Chapter 89: The Pull
The DON'T WALK sign in front of her began to flash, its orange light reflecting faintly off the damp pavement. Bella adjusted her pace, her stride quickening just enough to reach the other side of the intersection before the light changed. The neighborhood was dark, but it wasn't late enough for the streets to feel deserted. Pedestrians and cars surrounded her, so she kept her head down, blending in, just another young woman trying to get to somewhere safer.
She had just ended her call with Char, and a small smile lingered on her lips. Talking with her friends always lifted her mood, and the thought of introducing Edward to them filled her with a mix of excitement and anticipation. She finally had her man, and about damn time too. The image of Edward flashed in her mind, and with it came a pang of longing that settled deep in her chest. The distance between them felt tangible, like an invisible tether pulling her forward.
The meal she'd just finished had left her feeling revitalized, the satisfying warmth of the man's blood still coursing through her veins. Every step she took felt lighter, her body humming with readiness. Spokane was waiting, and she was eager to leave this dreary place behind. She couldn't help but imagine the moment she would see Edward again—his crooked smile, the way his red eyes would sparkle when they locked on her, the way it would feel to melt into his strong arms once more.
Bella scanned the area ahead, her gaze flicking to the quieter side streets branching off from the main drag. She needed to find a place to slip away, somewhere out of sight where she could shed this slow pace and let her true speed carry her away. With her body alive and thrumming, the thought of running all out, the wind rushing past her, enticed her. It was the perfect way to even out the high from her meal and burn off the extra energy. Her fingers twitched with impatience. Just a little farther. Once she was free of the city, nothing would stop her.
A billboard loomed ahead, its bold letters posing a question that gave Bella pause: Who are you? The words lingered in her mind, sparking a train of thought she couldn't ignore. Her relationship with Edward was still in its early stages, full of promise and unanswered questions. There were layers to him she hadn't yet uncovered, shadows of his past and pieces of his soul that remained a mystery—even, she suspected, to him.
The years he had lost, stolen by his captivity, had denied him the chance to fully explore who he might have been. Bella couldn't help but wonder how much of himself Edward truly understood. But the thought didn't fill her with worry—it filled her with resolve. She wanted to be there for him, standing beside him, as he pieced together who he was now in this unfamiliar world.
Finally, finding a spot that was completely secluded, she sped off into the night. The cool air whipped past her, and the heavy stench of exhaust and asphalt—tinged with metallic tang and stagnant water—gave way to the lighter scents of rain-soaked earth and pine. The day had been mostly spent running, her body moving in a steady rhythm, covering mile after mile with ease. She had stopped only once around noon, pausing to talk with Edward again.
Their conversation had been calm and easy, the kind that made her forget how far apart they really were. Edward hadn't bombarded her with questions about her time in space, something she quietly appreciated. Instead, he shared details of his conversation with Charlie, and she couldn't help but smile as he recounted the exchange.
After finishing her call with Edward, she had called Charlie herself. The warmth in his voice as he spoke about her recent actions had been gratifying. Charlie hadn't been able to say enough nice things, and even Sue had jumped on the line. That part had pleased her—it seemed like their relationship was truly improving, a development she had once doubted would ever happen.
Afterward, she decided it would be nice to call her mother... for which she could only shake her head.
From Cleveland, Bella veered north, deliberately avoiding the sprawl of Chicago in favor of a more direct route. Her path led her straight to the edge of Lake Michigan, where the sprawling waters stretched into the darkness. She didn't hesitate. Ever since her first shaky attempts at running across the ocean on her way to Japan, she'd refined her technique. Now, her shields snapped into place with precision, each step meeting a solid surface she created milliseconds before her foot struck. She didn't even need to slow down.
The air was damp and cool, carrying the faint scent of freshwater mixed with algae. Above her, the sky was a vast canvas of deep indigo, scattered with stars that seemed to shimmer brighter out here, away from the city lights. The occasional distant glow from a cargo ship on the horizon provided a faint reminder of human presence, their lights bobbing like tiny fireflies in the endless expanse.
