Author's Note:

I can never thank you all enough for continuing to read my little tale, and reviewing, but I'll keep trying… so THANK YOU!

I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 22

EPOV

It had been nearly two weeks since I had met with Jenks, and I hadn't heard anything back from him. He had warned me it would take a little time to get things lined out and the papers drawn up, but I was still getting antsy. What if he came back and said there was no way out? Sure, I felt like a dick for trying to get out my marriage at this point, but not enough to stop the process. I tried to focus back on work and avoid spiraling down this same path, but it was no use. It was Friday and I determined that if I hadn't heard from Jenks by the end of the day, I'd call him early next week. Even if all he said was that he was still working on it, at least I'd know the process was still in motion.

My office door suddenly slammed open, hitting the doorstop behind it with a bang. My head snapped up in surprise and alarm, only to see Emmett grinning as he walked in and sat across from me.

"What the hell, man?" I asked, referring to the unnecessary force with which he'd opened the door.

"Just making sure you're awake in here. You've been holed up all week. What's going on with you?"

"Nothing," I said shortly. I didn't plan to tell anybody what was going on until I knew for sure what was going to happen.

"You not getting laid anymore or something? Has Bella finally figured out she'd rather have the hotter Cullen brother? I'm pretty sure I can talk Rosie into sharing," Emmett said with a grin as I rolled my eyes.

"Wrong, I don't share," Rose said as she came into my office and sat down next to Emmett, propping her feet in his lap.

"Aw, Rosie, you know I'm all yours, baby," he said, rubbing a hand on her calf.

"Maybe I meant I won't share Bella. I think Bella and I will be very happy. Without you," she told him.

Emmett's eyes lit up and I groaned, knowing what was coming next. "Sweet! I won't interfere as long as I get to watch. You and Bells would be hot together!" Emmett exclaimed, waggling his eyebrows.

Rose and I laughed, and Rose leaned over and cuffed him on the back of the head. "Idiot," she said affectionately. I just sat back in my chair and watched. They were nothing if not entertaining.

"I'm your idiot. And it's your fault for putting that image in my head. Maybe we should go back to my office…" he suggested.

"Not a chance, bud. Your office loving days ended when this happened," she said, pointing at her still flat stomach.

"Why? You're already knocked-up. I can't get you more pregnant," Emmett argued.

"Well, that's true, but maybe later," Rose grinned. "Now, I assume you came in here to get to the bottom of why Edward has been moping around, so let's get back to that."

Rose swung her gaze to me and raised an eyebrow in question. I thought about putting them off, but decided maybe it would be good to get it off my chest. Noting the open office door, I nodded my head toward it.

"Shut the door and I'll tell you," I said.

"Mom's out of the office, so you're clear," Emmett said.

Satisfied with that, I told them about the visit to Jenks and the waiting game I'd been playing for the last couple of weeks. I also told them my mixed feelings about the divorce. I wanted to be free, but part of me still felt like a complete asshole. Thankfully, Emmett and Rose were supportive. I wasn't exactly surprised at their understanding and support, but I was still relieved.

"I really appreciate the support you guys have given Bella and me through this whole thing. It won't be pretty when all this comes out, though, and I hope it doesn't put you in a bad position. If Alice finds out the two of you knew…" I trailed off.

"Bro, don't even worry about that. We've always got your back," Emmett assured, then nudged Rose's feet off his lap, stood up, and walked out when his phone rang. Rose looked at me after Emmett had walked out of the room.

"We still on for tonight?" she asked, referring to game night, which I was hosting.

"Yep, Bella's making lasagna," I confirmed.

"Sounds good. I don't suppose you've heard from Alice lately?" she asked.

"No," I told her. "I've talked to or texted Jasper a few times, but not directly to Alice, other than what little interaction we had at Christmas. Have you or Em?"

"Just a few texts, but I've been in touch with her. I know she talks to your parents, but I hate that she's pulled away from the rest of us the way she has," Rose said sadly.

"Yeah, same," I said, not knowing what else to say. Rose just nodded and said they'd see us later as she left my office.

Talking about Alice put a damper on my mood, which had momentarily improved after unloading on Emmett and Rose about the divorce. I didn't know how to go about fixing my relationship with my sister. I could admit that I'd said some harsh things to her, but I stood by them. I also firmly believed that Alice owed Bella and I an apology. Even if Bella and I were in the wrong as well, Alice had treated us both poorly, Bella more so than me. I would have loved nothing more than to sit down and talk things out like adults and get back to a good place with her, but I knew that wasn't likely to happen.

Later that evening, Bella and I were in my kitchen, finishing up the last of the dinner dishes. Emmett and Rose had come over and we'd spent the evening with dinner and a movie. They'd gone home relatively early since Rose had passed out on the sofa. She'd sleepily blamed the pregnancy, which she then blamed on Emmett as he ushered out the door. After the kitchen was clean, I made sure the house was locked up, then pulled Bella up the stairs. I knew it was still a long way off, but I couldn't wait for the day that I could have her in my bed every night. In the meantime, I'd take every opportunity I could get.

