The Long Road Home Aka Reconnecting Roads By Midnightlove87

92 Pages·2013·0.64 MB·English

The Long Road Home
Aka
Reconnecting Roads
By
Midnightlove87
Special Thanks:
Mid Night Cougar for the fabulous Beta/Pre-
reader work that she does so beautifully!
StaceLeo Stories for the gorgeous banners!
Without these two, I wouldn’t have been able to
have done this… Love you guys!
Chapter 1
Epov
The snow is starting to fall steadily now, so I pull my coat closer to me and adjust my hat so
my ears won't get cold. The long walk across campus is really starting to drain on me and I'm
glad that I'll be graduating soon. That and my lecture is cancelled for the evening, meaning I
have a free night to myself. A rare but welcomed occasion.
A few beers and some Chinese food sounds pretty damn good to me after the week I've had. Not
to mention that I'm not entirely looking forward to the long drive I have ahead of me starting
tomorrow.
Mom wants me home earlier so I'll have a few days to spend with the family, before I have to
dive back into my studies. And, to be honest, I kinda want to be home too. Studying to be an
electrical engineer is no cake walk, but while the last four years have worn on me, I've grown
from it. I've settled on a specialty and already have job offers floating my way.
But even with the way life is looking for me, at the moment, I'm dying to change into some
sweats, call for some take-out and kick back on the couch for the night.
I brush off my shoulders and rub my freezing hands together, blowing out a breath, wishing
this storm would end soon. It's getting bad and the forecasters are calling for ice later on,
which will make the drive home tomorrow challenging.
Though, it isn't as if I haven't seen snow before. Growing up in Maine, you see it plenty, the
same with ice, but I'm just not big on taking long drives in it. And living for the past four years
in Illinois hasn't been a picnic either. Northwestern University is very prestigious, but that
doesn't mean it is set in a beautiful, always sunny state. Nope, Illinois gets plenty of weather,
just like home.
I sigh to myself and remember my dad's words of wisdom. "Son, in life, you can change pretty
much everything except for the weather." I smile at the sound of his voice echoing through my
head, he had many good pieces of advice. When I was younger, I didn't always follow it, but
now, I can see the importance of it.
As I am attempting to keep warm, I see a sight that I've only caught glimpses of over the past
few years. Something that makes me want to keep looking more, but I can never bring myself
to. And every time I see it, my heart aches, hard.
Brown hair, covered in fresh flakes, pink cheeks, and at closer inspection, blood-shot, brown
eyes.
Bella Swan.
Don't get me wrong, here; I'm not stalking her or anything. Bella and I used to know each
other, quite well, actually. But that was back in the day.
Though we haven't technically spoken in over four years, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't
know when she is crying. Things like that just don't change, no matter how many years go by.
And at this moment, I can clearly see her trying to hide her face as tears roll continuously
down those flushed cheeks of hers.
Something in my gut twists at the sight and I can't fight the urge to walk over to her and see
what's wrong.
My boots crunch in the snow as I approach her. And as hard as it is to admit, I have to say
that my heart speeds up a little as I get closer. This is, after all, the first time in four years that
I'll be making some kind of attempt at conversation with her. But, with those four years, I have
grown. I know people change over time and I hope that since time has passed we can now
bridge that gap between us, even if it is just for a friend to help another friend out.
"Bella," I rasp, once I'm in ear shot, surprised at how my own voice sounds and how
constricted my throat suddenly feels.
The urge to slap myself is overwhelming. No matter how many years it's been, she is still Bella
and there's no need to get all worked up.
"Yeah," she sniffles, before looking up and wiping her eyes.
When they are clear, she looks startled to see me standing there. That's to be expected after
everything, but it isn't like I'm devoid of all human emotions. I still feel compelled to fix the
situation when I see a pretty girl upset.
"Ed-Edward?"
"Hey," I greet dumbly.
"Hi."
"I…um…I just wanted to make sure you were okay," I tell her, trying to explain my unusual
presence.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," she murmurs, not looking me in the eyes.
"You look just fine too," I say sarcastically and roll my eyes.
No, I didn't come over to her to be mean, but clearly I can see everything is not just 'fine'. And
maybe the anger that has been buried beneath the surface for so many years is beginning to
show through, but I can't help but be pissed. I hate being lied to and that is exactly what she's
doing.
