A/N I have unfortunately been back in hospital. I would like to thank you to all waiting patiently for this chapter. I love you all for your support.

Chapter 35

Wedding Bells

Edward

It had been two and a half years since I watched Bella climb into Liam's car; she gave me a weak smile as he drove her away. Every day I hated myself more, for the insensitive way I had treated Bella. I chose to use my new found confidence, which Bella had given me, to fit in with new friends, but I neglected Bella so badly while I did this.

I only had myself to blame for the consequences of my actions.

It didn't matter how much I begged, no one would tell me where she had gone. I even went to New York thinking she might be there with Rose. But Emmett said he hadn't seen her. Rose was with her mother as she was in need of around the clock care, so I didn't get the chance to speak to her to plead my case.

I never found Bella; I loved her and missed her, so much.

Mom wouldn't let me move back into my old room; I was told I could stay in the west wing of the house on my own, or find somewhere else to live. She occasionally invited me to eat with her and Alistair, and she only let me back in my room once I went away to do my residency.

The year at medical school was so far along, and we only had seven months left before we qualified. I was unable to change rotations. It was difficult; I had to work with Renata, and Embry and his followers. Renata tried to instigate things a couple of times, but I shot her down straight away. The only woman in my life was my Bella; that would never change.

As I had no one to study with I went to the library—only to be made to feel uncomfortable by Maggie and Mrs. Silver. Bella might not have worked there anymore, but they both were still very vocal of their opinions of me. I finished up studying at home.

Renata failed her exam; she didn't have anyone to carry her for the rest of the time at school. So did Embry, Jared, and Brady. I don't know what they are doing now. I'm just glad to be away from them all.

Just like Alistair had said, I found it difficult to find a residency placement either in Chicago or any other larger hospital. I'm now at a Phoenix children's hospital in Arizona. They were skeptical about taking me; they, like everyone else, were curious as to why my grades had dropped. They're still convinced it was because of drugs, so I'm often subjected to random drug tests.

As far as the staff and my fellow students, are concerned, I'm engaged to a girl called Bella Swan, and I'm getting married once my residency has finished. She lives in Washington, and we have a long distance relationship. They have seen a picture of her, and when I'm not at the hospital, I'm in my apartment either "visiting Bella" or "Bella is visiting me."

Well, that's the story I told them. They pretty much leave me alone; it's not like I don't deserve it.

By the fourth month into my second year, I had an apartment—that I leased not far from the hospital—which I shared with my cousin Bree. Bree and Scott always said they would go to school together, but once Bree moved schools, they drifted apart after a while.

Bree came to the University of Arizona, studying Early Childhood/Special Education. She was having problems with the girl she shared a dorm with. They couldn't move her, as there was no available room, so she asked if she could live with me. I didn't see a problem; I was away from the apartment quiet a lot. Bree went to her dorm room a couple of times a week, so the University thought she was still there. You have to stay on campus the first year.

She kept the apartment clean, and didn't have parties. There was always food in the fridge—the agreement was I paid the rent and utilities. I left money for food, and Bree food shopped as well as contributed towards it.

I had been seen a couple of times with Bree; the dark brown hair made them think it was Bella. I once got a phone call from a nurse who had been flirting with me relentlessly. She wouldn't take no for an answer to her advances, and I don't know how she got my number, but Bree answered; she never called again. I then reported her; she no longer works at the hospital.

Bella snuck into Chicago without anyone but Alistair knowing she was there, to give evidence against Royce King Senior for the attack on her. I was both shocked and sickened at the fact he was given a hundred and twenty hours' community service, and a fine of $1,500. I was just hoping his son didn't get away so easily.

The District Attorney was right when he'd told Bella that as soon as Royce found out it was Tanya who had given him up to the police, he would sing like a canary. He was convicted of the murder of Joanne, and was given ninety years in the state penitentiary.

When I heard what date the court case was, against Royce and Tanya, I tried to get time off work. I desperately wanted to be there for Bella; I knew it was going to be hard for her to re-live the attack and see the pictures of her injuries. Bella hadn't seen them before. I was told Bella was giving evidence via satellite from where ever she was, only to find out from the internet that Bella actually attended. I got on the next available flight, but missed her.

