Chapter 22: Birthday of Broken Bella's

Edward got us back to his car in no time at all. We rode back to his house in complete silence. Most of the time, I liked the quiet, it's peaceful and there's not always a need for useless chatter.

But what was Alice up to? She had better have a really good reason for bothering Edward and I. Maybe, I could just stay in the car and Edward could run in and take care of what was going on.

I really want to be with Edward, but not for my first time to be in a house full of vampires that could here every sound that we might make.

We were back to the house in no time. Edward came over, opened my door, and helped me out of the car. He intertwined our fingers so that we were walking into the house as one. Man, how much I love this guy.

I have never been happier at any time in my whole life. Edward opened the door and nodded for me to go first. Alice had decorated the whole place with balloons and streamers, great, all this is for

"Is this why we were called back here, Alice? " I said with the hint of sadness in my voice. I hate this kind of thing, but I would have played happy if she could have just given me my time with Edward. That's all I wanted for my birthday.\

"No, Bella, I'm truly sorry that I had to call and have Edward bring you back here. The party could have waited, I understood how much you wanted and needed Edward tonight." Then Alice shot me the saddest look, which I knew that she meant every word that she had said.

"Why then, Alice, why did you call us back here?" I asked. Edward came over and wrapped his arms around me then Carlisle and Esme came into the room and waved us to sit on the couch.

Right then I knew something major must be up and that it couldn't be good. "Please, tell me what's going on?" I asked.

I saw Edward and Carlisle having what must have been a vampire conversation. They both look distant.

"Love, Carlisle is going to be telling you something and I want you to remember that you have me and my family. I'm also very sorry that this is all happening on the eve of your birthday," Edward said.

Then Edward gripped my hand and Alice came and sat on the other side of me and held onto my other hand. I was starting to really worry now. My first thought was Charlie, he was working late and there had been a lot of trouble in Medlands.

"Is Charlie, I mean, my dad alright?" I was almost in tears. Edward gave my hand a little squeeze to reassure me.

"Bella, your father called and yes, sweetie, he's alright, but there was a plane crash and your mom and Phil was on the plane. Bella, I'm very sorry but your mom is in the hospital and Phil didn't make it." Carlisle said in his doctor voice.

I was numb; did he just say that my mom and Phil were in a plane crash? And my mom may or may not make it and that Phil was gone? Carlisle was still talking to me but I was not listening.

I had to leave now. "I have to get to my mother!" I stated, it was not even a request. I needed to be with her.

"Bella, your father has made all the arrangement, Renee is going to be brought here and I will oversee her treatment. Also, this way she'll be close to you," Carlisle added with a small smile. He was doing his best to make me feel better.

But I was unsure as to how I could feel better. I, after all, have always taken care of by my mother and if I hadn't come here, she would have never been on that plane.

"Bella, don't you think like that, she would not want you blaming yourself." Alice said. I was crying now, Edward had his arms wrapped around me and Alice was stoking my hair. Even Jasper was downstairs now shooting wave of calm and reassurance to me

Rose and Emmett even came and hugged me. "Sorry little sis, I'm here if you need me for anything Bells," Emmett said. I was really happy that Emmett and Rosalie came to see me. Emmett and I really have an unseen bond, we're going to be close friends, I can feel it.

"I think that Bella and I are going to call it a night, we'll do this (waved at all the birthday things) later," Edward told his family, my soon-to-be family. Then he picked me up into his arms and carried me to his room.

He folded down the sheets, handed me some bed clothes, and started to leave but I grabbed his hand. I needed him now more than I had ever needed him, even earlier. I was lost in the grief to care that everyone in the house could hear me ask this of him.

"Edward, please," I asked and the look in my eyes must have said more than my mouth because he was kissing me like we had back in the meadow. As the tears rolled down my face, he was kissing them away.

Edward was being so soft and gentle with me. You would have never known that he was just as new to this as I was. Or that he was a vampire, his rock hard skin felt soft and he even though he was cold, I never got cold.

He was all I needed and we took it slow but we still became one. Our bodies and our minds were so close I wasn't sure where Edward ended and I began. The hours on the night fell away as I fell asleep in Edward's arms with him humming a soft sweet song.

I knew the love he holds for me was a strong one, as strong as my love for him. I have never felt this close to any other person in my life.

The morning came all too fast and the sun was out today. Great, that means no Edward at school today. I didn't think I could do this alone, not today, not on my birthday with all that's happening to my mom. Carlisle said that she would be here today; maybe I would just skip school myself.

"Love, are you awake? Happy birthday, Bella, I love you. How are you today?" Edward asked as he kissed my hair.

"Yeah, I'm awake; today I'm great, except for the sun and my mom. Last night was so, what's the right word; it was more than wonderful Edward." Then I looked at my hand to make sure that it wasn't a dream.

"Did you really ask me to marry you, Edward?" I asked. He smiled his crooked grin and said, "Matter of fact, yes, love. I would marry you today if I could.

