Breakable Bella (part 7)

Bella’s POV: “Bella?” I looked over at the angel behind the wheel of his Volvo one lovely August day. “Why didn’t I ever buy you a dishwasher?” Edward frowned. “Uh because I would have said ‘No way, you silly, sparkly vampire’?” “Well I still think I should have put one in. You wasted a lot of time by cleaning the dishes yourself. I know you’re leaving, but I could get one for Charlie to use. Would he accept it?” “Not if it was from you,” I grinned. “Fine. I’ll give it to you, technically, since you’ll still be there a month. I don’t think he’ll dig it out after you’re gone, so he will still get use out of it.” I shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.” I secretly liked the idea of giving Charlie a gift before I left him. Sigh. We walked into his house and there seemed to be a discussion going on. I heard the faint voices of Emmett and Rosalie in the living room. “Put Mike at the top, definitely.” “Fine but Jacob is after him.” “But not before Lauren.” “Hey guys, what’s going on?” I asked with real curiosity. “We’re making you a hit list for when you’re a newborn,” Emmett said casually. Edward shot him a warning look then looked at me, concerned. I just laughed. “Add Aubrey to it after Lauren.” Emmett nodded and I peeked at the list. “Oh yeah, why is Jake on here?” I frowned. “He smells like ass,” Rosalie said simply. She looked at her nails and Emmett nodded. I let that one slide. “Why is Mike at the top?” I asked Emmett. “Are you kidding? We can’t let that guy reproduce. This is a favor to humanity.” “I don’t think anyone would ever help him reproduce anyway,” I countered. “You guys, I think this is a little inappropriate considering that she will in fact have strong newborn cravings,” Edward said seriously. “Relax, Edward,” I dismissed. “I won’t kill anyone. Promise.” He gave me a weary look but I tried not to think about why. In any case, he was uncomfortable and I was getting that way also, standing close to the ice queen. “We’ll be upstairs,” I told his siblings. “And replace Jake with my gym teacher,” I said sternly. We talked, listened to music for bit and he tried unsuccessfully to teach me some European languages. But then he was in a hurry to get me home when it was late afternoon. He blamed Charlie but something was up because he was working late. Regardless, I started walking to my front door when we got there. “We’re not going inside. I’ve got a surprise for you,” he informed me. I looked at him wearily and he grinned. “What is it?” "It’s in town. Come for a walk with me." My head spun but he grabbed my hand and started pulling me along behind him anyway.

We had not traveled more than five steps when the world turned black. ______________________ Edward’s POV: It took me three terrifying seconds after Bella fainted to realize the problem: I was an idiot. I was so insensitive. Without thinking, I used the same words that I did when I was about to leave her in the forest and dragged her behind me the same way. I could tell that she was a little afraid every time I left for a few days, but I didn’t think it was still this bad. By now we were back at my house, and I was waiting for her to wake up on my couch. The rest of the family was still hunting. Alice had called right away. I told her that I would ask Carlisle to come back if Bella was out much longer, but Alice assured me that she wouldn’t be. Alice seemed a little edgy but I did not have the energy to find out why. She promised to call Charlie and say that they were having a sleepover tonight. As I stared at Bella, my mind was flooded with the realities I had been trying to hide away: “She may forgive you but no one forgets…You've already run out of emotional abuse …Make choices that affect me without asking my opinion…I don’t trust you.” Just as my head was about to explode, she stirred. _____________________ Bella’s POV My heart ached as I was reminded of every pain he caused me during those six months. The pictures, the promises, the lies. He caused me nothing but pain. How could you love someone and hurt them so badly? You can’t. He must not love me at all. Another part of my brain disagreed, but I beat it back with hard evidence. It was hard to breathe because my chest felt so weighed down. _____________________ Edward’s POV: Bella’s eyes finally fluttered open and I was so relieved. “I’m so sorry Bella,” I gushed as she sat up, rubbing her forehead. “I didn’t mean to remind you of that--” She glared at me coldly. “I’m going home. Not that you’ll care.” Silent tears started as she looked around for her shoes. “Of course I care,” I disagreed, shocked. “Stop lying to me!” she screeched. I deserved this hostility. I expected it, but not five months late. “Don’t leave,” I begged. It was the only thing I could think of to say. “What, you’re the only one allowed to leave?” She asked bitterly through her tears. She started walking toward my door but I grabbed her arms and ended up pinning her against the wall when she tried to break my hold. She looked up at my desperate face, wide-eyed.

“No!” I thundered. “I’m not letting you leave. You said you weren’t going to do this. That we couldn’t let these things get in our way!” My loud volume probably wasn’t helping anything but I could not turn it down. Bella eyed her phone in her pocket and started struggling, trying to grab it. I snatched it and threw it at the wall, shattering it into a million pieces. She looked horrified and started crying harder. “Bella, please,” I pleaded, not knowing exactly what I was asking for. She can’t leave me. I can’t be in this world without her. If I could be crying hysterically I would be, but Bella was doing enough of that for the both of us. She stopped making her legs support herself so it was just my hands holding her up by her arms. I let her slump to the floor and followed after her, sitting a foot away. I should let her go home. I know that, but I can’t risk her never coming back. I’m even more selfish than I previously thought. She was crumpled on the floor and I was definitely losing it. I couldn’t get this damn “Runaway” song out of my head. It was the soundtrack to this tragic love that I should have never cursed her with. / I was feeling sad Can’t help looking back Highways flew by Run run away No sense of time Like you to stay Want to keep you inside Run run run away Lost lost lost my mind Like you to stay Want you to be my prize / I was halfway through the haunting song when I was interrupted by a beautiful, broken whisper beside me: “Not so strong without these open arms Hold on tight” Had I started singing out loud? She opened her eyes and looked up at me with agony that mirrored my own. I scooped up my Bella and held her against my chest like an infant. We both shook with sobs, though half were tearless. She wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, like she had in Italy. I just had to hope that she would never let go. ___________________ Bella’s POV: I awoke the next morning and one thing was certain: we had both lost our minds last night. But at least I had company this time. He was laying next to me on his couch, playing with my hair. I turned to him and met his dark gold eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. My throat burned. “Don’t be. It was long overdue. I should be the one apologizing.” “Can we just forget about it?” I asked without hope. I knew neither of us really could. He still looked relieved. “Yes, I would like that. But just one thing-- how did you know that song?” “It’s one of my favorites,” I said softly. He paused for a second, then shifted his weight. “We really should get a bed in here.” I chuckled weakly. “Bella?” a worried voice sang from downstairs. “We’re up here,” Edward answered at a moderate level. Alice was upstairs in his room within a second. “Everything okay?” she asked. I nodded. But she and Edward were clearly having a private conversation. Of course Alice would have seen what happened. ____________________ Edward’s POV: I held back a sigh. Even if I wanted to forget what happened, Alice would never let me. I reluctantly paid attention to her thoughts: ‘I saw what would happen yesterday after she fainted but I also saw that everything would work out so I thought I would let you handle it. I was worried about Bella though. I know how fragile she is.’ I could feel the disapproval in her thoughts aimed at my yelling. ‘I didn’t tell the family what happened since it seemed like a private matter. Not even Jazz. I’m surprised that I did not see her faint until it was already happening though. I guess I was distracted.’ Her frown was slight enough that Bella would not catch it. I did not know how to respond to that and even if I did, I didn’t want Bella to hear. So I just nodded. “Everything’s fine.” I kissed the top of Bella’s head and her strawberry scent tickled my nose. “Oh yeah. Bella, where’s your phone? Charlie tried to check up on you and I had to tell him that your phone wasn’t charged and you were in the bathroom and would call him back. That was 10 minutes ago,” Alice warned. I guess Alice missed that part. I turned to Bella guiltily. “How does the new LG sound?” _____________________ Bella’s POV: In a few days (once Edward was certain that I was as mentally stable as I ever would be), we finally walked into town for my surprise. It was pretty warm out but his arm around me kept me cooler than a fan would. We passed by Jake and Aubrey as they were coming out of a shop and I waved against my better judgment. Aubrey scowled, especially at Edward. Oh yeah, she was definitely staying at the top of my list. Jacob looked a little more protective than usual as he waved back.

