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My hero is my mom, Rebecca. She raised me and my sister, Rachel, all by herself
after my father left us when I was born. She never once complained about having
to work two jobs to pay our rent or buy our food. I didn't realize how much she really
did for us until I had my daughter, Millie. Now, I know that she sacrificed so much
for us. I just wish I could have told her before she passed.

Robyn, Age 33, New Mexico

My hero is my dad, Steven. Every night before I go to bed, he comes into my room and
tells me a story. His story is about how a little girl names Cara, who fights against the
evil monster that is trying to eat her. We both know that he is trying to encourage me
to keep fighting my battle with cancer but he never wavers with his belief that I will
survive. Because of that, he's my hero.

Cara, Age 12, Florida

My hero is my Uncle Mark. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was five. My
Uncle Mark raised me like I was his own son. He never treated me any differently than
he did his 'real' kids. When he got sick last year, he told me the day I came to live with
him was one of the happiest days of his life. It was mine as well. He passed a few months
ago but he lives on in my heart.

John, Age 23,South Dakota

My hero is my little sister, Aubrey. She's only five years old and she has leukemia too. She's
not doing very good right now. I overheard my parents talking about her not responding to
treatments anymore. Aubrey never stops smiling and laughing. Even though I can tell she's
scared, she never stops trying to make us laugh. I just wish I could see her grow up.

Amanda, Age 15, London, England

I groaned as the stupid alarm clock went off the next morning. I had been sleeping so good and I wasn't ready to get up. I felt Edward shift over and turn the alarm off. He rolled back over and started kissing the back of my head.

"Baby, we need to get up," he whispered.

"Don't want to leave this bed," I whispered. I felt the bed shake slightly as Edward chuckled.

"I promise the bed will still be here when we get home but we have to go in for your check-up," whispered Edward. I moaned softly as I felt his lips on the back of my neck. "Don't you want to put our plan into action against the man."

"Yes," I moaned as Edward pressed himself against me. I could feel his erection poking into me. "God, Edward, I really want you."

"Baby, I want you too but we don't have time," he groaned, rolling away from me. I rolled over and straddled his lap. "That's not helping."

"Come on, Baby," I purred. "We can be quick."

"We really don't have time," said Edward, sadly.

I groaned and rolled off of him and onto the bed. I couldn't help but feel rejected. I hadn't made love to my husband in weeks and he was more concerned with us being late to an appointment than being with me. I rolled so that my back was facing him. I didn't want him to see my tears.

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked, wrapping his arm around me from behind.

"Nothing," I whispered.

"Something's wrong," he whispered.

"I just…..it's nothing," I said, sadly. I pulled out of his arms and sat up on the side of the bed. "Let's go take a fucking shower."

"Bella, what did I do wrong?" asked Edward as he climbed off the bed and came around to me. "Please, tell me what I did wrong?"

"You don't want me anymore," I barely whispered. He knelt down in front of me and pulled my chin up so he could look in my eyes.

"Of course I do," whispered Edward, wiping away one of my tears that had fallen. "Why do you think I don't want you?"

"Because you wouldn't make love to me," I said. "You were more concerned with the time than being with me."

"Baby, I want nothing more than to make love to you but I also know we can't be late or the man will do something horrible to us," said Edward. "I'm sorry if you felt like I rejected you."

"You really still want me sexually?" I asked. "I know that I don't look really good right now. I mean I'm too skinny and really, really pale-"

"Baby, you are exquisite," said Edward, leaning up and kissing me softly. "I don't want our first time since you've been sick to be rushed. I want it to be perfect."

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself."

"I should have talked to you," said Edward. "I'm sorry. Just don't ever doubt that I want you sexually, Bella. I've never been so hard in my life."

"I can help you with that," I smirked as I brought my foot up and rubbed his erection through his boxers.

"Bella," he moaned. "You are making this really hard…I mean, difficult for me to be a gentleman."

"Sorry," I chuckled, pulling my foot away.

"I don't think you are sorry," laughed Edward. He leaned up and kissed me softly. "Are you ready to go take a shower?"

"Yes," I smirked. "I'm feeling very dirty."

Edward growled as he stood up and lifted me into his arms. He kissed me before he carried me into the bathroom. We quickly showered, even though we kept getting distracted by each other's bodies, and dried off. We went back into our room and got dressed. I pulled on my jeans and chuckled inwardly at how big they were. Hopefully I would gain some weight back and be able to fit them again. I slipped my sweater on and pulled a beanie onto my head after I put my shoes on.

Edward and I grabbed a quick breakfast before we pulled our coats on and headed out to the car. I hated the thought of going back to the hospital. I knew I wasn't going to have to stay this time but it was still not the place I wanted to be. I had had my fill of that place.

A few minutes later, Edward pulled the car up in front of the hospital. He came around and helped me out of the car and into the hospital. We made our way up to Carlisle's office and checked in for our appointment. The ladies at the front desk and congratulated me on leaving the hospital. We only had to wait a few minutes before Erin Mallory called us to come on back.

"Bella, you fantastic," said Erin. "Blake and I were so glad when Lauren told us you were finally getting to go home."

"Thank you," I said. "How's Lauren doing?"

