Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thanks to the lovely TwiDi for cleaning up my mess :) Check out her story You Don't Know Anything *hint it's in my favs ;)* !

Chapter 2

Bella had a hard time trying to get out of Rose what was wrong. And as they parked the car outside of Forks General hospital, Bella was no closer to the truth. Her sister's tear-filled eyes and mumbling made it hard to stay calm.

Suddenly, Rose bolted from the car and Bella followed quickly. She watched as Rose went to the information desk and demanded, "Charlie Swan?" When Bella heard that, her whole world stopped.

"Daddy?" She whispered harshly.

"Bella." Renee Swan pulled her oldest child into a bear hug and rocked her softly.

"Mommy, what's wrong with Daddy?" The question came out of Bella's trembling lips like a young child's plea for reassurance.

"Sweetheart, Rosie baby girl, come over here too." Renee pulled her other daughter into her embrace, "Dad woke up to chest pains yesterday and being your father the stubborn fool that he is, he ignored them. Not even telling me about them."

"Oh my God, he did it so he wouldn't ruin my graduation!" Bella exclaimed horrified.

"Honey, do not blame yourself and don't worry. Daddy is going to be fine. He's had a heart attack and they are going to perform bi-pass surgery on him." She gave both girls a faint smile, "Remember when Gramps had the same surgery and he's still around five years later. I think Grams is still a bit worse for wear with all his new energy though. Grams keeps calling and complaining about Gramps wanting 'the pleasures' all the time. You know I think she likes it but she'd never admit it." The girls giggled a little.

Both of the girls remembered all too well how much Grams really enjoyed Gramps new energy. The previous summer they had gone to Jacksonville to visit for two weeks and one night it was so hot they couldn't sleep. They had decided to go outside and now they both claimed to be scarred for life after catching their grandparents enjoying each other naked in the pool. Neither girl could swim in their grandparents' pool since.

"Mom, can we see him?" Bella asked gently.

"Yeah, Mom, we really want to see him." Rose reiterated.

"Come on, girls, let's go bug your father." The girls followed their mother towards the cubical holding their father.

"Daddy." The girls whispered in unison.

"Rosie, Bella, come here." Charlie hoarsely beckoned his girls. Each girl took a side and a hand, "Bella, when you were born it was the happiest day of my life. Then Rose you came along and I knew that no one having children could only have one perfect day. I watched you both grow up and I've never once wanted a son, because I had two perfect girls." He gave them both a weak smile, "I know I'm going to be fine, but in case something happens…"

"Dad, you are going to be fine." Rose told him fiercely. He nodded and continued.

"In case something happens, I love you all. Renee, my darling wife, even when I messed up you still loved me. I'll love you for eternity. Rosie my baby girl, the boys don't know whether to love you for your astounding beauty or your amazing ability with mechanics. I love you for all of that, but more so, for your beautiful soul. Bella, my shy little girl who's bloomed into a beautiful woman, unlike your sister you were always practical and patient. An adult before you even reached five. My oldest daughter my sweet child, follow your heart and promise me that once in your life, you'll live for the moment." He smiled, "Remember when you were five years old and, Rose, you were around two. Bella looked at that poor Edward and told him she refused to marry him until she finished high school and she was only having two babies."

"Oh, I remember that he just nodded and said ok." Renee laughed.

"That poor boy you run his life at times. He probably only finished high school because it was part of your plans." He grinned at his daughter's now red face, "Rose, someday you'll find your own 'Edward Cullen'."

"Don't you think it would get confusing if Bella and I both marry guys named Edward Cullen?"

Charlie gave her a mock glare, "Someday, young lady, some brave man is going to steal your heart and maybe tame your wicked tongue." Rose stuck out her tongue at her father.

A noise alerted them to someone else being in the room and they all looked up to find the doctor standing there.

"Mr. Swan, I'm Dr. Gerber. Is this your family?" The doctor continued after introductions were made, "We want you to have the surgery today. You told the nurse you've had nothing to eat or drink since midnight and we on purpose have not given you anything either. Now, I'm going to explain the procedure then we're going to get you prepped."

