The Receiving End
Chapter 2: A Father's Realisation
Well here is chapter 2. Sorry for the wait, I dont have internet at home so I have to use my local library so updates shall be weekly on a Saturday.
Hope y'all enjoy
Charlie wasn't big on emotions, he was fairly detached and that helped him considerably in his job. However in this moment, with his daughter collapsed in his arms, fear filled him. He called her name but received no response. He had no idea what to do so he bundled her up, carrying her gently but quickly to his cruiser. He plugged her in before setting his lights to blue. He had never been so glad before to have the priveledges of being chief. For the first time he truly broke the speed limit, racing through dark streets as rain plummeted around him. Still his baby girl was unresponsive.
Not soon enough, the hospital rose up before him, tall, with numerous windows and painted a pale white. It wasn't a place Charlie particularly liked to visit however it was the place that had the biggest chance of saving his daughter. He bundled her up and carried her through corridor after corridor, the only indication as to direction were coloured lines painted onto whitewashed walls. Still she had not stirred. It took another five minuted before the Chief reached the accident and emergency department. He pushed the door open with his back as he protected his daughter in the only way he could at the moment.
He walked up to the desk where a young nurse smiled back at him. Why on earth was she smiling?
"Hello how can I help you?" Her voice was cheery as she chomped on some fruity gum. Her lips smacked periodically through her obliviousness.
"I need a doctor, my daughter has collapsed." At this the nurse's cheery smile dimmed and she stood, took a look at the unconscious girl before scurrying away. She motioned to the father and he followed. She moved efficiently through the crowded corridor whilst he tried to avoid bashing Bella's head or legs against either people, machinery or the wall. Soon enough though the unnamed nurse was knocking on a great oak door. A quick look to the plaque on the door told Charlie that this was the top doctor at their small hospital.
Dr Carlisle Cullen was a god send as far as the small town Forks people were concerned. Not only was he young but he was arguably the best in his field, he could have a had a pick of jobs but had settled here with his large, mismatched family. The only problem with the good doctor was that he was married, it was such a shame to many a female.
Carlisle was sat writing paperwork for yet another mundane patient when he received the knock on his door. Of course with his heightened senses he had heard the footsteps coming down the corridor but he was expecting no visitors. He let out a cordial 'come in' as he set down his pen. When the people entered he had his hands together by his chin with his elbows resting on the table. Firstly he noticed the young nurse, her flaming red hair was secured in a bun as she sent a flirtatious grin to the doctor. Could they really not help themselves? But he ignored her and looked past her where he noticed the chief and an unknown female asleep or unconscious in his arms.
"Hello Chief, what may I do for you?" His head cocked to the side in curiosity. There was a level of respect between the two men who both undoubtedly wanted to help people but in two very different ways. By now Charlie's back was aching, unsurprisingly Bella was significantly heavier than she had being whilst a baby and accordingly it was causing him a strain to cary such weight for a prolonged amount of time.
"I went to pick up Bella from the airport and when I hugged her she collapsed. She's being unresponsive ever since." At the explanation Carlisle was out of his chair and up before the worried father. He gently took the girl from Charlie's arms before taking her to the small work space to the right of his office. He lay her down on the hospital bed.
"Nurse may you fetch me an IV." She nodded curtly before turning and leaving. When push came to shove she was effective at her job. While she ran the arrand Carlisle returned to the girl trying to figure out just why she had collapsed.
On first observation it as plainly obvious that she had a fracture to her left arm. If only he knew before uncovering her that this would only be the start.
"I need to get her in a hospital gown." Charlie nodded in understanding though silently glad that the doctor had not just proceeded to strip his daughter. Carlisle wished not to jostle the girl while he was still unsure as to the severity of her injuries so resulted to cutting her garments away. He started with the t-shirt and as inch after inch was revealed his horror increased.
