November entered Chicago much quicker than Edward had anticipated.

Then again, he wasn't the best person to gauge time.

As he sat in Bella's car holding a pot of flowers, he wondered how he had let all that time slip through his fingers. Fifty days had seemed like such a long time at first, and he felt silly to admit to himself that he felt confident in getting three tears within that period.

He hadn't just hadn't factored in all the complications that had added on, he supposed.

"We're here," Bella spoke for the very first time since their drive began. Edward nodded, and silently followed her out the car.

The cemetery has never been a place that caused him any discomfort, but after the events of the past month, Edward felt a little wary as he passed by tombstones and mausoleums. He's had more than his fair share of brushes with death that being in such a morbid place made him uneasy.

"Bella? Who are we visiting?" he asked to distract himself.

"Just…someone special," Bella answered as she continued walking along the pathway in front of him. "It's All Saint's Day today."

"Yeah, I know." Edward was a little surprised he still hadn't forgotten his religious holidays. "So we're leaving these flowers for a saint then?"

"Something like that," Bella said. The two of them stopped in front of a tombstone behind a large oak tree.

Edward shifted the pot in his arms as he read the name on the slab of marble. "Charles Swan?" his tone was astonished. "Your dad?"

"Yeah, it's him," Bella smiled slightly. "You can put that down next to the candle stand."

"I'm…kinda surprised," Edward looked at her after he did as she told. "I expected him to be in Forks."

"He said he didn't want to be far from me," Bella's gaze was set on the gravestone. "I thought he'd want to be buried in Forks, too; that was the only home he ever really knew. But he told me he'd rather rest in an unfamiliar city if that meant being closer to me, and my aunt and uncle."

"That's understandable. He loved you, Bella."

"I loved him, too. He was amazing…especially after Renee left."

Edward's hand twitched as he thought about hugging her. He didn't think that would be appropriate, though, so he settled on squeezing her arm.

"She called again this morning, you know," Bella continued to speak without looking at him. "Actually, she's been calling me for a couple of weeks now. But it was just this morning that I finally told her I can't do it." She shuddered slightly as she hugged herself. "I can't meet her or her new family or have anything to do with her right now. I-I'm not ready."

This time, Edward didn't hesitate to pull Bella into an embrace. He heard sobs break out from her, and despite the situation, he smiled. It felt good to return the comfort she always readily gave.

"I'm sorry," Bella sniffled. "I know you probably think I'm an emotional mess all of the time, but I really hardly ever cry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Edward rubbed her back softly. "And there's nothing wrong with crying, either. It's better to let your emotions out that way than to just bottle them up inside."

"You're right," Bella wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Do you know I've cried more times the past month that I have my whole life? The times I've really broken down in tears are pretty rare, though. The last time I did was when I went to see Edward."

Edward's eyes grew wide. "You cried for him?"

"I did," Bella nodded. "I went to see him in the hospital one time, and…I don't know. Something inside me just broke, I guess. I – Well, you know about our history now, so you know that we haven't been on the best of terms before going our separate ways, but despite everything…" she paused and looked straight into his eyes. "I still love him. I just couldn't hold the tears back anymore when I saw him so helpless like that."

A gust of air left Edward's chest as it all started clicking in his head.

Bella gave me my first tear, he realized. And she still loves me.

Unable to help himself for the second time that morning, Edward hugged Bella again, and allowed a few drops to escape his own eyes.

Jacob knew he shouldn't be drinking while driving, but he wasn't entertaining rational thoughts today. Besides, any obligation he had to honor these days required a little bit of alcohol on his part.

He had been feeling that way ever since Rosalie ended their relationship. It felt so wrong to be separated from her. He'd always wanted her and resented Edward for getting her first, so when the opportunity to finally have her arose, he didn't hesitate to take it.

And when Rose shared her plans to ruin Edward and his family, he merrily jumped aboard that ship, too.

It wasn't that he hated Edward or the Cullens; he did become quite close with them, but he just wanted to get even. It was just ridiculous. How was it fair that one person gets the looks, the brains, the girl, the success, and the wealth while he was always stuck with second best?

It was high time someone knocked Edward down a peg or ten, and he was eager for it to happen.

Now, though, as he drove to the hospital with a bottle of cheap beer in his cup holder, he was beginning to think that maybe it would have been better if he just didn't get himself involved in Rose's business in the first place. If he hadn't, then he could have saved himself the heartbreak, and, as of late, the alcoholism.

Jacob took one final swig of his drink before he stumbled out of his car. He hadn't seen the Cullens in a while, nor has he seen Carlisle since his operation, so he figured now was a good time as any to check in.

As he began walking through the lobby of the hospital, a familiar figure passing by him with a colourful cake box caught his attention.

"Whitlock," he muttered. "And just when I thought I can get through the day without having to see that prick."

Jacob really was annoyed by him. The quiet boy he remembered from high school was now apparently this outspoken little shit who didn't know how to mind his own business. He didn't know why no one else was suspicious of him, but he was still adamant about his old school mate hiding something.

Suddenly, the moment seemed like the perfect time to find out just what that something was.

With as much stealth as he could gather, he carefully shadowed the form of Jasper Whitlock.

Edward waited a little impatiently for the elevator to arrive. He wanted desperately to see his parents again, thus when Bella asked him to deliver another cake, he quickly rose to the task.

