A/N: The Edward chapters aren't my favorite, but you should already understand why. But I have to build the story.

MarinaNamaste is my beta and she is wonderful.


The look on Bella's face was one I'd never seen before. I liked to say I knew my wife better than anyone, and I had never seen that look before.

"Bella, love? What is it? What's wrong?" I asked, but she just sat there. I wanted to know who was on the other end and making my wife catatonic. I reached over and gently took the phone from her hand.

"God, phase out much?" Tanya said under her breath. She was completely irritating me. All through lunch she made snide comments towards Bella. Bella handled herself well, but I still didn't like it. I'd make Tanya pay later. I did shoot her a look as I moved the phone to my ear.

"Bella, honey? Did you hear me?" I heard an old man's voice say.

"This is Edward Cullen, Bella's husband. Who is this and what have you said to my wife that has made her speechless?" I said tersely.

"Oh! Edward, I'm so sorry. This is Billy Black, from up in Forks." Oh, so that's it. Nothing good has ever come out of Forks. Well, except Bella, and she needed some fixing up.

"What did you say to her? She won't say anything." I demanded.

"Edward, it's okay," Bella said, finally speaking up. "My father's had a heart attack. Billy was calling to tell me."

"Her father's had a heart attack," he said at the same time Bella said it.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," I replied. This had visibly upset her. I didn't like seeing that. "Is he still…alive?" I turned my head so Bella wouldn't be able to hear me as well.

"Yes. Oh, yes! Make sure she knows that," he said hurriedly.

"Bella, he's still alive, okay? Breath, calm down," I tried to sooth her with my voice. She just nodded.

"Edward, he's still in the ER. They're doing tests. I think Bella needs to get up here in case the worst happens," Billy said.

"Edward, I have to go. I've ignored my father for too long, I have to go to him." She got up to go.

"Bella, wait," I called after her and I looked at Aro. He sat looking at Bella with a sad look on his face. Aro really was a bastard, like he said, but he had a huge soft spot for my wife.

"Billy, Bella will be there. I've got to let you go. She'll get there as soon as she can," I promised.

"That's great. Listen, you take care of her. She tries to own all the pain. And this a'int got nothing to with her. This is all the stress of his job, years of bad eating, and his ticker. Don't let her own this," he urged.

"I think I quite know how to take care of my wife, Mr. Black," I said. Who did this guy think he was, anyway? "I really have to let you go." Bella was fidgeting restlessly.

"Goodbye," Billy said. I didn't answer, I merely hung up.

"What's going on?" Aro asked.

"Her father's had a heart attack," I replied.

"You get her up there," he said, pulling out his own phone and searching through the contacts.

"I can't possibly go," I started to protest. I had way to much work to do. And besides, I hated Forks.

"You will go with your wife to visit her ailing father in her hometown," Aro commanded, but with a meaningful look. "Tanya and I can handle things here. Anything that can't be handled, we'll call you about. This is the age of technology, Edward."

"I've got to go," Bella finally said putting the strap of her purse on her shoulder. "I'll meet you at home. I have to go take care of a few things at work, then I'll head home to pack. May I have my phone, please?" Her big, brown eyes were full of sorrow, but there was also a little defiance in them. I hadn't seen that in years.

"Okay," I answered, handing her phone to her. "I'll be back around five?" I asked, looking at Aro.

"No, you'll be home about two," my uncle replied back. "Go home and pack and take your wife to her father." I stood there glaring at him while he sat there willing me to understand his unspoken thoughts. Tanya had the good sense to keep her mouth shut.

"I'll be home around two, Isabella," I said looking back at her.

"Fine," she replied and turned and left the restaurant. I was a little flummoxed by her reaction. But I couldn't think about that just then. I turned back to the table.

"You!" I hissed at Tanya. "How dare you treat my wife like that? Get back to the office and send out those statistical reports before you leave today." She looked crestfallen.

"That will take me well into the evening!" she exclaimed. "You said that I could finish them tomorrow," she whined. If she would have look the least bit contrite I might have given her a break.

"Well, that was before you insisted on coming here with me today and then spending the entire time belittling my wife," I retorted.

"Edward," Aro interrupted with a warning glance. "We have things to discuss." He turned to Tanya and said, "And they don't involve you, my darling." He smiled that winning smile of his and I watched some of her frostiness melt away. He was such a schmoozer and it was amazing to watch him work. "We'll all take the car back and I'll see Edward home and come check in with you later." She looked a little shocked and a little saddened at Aro's instruction.

"You're taking him home?" she asked, but placing the strap of her purse on her shoulder, preparing to leave.

"His wife's father just had a heart attack. He needs to go be with her." He gave me a pointed look and I was just annoyed with Tanya. She didn't own me. Who did she think she was? Oh, she wasn't my wife and that what was irritating her. She needed to reel those feelings in.

"Okay," she said reluctantly. "Will I see you before you leave?" she asked me. I didn't answer her. I just gave her an appraising look and turned my attention to Aro. She sighed and walked away to get the car. Aro watched her as I watched him.

"You better be careful of her. I see a vindictive streak there." His eyes lingered before he turned them back on me. "I'm serious. You need to not make her angry or she will cut you. I know the type. I married two of them." He chuckled, so I didn't take him seriously.

"You really want me to go up to Forks with my wife?" I asked. He knew how much I hated Forks.

"It astounds me that you don't want to go, Edward. She is your wife. Her father could die. I know you don't think much of your own father or even my father, but some people do. Go and support her."

I had worked very hard to help Bella separate herself from her provincial beginnings. I can't remember the last time she'd spoken to her father. I ask her on a regular basis just to check. It's not that I didn't like her father, I didn't like what he represented.

"I want to support Bella. I do not want to go to Forks. You know how much I loathe that place," I told him yet again.

"Edward, you have to get over this aversion to the place. You never even saw the house our family owned there. I don't know why you lament my father giving it away so much," he said.

"It's not the house. It's the sheer amount of land. It was never even owned by the tribe up there. He just gave it over when the Federal government gave the Federal land back. And he gave it away. He didn't even sell it," I said. The waiter had brought my card back so I signed the bill.

"Ten percent, Edward? Really?" he asked, peeking at the tip amount. He pulled out his wallet and dropped another twenty on top of the bill.

"You over tip," I remarked.

"And you under tip. People work hard. Our service was good. You leave that there. If I see you pick that up I'm cutting you out of my will," he said with his smile, but his eyes were serious. He'd seen me do that before.

"Now," he said, leaning closer to me, "I've tried to purchase that land back over the years and I have been turned down by the silly old fart who controls it. I put some feelers out for the council land to see if there are any bites. I want to know who comes to the top so we know who we're dealing with. This thing is perfect timing. You can go up there and do some poking around. You know how to be subtle. And if these people are as provincial as you say, they won't be any the wiser."

Ah, I thought. That does make sense. I can go up there and poke around. Of course I wanted to support Bella, but Aro just gave me the motivation to not be a complete downer about it. Bella need never know my real intentions and then I can also keep an eye on her while I was there.

I knew she had a boyfriend in high school who broke her heart. It pained her so much I never pressed for details, I didn't even know his name. I'd poked through her high school yearbooks and I'd basically figured out it was some kid named Mike Newton. What he wrote in her yearbook was rather flirtatious. It was really very easy to keep her from returning there because of that pain. Whether or not her father died, he may show up to comfort her. And I couldn't have that, now that I thought about it. Her father was the chief of police, this would be big news in that po-dunk town.

"So what do you want me to do while I'm up there?" I finally asked Aro, showing my concession.

We talked for a few more minutes and we both rose to head out of the restaurant. Aro headed towards the front door and I leaned forward to pick up the bill he'd put down.

"I mean it Edward!" he called out not even looking back. A couple of tables looked around because he'd said it loudly. I dropped the twenty and shook my head and followed him out.

