Bitter Sweet

My heart was pounding to an untuned rhythm as we pulled up in front of Forks hospital. It was not that large, but it loomed enough. Enough to make me feel frozen, in both temperature and immobility. Embry saw me shaking and put a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back to reality. I had to stay calm. I had to see my dad.

We were sat in the cab of his old black pick-up truck. The Heater wasn't even on, but the car was warm. I felt so numb it was maddening.

"Anya, you ready to go in?" He asked, I nodded slowly. In response, he opened his door and got out, coming round to my side to help me out. He had gone back to La Push after I hung up to get his car, then came back to drive me here because mom was stuck in traffic. I felt uneasy that I would be seeing him alone, mom was panicking too about the fact that he was in a coma and she couldn't get here soon enough. Embry shut my door behind me and stayed by my side as we approached the hospital entrance. I felt so cold, so stuck, so vulnerable. I'm not going to cry though, I don't cry. But still, I felt for Embry's hand and took it in mine. Surprisingly, he squeezed it back and didn't drop it as we walked through the doors, the smell of medicine and some sort of air freshener prominent. The waiting room wasn't big either; just blue chairs pushed up against each wall with magazines on the table in between. Not comforting for families who have loved ones yet to be stabilised in this god damn place.

I sat down on one of the chairs, still shaking violently. Embry sat down next to me, seeing as I still hadn't released his hand he didn't really have a choice.

Minutes that seemed like hours passed and a young nurse finally came over, her heels clacking on the floor.

"Frank Reese's family?" She questioned and I nodded slightly, she came forward till she was in front of us, a measured expression on her face. She took me in, pale-faced and tired. Then she glanced at Embry and her face lit up, as if she was no longer aware of what she had yet to tell me. Then after clearing her throat, she averted her gaze from him slowly and spoke. "Frank was hit side on by a truck after swerving to avoid something, he's in intense care but we've managed to get his heartbeat back to normal and now, all we can do is wait while his condition improves."

"Why does his condition need to improve? What's wrong with him?" Someone asked. It took me a moment to realise it was me, I was shocked that my voice had sounded so…edged and persistent.

The girl sighed, "He has internal bruising and some superficial cuts, and if you really need to know there may be some damage to his brain. Because he's in a coma, we have to get him completely stabilised before we can ensure any probability or recovery." Wow. Blunt as a knife, wasn't she? Embry's hand tightened round mine, almost angrily.

"Well, come back when you can ensure that because she just wants to see her dad, we're not here to listen to you," He growled and I think I was as shocked and taken aback at his tone as she was.

"Y-yes…then…well, ok." She went back through the doors that lead to the patient's room. I turned to Embry, who was staring at me already.

"That was rude," I whispered.

"Well she was rude too, all I did was give her a taste of her own medicine." He replied, his jaw set.

"But, she was only being honest," He looked taken aback now.

"So was I…" He looked away and trailed off, his grip loosening.

"Embry," I started, but then the entrance doors flew open and cue mom. She was drenched, one of her heels broken and mascara trails smeared down her cheeks. She scanned the room hastily and her icy-blue eyes landed on me.

"Anya!" She stumbled across the room and I stood up, Embry's hand dropping completely. She took me in her arms and I returned the action, mainly because she was shaking too. "Have you seen him yet? Is he ok? Oh, I was so worried! And the traffic was plain awful! Your ok, aren't you? This is so frightening…" Her words were rushed, just showing her emotions more. Mom was a panicker, she liked routine and was terrified of big changes like this. This, by far being the biggest disaster that had ever happened to her. To me.

"Mom, he's in a coma." I told her and the tears literally poured. I had to manoeuvre her to the chairs, she was crying uncontrollably. "But, he's alive." I offered, hoping to close the floodgates.

"How could this happen?" Mom whispered. I didn't know how to answer. I couldn't answer. At that moment, I realised Embry was no longer in the waiting room, I stared after the doors. They were swinging as if someone had just stormed out of them.

I wanted to go and see if he was out there, but I didn't. I had to stay here with my mom, we had to stay here for my dad.

I sat there, staring at the floor. Mom was talking to one of the doctors, I hadn't wanted to hear all the gory stuff about the accident and what not. I just wanted my dad to be ok. I still haven't cried. I remember when I was eight, I was playing baseball and the teams were drawn. I was up to bat, it was all down to me. My dad cheered even when I didn't make the home run. He wiped my tears away when I felt awful for not winning it for my team. He wasn't here to wipe my tears away, so I won't cry.