"She's good," said Erin with a smile. "She's applying to Berkeley."

"That's great," I said as she led me into an exam room. She quickly weighed me and took my vitals.

"Dr. Cullen will be here in in a few minutes," said Erin.

"Thank you, Erin," I said. "And tell Blake I said thank you."

"I will," said Erin, smiling.

She shut the door behind her and Edward came over and wrapped his arms around me. We only had to wait a few minutes before Carlisle came in. He was smirking and I knew it was because of his little juvenile prank on us. I was really going to love seeing him go down.

"So," smirked Carlisle. "How's it going?"

"Fantastic," said Edward with a wink to me. I ducked my head into his arms and tried not to laugh.

"Well, that's great," chuckled Carlisle. "How are you both sleeping?"

"Great," I said coyly, "I mean when we aren't….I mean, great."

"Ok," said Carlisle slowly. "Well, I got your results back from yesterday and everything is still looking good. I want to do a quick physical and then you can go home."

"Ok," I smirked, winking at Edward.

He was biting his lip so he wouldn't laugh. Carlisle quickly checked me over and said everything looked great. He smiled and commented on my eyebrows. I told him how he and Emmett were the only ones who could see them besides me and Edward. He just chuckled.

"Well, is there anything else you need?" asked Carlisle. Edward shifted his weight from one foot to the other and ducked his head as he looked over at me.

"Well…."he trailed off. Carlisle was looking from me to Edward with a look of confusion on his face.

"Yes?" prompted Carlisle.

"The thing is…." I trailed off as I blushed. Carlisle raised an eyebrow at me.

"Weneedmorecondoms," muttered Edward quickly. I blushed again and ducked my head into his chest.

"I didn't quite catch that," chuckled Carlisle. Edward sighed softly.

"Bella and I ….need…..more….condoms," mumbled Edward.

"We've kind of used all the ones you sent with Chloe," I muttered, keeping my face down. I knew if I looked at him, I would bust out laughing.

"You used all of them?" asked Carlisle, clearly shocked.

"Yes," mumbled me and Edward.

"In a day?" asked Carlisle.

"Yes," we mumbled again.

"Look, I know I told you that you could have sex but you still need to take it easy, Bella," sighed Carlisle. I took a deep breath and looked up at him with the tears I had managed to build in my eyes. Carlisle's face softened immediately. Sucker.

"I know," I whimpered softy. "I'm sorry, Carlisle. I just needed him so much…..Please don't be mad at us."

"I'm not mad at either of you," sighed Carlisle. "I'll get you some more but please be careful."

"We will," I whispered. "I promise."

"Ok," said Carlisle. He turned to Edward and shook his head. "Really, Edward? I'll bring them by later and leave them in your mailbox, ok?"

"Ok, Dad," said Edward. "I'm really sorry."

"It's ok, Edward," said Carlisle. "It's good that you are being safe at least."

"That we are," chuckled Edward, with a wink toward me.

"EDWARD!" I gasped dramatically.

"Ugh," groaned Carlisle. "Too much information. Go home and rest, Isabella. I mean it."

"Yes, sir," I giggled as Edward wrapped his arm around my waist.

Carlisle just shook his head again and sent us on our way. Neither Edward or I said anything as we rode the elevator down to the lobby and made our way out to the car. Once we were in the car, I turned to Edward with a smile on my face.

"Phase one of taking the man down complete," I said.

"That was fucking awesome," chuckled Edward as he started the car. He pulled out of the parking space and we headed toward the house. "Did you see his face?"

"I thought he was going to have a stroke or something," I snickered. "Thank god for those drama classes I took. I wasn't sure I would be able to draw the tears I needed to pull it off but I did."

"That was the best part," laughed Edward. "I thought he was going to cry with you."

"He should know better than to fuck with us," I chuckled as Edward pulled the car into the garage.

"That he should," chuckled Edward.

We made our way inside and went straight to our room. We changed into our pajamas and climbed back into bed. It was amazing how much just one little outing had completely exhausted me. Edward watched TV while I laid my head on his chest and fell asleep.

I slept for a couple of hours before I managed to wake up and have some lunch. I still wasn't super hungry but at least I was starting to taste food again. After lunch, I pulled my laptop onto the bed and logged into my blog site. I clicked on the private message I had waiting and smiled. It was from Denise.

Bella,

How does it feel to be home? I can't wait until we can take Tricia home. I think she's
ready too. They told us maybe in a week or two. Anyway, she's been working very
hard in her therapy and I have faith that she can do it. They were able to remove all
of the tumor but have decided to start her on chemo, just to be on the safe side. Her
first treatment is today. Anything I should know?

Denise

Denise,

Chemo sucks. That's what you should know. She's going to be sick and she's going to
need you to hold her and help her. Edward always rubbed my back. It helped. He also
told me stories to try to distract me. That also helped some. Just don't forget that no
matter what she says, she loves you.

It feels great to be home. I can't wait for Tricia to be there too.

Bella

I closed my laptop after I sent the message to Denise. I leaned over and laid my head on Edward's chest. We spent the rest of the day just watching TV and being with each other. When it really comes down to it, as long as I am in Edward's arms, I am home.