As Esme headed to the kitchen, Carlisle grabbed his medical bag and headed upstairs. Bella's sleep was definitely becoming restless, so he hurried to prepare the pain medication. After administering the shot, Carlisle watched as Bella slipped into a deeper sleep. Staying by the bedside to watch over her, he took comfort in the steady rise and fall of her chest. He said a prayer of thanks that he had not left the hospital any later; for he knew her human body would not have withstood the cold for much longer.
He wondered just how she had managed to travel across the country in her condition. And how had she even known where to look for them? To facilitate a clean break for Bella, Edward had intended to keep their new location from her, had he changed his mind regarding that detail? How had Bella obtained her injuries? Yes, she had made it clear Victoria was after her, but Bella stood zero chance of escaping the clutches of a vampire. So just where did she get her injuries? The more he pondered the more questions he found.
Turning his mind to planning for her care, he knew once she awoke the time would come for answers. He honestly wished he could put it off longer; allow Bella to heal more before delving into a difficult conversation with her, but knew that Bella would only see that as intent to turn her out. After all, what use were the details if they weren't going to keep her around? No, if Bella was to trust his purpose in taking her to the hospital, and his ability to keep her identity unknown, then the three of them would have to talk first. After that, they would see about the x-ray followed by more rest.
Carlisle also made a mental list of everything he wanted to gather at the hospital. Supplies for the hand surgery and cast of course, but he also wanted to grab several bags of saline solution and some IV lines, bandages, and the appropriate medications Bella would be needing. Since leaving Forks behind, he no longer kept medical supplies readily available at the house. He would have Esme accompany them; he wouldn't risk her facing Victoria alone. For the same reason, Esme would have to remain in the house while he operated on Bella's hand. Thankfully they had hunted just yesterday.
Time passed, and Esme appeared at his side. "The soup is simmering, it'll be ready when she awakes. How is Bella?"
"She's resting peacefully, though she'll certainly be sore when she awakens. Unfortunately, I don't have any pain medication in my bag that won't knock her out. I'll pick up something less sedating while we are at the hospital."
"The poor dear! Perhaps I should move another chair in here and grab some extra pillows. I think she'll be more comfortable if she can stay put until it's time to leave."
"An excellent thought my love."
After doing just that, Esme joined Carlisle in watching over their daughter. The sun was just setting when Bella began to stir again. Esme quickly slipped downstairs and was back by the time Bella opened her eyes. Moving at a more human pace, she set the tray with soup, sandwich and a cup of tea on the dresser. Turning around, she made her way back to Bella's bedside.
She and Carlisle watched quietly as Bella used her good hand to rub the sleep from her eyes. It was clear from her slow movements that she was already feeling sore.
Carlisle leaned forward, "How are you feeling honey?"
Bella jumped, having not yet realized they were in the room with her, then tried to push herself up only to be stopped by two cold hands on her shoulders.
"Sorry Sweetheart, I should have realized you didn't know we were sitting here. Don't try to sit up on your own just yet. Let me lift you and Esme can tuck the extra pillows behind you, alright?"
"Alright," Bella was feeling fairly weak anyways, so it was easy for her to let Carlisle do the work lifting her back. Before she knew it she was settled upright against some very comfortable pillows. Carlisle settled back in his chair and looked Bella over before speaking again.
"I must apologize Bella, it appears you're already feeling the pain return but I don't have anything to give you that won't sedate you."
"That's ok, I'm really feeling much better than I was Carlisle, thank you." Which was the truth, having her ribs and wrist supported with the wraps were definitely helping her pain levels, though she wasn't looking forward to movement.
"Bella honey, Esme brought you up something to eat; do you think we could have that talk whilst you do so?"
Bella replied without looking at him, "Sure Carlisle." When he had mentioned the talk, he heard Bella's breathing and heart rate begin to pick up. Sadly, he guessed the reason was she still expected to be sent away after telling her story.
"Honey, look at me…" as he said this he reached over and cupped her right cheek, gently turning her to face him so he could look her in the eyes, "…I can't say I understand why you seem frightened of us, or what's happened to you, but I can promise you, you are safe here, and we won't leave you to deal with this on your own."
His heart stung as he saw the mistrust in her eyes. Clearly whatever had affected her faith in them had gone to the very core. "Alright Bella, how about that food now huh?"
