TWELVE

BPOV

I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. My head was pounding, my stomach was a mess, and every part of my body ached like I'd run a marathon in my sleep.

Groaning, I pulled myself out of bed, knowing I couldn't let the house project fall behind because of a bad day.

Grabbing my phone, I sent a quick text to Esme, letting her know that I wouldn't be on-site today.

Hey Esme, I'm not feeling too great. Jacob will be handling things at the house for now—he knows what needs to be done. I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll work through some stuff from home.

A moment later, my phone buzzed with her response: Oh dear, Bella! Please take all the time you need to rest. Don't work! Relax! Let me know if you need anything at all. Get well soon!

Just as I was about to collapse back onto my couch, Rosalie came barging in like a whirlwind, her eyes wide with worry.

"You look terrible," she said, not mincing words. "Get your shoes on—we're going to the doctor."

I tried to protest, but Rosalie wasn't having any of it. She practically dragged me to the clinic, insisting they run every test imaginable. The waiting room felt like it was closing in on me, my anxiety growing with every second that passed. Rosalie had been by my side last time. She took my health more serious than her own.

As if things weren't overwhelming enough, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down to see Edward's name flashing on the screen. Heard you're feeling sick. Are you okay? Wish I could be there to help. Let me know if you need anything.

I bit my lip, fighting back the urge to tell him just how scared I was. "I'm fine, really, I typed back. Just a little under the weather. How's Dallas going?"

"It's going, he replied. My head's not in it. My date sent me this photo last night and... I miss you already. I had a great time last night . I want more of you - let's do it again?"

Despite everything, his words made me smile. Deal, I wrote back, ignoring the nagging fear that had lodged itself in my chest. Whatever happened, I wasn't ready to let this thing with Edward go just yet.

After a few days of rest, I finally started to feel like myself again. Whatever bug I'd caught had run its course, and I was ready to get back to work, back to the house, and most importantly, back to my life. A week flew by, with the renovations coming along smoothly, thanks to Jacob and the team. Still, I couldn't shake the thought of Edward and how much I missed his presence.

When Edward finally returned home from two back-to-back away games, it didn't take long for us to set up another date.

This time, he insisted on taking me skating. I had to admit, the idea of strapping blades to my feet and stepping onto a frozen surface was less than appealing, but I couldn't say no to the way his eyes lit up when he talked about it.

We arrived at the rink, and Edward was all smiles as he knelt in front of me, attaching the skates to my legs. I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest at how close he was, his hands gentle and sure as he secured the laces.

"Isn't this the last place you'd want to be after two away games?" I teased, watching him with a grin. "Aren't you sick of the ice?"

Edward looked up at me, his face softening with a smile that sent warmth straight through me. "I'll never get sick of it," he said. "Especially when I get to see you out here, making this ice look even better. I really hope you don't melt it with how bloody hot you are."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress my smile. His enthusiasm was contagious, and despite my nerves, I was actually excited to see where this date would lead.

Edward finished tying my skates and stood up, holding his hand out to me with that signature grin of his. "Ready to hit the ice, baby?"

I loved it when he called me that.

I looked down at my wobbly feet, my knees already trembling at the idea of stepping onto that slippery surface. "You're kidding, right?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "I'll be lucky if I stay upright for more than five seconds."

Edward's laugh was warm and teasing, but there was a gentleness in his eyes that made me feel safe. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall," he said, his voice softening as he took both of my hands in his. "I'll catch you before you hit the ice every single time."

I let him guide me onto the ice, clutching his hands like a lifeline as I took my first unsteady steps. He skated backward, leading me slowly, his movements fluid and effortless. I wobbled, feeling like a baby deer on ice, but Edward's hands were steady, keeping me upright.

"See? You're doing so great," he encouraged, giving me a little nod, "you're about ready to steal my job."

"You're a liar," I said, laughing nervously as I tried to keep my balance. "This is terrifying. How do you do this and smack around that stupid little brick."

