CHAPTER 11: Therapy

A/N—I will keep my apologies short. I have had some family issues that have demanded my time and attention for several weeks. But I've dived back into this story that I really want to finish. The next chapter is almost ready for my great pre-reader, Lemonmartinis, and beta, Just Robin, so they can do their magic. So I expect updates to come regularly although it will likely be a week to ten day update schedule.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me messages and reviews, inquiring about the delay. I'm sorry I didn't respond to all of them. Your comments mean a lot to me.

Only five hours after fighting with Jasper, Edward stood in his bedroom looking out of the window staring at nothing in particular. He eventually turned and glanced behind him at the small girl, who was finally sleeping soundly, thanks to the sedative administered by Carlisle.

Edward was acutely aware of Bella's presence downstairs, and hadn't missed a moment of her reunion with his parents; although he was forced to witness it secondhand through the thoughts of others.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be downstairs with Bella-he simply couldn't. He had to focus on Savannah and the duty he would have to fulfill. He'd brought Savannah into this mess and would have to see it through.

As he turned toward Savannah and watched her even breaths, his mind drifted back to the first time he met her early last summer just days after the Cullen's had made the move to Milwaukee.

"Edward, please."

Edward sighed knowing he was powerless to Esme's soft plea. He took the book from her and agreed to take it to Carlisle as he had requested. Apparently, Carlisle's new role at this hospital included overseeing the physical therapy department. He'd encountered a patient earlier in the day he thought could benefit from some ancient exercises practiced for centuries by the Chinese. His patient was due for her next therapy session within the hour and Carlisle requested the book detailing the exercises, be brought to him right away. Esme couldn't go as she was hosting a luncheon for a charity she recently joined. She considered it an added bonus the errand would force Edward out of his self-imposed isolation.

When Edward finally arrived at the hospital, he couldn't help but notice that Carlisle's thoughts were on a teenage girl he met just that morning.

"Why all this worry over a broken wrist and finger?" Edward asked as he joined Carlisle in his office handing him the book he requested.

"She's a pianist; quite talented from what I've been told. The metal rod in her wrist severely limits her flexibility and despite almost two months of therapy, she is unable to play up to her previous ability. I hope introducing some new exercises to her routine will give her a better chance of success."

"It's probably the technique she's using," Edward stated absently.

Carlisle looked at Edward curiously. "Please explain," he communicated through his thoughts.

"She's probably been taught with a classical style that has a heavy emphasis on flexing your wrist for a variety of sound. She needs to learn to play using her shoulders more. That's a less conventional approach, but if used correctly it's as effective and it will take some of the pressure off of her wrists."

Carlisle pondered what Edward said before responding out loud. "Would you consider teaching her this technique you suggest?"

"Carlisle," Edward groaned, instantly rejecting the suggestion.

"Edward, I know I'm asking quite the favor from you, but this girl deserves every chance she can get to fully recover. If you met her, you'd know what I mean."

Edward looked at Carlisle warily as he continued. "She didn't just break her hand in the car accident. She lost her mother in that same accident. She's been through so much and yet she comes here regularly and does everything that is asked of her without complaint. I'm afraid if she doesn't see some signs of progress soon, however, she'll get discouraged."

"Carlisle…" Edward started, intending to decline to help when Carlisle uncharacteristically interrupted him.

"She's broken, Edward. Despite her brave front, she's hanging on by a thread. I fear what will happen to her if she loses her ability to play music, too."

Something in Carlisle's words spoke to Edward, as he agreed to show her a different playing technique after her next therapy lesson.

It wasn't her short blond hair or striking blue-green eyes that drew Edward to Savannah as he watched her sit at the piano in his living room later that day. It was her mind and her thoughts. She was struggling, but you wouldn't know it by the composed posture she presented. She even smiled politely and thanked Esme when she was offered tea and cookies. Savannah made idle small talk with Alice while she waited for Edward to greet her and start the lesson. She gave nothing away regarding the pain and torment she constantly battled with, but instead resolved to be positive and thankful. Edward was drawn to her- in particular, to her will to be happy despite so much tragedy and adversity. He thought if he studied her, maybe he could find that same will.

During that first week of lessons, Edward mainly listened to Savannah through her words and thoughts. However, it wasn't long until she drew him into conversation. They talked about music, piano, her hopes and dreams, and her resolve to live a life that would have made her mother proud. Savannah eventually opened up about how distant her father had been since the accident. Savannah Dawson was in desperate need of a friend, and even though he didn't know it at the time, so was Edward Cullen.

Edward relished his role. It felt good to be needed again, and by the end of their second week of lessons, Edward had resolved to protect Savannah, to make sure no further ugliness touched her life. It gave him purpose; and it was with that purpose he slowly came back to the land of the living.

Edward was interrupted from his musings by Rosalie's sudden arrival and a snarky jab.

"Let's make something clear, Bella. If you fuck my husband, you won't be leaving here with your limbs intact."

Edward flashed downstairs and immediately took a protective stance in front of Bella.

"That's enough Rosalie," he said quietly, but with warning.

Rosalie was in no mood to heed his warning, however. She'd just returned to the house with Emmett after a hunting trip and was stunned to find Bella in the Cullen living room.

"What happened? You get bored doing Jasper, so you return here expecting to take your place back in our family? You've got more nerve than I ever gave you credit for!"

Bella offered no defense, instead slowly slumped her shoulders and head. Her sign of defeat and shame only spurred Rosalie on further.

"Do you have any idea what you did to Edward? What you did to my family? Or maybe you 'don't care so long as you fuck and eat whomever you want, you faithless whor-"

"Enough!" Edward roared, unable to let Rosalie finish her sentence. Emmett, who stood back as his wife ranted, now stepped forward and placed himself between Edward and Rosalie.

"Rosie, calm down," he urged. Once he was satisfied she was not going to say anything further, he turned his attention back to Edward.

"Bro, you've taken us by surprise. What is Bella doing here?" he asked.

Edward looked up at Esme and Carlisle who were standing quietly to the side, somber looks upon their faces.

"It's a long story," Edward said with a sigh.

Emmett couldn't help but smile as he looked around at the vampires in the room. "Well, we certainly have time."

E/N—Thanks again for your patience and giving this story a chance. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks Lemonmartinis and Just Robin—not just for your help with this story but all of your support.

Songs I jammed to while writing this chapter: Calling Dr. Love by Kiss and Whores by Jane's Addiction.