44

I woke up Friday morning while Edward was in the shower. I slipped out to the kitchen and made him some eggs and toast for breakfast. He had a big day today and I wanted him to get a good breakfast. I still wasn't sure this was the way to go but I could see it in his eyes that he needed to do this for me. So I wouldn't make a big deal about it.

"What's this?" he asked as he came into the kitchen.

"I made you breakfast," I said softly. "You have a big day and you need to eat a good breakfast. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast increases brain function-"

"Bella, stop rambling. You're going to make me more nervous," chuckled Edward. I smiled softly.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I'm nervous for you too."

"It's going to be fine, Bella," said Edward, wrapping his arms around me. "I can pass this test. Then I will be able to focus on you."

"I know," I said softly. "You had better eat."

"Ok," he said. We sat down at the table. "So what are you doing today?"

"I'm just going to hang around the house," I said. "I'm pretty tired so I'll probably go back to bed."

"You didn't seem to sleep very good last night," he said as he ate.

"I didn't," I said. "But I'll get some rest today."

"Ok," said Edward. He finished eating and put his plate in the sink. "I'd better get going. Call the office if you need me, ok?"

"I will," I promised. "Good luck."

"Thanks," he chuckled softly. He leaned down and kissed me. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I said softly.

Edward kissed me once more before he left. I watched from the front window as he drove away. I went into our room and slipped back into the bed. I pulled the covers over my head and fell back to sleep.

I was shaken awake sometime later when I heard someone knocking on the front door. I climbed out of bed and stumbled slightly as I made my way out to answer the door. I pulled the front door open and found Esme standing there.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"You and I are going to the spa," she said cheerfully.

"I don't want to," I said.

"Too bad," she smirked. "I have been ordered by my son to pamper you today so you won't sit here all day and worry about him."

"Why am I not surprised," I muttered. "Fine come in and I will go shower and get dressed real quick."

Esme just chuckled as she came in and sat on the sofa. I went into my room and shut the door. She was up to something. I just wasn't sure what. I quickly showered and got dressed. I pulled my pink beanie on my head and made my way out into the living room.

"I'm ready," I said. "Are you going to tell me what you are planning?"

"No," she chuckled. She came over and looped her arm in with mine. "Just trust me."

"Ok," I chuckled. "Let's go get pampered."

"That's the spirit," she chuckled.

I locked up the house as we headed out to her car. I climbed into the front seat and buckled my seatbelt. Esme climbed in behind the wheel and we headed off to the spa. She had a beautiful smile on her face as she drove us through town. Whatever she was planning was making her happy. I guess that's all that really counts right now.

She pulled her car up in front of the spa and we headed inside. We spent all afternoon being pampered. We had massages, facials, pedicures and manicures. It was nice just having that one on one time with her. We were sitting in the chairs while we waited for our nails to dry when I looked over at Esme.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, you can," she said.

"Was it hard watching Carlisle when he was sick?" I asked. She frowned slightly.

"Yes," she said softly. "I, um, was really scared that I was going to lose him. Edward and Alice were just babies. I was trying to take care of them and be there for Carlisle. He was mean sometimes. He would lash out and call me horrible names when I tried to help him. He was convinced that he could do it alone. I will admit that hurt a lot. I didn't have any family to help me with Edward and Alice. I thought Carlisle was going to leave me. I used to sit on the floor next to his side of the bed and watch him sleep just to make sure he was still breathing. When he finally went into remission, I thought everything would be back to normal but it wasn't for while. He was happy, of course, but our marriage had really gone through a lot. We started marriage counseling and we slowly got our marriage back on track."

"You're so much stronger than I realized," I said softly.

"So are you, sweetheart," said Esme. "It's not easy being eighteen and married. Then you add cancer to the mix and it's even harder but, Bella, you and Edward will be fine. You love each other enough to push through the hard times and make it. It won't be easy but you can do it."

"I know we can," I said. "It's the other's I'm worried about. I know Emmett. If I'm not there pushing him to keep doing his best, then he will quit. Rose will shut down into herself and push everyone away because that's how she copes. Jasper will try to sugar coat it all and make it seem like it's not as bad as it is because he thinks that's the best way to deal with it all. Garrett and Kate will fight because they are stubborn and hard headed and I won't be there to knock since into either of them. Ben and Angela will pretend that nothing is wrong and I won't be there to make sure they know it's ok. Alice will try to control them all but they won't let her."

"Then I'll do it," said Esme. I turned and looked at her. "Bella, you can let me take care of them while you take care of yourself. Besides, that's what mom's do."

"Esme?" I asked. "Would you mind if I called you Mom?"

"No, sweetheart, I wouldn't mind," she whispered. "In fact, I'd be honored to have you as my daughter."

"Thanks, Mom," I whispered.

"You're welcome," she said. "But we have to go."

"Where are we going?" I asked as I slipped my shoes back on.

"Shopping," she chuckled.

I rolled my eyes but got up and followed her out to the car. I knew it was pointless to argue with her. She drove through town and pulled up in front of a small shop called 'Florence's Formal Wear.' I cocked an eyebrow at Esme as we climbed out of the car. She just chuckled and wrapped her arm around my shoulder as we went inside.

"May I help you?" asked the woman behind the counter. She had short grey hair and friendly eyes.

"Yes, I'm Esme Cullen," said Esme. "I called about the dresses."

"Of course," said the woman behind the counter as she looked over at me. "I'm Florence. You must be Bella."

"Yes, ma'am," I said softly. She smiled.

