Disclaimer: I do not nor have I ever owned Twilight

Dedication: RobbSweetAngel & Brown0520

Chapter Three: Isabella Swan

Isabella Swan took a sip of her can Pepsi before placing it back into the refrigerator for morning. Although the idea of a cold can of soda wasn't that appealing when it was almost minus one outside.
Bloody English weather she cursed. Since she'd arrived in England shortly before New Year's Eve the temperature had done nothing but decrease! She was scared to put her little Cactus Bob out on the balcony for fear it would die even in the little sunlight that shone through the grey clouds.

Although she cursed the weather England it's self wasn't really that bad, it seemed to have a less rushed life style and the television comedies were pretty funny in all fairness. She was really getting accustomed to Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Not to mention Cadburys - the sweet candy...well chocolate as they called it there.

Turning off all the lights and walking into her bedroom she sighed spotting a picture.
I miss you all... She thought sadly as she picked up the frame. It starred the Cullen family with her and Edward stuck in the middle almost crushed by the others with her parents on either end as well. It had been taken a few months before her mother's fatal car crash, that thought alone caused a small tear to splash against the glass. I really need to call you all...

She hadn't spoken to either her father or the Cullens since the day she'd arrived. Sure she sent them an email every week or so to let them know she was alive but it wasn't really the same. She missed Esme's cooking skills and Carlisle's seemingly endless amount of plasters for when she managed to hurt herself one way or another. She missed curling up with a good book next to Charlie as he watched the game in that comfortable silence. Hell she even wanted five minutes of Rosalie's death glares. Oh the boys... They were the ones that she wanted the most right now; Jasper annoying everyone with his keyboard when he came home on the weekends trying to show everyone his new music. Emmett's booming laughter and how he treated the Cullen household like his own; Esme and Carlisle would never admit it but he was so much of a son to them as Edward and Jasper were.

Edward She sighed audibly. He was, even if thousands of miles away, her best friend and confidant. He was the first she told when she was offered this job in London and he was the one who despite hating the idea told her to take it. Edward and she had been best of friends since the day of Charlie and Carlisle's accident.

Bella and Edward had been seven when Charlie was in his cruiser driving down from Arizona with the last of their junk taking it to the new house in Forks where he was to take over as chief of police. Little Bella had fallen asleep in the car sucking on her thumb, a trait her parents; Rene and Charlie were trying desperately to rid her of, Charlie took his eyes off the road to pull her thumb out when he crashed into the back of Carlisle's Volvo. Luckily he had only been going 20 miles per hour so did little more than make a dent in the back bumper.

The slight bump jolted Bella from her sleep and making Edward in the other car cry. Both men sat their children on the grassy hill while they swapped insurance and such.
'I'm Eddie.' Edward had said offering Bella a cookie and a sip of his juice box.
'Bella.' She smiled eating the cookie she'd been handed 'I'm going to live in the big house by the forest.' Edward's little eyes had widened.
'I live in the big house inside the forest you should come and play with me!' He grinned happy to have a friend other than his brother Jasper.
Bella nodded frantically; she didn't have any other friends 'Ok.'

Carlisle and Charlie walked over to take their children back only to laugh at them playing tag in between the trees like they'd know each other for years.
'Looks like we're going to have a hard time separating them.' Charlie had chuckled.
'I think we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other Chief.' Carlisle had chuckled in return.
Twenty years later Bella and Edward had a friendship just as strong but so did the fathers.
Bella smiled at that memory before kissing the picture frame 'Night guys.' She whispered crawling under her soft silken sheets. She almost imagined the photograph yelling good night back at her and laughed softly as her eyes closed.

6am

Bella awoke to the sound of her cell phone vibrating on the bedside table. She groaned scrambling for the light switch
Urgh, six am already? I swear I just fell asleep! Her fuzzy mind complained as she flipped open her phone to turn the damned alarm off.
Edward Calling. Edward Calling. Edward Calling.
Bella blinked it was midnight back in Seattle guess he wanted to ring her before work. Probably to brighten her day up since it was Valentine's day and once again she was single for the bastard day.

'Yello?' She asked through a long yawn 'This is Isabella Swan how can I pulverise you for waking me up this morning?'
'Hello Bella.' Edward's velvety voice spoke on the other end minus the usual laughter and playfulness when he purposely woke her up before her usual time believing it to be hilarious.
'Good morning Edward.' She said 'Long time no speak.' stepping towards the bathroom to start her hygiene ritual.
'I know,' He said almost glumly 'Life's been a little hectic for me since you left.'

Bella blinked now realising how quiet it was in the background; it was never quiet near Edward because he was never not doing anything.
'It's ok mines been just as crazy too.' She said trying to pretend nothing seemed off. 'So Edward what's new in your life eh?'
'Bella are you sitting down?' Edward asked after a minute or so of silence. Bella blinked What the hell is happening? She wondered to herself but slid into a stool for the breakfast nook.
'I am now.' She told him placing her head on one of her palms and listened to silence and his breathing 'Edward what's wrong' she asked cautiously.
'Bella...I-I have Cancer.' He stuttered 'And its terminal.'

It took Bella's brain a minute to process what he just said without short circuiting and cutting off the terminal bit. Her hand was a little shaky and she almost dropped the phone. Edward guessed this and kept quiet on the other side of the phone.

Once she'd replayed his words a few times she mustered up the courage to speak.
'What kind is it?' She whispered not knowing if she really wanted to know the answer to that.
'Stomach.' Edward replied sounding somewhat brighter now she knew and he was talking to her 'I know it's rare for anyone under the age of fifty but I'm just a rare find I guess.' He chuckled lightly trying to clear the air a little.
Bella laughed a little, once, in return 'You always have been..how..how long have you got?'

There was another small pause but Bella could hear someone else there; someone comforting him.
'Two years tops with Chemo then however long it takes for my body to shut down.' His voice was laced with pain and a little rough due to obvious tears. She was quiet this time Two years...two short years if he's lucky. She held in a sob thinking of that 'Bella?' Edward started again 'Will you come home soon please? I could really do with you being here...'

Just hearing his voice; so desperate, so lost made her decision for her without a seconds delay.
'Of course Edward I'll book the first flight out tonight.'
'Thank you Bella. Thank you so much.' Edward said 'Carlisle and Esme are going to pay all the money you need to live here until...' he trailed off.
'Ok Edward I'll see you in Seattle some time tomorrow.'

She flipped her cell shut and fell on her crossed arms the tears she had been stopping just moment before over flowing and dripping over her counter. When she felt up to it she would ring her assistant Vicky and tell her what was happening and that she needed extended leave before she'd start to pack.
'Please..' She started to pray 'Please God hear my call and let Edward have a year at least.'