“I don’t know why she does not like you,” I said after they drove away. Edward raised his eyebrow. “It’s pretty clear to me. I’m supposed to be Jacob’s natural enemy after all, even if we do hang out. She doesn’t trust me.” I gasped. “She knows about your family and everything already? How is she allowed to know all that?” “It’s an imprint thing. They don’t have to keep any secrets from each other.” “What if she blabs or something?” “I don’t think she will. She knows the consequences that would bring for the treaty.” “So you’re saying that Jacob told her what he was as soon as he met her? That’s so unfair! I got so much crap for finding out. And he left me hanging for weeks.” He chuckled. “Oh, Bella. Does it really matter now?” “Yes,” I said stubbornly. “I hate her even more now.” “Well I don’t like her either if it makes you feel better. Jacob told me what she said to you,” he growled. “Don’t worry about it,” I mumbled. “It’s not true, you know. You would do great in college. If you want, we could go to the winter semester at State after we get done traveling, before I change you.” I shrugged. “I’ll think about it.” He stopped walking. “It’s in here,” he said, pointing to the diner. I raised my eyebrow but he had a huge smile on his face so I walked in to examine the damage. I looked around for something gift wrapped or in a box, though I had no idea why it would be in the diner. Edward tugged me to a booth toward the back and gestured to an older man with his back to us. Well he certainly didn’t have a bow. I didn’t know what to do so I just stood there stiffly. Edward sighed and sat down. I followed hesitantly. “Hello, Mr. Hadwick. Thanks for coming. I brought Bella.” He squeezed my waist. “Oh hello, Edward. Nice to meet you, Bella.” I smiled even though I was completely lost. “You too.” “Mr. Hadwick here does restorations.” I looked at Edward blankly. “Car restorations.” Blink. Edward chuckled and gestured for the older gentleman to explain. “If it’s okay… I’m going to kidnap your truck while you’re away traveling. And I’m going to restore it. It will basically have all new stuff on the inside but the same frame on the outside.” “And it will go over 50 miles per hour,” Edward grinned. “So I won’t bug you to get a new car you don’t want.” I squealed. “Oh my God. Thanks so much.” I kissed Edward appreciatively until I remembered the man across the table from us. I faced him with flushed cheeks. “So you’ll be done by the time we get back?” I asked hopefully. “Yes, I think so. Edward said we had at least 2 months. I’ll mail you upholstery options and things like that right away so you can pick.” I nodded and then remembered something. “Oh my gosh, you were meeting us here last time, weren’t you? I’m so sorry.” “Oh it’s no problem. I live close to here anyway and your…boyfriend explained that there was a family emergency. I was not waiting long.” I ignored his slight pause and nodded apologetically. At least he did not tell him that I had a mental breakdown and cried a river.

I knew the restoration would cost a fortune but at least it was going toward something I did not want to let go of. I was so happy on the walk home that I was swinging our joined hands and practically skipping. “That was really thoughtful.” I kissed the cool cheek beside me. “I’m glad you like it.” Edward was smiling as much as I was. “I realized that you’re much too special to just drive the newest convertible and I know how much you love that thing.” “A lot of memories in that truck,” I said mostly to myself. “And I fell in love with it as soon as Charlie gave it to me.” Edward nodded. By now we were back at my house. “Wanna go to my place?” I agreed and hopped in his car. I should know by now that when I see Alice excited, I should turn the other way. My incompetence was proven when I got Cullen house. “Hey Bella, Edward, do you want to go to a party tomorrow with me and Jasper?” “Umm..what kind of party?” I asked. Edward was amused at my hesitance. “A house one thrown by Tyler…or someone else from school.” “Tyler?” I cringed. Edward growled. Alice laughed. “Oh come on, it will be a fun little summer party before everyone goes off to school.” “I’ve kind of been avoiding people on purpose so it’s not as hard to leave them later, as you know and..” Alice still had a hopeful look on her face. “And I can’t dance. Especially like that,” I said with finality. “Rosalie and I can teach you how to dance like that.” “Rosalie?” I asked nervously. “I WANT TO SEE ROSE AND BELLA GRIND!” Emmett boomed from the garage. In less than a second, he was in the same room as us, looking expectant. I was blushing furiously. “Down boy,” Edward said darkly. “Oh don’t lie, Edward. You want to see too.” Alice was rolling with laughter. I was afraid to look at his face to confirm that he would want that, like I assumed. But I doubt he would want Emmett drooling on us. I wondered if Edward would even let me grind against him. Probably, with the way things were going. But probably not in public, where he could read everyone’s vulgar thoughts. Plus, there is no way I am embarrassing myself in front of my peers if I do it wrong. And I think Rosalie would rather kill me than teach me to dance. “This is just too weird,” I laughed nervously and walked out of the room. “Aww,” Emmett voiced his clear disappointment. I heard a slap that I assumed reached his head. “Please, Bella? It would be worth going just to see Edward murder guys who ask you to dance,” Alice called after me with a giggle.

“I don’t want any casualties happening on my account, but thanks Alice,” I said over my shoulder as Edward and I climbed up the stairs. Unless they’re on the list, I thought to myself.