Why Edward? Why?

Chapter 10: Worst Birthday

Edward POV

l woke up later than normal on the morning of my birthday. I opened my eyes slowly and planned to roll over and cuddle up to my wife...but she wasn't there.

I scrambled - panicked with the white sheets until I found a note:

Happy Birthday, my gorgeous husband!

I had to pop out to work quickly - something came up.

I'll catch you later sweetie!

Love Bella x x x

I sighed. I wished my Bella was here with me. I wanted her so badly. I missed her like crazy when she wasn't with me. At least she's always going to love me...or loses faith in the marriage, like she was scared to death that I would. In my right mind - I'd never betray my wife. I love her too much. I care for her every breath and I adore her to pieces.

After I'd got myself sorted and showered, washed and shaved, I went to work feeling quite happy. I had to remind myself several times that this was because it was my birthday and I was giddy with excitement like a 5 year old boy.

Tanya seemed strangely bouncy today. She saw me and gave me a huge hug.

"Happy Birthday!" she sang. It felt weird as I wished that Bella had said it first.

I wonder why she left so early. Tanya let me go and gave me the brief. "We have a problem." she said. "You know...Daniel..."

My smile faltered. Daniel was my precious main patient.

He was only eight years old but he was still in his coma. I had deep feelings for him and acted like a father as well as his doctor. I was afraid to ask. There'd been no news about him for a week since he fell into the coma.

"Yes?" I answered, not wanting a bad response. Tanya looked sad.

"I think you should follow me Edward." and a tear fell out of her eye. I couldn't bear it. I rushed to his room and his heart monitor was going very slowly.

"He is fighting it but his body is winning. The disease is actually holding him back. I've notified his parents but they want nothing to do with him, not even caring. They said to put him in your firm hands now. It's your choice if you want to turn it off." Tanya said gloomily.

I sank to my knees. "No" I whispered, running my hands through my messy hair.

This was awful. I'd known him before he'd become worse. He had been a sweet and very kind lad. He was the sort of son, every man wanted. And if I was to turn his life support machine off, then I'd regret it my whole life.

The fact that me and Bella were trying for a kid, when here - I actually would of ended another.

Tanya put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry Edward. You can rule against it. But I think they don't care. It's a situation that they don't give a damm. If you don't they will come and blow up the machine. I'll leave you alone with him." she said soothingly and walked out of the room.

I took one of Daniel's hands. He seemed peaceful, calm and his heart was slowing anyway. I brushed some hair out of his face and felt the tears coming.

This is probably one of the hardest decisions of my life. He wasn't related or connected to me. He was just my patient and I was his doctor. How could his family abandon him? I didn't believe Tanya.

I went out of the room, shutting it behind me and hurried to my office. I got my laptop out of my bag, pulled Daniel's file out of my file cabinet and searched through it.

Now, where his family staying? Or said they were? I scanned the file until I saw it then frowned:

Address: Unknown

I slammed my hand down on the desk, causing my bag to fall onto the floor. I plugged my laptop to the hospital network and dug out one address, but it took me nearly an hour to find it.

23 Hillcresent Road
Forks, Washington.

I glanced at my watch. If I hurried, I could get there in less than 10 minutes. I got my coat on and went to the nurse station to inform them,

I'd be out for a while. I had no urgent appointments today - today was a quiet day.

I got into my car, started the engine and floored it to Hillcresent Road. I pulled up in front of No.23. I was nervous to be meeting a Daniel's parents.

I prepared myself for the worse. I knocked three times and just as I was going to turn back and go home, the door opened.

She was an African just like Daniel, the dark black skin reflecting in the sunlight. I hoped she was related to Daniel.

"Hello, is the Tannins household?" I asked. "I'm looking for a Novella Tannins." she nodded sharply and spoke up, sounding very cross and glaring at my name badge, still visible through the gap of my coat.

"What do you want Dr Cullen? I told you - that boy is no good of mine!" she snapped. I flinched.

"May I come in?" I asked. She shook her head "No!" I sighed.

"Well I'll explain now then. Your son, Daniel has been in a coma the last week and it has come to my attention that despite having the life support machine, his illness is tugging at the corners of his life. I would be glad if you at least came to see your son. I got a message saying that you called, saying you didn't care if he lived or died. Well I'm sure you care now because he is slowly but surely dying. I'm sorry."

My speech ended and she looked gob smacked.

She slowly raised a hand to her mouth which had dropped open. "He's actually dying?" she croaked.

I nodded. Tears pooled in her eyes and I knew she'd been lying - I felt like she was just angry. Hearing first-hand that her only son was dying put the emotion back into her voice.

"Go back tot he hospital. I'll just get the car and call...the family. We all need to say goodbye." I nodded and started towards my car. I never thought I could have done that.

"I cannot believe you got that done, Edward!" an amazed Tanya said as I guided the Tannins family members towards his room. There were three, thirteen year old girls and another eight year old who I guessed, were his sisters. His father and mother were guiding them carefully through, making them quiet and warning them to shut up.

I opened his door and walked in, checked his readings and gazed at the boy. His skin seemed paler; you could see the life being taken from him every minute.

