So as I said before this story is finished and just waiting for me to type it out, problem with that is that as I re-read some of it, I'm making changes and the changes have got to be perfect in my head...so bare with me ok?
Disclaimer: The characters belong to someone else's sandbox, but this is my sandcastle.
Chapter Eleven
Peter felt Bella's body sag in his embrace and his grip on her tightened.
The sobs were wracking her tiny body and he frowned at just how tiny she felt.
It was obvious that she had lost weight, what, he had only been gone just over two months. She hadn't been this thin when he left.
He moved them inside the lounge, nodding at the nurse who gave him a sympathetic smile.
"Shh," he murmured as he stroked her back, trying to calm her down.
She continued sobbing into his chest, and he sat down, pulling her into his lap.
"Bella," he said softly. "It's ok."
But he knew it wasn't. Things didn't look good for Dottie, at least not from what the doctors had told him when they called him eight hours ago.
Before he had left for Brazil, he had instructed the doctors to inform him of Dottie's progress, and while he was sitting in his office that afternoon the call made his blood run cold.
His first thought had been, "How is Bella handling this?".
The doctor who called had told him that they couldn't get a hold of Bella, and when he tried calling Jasper back the connection was completely horrible and he couldn't get through to her either.
So he did the next best thing, got on his private jet and started the eight-hour flight back home.
Half way there he had been informed that Bella had finally been reached and had arrived at the hospital. She had been there for four hours, all alone.
He didn't waste anytime at the airport, instead he had rushed straight to the hospital.
And that's where he sat now, rocking Bella gently in his arms.
"What are you doing here? How did you get here?" she asked finally raising her face from his chest.
"Where else would I be?" he asked wiping the tears from her cheeks.
He had missed her. Terribly.
"Weren't you in Brazil?" she asked stiffening as she realized where she was situated.
Peter didn't ease his hold on her, and shifted his weight so she settled back in his lap, "There are phones in Brazil, Izzy."
She looked at him for a moment, then sighed, "Thank you for coming."
"No need for thanks," he said, "I've become quite fond of the old girl."
"She might..." Bella said choking up. She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought. She couldn't think about losing her Dottie.
"It's ok," Peter said pulling her closer. "Have you called Marcy?"
She shook her head, "I haven't called anyone."
"Have you eaten? You're thinner than the last time I saw you," he said.
"I'm fine," she stammered. "I ate earlier."
He nodded, "Have you heard anything else on her condition?"
"No," she said with a shaky breath. "No one knows anything."
Just then the doctor came in and Bella flew off his lap, "Doctor."
"Ms. Swan," the doctor said with a nod, "Mr. Whitlock, you've made it."
Peter nodded and joined Bella close to the doctor. "Any news doc?" Peter asked.
"I'm afraid not much good news," the doctor replied. "She's stable at the moment, but still in critical condition. Her heart is very weak and the next twenty-four hours will be the deal breaker."
Bella sucked in a deep breath and Peter grabbed her hand, giving her a bit of his strength.
"Can I see her?" Bella asked her voice scratchy.
"She's being transported back to the ward as we speak, so probably in the next hour you can see her," the doctor said.
"You can go home and freshen up a bit if you'd like," he went on.
"I'm not leaving until I see her," Bella said with a shake of her head.
"Bella," Peter said turning them away from the doctor, "You should go home and take a shower, get something solid to eat..."
"I'm not leaving," she said.
Peter gave a sigh, he knew that she wasn't going to go. It was worth a shot however.
"Fine, I'll go over to your house, get some clothes and bring you back some food, ok?" he asked as he gently pushed Bella down into the chair.
"You'd do that?" she asked softly.
Peter nodded, "Yeah, just gimme your keys and I'll be back as soon as I can."
Bella looked up at him, her chocolate orbs glistening with unshed tears that threatened to crush him, "Thank you."
Peter nodded, and took her keys, "I'll be back in a bit ok?"
She nodded and turned her face to look out the window, Peter went to touch her arm and thought better of it, before leaving the hospital.
***PP***
Half an hour later, Bella sat in the chair next to Dottie's bed, her forehead on the soft pillow next to her godmother's. Her mind racing and still thinking nothing as she sat there. It had been heart breaking to see Dottie hooked up to all those machines when she first came in, but she hardened her emotions and got over it.
Bella spent the time talking to Dottie softly, about the flowers in the garden they had planted together, the time when Bella had visited when she was six and scraped her knee.
The memories made Bella smile, and she focused on that, the good times they had.
"Iz.." Dottie's tired voice sounded above her, making Bella's head snap up.
"Don't try to talk," Bella said standing and holding Dottie's hand.
Dottie made a sound and waved her free arm tiredly, "I want you to stop crying Izzy," she said her voice tired, but stronger.
So much easier said than done, Bella thought.
"I'm not going to get better this time Izzy," Dottie went on.
"Don't say that," Bella cried softly.
"You know it, I know it," Dottie said, "But we're not dwelling on that. I've lived a full life."
"You still have more to see," Bella said the tears flowing unchecked down her face.
"I'm not arguing with you missy," Dottie said, "I want you to promise me something."
"Anything," Bella said.
"Promise me you'll make it work with you and your Peter," Dottie said with a cough.
He's not my Peter, Bella thought.
"I..." Bella said.
"I know that it's difficult to have a relationship and having to take care of a sick old woman," Dottie said with a weak smile.
"You are never a burden," Bella argued vehemently.
Dottie made a clucking sound with her tongue, shaking her head, "Let yourself go Izzy. Stop being scared of love."
"I'm not..." Bella said with a sigh, pausing because she couldn't deny what Dottie said.
"Let Peter love you," Dottie said with a wheezy cough. "He must already to go along with the hair brained plan of yours."
Bella's eyes widened as she looked down at the older woman.
"You really thought I bought that bullshit story?" Dottie said with a tired smile.
"I...I..." Bella stammered.
"It's ok Izzy," Dottie said reaching for Bella's hand.
Bella grabbed on to it as though it was her life line, "I just wanted you..."
"It's ok honey," Dottie said, "I understand. Your heart was in the right place. But tell me, is it so hard to love Peter?"
Bella gnawed her lip, no it wasn't. It was entirely too easy to love him and that's what scared her the most.
"Your eyes answered for you," Dottie said. "Promise me you'll let yourself be open to the idea of loving that man."
"Dottie..."
"Promise me Isabella!" Dottie said sharply.
Bella sighed, knowing she was defeated, "Fine," she said, "I promise."
"Good," Dottie said closing her eyes, a soft smile on her lips.
Bella kissed her forehead and settled back down in her seat beside the bed.
Dottie never opened her eyes again.
When Peter came in the room his eyes went to the woman's still body, and then he looked at Bella.
She was just sitting there, crying quietly as she brushed her hand over Dottie's head.
"She's gone," she said startling him. He hadn't expected her to say anything.
He reached out to touch her, and she turned and fell into his arms.
"She's gone Peter," she sobbed into his chest.
"Shhh baby," Peter said rubbing her back. "It's going to be fine. She's not in pain anymore."
"But she's not coming back," Bella said, "I'm all alone."
And the sobs came, louder and more forceful.
Peter just held her, soothing her, wishing he could take her pain away.
You're not alone at all Isabella Swan, he thought, I'm here as long as you let me stay.
A/N: So there you have it. The explanation as to how Peter got there for those who asked. Now I'm off to bed, tomorrow is gonna be a long day. This is my last week home before I go back to work...*sobs* so I'm planning on living it up :)
Love you girlies. Ya'll know what to do...rape the review button and you'll have a very happy Pixie on your hands :D
Riney.