Chapter 4 All I know is that I should
"Hey Eddie! How's it hanging?" Emmett's booming voice came out of small speaker in the phone causing Edward to hold the phone away from his ear.
"Emmett..... I need your help." Edward chocked out the words to his big brother. "Bella left me. I don't know what to do man."
"What the fuck did you do? Do I need to come over there and kick your ass? I told you that if you ever hurt her I would kick your ass. I know your my brother, but I Love my little sis too." In that moment Edward was glad that they were on different sides of the country because he was sure if Emmett was there he would of punched him in the face. "You better start explaining now before I get the next flight out there." But he couldn't help but feel a little happy to hear the love his brother had for Bella. It really did warm his heart a little.
"I swear to you that I didn't do anything. We were fine, we spent my day off in bed, then we wake up and she says that she's leaving. She was saying that she was leaving because she thinks she can't love me enough. What the fuck is that suppose to mean. Bella also said that you guys only love her because she's with me. I told her that it is all bullshit. We both know that that is the furthest thing from the truth." Edward was still sitting on the floor by the bed. He couldn't bring himself to move just yet. He had to think of a plan to get her back. "Bella says that she doesn't know the right way to love because she was never taught how. She said that there is someone out there that is able to love me the right way and that she can't hold me back from finding her. What the hell does that mean anyway. I don't know how to fix this and I need to fix this. I can't live without her, you know that Emmett."
"Edward you need to slow down. None of that makes any sense" Emmett had never heard Edward this upset. He knew that he would have to get Edward to calm down. Edward had a tendency to overreact and Emmett was sure that was all that was happening now. Everyone was aware that Bella and Edward were made for each other. He knew that he was going to have to take it slow and pull the info out of Edward a little at a time. "Now tell me why do you think that Bella feels that way? There has to be something she said to explain why she was leaving?"
Edward ran his fingers thru his hair and tugged hard. "Lately our work schedules have not been matching up. We haven't been able to spend a whole lot of time together. I know that it's hard on her because it's hard on me too. But we knew it was going to be like this for awhile, we talked about it. Then she was saying that she doesn't know who she is anymore. She kept saying that she isn't her own person or some shit like that. Bella even went as far as to say that she didn't earn her own PhD. She said that everything she has or has done is because of me."
"Where is Bella now Edward?" Emmett could not understand what was going on, but he knew that they would find a way to fix it.
"She said that she was going down to Forks to see Charlie." Edward was aware that Emmett was babying him, but he couldn't care less at the moment. He needed Emmett to tell him that everything was going to be okay.
"See Edward don't worry, she just went down there to calm down. I'm sure that once she's talked to Charlie she will be back. Let me tell you little brother that the sex you are going to get from her when she realized how stupid she acted is going to be so worth it."
"Emmett you don't understand she is leaving, she said that her plane leaves tomorrow morning for New York. That's why I called you, instead of Alice. You have to be there when her plane lands. Bella is confused and she is going to need someone to talk too. Can you do that for me please? I know that you love her as much if not more then you love me, and I truly think she needs you. I have tried telling her that everyone loves her, but she needs to see proof of that not just hear it. And I think the only way to show her that is to be there for her. She needs to see that you love her for her and not because she is with me."
"Man, you know that I will always be there for both you and Bella. Find out when her plane lands and I'll be there. You should know that you don't even have to ask." Emmett knew that he would do anything for that little girl.
This got Edward up off the floor, he raced into the living room and booted up Bella's computer and found her flight information and relayed the information to Emmett. "Emmett you have no idea how much this means to me. I would go there myself, but I have work and I can't just leave with no notice even if I wanted to. I am going to ask Dr Denali if I can take some time off. I figure if I can't get the time off I can try to trade some shift to maybe get 3 or 4 days off in a row, then I'll fly out. It's going to be hard, but Bella is my priority. I have a scheduled month off but it's not for almost 6 months, and I'm really hoping I don't have to wait that long. I know for a fact that I will never be able to live away from Bella for that long."
"Edward you need to calm down, everything is going to work out. You just have to have a little faith."
