All right, chapter 8 is here! I know the story is moving pretty fast, but that's just the way I roll. I know they might have rushed into a relationship, and now Elizabeth is in the hospital? Oh well, just read to find out.
The Author's Note In Chapter Seven Has Been Deleted. Make Sure You Read That One First!
Now, on to chapter 8! Enjoy!
BPOV
"Umm…Bella I can't pick you up today. My mom collapsed in the middle of our kitchen this morning and I had to take her to the hospital. I'm so sorry that I couldn't call you or anything to let you know! I'm such a horrible person."
"No, Edward! You're not horrible! Here, listen, I can get my mom and dad to drive me to the hospital. They love your mom, too. And you shouldn't have to be alone through this." I said. Then I turned away from the phone and told my parents the news.
My mom gasped and started crying, shaking her head side to side, and mumbling about how 'this can't be happening! She was supposed to be better!' My dad looked just as upset as my mom and even had a few streaks of tears on his cheeks.
"Come on, let's get a move on." He said. We got up, leaving our home and rushing to the car.
"Bella, you don't have to come, but I appreciate it. Thank you." I wondered briefly if he knew how much I love him, and how his pain becomes my pain. I would do anything to help him get through this.
"Of course, Edward. I'll see you in about five minutes, okay? Bye."
"Bye, Bella." I hung up the phone and we rushed through traffic to get to the hospital.
"I love you." I whispered into my car. Four and a half minutes later we reached the hospital. I saw Edward and ran over to him and pulled him into a hug. Behind me, I heard my mother asking for Elizabeth Masen at the front desk.
"Oh, Edward, I'm so sorry. I wish I was there to help." I sobbed into his shirt, still hugging him fiercely.
He hugged me back, and let a few tears fall. "You're here now, and that's all that matters." He said.
I kissed his cheek and took his hand as we waited.
Finally, after waiting for an hour and a half, Carlisle Cullen walked into the waiting room, looking grim.
"Edward, Edward, can I talk to you both for a minute?" He said. Edward tensed at my side, as if reading the doctors thoughts and knowing it was bad news before even hearing it.
I kissed him swiftly on the mouth, squeezed his hand, and then let it go as he walked to Carlisle with his own father.
My parents came to stand behind me, and my dad gave me a look that said 'I approve.'
We watched the Masen men take the news of Elizabeth's departure and I cried when they both literally fell to the floor in pain. I shrieked in fear and broke away from my parents to run to my beloved's side.
"Edward? Edward!" I shook his shoulder, crying the whole time.
His face was red, his cheeks were tear stained, and his voice was broken.
"She's gone, Bella. She died." He broke down crying again, and I pulled him up, hugging him and wiping away his tears.
I heard Carlisle in the background telling my parents what had happened.
"She had a rare case of the Influenza and we didn't have the right vaccine for it. She passed almost instantly and we're sure that she felt no pain." My mother fell to the ground with Edward Sr. and they both cried for the loss of a wife and a best friend.
My father sank to his knees and prayed. Elizabeth was like a sister to him.
I pulled myself together for Edward, and picked him up off the ground.
Grabbing his hand, I led him away from the group. "Come on, Edward. Let's get you some water, huh?" He shrugged and let me pull him towards the water fountain.
He slumped to the floor, and silent tears fell from his eyes.
"Bella, please, please, tell me she's not really gone. She can't be gone, Bella. I miss her so much already. Please help me." I knelt down next to him, pulled his face so he was staring strait at me and said to him "Edward, I am so sorry to say, but she is gone. Carlisle said it was instant and she didn't feel any pain. And Edward?" He looked away, and I forced him to look at me again. "I love you, and I'm not going anywhere. We will get through this," I made a motion to everything behind me, and even softer than before, motioned between the two of us, saying "And this. Okay? I just…I just need you to know how much I love you and want to help you. I know it's sudden, but I just feel safe whenever I'm around you and I feel pain when you feel pain and I just want to make it go away! Can't you see that?"
I gently kissed his forehead and just lay down next to him holding his hand, softly singing a song to try and help make him feel better.
"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long, 'till I'm gonna need, somebody to lean on."
At the end of that verse, he sniffed, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"Thank you." He whispered. I leaned my head up and kissed his cheek, then whispered in his ear.
"I truly do love you, Edward. With all of my heart." I kissed his cheek one more time, then got up and offered him my hand.
He took it and I helped him to his feet. Together, we walked back to the waiting room, where my parents and Carlisle were talking somberly.
"Chief Swan, Mrs. Swan, thank you so much for being here for me and my father. It means the world to us." Edward said politely to my parents, shaking both of their hands. They shared a nervous glance when Edward mentioned his father.
EPOV
Losing a loved one is never an easy feat to go through. My mother and I were extremely close. She was possibly one of my closest friends, along with my father.
And now Bella. If I didn't have her and her love, I would not be able to carry on. Sure, this will scar me forever, but at least I know that I have her to count on. She will be there for me through it all, and hopefully will continue to love me in ways that help me and our relationship to grow stronger.
After thanking the Swans for supporting my father and I in our time of need, I wondered where he was, not missing the nervous glance the couple in front of me shared when he was mentioned.
I scanned the waiting room looking for him, but not seeing him anywhere. Sensing my distraught, Dr. Cullen pulled me aside – and away from Bella, unfortunately – and said he had some more news for me.
"Edward, son," Son? "I know where your father is." He got somber and took in a deep breath. But he didn't need to say anything. His facial expression, Bella's parent's reaction to his mentioning, his absence in the waiting room, they explained it all.
I didn't even hear him as he told me my father killed himself.
Sad, right? I cried, too. From the moment I knew Elizabeth would die, a plan formed in my head to off Edward Sr. as well. But don't worry, It gets better!
An anonymous quote says: Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end. So you should know that it's going to get better!
Total Word Count : 14,884
