Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything from Twilight!
Sue Clearwater was confused by the words coming for Dr. Edward Cullen's lips. She had waited to see her daughter for a couple of days because she had been told that they wanted to wait for right time and she had understood because her daughter who was no longer a little girl had been missing for years and nobody had any idea what had happened to her so of course her mother was willing to wait a few more days. She would never want to cause an unneeded stress to Leah or her unborn grandchild. If it took her a few days for her oldest child to be ready to see her then that was perfectly alright.
When she got a call from Charlie Swan asking if she could meet him and Edward Cullen at the hospital she figured it was time to see her daughter, but when she finally got to the hospital it wasn't to see Leah like she hoped, but rather being told that her daughter's mental condition had gotten worse and that it would be better if Sue stayed away for a while and by while they meant more than just a few days. It could be anywhere from a week to six months depending on her progress. The news was not something that the older woman could accept nor could she understand it.
"I don't understand what you are trying to say." She spoke calmly as she could in this situation. It would no good to get in to an argument with the young doctor or her fiancé who happened to be the chief of police. "Wouldn't it be better if I was here for her? Maybe it could help spark her memories. Also, I am her mother and she needs me. You are all strangers to her not family. I am her family as is Seth. It would be best for her to have that kind of support."
"To Leah you are strangers as well." The bronze haired doctor said trying to break the news as gently as he could. "It's not that she doesn't she remember what happened to her, but rather she has locked them away to replace them with ones her mind fabricated because they were more pleasant than the ones she has. You need to see that introducing you and Seth to Leah it will only do more damage right now."
Sue sighed and crossed her arms. "How? How would being with my daughter make things even worse?"
"Well for starters what are you going to tell her about her father?" Edward felt bad when a look of pain passed across her face. He never meant to cause her any kind of pain, but it was a valid question. "As far as Leah is concerned her father is alive and well. She even thinks that she went to prom with him. What do you think is going to happen if you take her home to the place you once shared with her father only for her to find out not only are you engaged to another, but that her father is dead? That kind of emotional blow could set back her recovery for years. I know you miss your daughter and that you love her and only want what is in her best interest. You would never be able to forgive yourself if something happened to her."
"Is there no other way?" She asked hoping that maybe they could come to some sort of compromise and even if they couldn't she would do what was best for Leah's health. If it would be best for her daughter then it didn't matter how she felt.
Edward reached out to place his hand over hers in a comforting gesture. "For right now I think it would be best. Alice is talking to some of the people she works will and they are going to come up with a game plan on how to work on her recovery. I will make sure Charlie keeps you updated on her progress."
The chief of police wrapped his arm around his fiancés shoulder. "Why don't you let me take you home Sue? It's been a long day and there isn't anything we can do right now. You need your rest because Leah is going to need you to be strong for her when she finally does come home. Edward is a good doctor and he knows what he is doing. You don't have to worry about Leah while she is here because you know he will take good care of her. Leah may not be my biological daughter and yet I care about her as well. Do you honestly think I would let Edward be her doctor if I didn't think he could handle the job?"
His fiancé nodded knowing that he was right. "I know that Charlie I just feel like I need to do something. I am her mother and I couldn't protect her from whatever horrors she went through. As her mother it is my job to keep her safe and I couldn't even do that right. Everything that happened to her is because I couldn't keep her safe."
Edward frowned as he watched the tears flow freely down her cheeks. He knew that he could never understand her pain, but he did feel for her knowing how hard it must be. "Sue it wasn't your fault. My father once told me that things always happen for a reason and we do not always understand those reasons. I don't know why Leah was kidnapped, but I trust that whatever the reason something good will come out of this now that she has been found. You have a strong daughter and I think she gets that from you. You are a good mother and do you know how I know that? I know it because you raised Seth and he is a wonderful kid. I also know it is true because if it wasn't I doubt your daughter who have been able to survive as long as she did. I know it is hard right now, but I am certain things will get better over time."
TBC…
AN: I think that this chapter came out alright. I know there was not Leah in this chapter, but again it had to be this way. I also wanted to thank you all for the kind words about the review I got. It's nice to know you all enjoy my story and while the review wasn't rude or anything too bad it bothered me knowing they thought I actually thought doing something like that in real life would not have consequences. I know the consequences, but this is fanfiction. Let me know if you all liked this or not.
Please R&R like always!