"Emmett I have to run, I have to be at the hospital in a half hour. I start a 48 hour shift I'll call you whenever I get a break. Please keep me in the loop, when you know anything call and leave a message."
Emmett sat there and contemplated his choices. He knew that he was going to need help if he was going to get Bella back with Edward and he knew the perfect little pixie to help. He also knew that Edward was going to need someone there with him just as much as Bella. He quickly pulled his phone back out and dialed his baby sister. Before she was even able to say a word Emmett jumped right in.
"Alice we have a problem. Baby Bells has flown the coop. Edward said she feels like her love is crap or something like that. She is going to be here in New York by tomorrow night, I am all over that shit. You need to get your ass out to Seattle to be with Edward. He's just started a 48 shift and you should be there when he gets off work. Bella has gotten it into her head that she's not good enough for our Eddie boy and we all know that is just bull, if anything its the other way around. But it is now my mission to make her see the error of her ways. Your mission if you care to except is to keep our Eddie sane. Are you up for the challenge pixie? This is the biggest mission of our lives." Emmett could practically hear the wheels in Alice's head turning. He knew that he had made the right choice by calling her.
"Emmett first of all your an ass. Do you really have to ask me that? I will do anything to keep Bella and Edward together, you forget I was the one to get them together in the first place. You know it has always been my goal to make Bella my official sister. I knew they were made for each other before they even meet. I'll make sure that I'm at their house by the time he get done his shift." Alice was bouncing around thinking of the best plan of attack. "Now Em make sure that you are nice and loving to Bella. There has got to be something major going on behind all this. It is your mission to get the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth out of our little Bella. That girl loves Edward with her whole heart and without him she is not going to be pretty. I will call you later with more details. I love you Emmy Bear and don't worry everything is going to work out great. I can see it."
After she had gone running from the house Bella drove out of Seattle to the small town where she grew up. As she drove down the familiar streets Bella could not drive more then a few feet without passing somewhere that brought memories back of something that her and Edward had done there. She passed by the police station and saw that her dad's police cruise was not there, she was hoping that luck was with her and he was home today. Pulling into the driveway she was glad that Charlie was there.
Running up the stairs she took the key out of it's hiding spot and let herself in. "Dad where are you?" Bella ran into the living room tripping on the rug and falling to the floor.
"Damn Bells when are you going to grow out of your clumsy stage? All I can say is that it's a good thing that Edward is a doctor and can fix you up when you fall. He's going to save you a bundle in hospital bills." Charlie reached out his hand to help Bella off the floor when he noticed that she was crying quietly. "Hey kiddo, what's wrong." Charlie crouched down next to Bella and lifted her up by the arms. He walked her over to the couch and sat down next to her. "Come on Bells I can't help you if you don't tell me whats wrong."
Bella looked up at her dad and allowed it all to flow out. "I left Edward, dad and I'm moving to New York tomorrow."
"What did he do? I swear I will kill him." Charlie steamed jumping up from the couch and grabbing his gun off the hook by the door. "Where is he Bella? No one hurts my little girl and gets away with it."
"Dad calm down Edward didn't do anything to me. I just couldn't live a lie anymore. I had to let Edward go so he can find someone that will be able to love him better then I can. He deserves someone better dad, it just took me this long to be able to do the right thing." Bella looked at Charlie waiting for him to calm down.
"What the hell are you talking about Bells? That is just crazy talk and you know it. What is really going on?" Charlie sighed and sat back down in his favorite recliner. "I know we don't talk much but you know that you can talk to me about anything right?"
"Look I just feel like I am not myself anymore. Everything that I have done I did it with Edward. Everything that I own Edward or Alice has bought for me. Edward has taken care of me for more years then I care to admit and that is not me. I have always been the one to take care of everyone, it's not right that he is always taking care of me. Someone close to Edward finally had the guts to tell it to me as it is and it finally woke me up. I just need to get my life back. I Love Edward and I always will, but he deserves more than I can give him."
