[BamaFan121s]

I crossed my room and picked up one of my old, dog eared Austen novels. I sat on the bed as I flipped randomly through the pages, stopping to read a few of my favorite passages as I came to them. After a few moments, I returned it to the bedside table beside a CD that Phil had once given me. I liked that CD—I’d have to remember to take it with me. I turned my attention to tracing he patterns on Gran’s quilt that covered my bed. I could not stop the smile that lit up my face as I easily recalled the next set of memories—some that had never left the forefront of my mind.
I remember the countless nights that Edward spent in my room, even before I knew he was there. How, unbeknownst to my dad, nearly every night since we’d met, he’d come in through my window and held me in his icy arms night after night when the nightmares of the supernatural world around chased away my slumber and me woke me. I ran my hand over the pillow and thought about the countless tears that I’d shed on both it and him the night I’d tried to cut ties with Jake as he lay damaged in his bed after he’d fought the newborn army along side the vampires. And what I remember more than anything was the feeling as his sweet, cool breath washed over me as he’d hum my lullaby in my ear as I drifted off to sleep.
Because of this, it came as no surprise when I heard the window slide open behind me. I didn’t have to turn and look to know who it was. Edward sank onto the bed beside me and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. He didn’t speak, or question me, but instead waited patiently for me to initiate conversation. I’m sure that if I had sat there in silence of hours, he would have stayed by my side, allowing me the peace I longed for.
“How did you know where to find me?” I asked, without looking at him.
“Alice. She called me as soon as she saw your change of course in Newton’s parking lot. You didn’t answer her call…or mine. I got worried.”
“You always know how to find me.” I reached for his hand and he graciously obliged, effortlessly intertwining his fingers with mine. I stared at them, alabaster on alabaster, and focused on the bracelet that remained a constant around my wrist as the heaviness of the crystalline heart settled to the bottom and brought the small wooden wolf to rest on top. “I’m sorry for not answering—for causing you to worry. I just needed to think.”
He leaned down and kissed my shoulder, then brought his chin to rest on it as he leaned his forehead against my temple. “I was afraid this would catch up to you eventually. Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrugged, not really sure of the entire answer. “I didn’t want you to worry, or blame yourself. You still do that you know?” I leaned into him playfully. He waited, letting me speak my mind. I took a deep breath before I continued. “For the past few months, I’ve felt like something was missing. I guess that things have been so hectic over the past year that I just haven’t slowed down enough to figure out what it was….until today. I’ve never lost sight of the things that are the most important to me.” I emphasized the word and squeezed his hand, knowing that he would understand I meant him. “But there were so many things from my life before my change that I felt like I had forgotten...and that scared me. I feel like they have a rightful place as part of my life too. I dunno…I guess that really doesn’t make much sense.”
He reached up and cupped my face in his hands, turning my head to face him. He looked at me with nothing but complete understanding swimming in the depths of his eyes. “Bella, it makes perfect sense. It’s all part of who you are. Alice doesn’t remember anything from her human life. She would love to have the opportunity to be able to go back and do what you did today.”
He was right. On top of feeling relief, like I’d finally found the missing pieces to a puzzle, I was thankful. I had what Alice never could. I realized how blessed I was and in so many different ways.
Edward’s expression lifted as he watched the realization wash over me. “Feel better?” He still monitored my face for any signs of regret.
I nodded, easily returning his smile now. “Yes, better.”
Still cupping my face, he leaned forward and took my mouth up in the tenderest of kisses. His lips parted mine slightly, filling my mouth with his sweet, addictive breath. He pulled back and looked into my eyes, a twinkle coming to the surface of his own. “And now?” He raised a questioning eyebrow and waited for my reply.
“Much better.” I replied. I suppressed a giggle as the thought occurred to me that Edward’s kiss alone had once been able to alter my memory, far more than becoming a vampire could ever threaten to do.
“If I might make a suggestion, I think there may be one last place you need to stop on your way home.”
“Oh?” I asked, my curiosity perked. “And where might that be?”
“Hmm…just this little place I know, where I suspect you may have a few spare memories lying around waiting to be remembered. Care for me to show you?” He stood rose from the bed and reached down to offer me his hand. I took his, answering his invitation. He pulled me not towards the door, but towards the window instead. “This is where I have to exit, you know?” He said jokingly. Hand in hand, we practically floated to the ground below, as equals.
Edward insisted that we leave on foot, assuring me that Alice would jump at the chance to come back and retrieve my car later after she and the others returned from their hunt, because if nothing else, it would give her an excuse to drop by and visit Charlie. And Jacob would be bringing Renesmee home later in the night. I glanced up nervously at the sky where the sun was concealed behind one of only a few remaining clouds. “Don’t worry,” Edward assured me, guessing my concern. “We’re just going there.” He pointed across Charlie’s yard to the edge of dark woods where a small dirt path snaked its way up through the towering trees.
He led me up the path until Charlie’s house disappeared from view. There were several very unpleasant memories from this particular path that I did NOT care to revisit. I was just about to open my mouth in protest when Edward did something very unexpected. He grabbed me around my waist and slung me up onto his back. Before I could take note of what he was doing, he set his feet in motion and we were flying through the forest. “You can close your eyes if you want to.” He called back jokingly over his shoulder.