Hey guys, this will be my second to the last chapter. There will also be an epilogue :D. I will be posting a new story right after I finish this one. Enjoy! I think this is one of my favorite chapters. Some of my chapters have a better quality of writing than others. I think I'm almost like a sponge when it comes to reading; my writing tends to reflect and emulate the styles of likes I'm reading. If you choose to reread you can probably go back and see the parts I wrote while binge-reading books by the brilliant and charming Jane Austen.

***If you want to see me do a flashback of Bella telling her mom about James I can, just as :D. I don't really like Renee that much as a character that's why all of Bella's communications with her have been private.

Shoutouts:

.Rosalinex5

ROROSS9333

Emay13

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Bella's Pov:

By the time I'd gone to bed, Charlie had already had James Witherdale was arrested and to be kept in custody. My father had called the station and pressed charges almost immediately after he finished talking to Renee. I know she'd want me to explain it to her later in the day. I tried to mindlessly focus on getting dressed for school. I put on my favorite white eyelet blouse and parka, I haven't worn it since I first moved here. I'd managed to dry clean the bloodstain I'd gotten on it when I'd first bumped into Edward. I checked to myself quietly at the memory.

When I was fully dressed I ran down the stairs and grabbed a granola bar to substitute for a proper breakfast on the way as I prepared myself to face the long and eventful day.

My stupid, shiny, Volvo owner was waiting for me outside like always.

It was March, but Spring seemed nowhere in sight. The ground was covered in a thin sheet of ice. I focused as I walked to the car, about halfway there I lost my train of thought and reverted to worrying about James so I of course slipped and began to tumble to the ground. Edward grabbed my elbow in an exasperated manner and steadied me. "It's difficult enough for you to walk when you do focus. Please be more mindful!"

"Thanks?" I said absently.

He opened the door for me and I buckled myself. It both concerned and annoyed me that he never put his seatbelt on, he wasn't invincible.

"You should put your seat belt on," I told him as he climbed into the front seat.

"Put your- you should put your seat belt on," he retorted.

"It is," he just rolled his eyes.

He turned on the engine and glanced over at me, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine"

"Because you Dad will probably let you stay ho-"

"I'll be fine, Edward," I said in my most assuring and authoritative tone.

"All right," he quietly resigned and drove us to school.

I heard a heavy sigh from beside me, and I looked back over at Edward in surprise.

"I hate when you just brush me off like that," he complained, his lips pulling into a pout. "Like your a martyr for enduring my nagging."

I laughed nonchalantly and pushed my backpack back over to the side beside my feet as it kept falling. I crossed my legs and was mindful to make sure my shoes didn't touch the car or scratch it as it was very likely to happen with my luck, "I'm sorry, then?"

Edward's lips twitched, "I suppose I forgive you."

The morning remained monotonous. I wouldn't see Edward again until lunch, the clock remainders me that I still had ninety minutes until class was over.

I figured Charlie must have called the school because I was excused from my Spanish quiz. None of the students seemed to catch on though, it seemed to them as if nothing peculiar, unusual, or out of place had occurred.

I asked to go to the bathroom at least twice during class, just to take a break from staring at the clock and waiting for the hands to tick by.

It was finally lunchtime. Edward's class got out before mine but he stood outside of the line, waiting for me.

I wasn't that hungry, nervous or not, so I just grabbed a bottle of lemonade from the counter.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked me for the second time, though it felt like the twelfth.

"Please don't worry about me," I interrupted and suffered my hands in the pockets of my jacket. "I've been through much worse than this; it's not that big a deal.

He raised an incredulous eyebrow at me and immediately began to open his mouth to argue against me and call my bluff.

The truth is, it was a huge deal, because of what James did to me I hadn't wanted to get close to anyone again. I let myself believe that it was cancer that caused it but it was him. He also raped me, it was just hitting me the significance of that. Before Edward, I'd been terrified, but only at the thought of Edward getting hurt. At this moment it let different. I felt only the cold terror of being the hunted prey.

