Anthony POV

I threw my chicken bone on the table with the rest of the plates and groaned, pulling Aimee tight into my sighed. She giggled and I groaned, rubbing my stomach and side.

"So many things are going wrong inside of me now." I complained.

She laughed and kissed my temple, "I told you not to go for the record."

"Hey I had to beat Chris." I muttered and she rolled her eyes, pushing her plate on top of mine.

She went quiet all of a sudden and I stroked her hair, knowing what she was thinking.

"It seems so wrong to laugh." She whispered.

I swallowed and sat up, picking up the empty plates and walking to the kitchen. We were at Esme and Carlisle's house. The rest of the family was in bed, but we were still up, trying to recreate our first date. But the over shadowing cloud of despair lingered less than a foot above our heads, and I knew it was only a minute before it came crashing down and we both crumpled with despair.

She took a deep breath, "All I can think about is your mum, she must be heartbroken."

I swallowed, "She's dealing with it."

She looked at me with teary eyes, "How can you be so flippant, he's your father... don't you even care..." She started but I growled and stood up, storming away and slamming the front door of the house.

I needed to talk to my father.

Edward POV

My whole body felt like it was a bruise. Every time my skin brushed against something it burned, like my skin was flaking off on contact. Bella sat with me most of the time, even sleeping beside me on the sofa. If I had had the strength I would have forced her to rest in bed, but in my present condition, and selfish condition when it came to her, I let her snuggle against my chest. Her skin against mine was the only thing that didn't cause the feeling of an intense burning itch.

I was laying on the sofa, dying to get up but not having the strength to. I felt almost claustrophobic in the blanket, although I was wearing no clothes other than my boxers. The grey lines had started to appear down my chest and arms, and although I felt much worse than I previously had, I was happy the physical damage was hard to spot.

There was a knock at the door and I looked away from where I was studying the ceiling to see Anthony walking towards me, his face concerned.

"Hey." My god my voice sounded strange, it was rough and dry, like I needed to drink something. I glanced to see a glass of water set on the table beside me. I reached for it but my arm flung away from me, my nerves shot to shit. I groaned when it banged on the table and knocked the glass over, water going everywhere.

I moaned when my arm convulsed and the grey lines etched down it throbbed. There was the slamming of a door and Bella was suddenly beside me as Ant cleaned up the mess. She picked up my arm and placed it back on my chest, her shaking fingers stroking my forehead with the gentlest of touches.

"Don't strain yourself." She ordered.

I opened my mouth to argue but she gave me a withering look. I sighed and nodded, her lips touching my temple.

"Thank you." She whispered and left again, taking the glass to fill it up.

Ant sat on the coffee table facing me, his knees bouncing and his hands intertwining and unravelling around one another.

I frowned, "What's wrong?"

He sighed, "You wouldn't understand."

"Thanks." I muttered and turned to look back at the ceiling.

He sighed again, "Not that your stupid I just... your my dad, and I really need to speak to someone my own age."

I scoffed, "Are you kissing, I'm so down with the kids my ears to the pavement..." I chuckled at my own joke. He raised his eyebrows and shook his head, looking more like his mother than he ever had done before

"Okay what does that even mean?" He asked confused.

I chuckled, "You'll understand come day."

Yeh, but you probably won't be here.

He though bitterly. I cringed and he floundered, Bella rushing back in as I tried to turn to face him, catching my arm on the back of the sofa, my skin screaming in protest. I clutched my arm, therefore causing more pain. I bit my lip and my back arched, fighting the urge to scream.

Her hands prised m fingers away as she inspected my throbbing limbs. I looked through tight lids to see her body fight the urge to cry. I went to reach to cup her cheek but she pushed my arm back down, shaking her head regrettably.

"You need to stay still." She whispered.

I swallowed and shut my eyes, letting a breath leave my chest as her lips touched mine with the lightest of touches.

"Love you Edward." She whispered, "Forever."

And I didn't have the strength to answer her.