I don't own Stephenie Meyer, nor, Twilight. Only the plot and my ideas…..

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/~Withstanding Gravity~/

Story Summary: Bella and Edward are about to face a divorce and separation away from each other forever. Bella, always lived a life of happiness in the other, Edward's childhood was filled with rage and neglect. Will looking back at the past save their marriage and save them. What if Bella leaves him with one secret he might never find out...

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Author's Note: to my reviewers, high note this: I know you guys are confused with this story, but that's to throw you off and it is part of the story. And this story is a 2 part the first part is their divorce and the second part is the hidden secret so please bear with me. THANK YOU!!!!

During their divorce Bella is 28 and Edward is 31.

They first met when Bella was a freshman (19) in college and Edward was a senior (22).

They got married when Bella was a junior (21).

I don't want to give other information because it will give the story away.

Emmett and Bella are brother's and sister's.

Jasper and Edward are cousins.

Edward and Carlisle are brothers.

During the flashbacks scenes sometimes Bella is pregnant if she is she's only 3 months pregnant…. But she loses it through miscarriage and someone of course is to blame. I will follow up on that part.

PLEASE BEAR WITH ME BECAUSE I DONT HAVE MICROSOFT WORD NO MORE SO NO MORE CORRECTIONS I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT ON MY OWN

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CHAPTER 6: CARLISLE&ESME

[[BPOV]] This is one of the best nights of sleep I had since me and Edward's split until it was ruined by a very annoying Alice. I growled in irritation and threw the blankets over me when she pulled my curtains back.

"Rise and shine Isabella. We are going shopping!" she spoke in joy. I groaned once more.

"Alice, I'm still tired."

"Nuh uh, I didn't let you come to live with me again just to be in a mopey mood and ruin mine." She triggered. I laid there in bed just staring up at the ceiling until I got up and put on the best smile I could bring.

I threw on a pair of skinny jeans and a gray long sleeved hip hugger shirt. I grabbed my purse and followed a hyperactive Alice out the door who handed me a coffee cup. We drove to the nearest mall and followed Alice into one of the clothing department stores and tried my best to act all excited about shopping. Me and Alice went to different stores and both bought different items that fit our needs.

I was walking down the aisle and a gorgeous blonde who I didn't get the look of her face accidentally bumped into me and I heard her worried apologies. Her voice seemed all too familiar. She looked up at me and I stopped dead on my tracks.

Tanya.

She then glared at me with evil death eyes.

"On second thought. I'm not sorry." She crossed her arms over her chest. I didn't know what to feel at this point. I stood there frozen and unattached to the world. I couldn't believe the women who caused me so much pain in this universe is standing right before me. I wanted to be mad at her, I had all the rights in the world to throw the most nastiest things into her face, but I couldn't bring myself to thought.

"Are you mute?" she blew in frustration. I couldn't say anything, I wouldn't say anything. Then Alice turned the corner. She looked at me holding up the cutest shirt until she caught a glimpse of what I was feeling and turn to Tanya.

"Well, well. Isn't it the bitch from the corner block," Alice sneered. Alice hated Tanya since the beginning, Alice was the one who convinced me that Tanya sees Edward more than a friend and I went into action.

"Well, well. Isn't it the bitch with too much caffeine up her ass," Tanya striked back. I probably would have laughed at that, but I didn't have no strength at all.

"What do you want?" Alice groaned.

"Nothing. Just to make your life hell." She grimaced.

"You already done plenty," Alice informed. I wasn't one to cause scenes, but Alice was never wronged by it. Alice and Tanya continued to glare words back at each other and each time there voices grew. I stood there and heard all the powerful vulgar words coming out of the both of them not really listening to what they were saying.

Then a familiar couple came up behind Tanya.

"Isn't it the little Tanya who played with little Edward in the backyard." Carlisle reminisced.

"Carlisle," Tanya jumped. "What are you doing in town?"

"I'm here on business and here to visit my stupid brother."

Oh," she smiled at the fact they were talking about Edward. Alice groaned.

"Tanya, don't you think you should leave Bella alone. She has been through enough." Tanya winced. She'd never defile Carlisle, she was too scared of him, but at the same time she didn't want to show weakness around me.

"Why? She means nothing to us, she's lower than us." Tanya threatened.

"So are you saying that I'm lower than you, Tanya?" Esme asked with a fierce tone. "I was just like Bella when I first met Carlisle. Just because were lower than you doesn't' mean we don't deserve the same equal respect."

With that Tanya busted out of the clothing store in anger.

I jumped into Carlisle's arms then Esme's. i haven't seen them in so long and I missed them desperately. "Bella, how are you?" Carlisle asked me sympathetically. I never once lied to Esme and Carlisle, I grew to love and cherish both of them.

So I gulped and answered, "Surviving." Esme's eyes pierced in mine and waited for me to crash so she'd catch me. But I sucked it up and pulled Alice's wrist forward.

"Esme, Carlisle. This is my best friend Alice." Alice smiled and leaped into their arms and introduced herself. Carlisle and Esme laughed at the hyper active self.

"Alice Brandon, I heard so much about you." Carlisle informed.

"Really?" she quirked. Alice stared at me, but I never told Esme and Carlisle about Alice.

"Yeah. My cousin Jasper Whitlock can't shut up about a beautiful Alice Brandon." Alice then blushed. I had to giggle because it's true—Jasper can't shut up about Alice.

"I wasn't going to be here in town for a couple of weeks, but Jasper convinced me to come back to set Edward straight so I took up on my job offer." I frowned.

"Maybe we should go and grab something to eat," Esme offered. "Even you Alice."

"Sure," Alice and I said in unison.

In thirty minutes we all were at a simple restaurant eating hamburgers and fries. We all caught up on a lot while Alice introduced herself to the life she lives. Carlisle and Esme currently lives in Forks where my family and I grew up. Esme gave me a follow up story on my brother Emmett and Rosalie since I haven't being doing a great job on contacting them about my whereabouts. From the information I found out—Carlisle is working tremendously at Forks Hospital and is doing his best to withstand his work, Esme is working on a once-in-a-while-basis architect and is helping the Forks public on building a new nursery school. Emmett is currently the football coach at Forks High and Rosalie is currently a stay at home mom who's taking care of their son—Conner Swan.

Alice bid her goodbyes because tonight is her date with Jasper. I hesitated to leave because I missed Carlisle and Esme too much to leave.

"Go ahead, Alice. I'll get her home." Esme noticed my dilemma. Soon after Alice left Esme told Carlisle that Esme and I would be taking a walk and we will be taking the bus back home. Esme and I walked through these streets and it was chilly. Esme was always worried about me, just how worried she is with Edward. Esme always had the soul and heart for a mother.

"How have you been?" Esme controlled her expressions.

"I'm trying. I really am." I admitted.

"I know you are." She whispered underneath her voice. "Bella, what happened?" she hesitated.

"Didn't Edward tell you anything?" I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at her.

"Edward is not the Edward we grew fond of, he's not the same. He's always angry and violent, so direct. Just like his father. He's not compassionate or a sweetheart like when you two first fell in love, he isn't the cocky and conceded Edward. He's different, he's not whole." Esme mourned. Esme always loved Edward with deepest emotion. It took me a while to notice Esme stopped speaking and waited for me to announce my part.

I pushed my hands into the pockets of my trench coat and I breathed.

