Hello all!
Firstly, I would like to apologize for my absence...honestly. I really will try to not leave like that. Please forgive me? ;]
Anywho, who's ready for another chapter? I know I am. Lol. Well, hope you enjoy. (:
Hopie, there's something in the chapter that's for you...hope you like! (:
Disclaimer: *sigh* I think we've gone through this once or twice...buuuut, here it is nonetheless. Ido...NOTownanything.
Chapter 7
Edward POV
"Dad?" I called as Emmett and I entered his office. It was unusually messy, documents just thrown any and everywhere. His white coat slung sloppily across the back of his office chair. I raked my eyes across the room in shame. My dad was never this unorganized; he's who I got my uncanny cleanliness from. Shaking my head, I scoured the room for him, he had to be in there somewhere.
I heard a sigh from the darkest corner, and drew my eyes toward it. There, in the blackest blackness of the room, was my father, perched on the ground, his knees drawn to his chest. He looked completely out of it. This was not him, he was not this man. I had no idea that Charlie being admitted into the hospital would be this crucial for him. Granted, they were really good friends, and they'd grown closer in the years that we lived in Forks. But, still...
"Dad." I sighed, crossing the room to sit beside him. He had a glassy look in his eye, and he was unusually pale. I worried for him.
"Son." He acknowledged me, giving me a passing nod.
Oh, this is bad.
"How horrible is it?" I asked the unasked question. I know what had happened on the surface, but I wasn't entirely sure that I wanted to dive deeper into the subject.
All I got was another nod.
"Dad - " I started, but right then, my mother strolled into the room, sans Alice.
"Oh, honey." She cried, taking my place as I rose from the floor. I was sure she could help him better than I could, so I left them to that. I figured, Emmett and I could go get a snack from the cafeteria or something. Only problem was, when I looked around, he was gone. Typical Emmett. Knowing him, he'd already left for the cafe. So, with a shrug, I left my parents to fend for themselves.
As I exited the room, I glanced toward the door and found Alice perched on a bench outside, talking on the phone. I didn't really think much of it, she was probably talking to Jasper, they hadn't been talking as frequently lately, so maybe it was good that they were catching up.
I shook my head, and started my trek toward the cafeteria, hoping to not feel so glumly.
I wonder what Brown was doing at this moment. Was she up waiting for me to get on? Was she playing Black Ops or something? Was she reading, because I knew that that was one of her favorite things to do. I knew alot of things about her; that was one of the that I was proud of. If I wasn't good at anything else but my grades, I was good at getting to know people. Because, contrary to popular belief at U Dubb, I'm not a social pariah, I'm actually quite interesting, and nice once you get to know me, you just have to take the time first, which most people don't even know me from the gum on the bottom of their shoes. Sad, I know.
Strolling toward the cafeteria, I spotted a masculine figure kneeling in front of a person, and skittles were splayed across the floor, the bag ripped, half open. Coming closer, I found that that wasn't just some random man kneeling, it was Emmett.
"Emmett!" I yelled, striding a bit closer. "We're here to see - "
I stopped dead in my tracks because in front of me, there was a woman, not just any woman, though, a woman that was about 3 times smaller than Emmett. And, I could only assume with the way that he was kneeling in front of her, that something was wrong.
"What did you do?" I asked, my eyes widening in protest. There was just no way Emmett was having a regular conversation with some random girl...on the floor, with skittles splayed everywhere. I shook my head. Emmett was a disaster in disguise.
"I-I-I just...I was trying to...and then...Ugh! I just wanted some chips, man!" He rambled, his forehead scrunching up in confusion and pity.
"Well, did you have to injure another person. Jeez, Emmett! We've been here a grand total of an hour and you find some kind of way to hurt harmless citizens. You need to be exiled to your own island with the rate you're going..."
I trailed off as he moved to the side, I glanced at what could be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her brown hair lay behind her shoulders as she rested against the wall. Her brown eyes wide as she stared at Emmett. And her creamy cheeks were tinted with red. She was perfect.
Shaking my head, I came to my senses and realized that I had to figure out if she was okay. I couldn't stand there, just ogling her...my mother raised me better than that. So, I did just that, made sure she was alright.
"Miss?" I asked, kneeling down in front of her. It took her awhile, but she eventually shifted her eyes to mine, and my goodness, was I entranced. I hadn't gotten the full intensity of her eyes, but once I saw them full on, I didn't want to look away.
"Are you alright?" I questioned, remembering the real reason I'd called her.
"Uh." She responded, her eyes widening fractionally. I chuckled, she was just to cute for her own good.
I offered her my hand, and she took it gratefully. Once our hands touched, I almost gasped in surprise. I felt a jolt of electricity shoot up my arm, and I was pretty sure I wasn't the only one to feel it because she almost tripped with the force.
"Whoa. Watch out there." I warned, pulling her up. Then, I remembered Emmett was there, and I decided to lighten the mood. "Don't mind Emmett, he's always like this. I wouldn't stand within a hundred mile radius of him."
She barked a laugh, and I was entirely enthralled. She had the richest laugh. It wasn't too soft, but it wasn't loud and obnoxious either. This woman was perfection in a bottle.
We stood there, staring at one another before Emmett conspicuously cleared his throat. To which we both straightened up, coming to. She thanked me for saving her and said that she had to go check on someone, which I, in turn, remembered that we also were here to check on someone. Emmett and I weren't just here on business...she also trailed off of what she was saying, not knowing my name.
"Edward." I supplied, sticking my hand out for her to shake. I wanted to feel her hand inside of mine again.
"Bella." She informed me.
"Bella." I tried. Her name was perfect for her. It meant beautiful, just as she was. I couldn't take my eyes off of her, I truly hadn't seen anyone as beautiful as she was. I could say her name for forever more...it was just so damn beautiful, she was beautiful.
Her and Emmett were going at it, well, not literally, but you get the point. They sounded like they were siblings, and I realized just how well she would fit into our family. Anyone who doesn't take Emmett's crap is okay in my book.
She announced then that she was leaving to go see her dad, and that she wanted to be there wheh he woke up, which is completely understandable. I would want to be with my dad if he were in the hospital. But my impending separation from this girl had my stomach in knots, I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could. I know I'd just met her, but I felt this huge connection toward her. I wanted, no needed, her number, if it were the last thing I did, I'd get her phone number. As much as I wanted to ask her, as soon as I opened my mouth, I chickened out.
"Of course. We're also here to see someone." I said uncomfortably.
No, no, no! Stupid. Just ask for her number, it's not that hard. Just 5 measly words. Can. I. Have. Your. Number. See? Not that hard, right?
"You ok?" Bella asked, noticing my inner musings. I must look like an idiot to her.
"Um, yeah," Come on, Edward. Just do it. "Uh, I just, um..." I stopped short, my stomach aching with nervousness. I crammed my hands deep into my pockets and rocked back onto my heels, as if that would help me utter the wretched words that seemed to be stuck in my throat.
"Dude, if you want her number, just ask for it." Emmett offered, patting me on my back, very hard I might add.
Damn him. He was making me look like a fool. I tried to inconspicuously hide behind my hand, but the look on Bella's face made me realize that I wasn't succeeding. I thought that there was no way I was ever going to get her number now that Emmett had made me look incompetent, so imagine my eyes when I saw her reaching for her back pocket and retrieving her cell for me to put my number in. Hurrily, I typed it in, my fingers burning with fire, and handed it back to her.
"I'll call you tonight." She purred, softly carressing my cheek. She then proceeded to turn back around and walk away very sensually. I almost fell over, and landed in my own puddle of drool.
"Dude! What the hell was that?" Emmett murmured as we headed to Charlie's room. "Have I not taught you anything about girls, bro?"
I just shook my head. "Emmett, the day I take your advice will be the end of all my romantic affairs because your advice would scare them all off."
"Pfft," Emmett retorted, punching me in the arm. "Do you know how many girls I get a week?"
"None because you're always with Rosalie, and if you utter anything different from those lips I swear to you I will tell her everything."
"Ok, ok. You've got me there, but before - "
"Before you had Rosalie, you were always trying to get her." I finished, because I wasn't in any kind of mood to hear his lies.
As he was replying, I thought I saw Bella look back at us curiously, trying to cover it up by scratching her chin. I furrowed my eyebrow, but shook it off and got back into my conversation with Emmett.
" - I mean, I love Rosalie and all, but sometimes she can be a complete and total bitch. And, Ed, trust me, you have no clue how much that turns me on. And - oomf!" Emmett grunted, bumping into something, or should I say someone.
"Hello, boys." She lilted, spinning on her heel to face us.
"What the hell, Bella?" Emmett groaned, leaning his huge frame down to rub his chin.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," She commented, and by the way she was looking, it seemed as though she was suspecting something. "What're you guys doing following me?"
Following her? Was this girl insane? Out of her mind? We were in no way shape or form following her. We were just going to see an old friend in the hospital. Emmett's mind must've been going down the same path as mine because he blurted out what I was thinking.
"Following you?" He scoffed, a little laugh going along with it. "We weren't following you. We were just - "
I knew Emmett often blurted things out that were irrelevant, and in no way needed to be known by the human race. Sigh. I had to stop him before he did something stupid, which wold be in about 3 seconds if I didn't put an end to it.
"Hush, Emmett, before you say something you regret." There, that should do.
Bella seemed to be getting a bit impatient. I couldn't blame her though, it takes time to get used to Emmett...a lot of time.
"What room is this friend in?" She quipped, her eyebrows knittng together slightly.
"603B." I answered, tilting my head to the side. Hmm. This could be interesting.
"Really? That's the room my dad - " She started, but that's all that she got out because her mother came charging toward us then. Crazy, frantic eyes dominated her features, and she looked as though she had been crying for days. Whatever had happened must've shocked her greatly. Her clothes were disheveled, and her mouth was twisted down into a horrible grimace.
"Bella, we almost lost him." She choked, grabbing hold of Bella by the arms and sobbing onto her shoulder. I felt so helpless, I wanted to do something, anything to help her, but I didn't know her, it would've been weird for me to just embrace her. She looked so delicate, as if one tiny touch would break her. I sighed, getting a little choked up myself from watching this scene unfold in front of me.
"Mom, what happened?" Bella insisted, pulling back to gaze into her eyes.
"Oh, honey." Was all that she could utter before she went limp in Bella's arms.
With cat-like reflexes, I quickly caught her mother from falling on the ground. Bella looked as though her cat had just died, which, in this case, would be a better situation. Her dad was here in the hospital, recovering from a bad motorcycle accident, and now, her mother would be registered here as well, for...whatever she had going on.
My eyes darted swiftly from side to side, searching for something, anything to set her mother down on. She was a little heavy, and I needed to go get my father before anything else serious happened. Spotting an empty hospital bed, I made my way over and plopped her mom down on it.
"Emmett, stay here with Bella and make sure they remain here." I instructed. "I'm gonna go and get dad, alright?"
A slight nod was the only response that he granted me, for he was too worried about Bella and her mother. Hell, I was too.
Nearly sprinting, I dashed down the hospital hallways and into Charlie's room. Seeing as my dad is his doctor and Bella's mom just came flying from the room, tears flowing from her eyes, I assumed that he would be there. However, my assumption was wrong. Where the hell could he be? I know he couldn't have been far, but this was a huge hospital, and a guy like my dad is well known. My head shook at the prospect of not being able to find him. Of all the critical times in my life, now was when I need him most.
Spotting a flash of blonde hair as I round the corner, I knew it could be no one else but my dad.
"Dad!" I wailed, waving my arms around my head in an attempt to gain his attention. "Dad!"
His eyes darted to mine as I made the 'come here' gesture with my hands. Swiftly, he darted toward me, worry coloring his facial features.
"Son? What's the matter?" He questioned worriedly, as I pulled him along to where Emmett, Bella, and her mother was.
"Her mother...she's...passed out." I managed to get out between my waves of nervousness. I dragged him along, trying not to waste any time; I didn't know what was going to happen.
As soon as my dad understood what was going on, his facial features changed immediately. He ordered Emmett to bring Bella's mother along as he strode down the hall, trying to find an empty room to set her in. I, on the other hand, decided to stay back and comfort Bella. I knew she must have been going through a rough patch in life, what with her dad and her mom being in the hospital. I know I'd probably be sick with worry.
Bella was trying to put on a brave face, but I knew that on the inside, she would burst any minute. Tentatively, I stretched my arm across her shoulders and pulled her closer to me in a comforting manner. I wouldn't want for her to be afraid of me. She sent me a timid smile, and ever so slightly leaned into me, letting me know that what I was doing was alright.
I led Bella to the room my dad had just entered. He was currently checking over Bella's mom as she was being hooked up to the IV and all of that other stuff. Bella just watched, glumly. I had led her over to where the couches were in the room and sat her down, me plopping down next to her. She unconsciously leaned into my side once again, and I laid my arm around her.
"It'll be alright." I whispered in her ear, hugging her close to me.
"Ok, Bella." My dad said, sauntering over to where we sat. "Your mom will be out for awhile. She's stable, but she probably won't awaken until midday tomorrow. I'll have to go check on your father, but I'm pretty sure he won't be up until tomorrow as well."
He took a deep breath, and his face changed. It went from doctor mode to daddy mode.
"Now," He began again, clearing his throat. "You are very welcome to stay at our house until tomorrow. I know it might seem strange seeing as how you just met us and all, but we have an extra room, and everything."
I couldn't tell what her answer would be. Her face looked speculative. Her eyes darted from my father's face to mine and back to my father's. I could tell she was bit uncomfortable with the whole idea, so I decided to put her out of her misery.
"Dad, I don't think - " I started to say, but she quickly cut me off.
"I'd love to stay at your house for the night. Thank you so much for the offer." And with that, she left the room to retrieve her bags. I stared after her, longingly.
My dad stepped into my line of vision, staring at me seriously.
"I'm putting her in the room next to yours; take care of her." He warned, and then left just as suddenly as she had.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*
We arrived home, and Bella had been quiet the whole way. I was beginning to worry about her. Had the roles been reversed, I'd have been freaking out, but she seemed to be taking it all in stride. I had an overcoming sense to protect her, comfort her, do something. I suspected that she'd break down sometime soon, and I'd be there to hold her as she did.
I showed her where the bathroom was and the kitchen, in case she got a hankering for a midnight snack. It was already pretty late, and I'm sure the day had taken its toll on her, so I led her to her room, which was right next to mine like my dad had promised, and told her if she needed anything at anytime that I'd be in the room right next to hers. She nodded, and silently entered the room, and closed the door softly behind her. I'd give her some privacy, I know she wanted it.
I stepped into my room, and stripped myself of my clothes and threw on some gray pajama pants and a plain black t-shirt, and entered my bathroom to rid myself of those contacts and brush my teeth. Once I was done with that, I trudged into my room, and flopped onto my bed. It really wasn't all that late, but I was tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. I thought about going to check on Bella, but I figured that she'd be asleep by now, so I just got up to turn off the light, and then crawled into my bed, leaving my door unlocked just in case Bella needed some help...or anything really.
I didn't know what time it was, but I was awakened by a soft knocking at my door. At first I just thought that I was dreaming, so I sunk deeper into my golden sheet covered bed, but then I realized that it was coming from my door. I shot up straight for the door, pausing for just a second to catch my breath, but when I finally opened the door, I was met by a saddened Bella.
