but please stick with it! It's going to be a story of Bella healing.
3 thank you!
BELLA POV
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. I remembered reading this somewhere, but right now it was just an errant thought running through my head without warning. I couldn't think of exactly where it had been, and didn't care. More tears squeezed out the sides of my eyes, and another dry, raking sob made it's way through my throat. Edward's arms were tight and reassuring around me, absorbing all the pulsing waves of pain that rolled off me, and the tears that poured out of me fell onto the shirt he was wearing, strong with his comforting smell. He rocked me side to side, his body as close as it could be, protecting mine. He didn't say anything, conveying his words through silence and touch, letting me cry my feelings out.
This wasn't supposed to happen to people. Especially people who hadn't done anything wrong. You didn't see serial killers getting into terrible accidents, or lawyers who didn't give a damn about other people. Things like this always seemed to happen to people who didn't deserve it. I just never thought it would happen to my dad.
It was a strange feeling, I hadn't had the time to really think about what had happened yet. I had only recieved the news from the somber police officer standing outside on the top step. The words he said sounded like water in my ears. Thick, enclosing, making my vision go blurry, and every tiny noise faded and slowed. Edward, who had been sitting at the kitchen table, heard the words before he said them, and was beside me as my arms began to search blindly. I clutched him, silent as the shock rolled over me, and then I started to cry. But it wasn't just crying, it was unearthly, the sound that came up from inside of me. Like something tearing, ripping, my heart maybe. I broke, and felt like all my limbs had disconnected. I relied on Edward to keep me standing, and he did his job well, supporting my weak body.
"She's going into shock." The police officer said, but his words were distorted and far away. This couldn't be happening. He was lying. Edward nodded, and basically carried me to the living room couch. My sobs resembled screams now, and Edward was rubbing my back. I couldn't really see, my surroundings just a blur. Even Edward's face, usually crystal clear and heart stopping, was faint, and I didn't like that. I screamed louder, not being able to see him scared me more than I already was. Where was he? I couldn't feel him or see him. Then everything was black, and I heaved a sigh of relief.
EDWARD POV
I heard his thoughts before he spoke the words, and panicked.
"How am I going to tell the poor girl? I can't believe this happened to Charlie of all people." He thought, and I rushed to her side before he could tell her, not caring if he remarked my unusual speed. What had happened, what was wrong with Charlie?
"Bella. I have some bad news." He said, and her eyes were immediately wary. I encircled my arms around her from behind, and she grabbed my wrist nervously. I held her tight, prepared for any outcome.
"Yes?" She asked the man, who was fiddling with his officers hat in his hands.
"Your father was killed in a fishing accident this morning. The current dragged him under." The man said. I was shocked, that water was cold. I could feel Bella's heart stop, silent for what felt like hours. I curved my hand around her slender waist, holding her securely against me, not saying anything, and she broke. I literally almost felt the ripping of something deep inside of her, and it scared me. Her eyes were empty, and she grasped my shirt, clenching and unclenching it. Her mouth was open in a tiny O shape, and her face was soaked with tears in a matter of seconds. I felt pain inside of me as well, for the man who was practically my father-in-law, his pure soul and good heart that was now lost, it was devastating. But my pain for Bella was intense, incomparable. She looked so scared and hurt and lost, like she didn't know where she was. I hugged her closer and listened to the horrible, tearing sobs that came from her chest, and looked like they must hurt to utter.
"She's going into shock." The officer said, standing awkwardly, looking troubled. I nodded, and left him there, wanting to make Bella comfortable. I lay her down on the couch. This was something big, bigger than she had ever had to deal with, and I knew we could handle it. It would take time, so so much time, but we could help her. Her sobs were more like screaming now. Horrific, heart wrenching screams I couldn't do anything about. She looked straight at me, her eyes wide and confused, and screamed louder. Her grip on me tightened, and she blacked out, sighing eerily. The house was ghostly silent, and I listened to her uneven and hitched breathing. I stroked her face, and pushed her wet hair out of her eyes.
"Oh Bella." I whispered, hoping she could hear me. "It's going to be alright. I'll take care of you."
BELLA POV
It was an odd sort of dream, if you could call it that. More like a nightmare. Edward stood on a cliff, his features fuzzy once again. I was standing beside him, and then he pushed me.
"I'll take care of you." He spoke as I fell, and I was confused, not particularily scared. Why was he saying that if he was pushing me off a cliff? I reached for him, losing sight of him as I fell, farther and farther away from him. I landed with a crash in the cold, green tinged water, and floated peacefully, letting the waves send me where they wanted. The water turned warm and uncomfortable, and I saw him. My father. Charlie. He was in the water as well, sitting at the bottom in a splayed out, awkward position. I swam eagerly towards him, his short hair waving like seaweed. But there was something wrong. His eyes, they had no colour, they were white. Bottomless pits. He couldn't see me with eyes like that. I tried to speak to him.
"Daddy wake up, I'm here, look at me." I said, but the words bubbled out of my mouth, not making any noise. I screamed once again.
EDWARD POV
She trashed and fidgeted, different emotions flashing across her face. Confusion, peace, irritation, relief, and then pure and utter terror. I had called Carlisle, and he had quickly made his way over here and examined her. She was in shock, and he gave me some advice to help calm her down. Keep the lights dim, make sure you don't leave her, and when you do need to get something or do something out of that room, tell her exactly where you're going and why, even if it's only to the next room. Keep talking to her, don't give her time to dwell. Make sure she doesn't hyperventilate, and try tea to stop her shaking. Ask her if she feels like stepping outside, fresh air can calm nerves. This advice went round and round in my head, and I waited for her to awake.