He had started at the hem of her shirt so one of the first things he was was the vicious burn from just this morning. It was red and inflamed, surrounded my numerous scars. He also noticed that her ribs were significantly bruised and knew that he would have to x-ray them to determine the extent of the injury to her ribs. As the rest of her t-shirt slipped away more and more injuries were revealed, none which were as horrorfying individually as the burn but still created a bitter picture as a whole. Hesitantly and admittedly fearfully, he gently pushed her so he could see the back.
In his years Carlisle had seen many a shocking sight but this, this sickened him. This was clearly not an accident. Ingrained on her back was distinct shape of an iron, clearly it had seared through many layers of her skin and may be a permanent fixture on her. Below that were thin scars that spanned the width of her back in quick succession. Again it didn't take a genius to discern that they were from some kind of whip.
Carlisle returned the girl to her previous position with a sad sigh. He wondered how she had managed to hide such injuries. Ever the professional he continued on, cutting away the grungy jeans. He found much the same, a littering of scars and bruises. Luckily he saw nothing near her inner thighs or groin. It was small mercy in the horror tha =t was being shown. Now that Carlisle had saw exactly what he was working with he quickly dressed her in one of the standard hospital gown, it hung limply on her gaunt frame and he noticed that she was unnaturally thin. Yet another problem to add to it all.
By the time Bella was redressed the nurse had returned with a stand and a large back of saline solution. And here came the benefit of unconsciousness, they wouldn't be aware that they were receiving a needle. Even so he entered it slowly to cause minimal pain. Once she was as stable as could be expected he returned to Charlie who was sat at the desk, worry etched into his every facial expression. Sympathy filled Carlisle because he realised that Charlie was oblivious as to what had happened to his daughter. Carlisle sat in his chair facing the chief with a compassionate grimace on his face. Automatically Charlie tensed fearing what that look meant.
"What's the diagnosis doc?" His tone was light but everything in his body language shpwed that this definitely wasn't the case.
"I believe that she simply passed out because her body needs to recuperate. I'm almost positive that her arm is broken and I'm still to do x-rays on her ribs. I'm almost positive they're either broken or severely bruised. I fear that your daughter may have being a subject to bullies as she has some highly distressing injuries." Charlie blanched at the news. His little girl abused? But what scared him the most was that she had never gone to school because Renee had home schooled her.
"I'm going to kill her! I swear to hell that I'll kill her." Charlie's fist banged on the solid oak as fury overtook him. What right did she have to abuse their child? What had the girl ever done? Nothing probably.
Even though he was still fuming the Chief returned to his seat at Carlisle's gentle coaxing. Both men were calm in general demeanor, very little riled them up. But their family, that was something they'd fight to the death for.
"Charlie you can't go in all guns blazing. You have to gain Bella's trust first. She has to let you in, she'll need a tremendous amount of support." Charlie closed his eyes to centre himself. He was angry, so fucking angry. At her for destroying his beautiful daughter, at himself for leaving his little girl with the monster and at the world for letting it happen in the first place. However if there was one thing he was good at then it was listening to reason and that was exactly what Carlisle represented in this situation. So he would leave it be for now, hold out on justice while he proved to his daughter she was his world and that not everyone was a monster.
Carlisle was right in his assumption, she had two broken ribs and obvious signs of previous breakages. There wasn't much he could do apart from making sure she moved as little as possible, she was lucky they hadn't punctured any organs. Still she slept in the doctors office, her body getting the best rest it had received in years, unwilling to let go of the peace. Both doctor and father kept vigil over the girl, until finally, some fifteen hours later she awoke.
Bella was terribly confused when she awoke, the sterile scent of antiseptic invaded her nostrils. The bed below her was high up, hard but with clean bedding. It took a few minutes to realise she was in a hospital but she had no idea why. There was no way her mother would send her to a hospital for she begrudged paying the extortianate insurance and medical bills. She was shut off behind a curtain but she realised she must be in a side room because there wasn't the loud bustle of a ward surrounding her.
