Life Without You
Chapter One "Overdose"
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my characters!
Summary: Charlie gets a desperate call from his brother James, James' 17 year old daughter, Arianna, is in the hospital because of a drug overdose. James begs him to come out to Texas and see them all. To help. Charlie goes and one night Jenna his sister-in-law talk..Arianna has apparently not been the same since the death of her boyfriend Nick, and that's why Jenna thinks Arianna overdosed. After many discussions and arguments, it's decided that Ari will come out to Washington to live with Charlie, maybe being away from everything that reminded her of Nick would help her...So she gets to Washington, she meets the Cullens and Wolves, will they be able to save Arianna from herself before it's too late?
Charlie Swan POV, Saturday September 18th 3am
I woke up to the sound of my telephone ringing. "Chief Swan, speaking." I answered the phone with my usual greeting.
"Charlie?" I heard the voice of my older brother, James.
"James?" I was instantly awake at James' voice. It sounded tired and broken. "What's wrong?"
"It's Arianna." My heart clenched at the mention of my seventeen year old niece.
"What happened?" I asked, thinking the worst.
"She's in the hospital..because of a drug overdose." James whispered.
It took me a second to get back my voice. "A drug overdose?"
"Jenna and I went to dinner early and when we got back Jenna went to check on Arianna, she found her unconscious on the bathroom floor holding a empty bottle of Tylenol." James explained. For a second, I was relieved it wasn't a heroin or cocaine overdose. Then I realized this could mean even worse.
"Is she okay? Did they doctors pump her stomach?" Then I whispered the most dreaded question. "Is she alive?"
I heard James' let out a quick sob. "She's alive. The doctors told us she got here just in time, she's asleep right now and Jenna's with her. Jenna's really upset, she was freaking out until Arianna became conscious again."
"Oh James." Oh Arianna, how could you do this? I thought rubbing my hands over my face.
"Will you come out to Texas, Charlie? Please? I could really use you here." James pleaded.
Without even thinking twice I answered "I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thank you." And with that, James hung up. I jumped out of bed, grabbing my pants and shirt off the floor and shoved on my socks and shoes.
I picked up the phone to call my daughter Bella. I knew she would be up. "Dad?" Bella answered on the first ring.
"Bells, there's a family emergency and I have to go to Texas to see Aunt Jenna an Uncle James. Something happened with your cousin Arianna and James needs me there." I rushed the words out to my daughter.
"What happened?" Bella's voice filled with fear.
"She overdosed on a bottle of pills, Bells. They saved her, but James wants me to come out. I guess we have to cancel our plans for this evening, Bells." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
"Oh my God." Bella whispered. "Don't worry about our plans Dad, go see James, Jenna and Anna! Keep me updated, Dad."
"I will Bells." Then 'cause I knew I couldn't hang up without saying it, right now, I said the words. "I love you Bells."
"I love you too Dad." Bella said and hung up.
Forty five minutes later, I was at Port Angeles Airport, waiting for the next flight out.
…...
Bella Pov
After the phone call from my father, I couldn't sit still. I was panicked and worried about my cousin Anna. She was a bright honor student, with a good life, why try to commit suicide?
"Bella, love, what's wrong?" Edward asked with much concern in his voice. All the Cullens were staring worriedly at me and so were Jacob and his pack(Embry, Leah and Seth).
"Do you remember my cousin, Arianna?" I asked all of them, but the wolves. "She came here for the summer?"
Rosalie looked up. Of course, Rosalie and Arianna had been almost like best friends for the summer. "What happened?" Rosalie managed to get out.
"She's in the hospital because of a overdose on Tylenol." I told them softly.
I looked down as everyone gasped. "Is she okay?" Rosalie asked.
"She's okay, they saved her in time." I reassured her. "My father is on his way to Texas to see them, my uncle James is frantic."
"Oh they all must be." Esme sympathized.
"I just can't imagine her doing it, every time I talked to her she told me she was fine, that she was okay and no she wasn't suicidal. But she was obviously was." I shook my head. How did I miss it? I was a zombie when Edward left so how did I think she was dealing with everything that happened with Nick?
I watched my phone, just waiting for my father to call. Because that's all I could do, is wait.
..…...
