing the keys in the lock-box the realtor had provided. Paul was leaning against his motorcycle, looking so much like the man Bella had dreamed about so long ago. Her father had offered to drive the moving truck, so she'd dressed accordingly for the ride with Paul. She blushed, so much like Bella, as his eyes drank her in. She'd purposefully worn his favorite pair of leather pants and her favorite dark-blue crop-top. She'd tied her hair up halfway, letting the rest fall down in ringlets. Taking the superior finish of Paul's motorcycle, she'd paired the outfit with a simple pair of riding boots that Izzy had purchased for the same reason.
She smirked when he looked her up and down, his dark eyes glittering with promise. "Ready to go, baby girl?"
She nodded and took the helmet, her helmet, that he offered to her, "Yeah. Let's go seize the day."
He helped her onto the back of his bike and with a nod to Charlie, they started off down the road to their new home. Despite the urge to Isabel never looked back. This was a new chapter in her life, and though she had good memories in that old place, she was a brand new woman. She was whole, she was happy and she was Paul's.
~One Year Later~
Paul stood on the terrace of their bedroom, sipping his cup of coffee. The sunrise was beautiful and he turned to look through the sliding glass doors to gaze at the sleeping woman who had intrigued him so long ago. He'd proposed to her last night and they'd celebrated up until a few hours ago.
He still remembered the young woman who had been broken so completely she'd been two people. And he still remembered fondly each of those two personalities. He still saw them in the way Isabel acted. She cared for him the way Bella had and she challenged him like Izzy. At one point, he felt like he should also split in half just so he could keep both girls. He'd been lucky to get to keep them both in one.
He saw her roll over and slid the door open, taking the few steps to sit beside her on the bed and run a hand through her messy curls. She gave him a sleepy smile and reached up to place a hand on his cheek, her diamond ring catching the new morning light.
"You left the bed." She murmured sleepily.
He swallowed his laugh and nodded, "I guess I'm afraid if I go to sleep, I'll wake up and this will all have never happened."
She snorted, "If you dream of a girl who splits in half and then merges, perhaps we need a therapist for you."
He rolled his eyes and leaned down to give her a kiss, "Don't be a brat."
"I'm sorry, but I only slept for three hours after my fiancée fucked me into our mattress AFTER the surprise proposal party.. I'm allowed to be a brat when my usually rough and tough other half gets all mushy before I've had-" She smirked when she spied his cup in the middle of her sarcastic drawl before reaching over and stealing it for herself, "Coffee."
He pretended to be offended, "So I'm not allowed to tell you that I love you now?"
She raised an eyebrow, "You've not said that in the entire five minutes we've been talking."
"Well if I said it now, it wouldn't mean as much would it."
Her gaze softened as she looked at him and he was reminded of just why he loved her so much. She was perfect for him, always keeping him on his feet.
"It always means something, Paul."
It was so heartfelt and loving.. Something Bella would have said and he kissed her again, "I love you Isabel Swan."
He shifted and she leaned against him. Together they watched the colors fade into a bright blue sky.