She chokes out a humorless laugh before glancing back up to my face. "Well, Edward, if you
call spending Christmas alone in my dorm room, okay, then I guess, yeah, everything is just
fucking peachy."
My eyebrows rise in unison, before I frown. "What's the matter?" I wonder quietly, trying, for
some strange reason, to be the friend I sense she needs.
"Don't worry, Edward, it's nothing for you to trouble yourself over," she states, wiping furiously
at her eyes.
I take a deep breath, trying to collect myself. The last thing she needs is someone blowing up at
her.
"B, I didn't mean to butt in, but it's pretty obvious that something's wrong. So if you want
someone to talk to, just remember, despite everything, I'm here for you," I offer, turning in the
snow and heading back the way I came.
It's weird how I can suddenly feel just how cold I am and yet, while I was standing there talking
with her, I couldn't feel a bit of it.
"Edward wait," I faintly hear her call out from behind me.
I stop in my tracks and trudge back to her. "Yeah?" I ask softly.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to be a bitch. It was nice of you to reach out to me. After…you know…"
I shrug and smile at her, hoping to ease her obvious anxiety and cheer her up some.
"I'm just still trying to believe that next week, while everyone else will be celebrating at home,
warm, with their families. I will be sitting in my drafty dorm room all alone," she explains, with
a sigh.
I shake my head, not that I keep tabs on her, but I heard from some of our mutual friends over
the years, that her father normally flies her home for Christmas. Bella's mom has been out of
the picture for some time, so her dad likes to have her around for the holidays.
"Your dad's not going to fly you home?" I question, trying not sound like a prick.
I have to admit there were a few years in the past that I saw kids piling into a car and heading
to the airport, and I was jealous. My parents have never been able to afford to fly me home. Not
around the holidays, but now, I like my drive, and I wouldn't fly even if I could. It's two days of
peace. It gives me time to reflect on the past months at school, come up with things that I want
to tell them about, and for whatever reason it makes me cherish the short time I have with
them.
"He's been sick and needed some special care, so no, he can't float me the cash to fly home.
And I've never had a car out here, so I don't even have the option to drive."
"I'm sorry," I tell her sincerely. I really do feel bad for her father, being sick at this time of the
year is never good and it sounds serious, whatever it is that he has.
"Thank you," she replies quietly, before sighing. "But either way, I can't afford to go home, so
now I'm stuck here, but I'll survive."
As she's saying the words, something comes to mind. I'm not so sure I want to offer, but I can't
really think of a better solution and I really don't want to leave her here alone over the holiday.
I can't justify something like that on anyone, no matter how badly our relationship ended.
"Bella, what if…uh…" I clear my throat and try again. "What if you ride home with me?" I ask,
still in the process of thinking it through.
After I say it, I know I can't take it back, at least not without coming off like a complete dick.
Besides, a few days in a car together won't be the worst thing in the world.
"Really?" She sniffles one last time; her eyes brighten and she straightens up.
I sigh and nod, forcing a smile on to my face. I am really hoping what I had thought earlier is
true. People change. Maybe, hopefully, she has changed…
"When do we leave?" she asks me through a watery smile.
I can't help but chuckle, she looks adorable. "Tomorrow morning, if that's okay with you?"
She nods, looking relieved and happier than before. "That's perfect, thank you, Edward."
I smile. I've done my job for the day. And maybe even my good Christmas deed for the year too.
"Well then, I guess you have some packing to do," I murmur, backing away. "I can come get you
when I'm ready to go, if you want?"
"You know where I am? The Robinson building?"
I nod. "Yep, I'll see you then." And with that…I walk off toward my apartment wondering what
the hell I have just gotten myself into.

Chapter 2
Bpov
I sit here, slouched down in my desk chair, lazily twisting my finger around a cord while
staring at the suitcase sprawled out on my bed, just waiting to be packed. Clothes strewn
around the room, but yet I've lost the will to actually pack anything.
I shake my head, trying uselessly to collect my thoughts. So many things are forming a cloud
over me. From my father's deteriorating health and well-being, school, bills, and finally my
latest debacle, Edward.
Everything and nothing is now floating through my mind. In my book, today can be categorized
as a long-ass day. My head throbs at a steady beat as I consider my options.
