This will be the last post until after the holidays. Spend time with your families and friends! Thanks for your lovely support and I hope you are not offended with the way I portray Bella here. I'll be writing the story mostly from her perspective.

Enjoy!!!

The Beginning of the End (Bella's POV)

I couldn't stop staring at Edward's face. He was just so damn beautiful! I was kinda glad that the last thing I would see in this world would be him. Not that I wasn't overly embarrassed about asking him to stay, but I'm dying so it's not like he could hold it over my head forever.

I watched as he backed away giving my father room to approach. I didn't want him to go and, even more importantly, I didn't want my father to be here. I didn't want to do this. Yes I was going to die (It was funny how easy that was for me to get my head around), but I didn't want to have to say goodbye to my father. Why hadn't they just moved the van and let me bleed to death?

My father looked grey. I was sure Dr. Cullen had just told him what Edward had told me, but he was trying to be strong in front of me. "Hey, Bella," he tried to greet me casualty. "The doctor's a good man. He's says he's going to get you out of here as soon as possible. How are you feeling?"

It almost hurt my feelings that Charlie was speaking so clearly. Didn't Carlisle explain that I was paralyzed not brain damaged? "Don't pretend. Edward told me everything. I will only live as long as the cars stay here."

Charlie looked shocked and saddened. "Bella…you know…well, they might…might figure out some way to save you." Charlie said with false hope.

"Maybe," I agreed with him. He needed the hope more than I did. "Dr. Carlisle is a brilliant man." I tried to smiled at that.

Charlie nodded nervously. "Um, do you want me to call your…your mother?"

Fear and panic rushed through me. No! Oh, God, NO! The last thing on Earth I wanted to do was talk to my mother. It was awkward enough with Charlie, but Renee would freak out. I couldn't handle my mother right now. "Um, not right now."

Charlie nodded. "She'll want to talk to you though."

"I know." I sighed. It hurt to take a deep breath so it was only a small sigh, but it conveyed the same meaning.

"I mean, she'll want one last chance to say goodbye and tell you she loves you."

I could see the tears in Charlie's eyes and I could hear the waver in his voice. My mom wasn't the only one who wanted to say goodbye, it was just that Charlie didn't know how.

The tears came to my eyes as I remembered what got me into this mess, those chains he'd put on my truck. I wanted to say something. Something that was both meaningful and yet, not too hard to say. Something he could remember in the years to come and get some comfort from.

"Dad," He looked at me like I'd said his name for the first time in years. "Thanks for putting the chains on my truck." Yeah, it was lame, but I couldn't come up with anything else.

"Lot of good it did you," he muttered.

Suddenly, I was smiling. I couldn't help it. It did all seem a little pointless now and morbidly funny. Charlie looked at me oddly as I started to chuckle, but I saw as a small smile crossed his face. I couldn't help myself and I broke down laughing.

Sure it hurt, but it was worth it. The pain and sadness left my father's face as he stated to laugh with me. He stepped closer and took my face in his hand. "Ah, Bella, I'm going to miss you." Tears mixed with the laughter now as he held my face.

I didn't realize when my own laughter had changed to tears, but I could feel the rivers of salt water streaming down my face. "I love you, Daddy…I love you so much." I mumbled through my tears. I hadn't called him 'Daddy' since I was a little girl, but it seemed the proper title to get the meaning across. I'd been using 'Dad' as a stand-in for Charlie for too many years now for it to carry the heartfelt meaning I wanted it to.

"I know sweetheart, I know. I love you too, more than anything. If there was some way-"

I interrupted him, "Dr. Cullen is doing everything he can. He hasn't given up on me yet."

Charlie nodded. He held my face a moment longer then dropped his hand. "I'll go see what I can do to help." I nodded, swallowing my tears. He smiled at me as he backed away. "You do need to talk with your mother…" and with that, he was gone.

What a coward. He wanted me to be the one to talk to Renee, just so he didn't have to do it. "Edward?" I really hoped he was nearby. For some reason he felt like my lifeline, the thing that had been grounding me to this spot.

"Yes?" His sweet voice was beside me in an instant.

"Is there any chance?" I knew the answer, but I still wanted to hear it…to make sure.

I had expected him to pause like before, but not like this. Time seemed to drag as he stood there so quite it was like he wasn't breathing. "Edward? Are you alright?" I waited again with no response. "Is there a chance?"

He let out the breath he had been holding. "No, Bella, you will die." He sounded resilient, like he was waging some internal war with himself and trying to convince himself that it was the truth.

"Why did it take you so long to answer?" Again, I got response. "Edward? Is there any hope?"

Edward swallowed, but he sounded resolved. "There might be…"