Another Beginning

Chapter 33

Christmas Holidays

Emmett was overjoyed when Christmas came; he was probably the only one that hated school as much as Jasper. Harry had attended school with them; being a normal human even he was glad for the reprieve. It was difficult, very much so, being surrounded by Muggles all the time and their smell, their delicious smell. It was a good thing Harry had a good sense of right and wrong and strength, resolutely determined not to harm a living soul. If it had been anyone weaker, they would have attacked by this. The Cullen's were silently amazed, Harry was still newborn, yet he had not once succumbed to the need for blood. Other than when he was hunting, Jasper was the one finding it the most difficult to comprehend.

If Emmett was overjoyed well it was hard to describe how Esme was feeling. She had bought a trolley full of food, books on cooking and all other essentials Harry's friends would need for their visit. She had gone well overboard, and not even Carlisle could calm her down. Not that they wanted to, it had been a long time since Esme had been so bubbly, she was putting Alice to shame!

Edward stared out at the woods surrounding his home; he'd never been so happy before, not even with Bella if he was truthful. Mostly because of her scent, and the fact she was human. He had not wanted to turn her, nobody deserves death, and that's what happened when you changed. She had been so determined, and the part that was lonely had decided against his better judgement. Then his feelings had began changing, he'd noticed things about Bella he didn't like. Then Harry had landed in front of him, changing absolutely everything.

"You've been very quiet, are you okay?" asked Harry regarding Edward pensively from where he stood at the entrance of their bedroom.

"I'm fine," said Edward turning around, "Better than fine." amended the vampire.

"Something is bothering you, I think I know what it is, why don't you just go see her?" asked Harry, he wasn't jealous of Bella. He'd kill her himself if she tried anything but he certainly wasn't jealous of them or their past relationship.

"I already know what she wants," said Edward sounding vaguely depressed.

"That is?" asked Harry coming further in, he'd been so excited about his friends coming this afternoon he hadn't noticed Edward's mood. Bella had been asking for Edward, ever since she had woken up. Carlisle had told him each time Bella asked; even the blonde haired vampire probably knew what Bella wanted.

"She will want me to turn her, the knowledge she will never walk probably hurt a great deal." said Edward quietly. She was probably latching onto the one thing that would make it all better. It was tearing Edward apart, knowing he had the ability to help her, but if he did she'd have to leave her parents and Forks behind. Something he couldn't do to Charlie, he was devastated that much he got from Carlisle's' memories. He was crushed by what had happened to his daughter, loosing her would kill him.

"It is too bad she isn't part of the magical world, there is a potion that could help her." said Harry simply.

Edward looked surprised before nodding; he didn't ask Harry to go and get a potion or brew it. He knew the Magical world stayed hidden for a reason, healing Muggles with magical means just isn't done. Not that it would work, from what he gathered they didn't work on Muggles, you needed some magic for it to 'activate' as it is. So it meant squibs could also get their medicines. It wouldn't help them at all even if she had been a squib somehow, healing her now would risk exposure.

"Go see her Edward, you cannot dwell on this," said Harry quietly.

"Alright," said Edward, he was surprised by Harry actually urging him to go, but it shouldn't. He was the most selfless person on the planet, and Edward was in awe of him. He was just glad Harry came with no past; otherwise it would have irritated him to no end. He wasn't by any means magical; he would have felt he couldn't measure up to his past significant other. Harry was so powerful, that it sometimes leaked from him in all its awesomeness. Harry seemed to hate it when it did; he liked to pretend he wasn't powerful, that he was mediocre at best. Which was laughable, Harry's friends and told him and his family what he'd accomplished and how not even grown adult wizards or witches could do it.

"Good, I'll see you when you get back, maybe then you'll enjoy Christmas," said Harry wrapping his arms around his vampire. He knew he wouldn't loose Edward to Bella, because Edward didn't want to turn another human. He was already a vampire, he'd already been dying. He would always be grateful for what they'd done for him. They'd given him a new beginning.

Edward closed his eyes and leaned his head against Harry's, he had stupidly thought only Jasper would realize his moods. How long had Harry realized he'd been moping about for? But he hadn't wanted to ruin his first Christmas with his mate. Especially not with all his friends coming. "I am sorry," said Edward, he just felt so guilty for being happy when Bella was in pain. Felt bad for ignoring her, despite the fact he knew what she wanted. He was worried he wouldn't be able to say no to her. Despite what she had done, she'd always have a special place in his heart. She had been the first person to open him up to love, tore down his defences. Made him want to live, instead of existing, although one could argue it had been because of the puzzle. Not being able to read her mind, predict her every move. It had been such a rush, in the beginning, and then his love started fading especially when she began to become more and more insistent on being one of them. He had lost his parents to the epidemic; none of them had chosen their fate. He didn't understand how a girl with two loving parents, could so easily decide to abandon them to stay with a vampire she'd only known a few months.

"Don't be, now go," said Harry reluctantly letting go of Edward, "Hopefully you'll be here when they come." he was very excited to see his friends again, it felt like forever since he'd seen them last. Even Severus, Draco and Regulus had agreed to come.

"Ill be back soon," said Edward stealing a kiss from his lover before disappearing out of the window. Already making his way towards his Volvo, Harry watching him the entire time a smile on his face.

"Will he make it back in time Alice?" asked Harry as he finally left their room and made his way down stairs.

Alice spaced out, a small grin appearing on her face as she did so, "Yes plenty of time no need to worry."

"Good, you going to be okay Jasper? I'm sorry to do this to you." said Harry knowing how hard it was for the Empathic vampire. He didn't only feel his own hunger but everyone else's. Thankfully his friends, being magic, didn't smell.

"Its fine Harry," said Jasper dryly, after having to suffer Bella's scent Harry's friends and 'family' as he thought of them were nothing.

