Disclaimer: Stephenie owns it all. Except Mase... he's mine.

A/N: Huge THANK YOUs as always to Becca Graymoor for being super speedy beta today and Messynachos for the support.

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Here we go...

Chapter 14 – All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye

"Why you wanna break my heart again?

Why am I gonna let you try when –

All we ever do is say goodbye."

-John Mayer

Saying goodbye to the Swan family was more difficult than I thought it would be. Sue hugged me tightly, making me promise that I would visit soon. Seth and I exchanged email addresses before he wrapped me in another bone crushing embrace. Leah stayed quiet, preferring a small wave, and Rosalie simply glared as she walked out the door, Emmett following to walk her to her car. Charlie walked us to the front porch, shuffling his feet when we reached the steps.

"'Night, Dad." Bella kissed his cheek and Charlie picked up Masen to hug him.

"Goodnight, Pop." Masen wrapped his arms around his grandfather's neck. Charlie squeezed him back tightly, his eyes locked on mine over Masen's head. He set my son down and stepped towards me, his hand outstretched. I grasped it tightly in my own.

"Hang in there, kid," he said gruffly. I nodded and looked down at Masen, who smiled sleepily at me.

"Yeah," I said before pulling Masen into my arms. "See you around, Chief."

I carried Masen to Bella's car and followed her back to her house. She helped him change into his pajamas and climb into bed before leaving us alone. It was bittersweet, being there with him and getting to read him one last bedtime story before I had to leave. We didn't mention that I was leaving or say the word goodbye. He simply chose a book and we climbed into his bed. I leaned against the headboard and he snuggled close to my side, his hair hanging in his sleepy eyes. He watched and listened while I read until his eyes finally closed, his head resting against my side. I gently smoothed his hair back and watched him as he slept, once again marveling at him. It was so easy to be caught up in him when he was awake, his quirks and intelligence. It surprised me that I could get lost in him as he slept too, as if I were reading my favorite book or watching a great movie… I couldn't tear myself away. Maybe it was because this was so new to me, because I had already lost so much time. I wondered briefly if Bella felt this way, if she ever sat here and watched him sleep, or was ever simply in awe at the little miracle we created.

I don't know how long I sat and watched him sleep. It could have been hours, days, weeks, and I wouldn't have noticed. Only the fact that Emmett appeared in the doorway broke me from my trance. I gently got up from Masen's bed, pulled his covers tight around him, and kissed him softly, knowing that if I were to stay any longer I wouldn't be able to pry myself away. Emmett pulled the door closed behind us, then thrust two pieces of paper in my hand.

"That's my email, phone number, all that good stuff," he said pointedly to his feet, which he was shuffling nervously. I looked over the sheet with all his information and nodded, then pulled the second, thicker paper out from under the first. "I wasn't sure if you would want to – I mean I'd… we'd… Rose and I would really love to have you there…" he trailed off while I realized that the thing I was holding was asking me to join the families of Mr. Emmett McCarty Swan and Miss Rosalie Lillian Hale to witness their union of marriage on May 30th, 2009. A wedding invitation.

"Thanks," I mumbled. His eyes met mine and we simultaneously stepped forward, embracing each other in as manly a way as possible. "I'm sorry I'm a dick," I said softly and I could feel him nod.

"Just… fix it," was his reply as he disappeared into his bedroom.

I gave one last look at Masen's bedroom door before heading downstairs to find Bella. It was going to be hard, saying goodbye to her. I could hear Bella talking softly in the living room so I made my way to the kitchen, in search of writing utensils. I didn't like that Masen had fallen asleep before I got to tell him goodbye, though I'm not sure a goodbye would have been appropriate to say to him. I didn't want to upset him in any way … well, any more than I already had.

I found pen and paper and quickly wrote what I needed. It was very to the point and I hoped that Bella would read it to him, or at least read it for herself.

"Hey." Her voice came just as a copy of Of Mice and Men landed on the table. I picked it up, leafing through it as she retreated to the fridge for a bottle of water. "Getting ready to go?" she asked, her voice nonchalant as she leaned against the counter. I set the book down and nodded, then stood up and stretched. "Why do we always end up saying goodbye?" Her voice was soft and sad. It took me by surprise.

"I'm sorry," I said to the floor.

"And you always apologize," she chuckled, though when I met her eyes I could see the wetness there.

"Nah… that's usually you," I grinned. "It's what we do… I guess," I shrugged.

"It sucks," she whispered. I crossed the few feet between us and pulled her to me. She kept her arms crossed but tucked her head under my chin and let me wrap my arms around her.

"Just… tell him I love him," I said into her hair. She nodded against me and untangled her arms so she could wrap them around my waist. "I do. I love him."

