The same day, nearly 3000 miles away Edward sat behind his desk in Chicago thinking of the past. It wasn't often that he let his mind wander back, but today, four years ago, his entire life had fallen to pieces. Today was her birthday. He looked down at the calendar and his eyes burned, his stomach churned with anger, his heart aching. He hated her. With a heart that was once full of passion, he hated her. He tapped his knuckles on his desk, his eyes trained on the date. September 13.

"So, I got you something." Edward smiled down at her beautiful face, her long hair flowing in the wind. "It is your birthday and all."

She frowned and her face tilted downward. He didn't understand. He'd never understand. Today should be a celebration of her life, she treated it like it was a death sentence. "I told you, I don't celebrate these things."

His fingers slid up her arm and to her chin, tilting it back in his direction. "Celebrate with me." As their eyes connected, she licked her lips and he could swear in that moment she wanted to kiss him, but her eyes fell quick and the permanent frown she wore was in place again. "Please Bella. Just this one time"

"I don't celebrate." Her voice was stern and for a second he thought about just dropping the whole thing, but he couldn't. It was her birthday, it was her birthday and he loved her. Tonight, he planned to admit it. "Because I never know if this birthday could be my last." She mumbled under her breath, and though he caught some of what she said, he left it alone. Bella wasn't a morbid person; he couldn't have heard her right.

He hated the fact that he still loved her, that he let the thought of her get him so worked up. If he saw her today, he'd probably curse her, or pretend like she didn't exist. Either way, she probably wouldn't notice. She never noticed him before anyway.

Edward was snapped out of his memories when a nurse tapped lightly on his office door. "Dr. Cullen, your mother is on the phone." He sighed audibly and tore his eyes away from the calendar. "Would you like me to take a message?"

Edward had been avoiding his family for some time now, this time every year he stopped taking their calls, half because of his anger, half because his heart was still broken….and that's the half that he wouldn't admit. The blonde looked at him expectantly, her blue eyes hard. She had made it clear that she didn't approve of him. "Just put her through." He sighed and loosened his tie, wishing that the hospital would have had a busy day. He was really in for it.

Esme Cullen was a sensible woman. She could tell her son was have a hard time, even though he acted like his life was perfect, she could sense that there was something missing. She used to think that he just needed time to heal, that he would adjust to being a new doctor, and he would find his way back home. She knew that if he were to come back, she could find a way to fix he and Bella up again. They were perfect together; they complimented each other in the best of ways. Where Bella was shy and quiet, Edward was outgoing and loud. Edward pulled her out of her shell, and she brought his attention to a focus. She hadn't been told much about the break up, but from the look on his face the day he came home, she knew it wasn't good.

She tapped her foot against the kitchen tile and waited for the nurse to come back. She swore, if Edward didn't take this call she would fly straight to Chicago and pull him by his ear all the way to Forks. She knew he was upset, but Lord, it had been four years, by now he had to miss home. His sister and best friend were set to be married in less than a month and if he didn't attend she knew, in the long run, he would feel terribly about it.

"Hello Mother." Edward's voice was strong through the receiver and Esme smiled, letting out a breath she wasn't aware she holding.

"My sweet baby." Her voice was soft, but he could sense something heavier. "WHY DON'T YOU EVER ANSWER THE PHONE ANYMORE?" Edward pulled his face away from the phone and cringed. She was pissed.

Twenty minutes into the phone call his mother's voice softened again, her happy tone returned, and she asked him about his life, about work, and then….about coming home. Ten minutes after that She convinced him to return in a weeks time, booked a flight, and emailed him the confirmation for the flight. As he stared at the offending email he hoped that he'd run into Bella, just so he could tell her a few things, get over her, and finally let it all go.

THERE WILL BE AN UPDATE EVERY DAY THIS WEEK. Tell me how it's going!