Just want to say thank you so much for everyone who is still following this story and even writing a review. You will never know just how much it means to me that you like it so much. I struggle so much with this story, trying to write it in a way that doesn't sound like a 5 year old wrote it, then again, english is my second language, so, unfortunately, there will be a mistake or two hanging in every chapter. I also try to write it in a way that it doesn't sound too cheesy, or boring. I really hope it's working so far. LOL.

So...Once more thank you to everyone for your patience, and everyone who likes these characters as much as I like writing them, even though it takes me a whole week or more to just write one good chapter. Then again, I am quite critical when it comes to my writing. LOL.

Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

Enjoy.

Chapter 11

"Morning," I say in greeting to Miriam, jawning once or twice quickly with a soft smile.

"Morning," she applies with enthusiasm. "So...how was it yesterday?"

"Fine," I say as I lean down on to the counter, my arms crossed over my chest while watching as she puts our breakfast on the plates.

"Just fine? That's it?"

"Yes. Not much to say about it."

"And Edward? How was he?"

"Fine," I say with a shrug, trying to behave indifferent. But as always, Miriam sees right through me.

"Bulls-crap," she corrects herself quickly. "I know something happened. Now, talk! I need details."

"Like?"I ask, stalling as we go take a seat in the dining room, trying to curb her enthusiasm.

"Well... Let's start with the easiest one. How much money did they collect this year?"

Money? What money?

She sees the confused look on my face and clarifies. "Every year, Edward's uncle, Alec, gathers his aquantainces and collects money for charity. Such as for organizations for homeless people, single unnemployed mothers, children without a home etc."

"Well...that's nice. Must have missed that."

"Aha." There's that smug smile again.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing." The smile on her face says nothing out of ordinary, yet shows everything.

"So..." I continue, "You wouldn't know the amount of money they raised last year?"

"Not sure. About 2.9 million dollars, I think."

"Wow."

"Yes, quite a lot. Edward mentions it every year, well, tehnically, I make him. Call it nosiness."

I grin at her. Yes. Let's.

"Well...That's quite generous. I mean - to be able to provide such big amounts to someone who really needs it, instead of spending it for your own selfish needs."

Miriam's voice becomes quiet, as if she doesn't completely agree with me. Gone is the smile, the sparkle from her eyes.

"Yes. I guess it is."

"You don't agree?"

"It's not my place to judge people for who they are Bella, or what they do."

"Of course not. But..." I continue, knowing there is one.

She gives a silent sigh. "I don't know Edward's uncle that much to make that kind of judgement, but it seems that the things he does –bad or good– does for his own reasons, and not because of others."

"I see."

A pause.

"Did you ever had the chance to...maybe meet him? Who is he?"

She nods, shivering just a bit before taking a bite of her fruit salad.

"That bad?" I whisper, even though nobody else is there to hear us.

She looks right at me, pleading me not to go further, yet answering as best as she can in her own way.

Taking my hand in hers she urges, "Just promise me, if you ever get the unfortunate chance to meet him in person, run as fast as you can. Okay?"

"Why?"

"Promise me Bella," she asks, grabbing my hand stronger, so much that it's starting to hurt. "Promise you will."

Since the day I met Miriam, she always behaved as a strong fearless women, and even became someone I looked up to, but seeing the look of pure fear in her eyes scared me. Who is this guy?

"I promise Miriam, I do." I say with an encouraging smile, my right arm calmly covering hers, wanting to do something to soothe her nerves.

"Good. I'm glad." And with that, her hand lets go of mine.

Before even having the opportunity to ask one more question- or billions- Mr. Masen interrupts us.

"Morning everyone."

"Morning," Miriam adds, giving him a tight smile.

"Morning Sir. Breakfast?"

He looks at Miriam before settling his eyes on me. He can sense it too, can't he? This uncomfortable stiffnes in the air.

"Yes please." He says, sitting and taking a bite of his fruit salad, suspicion still tangible in his eyes.

"Something wrong?"

"Not at all." Miriam quickly adds. "We were just discussing about last night."

"Gossiping are we?" he asks with a small curl of his lip.

"Oh shush you old man." Miriam adds, blushing just a bit.