After the doctor explained the surgery to them, though honestly Bella understood very little of the technical terms they all hugged and whispered their love to one another. The women then went to the waiting room and sat down.

"Mom, when did you last eat?" Bella looked at the pale face of her mother and took charge. She made all of them go get a sandwich and some soup from the cafeteria.

*********

Hours later, a nurse smiled and asked how they were holding up. They all smiled and nodded at the friendly nurse while holding back their internal question of, "How the fuck do you think we are holding up?"

Bella looked at the clock and sighed. The surgery should have been done by four pm and yet it was half past four and they still had heard nothing. They were all trying to keep busy, trying to keep their minds off Charlie laying there on that table with his chest cracked open. Rose suddenly stood up and walked over to the water fountain. And from the look on Renee's face, you could tell she was fighting the urge to start smoking again.

At five the doctor came out and Bella's heart began to race, "Mrs. Swan, I'm sorry we did all we could do. We were too late and his heart was not up to the surgery. He had another attack while on the table; this one was far more severe than the previous one. We tried to revive him. We tried everything, but nothing worked and he's gone. I'm so sorry."

Renee began to sob uncontrollably. The girls each took a side and held on to their Mom. Both trying to calm her through their own tears. The next few hours were a blur of tears, paperwork and the drive back home.

Bella walked inside and even though it was still summer out and a warm day she felt cold. Like ice was inside of her skin running through her veins. She quickly ran up the stairs to take a shower. She turned the water on as hot as her body could stand and crawled in. The water flowed over her body as she cried like she had never cried before. Her whole world had been torn in two. Daddy dying and Edward was leaving town.

"Holy shit! Edward!" Bella jumped out of the shower grabbing her towel and running into her bedroom. The alarm clock blinked 7:15 at her, "What the hell am I going to do?" Bella groaned grabbing a pair of jeans and a shirt from her closet. She pulled her still damp hair up into a ponytail and looked into the mirror, "Tell me what to do, Daddy." She whispered to her reflection. Running down the stairs she found her Mom sitting at the kitchen table.

"Bella, are you ok?" Renee asked her wild-eyed daughter.

"Mom, I've got to go tell Edward. I'll be back soon I promise." Bella said more to herself than to her Mom.

"Go, sweetheart." Renee whispered as she kissed her oldest child on the cheek.

Bella ran down past Johnson's Corner store cut through the woods and found the cabin. Edward's truck wasn't there, so Bella figured he was late as usual and sat on the steps to wait. She had a plan. She would tell Edward about her father and then beg him to wait two weeks then she would go with him.

Bella sat her grief mixed with excitement at the life she and Edward would have together. Then she felt guilty for being excited about anything when her father had just passed away, "Oh, Daddy, why now?" She cried out and rushed inside. She sat herself on the old sofa as she cried harder.

Memories of the past flew through her head. Her dad teaching her how to ride a bike… Their Saturday afternoon lunch "dates". Ever since Bella had turned six, Charlie made it a habit to take her out every Saturday for lunch alone. They drove to Port Angeles and ate at her Uncle Billy's restaurant. On Sunday afternoons, he used to take Rose. It was his way of having quality time with each girl.

Bella closed her eyes tight as another tear fell slowly down her cheek. Last Saturday, Charlie had given her a strand of pearls for graduation at lunch. He told her that he had been proud of her since the day she was born. Even when she had moments of failure, they were still success in his eyes because she tried, "Bella, as long as you'd tried." He would always say and it always made her feel better. His belief in her made her continue to try even harder. But who was going to believe in her like that now? Who was she going to sneak cookies at two am with? Or watch crappy movies no one else enjoyed for laughs with in the middle of the night? Who was going to love her the way Daddy had? Bella laid down on the sofa keeping her eyes closed tight trying to block out the memories, trying to stop the tears. At some point, exhaustion took over and put her into a dreamless sleep.

