I don't own Twilight

Bella cried as she stared at the Cullen's. her world blurred by the tears that poured down her face. She felt arms go around her. She felt a scent that was soothing, a scent she hadn't smelled in what felt like forever. His unique smell. She let her head drop into his chest as he pulled her closer to him.

"Shh." He whispered. Edward held her close, he felt her soft hair tickling his face. He didn't pay attention to his parents or siblings he had just seen her burst into tears and went to her as if on auto pilot. As he held her Bella thought of all that had happened that day. Her mother had broken up with Phil it had been a week. Phil had always seemed a bit off to Bella but her mother had seemed happy that was until the first time he'd slapped her across the face. Renee had thrown him out. Of course Bella knew she'd wanted to be happy but being the wife of a police officer had certainly made her strong. Strong enough to leave when things went wrong. Bella didn't know what had started the fight. All she knew was that a week later Phil had shown up that he'd broken through the door and Renee had shoved her into a closet. She'd heard it all the screaming the crying the sound of a gunshot. She'd heard the door slam and made her way out of the closet. Renee had been laying in a puddle of blood. She was dead, Bella could tell that but she didn't want to admit It as she dialed 911 with shaking hands.

She didn't remember much after that, she'd been told that Phil was in custody and she'd talked to a few police officers but everything was a blur and she shivered as she thought about how she was now officially an orphan. She knew she'd have to deal with the funeral that she'd be headed back to Washington. She looked up from where she was in Edwards's arms. Her eyes collided with that of Esme Cullen. Her godmother. The person who had been her mother's best friend.

"Bella Sweetie." Esme came close to her, Bella flinched she didn't mean to. It had just been an automatic response. She felt Edwards arms tighten around her.

"Hi Esme." Bella said. The worlds seemed stuck in her throat. Her voice felt raw. Unused or overused she wasn't sure which. She knew that Alice wanted to say something anything but was standing by Emmett her hands at her side.

"Sweetie the Dr's say you have to stay here for the night but in the morning we're going to come and get you and bring you to the hotel. I've already started the funeral arrangements and me and Carlisle will head to your house and pack some things for you. Anything you want can be shipped to Seattle the rest can go into Storage until you're ready to decide what to do with it.

Bella could tell that Esme was trying to keep it together but she could tell that what she really wanted to do was to burst into her own tears. Bella struggled her way out of Edwards warmth. Seeing her intent he unwrapped his arms from around her and she reached out for Esme taking her into her arms and letting herself be taken into a hug. They held each other as they both thought about the woman whose life had been cut short. A woman who had faced so much pain in her life. they pulled apart. Esme brushed her hand over her face. "We'll be back in the morning." Esme whispered standing up.

"I'm staying here." Edward said wrapping his arms around Bella once again.

"No," Bella whispered shaking her head weakly. It wasn't that she didn't want Edward to stay but she also wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She knew that once she got to Seattle, to the Cullen's she would be surrounded and she just wanted these last moments of being alone. She wanted to be able to cry without people asking how she was or if they could anything for her or worry about her just to feel numb for a moment more.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," she swallowed "I'm sure."

"Okay." He whispered "Okay." He stood up and walked back towards his family. He turned back and looked at her. "I'll see you in the morning." He walked out into the sterile white halls. He slumped against a wall and buried his head in his hands. Taking a few deep shaky breaths he tried to calm his nerves.

"Hey." He jumped at the sound of his sisters voice. Looking up he sighed.

"Hi Ali"

"We're getting ready to go, come on." She smiled wanly at him.

"Yeah." He turned down the hall way as his parents and Emmett came out of Bella's room. They all headed back to the hotel knowing that the next couple of days, weeks months and even years were going to be tough.

A/N thanks to everyone who reviewed.