Bella Swan POV

I had only been gone from the sailing village of Captain's Cliff for 6 years; but that felt like a lifetime ago. I heard the fog horn from the ferry, signaling its approach and turned the ignition in my car and waited for the all clear.

It was a bright but hazy day on the water off the Pacific Ocean. I noticed children and adults alike bundled up I their winter gear, and I admonished myself once again for forgetting a heavier coat in my haste to pack. When the ferry man raised the rope, I put my car into drive and slowly pulled up onto the boat. Apparently, I was the only person going to the island with a car.

I parked and turned off my ignition and got out. I went into the galley and bought a cup of coffee and stood on the bow of the bridge to watch our approach to my tiny island home. I grew up on that island, and for 5 generations my family has lived there. My great-great-great grandfather, Charles Swan, was the first mayor of the small town. The Swan family has been pillars of the community, up until I was born.

My name is Isabella Marie Swan. I'm 26 and I'm headed home.

Captain's Cliff is aptly named because is started out as a small fishing village, which grew and became a great sailing and exporting city. It's on a large island with towering cliffs on the west edge. The town had a small fleet of ships and did major trade with the Canadian territories and Alaska before it had become a state. We are located just off the western coast of Washington state. As I grew up, I rarely made trips to the mainland and always felt as if it was another world completely. In a way, that's very true.

The home that I grew up in has been in the family for 4 generations. My great-great grandfather had it built when he was to wed my great-great grandmother. There they raised one daughter, Anabelle. There is a tragic story behind Anabelle's life. Legends say that she fell deeply in love with a young sailor that set out to find fortune, but was sadly killed at sea. She eventually married and gave birth to the woman that I knew as my grandma.

Grandma Marie used to tell me the stories of Anabelle and her love Anthony. She would tell me that in her father's old age, he would often speak of his wife Anabelle and how he tried to do right by her, but felt that he failed her greatly. Town folklore described an older Anabelle as a mournful woman that spent far too much time up on the widow walk of the house her parents had left to her at their deaths.

My family home, as I said has survived 4 generations. It started out as a mansion, but over the years has become a beautiful 3 story home. It boasts a downstairs with a large dining room and what originally was a music room. That room was used as a living room when I lived there. There is a grand staircase that leads up to the second and third floors directly from the back door. My grandparents renovated in the 50's and half of the original dining room became the kitchen.

On the second floor there are 4 spacious bedrooms. One a master with its own bathroom that has since been updated since the house was built, the other 3 regular rooms with a second bathroom at the far end of the hall. The stair case that leads up to the third floor has always creaked on the fourth step. The third floor has one bedroom with a tiny bathroom, that I later learned was a servants quarters in the beginning and then the place where Anabelle spent the better part of her life. Opposite that room is a small set of stairs that leads up to the widow's walk. A widow's walk is often a covered porch that stretches over the house and points towards the sea.

Wives of sailors were often referred to as widows of sea. Their husbands would leave for months, even years at a time, sometimes to never return. Anabelle's walk, as the town's people called it, had a small sunroom at the top of the stairs with beautiful stained glass in the windows and ceiling. The glass had pictures of sailing ships and maritime images in it.

There is a post at the end of the walk, which is only about 5 feet from the sunroom that an old rusted lantern has hung off a hook since my grandmother was a child. I was curious to see if it was still there. The house has fireplaces in every room and hardwood floors throughout. The last picture I have of the house shows it to be a dull sea green color that my grandmother loved. I knew with the time and sea air, that the paint would be flaking by now.

I heard the call for docking at Captain's Cliff and took a deep breath before heading back to my car. When I got in I had the sensation of someone watching me. I turned to look over my shoulder and saw a young man with bronze, messy hair that looked to be about 28. He had on a pair of worn jeans and a flannel work shirt. I raked my eyes down his body and saw he was wearing some familiar black work boots. They were scuffed and had paint splattered over the toes. He had tan car hart jacket on and a tool box at his side. I felt his green eyes pierce my soul and I turned quickly back around.

I already have enough problems to deal with coming back here; I didn't need him to become another one. Once we docked, I pulled off the ferry and drove up the main road through town. The people that were out on the street stared, but I'm not sure that any one of them recognized me. After all, when I left I was an awkward 18 year old fresh off her high school graduation. I've always been slender and petite, but after 8 years, I like to think that I've filled out to be a pretty young woman. My mahogany hair is longer than I ever kept it as a child, and I let its natural waves descend down my back freely now. I couldn't tame them and now I realize that I don't want to. I've been living in Los Angeles for the past 8 years, so I have more color than any one gets while living on this misty island.