"I know," she sniffled, pulling away and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "You'll call us? When you get there? No matter what time," she said, and I nodded in agreement. "Thank you. Again. I know this wasn't the easiest thing for you to do… but you… surprised me?" She made her statement a question and I laughed quietly.

"I surprised myself, Bella," I said softly. "He's awesome. You've done… he's amazing," I told her, unsure of what I was supposed to say. Great job raising my kid on your own because I fucking walked out on you just didn't seem right to say.

"Thank you," she smiled slightly.

"I should go," I whispered and her eyes met mine again. The look on her face was a cross between sadness and relief. "I fly out at noon and I haven't packed or anything…" I trailed off and turned to the door.

"Edward?" she asked, just a few steps behind me.

"Yes?" I turned to her quickly.

"You will call him, won't you?"

"Of course. I promised," I said, hurt that she would doubt me.

"I just… don't want him to be disappointed." She bit her lip and, fuck I love that, I resisted the sudden urge to cover her mouth with my own.

"I won't do that. I can't," I defended myself. She glanced toward the stairs then back at me, her face a smooth mask, unreadable.

"You're right," she said, handing me my jacket. "Please drive carefully… and thank you… again."

"Anything," I leaned down and kissed her cheek swiftly, "anytime."

I left after that, leaving her standing in the doorway watching me. She waved as I drove away and I let my mind wander on the ride back. Something she'd said triggered my memories, the ones that I'd stored away for a rainy day. Some of the ones that made my chest ache as if a giant whole had been punched through it.

"How much longer?" she murmured into my neck. I shivered at the feeling of her lips on my skin.

"Emmett will be here at three o'clock," I said as I trailed my fingers up and down her bare back. "It's just after 10 now."

We were curled together in the small bed in my bedroom of the townhouse my parents owned, just off campus from WSU. It was one of those rare weekends where Charlie gave her permission to come and visit me. I think he had finally realized that Bella and I truly loved each other and were responsible, of-age adults (she turned 18 a few months before), who were going to do adult things. He may not have liked it, but he accepted it, and I no doubt owed some of that credit to the then Sue Clearwater.

"What can we do?" she asked, leaning up on her elbow and staring down at me, her brown eyes shining with excitement. I twirled a lock of her hair around my finger as I watched her, thinking of my answer.

"We can put clothes on. Underwear, socks, and all that… and go to the little used book store down on 3rd Street, or-" my statement was interrupted by her lips crashing against mine. "We – could – go – to – a – movie," I said between kisses. She sighed impatiently and finally moved to straddle me, the sheets falling off her, exposing her naked body above me.

"Or, we could stay here… and say goodbye," I said, my voice low. She bit her lip and nodded in agreement before bringing her lips back to mine.

My thoughts were interrupted when I realized I was back at my hotel. Damn. Why don't we say goodbye like that anymore? I shook the now vivid images out of my head as I got out of the car. It was late and I was lying when I'd told Bella I had packing to do. Usually my housekeeping was meticulous thanks to my mother, who was Donna Reed incarnate (she could make June Cleaver look like Rosanne Conner). There was something about staying in a hotel room that made me forget my cleanliness and leave everything I touched or wore on the floor.

I spent an hour locating my clothes that had been scattered across the small room, laughing when I found a matchbook from Puzzles under the table. Jasper's face flitted briefly into my mind and it made me sad knowing that, though we only hung out once, I would probably never see him again. Even worse than that was having spent time with Emmett, alone or with others. Emmett had been my best friend since I was a toddler, Bella as well. The thought of leaving them, both of them, all of them, ripped my heart out and left it bleeding on the asphalt to be run over repeatedly.

But… I knew what had to be done.

BPOV

"Masen!" I called up the stairs, grabbing my battered copy of Of Mice and Men off the table and throwing it into my bag. We were late, which wasn't unusual, but I wanted things to feel normal for Masen today. Well, as normal as possible since his world had been turned completely upside down by the arrival of Edward, which of course I took full blame for. "MASEN!" I yelled again and finally heard his footsteps on the stairs. When he finally made it to the bottom I smiled sadly at him. He had climbed into my bed last night, which did not help with his restlessness. He tossed and turned all night, keeping me awake in the process and in turn making us late.

"Come here," I beckoned with my free hand and helped him slip on his jacket, my chest aching at his zombie-like state. I bent down and tried to kiss his nose but he moved his head away and I frowned. "What's that for?"

"I don't want a kiss," he shrugged, his little lips puckered in a face you only saw when he was very unhappy.

"Alright," I sighed and opened the door, letting him go first. The face was still there while we buckled into the car. It didn't leave as we drove to school. And when I helped him out of the car he took off toward the doors of his school without a word or his backpack. I caught up with his just as the door to his room was about to close. "Sorry," I muttered to Jessica. She took his backpack from me and turned her gaze to him for a moment then looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Edward's leaving today," I said softly and her expression went from skeptical to warm and understanding quickly.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, rubbing my shoulder gently, and I nodded.

