Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

This story is kind of cathartic for me and it's based in real life. Rated M for future lemons.

Chapter 5: The Flashback

January 27th, 2008. Seattle, Washington at Virginia Mason Medical Center

"Dr. Masen, I need you on a consult," asked Victoria, a pretty red-headed resident who was assigned to Dr. Masen as her attending.

"I'll be right there. I have to finish setting this shoulder. What room?" Dr. Masen asked.

"Curtain area three, Dr. Masen," she replied.

Dr. Masen, Edward, nodded and used his body, with the assistance of Cynthia, the charge nurse to set the dislocated shoulder in the fifty year old man. With a resounding pop, the shoulder returned into place. "Get post reduction films and I'll come back when he's awake."

"Of course, Dr. Masen," Cynthia said, giving her favorite doctor a smile.

Edward signed off on his orders on the patient's chart and walked toward curtain area three. He strode into the small area and found a young mother, cradling her shrieking child. The mother looked panicked and distraught. "Hello, I'm Dr. Masen. Dr. Hunter asked me to come in take a look at Toby," Edward said as he looked at the young man's chart. He was running a high fever and he had fluid on the lungs. Edward crouched down to look at the screaming boy. "Hi, Toby. I'm Edward. I'm going to take a look at you. Can you stop crying, little man?"

Toby looked at Edward with huge eyes. He burrowed into his mother's chest but stopped crying. Edward placed his hands onto the child's forehead, feeling for a temperature. He had one. He asked the nurse, Tiffany, to bring over a thermometer. He placed it in the child's ear and it registered at 104.7. Too high for such a young child. He was only two. Edward took out his stethoscope and warmed the bulb before putting it on Toby's heated chest. His heart was racing and he could hear fluid in his lungs. "What is Toby's other symptoms?" Edward asked the mother.

"He's tired all of the time and he can't pay attention to anything," Toby's mom said, her voice weary.

"Have you ordered a spinal tap, Dr. Hunter?" Edward asked.

"No, Dr. Masen. Would you recommend it?" Victoria asked.

"Yes. Set it up and I'll do it," Edward said, his voice filled with concern for the little boy. "Do you consent to give your son a spinal tap? He may have an infection called meningitis. Meningitis normally occurs as a complication from an infection in the bloodstream. Has your son been sick prior to this?"

"He's had an ear infection for a couple of weeks now. It just wouldn't go away."

"Okay. Can we do the spinal tap on Toby?" Edward asked. "It's the only way to know for sure if he has meningitis."

"Yes, please."

"Alright. Tiffany, put Toby into a gown and we'll be back in a few moments," Edward said as he got up from his crouched position. Victoria and Edward went to the storage closet and pulled out the necessary materials to perform a spinal tap. "Have you done a spinal on a child?"

"No, Dr. Masen," Victoria said, her eyes wide. "Can I do it on Toby?"

"How many spinals have you done?" Edward asked his resident.

"Only two. Both were on older patients," Victoria said, with a frown.

"You'll watch this time," Edward said, arching a brow over his glasses. With the tray filled with the spinal tap materials, Edward and Victoria came back into curtain area three. Edward took another look at Toby's chart, noticing that he had an ear infection for a month and a sinus infection for two months. He took a quick look at the last name and looked at Toby's mom. "Mrs. Pattinson, I'm going to numb a portion of Toby's back and insert a small catheter. From that catheter, I will drain a small portion of Toby's cerebral spinal fluid. After obtaining the sample, it will be sent to the lab for verification of what you son has. Do you have any questions?"

"Just make my baby better," Mrs. Pattinson cried. "He's been so sick for so long."

"I'll try, Mrs. Pattinson. Would you like to hold Toby?" Edward asked. Mrs. Pattinson nodded emphatically and moved to Toby's bed. Edward told her how to hold him and Edward began the spinal tap. With a quiet, soothing voice, he spoke through the procedure, explaining each step he took. Toby whimpered but didn't move. After getting the sample, Edward handed it to Tiffany who took it to the lab. "It'll be an hour or so. Dr. Hunter, can you start an IV?"

"Um," Victoria said.

Edward arched a brow and looked at his resident. She shrugged and gave him an apologetic smirk. "Okay, I'll start the IV. I want to start Toby on some IV antibiotics. Is he allergic to penicillin?"

"No," Mrs. Pattinson said.

"Okay," Edward said as he got some IV supplies from the storage closet in the small, sterile room. He calmly set up the IV and started Toby's antibiotics. "Because you were such a brave boy, do you want some ice cream?"