I graduated from UCLA with a degree in business management. I'd been working for the past 3 years as a branch manager for a bank local to the LA area. I had been feeling as if my life had hit a standstill and was contemplating a career change when I received a letter from Captain's Cliff Realty.

It was from Emmet McCarty. He was trying to develop modular housing on the island that he felt would bring mainlanders in for vacations like they did on the east coast on Martha's Vineyard. He wanted to buy the family homestead. While it was a lucrative offer, I wasn't sure if I could bring myself to sell a home that had been in my family for so long. I wrote to him and explained that I would need to spend a few days there to make a final decision.

As I drove out of the main part of town and up the winding hill known locally as Lover's curve, I saw the beautiful columns on the front porch peeking through the trees. When I reached the main drive I saw the wrought iron gates were closed and had a chain draped over them and locked with a padlock. I put my car in park and walked up to the gates. There I saw an envelope with my name on it: Ms. Swan.

I opened the envelope and found a key and a handwritten note inside: Ms. Swan, I have had the gates locked with a combination lock to prevent curious intruders. The combination can be found on the first letter that I sent to you, under my return address. I have also enclosed a key for the front door, in case you didn't have one. If you have any questions, feel free to call me or to stop by my office in town. E. McCarty

I went to my car and pulled out my computer bag and found the first letter Mr. McCarty had sent me. Sure enough, under his address was a combination number. I wondered how I never noticed it, but figured it had to be because I recognized the address on the envelope. I went to the gates and after three tries, I got the lock open and heaved the chains off. I pushed the gates open and got back into my car and pulled through and up to the circular drive.

Just as I imagined, the paint was peeling and the house looked like it was desperate need of repair. I turned off the car and stepped out. I grabbed my purse and computer bag and shut the door. I went to the back of the car and popped the trunk. Just as the trunk lifted, something caught my eye up on the widow's walk. I looked up, but saw nothing. I guessed that it was just a bird that had perched there and just flew away. I retrieved my suitcase and locked my car before walking up to the front porch.

I set my case down and fumbled for my key on my key ring. I slid it in and was flooded with memories of the last time I was here after my parents died. I opened the lock and turned the door knob. I stepped inside and was delighted that it wasn't the slightest bit musty. In fact, it smelled like it had been cleaned recently. I looked around and my parent's old furniture was covered with white sheets. I set my bags down in the living room to my right and shut the door behind me.

I wandered around turning on lights and running my fingers over the walls and removing sheets as I went. I reached the back of the house where the stairs were and went into the kitchen. There I found another note from the caretaker: Welcome home, Isabella. The fridge is stocked, along with the cupboards. If you need anything call me on my cell. Jasper.

I smiled to myself as I went to the refrigerator and found all of my favorite foods inside. I made a mental note to call Jasper and thank him by inviting him over one night and cooking for him. Jasper had grown up on the island after his parents had moved to Washington from Georgia. We were childhood friends and he had stayed on the island after graduation. I was happy to know that he had been looking after my home, just as I asked him too.

I grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge when I heard a familiar creak coming from the stairs leading to the third floor. I walked quietly back out to the main floor and looked up. I didn't see anyone, but I thought for sure that I heard footsteps. I crept slowly upstairs, but when I reached the third floor stairs, I couldn't hear anything except for my pounding heart. I continued walking up the stairs, but was careful to avoid the nefarious 4th step. I reached the third floor and saw that the door to the lone bedroom was ajar.

I stepped as softly as I could to what used to be my old room and peeked inside. I saw nothing and no one and decided that being home was playing tricks on my mind. I stepped fully into the room and took a look around. The posters and pictures from my childhood were still up and I laughed to myself at my apparent taste in music all those years ago. My bookshelves were still filled with most of the books that I had loved along with knick knacks and dust catchers. I looked to the window and saw the dream catcher that my childhood sweetheart had given me when we were 12.

I spun around when I heard a door open and close.

"Hello? Is someone here?" I called out, with a shaky voice. Maybe Jasper had decided to come by to see me. I stepped back out to the hall and again, heard nothing. I walked to the small staircase that led to the widow's walk and thought I heard crying. I walked up the 5 stairs and went to open the door that led to the sunroom and then to the walk.

I tried the knob, but it wouldn't open for me. I looked out the small window that was inlaid in the door frame and saw a dark haired woman standing at the edge of the walk holding a lantern and looking out to sea. I banged on the door and called out to her.

