SM owns all.
Hey everyone! Thanks again for the reviews, I love hearing your thoughts and opinions.
I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! I know I did… If you think taking a loud, 16 month old who stops to pick up every leaf, rock, or piece of dirt he sees trick or treating is fun. I kid, I kid. I love my little nephew.
Oh, by the way, I can't guarantee Edward's POV every chapter. I just write it when I feel he really has to tell his side of the story. Lately, he just won't shut up. I'm not sure if you care or even like Edward's POV, but I digress!
Oh, and I've been contemplating adding links for this story to my profile page. I think I'll add Bella's engagement ring just because it was fun to pick out and I happen to think it's beautiful.
Anyways, on with it!
The flight had been quick, luckily. I slept minimally but at least I caught a few winks here and there. I drove the rented car back home, back to where my family is. I didn't mind the drive. Honestly, I really like when I can just turn down the radio and drown myself with the thoughts filtering through my mind. I can't do that a lot in the city with the constant noise of cars, buses, and sirens. I love the city; don't get me wrong, I just liked being by myself every so often, too.
The closer I was to Forks, the harder it rained. It was fitting, really. My mood turned even more somber as I hung the left onto the old, hidden road that would lead me to my old home. Within minutes of arriving I had my bag by my side, my hair soaked with rain, and my mother's arms around my waist. Her tears fell almost as hard as the rain on the windows.
"Ma," I whispered, hoping to ease her tears. "It's okay."
"I know," she sniffled, "I've just missed you like crazy."
I hugged her tighter, loving the feel of her care after months of being away. I am, and always will be, a momma's boy. I rubbed her back softly and kissed the crown of her head. "Where is he, Mom?"
She pulled away and wiped absently at the tears falling from her eyes. "We set up a room for him in one of the guest suites on the third floor. He said he wanted to be close to Heaven so the angels wouldn't-" She broke off into a sob half way through. She sniffled a few more times before continuing, "so the angels wouldn't have far to travel."
I shook my head. Leave it to Carlisle to be so considerate to the angels. It was a pretty shitty thing to say though. My father spoke of his death often, but never in sad terms. No, Carlisle would never dwell on the sadness of his position. He said when it was his time to go, then it was his time to go; God never makes mistakes. I believed him or maybe I wanted to. Growing up I was never religious and only attended religious functions to appease my parents. When I learned of my father's illness I was devastated and then I became angry. Not angry at Carlisle or his doctors, but at God. I asked myself why he was doing this. Why did He want to take a father of three, grandfather of four, and beloved husband away from his family? He was the kindest, sweetest man with a heart of gold. So why take Carlisle when there were people out there far worse than him? There are angry sinners, pedophiles, murderers, etc. I thought long and hard about this and came up with an answer that settled me and my other siblings: Carlisle was far too good for this Earth and God didn't want his soul, so beautiful, to be tainted by anything bad. I know, it was farfetched, but it helped me and my brothers cope.
I walked up the stairs and swore that each step closer to Carlisle was a weight off my shoulders. Coming here was something I needed to do to relieve not only the heavy weight on my heart, but the weight of my families as well.
I knocked on the door softly, afraid I may wake him. I didn't wait for an answer as I opened the door slowly, peeking my head inside. My father was sitting up in bed, blankets draped across his frail frame, and a window open across the room which drafted a breeze every few seconds. He had a book open and a pen his hand.
"Edward? Is that you?" His voice was small but it didn't sound weak.
"Yeah, Dad, it's me."
He looked me over and smiled all he could muster. "You look good, my boy. Where's the beautiful Bella?"
I swallowed thickly. "I came up a day early," I started softly, glancing at the ground. "I wanted to spend a day alone with you, if that's ok?"
He was still smiling as he motioned for me to sit in the chair next to the bed. "Of course Edward, you never have to ask that. I haven't spent time alone with you in… I don't even know how long."
I smiled weakly, "I know, I'm sorry." I felt guilty, really fucking guilty. "I'm here now, Dad, I'm here now."
He patted my hand that rested gently on the blanket. "Don't be sorry, son. You have a wife now and she's your family."
"But you guys are still my family, too," I corrected.