Royce told the court how Tanya had been stalking Bella for months, and admitted she paid him to kill Bella. He told them in great detail what she had planned for Bella, as Bella was in the way of Tanya's plans for me.

Uncle Max read the impact statement Bella had written, and I was invited to add to it.

Tanya was handed a thirty-year sentence, and she has to serve twenty years before she can ask for parole. It's to run after she had served her other sentence.

Royce was also given a thirty-year sentence. It made no difference to him; he knew he would never leave prison again.

Two days before New Year's Eve, I went home for the first time since the trial. Mom and Alistair were getting married on New Year's Eve. After finishing a seventy-two-hour shift on the pediatric high dependency unit, I had just managed to get to Sky Harbor International Airport to get a flight to Chicago, O'Hare. I was also going to meet up with Dad; he wanted to speak to me before he was released from prison.

I relaxed in the seat; being in first class I had enough room to lay and get some sleep.

"Hi, Doctor Cullen, can I get you anything?" a hostess asked as she ran her fingers up my arm.

"No, thank you." I half smiled, hoping she would get the hint and leave me alone.

"Are you sure? Nothing will be too much trouble," she purred.

"Look, I'm tired, and I have three hours to try and get some sleep. I haven't seen my wife in two weeks, so please just leave me alone and let me sleep," I growled, making sure she saw my ring.

She huffed and walked away.

"You handled that really well, my dear. Girls like her make me so angry. Men don't pay this much money to be hit on," An elderly woman said as she patted my hand. "You get some sleep so you're refreshed for your wife when you get home."

I smiled. "I'm hoping to."

Closing my eyes, I was woken by the elderly lady shaking me.

"I think you scared her away completely, dear. We've landed," she told me.

"Thank you for waking me. I appreciate it," I thanked her.

I had forgotten how cold it was in Chicago, compared to Phoenix. After making my way to get my bags I looked around for whoever it was who was coming to pick me up. I hoped it wouldn't be Alice; things between us were still strained. I got my answer when I saw Alice waving at me to gain my attention

"How are you, Alice?" I asked as I picked up my luggage from the carousel.

"Fine. Are you on your own? I thought you would have brought a date," Alice slyly said.

I could tell it was going to be a long few days.

"Yes, I'm on my own. Why would I have brought a date with me? You know Bella and I have temporarily separated," I said through clenched teeth.

"Oh, please, don't kid yourself. She dumped you, and there is no way she will ever take you back. Get over it and move on," Alice snapped.

"Fuck you, Alice! You don't know shit. If you had butted out before we tried to get married, things would have been a lot easier on us both," I yelled.

Pushing past her, I hailed a cab. There was no way I was going to be spending time with her. I knew once I got home, Mom would probably have something to say about me ditching Alice. Thankfully, no one was at the house when I got there. Dropping my bags at the bottom of the stairs. I went into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, which had become my crutch to keep me awake. But then I saw the hot chocolate, and smiling I made myself a cup, thinking of Bella. Grabbing my bags, I went to my room in the hope to get some sleep; hoping to dream of my time with the girl I loved, but then lost because of my own stupidity.

I woke up startled. I couldn't get my bearings, only to realize that I was in my old room.

Grabbing my glasses, I was surprised it was 4:20am. I must have slept through as soon as my head touched the pillow.

I saw a plate of sandwiches and a note next to it.

Edward, you were sleeping so peacefully I didn't want to disturb you. I will see you tomorrow night at dinner. I know you have an appointment to see your father in the morning. Give him my regards, and drive carefully. Love Mom xx

I had to pee. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stumbled my way to the bathroom. After using the toilet, I looked at my reflection in the mirror; realizing how much weight I had lost, and how pale I had become.

Taking my sandwich and drink with me, I made my way to my desk. I pulled out the box that Bella had packed for me, of cinema stubs, a pressed flower from the first bunch of flowers I had brought her; pictures of the Scooby Gang; and Bella and me; as well as all the things she had made me and the notes of encouragements. But it was the letters Bella wrote to me after I'd failed to come home that hurt the most. I looked through my unkempt journal from the time I met her until when she left me. I could see how much I had changed; how cruel I had become. I would have left as well, if this was the way I'd acted.

No longer wanting to torture myself, I pulled out my books from my bag and started studying. I saw the sun coming up over the horizon, reminding me of how many times Bella and I had done that at the Navy Pier before I had become a complete asshole.

