A/N: Chapter four! It's a bit longer than the others. Bella's got some things to work through and a decision to make now she knows the Cullens are in town.

Let me know what you think. All your favs and reviews are greatly appreciated. :)

Enjoy!

– Bella's POV –

All in all, I think that must have been the most boring day in my immortal life so far. Not bad. Just boring. Eight hours wasted! How and why the Cullens put themselves through this shit is beyond me.

Seeing two of the Cullens again was a surprise. I hadn't been expecting that.

Now I know they're here, and they're obviously settled, maybe it would be best if I moved on. I'd rather not encroach on their territory; too many of us in one place would draw attention. I've stayed under the radar this long I'd like to keep it that way.

I've heard a lot of awful stories about the Volturi over the years. Neither the Cullens nor the Denali Coven had anything nice to say about them. And I certainly have no intention of incurring their wrath! After all, the Cullens did break the law when they exposed themselves to human Bella.

And then left her.

"And then left her." I agreed.

With knowledge of the supernatural world.

"With knowledge of the supernatural world." I nodded in agreement.

I don't think there's a statute of limitations on vampire crimes. If there is, I'm not sure what it is. I have minimal knowledge of our rules. I know the biggies but, I have no idea if there are others!

For now, I think it's best to stay away from any government types. As soon as Aro lays his hands on me, he'll know everything. I've kept the Cullens safe this long, might as well continue. Though, Lord knows why I'm doing it!

You know why. Three reasons. Three innocent lives that had nothing to do with what happened to you.

"True." I sighed. "Maybe it's best we leave then . . ."

Wonderful idea! Lest you forget, there's still the matter of the Redhead to deal with. We've been lucky to avoid her this long. No point risking our life for a Coven who, might I remind you, up and left without a word!

I don't need reminding, thanks. About the Cullens or Red.

Good. That's settled. We're leaving. We can be packed up and ready in an hour!

It was for the best with Red still on the loose. You'd think she would've given up by now after all this time. But no. She's still out there. Once a year, she pops up to remind me why I can't risk getting close to anyone. Not that I have an interest in that. After all these years, I've learned to enjoy the solitude.

When I reached my truck, I looked back at the school as the parking lot filled with students. It was unnerving to see the ways this place had changed, and the ways it hadn't.

I remember my first day at Forks High like it was yesterday. Everything was so new and green and scary. But the people were friendly and, for a long time, I'd been happy here. Blissfully happy.

Then, as things do, it all changed.

I don't think I took into account how coming back here would affect me. And I certainly never expected to run into the boy who put me on the path to being here today.

As much as I'd love to lay the blame solely at his feet, it wasn't totally his fault. I was always far too curious for my own good. I knew the risks of getting involved with a vampire and, in the end, I paid the ultimate price.

You're being nostalgic.

"I am." I sighed.

It was easier to move on and live my life as far from this place as possible. Coming back here had been a mistake. I see that now. It only served to bring up all those emotions and thoughts I'd buried long ago.

You can't change the past. Only learn from it.

"So, you're a fortune cookie now?"

I took one last deep breath of the cold, wet air and then slipped into my truck before it started to rain.

I think, weirdly, I've missed Forks. This is the place my life was irrevocably changed. Where I fell in love for the first time. Where I had my heart broken and lost the family I adored. It was where my world shattered beneath me and I slipped out of reality and into my head. It's where I died. And the place I was reborn.

It was also my past.

What was it Steinbeck said?

"You can't go home again because home has ceased to exist except in the mothballs of memory."

Yes, that's it. Seems to sum up this experience pretty damn well.

So, you've decided? We're leaving. You're sure? No changing your mind this time. No coming back. We leave, we stay away. Forever.

Yes. There's no reason to stay or come back. Everything that once held me here has long since perished.

I started up my truck, put it in drive, and slowly made my way out of the parking lot, having no intention of ever returning.

I'll phone the school later, doing my best impersonation of the fictitious Aunt Muriel, and give them some excuse or another. Gone to live with my dad overseas or moved in with my mother or, I dunno. I'll figure that out later. I've only been here a day, I doubt anyone will remember me come reunion time.

