God, I'm so excited! I'm going to Santorini for four days on a school trip! Twenty days can't pass fast enough! It's gonna be epic, I just know it!
Now, back to our story. Who's ready for more? I've decided I'm wrapping this up, maybe two more chapters. I'll think about futuretakes. Any ideas from you are most certainly welcome. Also, if there's anything you feel hasn't been cleared yet, just tell me and I'll try to fix it.
Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight
Enjoy!
Chapter Eleven
My head feels heavy, about to explode. I don't dare move, it hurts too much. I can hear papers ruffling and shoes squaking on the floor. There's someone in the room I'm in. Suddenly, there's more noise. I want to wince at the sudden sound and tell the asshole to shut the fuck up, but I can't even do that.
"What did I miss?" someone whispers in a concerned voice and I vaguely hear a door closing softly. Edward?
"They took her off the sedatives. I estimate she'll wake up sometime tonight." Gentle voice, a heavy British accent. It must be Carlisle.
"Oh, thank God." A sigh full of relief. This voice is familiar, one I'd recognize anywhere. That's definitely Edward.
"It's only been a day, Edward. Be reasonable."
"Almost two Dad! She's been out for two days because of that monster!" he huffs. "Did you contact her?"
"Your mother said she couldn't reach her, but she'll try again tonight…"
The voices drift away. I try to tell them to stop worrying, that I'm awake and okay, but I can't. It's like I don't have control over my own body. I also try to lift my hand. Still nothing. My head is pounding and I get dizzy. Their voices fade in the distance, a humming buzz, lulling me back to sleep.
~*~TBL~*~
When I regain my senses, I take a minute before opening my eyes very slowly, as to not get dizzy again. I don't try to move my hand, it's numb. Slow moves. Gentle moves. That's the protocol. I try to think how I ended up getting beaten again, but I only get flashes. I remember being over at Edward's. My God, when Esme told me told me about Eirini… I was both elated and frightened. With a newfound determination, I make a mental note to seek her out, secretly from Charlie, of course. I need to know more. But, I know I won't be alone in my quest. I know now that Edward will be with me.
I open my eyes fully and find myself staring at a familiar ceiling. The room is completely dark, with the moon being the only source of light, bathing the room in its sickly pale glow. I can tell I'm in the hospital, I'm well acquainted with it and its rooms, but I can't recall how I ended up here. Did he get me here? What's the story this time? I must have "tripped" again. Clumsy me.
Knowing he never leaves me all alone in the hospital, I turn my head slightly, expecting to see Charlie sitting in the uncomfortable chair in the far corner of the dark room, staring at me intently, daring me to tell the truth to anyone. Instead, I'm surprised to see Edward's mop of hair next to me. He has fallen asleep on my hand, facing away from me, with his cheek lying in my palm. That's the weight I felt earlier.
I lift my hand gingerly from beneath him and run it through his hair, trying to wake him up.
"Mmm," he moans and stirs a little, but doesn't wake up.
"Edward," I whisper.
"Mmpf."
"Edward, baby, wake up," I say a bit more loudly.
"I'm staying, Dad," he mumbles and sighs. He rubs his face against the mattress and his head shoots up when he feels scratchy cotton instead of my skin against his cheek.
"Hey sleepyhead," I smile weakly. And then I gasp. His eye is almost swollen shut and his jaw is bruised. Guilt washes over me, knowing he's hurt because of me.
"Bella! Thank God, you're awake," he exhales and scoops me up in a tight –although careful- hug. "Jesus, you scared me."
"I'm okay," I furrow my nose against his neck and breathe in his intoxicating scent, calming myself down in the process. "Are you in a lot of pain?"
"You're really asking me that?" he asks as if I'm being ridiculous. "What about you? Why did you do this, Bella?" he frames my head with his warm hands and his sea-like orbits stare intently into my eyes. "You said you were going to talk, not play 'Tekken'." He shakes his head. "Do you have any idea how worried you had me? What if something had happened to you-"
"But it didn't. I'm fine, really," I try to reassure him.
"Fine," he huffs and plops back down in his chair. "When I heard something breaking, I called my father and told him to get down there with reinforcements. I knocked on your door, but you wouldn't answer, and then I came through the back door, and you were bleeding, and your foot was at an impossible angle, and-"
"Shhh, shhh, Edward baby, calm down, please. Take deep breaths," I tell him and his panting slowly stops. I scratch my nails on his scalp and he purrs. He shudders and his forehead drops lightly on my collarbone.
"Had anything happened to you…" he shakes his head a little and his voice breaks, "I don't know what I would've done."
My head swims with questions and I need to get my thoughts in order, so I tell him to sit. He goes for the chair again, but I stop him, shaking my head. I pat the mattress next to me and he hops on the bed. He slides an arm around my shoulders and I rest my head on his. That's fucking better. Now, we can continue.
