The Heart of Everything

Part III: Final Destination

Author: Mrs Ronald Weasley

Rating: PG-13 or T

Pairing/s: Edward/Bella

Category: Angst/Romance

Warnings: Attempted suicide

Spoilers: New Moon

Summary: The night Edward leaves her, Bella believes she has nothing left to live for.

A/N: Um, I was going to end it here, but I think I may do one more part. Each is inspired by a song from the band Within Temptation.

"I'm searching, I'm fighting for a way to get through

To turn it away

It's waiting, always trying

I feel the hands of fate, they're suffocating

Tell me what's the reason?

Is it all inside my head?

Can't take it no more!"

Within Temptation 'Final Destination'

After Carlisle had left, I'd fallen into a restless sleep. I didn't know how long I drifted in and out of consciousness. Eventually Edward shook me gently. "Bella?" his voice sounded anxious and I immediately jerked out of my half conscious state.

"What is it Edward?" I asked as my head swam, my sudden movement causing a slight sense of vertigo.

"It's Charlie," he said, and moved to slip out off the bed.

I caught his arm desperately, the feeling of emptiness filling me the second his body no longer touched mine. "Please, don't leave me."

Edward looked torn. "Bella, one of the nurses called him," he said, taking my hands in his. "He's not in a good state. I think it would be best if I wasn't here when he comes in."

The thought of that panicked me. Edward met my eyes as he noticed the sudden change in my heart rate. "No, Edward," I whispered. "You promised."

"I'll just leave the room," he assured. "I won't be far."

"Please," I begged. "I want you here...I don't know if I can face my dad alone."



He looked away for a brief moment before nodding and climbing back into the bed with me. I reached for him and he pulled me to him, wrapping his stone arms around me comfortingly.

A few moments passed before I heard the door bang open. "Bel-YOU!" Charlie slammed the door shut and lunged at Edward. "You did this to her!"

"Dad!" I called in a desperate attempt to keep him attacking Edward.

Charlie ignored me and advanced on Edward, who was backing into the wall behind himself. "You left her like this! It's YOUR fault she wanted to give up her life!"

"Yes it's my fault!" Edward hissed in Charlie's face. I could feel the anger radiating off him as he shook with rage. "Do you have any idea what it was like for me to find her, barely clinging to life?!"

"You?!" Charlie yelled. "Do you know what I felt when I found this?!" He pulled my note and I stared at it in his shaking fist.

They continued to yell, but I wasn't listening. The note. I had completely forgotten about it. A new kind of pain filled my heart as I realized what it must've been like for him to find it. Did he find it before the hospital called? Did he think I was dead? The pain it must've caused him when he'd read it...

I couldn't take it anymore. I was sorry, sorry about what I had done to Charlie and to Edward, and everyone else. So why didn't I feel any better? I felt worse, much worse. Edward and my father were arguing over who I had caused more pain to. Why couldn't they see, as clearly as I could that it was myself that I had caused the most anguish for.

"Please," I begged in a whisper. "Stop it. I can't take it anymore. Just stop," I cried. I sucked in a deep breath and choked; hyperventilating as I tried to desperately catch my breath.

"What's going on in here?!" I heard his livid voice before he burst into the room, slamming the door behind him so hard that it fell off its hinges, the walls vibrating.

Charlie stopped mid-sentence. Edward had been angry, but Carlisle was furious. "What is the meaning of this?!" he hissed, moving over to where I was still gasping for breath. He grabbed the oxygen mask off the wall and flicked the on switch, holding it over my face. "Just breathe, Bella," he said softly, "it'll pass." He turned back to Edward and Charlie, his eyes alive with anger again.

"Dr. Cullen?" a male nurse had appeared in the doorway. His eyes went from the door that lay against the wall on an angle, to Edward and Charlie, and then to Carlisle and me. "Would you like me to call security?"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary, Mark," Carlisle said, remarkably calmly.



Once I'd finally managed to catch my breath, I collapsed and fell back against the pillow. "Are you alright Bella?" Carlisle asked as he replaced the oxygen mask.

"Yes," I nodded. "Thank you."

Carlisle smiled slightly before turning back to my father and Edward, both of whom hadn't moved an inch. "Edward?" he said, he looked at him. "Would you mind giving me a moment with Charlie and Bella?"

Edward's eyes snapped to my face and I although I didn't want him to leave, I knew that I didn't have a choice. I nodded, telling him that it was okay.

He moved over to me and kissed me quickly. "I won't be far, I promise." I nodded again and he moved away, stepping over the door as he left the room.

"Dad," I started, staring at him. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to put you through this."

"Bella," he said, moving towards me and taking my hand. "Do you know how much it hurt when I found your note?"

"I know," I muttered back, trying to hold the tears that threatened to fall in. "Believe me, I do. But you have to know that it hurts me too, I didn't want this." I looked to Carlisle, "for any of you."

"You weren't thinking rationally Bella," Carlisle whispered.

Charlie sighed and ran his free hand over his face. "Is she going to be alright?"

"There will be no lasting effects from the overdose," Carlisle assured him. "She's currently suffering from withdrawal; I've been treating her symptoms. She'll be released once the withdrawal symptoms pass, it may take a couple days."

Charlie nodded. "I'm sorry Dad," I muttered again.

"I know Bells," he said, leaning over to kiss my forehead. He paused. "I think I should go," he looked at Carlisle, "I'm sure you have things you need to discuss with your son as well." He squeezed my hand lightly. "I'll stop by tomorrow Bella."

Turning on my side, I curled up, wanting Edward to return. "How are you feeling?" Carlisle asked as Edward reappeared. I sighed, and Carlisle smiled. "I meant physically," he added.

"Okay, I think," I replied, moving over to let Edward back in the bed.

"We'll see in a few more hours, I don't think the meds have completely worn off," he said. He paused and Edward looked at him, almost frighteningly. Carlisle shook his head, "I think you've both been through enough. I'm not going to chastise you Edward, for arguing with Charlie."

Edward sighed and leaned down kissing me deeply. "Are you alright, love? I didn't like having to leave you."

"I'm okay Edward," I replied.

"Bella," Carlisle said, I turned to him. "I'm going to go, but I'll be back in a few hours to check in and make sure your symptoms are improving."

I nodded and he slipped from the room.

"You should really try to get some rest, Bella," Edward muttered, "you didn't sleep well earlier."

"I know," I whispered, nestling my head in the crook of his neck and inhaling his sweet, calming scent. "I don't know if I can though."

"Just close your eyes," he murmured as he began to hum softly. It didn't take me very long before I gave in to the darkness.