Then I suddenly felt radiating heat beside me, I pulled my eyes away from the ground and slowly turned to see Embry with Mountain dew in hand...He knew my weakness.

"I thought you had gone home," I said as he sat down beside me, handing me one of the Styrofoam cups.

"I did...but I came back, I had to see if you were ok and," He wriggled his eye brows in an attempt to cheer me up, "I brought caffenine."

"That you did." I sighed and took a sip of the flattened drink, it tasted bad but it was refreshing anyway.

"I didn't realize that mountain dew could ever taste bad," Embry said bitterly, holding the cup away from himself in disgust. I laughed once, it was forced but it made him smile sheepishly. "So, are you ok?"

"Yeah...it's hardest on my mom though, she still has to call my brother and tell him though - that'll bring more tears." I told him as I took another sip.

"I didn't know you had a brother," Mom was on the verge of tears again, I could tell from the way she kept looking around as if she had lost something.

"Michael." I said simply.

"You two close?"

"Ish." There, mom's started crying again. The nurses are all trying to comfort her, they aren't paying attention to the doors. That's my chance.

Without any warning, I stood up and bolted across the room to the doors. I pushed them with all my force, then ran fast as I could down the corridor towards the intense care ward. There it was. The double doors that led to my dad, I heard footsteps and voices behind me now, I ran through them to and an arm flew in front of me immediately, holding me back. It hit me like concrete, my breath was knocked from my throat. All I could do was stare, the arm belonged to a man that couldn't be any older than twenty five, with pale skin and golden eyes. Radiance seemed to shine from him, almost enticingly.

"You shouldn't be in here, miss," A smooth voice like music. I ignored it completely.

"M-my dad," I managed to choke out, I got back to my task and looked around. There were two other people being tended to, I had to look away from them though otherwise I would've had nightmares from what I saw. Then there was dad. Two nurses around him, tending to cuts. Superficial, the nurse had called them, they looked painful enough though. His blond hair was bloodied, his clothes torn and alien. He was still in his suit, my heart almost stopped. "DAD!" I screamed, trying to get towards him again, but the young doctor's grasp was iron strong.

"Miss-" He was cut off by Embry's voice, followed by some that belonged to women I didn't know.

"ANYA!" The native burst through the doors, eyes wide with disbelief at what I had tried. Then he saw me, they softened. He came forward and pushed the doctor away, enclosing me in his arms - burying my face from the view of my father, "Cullen." He spat and I wasn't sure whom he was addressing, but he said the name with such hostility and hatred that I almost hated the 'Cullen' too.

"Embry Call, can you take her back to the waiting room please. I need to do my job," The smooth voice again, I guessed the so called Cullen was the doctor.

"She didn't mean any harm, she just wanted to see her father," Embry defended, I saw now as he moved his arm slightly that there were three nurses also in the doorway, shaking their heads at us. One of them was the rude nurse, arm folded across her chest. I twisted in his arms, I wanted to get back to my dad. I needed to get back to my dad.

"Anya, what on earth are you playing at! You- oh my dear lord! Frank..." Mom. She was in the doorway too, her hands over her mouth as she stared past us at dad.

"Right, anyone that doesn't have a medical degree out!" Cullen boomed.

"Carlisle, come on-" Embry turned to him, pleading almost.

"Out." The doctor repeated. The nurses were already leading mom away, she was crying still. Now, I realised I was crying too. Fuck.

Embry carried me down the hallway, I cried the whole time. When we re-entered the waiting room everyone stared, like we were despicable. I didn't give a shit what they thought. They didn't know how scared I was. I was crying for god's sakes, so didn't that show anything? Of course not. Not to them. They didn't care that I was scared or that I was crying. Mom couldn't even look at me now, she was also sitting on the other side of the room from where Embry had just sat me down. He was kneeling in front of me, his words trying to console me. But I didn't hear his voice.

Hours passed, real hours. Not minutes that I believed to be hours. Real hours, so many that by the time dr Cullen reappeared to talk to us it was 2am and the room was basically empty let alone the last few nurses, us three and the Styrofoam cups and magazines on the table. I was still surprised that Embry was still here, I was glad he was. I was glad he was holding my hand in his too. It helped. The doctor was talking with mom, she had by now stropped crying and ironically tears were still streaming down my cheeks. Oh, how the tables have turned.

