Okay, this is the second chapter. I hope that you liked the first, because if you didn't this chapter would be a big waste of time… forget that, I guess I'd still write for the fun of it! Still a newbie… so let's see if I can make a second chapter… and away we go…

Disclaimer: I do not own the magnificence known as Twilight…

Chapter Two: Fear

The only time I could remember being this scared was last spring when James… no, thinking like that wasn't helping. But, why was Charlie here? The look in his eyes told me that something serious happened, something that I was terrified to be told.

"Char-dad, what? Did something happen?" My voice was weak and I mentally winced when it wavered.

"Oh Bells, it's your mom," Charlie informed me; it broke my heart to see Charlie so afraid. My knees shook under me and I grabbed a nearby chair for support. I could feel my breathing becoming shallow, and Charlie didn't seem to be in any better state.

Taking a giant gulp of air I forced myself to ask, "Dad, what happened to mom."

"She… she and Phil were driving home from a baseball game and… there was a… d-drunk driver… Phil is in… critical conditional… your mom… she didn't make it." Charlie was breathing heavily and he looked at me with pained eyes, he reached forward quickly and crushed me in a tight, heartrending hug. I was stunned. There was no way my mom… no, there just wasn't anyway. Things just have been weird lately, this is just some kind of mistake… or nightmare, yes, it was just a nightmare. But that's what I thought about Mike's little speech and… and Charlie had such difficulty getting the words out, it must be… no!

"I'm so sorry, Bells," Charlie apologized and squeezed me tighter. My mind was submerged in a sea of utter confusion, every action and word rolled over me leaving me with raw trepidation and nauseous churning in my stomach. Before I could string my thoughts and fears together into anything coherent a wave of darkness over took me.

"Bella… Bella love, can you hear me?" A smooth, cold hand gently caressed my cheek. My head was pounding as I blinked my eyes opened. Looking around I realized that I somehow ended up in my bed, and judging by the odd slant the sun was coming in through my blinds it was evening. Pushing myself up on my elbows I felt two cool arms disentangle themselves from my waist. Oh, so it had been all a dream… wait, Edward? Wasn't he hunting? I stared into Edward's beautiful topaz eyes… beautiful, but worried. Why was he worried?

"Edward? You came home early?" I smiled, confused. I didn't have any objections for him coming home early, but why?

"Bella, I would never leave you alone when you're upset." Edward's calming voice was heavenly.

"Edward, what are you talking about?" I laced my fingers with his and waited for him to explain… only he didn't. Baffled, I peeked up and saw him looking at my flowered bedspread, intently; he seemed a bit lost too. He noticed me looking and locked his eyes on mine; he reached forward and took my face into his silky hands.

"Bella, don't you remember what Charlie told you at school?" Edward's voice was soft, but I could tell he didn't want to keep going. It hit… again, but being in Edward's arms lessened its painful sting. My tears were sudden and incessant, it wasn't a nightmare, of course it wasn't. But I just couldn't imagine a world without my mom…

"Bella, it's okay. I'm here." Edward hated seeing me cry, but I was immensely relieved he wasn't leaving. My unruly sobs were finally controlled after an hour or two; Edward's quiet words of comfort and gentle caresses had settled me down.

Suddenly I remembered Charlie, how could I forget. He had been there, trying to comfort me too, but I had lost it. I needed to find him. I needed him to know I was okay; I wanted him to understand I was still here with him.

"Edward, where's Charlie?" Edward extended a pale finger to catch a stray tear and smoothed my hair, hugging me close.

"Charlie is downstairs, resting. He doesn't know I'm here, Alice saw a vision of…you fainting. I rushed over here as fast as I could and climbed through the window." His eyes fell down to our intertwined hands, he seemed reluctant to further explain how he got here, but he looked up and caught my eyes, giving me a dazzling reassuring smile.I didn't want to ask questions about his reluctance, instead I pulled Edward's arms around me and nestled my face against the crook of his neck. Charlie needed rest, as did I, almost instantly, I drifted back into an uneasy sleep.

I think this one was a bit longer… maybe… so again comments are deeply appreciated, so is friendly advise, for example if I'm doing something completely wrong like the font turns green and is translated into Mandarin or something, be a dear, and politely tell me. Wait, you don't even have to be polite, as long as you point it out. Oh, and if there are any general writing tips I'd be obliged to hear them!! Gah! One last thing I promise, I kind of started this on impulse so here are some choices if you want a say on how this turns out:

First: Mike is totally OOC and ends up trying to steal poor Bella away… seriously though, not just with his sweet talk. (Renee's death will be further explored)

Next (my listing isn't exactly professional, is it?): Bella's mom was actually killed by something else… as in vampire and is now after young, naïve Bella.

Lastly: Bella runs away briefly out of grief (yeah it's OOC… she would normally take Edward) anyway, she then runs into her mom's murderer?! And finds out it's her brother?! Just jokes, she finds the so-called murderer and something happens ( suggestions are splendid... and wanted) sighs and finally I bid you a due…