Bella felt guilty for not believing Carlisle, but she had been lied to by him in the past. Truthfully, part of her was surprised she had woken up still at their house. Not wanting to upset him too much she hurried to agree, "Please."
Esme brought the tray over and settled it on Bella's lap. The soup and tea were still hot, and she had fixed it with honey, the way she remembered Bella loved it, "Here you go Sweetheart, eat up."
After taking a sip of the tea, and a bite of the chicken sandwich, Bella looked up at Carlisle and asked, "Where should I start?"
Ever the doctor, Carlisle's reply was predictable, "How about with how you got those injuries."
Bella started to reply, then stopped. She suddenly wasn't sure how to explain. After all, she didn't think the Cullen's knew about this current pack, nor Bella's friendship with them. Just how far back should she go? And what about the incident with Laurent? Or did they know it all already? After all, wouldn't Alice have seen it all happen? It was too much for Bella to contemplate in her current condition, so she decided to stop thinking it through and just answer the questions as they were asked.
"Most of them are from when Victoria attacked me. Some after that from my innate clumsiness enhanced by the pain I was in. And, as you know, some from the weather itself."
This shocked both Esme and Carlisle, for though they knew Bella had been running from Victoria, how could she have survived an actual attack without their protection?
"Bella, honey, don't misunderstand me – I'm very glad that you are here, alive – but how on earth did you escape Victoria?"
Bella ate some more of the food Esme had fixed before replying, "To explain that, I think I need to go back a bit farther. There are things you aren't aware of…"
Before continuing she looked them both in the eye, to be sure they were ok with that, after a nod from them both, she asked, "do you remember your first visit to Forks? Decades ago?"
"Of course honey, but what does that have to do with Victoria?" Esme replied.
Still hedging, Bella asked, "Do you remember meeting some unusual people then?"
At this she heard Carlisle suck his breath in and then he looked at her sharply, "Bella…are you saying what I think you are?"
"Yes, Carlisle, there is a new pack in La Push, and I owe my life to most of them." Bella could tell that news shocked them, so she finished her soup and sandwich as she waited for the next question. It didn't take long.
"Your friend Jacob, he's one of them, isn't he?"
At the mention of Jacob, Bella had to fight back tears. In her run for survival, she hadn't had time to dwell on Jacob or Sam. Had she done enough for them? Or had she been to slow to remember how to help?
"Yes, Jacob is one of the pack, as well as my best friend." Carlisle and Esme exchanged a look at this, but wisely remained silent. They didn't like the idea of Bella being close to volatile young wolves, but this wasn't the time to discuss it. Especially since it seems the wolves had protected Bella when they had failed to do so.
"Can you tell us what happened that day Sweetheart?" Esme could tell Bella was becoming upset, so she gently pushed her forward in her tale.
Bella picked up the teacup and stared into it as she spoke, "What happened that day was my fault."
"I doubt that honey, you have no control over Victoria's actions," Carlisle attempted to reassure her.
"No, but I knew she was out there," Bella felt shame for her impatience that day, Paul was right about one thing – she was responsible for Jake and Sam getting bit, "you see…before I knew about the pack, I had been out hiking. Laurent was hunting nearby and stumbled upon me. His eyes were red." Bella decided to keep just why she had been hiking to herself. Though she still found it easy to talk to Carlisle & Esme, she knew not trust them this time. She wasn't going to let on just how obsessed with Edward she remained. Better to not give them any reason to send her away.
"Oh Bella, no! Tell me he didn't…" Esme was horrified and couldn't finish her thought. Her daughter had been attacked by not one, but two human drinkers!
"At first, he just talked. But no matter what I said otherwise, it became clear he knew you all had left. That's when he let me know Victoria had sent him to scope out the area. He let me know what she had planned for me was anything but a painless death. 'Mate for mate' he called it. He then told me I was fortunate he was thirsty as he was going to spare me her wrath with a fast, painless death. I knew trying to get away was hopeless, so I silently said my goodbyes."
Bella jumped as the sound of wood splintering echoed around the room. The armrest of Carlisle's seat had been broken into two pieces. Bella believe this reaction must be to the fact that Victoria's end game was to hurt Edward. Esme reached over and placed her hand on Carlisle's arm, which he covered with his own.
