I lay on the floor for countless hours, crying dry, broken sobs. I heard the quiet scuffle of someone walking up the porch steps, the sound of their hand on the doorknob, and finally the rush of air that burst in with the opening of the door. I felt a hand on my arm, turning my head unwillingly to see, I noticed golden eyes looking down at me. Not in pity or sympathy, but with love and understanding.

"Son, are you sure you've chosen correctly? Whatever decision you make, Esme and I will support you." Carlisle asked.

I felt a sudden swell of gratitude towards my father, knowing that his words were true and that he would indeed support me along with my mother.

"I'm no good for her Carlisle, in my heart…" I couldn't bring myself to finish. "I'm sure you must know that." I replied, my voice hoarse with my sobs.

Esme walked in then, as she sat next to my father she pulled my hand into hers, clasping it tightly. Normally, before her, I would never allow such contact. I had been a lost shell before she came into my life. Bella, my beautiful Bella. Just thinking her name brought a fresh wave of intense grief, and as my body jerked with the intensity of it, I wailed deeply. I heard Esme's unneeded breath hitch in her chest and saw her face contort with a pain that matched my own. I blocked out all thoughts of my parents as I lay there, sobbing with a seemingly new wave of pain I didn't think was possible.

Carlisle rubbed soothing circles on my arm as I allowed my grief to overtake me, as Esme sat, holding my hand, sobbing quietly with me. I knew they loved Bella as well, who couldn't? Leaving her was just as painful for the rest of my family as it was for me, even Rosalie, though she'd never admit it out loud. As I calmed down, I looked at my parent's again, seeing the pain in Carlisle's eyes as he watched his son wallow in grief. I suddenly felt guilty for allowing them to see me in such a state. I struggled to sit, Carlisle helping to pull me into an upright position. He hugged me then, whispering words of condolence and understanding, and the thing that shocked me most, is that I let him. I let him hold me, my father, the one that changed me. He had always loved me, from the beginning as his son, and I felt unworthy of his affection.

I looked at Esme and saw the pain in her eyes, the pain that matched Carlisle's and right then, I made a decision. I took an unneeded deep breath and resigned myself to looking at both of them as I spoke; my voice trembling slightly with a fear that was normally unknown to my kind.

"I need to get away. I need to be by myself for awhile." I whispered.

I heard Esme muffle a sob as Carlisle's face fell. Instant guilt. To cause someone like Carlisle and Esme pain was unthinkable and inexcusable.

"Oh, Edward!" Esme cried, "Please, don't leave us!"

Please son, please think this through. Are you sure that's what you want and need? I will support you as long as it's something that you've really and truly thought about. My father thought.

"I'm sure." I said.

Esme shook her head with understanding and leaned into kiss my hand. Carlisle hugged me tighter and I felt their love for me soak through to my bones. Looking at them, thanking them silently, I stood…and walked away from the happiest place that I had known since my existence began.