I need something to make this day better. I'm too young to start sprouting grey hairs. That's for
sure.
And while the other things are weighing on my brain, taking up their own space… It's mostly
him though.
Edward.
It has been years, seriously, years, since we've even looked at each other, let alone talked to
one another. I'm not completely sure I can go through with this. And the way he looked at me,
didn't help either.
His eyes burned into me, just like before. The same green eyes, he had back then, still
smoldering. But it was so much more than that. I think about the way he looked, the way I felt
when I saw that it was in fact him standing there.
"Why on Earth did I agree to this?" I say out loud as I stomp into the bathroom.
And there, in the corner of my mirror is exactly the reason why I agreed to take this little road
trip with Edward...
My dad.
I've got a thing about eyes, you know? To me, they're like the windows to the soul. And as
fucked up as it sounds, I can usually tell what someone is like just from one, good, hard, look.
And Dad's brown eyes, that are the same as mine, stare back at me, and I can't think of any
way to spend the holidays, other than to be there with him. He's sweet and caring. And beyond
that, Daddy always looked after me well. In the past, he worked hard and always provided
more than enough for him and I, because that was all there was—just us. This year's different,
there's no denying that—money is real tight. But that doesn't mean I am to love him any less.
Shit happens. And above all, I need to see him for Christmas. If I get to spend Christmas with
my dad, that is all the present I will need.
Without Edward, I don't have a choice. I guess I owe whatever little bastard guardian angel I
have, a thank you. Because no matter how shitty the way home is, I still have one.
If it wasn't for my dad, I would have no one. It's the plain and simple truth and this year has
done its best to remind me not to take him for granted.
So with that, I collect my bathroom bag, make sure everything is in there that I will need and
pack it securely in the front of my suitcase. I gather my clothes, feeling a little overwhelmed
when I try to decide what to bring.
I settle for simple, trying to keep my expectations low. Dad's still hurting and I'm not sure what
he'll be up for once I get there.
After I finish rounding up everything I need to bring, I let out a long sigh and decide to call it a
night. Sleep is going to be needed if I'm going to make it out alive. Tomorrow's bound to be the
greatest test of my patience ever.
*RR*
The next morning, I wake up early wanting to be ready for when Edward decides to show up.
Of course, I'm smart enough to have actually found out what time he's planning to leave. But
either way, I know that it's better to be early than late.
My thoughts are right on because at exactly nine, I hear a knock on the door. It's him. I just
know. I don't even have to peer out the peep hole. I can almost feel his presence, which to me is
weird. Four years go by and there's still fluttering? What the hell is that?
I'm quick to fix my hair one last time before I finally pull open the door, only to be left
breathless.
I'm right; Edward's the one at the door. But it's the button up, with a pull over sweater. The
jeans that are worn, but still look so damn good, and the familiar scent of him that nearly do
me in. He stands there looking smart and sweet. There is an air of calm between us,
whispering to me that maybe, just maybe, this will all be okay.
I pull myself together and smile at him.
"Hey," I softly greet him, feeling that if I speak too loudly it will wreck the thin ice that we are
figuratively standing on.
"Hi," he says back, mirroring my smile and jutting out a hand, that holds a steaming cup of
coffee.
My savior.
"Thank you."
Again, another smile. "So, B, where are your bags?"
I let him inside before pointing to the one suitcase and backpack that lay on the floor next to
my bed.
"This is it?"
"Yep, that's all I've got," I tell him, proudly. It's almost like he's never seen a girl pack light
before. And for that, I feel accomplished. I've conquered some kind of feat.
He shrugs and collects them before asking if I'm ready to leave. When I nod, he goes out the
way he came and I watch completely captivated by his presence, as sad as it is to think.
After he's gone, I rush around, shutting off my desk lamp, checking to make sure I have my
phone, before finally locking my door.
I hurry down the stairs and outside, just in time to see Edward loading my suitcase into the
back of his SUV. I reach his side and finally understand what he means by that being all I am
taking.
I gasp, but quickly cover my mouth so he can't see my emotions.
There, next to my lonely, out of place rugged looking suitcase and backpack are several fancy
suitcases, and a handful of neatly wrapped gifts.
I attempt to disguise my utter sadness by turning my back to him, and swallow hard to keep
away the tears, but it does little to quell the actual feelings flowing through me.