"Hello? Who are you? Can you open the door?" I called through the barrier. She turned to look at me over her shoulder and that's when I noticed that she was almost completely transparent. She looked devastated. It was obvious that she was crying and she gave me a small smile, she hung her ghost lantern on the hook and the rusted lantern started to swing. She took a step towards me and I froze in place.

AS she neared the door I heard her soft crying. She reached out a wispy arm to me.

"Find my love." She said faintly, but her lips never moved. Then she disappeared right before my eyes.

I blinked and looked behind me. I wasn't sure why, but I felt like maybe she would reappear at the bottom of the stairs. When I realized that there was no one there, I tried the door knob again. This time it turned freely and opened. I walked out to the sunroom and gazed around. I walked out the length of the walk and looked out to the ocean.

Even through the tree line, you could easily see the docks where people had their schooners and small sail boats parked. You could also see out to the small island that resided about 6 miles off of our coast. It was still considered a part of Captain's Cliff, but I was forbidden to go there when I was growing up. There were enough ghost stories about it that we never dared to head out there.

I turned to head back inside the house when the lantern caught my eye.

Inside the lantern was a single, white candle. It was about an inch around and the wick was still lit.

I blew it out and it re-lighted immediately. I stepped away cautiously and headed back into the house. Just as I was passing the threshold from the sunroom to the small stair case, I heard a creak. I took note of it, but headed inside anyway.

I walked down the stairs to the bottom floor and grabbed my bags and went out to the front porch. I locked the door behind me and hopped back into my car. I decided to stay at the tiny motel in town for the night. As I was pulling out of the gates I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text to Jasper.

Meet for drinks at the tavern? 10 minutes? I sent it and received a confirmation from him.

I pulled back into town and parked at the motel. I'd come check into a room after I saw Jasper. I walked across the street to the tavern, with my purse slung over my shoulder. I looked up and saw that the only thing that had changed was the color of paint on the exterior.

I walked inside and saw about 20 people turn and look in my direction. I didn't see Jasper yet, so I walked to the bar and took a seat on a free stool. Everyone went back to their drinks and tiny woman waved at from behind the bar.

"What'll you have?" she called out.

"Just a beer." I answered. She nodded at me as she finished pouring a few jack and cokes. She loaded them on a tray and I was sure that she would topple over at the weight, but she hefted it up and walked them over to a table. After she deposited the drinks, she stopped a few more tables to check on the other customers.

She was small; maybe only 5 foot tall. I was only 5'4" myself and I wasn't a very good judge of height. She had short black hair, that make her look like tinker bell. She grabbed a bottle of beer and a cardboard coaster and headed over to me. She slapped the coaster down in front of me and pulled the top off the bottle.

"Hey, are you new in town?" she asked as she set the bottle down in front of me.

I took a sip before answering, "Not really. I grew up here. I'm just back visiting." I said as I pulled out my wallet. "I'm actually meeting someone here. Do you know where I can find Jasper Whitlock?" I asked as I threw a 5 dollar bill down.

"Right here." I heard a voice from behind me. I swiveled around on my stool and leapt into my friend's open arms.

"Jasper! Oh, it's so good to see you!" I said as I felt tears that I didn't know were there fall. He hugged me tightly and set me back down on the floor. I looked up into his smiling face. Jasper was as handsome as an adult as he had been as a kid. He had a mop of sandy colored curly hair and deep set blue eyes. With his high cheek bones and full lips, he easily could have been a god.

He was taller than I remembered from 4 years ago when he was at my parents funeral. He towered over me and I noticed that he had added some muscle to his athletic frame.

"Bella, I'm so glad you're home. I've missed you so much." He exclaimed as he grabbed my hand. I heard the pixie barmaid clear her throat behind us.

"Bella, I want you to meet the other woman in my life," He joked as he gestured behind us. "This is Alice Brandon. My fiancé." I stood there with my mouth hanging open. I stuck my hand out and shook hers.

"It's so nice to finally meet you Bella." She said as she slid my money back towards me, "Drinks are on the house." She added with a wink. I left the bill and grabbed my purse. Jasper leaned over the bar and gave her a quick, but smoldering kiss before he led me to the back of the tavern and into a booth.

We sat there grinning at each other for a few minutes until he finally broke our silence.

"Ok, do you want to short hand it?" Jasper asked casually. I nodded.