Yes, you've heard right. Blushed.

It made me grin in response. It seems Edward found her week spot.

"Old man? Is that really how you wanna start the morning?" Edward asks with a wide smirk, teasing her.

The atmosphere that was just a moment ago filled with unknown fear quickly turns into playful teasing.

My smile spreads further as I listen to them bicker.

"You forget I know all your secrets Miriam. Should I start with your biggest one?"

Than he turns back to me with such a dazzling smile I can't seem to do anything else but stare at him, reciprocating.

"Oh do tell. I'm dying to know now..."

"And it's a good one, I promise. Should I tell her Miriam?"

"No! Don't you dare!" she warns, but it's too late.

With another gleaming smile, open and full of childish happiness, he continues.

"See, there was this little boy..."

"Okay, okay! You win!"

Letting out a little chuckle he says, "Oh Miriam, you know I always do. No point in fighting."

Miriam blushes, storming into the kitchen as fast as possible.

"What was that all about?" I ask, a smile still on my face. "What memory of hers was so horrible that you actually made her run from us all the way to the other room?"

His smile falls a little, observing me the only way he ever does anything- firmly, intensely- before his smile is back. It's not the same boyish one moments ago, but still a welcomed one.

Even if we're divided by the massive table- sitting opposite from each other- he still leans over and whispers one word to me: "Sex."

I frown. "What does that have to do with..."

A second later my eyes bug out when I finally get it.

"No! You caught them?"

There is that smile again. "Yes, I did. Caught her with her husband when I was eight or so. Gotta say, years later, still can't get that mental picture out of my head."

Then gives a pretense shiver, before he grins again.

My mouth makes a colossal mistake then, blurting out, "You should smile more often. You have a nice smile."

The instant moment I've said it, the frown is back and all the walls that were torn down moments ago are going back up, leaving no space or weakness to be fractured.

I bit my lip. Dammit. Why did I say that? I need to learn to keep my mouth shut.

"I'm sorry Sir. I shouldn't have..."

"It's fine," he interrupts me, but it's obvious it's everything but that.

Just as Miriam walks back in, we hear his phone ringing.

Quickly picking up, he starts talking.

"Hello? Yes? Yes, this is he. What seems to...of course. I'll be right there. Thank you for calling."

"Problems?" Miriam asks.

"Yes. I need...we need to take care of something."

"What? Is something wrong? Did something happen to David?"

"No, your husband is fine Miriam. Relax. I meant ...Isabella and I."

Me?

"Me?" I all but squeak.

"Come, quickly, before I change my mind."

"Yes Sir. Where are we going?"

"No time to explain. You'll just have to trust me. Let's go."

Quickly throwing on my coat in the hall, I see Edward stopping at the door, frozen, his back to me. It takes me a moment or two to realize that after last night, he still has doubts. In me.

Turning to look at me, I turn my own back to him, understanding his reluctance. There is only silence, but feeling that sense of time running out on us, I say only, "It's okay Sir, I won't look."

And with another second that felt like an eternity, the doors were opened.

EPOV

I was hesitant to take her with me, but she needed to know. Needed to say goodbye. After all, it was something I never could. I never knew my mom, never had the opportunity to part with her in the way I wanted to before she died. I was just a newborn baby, a monster, something my father never forgot to remind me every single day. Blaming me, blaming the doctors who chose to save my life over hers. At least, I could be the bigger man than my father ever was and give her the chance to say goodbye to her own father.

BPOV

"Where are we going?"

"We're already here. Be patient."

"Here where?" I ask just as he stops, finding a place to park.

"Hospital. Come on, we don't have much time."

We walk quickly inside the building, to the second floor before we see a female doctor. I don't know who she is, but I think she knows him.

"Mr. Masen, thank you for coming in such a short notice. This is your wife I presume? I'm Dr. Chelsea, nice to finally meet you."

Her hands stands in the air as I watch her with wide eyes.

Wife?

What is she talking about?

I quickly look at Edward, confused, but he just nods at me once.

Quickly, I take her hand just as it was falling down, shaking it quickly.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm sorry for the inconvinience. I'm just..in shock."