The moving box of metal finally arrived at his floor after a few minutes, but before he could take a step, a hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his arm.

It was apparently a middle-aged woman who had wanted his attention. She looked a little hysterical in Edward's opinion, with her bedraggled hair, bitten nails, and nervous expression.

"How can I help you, ma'am?" he asked instead of voicing his thoughts. "Are you lost?"

"You're a traveller, aren't you?" the woman asked. She grabbed Edward's wrist, and stared at his cuff. "You are! You're on this journey, too!"

"Um…how did –?"

"I have one of those," she pointed to a cuff of her own, though instead of a family crest, the embossed image of a child was attached to it.

"I think we better speak somewhere quieter," Edward murmured. He gently led the woman to a cluster of empty benches.

"Have you collected any tears yet?" she asked once they were seated.

"I have," Edward nodded. He pointed to the lone crystal. "It's been difficult, but I'm lucky enough to have one person cry for me. What about you?"

"I don't have any," the woman ran a shaky finger through her cuff. "And it's too late for me to try now."

"It's not too late. I'm sure someone out there still loves you."

"It is! I've just been so stupid. I-I thought that the friends I have in the city would be enough, but none of them…none of them have shed a genuine tear. I wish I would have just spent my time at home with my family."

"You can still do that," Edward encouraged. "Is your family far?"

"I don't talk to my parents anymore, but I know my younger brother's in South Africa with my sister," she glanced at the silver oval on her wrist. "He's the only reason why I want to stay."

"You can still see him," Edward insisted. "Do you need money, or – "

"No. Thank you for the offer, but there's nothing that can be done," the woman shook her head forlornly. "I only have six hours left. The flight alone would take more than half a day."

Edward couldn't control the gasp that escaped his lips. Six hours? The sympathy he felt for his companion grew at the same time his anxiety to get two more tears worsened.

"Don't end up like me," she pleaded to him. "I don't know how much time you have left, but however much that may be, don't waste it on people who don't care about you. Because when all of this is over, it's the people who love you that will matter the most."

Jacob pounced the second Edward entered the elevator. He didn't know who the woman he spoke to was, but judging by Edward's worried face as he walked away, Jacob discerned that she probably knew something vital about him.

"Excuse me," he stopped the lady with a sweet voice. "I hate to bother you, ma'am, but I just wanted to ask…what did you and my friend talk about?"

When the woman didn't reply, Jacob began silently cursing himself for being too direct. An apology was about to leave his lips, but then she started bawling and speaking at the same time.

"I'm too late!" she wailed. "I-I'll never see him again!"

"Shit. Um, it's going to be okay, miss." People were starting to stare as Jacob offered his handkerchief. "It'll be fine. I'm…sure you'll see Jasper again."

The woman shook her head. "No, I'm too late. I didn't try hard enough to collect the tears."

"Tears?"

"Tears of true love! I need them so much," she shoved her cuff at him. "But I can't get any now. God, I've been an idiot!"

"Wait, wait," Jacob interrupted her blubbering. "I'm not getting it. Can you start from the beginning?"

And the woman did. She told him everything from the accident that caused it all, to how she had to possess another person's body in order to find tears induced by love. Jacob thought the story was insane first, but as he thought of Edward's accident and Jasper's behaviour, he began to believe everything that he was hearing.

Once the woman had stumbled away, Jacob immediately whipped out his phone to make a call. He was sent to voicemail, but he carried on anyway.

"Rose, it's Jake. I know you said not to call you anymore, but I think you'll want to meet with me. I have some information I think you'll find interesting..."

"This better be good, Jacob," Rosalie's tone was sharp. "And if you think I'm going to take you back after – "

"This isn't about that, okay?" Jacob cut her off impatiently. He slowed his car to a park in the dark, secluded place he and Rose decided to talk in. "It's about Whitlock."

"Oh here we go."

"No, it's not like that. Listen to the whole story before jumping to conclusions."

"Well, have at it, then. I don't have all night, you know."

"Edward's possessing Whitlock."

"What?"

"It's true!" Jacob turned his torso so he was fully facing her in the tight space of the vehicle. "I went to the hospital this morning, and Whitlock was there. Then there was this lady…"

"You're nuts," Rosalie said bluntly after the tale ended. "Seriously, Jake, are you on 'shrooms or something? That was the 'interesting information' you called me for?"

"Think about it. Everything matches up," Jacob defended. "Edward's coma, how Whitlock knows about our plan, your inexplicable attraction to him – "

"I was never attracted to Edward."

"Oh, come on, Rose. I know you only dated him to avenge your dad and whatever, but you have to admit you found him attractive at some point."

"So what if I did? That still doesn't prove anything," Rosalie huffed, irritated. "You know what, just take me back to the firm. I have actual important shit to do. You're wasting my time."

"Fine," Jacob grumbled. "But don't come crying to me when Edward succeeds in getting his tears, and shuts you down."

"Believe me, that will never happen."

"You say that now, but I wouldn't be so confident if I were you," Jacob tsk-ed while he reversed his car. "Edward's got a lot of supporters. Who's to say he hasn't found all three tears already?"

Rosalie didn't respond, and instead, watched the scenery outside her window as she contemplated his words.