Hey, Everyone, I truly apologize for the long wait. To make a long story short, I lost my sister and two nieces in a car accident last May, and just wasn't able to write for a while. And then when I could, it was just bits and pieces at a time until recently. I promise the story will be finished.

Thank you to My-Bella for being the most awesome beta and even better, PIC. Also, a very special thank you to DrivingEdward for her help with this chapter. If you haven't read her story, The Love of the Game, you need to.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, I just like to play with their lives.

I need to be loved, I just need to be loved
I just want to be loved by you
And I won't stop 'cause I believe
That maybe, yeah maybe, maybe, yeah maybe
Maybe, maybe

~Maybe~ by Kelly Clarkson

~Bella~

"Okay, that's the last of it," Jess said, lifting and shutting the tailgate of the suburban I'd rented to drive my stuff back. We'd had to put the second and third row seats down, but that extra space allowed us to get everything in and stack it in a way that didn't block the view out the rear window. Tonight the suburban would be parked in the garage of Jess and her fiancé's new house.

I was truly happy and excited for her. Nick was a great guy and they had been together for what seemed like forever. However, while it had been fun to be back in Miami and hang out with all my friends for a couple of days, it hadn't taken my mind off Edward. After everything Mae had told me about his parents, and what I'd already known I couldn't help wondering if Edward had some kind of abandonment fear that had been magnified when I'd left after high school. I could certainly understand if he did, and understand his reaction to me coming down here to Miami. But even knowing all of that, Edward still had to want to be in our relationship one hundred percent. It wasn't enough for me to know why he'd panicked. He was going to have to be able to communicate with me, and to trust me enough to tell me those deep dark fears he had.

"All this moving makes me hungry," Shelly whined. "Why don't we all head down to Duffy's? This is Bella's last night here and who knows when we'll all be together again."

"I'm down," Nick chimed in. "Ladies?" He looked at Jess and me, waiting for our approval.

"Okay, I'll go if you guys promise to not let me get drunk. I don't wanna be hung over in the car tomorrow," I told them.

"We promise," Jess and Shelly said at the same time.

Wasn't sure I quite believed them, but Shelly was right. We likely wouldn't see each other again for some time. At least not until next year when Jess and Nick tied the knot.

On the way, I realized I needed to let Edward know where we would be, so I started a text, "I'm sorry for the last minute switch up, but" I stopped typing, unsure how to finish. I wasn't sorry for wanting to spend this last night with my friends. But I also didn't want to come off as if I was using this as an excuse to avoid talking to him. Keep it simple, Bella, I told myself. "Change of plans, meet us at Duffy's on 57th." There, I liked that one; I hit send.

No reply came. Glancing at the time on my phone, he was still likely in the air, so his not responding didn't bother me.

Meeting us there might not be ideal, but it was what was happening. I wasn't trying to be difficult or purposefully make him uncomfortable. But I was still leery of him arriving instead of Emmett. I had no way of knowing his true intentions for coming in my brother's place, only what I hoped they were. So his reaction might give me some insight as to where things stood with us.

.

.

.

We'd been at Duffy's just over an hour when Shelly nodded her head and said, "I call dibs."

I looked up as Jess and Nick turned to see what she was talking about.

"He looks a little lost," Nick added.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly, unable to believe what I was seeing. Despite his text message telling me he'd just landed a short time ago, I was stunned. I watched as he scanned the place. Once he found me and our eyes locked on one another. The room disappeared for a moment and I was captivated by the slight smile that rose on his lips. Neither of us were able to see anything else but each other.

"I think he's here for Bella. He's looking at her like she's a life raft in the middle of the ocean," I heard Jess whisper, barely catching her looking back and forth between Edward and me.

I was only vaguely aware of their continued conversation as I sat there staring at him in disbelief. Still surprised he came.

'What?" Shelly asked. "That's not Bella's brother, is it?"

"No. I think that's Edward," Jess replied.

"Edward? Like the Edward?"

"Yes."

They continued bantering while I took him in. I caught a brief flicker of something cross his face. Fear? Uncertainty? I wasn't sure since it was there and gone so fast. Looking him over I soaked in his appearance. He looked tired. Sleep had been hard. Especially those first few days. If what was going on between us had affected him as much as it had me, I could certainly understand why he would be worn out. It explained him being a bit disheveled. He wore jeans, converse, and a wrinkled black t-shirt. His hair was messier than usual, like he'd been constantly tugging on it, which was a tell of his when he was stressed. The scruff that covered his sharp jawline was much thicker than it normally was, nearly a full beard. I liked it. It made me wonder what it might feel like against my skin. I shuddered at the thought. My sight eventually landed on the backpack strap hanging on his shoulder. I'd missed him so much. It was overwhelming how happy I was to see him, it almost had me in tears with how much it meant to me. He could have easily waited for me to return. But no, here he was.