"So, how bad is it this time?" I ask, wincing.
"Well, from what Dad told me, your father actually managed to break some of your ribs and your ankle. He also split your lip and-" he clears his throat, "-he hit your head badly enough to give you a concussion." He kisses my hair. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there, Ladybug, I'm so sorry-"
"Edward, honestly, stop with the fucking apologies already. It wasn't your fault, alright? It was Charlie's. By the way, where is he?" I wonder and my eyes dart around the room.
"His fellow colleagues took him into custody," he smiles. "He won't hurt you again."
"Oh," is my only response and I nod slightly. Honestly, I've been dreaming this very moment for years. I expected to feel more. But I'm numb. I just… don't care. I'm relieved of course, but I don't feel like jumping up and down or something. He's gone. Well, good. Moving on.
I snuggle closer to him and inhale where his neck meets his shoulder. "How long have I been sleeping?" I murmur.
"Uhm, it's Monday night. The doctors decided to keep you out, so your body could heal."
"Ok, hold the fucking phone," I startle Edward. "I remember two shots. Who was hurt?" I look up at him.
"Weeeell..." he trails off.
"Yes?" I cock a brow. Patience is not my cup of tea.
"The police had to shoot Charlie in the leg in order to approach him. He was out of control and bearing a gun. He was considered a threat for not being completely in his mind," he explains.
"And the second?" I ask, though I have an idea.
He shrugs. "It was just a flesh wound."
"Edward! He motherfucking shot you?" I ask incredulously.
"Bella, baby, calm down," he orders softly, as my heartbeat monitor goes off. "It was nothing. A scratch only, really. See?" he pulls his sweater off and bunches his T-shirt sleeve up. "Dad gave me some stitches and then taped me. I'll be fine in a couple of weeks."
His bicep is wrapped in gauze, but otherwise he seems unharmed. I have no other choice but to trust him.
"Nothing else?" I press, chewing on my lip.
"You've probably seen my face by now, right?" he grimaces and I nod once. "I was smart enough to leave my glasses in the car. My knuckles were a bit sore but I promise I'm fine, okay? Do you believe me?"
I nod again.
"Why don't you try to get some sleep, Ladybug?" he murmurs against my temple.
"I just woke. I'm not fucking sleepy," I, well, I yawn. It's the fucking medicine, makes me drowsy as fuck.
"Sleep, baby," he chuckles and kisses me softly. "You have a big day ahead of you."
"You're staying, right?" I crane my neck to see him.
"I'll be right here," he nods and gets more comfortable on the bed. I tilt my chin, kissing him lightly and he responds immediately. He cups my face and pulls me closer, hungrily. His tongue laps at my bottom lip, asking silently for entrance. I open immediately with a moan, and he plunges his wet tongue in my mouth, always careful of my tender lip. He pulls me tighter against him, as if afraid I'll disappear. He caresses down my back, my waist, my ass, my thigh, until he reaches the back of my knee and he drags it to him, hitching it over his legs.
He's desperate, and I understand he got scared. He still is. The scene he walked in wasn't the nicest, but he's still here, regardless. He watches over me, he holds me. He… cares. And I love him for it.
His hand on my ass cheek freezes and I realize I just said that aloud. Stupid, stupid girl.
Panting, I break away from him, trying to cover what I said up, somehow.
"Uhm," I pant, "I didn't mean to blurt it out like that," I wince, chest heaving.
"But you meant it?" he asks, his voice laced with longing.
"Yeah," I smile shyly and blush. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Not being able to stay away, being drawn to him, confiding in him, willing to give him a second chance, trusting him. I can clearly recognize the feeling now, and I like it. Embrace it even. After everything, I thought I was incapable of feeling it ever again. Turns out I'm proven wrong. And it feels good. Again, I don't react as I expected me to. I'm not freaking out, I'm simply basking. It's nice, not being on guard all the time, not overreacting, just reveling. My smile widens.
"Thank fuck," he whispers and drops his forehead to mine, his dirty side shining through. "'cause I love you too, Ladybug," he breathes out, barely audible, but I still hear him.
"Really?"
"Really," he mumbles and kisses me again chastely. "Now, let's sleep, shall we?" he grins lopsidedly.
"Yes," I agree, nose buried in the crook of his neck, breathing my favorite scent in.
~*~TBL~*~
When I come to my senses again, I'm still wrapped in Edward's embrace with the back of my head on his chest. His soothing heartbeat makes me want to go back to sleep as he plays with my hair, but, sure enough, the drugs have worn off and my ankle is fucking killing me, and so are my ribs.
"Ugh, σκατά," I groan and rub my cheek against his tee.
