-94-

BPOV:

"What are you talking about? I thought you've been doing better." My heart clenches uncomfortably in my chest. I don't know Esme super well, but I know her well enough to know that the world would be a little bit darker without her in it.

"I have been, dear. But I have no delusions that this new medication will be some miracle cure. Cancer has been eating at my body for years, and it's only a matter of time before I lose the battle. All the pill is doing is making sure I can enjoy whatever time I have left."

This shouldn't be happening. I'm not the one she should be sharing this information with. She barely knows me.

"Oh, stop it," she offers, placing her hand over mine that's holding onto the kitchen towel like my life depends on it. "Bella, I came to terms a long time ago that I'm not going to be around for much longer. All I can do is make sure my family will be okay when I'm gone. Rose has Emmett and the kids; Carlisle will be kept afloat by the kids as well, but Edward…"

She sighs, leaning back against the now-empty sink.

"Edward has always worried me. He was always so quiet and kept to himself, and then, when he started working, he just gave everything to his job. I know he's dated, but he never really gave anyone a real chance. But for some reason, he's let you in."

Tears sting the back of my eyes, so I blink rapidly and look down to try and get rid of them.

"I don't…" I start.

"I know. You don't have to say anything. But I just want you to know I'm thankful for you. You've brought our boy back to life. The way you two look at each other…well, I'm not worried about him anymore. He's in good hands."

One tear betrays me and falls, and I feel stupid for crying over this woman I just met. But she's good, and good is so rare in the world these days. She's raised a wonderful son who I really enjoy being with, but at the same time, I'm not so sure it's fair of her to put this sort of expectation on me.

"Stop that," she chastises playfully, her hand on my cheek directing me to look at her. "I don't mean to make you feel any sort of obligation to me, dear. But what you have with my son and what you've done for him is good, and I want to thank you."

"Um, yeah. You're welcome," I whisper.

"But if you hurt him intentionally, I'll come haunt you from beyond the grave; you got me?"

Her statement does exactly what she wants it to, making me laugh when she pulls me into a hug.