"Vaniwwa," Toby said quietly, smiling shyly at the handsome doctor.

"With a cherry?" Edward winked.

"Rainbow spwinkles," Toby giggled.

"You got it, little man," Edward said, holding out a fist. Toby gave a weak fist bump and Edward asked Tiffany to bring up some vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.

After about an hour, Edward checked to see if Toby's test results were in. They were. Edward looked them over and unfortunately he had meningitis. At least it was the viral kind. Bacterial meningitis was a death sentence for someone Toby's age. Edward walked into the small curtain area and check on his little patient. He was eating his ice cream, or rather smearing it all over his face. "Is that good, little man?"

"Vewwy good," Toby smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Masen."

"You're welcome, Toby," Edward said, ruffling the young man's hair. "Mrs. Pattinson, Toby does have meningitis."

"What does that mean, Dr. Masen?" she asked quietly, gently rubbing her son's head.

"Well, it means that I can't really do anything more here in the ER. I am administering antibiotics for his sinus infection and ear ache. Once he's done with that, he can go home. For the home care, you just need to monitor his fever and give him Tylenol if it spikes. Make an appointment with his primary care physician in one to two days. If he gets worse, bring him back here, immediately. We'll keep him here until he's done with his IV. After that, he's free to go, if his fever is below 102. If it's still elevated, we'll keep him here overnight."

"Thank you, Dr. Masen," Mrs. Pattinson sighed.

"No problem, Mrs. Pattinson," Edward smiled. The door pushed open and a very haggard Cynthia came in.

"Dr. Masen? We have a multi-car MVA coming in. Three critical patients," Cynthia said brusquely.

"Thank you, Cynthia," Edward said with a frown. "Excuse me."

Edward grabbed a fresh pair of gloves and waited in the ambulance bay. It was very cold outside and the roads were slick. It had rained earlier in the day and the rain had turned into ice. Edward was worried about his wife, Tanya, a world renowned child psychiatrist. She was driving back to Seattle from Portland. She was giving a lecture about ADHD to a small symposium at the University of Oregon. She should have been home by now and should have called or texted.

The first bus came into the ambulance bay and the EMT, Austin began barking the stats of the patient.

"Male, 34, driver of the first car. Blunt head trauma, smells like a swill. Unconscious at the scene. BP 120 over 60, pulse 74 and resps 20. His breathing on his own," he said as they walked to one of the trauma rooms.

"Victoria, he's yours," Edward said, his voice full of authority.

"Got it, Dr. Masen," she said.

He made sure that the patient was moved to the gurney without incident before heading back into the ambulance bay. The first ambulance pulled away and another pulled in. Edward watched as the doors opened to the ambulance. The EMT, Paul, looked at Edward and his eyes widened. "Female, 31, driver of the car that was hit. Dr. Masen, you might not want to take this one," Paul said. "Get someone else."

"Why?" Edward barked as he moved to the side of the gurney. He looked down at the patient and he saw his life laying there. "Tanya."

As Edward stared at his wife, her heart began beating erratically. Dr. Moore, the other attending saw what was happening and he jumped in, barking orders. They rolled Tanya into the trauma room. Edward followed blindly, watching as they cut away Tanya's clothes. She was bruised from head to toe. Her face was cut up. Her legs were bent an awkward angle and there was a large bruise in the center of her chest, presumably where the steering column hit her chest. Edward couldn't look away. His eyes filling with tears.

Edward heard words like pneurothorax, chest tubes, and rib spreader. This was not good. Not good at all. Dr. Moore inserted a chest tube and huge amounts of blood poured out of her chest cavity. Tanya's heart was still sputtering and Dr. Moore cut into her chest, exposing her heart. He began working on fixing the defect that was causing her heart palpitations.

"Shit! Her aorta is fucking shredded," Dr. Moore growled. He removed his hands from Tanya's chest cavity and her heart stopped beating. "Astystole. Time of death, 19:18."

Edward blinked and shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Keep trying damn it!" he roared as he began pounding on his dead wife's chest. His tears fell down his cheeks and he tried, in vain to restart Tanya's heart.

"Dr. Masen," Dr. Moore said.

"She's not gone. She can't be," Edward cried. "Paddles. Charge to 360."

"Dr. Masen," Dr. Moore said more forcefully. "She's gone. I'm sorry."

"No. She's young and strong. Give me the mother fucking paddles," Edward screamed. "She's my wife. She can't be dead."

