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Chapter Thirty-Seven

I sobbed.

Edward shushed me.

I sobbed.

Edward allowed me to cling to his shirt.

And I sobbed.

But Edward never once said it'd be okay.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep because I woke to warm light shining on my face. My throat was dry and my eyes felt puffy but I felt...better, somehow.

I was breathing, at least.

"Hi," I croaked, staring at a wide awake Edward sitting against the headboard.

His eyes made no move because they had already been watching me. "Thirsty?" He handed me a bottle of water.

I sat up, accepted the water and thanked him.

"I'm...sorry," I started hesitantly, mildly embarrassed about the way things ended only a few hours ago.

Edward glared. "Why are you apologizing?"

"I just...I know that was probably weird for you."

"Stop." I kept myself from blinking. "You should eat."

After cleaning up in the bathroom, I sat at the table and watched Edward prepare two bowls of cereal and pour one glass of orange juice.

"Where are you going?" I questioned as I watched him delicately gather the dishes in his hands and walk towards the bedroom.

"Where else would you want to eat this, Bella?" he asked playfully.

We made our way back in his bed and he handed me the bowl of cereal. I pulled my legs under me as Edward let his lanky legs spread out in front of him.

"Thanks," I whispered. He and I both knew I wasn't just thanking him for the food. But he did make a mean bowl of cereal.

"Can I ask you something?" Edward asked before sipping the orange juice and handing me the glass. "You don't have to answer. But I'd like to know."

Hesitation was becoming something I was all too familiar with. "Yeah. Go ahead."

"How long have you know your mom was bipolar?"

I winced. "What?"

"Sorry. Was that rude?"

"No, I just...I don't know. I guess I never considered her being bipolar."

"Oh. Really?" Edward was quiet for a moment. "What medication is she taking?"

I had suddenly lost my appetite. "She's not on any medication, Edward."

"But, you said-"

"I know what I said and I never said she was taking anything."

Edward clearly had to take a moment to calm himself down. "Well then I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do, Bella."

I set the bowl on the nightstand next to the bed. "I'm not sure I'm asking you to, Edward."

He exhaled loudly and grabbed my face in his warm hands. "This isn't good for you. You know that, right?"

"I know." It was the first time I had ever admitted that to myself or anyone else. It was the first time I had meant it.

I blamed the admittance on his gaze and light stubble. It did things to me.

"Do you think your mother needs help?"

"Yes."

His gaze softened. "What's stopping you?"

"She is," I replied and brought my hand to rest on his forearm. "Do you honestly believe she will cooperate? I know she won't, Edward."

"You should try." I shook my head. "I could always make you."

"No, you can't."

Edward gave me a sad smile and dropped his hands from my face. "I know. But, look. I kind of care about you. A lot. And you really scared me earlier." He swallowed and looked away. "Hearing about what you've had to deal with..."

My cheeks burned. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"Stop. I'm glad you told me. But what's the point if you aren't going to let me help?"

I didn't have an answer. And I wasn't going to give him one, either.

"Has she hurt you?"

"Not really."

His jaw tightened as his eyes flickered to the my cheek. "Has she hurt herself?" I bit the inside of my cheek. "Don't answer me if you're going to lie."

I didn't have an answer. And I wasn't going to give him one, either.

A/N: One of these days I'm going to abide by what I claimed in the summary- "will update every other day". But for now, thanks for reading.