Chapter 9 – At Last

"Come on, Bella." Edward towed me to his car, sitting me in the passenger seat. I grasped my phone, waiting for Esme to call. This is all my fault. If I hadn't gone with Rosalie's idea for the spell of astro-projection, she would be fine. No, she is fine. I can feel it, from my amulet and most importantly, my heart. My sister would be fine.

In the blink of an eye, I looked up and we were at the hospital, "Bella?" I sighed, "Oh, thank you. Thank you so much." I leaned in and kissed his cheek. Jumping out of the car, I ran into the building to the front desk. "Rosalie Platt?" asking the receptionist. The middle-aged woman looked up and she began flipping through pages, "I'm sorry, but you cannot see her until you mother arrives." I gawked at her, "Why the hell not? She's my sister. Where is she?" Edward came up to the desk, "Hello Melanie." The receptionist smiled, "Oh, hello Edward."

I looked up at him with panicked eyes and he only smiled back, "Please, let Bella see her sister. We don't know when her mother is going to get here. Don't let poor Rosalie wake up alone in a strange room." He smiled brightly at her. Her gaze became softer, "Alright, she's in room 508. I'll send her mother there as soon as she gets here."

Edward guided me down the hall. "How'd you do that?" He smiled again, "It's all about who you know." Emmett and Jasper were right behind us as I rushed down the hall. It seemed to stretch on and on with every step. My heart sprinted in my chest, waiting to get to Rosalie. Finally, we reached her room. Edward and his brothers waited as I threw the door open. She wasn't alone.

Looking over her was a tall, paler man. He looked at me with familiar gold eyes. I stood still in the doorway, looking at the blond-haired man. Emmett's voice brought me out of my trance, "Carlisle, how is she?" The anxiety in his voice matched my own. The doctor smiled, "She'll be fine. She had a fainting spell at home and her sister brought her in." Alice leaned around the doctor, "Bell!" I sighed and went by Rosalie's bedside. She smiled as I hugged her, "Rose, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." Rosalie pinched my arm, "No it wasn't. Don't worry." Rosalie and I smiled at each other.

I looked back and the doctor was talking with Edward and his brothers. Edward looked at me, "I'm sorry. Bella, this is our father, Carlisle Cullen." The doctor smiled, "Carlisle, this is Bella Platt and you've met her sisters." "Bella," the doctor held out his hand, "it's lovely to meet you. My son has told me a lot about you." I took his hand, "It's nice to meet you too." It was flattering that Edward was talking about me to his father. "How is my sister? Really?"

He smiled a beautiful smile, much like Edward's, "She's fine, like I said before. Alice said she passed out at home. She panicked a little and brought her here. Trust me, Rosalie suffered from minor exhaustion. She just has to stay here overnight for observation. Rosalie will be just fine." I exhaled deeply, "Thank you so much." My guilt quickly disappeared as I learned that Rosalie was fine. Edward and his brothers left with their father.

Alice watched the door as it closed, "Is that a doctor or a male-model?" Rosalie laughed, "Tell me about it. I was wondering if this was a joke. He is too handsome and too young to be a doctor." I sat beside her on the bed, "I know, but look at his sons. Adopted or not, they have to be related in some way."

I stayed in the hospital for the rest of the night, ignoring my own rest. Esme arrived an hour after I did. "Rosalie!" Esme asked walking into the room. Alice and I were speaking with Rosalie. Esme threw herself at Rosalie, "Honey, what happened?" Dr. Cullen came into the room, checking on Rosalie. When he saw Esme, his eyebrow arched; like he was impressed with her. Esme looked up at him with the same expression. Their eyes met and it was silent for a moment.

Dr. Cullen blinked, "I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen and Rosalie will be just fine," he spoke hesitantly. A smile twitched on Esme's lips, "Dr. Cullen? You must be Edward, Emmett and Jasper's father. They told me about you." Esme and the doctor shook hands, lingering for a moment. Rosalie, Alice and I smirked at each other, watching our mother playing coy. They spoke quietly with each other as he told her about Rosalie's condition. Esme smiled as Dr. Cullen left.

It was after 10 in the evening, as I was sitting in the hallway. While reading my copy of Wuthering Heights, someone sat next to me. "I thought you might need this," Edward was holding out a cup of hot chocolate. "Edward? What are you doing here?" He smiled, "Here, take it," and he pushed the cup into my hand. "Thanks." "You're welcome. Where's Alice?" I sighed, "She left after a couple of hours." He huffed, "What a wimp." I giggled, "Yea. She went home with Esme. They're bringing back some clothes for me and Rose. What are you doing here?" The hot chocolate was perfect. My eyes opened, "How did you know I like mint in my hot chocolate?" He smiled a crooked smile as he looked at the floor, "Wild guess."

