Heya guys! Ok heres chapter four. Unfortuately I'm on holiday til sunday night then I'll have no internet for a day or so. I have the next chapter written so if you want it up before monday review!

Disclaimer: I don't Own Twilight

Chapter Four: Home

Bella placed her hand luggage and two suitcases on one of Seattle's airport trolleys before pushing it slowly towards Arrivals. She took her time hoping delay the moment that this would all be proved real and not some horrendous nightmare that she had been paying it was all yesterday.

As she got closer to the door she watched happy families reunite; long lost friends kiss and hug. Couples shed tears after holidays apart; she soon found herself looking away. Edward will never experience any of this... her heart ached for him unable to imagine what this must be like from him.

Once in Arrivals she looked round for said best friend amongst the crowds again slowly to delay the moment.
Isabella Swan
A sign read being held up in the crowd. Bella couldn't help but laugh at that; Edward always had his way of making her feel special. However as she weaved in between the relatives it wasn't Edward with the sign but Carlisle and Esme.
'Bella.' Esme said pulling her into a soft hug 'Thank you so much for this.'
'I wouldn't not come back.' She replied with a sad smile before looking to Carlisle. Both looked like hell; dark circles under their eyes accompanied by tear stained cheeks and crumpled clothing.

Bella moved onto Carlisle who, after Edward, was the strongest in the family emotionally but he'd been drained.
'Oh Carlisle.' Bella said folding into his arms 'Everything will be ok I promise..'
He patted her back in reply 'I'm sure it will. Lets head back.' He took the trolley from her so she could hang back and walk with Esme.

No one really spoke until an hour into the journey back to Forks, all three just listened to the soft beat of the radio. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable; no one knew what to say. This wasn't a joyous reunion like it had been for the others in the airport.
'So..' Bella said after a breath 'Someone explain all this to me please?'

'Last week we received a call from Edward saying he would be home with Jasper on the weekend. He told me to make sure both Rosalie and Carlisle were there. He had some big news to discuss.' Esme spoke quietly as she looked at Bella through the rear-view mirror. She, like Bella, was trying not to believe this disease had latched onto her son. 'Jasper was just as confused as us. Edward hadn't spoken a word to him the whole drive.'

'Edward asked us all to sit down the minute he walked through the door.' Carlisle continued squeezing Esme's delicate hand reassuringly worried if she continued she'd burst into tears. 'Obviously the first thoughts running through our heads was that he and Tanya were either marrying or had conceived. However we dismissed that when she didn't step through the door after him.'

'Well that and the fact that he took a pint glass full of brandy from our wine cabinet.' Esme butted in rolling her eyes remembering Edward's actions. She refused to believe that drinking through hard times was a good comfort. Carlisle nodded.
'Once we were all sat down he dropped the bomb 'I have Cancer and it's going to kill me before I can reach twenty-seven' naturally we all just stared at him like this was one of his funny jokes but his face was taunt with a mixture of pain and fear. After the shook had somewhat died down he told me to call a friend of mine Dr James Earnest for the more technical details.'

'What did he say?' Carlisle's eyes never left the road Bella knew as a doctor he'd understand all the technical terms so the blow wasn't softened.
'That there was no lump so to speak of. It's just like a poison seeping through the body slowly.' His knuckles stood out white on the steering wheel. He'd seen this happen with many a family but he never thought it would happen to his own. 'When that happens there is nothing any physician can do just use chemotherapy to prolong the person's life but it won't work forever.'

Now there's no denying it Bella, this is all real her mind spoke softly You'll just have to deal with it for Edward's sake; for the whole families sake.
'When does Chemo start?'
'Today.' Esme explained 'He had to get it transferred yesterday hence why he couldn't pick you up today.' Bella nodded softly as she stared out of the window Poor Edward he must be going through hell right now...

'When does he go back to Seattle?' She asked hoping it wouldn't be in the next few weeks...she needed longer than that with him just to catch up.
'He isn't.' Esme said simply 'I assume he will want to go down and visit people but he's emailing in all his columns and doing interviews via webcam.' She'd convinced him of that; he'd worked too hard to get to where he was to lose it all now. It was something that might keep him fighting.
'So I'm assuming Tanya is moving to Forks with him then?' Bella asked nicely. She'd never liked Tanya since the day Edward started dating her in College whether that was jealousy or not, she didn't know but the girl definitely gave off a bad vibe.

