Chapter One

If you got a second chance at life and love would you take it? When your life is suddenly taken away things change. It was 10pm, on Saturday when my girlfriend Tanya came in. She turned off the T.V. right in the middle of a movie I was watching. It was one of my favorites Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. She stared at me with her arms crossed and tapping her foot at the same time. I looked up at her wondering what I did wrong. I never seen her so mad. I set the remote down then looked at Tanya.

"Um, you know I was watching that." I said.

"So" she said.

"Is everything alright, babe?" I asked, "You seem upset."

"You think!"

I sat up on the couch. I noticed a pink suitcase on the floor. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew it wasn't good. I had a bad feeling she was leaving me for some reason. Though I couldn't see why. We had been happy together and we're practically engaged even though I hadn't popped the question yet. Something was bugging Tanya I could feel in the back of mind.

"What's with the suitcase?" I asked with curiosity

"I am leaving." she exclaimed.

"Um...why?"

"Ugh, think Michael al you do is watch T.V. and drink beer."

"And you're leaving for that."

"No, I am leaving you because you never spend time with me anymore."

"Please Monica, don't do this?"

"Edward I'm tried of arguing with you about this." she started to yell.

"Tanya I-I-I can change that will do something just please don't leave." I replied in tearful voice.

She shook her head as grabbed the suitcase and walked out the door. I tried to stop her but when I got outside it was too late she had already gotten her car and drove off. I couldn't believe she was gone. I didn't understand what I did wrong. I went back inside of my apartment and sat back on the couch. I thought to myself maybe she was right maybe I didn't spend as much time with her as I should have. I know I had been busy at work. I'd been working late most days and coming home late. It still was no excuse why I didn't spend time with her.

~ Two Weeks Later ~

I couldn't take it anymore I had to call Tanya. I hadn't heard from her in over a week. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I had a plan to win her back. I dialed her number on my cell. It rang 4 times when I got her voice mail. Which Said:

Hi this is Tanya. I'm sorry I am unable to answer my phone right now, please leave your name and a brief message and I will return your call as soon as I can. Thank you.

"Tanya, It's me Edward. Call me when you get this message I really need to talk to you. Please!"

I waited for her to call me back. It seemed like an eternity before my phone rang and the caller ID said it was Monica's number. I quickly answered the phone.

"Hello" I answered.

"Hi Edward." Tanya replied back.

"Hey I was wondering if we could talk."

"About"

"About us" I said.

"What about us, Edward?"

"Are still mad at me?" I asked her.

"Yea kinda, why"

"Listen I just what to talk and work things out."

"Edward, there is nothing I have to say to you."

"Tanya, please!"

"No, Edward. I have to go I have get back to work."

She hung up the phone before I could say anything else. I rolled my fingers through my hair as I sighed in disappointment. I had a feeling she was never going to talk to me at all. The next day I tried calling her again to see if I could get her to just talk to me.

"Hello" she answered her phone.

"Hey Tanya it's me."

"What Edward?"

"Tanya can we please just talk?"

"No, there's nothing to talk about." She said annoyed.

"Tanya, please." I said.

"Ok, fine, I'll be off at work at around 7 pick me up then."

"Ok, I'll see you at 7." replying as I hung up the phone.

I was relieved to hear that she finally was willing to talk to me after two weeks, I was looking forward to seeing her as well. I went out immediately to get some roses and chocolate. I stuffed them in my refrigerator when I got back to my apartment.

I stepped in my closet after showering to look for my best shirt. I found the one Tanya gave me for Christmas last year. It was maroon with small brown buttons down the front. I also found a pair of black jeans and black sports jackets. I even sought out a pair of dress shoes too. I got dressed combed my hair and put on some cologne. Before leaving I made sure I had the roses and chocolate from the fridge. I locked the door of my and headed to my car. I left a little bit early just to give myself some extra time to through traffic. I text Tanya to let her know I was on my way.

From: Edward

Hey on my way. See you soon.

Sept. 18,2010

As I arrived at Wal-Mart where she worked I waited outside for her to come out. When I saw her I stood by my car with the flowers in my hand and smiling as she walked to my car. She walked up with a friend and said her goodbyes.

"You never said your boyfriend was so damn hawt, Tanya." Her friend said looking at me with a crooked smile.

"Shut up Kate," Tanya laughed back.

"See you tomorrow Tanya." Kate said.

Tanya and I smiled at each other as Kate walked off towards her car.

"Are those for me?" Tanya asked.

"Well they were for my girlfriend, but I guess you could have them?" I joked with her.

"God Edward your such an asshole."

"An asshole who loves you."

"I thought we were going out to talk?" She said smiling.

"We are can't you take a little joke?"

She shook her head smiling as she took the roses from my and complimenting me. She looked beautiful as ever. We got in the car and headed for the Olive Garden in the same plaza as the Wal-Mart. It was one of her favorite places to eat. It was usually very busy so we had to wait for a table. We sat outside on a bench not saying a word to each other. The night air was cool. I looked over at Tanya. Her hair had been tied back showing her face. She looked younger. The moonlight outlined the features making her look pale. She was beautiful. As I admired her beauty the table coaster vibrated. I tapped Tanya on the shoulder. We headed into the restaurant. The hostess led us to our table.

"So what do you want to talk about?" She asked me with a straight face.

"Listen I'm sorry I didn't spend more time with you." I said looking in her eyes.

"Edward you think that it easy for me to just take you back?" She asked shaking her head. "I mean you've graduated from college and have great job, but I'm..."

"Tanya it's okay we can work things out you know that." I said touching her hand.

"I know but I'm still going to school four days a week and it's hard for me, I love you Edward."

"I love you too Tanya. I want to be with you for the rest my life."