"Good morning, Ladybug," Edward greets me in a gruffy voice. Yum.
"Morning," I mumble, and try to settle unsuccessfully.
"Does your ankle bother you?" he queries, worried. I nod and he calls for a nurse.
"Still love me?" he whispers softly against my hair.
"No, it wore off during sleep," I deadpan and crack an eye open. "Such things don't just go away, dipshit."
"Sorry," he smiles. At least, he has the decency to look ashamed. Hhmpf. He should. So little faith in me. "I love you, too," he admits.
"Good."
After the nurse gives me some morphine –I think- for my ribs and ankle, Carlisle enters.
"Good morning, Miss Swan. How are you today?" Carlisle bristles cheerfully as he strolls in my room and stands at the foot of the bed. He hangs out with Alice way too much.
"Fucking peachy," I grumble and try to furrow closer to Edward. "Every-fucking-thing hurts, γαμώτο." I know I'm mixing the two languages, but I'm in pain and sleepy, therefore cranky. Edward just chuckles and tightens his arm around me as his father snickers.
"Bella love, I'm sure he has something important to say. Could you raise your head?" he pleads. That's not good.
"You know something I don't, but it will freak me out, don't you?" I look at him suspiciously.
"He only knows I have 'something important' to announce," Carlisle defends him. Oh, okay then. It's not like I'd hurt him or something, I wouldn't even if I could -which I can't. But it's nice knowing that he didn't keep anything from me even for these few short minutes I've been barely awake since yesterday. It's… reassuring. Comforting.
"Go ahead, Doc," I gesture for him to start and sit up on the bed, still leaning on Edward for support. He wraps his arm around my waist to hold me up and keep most of my weight off my sore ribs.
"It'll be fine," he whispers in my hair and kisses my neck lightly and I squeeze his hand.
"Firstly, I'd like to discuss your condition, Isabella," he says seriously and Carlisle slips into doctor mode. "Three of your ribs were broken, one of those in more than one spot. I consider it a miracle that none of your organs obtained any damage. Your ankle is also going to be out of order for a while," he flips through the charts he's holding. "It, too, is broken."
"Edward told me," I mumble.
"Other than that, you have numerous bruises on your face, arms, torso and legs. Any sort of dizziness you might feel is due to a mild concussion. I suggest you take it easy for the next couple of weeks, at least," he stretches and gives me a pointed look.
"I'll make sure of that, Dad," Edward chips in.
"I'm sure you will, son," Carlisle mumbles. "Last but not least, there's something I'm mildly alarmed about, and as a doctor, I couldn't help but notice. I'd like you to put on a few pounds, Miss Swan. Anyone would've easily guessed that with such a 'provider' you would be neglected, but this is scary. You're bordering malnourishment. I don't like your weight, especially for your height. I talked with the doctor here and I've written down a diet I'd like you to follow strictly. It's a wonder you didn't feel exhausted."
I nod.
"Now, something else I wanted to discuss with you Isabella. From what my wife told me you're somehow related to Maria Dwyer?" he trails off, presumably waiting for me to respond. I nod and motion for him to go on, my breath bated.
"Well, Esme contacted her. After a lengthy talk over the phone we only confirmed what we all suspected. And, since you're father is unavailable," he smiles softly, "your mother is here, Bella. She called a few hours ago from Sea-Tac. She'll be here in a few minutes."
My breath hitches. My head swims. It all makes sense now and I smile bitterly to myself. It's too good to be true. My father's arrest, Edward's admitting that he loves me and now this? I should have known there would be a catch.
"Bella?" Edward whispers soft in my ear. "Say something, Ladybug," he pleads.
"Edward," I whimper.
"Yes, baby?"
"Please tell me I'm not dreaming. It's too good to be true. Pleasre tell me αυτός ο μαλάκας is gone for good. Please tell me my mom's here for real," I cry softly and the floodgates open up. The sound of the door to my room closing alerts me to Carlisle's departure but I barely acknowledge it. Edward tightens his arms around me.
"Shhh, it's okay, everything is okay, " he coos. "Your father will never hurt you again; I'll make sure of that. Your mother being here is also true, Ladybug. She's here. She's coming for you."
That only makes me cry harder. It's cathartic. They're tears of joy -utter fucking bliss- relief, excitement, nervousness and lastly terror.
"What am I gonna tell her about Carrie?" I choke out through my sobs. It'll fucking break her. She comes back to two children to find only one. She'll fucking hate me. She'll want nothing to have to do with me. I'll probably end up in a group home. Ah well. It beats being with Charlie. But what about Edward? I can't exactly live without him anymore. Stop. Right. Deep breaths. I'm getting way ahead of myself. I have thirty minutes give or take until she comes here and faces the biggest disappointment she could have given life to. I'm going to enjoy them. Twisting in his arms, I lift my head to reach Edwards lips.
