I awoke in my dark room, head pounding. Charlie had already left for work seeing that there was no way I would be in school after spending the whole night with my head over the toilet. Though my vision was blurry, I could faintly make out Edwards figure at my bedside. He rested his hand on my forehead and sighed.
"You're burning up, Love," he spoke softly and sat down on the edge of my bed.
"Yeah I'm not surprised…I feel awful."
"Here," he pressed a straw to my lips. "The ginger ale will calm your tummy and help rehydrate you.
I accepted the straw willingly. I was so thirsty my whole mouth was dry. No sooner than I downed the cool liquid that I could feel it coming right back up. Seeing my panicked expression, Edward tilted me over the side of the bed where my stomach emptied itself into a smartly placed bucket.
"You sure know how to prepare for things," I smiled slightly and lay back against my pillow.
"Well two medical degrees teach you a little bit," he smirked and placed a rag on my forehead.
"Why don't you practice…like Carlisle?"
"Ha, Carlisle himself barely looks old enough to be a doctor. We couldn't keep up this family façade if I tried to make myself be any older. And speaking of which, it might be good if I took you to my house. He's better equipped to care for you."
"No Edward. I'll be fine and I don't want to give him any trouble." I shook my head and lifted the straw to my mouth again only to once again have to gag into that bucket. After I finished I felt his hands under my arms.
"Come on," he said. "If we don't get some fluids in you, you'll only get sicker." With that, he effortlessly lifted me up and carried me down the stairs and out to his awaiting car.
He gently buckled me into the passenger's seat and cranked up the engine. The drive thankfully went by fast and before I knew it we were being ushered into his house.
"Go tuck her in the bed," Carlisle's voice spoke gently behind us. "I'll be up in a moment."
Edward lowered me carefully into the large bed he had put in his room and pulled the covers up to my chin. After a gentle knock at the door, Carlisle joined us.
"Well Bella," he started. "Looks like you have that stomach bug that's been going around." He shined a light into my eyes and had me open my mouth as he examined my throat. "No serious infection. I'm just going to start an IV to get some fluids into you faster."
"Ugh..needles…" I spoke disgusted but felt Edward squeeze my hand. I was too exhausted to argue when I felt a rubber tourniquet being tied around my arm and a sharp pinch.
"There we go," Carlisle smiled. "We'll let this bag drain and you should be good to go." He placed a hand on my head to reassure me then turned to exit.
No sooner had we been left in peace then Alice came bouncing in.
"Oh Bella I'm so sorry!" she gushed at my side. "Is there anything I can get you? Don't you worry because you will be fine in a few hours okay?"
"Thanks," I offered a tight smile. "And no thanks…I'm fine I just kinda feel like I got run over by a truck."
"Alice," Edward cleared his throat.
"Oh sure…well I'll leave you to rest but let me know if I can do anything alright?"
"Finally," Edward whispered softly into my ear and pressed a kiss right on my mouth. "Try to sleep. Carlisle will call Charlie and tell him that we will bring you home once you're hydrated and have some strength back. Maybe you can try some crackers and soup once you wake up."
"I love you," I exhaled as sleep began to take over.
"I love you too, darling. Sleep tight. I'll be here when you wake up."