"I'm going to talk to him outside for a minute… I'll send him right back," I walked away as tears pricked in the corner of my eyes. "Mase, you want to come and talk to Mama?" I asked softly.

He nodded, not looking up from his picture. I held my hand out in front of him and he took it then led me through the maze of small tables and out the door of his classroom. He leaned against the wall, his hair hanging in his face. I knelt in front of him and took his hands in mine.

"Talk to me, baby," I pleaded, squeezing his little hands gently. He responded by yanking his hands from my grasp and throwing his arms around my neck, his face buried in my hair. He mumbled something quietly, but I couldn't understand him. "What's the matter?" I asked.

"I didn't get to say goodbye!" he cried, pulling away from me and throwing himself against the wall again. I grabbed his arms and pulled him to me again, crushing him against my chest, my own tears threatening to flow again.

"I know baby, I know," I smoothed his hair and kissed him softly. "But you'll talk to him soon, right?" I reminded him and he nodded sadly and pulled back from my embrace.

"But… what if he's mad that I didn't tell him goodbye?" he asked as tears escaped from his emerald eyes.

"Is that what you think?" I asked quietly and he nodded again. "Silly weasel. Edward loves you. He could never be mad at you, especially for something like that."

He thought about what I said and eyed me speculatively for a few seconds.

"You're sure?" he asked.

"Of course," I ruffled his hair.

"Can we call him after school?" I frowned at his question, knowing Edward would still be in the air long after school got out.

"We can try. And if he doesn't answer you can leave him a message, okay?" I asked, hoping it would suffice.

"Deal," he smiled and hugged me again. "I love you, Mama." He kissed my cheek and disappeared into his classroom, leaving me kneeling on the ground wondering how I had gotten so lucky with such a wonderful son.

~*~

I glanced quickly at the clock as my sophomore students took their seats and then closed the door as the bell rang. It was nearly eleven o'clock. Edward's plane would be leaving in little over an hour and my little boy was distraught because he didn't get to say goodbye to his father. I thought about having him call him when I dropped him off, but again, I didn't want to make things harder… for either of them. I called the class to attention and picked up my book, ready for our read-aloud and discussion when a small piece of paper slipped out of the book and fluttered to the ground.

"Here, Miss Swan." A boy in the front row handed it to me.

"Thanks," I mumbled as I opened the paper. My hand flew to my throat when I notice the elegant script on the sheet of notebook paper in my hand and tears filled my eyes as I read his words.

Masen,

I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you goodbye, but it is so very hard to leave you. You are everything I could have ever wished for and more. I am so grateful to your Mama for letting me meet you. I love you so very, very much.

-Edward

(Bella – I'm unsure as to how to refer to myself, help me out?)

I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest and the eyes of my students trained on me. I quickly folded the paper up and stuck it in my back pocket. As I retreated to my desk to grab my bag I called to one of my more responsible students.

"Alison? Can you go grab Mrs. Cheney?" I asked and she nodded and left the room. She returned quickly with a worried looking Angela.

"Ang, can you look after my class?" I asked as I breathlessly tried to get my stuff together.

"Sure, everything okay?" She replied, worried.

"I've got… somewhere to be," I said, hoping she would understand what I meant and I wouldn't have to explain. She nodded, already knowing what had been happening between Edward, Masen, and I and ushered me out of the room. I made a phone call to the principal as I drove to Masen's school, explaining my absence, then quickly signed out my son. He looked at me, bewildered as I helped him into the backseat.

"Where're we going, Mama?" he inquired, his green eyes wide.

"To the airport." I glanced at him in the rearview mirror and his face lit up. "So you can say goodbye to your dad."

EPOV

I flipped my boarding pass over absently in my hands as I watched the other passengers descend the stairs to the small plane waiting for us on the runway. I don't know if I really expected Bella and Masen to show up. Perhaps I was just letting my imagination get away from me-- wishful thinking and all that, who the fuck knew? I just wanted to be able to see their faces again.

I sighed and leaned against the hard plastic chair and closed my eyes; the back of the chair jabbed me just above the shoulders, but it didn't hurt. I was feeling no pain in any of my extremities… the pain in my chest was too great. Not saying goodbye made me feel awful. I should have known by now that simply leaving was not the answer.

"Sir?" One of the flight attendants was standing in front of me.

"Yes?" I sat up and glanced at her, then at my shoes.

"Sir, we're finished boarding… you're the only one left," she said apologetically. I sighed quietly and stood up, grabbing my laptop and carryon, dejected.

