Elizabeth clutched my hand as if she was holding on for dear life, which I was sure she was. Doctor Cullen had told us grimly that she didn't have long too live. I would have thought she would want Edward with her, but she had seen Doctor Cullen first, then me. Why?

I sat beside Elizabeth with deep sorrow in my eyes. Because of how close I was too Edward, she was like a mother too me.

"Ah, Bella, you are like the daughter I never had." Elizabeth told me weakly before coughing. "I don't have long left." She told herself.

"I'll go get Edward…" I offered.

"No!" she coughed. "No I need to talk to you. After I'm gone, you'll be the only family Edward has left. Please, Bella, I'm begging you. Please look after my Edward."

"Of course, Elizabeth. He means the world to me." I assured her.

She coughed once more. It would take an idiot not too realize how sick she was. "Do you promise me, Bella? I need him too be safe. Even in the afterlife."

I looked into her eyes. "I swear, I would do anything for him. I promise."

She smiled weakly, like she was trying to do something, but when she failed, she collapsed back on her pillow.

"You can send him in now."

I nodded and let her hand go. I made no noise as I moved outside the door and closed it behind me. I walked over too Edward, who was anxiously leaning on the hospital wall.

"You can go in and see her." I told him. He nodded in relief and walked towards the door, pausing when he realized I didn't come.

"Aren't you coming?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I had my talk. It's your turn now. I'll…give you some privacy."

He nodded, his emerald green eyes piercing into me a second more before hurrying to see his mother.

The real reason I didn't want to come in was sick, so I couldn't tell him. That would just be the worst thing I could ever do to him.

I didn't want to see her die.

I didn't want to feel her hand around mine slip away as she did. Her eyes close. The sheet pulled up in front of her face. I couldn't stand it, so I followed Edward's path and leaned against the wall just outside the door.

I hated the hospital. So many unnecessary deaths. So many sick people. It was terrible.

But I cared about Elizabeth, and Edward. They were like my second family. My first even. I'd stay strong for them.

Edward came out of the room just minutes after he came in, a grim look on his face. When he saw me, he gave me a sad 'trying to stay strong' smile and spoke quietly.

"She's gone." He barely whispered.

My heart stopped a beat before I wrapped my arms around his body in a hug. He hugged me back.

This was the type of relationship we had. Sure there was a time where either one of us had thought about dating. Heck, I still thought about it. But we needed each other like we had all our lives, like this. Just best friends getting through a worse than bad time.

And right now, he needed me more.

"C'mon," I whispered in his ear. "Let's go home. I'm sure Mom won't mind if you stay."

He nodded and gave me a small smile. "Thanks."

I took his hand in mine with an encouraging smile and led him through the hospital. We gave a small thanks as we past Doctor Cullen who was just on his way in.

We were fine. Edward and I went to his mother's short but respectful funeral, but he did not shed one tear. I was sure he might be holding it in. Tears fell down my face silently, and he wiped them away with his thumb, a small smile placed on his face.

Every morning before Elizabeth's death, I would always wake up excited to see his smile. The one that was warm and genuine. I had seen it every day of my entire life. From when he was sick and I brang soup around, to jokes and laughter. The genuine ones, with no sadness.

Today was the first day in seventeen years I did not get one of those smiles.

And it got worse.

Edward had fallen for the Spanish Influenza. Doctor Cullen had come by my house with the news, and I broke down crying.

Almost no one survived the Spanish Influenza.

I rushed over to the hospital at seven at night. I ran straight to his room, only to be held up by a nurse.

"Only family visitors allowed." She said.

"I'm the only family he's got." I told her, feeling a stab as I repeated Elizabeth's words.

I was let in, and I ran right too Edward's side.

"Edward." I sobbed.

"Shh…" came through his tight lips. His thumb was rubbing my hand.

"Edward you can't die." I sobbed before I could stop myself. "I l-"

"Miss Swan?" Doctor Cullen came through the door.

I wiped my tears away with the other hand that he was rubbing before facing the doctor. "May I speak with you?"

I looked at Edward one last time before taking my hand away from his and following Doctor Cullen into the foyer. I thought he would talk to me there, but he kept me going and into his office. He closed the door behind us.

"Miss Swan, are you related too Edward?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Not technically. But I'm the only family he has. We've been best friends for as long as I can remember."

He looked skeptical. "What would you be willing to trade for his life?"

I took a second take. "There's a way to save him?" I asked.

Doctor Cullen hesitated, then nodded.

"Anything." I said. "Anything and everything." I gushed.

He leaned on his desk, half sitting on it. He refused to look at me.

"I can give you two options…"

"And I can give you a third." Someone said in the doorway. He looked heavenly, like a god.

Doctor Cullen looked at the man, then smiled ear too ear.

"My two options are let him die…" I flinched. "Or keep him…..breathing."

I looked at him. "You didn't say alive." I told him. "So dead, but breathing?"

He looked at me. "You're very observant." He approved. I raised my eyebrows and he sighed. "I'm a…..vampire."

I laughed. "A vampire…" I looked at him. "You're not kidding. A vampire? Really? Shouldn't you be trying to kill me now?"

I meant it as a joke, but Doctor Cullen didn't laugh.

"Doctor Cullen…."

"Call me Carlisle."

I sighed. "Carlisle….I'm willing to do whatever it is too keep him alive and happy."

I looked to the guy in the door I had almost forgotten about.

"What's your option?"

He smiled. "Well Carlisle hasn't explained what being a vampire means." I waited. "And it means you won't be able to see him anymore. Edward. He'd be too dangerous to you human."

"Not allowed to see him?" I asked.

He nodded. "But then you could take my option. You'd be able to see him, there's just one condition."

"Anything." I repeated.

"You die before he does." He said slowly.

I took a deep breath in. "Deal."

He smiled. "Welcome, Angel."

With that, I was thinking I had done something wrong.

"You won't be able too talk to him again, not for a while, so make the most of this. Get in, say your goodbye, then Carlisle will do his thing. You will come with me too heaven and we'll get you started."

I nodded. I wouldn't be able to communicate with him for a long time. I played that over in my head.

"How long is a while?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Until we think its safe enough."

He pushed me through the door and I was facing Edward. I sucked up my tears and walked over to his bed.

"Hello." He said weakly.

One tear escaped, which he caught.

"Even deadly sick, and your still looking out for me." I joked sadly.

He smiled, but was not sad. Just weak. I would be looking out for my smiles in the years too come.

I placed a hand on the side of his face, and lowered myself in to kiss his forehead. I left my lips there for a long while then let him go. I starred into his emerald eyes for a moment longer then pushed away from him.

"Why does it feel like your saying goodbye?" he asked, stronger than Elizabeth.

I was standing in the doorway now. "Because your smart, Edward. I love you. I'll always be there."

I left eh room, tears streaming from my eyes when he couldn't see me anymore. I had to keep reminding myself why I was doing this.

For his happiness. He would be happy, right? Who wouldn't want eternity?

I heard his scream and I knew that Carlisle had started.