Edward's POV

While Charlie had taken a short leave of absence to stay home and reconnect with Bella and get to know his granddaughter, I had returned to work, my mind constantly drifting back to my childhood friend. I hadn't seen her since she had returned home. She had requested a little bit of privacy while she and Nessie adjusted to their new version of normal. We all respected it and while Alice did go over for a short visit on her third afternoon home, and Esme continued to bring casseroles and meals over to their family (the entire town knew that the Chief wasn't what you would call a gourmet chef!), the rest of us stayed back for the most part.

A week after her release I found that not only did I miss her and I wanted to see her, but I almost needed to see her, to assure that she was still there… still okay; so as I finished out my night shift, I changed into my street clothes and drove down to Chief Swan's home, hoping that they were awake and that Bella would allow me a short visit.

When I knocked on the door however I was met with a surprise.

"Hello Nessie, is your Mom here?" I asked as the girl opened the door fearlessly, a massive grin forming on her face when she saw it was me.

"Mr. Edward!" She squealed and before I knew it she was clinging to me. Picking her up at her request, I moved inside the house, standing in the entrance and looking around.

"Sssh! Grandpa's still sleeping… and Momma's not here." She said, pushing down and out of my arms. Suddenly worried, I crouched down to Nessie's level.

"Where did your Momma go?" I asked her softly, trying not to alarm her.

"She went for a walk… she told me to wake up Grandpa if there is an emergency and she told me to stay in the house… and she told me not to answer the door…" She paused there, as though just realising her mistake. "Oops… I answered the door." She said shyly and I tried to smile at her reassuringly.

"It's alright Ness. Just try to remember for next time, okay?" I asked and she nodded.

"I want to go for a walk too… can we go find Momma? She doesn't normally go outside…" Nessie changed topics quickly and I felt myself frowning, the worry getting stronger. Looking towards the small table by the door, I spotted the notepad and left a note for Charlie, making the letters big and visible.

"Take my hand and we'll go for a little walk." I told the girl and she happily grabbed a hold of my hand. I wasn't sure if this was the best idea, but I wanted to make sure that Bella was okay and I didn't want to leave Nessie alone at the house again. She was amazingly perceptive.

Thankfully it had been a wet night and as I looked towards the side of the house I could see the grass flattened where Bella had walked towards the old path. As soon as I saw that, I knew exactly where she had gone, and leading Nessie along with her hand in mine, we followed it along.

The path through the woods was well worn. I knew that after Bella had gone missing, I had come out several times a year… but from the looks of the pathway, I wasn't the only one. Overall Nessie was quiet as we walked, but as soon as we met the end of the path and entered the small clearing she screamed excitedly. It was like the girl was all Bella in looks, combined with my sister in personality.

In seconds she had taken off running towards the playground, immediately climbing up and exploring the wooden structure.

"How'd you know I'd be here?" She asked quietly and once I was sure that Nessie was alright, I turned towards the cluster of boulders where I could see Bella sitting. It was strange to see her there after all of this time.

This entire play-ground had been home to countless hours of fun as kids. The clearing had always been here… but it was Chief Swan and a number of parents in the area that had done the fundraising to create this private park in the middle of the woods. Any tourist to the area would have no idea that it was hidden here… but the locals all knew.

Unfortunately things weren't the same as when we were little.

After Bella's disappearance I had come out here regularly, wishing and hoping that she would appear one day… just pop back into our world and I oftentimes imagined that this was the place she would come first. When we were little, this park was always filled with local kids… all of us loving the privacy and the illusion of our own fantasy world that it created. But after… after she went missing, parents held their children a little tighter and kids stopped going anywhere on their own. Even though she had actually been taken in Port Angeles… we were a small town, and everybody had known Bella. It had hit every parent in town hard.

"I just had a feeling when Nessie answered the door and told me you had gone for a walk…" I told her, sitting down next to her and watching as Nessie sat at the top of the slide, looking down nervously. Suddenly she pushed herself off and I heard her squeal with delight as she felt the thrill of something so ordinary.

"She wasn't supposed to answer the door…" Turning to look at Bella, I could see the pain in her eyes, the incredible sadness.

"I know… we talked about that when she answered it…" I smiled gently. I didn't want her to feel bad, but I didn't know where she was at… why she had come out here on her own.

"I shouldn't have left her there alone… I mean… Charlie's there… I just wanted to try to get out on my own…" She stuttered and I nodded. I could sort of understand her reasoning, and I couldn't imagine the fear she must feel in regards to her freedom.

For a few minutes it was quiet. It was almost nice… and then I looked back at Bella.

"Bells? Are you okay?" I asked cautiously, reaching my hand out, unsure of whether or not the gesture was alright. In the hospital Mom had warned us all never to touch Bella without her permission… but she had surprised me that day by grabbing onto my hand. Perhaps she was okay if I reached out, not assuming, but asking.

Again, she surprised me. It took a second, but before I knew it she was in my arms, her own tiny arms wrapped around my neck as she held tightly to me; her body shuddering as the sobs began. Once again, I didn't know what to do… so I simply held onto her.