Then… I heard him.

I turned quickly at the sound of Masen's voice and felt my heart swell at least twice its size. I couldn't stop the smile cross my face when my eyes finally found him, his arms waving as he ran toward me. My bags slipped from my hands just as he threw himself at me. I lifted him and his arms and legs wrapped around my neck and torso, viselike. I didn't notice the tears that were stinging my eyes until they were falling down my cheeks and onto my son's t-shirt.

He pulled his face, which had been buried in my neck, to look at me, the grin that had been there faltering when he saw my tears.

"Why are you crying?" he asked as he touched my cheek softly.

"I'm just so happy to see you." I hugged him to me again. Over his head I saw Bella jogging to catch up with him. "Thank you," I mouthed, and she nodded curtly, then sighed, and I saw her relax minutely.

"Will you come back?" Masen patted my face, demanding my attention.

"Of course. And you can call me anytime you want. And I'll call you. And we can email, whatever you want," I reassured him.

"I'm going to miss you," he said sadly. I forced the lump in my throat back down, determined to be strong for him.

"Me too, buddy. More than you know." I kissed his head and set him down. He clung to my hand and looked at his mother.

"Is that okay, Mama?" he asked and she nodded and smiled, as her eyes filled with tears.

"Yeah, baby." She ran a hand through his hair then turned her gaze to me. "We'll do that." Bella's chocolate eyes penetrated mine for a moment before she surprised me (and herself, I supposed) and stepped forward and tentatively wrapped her arms around my neck. I let my free arm enfold her and press her to the side of my body, my cheek resting against her forehead.

To any stranger passing by we would've looked like a normal family parting ways for a brief business trip. Only our hearts knew things were different.

I felt Bella's hand cup the back of my neck and she kissed my jaw softly, moisture from her own tears staining my face where our skin connected.

She tried to pull away, but my arm held her flush against me. The look on her face was puzzled as my eyes searched it, looking for something, anything; any kind of promise that I had something to come back to. If I came back. No, when I came back. I should've waited for a sign, for something that told me she wanted me to. However, as I stood there staring at the mother of my child, the girl I'd loved all my life… all I wanted to do was kiss her.

But she beat me to it.

I was so surprised when she pressed her lips to mine that I nearly wrenched myself out of her arms. Once I regained control of my senses I felt myself drop Masen's hand and swept my free hand through her hair, letting it rest on the back of her neck. She pulled me closer, her mouth parted slightly, and I completely forgot that there was anything or anyone else around.

Bella pulled away too soon, her face flushed. She rested her forehead against my chin and her fingers played absently with the buttons on my shirt. Then she sighed softly and looked down, an ashamed look crossed her face. I followed her gaze and chuckled softly when I saw Masen standing there, smiling up at us. I gave Bella one last squeeze then knelt down in front of my son.

"I love you," I said softly, taking his face in my hands. He nodded and threw his arms around my neck. I tried to put everything in I felt into my embrace, but I knew it fell short. "Be good," I whispered and felt his head bob in agreement. "Take care of Uncle Emmett," I said as he pulled back, his bright green eyes shining with tears.

"I will," he said solemnly. I could've sat there and stared at my son's face for eternity, but the flight attendant who had spoken to me cleared her throat loudly from behind the desk. I stood up and faced Bella once more. I could see the composed façade slipping from her grasp as she, like me, remembered the last time we parted ways. Touching her shoulder softly, I kissed her forehead.

"I'll call when I get there," I said and she nodded meekly, not meeting my eyes. Masen wrapped his arms around Bella's waist and I ruffled his hair one last time and attempted a smile for both of them. Then I turned and walked through the door. I didn't turn around until I read the last step and could barely make out their faces. I gave a small wave before ascending the stairs to the small plane, the first leg of my journey away from the two most important things in my life.

BPOV

I held my son's hand as we watched Edward walk out of sight. I gripped his tightly, maybe too tightly, but it felt as if holding on to him would keep me from falling apart. We stood silently for a long moment after the door to the plane finally closed before Masen's sniffling broke me from my trance. I looked down to see tears streaming down his beautiful face and felt my heart break into a million pieces. Pulling my son into my arms, I fell into the nearest chair and cradled him to my chest. His body shook with small sobs and it took all I had not to break down and bawl with him.

"Shh…" I soothed, smoothing his hair and rocking him gently. "Hush, baby, you'll see him soon."

"I – don't – want – him – to – go," he said between gasps of air.

"I know," I said, my own tears falling into his copper hair. "Me either. Me either, baby."

I held onto him knowing, deep down, that we would get through this. Because I had done it before, and it had been under much worse circumstances.

After all, this wasn't the first time I'd clung to Masen to keep myself from falling apart.

So... thoughts?