"Everything went wrong and broken. We were happy and loving when I found out I was pregnant despite the fact my parents hated Edward, but we loved each other. One day, Tanya threatens me, I confront Edward about it, and he doesn't believe me. We got into a nasty fight; he left, next day he's laying naked in the guest house with Tanya. Tanya and I got into a fight; I take a wrong fall and end up in the hospital finding out I couldn't have children again," I noticed tears started sliding down my face, but Esme urged me to continue. "I blamed Edward for everything and such a simple thing set me off. Edward tried his best to help me bounce back again, but I couldn't. When he left to London on a business trip I never felt alone in my life and I thought he finally grasp the decision of leaving me. I tried to commit suicide and I was locked up into the hospital on suicide watch. Alice contacted Edward, but he never came until about a month. Edward did his best, he tried to pull me back, but soon his hope gave up and he retreated. We lived years in turmoil and we stayed away from each other. Soon he started drinking again and bringing random women into the guest house to forgot about everything. When I started to clutch the fact that I could be losing him I approached him and told him that I'm sorry for everything and maybe we could try and go back to the way it was. The next thing he did broke my heart in to pieces. He just gave me one last kiss and slipped his ring off of his finger and handed it to me and left me broken. I cried for days then when I finally got to see reality again Alice came to pick me up. I haven't felt so worthless and despicable. Everyone's saying that maybe I can get a second chance, a clean slate without Edward after all it is his fault," I looked at Esme. "But I can never see this as his fault. I love him too much. I can't ever have a second chance without Edward, a clean slate. I never dreamt a world without Edward when he walked into my life. He may have hurt me, but it doesn't mean I didn't hurt him back. Esme, I love him. I love him so much that I would rather live with him hurting me constantly than not have him at all." I started crying into her arms and she rubbed me like how she would rub a child.

"Esme, I want him back!" I sobbed.

"Sweetheart, we all do." She soothed.

[[EPOV]]

"Mr. Masen, you have a visitor here for you." Aro informed me. Not caring who it was I told Aro to let him through. When the door shut closed I looked up. A perfect replica of Carlisle stood on front o me and I jumped out of my seat.

"Carlisle!" I smiled. I haven't smiled in such a long time, it's good to know my brother had that effect on me. I strode over to him and hug him.

"How have you been, Edward?" he asked. I knew where he was getting at and I knew who he as pointing the conversation at then my smile fell.

"I'm doing fantastic," I lied.

"Bullshit," he laughed. "You aren't doing fine and you can't lie to me about it." Carlisle ended the topic. "How's business life treating you?" he threw a disgusted look.

"Stressing and tiring." I added. "How's death duty coming along?"

"Not everybody dies in a hospital Edward Masen." He scolded.

"Most of them do," I whispered under my breath.

"How's your father?" Carlisle spit. Carlisle never really shown anger towards anybody, but he always made a exception to Edward Sr. for always causing treachery in our lives. For abusing us; for causing—physical, mental, and emotional pain to our mother.

"Your seriously asking me that question?" I huffed.

"Just asking to see if he died yet because I wouldn't know." He coughed out.

"How's mom?" he asked genuinely.

"She's getting better, making progress. She responds and talks now, but she's still scared of going outside just for a little while."

"Step at a time." He answered. "Maybe we should visit mom?" Carlisle intruded.

"Yeah, sure." I need only fifteen minutes and then we can go."

Carlisle and I made our way into the mental hospital walking our ways into the all too familiar hallways. We made it to the door our hearts were connected too and knocked. I carefully opened the door and I smiled. Mom was sitting at the same seat she was on the last time I was here. I made my way and put my chair directly in front of her.

"Mom, someone's here to see you." I gestured to Carlisle. Carlisle handed her the flowers he bought on our way over here and placed it on her lap. She looked up and she gasped.

"Carlisle, my baby…" she cried.

"Hey mom." He acknowledged. He bent down to embrace her and when he was about to let go she wouldn't let him. He laughed. Carlisle brought a chair besides me and our mom put her two hands on both of our cheeks.

"My two baby boys." She cried.

"Mom, we aren't babies anymore." I shimmed. Carlisle grabbed my neck in a chockhold and tugged his hand into my hair. "What are you talking about you are always going to be my little brother." I pushed him off me to see my mother smile at us.

"We love you mom," I reminded her.

"I know you do." We stayed talking to her about her day in the hospital and we finally got her out of her room just to walk down the hallway until she panicked and ran back into her room. My mother was making progress and I was glad. I would remain forever until she gets better.

