Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

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Chapter 2

Edward Anthony Cullen, MD

EPOV

What a day... I thought to myself as I drove out of Baltimore heading to my retreat in Essex. I had purchased the waterfront property about a year ago when I decided I needed a place to get away from the city, and I didn't want to borrow my parent's home in Dundalk. My practice was doing very well, and with the trust fund my grandparent's had left me, to say I was loaded would be an understatement.

My home sits on one and a half acres of land. I chose to make it a country style home with two levels. As you enter the main door to the entry way, you will be lead into the great room which had a post and beam design and a high ceiling. I had a couple of love seats and arm chairs situated around an oak Hyde coffee table.

The rear wall was made of glass and looks out to the pool and the bay beyond it. To the left of the living area was a stone fireplace while to the right was the living room and the kitchen. I had an open kitchen with all stainless steel appliances and light granite counter tops.

Turning to the left upon entry, you will find a small game room as well as my music room that holds my baby grand piano. I had my master bedroom and two guest rooms located on the second floor, each with a balcony overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

Anyway, back to my day. I would call it bittersweet. I had lost another patient to Hodgkin's Lymphoma while my other patient with Ewing Sarcoma was improving nicely. I also held my well-baby clinic today which really relieves all the stress brought about by my sub-specialty.

Here are some facts about me. I am twenty-eight years old, single, and I have a successful practice in paediatric oncology and I'm on staff at Johns Hopkins Bayview and Children's Hospital Maryland. I also maintain a practice general paediatrics, hence my well-baby clinic. I also take time to play sports at the community center in Baltimore with some teens.

It was the end of the week and I decided I needed a break. Once I had reached my home, I headed inside and to my room to change into some workout clothes. I decided to go for a two mile run on the beach and take a swim afterwards. Exercise always makes me feel better.

I finished my workout at about 5:30 p.m. and had taken a shower. I went to the kitchen and looked through my fridge and pantry for something to eat for dinner. I found some vegetables that I could turn into a salad as well as pasta noodles, bacon, and eggs. I decided on a simple vinaigrette and carbonara.

I was seated at my dining table when my Blackberry rang from the coffee table in the entry way. I went over to retrieve it and the caller ID said Benjamin, "Hey, What's up?"

"Hey, Dr. E," he greeted me with my nickname the kids at the center came up with. "Were having a game on Sunday afternoon, just wanted to ask if you're up for it."

"Yeah, I think I can make it. What time?" I asked.

"Around 4:00 or 4:30," he answered.

"That will work for me. See you then. I'll let you know if I'll have any change of plans," I replied.

"Okay, doc, see you then," he said then hung up. I went over to finish my dinner and decided to turn in early.

I was lying on my bed reading a book when the house phone rang. That can only mean a family member calling since only my family knows my number here. "Hello," I said into the receiver.

"Hello, Son," it was my dad.

"Hi Dad. How did you know I was here?" I asked.

"Well, I called your apartment and there was no answer and since you did not say anything about going out of town I assumed you were there. Well, it was that or you were in someone's house which would mean you were keeping a lovely lady or gentleman from meeting the family," he teased.

And he was right. My parents basically knew everyone in my life, and that was mainly because they all moved in the same social or medical circles. "Well, that's true. But no I'm not hiding anyone at the moment. What can I do for you, Dad?" I laughed.

"I just wanted to find out if you're available for dinner Sunday night. I miss dinner with my family and since you're all in town I would like to grab the opportunity," he said. Well, he was right. My sister, Alice, would usually travel to Europe to get inspiration for her designs, and my brother, Emmett, travels the country for business.

"Yes Dad, I'll be available. I just have a game with the kids at the center in the afternoon then I'll head over there" I told him.

"Oh, that's great. I'll see you then son. Have a good night," he said.

"You to Dad. Send mom my love. I'll see you then," I said then hung up. I read a few more pages of my book then decided to call it a night.

*************

I spent Saturday lounging around in the house. I got up, went for another workout, had brunch then sat at my piano until about 6:00. I then fixed dinner for myself then went to my den and played Xbox until about 9:00 when I decided to call it a night.

