(A/n: Chapter 2!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. It belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Dinner tasted amazing. Emmett was through with his first plate before I had taken my third bite. The other table's occupants had eaten a little faster than I had, but they were still long behind Emmett, who had been invited to have a second serving. I quietly ate my food and let Emmett talk to the family, nodding when appropriate.
"Bella and I are twins. I was born first though. I am a whole five minutes older than this chick." Emmett knew just what I needed then. He realized that being upset with me wasn't helping me to speak. It mattered not. I didn't want to speak. This wasn't real and I would stay silent until I recovered my reality. Until I knew that I was awake, not one word would grace my lips.
It was hard to eat then. With Emmett being so nice and my ribs hurting I was doing all I could not to cry. I wished the medicine would kick in more quickly. Emmett was telling them our intrests and things we liked to do.
"I like to play baseball and I am definitely a Red Sox fan." Emmett smiled, "I remember when I first started playing, Bella got mad at me because she couldn't sit with me. We were inseperable at that age and had never been apart for very long. Bella came to every single game I played that year." Emmett laughed at the memory, "When I was at practice, she stayed home with my mom. She and mom cooked everything imaginable. They used to always make these fresh cheesecake tarts that melted in your mouth. I loved it when they made those because the crust would just fall apart in your hands. It was made completely from scratch and the tart filling was topped with strawberry pie filling that they cooked too. It was the best thing to eat after practice because it wasn't time for dinner, but I would be hungry." Emmett turned to me, "Do you remember how to make those still, Bella?"
I smiled up at him, forgetting my sadness for once, and nodded. I pictured cooking in the kitchen with my mother and it brought tears to my eyes. I looked down and studied my hands, trying to abate the tears. Crying in front of this family made my heart break. They were so concerned and I couldn't even thank them properly. I leaned my head against Emmett, looking up at him sadly with tears in my eyes. Emmett kissed my forehead and murmured, "I know, Bella. We can talk about it tonight when we go to bed."
I smiled at him and he kissed my head again. He turned to Edward and began talking about what baseball teams were their favorites. This gave me a chance to study each of them. I around to the person on the other side of Emmett.
Since the round table was fairly large, Dr. Cullen who sat to Emmett's right was visable. He was joining in the conversation and he looked like a fairly happy man. Apart from his beauty, he was kind. Inviting two orphans into your home was a true act of kindness that I wouldn't be able to get over. I would always be thankful for this.
Esme, with her long brown hair and deep widow's peak, was a vision of beauty. She had been so sweet to me since she'd met me. I found myself wishing that I could stay here forever. I realized that a rare sight was before me and that I would miss it if I didn't open my eyes. It was not every day that true kindness was shown.
My gaze drifted over to Edward. This boy, who I now know was my age, was not an exception to this family's pattern of attractiveness. He, however, was beautiful in a different way. It was the small things about him that made him beautiful. The way his copper hair twisted up in a cowlick at the top of his head, the way he smiled at me crookedly, and the way he presented himself were the main contributions.
I turned once more to look at Alice. Alice looked pretty short, but the spikeyness of her hair made up for it. She was very knowledgeable of almost every conversation that came up. Her energy and stubborness was a force to be reckoned with. When her brother hadn't set the table correctly, she'd made him do it over. That, aside from looking like a super model, was Alice in a nutshell.
This whole family was fasinating and I found myself wishing I could stay here for a while.
Dinner was over and I was feeling better. Even though I hadn't had much, the pills were kicking in and I felt more relaxed. I liked that no one had made me feel uncomfortable or self-conscience. They spoke to me in questions I could answer wordlessly. A nod or shake of the head was all they needed to continue the conversation and it was touching that they including me. I still felt the need to stay near Emmett, but if he needed to leave my side for a second to go to the bathroom or stretch his bad leg, I could survive.
It was time for us to turn in for the night and I was pushed into a room. "This is your room Emmett." Dr. Cullen showed Emmett. Emmett sat his crutches down and plopped on the bed that he would be staying in.
We were going to have to seperate.
I very nearly cried on the spot. I didn't want Emmett to leave me yet. I wanted the security and comfort that he brought.
I kept the tears back and let Emmett borrow some of Edward's pyjamas without interuption. When it was time to go find my room, Emmett came with me, and for that I was thankful. I borrowed some of Alice's sweats and a long-sleeved t-shirt of Edward's. I didn't want to look down and find bruises, so I would cover myself. Emmett had asked Dr. Cullen for these things and he had been very compliant with our requests.
When it was time to go to bed, I was suddenly scared. I didn't want to be left alone and I just grasped Emmett's hand and squeesed as hard as I could. Emmett came to whisper to me. "We won't be seperated forever. I'm going to go put my pyjamas on and if Alice or Esme hasn't helped you into yours then I will. I will be back in five minutes to check on you reguardless. Is that okay?"
I let go of Emmett's hand and he walked out of the room after kissing my head. I began to sit up from my position on the bed. I threw my bad leg over the side of the bed and began to get up. I stood on my right leg, making sure I could balance before I put all my weight on it. This was going to be tricky. A knock came at my door and I quickly sat down and waited for someone to come in.
Alice walked in the room and smiled, "Do you want some help? I know mom or Emmett could help you, but that would be awkward."