She realised that she was in significantly less pain than she had being for a while and discerned that she had received a painkiller somewhere along the way. And then after that realisation everything came flooding back - she wasn't in Phoenix in anymore she was in Forks. Her mother was finally done with her and so now she could only hope that her father was at least half as kind as her mother. But right now she had to figure out how she was going to pay this damned medical bill.
Carlisle was first to notice that his young patient had awoken, he noticed the change in her heartbeat. But it didn't take long for Charlie to catch on as he heard the bed creak. Yet before either man could move a piercing scream rang through the room. It was a scream that spoke of absolute fear and had both men, vampire and human, racing behind the curtain. Bella looked pitiful as she sat curled up, hospital gown hanging off sickly bones, one arm cast and tears streaming down pale cheeks. Carlisle squatted down beside her.
"Bella, can you look at me, no one's going to hurt you. At first it seemed as though there would be no response but then doe brown eyes met golden orbs. Carlisle smiled reassuringly at her.
"You'll have to take the cast back, I'm sorry doctor I can't afford it." And that truly stunned Carlisle. Firstly she was paying her own bills and secondly what kind of doctor would undo treatment? Had that ever happened before? He severely hoped not.
"Bella that doesn't matter. Charlie has already paid, regardless any self-respecting doctor would never not treat a patient in need." And then tears were dripping down her cheek again. It was terrible for a father to watch, Charlie had no idea what to say to make this all better so he hoped that he could provide comfort. He ran a soft hand through her locks methodically until she calmed. It was heartbreaking for Carlisle to watch, he always hated when he saw a child in pain especially when it was caused by the people whose job it was to care for the child.
"Why'd you pay my bill?" The question was quiet, fearful. Clear to Carlisle but almost discernible to Charlie. He couldn't blame her for the question really. When had he ever proved that he loved her? He had left her with a monster, never saved her when she truly needed it.
"Oh Bells, I love you and slowly but surely I'm going to prove it to you." If possible Bella's sobs became stronger and though Charlie was hesitant he wrapped her up in his arms. He didn't hold too tight afraid of what could happen but still tight enough to make her feel safe hopefully. "Once the doc gives the order we'll go fetch your bag from the airport." Bella went to nod, agreeing with the plans her father made before realising that there was no bag to fetch. Renee had sent her with only the clothes that were now destroyed.
"I don't have a bag." Bella's voice was apprehensive, afraid of the reaction she would receive because she was already being an inconvenience. This was why Renee had got rid of her, because she was nothing more than a fuck up. It broke Charlie to see the fear on his daughter's face as she confessed a sin that wasn't hers to bear.
"Shh, it's okay, Carlisle has two daughter's I'm sure one of them wouldn't mind giving up one or two pieces." Carlise had returned back to his offices by then and chuckled softly at the comment. Alice and Rosalie had enough clothes between them to open a reasonable sized store. Bella nodded at her father before relaxing and flitting of into a natural sleep.
Charlie walked out the room and into the main office where Carlisle sat on the phone. Charlie stood patiently yet awkwardly in the corner. When he looked finished on the phone Carlisle looked up, motioning for Charlie to sit in the seat before him.
"I just called Alice, she's on her way with some clothes to last until the weekend." Charlie sent a grateful smile.
Both men sat in companionable silence as they waited for Alice. Unsurprisingly to Carlisle it didn't take long for the little Pixie to arrive, a bundle of clothes in her hands.
"I didn't know what she would like so I got her a mixture." Alice was as bright and cheery as usual as she passed the bag over to Charlie. He accepted it with a thankyou though if he was to be honest the girl was entirely overwhelming.
Now that she was as fixed as could be Charlie picked her up once again and took her home. He tucked her into bed with a light kiss to her cheek. He knew that the coming weeks would be a testament to all their strength to survive and come out stronger.
Thankyou so much for all the lovely reviews! Keep it up ;)
If you want something else to read in the meantime try my other story Made For Them!
Shezza
