I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Ch9. Vocal chords (BPOV)

The Monday after the baseball game was an amusing day at school. The girls and I plotted all weekend for the perfect outfits for the guys. The guys all grumbled, about their outfits. However, they decided to be good sports, for the most part, and wore the outfits.

For Jasper, we chose a jean overalls that ended 4ins. above the ankle with a simple white sleeveless undershirt. On his feet were flip-flops and on his head a huge Huck Finn style straw hat.

For Edward, we went with emerald green knickers with black suspenders and white collared shirt with emerald green jacket that a four clover in the breast pocket. On his head was a green derby hat. He had white knee socks and black dress shoes.

Emmett, my dear brother bear, lucked out. We couldn't find a pink frilly dress in his size.

Instead of Alice making one, which we considered, we went another route. First was a black peasant skirt that we bedazzled with pink heart gems. Alice also embroidered huge pink flowers on it. His shirt was florescent pink with puffy sleeves and in big black lettering it read 'Girls Rule! Boys Drool!'. He was forced to wear hot pink knee highs and black pumps with pink bows. How Alice managed to find pump that fit him was beyond me. In his hair was a large florescent pink bow.

Frankly, I thought they got off relatively easy. However, they were subjected to stares and laughter all day at school. When we approached Biology at the end of the day, Mr. Banner paused by our shared desk.

"Mr. Cullen, did you and you brothers lose a bet or something?" he asked with eyebrows raised.

"Something like that, sir," Edward nodded, I started shaking in silent laughter as Mr. Banner headed back to the front of the class.

"Go ahead and keep laughing. Just remember revenge is sweet," Edward leaned over to whispered directly into my ear. I turned to him and batted my eyes, making him freeze.

Going to have to beat us first! I smirked, turning my focus back to class.

"Maybe I just want you to tackle me again," Edward whispered back sounding a bit husky.

I blinked and my eyes grew wide. I glanced at him and he was focused on class.

Now it was the end of the day, I changed fast and I was out in the parking lot before any of the others. I took off on my bike heading to the hospital. I had gotten a message yesterday via email to call the office, from where I was getting my records from. They asked me to call. Obviously, that wasn't going to happen, so I decided to stop by.

I knocked on the door to the office and entered when I hear a "Come in." I entered and pulled out the iPod Communicator.

Hi. I am Bella McCarty. Someone in the office asked me to call.

The lady in front of me appears stunned for a moment. She recovered herself and answered me.

"Yes, that would be me. I'm Ms. Harris. Forgive me, but are you deaf?" she asked in a kind voice.

No, ma'am, I'm mute. I can hear just fine. I answered.

"Oh, I wasn't aware. Well, this is a bit difficult then. You see, you do such a good job on the charts, I was hoping you would be willing to answer phones to answer patients questions." She looks slightly uncomfortable.

That's okay. I'm sorry I couldn't be any help. I shrugged and turned to leave.

"Now wait a minute. Do you think you would be willing to answer e-mailers questions? You would have to check an e-mail account everyday. It would also be an increase in pay." She gave me a smile.

That's something I can help out with. I nodded, smiling.

"Good, let me get the proper information to ITS. I will use the same account you use with us now. It should take a couple of days, so I think you would be able to start with this part on Wed. If you have any questions you can contact me. The increase will be in your next check." She smiled more warmly as she stood and held out her hand for me to shake.

I shook her hand, she winced slightly.

"Goodness dear, have been keeping your hand in a freezer?" she exclaimed.

No, poor circulation. I bit back a chuckle.

"My apologies. You have a good day now." She lookeds embarrassed, so I took my leave, waving as I go out the door.

I'm not far down the hall, when I heard a voice behind me.

"Bella?" I turned to see Carlisle. It was the first time I saw him today, so I wasn't prepared for the sight. Overall I think we girls went the easiest on him since he was a professional doctor.

He had normal scrub pants on but he was wearing an oversize scrub shirt that looked like it was bedazzled and decorated with sparkle fabric paint. Written on the front was 'World's Best Dad! Sporadically around the shirt was each of the younger Cullen's handprints and their names. I started to giggle.

"I see you like the shirt. They gave me this one year for Father's Day believe or not." He chuckled.

You are lucky, we went easy on you. I smirked at him.

"I agree. I saw the others. What brings you here?" he asked.

I had some business to take care of. I work transcribing medical records. I answered, he nodded.

"Well, do you have a moment? I would like to talk to you about something?" Carlisle asked. I nodded fearing what was to come. Does he know something? Is he going to ask me to leave, so I don't endanger his family? "Good, why don't we go to my office." He gestured me to follow him. I couldn't help burst into laughter when I notice whose large handprints are gracing right on his behind. Carlisle looked over his shoulder.

"Yes, your brother is quite the comedian."

I followed him into a windowless office and he shuts the door. I glanced on the wall and see the traditional diplomas and degrees on the wall. I wondered if he has been to school that many times or if they have a way to make fake looking degrees and such.

The color of the office is the same as the rest of the hospital, stark white. I see some familiar paintings on the wall and other decorations, that made me think Esme must have decorated the office.

"Now, Bella, forgive me for prying, but how did you become mute?" he asked sitting in his chair.

