All normal disclaimers apply, thanks to AWayWithWords for her help, all mistakes are ours.
Chapter: 8
I look in on Bree and see Bella sleeping soundly in the rocking chair next to her bed. I shake my head and carry on walking in.
"Hey, Princess," I say as Bree looks up at me holds her hands open for me to pick her up.
"Today is the last day I will be your doctor," I say sitting on the seat across from Bella.
"No Ed?" Bree asks sadly.
"I'll still see you princess, I swear I will. Look at what I got for your mama," I say opening the small box that was in my pocket.
Yesterday on my lunch break, I went to M.C. Ginsberg, and picked out a ring for Bella. Over the weeks I have noticed that Bella's not largely into jewelry. I can only assume she isn't a fan and when she does wear it, it's normally very simple. With that in mind, I picked her up a platinum, one-carat, cushion-cut diamond ring.
"Do you think mama will like it?" Bree looks into the box and smiles happily.
"I got you something, too," I say pulling out the second small box from my pocket. I show her the charm bracelet I bought for her and her eyes light up.
"You're still too little for it just now, so I also got you some dolls. I would've gotten you some books, but I think your mama's got that covered until you reach my age."
"Edward," Bella groans out. I look to her, but she's still a sleep.
"Is mama talking in her sleep?" I ask looking back at Bree.
Again Bella says my name and Bree smiles nodding as if she really understands what I'm saying. I chuckle, rolling my eyes a little and sit on the floor. We begin to play a game with her new toys.
"Edward," Bells says again, but I keep playing with Bree. She's been saying my name for the past hour. "Why didn't you wake me?"
I freeze and look at her. I see that she's slowly waking up. I grin at her as she looks back at me.
"Look, Bree, mama's really awake this time," I say with a little, chuckle as my eyes go to Bella to see her blush appear.
"Was I sleep-talking?" Bella groans out and I nod.
"Please don't tell me what I have said."
I shake my head at her and my pager goes off. I take a look and see that it's Tia. "I will be back later my girls," I say as I pass Bree over to Bella and give them both a kiss.
I walk down the hall to my office and see Tia standing there smiling. "So rumor has it you're getting married?" she says.
I nod at her with a smile. "Yes, I am," I say as I unlock my office door.
"And you're adopting a kid?" she carries on as we walk in. "You're growing up."
I roll my eyes as I get Angela and Bree's files.
"I should smack you. My mom has not stopped going on about it, and she's only known a few days. I swear if I hear how I ruined my life by not dating you, I will kill her slowly and painfully."
I look at Tia confused because I never felt anything for her, and as far as I was aware, she felt nothing for me.
"Her new thing is pointing out guys that are getting married, and saying how my life could be better if I dated them. Then she likes to imagine it would be me who would be getting married to them. You're just the first lucky guy she actually knows I know."
I chuckle and shake my head, knowing my own mother has been trying to marry all her kids off for years now, and don't even get me started on the grandchildren talks.
We sit and go through everything twice. When I go to take her back through it a third time, she pulls the file away. "Edward, I've got this. I will take care of both of them."
I bite my lip and she chuckles at me.
"Come, let's go and see the girls that won your heart over."
I smile and nod at her before standing and making my way to the door. I take her to meet Bella and Bree first, knowing that she going to run some tests on Angela.
We walk in to find Bree and Bella coloring. "Hey, Angel, hi my Princess, this is Tia. Tia, this is my little princess and her mom-to-be, Bella," I say as I look at Tia who has a large smirk on her face.
"Nice to meet you both," Tia says walking over to them.
"Oh, Bree, what's this?" Tia asks as Bree hands her a picture.
"Ed," Bree says looking at the paper. "Mon," she says then growls.
"Oh, is Edward fighting a monster?" Tia asks. Bree smiles a toothy grin and nods.
"He's very brave and I am sure he will win."
I sit next to Bella as we watch Tia talk away to Bree.
"Well, it was very nice to meet you both, and I will come back tonight to play with you again before bed." Bree claps her hands and smiles broadly at Tia. I am pleased that Tia decided that she would use today to just spend time with Bree and Angela before starting work tomorrow.
"They're both great, Edward. I can see why you are so taken with them both," Tia says as soon as we are away from the room.
