A/N: I suck. I am sorry this has taken so long. Won't make you wait any longer. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: Twilight and all characters of the series belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Once again Edward woke up in the early morning hours without the help of an alarm clock. Rolling over and seeing the time he realized it would be pointless to try and go back to sleep. It normally took him at least an hour to fall back asleep after a nightmare and he had to be up in just over an hour anyways. To try and get his mind off the nightmare he got up and went to the shower. As he was standing under the spray 45 minutes later flashes of the nightmare were still playing in his mind. Realizing the shower wasn't helping like it normally did he decided to get out and continue getting ready for the day.
As he made his way downstairs he smelled the telltale signs of Esme's cooking. As he rounded the corner he saw that she was making his favorite, biscuits and gravy with bacon. Though it smelled delicious he couldn't help but wonder why she was up so early.
"Good morning" he said, startling his aunt and making her jump.
"Edward, don't scare me like that, make some noise or something next time." She said, still clutching her chest.
"Sorry. What are you doing?"
"Making you breakfast. What does it look like?"
He smiled a little at her sarcastic attitude. Before responding. "Okay, let me rephrase. Why are you making breakfast? It's barely 5am, you should be sleeping."
"I know I just wanted you and Carlisle to have a good breakfast before you went to Seattle all day." At seeing his skeptical look she continued speaking. "Does that mean you don't want any?"
"No." He responded quickly, just as Esme knew he would.
"Good it should be done in a few minutes. Speaking of, why are you down here so early, I tried to time this so that it would be done when you got down here?"
When he didn't answer she looked up from her cooking, "Edward?"
"I just woke up earlier than I meant to. Probably worried about being late."
She didn't believe him and they both knew. But she also knew when pushing him would only make him pull further away and this was one of those times, so she reluctantly went back to cooking looking up at him often.
He knew he had said too much. He didn't want his aunt to worry about him, she did too much of that as it was.
Just as she had finished getting his plate ready Carlisle came down stairs. Edward couldn't help but think that she had timed it perfectly just as she meant to.
"Well this is a surprise" Carlisle said as Esme handed him a plate. "You didn't need to do this, dear."
"I am aware of that, but you are going to be gone all day and I wanted you two to have at least one good meal. It's better than fast food isn't it?"
"Much." Carlisle replied after swallowing a large bite, as Edward just nodded. They continued eating in silence while Esme cleaned up.
As they were getting ready to leave Esme went left the room and Carlisle decided to talk to Edward, "you shouldn't have asked Esme to make us breakfast this morning, she didn't need to get up just so you could get what you wanted to eat."
Edward turned to him about to reply, but decided not to, knowing that Carlisle wouldn't believe him anyway. He just shook his head and walked out the door. Just then Esme came back with his coat, knowing he would just ignore it if she didn't insist he wear it. After he walked out she turned to Carlisle.
"Be safe today, and try not to be too hard on him. Remember he's trying." When he didn't respond she spoke again. "Carlisle, he is trying."
"Sure he is." He responded sarcastically.
"Carlisle, why are you so mad at him right now, he hasn't even done anything."
"He made you get up this morning just so he could get breakfast, is this why he was helping you yesterday?"
"What are you talking about? He didn't make me do this, I chose to make you both breakfast."
"What? When I just talked to him about it he didn't say anything."
"Carlisle." Esme was now exasperated. "Would you have believed him if he denied it, or just thought he was lying to protect himself."
He didn't respond, but he didn't need to they both knew the answer.
"I know you don't trust him. I understand why you don't. There are a lot of things he has done that he needs to answer for, but please stop making him answer for the things he hasn't done."
"I'll try." Carlisle responded, before kissing her and walking out to the car where Edward was waiting.
After a couple hours of driving without a single word spoken Carlisle decided to break the silence.