"Ok," he started. "Alice moved here 2 years ago to take over the bar for her Uncle John. Remember him?" I nodded and took a drink from my bottle. "Well, we met and it was like we had been searching for each other our whole lives. She's interested in interior design and she has a bachelor's degree from UW. Got engaged last may. Wedding is in November." He finished.

I took a moment to take it all in. Here was one of my childhood best friends and he was telling me that he was getting married. In 8 months no less.

"Wow, ok let me see if I can still do this." I said as he laughed heartily at that. "I have been stuck in a job that I realize now that I've hated for the whole 3 years that I've had it. Someone wants to buy my home and I'm at a point where I don't know what to do." I said as I took another drink, "Oh, and I think I saw a ghost." I stated casually.

Jasper almost choked on his drink as he stared at me. I looked back at him and wondered what his problem was. Just then Alice flitted over and sat down with new drinks for each of us. She looked between Jasper and me and then finally just asked.

"Jazz, what's wrong?" she asked as she took a sip of her water. He blinked and it was like he was coming out of a trance.

"Bella saw a ghost." He said as he draped an arm over her shoulders. "I assume at the house, right?" he asked. I nodded. Alice beamed and clapped her hands together excitedly.

"Oh, so you saw her? Isn't she amazing?!" Alice exclaimed. I felt my brow draw together and was trying to figure out what so exciting about seeing a ghost. Then I remembered the stories.

"Alice, I doubt that it was Anabelle. Besides, I said I thought I saw one. Not that I actually saw one." I said as I started to peel the label off my bottle.

"Well, what did you see, Bella?" Alice asked me. I sighed and relayed the whole experience to them. Jasper looked thoughtful, as he often did and Alice looked at me with dreamy eyes.

"From everything I've heard about Anabelle, her story just sounds incredibly romantic." She said as she laid her head on Jasper's shoulder.

I scoffed, "Romantic? She was in love and he died. Then she married a man that she didn't really want to be with and then wasted the rest of her life looking for him and he never returned." I stated. I remembered all the stories that my grandmother had told me.

As a child, I was never scared that there was a ghost in the house; and as I got older, I felt like Anabelle had been cheated. I couldn't believe that is she was really the woman the legends made her out to be that she just sat there and let others dictate to her and tell her what to do. Like marry a man she didn't love.

"Maybe she didn't feel like she was wasting her time." A soft and melodic voice said above me. I looked up and found those same piercing green eyes. I sighed as I responded to the man that I saw on the ferry.

"Hello Edward. How are you?" I asked calmly. Getting angry or frustrated right now wouldn't do anyone any good.

Edward Cullen stood with one hand on his hip and the other clutching a pint of beer. He looked exactly the same, just 8 years older. Like we all did. I noticed that he had dark shadows under eyes and his 5 o'clock shadow had grown out for several days. His skin was still fair and smooth, but I guessed that his hands wouldn't be anymore. I felt a twinge in the pit of my stomach as I briefly remembered the way his hands had felt on my bare skin.

"I'm fine Bella. How are you?" he asked seriously. Edward was always the serious one. Jasper was the thoughtful one and I was…I wasn't ever very clear in who I was. I guess I was the well rounded one.

"I'm fine Edward, thank you." I responded coolly. I saw Alice get up and walk back towards the bar. Edward continued to stare down at me, and I couldn't give him the satisfaction of looking away. I heard Alice call for Jasper's help and he reluctantly got up and walked towards her. Edward nodded to Jasper's vacant seat, and I gestured for him to take it. We might as well get this over with here and now.

"So, you finally came back," was all he said to me as he continued to stare into my eyes. I cleared my throat and nodded my head. "It's good to see you back in town. The last time I saw you was…" he trailed off, obviously not sure what to say. I took a drink of my new beer and swallowed.

"At my parent's funeral. I appreciate you coming in for that. They would have been happy you did." I said quietly. Growing up together on the island makes friends feel like family. I remember Jasper and Edward staying over at my house when we were kids.

He looked down into his glass and muttered, "I didn't come back for just them, Bella." I snorted rudely. His head snapped up and his gaze met mine.

"Bella, I'm not sorry for what happened. I'm just sorry how things ended up." He said with a hint of desperation in his voice. His fingertips brushed over mine on the table. I jerked my hand away.

"Whatever Edward, it's in the past now. What are you doing here?" I asked pointedly. He shrugged and gave me the crooked smile that sometimes haunted my dreams.

"I moved back last year. I couldn't handle city life anymore." He took a long gulp from his glass.