I took another drink, "So, what are you doing here, really?" Edward clasped his hands, "Carlisle's working late and he mentioned you were still here. I was worried about you worrying about your sister." I blushed and looked away, "You didn't have to do this." "Bella, it's fine." I bit my lip and turned my body towards him, "Edward, you met me like two weeks ago. So far, you kept from killing Sean, impressed my mom, charmed my sisters, brought me to the hospital to see my sister, and now, you made a late night hot chocolate run for me. You're so sweet. I really owe you a lot. I have to find a way to re-pay you."

Edward patted my arm, "Bella, stop." We stared at each other for a long time and his hand never left my arm. "Bella," he whispered my name. Edward looked away from me and sighed, "I must tell you. I feel very strongly about you." I blinked, "What? But we just met." He sighed and looked at me again. His eyes were smoldering, "I know. But from the day I met you, I had to be near you. When Sean was telling my brothers and I about you and your sisters, I didn't believe him. You and your sisters seemed so kind. Too different from the way he was describing you."

He exhaled slowly; his breath blowing into my face. Goosebumps rose on my arm, inhaling. His eyes were liquid pools of pure gold. I gasped suddenly, "I'm sorry, Edward. I need to check on Rose. Please, could you give me a minute?" He nodded, "Of course," and her gestured for me to proceed. I went into Rosalie's room and leaned against the back of her door. My body was trembling.

With Edward, all my dreams flashed in my mind. My stranger's face was becoming more defined. In the dream, my stranger's eyes were gold. His chin was chiseled and defined. His hair was bronze and his lips were full. I exhaled deeply; my stranger looked exactly like Edward. I slid down to the floor and wrapped my arms around my legs, letting my forehead rest on my knees.

I thought back to that first dream, when I was in the arms of my stranger with the crest on his wrist. Looking up, I remember something about the Edward and his brother; they all wore matching wristbands. I got to my feet. I had to get a better look at Edward's band. Opening the door, he was gone. I looked down the hall, searching and he wasn't there. I closed back the door and went to sit by Rosalie's bedside. She was sound asleep and didn't stir from my entrance. I thought back to the crest from my dream; the hand, the lion and the three shamrocks. If Edward wore that crest, he is what I've waiting for.

There was a gentle knock on the door. My body stood up and my fingers raked through my hair nervously. Opening the door, Edward waited for me. "My dad is ready to go." I nodded, "Ok," in a low voice. Rosalie was fast asleep. "Thank you." Edward brushed his fingers along my cheekbone, leaving a trail of cool fire under my skin, "I'll see you tomorrow." My eyes were dazed as he walked away. Closing the door slowly, I lowered myself into the armchair next to Rosalie's bed. My eyes fell on the cabin across the room and a spare blanket spread itself over my body. Edward's touch was still cool, but it left me burning inside. Rosalie's hand brushed over my hair, "Go to sleep, B. You'll think clearly in the morning." I did as my older sister instructed.

The sun began to rise in the sky. The light was brightening behind my closed eyes. There were no strange dreams, just the reoccurring picture of Edward touching my face. Someone kissed my forehead. My eyes opened and saw something pale. Blinking wildly, my eyes focused. My excitement built, but they fell as I saw it was Esme, wearing a beige turtleneck sweater. I feigned a smile, "Hey, is she awake?" Esme shook her head, "The doctor's about to come in. I think we can bring her home today."

Looking at my watch, it was just after 7am. Esme was folding Rosalie's clothes as Dr. Cullen came into the room. He looked as perfect as he did yesterday, "Mrs. Platt, Bella." Esme smiled as she folded Rosalie's sweater, "Good morning, Dr. Cullen." My arms stretched in front of me as the memories of last night came back. Edward was here last night. He told me that his father was working late and now he's back at work so early. That's a dedicated doctor.

Rosalie began to stir as she woke up. She groaned, "These beds are so uncomfortable." I laughed, "These chairs aren't any better." The chair I slept in double for a lounge chair. I watched as Dr. Cullen checked Rosalie. Some strange emotions were coming off Esme, as she watched Dr. Cullen. She wouldn't, or maybe couldn't, take her eyes off him. Dr. Cullen asked Rosalie some questions as he checked her temperature.

As he wrote on his clipboard, I noticed the large ring on his right hand. His hand moved so quickly that I couldn't completely see the symbol on the ring. "Rosalie, everything seems to be fine here," Dr. Cullen dropped his hand and I catch a better sight of the ring. "Your family can take you home." In the center of the oval face was a lion. A lion that symbolizes ferocity and courage. Dr. Cullen looked back at me and I smiled sheepishly, "It was lovely to see you again, Bella. I hope to see you again soon."