As I drove to the Metropolitan Correctional Center, I still couldn't understand how Peter ended up there. He was in Cook County Jail, which I'd heard had been investigated for the way inmates had been treated. Which, I won't lie, had worried me.

I couldn't think why he wanted to speak to me; he was the one responsible for a lot of the trauma in my life. I had only talked to him once on the phone when I graduated, and I didn't have a lot to say to him.

The security to enter the place was something I had never thought I would be put through. I was a little nervous when I had to move through a body scanner; much like the one in an airport.

"Take a seat. The doc will be through as soon as he's finished in the infirmary," a guard told me.

I didn't know how long I sat there—my watch had to be left in a locker before I went through the scanner.

A door opened, and my father was brought through, dressed in a pair of orange coveralls. I was shocked at how he looked. I shouldn't have been, as I knew he'd have had his hair cut and would no longer be wearing Armani suits.

He sat in front of me.

"Hello, son, you look tired. How is the residency?" he asked.

"Tough, but I'm well into my second year, so I know I'm almost halfway there," I replied.

"That's good, Edward. I'm surprised you still wanted to do pediatrics after you messed up at medical school in your last year. Parents are very protective of their young, and who looks after them." He smirked.

"I see things haven't changed; you're still putting me down. I'm glad I don't have to pamper to your whims when you come out," I growled.

"Sorry, Edward, I shouldn't have said that. I'm the last person to make comments about being a parent. I messed up with you, son. I know that. You didn't fit into the social circles, and as soon as the bullying you were subjected to came to light we should have moved your schools. It's just that it was the best school to give you status, and the best chance of making a good impression. All it achieved was to make you more withdrawn and shy." Peter half smiled.

I shook my head at his confession. "Why did you want to see me? To go down memory lane? To remember all the times you fucked up—which has made me such a failure?"

"You're not a failure, Edward; you have just made bad choices. Your Auntie Clare came to see me while I was in Cooks, to inform me I'm now officially Peter Cullen. Carlisle's death certificate and gravestone has all been changed. She told me how you had messed up with Isabella," Peter recounted.

"So that's why I'm here—so you can gloat at how I've fucked up?" I ranted.

"No, Edward, I wanted to talk to you about what I've been doing, and my future. I can see you're not that interested, but I just wanted you to know in case you ever need me," Peter began.

"Believe me, I'm not that interested in anything you have to say. As far as I'm concerned, you are just my sperm donor," I retorted.

"I deserve that. I just wanted to tell you I have secured a job at the University of Texas, Dallas where I'm teaching at the Southwestern Medical Program in cardiology," Peter announced.

"How can you teach? You have no qualification to teach," I puzzled.

"While I was in Cooks, they put me to work in the infirmary after I found a fellow inmate having a seizure. He hadn't been given his medication—not that they didn't have the drugs. They just didn't have the manpower to administer the medication," Peter clarified. "So, I was put to work distributing everyone's medication. I realized that I could no longer practice until I've been in front of the board. I miss the hospital, and I have a vast knowledge, so I thought why not teach. I have spent my time studying in between taking blood and samples for STI's, and handing out medication. I've even sutured cuts after fights. I got my qualification to teach."

"Good, congratulations," I replied.

"The other thing is I'm getting married to a woman named Charlotte. She's from Texas. I put my name on a list for a pen pal, she wrote to me within days. We communicated for almost two years, she has also visited me. I asked her to marry me, and she agreed. I want you to be a witness; Alice agreed to be my other witness," Peter disclosed with a smile.

"You have got to be kidding. How can you marry a woman you have only met a few times? How can you say you love her? Shall I say what you said about my Bella? Does she know about the money you have? I know Mom paid you some money," I growled.

"I deserve that as well. I only said that about Isabella because I was desperate to have you with Tanya. You know that," Peter pleaded.

"Wait a minute, back up. You said Alice is going to be a witness at the marriage?" I realized.

"Yes, she visits me at least once every six weeks, or so. She has met Charlotte, and they get on really well," Peter clarified.

"I'm sorry, but I can't be a part of this. I wish you well, but I won't be attending any wedding. I'm just hoping you don't get taken in by someone who makes a habit of befriending inmates, and then exploiting them. I've seen it happen on television shows, and yes, some of them were on death row, but nevertheless she could be just trying to get your money," I said, before getting up and asking to leave.