It took everything in me to not run and throw myself in his arms.

When Emmett had first called me, I'd questioned him on why Edward was coming here. Not because I was against it, but because I wondered if he was doing it out of some sense of obligation due to Em being unable to leave Rose. But my brother had assured me it had been Edward who wanted to be here. He had begged Emmett for the information on my return and to let him come in his place. That alone spoke volumes to me. Em wouldn't have done that if he hadn't trusted Edward was being honest.

I lifted my eyes back to his, the flicker of hope I saw in them was unmistakable.

He came for me.

The longer we stood there locked in each other's gaze, I could see the telltale signs that Edward was uncomfortable. I could see the faint twitch of his jaw, the uncertainty in his green eyes, and his hand clenching open and closed on repeat with nerves. He'd made the first move and came to me, indicating he still wanted something with me. At least that was how I interpreted him being here. Things had been so strained between us, I couldn't see him coming all this way if he didn't still want me. Being here was just a start, but a good place to start. Now it was my turn to show him I was still in this too.

"I'll be right back," I told my friends as I got up and walked over to where Edward was standing. I could feel their eyes on me the whole way.

"Hey, you made it," I said. I could feel the jitter of nerves zipping through me as I leaned in and gave him a quick hug. However, I could see that same affliction reflected in his eyes, and I'd felt the slight shake of his body as he'd hugged me back, telling me he was experiencing them too. But I saw that as a good thing. This man chased tornadoes for a living. If him being here wasn't important to him, it wouldn't be affecting him so deeply.

"Hi," he returned. "Your friends?" He nodded his head towards the table where I'd just been sitting.

"Yeah, come on, I'll introduce ya."

I made all the introductions and Nick got us all another round of beers. It wasn't long before Edward seemed to relax and he was regaling everyone with tales from his storm chasing adventures. I couldn't help but notice how he was fitting in seamlessly. This had been one of the reasons I'd wanted him to come with me in the first place. I had been nearly one hundred percent certain he'd hit it off with them.

Nick loved dogs and when Edward mentioned Dottie and how he'd rescued her on one of his chases, Nick and Jess were both asking all kinds of questions about her. I had a feeling a dog would soon be new addition for them.

"He's a keeper," Shelly leaned over and whispered while Edward was showing off pictures of Dottie.

I nodded in agreement. "He is…" my words trailing off.

"Why do I sense there's a but in there?" she asked.

I thought carefully for a second on how to say what I wanted without getting into all the nitty gritty details about me and Edward. I didn't want to air his demons here. It wasn't the time or place, nor was it really anything Shelly or the others needed to know. At least not right now.

So I settled on, "He is a keeper. We just have a few kinks to work out. That's all."

"He's here, that says a lot," Shelly added. They'd all been under the impression Edward was coming with me, and when he hadn't, I think they'd picked up on the fact something was amiss between us. But neither she or Jess had pushed for information. They both knew I'd talk if I needed to.

But she was right. "Yes. It does."

"You'll work it out."

"Yeah? How can you be so sure?" I wanted to be as sure as she was. I wanted us to work it all out.

"Because of the way he was looking at you when he first got here, and how he can hardly take his eyes off you now. He loves you."

I looked at her, thinking about what she'd said, then stole a peek Edward's way. While he was still fully engaged in his conversation with Jess and Nick, his eyes were on me when one of them was talking.

Finishing off my beer I looked up at the oversized metal clock on the wall. It was almost ten. "Hey, it's gonna be an early morning and long day tomorrow driving, you guys about ready to head out?"

Everyone agreed it was time to go. We all made our way outside where Edward reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

"I'm just gonna call for an uber to take me to the hotel. What's the plan for in the morning? You wanna pick me up? Or I can uber to you," he offered.

"Hey, man," Nick said to Edward, "we can drop you at the hotel. Where you staying?"

"Are you sure? You have enough room?" Edward asked.

"Absolutely," Nick returned.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"No problem."

We all piled into Nick's jeep. Edward was a little cramped with me, him, and Shelly in the back, but when Jess had offered the front seat to Edward, he'd turned her down without hesitation.

Ten minutes later we were pulling under the portico at the drop off area at the front of the hotel. Edward thanked Nick for the ride, waved goodbye to everyone and climbed out.