"Edward, you have to stop," Dr. Moore said, putting a hand on Edward's shoulder.

Edward looked at the other attending physician and saw the sadness in his eyes. Edward screamed and sent the tray of instruments flying across the room. He slid down the wall and began bawling uncontrollably. "No! No! No! Tanya. My Tanya. Come back to me. Please," he begged. "I love you. So much, my Tanya."

Cynthia came into the trauma room and she fell to her knees. Her heart broke for the young attending. She put her arms around the bawling man and held him to her chest. He wept openly, clinging to Cynthia like she was a life raft. She rocked Edward and held him as he cried over the loss of his wife. "Shhh, it's okay, hon," Cynthia cooed.

"She's gone, Cynthia," Edward said, sounding like a lost little boy. "What am I going to do?"

"Tiffany is already calling your family, Dr. Masen. Edward," Cynthia said. "You just take care of your wife. I know she loved you very much."

"I'm so lost," Edward said, drawing his knees up to his chest. He buried his head into his knees and the tears came flowing again.

Dr. Moore came back into the room and he crouched in front of Edward. "Your family is coming out on the next flight. They'll help you, Edward," he said. "Do you need anything? Something to calm you down?"

Edward nodded and looked at his colleague. "Ativan," he said.

Dr. Moore looked at Cynthia and she got up and got the Ativan. She got a bottle of water and handed Edward the small pill. He swallowed it and got up from his place on the floor. In his rage, the nurses had covered Tanya with drapes, to hide her injuries. Dr. Moore rolled over a stool and placed it near Edward. He sat down and picked up Tanya's hand, caressing her soft, cold skin. Tears spilled over onto his cheeks and he laid his head on her shoulder. "I'll miss you, my love. More than words can say."

Edward stayed with Tanya until they rolled her to the morgue. He fought, tooth and nail to stay with her longer. However, they needed the trauma room. Cynthia gave Edward another Ativan and put him in the doctor's lounge so he could sleep. He refused to go home.

Early the next morning, Edward's family came looking for him. Cynthia who stayed with Edward all night, directed Carlisle, Esme and his sister, Alice into the doctor's lounge. He was curled up on the couch, holding the sweater that was cut off Tanya's body when she was brought in. Alice ran to her brother and threw her arms around his neck. He jumped at the contact. When he realized who was hugging, he began bawling again. He held onto his tiny, elfin sister like she was the last person on earth. She let him cry into her shoulder. Esme, Edward's aunt, joined in the embrace and it was all that Cynthia could do to not begin bawling herself.

Carlisle began handling the funeral arrangements and Alice and Esme finally dragged Edward home. Before they left, Dr. Moore gave Alice a small bottle of Ativan and another bottle of Ambien. Alice drove Edward's car home as he slept in the passenger seat of his sleek Volvo. With the help of Esme, Alice got Edward into bed in his large Seattle home. He stayed asleep for most of the day as Alice and Esme began preparing for Tanya's funeral. It was nearly twilight when the most gut-wrenching screams filled the house. Alice and Esme shared a look and darted up the stairs.

Edward was twisted in the bed linens, drenched in sweat, screaming bloody murder.

"Edward, wake up," Alice said, as she knelt in front of him. "You're having a nightmare."

The screams continued and Alice crawled into bed with her brother. She shook him and he finally opened his eyes. His green eyes were empty, dead. "Is Tanya still dead?"

"I'm sorry, baby brother. But yes," Alice said.

"Then I'm living a nightmare," Edward said, rolling on his side, away from his family. "First my parents and now my wife? Who the fuck did I piss off?"

"Edward Anthony Masen, don't you go back down this path," Esme said sternly. "You have been dealt a bunch of shitty cards, but you did NOTHING WRONG."

Edward chuckled humorlessly and curled into Tanya's pillows, inhaling deeply. "If I did nothing wrong, then why am I being punished?"

"I don't know, Edward. It sucks and it's unbelievably tragic. But you can't fall apart. Even though she's gone, you need to be strong for her. I know you loved her," Esme said as she brushed a hair off her nephew's forehead.

"Want to know something else?" Edward said, barely above a whisper.

"What, Edward?" Esme asked."

"Tanya told me the day before she left for this trip that she was pregnant. I was going to be a daddy," he choked out. "Not anymore. My child's life was snuffed out with my wife's. All because of another fucking drunk driver."

"How do you know it was a drunk driver?" Alice asked, sitting in front of her brother.