"A bit early for bed, isn't it? You sleepy, Cullen?" Bella teased, as we walked into my bedroom.

I spun her around where the bed was behind her when we got close enough and nudged her back on the mattress. "No, it's not too early for bed. But I can promise you, sleep is not on the agenda," I growled as I dropped down beside her and pulled her into my arms, swallowing her laugh by pressing my lips to hers.

A couple of hours later, Bella flopped onto her back beside me, collapsing after riding me to our mutual peak for the second time. We were both breathing hard, and suddenly Bella laughed.

"We're getting too old for that," she said.

"Hey, you better not complain. I won't have that kind of recovery time forever. Hell, I don't always have it now," I chuckled as I looked over at her. Making love to Bella was always fantastic, but we didn't often go two rounds in as many hours. Bella rolled and propped her chin on her hand and looked at me. Her other hand slapped my chest lightly.

"You're always a stud to me, baby," she grinned, then wrinkled her nose and pulled her hand off my sweaty chest. "A stud who needs a shower."

I raised an eyebrow at her, then smirked. "Yeah, I do. And so do you, so come on, woman," I said then climbed off the bed and pulled her with me. I swatted her on the behind as we walked into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and stepped in, silently thanking the inventor of the tankless water heater that we didn't have to wait for the water to warm up. Bella stepped in behind me and reached for the body wash and squirted some into both of our hands. She started at my shoulders and spread the lather, working her way down my body as I ran my hands over hers. She reached my back by pressing herself against me and wrapping her arms around me, tilting her face up for a kiss. She reached down and ran her hands over my backside and pulled my hips into her. Whether it was on purpose or not, I wasn't sure, but she quirked an eyebrow at me when she felt my cock stir to life against her belly.

"Really?" she asked.

"What can I say? I have the most beautiful girl in the shower with me and she's all wet and slippery."

"Mmm, she's definitely wet and slippery," Bella breathed as I kissed her again and backed her up against the tile wall. No longer trying to keep up the charade of washing her body, I ran my hands back up to her breasts and tweaked her nipples. Bella moaned and looped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer and deepening our kiss.

I pulled away from her and kissed my way down her body until I was kneeling in front of her. I ran my hand down the back of her thigh and hooked her behind the knee, lifting her leg and draping it over my shoulder. I brushed my fingers over her clit as she opened for me, causing her to whimper. I slid my hand back and slipped two fingers inside her as my mouth clamped over her clit, my tongue flicking fast and hard. I curled my fingers inside her, hitting that spot I knew would drive her over the edge repeatedly. I was ruthless, driving her up fast and hard. It didn't take long before I felt her walls clenching my fingers and Bella let out a hoarse scream.

"Fuck! Edward!" she screamed, then jerked away as I continued to lap at her overly sensitive flesh. I stood back up and kissed her hard, then moaned as she wrapped her hand around my cock.

"Turn around, baby," I said. Bella did as I asked and I nudged her upper back, urging her to bend at the waist. She planted her hands on the tile bench in the shower and looked at me over her shoulder as I ran the head of my cock up and down her slit.

"Edward, don't tease. I want you to fuck me. Hard," she ordered.

Groaning at my dirty girl, I guided myself to her opening and slammed into her. She let out a triumphant yell as I pounded into her, setting a hard and fast pace. My stamina was long gone for the evening, and it didn't take me long to feel the familiar tightening in my balls. I thrust hard three more times before I spilled into her, pulling her hips back into me as tight as I could. I pulled out after a minute and had to sit on the bench before my legs gave out. I pulled Bella down onto my lap and held her as we caught our breath.

"That was amazing," she said. "But I'm pretty sure I won't be able to walk tomorrow."

"Me either," I laughed. "Now come on, let's get cleaned up and go to bed. I'm exhausted."

Bella laughed but stood up and quickly washed as I did the same. Ten minutes later, we climbed into bed, and promptly passed out.

The ringing of my phone woke me a few hours later. I groaned as I rolled over and looked at the clock. It was a little after two in the morning. Fearing it was my parents calling and something was wrong with Maggie, I was instantly awake. I sat up, fumbled for the phone, and answered without even registering the caller id.

"Hello," I said groggily.

"Hello, Mr. Cullen?" a voice said. I was surprised when it wasn't my mom or dad like I'd expected.

"Yes, this is he," I said, more alert.

"Hi Mr. Cullen. This is James Reynolds at Ridgemont Care. I'm sorry to call at this hour," the man on the line said.

"It's fine, Mr. Reynolds. What's going on?" I asked, assuming Tanya was sick again, but not knowing why they would need to call in the middle of the night. Unless they were taking her to the hospital, I thought suddenly. It had happened a couple of times before when she'd needed more acute care than they could provide.