Alice came and knocked on the door. She asked to come in; she said she had my clothes. "Bella, Charlie called and he wants you to stay home today, he'll be by soon to pick you up so you guys can go to the hospital together," Alice said.

I got up out of the arms of my angel and walked over to the door to grab the clothes Alice had brought for me to wear. I went to grab a quick shower and asked Edward if he wanted to join me and he did. He smiled at me and I bit my lip, today might turn out better then I though, as long as my mother is alright and I have Edward by my side.

At the hospital, Carlisle was looking in on my mom. She was still in a comma but she didn't look too bad. My dad has been by her side, every day and night since my birthday and Mom had gotten here.

I have been staying most nights with Edward and the Cullen's at their house. I'm not sure that I could sleep without Edward by my side now.

I also think that the love my dad has always felt for my mom was showing more now than ever. He asked if he could tell her about the plane crash and about Phil. Carlisle thought that would be best.

Alice just kept telling me that Edward and my wedding might not be the only wedding in the future.

I was sure that she meant hers and Jasper's or Rosalie and Emmett. According to Edward, Rose and Emmett get married every twenty years or so.

My mom has been in a comma for almost two weeks now and today she was showing signs of improvement. Carlisle said she should wake up very soon. I looked for Alice to see if she could see my mother's future.

Alice just smiled and told me that she will be awake in three hours and two minutes. Then she got an even bigger smile and said, "That's all for now Bella, go be with your family, they need you."

I thanked her and Edward and I went straight to the hospital after school today. My mom should be awake in three, two, and one. "Bella, Charlie, where am I?" My mom asked.

Edward stepped out to get Carlisle and so Dad and I could tell Mom about the plane crash and about Phil. Zander was out in the waiting room, he was close to my mother too. This whole thing has been very hard on him

"Renee, do you remember anything? Anything about the last two weeks?" Dad asked her.

"Yes, Phil and I were heading back home from an away game; it was the day before Bella's 18th birthday. Wait, two weeks? Where's Phil? Did we crash?" Mom was rambling on. She did that when she was nervous.

"Mom, you're here in Forks with Dad, Zander and I. I asked Edward to send Zander in here, alright? Mom, we love you and we're very happy that you're here and alive, but we need to talk." I was telling her but my dad stepped in and the look he gave me told me that this was his job, not mine.

"Renee, we're so sorry, but the plane went down and Phil was not in his seat belt, he didn't make it." Then my dad looked at my mom and kissed her on her forehead.

"Rennie, I'm so sorry," Zander was on his knees crying now. I had tears running down my face as did Charlie. Edward had come back with Carlisle and he walked over to me and just simply held me to him. I was glad for this because I didn't think my legs could hold up any longer.

Carlisle checked my mother as we all waited out in the hall, everyone but my dad. She wouldn't let go of his hand. My heart was breaking for her, I found the love of my life and hers just left. I knew that Charlie would do everything and anything for my mom that he could.

Carlisle came and invited us back in, "Renee, you'll recover and have no permanent damage to you physically; we can have someone come and talk to you about your loss, if you would like."

"No, I just want to bury my husband and move back here to be closer to my daughter and my best friend Charlie," My mom answered. I have never seen her be so grown up before.

"Renee, you'll stay with me and Bells. You can have my room and I'll sleep on the sofa." Charlie offered.

By the end of the week, Mom was able to leave the hospital and she sent for Phil's body now that all his family was here in Forks. The Cullen's made it all happen and made it happen quickly.

We laid Phil to rest today the first day of October. It was cold and raining like most days here in Forks. But today I have never been happier to see the rain, Edward could be with me today, and I needed him. I felt like I'm always so needy.

We all said our goodbyes to Phil and then went back to Dad's place where Esme and Rosalie had everything ready for the wake. I'm so lucky to have them in my life. My love for Edward has grown even more as he has shown me what true love was all about.

As life settled back into a somewhat normal pace, Dad and Mom had grown closer and Edward and I have also. We spent at least two days a week at our meadow, our alone time, our time to be one.

Alice had "my birthday party" scheduled for tonight and invited everyone this time. Edward gave me my gift a couple times today (even thinking about makes my blush) but I love this gift and could never grow tired of receiving it.

The party was nice, even I had to admit. All my gifts were wonderful and Edward and I told everyone that we were getting married after school gets out next June.

Zander and Angela were here and they were so happy, even Mom and Dad were happy. The way they looked at each other sometimes looks like the way Edward and I looked at each other. After such a hard birthday, everything is better way better now.

Life was too good right now, karma, I guess, for all the bad we've been through. Then my phone rang and it was Jacob Black.

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Thanks for reading. Till next time :) Hope, the cliff hanger was worth the wait. Thanks, again to the ones of you who review (smile) and always to my beta Strawberry9212.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight SM owns it all.