5

My eyes were heavy. I could hear people talking around me but I wasn't sure who it was. I slowly opened my eyes and cringed when I was blinded by the bright light.

"Turn off the light," I begged.

"The lights off, Bella," said Charlie. I opened my eyes again and looked around. I was laying in a bed in the hospital.

"What happened?" I asked as I tried to sit up a little bit. My entire body ached.

"You fainted," said Carlisle as he came into my room. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm tired. My body feels achy," I said. He came over and checked my pulse.

"Bella, how much sleep would you say you get a night?" asked Carlisle.

"I don't know. Lately, probably ten hours," I said.

"You slept all the way to the game on Friday and all the way home?" asked Carlisle.

"Yes."

"You slept on the way home from Port Angeles yesterday?" asked Carlisle.

"Yes."

"What time did you go to bed last night?" asked Carlisle.

"I don't know. I fell asleep reading," I said, confused.

"She was asleep by 7," said Charlie. "She didn't get up until nearly noon."

"I see," said Carlisle. He gave Charlie a look.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I'm concerned about your health, Bella," said Carlisle. He turned and looked at Charlie. "Is there a history of cancer or leukemia on either side of her family?"

"Cancer," I whispered as my eyes filled up with tears.

"Her mother died of leukemia when she was two," whispered Charlie. I snapped my head up at him.

"What?" I asked. "You said she left us."

"I know," said Charlie. Emmett stood up and came over to me.

"Charlie, what is going on?" asked Emmett.

"Renee was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was pregnant with you two. She waited to start chemo until after you were born. She fought so hard but her body couldn't take it. She died a month before your second birthday," whispered Charlie. I could feel the tears falling down my face.

"You told us she left us with Will and Cat. You said she left us," I cried. Charlie reached over for my hand. "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME."

"Bella, I didn't know how to tell you that she died," whispered Charlie.

"You let me hate her my entire life," I snapped. "You let me hate my own mother."

"I know, honey. I'm sorry," whispered Charlie.

"Your sorry?" I snapped. "Sorry doesn't mean shit, Charlie."

"How could you not tell us the truth?" said Emmett.

"I should have but I didn't know how to," whispered Charlie. I looked over at Carlisle.

"So you think I have cancer?" I asked.

"I can't say for sure until run a few tests but you have all the symptoms for leukemia. Based on your mother's illness, I would say it's a strong possibility," said Carlisle.

"What kind of test?" I asked.

"A blood test," said Carlisle.

"Do it," I said. "When will you know?"

"I should know in the morning," said Carlisle.

"When can I go home?" I asked.

"As soon as I take your blood," said Carlisle.

"Let's get it done then," I said as I let a tear fall from my eye. Carlisle quickly took several vials of my blood. He put a band aide on my arm.

"I want you to take it easy, Bella," said Carlisle.

"I will," I whispered. I started to climb out of bed and Charlie came over to help me. I pulled away from me. "Don't fucking come near me."

"Bella-" started Charlie.

"Don't bother," I said harshly.

Emmett grabbed my arm and helped me off the bed. He wrapped his arm around me as we made our way out to the car. He helped me climb in the front seat of his jeep. Charlie climbed into the back seat while Emmett got in the drivers seat. We drove home in silence. Emmett parked and I climbed out. Rose and Jasper came running out of their house. I led them up to my room and climbed on my bed. Rose, Jasper and Emmett climbed on with me. I laid on the bed and let my tears fall while Emmett told them everything. Jasper wrapped his arms around me and held me as I cried myself to sleep.

I woke up the next morning after having a horrible nightmare. I dreamed that I died and everyone celebrated. I climbed out of bed and took a hot shower. I climbed out and pulled on a pair of jeans, a black long sleeve t-shirt and my black leather boots. I left my hair down and grabbed my back pack. I went downstairs and found Charlie and Emmett sitting in silence at the kitchen table.

"Em, you riding with me or taking your jeep?" I asked.

"I'll take my jeep. I have football practice after school," said Emmett.

"Ok," I said. I turned back to Charlie. "I'm signing for a music competition that NYU is having in six weeks in New York."

"No, your not," said Charlie.

"Yes, I am. I am old enough to make this decision for myself," I snapped.

I turned and walked out of the house. I heard Charlie yell after me but I just ignored him. I jumped into my car and drove to school. I was twenty minutes early so I climbed out and made my way inside. I went down to the music room and pulled out my cello. I sat down on the piano bench and started playing.

I tried to pour out all my anger, all my frustrations, at Charlie. I tried to pour out all my anger and fear over the possibility of being sick. I didn't want to be sick. I wanted to be normal and healthy. I didn't want to have to worry about dying. I could feel the tears pouring down my face as I played the last note. I heard someone clap and I opened my eyes and saw Peter watching me from the door.

"That was amazing, Bella."

"Thanks," I said as I wiped my tears off.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I said softly. I went over and put my cello up. I grabbed my backpack and started walking to the door. I stopped and looked back at him. "I'm signing up for the competition. Can you get me the application?"