I smiled and nodded up at her. She held her hand out and I used it to pull myself up, letting her take some of my weight. She looked away as my legs were uncovered. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate it, but it also made me a little sad. A normal girl with these injuries wouldn't need this help, but I guess their ribs weren't broken either. Alice placed the hand that balanced me on her shoulder and reached down to help put my leg in the sweats. I sat down on the bed and did the same with my good leg, only to stand up once again to pull them all the way on. This grueling task had been a little more than I'd expected. It took energy, something I was low on right now, especially since today had been so exciting. As I pulled my shirt over my head, Emmett walked into the room.
"Are you ready for bed, Belly-bean?" Emmett laughed.
I frowned up at him.
Alice's reaction was similar to Emmett's, "That's a really cute name. Too bad Bella dosen't like it."
I smiled at them and moved myself back to lay on my pillows. The rest of the night went without consequence and Emmett stayed with me. There were no comments heard on this subject and no one said anything when Emmett and I were in the same room. When I woke up throughout the night, from nightmares or needing to go to the bathroom, Emmett was there to take care of me.
That morning when I woke up I felt refreshed. I felt the large presence of Emmett next to me and smiled. He had been true to his word, not leaving me for a second. I smiled at this and rotated myself enough to sit up. My legs hung off the bed and I moved (clumsily) into my wheelchair. Even though it took me a while to situate myself, I finally got in the chair and out my bedroom door which was conviently open.
I rolled into the kitchen and breathed in deeply. I smiled in appreciation. None other than Edward stood in front of the grittle, making chocolate chip pancakes. I rolled up next to him and craned my neck to see the process.
He finally noticed me and smiled, "Would you like some pancakes?"
I nodded, smiling.
"You like chocolate chips right? If you don't, I can make some without." Edward looked worried, but smiled when I took the plate he held out to me. I sat it on my lap and wheeled into the big table in their dining room.
Edward, in a gentlemanly fashion, once again pulled a chair out to make room for the wheelchair I was in. I opened my mouth to thank him and stopped myself before I could. I had almost forgotten my reason for not talking. I would wait to talk until I was in the real world. This wasn't reality...
I ate my pancakes and smiled at their wonderful taste. The combination of syrup and chocolate was amazing. At my smile, Edward began talking.
"I'm glad you like them. Emmett mentioned that you used to eat these and I thought it might make you feel better. I noticed you didn't eat much of your dinner last night, so I thought fixing something you liked would have you eat more." Edward smiled down at my almost empty plate, "I guess I was correct."
I smiled and finished my plate. I licked my lips and savored the flavor.
Edward served me another pancake and smiled, "Eat. The smile on your face when you taste it is too much to pass up."
I slowly ate the pancake and when I finished, I sat back in contentment. Edward got up and took our plates, "Do you like orange juice?"
I nodded and he fixed two glasses. He handed me one and drank the other, "I like to watch cartoons on Saturday mornings. I normally watch them by myself since I'm the only one that wakes up, but if you want you can watch them with me." It felt like we were in the fourth grade and he was offering me one of his toys to play with.
I looked him in the eye and nodded, smiling. He wheeled me into the living room and stopped my chair in front of the couch. It surprised me when he lifted me from my chair and sat me on the couch. I smiled up at him and realized that I felt warm. I felt safe. Once he sat me down, he sat next to me and turned on the television. I was not as nervous to be around him now that I knew he could be trusted. I watched Tom and Jerry chase each other around the room. Tom and Jerry didn't talk, but they used their actions to show how they felt.
"You're Jerry." Edward said to me.
I gave him a confused look and he explained, "You don't talk, but we never wonder what you're saying. You are clear about what you want. There is a big monster on your back, like the cat, Tom, but you are strong and you fight it. The only thing I can't understand is why you don't talk. I know it is a defense mechanism for your body and mind, but I still don't understand it."
I looked away from him and down at my hands.
"I didn't mean to upset you Bella. I just wanted to tell you what I was thinking." Edward pulled my chin up, "Don't you dare cry, or I swear I will go get some more of those pancakes, just to see that pretty smile."
I tried not to smile, but it was inevitable. I shyly smiled at him and his face lit up, "There it is."
The moment was sweet, but there was a slight problem. Edward and I were the only ones up and I had to use the bathroom...Crap.
My wheelchair was too far away. I didn't want to bother Edward, but the sudden urge to use the bathroom was too great. I had to get into my chair and get to the restroom and soon. I began to use my good foot to scoot across the couch toward my chair.
"Need some help there?" Edward asked me.
I nodded and he picked me up for a second time and I was back in my chair. I began rolling myself toward the bathroom. If I did this correctly, I could manuver in a way that wouldn't require much help from Edward. Edward, as expected, followed me. I stopped in front of the bathroom and Edward asked nervously, "Do you need help?"
I honestly felt bad for nodding, but I had no other option. Everyone else was asleep. I would not disturb my new family and I had been up all night with Emmett, who barley got any sleep. I didn't want to disturb him again, so Edward was my only option left. Edward helped me out of my chair and walked around to face me. Once he was standing in from of me, he made to grab my waist, but I flinched away. Suddenly the whole thing came back to me: why I was in a wheelchair, why I was in this house, why I even knew the man in front of me. The flashback of his hands gripping my waist, making bruises came to my mind and I immidiately sat back down and rolled backward a few feet. This was not real. That never happened. I've never seen that man. This was not real.
"I didn't mean to scare you, Bella. I'm sorry." Edward took a step back and his hands went up into the air in retreat.
Tears came to my eyes and I hung my head. I couldn't even go to the bathroom without difficulty. I looked up and saw the look of pure remorse on his face and it was then that my heart broke into a million pieces.
