Sorry it took me so long to update guys! But I was working from a rough draft and had to expand it. So I hope you guys enjoy the sixth enstallment to Alternate New Moon! PLEASE REVIEW! When I receive 10 reviews, I will add Edward's perspective. I hope the curiosity encourages you to review.
Chapter 6. Flight
"Bella?" Alice whispered. Despair was replete in the one word.
Five minutes after I said the name, and she responded with one word.
"Yes. Bella is the patient Alice. She is in bad condition right now. And I need you to do me a favor," I spoke in a rush, hoping that Alice had pulled out of her shock and could comprehend what I was asking of her.
"Anything Carlisle! What do you need?" She asked feverently and in a rush.
My words flew out quickly. "I need you or Jasper to fly the medical transport to Forks Community Hospital. But I don't want to take her to the hospital. She is going to stay with us in Ithaca. What she needs is not at the hospital." What started out as somewhat loud and rushed came to an end slow and quietly.
There was a short pause. I could hear footsteps on the other line; most likely it was Jasper.
"Jasper and I will be there tomorrow morning. It may take some convincing to get the medical transport in our hands…" she sounded unsure of herself, but she was always scrupulous when it came to things she wanted or really needed.
I let out a small giggle. "You wouldn't let something as small as a couple of doctors stop you from a mission, would you Alice?" I asked, challenging her. She rose to the bait.
She growled. I smiled. In a stern voice, she scolded me. "Like hell! Neither Heaven nor hell can keep me from this one. Not even Edward with his stupid ways and pointless promises can stop me!" Her tone was fierce.
"Go get 'em Alice," I joked.
"You can bet your life on it." Then a click.
Alice would for sure be here in the morning. Now it was my job to make sure Bella made it to tomorrow.
I walked over and checked all the monitors she was attached to. Her heart rate was supremely low, blood pressure, low. I looked at her brain scans again. Her brain activity levels were normal. I wonder if she could understand what is going on around her, or if she is only aware of herself?
Alice was good to her word. She and Jasper arrived in Forks around six in the morning the next day. We loaded her into the transport carefully, watching all of the wires and tubes she was connected to. The ride was silent except for the occasional whimper from Alice. I could tell Jasper was upset, too. He didn't have a close relationship with Bella, but whatever upsets Alice upsets him. I think he still feels guilty for attacking Bella. He believes he's what forced Edward into this course of action. It hurt every one to see her like this.
We landed in Ithaca around 10:45. When we landed, we got Bella out of the chopper and into a ground transport. Jasper drove while Alice and I tended to Bella.
Esme was sitting anxiously on the chair in the living room when we wheeled Bella in. Esme was instantly at Bella's side. She let out a soft gasp and her eyes began to sparkle. She was horrified seeing what became of Bella. Alice took Esme's hand to comfort her while Jasper and I continued toward the downstairs bedroom. Esme prepared it for Bella in our absence.
"How is she?" Esme asked in a quiet shaky voice.
I closed my eyes and took an unnecessary breath. "Her stats haven't changed much, but her heart beats faintly," I admitted. Esme nodded her head and opened the door to the guest room.
Alice glanced at me. Her eyes were begging for more information.
"Nothing has changed," which was true, "her pulse is faint, her temperature is a little below normal, but that is to be expected. With her not being able to get the proper nutrition her body." This concerned me. The IV kept her hydrated, but she looked thinner. She had lost at least ten pounds from what differences I could see in her appearance. I would have to try and figure out how to get more nutrition in her. It just might help her.
But I think only one thing can help her now.
We all contributed. Alice and Esme were always busy brushing Bella's hair, they got her into some fresh clothes, and instead of that hospital gown that hardly covers anything. Bella needed warmer clothes.
Rosalie was not happy. When we first brought Bella back, she pouted in her room for a long time.
After I was sure Alice and Esme were fine taking care of her for a while, I went to speak with Rosalie.
I walked into her room and saw her sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed, scowling at Emmett, who looked distraught.
"What do you want Carlisle?" She snipped.
I held my hands up with innocence. "I just wanted to speak with you if you could spare a few moments." She turned to glare at me.
"What is there to talk about Carlisle?" She scolded. "You broke your promise to Edward. When Edward comes back he is going to be pissed and then he's going to give all of us hell for it." She moved quickly from the bed to stand and scowl at me. "Am I the only one that keeps promises?" Her volume level was rising. Fury and fire were clear in her butterscotch eyes. "Bella doesn't belong here. Why couldn't you just leave her alone? If she wants to die then let her!" She was screaming in my face. But she was being hypocritical and that was injudicious.
I gave a stern look back at her. "Why couldn't you leave Emmett alone when he was being mauled by a bear?" She looked stunned. "I don't think I will ever understand why you dislike Bella so much, but you will have to accept that without her, Edward wouldn't bother with keeping his mortality. Would you really want to loose Edward?" She looked angry at my accusation.
Emmett walked over to put a hand on Rosalie's shoulder. She shrugged it off. "You know why I chose Emmett. You know why I suffered that burning thirst for his blood for a hundred miles. And as for my preference for Edward? I want him back more than anything. I want our family back together again, and Bella is preventing exactly that. I believe that we shouldn't risk the bond of our family over a mere human." She was growling now.
I am never angry, but I will not stand for these false accusations. "It's because of Bella that Edward is still with us. You know exactly what Edward would do if he found out that Bella had died." I kept my voice calm, but serious.
She put her hands on her hips as if the argument was growing old. "Edward wouldn't find out anything if you had just left her alone."
"It's what is right Rosalie!" I almost wailed. I didn't like fighting with my family. I have to make her understand. "I will not let a human die on my account. I will not have it on my conscious. My record has been kept clean and I plan to keep it that way." She dropped the scowl and made an "o" with her luscious lips. "Not that this is about my record," I assured her, "but this is moral, what is right. What we have been doing to her was wrong." Her lips made a fine line. "I will tell Edward." She gave me a sarcastic look. "Maybe if he knows what leaving has done, he won't do it again, and we will be able to be together like we were in Forks. We were more of a family with Bella. Even you have to admit it, Rosalie. So I would appreciate it if you helped Alice and Esme with taking care of her. Because without her, we will never be together like you want us to be." She sighed in defeat and looked down with her eyes closed.
"Fine. Do what you want. I'll do as you say and help save the girl who tore our family apart." She walked passed me. Emmett followed after her and gave me an apologetic gaze.
"Rosalie," I said quietly. I heard her footsteps come to a stop. "It was Edward. I know you don't want to believe it, but it was Edward, not Bella."
"Ha!" She said loudly and continued down the stairs and out to the garage. Working on cars was therapeutic to her.
I sighed and walked downstairs to check on Bella.
Esme and Alice were busy brushing her hair when I walked in. Esme, for the first time in a while, smiled up at me. She didn't like Bella in this state, but she was happy she was here with us.
Alice had a neutral look on her face. "Her heart rate is slowing Carlisle," both of their faces turned to frowns, "And her temperature keeps dropping."
I nodded, showing I understood.
Esme spoke. "Carlisle," she chided, "are you sure this was the right thing to do? Edward would be infuriated if he found out you interceded." There was slight panic in her voice.
I knew that he would, but, "Esme, it's not like Bella knows that I'm here," not a lie, but not the truth, "she is in a coma. She isn't aware of what is happening. And I think Edward would rather see her Alice than dead because of him." Though I knew this wasn't the most important reason, it was the one that needed to be heard. I knew that this was what Bella needed the most.
"You know that's not the real reason, Carlisle," she stared at me with piercing eyes. She knew the real reason. "You want her to be with us. You want her to be happy. We all do, and anyone can tell that she is not happy. You think that if Edward comes, it will convince him to stay." She could always see through my pretenses.
She knew of my true intentions. "That is true. I think it would be safer for Bella if she were with Edward. I know he wants to protect her soul and her human life, but what's the point if she doesn't get a chance to live through this? It's moot point. And I think we would all be much happier if Bella was in our lives." Alice gave me a caustic glare.
"Rosalie will be happy that we are all together. That is why she is angry. But she refuses to see that it was Edward that tore apart from us and not Bella."