Arianna Swan Pov
It didn't work. I was still alive and apart from Nick, why? I pretended to be asleep as my stepmother, Jenna, sat beside my hospital bed, I couldn't to look at her face after what I had just did. That was the thing after I committed suicide, I wouldn't have to see their faces, their pain, but now I had to face them. I didn't want to hurt my dad or Jenna, I loved them both dearly, I just couldn't face the world without Nick.
I fought the tears that were in my eyes, I didn't want to face Jenna yet. Nick had been not only my best friend since first grade but also my boyfriend since eighth grade, we had three amazing years together. We thought we would be together forever, the high school sweethearts that actually lasted. Like Bella and Edward.
But it all changed when he died. I sighed, I didn't want to think about it anymore. It was just too much to handle right now.
"Honey, are you awake?" Jenna had probably watched my face and saw the expression change while I thought of Nick.
I nodded. Jenna's arms were around me in a second and her sobs filled my ears. I opened my eyes and hugged her back. "Oh Anna, I was so worried! Honey, what happened? Why did you do it?"
I didn't respond and she just squeezed me gently. "Let me go get your father, he's been waiting to see you."
A few minutes later my dad walked in the room with his eyes bloodshot and red rimmed. He had been crying, it was obvious. Another pang of guilt hit me. "Daddy." I whispered softly. And just like that, I was in his arms and he was crying, so was I and a moment later, Jenna joined in.
I kept whispering apologies to both of them, sobbing. After awhile, we stopped crying and Jenna went to grab some coffee for her and my dad. My dad was in my bed holding me in his arms. "Anna, sweetheart, why didn't you ever tell us it was this bad?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I couldn't. You guys were worried enough, I didn't want to worry you more."
My dad gave me an incredulous look, which I guess given the circumstances was acceptable, my words were insane. "How do you think we are now? You're in the hospital of a Tylenol overdose!" Then he sighed. "I wish I had been able to stop this."
"I know Daddy." I was quiet for a moment. "It hurts so much without him here."
My dad pulled me closer to him. "I know baby, I know. I'm sorry he's not here with you anymore baby. I know it hurts you, I knew how close you two were. I also loved that boy like a son and it's hurts Jenna and I, too."
I nodded. I knew this. Nick's parents and my dad and Jenna had been super excited when we finally got together. They had been waiting for it since our third grade year. They had supported Nick and I, so much, we were pretty much allowed to go everywhere together and stay at each others house's late at night. Of course it had slightly changed when we entered the tenth grade, Jenna and Nick's mother, Nora, had been worried we were "sexually active" as they had put it.
Nick and I had laughed. But after awhile, it was something real to worry about because we both wanted it. I sighed. Right now wasn't the time to be thinking about this. "Dad, would you mind if I went back to sleep? I'm kind of tired. You and Jenna should try to get some sleep too."
My dad kissed my forehead. "Get some rest, honey. Jenna and I will be staying right here."
I pulled my covers up to my chin and turned on my left side. It only took me a few minutes to fall back asleep.
…...
Charlie POV
A few hours later, I stepped off of the plane and quickly dashed through the airport where the taxis were. "Sunset Falls Hospital please." I said, getting into the first taxi I saw.
The taxi nodded at me and started driving. "Got a relative in the hospital?"
"Yes, a niece." I answered, the fear in my voice evident.
The taxi driver seemed to understand I didn't want to talk and within a couple of minutes we were at the hospital. I handed him some cash. "Thank you." I said getting out of the car.
I walked up to the nurses desk. "Hi, could you tell me what room Arianna Swan is in?"
The nurse looked up her room number quickly. "Room three oh four. Second floor."
"Thank you so much!" I almost ran over to the elevators. When I got to the second floor, it took me a couple of minutes to find Arianna's room but I finally did. I walked in and saw Jenna sitting on a cot by the windowsill with James head in her lap and Arianna in the bed, sound asleep.
"Charlie!" Jenna gasped. I guess the phone call had been a secret. "What are you doing here?"
James eyes opened and he stood up. "I called him Jenna." James grabbed me and pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back.
"How is she?" I said after he let go.
"She woke up hours ago and we talked to her for a few minutes and then she went back to sleep. I've been dozing for awhile." James told me.
