A/N: Hey guys. Here is the promised chapter. Considering I hadn't started writing it until the last update, and I have two AP classes this year, I'd say that came out pretty fast. Any way, I really hope you enjoy it. I put a lot of work into it for you guys.

The song is The Weight of Us by Sanders Bohlke. It is a truly inspiring song, I hope you guys give it a listen.

Weight of Us

Most people who have the rare chance of knowing when there life will end would look at it as a death sentence, and I suppose that's what it is. You find out that you are not going to live as long as your friends, your family will go on even after you cease to exist, and you realize that all those tiny ambitions you've been putting back all your life will never happen. Yet, there are an even rarer few lucky ones among this group of the knowing. They have the ability to look beyond the misfortune and regret and see the beauty in this knowledge. Knowing does not close their eyes, but instead opens them. They can see the magnificent world truly for the first time. They see a second chance to do things right before their number is called.

"Edward, would you stop looking at the phone?"

It had been three days since we left the hospital, and Edward had taken it upon himself to wait by the telephone every waking moment. Each time it rang, he would jump to grab it, only to be disappointed when it was just another friend wishing me well. I could understand his anxiety, but this was just too much.

"I'm just waiting for-"

"I know what you're waiting for, but staring at the phone like it's a ticking time bomb isn't going to make Dr. Hale call any faster," I said. Then, amazingly, he actually turned away from the phone to look at me with a guilty face.

"I'm sorry. I just thought they'd be back by now. How can you not be as worried about this as I am?"

"Because, I've decided that no matter the results, I'm going to accept what is and go on living my life. This isn't a curse, and it's not going to stop me from doing what I want. I just have to do it in a shorter amount of time is all."

As Edward gazed at me, I realized the words I spoke were truer than anything I'd ever felt. I couldn't hide from the world because of this. I had to be brave and, to put it simply, go out with my boots on.

"I wish I could have your strength," he breathed as he touched my cheek. I lifted my hand to his and held it against my face.

"You do," I replied. "You just don't see it yet."

He smiled that smile I loved so much and kissed me softly.

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"I….um want to ask you something," he stammered. I looked up at his face, and saw he was nervous. He stood up suddenly and started pacing back and forth by my bed.

"What is it, Edward?" I couldn't think of what would be making him so uneasy.

"Well, um….you know I love you, right?" he said.

"Yes, of course. I love you, too."

"Good! So, yeah. Well, when people are in love they usually….oh how do I say this?" My eyes went wide. He couldn't mean what I thought.

"Edward, are you saying what I think you're saying, because you know I'm not that kind of girl."

He stared at me with a puzzled face, until his eyes too went wide. "No! No, no, no, no, no. I definitely did not mean that."

"Well then what is all of this about, Edward?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would…..oh I can't do it like this. This is all wrong. Just forget it."

"Edward, what is it?" I all but screamed at him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When his eyes opened, they were full of so much passion I nearly gasped.

"Isabella Marie Swan, will you marry me?"

Time must've stopped, because from the tips of my fingers to the heels of my feet I was frozen. Nothing else in this moment existed. The birds outside were not chirping, the sun was not shining on this unusually sunny day, and the universe itself was no longer spinning. There was nothing but Edward and me as we stared into each other's eyes. But, as though in a movie, time had to restart.

"W-what?" I stuttered. I couldn't have heard right.

"Will you marry me?" he repeated, his eyes still overflowing with a scorching intensity.

"Really? You…actually want to marry me?"

"Yes," he answered simply, not a single hint of doubt in his voice.

"Even with everything that's going on right now?" I asked skeptically. He would most likely be tying himself down only to be heartbroken. There was a very high probability that this wouldn't end well.

"None of it matters," he said sincerely. "I love you, and I want to be with you, whether it's one year or one hundred years. So, will you marry me?"

"I…Of course."

"Really?" he said, his face finally changing to one of joyous surprise.

"Yes," I laughed. Then, the most beautiful smile I've ever seen broke out across his face.

The call came later on that night. Edward didn't answer it. I did. I kept a straight face as Edward anxiously waited by my side. I listened quietly as Dr. Hale told me the tumor had indeed halted in its progression. Surgery was possible, meaning that so was life.

As I sat and heard the doctor prattle on, I finally felt that sense of peace. There was hope. Life had a whole new meaning to me. It was like I was seeing the universe for the first time. And it was beautiful.

As I hung up the phone, I remembered Edward by my side.

"Well?" he implored. I couldn't find the words to answer him. So, I turned to him and gave a small smile as a single tear ran down my cheek.

He stared at me for the longest time, his expression staid. And I stared back, into the solid emerald I loved so much.

"Well," he finally said. "Does that change your answer?"