He grinned wider, pulling me a bit closer. "Puck, babe," he corrects, "It's all about trusting yourself and trusting me."

I met his gaze, my heartbeat quickening at the way he was looking at me—like I was the only thing that mattered in that moment. "Yeah," I said softly, almost whispering. "I trust you, Edward."

"Good," he said, his eyes twinkling as he began to skate a little faster, making me squeal and cling to him even more. He laughed, and the sound was like music, echoing off the ice around us. "You've got this."

Somehow, with his help, I managed to find a bit of rhythm, gliding awkwardly across the rink. He held my hands the entire time, his focus entirely on me, and I couldn't help but laugh as I stumbled a little, gripping him tighter.

"You know," I said, smiling up at him, "you're actually making this kind of fun."

"Kind of?" he teased, pretending to be hurt. "I'll have to work harder, then."

I playfully shoved his shoulder with one hand, immediately losing my balance. Before I could panic, Edward wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against his chest. I was suddenly very aware of how close we were, his face just inches from mine, his eyes locked on me with that intense gaze that made my knees feel even weaker than before.

"Told you I'd catch you," Edward murmured, his breath warm against my cheek.

My heart raced, and not just from the near-fall. I was acutely aware of every point where our bodies touched - his strong arm around my waist, my hands gripping his shoulders, our faces mere inches apart. The cold of the rink faded away, replaced by the heat radiating between us.

"My hero," I whispered back, a smile playing on my lips despite my breathlessness.

Edward's eyes flickered down to my mouth, then back up to meet my gaze. The intensity I saw there made my stomach flip. Slowly, giving me time to pull away if I wanted, he leaned in.

Our lips met softly at first, tentative and exploring. But as the kiss deepened, I felt myself melting into him, forgetting we were balancing on ice.

Edward's lips were warm against mine, a stark contrast to the chill of the rink. I felt myself getting lost in the kiss, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just us in this perfect moment.

"Those hands are a little adventurous," Pulling back slightly I whisper against his mouth, "very daring."

The hand I'm talking about squeezes my ass playfully.

Edward chuckled, his breath warm against my lips. "What can I say? You bring out my daring side." His eyes sparkled with mischief as he gave me another playful squeeze.

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling lightheaded from more than just the kiss. "Well, Mr. Daring, as much as I'm enjoying this, maybe we should take it somewhere a little less... public?" I glanced around, suddenly remembering we were still in the middle of the ice rink.

Edward's grin widened. "Are you proposing we leave early, Ms. Swan? I thought you were just starting to enjoy skating."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off my face. "Oh please, we both know I was only enjoying it because of you."

"Fair point," he conceded, pressing a quick kiss to my nose. "Alright then."

With a swift moment he ducks slightly, lifting me. I squeal as he moves, gliding across the ice, careful of the blades at my feet.

I clung to Edward's neck, laughing and shrieking as he skated us off the ice with surprising grace. "Edward! Put me down, you goof!"

He just grinned, carrying me all the way to the bench where we'd left our shoes. "As you wish, my lady," he said dramatically, setting me down gently.

"You're such a show off," I start to untie the laces on my boots.

"Why Miss Bella. Am I turning you on with my ice skating skills?" he sits beside me.

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling my cheeks flush. "Maybe a little," I admitted, glancing at him from under my lashes. "Though I think it has more to do with the man wearing the skates than the skating itself."

Edward's eyes darkened as he leaned in closer, his voice low. "Is that so? Well, I'd be happy to give you a private demonstration of my... skills... later."

A shiver ran through me that had nothing to do with the cold. "I might just take you up on that offer," I murmured, my fingers fumbling with my laces as I tried to focus on anything but the heat of his gaze.

Edward reached over, gently brushing my hands aside. "Here, let me help with that," he said, his fingers deftly untying my skates. The simple gesture felt oddly intimate, and I found myself struggling even more.