"They are," I say smiling.
I wash my hands, and so does Tia before we walk into Angela's room.
"Hey, Angela," I say and she glares at me. "What?" I ask a little alarmed.
"Tell me you're going to get Bella a real ring? And not some cheap ass piece of cr ...," Angela stops and looks at her mom, "man?"
I laugh and shake my head. "Yes, I got her a real ring. Here, have a look-see," I say handing her the box.
"Oh, wow, this is beautiful. She's going to love it."
I nod still kind of worried, since Bella is so simple. "I hope so. I'm planning to give it to her tonight, or at least before that press meeting tomorrow morning," I say with a small sigh.
"I wish I could go to it with you all. I swear I would kick all of their asses for what they said about her. I don't get why people are so mean, and I thought bullying was something that happens in schools and you grow out of it?"
I nod because she is dead on right. The press, paparazzi, and Jacob Black are all bullying Bella and it pisses me off, too. "They are supposed to grow out of it, but I'm not real sure if they ever will. I know this feels like a much larger issue than bullying did back in school, but when it comes to bullying, there is none better than the other. Sadly, the press and all of the gossip mongers can feed the process on the Internet. It's sad that the web is just another way to inflict pain on someone. But, enough on that, I'm here to see how you are doing and introduce you to the doctor who will be working with me to get you better," I say with a smile. "Angela and Mrs. Weber, this is Doctor Tia Kebi."
Tia walks forward. "Just Tia will do. It's very nice to meet you, Angela, Edward's told me so much about you."
Tia and I spend the next hour in with Angela. We leave when Bella shows up to spend time with her. Bella's parents have arrived to see Bree and since there's a two–person visit limit, Bella left them with her and thought she could take Angela and Mrs. Weber to the cafeteria for Lunch.
The rest of the day seems to fly by. I yawn as I make my way to Bree's room. I get washed, changed, before walking in to see Bree is sound asleep and Bella is cleaning up.
"We've got people that do that, you know," I say pulling her back flush with my front.
"I know, but it doesn't mean I need to leave it like a bomb went off in here."
I smile placing a soft kiss on her neck. "Have you eaten?" Bella nods and I raise my eyebrow at her. "I swear I have, Emmett made me some stir-fry. Your dinner is sitting on the table," Bella says pointing at the covered plate. I smile down at her.
"Okay, come with me, I have something for you," I say pulling her along. I sit her on the chair at the table and take hold of her left hand. I take the now twisted-to-fit water bottle ring and pull it off her finger.
"Hey," Bella says incredulously and I chuckle.
"I got you this to wear instead," I say sliding on her ring.
I watch Bella's face go white. "It's ... oh, God, Edward, it's beautiful," she says. "But, I can't, I ... um ... I can just keep the bottle ring, I really love it."
I shake my head at her. "I'll keep it safe for you, and we can put it in a scrapbook or something. But, you need a real ring–no wife of mine will have a bottle ring on her finger forever," I say with a wink. "This may not be the normal way people go about getting married; I think it will work for us. You need to know, you're all I can see myself loving, or being in love with. After thinking about it and feeling this connection," I say, waving my hand between us. "I wanted and needed to get you a real ring."
Bella bites her lip looking at me and her eyes go to my lips. I swallow and we both edge a little closer as our eyes remain locked with each other's. I break the look to glance down at her full lips, and I quickly swipe my own lips with the tip of my tongue. I watch as she follows suit and we both seem to let out a sigh before our lips meet.
I close my eyes as our light gentle kiss washes over me. The soft pillow lips of hers mold to mine and I moan when I feel the tip of her tongue touch my lips. With soft short pecks that build up a little at a time, our lips touch again. But this time, we keep going and I pull her onto my lap as her fingers go through my hair, and my body reacts to hers nestled against me.
I feel my heart beat faster as I move us so Bella is on the floor with me on top of her. I move her hair out of the way as I kiss her neck and I rock myself against her.
"Edward," Bella pants out. "I don't want you to stop." I smile.
"I don't have plans to stop," I say, in between my kissing and thrusting.
"Bree," is all Bella says and I stop looking into Bella's eyes as I am brought back to where we are.
"Fuck," I say as I go to move off her, only for Bella to wrap herself around me. "I got carried away," I say with a sigh and Bella smiles at me.