"You mean….You still want to marry me?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"Well…I thought maybe you only asked because you thought I was going to die soon."

For the first time, I saw true anger on Edward's face. "Bella, why do you insist on underestimating my love for you? What more can I say to make you believe me? I love you and I will be here with you no matter what. So get used to it, because you're not getting rid of me."

He opened his mouth to say more, but couldn't because I just couldn't hold myself back. I grabbed his face with my hands and kissed him with as much force as I could muster. His hands went for my waist and he instinctively pulled me closer to him. After seconds, minutes, or what could very well have been hours, we pulled away breathing heavily, Edward sporting a goofy smile.

"I should yell at you more often," he laughed.

"So, we're getting married?" I said sheepishly.

"So we're getting married," he repeated, grinning.

"Why can't we tell anyone, again?" Edward asked for the millionth time.

"Because, things are a little hectic right now," I repeated.

"Okay, you keep saying that, but you still won't elaborate."

"Edward, let me put it this way. I'm about to have brain surgery. Let's not make my father worry about too much at once, okay. Let's just get through this hurtle, then we'll take things from there."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry," he replied.

"Why are you so eager about telling everyone, anyway? It's not like it's going to happen soon," I thought aloud.

"What do you mean? Why wouldn't it happen soon?"

I looked at him, dumbfounded.

"Because, Edward. We haven't even finished high school. Even after high school, we should wait until we finish college. And that's even if I get to go to college. Let's not forget that even if the surgery could work, the surgery itself could kill me. And if I survive, the cost of bills is going to make it practically impossible for me to make it through college." My voice was getting ragged and higher in pitch as I thought of these problems for the first time. How could I not have seen? "Oh my gosh, I'm not going to go to college. I going to be some beggar on the street with a freaky scar on my head. I'm-"

A warm hand was placed over my throat. It was only then that I noticed I was hyperventilating.

"Bella, shh. Calm down. You're being silly," Edward tried to soothe, but it didn't work.

"No, I'm not. I'm being pretty freaking realistic, Edward," I shouted.

"Bella, you're not going to be a beggar. You're going to college," he said in the same soothing voice.

"With what money, Edward? I can't pay myself. I can't get a job because of this stupid cancer. Heck, I can't even leave the house because of it," I seethed, my pent up anger on being locked in the house finally releasing itself.

"Bella, do you really think I would let that happen to you? You know my family would be more than willing to help you through college."

"I can't let you do that!"

"Of course you can, Bella. I know it'll be difficult for you letting someone take care of you," he said in a teasing manner, "but I won't leave you to fend for yourself."

I thought this over, and couldn't come up with a rebuttal. It was apparently showing on my face because Edward flashed a triumphant grin. "Well, what if I don't make it through surgery?" I shot, wiping the smile clean of his face.

"Don't say that," he growled. He always got this way when I brought it up.

"Why not, Edward?" I screamed. I knew my voice probably sounded hysterical with the pitch it was reaching, but I didn't care. Why couldn't he just get it? "I'll agree the college thing was a little silly, but this is real. This is a possibility."

"No! It's not," he thundered, the sheer power of his voice shaking me to my bones. The room was now deadly silent, but I did not falter.

"Yes, it is," I whispered defiantly. "And the only reason you don't want to accept it is because you can't change it. It's the one thing out of your control."

He glared at me for a moment, and then his fearsome demeanor crumbled. He fell onto my bed, his eyes facing the heavens though he covered them with his hands.

"You're right," he mumbled bleakly. Slowly, he sat up to look at me. I looked in his eyes, and finally saw the fear that I felt. I quickly walked to his side and sat by him, laying my head on his shoulder to soothe him. He took my hand in his, and was silent for some time.

"You're right, Bella. There is so much I can protect you from. I can protect you from burglars and hormonal teenage boys," he said the last with a small shadow of a laugh, but it was sad laughter. "I can protect you from the brute force of this world, but not this. I can't fight nature, Bella. And no matter what I do or how hard I try, I still can't save you." His voice was a whisper now, and I noticed a few tears trickling down his cheek.

"I know," I said slowly, my words deliberate. "That's what I've been trying to make you see. Edward, I love you so much, with everything I have in me. I want us to be married and have kids, and grow old and all that other corny stuff," I joked slightly, but then the mood changed. "But I need you to be prepared in case that's just not possible. I know you say that you'll be with me whether it's for one year or one hundred years, and I believe you. But, are you really truly prepared if it is one year? If I…die…soon, are you ready?"

He did not look at me for a long time; he simply kept his head down, staring at my beige carpet. Enduring that silence was like walking on hot coals in the middle of a fire. I was on edge, and one wrong move could obliterate me. Slowly, almost as if the movement was causing him pain, Edward raised his head and looked me straight in the eye, his decision made.

"No."