I do not own or claim to own any rights to Twilight. Thank you Ms. Meyer for your creation. You've made so many people happy. I do own the rest of this story, so thank you all for respecting my rights.

Bella Swan: The Unwanted Bride

Chapter 4: The Proposal

"I'm sorry Bella, but he's taken a turn. It will be any time now."

"Not him. Please, please."

"Bella, let me walk you home. It's getting dark now and you shouldn't be here."

"I can't leave. I just…can't leave them alone. I can't. I can't."

My behavior was so strange. I wanted to lie next to Edward so he wouldn't be all alone. I wanted him to tell me all about himself, what his favorite color is, what foods he likes to eat. I wanted to lay my head on his shoulder and put my hand on his heart and tell him that I love him.

"Listen, I'll let you stay, but when this is…over…I want you to go back to your hotel and make plans to go back home. Your friend, Tyler is it? Yes, well he's faring much better and is being released tomorrow to make room for another patient. "

Hearing that Tyler was recovering was wonderful, but it didn't take away the gaping hole in my heart that Edward would not.

Dr. Cullen continued. "You've done enough. You did as you said you would, and brought sunshine to those who needed it so desperately. I'm proud of you and honored to have met you Bella."

I didn't do enough, but I knew that…after, I would not be able to come back to this place.

"I feel the same about you. I wish we would have met under better circumstances. I'll always think fondly of you Dr. Cullen."

Standing, I reached my hand out to shake his and he pulled me into a fatherly hug.

"We've been through too much together for a handshake. We will probably never have the chance to embrace again. If I ever have a daughter, I would hope that she would be like you."

We were interrupted by someone entering the room. A man, probably in his early fifties entered. His hair was thin and grey, and he had a concerned look on his face.

"Are you the Masen's doctor?"

"Yes, I'm Dr. Cullen. Are you a friend of the family?

"Yes, I'm Mr. Jenks; I've been Mr. Masen's law partner and friend for over twenty years. We went to law school together, too. How are they doing doctor?'

Dr. Cullen looked down and shook his head.

"Not well. It will only be a very short while I'm afraid."

Mr. Jenks shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Damn. Oh, pardon me miss."

"It's quite alright. You're only saying what everyone is else is feeling."

"Thank you. Are you a friend of the family?"

"No, not really, I just, well I'm just volunteering at the hospital. I ran into the Masens at the symphony the other day. I'm just heartbroken by this." I had to turn away before they could see me tear up.

Mr. Jenks walked to Mrs. Masen's bedside and patted her hands and whispered something in hear ear. He seemed genuinely saddened by her illness. He then walked over to the other side of Edward's bed and closed his eyes, shaking his head and letting out a sigh of resignation. He noticed that I was holding onto Edward's hand. I should have been embarrassed, but I wasn't in the least. Nothing would take me from Edward's side. Mr. Jenk's eyes moved from my hand to my face several times and then he got a strange look in his eyes and turned suddenly to Dr. Cullen.

"Dr. Cullen, may I speak with you please?"

"Certainly. Bella, we'll be out in the hallway. Just call me if you need anything."

I just nodded, and looked at Edward's face.

Mrs. Masen began moving, lifting her hand in Edward's direction. I reluctantly released Edward's hand and went to Mrs. Masen's side. She managed to grab my hand and grasp it. Her eyes were open a bit and it was Edward's eyes I was seeing. How could I not care about a woman who had the same eyes?

"Daughter?"

"No, it's Bella. I'm, um, helping out. You're in the hospital."

Her voice was very weak and I had to lean in to hear her. "Don't leave him daughter. He needs you. Promise me."

I knew she was hallucinating, but she stared at me, waiting for me to answer. She grasped my hand more firmly than her frail body should have allowed.

"Promise me, please."

She was gasping by this time and I panicked.

"Yes, I promise."

"Don't leave him." She mumbled.

Her hand went limp. She seemed resigned to just let go, and fell back to sleep. I cupped her face and kissed her forehead and went back to Edward's side. I told him that his mother was worried about him and that he had to get better so he could take care of her.

Soon Dr. Cullen and Mr. Jenks returned and looked at me expectantly.

"Bella, we need to talk to you about something very important."

I hadn't a clue as to what could possibly be important that would involve me.

"Sure, of course."

Dr. Cullen asked me to have a seat.

Mr. Jenks began.

