Chapter Forty-Six

I walked out to the main party room, searching for Edward. There was a loud buzzing in my ears that was painful but at the moment, I couldn't care. Several people tried to talk to me, but I brushed passed them without a word. I finally found Edward with his family, they were all chatting and laughing, it probably had something to do with the pink color dress Rosalie was wearing because she was in the center of their group. Even Edward's grandmother was there, I wasn't sure how the old crone snuck out passed me.

"Bella," Carlisle was the first one to see me, his face falling when he caught sight of mine. Edward looked over at me, his face, once full of excitement, now filled with nothing but concern.

"Bella what's wrong?" Edward asked as he started moving around the table.

"C-can you drive me home please? Right now." I said, quivering slightly.

"Of course," He said as he looked to his dad. "Can we borrow your Mercedes?"

"Of course," Carlisle said as he dug around in his pocket before handing Edward the key.

"What's wrong, Bella?" Esme asked me.

"Edward can't leave the party!" Renata said with a sharp head shake. "Bella can take a taxi, there's no need for Edward to leave now. It's just plain rude to leave in the middle—,"

"Shut the fuck up," I said calmly, turning on her, "My dad is fucking dead. Shut the fuck up."

"What!" Esme gasped as she jumped to her feet. "Oh my god, let me—,"

"Mom stay here," Edward said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Come on Bella, let me get you home."

We walked out of the party; several people came up to try to talk to Edward, but he rudely turned them away. When we came to the garage, there was a sleek looking Mercedes waiting for us, however, my dress made it impossible for me to fit. I started scrambling to take the stupid dress off.

"Let me help you," Edward said as he walked around the car.

"Get it the fuck off me!" I snarled, my nails snagging bits of my skin. "Stupid fucking dress!"

"It's okay Bella, I got it," He said as he managed to rip the dress off. He tossed it to the side then took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.

He had to guide me into the car because as soon as I had my little outburst, the floodgates opened and nothing, but tears and sobs wracked through my body. At the moment, I couldn't have given less of a shit that I was only in my underwear wrapped in Edward's coat.

Edward was quiet as we drove to my apartment. By the time the almost hour-long drive was over, my sobs had faded into soft whimpers.

"Bella stay here, I'll go pack a bag for you," Edward said as he parked.

Usually I would've told him I'd do it myself, but I didn't have the fight in me right now. All I could think about was my father and how I hadn't been there for him in a time he needed me most.

Edward returned about twenty minutes later with a bag. He tossed it into the backseat. Once he was in the car, he dialed a number.

"Hey, Gorge," He said as soon as the person on the other end picked up. "I need a huge favor. Are you able to fly me and my girlfriend to Forks? Or an airport really close to it."

"Let me look," The man on the other end said.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked softly, my voice scratchy.

"I'm trying to get us a private plane to take us to Forks tonight."

I nodded and didn't ask anymore questions. I was grateful to Edward for doing this for me because right now, I was pretty useless.

"Mr. Cullen, the closest I can get you to Forks Washington tonight is at Crest Airpark, it's about three hours away."

"That works. I want you to arrange a ride please. In an SUV since it's going to be a long drive. I want my girlfriend to be comfortable."

"Sir I don't know of anyone, you can call—,"

"That was not a request it was a damn command!" Edward snapped. "Get me a car and driver! We will be at the airport within the hour!"

"Of course sir!" The man on the other end said quickly.

Edward reached over and placed his hand on my thigh. "I got you a comfortable outfit if you want to change in the back before we get to the airport."

I nodded and slipped into the backseat. Edward brought me a pair of leggings and a baggy sweatshirt. Once I finished dressing, I slid back into the front seat beside him. As I did, Esme's name popped up on the screen.

"Hey mom," Edward said.

"Hey, how's Bella? Is she okay?"

"I-I'm here E-Esme," I said quietly.

"Honey, don't worry, Edward is going to take care of everything and I'm here to help," She said. "I'm trying to end this party quickly so I can come join you two."

"Bella and I are flying out tonight. There's a small motel in Forks, my assistant is getting us a room now. Come out tomorrow if you can."

"Y-you don't h-have to come out," I said softly.

"Nonsense sweetie, we're all coming." She said. "What do you need me to do right now? What can I do for you?"

"I-I don't… I don't know."

"That's okay. Don't worry about anything tonight. Just get to Forks. Focus on that. Try to handle things tomorrow morning, not tonight. It's too late in the night. I'll see what I can handle here."

"I-I need to figure out how my dad…" A sob left my lips.

"You'll figure that out soon enough, but don't rush anything tonight sweetheart. Just try to wait until me and Carlisle are out there, and we will help you with everything. It's going to be a lot."

"Alright."

"Take care of her Edward." Carlisle voice came in over the phone.