"He was on the ambulance before hers," Edward whispered. "He smelled like a liquor store. That's twice I've had my life ruined because someone couldn't call a cab. Twice I've lost people that I loved. How am I going to survive this?"

"With us," Alice said simply. "We're your family, Edward and we love you."

"So much, my sweet boy," Esme said hugging her son.

"I don' t know if that's enough," Edward said, his voice sounding dead.

"Edward, you've overcome so much. Don't give up now," Alice cried.

"Alice, just let me be. I just want to be alone," Edward growled.

"Okay, Edward," Esme said. "We'll be downstairs if you need us. Do you want anything to eat?"

"No."

"If you want something, I'll make it for you," Esme said, kissing her nephew's cheek. She gave her daughter a pointed look and they left Edward's bedroom. Esme was in agony to see her sister's son be dealt another crippling blow. At such a young age, he shouldn't have had to have buried his parents. He shouldn't have to bury his wife. He shouldn't have had to relearn to walk, talk, breathe, write, and read. But in some cruel twist of fate, he was thrown back into the hell of this situation. "Elizabeth, please, watch over your son. He is such a sweet boy and I don't know if he can make it. Give him something to look forward to."

Esme and Alice stayed downstairs and ate a quiet meal with Carlisle. The driver of the car was not seriously injured. He only had a concussion and some bruising. Carlisle told the police that he wanted the driver arrested for vehicular homicide. The police assured that he would be, upon his release from the hospital.

However, that doesn't seem fair. Not for Edward who lost his wife. His child. His world.

xx AFS xx

Two Years Later:

"I'm putting the house on the market. I tried staying here, but I can't," Edward said to Alice on their evening phone call. "Everything in this house reminds me of Tanya. Of our life together. I'm happy with my job, but I can be a doctor anywhere."

"Where are you going to go?" Alice asked.

"I'm coming home, Ali," he said. "Find me a townhouse or something. I trust you."

"When are you planning on coming out here?" Alice asked.

"After the trial of James St. Claire," Edward seethed. "The fucker who stole my wife from me. Probably in a few weeks."

"What can you afford, Edward?" Alice asked.

"I'm putting my home on the market for one million. I've already have some interest," Edward said as he ran a hand through his hair. "Dr. Hunter and her husband, Laurent, really like the place. It may be them."

"I'll find you something nice, baby brother," Alice said with a smile.

"Thanks, big sister," Edward teased. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Alice squeaked. "Talk to you later, baby brother."

"Bye, big sister." Edward hung up the phone and finished typing his letter of resignation to Virginia Mason. Six months after Tanya's death, Edward was promoted as the head of the emergency department. The youngest person to do so in the history of the hospital. He threw himself headlong into work after her death, drowning in the ER. He needed something to occupy his mind. Edward took to his new position with ardor and fervor. But, the job was less about being a doctor and more about being a pencil pusher. Edward spoke to Carlisle a few weeks ago and told him about his disenchantment with his position. Carlisle told him that if he came home, he would be handed the emergency department at Craven Memorial Hospital. Edward would take a huge pay cut, but he needed his family. That is worth more than any money in the world.

Edward finished his letter and was going to present it to the board of directors tomorrow during the weekly department head meeting. As he was sitting in his office, his cell phone chirped with a new text message. It was a photo from Alice of a house in Sherryville. Edward responded with two words: Get it.

The next morning, Edward walked into the meeting with his head held high. They had their meeting and discussed the topics on the agenda. Before the end of the meeting, Edward cleared his throat and took out his letter. He passed it to the head of the board of the directors. "Effectively immediately, I'm tendering my resignation as head of the emergency room department and as an attending physician here at Virginia Mason. Due to personal reasons, I'm returning home for the foreseeable future."

"Edward, what can we do to make you change your mind?" Dr. Moore begged. He moved from the emergency room to the head of the cardiology.

"Nothing," Edward said simply. "Being here, at this hospital, in this city, is just too much for me. I've moved past my grief of the loss of my wife, but I can't stay here anymore. I've already accepted a position at Craven Memorial Hospital in Sherryville. It's close to my family."

"We can increase your salary, Edward. Please," the president of the hospital begged. In his tenure, the emergency room had flourished and was used in many clinical trials.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. No amount of money can keep me here," Edward sighed. "I'm staying in Seattle until the end of the trial of the man who killed my wife and then I'm gone. I appreciate everything that Virginia Mason has offered me and I have learned a lot as a doctor and as an administrator. But my place is no longer here."

"As sad as we are to see you go, we understand your decision," Dr. Moore said. "On behalf of the board, we wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors."