"Yes of course, and we always will be, but you need to make sure she's happy. Let me tell you, son, when you find that one person in your life that you love more than anything, that you'd give your own life for…" he trailed off with a slight smile and a shake of his head, "well that's love. You can't be letting that go. You and Bella are meant to be together, I could feel it the second you brought her home, Edward. The very second. You're different with her, a good different. Your demeanors different, she calms you, doesn't she?" She used to; I wanted to say but simply nodded my agreement. "Remember when you first brought Tanya home?" I nodded again, wishing he wouldn't bring her up. "You were so concerned with how we were going to perceive her. You defended her actions and personality weeks before she even stepped foot through the door, Edward. You could never relax around her. She was so high strung."
"I know Dad, that's why I didn't marry her," I defended myself, trying not to sound agitated.
"No Edward, you didn't marry her because you knew she wasn't right for you." Maybe he was right, but I know I would have married her if she didn't turn out to be such a fucking skank. I never told my family, aside from my brothers, the real reason Tanya and I never married. My parents didn't need to know what a tramp she was. "Things with Bella are so much different. You're two halves of a whole. When you and your brothers were younger I would tell Esme how I couldn't leave this Earth until you had all found the ones you were meant to be with. Until you three had found your other halves. You have, Edward, all three of you."
"So you're saying that's why you got cancer? That's why you're up here with the window open so the angels can take you away? Because your three sons have found their so called "other halves"? That's fucked up." I couldn't help the anger rising in my voice.
He laughed softly, slightly out of breath. "No Edward, the window is open because I like to feel the breeze on my skin. I don't have enough strength to walk outside, but I don't want to spend my remaining months cooped up in a stuffy room."
I hung my head and wiped quickly at my tears before they could fall. "I'm sorry," I whispered lowly, half hoping he wouldn't hear me.
"Nonsense. You have nothing to be sorry for."
We sat in silence for some time. I sat in the chair next to Carlisle's bed while he worked on a crossword puzzle. So many things were running through my mind that I couldn't focus on one long enough to come up with an answer. Isabella popped up in my mind every time I ran my fingers through my hair. By now she was in her library reading a book, or maybe she was cooking dinner. I used to love when I'd come from work to find her in one of my white button downs, knee high socks, and her hair thrown up messily. She never looked more beautiful to me. Isabella couldn't cook for shit, but the girl tried.
"What's a poetic, three letter word for before?" Carlisle asked, biting the cap of his pen thoughtfully.
"Uhm," I paused, thinking Isabella would know the answer. "Ere?" I asked.
His face lit up, "that's my boy." He quickly wrote it down and closed his book. "You'll stay here tonight?"
"Of course Dad," I said softly, a genuine smile lit up my face.
We made small talk for a while. I let him know how work was going and he explained that Esme wanted to plant a small garden just off the patio. "It'll keep her busy," he explained. I nodded my head thinking that yes, it would. He also tried to be coy about being kept busy… with a baby. I didn't even acknowledge his comment.
"Alice and Jasper will be over shortly," Esme stated as she walked in with a glass of water and two pills for Carlisle.
"That'll be nice," I added. "I haven't seen Austin in months." Austin was their three year old and from what I gathered, he was a handful these days.
"Oh Edward, he's such a joy. So beautiful, I just love him to death," Esme beamed, clasping her hands together as she sat next to her husband in the bed.
"Not more beautiful than our boys, though," Carlisle teased. Esme rolled her eyes playfully. "When are you and Bella going to give me a granddaughter?" Carlisle asked, facing me as he placed his hand in Esme's.
"Dad," I warned, "didn't we just talk about this?"
They both laughed. "I talked, you ignored. Besides, I don't have much time, son."
I didn't laugh and neither did Esme. It hit me hard. What he said was true. Carlisle didn't have much time. "We're not ready for kids," I explained. Nor will we ever be, I added silently. We? No. I won't be ready. She might be but I won't be. It's not that I didn't want kids, I did actually. The thought of a little me running around kind of made me smile. But with Isabella? No. I… just… no. Her and I haven't made love- had sex- in months, 18 to be exact. It was difficult. Not only was I in a loveless marriage, I wasn't fucking anyone either. Ugh! There's only so much pleasure your own hand could generate.
"You two will make such a beautiful child. With your looks and her brains, that kid will be so well rounded," Carlisle joked.
"What're you saying, Dad? I'm not the smart one?" I rolled my eyes, smiling, and shook my head. I stretched in my chair and yawned.
Esme stood and walked over to me, gently cupping my cheek. "Oh, Edward, why don't you go lay down for a while? I'll wake you when Jasper and Alice arrive."
