Twilight OC Rewrite

Chapter Nineteen: Goodbyes

Dad was waiting up for us. All the house lights were on. My mind was blank as I tried to think of a way to make him let her go. This wasn't going to be pleasant.

Edward pulled up slowly, staying well back from our truck. All four of them were acutely alert, ramrod straight in their seats, listening to every sound of the wood, looking through every shadow, catching every scent, searching for something out of place. The engine cut off, and I sat, motionless, as they continued to listen.

"He's not here," Edward said tensely. "Let's go."

Emmett reached over to help Bella out of the harness and Christian got me out of mine.

"Don't worry, girls," Emmett said in a low but cheerful voice, "we'll take care of things here quickly."

I felt moisture filling up my eyes as I looked over to Emmett. I barely knew him, and yet, somehow, not knowing when I would see him again after tonight was anguishing. I knew this was just a faint taste of the goodbyes Bella would have to survive in the next hour, and the thought made the tears begin to spill.

"Alice, Emmett." Edward's voice was a command. They slithered soundlessly into the darkness, instantly disappearing. Edward opened the door for Bella and took her hand. Christian got me out of the Jeep, kissing my head again lightly before disappearing, bounding up the side of my house.

Edward walked us swiftly toward the house, me in the very front, eyes always roving through the night.

"Fifteen minutes," he warned under his breath.

"I can do this." She sniffled.

I stopped on the porch and turned to face them. She held his face in her hands.

"I love you," she said in a low, intense voice. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now."

"Nothing is going to happen, Bella," he said just as fiercely.

"Just follow the plan, okay? Keep Charlie and Alex safe for me. He's not going to like me very much after this, and I want to have the chance to apologize later."

"Get inside, girls. We have to hurry." His voice was urgent.

"One more thing," she whispered so low I could barely hear her — in all honesty, I probably shouldn't have been listening. "Don't listen to another word I say tonight!" He was leaning in, and she stretched up on her toes to kiss his surprised, frozen lips with great force. Then she turned, and I kicked the door open.

"Go away, Edward!" She yelled as I ran up the stairs. She slammed the door shut in his still-shocked face.

I got to the room and opened the window to let in Christian. He gave me a tight hug, his eyes focused like a wild animal on a hunt.

"Bella?" Dad had been hovering in the living room, and I could hear him walking towards the stairs.

"Leave me alone!" She screamed at him through what sounded like tears. She was laying it on thick. She ran up the stairs and opened the door to our room, throwing it shut behind her and locking it. She ran to her bed, flinging herself on the floor to retrieve her duffel bag. I ran to her dresser and started haphazardly gathering clothes for her. She reached swiftly between the mattress and box spring to grab a knotted old sock that contained her 'secret' cash hoard.

Dad was pounding on the door.

"Bella, Alex, are you girls okay? What's going on?" His voice was frightened.

"I'm going home," she shouted, her voice breaking in the perfect spot.

"Did he hurt you?" His tone edged toward anger.