The sun pouring through the windows the next morning hit Bella in the face; dragging her out of her oblivious state into the world of cold harsh reality. Daddy was dead and Edward hadn't come for her. She looked at her watch which read seven am and shook her head. In less than three hours, she was needed at the funeral home to make arrangements. She stood and felt something brush her legs. Slowly, she bent to pick up the paper from the ground. Through tear strained eyes that felt half-closed, she saw Edward's distinctive script.

Kitten,

I don't know why you never came, but when you do, I know you'll read these words. You are my heart, you always will be. Though your absence made me realize that maybe for once in our lives, what we want is not the same thing.

When you're ready, I'll be waiting for you at Westin Apartments number 12 in Nashville. That's my cousin's address. Bella, just come please, love.

Forever,

Edward

Bella slowly lowered herself to the sofa again. Edward was gone. He had left her here in the midst of the worst pain of her life, leaving her feeling lonelier than she'd ever been before.

"Bella?" Bella stood up at the sound of her name coming in the distance.

"Yes?" She responded.

"Come on hun, let us drive you home." Bella looked up at Maggie and Felix standing there and she ran into her best friend's arms, "Oh, Bella." Maggie whispered into her hair.

"They're gone, Maggie. Daddy and Edward left me all in one day." Bella whispered.

"Bella, you need to come now. Renee needs you. We'll go after Edward so you can talk when things calm down here." Felix told Bella. Edward and Felix were best friends and at that moment, he never wanted to hurt someone as much as he wanted to hurt Edward. Edward whose cell phone was suddenly out of service when he was needed the most.

*********

Two Days Later

Two hundred people had filled the church as Pastor Webber performed the service. Charlie's casket gleamed black and Bella could barely pull her eyes away from it. It was as dark as her heart felt. It was a symbol of all she had lost.

The walk to the cemetery was the longest walk of her life. And when it was all over and the mourners disbanded, Bella hid and watched them lower her father's body into the ground, "Goodbye, Daddy." She whispered, her voice was so soft, but it was heavy with emotions. So much so that it brought a tear to the eye of the man standing behind her.

"Stay strong, sweetheart." Bella's paternal grandfather, 'Gramps', affectionately hugged her to him, wiped the tears from her eyes and then his own, "Let's go finish today up at home. There are people there wanting to show you how sorry they are that your Dad is gone." Gramps and Bella walked towards the gates of the cemetery arm in arm. In their hearts, they were both falling apart but they put a small smile on their lips to help everyone else.

**********

Two Months Later

Bella sat in the back seat of Felix's car, her bags beside her and in the trunk. She sighed and looked out the window of the car. Edward was only minutes away. Two months and three days since the last time she had held him, or heard his voice.

His father had cut off his cell phone service and the one time he called home according to his sister Elizabeth, he and Carlisle had fought; and Edward never got to hear about Charlie. No one had heard from him since. Bella couldn't wait to see him. Hold him. Tell him everything. The closer they got to where he was living the more the hole in her heart healed.

"There's the sign!" Maggie exclaimed from the passenger seat, "Bella, breathe! You're turning blue!" She joked and Bella breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the sign saying Westin Apartments.

"Hush, Mags, the girl is nervous enough as it is." Felix chastised his bubbly girlfriend.

"There is Edward's car!" Bella exclaimed upon seeing the Volvo. Felix pulled in beside it, Bella took a deep breath and got out of the car. The three friends went up the stairs and found number twelve. Bella knocked on the door and stood back.

"Yeah?" A man around twenty-nine opened the door and questioned them.

"Is Edward Cullen here?" Bella asked, her brown eyes silently pleading for Edward to be there.

"Yeah, hold on." The guy turned around and bellowed, "Hey, Edward, get your ass out here you've got company."

"Coming." Bella's knees went weak at the sound of Edward's voice. A door opening could be heard in the background and Bella saw Edward walk out. He turned towards them and his green eyes adjusted and he looked like he saw a ghost. His face went so pale, "Bella?" he whispered and she launched herself into his arms and he held her tight to his half naked body. Wearing no shirt and only a pair of tight jeans. He felt so masculine, so alive and so fucking good.

"Oh, Edward." She whispered, tears running down her face.