"If we were anywhere else, I wouldn't have stopped you," she says.
I kiss her lips once more. "We'll finish this later," I say pulling her up with me.
I sit down and eat my dinner, and even get Bella to eat a little more knowing that she more than likely didn't eat much earlier. When she starts to yawn I pull her to the bed and hug her to me as we both fall asleep.
I am just coming around when I get the creepy-ass feeling that someone is watching me. I open my eyes and jump seeing Alice standing there in a white dress just smiling down at Bella and me.
"What is it, Edward, why's your heart racing?" Bella says and I look at her seeing she's been awakened by my jolting.
"Just Alice scaring the crap out of me," I say.
Alice sticks her tongue out. "Rose asked me to wake you both up and give you your clothes for today. She says you have an hour, so get a move on."
I roll my eyes and smile when I feel Bella starting to laugh. "Come on, she freaks me out with all the staring," I say pulling a still giggling Bella up. Bella takes a look at Bree and gives the still sleeping girl a kiss before she walks out with me to my office bathroom.
I'm glad when we get to my office … it's just … I thought Alice would have followed. My office shower is fairly large, and I'm happy when Bella agrees to shower with me. I try very hard not to look at Bella as she washes, which doesn't do any good. My eyes wander over her body a lot which makes me very hard.
I let out a breath when she gets out and starts to get dressed. I turn off the hot water and let the cold wash over me before I get out. As I get dressed, even with my back to her my eyes keep making my head turn to see.
I see her from the corner of my eye as she walks over to me. "Thank you for everything."
I turn and face her pulling her to me. "You make me feel like I've never felt before in my life."
I nod in understanding at her. "I feel the same exact way," I say.
"I hope my Hollywood life doesn't ruin what we have or where this thing between us can go."
I frown a little at how unsure and scared she sounds. I tilt her head up so she is looking into my eyes. "Just be honest and truthful and have faith in me. I will be the same with you, and we will work it all out. With everything that we hear, see or do, as long as we work as a team, we'll remain one."
Bella takes a few deep breaths and nods. I take hold of her hand and walk her to where we have to meet the others. It only takes us a half hour to drive to the meeting point for the press conference. Bella didn't want them anywhere near the hospital. She still hopes very much to keep that part of her life out of the papers as much as she can.
I'm stunned and frankly a little scared when we walk into the room and I see so many people here. I watch Bella take a few deep breaths and step forward.
"Good morning, everyone, I would like to thank you for all coming at such short notice. Could you all please keep your questions until the end of the statement Isa will be making. She will take respectful and decent questions at the end, and then Jasper Whitlock will be speaking," Rose says.
Bella steps up to the microphone and I stand close but not next to her, at Rose's direction. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, thanks for coming out this morning. Over the last few days my name and a false story have appeared in the newspapers, talk shows, magazines, and all around the Internet. After talking this over with my family and friends, I decided talking to you today was the best course of action.
"First, I would like to say that Jacob Black and I split up by mutual agreement. The rumors that he cheated or I cheated on him, are just that, rumors, all of which are completely unfounded fodder spread by the press to earn money."
I stop myself from rolling my eyes, because it is clear that he cheated on her. I know she just wants her name to no longer be tied to him at all. This is her best way to do so, by showing no hard feelings or disregard about their split.
"Regarding the child I have been seen and photographed with, I would like to say that I have never been pregnant. The young child I have been seen with is a child who has been ill." I note the slight change in Bella's speech, and stand straighter moving closer to her as she carries on speaking. "The child is currently a ward of the state and I am looking into adopting her. I was recently awarded temporary custody of her, a few days ago."
I take hold of Bella's hand and give it a squeeze, she mouths "thank you," to me.
"Again, since I was awarded temporary custody of the child, a few days ago, she still has a state social worker. After talking this through with Tanya Denali, the social worker, it was approved that I could release some limited information about said child. I ask that you please respect the fact that she is very ill, and give us the time and space we need, so we can help her get better. She is one of thousands of children who are suffering from one or more forms of cancer. She has a form of Leukemia and is currently undergoing a bone marrow transplant.
