First thing the next morning Charlie and I made our way to the hospital. I watched Charlie approach one of the ward nurses and ask to see Bella. The nurse seemed overly anxious and referred us to speak directly to the Doctor.
I was curious why she was being so hesitant to help us; I listened to her thoughts and was immediately angered by what I heard.
Oh, shit I hope I don't get into trouble for sedating her again. She wasn't cooperating or obeying me. I didn't have a choice; I just can't deal with these psychos anymore
I glared at her as she dialed Doctor Scott.
"Dr. Scott, Bella Swan's family is here to see her. I thought you would want to have a word." She looked at Charlie and quickly away, careful to not meet his gaze "I'll let them know."
"I'm sorry, it wont be possible for you to see her today."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Charlie demanded
"She hasn't been assimilating as well as we would have hoped." The nurse said
"She's only been here a little over a day, she needs some time to understand what is happening." Charlie stammered hopelessly
"Please, just let us see her. We just want to know she's okay." I said in a calm voice
"I really shouldn't" the nurse looked at me and I flashed her a brilliant smile attempting to dazzle her "Well, only for a minute. Come on." She motioned for us to follow.
We headed back towards her room and Charlie and I expected her to stop. But she continued on. Charlie and I looked at each other confused. "Excuse me, but I thought she was in-" I began
"Oh, she had to be moved. She was too much, well, too violent to be left on the regular ward."
I could tell Charlie was nervous and we followed the nurse to a door that didn't have a window, just a small slit to check on the patient
The door was unlocked and we entered the 'cell'. Bella was lying on the ground facing the wall. She had wrapped her arms around her; possibly to keep warm I wasn't sure. I rushed over to look into her vacant eyes.
"I think I've seen enough Charlie. I think we should be going now." I picked Bella up and turned to the door to leave. Charlie once again let out an audible gasp as he took in Bella's state.
"I'm sorry sir, but you can't just take her."
"That is exactly what I plan on doing. " I looked to the nurse practically daring her to stop me. Then I looked to Charlie who just seemed confused. He didn't like seeing her like this, but he did still feel that she needed treatment.
I saw the nurse step towards the door "I'm going to need security in here now." She called
"That wont be necessary, her father and I will be checking her out of your 'fine facility' today"
"Edward." Charlie said, "Please put her down."
"No Charlie, I can not leave her here. Just look what they've done to her!"
"Let's talk to the Doctor."
"It's too late for that Charlie. Look at her!"
Dr Scott entered the room and took in the situation.
"Why don't you put the patient down and come into my office. We need to talk."
"No!" I persisted
"I would hate to have you forcibly removed from this facility Mr. Cullen." He threatened
I really didn't have a choice but to listen, if Charlie chose to keep her in this hellhole I would need to be able to have access to her.
I placed her back on the ground, kissing her forehead "I'll be right back love." I spoke tenderly to her and turned to exit the room with the others.
We made our way to the Doctor's office and he immediately began to speak of treatment options and what was 'best' for Bella.
I interrupted at that. "What is best for Bella is to come home immediately."
"I'm sorry to disagree with you Mr. Cullen, but in my professional opinion Bella is very sick. She is going to need extensive analysis and possibly receive ECT."
"What kind of treatment is that?" Charlie questioned but I already knew and my cell phone started to buzz but I had to ignore it
Before Dr Scott could begin, I let Charlie know just what they had planned for his daughter.
"Charlie, ECT is Electroconvulsive therapy." I said, as Charlie looked confused "It's 'shock treatment'
"Oh, NO! NO!" he demanded, "That's not what was discussed initially. You said it would just maybe be medication. You never mentioned the constant sedation or this ...this shock treatment! No, I can't see that as necessary."
My phone kept buzzing and I finally answered it, to tell the caller to stop, but it was Alice screaming into the phone
"You have to stop them Edward. She can't get anymore!" she demanded
"I know Alice, I'm talking to the doctor about the sedation now. They wont-"
"Not the sedation!" she interrupted "the treatments, make them stop the treatments!"
"They haven't-" and then it came; they had already started with the ECT treatments. I hung the phone up and walked over to the Doctor and Charlie
"Dr Scott, when were you going to tell us that you already started the ECT treatments?"
He looked stunned when I knew his secret. "She was so violent, we had to do something. She just couldn't be controlled." He attempted to stay calm and professional
"You've already done this to her?" Charlie was angry
"Yes, we have-" the Dr began and I saw Charlie push him up against the wall.
"I'm taking my daughter and we are leaving." I pulled Charlie back and we moved to go to retrieve Bella
We walked to the door to her room and Charlie demanded to see her. Once the door was opened I rushed to her side. She seemed a bit more coherent, but only slightly
"Help me." She managed to say before she closed her eyes
"Edward, I just can't believe this. I never should have brought her here, but I couldn't have known" Charlie said angry with himself for not protecting his daughter
"It will be fine now Charlie. We'll take her back to Forks; Carlisle will check her out to determine if any permanent damage has been done. She's going to be fine."
"But what if she tries to kill herself again?" he asked me
"Bella can be seen by a therapist on an outpatient basis when she has recovered from this ordeal if you wish."
"Thank you Edward. That sounds like a good idea."
I carried her to the car, and placed her in the back. I sat down next to her, placing her hear in my lap. Charlie got into the car and turned to look at Bella, asleep in my arms.
"God Bells, please I hope you can forgive me for this." He said and I saw a tear stream down his cheek
"Let's get her home Charlie."
He nodded and started the car. At least now she was out of that 'hospital' and we where on our way home. I looked down into the sweet face of my only love and I was filled with such relief. I was grateful that she was safe in my arms, and no one was going to take her from me. No one…