"I know I already said this but this hospital is a lot bigger than Forks. Try not to get in anyone's way and don't wander off." When Edward didn't respond with more than a slight nod Carlisle continued. "I won't be the one watching you today. They have a person in charge of the volunteer work so you will be reporting to her. She has been doing this for a long time so don't try to just sneak off and not do anything. She'll know and so will I and this whole day will have been a waste for you. Are you even listening?" Carlisle asked after still not getting a response.
"Yes. I got it. Someone else will watch me today, do my work, don't talk to anyone, don't look at anyone, if I try to sneak off I get in trouble. Did I miss something?"
"Just do as you're told."
After that they remained silent the rest of the ride.
Meanwhile Bella and Alice were just getting up for the day. While Bella went to do her volunteer work Alice would head straight to the spa to get started with the treatments she had planned.
As Bella got dressed Alice approached her.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"
"I'm sure. Don't worry about it" Bella replied turning to Alice to see her wringing her hands and looking nervous. "Alice what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Alice, c'mon I know you better than that. What's wrong?"
"You just seem really insistent I don't go."
Bella looked at her shocked, realizing what she thought. "Ali, I know you have a hard time at hospitals, especially children's hospitals. I just thought you wouldn't want to go. I really don't want you to be uncomfortable and I thought you would. But if you want to go with me then you can."
"That's why you told me I didn't need to come."
"Of course that's why what other reason would there be. You're my sister, regardless of blood, and my best friend. You know I would love to have you there. But I also don't want you to be stressed."
"Yeah. I guess I will just meet you at the spa." She said as Bella nodded. "I'm sorry I'm so … yeah just so me."
"Hey, I happen to think you is pretty cool. And don't worry about not going. I get it. I really do." Bella said. She then turned to hug Alice seeing the tears forming in her eyes.
Just as they were letting go Emmett knocked softly on the door adjoining his room and came in. It was obvious he had seen what was going on and let them have a moment as sisters before coming in.
"You ladies ready for the day?" he said with a big smile.
They both laughed before Bella replied. "If I didn't know any better Em I would think you wanted the spa weekend."
"You know I could really go for a mani/pedi. My nails just aren't looking up to par recently." He said in a very serious voice while examining his hands, making the girls laugh even harder. They were still in the middle of their laughing fit when Rosalie came in.
"It's time to go. We are going to be late if we don't leave right now."
"Yeah, yeah. We're coming." Bella said shoving her shoes on. "Who is taking Alice?"
"I am." Rosalie replied. "Emmett is going with you today. And I want him with you at all times. Is that understood?"
"Yes master." Bella said in a deep voice, causing Rosalie to give her a scathing look while Alice and Emmett tried not to laugh. As they were walking out the door she turned to Alice, "I am so sorry. If she gives you any grief today just let me know, okay?"
"I'll be fine. Really, you go and this a great day for those kids and I will see you later." When Bella didn't look convinced Alice continued "seriously I can handle her. Trust me. Besides I have a feeling she is going to be too busy packing your next two weeks full of events to even take notice of me."
Bella looked at Rosalie then, seeing her typing away on her phone, and sighed. "You have no idea."
Alice leaned into Bella to give her a quick hug. "It's going to be okay. I promise. I don't know why but I have a good feeling." Bella looked back at her and smiled before they parted ways. Bella and Emmett took a back exit to get out of the hotel. When they were on the road Bella decided to try and relax while she could.
They arrived at the hospital a short time later and used an employee entrance. She was first met by several members of the hospital board and staff. After a few words and photos they finally let her continue on to the children's ward. Before she got there she took a deep breath to steady herself.
As she went into the children's ward she was greeted by a doctor and a young nurse. They showed her around the ward and explained all the rules about washing hands and wearing masks. After about 30 minutes she was finally able to go see the children. When she first walked in the room where they were playing no one noticed her. However that didn't last long. Soon a young girl who looked about 12 years old came over.
"Hi, are you Isabella?"
"I am, what's your name?"
"Rebecca. They said you were coming. Everyone's been really excited but they started to think you weren't going to show. I know I didn't really expect to see you."
"Why's that?"