"Yes. I'll have it for you by class time," said Peter as he smiled.

"Thanks," I said softly.

I made my way down to my locker and grabbed my books for my morning classes. I went down to my English class and took my seat in the back. Rose came in a few minutes later. She took her seat next to me.

"How you doing, Bella?" she asked.

"I'm not too good," I whispered as I laid my head on my desk. "I'm really scared, Rose."

"I am too," she whispered.

"I'm not ready to die," I sobbed softly. Rose kneeled down next to me and pulled me into her arms and held me while I cried.

"Bella, Rose, what's wrong?" asked Alice as she came over to us. I pulled away from Rose and wiped my tears off my face.

"Nothing, Alice," I whispered softly.

"I don't believe you," she whispered. I looked up at her and let another tear fall.

"I can't…." I trailed off.

"Ok, Bella," whispered Alice. "Just know that I am here if you need to talk."

"Thanks, Alice," I cried softly.

Mr. Owens came in and started his class. I laid my head on my desk and silently sobbed as he droned on about Romeo and Juliet. The bell rang and I picked up my back pack and followed Alice and Rose down to our trig class. I took my seat behind Jasper. He reached over and grabbed my hand softly. Alice and Rose took their seats. I looked up and saw Edward come in. He started to smile until he saw my tears falling.

"Bella, what's wrong?" asked Edward as he pulled me into his arms.

"Everything," I cried softly.

"Bella," said Emmett.

I pulled away from Edward and looked down at Emmett but he was looking at the door. I looked over and saw Charlie and Carlisle standing in the doorway. I could tell by the look on their faces that it wasn't good news.

"No," I cried. "Please no."

"Bella, can we talk to you?" asked Carlisle. I felt my tears pouring down my face as I walked out into the hall. "Bella, I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"NOOOOOOOO!" I screamed as I fell to my knees. "IT'S NOT FAIR. I'M NOT READY TO DIE. PLEASE NOOOOOOOO!"

"Bella-" started Charlie as he reached down for me. I pulled away.

"NO, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. I HATE YOU, CHARLIE. I HATE YOU!" I screamed.

I jumped to my feet and started running out of the school. I jumped into my car when I saw Edward, Jasper, Alice, Rose and Emmett come running out after me. Edward came over and jumped into my car while they others jumped into Emmett's jeep. I peeled out and saw Charlie and Carlisle come running out after us. I drove to La Push and first beach. I parked my car and got out. Edward got out after me. Emmett pulled up next to us and they all climbed out and followed me down to the beach. I fell to my knees and let my tears fall.

"It's not fair," I cried.

"Bella," cried Emmett as he pulled me into his arms. I could feel him shaking as we cried together. "I can't lose you, Bella."

"Em, I don't want to die," I cried. "I'm not ready."

"Bella?" whispered Edward. I pulled away and looked over at him. He had tears running down his face. "I don't understand."

"I'm sick. I have leukemia," I cried. Edward fell to his knees and pulled me into his arms.

"You can't die, Bella. You can't leave me," cried Edward.

I couldn't even speak. I just let my tears fall down my face. After several minutes of crying, I pulled back slightly from Edward and looked around. Rose and Emmett were crying together as were Jasper and Alice. I could tell that they loved each other very much.

"Bella, what's going on?" asked Alice. "When did you get tested?"

"I woke up yesterday morning feeling really tired and dizzy. When I went downstairs, Charlie and Emmett noticed that something was off. Charlie came over and I started to fall but Charlie grabbed my arms to stop me and I felt this pain in my arms. I passed out and woke up in the hospital. I guess Charlie called Carlisle because he started asking me about how much sleeping I was doing. He asked Charlie if we had a history of cancer or leukemia in our family. Charlie said…." I trailed off as I started sobbing again. Edward just pulled me into his arms again.

"He said our mom, who we thought abandoned us, really died from leukemia when we were two. He has been lying to us for our entire life practically. Carlisle thought that based on what Bella was feeling that she might have leukemia. He tested her blood and we found out this morning that she is sick," explained Emmett through his tears.

"But you're so young," whispered Alice through her tears.

"I know. It's not fair," I cried. "I hated my mom for leaving us. I don't want to die. I have so many dreams that I will never get to do."

"Bella, you can't give up. You have to fight," cried Edward. I looked up at him. "Please, you have to fight."

"Edward…" I whispered as I stared in his eyes. He reached up and gently stroked my check.

"Please, fight for me," he whispered.

"I can't do it alone," I whispered.

"You won't be alone. I'm never leaving you, Bella," whispered Edward. I looked into his eyes and knew that I had fallen in love with him. Somehow in the few short days that I had known him, I had fallen in love with him.

"Do you promise?" I whispered. He leaned down and put his forehead on mine.

"I promise, baby," he whispered. He leaned down and kissed me softly. "I love you, Bella. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Edward," I whispered softly. I looked into his eyes and knew what I wanted, no I knew what I needed. "Will you marry me?"