"Miss, uh, Bella, I realize that we don't know each other, but Dr. Cullen has told me good things about you. Being a lawyer, I've run into my share of no-good nicks to know instantly that you are a decent person. Would you agree?"

"I try to be." I meekly squeaked out.

"I think you are. That being said, I have a proposition for you. A very serious one that would require you to carry quite a bit of responsibility. Are you following me?"

"Yes, I believe so. What do you need?'

"I don't know how else to say this, so I'm going to be forward. The Mason family is a very old and well respected family in this city. Heck, this whole state. They have a tremendous amount of money. Mr. Mason, of course had a will. However, neither Mrs. Mason nor Edward Jr. has one, I'm afraid to say. What Edward Sr. was thinking is beyond me. Anyway, from what I understand, there is not enough time for me to create wills for Edward Jr. and his mother. Besides, neither one of them has enough strength to sign the paperwork even if we did have time. Additionally, they have absolutely no other relations. This money, their money is going to wind up going to the state. I don't know how much you know about Illinois, but when I say state, I mean it's going to line the pockets of the senator and his cronies and every crook from here to Springfield Illinois. I'm sure Mr. Mason is turning over in his grave just at me having said that."

"I believe you, but what has that got to do with me?'

Mr. Masen gave an odd look to Dr. Cullen, but they both had trouble looking at me.

"There is one sure way to prevent that from happening Bella. They need a family member to receive their inheritance. The only way they could have another family member would be if Edward Jr. were to marry and leave behind an heir."

I nodded. That made sense to me.

Dr. Cullen started speaking.

"Bella, as hard as this is to say, what Mr. Jenks is suggesting is that if you were to marry Edward, you would be able to receive his family's money."

"Pardon me?"

"Oh no, we're not trying to extort their money. Don't get us wrong. If you were Edwards...widow…you would be able to receive his inheritance and parcel out the money to charities that would use the money for good, instead of it going to a bunch of crooks. Frankly Bella, we don't have much time, and we need an immediate answer. I'm sorry, this is a lot for a young woman to handle, but we don't see any other way."

I was stunned and couldn't even speak. Thank goodness I was sitting down. My brain was swirling at such an outrageous proposition. Be Edward's widow? I thought I was going to be ill.

Dr. Cullen pulled another chair over and sat in front of me, taking my free hand in his.

"Bella, it really is a large sum of money and there are so many charities that could help people. What with all the people dying from the flu, you would be able to help so many families stay together."

What he said was true. This city was teeming with people in need.

"You can stay at the Masen's home and can take your time investigating the various charities, and choose and allot who gets what. Mr. Jenks will compensate you for your time, as is only right, and I'm sure your own family will appreciate that, wouldn't they? Perhaps you can use the money for a…wedding trousseau? There are also a lot of girls choosing to go to college nowadays. Bella, I know the circumstances are less than optimal, but it really would be a chance to help hundreds of people."

I had to take a few breaths as I thought I may faint. There was no way I could spend a dime of Edward's money, but my father deserved to have some money set aside for when he became elderly or needed medical help. Not to mention all those other people…

"Miss, Mr. Masen was a very good friend of mine, he would be grateful if you would do this last deed for his family. You could tell your parents that you're helping out here with the flu for a few weeks, and before you go home we could change your name back to your maiden name, no one would be the wiser and you can still find a nice young man to marry without having it known that you were a widow."

This can't be real.

"If you could just-"

There was a strangling noise coming from Mrs. Masen's bed.

Oh God.

Dr. Cullen rushed to her side and listened for a heartbeat. He looked up at us and shook his head.

The tears began to flow unencumbered from my eyes. This was really happening.

"Bella, there's a priest down the hall giving Last Rites. We can bring him in to marry you and Edward. If you choose not to do this, we will never feel less of you. I know we are asking about as much from a person as possible. If you need to leave, I'll take you home myself."

I couldn't breathe. How could I justify letting down so many people in need? I was afraid and wanted to be home in my own room, but I wasn't. I was here and this was real. I could figure something to tell my father, and it probably would only take a couple of weeks to divvy the money amongst the charities. Then I'd be back home as if nothing had happened.

Except, something will happen. Edward was going to die. Whatever it was about him, I was sure that he was someone that I would never forget. If I did this, married him, it would tie me to him forever, regardless of my name. Maybe, if he was gone, a part of him could still live on as long as my heart was beating. This boy, who said only two words to me in his lifetime, would be with me forever.