"Thank you. I have already cleaned out my office, save for a few items. I'm going to pick those up and then leave. I was only scheduled for this meeting for today."

"Please leave your ID at personnel when you leave the building," the president said.

"I will. Thank you," Edward smiled. He pushed away from the table and nodded at the board of directors. Edward walked down to his office and finished taking down his personal touches. He finished by removing his wedding picture of he and Tanya. They were happy and in love, kissing on the altar. Tanya was wearing a simple but elegant white dress and her strawberry curls were piled on her head. Edward was wearing a classic tuxedo and his normally messy hair was somewhat tamed. As Edward held his wedding photo, he twisted his wedding ring on his finger.

"Tanya, I love you, my sweet wife. However, it's time for me to move on. I'm going home. I'll come and visit you often," Edward said to his wife in the photo. He gently ran his finger over her face. He smiled sadly and put the picture into the box on his desk. Then, for the first time since his wedding, Edward removed his wedding ring and placed it into the box as well.

About a month later, Edward was sitting in a courtroom. He was going to make a victim statement at the sentencing hearing for James St. Claire. He wanted the judge to know what was taken from this world. Edward sat in his black suit, rubbing his thumb over his bare left ring finger. The judge called Edward to the front of the courtroom and he took a deep breath before he began speaking.

"You have found James St. Claire guilty of vehicular homicide. The person he killed was my wife, Dr. Tanya Masen. She was a world renowned child psychiatrist. She was brilliant with children who were diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder along with children who were diagnosed with Autism. In addition to being a brilliant doctor, she was a loving and caring wife. She was my life. I was at Virginia Mason when he and my wife were brought into my ER. I saw the injuries that killed my beautiful wife. I saw my colleague cut into her chest and blood spill out. I saw my wife's aorta torn to shreds because of the damage that he caused. I saw my wife's life end. I saw my unborn child's life end. All because of James St. Claire and his inability to use common sense and call a cab when he's drunk too much. This is not the first time I've been hurt by a drunk driver. I lost both of my parents two a drunk driving accident. I was in the same car and was in a coma for three months. When I woke, I was forced to relearn everything. Now, James cannot atone for my parents' death or my injuries. But he can atone for my wife's death. I hope that you will take my words into consideration when you sentence James St. Claire. Thank you for taking the time to listen to what I have to say."

Edward sat back down and he glared at James. The judge gave an equally evil glare to James and he began speaking. "Thank you, Dr. Masen, for your statement. Your words are heart-wrenching and powerful. I am truly sorry for your loss, of your wife and your parents. I was somewhat familiar with your history before you spoke. You are a very strong young man and I am in awe of your strength, poise and composure in this trying situation."

Edward nodded formally and gave the judge a small smile.

"With that being said, I'm ready to impart my sentence on Mr. James St. Claire. Will the defendant please rise?"

James stood up and he looked absolutely dejected. He wouldn't look at the judge and he shuffled on his feet.

"Mr. St. Claire, you are guilty of vehicular homicide. You are hereby sentenced to the maximum sentence of twenty five years with no possibility of parole," the judge said coldly to James St. Claire. "Bailiff, please escort Mr. St. Claire to the correctional facility so he can become acquainted with his new home."

Edward smiled wickedly and he got up from the courtroom after it was adjourned. He walked out of the courthouse, happy that Tanya's death was avenged. However, he was sad that it had happened in the first place. Part of him died when Tanya did. Hopefully, he would find that missing part at home in Sherryville.

xx AFS xx

Four Months Later:

Edward was unpacking his home when he received a text from his sister. She was so spunky and so pushy. He loved her tremendously, but she could be too much.

Going to Slammers with some friends from work. Meet us, baby brother! Please :( - Alice

Fine, big sister. What time? – Edward

Meet us there around ten. Love you! – Alice

See you there – Edward

Edward finished organizing his kitchen and hopped into the shower. He ran his hands through his hair and popped in his contact lenses. He slipped on a pair of dark jeans and white button down shirt. Over the top, he put on a black leather jacket. Edward got into his new Volvo and drove to the sports bar. He wasn't going to drink. He never drank alcohol. Too much of a reminder of what he lost. However, he did want to see his sister.

He pulled into the parking lot and headed into the bar. He saw his sister's yellow Beetle and he looked for his sister. He couldn't find her, but found her fiancé, Jasper. He waved at Jasper and was assaulted by his elf-like sister. "Hey my little fairy," Edward smiled as he hugged Alice.

