~ Thirty ~

"Bella, have you got everything in the car?" Emily slams the trunk and digs through her purse. "I'm going to do a final check of the house and find your dad."

"Yeah, it's all in there," I answer, and turn to Rose, who flings her arms around me, squeezing until I can't breathe. I feel the burn of tears behind my eyes.

"I'm going to miss you so much. It won't be the same without you here." She swipes at her own tears, and wipes her hand on the back of her dress.

"You can come and visit me. I can show you around campus. It'll be fun."

"I'll hold you to that." She hugs me again, and over her shoulder, I see her brother leaning against his car. I can't remember how to breathe. The pain at leaving him, even if only for a little while, takes its space.

"I'm gonna walk home so you can say goodbye." She stands back and squeezes my hand one last time before heading through the houses and down onto the beach.

I head over to Edward and hover until he reaches out and tugs at my belt, pulling me closer. "You all set?"

"Mmmhmm." I know if I open my mouth to speak, the tears will fall. I blink them back, again and again, but it's no use, and one slides down my cheek.

"Hey." He wraps his arms around my waist and dips his head, cutting off its descent with a kiss. "Hey."

I shake my head and bite down on the sob that's trying to escape. I crush it into his chest and let his T-shirt soak up the tears I can't hold back. He smells like sunshine and sea salt.

He holds me until my breathing slows. "You gonna pull yourself together now or what?" he jokes, and it makes me laugh. I lean back and look up at him.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"You're not gonna miss me, because you're not gonna get the chance. I'll always be around. On the phone, email, Skype, whatever … Also, there's something I should tell you."

I tilt my head warily when he looks a little sheepish. "Go on."

"I've been researching apprenticeships. I've always been interested in engineering, I guess from messing around with the machines at the casino, and … well, there could be a few opportunities near you."

I blink at him. "Near me."

"Yeah, near your college." He rubs his hand up the back of his neck. "Is that okay?"

I scream and throw myself at him again, until I'm wrapped around him, his laughter vibrating against me. "Why didn't you tell me before?" I drop back to the ground, conscious that Charlie could come out at any minute. "What about your dad?"

He shrugs, and lines worry his face—the benefits from selling the arcade can only help with so much. "We had a talk about things, about me and what I want to do. And about you. He said if I didn't get out of the house and find myself a job, he was going to throw me out." He shakes his head, a smile curving his lips, but it doesn't reach his eyes. The future for Edward is bittersweet—it won't always include Carlisle.

"But you can't be near me and at home," I say, trying to see the logistics and failing.

"I'll spend my weekends here, and … I was hoping you might spend a few with me, too." He shrugs.

"Of course." I stand up on my tiptoes and kiss him. "When will you know?"

"The sale should be finalized within the next few months, and I've got all these applications to fill out, so they'll keep my mind occupied for a while. There's Riley's trial, too. So, I guess three or four months?"

I try not to grimace at the mention of Riley's name, but it's difficult. The Cullens have to go through one more painful experience before they can be rid of the Biers for good.

"I can help you with the applications, if you want. I've done some before," I say, thinking of the one that I never completed, the reason I ended up here.

"The three words to describe yourself," he says, remembering, too. "You ever work those out?"

"No," I say, but thinking of everything that's happened, everything I've been though, I think I might be able to find a few more now.

"I can give you plenty," he says, reminding me of the first few weeks when we hung out in the arcade. He takes hold of my face and brushes his thumbs under my cheeks, kissing me. "Beautiful." He kisses me again. "Brave." And again. "Kind. I have more if you need them."

I nod, and he carries on. Strong. Funny. Impatient. I feel his smile against my cheek. Sexy. Intelligent. Loyal.

"That's a lot of things." I breathe him in, commit him to memory.

"There are three more." He pauses, and his breath is warm against my cheek. "Remember these whenever you're thinking about us, when you're missing me, if we can't talk for whatever reason, or just because."

I nod, and he kisses me deeply, one last time. And then he gives me three words I never thought I'd find this summer.

"I. Love. You."

AN: That's all folks! I hope you've all enjoyed reading. I can't thank you enough for joining me on this ride. The familiar faces and lots of new ones ... you've all made this worth while. I appreciate every singe one of you.

All the love in the world to my girls, Kim, Choc and Cat. I couldn't have done it without you. Your support, hand holding, late night chats, flaily comments, your love for me and this story. You're irreplaceable.

Love to Time Lights for her gorgeous banner, too. And to Nic and the girls at TLS for their rec's, and the ladies over at Ficsisters for featuring SS too.

So, I have some news ... I've been working on a new story - A Case of You - it will start posting in a couple of weeks, and I'd love to see you all there.

Love to you all.

Sparrow xxx