It'll have to be believable; the idiot boy used our real name! Inner Bella was not a happy camper. In a room full of nosy humans! Any of whom could easily look up Isabella and Edward Cullen. Obviously, he's not smart enough to use another name! What were they thinking? At least Alice was going by Ali Platt! Why on earth would Carlisle let Edward go back to Forks high AS Edward Cullen? Even he'd changed his name to Carl Cullen! Any of the tech-savvy teenagers could look us up and discover we were alive and well eighty-five years ago!

I tried not to roll my eyes at myself, but she wasn't wrong, either. Returning to this tiny town, where anyone could, with a little research, discover I'd lived here briefly back in 2005, was . . . dangerous.

Not to mention reckless. Idiotic. Stupid.

"Okay! I get it!" I growled. "It was a bad decision!"

Sometimes, I really piss myself off!

It's that idiot boy! At least Alice was wise enough to play along and use another name! Why was that so difficult for him?

I didn't know how to respond to that; I don't know the answer. From what I remember he used to be smart and logical.

Do vampires lose brain cells as they age?

"I hope not! Although, it would explain a few things . . . like why you and I keep talking . . ."

Of course, you talk to me! I give you expert advice. You just lack the capacity to listen.

"Gee, thanks." I huffed.

I wonder what's going on with Edward? Has he changed since I last saw him, or is this normal behavior? Was I so blinded by his incredible beauty and presence that I overlooked . . . pretty much everything else about him?

I hate not having the answers.

After our lunch encounter, I hadn't seen Edward or Alice again. For a moment, when I discovered he's in my biology class—yeah, go figure—I worried we'd have an encore of biology circa 2005. As ridiculous as that may be. But he didn't show up.

Probably ran home to tell Mummy and Daddy he'd run into his crazy ex-girlfriend!

That wouldn't surprise me.

"Maybe we should . . ."

Oh, no! Don't even think about it! We're leaving! The decision's been made. We leave tonight. Pack up and go. No turning back.

I knew she was right, but . . . "What if something's wrong?"

First, it's not our business. It doesn't involve us. We are not a member of their Coven and we never will be! Second, who the fuck cares? They left us, remember? Not the other way around!

I sighed. "I know, but . . ."

No! No, buts. We're leaving. End of story! The reason we needed to come in the first place still eludes me! Of all the places we could've gone and all the decisions you could've made, this is the one you choose!

A low growl reverberated through my chest. "I told you; I don't know why!" I hissed. "I . . . I had to come here!"

Why?

"I don't know why," I repeated.

It was the truth. I don't know why. I wish I did. I just . . . I felt . . . a pull.

A pull? What kind of pull?

"Something drawing me back here. To this town. I don't know what it means or how to describe it. I just know . . ." I sighed, "I had to come here. I tried to ignore the feeling. But . . . every night when I lay down in my bed, I felt a desperate need to be here! My heart ached to . . . to . . . to come home."

We don't have a home.

"But we did once. And, for whatever reason, we needed to be here. I don't know why. I wish I did."

Could it have anything to do with a certain family who's also back living here?

I didn't know how to answer that. Because, truthfully—though I have no desire to admit it out loud—I think it might.

Is this going to affect our plan to leave?

"No. You were right, coming here was a mistake. It's causing more problems than I anticipated. We need to leave. Especially with Edward lurking around, making demands. I'd like to be as far from him and my past as possible."

My decision was made and set when I reached my little cottage. I'd pack up my few possessions and leave tonight. There was no reason to hang around . . . It's not like . . .

I cut that thought off before it could take root in my head. You see? This is what coming here has done to me! One conversation with that idiot boy and I'm seventeen all over again!

They left me!

Why on earth would they come to check up on me or visit? I'm sure Alice was just being friendly.

They left.

They didn't want me.

They made that clear.

It's their loss. We're pretty damn badass if I do say so myself.

I don't owe them anything. Especially not my story. After all, if they'd stuck around, I never would have been in that meadow, Laurent wouldn't have attacked me, and I wouldn't be here right now.

Or, you could try looking at it another way. If they'd stayed you may never have become a vampire. Remember, Edward didn't want to turn you. He planned to remain with you while you grew old, weak, and frail. And then, when you died, he'd follow.