Her footsteps were soundless, her shield absorbing the impact as she sprinted across the water. Waves rolled beneath her, their white crests illuminated by the moonlight, but they posed no obstacle. Her speed outpaced their rise and fall, and the rhythmic whoosh of her passage blended with the natural symphony of the lake—the gentle slap of water against unseen barriers and the low whisper of the wind.
She pushed harder, exhilarated by the freedom of the open water. A flock of startled birds, resting on the surface, exploded into the sky as she passed, their wings catching the moonlight in a sudden flurry of motion. For a brief moment, the lake seemed alive with movement, the chaos of nature echoing her own boundless energy.
On the far horizon, the dark outline of Wisconsin began to take shape, the lights from scattered shoreline towns twinkling faintly. Bella didn't falter. Her shield moved seamlessly with her, each step carrying her closer to the other side. The water's edge rose to meet her, the transition from lake to land so fluid it felt like one continuous motion.
The instant she hit solid ground, she accelerated, her path cutting through the quiet expanse of Wisconsin. Trees dropped away in her wake as she sped past, the night alive with the rustle of leaves and the occasional startled cry of nocturnal animals. She raced through fields and forests, the landscape shifting seamlessly as she crossed into Minnesota without missing a beat, the sheer joy of running propelling her forward into the darkness.
It was close to midnight when the urge to speak with Edward again became too great. Bella slowed her pace near an interstate highway, the hum of passing cars breaking the stillness of the night. Spotting a large rock nestled under the tree cover, she perched on it, the cool surface grounding her as she watched the headlights streak by. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed Edward's number, a flicker of anticipation lighting her chest.
He answered almost immediately. "Bella." His voice, warm and brimming with happiness, instantly soothed her.
"Hey." A smile tugged at her lips as she lay back on the rock, her gaze drifting toward the faint outline of the stars beyond the tree canopy. "How's your day been?"
Running had always been a source of joy for her, a reminder of her power and freedom. But after hours of relentless movement with no one to share it with, the solitude had begun to creep in. Just a few minutes of conversation felt like exactly what she needed to break the monotony.
"It's been a good day," Edward replied. "I spent time with everyone. Right now, Carlisle and I are at the hospital where he works. This place is incredible—there's really no comparison to the hospitals I remember. A colleague just asked Carlisle to check on a patient, so he stepped away for a few minutes. I'm all alone if you feel like regaling me again with what you plan to do to me when you get back..." His soft chuckle filtered through the line before his tone grew more earnest. "But seriously, how about you? Where are you now? Were you able to get in contact with your father?"
"I'm just about to leave Minnesota." Bella's voice carried a soft warmth, a subtle undercurrent of anticipation. "I'm doing good, but truthfully? I'll be a hell of a lot better when I'm back with you in the morning." A sly grin tugged at her lips, the thought of indulging in some dirty talk sparking a playful gleam in her eyes. Flirting like this—bold and unapologetic—was still a new experience for her, but she was quickly discovering how much she loved it. "You want me to talk dirty, Edward… I don't know. I was so embarrassed earlier today when the Cullens all heard me. I think that might be the end of my..." She broke off with a laugh, her tone dipping into something teasing and seductive. "Oh, who am I kidding."
Smiling, Bella shifted into a more comfortable position, erecting a shield above her so she could rest her feet against the invisible barrier. "Okay, I'll give you a little hint," she purred, her tone playful. "It'll involve my lips and any part of your body that you choose. Will that work for you?" Her grin widened as she imagined Edward Jr. giving him quite the stiff problem at her words. Hopefully, he wouldn't end up giving some poor old lady a heart attack if she caught sight of the evidence straining against his pants.
Edward's deep laugh rumbled through the line, sending a delightful shiver down her spine. "Yeah, I'd say that works for me. But that goes both ways, right?"
