18
"This is our home," whispered Edward. I snapped my head up at him. I could feel the tears building in my eyes.
"Our home," I whispered as my tears spilled over.
"Yes, baby," he whispered.
He got out of the car and came around and helped me out. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me inside. Rose and Alice followed us in. Esme, Charlie, William, Catherine, Emmett, Jasper, Garrett, Kate, Ben and Angela were waiting for us in the living room. The living room had been painted a taupe color. We had two large sofa's arranged in front of a fireplace. Edward led me into the kitchen. It was fairly large with lots of cabinet space and counter space. There was a small island in the middle of the room. Off to the side was a small breakfast nook with a table and chairs. Off of the kitchen was a small laundry room. Edward led me down a small hallway to the first of two bedrooms. This room housed my piano from Charlie's. My guitar and cello were also here. Edward's computer and most of his music was in here. He led me to the master bedroom next. The walls in this room had been painted a dark purple. Our bed was sitting in the middle of the north wall. Our dresser and TV was sitting on the south wall. My books and the rest of our music was scattered around the room. I looked back at Edward.
"How?" I whispered.
"It's on the list, Bella. I promised to give you want was on the list," he whispered.
"How can we afford this place?" I whispered.
"We have plenty of money, Bella," he whispered. I narrowed my eyes at him. "My grandparent's left me and Alice a large inheritance."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" I whispered.
"I didn't think it was a big deal," whispered Edward. "Besides, we had more important things to talk about."
"I guess you are right," I chuckled softly. I looked around our room again. "This house is really ours?"
"Yes, I thought it would be nice to live close to your dad and the others. That way they can help you when you need them, if I can't be here," said Edward.
"Thank you, Edward," I whispered. "It's perfect."
"Anything for you, Baby," whispered Edward. Edward and I made our way back into the living room where the others were waiting for us. Carlisle was with them.
"I…can't…tell you how much this means to me," I sobbed softly. "Thank you all for helping him give this to me."
"Bella, we love you. We would do anything for you," said Charlie.
I felt my stomach turn and ran back to the bathroom. Charlie came in with me and held my hair for me as I threw up. I cleaned my face and leaned against him. He wrapped his arm arms around me and held me tight.
"Dad?" I whispered.
"Yes?" he whispered.
"What was it like when Mom was sick?" I whispered.
"It was really hard, Bella. She was about five months pregnant with you and Emmett when she got sick. She woke up several days with a high fever. She was exhausted all the time but we thought it was because she was carrying twins. After a week of fevers, I dragged her to the doctor. They ran a few test and she was diagnosed with the leukemia. She struggled with the last few months of her pregnancy but she wanted to give you and Emmett every chance you could have. Once you born, the doctors insisted that she start chemo. It was hard for her and for me. I took off several months at the station so I could help out as much as much as I could. I was the one who got up with you two in the middle of the night to feed you and change you. Renee felt guilty that she couldn't help more but she was so sick. Will and Cat helped as much as they could but Rose and Jasper were just few months older than you and Emmett. Renee never gave up, Bella. Even when I had to put her in the hospital because she couldn't breathe on her own. I took you and Emmett to see her the night she died. You crawled up with her and laid your head on her chest and whispered, 'I love you, mommy.' She cried and said that she loved you and she promised to always be with you, Bella. She kissed you and Emmett and took her last breath. I thought I was going to die without her. If I didn't have to live for you and Emmett, I would have. I miss her everyday. She was my Edward. I know she's still here. I hear her in every song you play. I hear her every time you laugh, Bella," whispered Charlie through his tears.
"Did she play the piano?" I whispered.
"Yes, she did. She would sit at her piano for hours when she was pregnant with you and Emmett. She said the two of you would calm down as soon as she started playing," whispered Charlie. "You're a lot like her. She was smart and so beautiful."
"I wish I had known her," I cried. "I have spent my entire life trying not to be like her. I wish I could have been as strong as she was."
"Bella, you are. You're so strong," whispered Charlie.
We eventually moved from the bathroom to the living room. I laid down on the sofa for a little bit while they finished moving mine and Edward's stuff in for us. I couldn't stop the tears that poured down my face at the love that my friends and family have for me. Everyone left about an hour later and I ended up spending the majority of our first night in our new house laying on the bathroom floor. Edward brought in our blankets and pillows and held me as we cried together for hours. I eventually ended up getting a couple hours of sleep.
Tuesday and Wednesday went by quickly. I spent the majority of Tuesday in the ladies room at school. Alice and Rose helped me most of the time but Lauren, Jessica, Angela and Kate did as much as they could. Rose, Alice, Kate and Angela had cheerleading practice after school so I went to the gym with them and watched. Lauren and Jessica were really trying to give Alice a chance. Leah and Tanya, however, weren't. They both kept giving me looks. I knew they were pissed that I hadn't told them what was going on. They are normally nice girls but I think they felt hurt that I didn't tell them. I just couldn't deal with it. Edward came and got me from the gym when his practice was over. We went home and he made me soup for dinner. I cleaned up the kitchen afterwards since he cooked. We went to our to our room and made love in our house for the first time.