I knew Edward was right here but all I could feel was cold terror. Edward brought me a euphoric sense. I tied to pull myself back into that but I couldn't.

I was reverted out of my state when I noticed Alice and Emmett were behind us and could hear our conversation.

"Disgusting," Alice said, her eyes focused on Emmett's expression rather than one.

"Sickening," Emmett replied and gagged.

"They deserve each other," she muttered while laughing.

Edward rolled his eyes, "Fuck off, guys" they didn't stop laughing till Jasper and Rosalie arrived.

Edward got pizza so I did as well, the food here isn't the was but it's still very mediocre.

He followed me to our new table and I sat down by Angela.

She was talking to Jessica about needing an idea for the teen editorial. I suddenly realized when I first met Angela. On my second day of school, she offered to run a feature on me. I rejected it but I tried not to be necessarily rude. Angela would deserve that, she one of those people that are kind to everyone. I value that about her.

"I guess I'll just have to run another editorial on teen drinking," she mumbled, she seemed sincerely disappointed.

'You could always talk about eating disorders, or speedo padding on. the swim team." I ejaculated.

It seemed I said the right thing because his face seemed to light up.

"That's actually a great idea," Jessica said, seeming slightly impressed and less off standoffish to me.

I turned over, Edward seemed to be just pushing around the gob of pizza on his tray. As he wasn't eating and didn't need his hands I interlaced my fingers into his.

"Hey Mike"

"Yeah" he turned over to look pst Edward at me.

"I was wondering if your Mom's still interviewing for the part-time job?"

"Oh yeah totally. If you are interested I can get you an interview"

"Sire, thanks, Mike. That would be great. He smiled boyishly back at me and I swear I thought I heard a hissing noise coming from Edward for a moment.

After lunch, the day seemed to be passing by much too quickly. I had biology with Edward, the lesson seemed to go be too short. I'd already done a similar assignment in AP Biology in Phoenix so I finished quickly. Even P.E., which always seemed to feel like it dragged on for ages passed by as quick as a flash.

I started to hype myself up for talking to my mother. I got so sick to my stomach I felt like I was going to throw up. As soon as the bell rang I ran past the other student straight to the bathroom and threw up into the sink. My vomit was entirely blood. Hematemesis is definitely one of my least favorite symptoms of lung cancer. It was all black, I'd need to go back to the doctor to check if my gastronomical system is backed up so that my blood is remaining g without proper circulation in my system for too long.

I wiped my mouth with my sleeve. The end immediately turned black. I tried to rinse out the bottom of my sink. I looked into the mirror at my reflection. My hair had gotten long enough to my shoulders that I'd stopped wearing a wig. There was blood smeared on my face and dark marks under my eyes My eyes, I used to like to look in the mirror a watch them as they followed me. I thought they were pretty, like milk chocolate, but I'd wished for bright sky blue eyes like my mothers at least a thousand times.

I heard the door open and I rushed to wipe the rest of the black blood off my face. My cardigan was defiantly lost. Not even dry cleaning could get that out. I turned around, it was Edward in the girl's bathroom with a very concerned frown etched onto his face.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. You shouldn't be here." I wipe at my face again, this time my eyes. I could feel them start watering.

"I don't care," he said and grabbed a paper towel. He wet it in the sink and began helping me clean up. After I stopped dry sobbing, he asked me again, "are you okay?'

"No, not really," I admitted, "I guess I'm stressed out.

"Metoo, " he said and signed quietly.

"How did you know I was in here?"

"I was waiting for you outside the gym, Jessica came out and told me you had run into h bathroom.

"Oh"

After a minute he finally asked me, " Are you ready for me to drive you home?"

"Yes, I really need to take it to my mom," I said, my voice was weak my I said it with authority in an attempt to assure myself.

About three hours later.

