Chapter 13

Bella's POV

As soon as I was deep enough in the forest not to be seen by my neighbours, I broke into a run towards the deeper part of the woods. I didn't go on full speed since I'm not really here for anything. More of just passing the time, really.

About ten minutes into my casual run around the trees, I smelled a herd of deer about a mile away. Their scent burned my throat, so I decided to hunt as well for precautions in case I were to run into Robyn tomorrow.

I took down just two female deer then resumed to wandering the forest.

I was glad that the years have not made an effect of the woods here. Usually, I would expect deforestation or logging or something similar to those.

The woods were as thick and as dense as before which always worked as an advantage to our kind in case some humans decided to wander too deep.

I was now just walking around, circling trees and hopping over bushes when I suddenly came into a clearing.

It was absolutely magnificent! It reminded me of our meadow, back in Forks, though still, nothing can ever match up to its beauty—not even this new place I've found.

The clearing was almost egg-like in shape. It was as if someone has planted roses around to outline it. The clearing itself was filled with lush green grass and soft tiny flowers that came in various colours—yellow, lilac, pink, white and orange.

This whole clearing was stunning under the light of moon—it was almost glowing! I wandered towards it, hopping over the roses that were like fences, in a daze. It was breath-taking and I cannot believe that I haven't found this earlier or back in the years.

I went straight to the middle and turned a whole rotation like a little girl, truly admiring my dew discovery.

I came to a stop and stared up into the sky. It was very dark; almost pitch black if it weren't for the full moon sitting amongst some very barely visible clouds, looking back down at me.

I just stood there, staring at the moon as it stared back at me. When the dark, offensive clouds shielded the moon from sight, I closed my eyes.

I started thinking of how it was like if Edward were here. Would he be as pleased as I was if we have found this place together? Knowing Edward, he might even make this our second meadow.

I sighed and mentally scolded myself for thinking things like that. This would never be our second meadow. Edward would never be here with me and I would be truly alone for all of eternity.

I sighed again. It was like I was always in a constant battle with myself--continuously arguing internally.

I felt the tears coming and I opened my eyes. The clearing, my meadow, was completely engulfed in the darkness. I looked at the roses and the flowers and it was as if they have withered and died.

Without the moon, it was lifeless. It was not so breath-taking anymore. There was no more glow and it was just a clearing in the middle of a thick forest where no one goes to.

I clutched my chest at utter realization as my eyes snapped open. I have already thought that I would be alone for the remainder of forever, but it has never truly sunk in yet—until now.

I looked around and realized that I was like this meadow and Edward was like the moon.

Without him, I was lifeless, useless, dull and alone in the dark; just like the meadow.

I have lived without him once and it nearly drove me to suicide if I haven't been changed. My family and Philip, shrunk the gaping hole I had in my chest, but it never went away.

Now, I am to live without him again, and I don't have Philip this time to ease the pain. I won't even dare go back to the Dewey's anytime soon. I'd just be an incredible burden to them and they don't deserve that.

I have fallen into a dark pit and no one is there to save me.

I went crumbling down to the grass on my knees.

I closed my eyes and sat against my legs and let the tears run down my face.

Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
and know the stars are
holdin' you, holdin' you, holdin' you tonight

I bowed my head and my tears fell to the grass.

I can't believe how that fits my situation so well. I have fallen down from everything that has happened to me, and the only way things will be better is if Edward comes and picks me up, cradling me against his chest, telling me that finally he truly loves me. No strings attached. No guilt. No games. No foolishness.

I was about to decide to back to the house when I heard a sound. It was the sound of the dry leaves around, being stepped on, like cracking.

I snapped my head up and my breath hitched.

Edward's POV

Once we were by the trees and once we made sure that Robyn wasn't looking anymore, we took off at vampire speed. We spread out a little bit, though not drifting off from each other's line of sight. This way, we covered more ground, saving up time to find her.

We ran around so frantically with desperate looks on our faces that we looked like kids trying to escape from a haunted house. It would've been funny, but in the situation we were in... yeah, not so much.

We headed deeper into the woods.

She likes to go wander off in the deepest part of the woods. She says it's were she finds peace. Lisa thought as we did just that.

We were already in so deep that Esme worried briefly of how we were getting back.

The trees got closer and closer to each other and branches twisted out of the trunk in ways that seemed unnatural. Bushes and shrubs were everywhere and roots were sticking out of the ground.

"It's getting too dense, maybe we can slow down a bit," Carlisle suggested in a hushed voice.