I was awoken by the ringing of my cell phone. I reached over to the night stand and brought it to me ear, "Hello?" I answered groggily.

"Edward, its Tyler," my colleague from the hospital said. "Hey, man, what's up?" I replied rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Sorry to wake you, but you patient, Katie Marshall was just brought in for excessive vomiting. I admitted her and started a line for IV fluids. Will you be able to come in? She's been asking for you," he informed me.

I looked over to my clock and the numbers read 7:20. "Yeah, I'm in Essex so it might take me thirty minutes to an hour. But I'll give her a call. Can you just do a complete blood count and reticulocyte count?" I asked.

"Okay, sure, I can do that. See you in a bit," he said and hung up. I stretched in my bed before heading to the shower. It was Sunday so I dressed casually in khaki slacks and a light green button down polo. I gathered my things and locked up my home before getting into my silver Volvo S80.

As I got onto the freeway I activated my Bluetooth and called Children's Hospital asking them to connect me to Katie's room. "Hello," her mother answered.

"Mrs. Marshall, this is Dr. Edward Cullen. May I speak with Katie?" I said.

"Oh, hi Dr. Cullen, yes just a moment," she said. "Hello, Dr. C? I'm not feeling well. That other doctor said you're coming to see me? What time will you be here?" she asked in rapid succession that caused me to laugh. Katie was an eleven year old diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She had just finished a cycle of her chemotherapy two days ago and I'm suspecting that this is still what caused the vomiting.

"I'm on my way sweetie. I hope to be there in about forty-five minutes. Have you stopped vomiting?" I asked.

"Yes, since I got here I haven't vomited. They put a needle in me again, and it hurts," she said and I could imagine her pouting into the phone.

"Its needed sweetie, we don't want you to get dehydrated. Listen, just relax there and I'll see you in a bit," I told her.

"Okay Dr. C, bye" she said and hung up. I continued to drive and got to the hospital in time, just like I predicted. I parked in the staff parking area then made my way to the cancer ward. I passed the playroom and saw Chelsea, one of the volunteers, reading a book to some of the children who were up and about. She is seven months pregnant and is about to take her leave. Her husband Afton, works in the physical therapy department of the hospital.

I headed over to the station to retrieve Katie's chart. "May I have the chart for 224 please?"

"Oh, hello Dr. Cullen. I didn't know you would be in today," Lauren stated as she reached for the chart. When she handed it over she made it a point to make contact with my hand. I chose to ignore it, basically since I'm used to her advances. The only thing she hasn't done is jump me in the hallway. I read over the chart then headed to Katie's room.

I knocked before I entered. "Hello, Katie," I greeted.

"Dr. C! You're here," she said and started to bounce in bed and wave her hands I was scared the IV line might come off.

I walked over to her bed and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Easy there sweetie. We wouldn't want your line to come off." With that she stopped bouncing and just smiled at me. "So, I believe that the vomiting was still an after effect of the chemotherapy. Since she has not had any more episodes in the last couple of hours I believe were on the road to recovery. I'd still like to leave her here overnight for observation." I explained to her mother.

"Okay doctor. If you think that's best." She answered as she walked over to Katie and run her hands through her hair. I stayed a while longer and watched an episode of Totally Spies on the Disney Channel. When she fell asleep I said my goodbye's and returned the chart to the station. Luckily Lauren had gone, but unluckily, Sara was there. She was just as bad as Lauren. I was writing my notes on some of my other charts when she came up to me and started to rub the arm that was rested on the counter. "Hello, Dr. Cullen," she said with a slight purr that made me feel bile rise at the back of my throat.

"Hello, Sara," I said politely without looking up from my charts and pulling my arm away.

"I was wondering if you were free tonight. Maybe we could get a drink or something," she said as she continued to run her hand up and down my arm. "Sorry, I'm busy. I have dinner with my family," I said just as I finished my last chart. I handed them to her; "Have a good day Sara," I said then turned and went on my way.

I looked at my watch and it was almost lunch. I decided to pass by the Rusty Scupper and get an express lunch to go. It was a handy thing on their menu that was like a set meal.