"I'm sorry. I - I just. I'm..." She started, but stopped and bit her lip. Tears were welling up in her eyes. It drove me crazy, but I stood there letting her collect her thoughts. "I didn't mean to wake you up in the middle of the night, I just - nevermind." And with that, she turned on her heel.
"Bella." I called softly after her. She stopped and turned back around, staring glumly at me. "Come here." I offered, holding my arms open for her. She looked hesitant, but after a minute of contemplation, she threw herself into my arms and wept. I led us to my bed, and sat on the edge of it, cradling her to my body. I just sat comforting her, patting her back, whispering reassurance into her ear, and stroking her hair, as she sobbed and sobbed. I knew that this was coming, it was only a matter of time.
She cried well into the night, and I didn't want to leave her alone in her condition, so I scooted us to the top of my bed, and placed her under the cover. I knew it'd be a bit weird, us sleeping in the same bed together, so I'd planned to grab a blanket and sleep on the floor, but everytime I tried to let her go, she would have a death grip on my shirt, so I opted to sleep on top of the covers, I really didn't mind.
I awoke the second time before Bella, and I smelled breakfast cooking. I tried to roll over and go to sleep, but my nose had other plans. I didn't want to wake Bella, so I snuck out of my room and down the stairs and was met with a pleasant surprise.
"Seth?" I asked, happily. He was one of our good friends from the reservation, and he and his girlfriend had stopped by to visit us. "Long time, no see."
"Eddie - whoa." Was all he said. "You look good."
I smiled. "Hello, Hopie." I greeted his girlfriend, pulling her into a big hug. She was nice, and one of the only girlfriends of Seth that I actually liked.
"Ed, you look excellent. Alice finally get to you?" She winked, nudging my side. I felt real mature, so I stuck my tongue out at her, and she laughed in response.
"Morning, Mom." I called to her in the kitchen. She grunted in answer. She wasn't as much a morning person as the rest of us.
"So," I said, turning back to Seth. "You guys staying for breakfast?"
"No can do." Seth answered, throwing his arm around Hopie. "Just stopped by to get an update on Charlie; Billy's worried sick."
"I understand." I nodded. "He's stable, but not awake yet. We'll head to see him sometime this afternoon. Dad should already be at the hospital."
"Alright." Seth allowed. "But I will be back for dinner. That ok, Mama Es?" He called into the kitchen.
Another grunt.
We just laughed and shook our heads. I gave Hopie another hug, and said goodbye to Seth and saw them out the door. They'd be back later anyway.
After they'd left, I tiptoed up the steps to check on Bella, and found that she was still sound asleep in my bed. She needed it after her break down last night. I'm glad that I was there for her because I don't think that she would've gotten through the night if someone hadn't been there for her.
I slugged down the stairs and into the kitchen; my mother and I were the only people up, so I plopped down into a chair across from where she was cooking and watched. I didn't really want to be down there, I wanted to be holding Bella, making sure that she was alright, but I'm sure she wouldn't want to wake up with me staring at her. That would be creepy. But still. I'd come to the conclusion that it was unhealthy, the amount of time I spent thinking about her, but already I felt a huge connection toward her, like we'd known each other already. Like we'd been speaking since we were toddlers. I'd only ever felt this way toward one other person, and that person was...
No. Could it be?
Would I be upset if it turned out to be her? Hell no. She's perfect, everything that I looked for in a woman. However, she was supposed to be living in Pheonix, and going to school there. But, a voice in the back of my head rang. She could visit other places couldn't she? And of course she could. She was a grown woman...sort of. But, I shouldn't get my hopes up because what if it wasn't really her...
But what if it was?
Well, that's that! Lol. Drop a line and tell me what you think. Favorite line? Favorite part?
Until next time,
QOTJ (:
