Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Stephenie Meyer owns it all. I am merely having fun with her characters. Also, not sure if Seattle General is a real hospital or not. If it is, I do not own it.

A/N…SURPRISE! You guys have been so amazing with this story so here is a little surprise update for you! You will still get your Thursday chapter as well! Enjoy!

I have another song that describes this story perfectly! Thanks to Abilynn for telling me about this song because I had never heard it before!

You Lost Me by Christina Aguilera

http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=WOKI_tIBWVI&feature=avmsc2

Song for the Chapter: My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne

http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=z3qd6XmdMR4

Chapter 9

BPOV

Sunday September 14, 2008: Age 25

"You were all the things I thought I knew and I thought we could be," I sang along with the radio in my car.

"You were everything, everything that I wanted. We were meant to be, supposed to be but we lost it. And all of the memories so close to me just fade away. All this time you were pretending. So much for my happy ending," I continued.

How could he just pretend that everything was okay only to stab me in the back and sleep with her? Why wasn't I enough for him?

Didn't I love him enough?

This song was breaking my heart but I needed to hear the words. I needed to sing about how broken I was. Avril really knew what she was talking about for someone so young.

I knew the song well and while not all of the lyrics fit…most of the lyrics were pretty fitting.

"All the things you hide from me…all the shit that you do," I sang right before leading back into the chorus.

I was a bundle of different emotions and tears were streaming down my face as I sang. I needed to purge these feelings from my system and I had a three-hour drive to do it.

"It's nice to know that you were there. Thanks for acting like you cared and making me feel like I was the only one. It's nice to know we had it all. Thanks for watching as I fall and letting me know we were done!"

He decided we were over when he stuck his dick in that tramp…but he never even bothered to tell me. Then, he delivered his news and completely knocked me down.

I could not make it through the entire song after that verse…I had to shut the radio off completely.

As I looked around the car I was currently driving in, I remembered just how much I hated it with a passion. It would have made me completely happy to keep the truck that my dad bought me in high school but Edward would not hear of it. He said it wasn't safe and I deserved better.

Hmph…better my ass…like a no good cheating husband who knocks up his whore? That kind of better?

That was something I could do to hurt Edward! As soon as possible, I was trading in this god awful Volvo that matched his. The only difference was that mine was black. He insisted on me getting it right after we were married.

I never wanted this over priced soccer mom car. Now, I needed to do anything that would change me from being Edward's Bella. That was not who I was any longer and it was time I started acting like it.

Perhaps I would even get his dream car…that would really stick it to the asshole!

The tears had finally stopped and I was getting control over myself as I began to think of other things I could do to hurt Edward.

I loved the new haircut the girls had given me for my birthday. Thank goodness, I was still able to put it up into a bun because I was not ready for Edward to see it just yet. I wanted to hit him with it in the right moment.

It still looked quite different while in the bun since I was working with less hair and I was quite surprised that Edward did not notice it right away. But, I guess he had other things on his mind.

I was shocked when he called and insisted that I meet him for coffee. All I could think of was getting to Forks and to Charlie.

My mind went back to that dreaded phone call.

Flashback

Alice was talking to the person on the phone while Rose tried to calm me and find out what was wrong.

"Bells, you have to calm down okay. You're going to send yourself into a panic attack. Come on sweetie, what did they say?" Rose asked.

I didn't answer her…all I could do was cry hysterically.

Alice hung up the phone and sat beside us on the bed. She gently grasped my face with her tiny hands, forcing me to look at her and really hear what she was going to say.

"Bella, it's okay. You didn't let the nurse finish. Charlie is all right. He was shot in the leg and he is in surgery right now but he is going to be just fine. That was all she would tell me and she said that you need to come as soon as possible. He was asking for you before he went in for surgery and he gave her your number."

I breathed a sigh of relief as she released my face and pulled me in for a hug.

It felt like losing my mother all over again. My dad and I used to be close…before Edward and I got married…before we lost my mom.

"I need to get to Forks," I said as I climbed over Alice and got out of bed. As I started throwing things into a suitcase, my girls started moving.

"We'll come with you," Rose offered.

"No, you both have Emmett and Jazz to think about. I need to do this. I think that…this will be good for me…the time away. I need to tell my dad about Edward and me anyway. Besides, maybe this will be a good opportunity for Charlie and me to work on our relationship."

That was the truth but also…I knew that even though Rose and Alice meant well…they were clouding my judgment. Right now, I did not intend to take Edward back but if I decided that I wanted to do that, it needed to be my decision not theirs.

I was more grateful to them then they would ever know, but I could not think with all the meddling. I prayed that they would listen to my reasons for not wanting them to come and not force the issue. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt either of them by telling them to stop pushing or interfering.

"Bells, you're wanting to run away. Don't do it," Alice said.

"I'm not running away, Alice! My father was just shot!"

How could she think that? Just because I needed time away…that did not mean I was running. There was nowhere on the Earth that I could even run from Edward. No matter whether we stayed together or not…he would always haunt me.

"She's right Ali, this will be good for her…and for Cheatward," Rose said.

We all laughed at the nickname for my philandering husband and it stuck because as we packed we were all referring to him by that name.

End Flashback

As we packed, I realized that the one person I did need with me more than anyone was Edward. It hurt to admit that to myself but it was the truth. He was still my best friend…at least in my heart he was. I needed him to get through this.

I was ready to head out when Edward called me and asked me about meeting him for coffee.

It was not my intention to give in and meet him…but when he mentioned seeing his dad…he made it sound like whatever he needed to tell me had to do with his parents.

Sneaky bastard.

Of course, I met him when he put it that way. I would do anything for Carlisle and Esme Cullen. They were like my second set of parents…which was why I had yet to tell them about their two-timing son.

It soon became clear to me that he had used his parents to trick me into coming.

When I got to the coffee house, after much deliberation on the drive over, I had every intention of telling him how much I needed him at that moment and begging him to put everything aside and come with me to Forks to hold my hand. Deep down, I knew Charlie was alright, but I was still scared.

After trading barbs with my husband, I was losing my nerve.

I kept looking towards the door of the coffee house trying to see if I could bolt through it before Edward caught up to me. I was chickening out from asking him what I wanted to so I just blurted out the words.

Well…I started to get all of the words out…unfortunately, Edward had news of his own to share.

Damn it…the tears were pooling again as I thought about that. I had already calmed myself. I wanted to be strong for Charlie. If he saw dried tears on my face…he would know something was wrong. I suppose I could just play it off as concern for him…but he was my dad…he usually just knew when I was bullshitting him.

My mind kept drifting back to what Edward told me.

If he had not said what he did, I would have begged him to come to Forks with me. He probably would have come and we would have gotten back together.

There was no chance that could ever happen now.

Lauren was fucking pregnant with his child.

Edward's baby.

I was supposed to be the only mother of his children.

He ruined that for me as well.

Although, it was not his fault that I was a useless, infertile, sorry excuse for a woman. I was a failure at being his wife…a failure at giving him a baby.

It would be better for me to be completely alone.

No…that wasn't right.

The thoughts drifting in and out of my head were wrong…so wrong. It was not my fault that he cheated damn it! If he had a problem…he should have said something! I would have listened…wouldn't I?

Did he ever try to talk to me?

The truth was…I had been so focused on getting pregnant, I could not honestly say whether Edward had ever really tried to talk to me or not about how he was feeling.

How sad was that?

As I tried to push Lauren's pregnancy from my mind…it drifted to thoughts about that kiss.

Edward knew how it affected me when he was passionate, forceful and strong with his kisses. They made me feel wanted as no other kisses ever could. My body was lit with desire when he grabbed me and kissed me the way he did.

Bastard.

I was livid with myself for kissing him back…but when he pressed his lips to mine…they were just totally familiar and so Edward. I had missed him terribly…even before I found out he was cheating. He had been distant…well…ever since he started sleeping with Lauren I suppose.

After I left the coffee shop, I called Alice and told her I did not know when I would be back…and that I might not return.

She was upset but promised me that she understood. I had to assure her that I would keep in touch. If I was being completely honest with myself, I did not know how truthful I was being when I told her that though.

I needed a new beginning. The sad part was, Edward was their family…I married into the Cullens. It was time for me to go home to my dad.

It was sounding better and better to start over in Forks with him.

He could get me through this. I was more determined than ever to fix my relationship with him. He needed me and I needed him now more than I ever had.

Dad could set me up with a good lawyer. I had a feeling after his reaction to me telling him that it was over today…Edward was going to fight me tooth and nail through this divorce.

I really did not want anything from him…just to be free.

I was tired of being made the fool and being the one left feeling alone or humiliated.

It was time to move on and finally find out who the real Bella Swan even was.

With a new plan in place, I held my head high as I turned the radio back on to drown out the rest of my thoughts.

Just outside of Forks, as my awful luck would have it…my tire blew out.

Charlie had taught me well and I remembered how to get the car safely to the side of the road.

When I checked my phone, I had no signal. When I looked in the trunk, of course for whatever reason the spare was not fucking there!

Then…on top of everything…it started raining.

Could I ever catch a break?

I started walking towards town…praying nothing out here was going to eat me when I heard a car slowing down behind me.

A man opened the door and stepped out of the car.

Okay…did I say a man?

This was more than a man…he was a very hot man.

He was about the same height as Edward with brown hair that was a little shaggy and unkempt.

Oh boy…this guy was way too much like my soon-to-be ex-husband. He really needed to keep driving.

"You look like you could use a hand," he said. When he got closer and smiled, I noticed that he had sparkling beautiful blue eyes and the whitest teeth I had ever seen. He also had some sexy, rugged-looking scruff going on with his face. I was never a facial hair kind of girl…but the scruffiness on this man was intensely hot!

Stop crushing Bella.

Men are scum anyway! Move along! Get to your father!

"Um, it's okay. I don't have a spare and I already…called someone to come get me."

I did not want to be alone in a car with him anyway…what if he was an ax murderer or something?

"Really? You were able to call someone? I can never get a signal out here," he questioned.

I shrugged.

"I could give you a ride into Forks. I promise, I won't hurt you. It wouldn't be any trouble."

"Thanks, but I'm fine," I assured him.

Everything about him reminded me of Edward…the fact that he was sexy as hell…his demeanor…his cocky smirk. Yes, he was definitely trouble…and I didn't need any of that.

"All right then, I guess I'll just be on my way…if you're sure," he offered one more time.

I nodded.

Should I really send him away though? I was in a jam.

He walked slowly back to his car and he would turn around to smile every few seconds. I stood there biting my lip, trying to decide if I was doing the right thing.

This yummy piece of eye candy might be my only rescuer.

We were both getting soaked.

"Wait!" I called. "You're right. I don't have a signal. Can I get that ride?"

He shook his head and laughed, "Get in the car you silly girl!"

We both got in the car and he offered me his hand. "The name's Riley, Riley Mitchell."

"Bella…Bella Cullen…I mean Swan. I'm Bella Swan," I replied as I shook his hand. I glanced down at my state of dress and was suddenly embarrassed by my appearance.

It didn't even cross my mind to change before I went to meet Edward because I did not care what I looked like for him…however…it was making me nervous that I was dressed the way I was in front of this sexy stranger.

Riley turned around to the backseat and was fumbling with something.

Shit…was he going to kill me now?

When he turned back around, he had two towels in his hand.

"Here, thank god I always keep a workout bag in my backseat. The towel is clean…it doesn't have my man stench on it or anything," he said as he laughed.