"Wait up," I called after him, as I jumped out behind him. As he turned, I noticed the lights of the hotel shining behind him, casting a bit of an amber glow around the copper tones in his hair. He was beautiful, almost angelically so. And he's all mine, popped into my head. At least I wanted him to be. I had never been more certain in my life, that I wanted Edward to be totally and irrevocably mine. I reminded myself that he wouldn't be here if there wasn't a chance for us.

Getting out of my own head, I asked, "You okay?" We stopped near the door and stood facing each other. "I could stay here with you if you want."

"Nah, I'm good," he told me. But I got the feeling he wasn't being completely honest, and the sadness in his eyes confirmed it.

"Really, they won't mind, I can—"

"Shush," he told me and removed the finger he'd placed over my lips. "Would I love to have you here with me, absolutely. But this is your last night with your friends. Go, have fun. I can take the first round of driving if needed."

Overwhelmed by his selflessness, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him with everything I had. When his arms slid around my waist and pulled me to him, I felt like I could breathe again. He smelled so good. The fragrance of his bodywash with a hint of sweat, likely from spending the day traveling, hit me, but there was also his natural scent that reminded me of sunshine and hay on a hot summer day. Inhaling deeply, his scent washed through me, easing the restless ache that had been gnawing inside me. I'd missed him so much and being in his arms again was exactly what I needed.

Turning my head, I kissed him on his cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked.

Swallowing back the emotions that were flooding me, I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. "For being here. I'm so glad you came, Edward. I know we have things to work out. But you making the trip really means a lot to me."

"No place else I'd rather be," he whispered and hugged me to him again, burying his face against my neck. I got chills when I felt his lips barely brush against my skin. "I still have Jess's address, how about I uber there in the morning so you can have as much time with your friends as possible?" he suggested as he pulled away slowly like he was afraid to let me go.

He wasn't alone. I instantly missed the warmth of being in his arms. "That would be great. Thank you."

"Anything for you, Kitten." Gazing into his eyes I saw nothing but love and sincerity.

Maybe Shelly was right. I wanted her to be.

"Okay then, I will see you bright and early," I told him.

"Yep. You got a time in mind?" he asked.

"Is around 7 too early?"

"Nope, see you then."

We said goodbye and I made my way back to the jeep.

As Nick pulled away, Jess turned around and at the same time her and Shelly let out this long wishful sigh.

"That was so sweet," Jess swooned.

"What?" I asked. "We were just talking about meeting up in the morning.'

"Y'all got it bad," Shelly added.

"Ohhhh remember that movie Kelly Clarkson did right after she won American Idol?" Jess exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, the one with Justin . . . Justin, oh I forget his last name."

"Where are you going with this?" I asked. "That movie was not one of Kelly's finer accomplishments, and cheesier than those Hallmark movies at Christmas time."

"Yes, but that hug they shared. You could see all the emotions they were fighting in that moment. You and Edward reminded me of them. It was such a sweet moment in the movie," Shelly sighed.

Smiling, I rolled my eyes at her. "Y'all had one too many beers I think."

"Mark my words," Jess insisted. "The two of you will be married and popping out babies one day."

"Yep. Did you see the look on his face as we left? That boy is one hundred percent hooked. Full on moony eyes over you," Shelly declared.

I just shook my head and laughed at them, but I couldn't help thinking about what they'd said as we made our way back to Jess and Nick's new place.

All I could do was hope Edward and I would finally be on the same page, and we could figure it out.

Maybe.

~EPOV~

Morning had come way too fast. I'd set an alarm so I could grab a bite to eat before grabbing an Uber and heading to where Bella was.

The alarm hadn't been needed. I'd been up long before it would have woken me.

I hadn't been able to shut off my thoughts of what would be next for me and Bella. I'd been incredibly nervous of how she'd react to me. I'd been tremendously relieved when she'd seemed happy to see me. I took that as a good sign. It had been nice meeting her friends and getting to know them a little. It gave me a glimpse of what our week might have been like if I hadn't fucked things up before she came down here. But I wasn't going to beat myself up over it anymore. Well at least not while I knew I still had a chance to make things right with her. Some of what Dr. Clairmont had said came back to me… "the scary thoughts and emotions will always be there whether we acknowledge them or not. It's in sharing them that they lose their power to dictate our lives and their hold over us. Bella confided in you the truth behind her decisions, showing you the terror that facilitated her leaving behind everything she'd known, including you. That's not the action of a girl constantly on the verge of running. That's what a woman does to show confidence that she has healed herself and trusted in your ability to understand her past. You need to do the same for her now. Trust in her the same way she has in you." And I was ready to do that. Ready to trust her with my insecurities, and trust that they wouldn't change how she felt about me. It was time to let go of my past and be present now, here with her. Time to stop being afraid Bella had one foot out the door all the time. I was ready to stop being afraid of being left behind.