Edward had been working as an architect in Seattle since we graduated high school. He had a natural talent for it and got hired at a firm while he was in his first year of college. I had seen him twice since I graduated. The summer that I came home for my 21 birthday and then 2 years after that for the funeral. I had been in love with Edward since I was 13 years old. He had come home for my birthday and Jasper and he got me blind stinking drunk. Later, when Edward was trying to get me to lie down in Jasper's guest room, I professed my feelings for him.

I remember how hurt I was at the shocked expression that crossed his face. Then the elation I felt when he kissed me. He stayed with me all night, but when I woke in the morning all I found was a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water. He didn't even leave a note.

Then when I came back for my parent's funeral, he was there. Jasper had called him, of course. We were friends and he loved my parents, so he came. I was in my house all alone and he came and found me. I was sad that my parents were gone and had left me alone. I was angry at him for leaving me when I told him how I really felt. I lashed out at him. I cried and beat my fists on his chest. He held me as I cried everything out.

Then we made love in my old room. It was perfect and beautiful. The next morning when I woke, he was there. He wanted me to come to Seattle with him, but I had just received a managerial position and I didn't want to give that up. He refused to even consider moving to California. We spent the next 2 days fighting and making love. On the third day, I left and never looked back. He was and still is the only man that I have ever loved and he is the only man that I have ever been with.

I looked up and realized that I was crying. I couldn't do this. Not yet. I stood up and grabbed my purse.

"I have to go. I can't do this yet," I started to say. He stood up and wiped my tears off my cheeks.

"Where are you going to stay?" he asked. He knew I wouldn't be able to go back to the house now. Ghost or no ghost.

"I was planning on checking into the motel. Will you tell Jasper for me?" I asked as I turned to walk away.

"Bella." He said. I turned around, "I'm sorry." He dropped his outstretched hand to his side.

"Me too." I said sniffing. I gave him a weak smile and headed out the door. I stood outside the tavern door and took a few steadying breaths. I heard the door open and thought it would be Jasper.

"Bella?" I heard Edward's voice again. I cringed and turned around.

"Look, I know we have a lot to talk about and that you probably aren't going to stay, but I have a spare room. You can stay with me. I promise to be on my best behavior." He gave me a small smile, as he held up three fingers in the boys scout sign.

"You were never a boy scout Edward. But I will stay in your room tonight. I don't think I can be alone." I said quietly. He nodded and walked me to my car. He told me to follow him when he pulled out of the tavern parking lot. I watched as his beat up red pickup pulled out and I followed him to a small cottage by the water front.

It was painted a pale yellow color and had sky blue shutters on the windows. I got out of my car and he walked over to grab my suitcase for me. I smiled as I took in the house. It had a white picket fence and flowerboxes on the window sills.

"Esme." He said as he nodded towards the house. I laughed lightly as I realized that only his mother would paint a house that color. He walked up the path to the front door and opened it and gestured for me to go inside. As soon as I did he was right behind me turning on lights. I looked around and saw that while the exterior was more feminine, the interior was all Edward. It had classic and sleek lines and was done up in varying shades of dark blue.

His furniture was black leather and dark cherry stained wood. He had a big stone fireplace and I could see a modern kitchen off to the right.

"Well, right this way." He said as he started off towards the left of the house. We walked past a small sitting room and I saw a black baby grand piano. There was sheet music and picture frames on it.

"Do you still play?" I tried to ask casually as we walked by.

"I find the time now. I've started composing again." He said over his shoulder. We wound through what turned out to be a game room and then to a bedroom.

He opened the door, "The house is a lot bigger than it looks. This is the spare room. All the bed liens are clean and there are clean towel s in the bathroom through there." He explained as he set my suitcase down. I took a look around and saw how his mother Esme had decorated this room. It was floral, but it was very subtle. Light colors on the walls and dark furniture. I noticed the heavy curtains.

"Let me guess? Really good morning light?" I asked with a laugh. He laughed with me and nodded.

"Yes. I had Esme get those shades light blocking shades. So, if you aren't planning on getting up too early, it shouldn't be a problem." He said. I nodded. I wanted to touch him. That wasn't going to help anything.

"Show me the rest." I said expectantly. He led me out of the room and back through the game room and into the piano room. I noticed he had pictures of the three of us when were kids on the piano. I took a moment to look at them. There was one of the three of us with Jasper and Edward in their graduation gowns and caps. I was standing between them and we were all smiling like idiots. I noticed that I was leaning closer to Edward. I looked at another and found the three of us from my graduation. Jasper and Edward had picked me up. Edward had me around my middle and Jasper had me at my feet. My face was beet red.

