3. "Like someone had died- like I had died"

Bella had forced herself to stay up all night. She had not slept in over twenty four hours and still there were things to do. She would mourn Edward's death later when she got him safely to his family. They would handle things from there.

Carlisle, Esme and Emmett were there to meet Bella at the airport. Rather than saying anything at first, Esme embraced Bella deeply. She understood the pain her surrogate daughter was going through, she only hoped Bella wouldn't do anything to compromise the pain she felt.

One of the attendants wheeled the casket towards Bella and the Cullens.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," was all she said before walking away.

Bella wanted to cry but she held them back because she knew if she did, she would not be able to stop. She could see the pain in the eyes of Edward's parents and brother and knew that if they could cry, they would be doing so.

"We should get you home," Carlisle said to Bella. "You've had a long night."

Though Bella didn't want to leave Edward, she knew Carlisle was right.

"I can't leave him," Bella said in a low whisper.

Esme draped her arm around Bella, "We know sweetheart. You really should get some sleep though. We'll be here for you when you need us."

For that Bella was grateful. Though Edward was no longer around, she still considered the Cullen's to be extended family.

Esme drove Bella home while Emmett and Carlisle took care of Edward. When they reached the house, Bella had all ready fallen asleep in the car. Esme gently picked up Bella and began walking up the steps to the front door. She knocked loudly enough for Charlie to hear. It only took a few minutes for his footsteps to be known before he finally opened the door.

Charlie rubbed his eyes, "Esme Cullen," he said as he let her in. When he was finally more awake he noticed Bella in her arms, "Oh my god, Bells." He looked to Esme, "Is she okay?"

"She's fine Charlie, she's just tired."

"What happened?"

"She'll tell you later. Right now I think we should just let her rest. Where's her room?"

"Um, upstairs first door on the left."

Esme took Bella up with ease, opening the door with her foot. Charlie followed. When in the room she placed Bella down on her bed and covered her with one of the blankets. Esme took a seat on the bed and caressed Bella's hair. Words did not have to be said. Esme knew the pain Bella was going through because she was suffering just as much. Edward had been her son and no words could take away the pain that a mother felt for her child. Esme had gone through something like this in a previous life but those memories were vague. The only good side was that she had Carlisle. Bella's love of her life was gone forever. Esme brushed Bella's hair back once more before getting up, noticing Charlie in the doorway.

The two of them walked down to the living room.

"If you don't mind me saying, Mrs. Cullen,"

"Esme please,"

"Esme," Charlie corrected, "You're really good with Bella. You treat her like she's one of your own."

"She's an amazing girl, Charlie. My family and I will always be grateful to the way she loved our Edward."

Charlie noticed the tone in her voice when she said those words, "Loved?"

Esme looked away from him, "Bella really should be the one to tell you."

"And I'm sure she will but why don't you tell me, please Esme, I'd like to know what's going on with my daughter."

Esme let out a false sigh, "Very well."

The two of them moved to the couch. "My son was…." Esme knew she couldn't say the word murdered. If she did she knew Charlie would try to find out who was responsible given that he was the Chief of police, she would have to say the word that she herself was trying to hold back. "Edward committed suicide yesterday."

"Oh…I don't know what to say, I'm terribly sorry. I got Bella's message saying he was in sort of trouble. She just wouldn't tell me what it was."

"I don't think she wanted to burden you given your disapproval of him."

Charlie winced, "Bella told you about that."

"It's understandable."

"So what happened?"

"Bella went to try and stop him but she was too late."

Charlie looked at Esme intently, "Should I be worried?" The last time Edward was gone it had nearly destroyed Bella. Now that Edward was actually dead, what might become of her now? Maybe Jacob Black could help like he did last time.

"I don't want to alarm you Charlie but I also don't want to lie to you. From what Alice told me on how she handled Edward's absence the last time, then I would have to say yes, you should be worried."

Charlie nodded. He was afraid of that.

Upstairs Bella was having a much difficult time trying to sleep. Memories of her time with Edward flooded her mind and then came the terrible of seeing him wither away in pain as Jane took his life. Just as quickly as those memories had come, another dream took its place. It had been the same one that she had had early on; with her aging and Edward staying the same. Pitch darkness over took that dream and Bella was left screaming out loud though she quickly tried to suppress it with a pillow. Too late.

Charlie and Esme, who had still been talking to Charlie, both came rushing up stairs.

"Bells," Charlie called to her.

When they got there they found Bella thrashing around. Charlie, not knowing what to do- wanting most to just ignore it as he had come to do, simply stopped at the sight of his daughter. It seemed to him that the pain was physical rather than the emotional he was half expecting. Esme went over and took Bella in her arms. Like a mother holding an infant child, she sat on Bella's bed and rocked her back and forth. Charlie was grateful that Esme had stayed, he wasn't really good at these mother/daughter moments since he and Bella were so alike in that they kept their emotions to themselves as much as possible.

Esme looked up at Charlie, "You should get some sleep."

"Are you sure, I can stay if you want."

Bella began to calm down somewhat. She was well aware that Esme was in the room but she was too afraid to let her go.

"I'll be fine," Esme reassured Charlie. "I'm here as long as she needs me."

Charlie nodded in the darkness, "Thank you. It's nice knowing that Bella has another woman to look after her. It hasn't been easy, it being just the two of us and… anyway, thanks."

"Goodnight Charlie," Esme said to him.

" 'Night," he said retiring to his room and closing the door behind him.

Esme continued to rock Bella. The hand life had suddenly thrust upon her wasn't gonna be easy but Esme made a promise to herself that she and the rest of her family would be there for Bella as long as she needed it. Bella was family and as Carlisle always said, "We protect our family."