"Goodbye, Mr. Cullen," the hostess called as I walked through the lobby. I glanced up at her, but she had that same sycophantic look so many others had. I didn't even smile at her.

Aro and I headed back to the office so I could pick up my laptop and some other paperwork and anything else I might need. I didn't talk to Tanya even though she gave me hopeful looks every time I walked by. I spent about an hour and a half tying up some loose ends and letting people know I'd be out for a few day.

I took a cab home and mentally thought about what I would pack. I even knew which suitcase I would use. I took the elevator up to our floor. We'd upgraded for our five year anniversary and we owned the entire floor. Bella had some interesting ideas for decorating, but I'd been able to persuade her I the end.

"Bella, I'm home!" I called as the elevator doors opened. I figured she'd be in the bedroom packing. I put my keys in the bowl and straightened out the pictures on the entry table. I was going to have to have a talk with the cleaning lady again. Bella said she does a great job, but I could tell where improvements needed to be made. Aro was right, she is nice to everybody. Sometimes, she's a little too nice.

"I'm back here, Edward," she called. She was in the bedroom just like I knew she would be. I knew my girl so well. I walked down the hallway and was a little surprised by what I saw. Bella was packing my things as well. I went up behind her and embraced her.

"I'm sorry about your father, Isabella." I planted a chaste kiss on her neck.

"Thank you, Edward," she sighed. She twined her fingers around mine and I pulled her closer into my front. She'd been crying and she melted into my warmth.

"You haven't talked to him in a while, why are you so upset?" I asked sweetly. She froze. "What?" I asked, confused by her reaction.

"That's why I'm so upset, Edward. I haven't talked to him. He always ate like shit. Except for when I cooked for him. His doctor even complimented me on how much is cholesterol had dropped after I moved in with him. Even in college, he ate better because he knew I was going to ask. But I've cut him off because I was too petty to even go up there after we got married. And now he's had a heart attack and it's all my fault!"

"Bella!" I exclaimed. I spun her around so I could look into her eyes. "Mr. Black told me not to let you own this. I blew him off at the time, but now I understand what he meant. This is not your fault. I'm sure your father would say the same thing. Let's get you up there, okay." I didn't like it that Billy Black was right. But I was glad I recognized it.

"Okay," she agreed and sniffled. She quickly wiped her eyes and nose with the back of her hands.

"What's with that language, Ms. Potty-mouth," I smiled at her. I'd never heard her use swear words before. She pulled away from me and frowned. I didn't mean to upset her. I looked over at the bed. "What are you doing?" I asked, moving towards the suitcase she meant for me.

"I thought, since you hate Forks so much, I would make things easier for you and help you pack." I looked over at her worried face. I smiled to show my appreciation and she gave me a weak smile in return. I looked back to the suit case and she had packed all casual clothing.

"Do you think I'm going to work out the whole time?" I asked with a grin.

"I don't want you to feel over dressed," she answered.

"Don't worry, Love. I'll get it. Let's make a plan to leave in thirty. We'll take the Volvo, okay?" I asked. She nodded. She zipped up her suitcase and lifted it of the bed and onto the floor.

"I'll go pack some snacks," she said and left the room. I hoped she didn't pack that homemade granola. I liked the kind from Whole Foods better.

I put all the clothes she'd packed away as well as the suit case. I pulled out the smaller case and the garment bag. I chose a number of suits and all the matching accessories. I was used to packing and quickly because I traveled quite a bit. I was happy to see our housekeeper had filled my toiletries bag and it was ready to go. It only took about fifteen minutes and I carried all my things out to the foyer next to Bella's. Hers was twice the size as mine. How long did she plan to stay?

"Bella, are you almost ready?" I went into the kitchen and watched her close the lid on the large cooler we used for park days. "Are we going on a picnic?" I smiled again.

"No," she sounded irritated. "If Charlie comes home from the hospital, I want to have some of my things so I can cook for him and I know the market in Forks doesn't have some stuff."