I was half asleep by now and I simply nodded. I stood and leaned over, laying a soft kiss upon my father's head. "Close the window, you're freezing."
"It's refreshing," he murmured before I slipped down the stairs into my old room. Because they had sold it and bought it back, all of my furniture, posters, and memorabilia were gone. Even the old blue paint was replaced by sterile white walls. This didn't feel like the warmth of my childhood room. It didn't seem to hold all the old memories. This was a sterile guest room at best. I sat on the bed, resting my head against the feather pillows. I kicked off my shoes, not bothering to change clothes or pull up the blankets. The call of the wild outside my window lulled me to sleep.
A few hours later Jasper, Alice, and Austin arrived. I was up, showered, and had eaten dinner by the time they pulled into the driveway.
"Well it's about time, Hale's," I joked, sweeping Austin up as he ran into the house. "How's my boy?" I asked in a childish voice, tickling him all over.
"Uncle E!" he exclaimed, so excited to see me. "Mommy said you and Uncle Emmy can teach me to play ball!"
I smiled at the thought. "Sure thing, little man."
"Oh Edward, you have no clue what it's like traveling with a child," Alice said, rolling her eyes as she dropped the diaper bag full of books and toys on the ground.
"C'mon, Austin can't be that bad."
"No, he's great. I was talking about your brother."
We all laughed and I put Austin down as Esme walked into the room.
"Meme!" Austin exclaimed, joy filling his adorable brown eyes.
Esme picked him up, showering him in kisses all over his face and neck. The two played on the floor, building with legos and reading books.
"Where's Bella?" Jasper asked.
"I wanted to spend some time alone with you guys. It was a last minute decision."
"Hmm," was Alice's only response.
"Alice do you mind picking her up in Seattle tomorrow? I want to spend some time alone with dad."
"Sure thing," Alice beamed, "I haven't had any real girl time since August when Rose came to visit."
I nodded my thanks and got up, making my way to the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of scotch and downed it in one gulp. I welcomed the burn and warmth as it settled in my stomach. I braced my hands on the kitchen counter, listening to Esme and Austin as they both giggled. I'm sure she welcomed the distraction with open arms. Alice and Jasper were talking in hushed volumes; I was barely able to make out what they were saying. Deciding I didn't care enough, I opened the door in the kitchen that led out to the back patio and sat on the concrete steps. They were wet, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
I heard the door open and close behind me. A glass nearly overflowing with golden liquid was shoved into my hands.
"How's everything going?" Jasper asked, sitting next to me.
I glanced at him before answering, "as good as it can go."
"And Bella?"
I paused for a second and thought. How was Isabella? Taking all things into consideration, she wasn't terrible. I provided a roof over her head. I provided her food and nutrition. I provided her a safe haven. But, as warm as the heaters were at night, and the safeness of our house, I was cold to her. And my chill couldn't be warmed by another notch on the thermostat or extra blanket at night. No, my chill was permanent, like a disease just growing inside. Like a… like a cancer. Not only was my father dying physically of cancer, but my wife was dying emotionally from it. I blinked hard, pulling a cigarette from the pack I had in my back pocket. "She's fine."
"Can I bum one?" Jasper asked.
"They're stale," I added before handing him the pack. "I haven't smoked in months."
"I just need a diversion," he whispered. I nodded and took another gulp of my drink. We sat in silence for a while, just casting indifferent glances out into the forest of our back yard. It was eerily quiet up here. No sounds of the city, just the sound of nature. Every so often the hoot of an owl would pull me from my daze and I'd take another drink.
"I never thought I'd have to say goodbye to him," Jasper said quietly. I don't think he meant to say it aloud, but I contemplated his words. I remembered what Carlisle had told me months ago.
"I love you, son. And the only reason I'm telling you before the others is because when the time comes, I need you to be strong. I won't have the strength and you know your mother."
Yes. I needed to be strong for my siblings. I couldn't let my father down, he trusted me.
"Jasper," I whispered, putting my arm around his shoulders, "these things happen." It was the only thing I could think to say. "Dad has lived such a full life. He had three successful sons, he has four beautiful grandchildren, and he's watched us all find love. That's all he's ever wanted."
Jasper nodded. "I know, Edward, but the thought of him suffering just," he paused as his voice wavered, "it just breaks my heart. He doesn't deserve this."
I patted his back softly. "No one does, but dad needs us to be strong, Jaz."
I saw him wipe absently at the tears that had fallen. "I know," he admitted, "but every time Alice and I leave, I feel like it's the last time I have to say goodbye to him."