"Bells, I hate to be the one to tell you this but true love is all about giving and taking. You and Edward have that. I have never seen a love as strong as yours. Edward may take care of everything financially but you take care of everything that really matters. That boy has made you the center of his universe and I know that he is yours. Why you would think that that isn't enough is beyond me."
"I didn't come down here to get a lecture I just wanted to come down here and spend a little time with you before I leave. I know I'm doing the right thing and that is all that matters. Nothing that anyone says is going to change my mind."
"Alright kiddo, you know that I will support you no matter what you chose, but please don't make the same mistakes that I have made. Do us both a favor and learn from my mistakes." In a rare show of affection Charlie pulled Bella into his arms in a warm embrace. "I allowed my love for your mother to hurt not only myself but you as well and I want you to know that I was wrong all those years ago. I am going to have to live with that the rest of my life. You may have the best of intentions but the end results might just ruin both your lives." He place a small kiss on her forehead before pulling away.
Just as fast as Charlie's emotional speech and show of affection started it was over. "Now if this is what you really want I will be there for you. What needs to be done to get you ready for your big move? Do you have everything packed up yet?"
Bella had to laugh at how fast Charlie's moods had changed. "I still have a lot to do actually. I need to pack up everything and get it to the shipping company before my flight tomorrow."
"Well I just so happen to be off today and tomorrow so how about I come back to Seattle with you and we can get everything done together. I'll even drive you to the airport in the morning and see you off. Then I'll drop off the boxes to the shipping company."
Bella pulled Charlie in for another quick hug. "Thanks Dad I knew I could count on you." With that said Bella and Charlie were on their way back to Seattle where Bella was going to say her final goodbye to her life with Edward.
Charlie helped her pack all her belongings and they went to bed. The next day Bella said nothing and Charlie did not push the issue. He drove her to the Airport where he watched her get on the plane and make the worst mistake of her life He just hoped that Edward would be able to change her mind. He knew Edward and was sure that he already had a plan to win her back.
Edward made it to the hospital just as rounds had started. He was able to slip in the back without anyone noticing he was late. After rounds Edward quickly checked his assignment for his shift, he was relieved to find that he had been appointed to the ER. The ER was a great place when you needed sometime to think, for it would be extremely busy one minute and then dead the next. He had to come up with a plan to win Bella back, but first he needed to see Dr. Denali so he could get some time off.
Of course nothing ever worked out the way that Edward needed it to. An hour after his shift started a drunk driver hit a group of children that were walking to the park. Thankfully no one was majorly hurt, but he was the only pediatric surgeon on staff that day so for the next 16 hours he had back to back surgeries.
After his last surgery he ran up to Dr. Denali's office to try and talk to her about getting some time off. He was exhausted and starving but was feeling none of it, he was determined to talk to Dr Denali. When he reached her office Edward poked his head in and found her lounging on her couch reading a medical journal. "Dr. Denali is it possible for me to speak with you for a moment?"
A huge smile spread on Tanya's face. "Edward how many times have I told you to call me Tanya when we are alone? Please come on in and have a seat. I heard about the great job you did today with the children, I am really proud of you. You know you really should be sleeping, but I guess I can't be mad at you for coming to see me. Now what is it that I can do for you this today?"
Taken a little aback by Tanya's actions he carefully sat himself on the far side of the couch from where she was sitting. "Well Tanya I need your help. You see I have to go away for a week or so and I was hoping that you would be able to help me get the time off. I know that it is sudden and will take a lot of juggling on your part but it is really important. I really need to go out of town for awhile, it is a life and death situation. When I come back I will do whatever it takes to make up for the time I missed."
Tanya sat up and pulled herself up on her knees leaning in towards Edward and placed her hand on his forearm. "Oh, Edward whats wrong? Are your parents and siblings alright, I know I have only meet your parents a couple times thru work, but they are such lovely people and I can't stand the thought of anything being wrong with them. You know I will do anything I can to help you, you are honestly one of the best residents we have here, I'm sure we can work something out for you." She said in a overly sweet tone, while gently rubbing Edward's arm.