Novella and her husband cried out loud when they ran forward and grabbed his hands. "Daniel! Why are you dying? I didn't mean it sweetheart! Mummy didn't mean to upset you! Look! Daddy's here and he can make your favourite food and spicy noodles for you! Just open your eyes sweetie!"

His sisters were crying and watching him from the foot of the bed. The eight year old came up to me and wrapped her little arms round my waist.

"Even if he dies," she whispered as the tears washed down her cheeks "...Thank you for looking after my brother." I hugged her closely.

"It was no problem, it's my job sweetheart." she nodded and cried even harder. I knelt down and she hugged me properly.

It was very emotional. Even with his family around him, Daniel wasn't getting better. He was getting worse.

There looked like no turning back. I turned to Novella. "May I have a private word with you and your husband briefly?" I whispered, not wanting his sisters to hear.

She nodded tearfully and they followed me out, down the hall to my office. I shut the door after they came in. Then I walked over to my desk and crossed my hands in front of me.

"I'm sorry to spring this news on your two as you have only just seen him again, but I think you two should consider and remind yourselves that his illness is worsening. We have tired everything we can do and I, myself have cared and looked after him during your absence. There is nothing else we can do. You two now have the choice to make - it's come to the time where you can turn off his life support machine."

"Is that your final decision?" I asked nervously. This was it. The moment. I would never speak or be with Daniel ever again after this. I was going to miss him so much. I cursed myself as a bad doctor, even though Tanya soothed me, saying that it wasn't me, just science hadn't caught up with his illness.

I felt awful, standing there, with his two parents in front of him and the beeping life support machine.

"Y-yes, we want him to be at peace." Novella answered, still trying to contain her sobs. Her husband nodded at me and he was crying as well.

I could feel the tears in my eyes as well, but tired not to let them fall. "Then in your own time." I said and stood back. I gazed at Daniel as his mother and father walked slowly towards his machine. I held my breath as Novella reached out her hand, towards the switch.

I wanted to look away - I needed to not stare as the boy, who's life was about to be ended in front of me - the boy who I'd grown to adore.

It was completely silent for a whole ten seconds and then...

CLICK! Novella flicked the switch and immediately grabbed Daniel's hand. His heart monitor got slower and slower. I watched as the line become lower and lower until...Beeeeeeeeep. Flat line. Dr. Grandly took over and I half ran to my office, tears pouring down my cheeks.

"Edward? Edward...I'll call your wife if you don't look at me." I heard Tanya say.

My head snapped up. Bella would be more devastated than I would. It was then, as I thought of my Bella that I remembered it was my birthday. What a shit birthday.

I'd been cowering in my office for at least an hour before Tanya had come to me. She was upset at Daniel's...death but she knew how close I'd been. His family had been grieved and they had been sent home. They said that I would defiantly be saved a seat and a speech at his funeral.

"This morning, I was going to take you out after work for a drink for your birthday -" she looked up. "-but seeing at current events, I think you should just go home to your wife Edward. I'm sure she'd cheer you up." I nodded but didn't meet my gaze.

Bella would of been in a good mood, but as soon as I walked thought the door, she would feel bad as well. I would be a bad husband to do that.

"No -" I said, packing up my things."- No, let's go. Instead of celebrating my birthday, let's go celebrate Daniel's life? I'd feel better at that." she smiled. "Ok, then. I'll see you at 'The Forks Derma at half past for a few drinks. Cheer you up?"

I nodded.

"When did you saay wasss his fiiirst baddd thing?" Tanya slurred. We'd had maybe a bit too much to drink and we were discussing Daniel and giggling every time we burped or feel off our barstool. I thought. "Hmmm thaaatss prooppperly abbbout thrreee weeks after hheeee wass dumped in thhe hossspitaaal." I slurred back. I checked my watch. I wasn't as hammered as she was but I was still a bit lightweight. Bella had wanted me home by half past three, quarter to at the latest.

"Ooopps, Tanya we need too geett going!" I laughed.

"Whhy?" she asked.

"My birthday - Bella wanted me homeee byy noow."

"Oops. Letts's go theenn!"

I helped her off the stool and out of the bar. It was late and I couldn't get a taxi for love or money.

Finally at least half past four, we flanked one down. I plonked her inside on the back seat and told the driver my address to the apartment.

It was nearly five o'clock when we stumbled up the stairs and was just outside the door. I fumbled with my keys and for some reason, Tanya somehow fell over.

Which at the time, was quite funny. I got my keys and pulled Tanya up and opened the door. Tanya had other plans - she decided then to kiss me. Shit.

I opened my eyes and studied the apartment. It was full of all our family friends, including my parents and some old school friends of mine.

Then I spotted that Tanya was kissing me

-in the doorway of my house

-on the doorway to my 'surprise' birthday party.

I looked and saw Bella. She was wearing her best blue dress and looked heartbroken. She's put all the effort to make me a birthday party - all the planning.

And here I was my arm draped round another women and snogging her.

I pushed Tanya away and felt all the glares on me. Bella's face fell from her glare and the tears gushed out of her eyes. She turned and ran into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Tanya had looked around and gasped.

This was the worst birthday ever.