AN – Sorry this is going up later than I anticipated. It's been a busy day. Enjoy and the next chapter will be up tomorrow.

Thank you to all of those who have reviewed and put this on alert and favorites. I am terribly behind in responding to reviews but I will get to them.

I do not own these characters!

EPOV

I laid there watching her sleep, so vulnerable, so breakable. She still seemed clueless as to how fragile she truly was. My head kept replaying our last few conversations over and over again and I couldn't help but feel despair at how inconceivably stupid I had been over the past few years. No matter how hard I tried to prevent it I always managed to hurt Bella somehow. My mind drifted to our honeymoon, it should have been the happiest time of our life. She had wanted to try to consummate our marriage, against my better judgment I had agreed to try. It was the single most horrifying experience in my life. There we were in our honeymoon suite in Greece, overlooking the sparkling blue water. The candles were lit, we had champagne, flowers, everything I could do to make this moment special. She had come out of the bathroom in a flowing white robe and a matching silk nightgown, she took my breath away. Walking to me I could see the desire in her eyes and knew that mine were ebony with my need for her. Stopping in front of me I couldn't stop my hands from rubbing up and down her body, wanting to feel every inch of her like I had never allowed myself before. I pulled her down next to me and kissed her lips, her neck, her arms; every exposed area that my mouth could reach. Her breathing was ragged and I knew I was making her feel as aroused as I was. When I rubbed my hand down the front of her she sighed my name and something inside me snapped, I wanted her and I wanted her now. I pushed her to her back and came over her, kissing her fiercely, my hands wandering freely. Without thinking I laid on top of her, almost allowing my full body weight to rest upon her when I suddenly heard the sickening snap and that cleared my head instantly. She tried to protest when I jumped off the bed and away from her but the pain of her broken ribs stopped her from following me. Yet even after that incident she still wanted me, wasn't afraid of me, she never ceased to amaze me.

From that moment on though I refused to try again, until now, I couldn't deny her this if she was dying and I wouldn't hurt her again, I had already inflicted too much pain on her. How had I never noticed how much she was hurting, how had I never realized what I was doing to her? I'd spend every day from here on out showing her what she truly meant to me, showing her that I couldn't live without her.

The morning came and she started to move around, her sleep was amazingly quiet and peaceful. I had hoped she would say something, anything to help me in order to make this right. She opened her eyes and smiled at me before pulling me closer to her; she placed a gentle kiss on my lips and got out of bed. I followed her with my eyes as she closed the bathroom door and once again I wished for just the smallest glimpse into her mind. Pushing myself up I knew that I had to get ready for her doctor's appointment. I knew I needed to be strong for her and give her whatever support she needed.

The drive to the doctor was a silent one, all of us lost in our own thoughts, Carlisle hoping that it wasn't as severe as Bella had thought coming up with a list of questions in his mind. I just watched Bella as I held her hand, sitting in the back seat next to her. She just sat and looked at the window, her face devoid of any emotion. When we arrived at the doctor I helped her out of the car and wrapped my arm around here, holding her close, hoping that with my protection nothing bad could happen to her.

We sat in the waiting room, everyone keeping their distance from us as we sat on either side of Bella on the couch. When we were called back Bella took a deep breath and grabbed my hand, holding it in a death grip, I could see the fear in her eyes as we were shown back to her doctor's office. I could hear the doctor's voice as we approached, so young such a shame, and I knew that the news wasn't good.

"Good morning Bella," she smiled up at her.

"Good morning Dr. Maher, thank you for meeting with me this morning, this is my father in law Carlisle and my husband Edward," I could see the momentary confusion cross her face as she noticed our age difference but I didn't care.

"Thank you both so much for coming today, I know this is a lot to take in and I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have," we all just nodded our heads. "Bella as we discussed yesterday your lab tests show that you have cervical cancer and it is quite advanced, you've been diagnosed at Stage III," and with that I ran through the information in my mind and realized that Bella was indeed very sick. I could see the same realization dawn on Carlisle's face, the statistics ran through my mind – possible kidney damage, 40% -43% survival rate; chemotherapy, radiation – and I just held onto her as tight as I dared too. She looked at me when I had tightened my arm and she could read it on my face, my fear of losing her.

Bella was amazingly calm when she spoke, "What are my options? Where do we go from here?"