My home in the city was more modest than the one I have in Essex. Here I had a two storey, two bedroom apartment. As you enter my door, to your right would be the stairs heading to the second floor and to the left was a hallway leading to the rest of the apartment.

You will first hit my living room, which I had placed overstuffed couches and a Rhys coffee table which I bought from Pottery Barn. To the left of my living room I have my kitchen which I again supplied with stainless steel appliances. Further down the hall was my dining room and behind it was my entertainment room which holds another baby grand piano that my parents gave me. My entire wall was made of glass and it also lead out to a balcony.

I decided to eat in my living room while watching Discovery Health. I finished at about 2:00 so I decided to soak in my tub since I had time before I needed to head to the center. I got out of my tub at 2:45 and got dressed in basketball shorts, a muscle shirt and my Nike Kobe IV basketball shoes. I put an extra change of clothes, a towel, and my flip flops in my gym bag then got my cell phone and keys before heading out.

I got to the center at 4:00 and headed straight for the courts. I found Benjamin and Stefan already starting to stretch. I put down my bag and joined them. "Hey guys, how's it going?"

"Hey, Doc, it's all good. Stefan here has a new girl," Benjamin informed me.

"Really? Tell me about her," I asked Stefan.

I believe I saw him start to blush. "Her name is Lucy. She's in my chemistry class. She's tall, about an inch shorter than me, has blonde hair and light brown eyes." He explained.

"That's great man. I hope all goes well for you," I told him. As we finished stretching Joham, Jason, and Max arrived. So I guess we were playing three-on-three. We waited for them to finish stretching then we divided into teams. It was Joham, Benjamin and Max against Jason, Stefan, and me, first to reach twenty-one wins.

We played for around two hours and my team won. We did some cool down exercises and I bid them goodbye since I had to head to my parents house for dinner. I arrived the same time as my sister, Alice, and saw she was with Jasper. He was a tall, blonde guy with blue eyes, and Rosalie's twin. I got my bag and headed up to the house. "Hello, sister dear, Jasper," I greeted Alice and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Hello, Brother," she pecked me on the cheek as he held out his hand, which I took into a firm hand shake. Alice then slapped me hard on my shoulder. "Be nice. He loves me." She said then pulled him into the house. I followed behind them.

We were greeted in the foyer by my mother. She came up to me first and reached up to peck me on the cheek. "No hug for you until your showered and changed," she told me then turned to Alice and Jasper. I headed upstairs to one of the guest room and took a quick shower, got changed then headed back downstairs.

When I got to the living area I saw that Emmett and Rose had arrived and she was talking to Jasper. "Uncle Edward!" Bree and Riley shouted then ran over to me. I knelt down and held them both in a tight hug.

"Hello, so how was your first week of school?" I asked then they both started talking at the same time. "Okay, one at a time. Ladies first," I turned to Bree and she started telling me how her week went. "I made two new friends, Claire and Sasha," she said holding up two fingers. "Then Ms. Webber made us do name tags for our cubby holes, and clay figures then she read us a lot of stories." She enumerated with matching hand gestures.

I then turned to Riley and asked what he did. "I also made name tags for my cubby, my new best friend is Austin, and my teacher is very pretty." He blushed as he finished and he couldn't help but laugh. My mom then came over to us. "What's funny?"

"I told Uncle Edward that Ms. Swan was pretty and he laughed at me," Riley answered and then pouted like Emmett used to do.

"That's not nice Edward," my mom scolded but I saw she was trying to hold back a giggle. "And I can attest to the observation of the child that she is indeed pretty. I'm sure if you see her, she will knock the wind out of you," my mom winked as she took Riley by the hand and led him to the dining room. My mom winked! What in the world was that about? I just shook my head and headed after them.

We sat at the table and had the usual catch up conversation. The company was doing well, my dad was having a trial for some new antibiotic, my mom had taken on new clients, Alice was about to launch her new line, and Jasper was taken on by Emmett as an extra consultant for the prosthetics and orthotics division. I gave them a brief rundown of how my patients were doing. I'm always the last since it can get depressing.

After dinner we said our good-byes then I headed back home. I changed into a new set of boxers then fell into bed.