Chapter 6 – 2 Weeks Too Long

Mocha colored eyes stared at the small framed girl in the big hospital bed. His Anna looked so small compared to the bed they had her in; not that she wasn't small before. He couldn't help as the worry radiated off of him. He felt a hand gently touch his shoulder as his eyes were pulled from the sterile bed up to see Emily standing to his side. Embry immediately righted himself to his feet. "What did the doctor's say?"

Emily sighed heavily. "Apparently she had a dormant cold virus in her and when she got caught out in the rain last night it just completely activated the virus so much so that she not only has a cold but she's got pneumonia on top of it. Which is why they had the oxygen mask on her, they'd already started her on some strong antibiotics and are doubling up on them. They are hoping since they caught it so early they can keep it from getting out of hand."

Embry frowned as his head dropped. Emily rubbed his shoulder softly. "It's okay Embry. None of this is your fault, it's a good thing you went to see her; something could've happened and no one would've known until tomorrow when her grandma gets back. You did the right thing Embry; she's going to get better faster in the hospital."

Embry nodded somberly. Emily tried to give Embry a reassuring smile. "I called her grandma and she'll be here first thing in the morning; unfortunately her mom can get out of leaving the conference early so she won't be back until Sunday evening. Should I assume you're going to stay here with her tonight?"

Embry nodded. "Hell yea; I mean yes Emily. Sorry I didn't mean to snap."

Emily smiled softly. "Embry, it's okay to get snappy right now. I know you're worried about Anna. It's a natural reaction." Emily sighed as she pointed to the claw marks on the right side of her face. "You should've seen Sam the night these happened. It took all his control to not phase in the waiting room while the doctors and nurses helped. I know you guys get the pain and regretful feelings from him, but I remember watching his face as they wheeled me away on the stretcher and forced Sam into the waiting room."

Embry shook his head. "No, getting snappy with you would be like being rude to Mother Theresa. Em you're a second mother to me and the guys, being disrespectful right now especially when I called you guys when I needed you most is not an option. It's never an option."

Emily reached up and with her hand firmly on the back of Embry's head pulled him down as she softly kissed his forehead. "All is forgiven; sweet shy boy."

Sam walked into the room. "You ready to go Emily?"

Emily nodded as she looked from Sam to Embry. "Are you going to be okay here alone? I'm sure we can send one of your brothers to sit with you."

Embry shook his head negative. "No it's okay Em. I'll be okay. Thanks for everything."

Emily nodded as Sam wrapped his arm around her waist and led her out of the hospital.

Embry drug the chair over next to the hospital bed and then leaned over and kissed Anna's forehead softly and watched as she moved around a little but settled back into the large bed and her breathing stayed even. He then reached above the bed and pulled on the string to shut the light off. She would need on the rest she could get. He settled his towering frame back into the chair and got about as comfortable as he could, but not before taking Anna's hand into his.

Jake snuck into the hospital past visiting hours. Well he snuck about as well as a 6 foot man could at 3 AM. Luckily no one was really paying attention or he caught the nurses all on a lunch break as he slipped in a side door and went up and walked into Anna's room. Jake chuckled softly as he seen Embry completely passed out, he had his head on Anna's stomach and Anna must've woken up at some point because her small hand was weaved into his somewhat shaggy hair.

Embry smelled something familiar as he started to stir and gently moved around, he remembered Anna waking up for a few minutes and he'd been so thrilled he nearly threw himself on top of her small frame. Instead he rested his head on her stomach and she was running her small fingers through his hair, but knew when they stopped moving she'd fallen asleep.

Embry reached up and untangled Anna's fingers from his hair and placed her hand at her side as he looked over and finally noticed the familiar scent was Jake. Embry stood from the terribly uncomfortable hospital chair and stretched out his lanky body as he walked over and followed Jake out of the room. "What's up man?" Embry asked trying to fully wake up.

Jake looked concerned for his pack brother. "How's she doing? I stopped by Sam and Emily's before I went on patrol and they told me what happened. I just finished up patrol I figured I'd come check on you."

Embry nodded. "She woke up a couple of hours ago, but it only lasted long enough for her to let me know she wasn't in any pain and was just tired. Her grandma will be here in the afternoon sometime. And even with as uncomfortable as that God awful chair is; I'm getting descent sleep; not great, but descent."

Jake nodded. "I'm going to head home and get some sleep. If you need anything just call." Jake patted Embry on the shoulder as he took off.

Embry watched as Jake left before going back into the room to the evil chair that had him twisted like a question mark. He sighed heavily. It was actually worth it to be able to stay close to Anna. There was NO way in HELL he was allowing her to stay at the hospital alone. Not only that but he could also find out how she's was really doing when the nurses came by to check on her every couple of hours.

Two weeks later, the Forks Memorial hospital was finally releasing Anna. Embry was leaning against the wall in the hallway and could see Anna's mother down at the nurses' station filling out all the proper paper work and getting Anna's antibiotics together that she would still have to take for the next couple of weeks.

Embry sighed heavily, he felt like he had practically lived at the hospital for the last two weeks. Well he pretty much had. He would get up early drive to Forks and see Anna before school, drive back to La Push go to school and then after school he'd head back to Forks to see Anna for a couple of hours and then would have to go on patrol. All the driving and running back and forth between La Push and Forks would drive anyone crazy, but it was worth it to see the smile on Anna's face every time he walked through the door to her room.

Footfalls stopping next to him brought him out of his thoughts as his eyes looked up and saw the older Fuller woman, Anna's mom. She smiled softly at him as she rubbed his shoulder. "I really wanted to thank you Embry; you've really been here for Anna for the last two weeks. I know it seemed like I was just the worst mother in the world for not coming back as soon as I found out about Anna being sick and in the hospital, but I bring in the majority of the money to pay the bills, so I just couldn't leave the conference the hospital paid me to be there."

Embry nodded. "I understand my mother is the same way. And you're welcome; I want you to know I'd do anything for Anna. I'll always protect her no matter what. She means a lot to me."

"I believe you Embry. I don't think I ever have to worry about Anna again. Brady is another story, but at least Anna is covered. All the same; thank you again." Christina looked at the young man who spoke so sweetly of her daughter. If Anna couldn't see it Christina damn sure could; the love and adoration in Embry's honest eyes. Somehow she just knew deep in her heart anytime Anna left the house with Embry Call she wouldn't ever have to worry about her. He was every bit a gentleman. Now if she could only find a guy who was an older cloned version of Embry she'd be set for life. The way Embry looked at Anna and spoke to her, she wouldn't be surprised if they actually ended up married.

Embry nodded as his eyes turned to Anna's room door as it opened and the nurse pushed her out in a wheelchair. Anna complained slightly but was silenced as the nurse said it was hospital policy. Embry nodded at the nurse. "I got this trouble maker ma'am." Anna giggled as Embry winked down at her and took the nurses place behind her as he followed Anna's mom out to the parking lot.

Christina turned to her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend. "If you want to Embry, you can drive Anna home, I have to stop and get her prescriptions filled."

Embry smiled and watched as Anna's mom leaned down and kissed the top of her daughter's head and disappeared down the road. Embry leaned down and lifted Anna into his arms and carefully placed her in his truck. After a thirty minute drive, Embry lifted Anna into his arms again and was completely content with being so close to her. She rested her head on his as her lips softly brushed against his temple. He'd made her comfortable on the couch with her pillow and favorite soft blanket before he sat next to her and placed her feet in his lap. He discarded her shoes and rubbed her feet softly. He watched as her eyes slowly drifted closed.

Embry was happy she was finally home.

2 weeks was definitely 2 weeks too long.