We nodded and slowed our pace to a near walk. I have to admit, it is easier. We practically had to twist and turn our bodies around constantly because of the insanity the way these trees were growing.

I paused, feet planted on the ground. The rest mimicked my actions and we strained our ears to hear what I thought I just heard.

Not far, I could hear quiet sobbing but no heartbeat. It was her. We've found her at last!

We made an extra effort to stay quiet, afraid that she might hear us and ran away. I don't blame her. I've hurt her enough that I could only wish that she'd give me another chance. But this has to be righted. I love her and she thinks that I don't.

She needs to know that no one else can take her place. That she has been and always will be the only one I will love.

I started to hear her more clearly and as we continued walking like snails, we heard her singing.

Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
and know the stars are
holdin' you, holdin' you, holdin' you tonight

I could hear the girls dry sobbing and I could hear that they were trying to keep them down and muffled as much as they can.

I quickened my pace. I was starting to choke on the sobs that I refuse to let out. I want to see her now. I want to show her that I do love her and that I would always be there when and if she falls. That I would never leave her. That I am here to stay with her until eternity ends.

Soon, after the torturous walk ahead, we came upon a clearing—a meadow of some sort and it was beautiful. The only thing more beautiful than that was the girl in the middle. The girl who's captured my heart ever since a century ago. The love of my life—my Bella.

She hasn't noticed our presence yet. I made a sign with my finger to my family and the Dewey's, motioning them to circle the meadow. When they've left, I decided that it was time to get her back.

I stepped out of the trees and into the meadow but apparently, luck left me since I stepped on some dry leaves the moment I was in the open.

Her head snapped up and her eyes widened.

Bella's POV

There in front of me was my reason of existence. Edward stood near the edge of the meadow ahead, looking at me.

I stood up, not taking my eyes away from his gaze. He took a step towards me, his arms opening in invitation; but I took a step back.

What is wrong with you? This is what you want right? Maybe Edward does love you! Go to him! My brain screamed at me.

I don't know, there must be something wrong with me. Maybe I'm finally losing my mind because as much as I wanted to run into those arms of his, my legs did the exact opposite and turned around.

Panic and confusion washed through me as I sprinted towards the trees away from him only to be blocked by Lisa.

More panic consumed me as I wondered why they were here. Why was Edward here and why was my family here too?

Apparently this was too much even for my vampire brain to absorb and my instinct somehow told me that I needed to escape.

I was going on autopilot now as I turned sharply to my right, only again, to be blocked by Emmett.

What's happening?! I was on the verge of hyperventilating. I didn't understand.

I turned on my heels, opposite of Emmett, only again to be blocked by Kate.

I stopped and backed away until I was in the center again where I started.

Every time I turn around someone new was appearing—Jasper, Kevin, Justin, Esme, Carlisle, Rose then Alice.

I was completely surrounded and when I saw Alice... her face was just broken into an expression of depression, I broke down.

I fell on my knees clutching my chest as I sobbed very violently.

What was happening?

I don't know for how long I was on the ground, shaking and crying so much when I felt two very familiar arms wrap around me.

These were the arms I've been longing to hold me. These arms fit perfectly around me.

It was Edward. It was Edward and he was holding on to me like he was afraid I would disappear in a cloud of smoke.

I gave in, despite my extreme confusion and wrapped my arms around him. I held him tight against me, squeezing him closer.

"Bella, you need to know. I love you. I have always and always will love only you no matter what. I'm sorry," he whispered against my hair and started dry sobbing.

"I'm so sorry. I know I messed up twice and I hope you give me another chance but you need to know the truth," he said, leaning away and staring down at me.

I couldn't say anything; I don't know what to say. I looked around and noticed that everyone was gone so I just looked back at him stared at his face, relishing this spark of luck that came upon me.

"Bella, back in the woods when you were still human," I winced, suddenly remembering, "I lied."

I blinked a couple of times.

"You lied?"

"Yes. I lied to you. I needed to. At that time, being around vampires was too dangerous for you! Your life was under constant threat and I wanted you to live a normal human life without us endangering it every time you're with us," he told me softly.

"I left to keep you safe and I'm so sorry. I never should've done what I did," he said, burying his face in my hair again.

I was in a daze from what he said. He never stopped loving me? He left to keep me safe?

"You know, I should be angry with you, but I'm not. I can't find in myself to be angry anymore," I told him, resting my right hand on his chest. It was true. I should be angry, but I'm not. I've grown partly numb from everything that happened. I can't be angry with him, I can never be.

