As Alice walked through the front door of her parent's house, the happiness radiated off her and her cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Her life was all falling into place. She'd soon be married to the love of her life, she and Bella would fall back into old times, and her brother would be home. Nothing could bring her down. She twirled into her childhood home, her eyes darting around excitedly. She needed someone to tell. She ran toward the kitchen, bumping straight into her father. Smiling brightly up toward him, she threw her arms around his waist. "Bella's coming, Daddy."
Carlisle Cullen is a retired oncologist, originally working for one of the top cancer centers in the United States, M.D Anderson, but after meeting Esme, and having two wonderful children, he decided to bring them all back to his hometown of Forks, Washington. Carlisle's work with cancer did not stop there though; he continued to work for the University of Washington's Medical Center until his early retirement from the field last year. Today, Carlisle works as a part time pediatrician at a local office. With his son out of the house and his daughter on the verge of marriage, he had decided to spend more time with his wife. His smile was genuine, despite his shock, as he hugged his daughter close and planted a kiss in her hair. "That's wonderful, Alice."
Bella hadn't been around his family for some time, he himself had not seen her since June. With his arms wrapped around his baby girl, he thought back to the day.
"I'm afraid the test results are positive, Bella." Carlisle's voice was soft and sweet, but the news wasn't. He sat on the bed beside the shaken girl, his arms wrapping tightly around her shoulders. "We have a lot of options." He watched as Bella shook her head, tears streaking down her sullen face.
"I don't want to do anything else." She didn't look back up at him, but his eyes were trained down on her. He didn't want to let her give up. He didn't want her to lose anything more. He had watched her let her life fall apart for years. "Please don't tell anyone." Her hands were gripping the table hard, her knuckles white. "Remember our promise." His hands stilled the soothing rubbing on her back when her eyes connected with his, a serious look passing between them. "Please don't tell."
He was pulled out of his memories when Alice pulled back, the smile on her face fading as she looked up toward her father. His eyes held sorrow, pain, regret. His eyes held the secrets he could never tell. His eyes held the promise.
Edward fidgeted on the plane ride home, nervous about finally being back in Forks. He had tried multiple times to get some sleep, but was plagued with dreams of the hurt that his home held, haunted by the girl he was forced to leave behind. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't called Jasper four times begging to be replaced as the best man. He'd also be lying if he said he wasn't anticipating seeing her again. He grinned at the strawberry blonde sitting next to him. He had asked Tanya to come to the wedding with him last minute, fearing that Bella may bring someone with her. Even if Bella came alone, he'd have someone with him. Tanya was everything that Bella wasn't, she was tall, her long legs tanned to perfection, she had large breasts that over flowed from her bras, her eyes were a pale blue, she was nothing like Bella and that comforted him. He took pride in the fact that no matter what, he'd be the winner. He'd be bringing the prize home with him that night. But somewhere, deep inside of him he knew that Tanya barely filled the void, she helped him relieve his stress after a long day at the hospital, but that's really all she was good for.
"Sir, we have to ask you to buckle up, we're getting ready to land." The flight attendant pulled him out of his thoughts, and for that he was thankful. He smiled up at her and fastened his seat belt around his waist, bracing himself for the landing, bracing himself for home.
Bet y'all thought I forgot about you! This one is a little short, but it was at its stopping point! Review!