Wednesday was a better day. I wasn't nearly as sick as I was on Tuesday. I was very tired and I started having a little pain in my hip when I walked. I mentioned it to Carlisle at my chemo appointment and he said that it was because of the chemo. He told me to watch it and if it got too bad that I would need to use a wheelchair to move around. I really didn't want to have to do that. By Wednesday, the shock of all the new weddings had warn off some and I was back in the spotlight. I heard several rumors that I was pregnant with twins or triplets and that is why I was so sick. I was completely ridiculous.
I woke up Thursday morning alone. I could hear Edward in the kitchen. I got up and went into the bathroom to take a shower. I stripped off my pajamas and stepped under the hot water. I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair when I ran my fingers through it. I pulled my hands down and screamed. My hands were covered in hair. Edward came running in and threw the shower curtain open. I was on my knees sobbing. I lifted my hands to him and he turned off the water and picked me up out of the shower and sat down with me on the floor.
"It's not fair," I sobbed. "I don't want to lose my hair."
"I know, Baby," he whispered.
"What do I do now?" I cried.
"What do you want to do? You can wait for the rest to fall out or we can shave it off," whispered Edward.
"I want to shave it off. I can't go through this shock every morning," I sobbed softly.
"Ok. I'll go call Emmett. I bet he has some clippers we can use. You get dressed," whispered Edward.
"Ok," I whispered.
I wiped my tears off my face and dried off. I went into our room while Edward went into the kitchen to call Emmett. I went and looked in the mirror and saw several bald spots on my head. I just let my tears fall as I pulled on a pair of jeans that were getting to big and a black t-shirt. I put on my black leather boots and went into the kitchen. Emmett, Rose, Alice, Jasper and Charlie were waiting for me with Edward. Edward had he clippers in his hand.
"Hey," I said softly.
"Bella, you ok?" asked Charlie.
"No but it doesn't matter," I whispered as another tear fell from my eye. "Let's just get this done with."
"Ok, Baby," whispered Edward.
He and I went back into the bathroom. I said down on the toilet and let my tears fall as he shaved my hair off. Once he was done. He helped me scoop up all my hair and put it in a bag. I wanted to keep it. I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. I couldn't help the chuckled that escaped my lips.
"My head is so white," I whispered.
"It's beautiful," chuckled Edward. "We can get you a wig if you want."
"I don't know," I said. I turned and looked at him. "I'll think about it."
"How are you feeling today, other than sad about your hair?" asked Edward pulling me into his arms.
"I feel ok," I whispered. "My stomach is pretty upset but it's not as bad as it has been."
"Good. Are you ready to go to school?" asked Edward.
"I guess. You know everyone is going to stare at me," I whispered.
"I know. You don't have to go if you don't want to, Bella. We can stay home." said Edward.
"No, I need to go. I can't hide anymore," I whispered.
"Ok, Baby," whispered Edward. He and I made our way into the kitchen. Everyone turned and looked at me. I could see the sadness in their eyes.
"Bella, I brought a couple scarves over. I thought you might want to wear one," said Alice.
"Thanks, Ali," I whispered. "That would be nice."
"How about we go with the pink one to give you some color," she suggested.
"Ok," I whispered.
She came over and tied it on my head for me. I gave her a big hug. I hugged Charlie before the rest of us made our way out to our cars to go to school. Edward pulled his car in the parking lot and I sat there for a few minutes. He held my hand while I let a few tears fall. After a few minutes, we climbed out of the car. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me into the school. I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
We went down to our lockers and I grabbed my books. I kissed him goodbye and went to English with Rose and Alice. We walked in and everyone turned to look at us. Nearly everyone gasp and stared as we made our way up to our seats. A few minutes later, Mr. Owens came in. He looked up and gave me a small smile before he started his class. Well, he tried to anyway.
"Class, please pay attention," he snapped. "I can assure you that whatever is distracting you is not that important."
"Sir, we are just wondering why Bella shaved her head," said Austen something. Mr. Owens went to say something but I felt my stomach turn. I tried to get out of the classroom but I couldn't make it so I bent over the trash can.
"Alice, can you get her a cold paper towel? Rose, bring her water down," said Mr. Owens. He knelt beside me and rubbed my back while I dry heaved. "Your going to be ok, Bella."
"I wish I could believe that," I cried. I laid my head on the cold floor. Alice came in and rubbed the paper towel on my neck and face for me. "It's not fair. I didn't do anything to deserve this."
"I know you didn't, Bella," whispered Rose. She lifted me so that I was laying on her lap. She held the water bottle to my lips and helped me take a drink.
"Bella?" whispered Austen. I looked over at them all. They all had fear in their eyes. "What's going on?"
"I'm dying," I whispered as the bell rang.