"Ok. Yes. I'll do it."

The two men looked at each other and then at me.

Dr. Cullen excused himself from the room. I suppose he went to find the priest. I clenched my stomach, willing myself to be strong enough to do this.

Mr. Jenks took on a new, professional persona. He pulled a pad and pencil from his jacket pocket and began pacing as he wrote.

"I understand you're staying at a hotel. Let me write down the Masen's address. I know they keep their key under the planter on their front porch, so you can let yourself in. Make yourself at home, because legally, it will be your home after all. I'll be by in a couple of days with some paperwork. You might want to make just a general list of the types of charities you'd like to donate to. I can have one of my secretaries investigate them and find worthy candidates."

Mr. Jenks reached in his jacket pocket and took out his wallet. He took several bills out and handed them to me.

"Please, take this. You'll be needing essentials, I'm sure."

"Mr. Jenks, I can't accept your money, sir."

"Bella, do you have any money?"

"I still have fourteen dollars and seventy nine cents."

He nodded. "You were probably planning on bringing most of that home to your parents, weren't you?"

I shrugged my shoulders. I never have accepted money from anyone other than my father, and even then it was difficult for me.

"Listen, you'll need to have food while you're here. You are doing my friend a great favor, one that I can never repay. Mr. Masen would never forgive me if I didn't take care of you as I promised. Please allow me to honor my closest friend?"

He was right, I would have to eat.

"Thank you Mr. Jenks. I'll make sure anything left over will be returned." I put the bills in my dress pocket, too scared to see how much was there.

"There is one other thing I need to tell you. Now I certainly don't expect you to lie, and should the priest ask you any questions you are to answer honestly, but you may be uncomfortable with-"

The door swung open and Dr. Cullen and a priest walked into the room. The priest was very young, he actually looked like he was about nineteen, but I'm sure he was older than that. He had a solemn look on his face. The first thing he did was walk to Mrs. Masen's bed and we all followed and surrounded her. He said some sad but beautiful words, and we all whispered "amen" when he was done. I wished that I had gotten to know her. I kissed her cheek and whispered 'goodbye'.

We went back to Edward's bedside and Introductions were made.

Father Mike spoke to me. "Miss Swan, is it true, that you find yourself in a position that marrying Edward is, um, urgent?"

I looked around at the men in the room, and then down to Edward.

"Yes."

"Well then, due to…circumstances, I believe it's prudent that we get on with this. I have no doubt that young Mr. Masen would have done right by you."

I nodded, not really understanding what Father Mike was saying, as I was in a daze. Father Mike's face was a little red. I hoped that he wasn't falling ill.

Father Mike said the shortened version of wedding vows. I promised to love and care for Edward-as long as he lived. All the important promises were included and I had no doubt that I would honor them…considering.

I said "I do".

When Father Mike asked Edward, I put one hand in his and with the other I cupped his cheek and turned his face towards mine. He startled and his eyes popped open. Mr. Jenks carefully shook Edward's shoulders, saying his name over and over. Edward tried to focus, and he looked at me and whispered "yes". Then he closed his eyes once more.

Apparently that was all the confirmation Father Mike needed. Mr. Jenks held a pen in Edward's hand and had him 'sign' the marriage license. All three men signed as witnesses.

I was now Mrs. Edward Masen.

It was the worst day of my life.

Father Mike wished me and the little one well, which I thought was very odd that he would call Edward 'the little one'. He then gave Edward his Last Rites as he had to Mrs. Masen earlier in the day.

Mr. Jenks wrote down all the information I would need to take over the household. Before I knew it I was all alone with my husband. I held his hand and talked softly to him. I reminded him about how much his parents loved him. I talked about the beauty of the earth, and how I wished that we could both travel and see all the wonders of the world. I asked him about memorable moments, like his first day of school, and his first kiss.

I fell asleep in my chair, my head resting on his mattress, his hand in mine.

"Miss, miss, please wake up."

I felt someone shaking my shoulder. My hand was holding on to something.

Edward.

I looked up at his face.

Instantly I was fully awake. My blood ran cold as I looked at him. His mouth was slightly open and he was…too still.

The nurse took my hand and tried to pry it from Edward's, shaking her head at me.

No! No, no, no, no…