Hey guys! So , I had a plan and hopes that I'd have the rest of this fic completely written by today as a birthday prezzie from me on my birthday to you guys, but real life decided not to allow that. But I will get this complete, hopefully by the end of this month. As for the rest of my fics, all three of my kiddos will be in all day school come september, so I'm hoping ot churn out a chapter a day. Thank you for being patient and I hope you enjoy this update.

As always, thank you to kyla713 and packy for looking this over.

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On the day of Bella's scan, I found myself awake long before her. I lay in bed on my side facing her, watching and counting each time her chest rose and fell, listening to every breath escape her. With every inhale, I wondered how many more breaths she would take in this life. Which, to be honest, was a morbid, scary thought. Try as I might, I couldn't get those thoughts out of my head.

Succumbing to sleep was a difficult thing to do.

I wondered what she was dreaming about—if her dreams took her to faraway places, or showed her a future she'd have and wouldn't be denied. I wondered if she dreamed of us, of me, of everything outside of what cancer had brought her. Her next exhale came out as a shudder and I watched for signs of her waking. Her face scrunched up in annoyance, as if she couldn't be bothered to wake up or deal with what the day could possibly bring.

"What are you doing?" Her voice was scratchy sounding, dipped in deep sleep.

I leaned in and kissed her lips, softly at first, just little, soft pecks and grew bolder with each new press. I pulled her on top of me, careful of her PICC line as I ran my tongue along her bottom lip, nipping gently.

Finally, I pulled away, breathing in the scent of her. "Just watching you."

"You realize how creepy that sounds, right?" Her eyes held a light in them I hadn't seen in the past few days and it warmed something deep inside of me.

"Yup, but I really don't care. I'd stare at you forever, if I had the chance."

"Yeah, that doesn't help." Bella laughed and leaned in to kiss me softly, then laid her head on my shoulder before brushing her lips on my neck.

We laid like that for a while, the apartment silent; only the sounds of our breaths and small movements disturbed the quiet haven we'd found.

"I'm nervous."

The words were out of my mouth before I knew it. Deep down, I knew I was more than nervous, I was scared. I felt like everything hinged on this one scan.

Bella lifted her head up and looked down at me, her eyes holding so much love. "It will be okay," she whispered, a small teasing smile showed up shortly after.

"You seem sure of that fact." I wrapped my arms tighter around her, holding her to me, never wanting to let her go, not even for her appointment.

"I'm..." Bella sighed and closed her eyes. "I have to be. I think I'm just, I don't know, resigned that things could go either way here. I want to say things will be better, and not worse. I want to say I'm going into this scan positively, but I also know in the back of my mind that I could be told that nothing has changed, that it is getting worse."

My mind slammed with a million words of encouragement that I could've said, but only three truly mattered. "I love you," I whispered into her hair and kissed her temple softly.

Bella burrowed into me, her arms tightened around me. "I love you, too, Edward."

~.~

Bella wore her new scarf over her now bald head. The colors of Gryffindor led us out to the car. My parents were already waiting to drive us. She seemed lighter now, her shoulders less hunched, her smile more natural. I secretly hoped that it would be a good thing for her. That my fighting Bella was back.

I hated when she was quiet, but with each squeeze of her hand, she reassured me that she was okay. When we pulled up to the imaging center, she closed her eyes, her lips moved slowly in prayer before she exited the car. My dad was already waiting for her, his arms open to engulf her in a much-needed hug. Only, I think he needed the hug more than she did. They turned around, ignoring me and mom, as they walked inside.

Sadly, Charlie had to head back to Forks far sooner than he had planned. He had only spent about two days with Bella before he was called back. He only had so many deputies that could fill in for that tiny town. Something new had cropped up that summoned him back home. Bella wasn't all that happy; she wanted more time with her dad, but she knew work called and that she still had my family at her side.

I held my mom's hand as we followed behind them.

"I barely slept last night," my mom murmured before walking through the doors, her eyes instantly searching out Bella and Carlisle.

"Neither did I." She nodded in understanding. We were both worried about the implications of the day's scans, while still hoping for positive news.

We sat down near a fish tank, teeming with fish that reminded me of Nemo, while we waited for Bella to finish checking in. As she talked to the receptionists, not once did she let go of my Dad's hand. I was beginning to see just how inseparable they were becoming. She truly was the daughter my parents never had.

"All checked in. About a fifteen-minute wait before we're called back. Receptionist said the doctor asked for expedited viewing of the scan. I'm not sure how I feel about that," Bella told us as she sat down next to me, my arm automatically going up and around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

My dad sat on the other side of Bella, patting her leg in reassurance. "I think that means good news, Bella. Perhaps he has a good feeling about the scans."