"Well, sir, I'm terribly sorry to inform you, but your wife has passed away," James said, sounding sympathetic, but professionally detached.

"What?" I asked, struggling to process his statement since it was the furthest thing from my mind.

"Yes, sir. I know it must be a shock, but our nurses were making their two a.m. rounds and she wasn't breathing, nor were they able to locate a pulse. Her vitals were normal when they last checked at midnight," he stated.

"Um…okay," I said slowly, still in shock. I was vaguely aware of Bella stirring behind me and the room was suddenly bathed in a golden glow from the lamp on her side of the bed.

"We've contacted the coroner, sir, but we'll need you to come and sign the release forms and let them know where to transport."

"Oh, yes, of course. I'll be right there," I said.

"Thank you, Mr. Cullen. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss. We'll see you soon," James said, then disconnected the call.

I sat the phone down and knew I should be getting dressed, but I couldn't bring myself to move.

"Edward? What's wrong? Is it Maggie?" Bella asked softly. I could feel her behind me and place her hands on my shoulders.

"Um, no. Maggie's fine. That was the director at Ridgemont. Tanya died," I said. I could hear the monotone of my voice and I felt detached from my body. Bella wrapped her arms around me from behind and I reached up and placed my hand on her arm when it crossed my chest for a moment then shrugged her off and stood up to find clothes.

"Oh, God, Edward. I'm sorry," she said. "What can I do?"

"I don't know. Nothing, I guess," I said as I pulled on a pair of jeans. I grabbed a sweatshirt and quickly pulled it and my running shoes on. I stepped into the bathroom for a moment, then walked out and grabbed my wallet and car keys. I was only vaguely aware of Bella gathering her own clothing and I was nearly out of the room when she called out to me.

"Edward, wait!" she said and came toward me as I turned back. "Tell me what you need, babe. I'll do whatever you need me to do."

"I'm fine. I have to go," I said and quickly left the house.

I was in my truck and halfway to Ridgemont when my brain caught up with my body. I realized I had all but shoved Bella aside to run out of the house and immediately felt like shit. I could only assume I'd been a bit in shock. Now that I was coherent, I wanted to go back and pull her into my arms and apologize, but I couldn't until I had taken care of things, so I tried to focus on the immediate steps that needed to be taken. When I arrived at the care facility, James Reynolds, the director I'd spoken with, was waiting for me in the main lobby. He greeted me with a handshake and ushered me to Tanya's room. The coroner hadn't arrived yet, and James assured me I could have all the time I needed to say goodbye, then he left me in the room with a request to come to his office when I was ready.

I stood stupidly just inside the door of the room and stared at the sheet covered entity, then walked closer and dropped into a chair beside the bed. I dropped my head into my hands with my elbows on my knees and tugged on my hair. I was supposed to say goodbye, but I had no idea what to say or do. The situation was surreal, and I had not yet wrapped my head around it. This day had been coming for nearly seven years, but I still wasn't prepared. I shouldn't have been surprised, though. Tanya's health had been declining for the last few years, but I'd somehow imagined that this was still years down the road.

I wasn't even sure how I felt now, trying to identify the emotions swirling in my head. I was sad, of course. I may not have ever loved Tanya the way I should have considering I'd married her, but I had cared about her. Even when I'd been blindsided by her affair and in despair because she'd told me Maggie might not be mine, I never would have wished anything bad for her. All this time that she'd been in the coma, I'd still cared. If nothing else, she was the mother of my child.

Relief was the other prominent feeling, for multiple reasons. Tanya would never have wanted to linger in this state as long as she had, so I was glad she could be at peace now. I was also relieved that we were all free now. Tanya was free from her suffering, I was free from a marriage that never should have been, and Maggie was free from a situation she didn't fully understand. Maggie would always know who her mother was, but now maybe I could give her the family she deserved.

Slowly, I stood and looked at the bed again and touched the edge of the sheet. "Goodbye, Tanya. I'll make sure Maggie remembers you. Rest in peace," I murmured, then turned and left the room.

An hour later, I'd taken care of the details the nursing facility needed me to and had made the necessary phone calls. Calling Tanya's parents had been the hardest thing I think I'd ever had to do, but I'd gotten through it. I also called my parents. They had the grandkids, so I'd convinced them to stay home, promising I'd see them later in the morning. I called Emmett and I knew my mom would call Alice, so I'd done what I needed to do for the moment. It wasn't even dawn yet, and there was nothing I could do until later in the day when I could meet with the funeral director. Eleazar and Carmen, Tanya's parents, would be there to help with all the planning, and I was grateful I wouldn't be on my own to make all those decisions. With nothing else to do, I headed home to talk to Bella and get some sleep before the chaos started. I knew the next several days would be a whirlwind.

Author's Note:

Well, there you have it. Tanya's gone. Think our couple is in the clear now? We'll be back with Bella next chapter to see what happens!

Let me know what you think!