Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Twilight belongs to the great Stephenie Meyer. I don't own Facebook either – I wish I did as I would be loaded.

Authors Notes: Wowsers. Got a lot of mixed reviews in the previous chapter. Lot's of you were really hating on Edward. (This story is posted on Fanfiction net and TWCSL) – Some say that he shouldn't have gone to see Kate, that he is tied to Bella, that he is irresponsible etc. Poor Edward *sad face* - things will be explained in this chapter.

Also gained a lot of new readers the past two chapters – so WELCOME!

My huge thanks go to Lauren and Michelle in this chapter for their support after I was questioning myself last night, and to lisamichelle17 for her wonderful reviews and to fallanydeeper for pre-reading.

Chapter 20

EPOV

What the Hell? Why does she think I am here?

Kate pulls herself closer to me, her lips on my neck, then across my cheeks and she reaches the corner of my mouth I can take no more. It's wrong. This feels so wrong.

I gently clasp her wrists and untangle her arms from around my neck and step away. Her blue eyes look at me imploringly, I have to avert my gaze.

"Katie... Tanya said you were asking for me. I came to offer you support - but only as your friend."

Her eyes became impossibly wider and she backed away from me, fresh tears threatening to spurt from her blue orbs. She looks hurt, I can't help that though.

"Tanya said you were coming back to me, she said that you dropped everything... your new job, to come to me. We made a big mistake Ed. I should have never have let you go. I am sorry." Large tears begin to cascade down her cheeks. I want to hold her and offer her comfort but I fear that she will get the wring end of the stick. "Yesterday... the accident... it made me realize what an idiot I was. How we should have worked around the issue with my sister."

I turn away and pinch the bridge of my nose. She comes up behind me and lays her hand lighty on my arm, her fingers curling around my tricep. "Katie... Kate, I'm sorry about your father, that's why I am here. I want to help your family. "

"Just listen to me," she interrupts. "I never thought about what you wanted Ed, and now I see just how important you were... ARE to me. I can't lose you too. I won't. After my dad, you are the one man who has influenced my life - you made a difference."

I have to stop her. She is grieving and has many strange thoughts floating around her head. It will hurt her, but I have to be honest. I will not hurt Bella. "I can't Kate. I love you, but as a friend. We never really shared the passion about each other, not the kind of passion that's needed in a physical relationship. We loved work too much. I have met someone, and the fire between us is the most intense and incredible thing ever. I am in love with her."

She looks hurt, as I guessed she would and backs away, sitting on the edge of they bed. "You were never in love with me?"

I shrug apologetically. "I thought I was, at the time. But with Bella, I can't describe it. I love you Kate, and your family. You have all done so much for me. The support you and Eleazar gave me - I can never repay that. I care about you, but I can only offer my friendship."

Kate's head falls into her hands and she starts to sob gently, her slight but long body moving in a rocking action. She is pretty messed up, but she has lost her father and both Kate and Tanya were very close with him. I cautiously take a seat beside her and rest a hand in her shoulder, patting gently, just like a Dr or nurse would do in a movie. It doesn't really happen like that, so the movement feels somewhat foreign to me, but I remind myself that this girl is practically family. No matter what our past is.

"Your mom told me what happened. You can't blame yourself Kate."

She sniffed loudly and raised her head to look at me. "If I had not have out off putting gas in that damn car I would have gotten there sooner. He wouldn't be dead and he and my mother would be sitting together downstairs right now. You know why I didn't get gas?" I shake my head. "Because I had my nail appointment and I was running late. So I took Tanya's BMW. I felt my hands were more important. I can't seem to sort out my God damn priorities Edward, and once again, my selfish actions have shit on me." she starts to cry again.

"You are not selfish Katie. You know what you want from your life. You live for your work and you like a plan. I think I know you pretty well and you thrive off your organization. You have your priorities straight and they work for you." I try and explain to her. It's the truth. I admire Kate Denali in many ways. Just because we were not suited and are still very different people, despite the things we thought we had in common when we were together - she is an incredible woman. She has an amazing future and is so successful. I have never seen her look this broken.

"I just wish I had been there... they think he died instantly."

I nod and wrap my arm across her shoulder. "You might think that now, but you can't what if about it... I mean... say you did arrive five minutes earlier. What are you driving now? The R8?" she nods. "If you had arrived earlier, the other vehicle may have hit you too."

She swallows and looks away. I hope my words are sinking into all of that blonde hair on top of her head. "Thank you for coming. I am sorry to drag you out here. I bet your girlfriend was mad at me hey?"

I cock my head to the side. "No, it was Bella who told me that I should be here with you and your family."

Kate looks lost for words. "I am... happy for you. I do wish things were different. I have always regretted leaving you."