I took the towel from him and told him thank you.

I could not believe I had just jumped in a car with a total stranger. Edward would be furious! I loved it!

He tossed the towel he was using into the back and buckled his seatbelt while smiling at me.

He had a great smile…just like…Edward.

Riley started talking again which thankfully brought me out of my daydream about my husband.

"Well which is it, Cullen or Swan?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as he started driving.

"Swan," I said with certainty.

"Any relation to Chief Swan?"

"Actually, I'm his one and only child. He was shot this morning and I am headed to the hospital to see him."

"Oh my god, that's awful. He's a great cop and a wonderful man. Is he alright?"

Wow…he knew Charlie. That was a relief. At least he wasn't a total stranger. Charlie would not be too mad at me for getting in Riley's car.

"Yeah, he was shot in the leg. Apparently he had to have surgery and was asking for me so here I am."

"Where are you visiting from?"

"Seattle," I answered.

He pointed to my ring. "The hubby didn't come with you?"

"Um…no," I hesitated as I glanced down at the beautiful piece of jewelry that once meant so much. I did not want to talk about him. "How do you know my dad? Are you a law breaker?" I asked with a smile.

What the hell was I doing? Was I actually flirting?

"Actually, no. I know your dad because I'm a lawyer. I've worked with him on some cases plus he knows my parents," he replied while smiling back at me.

A lawyer.

Mom always said everything happened for a reason.

"Riley, I think we are going to be good friends. I happen to be in great need of a lawyer right now!"

"You don't say?" He said with a chuckle.

Yes, a beautiful friendship indeed.

That was definitely all I needed right now.

Riley gave me his card and told me not to worry about my car. I would be calling him soon for his law services too so the card would come in handy. Before we arrived at the hospital, I briefly explained to him that I wanted to divorce my husband. He seemed eager to take the case.

He was also going to get me a new tire and have a friend of his bring him back to my Volvo. Then he was going to drop it off at Charlie's house since everyone in Forks knew where the Chief lived.

When we arrived at the hospital, I thanked him for rescuing me and that was that.

I found the floor my father was on and the nurses told me he was resting comfortably after his surgery.

When I walked to the door, I stood in the doorway and marveled at the sight before me. It had been way too long since I had seen my own father. It was sad that we had let ourselves drift apart the way we had.

As I watched him sleep, everything that had happened over the last month hit me like a speeding train.

I could not carry the weight of my pain as a broken sob left my chest.

My dad's eyes opened and he whispered, "Bells…"

I ran to where he laid on the bed and cried into his chest, trying to watch out for his IV.

"Oh Daddy! I'm sorry!"

I felt one of my father's strong arms gently rubbing my back. "Shhh…sweetheart…it's okay. I'm glad you came. I've been an old fool, Bells. I'm sorry for pushing you away."

I could not stop crying.

He kissed my forehead and looked around behind me.

"Where's Edward, baby girl?"

That brought on a completely new round of tears that I could not stop. "I don't wanna talk about it right now," I cried.

He kept patting me as he did when I was a little girl. "All right honey, there, there. Daddy's got you. We'll talk when you're ready."

The question was…when would I ever be ready?

A/N…First, I want to tell you guys how seriously awesome you are for supporting the story! Thanks so much!

Thanks to dolphin62598 for editing, you should go check out anything and everything she writes!

Thanks to teacher1209 for pre-reading! Love to hear your thoughts BB!

Now…if you would like to see how I picture Riley in this story…you can go to:

http:/picasaweb(dot)google(dot)com/edwardandbellabelong2gether

Reviewers will get a teaser of Chapter 10 from EPOV.

Story Recommendation:

Your Voice Was All I Heard by twimamma…this story SERIOUSLY owned me most of Saturday! It is FANTASTIC!

http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5888382/15/Your_Voice_Was_All_I_Heard

Please go check it out, show her some love, and tell her I sent you!