"Yes Vampire." I said softly "The nurse who took my blood. Is she finished?"
Dr Cullen looked relieved and he even tried to chuckle but it sounded forced. "Yes, she has finished drawing your blood."
He continued to ask me questions about my symptoms and I answered them all with almost perfect honestly. But soon we got to the hard part and I started to get agitated. He was asking about my medical history.
I looked at the clock on the wall and it read 12:30. Thank good Alice had the forethought to plan our shopping for 1:00.
"Dr Cullen, do you have a medical release form for me to fill out?" I asked quickly, instead of telling him, he could read it all for himself
"Sure." He said curiously "Can't you just tell me Bella?" as he handed me the form
"Well, it's rather complicated and I have another appointment for 1:00 I cant be late for. Anyway, I'm sure your get all the information you need from my records."
I filled out the form and handed it back to him. He looked stunned when he read the information I had provided.
"You were treated at Slo-" he began and stopped himself. I nodded and turned to leave
"Bella?" he asked concerned
"I'm fine Dr Cullen. I'm terribly sorry, but I do need to make that other appointment." I spoke hastily and darted for the exit.
So now he knew I thought to myself as I jumped into my car and sped off to my next 'appointment'. I laughed at that, it was technically an appointment. After all, I had made the plans head of time.
I pulled up to the house and ran to the porch. Alice greeted me.
"Do you mind if we take my car?" Alice asked
"No, not at all." I said, "I'll pitch in for gas," I added
She just laughed and we headed to the garage. I soon realized why she wanted to drive as I took in the scene of her car. It was a beautiful yellow Porsche.
"That is a beautiful car." I sputtered
"Thanks!" she smiled "It was a gift"
"That's some gift!" I chuckled looking at Alice who seemed lost in thought
"Alice?" I said, shaking her arm slightly "Alice?" but she didn't respond
"Help!" I cried out, hoping someone would hear me. I turned as the door that attached the garage to the house opened. Edward stood in the doorway and I quickly called to him
"Edward! Something is wrong with Alice," I cried
He was quickly at Alice's side and soon, Alice seemed to be reanimated.
"Sorry!" she chirped happily "I sometimes zone out for a bit."
I let out a breath, I hadn't realized I was holding "I'm glad your okay Alice, I was terribly worried." I looked to Edward "Thank You Edward." I said relieved and I reached out to hug him. As I wrapped my arms around him, it was almost as if I felt a buzz of electricity.
I pulled away from him abruptly "Sorry." I managed to say, and he looked at me with an odd expression
"Apologies aren't necessary." He replied and let out a beautiful laugh "You two are going shopping?"
"Yes!" Alice shrieked "Isn't it wonderful. Bella needs to get some Christmas shopping done, and you know I always need to shop" she beamed
"Would you mind terribly if Jasper and I join you?" He volunteered
"That would be fantastic!" Alice said "But we'll need to take 2 cars, we won't all fit in mine."
"I'd be happy to drive. Plus my car has more room for packages." Edward said
"Yes, you are right. I will need more space. Fine, we'll take your car" she conceded
Soon, the four of us were speeding off toward Port Angeles. I thought I would sit back and relax watching the trees go by. I was wrong. Edward drove like a maniac. I kept my eyes closed in the hope of avoiding motion sickness.
I felt a hand touch my shoulder, and I turned to see Edward smiling at me "Are you okay Bella?" he asked
I shook my head up and down, afraid if I spoke I would be sick. He laughed a musical laugh and seemed to drop the speed a bit.
When the car came to a stop, I tried to quickly remove myself from the seatbelt. Edward was at my door, and held a hand out for me. I took it; afraid I would fall on my face.
"Thank you." I mumbled
"You're welcome" he replied as Alice took my hand pulling me towards the entrance
Over the course of the next several hours I saw clearly why Edward was shocked at my acceptance to this shopping expedition.
I was able to get all of the gifts I needed and more. As we were leaving the mall, I headed for a cart that had some hats and scarves. "That is perfect." I exclaimed picking up a black hat and a baby blue one.