I wanted to tell him that it may in fact be, but I couldn't bring myself to say the words. So, I tried to sound optimistic, something that was foreign to me. "You heard what the doctors said, Jaz, they've given him a few more months. But when it's his time, then it's his time. When God takes him, he'll take him for a reason." I brought God into it because I know it comforts people, it settles them, especially Jasper.
"You're right."
I nodded. "I know," I said jokingly.
Jasper stood and so did I. We hugged each other tightly, comforting one another before making our way back inside.
"Jasper," Alice sniffed the air as Jasper sat next to her, "why do I smell cigarettes?"
"They're mine," I offered, taking the blame. "I needed to take my mind off of things."
Alice eyed me suspiciously as Jasper took a big gulp of his drink. I smiled at the thought of Jasper using liquor as mouthwash.
The rest of the night was spent up in Carlisle's room. We had made a picnic of deserts around his bed and we shared childhood memories. Austin fell asleep on my shoulder as I hummed a lullaby to him. It was a precious moment that I'll forever cherish. I offered to take him downstairs and tuck him in. I was just pulling up the covers when his eyes opened and he smiled up at me. I shushed him and kissed his forehead.
"Uncle E?" He mumbled sleepily.
"Yeah bud?"
"Will you sing to me?"
I couldn't say no to a sleepy face like his.
I motioned for him to make room for me. He lay under the covers as I lay atop them. He curled up next to me, his little head rested on my upper arm. I decided to sing the song that I used to sing him when he was a baby.
Hey Jude don't make it bad Hey Jude don't be afraid
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
And any time you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
"How come you always sing that to me?" He asked, his little hand tugging on his ear, a sign that he was tired.
"Your aunt started it," I answered truthfully.
"Aunt Belly?" Austin asked excitedly.
"Yes."
"So why do you sing it to me then?"
"Because I used to sing it to her all the time," I whispered, "and one time when you were just a baby you started crying and once you heard me singing it you just stopped. It was amazing. After that, ever time I'd hear you cry I would sing that song to you and you would stop. It wouldn't work for anyone else though." I smiled at the memory of Jasper trying to console Austin while singing that song, it only made him cry louder. "So it's like our own little song."
"And Belly's," he added softly. I smiled down at him and nodded. "Does Aunt Belly love you like mommy loves daddy?" I wasn't sure, but I nodded anyways. "Do you love her like daddy loves mommy?" I couldn't say no, so I nodded, a lie I so often told. "When is she going to be a mommy?"
I had to laugh at his absurd question. "I'm not sure, Austin. You need to go back to sleep or your moms going to kick my assbutt!" I tried to recover as quickly as I could by meshing the two together.
"What's an assbutt?"
"Shh," I quieted him, laughing softly. "I'll see you tomorrow." I stood and kissed his forehead softly, ruffling his light brown curls. "I love you, Austin."
"Love you, Uncle E."
The following day we had coffee at the kitchen table. Esme and Alice made cinnamon rolls from scratch. They chatted about nothing and everything at the same time.
"I'm so excited for Bella to get here!" Alice enthused. As she clapped her hands together, flour went flying. Jasper laughed, tousling his son's curls, and excusing himself.
"Mommy!" Austin yelled from her left as he played with his legos. "You got flour all over me."
"I'm sorry, baby," she cooed. "Here," she handed him a clean rag, "you can use this to clean up."
"I should kick your assbutt!"
An uncomfortable quiet filled the room and my eyebrows shot up. Alice slowly turned to Austin but had her eyes on me. "Where did you hear that word?" She had her no nonsense mom voice on.
Austin smiled big and pointed to me, "Uncle E!"
"That's a no-no word, Austin," Esme chimed in, trying to conceal her smile.
Austin didn't give another thought as he continued building his castle.
"Edward," Alice warned.
"Sorry Allicat," I purred, sticking out my bottom lip.
She shook her head and turned back to helping Esme.
"Is Dad up, Ma?" I asked, wanting to get the hell away from Alice's wrath.
"I'm not sure, but it's time for his pill anyway. Want to take it up to him?"
I nodded my head and grabbed a glass of water and one of his pills before heading up stairs.
"Hey Dad," I called into his room, relieved that Jasper was in the room talking with him. Carlisle smiled as I entered the room. "I come baring gifts from your wife." I placed the rather large pill in the palm of his hand and the glass of water on the night stand. He swallowed the pill and drank his water without even a blink of an eye.