"Statistically, only about half of the people who need bone marrow transplants are able to find a donor. Since she is a ward of the state and there is not much of any family history on her, finding a biological family donor was not available. With the guidance of the hospital staff, we have been looking for other donors. This search for donors is why several of my friends and family have stepped forward to be tested. Establishing her paternity has never been a subject anyone has looked into. Our only goal has been to find her a donor.
"I am very happy to say that even though I myself couldn't help, a good friend of mine could. Jasper Whitlock has been found to be a match and he is donating bone marrow to save her life. Because of the accusations, Jasper had the staff do a DNA test, and the results are right there in the packet you are being given, showing that there is no way she is his child. As well there is a DNA sheet showing that there is no way she is my biological child.
"She's still very ill, and will most likely be hospitalized for at least the next month and a half after the procedure is completed. I would like to ask you to respect the child and the hospital, by staying away. Right now they do not need people camped outside. We agree to give public updates as well as long as our privacy can be respected in this matter. Please just give us this time to help her ... to make her better," Bella says weakly at the end.
"Miss Swan, is that an engagement ring on your finger?" I sigh and kiss Bella's head.
"Yes," I answer for her, trying not to get pissed off. "I asked Be ... Isa to marry me, and she said yes," I say with a smile and a small wink at Bella.
"Who are you? What do you do?" Someone yells as another yells. "What do you think of her adopting a kid at nineteen?"
"I am Dr. Edward Cullen and I am the head of pediatric oncology for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As for Isa adopting a child, I am behind her one hundred percent. The baby is an amazing girl, and very easy to love."
"So, if you're a doctor, then let me ask this. In your professional opinion, a child such as this child who is as gravely ill, as Isa's leading us to believe, wouldn't this orphaned child be better off with someone, or anyone else other than Isa?"
I frown at the woman who speaks so rudely. "That's Carmen Peters, she doesn't like me," Bella whispers, but I can hear the hurt in her voice over what the woman said.
"I have seen Isa with the little girl, and I really can't think of anyone who'd be a better mother. And you're right; Isa has misled you on how ill she is. The little girl is actually much more ill than she has led any of you to believe. This is a child who had only a one percent chance of surviving the day she was born. This little girl has fought hard to survive from that day forward. She still has some side effects from being so poorly taken care of in gestation, and on top of that she has Leukemia. I know from reading her files that Isa has changed this little girl's life. Isa has given her something to fight for, something to live for. Isa has given the baby unconditional love and care, and she thrives from it.
"But, at this time she has approximately a seventy-nine percent chance of living to see her fifth birthday, so none of this is a joke. I would also like to say, the fact that Isa loves her so much, is the biggest thing that attracted me to Isa. There is no one anywhere that would be better for that little girl than this amazing woman standing beside me."
"Is that your professional opinion or are you letting the bedroom speak for you?"
"Not that anything between my fiance and I, is your business, but we are waiting for our wedding night, and I would never jeopardize my job and career to let anyone or thing sway my professional opinion on the life of a person I vowed to help. It's too bad people such as you, don't hold yourself to the standards of honesty and truth," I say as I look straight at the harpy. She moves back to her seat clearly affected by me staring her down.
"I think Isa has answered enough of your questions, and now Jasper Whitlock would like to say something," Rose states.
I pull Bella back with me and she sits on my lap. I don't give a fuck what these assholes say about it.
"Like my frister—for those of you who don't know that word, it's, friend and sister put together—like my frister said, I will be donating bone marrow to little Bree. I am very happy to do this and after speaking with Edward, I will be placed on the bone marrow registry so I'm able to help anyone that may need the donation. One of the reasons Isa and I agreed to do this press conference is because we want to get information out there so people are aware of the need for donors.
"This was never about clearing her name or stopping you from printing made up BS about her because let's face it, you will anyway. Over the last few months she's been an easy target because she's so genuine. But here's what you need to know, here's the facts. There are roughly thirty-two thousand children who need bone marrow transplants every year. Out of them only twenty thousand have a donor. Each year around thirty-eight thousand people donate bone marrow, so that's roughly fifty percent that get used. If we can get the number of donations to seventy thousand, then we should, with the will of God, be able to find a donor for every person that needs it.
"It's not just money for research that is needed to help people with cancer, they need donors as well. I would like to ask not only my fans, but everyone out there just to think about it. If it was your mom, dad, child, sister, brother or any other family member or friend, wouldn't you want someone to help save that person's life, if you couldn't do it yourself?
