Author's Note:

Hi everyone. Thanks for reading, commenting and to all of those new adds. It means a lot to me that people are enjoying what I am writing.

I need to warn you, this chapter moves fast over the course of about two months. It gets pretty angsty. It will make you angry and mad. With that being said, please don't give up on the story! I would love to hear what you guys think of this chapter. I wrote this chapter a few times. This being what I thought was the best.

Thank you all again for reading!

-Lisa

Chapter Seventeen

"What the fuck? What do you mean you're leaving? Bella, its Valentine's Day. That means times for you and me. What the fuck does Edward want now?" Carlisle angrily asked as he stood up not caring that he was nude.

"Ed called and-" Bella began and was interrupted by Carlisle as she sat up.

"Ed called you? Edward couldn't even call you with his requests now? He made his fucking father do it?" Carlisle continued to ask with disgust.

"Carlisle, it's-"

Carlisle sat on the bed and looked at his girlfriend. He saw tears in her eyes as she looked down. He lifted her chin with his finger to look at him. "Don't go to him Bella. I-I know he's in a crappy place but Bella, look at me, please? I want you here. I want to finish what we started right here on this bed. I want to finish making love to my girlfriend on this, what is supposed to be the most romantic night of the year. I just want to be with you, to hold you, to love you. He stresses you out. I don't want you to be stressed. He needs help and," Carlisle's voice trailed as he saw Bella look down with tears in her eyes. She openly wept. He stood up pissed "Damn it Bella. When are you going to put us, you a head of what he needs? He's my friend and all but-"

"He's in the hospital," Bella murmur interrupted Carlisle's rant.

"What?"

Taking a breath and wiping her tears away, "Ed called, crying, saying Edward is in the hospital. He didn't say anything else other than I need to get there as fast as I can."

Feeling like a jerk, Carlisle sat next to Bella and pulled her into his arms as she cried.

"I'm sorry that our evening is going to be interrupted. I'm sorry we won't get to finish what we started but-"

"Shhhhhh, none of that. We can finish that later. I understand. Give me your phone and I'll text Ed and let him know we are showering and changing." Carlisle paused as he inhaled deeply. "Let's go see Edward."

"Esme," Bella said as she ran to hug her surrogate mother. She walked into the hospital herself as Carlisle was parking the car. Tears expelled from both women's eyes as their embrace tightened.

"Oh Bella, thank you for being here. I'm not sure what is going on, but it isn't good. The doctors are working on him but-"

"I don't understand. Why did he want to come to the hospital? He didn't even want to leave my house to go to yours. Did he hurt himself?"

Esme took a deep breath and squeezed Bella's hands. Tears still poured from her eyes. "Ed went to check on him. To see if he'd talk to him. Edward didn't talk the entire ride home. Once we got home Edward went to his room. We hadn't heard from him. When Ed went to check on him, he found," Esme began to ball. "Ed found an empty bottle of muscle relaxants. Edward at some point went into our bathroom in our room and took the pills. He took the fifteen that were in there. Ed found him unresponsive."

Bella found it hard to breath. She sat down. "Edward tried to kill himself? Oh my god," she said crying.

Esme wiped her tears. She looked at Bella. "I know that you and Carlisle are serious, but please Bella, don't tell him that Edward tried suicide. It's embarrassing and I feel like Ed and I failed as parents to save our son. Most of all, I think Edward, once he comes around, will be embarrassed by his actions."

"Esme, Carlisle would never view Edward or you like that. He knows it has been difficult with Edward. He's a doctor. He has dealt with patients who are depressed. He might even have some insight to try and help him."

Adamantly shaking her head, Esme squeezed Bella's hands. "Bella, no, not until he gets help, please? We'll tell him that Edward had a bad reaction to a medication. Please Isabella, please don't say anything to him. At least not yet."

Bella freed her hands and wiped her eyes. "How is Edward? When can I see him?"

