The Inevitable

Chapter 19 Closure

"You told her," Alice said quietly as Edward passed her on the lawn.

Edward only nodded, stopping and looking out at the house.

"I saw you coming home."

Edward nodded again.

"How did she take it?"

Edward had been replaying their conversation over and over again for the few hours he'd been walking through the forest. She had been angry. He understood that. Expected it. She didn't understand how he could have done it. He understood that too. He was having a hard time lately justifying to himself why he had done it.

Then there was the part about guys and motorcycles and jumping off cliffs. He had no idea what any of that meant. He figured that part probably needed a lot more explaining.

But with everything she had said, only one screamed at him over and over and over.

Did you not know me at all? What…because I was a measly human I would just be able to move on, just like that?! Was it not glaringly obvious how desperately I love you?

Maybe he didn't…or hadn't…known her quite as well as he'd believed he had. And he had really thought that, if only because she was human, she would have moved on.

But he didn't care about any of that.

Was it not glaringly obvious how desperately I love you?

She hadn't said loved…she had said love. He didn't even know if she realized it. And he didn't care. He had heard it. It made his heart soar, despite the yelling, despite the anger he had seen in her.

It had been seventy five years since Bella had stood in front of him and used the word love. Now that was all he wanted.

"Edward?" Alice interrupted his thoughts.

He looked at her with a blank stare. "Hmmm?"

"How did she take it?" Alice asked slowly, beginning to look worried.

Edward sighed. "She got angry. She yelled. Basically, she did exactly what was expected."

Alice sighed too, nodding. "And…where is she now?"

"She…walked away. She said she needed some time."

Alice nodded thoughtfully. "She was surprised. She had no idea," she said sadly.

"You know, even going over it in my head, over and over before it happened, I kept thinking that somewhere, deep down, she really knew." He ran his hand absently through his hair. "But she really didn't," he said sadly. "This whole time…she really thought I didn't love her."

Alice came over and placed her hand gently on Edward's shoulder. "But now she does. She'll take her time…and she'll be back."

Edward frowned. "She said she wouldn't run away. And I know she needs time. But…" He trailed off.

"She'll be back Edward."

He smiled grimly. "You can't see her future Alice."

She smiled widely. "I don't need to."