"I just wish that you would've thought about it more than you did. I remember you telling me that you've always wanted to know what I was thinking. Did it ever occur to you then to ask me what I thought about your decision?" I said, feeling a frown on my face.

We were silent for a while and I waited patiently for his response.

"No, I overlooked that and I'm so sorry," he whispered desperately, kissing my hair.

"What happened with Sabine," he continued and I winced again, "it truly is not what it seemed. It was when I was supposed to break it off with her. She thought I was there to apologize and when I started to tell her I was not, she attacked me. I was trying to push her as gently as I could but then you appeared," he paused, pulling away again and looking at me, "when I saw the hurt in your eyes, I shoved her away. I wanted to talk to you but I never got the chance," he finished; his eyes drooping a bit from sadness.

The tears came again as I hugged him closer, burying my face in his chest.

"I'm so sorry! I should've let you explain! I just thought that... when I saw you... and her... like you were... I'm sorry... I just assumed," I said, trying to say it clearly in between my hysterical sobs.

"Shh, it's okay. It's okay," he soothed me, rubbing my back comfortingly.

"Why didn't you recognize me? Why didn't any of you recognize me?" I asked him desperately when I've calmed down a few moments later, clutching his shirt.

He stiffened in my hold and for a moment I thought I did something wrong.

I pulled away and looked at his face.

He was looking ahead of him, anger and hate evident in his eyes and I could feel his hands clench into fists on my back.

"Edward?" I whispered so low.

He broke out of whatever daze he was in and looked down at me. His eyes softened as he unclenched his hands and hugged me closer.

"It was Sabine's doing. She had our memories erased and I'm so sorry I didn't remember you, love," he said gently, rocking me back and forth like a child. It was actually very comforting. But when I actually registered what he said, I pulled away.

"What do you mean Sabine did it? She had your memories erased? Of me?" I asked, sneering practically the whole time.

I'm pretty much sure that I've never met Sabine back when I was human. And I almost immediately went as Jane Dewey when I became a vampire. So what did she have against me that was so bad, she had me wiped off the Cullen's memories?

"It's a long, rather disturbing story that I'd rather not tell here," he said, his face twisting up in disgust and hate.

"Let's get back to the house. Everyone was just at petrified as me on the thought of losing you—especially Alice," he said as he started to get up. The mention of Alice's name made my tears flow double time, though they were silent.

He started to pull me up from the ground but I tugged on his hand, stopping him.

"You mean, everyone still wants me?" I asked, looking away.

He kneeled down in front of me and placed a finger under my chin to face him.

"No body stopped loving you Bella. Everybody still loves and wants you as much as before. You're part of our family, Bella. You always have and you always will," he said, smiling.

I wanted to ask him... but I'm not sure.

"Do... do you still want me? For sure I mean," I asked, looking away again, refusing to meet his eyes.

Again, he brought my face back to look at him. His eyes softened as he held my gaze.

"I will always want you—forever," he moved his hand from my chin to cup my cheek.

"I love you Bella," he said in the most sincere voice that there is absolutely no way he was lying.

"I love you too Edward. I never stopped," I said, crying softly as he held my face.

He leaned in and I leaned in as well. When our lips met, I knew that this was it. No more pretending and no more lies. This was absolutely real and it was as if nothing else mattered other than the two of us and this moment.

The kiss was not rough; it wasn't hungry and demanding. No, this kiss was sweet and gentle but very passionate.

Our lips fit perfectly together and they moved in synch with each other.

It was a kiss of pure love and I felt nothing but bliss this moment.

We pulled away, gasping for air, though we don't really need it; our breathing heavy.

We smiled at each other and leaned again, so our foreheads were touching.

"I love you," he told me.

"I love you too," I smiled at him.

He moved his hand from my back from when we were kissing, to hold my hand.

"Let's go back. There's a lot to be told," He said, smiling as he got up, pulling me along with him.

I just nodded and followed him towards the trees.

We started to run back to the house, all the while holding hands. His grip on my hand was tight, like he was afraid that if he'll let go, I'll vanish into thin air.

Well, that's never going to happen.

I'm going to be beside him for the rest of eternity and I'm finally happy and assured that he'll be beside me too.

Hey, sorry for a day late on the update. (Next post, not so sure when, but definitely soon ;) )

Anyway, thank you so much for all the alerts and such! Also, thank you for all the reviews I got from last chapter.

So, they've finally found each other! What do you think? Let me know by clicking on the GREEN BUTTON! :D

Come on! click it! I know you want to! It only takes a few seconds and it would really make me happy.

Anyway! Thank you guys again! As always, you are amazing! :D