Biting her lip, Esme shook. "The paramedics pumped his stomach and I think they were successful with removing the medication, but he's in a coma. His body is weak because he hasn't eaten and he was dehydrated. You can see him." Esme paused. "Please Bella, don't say anything to Carlisle, please? Just for a little while. We can tell him that Ed and I didn't tell you the truth." Esme looked at Bella and raised her chin so she could look at her in the eye. "I know that it isn't good to lie to your significant other. I'm thankful Ed and I have never been in a situation where we had to, but Bella, this is Edward's story to tell, not ours. He wouldn't want to pity and awkward looks. You know how proud Edward is when he's in his right frame of mind."

From behind Bella, Esme spotted Carlisle. She believed in her heart of hearts that once he came around, her son would be embarrassed by his actions that night. Once he finally got the help you was so desperately needing, he wouldn't want to speak about the episode ever again. Esme knew that she put Bella in a bad situation but she believed in the end it would help with the long term recovery of her son.

Carlisle quickly walked towards Esme and Bella. When he reached them, he leaned into Esme and gave her a hug. He was quickly then standing at Bella's side with his arm around her shoulders.

"So, what's going on with Edward?" He questioned.

"He had a really bad reaction to a medication. He stopped breathing," Esme began. "They pumped his stomach. He is in a coma now. His body is weak. He's malnourished and dehydrated. He's in bad shape."

Thinking about what Esme had explained to him, Carlisle wasn't buying it. "Esme, with all due respect, that doesn't seem right. Would you like me to speak to his doctor and find out what really is going on?"

"With all due respect Carlisle, I believe the doctor. Why would he lie? Get off your high horse and realize that you aren't the only doctor in the world," Esme said as she walked away.

Carlisle squeezed Bella's hand. "I don't believe that happened Bella. I really don't"

Not looking at Carlisle, Bella responded to him. "Don't question her Carlisle. Just leave it alone. I'm going to see if I can see him." Bella told him as she let go of his hand.

She walked towards the nurses' desk and asked for his room.

"Are you immediate family?" the nurse asked.

Before she had a chance to respond, a voice came from behind her. "Yes she is. She's Edward's sister," Ed replied as he reached for Bella's hand. He led her away from the desk. "Hi honey, thank you for being here. Have you seen Esme?"

"Yes. She told me to lie to Carlisle about why Edward is in here. Why?" Bella asked as they stopped outside of Edward's room.

Ed shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. We are waiting for Emmett to make the trip here. She told him the medication allergic reaction story too. I think she felt helpless and it makes his situation less tragic. I don't know. In our thirty five years together we have never lied. I don't know why she feels it is necessary but I honestly don't have the energy to argue with her now." Ed stopped talking as they arrived at Edward's room. "This is us."

Nodding, Bella followed Ed into the dimly lit room. Tubes and wires hung all over him. He looked pale and sickly. "Is he going to make it Ed? Be honest with me? You have never lied before. Don't start now."

"The doctor said he should make a full recovery. They induced the coma but really, I don't remember why. All I care about is that this might be what shakes him up and makes him get help. He has to."

"I think it will," Bella said as she stood above her friend. She couldn't help but notice how pale he looked.

"I'm going to grab a coffee, do you want something?" Ed asked.

"No thanks. I'll stay here and hang out with him for a while." Bella smiled as she watched Ed walk away and leave her alone with Edward. She pulled the chair towards the bed and looked at Edward before she spoke. "Oh Edward, what have you done now? Why did you do it? I know you're hurting. I've been there and look at me. I'm the best I've been. I got better because of you. I promise it gets better. You need help Edward. I hope this was a wakeup call. I can't wait for you to wake up. I miss the real you so much Edward. I hate what you have become because of Tanya. I hate her. I hate Jasper too." Bella froze as she stood and sat on the hospital bed. "Please Edward, come back to me, us. We all miss you."

Crying, Bella laid down with Edward. She didn't know how long it took, but soon she was a sleep.

"So Peter has this new recipe he is excited to try out for you for dinner. I know you are working but do you think you would be able to join us later today," Carlisle asked. He and Bella had been distant since Edward was admitted into the hospital two days before and Bella walked away from him.