It happened with her talking.
"Daddy wake up, I'm here, look at me." She said, her eyes still closed. Another piercing scream echoed across the room. Her eyes opened wide and she sat up, her finger nails digging into my granite skin.
"Bella Sweetheart?" I said, speaking softly. She looked at me, her eyes lost once again, but didn't say anything. "It's alright." I told her. She looked at me once again, but remained silent. It scared me. "Bella, can you answer me?" I asked gently, not pushing her. She leaned into me, curling herself as close as she could, and I wrapped my arms around her. I suppose she sort of had answered me in a way, attaching herself to me. Silent tears were running down her face now, and I tucked her even closer, her arms wrapped around my waist and hugged me like a teddy bear, as tight as she could. I heard someone at the door, and knew by the instant stench that it was Jacob. I groaned, but Bella didn't take in his presence at all as he entered the room.
"Bells..." He said softly. She didn't look up, she didn't speak, she only gripped me tighter than before, and let more tears leak out of her eyes.
"She won't talk." I told him. "She's still in physical shock."
"Even to you?" He asked. I nodded. I looked at the clock, it was 7pm, and hour since we had gotten the news. I figured I had better get her to bed soon. I read Jacob's mind just then, and answered his question.
"You need to stay here?" I asked. He nodded.
"My dad's in the hospital with two broken femurs, and the rest of the pack told me to leave for the night." He said. I nodded, understanding.
"Bella?" I said tenderly, looking at her beautiful face, ravaged with pain. "Are you hungry?" I asked. She shook her head, curving into me. I nodded. "Okay, then let's get some rest." I said, and she let me pick her up.
"I'm sorry Bella." Jacob's pained voice came from the couch. She only let out another sob, clenching my shirt.
"I'm going to go get her in the shower and into bed." I told Jacob, and his face reddened. "You can sleep wherever, blankets are in that cupboard I think." I said, pointing at a small cupboard off to the side of the living room. He nodded, grateful, and I carried Bella upstairs. We arrived in her bedroom, and more tears came down her cheeks.
"Bella sweetheart, let's get you into a nice warm shower." I said, and she nodded. I let her down, and she grabbed onto my hand, walking in a wobbly way to the bathroom. She needed help walking. She turned the water on and looked at me, brushing my cheek with her hand. I kissed her forehead, and left, sitting on the edge of her bed. I heard the water run, and her step in. I sighed happy that she was able to do that herself. I heard sobs, deep mourning tears she cried while in the water, the sounds of her pain pierced my chest. I quickly tidied up the room, making her bed and adding a couple extra blankets and pillows. She was out soon, dressed in her sweatpants and one of my shirts. I opened my arms, and she curled into them. She smelt of strawberries and freesia, and I breathed in deeply, kissing her hair. I lay her own in the bed and climbed in next to her, tucking the covers around us. She closed her eyes and pressed herself against me, falling into a much needed sleep.
BELLA POV
I felt like a small child as Edward carried me upstairs, my hands holding onto him for dear life. I felt so tiny, like I could break in half any minute. I wanted to go into my father's room, like I had when I was small, and cuddle next to him, telling him about my bad dream. But that was the problem, this wasn't a dream, this was reality. I hardly recogized Jacob's presence, and didn't really care at the moment. I felt bad for not talking to Edward when he told me things or asked me things, but my voice wouldn't come. He set me down in my room, and I almost fell over, grabbing his hand for security. He led me to the washroom, where he left me to shower. I turned on the hot water, letting it run over my shoulder blades and soothe the cold ache in my heart. I cried for my father, he hadn't deserved this, he had always done nothing but good, protecting the people of Forks. He was gentle and quiet, someone easy to get along with, and of all people, the river had chosen him. As I washed my hair, I realised that it had been the water that took him, and here I was, showering in gallons of it. I rinsed my hair and turned it off quickly, pulling a towel around myself and then an old shirt of Edward's I had stolen from his room. It smelt reassuring and comforting, and the sweatpants I pulled on felt routine, and normal. I walked out and down the hall into my room, and saw with relief that his features were no longer blurry an unfocused. I hurried into his arms, and let him pull us under the warm covers. My head pulsed from crying, and I closed my eyes, curling closer to Edward's strong body, and fell asleep.
RENEE POV
I got the phone call in the middle of my yoga class, and hurried out of the room, answering the call, because the call display said Forks Police Dept. I thought it might be Charlie, calling because of Bella. But no one could have prepared me for what came next.
"Mrs. Dwyer?" The man on the other end of the phone said.
"Yes, that's me." I said, nervous.
"And you are the ex-wife of Charlie Swan? Mother of Isabella Swan?" He asked, and the butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach.
"Yes." I squeaked.
"I'm very sorry to inform you that Chief Swan perished in a fishing accident this morning, the current dragged him under." He said solemnly. I gasped.
"That can't be true." I said, not wanting to believe the man.
"I'm very sorry Ma'am." He said sincerely. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and worry flooded my brain.
"And Bella? Is she safe? Is she alright?" I asked frantically.
"She is unharmed. We have sent an officer over to the house, and were recieved by a young Jacob Black. Isabella is with her boyfriend." He said.
"Edward Cullen?" I asked, making sure.
"Yes Ma'am. He's a very responsible kid, never had any trouble with him." The officer said.
"Yes, I trust him. Could you inform Bella that I'll be over as soon as I can?" I asked, and the officer agreed, hanging up.