"Why what?"
"Why did they start to think I wasn't coming and why did you think you wouldn't see me?"
"Doc Pete said you were going to be here at 8 and it's already after 9. So everyone just figured you weren't going to come. And as for me, I figured you were going to be here for just a few minutes and I wouldn't see you."
"Well I'm sorry I'm late. I got a little held up by some people downstairs and then I had to get all the rules. As far as only being here for a few minutes though, now that is not true. You all are stuck with me for a few hours. Sorry."
"Hey it's fine. They're all going to be stoked. Especially Robin and Chase."
"So you seem to know a lot about everyone, want to introduce me to people."
By this time several people were watching them with wide eyes. So Rebecca took Bella around the room. Introducing her to everyone. As she talked with the kids Emmett kept an eye on her but letting her have her space. When a couple boys asked about him she introduced them, letting Emmett have fun showing off his muscles and showing them his scariest poses. All of which just made the kids laugh.
Finally they got to Robin and Chase. Who were very excited just as Rebecca had expected. They soon requested she play some music. At this point all the kids gathered around to listen to her, making her smile as she started to play.
As she played for the children Edward was in a different area of the hospital taking a very chatty middle-aged woman up for an x-ray.
"And so do you know what Mary did. She took all of his clothes and threw them out on the front lawn. It was like a movie scene, I tell you. And I mean it's not like what he did was that bad, just went to some bar with the boys. She swears he was doing' more but I just don't think so. She always did have a tendency to overreact. Oh and then Louise, oh lord let me tell you about Louise. Now that woman knows how to cause a …."
"Here we are ma'am. I'm afraid I have to leave you with this young man now." Edward said glad to finally be dropping the woman off. He wasn't sure how much more rambling he could take. In fact he wasn't sure how much more of this hospital he could take. If it wasn't the rambling woman, who at least had the excuse of being afraid of hospitals, it was the man who had to criticize everything, even the way Edward was pushing the wheelchair, or the young woman who was flirting with him while her fiancé was in surgery. Or the nurses and orderlies making him clean bedpans while laughing about it. Overall he was just ready for this day to be over.
He went down to the volunteer station to get his next job, wishing he could sneak away for a cigarette break but knowing the head volunteer was watching him. It wasn't even the person he had to report to just another volunteer who decided she didn't like him. As he approached the desk he saw Susan his supervisor and Jamie the volunteer who decided she hated him. Though she didn't seem to mind him so much before he turned her down.
When he got closer Jamie was about to speak but she was cut off by Susan. "Done, good." She said without waiting for a response. "There is a bathroom on the 2nd floor that needs to be mopped then you need to refill any towels and soap dispensers and toilet paper rolls that are out. Go to the reception desk ask for Jorge, he will tell you where to go and get everything. Got it. Good, now shoo."
Edward just shook his head and walked away. Though Susan was quick to bark off orders, she was never too rude or overly harsh. That and the fact that she seemed to be the same with everyone else made it so that Edward didn't mind when she did that. In fact he almost appreciated it because he didn't have to stand around waiting.
He soon arrived at the 2nd floor, found Jorge and got to work. Cleaning the whole bathroom took him about 20 minutes. It should have taken him about half the time but he wanted to be very thorough, and use as much time as possible.
As he was finishing up he ran into Carlisle in the hall.
"So how is the work going?"
"Fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, why?" Edward asked, turning to him.
"I've heard there might be some problems."
"What? From who?"
"I don't think that matters what matters is that you are causing issues. I thought I told you to not get into any trouble."
"You did and I haven't been. I've been doing my work and not bothering anyone. As for who told you that I was causing problems I'm pretty sure I know who it was."
"Really. If you say you haven't been causing problems then how would you know who reported an issue?"
"Because it's the one person here who seems to hate me." Edward retorted, clearly wanting to say more but stopping himself.
"Well, what did you do?"
"Why is it my fault? Why did I automatically do something wrong?"
"Edward, I know how you can be."
