A/N

Thank you for your response to the last chapter. For any of you reading that are dealing with or have lost someone you love to this disease I so understand. I nursed my darling mom with it for 6 years and watched the strong loving person I knew become a frail stranger to me I could not reach. And the day she died while I held her was one of grief mixed in with the gentlest feelings of relief. Much love to you if you are in the same position. I have nothing but the greatest respect for care givers.

Windchymes- Truly, without you I would be lost. This story is getting as many people reading it because of your great care with it.

The usual suspects – Bless your dear hearts.

And we carry on….

Somehow I knew what was coming was big and without another thought I pulled her across onto my lap and wrapped my arms around her.

"Tell me Bella," I demanded as softly as I could while my gut churned away.

Bella's body was stiff, as if this was the only way she could hold herself together. Her hands were clasped together so hard her knuckles were white. Reaching down I pulled her hands apart and held them with one of mine. The other arm which was still around her I used to rub soothing strokes up and down her back to try and help her relax.

"It's alright Bella," I murmured. "I'm here, when you are ready, I'm here."

She let out a shuddering sigh and allowed her body to relax. Although she still didn't look at me she started to talk again.

"A couple of days after the funeral, mom's lawyer came to see me. My dad had always handled the money... my mom was rather flighty that way and after he was gone she tried to do some investing I guess, and she also overpaid for the house they bought and... and… she lost it all Edward.

"There was literally nothing left." Her hands clasped mine more tightly and she shook her head, no doubt remembering the impact that visit had on her life.

"Mr. Banner went over everything with me; she had even used up Gram's money to try and keep going. I had to walk away from the mortgage and the house since it was now worth less than she paid, and all the debts, and declare bankruptcy. I think mom thought she could hang on and things would work out eventually but…they didn't," She trailed off, and took a ragged breath before continuing, "So on top of now knowing Grams was sick and needed care, I found out all the money was gone and the only one who could do anything about it was me. I had to start from nothing and figure something out. By myself."

Fuck.

She was quiet for a moment and I continued to stroke her back softly and flexed the hand she now had so tightly clasped between her two small ones trying to give her whatever comfort I could. Finally after another deep sigh she kept talking.

"I found a nice place for Grams. She was the most important thing. I was all she had to depend on and I had to do the right thing. I couldn't just leave her in some awful place. I moved into where I am now because it was the cheapest place that I could find. And I took on every job I could find no matter how much I hated them, so Grams could have a decent place."

She suddenly looked up at me and held my gaze.

" I call and check on her every day from wherever I am working, but that is why I only see her on the weekends and sometimes I can't even do both days if I can pick up an extra shift so my budget is not so tight all the time…but there just never seems to be enough time to do everything I have to do, never mind what I want to do…and I can't find better jobs cause I am so busy working there is never any time to look. It feels like all I do is work one place then head to the next place and work more… it never ends. Grams doesn't know me anymore. I have no one to help or talk to and I am just so, so tired," her rambling words were coming out faster and her voice was taking on a hysterical edge and I had to stop her.

"Shh, its okay Bella, I understand," I crooned and took her in my arms and rocked her gently.

What the fuck did I do now? How the hell could I possibly respond to all this information? This was a horrid situation she found herself in. And one which she was so desperately trying to manage- with zero support. I needed to proceed carefully, but I needed some answers.

"Can I ask you some questions Bella? Would you be comfortable with that? Will you tell me the truth? Please? I want to understand. "

She nodded against my chest, so I started.

"How did you get this bruise, Bella?"

"Grams …"she hesitated, "Has been getting worse every week when I see her. She doesn't even recognize me anymore. It's so hard to see the person you love in front of you, who looks exactly like the person you love, yet it's not them. Today she was very bad. She was irrational and angry… like I have never seen her before. And I was kneeling in front of her trying to calm her down… and suddenly she lashed out and pushed me away. I fell into a table that was close by.

"It was an accident Edward. She would never intentionally hurt me. Ever!

"After it happened, I was just so shocked and upset. The nurse checked me out to make sure I wasn't seriously hurt and then they asked me to leave so they could calm her down. And then I found myself at the shop... I don't know why or how…I just needed to see you. Even if I wasn't sure you wanted to see me after I walked out on you. "

I pulled her as close to me as I could. She seemed to relax a little further and I loved how right she felt in my arms. How she could think I wouldn't want to see her again?

"No sweet girl, you did the right thing. You needed someone... and I am so glad you came to me. So glad…last time was my fault not yours." I rocked her gently for a bit to calm her down some.

"How many jobs are you working? " I asked quietly, dreading the answer.

"Five."

I closed my eyes. Fuck.

Deep breath there, Edward.

"What kind of jobs are we talking about here? "

"I…I wait tables every weekday from 5am- 11am. I work in a book store 3 afternoons a week for five hours. I dog walk other afternoons. I clean a few offices five evenings a week and I clean three bars after they close on Friday and Saturday nights. And I pick up any extra shifts I can at the diner and the bookstore." All this was stated very matter- of- factly as if it was normal to work that much all the time.

"When do you sleep?" I wondered aloud.

"I catnap on the bus and the nights I don't clean the bars I get a few hours – enough to keep me going. And I don't work on Sunday nights so I try to sleep then."

I cleared my throat. "Exactly how tight is the budget Bella?"

"To the penny and sometimes not quite enough," she murmured.

"How often are you giving up food?"

She hesitated again for a moment then whispered, "A lot. More than before. Gram's care has gone up and so have the expenses. I have had to give up a lot of things.

"But I am not selfless, Edward. I'm not. I don't make much in tips at the diner and what I do get goes towards Gram's care, but all the change I find in the bars when I clean I keep and use for the one thing I won't give up for anything , the one luxury I allow myself …"

"What is that sweet girl?" Eating has become luxury to her? What could be more important than eating?

For the first time she looked up at me and offered a timid smile.

"My treat - a cup of coffee at your place after seeing Grams. The chance to sit quietly for a short time and just be in the same place as you. And hope to see the most beautiful warm eyes I have ever seen look in my direction. To watch you smile as you talk to your customers. Just to be close to you for a few minutes, even if I couldn't do more than that. That is thing that has kept me going week after week. Right from the first day I walked in."

One tiny hand drifted up and touched my cheek softly. Her eyes were wide and held a look I had not seen before. An intensity that was directed entirely at me.

"You, Edward. Only you."

Oh my… how does our Coffeeward feel about that little declaration? How do you feel about it ?