"It better," Bella shot back, her grin so wide it felt like it might stay there forever. She sighed contentedly, the moment feeling so light and easy. But then her brow furrowed slightly as she caught an unusual sound in the background. "What's that noise I hear? Is it raining there?"
"Yeah," Edward replied, his tone shifting slightly. "It's been raining on and off all day, but it's really coming down now. I hope it's not too bad where you are?"
"It's been raining a little, but nothing I can't handle." She shrugged; rain had never bothered her. "Oh, and I did speak to my parents. Charlie was great. I'm glad he felt comfortable calling you."
She hesitated for a moment before letting out an exasperated laugh. "My mother, on the other hand…"
"What is it?" Edward's voice carried a note of curiosity, pulling her attention back to him.
Bella let out a long breath, though a wry smile tugged at her lips. "Just thinking about what happened when I called her earlier." She paused for a moment, her tone shifting into something bemused. "She was happy to hear from me, of course, but when I started talking about everything—about the accident, the station, the fact that I was in space—she had no idea what I was even going on about."
Edward sounded genuinely confused. "She didn't know?"
"Nope. Not a clue," Bella said, her grin widening. "When I asked what she'd been up to, it turned out she and Jean-Paul had been… otherwise engaged the whole time." She let the words hang in the air, knowing Edward would catch her meaning.
There was a long pause on his end before he finally spoke, his voice cautious. "Oh."
"Yeah. Oh," Bella echoed, shaking her head, a laugh bubbling up despite herself. "And then I realized they were still engaged while I was talking to her. I ended the call pretty damn quickly after figuring that one out—right after yelling at her to turn on the news."
Edward let out a low chuckle, the sound warm and laced with amusement. "And?"
"And nothing," she replied, laughing again. "That was hours ago, and I still haven't heard back. So… yeah."
"Well," Edward teased, his tone dry but affectionate, "I'm sure she'll enjoy watching it… eventually."
Bella smiled to herself, a deep sense of contentment settling in her chest as Edward's voice filled her ears. Finally, she had someone to share her life with—someone who truly understood her.
As their conversation shifted to other topics, Bella's gaze wandered to the scattered rocks around her, glinting faintly in the moonlight. Tilting her head left and then right, she let her power flow effortlessly, lifting every stone within view until they hovered, suspended in midair above her. She didn't stop there. With a small, amused smile, she set them spinning, creating a swirling dance of rocks—from tiny pebbles to impressively large ones. It was her own mini solar system, a quiet reminder of the surreal world she'd left behind in space.
Edward's voice continued, recounting more of his day. She listened intently, her main focus solely on him, while the back of her mind managed the chaos of her floating creation. Relaxed and fully in her element, she allowed herself to sink deeper into their connection. But soon, Carlisle's voice filtered faintly through the line, prompting Edward to mention that they'd be heading home soon, before the roads became too dangerous to drive.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Love you." Her voice was soft, carrying a warmth she couldn't quite hide.
"Tomorrow," Edward replied, his tone low and intimate, as though the word held all the weight in the world. "I'll be counting every second until then. Love you too."
As the call ended, Bella let out a small sigh, her smile lingering. Carefully, she began lowering all the rocks back to their original places, aligning them with precision as though she were arranging the world back into its proper order.
Bella's journey pressed on, the hours blending together as she ran through the vast, open plains of North Dakota. The land stretched endlessly before her, a golden expanse bathed in moonlight, the cool night air rushing past her. Every stride felt effortless, her body perfectly attuned to the rhythm of running. The only sounds were the soft thrum of her feet meeting the ground and the distant hum of crickets serenading the quiet night.
It was in Montana, that the first faint glow of dawn began to creep into the eastern horizon behind her. The endless plains slowly gave way to hills that grew steeper, the terrain becoming more rugged. The fresh scent of pine drifted into her senses as the landscape transformed into dense forests. The pale light of early morning gently illuminated the tops of the mountains ahead, their jagged peaks catching the golden hues of sunlight, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold.