"..." Embry started, trying to comfort me once again. I only continued to stare at the floor, trying to show him that I didn't care for words of sympathy. He squeezed my hand as a last reminder that he was there and would be there for me. It was strange, how he cared enough to be here. I've known him less than a week and he's prepared to let me cry on his shoulder, that's just fucking messed up. The boys from my school were either jocks, nerds or well...rednecks,and even the softest redneck wouldn't turn an eye if you were crying your heart out over someone or something. Embry, was just different. A good different. A much needed different I suppose. The lyrics, 'she left him for staring at girls and not caring when she cried 'cos she thought Bon Jovi broke up' came to mind in this situation and I felt a bitter sweet smile tug at my lips. I just blinked it away and continued with upholding my solemn mask.

"It's stupid, contagious, to be broke and famous, can someone please save us from punk rock 101..." I sang under my breath and Embry chuckled.

"My Dickies, your sweat pants, my spiked hair, your new Vans, let's throw up our rock hands for punk rock 101." He said back and I finally let myself smile, more tears pouring from my eyes. He brushed them from my cheeks right away and smiled soothingly back at me.

"I hate that song," I whispered and he laughed short and loud. This brought the attention of the doctor.

"You must be Anya Reese," Cullen said, gracefully striding over to us now that he had finished talking with my mother. I kept my expression measured as he stopped in front of me, Embry's grip tightened - telling me something I didn't know, "I'm dr Carlisle Cullen."

"I don't give a shit about names, just what's behind them. Your a doctor, so tell me what's wrong with my dad." I spat, the doctor's smile never faltered though.

"And you called me rude..." Embry muttered but I ignored him, staring hard at the beautiful doctor.

"Well, your father's no longer in a critical condition - actually, he's recovering quite well now we've given him some medication. All in all, your father will be fine in time." Cullen explained, still smiling gently.

"Can I see him?" I asked immediately, beaming at the possibility.

"Maybe that's not such a good idea after-" Embry muttered again.

"Shut. Up." I ordered, sick of his comments.

"In good time Anya," Carlisle turned to Embry now, who was watching me, "And how is Jacob doing? I hope he's healed fully by now."

Jacob who? Obviously someone Embry knew. He went rigid at the name but then answered through gritted teeth, "He's fine."

"You wont be able to see your father till later on." Carlisle told me, "Why don't you go home and get some sleep? Have something to eat? You look like you could use some rest." I shivered and the doctor moved back slightly as if it was his fault.

"I'll take her home," Cullen nodded and left us. I turned to Embry.

"I don't want to go home. I want to stay here, I want to see my dad soon as possible," I protested and he shook his head.

"No. I'm taking you home, you'll do what he suggested and you'll do it willingly. I don't want to force feed you An," I scowled at him and shook my head. Next thing I know, he's carrying me. I kicked all I could, but sadly I was seated in his truck before I could get in a good blow to his privates. We had to talk about this whole carrying without a choice thing. It had to stop, especially when I was emotionally unstable.

"Why can't I stay there? Embry, my dad-" I pleaded once he had buckled himself in.

"Your dad is fine, he'll still be fine once you've got some sleep, had a shower and eaten some food." He told me.

"Do I smell?" I asked, shocked.

"Heck no, but your face is all puffy. You look like a tomato." He brushed the only remaining tear from the bottom of my cheek, his finger lingering longer than needed. Once again, this action was not uncomfortable. But it was the wrong time for such affection. He took his hand away, acknowledging my reaction.

"Thank you," I told him and he paused momentarily from where he had been reaching for his keys on the dashboard.

"For what?" He asked, perplexed.

"For everything." He smiled sheepishly at me and leaned his head back, staring up at the ceiling of the cab. His head almost touched it but it still intrigued me just to see his actions. I still saw and distinguished each of his movements and wished I could counter each of them. I wish I could decode his eyes, I wish I could hold his hand all the time, I wish I could have more than three wishes. Life is not fair, it's just fairer than death. Life is also not home to mystical creatures such as genies, let alone any others. God, your such a dork An, the voice told me.

"Your welcome then," Embry answered eventually.

"Just drive Mr Call," I shook my head at him and he winked at me, starting up the engine as he did so. I looked away as he drove, it was amazing that I could still see the trees in this dim light. I didn't even question why I thought it looked amazing, I was too relieved that my father would be fine. Everything would be fine.

A/N: Feedback people?