"Kiss me," I beg and his mouth instantly connects with mine. Passionately, but still carefully, he weaves his hands in my hair at the nape of my neck and holds me in place. We part our lips simultaneously, our tongues seeking each other's. We kiss wetly, messily, but I don't care. I need to make sure this is real. At this point, he's the only one who can give me that.
All too soon, he pulls back, his forehead resting on mine. "I'm here, Πασχαλίτσα," he whispers, looking into my eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Okay," I whisper back.
"I love you," he says. I hate that he only has to say it for my sake, to calm my nervous ass down.
"I love you, too," I admit. Yep, still like the sound of it.
"Why don't you rest for a while, hmm? I'll wake you up in time, I promise."
"What am I gonna tell her about Carrie, Edward?" I ask again quietly, more desperate than before.
"I don't know," he whispers resigned. "But whatever happens, I do know she won't blame you Bella. I promise."
"You can't really know that. Dad blamed me all the time."
"He blamed you all the time because he had a purpose, because he wanted to break you and make you weak, because he is a son of a bitch," he seethes. "She won't be like this. And I know that," he goes on before I interrupt him, "because I've talked with her a few times, during that, uh..., mess with Heidi. She's kind. A tough shell but she looked genuinely concerned. Now that I think about it, she reminds me of you a little."
"Tell me about what happened back in Chicago." Partly because I honestly want to know and be there for him the way I couldn't when he first told me, and partly because I need him to take my mind off things.
"Well, I've already told you that I wouldn't come out of my shell. The first year of high school was all about forgetting and letting go. The second one began pretty much in the same manner. Mom and dad had started discussing about moving to the Olympic peninsula. Mom missed her sister, dad had gotten this proposal but nothing was certain. I didn't care either way. Anyway," he sighs. "One day -or night- Jasper said he had had enough of my brooding. We were going out whether I liked it or not. Of all the parties in all the houses in Chicago, we went to Harrison's," he quotes to lighten the mood. "Heidi was there, too. I had noticed her, of course. She is pretty, I guess. But I didn't care about girls at the time. Anyway, she was giving me beer after beer and I was getting tipsy. It was nice. I was like 'Wow, Dwyer likes me. That's something!' She took my hand and led me in a room and tried to get me naked. I passed out before she managed to get my jacket off, but somehow we woke up together, sans clothes. I hurried out of there, without waking her up. I was sure one of the sleeping bodies strewn all over the place would. A month went by and then came a test. With a plus sign. Accusations were made, I denied everything and she'd say I'm the father. Jasper was filled with guilt, he blamed himself. He thought he should have looked after me," rolls his eyes and kisses my temple.
"Eventually, Heidi confessed that she had framed me. A week later we all realized why. She was so far along she was starting to show. Lame plan if you ask me. But the damage was done and when dad said he had an interview for the position here we couldn't leave fast enough. I thought nothing was going to change and then BOOM! You came along," he smiles down at me. "And I couldn't be more thankful."
"I'm glad. And I'm sorry for what happened to you."
"Don't be," he looks at me. "I'm not. It brought me to you after all," he smiles angelically.
"Gee, do you want any crackers with that cheese?" I tease.
"Nuh-uh. I'd rather eat it off you." I burst in a fit of giggles and he dips down to kiss me.
"Don't make me laugh, asshole. It hurts."
A knock on my door interrupts us.
"Bella, dear?" Esme's head pops in. "Maria or, um, Eirini is here."
Fuck, this is it. With a hand squeezing Edward's and my teeth working overtime on my poor lip I nod for her to let her enter.
Stepping aside, she reveals… her. For a moment I have to blink. And, then I blink again. Jesus, she looks just like Carrie. With welled up eyes, I blubber out the only thing I've been unable to for so many years.
"Mommy?"
"Ω, Θεέ μου," she breathes and her hand flies to her mouth, tears spilling over on both of our cheeks.
Oh, God indeed.
Translation:
Σκατά = Shit
Γαμώτο = Damnit
Αυτός ο μαλάκας = That asshole. I'm pretty sure you all know that word, though.
Πασχαλίτσα = Ladybug
The quote I'm talking about -though I altered it- is from Casablanca.
And... another cliffie. Oops, I did it again. But, I just couldn't leave Bella alone! She needs her fudging mum! What did you think of Eirini? That's the equivalent of Renée in Greek. And Charlie is gone. Can I get an Amen? About damn time right?
Leave me your thoughts please, they're thouroughly appreciated. Now, I have to go shopping. For Santorini. Are you Jealous yet? I would be. Just saying...
Toodles!
Fairy xxoxo