"Well why don't you go nap for a little while? I'm not that tired but I'm going to go to the cafeteria and maybe, Charlie would like to keep me company?" Jenna suggested. I nodded, agreeing and James finally agreed.
We went down the cafeteria and we both got some coffee. "Charlie, I need your help." Jenna said as I put my coffee down.
"What's up, Jenna?" I was willing to help my sister-in-law with anything. I somehow knew it would be about Arianna.
"I was thinking that it might be best if Arianna gets away from here for a little while. Here in Sunset Falls, she's surrounded by everything that reminds her of Nick. I honestly think it's hurting her chances of healing from his death." Jenna had tears in her eyes and she was completely serious.
"Do you think that's why she overdosed? Because of Nick?" I asked gently.
Jenna nodded a couple of times. "She loved that boy Charlie, like I love James. Like Bella loves Edward, they were made for each other. I believe Nick was her true love, I believed they were going to get married after senior year."
I was silent for a moment. Then I said "I know. When they both came out this summer, they were basically inseparable and you could see it just in his eyes, the love he had for her. They both were always smiling and laughing, happy. I mean when you called to say that Nick was dead, I worried for her. She's so sensitive."
Jenna wiped her eyes. "Charlie, I know this is a lot to ask of you but I was wondering, would you be willing to have Arianna live with you for a little bit? Just for a few months, until she's healing better."
I felt stunned. "You want her to live with me?"
Jenna's eyes filled with tears. "Charlie, I'm terrified she'll try this again and this time she'll do something that we can't stop! If she gets away from all the reminders of Nick for awhile, maybe it would help. Plus she would be around Bella and Rosalie, Edward's sister. They could help."
"What does James think about this?" I ran my hands over my face. "If he's okay with it, I am too. I love Arianna and would love to have her with me for awhile."
This is the first time Jenna looked slightly nervous. "I haven't talked to James about it."
"You haven't talked to him about it?" I frowned. James might not react that well...
"No. I had to see if you would agree to it first."
"Well maybe sometime later today, after everyone has had some sleep would be best." I suggested.
Jenna nodded, looking tired. "Thanks Charlie, it's nice to have you here."
"No problem Jenna."
…...
Nine AM at The Cullen Residence. Bella POV
I jumped for my phone as it rang. "Dad?"
"Hey Bells." Charlie said and I heard the smile in his voice.
"How is she?" I was very aware that Rosalie was right next to me, staring intently at my face.
"She's gonna be fine Bells, she's been asleep since I got here but James is going to wake her up in a little bit.." Charlie trailed off sounding strangely nervous. What was up with that?
"That's good. I'll have to talk to her sometime today." I said with a smile. Thank God, she was going to be okay.
"Bells, there's something else. Jenna has an idea that I've agreed to."
"Okay Dad, what is it?" I asked impatiently.
"Jenna thinks it might be a good idea if Arianna came to live with me for a few months while she heals from Nick's death. Said it might be good for her to get away from all the reminders."
Wow, Arianna coming to live in Forks? That would be great! Like Jenna said, she could get away from all the reminders of Nick. I could help her. "I think it's a great idea Dad, especially for Arianna."
"Me too Bells. But I was thinking, I could really use yours and the Cullens help. You've told me what Jasper, Edward and Alice can do, they'll definitely be helpful. I'll have to shift my schedule around too to make sure I'm home with Arianna when she is..." My father trailed off and I felt so proud of him. Here he was taking in his niece and willing to move everything around for her, just like he would for me.
"I can help Dad and I know Rosalie will be willingly to also." Esme waved her hand in front of my face to get my attention. I knew she could hear the whole conversation.
"Tell your father I could go ahead and get her enrolled at the high school if he'd like."
"Dad, Esme said she could get Arianna enrolled in the high school if you'd like." I repeated her words.
"Tell Esme I'd be very thankful if she did that. Tell them to expect her maybe next week, if she leaves for Forks sometime this week that should give her time to get settled in and ready for school." Charlie replied. Esme gave me a thumbs up.
"I'll get right on that after you get on the phone." Esme whispered. I nodded.
"I just wanted to call and let you know about the plan and let you know she's doing okay." Charlie sounded a bit tired and I wondered if he had had any sleep since he had gotten there.
