Parallax

Chapter 7

"If you need anything, Carlisle and Esme will be here for you" Alice added. "I'll be fine. Go, enjoy yourselves" Bella told her and Alice gave her a hug before she left.

Bella walked towards the window and stared at the empty forest. After a few minutes, she saw Jasper and Alice walking in a human pace towards the woods, hand in hand and Bella clutched her chest, affected by the scene before her.

She closed her eyes again and chastised herself internally.

That's enough. You have always been in control of your emotions. You know the situation you are in. Get a grip and focus.

Bella opened her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I got this." She told herself, the previous tension now leaving her body. She was here for Edward and this Bella and she had work to do.

She walked away from the window and went to the bathroom to freshen up then proceeded to go down to where Esme was preparing her food to eat.

"Hmmm, it smells delicious Esme" she complimented and she was rewarded with Esme's hug.

"It's fascinating to watch dear Esme cook for you" Carmen told her fondly. Both women were in the kitchen, helping with the preparation.

Bella didn't mind the two women watching her eat as she was already used to it. They started to catch up with Esme asking her how was Forks while avoiding the topic of when they left. She didn't have much to say so Bella stuck to the events that happened when she got inserted to this body. Bella told Esme about the cliff diving, Alice's arrival, Harry's death and Charlie agreeing to her leaving for Alaska. Bella knew Carlisle and Eleazar was just somewhere in the house so they'd be able to hear her fine.

Trying to move the conversation away from herself, Bella asked about Esme's restoration and she let second mother share what she had been doing until she was done with her food.

"Leave the dishes dear, I'll take care of it" Esme held her hand and there was sadness in her face.

"I'm so glad that you are here now Bella. It's never been the same without you. I feel like I lost a daughter when we left... "

Bella looked at Esme and she didn't like seeing her upset. Upset. Looks like it wasn't just Bella who was affected by Edward's actions.

"I lost a family when you left too." Bella replied sadly and she may not have been the one that was left behind but the Cullen's were her family. She couldn't imagine what this Bella would have felt like when they all just up and left. Where they even able to say goodbye to her? She didn't know and it looks like the Cullen's still didn't want to talk about it, to probably spare her, her feelings.

Esme sighed. "If only we could turn back time, we would never have left" Bella smiled sadly. She was the one who got that wish granted even when she never even asked for it but she still wasn't able to prevent this Bella and everyone else from being hurt.

"What's done is done. I'm here to make things right and to let Edward see reason"

"You are just what he needed Bella. He just needs to see that"

Bella nodded. "That's what I'm here for. I'll just be in the living room." Bella changed the subject and Esme gestured her out of the kitchen.

"Go ahead, we'll take care of the kitchen"

Bella made herself comfortable in front of the fireplace. It was rarely used when there were no humans in the house but when she was there, the fireplace was always lit, just like now.

She had one arm hugging herself while her other was extended towards the fire, letting the heat warm her palms. Bella let her eyes stare at the glowing embers while she stood still as a statue. From time to time though, she would lean on one leg or the other, not because she was used to the nuances of the human body but because this time that she was no longer a vampire, she actually needed to move to keep her body from going stiff.