A/N: oh. my. goodness. I feel like absolute crap right now for how long it's taken me to update this. I've had so much going on, and then to top everything off my computer decided it hated me again and wanted to stop working. I gave it a few days' rest hoping to take care of some of the problems (whatever they are) and I had to make trips to the doctors and school to take care of some crap since it's still summer vacation....needless to say for the last few hours I've been fighting with my computer to get this chapter typed up and get it to let me on the internet so I can post this chapter...I am SO sorry for not getting it out two weeks ago like I said I would. To make it up...I'm gonna do my best to have the next chapter up within the next day or two, depending on my stupid tempermental computer...I already have the next chapter written so I guess it's just a matter of how long it takes me to edit it and get it posted online.
here's to hoping I can get the next chapter up soon :)
KT :)
also-I do not own Twilight! Stephenie Meyer has the joys of claiming that, not me
Chapter 3: Life Changing News
Edward's father appeared at the top of the stairs carrying a suitcase and his medical bag, followed closely by his mother. "Kids, we need to talk," he stated calmly, but Edward could see the pain in his eyes and hear the undercurrent of stress and grief in his voice. Jasper and Rosalie stood to leave, assuming it was to be just the family. "No, you two stay, please. This affects everyone in this house, and as often as you two are here, you'll need to be aware and be prepared as well."
Everyone looked at each other confused, as Rosalie and Jasper sat down next to their significant others. It was, of course, Alice who spoke first, breaking the silence sounding as excited as always, "are we getting a puppy?!? Is family coming to visit for a long time?...oh...is Aunt Vivian coming for a long stay?" at this she made a face, and before she could continue her random guessing, she fell silent noticing her mother's teary-eyed expression, and her father's solemn voice as he spoke "no, Alice, quiet please." Alice curled into Jasper's side, finally realizing that something was very wrong.
Edward waited a few minutes as patiently as he could for his father to start explaining, but it seemed as if he was choking back tears, trying to regain his composure. "Dad, does this have anything to do with that phone call?" he finally asked, tired of the silence and worried about the tears and fear in both of his parents' eyes.
His father looked up at him as he answered gravely, "yes, Edward, it has everything to do with that phone call." Carlisle slowly lowered himself into an open arm chair, Esme sitting on the arm, rubbing her husband's back for support. "Eleven years ago, almost, my best friend was murdered. He had a daughter, who was very young at the time. It was a cold February night, but i rushed to the hospital to take care of him and his daughter." As his father took a breath, seemingly remembering that night, Edward wondered if this was the same night his father rushed them from the movies, the night when he was six and he saw her-the girl who inspired his work in progress-the first and only time. "I had promised him I'd help take care of her if something were to happen to him. His job had the potential of being very dangerous, as dangerous as things could get in Forks, but he always said 'you never know that one time something bad happens, it may be the worst imaginable. How ironic that is, as his crime was the worst our city's seen in the last fifty years, but he wanted to make sure she would be safe and well taken care of since her mother had run off when their daughter was very young." Carlisle hung his head and pulled his hair. Esme tried pulling his fingers loose. "I should have done more to stop her!" Carlisle cried softly. Esme pulled him close whispering, "you didn't know! There was no way you could have stopped her."
The kids were shocked, they hadn't seen their parents this upset and distraught in...eleven years. Edward was making the connection now, as they waited for their parents to calm enough to continue explaining what's going on. Edward looked around-Emmett for once looked totally serious, holding Rosalie, who looked very worried. Alice was oddly silent, tears running down her face in reaction to the scene in front of her. Jasper, ever the empath, was holding her even closer than before, rubbing her shoulders softly.
Carlisle looked up apologetically, "her mother came the next day, out of no where, sporting a giant diamond ring. She supposedly had married some well-off minor league baseball player within a few months of leaving home. She claimed that, seeing as she was now her daughter's only living relative, she had every right to take her 'home' with her. I fought so hard to keep her here, to keep my promise," his voice broke again and again, "but her mother was right and so she took my best friend's baby girl away to some place she'd never even thought of going to. Before the case was solved, she was gone-their key witness! was gone. They realized their mistake when it came time for the trial, and their key witness, their largest evidence against the vial murderer, was gone." Carlisle fell silent, lost in memories it seemed. Edward remembered vaguely hearing about a huge case around eleven years ago, but beyond knowing the guy got away with murder (and his father was very unhappy with this) he couldn't remember anything else beyond that. Suddenly Carlisle chuckled humorlessly, "I knew that woman was no good."
Esme comforted him, "you didn't know she'd do this, Carlisle, all we can do now is be there and offer her a home."
Carlisle looked at all the kids, "I can't give you all the details, but Charlie's baby has been found, and needs a home where she can be finally properly looked after. I'd really appreciate all of you paying very close attention, as she's not in the greatest conditions after all she's been through." Everyone nodded and he continued, "she'll have to stay in the room in the attic, as she has frequent nightmares that sleep aids don't help, and we don't want you guys too disturbed if she screams or winds up staying all night. She hardly ever speaks, so don't push her to. She can't handle large crowds, or people being too close to her. So, Alice, no shopping trips or makeovers ok? At least until she's better, if and when that happens..." Alice nodded, "fast and sudden movements scare her, too, so Emmett, no pulling pranks on or near her," Emmett nodded, "I'm so sorry you guys, I know it's a lot of rules and special accommodations for someone you don't even know, but this is my best friend's baby girl...I made a promise..it'd mean a lot to your mother and I if you'd willingly help out and not put up too much of a fuss."
Everyone nodded, all solemn, knowing that whatever happened was really bad if it made their parents react this way. They all wanted to know what happened, but also what they could do to help. Rosalie voiced the question they wondering first, "what happened to her Carlisle?"
Carlisle looked sadly at her, "if she one day wants to tell you guys, that's for her to decide, but I have no place telling you. Plus, I'm now her doctor..." he trailed off, chuckling a humorless laugh again at that, "what I can tell you is that in her almost seventeen years she's gone through more hardships and trauma than most do in a lifetime, so her problems are to be expected. Rosalie, with what you've been through, I'm sure you'll understand and be able to show the compassion you received and that it's possible to trust again." Rosalie nodded, as everyone slowly began to understand the solemn and sad looks from the parents. "I'm taking a private jet to Phoenix now to get her, as a full plane just sounds like a panic attack waiting to happen to her. I'll hopefully be home tomorrow, I'll call when I'm close so you guys can be ready. Please help your mother set up the room and do anything else she asks of you. I love you all, see you soon." with a goodbye, teary kiss to his wife, Edward's father was off, leaving all the teens and a crying Esme silently contemplating the news they just received.