I took Carlisle back to my home and made a couple of drinks for us. When we took a seat to play a game of cards he looked at me.

"So tell me what's going on?" Carlisle demanded.

"About what?"

"Don't play stupid, Edward. It would have been better to find about your divorce with Bella from you not from the tabloids." I sighed. I knew my brother would choke me on this one way or the other.

"It's not a divorce, it's an annulment. At least I'm trying."

"Edward what happened?" his voice changed. Suddenly I felt comfortable about telling my brother what happened until my memories drifted.

4 YEARS PRIOR – NOVEMBER

//"Bella you need to eat," I urged her. She didn't flinch.

"Bella, please…" I begged. She looked up at me and I wish I didn't, her eyes were rimmed with red and purple and it had so much depth to it—hurt, pain, betrayal... Should I go on?

"Please?" she questioned. "Please is such a strong word," she spoke like a robot. "Yet, everybody takes from me asking without permission to take what belongs to me. The word please isn't known to me."

"Bella I'm begging you." I scooted the plate of food I brought upstairs for her.

"Edward," she whispered emotionless. "Did you ever love me at all?" a tear slipped from her face.

"Of course I do. I still do—I'll always love you."

"Do you still?" she asked me while her voice quaked.

"Always," I confirmed.

"Then what's going on now?" she lost to control her tears. "What's happening to us? Where are we going wrong, Edward?!" she cried. I crawled towards her on the bed straddling her while she turned her head avoiding my gaze. I put my hands on both sides of her and leaned in to whisper into her ear.

"Because of what I've done. You gain to not trust me no more and I understand completely. This can't just go away over night, Bell. I love you, sweetheart, but I can't forget what I've done. I'm sorry for everything I caused you because now I wake up every morning seeing treachery in your eyes and it's impossible for us to be happy." …..//

3 YEARS PRIOR

//"Edward!" Alice panicked from the other end of the line.

"Alice, what's wrong?" I urged for her to calm down.

"You have to come home." She lightly commanded.

"I can't. I'm in London on a business trip."

"Edward, Bella's in the hospital again." She murmured.

"What happened now?" I groaned throwing my head into my hands.

"She tried to kill herself Edward." She informed. I sighed. Its weird how I felt nothing at all in this point. I didn't feel anger or worry, just stress….

"I can't come home, Alice." I voiced.

"What do you mean you can't come home, Edward?! Bella tried to kill herself! She tried to end her life and yet you sit there not caring at all! What kind of human being are you?! Why did you even marry her in the first place if you are going to treat her like this? She deserves better, Edward!"

I didn't flinch at her words. I just threw my head down in irritation.

"I can't come home yet, Alice…" and I hung the phone down. I finished what had to be done in about a week, but I knew what would be waiting for me back home so I decided to linger and wallow it out. Then, I called Alice telling her I will be home. When I came out of the airport Alice and Aro waited for me. Aro offered me his 'Welcome home' greeting while I received a slap from Alice. A hard, burning slap.

I arrived at the hospital and was informed that she had to stay under suicidal watch. I walked into her room and my heart dropped in anguish. She was lifeless and she wasn't Bella….

There was nothing holding her onto this world. Nothing at all.

Soon as the doctor left I sat by the edge of the bed looking at her while her eyes were glued to the wall on front of her.

"Bella," I reached for her hand on her lap. When my hand rested on it she pulled it away, but continued to stare at the wall. "Bella?" I asked once more, but she unresponsive.

"Please, look at me…" I begged. After a few seconds she turned to me. Under her eyes were black of lack of sleep and her hair had different tangles in them.

"Do you want to go home?" she carefully nodded. I handed her a bag of clothes and quietly and all too slowly she stood and changed right in front of me. Not caring in what state she was in. while she changed I got a glimpse of the cuttings on her wrists and neck. I looked more closely to find many bruises on her thighs.

I was gone a month! Shouldn't those have been gone by now….