"Kitten." He held her tighter.

"Edward?" A soft southern accented voice whispered from the door way Edward had just emerged from. Wearing a man's shirt her hair fell in long black cloud down her back. Her eyes, the bluest Bella had ever seen. Her red pouting lips were the icing on the cake. She was so beautiful. One of the most beautiful women Bella had ever seen. And she was standing there in Edward's dress shirt that Bella had helped him buy for his Mom's garden party five months ago.

"It's fucking Snow White." Felix said in awe and Maggie gasped. Bella stepped back away from Edward.

"Ali, this is Bella." He said hoarsely.

"Bella… as in from home?" The 'Ali' person asked, her eyes becoming ice cubes.

"Yes, Bella from his home town." Bella said out loud. A feeling she hadn't felt since she watched her father's casket being lowered filled her. Bella pulled herself completely away from Edward and walked past Ali and looked in the room they both had come out of. A rumpled bed, an open box of condoms and clothing all over the place told the story. Bella walked back by Edward who went to grab her, but she pulled away.

"Kitten." He whispered.

"Happy birthday, Edward." She said even though it was long past his birthday, "Nineteen and all the rest of them, because I'll never be with you on a birthday again. So, here is my gift to you. I won't cry over you because I've cried too much for the past two months over my Dad dying. At least, he didn't want to leave me." Bella walked to the door then turned around, "Forever… wow, I didn't realize it had a two month expiration date. Ali, is that what he called you? Well, whatever. I hope you enjoy the next bit of time with Edward, because you're obviously on the wrong side of twenty five. So, when he trades you in for a younger model, I hope you feel at least half of what I'm feeling right now." She walked out the door and down the stairs and as Felix and Maggie got in the car, she saw Edward running to the curb.

"Bella, what can I say?" He begged into the driver's side window. He saw her bags and turned whiter in the face somehow, "Oh, damn, Kitten. Don't go! Let me fix this!"

"How can you fix this, Edward, when I wouldn't trust you to change a tire for me right now? Let alone trust you with my heart? Felix, just go!" She pleaded and thankfully he listened. Edward stood behind the departing car and screamed her name, but she didn't look back.

"Bella, no one needs to know what happened here. That bastard doesn't deserve the town knowing he played you. We will tell them that you changed your mind." Maggie told her; and she weakly smiled.

"Maggie, Felix, oh hell, what am I going to do?" She questioned; a deep hidden fear in her voice.

"Bella?" Felix pulled into a close by gas station, then looked back and took in her ashen face. He factored in other things from the past few months, "Hell, Bells, when?"

"Felix, I think graduation night." Bella said as Maggie looked between the two of them and enlightenment hit her face.

"Oh my God, please, you can't be!" Maggie screamed.

"Mags, babe, bring down the pitch some." Felix said gently, "Are you going to tell him?" He asked her softly sounding the most serious as she had ever heard, "It's your decision, Bella. And we'll respect it." Grave looking blue eyes bore into hers.

"No, Felix I'm not. I know Edward. He'll use the baby to get me back. I'll leave him to play house with his friend Ali because apparently what he wants to do is play." Bella pulled her jacket off. While it had begun to cool off in Forks, it was warm in Nashville, "Now, I'm an adult and now I'm a mother. You, guys, this baby is the only thing that matters now. I'm going to do right by my baby; and that means no Edward Cullen and his false promises of 'forever that half a shelf life of two months'." Crossing her arms over her chest she stared ahead, a look that clearly said 'Edward Cullen was as dead to her as her Father'.

"Well, Bella. It sounds to me as if we are leaving Forks and finding our way together. You, sure as hell can't go back to have a baby. His family would be all over you. And as your best friend, you're not going alone." Maggie looked at Felix who grunted his agreement.

"I guess." Bella told them looking out the window. She felt her heart slam into her chest as she looked up. Ali's picture was on a large billboard promoting her latest album, "He's sleeping with Alice Brandon." She said in a shocked voice. "Damn him!" She turned from the window, "Drive, Felix, get me out of this town! I need to be far away from anyone with the last name Cullen."