"Our first step would be surgery, at this point I would recommend a hysterectomy and we will determine the extent of the cancer at that time," Bella nodded her head, "I'm sorry, I know you are so young and would probably want children some day but there are other options." A single tear fell upon her cheek and I gently wiped it away. "Do you have any questions?" I appreciated the doctor's compassion for Bella.

Bella shook her head and broke down, instantly my arms were around her, giving her all the comfort I was capable of. I heard Carlisle asking questions, getting the necessary information that we would discuss with Bella later. The rest of the appointment passed in a blur, I just held Bella, knowing that Carlisle would fill me in later. When it was time to go we all shook the doctor's hand and walked out the door. Bella still wasn't talking and we drove once again in silence. We got home and Bella and I ignored everyone and just went up to our room. I closed the door behind us and waited for her to say something, anything.

"Be honest Edward," her voice startled me, "how bad is it?"

"Quite bad Bella, it all depends on what they find when they perform surgery," walking over to her I pulled her closer to me, "it's not the highest stage but it is close. You know that I will be here for you every step of the way."

"Thank you for you honesty and for being here for me. After everything I said to you yesterday, thank you," how could she even think that what she said would push me away? If anything it made me more protective of her, knowing that I couldn't stop the danger that was inside of her.

"Bella, nothing you could say to me would ever stop me from loving you, from wanting to be here for you, please understand that," she nodded her head and just leaned against me. After some time had passed she stood up and went over to her suitcase again.

"Are you sure you want to do this alone? I can go with you," I couldn't imagine her facing her parents alone, breaking this news.

"How do I explain your lack of aging Edward? You look exactly the same as the day we were married, while they may not have noticed it a couple of years ago I doubt that they will miss it now." I tried to think of a valid argument but could come up with nothing.

"We'll think of something to say Bella, some way to explain it, please I don't want you to do this alone."

"I'd like having you there Edward; I don't think I can do this without you," and that was enough for me, she needed me, wanted me by her side and I was grateful.

"When do you want to go?" I didn't want to pressure her about anything.

"Tonight if possible, I honestly just want to get this out of the way," she sighed and sat down again. "I'm going to call later on today to schedule my surgery," I sat down next to her, pulling her close to me and kissed her on the top of her head. "Why don't you lie down for a little while, I'll finish packing okay?" She nodded and put her head on the pillow.

I finished getting us both packed up and went downstairs to make the flight reservations after I was sure that she was resting. Everyone was sitting downstairs talking to Carlisle and they looked up when I entered the room. Alice ran to my side.

"Please Edward, please make her change her mind," then looking into her mind I saw it all, everything that I didn't want to accept but knew and I closed my eyes and tried to close my mind.

"I can't force her Alice, the roles are reversed now, she was never able to force me before and now I am paying for my stubbornness." Looking up no one wanted to meet my eyes, everyone just sat there, staring at their hands but their thoughts were filled with Bella. Rosalie was especially angry in her thoughts which surprised me considering the fact that she never wanted Bella to choose this life. I couldn't help staring at her as I processed her fury.

"Edward, you know this is never the kind of life I would choose for anyone but Bella made her choice years ago when she decided to marry you and live with us. She wanted you so badly that she has given up everything to be with you Edward. You both are obviously in love but both too stubborn to say what you really want, can you honestly tell me that in all these years it wouldn't have been easier on you, on all of us if she was a vampire?" Her anger had turned to sadness. "Edward it's hard to watch you two every day knowing the limitations you have set for yourselves, you're both holding back so much, your relationship could be so much more if you were equals, Bella has always known that."

"ENOUGH!" I was past the point of defending the past, it didn't matter anymore, I couldn't change it and I had to face each day that we had together and make the most of it. Perhaps when…if…we got through all of this then she would be willing to be changed and I wouldn't hesitate anymore. "Enough already everyone, I admit Bella and I have made mistakes in our relationship but we are moving on, now isn't the time to dwell on the past, it can't be changed and we have enough to worry about. I love Bella and I will be here for her every step of the way, forever! However long that happens to be," I stormed out of the room.

Walking outside I used my phone to arrange for flights back home to Forks and then to Florida and then I planned an extra few days for Bella and I alone, knowing that we needed some time by ourselves with the distractions being here brought. Ignoring everyone I walked back in the house and went straight to our room, Bella was still sleeping and I watched here, it never got old for me. She turned over and my name escaped her lips and I went to her and just held her, hoping that somehow we would make it through this.

Next chapter they head out to tell Bella's parents and Edward has a special surprise for her.

Thanks again.