The doctor nods, her compassion visible in her eyes, yet seems not completely convinced in my lie.

"I've been staying in contact with Mr. Masen, per his request, unfortunately, the reason I called is to deliver the bad news. Mr. Swan has been under our care for a long time, and we did try to keep him as comfortable as possible but..."

She couldn't finish. Couldn't find the words. I didn't need them though. I knew what she was talking about. Something I've been dreading for weeks.

"My father. He's not...well, is he?" I say, my voice starting to shake a bit, mouth covered by my hand.

The doctor shook her head sadly.

"No."

"Can't you do anything? Money is not an issue," Edward asks, the voice strong and authoritive.

"I know that Mr. Masen, but we observed his well being over few months and did a lot of tests. Sadly, there is no improvement. We hoped, of course, but it only progressed to Mr. Swan going into vegetative state. It's only a matter of time when..."

"What?" Edward all but growls.

"You will have to pull the plugs. Maybe not today, or the next day, but...it's up to you."

"Is there really nothing else you can do?" His voice is more pronounced, growl more loud.

"I'm sorry, but no. At this point, the only thing that keeps him breathing is the machine."

My eyesight is blurry. I feel... I don't know what I feel. I just know that I can't think. Every breathe I take is like a sharp stab into my heart. My breaths keep getting shallow. My legs are shaking, not being able to stand properly in its place. Only when I feel someone's hands on my body, take in the earthy, manly smell- his smell- I know it's Edward that is holding me from crumbling down.

I hear voices, but don't try to keep track of what they're saying.

His hands make me sit down, and without any reluctance, my head leans down on his shoulder and I close my eyes for just a second.

Opening my eyes, slowly, I realize I'm not in the waiting room, but in a bed. Blinking once more, I slowly try to get up. There I see an unknown nurse talking with Edward. He seems...distressed. Anxious. Even seems to fidget, his left shoe keeps tapping on the floor.

He nods to the nurse, showing her he understood whatever she was trying to explain, before she walked away.

He starts walking left, then right, doing so a few times, all the time his hands touching his hair in a frustrated way.

I don't know what the nurse told him, but just as I try to jump off the bed, his eyes look up. He looks right at me, and stops in his tracks.

Walking right inside the room, he opens his mouth but I stop him. "I'm sorry."

He seems befuddled. "What for?"

"Causing a scene? Fainting? Pick one."

No words come from his mouth as he looks at me, pity in his eyes. His hand lifts up, going straight for my face, but a second later, changes his mind.

And the only thing my inner voice screams at me is why? Why did he stop? Why did I feel the need for his touch? Is it sorrow? Need for comfort? Or is it him?

"Do you know why you're here?"

"I... do."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here."

"No!I'm glad you did. Thank you."

Stubbornly, he asks. "For what? I didn't do anything. It was my fault you fainted."

"No..." I shake my head but he interuppts me.

"Yes. It was I who pulled you from your breakfast, I who brought you here. I who..."

"Who took care of my father when I couldn't. You who payed all his hospital bills when I couldn't. You who..."

"Have to persuade you to pull the plugs on your father. The only relative you have."

No, I thought to myself. I still have Miriam. I still have ...you, I thought. But what happens after, when the time runs out and when the contract expires? What

will happen then? Where will I go?

"I don't want to do it. " I say, my voice teary.

"I know." He adds, taking a few steps closer to me. Close enough I can feel the warmth of his body.

"But?"

"Nothing. I'm...I'm not good with...words. Giving comfort."

I shook my head. "You don't have to be. Just..." stay with me. Don't let me be alone.

"What Isabella? What do you need? Ask me." He adds, lifting my chin up with his fingers.

His eyes are warm and compassionate. Calm as he watches me. For a moment, I forget where I am. The color of his eyes- equivalent to the sea as it sways peacefully, from one rock to another- they soothe me, even if for a moment, giving me strenght to ask him the most important question.

"Will you stay by my side if...when..." but I don't need to say anything further. He knows what I'm asking of him, putting his finger on my lips to silence me.

"Of course. I'm not going anywhere."

Thanks for reading! Hopefully the next chapter will be updated sooner rather than later.