Alice scowled. "I will have to have a chat with Rosalie. Just because Edward didn't really notice Rosalie and loved Bella doesn't mean she has to be a witch about it." Alice stood up, ran her white, skinny fingers down Bella's face, and walked out.
It was silent in the room again. Alice was right. Bella's heartbeat was slowing at an alarming rate. If we were going to do something to save her, we have got to try now.
"I have an idea," I said quickly. I ran out of the room and grabbed a CD from Esme's large collection in the living room. I went back as quickly as I had left.
Esme lifted her delicate eyebrows. I just waved the CD at her and she turned back to Bella…waiting to see what would happen.
I put the CD in the stereo and waited a few seconds. Then a soothing melody started to play. It was Bella's lullaby. I immediately turned to face Bella and see if this would bring out any response in her.
The muscles in her face tightened and she every so slightly turned her head. I waited to see if there would be more of a response, but none came. When the song came to an end, and Esme's started, Bella's face went back to normal. My theory was correct.
The only way she was every going to come back from this is if Edward comes back to her.
Esme sighed in defeat. "It is time Carlisle. She won't last much longer if we wait…" Her voice faded. It seemed like too long until Bella's heart beat again.
I knew she was right. Bella's health was failing by the hour. If we were going to save her, we would have to act fast.
But would Edward come if I told him to? I would have to give him a few details so he would think it was important enough. If I made it sound urgent, he would come without question.
Esme looked at me and nodded.
I closed my eyes and said, "Okay. I made this mess, I will make the phone call." I walked stiffly out of the room.
What would I say to Edward? Come home now? Bella is dying? I didn't know how to start. Truth be told that Bella is dying. But I couldn't tell him that. I just have to sound in a hurry and urgent. That should be enough to convince him…I hope.
I walked out of the room and down the hall to my study. I sat down at my large desk and intertwined my hands together. I just sat there staring at the phone as if it were intimidating. Ha…A phone…intimidating to a vampire.
I couldn't think of what to say, how to get around telling Edward what was really going on back home. What would he do when he got back? How could he be of help?
Bella didn't have time to answer these questions.
I sighed and hesitatingly reached for the phone. I held the phone in my hands for a few seconds before I started dialing. I pressed the keys one at a time, very slowly. As I was dialing, Rosalie appeared in the doorway.
She was smiling ruefully with her arms crossed over her chest. She reminds me of when I heard about the Boleyn sisters. Anne Boleyn seduced King Henry and Mary was pushed aside. She had no guilt whatsoever.
I just frowned back at her. I didn't know how well this conversation would go, but Rosalie's attitude will not benefit anyone no matter how this ended. She will either be rubbing it in that she was right, or have an attitude of a snake for being wrong.
I bravely held the phone to my ear when I finished dialing. The first ring startles me. Remain calm. I told myself. I knew I had to be convincing that something was wrong enough to make him come home.
It rang once again before he picked up.
"Carlisle?" Edward sounded troubled.
"Hello Edward," I said formally. I had to add tension if I was going to convince him something was wrong. But he spoke before I could say anything.
"I lost her. I followed a false lead into South America. How could I go to the wrong continent?" He sounded terribly ashamed.
"Edward, that's not the issue in hand at the moment," I said quickly so he couldn't go on about Victoria. "You need to get here as soon as possible. You are needed." I waited impatiently for his response.
"Yes, Carlisle. I'll be on the first plane out. I'll see you in less than 12 hours. See you then." And that was that.
Twelve more hours.
We all tended to Bella while we anxiously waited for Edward to come home.
Alice rarely left Bella. Jasper never left Alice. Rosalie paced impatiently and angrily in the foyer. Esme and Emmett were busy trying to calm Rosalie's anger. Whenever Emmett tried to lighten the mood by telling a joke or whenever Esme tired to comfort her, she would just look up at them and scowl. They eventually gave up and returned to Bella.