"Really?" she said with a smile and tears running down her face.

"Yes, really I 'm sorry that I haven't spent much time with you. It's just been very busy at work and I have had a lot on my plate." I reassured her.

"I know. I'm sorry too."

"Can you forgive me?" I looked at with a puppy dog pout.

"Yes" she laughed.

After dinner we headed out the restaurant holding hands. At this moment I knew everything was going to be okay. We got in the car and headed back to the apartment, she said she would move her stuff back in on Monday. I was relieved that the woman I loved was back in my life again. We got to the light and I was about to turn right when:

"EDWARD LOOK OUT!" Tanya screamed as and SUV came speeding through the signal.

Five Months Later

I remember that night of the accident. It was late I was driving home from dinner with Tanya when an SUV ran the red light at the intersection that we were at. Tanya, my girlfriend of four years was sitting in passenger side when the SUV hit us. My car had rolled over several times before coming to a stop. She was killed instantly and I survived with serious injuries. The police at the accident had said the driver was intoxicated. His alcohol level was well over the limit. The driver of the SUV died later in the hospital.

When I woke up a day later I was told by the nurse that Tanya she didn't make it. I started to cry. My Tanya, my sweet Tanya had gone, never to be my wife, the mother of my kids. Oh how cried for her, my beloved. The memory of the night still haunts me in my dreams. A few weeks later her funeral was held, when I was released from the hospital I went to see her grave. I put roses on her stone because they were her favorite type of flowers. Tears flowed on my face as I stared at the grave site. Edward, Edward, Edward...

"Edward, are you okay?" I heard someone say. When I realize who it is my personal assistant, Angela. She had blonde hair that was tied back in a ponytail. She had freckles on her nose and cheeks. She was beautiful like Tanya was. Angela had been my P.A. for only a few months, but she did her job and did it very well. When I realize where I am, I'm sitting at my desk in my office. My computer screen is on the screensaver with pictures of Monica and me on our first vacation together in Hawaii. Angela, still looking at me with her bright bluish green eyes and looking concerned.

"Are you crying?" She asked with concern.

"No, I…" I cut of myself when I touched my face and it was wet.

"Edward, sir are you sure you are O.K.? You've been out of it all day."

"No" I said wiping my face. "I am not feeling very well I think I will go home for the day. Cancel the rest of my appointments for today." I told her.

"Yes, Sir." she replied.

I unlocked the door of my car and insert the key to the ignition. I sat there for a moment then bust out crying and thinking to myself. "Oh Tanya my love why did it have to you, so beautiful, kind, smart, and talented, why did you have to go. Why could it have been me who died in that crash? Why, Why, Why, Why. Oh God why did you take my Tanya? Why." After coming back to my sense I start my car and head for home. I pull out of the parking garage and head for the freeway. I kept thinking about Tanya. I thought about how beautiful she was. How her green eyes shined in the moonlight. The way she wore her in a loose ponytail that laid on her shoulder.

That night I couldn't eat, so I went straight to bed. I dreamed about Tanya and I sitting on the beach laughing. It was peaceful but quickly turned into a nightmare. I saw Tanya laying on the ground motionless I reached out to her. I awoke the next morning in a cold sweat. My stomach felt like a knot making me feel queasy. Yesterday I was so out of it and today I felt sick. I called Angela to tell her that I still was not feeling well and was not going to make it in for the rest of the week.

"Would like me to reschedule your appointments, sir?" She asked me.

"Yes, please" I said.

"OK, when would be back in?"

"Can you schedule them for Monday, Angela?"

"Sure I will do that. Hope you feel better sir."

"Thanks Angela."

After talking to Angela, I decided to visit Tanya's grave, on my way picked up some roses. When I got there Her mother was there. She noticed me and hugged me. Carmen Denali was always kind to me when Tanya was alive. She had told I would always be welcome in her family. In a sense to her was practically was family considering Monica and I had been together for so long. I sat there for a while, thinking. I read her gravestone it read:

Tanya Isabella Denali

May 18, 1987-September 12, 2010

A Loving Daughter and Friend to all

As I read these words I felt tears fall down my cheeks. She was my best friend. Some one who I could talk to about anything and I missed her so much. It had only been a few months since her passing, but I just can't seem to come to grips and let her go. I loved Monica so much; to know she is no longer by my side is heartbreaking. We had so much planned for our future. We had planned to get married on the Isle of Wight. We planned to marry at the hotel where we met, the Lakeside Park Hotel. She was with friends it was spring break and invited them to the Liquid Lounge. I had found out we were going to the same University.

Later that day I went to Starbucks to just be by myself. I order my usually Vanilla latte with extra crème. Tanya and I would always go to Starbucks every morning before work. I remembered the first time I had asked her to join me for a cup of coffee. Life seemed so perfect with Tanya I still couldn't believe she was gone. In some ways I new my life would change and would never be the same. She was my world and it crashed when she died. I really felt I would never be happy again.

"Excuse me sir, I are done with that?" said a sweet voice.

I looked up and saw a young lady standing there with a tray, she asked again.

"Are you done with that?"

"Um…yes thank you?" I replied.

She took my empty coffee cup and place on the tray. She smiled at me then walked away. She seemed very carefree a lot like Tanya was. Watching attend some others people across the room at a table next to mine, I notice her name on her name tag, it said "Isabella". I stared to look in her direction. When she saw me looking she smiled. I tried to pretend I wasn't looking, but something about her seemed very familiar. I seen her somewhere before but can't think where. I left the Starbucks thinking about what life was like before Tanya was killed. My heart was broken and I thought that I would never find love again, but I couldn't give up hope. I went back to my apartment to work on some articles for CDT. I kept thinking about the girl at Starbucks. Her name sounded so familiar. I have heard it before but where?