"And on a personal note, I'd like to announce that I am off the market. I'm dating a beautiful girl, who I'm planning on marrying. My girl's name is Alice Cullen, and yes for the smart ones, she is related to Isa's fiancé. Alice is the younger sibling to Edward and Emmett Cullen. You already have proof in your little packet of info you were given showing that I am not the father of this child and Isa's not her mother. There is no real story where that is concerned, but there is where the life of someone dying of cancer could be saved. It's in your hands to help get the word out there, do the right thing and help people."
Without taking any questions, Jasper sits down and Rose, Charlie, and Tanya take over the questions.
"What about Jacob Black's claim that he is this child's father? Are you saying he's been misleading his fans?"
I close my eyes hating that we have to hear the jerk's name.
"While I am not sure what Mr. Black has claimed, I do know the Judge that is in charge of the child's case has sent court orders and also gave me permission to say this. Jacob Black is being brought forward to supply DNA by court order. The Judge is also investigating where the claims came from, and if they are in fact a media ploy, the Judge intends to prosecute the person responsible within every letter of the law. The fact that the person who made this claim also divulged information on a minor child who was a ward of the state is causing quite a backlash. The judge said and I quote, "if any charges can be brought, they will be," end quote."
I can't help smiling over the fact that Jacob could get into trouble over all of the lies he is spreading. After talking to Rose, she believes that the jerk is behind the whole thing, stirring the pot for the media.
Thankfully, two hours after arriving for this press conference, we're able to leave. As soon as we are back at the hospital, I walk Bella to her room with Charlie and Renee walking behind us.
"Edward, can you show me to the cafeteria? Renee wants some mother-daughter-granddaughter time," Charlie says.
I smile and nod at him. "I'll see you a little later, Angel," I say kissing Bella on the head. Bella looks at me and then to her dad. "It's okay, Angel," I say and kiss her lips before walking over to Charlie.
Charlie is really quiet the whole way to the cafeteria. When we get there I sit at one of the staff tables and grab us both something to eat. As I make my way back to the table I see a few people looking over and narrowing their eyes. I know that they're debating if Charlie is who they think he is.
"You seem like a real nice guy, very caring and from what I've seen; you have a large heart and are good at your job." I swallow and just look at Charlie, knowing he has more to say. "But you're in your thirties."
"Early thirties," I say right away.
Charlie gives me a look to say that it doesn't make a big difference high or low.
"Rose and Jasper had both spoken to Renee and me about you and Bella. I planned to take you out when I got here. However, as I watched you in the courtroom, in Bree's room and today, I will have to say it clear to any fool that you care deeply for each other. I would even say that you are both in love, or falling."
I give him a curt nod in agreement, since I feel that way as well.
"With that said, she is my daughter, my only child. I had to hold her every time that ass-wipe broke her heart. I knew then that there was nothing I could do; well that is until now." Charlie grins a little before straightening his face. "I will not have anyone else break her heart. I really don't care if I ever work in Hollywood again, she's more important to me than that. Do you understand me?"
I nod at him. "I swear I don't plan on hurting her. I don't know what I feel for her exactly, but she makes my heart race. I want to hold her close to me every time I'm around her," I say and Charlie grins at me and nods.
"Edward," I turn to see a pale looking Tia looking down at me. "The test results came back. We need to talk."
I swallow and nod. I give one last look to Charlie who looks worried, but motions to me that he's done and I should go.
I sit holding back my tears as Tia and I both look over the test results again. I was hoping for a mistake but it clear there is none. They say the first life sentence you give someone is the hardest, but I know this going to be so much harder. Tia and I walk together both not saying anything, I let out a breath knocking softly on the door. I open and I am met straight away with Bella's smiling face looking back at me.
"Edward?" Bella says softly and it's almost enough to bring me to my knees.
A/N: Hey everyone this is jess2002. Next Wednesday is TeamAllTwilight's birthday! With that being said, Weekitty and I have written her a birthday story! I want some things to stay a surprise so if you would like, you can put weeandjess on author alert and we will post Wednesday morning east coast time. We are on TWCS, FFNet and FICPAD.