"I will. We'll see you guys tomorrow." Edward said.

The drive to the airport was silent. The only sound was the soft rain hitting the car. The only thing I really registered during the drive was Edward's hand on my knee.

"I can't even believe it," I said in a very soft voice.

"I'm so sorry Bella. I'm having a hard time believing it myself. I wish you didn't have to go through this," Edward said. "Just let me know what you need. Whatever you need I'm here for you."

"I just want to get there and find out what happened," I said, "And I guess… I-I've never planned a f-funeral before."

"You don't have to plan anything if you don't want. My mother and father can arrange everything, you just tell them what you want."

My throat felt tight. "I'm sorry I snapped at your grandmother."

"It's okay Bella," He said with a soft chuckle. "I'm surprised you're even worried about that."

"I guess it's better than…" I trialed off and just looked out the window after that. Edward didn't try to engage me in anymore conversation, which I was thankful. I didn't feel like talking.

We arrived at a very small airport where a man was loading a small plane. In that moment, I suddenly realized that I was terrified of flying. I grimaced which Edward mistook for something else.

"I know it's small. I can get something bigger, but I would need a little more time. I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "It's not that it's too small. I hate flying. It terrifies me."

"Do you want to drive instead?" He asked. "I don't mind, but it would take us a couple—,"

"No," I said bleakly. "Let's just go. I need to get there now."

"Of course." He said as he got our overnight bags from the trunk.

I stepped out of the car and followed him to the plane.

"Hello Mr. Cullen," The older man said with a kind smile.

"Hello Gorge." Edward greeted. "Is the plane ready to leave?"

"Yep. Just climb on aboard." He said.

"Thanks. And make sure to take it easy, my girlfriend is afraid of flying."

"Absolutely. It will be a smooth ride."

We climbed into the small plane, and I found that it wasn't as small as I thought. The inside was made to comfortably fit eight people and the seats were plush. Along one side was a long couch facing a giant flat screen TV. I would've been impressed if I weren't so mentally wrung out.

"There's a bedroom in the back," Edward said as he placed his hand on my back. "Why don't we go lay down?"

I followed him to the bedroom in the back. It wasn't huge, but it contained a queen-sized bed, a small closet, and a door to a large bathroom. I laid on the comfortable bed and watched as Edward changed out of his tux. He changed into a dark blue jogging outfit before getting into the bed beside me and pulling me against his chest.

Edward stroked my hair as I snuggled against his chest. When the plane began moving, I closed my eyes. I shuddered slightly as the plane began to lift.

"When I was a young kid, I hated flying," He said. "It just appeared out of nowhere when I was like three or four. Before that, my parents and I flew a ton of times. But I think the reason I suddenly became afraid of flying was because of Alice."

I made a face. "Alice?"

"Yeah. I think my mom told you about her being born in England and we had to spend like four or five months out there. I was probably scared to fly because I'd end up in another weird place where the people talked funny."

"Hmm." I simply said as I stared blankly at the wall.

"You want to talk? Or ride in silence? Hopefully we'll be there in like five or six hours."

"I wish I could just go to sleep." I said softly. "I don't want to have to think about anything."

"I thought you'd might want that option," he said as he leaned over and grabbed a black pill bottle from his bag. "This'll help you sleep."

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's a fucking awesome sleeping pill. Completely dreamless sleep too."

"Is it legal?" I asked.

"It won't show up in a drug test." He said. "I'm kidding. It's legal, but it's very strong. Do you want it?"

I sighed. "Yes. Please. I just… don't want to be present."

"Of course." He said as he handed me one of the pills.

I know I shouldn't take pills I didn't know anything about; however, I knew Edward would never hurt me. So I went ahead and dry swallowed the pill. Once it was down my throat, I laid back against Edward's chest. He resumed stroking my hair until I fell asleep.

Several Hours Later

I groaned as I stretched out the uncomfortable stiffness from my limbs. I heard soft shuffling of a bed and felt a hand on my back. My eyes finally fluttered open.

"Hey," Edward said softly.

I frowned, my brows furrowing. "Where are we?"

"We're at the Lodge. I got a suite, but it's not much of a suite," He chuckled.

"Wait, we're here?" I asked as I slowly sat up. "When did we get here?"

"Last night around midnight or one. You were out cold, so I just booked us a room and just carried you."

"I wish you would've woken me," I snapped as I quickly rubbed my eyes. "I need to get dressed and call Billy to figure out what happened. Then I need to start planning things."

"Do you want me to get you some breakfast?"

"No I'm fine," I said as I yanked my clothes off. I opened my bag and fished out a suitable outfit.

"I rented a car," He said. "I figured it would be easier for us to get around."

"Thanks." I said. "Are you ready?"

"Whenever you are." He said.