"I would love to but I have to sit with Edward. I'm working just a few hours in the morning," Bella replied as she made Carlisle's bed.

Taking a deep breath. "Maybe some other time then. He will be disappointed though." Carlisle paused and walked over to help Bella make his side of the bed. "I thought Emmett was here."

"He is but I want to be with them. They are my family Carlisle," Bella explained tiredly.

"Right, I forgot," Carlisle mumbled.

"Carlisle don't do this now. Please don't. I have so much to do, I haven't slept well. I think they were talking about waking Edward up later today and I want to be there."

"You know," Carlisle started. "About him and that coma, that just doesn't sound right."

"Drop it Carlisle. Esme told you what the doctor said. I don't want to talk about it. You know as much as I know." Bella told him as she finished making the bed.

"I just think-"

"Enough!" Bella yelled to him. "Enough," she repeated as she ran into the bathroom.

Carlisle sunk down in the bed knowing Bella was in the bathroom crying. It had become a routine as of late. She would go into the bathroom after they fought, throw up and then cry. He knew she was sitting on the other side of the door, silently crying. Things just weren't working for them. It hurt his heart. He knew the outcome and he didn't like it but he felt there was nothing he could do.

"Edward Anthony Cullen don't you ever, ever EVER do anything like this again, do you understand? You scared me," Bella told Edward with tears in her eyes. "I can't go on without you here. You are my partner in crime and my best friend. You're my brother. Do you understand? Don't you ever, ever decide you want to leave me."

"It was pretty stupid, wasn't it?" Edward quietly said. Two days after he woke up, he was waiting to be discharged. Bella was taking him to his parents' house. Bella and Alice were a few days behind the total renovation of Edward's house. Completion was to be done within two weeks. Bella poured her heart and soul into the project. The last few days she would wake up early, check on the progress of the renovations and the shipments of materials and furniture to the house, get up, get breakfast ready for Carlisle and the kids, go to the office, go to the hospital and then back to her office. She'd arrive at Carlisle's house late after everyone was in bed, work on a few more details of the renovation and go to bed. She missed being with Carlisle and his children, but felt in her heart that this was just temporary. Now that Edward was awake, things would be back to normal sooner than later.

"Stupid isn't the start of it," Bella agreed with him.

He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for scaring you. I'm sorry I almost left you. I've been thinking for the last few days and there was no reason to act like I did. I can't believe I was going to take my life. It's-I'm ashamed of it."

"Don't be. It's an honest feeling. You were feeling down and crappy. I'm so thankful that Ed found you when he did."

Edward let out a breath. "I feel bad for everything I have put you all through, my parents and you especially. Carlisle must hate me because I have taken up so much of your time. You've sacrificed so much being with me. You gave up time with him and the kids. I'm a douche."

"Oh Mr.-Mellow-Dramatic stop there. This is life, not everything is perfect. He might be angry when I tell him I want to spend more time with you now that you are on the road to recovery. It's fine though, everything will work out. We always rebound," Bella smiled.

"If for some reason you guys don't make it, I don't want it to be because of me."

"If, for some reason we don't make it, it won't be your fault, I promise. Edward you tried to kill yourself, that's pretty serious. Don't worry about me and Carlisle, worry about yourself."

Edward looked down and then into Bella's chocolate eyes. "I've talked to my parents and my doctor. I'm going to get help. I'm checking myself into an out patient program. I'm going to stay with my parents while I attend the program. I realize that I'm not happy and I need to get help with my depression and to try to become myself again. I'm just sorry it took me almost dying to realize it."

Bella leaned into Edward and hugged him. "I'm proud of you Masen. I think this is a good thing. I'm really proud of you."

"You're doing it again," Alice told Bella at the office. She was falling dazing at her desk. "What's going on now? Did you go to your doctor's?"

Nodding her head, Bella looked at Alice. "Yes I did."

"Why are you so tired? What's going on? It has to do with you forgetting to eat, am I right?"