"Edward, please don't leave," Peter begged.

I couldn't stay; I couldn't even look at him.

Driving back to my mom's I had to get in the right frame of mind, as I was attending the rehearsal dinner. I was walking Mom down the aisle. It was going to be a small wedding in the ballroom she hadn't used in years.

I walked into the house. It was busy; Mom had hired outside caterers in to do both the rehearsal dinner and all the meals that were happening the next day.

"Hello, darling, how was the visit with your father?" Esme asked as she hugged me.

"Very enlightening," I replied.

"That sounds intriguing." Auntie Claire smiled, joining in on the conversation.

"Did either of you know that Alice visits him on a regular basis?" I asked.

"Yes, I know she's visited him a few times," Esme acknowledged.

"So, has she told you he has a teaching position in Dallas, or that he's getting married?" I laughed without humor.

"He's doing what!?" Claire shouted.

"Her name is Charlotte. She started writing to him, and they fell in love. I don't know how many time she has visited him, but Alice has met her," I recounted.

"That's insane. Is it worth me going to speak to Peter?" Claire inquired.

"No, it's not, Auntie Claire. He's happy and comfortable with himself now, so why can't you be happy for him?" Alice snarled.

"No one said we're not happy for him. It just comes as a surprise. I'm just worried that he's been taken in and lied to," Claire defended herself.

"Let him be happy, and mind your own business. He has never kept it a secret—if you had bothered to visit him," Alice continued. "If you want to talk about secrets why haven't you told Edward that you all went to Bella's graduation, or didn't you think that mattered?"

"Sorry, what are you talking about? What has this got to do with Peter?" I gasped.

"Edward, dear, come to my office for a moment. We need to talk." Esme ushered me into her office, as she glared at Alice; who was now smirking.

I took a seat, stunned. I heard Mom shut the door, and open the filing cabinet.

"No one has kept anything a secret from you, Edward. Bella invited me to attend her graduation. Under the circumstances, she never asked you, as she didn't know if you had moved on. Bella misses you, darling. Don't doubt that. She has lost the shine from her eyes. She might smile, but you can't fool your mother. I consider her my daughter, you know that," Esme explained.

"Did … did she ask about me?" I whispered.

"Of course she did. She asked me to pass a picture to you if you haven't moved on. She hasn't either, dear. Auntie Claire came, as did Uncle Max; they love Bella as well," Esme disclosed.

"Where did she graduate from?" I quizzed.

"New York, and before you ask, Emmett didn't lie to you. She wasn't there when you went. She was with Rose; they'd gone on a trip to Europe, for her to regroup," Esme reassured me.

"Was anyone else there, or just the three of you?" I wondered.

"No, of course Emmett and Rose were there as well. Then Nessie, Jake, Emily, Sam, and George. George was so proud of her; the man was in tears," Esme recalled.

"George has always been her constant, despite allowing Charlie to spin lies to her," I interjected. "Is she still in New York?"

"Not now she isn't. She qualified as a pediatric nurse, then went into pediatric trauma and intensive care nursing. She has gone with a team of doctors and nurses to El Salvador to help in the aftermath of the earthquake," Esme marveled. "I gave her one of your graduation pictures; her face lit up when she looked at it."

"I messed up so much, Mom. I just wish I could turn the clock back," I sobbed.

Mom held me until I calmed.

"Come, sweetheart, we have to get ready for the rehearsal. Everything will work out. I just know it will," Esme tried to reassure me.

The wedding was a beautiful, intimate affair. I avoided Alice, and thankfully, Bree was my wing person, so Alice and I were never anywhere on our own. I didn't think I could take her sarcastic remarks.

She went to witness the marriage of Peter and Charlotte; I just hoped he hadn't been taken in again. But as far as I was concerned, he was now just my sperm donor, and nothing more.

I traveled back to Arizona with Bree the day after New Year's with my picture of Bella, and hoped that one day she would forgive me enough to let us be together again.

As always a big thank you and hugs to my amazing beta Mr G and Me, for making time to edit this chapter even though she is so busy. Also, for my pre-reader Klcivinski who also took time out of her busy schedule to read through the chapter. Your both amazing.