Bella didn't falter. Her pace quickened, her steps light and sure as she darted between trees and leapt over streams, the cool mountain air invigorating her. The beauty of the changing landscape always thrilled her, even in passing. Every turn revealed something new—a rushing river cutting through a valley, a meadow bursting with wildflowers, the world waking up to a new day.
By the time she reached the edge of Montana and Idaho, the shift in the terrain was striking. The flat plains and gentle slopes of her earlier journey were a distant memory, replaced by towering cliffs and rugged outcroppings. The rising sun bathed the earth in warm light, chasing away the shadows of the night.
Without slowing, Bella tilted her head slightly, her focus sharpening. The path ahead no longer mattered—she wasn't going to stick to the ground anymore. With a single, fluid motion, she bent her knees and launched herself skyward. The ground fell away beneath her as she soared into the morning air, her shield forming instinctively to carry her forward.
The sensation of flying was exhilarating, the wind rushing past her in a cool, steady stream. Below her, the world stretched out like a living tapestry—rolling hills giving way to the dense forests of Idaho, the occasional glint of a river winding through the landscape, and far ahead, the faint shimmer of Spokane on the horizon. The sky around her was a canvas of soft pastels, the last remnants of dawn giving way to the clarity of morning.
Bella adjusted her trajectory, her shield carrying her effortlessly through the air. The freedom of flight filled her with an almost childlike joy, her body humming with energy as she streaked toward her destination. Spokane was waiting, and the thought of seeing Edward again fueled her movements. The city grew closer with each passing second, and with it came the promise of everything she'd been yearning for.
Around 9:00 a.m., Bella landed softly near the outskirts of Spokane, the city spread out in the distance, bathed in the golden light of a crisp morning. Without missing a beat, she ran along the edges of the city, her path weaving through backroads and quiet neighborhoods, until she found the small, secluded community the Cullens called home.
Soon, the Cullen house came into view, nestled among tall, swaying trees, its modern elegance standing in stark contrast to the rural charm surrounding it. Bella slowed to a stop, taking a moment to compose herself. Running cross-country nonstop could leave its mark, and she had made it a ritual to always be prepared. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a compact mirror and a few handy wipes, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs that she might look amiss.
Her reflection greeted her, sharp and clear in the small mirror. Aside from her hair being a little windblown, everything looked fine. She quickly smoothed it down, her fingers deftly taming a few errant strands. Satisfied, she tucked the mirror back into her bag and began walking toward the house, her pace steady as she worked to calm the emotions bubbling just beneath the surface.
As she approached the driveway, the aftermath of last night's storm became evident. Branches littered the ground, some snapped cleanly from the trees, while larger limbs lay scattered to the side of the road. The scent of rain still clung to the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. Bella tilted her head back briefly, taking in the serene beauty of the morning. The storm's chaos had given way to a peaceful, sunlit tranquility.
Reaching the front porch, a grin spread across her face, but her steps slowed as she neared the door. She hesitated, unsure of what to do. The Cullens were expecting her, but it felt presumptuous to just walk into their home. Shaking her head at her own uncertainty, she stopped and pressed the doorbell.
She barely had time to pull her hand back before the door swung open, almost violently. Standing in the threshold was Edward, his eyes wide with disbelief and raw emotion. For a split second, neither of them moved, the intensity of the moment holding them frozen. Then Bella surged forward, unable to contain herself, and leapt into his arms.
Edward caught her effortlessly, his hold firm and unwavering. She melted into him, every inch of her body pressing against his as she buried her face in his neck. Relief, joy, and love crashed over her like a tidal wave. For a moment, the rest of the world fell away—there was only Edward, and the overwhelming sense of being home.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. While I don't subscribe to the idea of soulmates, the love Bella and Edward share for each other is just as strong. The next chapter will be a long one, where we'll see Bella and Edward together again and finally uncover what the hell happened at the end of the last chapter.
As always, your comments are appreciated.