I only own the plot of this story. Stephanie Meyer owns all twilight related content.

EPOV

Christmas Break of Edward, Bella, and Alice's senior year of high school.

Forks, Washington

Dec. 27 8:37a.m.

I rushed through my shower and threw some clothes on. Bella and I are going to spend the entire day together today. Charlie left for his fishing trip in Canada with Harry Clearwater and some other men from the reservation hours earlier this morning. We would have the house to ourselves to do as we please for the next three days. Of course I had to come back home at night because my parents are home. If only Carlisle and Esme would coordinate their vacations with Charlie. I sighed internally.

I almost knocked over my mother in my haste to get out the door. I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings. My mind was with Bella in her bed making sweet, sweet love to her. I quickly diverted my thoughts before Esme could see what those thoughts were.

"Sorry, Mom. I should have been watching where I was going." I glanced at the door, still excited to go see Bella. I love her with all my heart and it almost kills me to have to be away from her, even if it is for a few hours while we sleep. I'd rather she slept in my arms. I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with her as her husband.

"Oh, it's alright honey. I remember what it was like to be newly in love." She smiled at me; it reached her beautiful hazel eyes. It's the same crooked smile that I have. It's the only physical quality I have in common with my adoptive mother. "I can't believe my little boy is in love. It seems like just yesterday we saw you for the first time in that orphanage and you were telling us that you needed a new mommy and daddy 'cuz yours went to heaven to live with Jesus." She had tears in her eyes. I love my mother but I really want to go see Bella. We could get all emotional another day.

"Maaammm." I wined at her.

"I'm sorry I'm getting all emotional on you like this. Go see your girlfriend. And tell her I said hi. Are you going to be home for dinner? You should bring Bella with you. It's been days since I saw her last."

"We can get emotional some other day. And I'll call or text later about dinner. I'll ask Bella if she wants to come over. I love you. I'll see you later." I ducted down to kiss Mom on the cheek. I really have to bend over to get to her. She's like five foot five and I'm nearing six foot three.

"I still can't believe how tall you've gotten, Edward." She started to tear up again and I raised an eyebrow at her. "I know, I know. It's just you're not my little boy any more Edward. You're all grown up." She wiped her tears and told me to go have fun with my girlfriend, but not too much fun.

I left the house and got into my car as Mom yelled after me that she loves me. What was with all the tears? It's not like I'm going off to college. I'm going to Bella's house and would be back tonight. I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind as I neared Forks.

It was almost 9:30 by the time I got to Charlie's little white house, nestled between the trees. It's a very private part of town. There aren't any neighbors for a half mile on either side. I parked my silver Volvo behind Bella's red, rusty, old Chevy pickup truck. We don't know the exact year it was made but its early 1960's at the most. I wanted to buy her something a little newer but knew how she would react if I tried to spend that much money on her.

I knocked on the door, but not too loudly in case she's still sleeping. I know where the spare key is; I can let myself in if necessary. It took a few minutes but she finally did open the door. Bella is the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. She has long mahogany hair that reaches down to the middle of her back and big chocolate brown eyes that can see deep into my soul. Her features are so delicate and beautiful and she's shorter than Mom even. Almost five foot three but not quite. I was so caught up in her beauty that I almost didn't notice the deep circles under her eyes, like she hadn't slept at all since the last time I saw her. She had a smile on her face but it didn't reach her eyes.

As soon as I was in the entry and the door was closed behind me I gathered her into my arms and kissed the top of her head. "What's wrong, Love?" I whispered in her ear.

"Nothing," Bella tried to lie to me. I can read her like a book; plus she's a terrible fibber.

"Bella," I said firmly but lovingly at the same time. When she didn't say anything else I tried again. "Bella, you know you can tell me anything right? I love you and when you hurt, I hurt. What's troubling you, Love?"

She didn't say anything this time. "Bella?" I asked. I heard a sniffle. I pulled back a little bit and pulled her chin up so I could look in her eyes. They were filled with tears. What could be wrong that was upsetting my Bella this much? Her tears started to brim over and I gathered back into my arms. I guided us into the Chief's small living room and onto the couch. She buried her face into my jacket that I hadn't gotten the chance to take off yet. She was all out sobbing now and I was starting to get really worried. When I left her last night she seemed to be perfectly fine. "Shh, shh. It's okay, Love, I'm here." I continued to whisper sweet nothings into her ear as she slowly calmed down.

"I'm sorry. I'm ruining your jacket! I'm so sorry, Edward." Of course, she's always worried about anyone but herself. Even when she's the one who's hurting.

"Don't be sorry, Bella, it's only a jacket." I smiled slightly at her. "Now, do you want to talk about whatever it is that's bothering you?"

She leaned back and looked at her hands in her lap. "I do, but can we talk later. I'm not ready to talk yet." She had a crease in between her eyebrows; whatever it is, still bothering her.

I decided to leave it alone for now. "Of course, Love. You can talk to me whenever you're ready."

She smiled up at me. It almost reached her eyes, but not quite.

"Why don't you go lay down upstairs and I'll bring you some breakfast. Or have you already eaten?" She looks a little sick too. I hope she's okay. It would kill me if something ever happened to her.

"No, I haven't. Thank you, Edward. You're too good for me, you know that?"

"I think you're confused. It's you who is too good for me."

She just rolled her eyes in response to what I said; we've had this argument before. I helped her up off the couch and she made her way up the stairs to her room. I went to the kitchen and looked around, trying to decide what to make her for breakfast.

What was with all the crying today? First Esme gets all teary while taking a trip down memory lane and now Bella's crying for who knows what reason. I just hope she's okay. She looks so tired and sick. Oh my God. What if she's dying! She'd tell me if she was dying, right? I brought my thoughts back to breakfast before I could drive myself crazy with irrational thoughts.

I got out all the necessary ingredients for pancakes and mixed up the batter. As the pancakes were cooking I cleaned some fruit to go on the side and poured orange juice into a glass for her. I put it all on a tray and brought it upstairs to her room.

Her door was open so I walked right in. She was laying on her side facing away from the door. I set the tray on her desk and laid down behind her, spooning her. I put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head. "I made you pancakes," I whispered in her ear.

She didn't answer me but heard her sniffle; more tears. Something is really wrong.

"Sweetheart, whatever it is bothering you, I think you need to talk about it. Maybe I can help you feel better," I said quietly.

"I know, I just don't know how to say this," She was starting to sob again.

"Oh God, you're dying, aren't you?" I said before I could stop it. She just cried harder. My world was shattering.