Instead of the hideous hospital robe she now wore a pair of white shorts and a black tank top, but her bruises on her upper thighs still showed and the cuts on her arms. I slid off my jacket and wrapped it around her. She pulled the jacket on better than I did. I turned her around and brushed her hair more better and pulled it back with a rubber band.

She still didn't move.

I turned around to look at he, but she wasn't looking at me she was lost.

"Look at me," I whispered. She stared at me dead in the eye and her lips trembled.

"I want to go home." She trembled with fear. I grabbed her by the wrist and walked her out of the hospital. Driving down the road we passed by a familiar cemetery then Bella touched my hand on the steering wheel lightly. I stopped the car. She quietly got out and walked through the gates and I sighed following right behind her. She found the all to tombstone and dropped to her knees. They usually don't bury unborn babies, but Bella refused and chose to have a funeral for our unborn baby boy. The child she always wanted. On the tombstone it read:

Edward Charlie Masen

"Slept before he could live and love."

Bella then curled up into a ball and stayed silent. I got down on my knees and ran my fingers through her hair. She didn't shed one tear or one weep she just stayed silent.

Two weeks passed and I tried my best to get her going again, but I had no hope. Suddenly, I retreated from her because every time I came close to her she's break town into sobs whispering words like: You destroyed this family….. You killed our baby…. He didn't have a chance to live…. You are just like him….

One night I came home drunk from the bar doing a lusty lady right behind me. I brought her into my guest house master room and did my important business with her. In the middle of the night I heard soft whimpers from outside of the door and I got up careful to not wake up the unconscious women—who's name I did not know—and reached the door.

My heart stopped.

Bella curled herself into a little ball in the corner of the wall and sobbed into her knees. I squatted down on front of her and placed my hand on my cheek. Butterflies started swimming in the pit of my stomach when she held onto my wrist and knelt her face into it more. That's the first gesture she ever made.

"I—I… had a… nightmare. And you weren't … in bed." She sobbed.

"It's okay, baby." I carried her into the living room and woke up the girl immediately and chased her out. I found out her name was—Lauren Mallory whom was all generic. When I got back into the livin room Bella still continued to sob. When I sat next to her she crawled ontop of my lap and grabbed onto my neck.

"Edward, I'm sorry…. I know I get mad at you all the time and blame you for everything, but I need you so badly. I love you, Edward. Though, I'm not showing it or making an effort, but I love you so much. Please, don't leave me. Please, don't." she cried and begged and cued and begged.

Nothing changed after a few months. We just continued to ignore eachother and remain our distances. I walked into the guest house after work one day to find Bella in the living room shivering. I walked towards her and sat down on the small coffee table on front of her.

"Bella, what's the matter?"

"Nothings the matter." She said lifeless.

"Then what are you doing here?" I asked quietly.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Anything?"

"Give me another chance." She begged.

"Another chance? What did you do that deserves a second chance?" I whispered.

"For giving up and breaking your heart. Maybe if we can start all over we can make it. We can survive. Because I still love you, Edward and maybe after all the blame and hurt I put on you maybe you can still love me too." She grieved.

"Bella, after everything that happened you think we can still go back to the way it was. After all this bullshit?" I asked.

"If were strong enough and if were willing." I stared at her that almost seemed like forever and leaned in to kiss her on the lips .that small kiss erupted to something big and unthought-of. Our tongues played war with eachother and so did our hearts. I pulled away and stared at her and through that kiss I knew my answers. I knew nothing would solve our issues or make things go away. Nothing will change.

"I can't," I whispered. She looked at me like her wounded animal. I nervously and shakingly pulled the silver band around my left finger and pulled it off. I looked into Bella's eyes and knew for sure this is the only moment I can do this. I placed it on top of the coffee table next to me and kissed her forehead for a one last goodbye. Walking out of the house her cries cut me like a knife.//

Thanks. Please, please review. I'm coming shot guys. Reviews are my inspiration, but I'm not getting the reviews I'm hoping for.

After this chapter I'm aiming for 25 REVIEWS before I post anything up.

Hopefully this will motivate you to REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW ....

thanks for all the support