Harry smiled before settling down and began reading one of his school books; he needed all the help he could get. He had not been educated in the Muggle world since he was eleven years old. Even then it wasn't the same as American education, but he was determined not to fail nevertheless.

Hermione would have been proud.

"Edward?" called a voice familiar to him; he didn't even need to look around to know who it was. Renee, Bella's mother, she looked as though she'd aged ten years since he'd last seen her.

"Hello Renee, how are you?" asked Edward, his sympathy for the woman plainly written across his face.

"I'll survive," she said weakly, "Bella didn't tell me about you both…what happened?" she then asked, staring blankly at him. She had thought they'd remain together, the way Edward had stared at her…so possessively and protectively. She had known that wedding bells would soon be heard. Obviously she was wrong, and she wanted to know what happened.

"We just grew apart," murmured Edward, he was genuinely surprised she hadn't heard. Everyone at school was gossiping about it, he'd left for England still together with Bella, then come back with a guy and began dating him instead. Even Charlie should have heard the rumours for god sake.

"Is there any chance of reconciliation?" asked Renee pleadingly, she'd never seen her daughter so happy until Edward came along. They had been perfect for one another, and Edward was quite a catch. She wouldn't find anyone better, he could take her places, give her the things she hadn't been able to give her.

"No there is not, I am sorry." said Edward honestly, seeing Renee had strengthened his resolve, he wouldn't change her. It wouldn't just destroy Charlie if he did he realized now, listening to Renee. "Is it okay if I go and see her?" he then asked.

"Of course, she's been asking for you since she woke up," said Renee quietly, "I'm just going for a cup of coffee." she had not gotten much sleep lately. Her daughter was having awful nightmares, and was finding her injuries a lot to come to terms with.

Edward nodded before he continued on towards Bella's room. He was determined to get this over with, leave his guilt behind him. To get back to Harry and the life he now lived and be there to greet Harry's family and friends. Dobby was bringing them from the United Kingdom in a few hours.

Once he got closer he realized Charlie was there, he could hear him from even outside in the corridor.

Knocking on the door he opened it slightly, Bella's face when she saw him would have lit the entire ward for a week.

"Charlie please," said Bella, before he could even speak. "I want to speak to Edward alone."

"Fine, I'll go and join Renee," said Charlie exasperated, glaring at Edward on his way out, telling him without saying anything that he'd be seriously pissed if he upset his daughter.

"How are you feeling?" he asked standing at the end of Bella's bed, her scent was strong, more so than he was used to. Perhaps it was because he didn't spend all his time with her, or because she was wounded.

"Better now that you are here," said Bella smiling charmingly up at Edward, she'd forgotten how incredibly good looking he actually was. It was like seeing him again after the events that lead them to Italy.

Edward was surprised to feel extremely uncomfortable standing there. He had to get this over with; he just wanted to be with Harry. Ironic really, it took him coming here to realize this. He no longer felt guilty, what happened had been an accident, nothing he nor anyone could have prevented. It would have happened if Bella had still been with him.

"You've been asking my father for me to come in, what can I do for you?" he asked surprisingly Bella with his formality. He could see it, her brown eyes had widened in surprised shock.

Bella's face contorted in hurt and fear she swallowed sharply before tears began pouring down her face. "I miss you, I want to give us another chance, please Edward, I'm sorry at how I acted…I just love you so much." choked Bella.

"I'm sorry Bella but that will never happen, I never meant to hurt you." said Edward softly, hurting for her. She had been his everything for three years; he'd never expected to leave her. He had thought he would be like Jasper and Alice, or Rosalie and Emmett, be with the one person he'd chosen. Nobody planned on falling in love with another, it just happened. Its how they dealt with it that determined what kind of person they were. He would never have had an affair, not that he could have really. Vampire's had a very good sense of smell; Harry would have known if he broke his word.

"But I need you," said Bella pleadingly.

"No Bella you don't, you never have." said Edward soothingly.

"Edward you have to change me, I can't live my life like this!" begged Bella, becoming frustrated that she couldn't move, couldn't get over to Edward and make him see sense.

Edward walked over, his amber eyes regarding her steadily, amazed that he felt no guilt. No urge to do what Bella was begging him to do; he'd never been able to deny her before. It was very liberating to say the least; perhaps Harry had been right in sending him here. "You will get through this Bella, you are strong and fiercely independent," Edward told her adamantly.

"Edward please," repeated Bella, sounding very much like a broken record.

"Bella, you can ask all you want my answer is not going to change." replied Edward his patience beginning to wear thin.

"Then why did you come?" snapped Bella angrily, even as she weakly tried to get her body to obey her. Which of course it wouldn't do, she'd been very badly hurt and was weak, not helped by the painkillers they were giving her to help her pain.

"You asked to see me," said Edward quietly, glad for the girl he was all too used to now. This angry, bitter girl he'd never realized existed until a good few months ago.

"Piss off!" snarled Bella, facing away from Edward, unable to do anything else. She wanted to throw things at him, anything than just sit there with a broken body. Tears began running down her face again; he had been her last hope. She knew Edward was stubborn to the core, he wouldn't turn her. He hadn't been willing to even while they were dating.

"Very well, take care Bella," said Edward quietly, but she refused to look at him, he turned and headed for the door. Closing it quietly behind him. Bella was now in his past, perhaps both of them could move on now.

So Edward went home, guilt free, to his future, his very long immortal future.

He just hoped Bella would live her life instead of being bitter.

There we go a few more chapters then this story too will be finished, question is where will they end up? will the family go to alaska when the time comes? or will they all settle down in the wizarding community where they wouldnt have to move again? settling into jobs and never having to repeat high school all over again? R&R PLEASE!