I couldn't help but think that Rosalie was right and that there was going to be hell to pay for this. Edward will not take me lightly when he sees what has happened. I would have to explain before he flew into a fury, but I couldn't understand how he could be angry. Did he really want to save her soul like this? By letting her soul fade while she still remained here? Did he really want her to be so lifeless? Did he really want to save her soul like this? By letting her soul fade while he tried a poor attempt to save it?
It hurt to think the words, but they were true. Edward tried to save Bella. Little did he know that Bella didn't need this kind of saving, but he failed miserably. She didn't even last five months before she was destroyed. It was like she collapsed and turned to rubble.
If she is still somewhere in that almost lifeless body, she isn't going to try and save herself, try to live. This fact I was sure about. She won't try to hold onto life because Edward isn't with her. From what conclusions I can draw from Bella, life, to her, is utterly pointless without Edward. Edward had turned into her life, and it was gone.
She isn't strong enough to live without him. That much is obvious. Edward may be strong enough to live without her, but how could he think for one moment that she would go on and live her life to the fullest when he left?
When Edward first realized that he was in love with her, he couldn't leave her for more than several hours. Whenever he was away from her, he was always anxious. He was always in a rush to be with Bella or watch over her. If he struggled with that much, I couldn't imagine how hard this arrangement must be for him. I didn't see the point in mutilating and torturing himself like this, when it also affected Bella, too.
I walked into Bella's room to find her in a new outfit. Alice looked satisfied. I almost laughed. This is the only time that she is going to get away with dressing Bella up. I can only imagine the things she would say if she were conscious of Alice's changes. Alice turned to me and smiled.
"See?" She turned to face Bella again. "She can look like a lady with the proper dressing," Alice began to caress Bella's cheek. "She looks at peace at least. She looks beautiful." She sounded like a proud mother.
"She is always beautiful. Inside and out." I couldn't have said words with more truth.
I heard a scoff come from Rosalie outside the door. She was never going to think highly of anyone except herself.
I saw that her IV bag was getting low, so I went to find a replacement in the storage closet.
I took precautions in order to keep Bella stable here. I had stocked the closet with IV bags and made sure she always had fresh oxygen. I didn't know if she could breathe on her own yet, and until Edward gets back, I'm not willing to risk it.
Alice and Esme seemed to find joy in tending to Bella. They spent eleven straight hours in the room with her, waiting for Edward to come. We were all bracing ourselves for what his reaction may be.
On the eleventh hour of our waiting, the phone rang. It was Edward.
"Hello?" My voice was strained.
"I'm leaving the airport right now. I should be there in about 15 minutes. Is everything okay? Did I miss anything?" Only Bella's fading life. But I couldn't think that way. He was sincerely concerned. My only guess was that he thought we were in danger.
"No. Nothing terrible has happened…yet. But please hurry."
"At once."
I hung up the phone and looked up from the end table to find Alice standing.
"Where are you going Alice?" I asked. Esme took her eyes off of Bella to look at Alice on her way out.
"I can't stop thinking about Bella. I won't be able to help you when Edward comes. He will soar into a fit without us being able to explain. I want to give you a chance to keep it a secret until the last minute." She stopped and closed her eyes for a moment.
"Yes. If I leave, he will be calm and won't say anything. It will work out better if Esme came with me," She turned to look back at Esme, who was still firmly seated next to Bella, holding her hand. "Will you please accompany me for a walk in the garden?" She asked pleadingly.
Esme closed her eyes, squeezed Bella's hand one last time and stood.
"Of course. If it will help," Esme then walked out the door with Alice.
I could see them sitting in the garden on the waterfall. There was a perfect view of the rose garden from Bella's room. They didn't say anything, but they held each other's hands tightly. They were very anxious.
I think I speak for everyone (not including Emmett) when I say that I'm anxious. Edward has such erratic behavior, so his reaction is very unpredictable. Just like Bella.
A couple of minutes later, I heard Edward's tires screech to a halt in the front driveway. Esme and Alice quickly glanced up and faced where the sound had come from. I quickly ran out of the room to the foyer. Rosalie was sitting impatiently on the stairs.
"Go upstairs Rosalie. Now," I spoke urgently. She scowled, but went upstairs. I turned to look out the front window. I looked just in time to see Edward nearly take the car door off its hinges. I saw him run for the door and burst through with intensity.