I sighed, "Thank you, Dr. Cullen." I bit my lip, "And I'm sorry Edward was here so late." He smiled, "Yes, he wanted to apologize for leaving so abruptly last night, but he's at school today with his brothers." I smiled, "Oh, I understand. Thank you." Dr. Cullen shook Esme's hand again, both of them smiling brightly at each other; "Thank you, Doctor, so much." He didn't release her hand, "Please, call me Carlisle."

Rosalie and I looked at each other from the corner of our eyes, trying to hide our smiles. "If you have any questions or concerns about Rosalie, please don't hesitate to call me," he offered. Esme's smile widened, "Of course." Dr. Cullen left and Esme spun around glowering at us, "I heard that." My eyes widened, "I didn't say anything," fighting a smirk. Rosalie giggled, "Well, Mom's got game." Esme's teeth clinched together. Rosalie laughed, "I'm going to get dressed." Esme snorted, "Whatever."

I tried to calm the situation, "Where's Alice?" "She went to school. Someone had to let your friends know that Rosalie's fine." Esme used a bit more energy to focus on folding Rosalie's clothes and packing her bag. I bent down to tie Rosalie's shoes, as she still wasn't completely healthy. Dr. Cullen said she would experience some light-headedness from time to time, but there was no need for her to stay in the hospital any longer.

Walking Rosalie to the car, I knew, at least, Emmett would come by the house to see her. The rain poured on the drive home. Rosalie slept on our way home. She was still a little tired. Once we were in front of the house, Esme made an umbrella levitate over our heads. "Come on, Rose," Esme helped her from the car and I carried her bag. The front door opened at my command. "I get some rose wine for you. That'll help," I offered. Rosalie beamed, "Great, thanks." Rosalie and Esme went upstairs and I went to the kitchen to get the wine for Rosalie. Our rose wine was very different from the common kind.

We took the petals of roses and healing herbs, boiled them and letting it settle in the heat. Drinking it, the wine would help with anything that ailed you. "I can take it," Esme took the wine from me. I went to the backyard to clip some flowers for Rosalie's room. The rain lightened up quickly and was gone while we were in the house.

Our wall of roses was in full bloom, thanks to Alice. It was the time of year for roses and we loved them. Alice had a Mother Nature's touch when it came to flowers. My small basket rested on the ground next to me, while I clipped several roses. Holding one in my hand, I clipped the stem, when someone cleared their throat. My body froze, not sensing anyone coming near me. I stood, holding the rose in my hand, "Edward?" He was standing in the greenhouse doorway, looking at me, "Hi. Heard Rosalie made it home." I huffed a breath of relief, "Yes. What are you doing here?" He stepped toward me, "Emmett wanted to see Rosalie. Your mom invited us in." "Oh, yea, she would do that."

Edward and I looked into each other's eyes. I sighed quietly and a breeze blew through the garden, making a strand of my hair blow into my face. Edward reached out and tucked the strand behind my ear. In that moment, everything froze. I dreamt this. He was my stranger, the one I've dreamed about for the past month. He was the one coming to me.

"I'm sorry," I said blinking, "I was picking roses for Rosalie's room. They're her favorite." He took the rose out of my hand and his skin caressed my own, "That's very sweet of you." I smiled, "Thanks. Would you like to see our greenhouse?" He nodded, "Sure. You have quite a selection in here." I turned to pick up my basket, but Edward's hand beat me, taking it up. He walked with me into the greenhouse. The air was thick in here as the plants grew. "Just put it on the middle table." Edward complied, then picked up a glass jar. He shook the contents as he examined it with his eyes, "Belladonna?"

I looked back, taking a vase down, "Yes. We use it to calm the nerves." I leaned closer to him, "And sometimes we use it on Esme when she's driving us nuts." He laughed and I inhaled the scent of his breath. "You know, it's also known as 'deadly nightshade.' It could be used as a poison." My eyebrows rose, "I know, so we don't use a lot of it."

Edward placed the jar down and I saw the same crest on his wrist. Without thinking, I took his hand, taking a better look. Edward flinched, "Sorry." I looked up at him, "It just looked familiar." He let me hold his hand, "It's fine. You probably saw it on Carlisle's ring." I looked up from underneath my lashes, "Yes," I answered, "what is it?"

He smiled, "Our family's crest. It's been in Carlisle's family for centuries and we continue the tradition." Looking at the crest, this confirmed everything. Edward was the one I was waiting for.