"Oh," I said. She was being optimistic, but from what she just said and how she packed, she was planning on staying for a while.

"Baby? How long are you planning to stay?" I hedged.

"Until he's better. I don't know Edward. Please don't sulk about this. I know how much you hate Forks. You never stop talking about it. But this is my father. And I have treated him like shit for too long. I remember, Edward. I remember when his best friend died when I was in high school. That was a heart attack, too. It almost killed him. I have to go be there for Charlie and I have to be there for Billy." She looked up at me with that stubborn determined look in her eyes. "You don't have to stay the entire time I do, but I need you there until I know what is going to happen, okay? Can you do that for me?"

How could I deny her? She was so lovely and earnest. This spark of stubbornness reminded me of her when we first met. It was exciting and new for me. It'd taken a while to train her, but it was refreshing to see the old Bella now and then.

"Of course, Love. We'll do whatever you need to do. I will need to do some work while we're there. Are there any hotels up there that will have wifi?" I asked. I didn't understand the irritated look on her face.

"Edward, it's Forks, not a Luddite commune. My father has had wifi since I installed it in college. And that's where we're staying. I'm not going there to take care of him and then stay in a hotel. And I know he updates it because the guys at work got him into Fantasy Football and he's kind of a big deal in their online community." She was really irritated now, I could tell. She pulled the cooler off the counter with both hands and it scraped across the marble counter top.

"I'll get that," I tried but she shut me down. She turned quickly and headed to the door. I wondered why she was so irritable.

"I got it. Can you get my bag and meet me at the car? I really want to get up there." She left the kitchen without looking back. I was taken a little back by her tantrum. But she was under stress. I didn't know how she felt because I really couldn't care less about my father. I had to let it slide and I knew there was very little I could say to make her feel better. And all she was asking is that I go up to Forks with her.

I could do that and some recon for Aro. Maybe I could come back with a way to get all the land my stupid grandfather gave away because and overblown sense of white man's guilt. I didn't know the whole story and neither did Aro. Maybe I could dig up those details, too.

When I got to the elevator doors, Bella had already gone down and taken her bag, too. That was actually better because once I picked up my messenger bag with my laptop my hands were full. When I got to the garage, the trunk for the Volvo was open with all of Bella's things neatly placed on one side of the trunk and she was sitting in the driver's seat. I packed my things in and shut the trunk and walked to the driver's side of the car.

"Come on, Love. Let me drive," I cooed after I opened the door and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"Can I drive, please? It will keep my mind occupied and I'll worry less," Bella asked. Again, her face was earnest and I couldn't refuse her. Besides, I could get some of my emails done on my phone.

I kissed her nose to show my approval and closed her door to walk around the other side. I really hadn't let her drive much since we got married. She had a car but she generally preferred to walk when it wasn't pouring down rain.

I slid into my seat, "Seat belt!" I called as I clicked mine in place. I looked over to smile at her and she was looking at me not smiling back. Her seat belt was, indeed, fastened much to my pleasure.

She put the car into reverse and she headed to the parking garage exit. When we entered traffic I tried to give her some helpful driving hints, knowing she doesn't drive in Seattle too often.

"Edward, I fuckin' know how to drive. Just answer your emails and take a nap, for the love of all that's good and holy in the world," she hissed.

I must have looked like a fish with my mouth hanging open in shock at her words. We were going to have to have a talk about this later. But I knew now was not the time.

I looked at her for a few more moments before deciding to do as she directed. I answered my emails, a few from Tanya forwarding important info, and the one from Aro telling me some things I might want to go see while I'm in Forks. Then I decided to take a nap.

Before I dozed off I noticed a helicopter fly above us and I had the thought that maybe I should have rented us one of those to take us up there. But then we would have had to rent a car and who knew if Forks had any suitable rental cars. I finally reclined my seat and shut my eyes. I figured it was better to not see the gates of hell while we drove into it.


Thoughts?