"Fine, whatever. Can I go back to work now?"
"Yes. And stay out of trouble I mean it this time."
Edward walked off quickly, before he could say anymore to get himself in even more trouble. As he got back to the volunteer desk he saw Jamie there with a very satisfied smile on her face.
"Did the cleaning go okay?"
"Fine, where's Susan?"
"She took a break. She should be back in about 10 minutes. For now room 314 needs to be cleaned. Why don't you do that?" Jamie said looking very smug, which made Edward very nervous.
As he got to the room he understood why Jamie was smug. Apparently this is what he got for trying to stay away from people and keep his nose clean. Now he had to clean a room that had shit on the walls. He decided to just get to work. The sooner he got this done the better.
Just over an hour later he was done with the room, right about that time another cleaning crew came in. As they looked around, they looked at Edward. When he realized they were supposed to clean this room he stomped off to a locker room to shower and calm down. He stripped out of the scrubs he had snagged and quickly showered. Though he wanted to take a longer time to calm down he knew if he was gone too long he would just get in more trouble. Why he couldn't seem to catch a break he didn't know.
As he returned to the volunteer desk once again Susan was there. She looked at him strangely, noticing his wet hair.
"Why do you look like you just got out of the shower?"
"Because I did just get out of the shower."
"Edward, why are you taking a shower?"
"Well Jesus, I'm sorry that after an hour of literally cleaning shit off of walls I felt I needed and deserved a shower." He said trying to keep his voice low but still managing to catch the attention of a few people.
Susan looked at him strangely for a moment, then she saw Jamie off to the side looking superior. "I'm sorry Edward, that wasn't part of your job. There are a few trash bags right here that need to be taken out why don't you do that then take a lunch break. After that come back to me and I will give you some stuff to do." She said, more kindly than she had all day. He nodded grateful that he was getting a break. He grabbed the bags and started walking away before he was stopped. "By the way, if you are going to smoke. Make sure you go to employee entrance 3. No cameras." He nodded again, grateful once more that Susan seemed to have taken pity on him, something that would normally bother him greatly.
He took the trash out, had a cigarette and went to eat lunch in the cafeteria, sitting by himself in a far corner. He finished his lunch quickly hoping to get another cigarette and some fresh air before returning to work.
Up in the children's ward Bella was just finishing up a story. One that Emmett insisted on her reading so that he could act out the different parts. Though she was reluctant, the kids seemed to love it, laughing as Emmett tried to portray the many different parts. Even Bella was laughing so hard one time she had trouble continuing the story. As she finished the story she looked at her watch and realized it was time to leave, actually that time had passed about 30 minutes ago.
"Thank you all for hanging out with me today. I'm afraid I have to go though." She told the group.
Aww was the sound that was heard all around the room.
"I know I'm sorry but unfortunately I have to. First how about we take a big group picture?" she said, making all the kids excited. They quickly gathered around Bella, with Emmett standing guard in the background, while the nurse took a picture.
As she was about to leave Rebecca stopped her. "Thank you, for all of this. I was wondering if you could sign a CD of mine?"
"Of course." Bella said, quickly signing it before handing it back.
"Thank you."
"Thank you, I had a great time today."
Rebecca just nodded before walking down the hall. As Bella watched her go she thought about all she had seen and learned that day. That young girl was 14 and fighting a very aggressive cancer. Looking at her Bella felt inspired. Seeing all these children who were constantly battling one illness or another she realized just how lucky she was. She wasn't going to take that for granted.
"Ready to go?" Emmett asked, breaking her out of her trance.
They walked away taking hallways that were less crowded and stairways. They finally reached the exit and stepped outside. As they were waiting for the car Bella noticed a young man standing off to the side smoking. Upon closer inspection she realized she recognized him. This was Alice's class mate, Edward.
Curious for some reason she spoke up. "You shouldn't smoke you know, it's bad for your health."