His face, full of concern at first, was now a look of confusion. He stopped a couple of feet away from me.
"What's going on Carlisle?" He sounded somewhat frustrated. This wasn't what he expected to see. I knew he would try to read my mind, so my thoughts immediately went to Esme and Alice. I was very careful to keep Bella out of my mind.
His nostrils flared and his ears perked. "What is that sound Carlisle?" Suspicion crept into his frustrated tone. He continued, "what is that smell?"
I sighed. I think you already know, but I'm going to prepare you anyway. I know how much pain you've been in, I paused when he winced. I just want you to know that you're not the only one who is suffering. I'm sure he saw the recent picture of Alice and Esme holding hands in the garden. I focused on the sadness and worry in their expressions. He winced again.
"It was the right thing to do Carlisle!" He was trying to convince himself again. "I had to try and save her. I couldn't let what Alice saw happen. It wouldn't be right to take everything away from her like that. It seems criminal…it is criminal…" his voice faded into thought.
He was wrong though. It wasn't the right thing Edward. He stared at me in surprise, but it quickly turned into pain. I never told him he was right or wrong until now. I never judged him. I always thought God was the only one who had the power to judge. You did exactly what you set out not to do. Now come with me. It was time to get this moment over and done with. There wasn't time for idling.
Edward still carried an ashamed expression, and as we walked closer to the room, his nostrils flared and his eyes widened again. He seemed to have a clue as to what all these sensations were.
I stopped right outside of Bella's room. Her door was closed. I paused to glance at him again. He seemed to be seeing what was beyond the door.
He seemed confused. I soon figured it was the silence.
I could see his hands start to tremble. "Why is it so qui-" before he could finish, the heart monitor beeped again.
I closed my eyes and turned to open the door slowly. I had never felt true terror until this very moment. I wasn't terrified of Edward. No, I was terrified for Edward. Not myself.
He quickly assessed what was dominating the central space of the room. His eyes were wide with shock. His facial expression was a mixture of torment, anger, pain, loss, and guilt. He slowly walked toward her. He seemed very unsure of himself.
I didn't need to be a mind reader to know the questions he was thinking of.
"Alice and I wanted to keep in touch with Forks." I started. I spoke aloud because I knew he wouldn't be paying attention to my thoughts. I'd be surprise if he were paying attention to me at all. He was completely focused on Bella, but I continued anyway. "Christmas day I found out that there was a patient in Forks that was in critical condition and needed my medical attention. I didn't know who it was, but when I read the article, " I mentally ran through its contents so he knew by the off chance he was reading my mind. "I couldn't just ignore a patient who needed me. I took precautions though. I told Dr. Gerandy to stay quiet about our transaction. He didn't ask why. Apparently the patient needed me so bad that he would go to any lengths to keep it under the radar. But I didn't expect this when I set out. I couldn't leave her in the state she was in. We tried several things at first. We got little or no response from her." I stopped, and Edward shook his head.
"What do you mean, 'no response'?" He understood. He just didn't want to. But he only mouthed the words. So I knew that he knew somewhere deep down.
I hated having to admit this to him, but he needed to come back to reality, and stop living in the world where he thinks Bella would live a better life without him.
"She won't wake up Edward. I'm not sure if she just doesn't want to wake up, or if she suffered serious trauma, but she has been like this since the end of September. She hasn't even opened her eyes since then. I thought that you would have the best chance of saving her.
His glistening eyes never left Bella's snow white face. I never took my eyes off of Edward. Would he break? What was going to happen now that he knows? I stood and gazed at him, searching for the long awaited reaction. I glanced passed him and out the windows. Alice and Esme were was still as the statue on the fountain they were perched on. They waited anxiously with me for Edward's reaction.
Cliff hanger! You won't find out what Edward's reaction for a while, but you will get to find out what was running through his complex and erratic mind while he was struggling to keep from Bella and fighting to exterminate the wild, red-headed Victoria. 10 reviews and I will continue. I can't improve without your opinions! And helping me improve will help you enjoy more. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!