The wolf protector. (A Bella and Jasper love story.)

Chapter 48:- Sunnydale

Izzy's P.O.V
  

The sun dipped lower on the horizon as we reach the outskirts of Sunnydale, the familiar weight of the place pressing down on me like a shroud. The town is as empty as my memories of it, the streets quiet except for the soft crunch of our footsteps on gravel. Each step sents a jolt of pain through my left side, a cruel reminder of the battle we barely survived. My wolf is working overtime, knitting bones back together faster than any human could, but the pain is still sharp, unyielding. I clench my fists, pushing through it. The others don't need to see me struggle; they have their own wounds to worry about.

Angel and Spike flank me on either side, their presence steadying me more than I care to admit. Angel's cuts are healing, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, the unspoken worry in his eyes whenever he glances at me. Spike's gait is slower, the scar from his deepest wound still raw against his pale skin. They are both silent, knowing better than to speak just yet. They know where I was heading, and they know better than to offer comfort I'm not ready to accept.

As we reach the edge of the cemetery, I stop, turning to the rest of the group. "I need to do this alone," I say, my voice firmer than I feel. The others exchange glances, confused but trusting. Buffy nods, her eyes lingering on me with something between concern and understanding. Willow starts to speak, but Dawn gently touches her arm, and she falls silent.

"We'll be at Buffy's" Xander says, his voice low. "Take your time."

I gave him a grateful nod, then watch as they turn and make their way back into town. Only Spike lingers, his blue eyes meeting mine. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't need to. We share a history, and he underrstands more than most. After a moment, he nods and follows the others, leaving me alone in the growing shadows.

The cemetery is just as I remembered it—rows of headstones, each one a reminder of loss, of lives cut short. I move through them with a sense of dread, my breath hitching as I finally reach AJ's grave. The stone was simple, no different from the others around it, but to me, it was a monument to everything I've lost. His stone doesn't say much. He didn't have a life for his stone to say much. All his stone says is here lays baby Angel Junior Swan, left this word too soon and gained his angel wings. His loving mother Isabella and his loving father Angel laid him here to rest. 

I kneel down, ignoring the pain that shoots through my side, and trace the letters of his name with my fingers. The silence is suffocating, and for a moment, I couldn't find the words. What could I possibly say that would make any of this better? How could I apologize for the choices I've made, the path I've taken after he was gone?

"I'm sorry, AJ," I finally whisper, my voice barely audible. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. I'm sorry you have had to see me like this. I'm sorry your mommy is broken. I miss you so much AJ. My little angel. I gave you the perfect name. I'm hoping the next time I come and see you I'll bring your daddy. I hope your looking after your brother and sister." I feel the tears threatening to spill, but I blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. "I'm going to try and fix everything. I'm going to try and fix mine and daddies bond ok. I'm going to try and change. I'm going to try and get clean for you and for Jade."

A cool breeze sweeps through the graveyard, stirring the leaves around me. It fells like a response, like AJ is listening, wherever he is. It is like he is telling me it's ok. That he's ok. That he is with his brother and sister and looking after them. I close my eyes, letting the wind wash over me, and for the first time in a long time, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can find a way to heal, to move forward. "I'm going to get clean," I say, my voice stronger now. "I'm going to get back to the person you believed in. I promise."

I stay there a while longer, letting the silence settle around me, the weight of my promise heavy but welcome. When I finally stand, the pain in my side is still there, but it feels more bearable. I turn and make my way back to the others, leaving the graveyard behind but carrying AJ's memory with me.