I can't even afford to buy my father a gift. With what little money I do have in my wallet, I
assume I will need most of, for the trip. I'm lucky to be able to allot for one night in a cheap
motel room and hopefully have enough left over to buy the fixings for a small Christmas dinner
once I'm home. But that's it. No fancy tie or watch this year. Nope, it's just going to be purely
my company that will be Dad's Christmas present this year. Maybe I'll even be able to find a
big bow to put on my head.

Chapter 3
Epov
I sit here, trying not to sniff the air. She smells the same. That sweet, too good to be true scent
that captivated my heart from the start. My hand clenches the steering wheel and I attempt to
keep my eyes on the road, because they want nothing but to stray and stare at the woman
occupying the passenger seat.
Yeah, that's right, you heard me. Bella is a woman now. There's nothing girl about her. And
that's abundantly obvious in the tight sweater she has underneath her coat. Her curvier figure
is…gulp…beautiful. Not that she wasn't before, but now, she is stunning. And that's only in
jeans and a sweater; I can't imagine what she would look like in a dress, maybe one of the
form-fitting nature.
We left later than I would've liked, mainly because I remembered this morning that I hadn't
given her a time yesterday. It was my fault, so instead of showing up at her door at seven, like I
wanted, I waited a good two hours for a reasonable time. And much to my surprise, she was
ready.
I didn't miss the fact that she isn't bringing home any gifts, though I do find it odd, I choose
not to comment on it. I don't know what her plan is and I don't want to come off as rude. That
is the last thing I want to do, actually.
I clear my throat before trying to talk, not wanting it to quit on me. "So, um, I think that we
should only have to stay over one night. As long as my eyes hold out, I should be able to get us
about halfway, by tonight."
She smiles sweetly, looking honestly happy. "That's great Edward, it sounds perfect. Thank
you."
I watch as she takes her wallet out and discretely counts her cash. I finally find my reason as
to why Bella has no gifts with her, and pity slips over me. I hate feeling it, especially for her,
but I can't seem to stop myself. Her tender face, those deep, soulful eyes, they are the same
things that first drew me to her so many years ago. And to see her struggling, it kills me.
Bella grew up with money, her family always had plenty, not to the point of socialite status, but
her father was pretty well off. And she reaped the benefits of that; they definitely lived
comfortably. All through high school she had a nice car, brand name clothes, and a beautiful
house to go home to at night. But now, it looks like things are worse for wear.
I feel an overwhelming urge to make things better. To hold her, kiss her, tell her that everything
will be okay, but then I realize that I don't even know what's wrong. Well, other than the fact
that her father obviously isn't bringing in the bacon as he had in the past.
With this understanding, my mind swirls. I wonder if it's his sickness that has drained his
wealth, his affinity for gambling, or maybe his company tanked. Charlie Swan is well-known in
town. He ran a boat operation, first it started out as a seafood business, but then it turned into
a very profitable fishing business, where he and his crew would take tourists out in the ocean
for a few hours.
I never pictured him being strapped for cash though, so this is new.
An hour goes by and Bella clearly is getting bored. She pulls out my iPod from the cup holder
and silently asks me if she can switch the radio over to that. I agree, a change would be nice,
since she's not very talkative at the moment.
She chuckles to herself, making me look over at her with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. I
wonder what can be on there that is making her laugh.
"Oh nothing, just nice to see that not much has changed…" she murmurs.
I shrug. I want to scoff at her comment, because everyone knows that things change over the
course of life. In four years, we can be completely different people than we are now. And that's
probably true of the four that have already passed. But I keep my thoughts to myself, not
wanting to piss her off while we're stuck together.
Her thumb glides over the glass as she selects a song. A rich melody fills the cabin and I'm in
heaven, as always I enjoy her music choice.
*RR*
The hours float by us with some great tunes, which Bella controls. She's good like that. Sweet
too, she checks to see if I need a water or anything while I'm driving.
But before long my stomach grumbles and rumbles and I know it's time for lunch. I need
something to keep me going. And after I remember Bella's situation, I decide to offer to treat
her. It's only Subway, so I don't think she'll mind too much.
"What would you like?" I ask as I hold the door open for her.
She hums and haws about it, before she decides on a bag of chips. I just shake my head at her.