A thought popped in my head. "Dad, you haven't mentioned Uncle James yet. What does he think about all this?" I asked warily.
"Well, he's hesitant about it but Jenna and I told him if it doesn't work out in the beginning, Anna will be on the first plane home. But I think he's mainly convinced it's best for her, which it is." My dad answered.
"Well tell everyone I said hi and tell Arianna I'll be calling her later."
"I will Bells. Talk to you later." Charlie hung up and I looked up to see everyone in the room.
"So she's really coming out here?" Rosalie was excited at the thought of course. Again, so was I.
"Apparently." I answered.
"Of course I'll be willing to help you and Charlie with Arianna! I've missed her so much since the summer and I've worried about her since Nick died." Rosalie rushed out.
"I know." I said. "I've been so worried about her since Nick died too. I mean I guess I just kind of wanted to believe that she was fine and wouldn't even consider something like this. But let's look on the bright side, she's okay and we'll be able to help her now that she's coming out here."
Rosalie nodded with a smile. We would help Arianna, we really would.
…...
Arianna POV Early Afternoon, at her house.
"Wait, you want to what?" I asked in shock as I sat down on the couch with my two dogs, Shadow and Moon. Charlie, Dad and Jenna had just told me that I was going to live in Forks with Charlie.
"Honey, we're thinking about what's best for you. Maybe getting away from all the reminders of Nick and his death will help you get over him." Jenna said softly.
I was furious. "Get over him?" I hissed, standing up. "You think I'm going to get over Nick? I loved him! And he loved me, we were each others true love, each others soul mate. We were meant to be together and we would have been if you hadn't came home!" I shouted at them, I ran to the door and flung it open. Shadow and Moon followed me closely so when I opened the door to my Ford Edge, they jumped right in.
Fighting tears I made my way to the town cemetery. I needed Nick, I needed his calm and reassuring voice. I parked my car at the gates and let the dogs out. They both slowly followed me, they knew where we went every time we came here. To Nick's grave.
I sat down by his grave and saw the fresh flowers put there. Probably Nora, I thought smiling at the thought of Nick's mom. "Nick, Baby, I miss you so much." I whispered putting my hand on his grave. A gentle wind made my brown hair blow in my face and I pushed it out of the way. "Do you know what they're trying to make me do? They're trying to make me leave you, they want me to forget you. How could I forget you?"
Moon whined uneasily and put her head in my lap. No, I would never forget Nick, especially with Moon around. I remember the night I had gotten her. Nick's brother had came over with a big box and a letter from Nick, this was after his death. "What is this about?" I had asked David, Nick's older brother.
David had shook his head. "Read the letter, Anna. You'll understand then." He had kissed my forehead and left. Of course I should of read the letter first but I had to open the box first. Inside was Moon, a beautiful white puppy, with a beautiful Crescent Moon shaped Diamond necklace around her neck. Finally with Moon cuddled up next to me, I read the letter.
Dear Ari, I stifled a sob as I read his nickname for me.
I'm writing you this letter to go along with the gift I just gave you. Moon, as I like to call her since she reminds me of a Moon, is a wolf hybrid puppy. I remember you saying for awhile you've wanted one and we talked about getting one together, well here she is. I thought she would make a great birthday present and I thought also that the necklace would fit perfectly. Do you like it? When I presented the idea to Mrs. Walker down at the Jewelery store, she thought it was a sweet, romantic idea you would love. I hope she was right.
Sweetheart, I hope your seventeenth birthday was everything you hoped it would be. I know Jenna and my mom have been planning it for awhile now—ocassionally getting advice from me—and I'm pretty sure you'll love it. I know I've been distracted lately and I'm sorry but I promise you, on your birthday night, I will be beside you all night long and I'll never leave your side. I bet your reaction to Moon was amazing!
I love you so much and I'm looking forward to graduation so much because then we're free, well except for college, but you know what I'm going to do the moment we graduate? I'm going to propose to you. Maybe I should of kept that a surprise but I guess with us, it won't be such of a surprise. I plan to have you as my wife ASAP. I love you so much Arianna Elizabeth Swan and I plan to love you forever.