There was a long pause of silence in the car that confused her but Carlisle finally spoke.##
'Edward told her first; the day after he found out. She got up and walked out of the restaurant without a proper goodbye after telling him she couldn't handle it.'
What a bitch! Bella's mind growled furious How could she do that to him? Especially since he's dying! I'll ring that whore tonight I still have her number.

Both Cullens could see the angry splashed across her face; theirs had mimicked hers when he'd told them.
'Don't bring up the subject of Tanya round Edward will you?' Esme begged 'It's still sore for him and he doesn't need to be depressed right now.'
'I won't I promise. I just can't believe she could be so heartless..'
'Same here.' Both Carlisle and she answered

The rest of the three hour drive was almost silent except the occasion questions about London and Carlisle's job. He'd had to help a man in a restaurant the other day who'd managed to catch his Penis in his zipper. Bella also learnt that her Father had been fishing a lot lately on the river in the Quileute Reservation but everyone suspects he has a girlfriend there. This made the mood in the car lighter with them all laughing about it.

Forks

As they drove up the road that weaved through the dense forest toward their destination the clouded dark mood over swept the car again causing Bella's hands to shake nervously. She had no idea what to say to him or how she should act around him. Esme turned round and patted her leg delicately, reassuringly.
'Just be normal with him.' Bella nodded in reply as they pulled up outside the mansion in which she basically grew up. With a long deep breath; she exited the car. 'He's in his room.'

She stood atop the stairs peering into the room in front of her. Inside she could make out the jean clad legs of someone in a chair. The other side of it she could spot a metal pole and loafer clad feet obviously the nurse's. She took a slow and steady step into the room finding Edward on said chair with an IV drip going into his left elbow containing the Chemotherapy drug. His eyes were closed and he looked uncomfortable. Like his parents bags hung under his eyes accompanied with his completely dishevelled hair giving him a rough look.

She rapped the door softly to let both know someone was there 'Hello Edward.' And forced a smile. Instantly his eyes snapped open to focus on her. She watched as a huge grin crossed his features.
'Finally you arrive!' He laughed 'Took your time. How are you Bella?'
She sat down on the edge of his bed 'I'm ok just a bit jet lagged though.' He nodded 'Have you missed me?'
'Damn straight!' He bellowed 'It's been boring without you here. Emmett moved on to picking on me instead. For that you can buy me a bottle of Jack.' He was trying to keep the conversation light, trying to dismiss why the nurse was there.

Bella couldn't help but laugh, even in the darkest of moments Edward made moods light again 'Only if you watch Pretty Woman with me again.' Every movie night they ever had she had always picked that movie and every time Edward loathed it but for Bella he'd always give in.
He pulled a face of disgust 'If I must.' The ever famous devilish crooked grin spread across his face 'And my dear parents can fork out the pizza and ice-cream money.'
'Deal!' Bella laughed giving his useable hand a high five.

They continued to banter throughout the two hours left to his therapy making the nurse join in with the random conversations like a couple of teenagers. The nurse's name was Kate who worked with Carlisle and was a year or so older than the pair occasionally she would pop downstairs to give them some privacy then appear again to check on Edward's progress.

'Thank you.' Edward said turning to Bella after Kate had packed up and returned to the hospital. The Cullens had given the pair a wide berth for the day to catch up. Secretly they knew Edward would be much brighter with his best friend around.
'Hmm?' Bella asked from the chair she'd swapped with Edward half an hour or so previous.
'For coming home to see me.' He spoke from the bed smiling at her 'I'm gonna need you a lot soon.'
'As long as I don't have to help you to and in the bathroom that's fine with me.'
'As if I'd want you in there.' Edward snorted 'There's more germs on you than the toilet seat.' Both laughed heartily at that before Edward turned serious and took her head 'Seriously thanks Bella.'
She smiled back taking his hands 'Things will be ok Edward I promise.'