Bella didn't look at all sure. It seemed more like she just wanted to get it done and over with, and wait for the bad news.

I hated seeing her look so resigned.

By the time they called her back for her scan, Bella was as pale as the whitest sheet. Both my dad and I offered to go back with her if she needed us, but she just squared her shoulders, sent a slight smile our way and followed the person behind the door that led to the MRI machine. I ran my hands over my face as I sighed, wishing that she'd let us be her shoulder, but I had a feeling she needed to feel like she had some form of control over something today.

It'd only been about fifteen minutes since Bella had gone back for her scan when my phone rang, startling me out of my thoughts. I answered and recognized the voice immediately and instantly smiled.

"Well, hello there, Alice."

She laughed, and it momentarily brightened up my wait. "Hey, E! I was just calling to let you guys, or well, you know that we just got back from Jasper's last oncology appointment, and he's in the clear! Completely in the clear. Everything looks good."

"That is amazing, Alice! Please tell him I said congratulations from both of us." I looked over at my parents, who were curious as to who I was talking to.

"So...we thought that maybe now would be a good time for a surprise visit to you guys. I know Bella has long wait ahead of her this weekend, so maybe us visiting will help?"

I knew a visit from Alice would brighten Bella up a bit more and would definitely keep her mind occupied on other things besides worrying over the results of the scan.

"You know what? That sounds good. I think she'd like that," I replied, finally feeling a lot lighter than when I'd woken up that morning.

"Great! It's only a few hours' drive and we should be there by tonight. Do you know of a hotel close by we can book with?"

"Don't even think about it, Alice. We have the extra room."

We then solidified our plans, and I had to think of ways of keeping this secret from Bella, which was going to be hard. I was excited to give Bella a slice of normal. I then explained to my parents who it was, and my mom instantly went into planning mode. She was going to make a huge dinner for when they arrived.

A few minutes later, an even paler Bella walked out, a nurse holding onto her right arm as she walked out. Dad and I instantly jumped up out of our seats, worry taking over.

"Bella? Are you okay, sweetheart?" I asked, pulling her into my arms and away from the nurse. Her eyes looked glazed over.

The nurse then decided to answer for Bella. "We had a tiny mishap. Once she was on the MRI table, she flew into a panic attack. She said she had some Ativan in her purse, she took some, so she's a bit drowsy, especially with how weak she already is after chemo."

We thanked the nurse, and then had Bella lean on to me as we walked her back out to the car. I held her on the way home; she fell asleep soon after we pulled out of the imaging center's parking lot. Upon arrival, I carried her up to our room and let her sleep the morning off.

~.~

I'd kept the secret of Alice's upcoming visit all afternoon, and now, while waiting on dinner, I was shaking with nervousness.

Bella side-eyed me as she took a drink of the smoothie dad had made her. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked, jokingly.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just in an odd mood."

My dad snorted and tried to hold back laughter. I turned my head and shot him a glare. He then shrugged and went back to reading his paper.

"You almost sound believable, Edward," Bella said, laughing. "Almost."

I was saved when there was a knock at our door. Bella looked at me questioningly. "Expecting someone?"

I shrugged. "Why don't you go see who it is? I'm too comfy." I bit my lip to hide my laugh. I wasn't so sure I was entirely successful. Bella got up, sat her cup down and glared at me, walking away while shaking her head.

I heard a shriek and then, "Alice?! Oh my god!"

My family and I then made our way to the door and found Alice and Bella embracing, Jasper leaning off to the side, smiling.

He nodded his head at me. "Hey, man. Nice to finally meet you." He outstretched his arm, and we shook hands. Finally, the girls pulled apart, Bella had tears in her eyes, and Alice just looked as happy as she could be.

"All those months of texting, emailing, tweeting and reading your stories, and I finally, FINALLY get to meet you," Alice exuberantly told Bella, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. "I am so thankful I get to call you a friend and surprise you like this."

Bella pulled her into another hug. "You've made this day a thousand times better." Bella then walked over to Jasper, suddenly shy, then out of nowhere, pulled him into a hug. "I heard about your good news. This makes me happy."

Jasper hugged her back and then pulled away, looking down at her and smiling slightly. "You're gonna get your day of good news, too. I'm sure of it. We will both be able to say we kicked cancer's ass soon."

My mom ushered everyone inside, leading them into the dining room.

"I hope you don't mind pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and Bella's fave strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert. I know it doesn't quite match all up, but it works." She winked, smiling.

That night, as we sat down to eat dinner, a feeling of peace wove its way through me. With every laugh from Bella and Alice, every smart ass comment from Jasper, and commentary from my parents, it led to the end of a perfect day.

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Thoughts? Thank you for reading!