"Who's that for?" Alice asked
"429" I said as I paid for the hats and placed them in my bag
"Who?" Edward asked, as he took the bags from my hands
"Thank you!" I sighed "429, is a patient at the hospital"
"You're getting this person a gift?" he asked surprised "Didn't you just meet them?"
"Yes" I laughed, "I just met you and Alice. But that didn't stop me from getting you a gift." I smiled
"I'm sorry, what?" He practically choked on his words "You got us gifts?"
"You'll just have to wait and see." I ran up to Alice and took her arm as we headed to the car
The drive back was more of a reasonable speed as Edward just kept asking me question after question. I was confused by his interest in me, but I didn't want to be rude. He kept asking me what I was thinking about, and I told him about getting everything ready for Charlie. How the two of us were going to have our first real holiday together. I was really happy about that, and Edward seemed interested.
As I spoke to him, I gained a feeling of reassurance. I felt as though I could tell him anything and he wouldn't judge me for it. My bubble was burst as we pulled into the Cullen's garage and I heard their father's voice. "Bella Swan went with them?"
My three companions turned to look at me, but I just shrugged it off. I just needed to get to my car without seeing Dr Cullen I thought.
It was easier said than done. Dr Cullen was waiting for us in the foyer, he looked concerned
"Bella." He said "I would like to speak with you in my study please" he turned and I hesitated
Maybe I could just run for it. I looked at Alice and then to Edward who had a puzzled look on his face.
"Well, thanks Alice. I had a great time." I said "Edward, I really enjoyed spending time with you this afternoon. This was better than lurking around at home, isn't it?"
"Bella?" Dr Cullen called and I forced myself to follow
I entered his office and took a seat
Dr Cullen sat across from me and just looked at me. I was annoyed by the silence so I started the conversation "So, I presume this means you got my records?"
"Yes" he said "I also got the results from your lab work."
"Okay" I said cautiously
"Bella, I'm not sure if you've realized-"
I stood up abruptly "Thank you Dr Cullen, for taking the time out of your schedule. I hope you have a happy holiday." I said with my hand on the door
"You have cancer Bella."
"I had cancer." I retorted, "I'm in remission" I insisted walking through the door
"Bella." He said following me "Ignoring this wont just make it go away"
"Please, Dr Cullen." I turned to him tears streaming from my face "I'm fine." I sobbed
I placed my head in my hands and felt him pull me into an embrace. "Bella. Does Charlie know?"
"I can't go through this again." I sobbed, "I wont go through this again."
I pulled away from him, and I turned to leave. I saw Edward's face as I approached him
"What's wrong?" he said concerned "What happened?"
"Nothing. Everything is fine." I said firmly, pulling myself somewhat together
I found my shopping bags, and pulled out several boxes and rearranged the bags a bit.
I held the bag out to Edward and he looked at me surprised
"Merry Christmas." I managed "Each gift is labeled" I said as I left
"Bella, would you like me to drive you home?" he asked, "You seem distraught"
"I'll be fine." I looked into his beautiful topaz eyes and sighed
"Goodnight Edward. Say good-bye to Alice for me." I said getting into my car. Once I was inside, I broke down completely. This couldn't be happening, not again. Dr Cullen was wrong, he had to be.
I drove home, slowly. Not really paying attention to the drive, I was lost in thought. When I opened the door, Charlie, Billy and Jake there and I had to keep it together.
As soon as I opened the door, I was discovered. "Bella, Dr Cullen called." Charlie said
"And?"
"He said he had your lab work back and that he set up an appointment for us to go over it with him."
"Sure Dad." I managed as I began pulling items from the fridge to fix dinner.
Charlie and Billy, went back to their conversation but Jake was next to me
"Bella?" he asked as he pulled my face up to look at his "Please tell me what's going on. Why have you been crying?"
I broke down, and for the second time tonight I was enveloped into a comforting embrace.