Edward's POV:

My parents were entirely on board with dinner with Bella, Alice and Esme seemed especially enthralled. Rosalie however, not so much. We'd been on much better terms than before she opened up to me about her fertility issues, but our relationship had never been the easiest. I'd decided to arrive at the restaurant earlier I spend what felt like forever contemplating what to say to my parents. I knew, though hesitant, they'd agree. Especially in proportion to the 100 million my parents left for me, $15,000 wasn't much. I'd memorized what I'd wanted to say to my parents but as Bella came walking through the door looking slightly uncomfortable with my sister's arm interlaced with hers. I knew Alice could be overbearing a first, but knowing my sister ad Bella they would warm up to one another very quickly.

"Bella," I smiled at her, her hair looked a lot shorter. I wondered briefly if she had cut it after I'd dropped her off only to realize the shiny quality of her hair was gone. I was slightly above her shoulders, it was a deep wavy brown that matched her eyes. It still looked incredibly soft and smelled faintly of strawberry shampoo. I immediately decided that that was now one of my favorite smells.

"Hey," she responded softly. My family greeted each other and sat down. My father, mother, and two sisters were here, and so were Emmett and Jasper. Usually, when we have family dinners my mother tells Rose and Alice to invite their boyfriends, at this point they are like family o us. In a few months, Rose and Emmett already plan to get married as they'll both be 18 and have graduated since they're both seniors.

'Where is Jasper?"

"He's running late."

'He'll be here soon," Emmett and Alice responded at the same time.

"I thought we were just having dinner with your parents," Bella whispered to me.

"We were but Rose said she had something important to announce too."

"Oh," is all she said.

A waitress came around and my mother ordered a round of water for us.

"So what did you want to talk about, Edward?" Alice questioned after we got settled in and finally ordered.

"Well, there's two things actually," Bella raised a questioning eyebrow at me. I'd mentioned both to her but she'd only knew I planned to discuss one.

First I've decided I want to help cover Bella's medical bills.

I expected my parents to tell me that was irresponsible or that I should rethink this in the politeness way they could in front of Bella, but instead see eyes started to wear. I could she wanted to say something but all that came out was a garbled, "I love you."

My dad seemed to agree, "I'm proud of you, son."

"That's so generous of you, Edward," Alice chimed in and I got a round of approval; from my siblings.

"Of course you'll have to make sure Charlie is okay with this," I was surprised and didn't know my dad was on a first-name basis with Bella's dad. Granted I shouldn't be so surprised as m father is the head surgeon and Bella's dad is the chief of police. With all the animal attacks that happen here, they are bound to work somewhat close together.

"My dad said that it would be a great help but wanted your approval before accepting any money. I feel the same way. I was uncomfortable with Edward paying so much towards my treatment but he insisted and I know how much of a financial relief it would be for my dad- both my parents," Bella chimed in.

"Of course," Esme smiled fondly at her, 'I know this must be very important to Edward, he cares very deeply about you."

I started flushing bright red and realized Bella had the same expression on her face.

"What was the other thing you wanted to tell us," Rosalie asked, seeming genuinely interested.

"No," Bella responded for me. I thought it might have confirmed that something did happen but my mom's questions ceased.

"Well if that's all I do have something really big to share too," Rosalie said. She seemed in a much better mood than earlier.

"Go ahead"

"All of you but Bella know I've found out I have fertility issues, Bella's expression looked like a mixture of horror and shock, "and that me and Emmett plan. n getting married this June and honeymooning in Europe. Well, I've found out that if I freeze my eggs now I can attempt to still have kids. So I want to start that process in two weeks and start trying right after the honeymoon."

"Trying?" I questioned, knowing the answer but still wishing for clarification.

"To conceive," she answered. She'd only be 18, but then again my sister was always the more maternal type.

My family drilled her down with questions and swirled around her. Rosalie did well in the spotlight with a flurry of attention surrounding her, and for the first time, I really think I understood my sister.

"You'll make an incredible mother," I told her.