I pat her shoulder. "you shouldn't be regretting anything. It was the right choice for both of us. Although we would probably still be together now, I think we would be missing something." I explain to her. She looks at me. "I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"It was tough... for a while. I know Tanya was one if the main reasons why we were forced apart... but I know deep down that it was for the best. It was a mutual decision."

"You have made this Bella the luckiest girl on the planet, you know that right?"

I chuckle. "I'm the lucky one. We actually went to High school together. She was friends with Rose. She is perfect." I grin, thinking about my beautiful girl, who is still hopefully snuggled up on this Sunday afternoon in my... in our house. "She agreed to move in with me last night."

Kate smiles, her eyes crinkling up slightly. "Wow. It IS serious."

I nod. "She is the one."

Kate gets to her feet. "I'm sorry about before…"

I stand beside her and push her hair back. "Don't be. You are going through a tough time. I will help out as much as I can… I'm sure there are a lot of arrangements to be made, and if there is anything I can do, then please let me know okay?"

"Thank you Edward. I honestly do not know where to start, and I don't think my mother is up to dealing with things herself. I think she could use your help… you know, with arrangements?"

"Okay."

"You look beat… come on, I'll show you to your room and you can shower and have a nap or something and then… well… stuff for dad."

I smile at her sadly and pull my phone from my pocket. Shit. It's dead. "I'll just clean up… hey, I don't suppose you have a phone charger I can borrow? I left mine back in Forks. I promised Bella I would call her…" I hold up the rather dead phone. Kate studies it.

"I'm not a Blackberry user, but Tanya is, I'll go ask her to put it on charge for you ok?" she holds out her hand for the phone and I happily give it over. "Come on, you can have one of the guest rooms."

She leads me a few doors down the corridor and let me in. Her parents home, being the monster mansion it is, each room has it's own bathroom. Bliss. Kate leaves me in peace and I quickly strip off and take a shower, washing the sticky flight and Florida moistness off my skin. I will visit the funeral directors for Carmen and start things off for her. I've never had to arrange a funeral before, but I can imagine it's not a nice task.

I finish up and throw on some gray pants and a dark button down and run my fingers through my damp hair, slicking it back so it looks a little more presentable and its usual array of uncontrollable mess.

Kate and Tanya are nowhere to be seen. I really want to text Bella. I go off in search of Carmen and she is seated on the patio of the vast backyard, still clutching her handkerchief. She turns and gives me a smile and gestures for me to sit with her.

"Tanya has had to go out and Kate is sleeping. You being here has really helped her Edward. She had not spoken a word to anyone since the accident, apart from crying for you. I owe you so much for giving me back my daughter. I was so afraid I was going to lose her too."

"Carmen, you and Eleazar have done so much for me. The support you both gave me during medical support was phenomenal. I want to help you as much as I can now." I tell her, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. The Denali family are so loving. In my first year of Medical School, I almost dropped out. I had been certain that I didn't want to follow in my father's footsteps and become a Surgeon. It was Eleazar who sat me down and told me to carry on and not give up. It had been Carmen who suggested Paediatrics – much to her daughters distaste at the time. I think she had wanted me to be a surgeon too. I smile at the memory. "Did you want me to handle the initial arrangements?"

She pushes a large legal envelope to me. "Eleazar planned everything out – this is exactly what he wants." She sighs and adds, "Always the planner, the stupidly organized man." She exhales and wipes at her eyes. "Everything, locations, funeral parlours, details, everything down to music, it's all in there."

I take the envelope and pat it gently. "I'll take this into town and get it sorted for you."

"Thank you Edward, I don't know if I can manage it right now. Just please, make sure that everything is done to his requirements.

"Of course Carmen."

She hands over the keys to Kate's two year old Audi R8. It's one hell of a car. I'm so used to driving my sensible, reliable Volvo, but it's nice to enjoy driving a real car. I barely have to touch the gas pedal and she roars to life. I programme the address into the onboard navigation and head off to pay a visit to the funeral directors.

Eleazer's business is dealt with very quickly and with the greatest care. The funeral it set for Friday afternoon and there is to be a reception for drinks after the service.

I pay a quick visit to a florist and memorial store as there is something I would very much like to do for Bella. She has nothing to remind her of Sophie apart from her photographs and tiny hand and footprints she was given after her birth. I want to buy a memorial plaque with her name on it, so that Bella can lie it somewhere special. Perhaps down at La Push where she scattered her tiny daughters ashes. Somewhere where she can maybe sit and talk to her, and lay flowers.

I find the perfect item. It's a small oval marble flat stone. You can get words and names carved. Its eight inches wide, by six inches high. Just the thing I am looking for. I really think Bella is going to love it.

I speak to the shop owner and explain what I would like.

