DISCLAIMER: I do not own any Characters affiliated to Twilight. The only character I do own is *Zachariah.*

Another lovely chapter, for you lovely people. I am glad to be back! I hope you enjoy it!

-Rachel

Chapter Sixteen

Bella P.O.V

The talk with Carlisle had been enlightening, it was able to tell me more about myself in just the one conversation then I had had with other people in the house. Not long after our talk I pulled Edward aside and told him my thoughts and feelings.

"Edward, can I talk to you?" I asked him as he entered the great room.

"Yes, of course." I smiled at him. "Shall we take a run to the meadow, or would the back yard be alright?"

"A run to the meadow."

He nodded at me, and gestured for me to lead the way.

When we made it to the meadow he was a few paces in front of me, clearly winning the unofficial race we were having. "Beat you again!"

I tackled him to the ground, "Only because your legs are longer and you are a few centuries older than I am."

He hooked his right leg with my left and hefted me over so he was on top and I was under him. "Excuses." He kissed my nose and rose to his feet, extending his hand to me in the process. "So, what is it you wished to talk about?"

"I have chosen to forgive your actions. I understand why you chose to do what you did, even though I don't agree with it. It is now my trust you will have to earn back."

Edward broke out in a tooth splitting grin and before I knew it I was in his arms and he was crushing me to his marble chest. "I will do anything to gain your trust back. Anything at all."

I hugged him back and smiled. "Good, because I don't intend to make it easy."

He pulled back and cupped my face in his hands. "I didn't think you would." Then his lips were on mine. I had forgotten how it felt to be kissed by him, mostly because it was a very distant human memory of mine. This was different, it wasn't gentle, or rushed. It was slow and bruising. He had never kissed me like this before, but now that we were the same, there was no need to be careful. I kissed him back with just as much force and eagerness.

After what felt like a life time, Edward pulled out of the kiss and rested his forehead to mine. His hands, now on my waist, were rubbing my lower back gently. "You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that for."

I chuckled, "Yes I do. Remember I can get into your thoughts now just as easily as you can others. You have been wanting to kiss me for the last sixty years, ever since you said goodbye, but you thought it hopeless and it didn't really become a reality to you again until almost two weeks ago. As I close."

He pulled away again to look into my eyes, "Spot on. And it really is annoying when others invade your mind."

I pulled out of his embrace completely, "Now you know how Emmett feels. Race you back?" I asked.

"You're on!" and we bolted into the forest.

Zach's P.O.V – Cullen house

I sat patiently on the back deck of the Cullen's house waiting for Bella and Edward to return. It was my time to leave. I did not belong with settlers any longer. What I wished for most, was that Bella understood and let me go without much of a fight.

I was waiting a good hour when I heard them laughing and running in the forest, they were not far away, and if my heart was still beating, I knew it would be beating out of my chest. Not two minutes passed by when I saw Bella leap from behind the trees, over the river and into the yard, Edward was not far behind her. "Ha! I beat you this time!" I heard Bella say.

Edward snorted, "Only because you cheated."

Bella crossed her arms and pouted. "Did not."

Edward grabbed her lower lip between his forefinger and thumb. "If you don't stop pouting, a little birdy will come and perch on it."

I watched as Bella narrowed her eyes and bit his finger. It did not take long for him to let go. "Ouch, see cheated again."

Bella stuck out her tongue. "Prove it!"

Edward was just about to speak when I cleared my throat. They both turned to look at me. Bella's smile grew wider and Edward gave a small wave, his eyes grew dark. He knew what I was about to say.

"Zach, were you waiting for me?"

I nodded and said, "Yes my dear Bella, it is time."

Bella's eyebrows pulled together in confusion, until her eyes grew in understanding. She had read my mind. "You're leaving."

I nodded once. "It is time I move on to the next place Bella dear, I am a nomad, I do not belong in one place, but in many. You knew this day was coming."

"Yes, I did but I didn't think it would be so soon."

"Do you remember what I told you?"

"Yes, and you have found it. You have forgiven Mr. Edward, and you are faring well. I do not see sadness in your eyes anymore, so it is time for me to be going. We will see each other again, we do have until the end of time."

Bella walked up to me as slowly as she could, prolonging the inevitable. "I don't want you to go. You are my friend, I would miss you."

"And I you, dear Bella."

I could see the excess venom pooling in her eyes, like she was crying, even though her body was not able to do that anymore. "Promise me one thing though."

"I will do my best."

"I want you to go back to France and track down what happened to your son after you and your wife died. See where your decedents are living now. And also, you need to send me a letter every few months so I know you are still alive, and you need to visit at least every other year. You are a part of my family now, and an old friend, I will not let you go so easily."

I thought about it for a moment, I did not want to return to France, but I wanted to make Bella happy. "Alright dear Bella, I will looking into them just for you. And I will keep in contact."

"Promise?" she asked.

"I promise."

She smiled, "Good. I will miss you."

She closed the distance between us and hugged me. I hugged her back as tight as her younger bones could handle. "I have grown to love you Bella, as one of my own. We won't be apart forever, we will see each other again. I will also miss you."

She pulled out of my embrace, "Goodbye Zach."

"Goodbye dear Bella. Until next time Mr. Edward."

Edward smiled and bowed his head slightly, "Until next time."

I turned back into the house and gave my farewell to the rest of the Cullen's. I ran out the front door, into the quickening darkened night. My heart breaking the slightest bit when I didn't look back to see the closest thing to family fade away behind me.

Another one gone, and a new one to come soon. Please Review! And if you have any ideas you wish to see let me know and I will try to get them into the story. You all have been too kind.

-Rachel