Edward let out the breath that he didn't realize he had been holding. "Thank you Tanya, you have no idea what a relief it is for me to hear you say that. But my Family are all fine. I actually need the time off to go to New York for Bella. You see we haven't been able to spend anytime together lately and I think she has the idea in her head that it is by my choice. I need to go after her to let her know that she will always be the most important thing in my life."
At the mention of Bella's name Tanya pulled her arm off of Edward and sat up straight. Tanya glared at Edward while he continued to talk. "You see Bella has taken a position at her companies New York branch because she has this crazy notion that she is not good enough for me and I have to go there and convince her that I Love her and to come back home."
"Edward as sad as I am to hear about you and Bella I can not allow you to take the time off." Tanya said in a mock sympathetic voice. Never in a million years did she think her plan would work so fast. All she had to do now was give Edward a little time to grieve for the lose of Bella. While the whole time she planned to be the shoulder that he cried on, and it would take no time at all for him to realize that she was all he needed. "That is simply a crazy thing that you want to do. And I will not allow it."
Jumping up for the couch Edward started pacing the office. "But Tanya you just said that you would do anything to help me. I don't understand why I can't take the time off?"
"Look when you first asked for time off I thought it was a family emergency. For that I was willing to change everyone schedule around to accommodate you. But I can not and will not allow you to put your residency at risk just to go after a girl." Edward started to say something but Tanya stopped him with a flick of her hand. "No don't say anything, you need to hear this."
"Really if Bella went to such drastic measures to be away from you maybe you should just let her go. Now Edward I realize that you have been with her for a long time but obviously her feeling for you must have changed. I know that this is going to be hard on you but if she was able to just walk away from you after all the years that you two have spent together then maybe she was right and you can do better than her. You deserve someone that can understand your needs and be there for you. If she truly loved you she would stand by you no matter what."
Standing in front of Tanya, Edward stood there pinching the bridge of his nose trying to compose himself before he continued. "Tanya you don't understand Bella is my life, without her none of this means anything to me. I can understand why you may see things that way but they are the furthest thing from the truth. Bella loves me I am confident of that. Something serious must have happened to make her think these thing and I have to get to the bottom of it. I know that it will only take me a couple of days a week at the most to fix this. You have to give me the time off to do this."
"I'm sorry Edward but there is nothing that I can do. Why don't you go get something to eat and then sleep while you can, you still have 24 hours of your shift left. That is not a request it is an order. Just think about things for a couple of days, give yourself and Bella time. I am sure that everything will work out the way that it should." With that Tanya walked over to her office door and opened it ushering Edward out. "And remember you do have your time off in a few months, if you still feel the same way then you can go after her then. But I have a strong feeling that Bella has done the right thing for both of you here. I really believe that given time you will realize who the perfect person is for you."
Edward walked out of Tanya's office without saying another word. He could not understand where her attitude was coming from. He always thought that he had a good relationship with Tanya. He could not wrap his head around why she wasn't willing to help him. Maybe Tanya had a point about one thing , maybe he would be able to think better after he ate and slept. With that thought in mind he ran down to the cafeteria and grabbed a sandwich. Once he finished he found a empty on-call room and crash and dreamed about his future with Bella.
The only feeling that Bella felt was numb. While she was flying to New York her mind was on Edward and how much she was going to miss him. Once she landed she walked down to baggage claim and could not believe Emmett was standing there waiting for her. Not caring to question his motives she ran into his arms and broke down. Emmett crushed Bella in a bear hug and pulled her over to the chairs by the windows.
After letting Bella cry for a few minutes Emmett wanted to get her somewhere private so he could find out what was going on."Bella, Bella, Bella what on earth is going thru this beautiful head of yours? Lets stop the waterworks for now and blow this place. We will be needing some privacy for what I have planned. You stay right here while I grab your luggage then well talk in the jeep."
With that Emmett jumped up and left Bella a minute later he came back carrying her luggage in his hand. He pulled Bella up and rushed her to his waiting jeep. After they bother were safely buckled in and on the road Emmett felt he could finally talk to Bella. "Now spill. And don't try to give me the same bullshit that you told Edward. I know that something else is going on and I will get it out of you one way or the other. So why don't you save us both a lot of trouble and just come out and tell me the truth."