Okay, sappy moment over Babe. I hope you love Moon and you better tell me if you do or not. I really hope you love your necklace too! Anyways, happy birthday Ari. Love you.
Love,
Nick 3
P.S: By the way there's a very small writing on the back of your necklace, check it out, because I know you haven't yet, babe.
I had looked on the back and yes in very small writing it said N&A, Forever. I wore that necklace everyday and have not taken it off since. When I talked to David, he had said Nick had told him about the plan and when the dog breeder had called to ask if Nick still wanted the puppy David had gone through with the plan. "He was so excited about this puppy and the necklace, Arianna. He couldn't wait to see your reaction." David had told me.
I held back a sob just thinking about it right now. Nick had really thought it through and it was the best thing he could of ever did, he was the most sweetest boyfriend ever. I gently touched the necklace and my heart ached for Nick.
Moon whined again and I heard footsteps. Shadow was wagging his tail so it was someone we knew. Shadow was a German Shepherd and was completely very protective of me so if he thought someone was going to hurt me, he wouldn't be wagging his tail.
I turned around and I was facing Nick's brother, David. "Anna." Was the only word he said. I flew into his arms and held on. David and I leaned on each other very much for the past few months. He was my rock and I was someone he could talk to. "Anna, I just heard about what happened. Your dad called. What the hell were you thinking?" David sounded not only angry, but hurt.
I looked up at his face and just shook my head. "I miss him so much David. I want to be with him."
"You can't be Anna." David whispered softly. "You are going to live your life out. Nick would want you to do that."
"It's so hard." I whispered back.
"I know Anna but if it was reversed, you know you wouldn't want him to do that and he wouldn't want to even think about you doing that. Anna, swear you won't try anymore." David said and I knew he was worried.
"I promise." I lied. Maybe not now, but life without Nick was agonizing. I couldn't face the rest of my life without him.
"Your dad was upset when he called, he asked if you were there. What happened besides the other thing?" David asked.
"Jenna and my dad are sending me to live in Forks with my Uncle Charlie. They think it will help me get over Nick." I scoffed.
David was quiet for a moment. "Maybe it would help Anna."
I was stunned. Then I pushed him away, angrily. "How could you say that?"
"Anna after what your dad told me today, I'm worried for you. And I'm leaving too, I'm going back to USC(Uni. Of Southern California) maybe it would help the both of us." David said.
"I'm not going to forget him." I snapped.
David's face was sad and understanding. "I'm not telling you too and I'm sure they aren't either. You're not going to, I know but you need to heal a bit. It was a big loss for you and being around the constant reminders can't be that good for you. You leave for awhile, heal some, then come back home and be able to handle all the reminders of him. Enjoy the memories you have together, remember the good times."
"I can't leave him." I whispered, hurting so bad.
"You're not leaving him." David touch my chest gently. "He's in here. Always, with you. And he's watching over you Honey, that I know for sure. Ready to kick my ass for putting my hand anywhere need your body." David chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh. He was so right, Nick would gotten mad at David for touching me in such a place.
"Try it out Anna, the way your dad talks, if it doesn't work, you're on the first flight home. And you know what? California isn't that far away from Washington. I'll come see you on the weekends, I promise." David was taking all my arguments away, making me soften towards Jenna, my father and Charlie.
"Thanks David. I'm gonna go home now, I should apologize. I'll text you later, k?" I kissed his cheek. "Tell your mom and dad hi for me."
"I will Anna." David gave me a hug and I walked back slowly to my Ford Edge. Now the hard part was to go home and apologize to everyone—twice. For the attempted suicide and the blowup. And of course to agree to go to Forks with Charlie. I just hope I could do this.
…...
A/N: Hi everyone! First of all, thanks for reading :) I'm glad you were interested enough to check out my story!
It's something I thought up a couple of days ago when I was reading a book called Golden Grove and the ideas just kept popping up. I'll definitely be posting chapter two soon if anyone's interested and I'll try to explain more in the next chapter, I hope nothing is too confusing!
And I'll be posting pictures soon of the Characters if you wanna see them!
Anyways, thanks for reading and please review and let me know what you think! :) Reviews would let me know if you'd like a second chapter or not!
From:QuinnandSeth'sgirl15