Checking that I hadn't forgotten anything, I zipped my backpack closed and slung it over my shoulder to leave.

On the elevator ride down, I couldn't stop thinking about the hug and kiss Bella had given me last night. I could still feel her lips on my cheek, and her arms around me. God, it had felt so fucking good to hold her again. It had been incredibly hard to let her go. When she'd offered to stay with me, it had taken every ounce of strength I'd had to not be selfish and take her up on it. No matter how badly I'd wanted to. And the way she'd hung on to me, gave me the feeling she hadn't wanted to let go of me either. It had made it so much harder to let her have that last night with her friends. But this wasn't about just me, my wants, my needs. It was about Bella's too.

The elevator doors dinged and opened. I made my way out into the hotel lobby, stopping first at the concierge desk to check out.

"I hope you enjoyed your stay, Mr. Cullen," the bubbly redhead said as she printed my paperwork. "Feel free to enjoy breakfast before you leave."

I thanked her and took the papers.

A few minutes later I was stirring a little sugar in a steaming cup of coffee, and watching the latest news headlines scroll by on the TV in the dining area of the hotel.

About to take a sip, I sat it back down when my phone dinged with a text from Bella.

"Good morning. Hope you got some sleep. I may need to take you up on that driving first offer you made. Let me know when you're up. Nick has offered to come get ya when you're ready."

I sent her a reply. "Hey, good morning. Long night? I'm more than happy to drive. I'm ready whenever he is, just having a cup of coffee. I can meet him out front."

"He's on his way. See you soon."

"Not if I see you first," I sent back.

She sent a laughing emoji. It was something we'd used to say to each other back in high school and felt right to say it now.

I chugged the coffee, wincing as it burned going down, and quickly went over to make another. If she needed me to drive, I was going to need the caffeine. Grabbing a muffin to scarf down, I made my way out front to wait for Nick.

"Thanks for the ride," I told Nick as I climbed into his jeep.

"No problem," he replied.

The ride was mostly quiet. I couldn't tell if it was because we didn't know each other well, we were both too tired, or if he was aware there was a bit of trouble between me and Bella right now. Either way I got it. Hopefully there'd be another opportunity for me to come down here with Bella and get to know them better.

Wasn't long and we were pulling into the driveway of Nick and Jess's house. The three girls were outside and Bella appeared to be putting the last of her stuff in a black suburban that looked to be quite full.

"Hey," she called, smiling as I got out of the jeep.

"Hey. You all packed?" Returning her smile, I walked over to where she was. I could see dark circles under her eyes, telling me she indeed had a long night. But despite looking tired, she was still beautiful. Looking for a spot to shove my backpack in, I asked, "You got room for one more bag?"

"Yeah, should be room right here by mine or right behind the drivers seat."

I sat my bag next to hers.

"You look tired," she added.

"Eh, just a little. Bet I got more sleep than you," I teased.

"I bet you did too." She laughed.

Not by a lot, I thought.

Bella turned to face her friends. "Well, guys, I guess this is it." Her was voice heavy with emotion.

"Awe," Shelly and Jess cried in unison as they wrapped their arms around Bella in a group hug. "We're gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you guys too," Bella told them, sniffling. "Next time you guys are coming to Oklahoma."

"Deal," Jess said, her own voice wavering.

"Hey, man, it was great to meet you," Nick said, offering his hand for me to shake.

"Yeah, you too. Thanks for helping Bella get this all loaded up."

"No problem, she's like family to us," he assured me. And in just the short time I'd been here, I could see that he meant it.

We watched as the girls chatted and made plans for when they came to visit her. "Looks like you'll be making this drive soon," I told him.

"Naw, man, if I get my way we'll fly." He chuckled when I laughed at his comment.

"Okay," Bella said swinging back around to me and letting out a deep breath as she swiped away a few tears. "You ready?"

"If you are."

"You still good to drive?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am." I reached over and opened the door for her. I smiled and tried not to laugh when I heard the girls giggling and softly awing at us.

Making my way to the other side, I climbed in. "Key?" Bella handed it to me and after starting the truck, I dug my phone out of my pocket, connected it to the car's Bluetooth system, and punched in the address for home in the maps app. Bella put the window down and yelled bye as she waved to her friends while I backed out of the driveway.

"Let's go home," she said.

"Home," I repeated while thinking wherever she was would be home for me for as long as she'd let it.

This chapter is dedicated to my sister, Michelle(Shelly), Natalie, and Kenzi.

Thanks for reading, see you soon.

~EA