"Hi, Edward. I want to introduce you to someone," Alice said as she tugged on Edward's arm.

"Alice, don't," Edward said, wrinkling his nose.

"Bella, I'd like to introduce you to my brother, Edward Masen. Edward, this is Bella Swan."

Edward looked at the brown haired woman sitting at the table. Her eyes were sad and she looked as defeated as he felt. However, for the first time since Tanya, Edward's heart sputtered and was lost in her beauty. Alice poked Edward and he spoke quietly, almost afraid to frighten Bella. "Nice to meet you." He held out his hand and Bella curtly responded to his greeting, shaking his hand. When their skin touched, he felt alive. The hole in his chest that was open and gaping began to heal as he touched this lovely creature's hand.

Jasper made a suggestion of getting another round of drinks. When they returned, Bella was gone. Alice and the other girl, Angela, were hissing about her abrupt departure. "Whose phone is this?"

"That's Bella's," Alice said. "Go bring it to her. She has a large burgundy Honda Pilot."

Edward swiped the phone and ran out of the bar. He looked for the first person in two years who he wanted to get to know. Who made his dead heart beat erratically in chest. Who made him feel like he was a part of the real world. Who made him feel alive for the first time in two and half years since Tanya's death. He saw the petite woman scurry away and he heard her crying. "Bella!" Edward broke into a sprint and ran toward her.

She whipped around and her eyes were still dead, tears spilling over her cheeks and she snapped at him. "What?"

She was obviously hurt by someone and was wary of trusting him. But he didn't want to leave her. He felt drawn to this woman. She looked as broken as he. What happened to her?

After their brief encounter, Edward made it his goal to find out.

xx AFS xx

Edward saw Bella again the next day in his ER. She thought she broke her hand. Thankfully, it was just a serious sprain. Edward was very upset that someone had caused her to get so mad that she punched a counter. Before she left, Edward gave her his card with his cell phone number on the back. He wished and prayed that she would use it.

But she didn't.

Edward waited for months for the beautiful mahogany goddess to call him.

No phone call. No contact.

Two months past and Edward decided to give up on ever seeing Bella again. Alice would bring her up and Edward would grumble. She knew what he went through and what Bella went through. She was determined to get Bella and Edward together. Even as friends. Her intentions were good, but misguided.

As he was leaving the hospital, Edward got a phone call from his sister and she was lit. Completely wasted. Edward knew that he would go get her if she needed it. He lost too many people to drunk drivers. He wasn't about to lose his sister. He drove to the martini bar, Bar Louie. Alice was sitting in a booth, nursing a appletini. However, her features were in a grimace.

"What's wrong, Ali?" Edward asked as he took her drink away.

"Bella's been in the potty too long," Alice slurred. "Go find her."

"Okay, Ali. Order some water," Edward said, turning into a doctor.

"Aye aye, captain," Alice said, giving him a salute.

Edward rolled his eyes and walked to the rear of the bar, toward the bathroom. When he got to the hallway, he saw a large, bald man pushing himself onto a woman. He noticed the woman's eyes immediately.

Bella.

Thinking on his feet, he pretended to be her boyfriend. Bella's eyes widened and she played along. Cueball let her go and she ran into his arms. She felt perfect there. Bella buried her nose into his chest and Edward wanted to kiss her senseless. Cueball bought the ruse and he pushed Edward forcefully into the wall. As soon as he was gone, Bella pulled away.

No!

Hiding a frown, Edward and Bella walked to the front of the bar and picked up a very drunk Alice. Edward drove her home and carried her to her bedroom. Bella changed her into some pajamas and they drove to Bella's condo. As they drove back, Edward complimented her on her new look. She looked radiant. Very much unlike what he saw two months ago. Her hair was shorter and filled with highlights. Her eyes, while filled with sadness, had more life in them. She also looked like she had lost weight.

When they pulled up to her condo complex, Edward asked Bella out to lunch before they picked up her car. He was so nervous. His palms were sweating and his heart was stammering in his chest. He tacked on 'as friends,' to put her at ease. But he wanted more. So much more.

She said yes.

For the first time in two and half years, Edward felt hope. For the first time in two and half years, Edward felt truly alive and excited. For the first time in two and half years, Edward had finally begun to heal. For the first time in two and half years, Edward felt love.

A/N: Here's Edward's story. It is very, very sad. However, I just want to let you all know that I am NOT a doctor and I hope I did the medical terms justice. I am also not a lawyer and I don't know what the real penalty of vehicular homicide is. Please leave me love :)