As Edward's fingers worked nimbly at my laces, I couldn't help but be mesmerised by the concentrated look on his face. His brow furrowed slightly, lips pressed together in focus. It was oddly endearing.

"There," he said softly, sliding the skate off my foot. His hand lingered on my ankle for a moment, thumb brushing over my skin. "One down, one to go."

I swallowed hard, hyper-aware of his touch. "Thanks," I managed, my voice a bit breathier than I intended.

Edward looked up at me, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "My pleasure."

He moved to the other skate, and I found myself holding my breath. The air between us felt charged, electric. When he finished, his hands stayed on my legs, warm even through my jeans.

Good god this man is going to send me wild.

I sit in the sterile white room of the doctor's office, staring at the wall as if it held all the answers I desperately needed. My heart pounded in my chest, louder than the hum of the fluorescent lights above. I'd been here before, in this exact spot, and I thought I'd never have to come back.

The doctor cleared his throat, his expression kind but serious, and I braced myself for the worst. "Bella, I'm afraid the tests confirm that the cancer has returned," he said gently. "It's slow-growing, which is good news in a way. It's not aggressive, and we have time to work with it."

My breath hitched, and I swallowed hard, nodding as I tried to absorb his words. "But… it's not curable, is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head slowly, sympathy written all over his face. "No, it's not. But it can be treated, just like before. The goal will be to get you back into remission. Best-case scenario, you could stay in remission for years, just like last time."

I clenched my hands in my lap, my knuckles turning white. "And if it comes back again?"

"Then we'll treat it again," he said, his voice calm and steady. "You've done this once before, Bella, and you came out strong. The treatments have advanced even more since then. We have a plan, and I'll be with you every step of the way."

I forced a nod, trying to keep it together, but inside, everything was shattering. I thought I was done with this fight. I thought I'd beaten it. But now, the nightmare was back, lurking in the shadows, and all I could think about was how this was going to change everything—my life, my career, and most of all, my relationship with Edward.

The doctor kept talking, explaining treatment options and what to expect, but his words blurred together as I stared at the floor. I had so much to lose now, more than ever before. And I wasn't sure how to handle the idea of Edward being dragged into this mess.

I couldn't ask him to watch me go through it all again. Not when I didn't even know if I was strong enough to survive it myself.

The doctor's voice seemed distant as he continued to explain the next steps. "We'll need to do a bone marrow biopsy to determine exactly how advanced the cancer is," he said, looking at me with that same calm, sympathetic gaze. "Once we have those results, we'll have a better idea of the treatment plan. We'll need to start chemotherapy soon, to keep the cancer under control and avoid growth."

The words echoed in my mind, bouncing around like they didn't belong to my reality. Bone marrow tests. Chemotherapy. It was like a nightmare I'd never woken up from. I nodded mechanically, feeling numb to everything around me.

The doctor reached out, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "Bella, I know this is a lot to take in," he said softly. "But we're going to do everything we can to get you back into remission. You have a strong support system, and we're here for you every step of the way."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice cracking just a little.

But inside, all I could think about was how to keep this from consuming my life again. And most of all, how to keep Edward from getting caught in the fallout of my world crumbling down.

I cleared my throat, barely holding it together as I asked the question I dreaded. "What about my hair?" I said, my voice barely a whisper. I remembered the last time I lost it all, how it felt like losing a part of myself, and I wasn't sure I could go through that again.

The doctor gave me a small, reassuring smile. "This time, the type of chemotherapy we're using is less likely to cause hair loss," he said. "You should be able to keep your hair, Bella."

A shaky breath escaped me, and I felt a small flicker of relief in the midst of all the fear. It was something—a small comfort in the chaos. At least I wouldn't have to face that particular mirror every day, reminding me of how sick I was.

"Thank you," I said, my voice still trembling, but grateful for even the tiniest bit of good news. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give me a little bit of hope.