"I can't tell you how excited I am for Bella to get here," Carlisle enthused. I was glad that his voice had a little more life in it today.
"So you're not excited that I'm here?" I teased.
"Oh you know what I mean, Edward. My whole family will be here. My three handsome sons and their wives as well as my grandchildren. This is what you should live for, trust me boys." He looked at both of us. We both nodded, but Jasper already fulfilled Carlisle's hope, I hadn't. I couldn't help but think that I was letting him down.
"Emmett will be here tonight, too," Jasper said as he went over to shut the window. Carlisle was about to object when a delicious scent wafted into the room.
"Fresh cinnamon rolls?" Esme beamed lovingly.
We all dug in. Carlisle ate his slowly, savoring the taste. I watched as Austin inhaled his, getting more icing on his face and in his hair than actually in his mouth. I laughed at the site and captured the image, holding it forever in my heart.
"I'm leaving, Edward," Alice said before hugging me.
"Hey, don't tell her… about Carlisle."
Alice looked a little confused at first and then nodded. "She doesn't know?"
I shook my head. "She's been stressed out lately," I lied, "I didn't want to add anything onto it."
Alice was puzzled but nodded anyways. "I won't say anything."
I offered a weak smile. "Thanks, Al."
After Alice left I decided to work on some of the stuff I had brought with me. I walked into Carlisle's old office, the smell of dust and his old cologne assaulted me as I choked on the pungent smell. It's like his smell lingered in this room for years after we moved. I opened my brief-case to the stack of paper work I needed to complete and took it out begrudgingly. I fired up the computer on the desk and answered several unopened emails. I spent the next few hours working on things before I called it quits. I ate a light dinner and said my goodbyes, promising to be back tomorrow morning with Isabella.
I checked into the hotel and immediately wished I had gotten a room with two beds. This one looked significantly smaller than the one we shared. It's going to be one uncomfortable night, I thought as I pulled out the bottled of scotch and took two big gulps. Maybe she would sleep on the couch? Yeah, maybe.
By the time nine o'clock rolled around, I was well on my way to drunk and I decided to walk down the street to a small convenience store for some snacks. I got off the phone with Alice and shoved it in my back pocket. I grabbed a bag of Cheetos and thought about what Isabella would want. I'm sure she would be hungry after not having eaten dinner. I settled on a bag of Salt and Vinegar chips and a few sodas. By the time I had stumbled back to the parking lot, I heard Isabella's laughter ringing out.
"Isabella?" I called out, nearly falling on my face as I stumbled on a rock.
She froze and turned slightly in my direction, "Edward." Her tone held no emotion.
I waved Alice on and told Isabella to follow me. I led her to the back of the building and down a concrete path. I stopped in front of a glass sliding door. I unlocked it after a few attempts; laughing at myself each time I failed. I could hear her sighs of disapproval from behind me.
She dumped her stuff on the small bed and sat in one of the chairs at the small table in the corner of the room. I could feel her eyes on me.
"Are you… drunk?" she asked, whispering the last word.
I laughed forebodingly. "It would appear so now wouldn't it, Isabella?"
I could practically hear her rolling her eyes. I got up and snatched the bottle, now half empty, and sat back on the bed. "We need to talk." I took a few deep breaths, not knowing how to start this conversation. "Carlisle-" I stopped myself, taking another drink from the bottle. I decided to approach this another way. "Alice didn't say anything?"
She laughed sarcastically and shook her head. "Alice said a lot. I think my ears are bleeding."
"About Carlisle, Isabella," I added, the words dripping with venom. I didn't want to play her games.
"No."
"He has cancer," I blurted out. I shook my head after I said it. I was such a fucking idiot. I swear I have no filter.
Isabella was silent for a few moments so I took this opportunity to down quite a few more shots. I couldn't even feel the burn anymore.
"What kind of cancer?" She asked softly. I glanced up, her voice sounded weak, soft, frail. She had pulled her knees up to her chest, her cheek resting gently on a knee while her arms were wrapped around them loosely.
"Pancreatic."
"Is he going to be ok?"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I hadn't told anyone of my father's illness yet. I hadn't yet uttered the words that no, Carlisle wasn't going to make it. That my father would inevitably die. I was thankful that I hadn't had to say those words yet, it would make things real. I hated Isabella even more in this moment. Why did she have to make me say it? Why did she have to make it real?