I was born this way. I was relieved that this was what he wanted to talk about.

"Yes, I know. But do you remember seeing a specialist or anything when you were young? Did they tell you if you were born without anything or if anything wasn't completed, like the vocal chords?" he implored.

I don't know. I don't think so. My parents never really like to talk about my condition. They just accepted it as it was and never sought out if there were ways to fix it. It was Emmett that convinced them to learn sign language so I didn't have to point all the time. I told him honestly.

"I see. This is what makes me wonder. Usually during the change to becoming a vampire most things that ale a person are fixed. For example, Esme's back was broken which in most circumstances would've left her paralyzed, if she survived." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Would you be open to me running some tests to see if your voice box is in workable condition?" He asked.

I guess not. Do you really think I could speak? I was bewildered by the idea. The thought never occurred to me.

"I think it's quite possible. Have you ever tried to talk, since you change?" He inquired while leaning back in his seat.

No I haven't. I frowned, if I knew it was possible I would have tried.

"Well the reason I think it might be possible because you were able to make hissing and growling noises the other day. That's what provoked my curiosity." Carlisle continued to explain.

How are you going to test this?He has me as intrigued as well now.

"Digital videostroboscopy is what the procedure is called. What I would do is take an endoscope and slip it down your throat. The endoscope is a long tube with a small camera attached. It can take pictures or video of the vocal cords and any abnormalities."

How soon can you do this? My curiosity was getting the better of me. Carlisle chuckled at my enthusiasm.

"Well, tonight is a fairly slow night. How about we go do this now?" He suggested.

Wait, how much is this going to cost? My good mood fell. I wasn't in the position of being able to afford any extensive charges. I knew from doing charts that this could be fairly expensive.

"Bella, I am hardly going to charge family. We can easily keep this on the down low from the hospital," Carlisle smiled at me. He was considering me as family?

Can we keep this from the others? At least for now. I asked. Carlisle hesitated then answers.

"Well, patient confidentiality keeps me from telling anyone. May I ask why, though?"

If I'm still unable to talk then I don't want to get anyone else's hopes up. Even if everything is fine, I'm afraid of letting them down, if I have trouble learning to speak.I admitted.

"I'm assuming you mean Emmett," Carlisle asked resting his folded hands under his chin, I nodded. "I see. If all appears fine, we can find someone to help coach you vocally. Maybe since you already seem comfortable with him, it could be Edward. He does have a medical background as well. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's check you out before we can get into that." He stood and led me out the door. I followed him to the elevators. We go up two floors and turned down a corridor that was empty this time of night.

He led me into an exam room. The room has an exam table and chair and a desk next to it. On the desk was a small monitor.

"Okay, lay back on this table here. This is the endoscope and here will be the monitor that the images will appear on. I will need you to stay completely still for this." Carlisle leaned towards me and I opened my mouth as wide as I can. He started to slip the tube slowly down my throat and starts watching the screen. He got to what I am assuming was the right area and starts focusing in. He changed views a few times, but he never said anything. He was starting to make me nervous.

"Interesting," Carlisle said as he pulled the endoscope up and out gently.

Well? I asked sitting up.

"I see nothing wrong down there. There is no indication if there was anything wrong. So either it was repaired or you could've had a paralysis." Carlisle informed me in the process of him cleaning up the machine.

So I should be able to talk? My excitement came back.

"I think so. Let's try something else. Hiss for me, when I raise my hand, try to make the sound louder when I lower it, try to make it softer." He instructed me.

I started off with a hiss then follow the directions he gives me.

"Good…. Good. Bella this is wonderful." Carlisle gave me another smile. I could see how Emmett sees him as a fatherly figure.

"When I get home, I will speak to Edward about giving you private lessons," Carlisle informed me.

I want to surprise Emmett though, please don't let him know.

"I won't. I can speak to Edward through my mind. Emmett and everyone else will be none the wiser." Carlisle promised me.

Thank you so much for this. I hopped off the table.

"Bella, really it was nothing. As I said before, we all view you as family and not just because your Emmett's sister. I understand why you may be hesitant to trust us due to your past, but I hope you let us in." He told me, placing a hand on my shoulder giving it a soft squeeze. I simply nodded feeling guilty. It gets harder and harder to remind myself why I need to keep the distance.

After we get off the elevator we go our separate ways. I head for home trying to wrap my mind around everything that has happened.

A/N: Digital videostroboscopy is an actual procedure to due as I am using it for. It also is used to help diagnose other aliments in the throat. I got my information from www. hnaoc laryngology-voice-dysfunction. php , HEAD & NECK ASSOCIATES OF ORANGE COUNTY.

So this should answer many people questions why she can't speak as a vampire. She clearly didn't know it is possible. I am not going to have her start spouting words out right a way. Vampire or not I think it will be a learning process. She will just learn quicker than most. Besides now her Edward getting get more bonding time.

Thank you for all reviews!

Sneak Peak:

"Why do you call him Bear? How did he get that nickname?" Edward asks. I freeze my good mood vanished. "You don't have to tell me, if it is too personal." Edward now looks uncomfortable.

Question is will she tell him and start letting him in?