"Oh, young one, don't call me ma'am," she chuckled. "It makes me feel old."

"Sorry," I whispered.

"Don't be," she said. "Now I have three dresses for you to try on."

"What do I need a dress for?" I asked Esme as I turned and looked at her.

"It's a surprise," she chuckled. I narrowed my eyes at her. "I'm not telling so suck it up, my daughter."

"Fine," I sighed. "You are a mean Mom."

"I am, aren't I?" she chuckled. "Let's go find you the perfect dress."

I just sighed as I followed her and Florence into the back room. Florence led us to a rack that had three dresses. The first was a god-awful taffeta dress that was orange. It had a fitted bust and started to flare at the waist but the material and the color were wrong for me. The second dress was better but still not my style. It was a halter style dress. It was silk and soft yellow. Next to my pale skin, it would look horrible.

I smiled to myself when I saw the third dress. It was soft blue, Edward's favorite color, silk, strapless dress. It began to flare from under my bust line and fell to my feet. I pulled the dress off the rack and went into the dressing room. I stripped off my jeans and t-shirt. I slid the dress on and stepped out. Esme's face broke out into a huge smile.

"It's perfect," she whispered through her tears.

"Nearly," said Florence. She went out front and came back a few minutes later with a silver silk scarf. "Let's try this."

"Ok," I whispered. She helped me tie the scarf around my head. I turned and looked in the mirror. "Do you think Edward will like it?"

"Yes," said Esme. "But do you?"

"Yes," I said softly. I turned and looked at her. "I do very much."

"Good," said Esme. "Go change. Then we can look for shoes."

"Ok," I said.

I went back into the dressing room and changed into my jeans and shirt again. I grabbed the dress and went back out to the front where Esme and Florence were waiting for me. I quickly found a pair of silver heels with straps. Esme insisted on paying for them even though I protested. I thanked her and Florence for everything.

Esme and I went back out to the car but instead of driving me back to my house, she drove me to her house. I didn't say anything as I followed her into the house. Carlisle was sitting on the couch, reading the paper when we came in.

"Did you girls have fun today?" he asked with a smirk.

"Yes," chuckled Esme. "We had a lovely day."

"It was nice," I said. "It would be even nicer if you both would tell me what's going on."

"It's a surprise," they said together. I rolled my eyes.

"Fine," I sighed as I looked over at Carlisle. "I guess we need to go for my treatment."

"Nope," he said. "I am giving you the weekend off."

"You are?" I asked.

"Yes," he said. "Because Monday we are going to start the conditioning for the transplant."

"Oh," I whispered. "So you got Emmett's result's back?"

"Yes," said Carlisle. "He's a perfect match and can give you his marrow."

"That's, um, great, I guess," I said softly. "So what happens now?"

"I need you to be at the hospital Monday morning," said Carlisle. "We will start the chemo that afternoon. We will give it to you for seven days. Then I will take the marrow from Emmett and give it to you."

"Great," I whispered.

"Don't think about it right now," said Esme as she looped her arm in with mine. "Let's get you ready for tonight."

"Ok," I whispered through my tears.

"Bella, I…." trailed off Carlisle. "I wish there was another way."

"Me too," I whispered as my tears spilled over. I quickly wiped them away. "Me too but it doesn't matter what we wish, right?"

Esme wrapped her arms around my shoulder and pulled me up the stairs to hers and Carlisle's room. I went into the bathroom and took a hot shower while I let my tears fall freely. I knew it would be soon but I guess I didn't think it would be this soon. I felt robbed of time with Edward. I knew he would be at the hospital all the time but we wouldn't be able to touch and make love with each other for the next few months.

I finally managed to stop my tears and I quickly washed up. I turned off the water and dried off. I slid on the panties and strapless bra Esme had forced me to get and pulled on her robe. I went back out to her room. She had changed into a olive green, strapless cocktail dress. She sat me down in front of her vanity and began to fix my make-up for whatever I was doing tonight.

Once she was done, she helped me slip on my dress so that I wouldn't mess up my make-up. I slid my shoes on while she tied the scarf on my head. She hug a set of pearls around my neck and looped her arm in with mine as we made our way downstairs.

Edward was standing by the front door with Carlisle. They were both wearing black tuxedos. He smiled widely when he looked up and saw me. He stepped up to me and pulled me into his arms and kissed me softly.

"You look so beautiful," he whispered through his tears.

"Thank you," I whispered. "You look very handsome. Now tell me what's going on."

"It's a surprise," chuckled Edward. I sighed as he wrapped my arm around his. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," I said.

Esme and Carlisle insisted on taking our picture. Edward lead me out to his car while Carlisle and Esme climbed into his Mercedes. Edward opened my door and I slid in. He shut the door for me and went around to the drivers side. He started the car and pulled away from the house. He just smiled as he drove through town straight to the school. The parking lot was full of cars. He parked next to Emmett's jeep.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

"Come find out," said Edward.

He came around and opened my door for me and helped me out of the car. He wrapped my arm around his as we made our way inside. Carlisle and Esme followed us into the gym. I gasped as I felt my eyes fill up with tears. I looked up at Edward, who was fighting his own tears.

"Did you do this?" I whispered.

"No," whispered Edward. "They did."

He pointed to Emmett, Rose, Alice, Jasper, Ben, Angela, Garrett, and Kate, who were standing in front of the rest of our class. They all had prom dresses and tuxedos on. The gym had been decorated with crepe paper and balloons. They were giving me my senior prom