He had seen them come out the door. He had even recognized her after a moment. But he wasn't expecting her to speak. Especially not to him. Looking at her more closely now, he reluctantly realized that she was even more attractive in person, gorgeous even. Realizing that she was, in fact, talking to him he finally responded.
"So I've heard, but don't really care." He said, getting over the shock of her speaking to him and the fact that she was one of the very few people who told him he shouldn't smoke.
Emmett seeing who she was talking to became even more on guard. Though he wasn't sure he liked the look of this guy, he trusted Bella's judgment. She was one of those people that was just able to look past everything and see what a person was really like.
"No, I suppose not." He looked at her then, surprised by her words. "I mean clearly you're standing outside a hospital, smoking you must not care."
Realizing he was paying her far too much attention, he shrugged his shoulders then turned away, not wanting to give her anymore time.
Bella could tell he wanted to be left alone, and normally she would respect people's wishes. For some reason though she couldn't help but talking to him. She just wanted to see what her Alice's sort of friend was like, at least that's what she told herself. She stepped closer, telling Emmett to stay a few steps back.
"So what do you do when you aren't destroying your lungs?"
Edward looked at her with raised eyebrows. Didn't she get that he didn't want to talk. Was she that stupid or just that annoying? Hoping that she would go away if she thought he was really bad he started talking. "Oh you know the usual, drinking, partying, sleeping around. Anything to destroy the rest of my body along with my lungs."
"So drugs then too, huh."
At this he flinched. It was very slight but she noticed, though she wasn't sure what it meant. All she knew was that Alice said he didn't seem to ever do drugs. Not getting anywhere with that topic she decided to change directions. "What about school? Do that? Or is that not hazardous enough for your health?"
At this he laughed, he couldn't help it. Of all the things he did, school was probably the most hazardous. Because of this he answered before he could stop himself, "Oh yeah, I go to school, and trust me that's plenty dangerous."
Though he said it with an edge to his voice she couldn't help but feel he was being truthful. Just then the car pulled up. "I guess that's me. Now you can be by yourself again." Bella said as she started to walk away.
"Now you get the idea. I hate fake people." Edward mumbled under his breath, but Bella heard.
She turned back to him. He just continued to stare straight ahead, trying to ignore her presence, not wanting to deal with her anymore, which was far more difficult than it should have been.
"How disappointing, Edward, judging people based on outside forces, before you get to know them. I was sure you of all people would know better."
"How did you know my name?" he asked standing up from the wall where he had been leaning causing Emmett to step forward.
Realizing her mistake, she decided to just roll with it. "Oh yes, because I couldn't possibly know anything. After all I am simply what was it again? Oh that's right. I'm just 'another trashy little bitch who slept her way to a record contract.'" As she said that Edward's breathe left in a quick gust. He had only said that to one person and received a serious slap for it. Though he was too stunned to continue speaking Bella wasn't. "I must be too stupid to do anything else, right."
Edward finally snapped out of his stupor and spoke "Where did you hear that?"
"Oh I'm sure you can figure it out. Have a good day, Edward." As Bella walked to the car Emmett gave Edward one final harsh look, before stepping into the car with Bella.
After she had left, Edward was still trying to figure out just what had happened. Though in the back of his mind he couldn't help but think that he liked the way his name sounded on her lips.
A/N: Thank you all for reading. So they finally meet. I thought I was going to get to this 2 chapters ago, but it finally happened.
I just wanted to mention a couple things about this story. Firstly I have been very slow about writing and its mostly because of lack of time. I am going to try and be better but no guarantees. With that said I do have an outline and know exactly where this story is going and I will finish. I do promise to have the next chapter out in about a week. It's almost done and I plan on finishing it tonight.
Secondly, about the story, I am not a big fan of angst so there will be none. It will not be all rainbows and unicorns either. Life has moments of drama and so will this story. If you like lots of angst and the like, this story is probably not for you.
Once again thank you all for reading. Please R&R. I welcome critiques just so long as they have a purpose and are not just intended to bash an author. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Stay cool,
AlantaMire