"It was when he reached out towards my head that I heard the growls. The wolves had come out of nowhere. I was shocked when Laurent actually ran from them. It wasn't until a few days later that I learned about the pack. They had killed Laurent and spent weeks playing cat & mouse with Victoria. She kept trying to get through their lines to me. They always managed to head her off, but were never able to catch her."
"And that day," Carlisle prompted.
"As I said, that day was my fault. You see, there is a cliff in La Push where kids go diving. Jake had promised to take me when he was done patrolling. But he was late, and I got impatient. I went alone. Victoria was there, ecstatic to see me walk right into her path with no protectors around. Lucky for me, the pack had been following her trail. I got most of these injuries when Jake managed to knock me away just before she would have grabbed me. Unfortunately, I hit a tree, which is why both of my sides are bruised."
Bella continued to tell about that day, the fight, Jake and Sam getting bitten. Waking only to learn they were dying then attempting to remove the venom from their system and then, of course, Paul and her subsequent flight from Forks. By the time she was done, she was openly crying.
Carlisle and Esme's eyes were both glistening with tears that would never be shed. Their daughter had almost been killed twice because they had left her unprotected. Thank God the wolf pack had returned to the Quileute tribe. Was Paul's betrayal the reason Bella seemed to expect the same from them? It didn't seem like enough of a reason, but what else could it be? Composing himself, Carlisle slipped back into doctor mode. The father in him still had many questions left, and he knew there was more to the story but it was clear Bella was exhausted. The crying was likely paining her ribs significantly. Her hand couldn't continue untreated either.
Slipping to his knees at her bedside, Carlisle took Bella's good hand in his, cradled her cheek with his other and looked her in the eyes, "I am so sorry we were not there to protect you, Bella. I assure you we will do so from here on out. I will be eternally grateful to the wolves for saving your life. We still have many questions for you, but they can wait for later. For now, I think we'd best get that hand taken care of. Is it alright if Esme helps you wash up? Then the three of us will head to the hospital. As I promised last night, no one will know who you are."
Shocked at the apology, but still not able to believe it's veracity – Bella decided to hedge, "That would be nice, but please Carlisle, if you decide you don't want to risk Victoria, I just need your help in getting new identification so I can keep moving," glancing down in shame she added, "and I spent the last of my funds getting here…" Bella felt her checks burning at having to ask the Cullen's for money. She did it anyways though, knowing if she had enough to get by when they sent her away, she could be a bit choosier as to where she stopped to work and how she traveled.
Carlisle had watched as Bella absorbed his words. Shock and amazement seemed to war with mistrust in her eyes. He wasn't sure how much longer he and Esme could take not knowing where this distrust stemmed from. As soon as they had Bella's health taken care of, the three of them would be having a heart to heart, "Honey, as long as Victoria is a threat to you, you are not leaving our sight. I promised you we will protect you, and I mean that. I don't know why you think we'd turn you out, but you will see the truth in it for yourself."
Bella felt her heart sink. He hadn't agreed to help her with identification or money. Carlisle's promise of protection meant nothing to her, for she had heard it before and discovered it to be just words. She feared it wouldn't be long before she was back on the run, but at least she would be healed when she started out this time.
Carlisle could see his words had little effect in winning Bella's trust. Caressing her cheek with his thumb, he stood up and stepped back to give her some space. "I'm going to give you some privacy so Esme can help you freshen up & get dressed. Your ribs are wrapped now, but still let Esme do most of the work so they can rest." Turning to Esme he continued, "I'm going to make sure the car is warmed up while you ladies are getting ready, then I'll be back to help her out." He knew Esme was more than capable and there would be no humans to wonder at her strength, but he felt the need to care for Bella too.
"We'll be ready shortly," giving him a sad smile, Esme moved to Bella's side. Sitting on the bed, she decided to throw caution to the wind and enveloped Bella in a hug. Felling the girl stiffen, she continued to hug her anyways, careful to keep it loose to avoid her injuries, "shhh darling, it's just a hug, nothing more". Thankfully, her words worked and Bella relaxed. She rocked her daughter from side to side; grateful she could ease the girl's distress even a little.
Bella knew Esme's gesture was just part of the same act the Cullen's had given her in Forks, but she had never felt so alone and for just a few moments she wanted to believe it was real.