"Emmett can we please just go to my apartment first, I really need a hot shower and something to eat first. Then I promise I will tell you everything." Bella looked at Emmett with her best puppy dog face. She knew that He could never say no to that face. Emmett blew out a rush of air and Bella knew she had won, she quickly gave him the address to her apartment.
Once at the office complex Bella got the keys from the security guard and Emmett followed her up to the penthouse apartment. He sat himself down in front of her flatscreen tv and quickly called for some Chinese takeout, he knew this was going to take a while and they needed to eat. Emmett waited patiently while Bella grabbed somethings out of her suitcase and took a shower. But they second that she emerged from the Bathroom he pounced. "All right You have stalled long enough now tell your big brother what is bothering you."
"Emmett I have always known that Edward was too good for me. You guys have the perfect family life. Your parents care about you more then anything. You were always put first, you were shown what love really is. You can trace your family back for generations. I have nothing to bring into this relationship. I mean Look at me I have never been worthy of love. My own parents couldn't love me how on earth could someone like Edward love me. I mean look at him he has it all he has the looks, he's brilliant, he is one of the most caring people I have ever meet, and he's loaded." Bella smacked Emmett hard in the chest. "And why the hell didn't you ever tell me just how much money you guys have. I always knew you were rich but I never imagined you all had that much money."
Emmett couldn't help but laugh. "We never told you because first of all we knew it didn't matter to you and secondly we knew that it would freak you out. For some crazy reason you think that because we have money it makes us better then you and that is the furthest thing from the truth, why should we have made those feeling worse for you? We knew that Edward had big plans to tell you before you guys got married."
"Well it would have been nice to know. Anyway that's beside the point. I am not good enough for Edward. Edward deserves someone who can understands what it means to be a doctor. I don't know what it takes to work those kind of grueling hours. I wouldn't have the first clue as how to help him thru the loss of a patient. He needs someone who is as beautiful as he is. I have never look right with Edward and everyone we have ever meet thinks that. His wife need to be able to be a great hostess who is comfortable around anyone." Bella took a deep breath and stared Emmett in the eyes. "Lets face it Em that's not me. As much as I love him I can not be enough for him."
Emmett took Bella's face in his big hands "Bells that is bullshit and you know it. I never for the life of me could of imagined you felt this way. I know that in the beginning you felt that way, but after all these years you have to know that your all Edward will ever need. It is ridiculous to think anything less. You are a beautiful, loving, brilliant women and I have never meet anyone with a heart as big as yours. Edward could never do any better then you. You my dear sister were made for my brother, I truly believe that. I have known you a long time and before you meet Edward there was something inside of you that was missing. That same thing was missing in Edward too. But the moment that you two meet that day on the beach it was like something clicked inside both of you and you were complete. It was the most beautiful site that I have ever witnessed. And if you tell Rosie I said that I will kill you. But serious Bells what made you leave him?"
With tears streaming down her face Bella realized that she owed it to Emmett to tell him the truth. "Dr. Tanya Denali called me a few weeks ago. She told me that Edward was distracted at work and it was effecting patients lives. She told me that I was holding him back, and that if I loved him I would leave. She told me that a doctor needed a strong partner and I am not strong. She just pointed out everything that I have deep down always known. I know that she is in love with him, and she is what he needs." With that Bella broke down and collapsed in Emmett's arms.
"Isabella when are you going to stop listening to others and start trusting your heart. You know that you and Edward belong together. You know that we all love you for who you are. You have been a part of this family since the say we meet you. I Love You little sis. Now you have a phone call to make."
With that Emmett dialed Alice's phone and passed the phone to Bella. He sat holding Bella while she poured her heart out to her best friend and sister. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but eventually they were going to be able to make Bella see that she truly was meant for Edward. They talked for over an hour before Bella fell into an fitful sleep.
Emmett took the phone gently from Bella's fingers. "Alice the ball is now in your court you know what you have to do."