This will be a pretty emotional chapter. You might need a tissue.
THIS TAKES PLACE A WEEK AFTER THE LAST CHAPTER
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BPOV
"Mrs. Cullen, your mammogram results came in…and they're positive. You have breast cancer…I'm so sorry." The woman's voice was cold and unfamiliar, and I nearly dropped the phone on the floor.
"Oh." I whispered, blinking several times. "What…what now?"
I heard the woman rustling some papers over the phone, and then she cleared her throat. "Dr. Gerandy would like you to schedule a consultation with him as soon as possible. Your husband is highly encouraged to attend as well."
"Okay. Thank you for the call." I said, my voice cracking. Then I hung up the phone and slid to the floor, in a daze.
This couldn't be happening to me. What if I didn't make it? I had a husband and two children- I couldn't just leave them. They were my everything; they were what I lived for. I slowly slid off my wedding band, holding it loosely in between my fingers. I held it up to the light and read the words inscribed on the inside.
You are my life now.
I clenched the shimmering gold ring in my hand as I started to cry, ducking my head down and wrapped my arms around my knees. I had to be strong. I had to survive. Because Edward had once told me that he didn't want to live in world where I didn't exist. And I didn't want Edward to be in pain. I wanted him to be happy.
So I stood up. And I went on with my day, because I was going to be strong. For Edward, and for our children.
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I was still in a daze as I heard the garage door open later that night. Emmet came in first, his red bookbag slung around his shoulder and a piece of paper clutched tightly in his hands. "Mommy, I got all the words on my spelling test right! And it was really, really hard! But I got an A plus!" he said excitedly, waving the paper in my face just as Edward walked into the house, holding a sleeping Alice in his arms.
"That's great, sweetie." I said to Emmet, kissing his cheek and taking the crumbled paper from him. I smoothed it out and looked it over, forcing myself to smile. "Good job."
Emmet smiled and Edward came over to me, giving me a soft kiss on the lips. "How was your day?" He asked, obviously noticing how jumpy I was acting. I gave him a small smile and leaned my head into his chest for a moment, trying not to cry as he gently wrapped one arm around my waist; still holding Alice.
"It was fine." I said, my voice thick with emotion and tears. Edward looked down at me, his eyes wide.
"Did you-" He stared to ask, but then Emmet pulled on the hem of my shirt.
"Will you put my test on the fridge?" He asked, not noticing the pain and emotions in the air. I nodded stiffly, wiping my eyes quickly as Edward reluctantly dropped his arm from around me.
I ruffled Emmet's hair and moved towards the fridge, grabbing a magnet and pinning the piece of paper to it. "Of course it goes on the fridge, silly." I said, blinking a few times to get rid of my tears. "You did such a good job; I'm proud of you. You can go watch television until dinner for being my smart little guy."
"Because football players have to be smart, right dad?" Emmet asked, turning his attention to his father. "Otherwise I won't get a scholarship when I go to college."
Edward laughed dryly, shifting Alice in his arms. "Sure thing, little man. Helps with the ladies, too." He said, giving Emmet and pat on the back.
Emmet gave me a quick hug before running into the living room. I heard him turn the television on, and then wiped my eyes.
"Bella…" Edward said softly, and I shook my head.
"Put Alice in her room, please. She's still getting over her fever and she's exhausted." I whispered, closing my eyes tightly. I felt Edward softly kiss my temple, but by the time I opened my eyes he had already gone upstairs.
I continued to work on dinner, keeping my thoughts trained on happier things instead of the cancer raging in my body. I heard Edward come back downstairs, but I didn't turn around. I didn't want him to see my red eyes and nose, not to mention the tears streaked across my face. But Edward gripped my elbow and turned me around.
His eyes were red as well, and glazed with tears that had yet to fall. "The doctor called?" He guessed, his voice scratchy and rough. I nodded and then couldn't contain my tears any longer.
They fell freely as I collapsed into Edward's arms, and he held me tightly, his body rigid against mine. "Cancer." I whispered, my voice low. "It's cancer, Edward. And…and it's probably spreading." I managed to whispered, my sobs wracking my body violently. "I can't die." I said, and Edward squeezed me tightly.
"You're not going to die." Edward said roughly, and I glanced up at his face. Tears streaked down his face as well, but his expression was one of defiance. I shrugged and continued to cry, burying my face in his chest once more. "You're strong. You're not going to die, my love…I love you so much, Isabella. More than my own life." He whispered against the top of my head, his voice calm.
"I love you too." I managed to choke out, and Edward's hand came up to stroke my hair.
We stayed together, standing there for what seemed like hours but was really mere minutes. Until the timer went off and it was time to face the music. We had to go on, no matter what the circumstances. I could not, would not, let my children have their childhood's marred by this infliction.
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Review, pwease! That would make me happy, and I like being happy.
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie