AN: I do not own Twilight, no profit is made.

Hello everyone. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. This chapter is very important; there are a few hints as to how this story will end. I would love to hear all of your theories.

Jagga-Love, thanks so much for all your work. Have a safe flight!!!

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BPOV

I made arrangements to meet Mike the following Saturday. I was glad to have a little over a week to prepare myself for the visit.

Everyone seemed to be on edge. I could understand it to a certain extent; after all they all seemed to be suspicious of Mike and were afraid that he would try to hurt me when we were finally face to face. I had my own reservations but for different reasons.

I was certain that Mike had nothing to do with the murders. We had spent a considerable amount of our lives together and I knew he was not capable of such things. Sure he did a horrible thing to me, but you could hardly call kissing another woman murder.

My reservations were based on the fact that things were very different since we last saw each other. I had never thought possible for me to move on, but I had, and in a way that made me question why I had been with Mike in the first place.

I found true love with Edward. He was my everything. My body and my entire being called to his in a way that seemed almost obsessive, and definitely possessive. The best part was that he reacted to me the same way and I could see the sincerity and the passion of the love he felt for me with each look he gave me, with every kiss, with every touch.

"Pensive?" Edward asked, successfully taking me out of my internal reverie.

"I was thinking about our love. I am so lucky to have you," I explained with a smile.

"I love you too Isabella, with all my heart."

"We just brought up the last boxes and everyone just left," he said.

"Already? Why did they leave?" I asked.

"They were just trying to give us some alone time after spending an entire day with us moving boxes," he explained.

"I guess it's time to unpack," I commented with a grunt. I hated moving.

"I think I would prefer to christen our new bedroom. What do you think?" he asked while giving me his sexy crooked smile.

"I don't know. There's so much to unpack," I teased.

Edward closed the gap between us and picked me up as he crashed his lips against mine. I moaned in pleasure as he left a trail of kisses from my jaw to the side of my neck.

"I want you now," he stated.

"I'm all yours, baby."

----

We spent the rest of the weekend unpacking and "christening" every single room, area, and surface of our new penthouse. I didn't think there could be anything that could have made me happier than those moments we shared. I could definitely see myself spending the rest of my life with Edward.

Unfortunately, it was now Sunday evening and we were both preparing ourselves for our return to work the next morning.

"Are you ok?" Edward asked as he sat by me on the bed.

"Yes, I am just a little sad about returning to work. I'm not going to see you much. I'm going to miss you," I told him with sincerity. It was embarrassing to admit, but Edward could read me like no one else and there was no sense in lying to him.

"Oh baby, it'll be alright, you'll see. I am also going to miss you very much, but I intend to spend every single second of my spare time with you," he replied.

"I love you Edward."

"And I love you, my sweet Angel. Sweet Dreams," he whispered in my ear, sending a volt of electricity all through my body.

We cuddled that night as we did every night, but this time there was a real need to feel the closeness of our bodies. Getting back into the work routine was going to be hard, but what scared me the most was ruining what we had because of work schedules and added responsibilities.

The next morning I headed to work with a smile on my face. Edward had gotten up extra early so that he could serve me breakfast in bed, and so that he could pack me some gourmet sandwiches for lunch. He was one hundred percent and unequivocally the best man in the world.

I was almost at my office when I was halted to a stop by Irina, the office's official gossip queen.

"Well look who it is. Back from the dead I see," she stated with a smirk.

"Hello Irina. How are you?" I asked politely.

"I am wonderful, but of course I did not have a three month vacation," she said in a jealous tone filled with crocodile politeness. Only Alice and our boss were aware of why I was out, so I could imagine all the gossip that my absence must have created.

"I'm glad you are doing well," I replied as I tried to wave her off.

"Not so fast. Why were you out so long? Last time I checked you were not pregnant, and as far as I can tell, you have no family," she spat.

"Not that it is any of your business, but I do have family, and I was out for personal reasons. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do," I replied as I tried my hardest not to be overcome with anger.

"Some people just have all the luck in the world. If I would have been absent for even a few days I would have gotten a pink slip, but you and Mr. Capri must be very special to be able to take off just like that."

"Mr. Carpi was out too? Is he sick?" I asked with a little bit of concern. Mr. Capri was actually John Green, but everyone called him Mr. Capri because of the way his pants fit.

We weren't friends, in fact we ever hardly spoke. He was very uncomfortable when speaking with anyone and you could tell he liked to stay to himself. Alice thought he just needed a good makeover so that his inner personality would come out. She hated how he always wore extra tight Dodger's pants that were too short, checkered long sleeved shirts that looked a few sized too big for him, and ultra thick brown glasses that had been fixed with duck tape at the front and at one of the sides.

"Sick? No, he just took off just like you did and no one said anything about it either," she stated in envy.

"Irina, perhaps he had some personal reasons just like I did. I don't think it is any of our business."

"It's just ridiculous. You are both back today and you both get your jobs as if nothing ever happened," she yelled.

"Oh, so now I see why you're so upset. Whose job were you trying to steal? Was it mine, or perhaps Mr. Green's?" I asked with a smirk. She turned around and stormed off.

"I see Irina took care of your welcome party," Alice laughed from the entrance to her office. I hadn't realized that everyone in the office had witnessed our exchange.

"She'll get over it. She wasn't good enough for any of the jobs anyway. Don't worry Bella, she is just mad because she knows she is five seconds from getting a pink slip," Ashley Love, Alice's secretary said.

"I think everyone should get back to work," Alice called with an authoritative tone as everyone turned back to what they were doing before my arrival. She winked at Ashley as we made our way into her office.

"Well today is Monday and you know what that means for us," Alice said with a laugh. Mondays were our busiest day of the week and it required for both of us to work together the entire day.

----

I got home a little after seven to find Edward fast asleep on the couch. I decided to let him sleep and I tip-toed as quietly as possible to our bedroom.

"Welcome home, love. How was your day?" he asked startling me.

"It was exhausting but good. It feel nice to be out of the house and to be busy doing what I love," I replied.

We chatted a little about our day. Edward was exhausted with all the patients he had to see. He had worked through lunch so he could make it home around the same time I did. I would have to lecture him later about missing lunch and working too hard later.

----

The rest of the week went by in a blur. Edward and I settled into a comfortable routine and things were starting to get a little easier. By Friday we were so exhausted that we cancelled our dinner plans at P.F. Chang's with the gang, opting to spend time at our apartment with them.

That night we went over Jasper's strategy for my meeting with Mike several times. He wanted to make sure we had all angles covered in case something happened. I thought the extra precautions were silly, but went along with them anyway because I knew that it made Edward and the rest of them feel better.

Alice and Jasper stayed over so that we could get an early start the next morning. Everyone was so anxious and I felt extremely guilty for making them feel that way.

The next morning after calling my mother one more time to confirm the details, we left my apartment. We went over the plan another several times before we boarded the red line train towards China Town. From there, we were going to take the blue line and get off at the DC Mall. Edward, Jasper, and Emmett would be coming by car just in case, but the girls and I would be taking the train.

"Bella, are you sure you are going to be ok meeting him alone?" Alice asked.

"Yes. Besides I would hardly call it meeting him alone as you guys are going to be all around me."

"True, but we're not going to be able to listen to the conversation and that worries me," Rose added.

"Please don't be so worried. Mike is harmless. I really would prefer to just keep the conversation between Mike and I. I just don't want Edward to be upset by it," I tried to explain.

"Just please promise us that the moment he makes you feel uncomfortable with anything you will give the signal for us to approach," Alice begged.

"I promise," I said trying to assure them.

We exited the train and I waved Alice and Rose goodbye at the train platform. I knew that once I made it outside it would be really easy for Mike to spot me, so the girls would be exiting first and going into position and I would be leaving the station as soon as the next train came.

As soon as the next train came I started to make my way towards the exit. I took the escalator that would leave me right at the Mall and I was suddenly overcome with nerves. What if he wanted to get back together? What if I hurt him even worse and I caused his death?

My mom had mentioned how he had tried to take his life several times after our wedding. It did not seem like Mike to be that way, but I guess our separation had affected him a lot.

Once outside of the train station I started my walk towards the Mall area heading towards the Lincoln Memorial, the place I would be meeting Mike. As soon as I approached the massive monument I spotted him. Many memories filled my mind. Memories of all the times we spent together. Memories of happier times visiting the same monument.

As I approached him, I took on his ragged appearance. His hair was matted and greasy, his face unshaven for who knows how long, and his clothes looked like the iron had gone on strike. My heart filled with anguish. Was I the reason he looked so bad?

"Hello Bella, it's so nice to see you. You look more beautiful than ever," Mike said as soon as I stood in front of him.

"Hello Mike, it's nice to see you as well. How are you?" I asked.

"I guess you could say I have been better, but just seeing you makes me feel really good. I have missed you," he said.

"Mike, my mom said that you have been suicidal. What's going on?" I asked trying to go directly to the point. I hadn't missed Mike, I no longer had feelings for him, and I did not want to tell him in a way that would make him feel worse.

"I'm sorry that you had to hear that, Bella. I'm honestly just lost without you. I feel so bad for what happened on the day that was supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. I am also disappointed that you seemed to have moved on so fast," he explained.

"I guess my mother must have told you about Edward," I whispered.

"Is that his name? This is so hard. I never thought I would see you with another man. You were supposed to be mine forever, and now you're not," Mike said and I sensed a hint of anger.

"Mike please, listen to me. I'm sorry that you have been feeling so bad. I want you to know that I forgive you. In fact I forgave you a long time ago. Things can never go back to the way they used to be. I am in love with someone else," I pleaded.

"You forgive ME?" he whispered-yelled as he started to chuckle, the expression in his face terrifying.

"You fucking dirty whore. It wouldn't surprise me if you planned the whole wedding fiasco with Jessica so that you could escape with another man. What the hell happened to you?" he retorted.

I flinched at his tone of voice. He sounded extremely angry and he had never spoken to me in such a way.

"Do you really think you can get rid of me that easily?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"What are you talking about?" I asked as panic filled me.

I knew I should be giving the signal for my friends to come over but this turn of events was so unexpected that it had left me frozen in place.

"Let me show you some pictures Bella," he said as he pulled out a manila envelope.

He opened the envelope and removed the pictures. I gasped in horror at the content.

EPOV

Bella spent almost three hours talking to that creep Mike. Even from the distance I could tell that there was something off about him, but I couldn't quite figure out what it was. My anger was increasing with every minute she spent with him. It's not that I was jealous or anything, but I was extremely nervous about what he could do or say to her.

Mike and her mother had been trying to manipulate Bella and I knew that their goal was for Bella to get back with Mike. I was disgusted with her mother. She was so blind. She didn't seem to have Bella's best interest at heart.

Bella never gave us indication that he was making her uncomfortable, but her body language told us otherwise. In more than one occasion Jasper had to stop me from grabbing her. She had looked so frightened at some point, but then her expression changed to a hard one, and I had never seen Bella wear that expression before. It was as if she was heartless and cold.

As soon as she started to walk away from Mike I headed towards her. I needed to make sure that she was ok. At least Mike had not tried to abduct her or do something worse like we all feared. She spotted me and gave me a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Bella, love, are you ok?" I asked her as soon as I was within reach.

"Yes, I'm fine. Can we go home now?" she asked as she hugged me.

Her hug left me breathless. She hugged me in such a strong way it almost felt desperate.

"Why don't I catch the train with you girls? I was really worried about you and I need to make sure you're really ok," I suggested.

She simply nodded as we headed towards Alice and Rose. Jasper and Emmett had already met with them and I could see that they all seemed to be as concerned as I was.

Everyone asked Bella how it went and she told them that things went well.

"Mike understood that he needs to move on. Things are going to be fine," she said.

We asked her a few more questions but it was obvious that she was not ready to talk, so we decided to give her some space. I would ask her later though because something wasn't right.

After everyone made it to our apartment, Bella and I busied ourselves cooking lunch for everyone. We spent lunch talking about work and other trivial things, never once going back to the conversation with Mike.

I could see that Bella was trying really hard to join in on the conversation but her mind seemed far off. As soon as lunch was over, she excused herself saying that she needed a shower.

"What the hell is going on Edward? Bella isn't telling the truth and something is bothering her," Alice asked.

"I don't know Alice, but I am really concerned about her. I wish she would open up," I sighed.

"We just need to give her some time. I know that Mike was not up to good, and whatever he told Bella must have made an impression, but we need for her to be ready to open up," Jasper suggested.

"What could he have told her?" Rose asked.

"I have a feeling that he told her he would kill himself if Bella continued with Edward," Emmett deducted.

"I don't know if that's what he told her, but something is not right about him, the dude is creepy. Do you guys have any idea what he showed Bella?" Jasper asked.

"I asked her on the train and she said that it was just pictures of the house he purchased in Malibu for them and of some of the things he would have given her if they would have stayed together," Alice explained.

"That does not make any sense, she looked terrified," Jasper exclaimed.

"We didn't believe her either, but we didn't think it was the time or the place to discuss it," I explained.

"Part of me still believes that we made a mistake, we should have given the police a heads up, or at least mentioned it to Bella's friend Jacob," Rose said.

"I still think that it was best not to involve the police, because if he has anything to do with the killings we would have tipped him off," Jasper explained.

We spoke for another half hour and I started to worry about Bella. She hadn't returned from her bath and I wanted to check on her. I asked everyone to give me some time alone with Bella and I headed to the bathroom as soon as everyone was gone.

I opened the door to my bedroom and I found Bella sitting on our bed.

"How was your bath?" I asked as I approached her. I sat right next to her and I wrapped my hands around her shoulders, that's when I realized that she was shaking.

"Bella, what's wrong, baby? What did that asshole say?" I asked concerned

"I'm ok Edward. I would rather not talk about it right now," she whispered.

"Alright, I can understand that. What would you like to do?" I asked. As worried as I was about her, I knew her well enough to know that she wasn't ready to talk. I was going to do whatever it took to make her comfortable.

"I want to make love to you. I want to feel you inside me. I want to hug you, and kiss you. I need you Edward," she said so softly I barely heard her.

I cupped her cheek in my hand and I moved her head so that she could face me. I intended to kiss her, but I was startled by the tears in her eyes. Something was really wrong and I didn't know what to do, but for the time being, I would play along with her and pretend, because that's what she wanted to do and I couldn't deny her.

Very softly I wiped the tears from her face with my fingers and I gave her a sweet, short kiss.

"Do you mind if I turn on the iHome? I would like to listen to some music," she asked.

"Sure baby, go ahead."

She stood up from the bed and made her way to the iHome system with wobbly legs. She turned it on and soon the room was filled with the notes from Blue October, one of her favorite bands.

Somewhere, far away from here
I saw stars, stars that I could reach, yeah
It was a midnight, a silent twilight
That fell down, beyond the ocean beach

Bella made her way back to the where I was sitting on the bed and placed both of her hands on my shoulders, giving me a gentle push so that I was lying on my back on the bed. She then climbed on the bed and sat above me, straddling my waist.

"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me," she whispered in my ear.

I assemble all the sand that cover wedding beaches
To build a castle so your mom would have a place to stay
Behind the water slide and down the hill where heaven reaches
Land and time is left to float away, yeah

She grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me towards her with force and passion, crashing her lips against mine. She began to kiss me in a feverish way, with such urgency that it both excited me and broke my heart. This was different from all the times we have made love. It was as if her body was trying to convey a message that she was too afraid to tell me.

So rest assured I have the key to every opening
To every wishing well that's deep enough to dream, dream
I want to show you just how fascinating kissing is
When earth collides with all the space between, yeah

I placed my hand around her neck, bringing her body closer to mine, but once again she pushed me down, seating straight while still straddling my waist. She then removed her shirt, an effortless movement and I groaned at the sight of her. I quickly wrapped my hands around her torso and I flipped us over so that she was now lying in her back while I straddled her waist.

I'm reaching farther than I ever have before
Leaving all who broke your heart upon the shore
I may be some sort of crazy
We may be some sort of crazy
But I swear on everything I have and more

"Please baby, I need you," Bella begged as I placed butterfly kisses all over her chest, finally latching on to one of her erect nipples. I moved back and out of the way so that I could remove her jeans and panties. After removing mine I laid over her, resting my weight on my elbow as I sucked on her neck, making my way towards her lips.

"I love you my sweet Angel," I whispered between kisses.

So never look behind you, spooky people bring you down
The world is ending there's a party by the bay
I'll wear my suit and tie when I am
I am toasting to the way you put that smile upon my face, yeah

I realized as I kissed Bella that there were tears running down her face. I could taste the saltiness mixed with her own sweet taste as I ran my tongue over her lips. I paused for a moment and I looked her in the eyes wanting to make sure that she wanted me to continue. As if reading my mind she thrust her hips forward, her heated center rubbing against my painful erection.

"I need you in me, NOW," she moaned.

Fill up the air balloon and ride with me
Yeah hell is jealous of the rain, rain
Make love like time and space is ending
While befriending fate's alluring way of putting us to shame

I entered her slowly, wanting to savor each inch of her. Something was telling me to take it slow. I began to move my hips as I moved in and out of her, her moans making me grunt in desire and love. She stared to move her hips in a circular motion, trying to move faster, but I held to her hips while pulling her upwards so that I could go in deeper while I held her in place.

"I want to savor this moment, Bella," I told her not realizing just what I was saying.

I'm reaching farther than I ever have before
Leaving all who broke your heart upon the shore
I may be some sort of crazy
We may be some sort of crazy
But I swear on everything I have and more

I continued to make love to my angel while I observed all the different emotions painted across her face. I saw love, passion, but I also so a lot of pain. My stomach had that tightness that comes when you are expecting something bad to happen and although I loved the way we were making love, I felt like crying.

"Please forgive me," Bella whispered so softly I barely heard her, confirming my worst fears.

You make the sound of pulling heaven down
You brought the rain's romantic pour
You make the sound
You make the sound
Of pulling heaven down

We continued making love to each other as Bella's eyes never left mine. She seemed to be trying to memorize my face while also trying to engrave the magic of our love making. I continued trusting into her until neither of us could hold our orgasm any longer so with one quick movement I brought us both over the edge.

I'm reaching farther than I ever have before
(Tired of wasting time)
Leaving all who broke your heart upon the shore
(tired of wasting time)
I may be some sort of crazy
We may be some sort of crazy
But I swear on everything I have and more
(go go go go)

Bella held onto me tight as we both rode our wave of passion, our bodies sleek with sweat. I looked into her eyes once more and she broke down, heart breaking sobs escaping her while her entire small frame shook in despair. I wanted to tell her that I was going to be there for her no matter what, I felt the urge to reassure her of my love for her. I wanted to scream at her that she could not give up on us, life was not a forever thing and we were wasting time playing along with everyone else's games.

I'm reaching farther than I ever have before
(Tired of wasting time)
Leaving all who broke your heart upon the shore
(Tired of wasting time)
I may be some sort of crazy
We may be some sort of crazy
But I swear on everything I have and more
(go go go go)

"Bella, love, please talk to me baby. What's wrong?" I asked, not able to mask the fear I felt.

"Edward I love you so much. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me," she managed to say between sobs. Why did she keep repeating that?

"I will always remember your love, and the way that you have cared for me. I know that there will never be anything this grand, this deep in my life. Thank you for loving me when I didn't deserve it," she continued.

"What's going on?" I asked in confusion.

"Life is not fair Edward. You have to take what you are dealt and do with it the best you can with no regrets. I hope one day you can forgive me. Please know that you are the most important person in my life and all I do is because I want you safe," she told me, her voice turning cold and distant.

"Did that asshole threaten you? Nothing is going to happen, baby, I am here to protect you," I told her.

She gave me a small smile and for a second I saw my Bella, my angel, but the moment was too brief. I tightened the muscles of my stomach trying to hold back the grieve that wanted to take over. I could feel my heart shattering into a thousand little pieces. I had now a broken heart.

"Never forget that I love you," she whispered.

"Bella, why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?" I asked in fear. The look on her face told me that she had made a decision and I wasn't sure I wanted to hear it. All the while inside my head I kept begging that this was not true, that I was just imagining things. Without Bella, there was no point to my life.

"Because I am."

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AN: The song on this chapter is Sound of Pulling Heaven Down by Blue October. This chapter is very special because that is the song that inspired my story. If you get a chance, please go to You Tube and search for the song, it's really beautiful.

The reason the song is here is because Edward realizes that Bella is in turmoil, there is a war waging in her hear, and he knows he is losing her. He is trying to put all those emotions into their love making while Bella is trying to say goodbye.