I stood quickly, slamming the bottle on to the TV stand, and headed out onto the patio. I slammed the door with as much force as I could muster in my stupor. I was disappointed in myself. I had taken the easy road. Emmett and Jasper had enough balls to tell their wives that Carlisle had cancer. They had confided in their wives that their father was dying and here I was, pissed that Isabella wanted answers. I was an asshole. I was scum. I couldn't take blame for a damn thing. After a cigarette and many, many dark thoughts, I walked back inside and sat on the bed.
Isabella got up and sat next to me on the bed. I had to fight the urge to move. "He's terminal. The doctors gave him a few months. He's known for awhile."
The silence hung in the room like a dense, awkward cloud.
Nothing else was said that night.
The next morning, while Isabella was showering, Alice called. I huffed loudly and told her she was showering.
"Well hand her the phone! This is important! And no, it can't wait," she demanded.
I pursed my lips together and banged loudly on the door. The shower was no longer running, luckily or unluckily, I wasn't sure. She opened the door just as I raised my hand to knock again. She was wrapped in a skimpy towel that fell uncomfortably high and rested just above her nipples. Okay, maybe I was exaggerating, but I hadn't seen this much of her skin in a very long time. Her dark hair contrasted against the paleness of her skin.
"Yeah?" she asked.
I handed the phone over to her without a word.
"Hello?" She asked timidly. I heard Alice's high pitched voice and Isabella visibly relaxed. Who was she expecting it to be ? "No, no, I don't think I can. Well, I'm not sure. Oh, they are?" she looked up at me before turning her back. "Okay then. Mrs. Cullen and Rosalie too?" I scoffed at the 'Mrs. Cullen' line. Since when was Esme Mrs. Cullen to Isabella? I guess about the same time I became Edward and not her husband. I rolled my eyes and sat on the bed, resting back on my forearms. Her left leg lifted to brush against her right as she leaned against the door frame. "Oh, uhm, sure then. Yeah, yeah I guess I need one then, too. I'll be ready whenever you are." There was a silence for a few moments before Isabella bowed her head and giggled softly. "Alice, that's very inappropriate." I heard Alice's loud giggle through the phone. "Stop it, you perv. Sure, see you then. Bye."
She took the phone from her ear and looked at it as it lit up. She didn't turn her body but she looked at me over her shoulder, a waterfall of waved hair fell in her face. I was looking at the profile of her delicate features. Delicate features? Who the fuck am I? I mentally noted to get checked out by a psychiatrist when I returned home. My thoughts were all over the fucking place. "I don't know how to work this." My eyes traveled from her bare feet, which she shifted on uncomfortably, to her barely-there-towel clad body, finally meeting her averted gaze.
"What did she want?" I asked, making no attempt to move.
"To take me shopping in Port Angeles with Mrs. Cul- your mom and Rosalie. I guess to buy a dress for Thanksgiving. I forgot to bring one," she whispered the last part softly. "You, your brothers, and your father are going to be spending the day together with your nephews."
"Well, gee, thanks Isabella for the agenda."
She was still for a moment before gently placing my phone on a nearby table and shutting the bathroom door quietly. I blinked hard and rolled over on the bed, placing my head in the pillow. The sink was running in the bathroom when my phone rang again.
"What?" I was annoyed and didn't bother to look at the caller ID.
There was silence before a shaky voice spoke, "Uncle E?"
I silently cursed myself. "Hey buddy, how are you today?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"No, of course not. Are you ready to play ball today?" I asked, hoping to cheer him up.
"Yeah! Grampa is gonna come, too!"
I was confused, surely he didn't mean Carlisle. "I don't think so, Austin. He's sick, remember?"
"But… he's already down stairs!"
I was beyond confused. "Is your Daddy around?" I asked, wanting to figure this shit out now.
I heard a rustling and then Jaspers voice. "Ed?"
"Dad's out of bed?"
"They brought him down this morning. The doctor said it would do him some good since he's been okay lately." I could hear the hope in his voice. "The doctor came by this morning to check on him and helped him into a wheel chair. He was in a little pain at first, but Dad said it was well worth it. Em and I carried him down the stairs this morning. We're going to install one of those motorized lift things on the stairs if today goes well. When ya comin'?"
"Now," I said before hanging up. I didn't think twice before leaving the room, only stopping to grab my cell phone, car keys, and to place a credit card on the table for her.
I didn't say goodbye.