"Yes, I remember." It was a point of contention between us. I wanted to be a vampire and he wanted me to remain human. He'd gone as far as to forbid his family from turning me! And Carlisle was never going to go against Edward's wishes! Even if the whole Coven was breaking Volturi laws and could be executed for it!

So, let's say you remained human. You know, at some point, one of them would've slipped. It would likely have been another accident like your birthday only worse this time. You'd either end up dead or turned.

This would cause, whoever it was, enormous amounts of guilt. Edward would have made sure your attacker never forgot, which would lead to animosity within the family, and likely, whoever turned you, being asked to leave.

True. Sadly, it likely would've been Jasper. According to Edward, he struggled more than the rest of them. And if Jasper was forced to leave, Alice would go, too. As mates, they couldn't be parted for long.

Now, Imagine your life as a vampire in the Cullen Coven. It would likely be very different from the life we have. You'd live under Edward's rule. Likely as his wife. He doesn't seem like a highly sexual being to me, so I doubt you'd have much of a sex life, certainly nothing as fun as skinny dipping on the beach, kinky fun, or sexy threesomes. As a Cullen, you'd be expected to abide by their diet and you'd spend your immortality going to high school year after year.

"Well, when you put it that way . . ."

I'm just saying, there are two ways to look at it. You could mope about how they didn't want you and how they left, or you could see how good you have it. No, it's not perfect, but in some ways . . .

"It's better," I admitted, getting out of the truck and heading inside.

She was right. When I think about it, I have a good life. No, it's not perfect, but it's mine.

I have freedom. I'm not beholden to anyone. I go where I want. Live where I want. Eat whatever, or whoever, I want. I make my own decisions. I don't need to stop to have a family meeting or consult with someone else. I'm not locked into a marriage I never wanted.

Yeah, the Cullens left me. And it hurt like hell. There were times I didn't think I'd survive the pain.

But I did.

I got over it.

I moved on.

The teenage girl who Edward cruelly dumped, died out in that forest, curled up in a ball on the floor.

And when Laurent sank his teeth into my throat, a new woman was born.

Sometimes I forget I'm not the girl I was when they left.

Whatever was drawing me back to Forks—Edward, the Cullens, the town, my dad, the high school, memories—it's in the past. And I have no interest in dragging that shit back up.

Soooo the plan's back on?

Fuck, yes! I'm thinking about a couple of months in Mexico; relax by the beach, enjoy some good food and the sunshine, do a little sightseeing, sink our teeth into a few locals, and then hit the road. Nomad style. See where life takes us.

Sounds perfect!

I was walking up the stone pathway towards my cottage, mentally sorting through everything I own, and deciding what to take with me, when I heard the sound of thundering footsteps.

Holy shit! Either a herd of elephants is on the loose or the Cullens are coming to visit. What the actual fuck? Could they be any louder?

I spun around just in time to see eight vampires come to a stop opposite my little cottage. One, in particular, caught my attention almost immediately.

But it couldn't be . . .

It wasn't possible . . .

"Bells."

His voice was almost the same. Deeper than I remembered. More fluid and smooth.

My eyes widened. He looked different. Taller. Shoulders a little broader. Muscles more defined. His hair was a shade darker. His eyes were bright red. And, he'd shaved off that awful mustache.

I shook my head and took a step back. "You died," I whispered.

"So did you, kiddo."

"I . . ." my bookbag dropped to the floor. "I—I don't . . . I don't understand . . ."

I was hyperventilating. And considering I don't need to breathe, that was an odd sensation.

Was this real?

Maybe it was a trick.

I wouldn't put it passed Red. But I think it's real. If it was an illusion, it wouldn't work on us. Remember Zafrina's gift? She could never make us see her illusions.

He looks real . . .

Because he is . . .

"Dad . . ."

A/N: So, there we have it. Charlie. Did you see it coming? What does this mean for Bella now? Will she still leave Forks? Is this what was drawing her to Washington? Or is it something else? And why is Charlie with the Cullens?

I'm excited. Let me know what you think! And don't forget to check out the Facebook page BlueBubbleBurst for updates, pics, chats, and all that good stuff!

See ya next time!