Sophie Charlie Swan

Born too soon

Gone, but never forgotten.

Flying with the Angels.

The text is going to be in a bold script and in pink. It's going to take a week or so, so I ask for her to have it shipped to Forks, in Bella's name. I also ask if there is anyway that she can contact another florist to have some flowers to Bella tomorrow too. She is happy to oblige and there is another branch of this chain in Port Angeles, and I order two dozen pink roses to be sent to her along with a little note. I fucking love the Interflora. You pay for what you get.

It's nine in the evening as I drive up the long road back to the Denali's estate. I must call Bella, it's been hours and I feel lost without having been able to send her even a text. It's only six pm back at home, so hopefully I will not wake her.

Carmen and her daughters are all sitting in the living area together and I join them for a moment, handing Carmen all the paperwork I was given at the funeral directors. "They need you to go and choose some flower arrangements. I didn't want to pick wrong. But everything else is in order. It's all worked out." I tell her and Kate and Tanya.

"Thank you for doing this for us," Kate speaks up, standing and hugging me gently. "It means so much. I don't think we would have coped very well."

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad I could be of some use." I turn to Tanya. "Any chance I could have my phone back?" I ask her. She glances at Kate so fast that I almost miss it. What the fuck is all that about?

"Sure," she says. "I'll just grab it for you." And she exits the room. I look at Kate and she shrugs. I still wonder what has gone on.

Tanya returns and hands me my blackberry. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm lost without this thing. I'll be back, I need to make a call." I tell the ladies, excusing myself and taking to the stairs.

The phone is on and I have a few notifications on the screen. The first is from Facebook, a request to change my relationship status. I click yes and my profile is suddenly updated with. Edward Cullen is in a relationship with Isabella Swan. Perfect. My heart swells. There is a couple of unread texts too.

Hey baby, thanks for the call, it was great to hear your voice. Missing you ~ B xx

And another:

Just to let you know I'm thinking of you. I love you more than words can express. ~ B

I scroll down my list and call her. I'm about to hang up after the twentieth ring, but she answers.

"Hi"

"Hey baby, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to call you. My phone died." I tell her into the phone. "I had to go into the town and assist with the funeral arrangements."

"Oh, okay. I called a couple of times that's all. Some girl answered and said that you and Kate were sleeping." Her voice is quiet.

What the FUCK?

"What? I've not slept since I have been here Bella, Who did you speak to?"

I can almost picture her shrugging. She huffs out a little breath.

"I'm assuming it was Tanya. I'm sorry. I didn't know what to think. Not what I expected to hear." She tells me, sounding a little embarrassed. My Bella should not be embarrassed about this. It's got fucking Tanya Denali written all over.

"I swear beautiful, I have been out and alone all day. There is something you should know though. Kate thought that by me coming here, meant that I was coming home to her, for good. Again, something Tanya insinuated."

Bella's breath hitches, but she doesn't say a word. I can almost hear her heart beating like a hummingbird in her tiny chest.

"I put her straight, I told her we are happy. I'm coming home to you tomorrow my beautiful girl. I am SO sorry I left you. It wasn't the right thing to do."

Silence.

"Bella?"

"I'm here," she whispers. Her breath hitches again. "I'm just… don't worry. I just miss you that's all."

"I will be home as soon as I can. I have to clear things up here and I will be on the next available flight. I wanted to help my friends, but I should have thought more about you."

"Don't be silly, I told you to go Edward. I'm the one being silly, because I'm acting like a child."

I chuckle. "You could never act like a child. Miss you so much. Listen, I need to go speak to a certain… friend. You sleep, it's getting late. I will text you and you call me as soon as you wake up okay?"

"Umhhm. Okay. I love you Edward. Goodnight."

"Night baby. Sleep well. Love you too."

I wait for her to hang up the phone.

I have some business to attend to with a Miss Tanya Denali.

Not as much as a cliff hanger as the previous chapter. So no hating please.

As always, I love to know what you think. I hope that Edward has redeemed himself to some of you. He loves his Bella, end of. He's just too much of a nice guy for his own good sometimes.

Little bit of pimpage for you all – My lovely friend BeccieT has a new story, one for all you wolf lovers out there. Cats and Dogs is based around the pack, mainly Sam, although the story will include all the other Twi-Characters as well. Please check it out and leave her some love.

Remove the dots. You know the drill/

http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6381996/1/Cats_and_Dogs

This week is Baby Loss Awareness Week. Every day 17 babies die through Stillbirth or Neonatal death (in the UK), Every day 17 sets of Parents are left devestated and Heartbroken. The loss of a baby is still a taboo subject. Break the Silence. Take a few minutes to think of parents and their babies. The statistics above don't include those babies lost to first and second trimester miscarriage. I dread to think of what the numbers are.