"Well, I'm pregnant." Bella told her new friend. Over the last month and a half Alice had been a great confidant. She knew how Edward tried to take his own life and how things were strained, at best, between her and Carlisle. Lately she was sleeping at Edward's almost finished newly-renovated home. Edward would be coming home within the next week and she wanted it to look perfect for him. The truth was she missed Carlisle and his kids. This seemed like an ongoing theme. Now with this bomb shell of her unplanned pregnancy, she was scared and just plain old exhausted.

"So what are you going to do?" Alice inquired non-judgmentally.

"I'm planning on having dinner with him and the kids tomorrow night. I had shirts made for all of them about the baby. I think this is something that is going to bring us back to where we need to be," Bella said confidently.

"Did he tell you where he and the kids went last week?" Alice asked. Last weekend Bella put aside the entire weekend to spend with her family when Carlisle abruptly cancelled and left town for a few days. He had been quiet and didn't have time to speak to Bella throughout the week.

"Maybe I'll find out tomorrow. The truth is I probably pushed him away and he needed time to retreat. The last few months haven't been easy. Looking back at it, I probably could have handled things differently but I didn't."

"How far a long are you?"

"Almost twelve weeks. My doctor is concerned that I haven't gained enough weight but considering how much stress I've been under, she said that's fine. I'll be making up for it soon enough she promised," Bella was interrupted by her phone ringing. "Speak of the devil there he is. Hi Carlisle."

"Hi. I was just-um-confirming for tomorrow," he said. There was a lot of noise in the back ground.

"Yes. I can come over early and start to cook dinner with Peter and-"

"No, don't do that. You've been working a lot. Um, we'll order dinner," Carlisle suggested.

Bella side as she raised an eyebrow. "Carlisle, is everything all right? You sound like you are in somewhere crowded and you are acting weird."

"I'm fine. I', driving with the window open. Tomorrow, five, okay? Be here for five?"

"Okay, I'll see you them. And Carlisle, I am really looking forward to seeing you and the kids. There is something I need to tell you all."

"I can hardly wait. I've got to get back to work, bye," Carlisle said as he hung up the phone.

"That was strange. He sounded weird. Maybe he's stressed from work? I don't know. Maybe it's the stress I've caused him. Its fine, we'll get it sorted tomorrow," Bella reassured herself. Alice didn't share her bad feeling with her friend.

Bella took some of the following day to get a massage and dress nicely. She packed an overnight bag with new clothes as her old were getting snug. She couldn't wait to see Carlisle, Peter and Charlotte's faces as they unwrapped their shirts. She was excited as she pulled into the driveway. She noticed boxes on the front porch. She grabbed her bags and walked towards the side door. She tried to unlock it but her key didn't work.

She walked around to the front and tried to unlock the door, which wouldn't budge. She looked in the house and noticed everything was gone. The furniture that once sat in the living room and dining room were gone. She glanced at the walls and they were bare. She turned and looked at the six boxes sitting on the porch. They were all marked, "Bella."

Bella picked up her cell and immediately called Carlisle.

"We are sorry, the number you are trying to reach has been disconnected. Please check the number and try again."

Bella sat on the porch and panicked. What was going on? Where was Carlisle? She couldn't breathe. She then called Charlotte and Peter's phones and got the same message. She then called his office and was told he didn't work there any more. then it hit her. He left without saying anything. Carlisle just packed it up and left her.

Thinking quickly, she hopped in her car and drove to her apartment. She parked in the driveway and saw Mike coming from the house.

"Bella! Long time no see! How's it going? I thought you left too."

"What do you mean?" Bella asked.

"Well, when Carlisle said he was taking off for a while to pursue something different, I just figured you were going with him."

"I'm not. Where did he say to send the rent check?"

"Hmmm," he said reaching into his wallet. "To this Kate Denali. Does that name mean anything to you? He said to send it to her office."

Bella sadly nodded. "Yes it does. Thanks Mike," Bella said as she ran into her car and sped away.