There were pictures of all of us with our families when we were young and a few of just Edward and me. I picked one up and couldn't place it. I turned to Edward who was leaning against the wall looking at me.

"What is this one? I don't remember it." I said. He came over and took it from me and looked it over. He sighed and set it back down on the piano.

"That's from your 16th birthday. You probably don't remember that because Jasper and I snuck some beers out of your parent's fridge and got you drunk." He laughed lightly and started to walk out of the room. I followed him. "You got drunk and started complaining that your mom was right about you being 'sweet 16 and never been kissed'. So I kissed you. Jasper took our picture right after."

I turned to look back at the photo. Edward had his arms around me and I was resting my head on his shoulder. Both of our eyes were closed and he was resting his cheek on top of my head.

He was right, I barely remembered that night. It was bittersweet that I didn't.

He led me through the living room where we came in to the right side of the house where there was indeed a very modern kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Just off the kitchen was his bedroom. It was done in grey and neutral tones. He had some black and white posters on the walls.

"I have a laundry room out in the garage." He said as we stood there, awkwardly in his room. I went to look at the framed posters when I heard my cell phone go off. I excused myself and went to retrieve it.

I missed a call from Jasper and was about to call him back when I heard a pounding on Edward's front door. I heard Edward open it and someone stepped inside.

"You just couldn't stay away, could you?" I recognized Jasper's voice as he yelled at Edward.

"Look, Jazz, this isn't a good time, ok? Can you yell at me tomorrow?" I heard Edward plea. I could hear Jasper start to pace.

"This isn't a good time for you?!" he exclaimed. "I know you love her, but she isn't planning on staying. And if you can't pull your own head out of your ass and consider moving to wherever she is, then you need to just leave her alone!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Jasper just said that Edward loved me. He couldn't be serious.

"Edward. I told you she was coming, so you would know and you wouldn't be surprised. Not so you would ambush her on her first day back." Jasper said, and I heard a thud and the distinct sound of plaster cracking. Had Jasper punched the wall?

"Don't you think that she has too much on her mind to think about what happened between you too?" he asked.

"Of course she does Jasper! Jesus, you act like I don't have any brains in my head." Edward huffed. "You think that in the last three years I didn't go to LA only to chicken out and not call her. I know she won't stay, but I can't stay away from her." He said with a sigh. I heard them both sit down on the leather couch with a squeak. They were quiet and I decided I needed to break this up, whatever it was.

"Hey Edward, I love the bedspread in that room…oh, hi Jazzy." I said cheerily as I walked into the front room. They both looked up at me, and Jasper looked at Edward.

"Ok, so I should leave. Bells, I'll come by the house tomorrow. Just let me know when." He said and nodded to Edward and walked out the door. I noticed that there was a small hole in the wall by the door and plaster pieces on the floor.

"So, really that bedspread is great." I lied through my teeth. It was nice, but I could care less.

"Bells, you are a horrible liar. Do you want a drink?" he asked as he walked towards his kitchen. I followed him and he handed me a beer. We clinked our bottles together and each took a long pull.

"Bella, let me just say that…" Edward began, but I cut him off.

"I'm not ready to talk about it, ok?" I said as I turned and walked away. I heard him behind me.

"I don't have anything to do in the morning. Would you have breakfast with me?" he asked. I shrugged.

"I don't really want to spend too much time in town. Not until I decided what to do. Jasper says that people still talk about my parents." I tried to say nonchalantly.

He nodded, "Yeah, I hear it sometimes. I was actually thinking we could eat here. I learned how to cook." He said with a bit of pride in his voice.

My eyebrows shot up, "Really? Well, that I will have to see. What time?"

"I'm usually up by 7, but I go for a run. We'll eat after I come back. Say, 8:30?" he asked as we made it to his spare room.

I turned the light back on, "Wake me up when you do. I run every morning back home." I said. He nodded and we said goodnight.

I finished my beer and plugged my cell phone in. it was only 10:30 but I was tired from the drive from California. I changed into some pajamas and turned on the bedside lamp. I turned off the main light and crawled into bed. I lay there for some time, trying to wrap my mind around everything that was going on.

My mind drifted to what I thought I had seen at my house. I dreamed that night that I was the one standing on the widow's walk, looking for someone to return to me. I saw myself look down to the cliffs and started to cry when I saw Edward walking towards me.