"Well, look at what the car dragged in. What do you want Nanny Poppins?" Kate asked as she growled at Bella.

"Where is Carlisle?"

"Oh Carlisle, he is so sad and depressed. His girlfriend who he wanted to marry was neglecting him. They weren't getting along any more. Always arguing and oh so emotional. He left." Kate looked at Bella directly in her eyes. "Carlisle. Left. You."

"Where did he go Kate?"

"I know where but I'm not allowed to tell. It's a secret," she smiled.

"Why did he confide in you? I mean he didn't really like you once he learned you wanted to ship his kids away. Why?"

"Well, his best friend nearly died of depression and his girlfriend was there for his friend, not him. Carlisle felt he was second best. He was tired of getting his kids and himself pushed aside. He is gone Bella and he isn't coming back."

"Please Kate. I need to talk to him, it's important. I love him. I need him," Bella began to cry.

She shook her head. "Sorry Bella, he's gone. You're young, move on. You're building your career and your brother is getting better. Move on."

"But it's important. I need to tell him something life changing. I'm pregnant."

Kate's expression grew serious. She almost looked remorseful. Her smile faded. She lowered her voice and was serious. "I'm sorry Bella, I can't. I told him I wouldn't tell you. I'm sorry."

Bella nodded. "I don't believe you. I-I-I hate you," Bella said as she slammed the door.

"Unknown email address. I emailed too and that's what I got back," Edward told Bella as he sat back in the chair at the kitchen table. "I'm sorry. I feel responsible."

"It wasn't you Edward. It was me. I screwed things up, but seriously he just packed up and left? What was that all about? And oh my god, I'm homeless again. I can't stay at that apartment any more. I mean, it's him and then I'll have to send Kate the rent check. I can't stay there Edward."

"Stay here," he offered. He had recently moved back into his home, which to his surprise looked completely different. "It's not like you'll bother anyone here Bella. I would like the company too."

Bella nodded with tears in her eyes. "Thank you. " Bella looked at Edward. "What am I going to do about the baby? My god, he just packed up and left."

Edward hugged his friend. "Well, I figured you'd stay here with the baby Bella. It's fine. You don't have to figure everything out right now. Maybe you won't want to be here when the baby comes. Maybe you'll want Uncle Eddie to help out. You don't need to make these choices now. Go to bed. Rest. We'll talk more in the morning."

Bella nodded. She hugged Edward. "I am so glad you are getting better. I really missed you. I love you Edward. Thank you for saving me, again."

Edward laughed as he pulled Bella into another hug. "We seem to do that for each other, save each other. It's our thing."

Edward walked Bella into her bedroom. While going through her dresser, Bella knocked over one of the boxes that was left for her on Carlisle's door step. She picked up the contents and put them back into the box. She saw an envelope. The handwriting was Charlotte's.

Bella-

I am so angry with you. You did this. You made us move. We are moving to the other side of the country. You made us leave our friends, our house, our memories of our mom. Because you didn't give us any time my father hurt. You did the one thing I begged you not to do. You hurt my father. You hurt my family too many times. I couldn't stand seeing my dad or Peter's disappointed faces after you'd cancel on us time after time. I know Uncle Eddie was going through something major, but you didn't have time for us. You didn't care any more about us. You just pushed us aside like he didn't matter. We deserve so much more and you don't care about us at all. I hate you so much. I will never forgive you.

-Charlotte.

Bella sat on the floor and cried. She breathed heavy and balled as the floods escaped her eyes. She knew Charlotte wasn't right but her words hurt her. She felt the air leaving her lungs as she hunched over and cried.

Author's Note:

Are you guys mad? Should I go in hiding now? Please refrain from throwing anything through the computer screen! What do you think about Carlisle? Before I get any hate mail about Esme, I just want you to think about her and where she is right now. She is stressed, after months of watching her son pretty much self-destruct, she saw her son laying unconscious on the floor from a over dose. Cut her slack. She's stressed out too. I'm not writing her as a mean woman, just a mom who cares. Please let me know what you think. The next chapter is almost done!