This story contains sensitive subject matter. If the topics of mental illness, and attempted suicide bothers you, please do not read.
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AN: Thanks to Sherry & Paige for all their help with editing this. Any mistakes are mine.
I don't own Twilight, but I do own this plot. No copyright infringements intended.
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POV- Bella
~DB~
He looks up at me, looking about ten years older than when he first arrived; and relief crosses his face. "I have a pulse."
Tears trail down my face as a sob breaks free.
Thank God.
~DB~
It's been a year since Edward overdosed on various kinds of pills, the most prominent ones being opioids, and speed.
I thought I'd lost him that day. If it hadn't been for the quick actions of his dad, Carlisle, I may very well have… I shudder at the thought.
I still deal with guilt, as does Edward, but with the help of our therapist we're learning how to move on with our lives; trying to help each other let go of the past.
We look at each day as a gift now.
He spent a week in the hospital after that pivotal day. Even though he'd vomited several times, they administered activated charcoal in order to help absorb any lingering drugs that were in his stomach. Thankfully, there's been no ill effects from the overdose, and he made a full recovery.
While he was in the hospital, Carlisle had a psychiatrist come in to evaluate Edward. They wanted to admit him to the psychiatric floor, but since Carlisle was his father and a doctor, they released him under his care along with his psychiatrist once a mental health plan was put into place.
He's still seeing his counselor once a week. Edward takes his medication regularly, and we attend couples counseling twice monthly. I attend individual therapy sessions to help deal with my own issues. Through counseling we've grown as a couple, learning how to communicate better with one another.
Carmen, our couples therapist, has seen her fair share of arguments, tears, and even laughter from us. She's been a big part of our journey; she's helped us discover how to be a couple again. We owe her so much more than we could say.
Through extensive counseling, I came to accept that I'll never have any biological children with Edward. I see the devastation mental illness caused him and I can't risk bringing a child into the world only to have him or her suffer the same fate as their father. Of course I'd love the child regardless, but it would be selfish of me… I see that now.
Edward is enough for me, and after an exhaustive and lengthy discussion about adoption, we decided… we're enough for each other.
We've decided to live our lives enjoying one another, experiencing the wonders of the world as we travel to exotic destinations.
Things haven't been easy for us. They'll never be perfect, but we're getting back to a place where we can be healthy, and happy. As long as we're together, and in love… we've got all we'll ever need; and that's perfect for us.
~The End~
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AN: This was an incredibly emotional fic to write. I often cried while I was writing it. I'm sure you feel this ending leaves a lot to be desired. This story was about giving you some insight into the mind of a person that has a mental illness. The stigma that surrounds any mental health illness in the world is staggering, people simply do not understand it. People with mental illness are just like you, the biggest difference is… we're judged harshly, and given unfair labels. Someone with a mental illness can be one of the nicest, most kind person you'd ever meet. A mental illness doesn't make you crazy.
If you ever find yourself lonely, feeling lost, and alone; thinking there's no way out… hang in there, I've been where you're at. If you ever need someone to talk to, come find me on Facebook. If you're not comfortable with that, the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is… 1-800-273-8255, is available 24 hours everyday.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. If you reviewed it, I can't thank you enough for that, too. This one means a lot to me, for it it's extremely close to my heart.
The medical part of the story came from my own experiences, & Google. I don't claim to be a doctor, or nurse. If anything I wrote was wrong, I meant no harm; and it was purely for the sake of fiction.
If there's anything left unanswered for anyone, feel free to ask.
Take care, be kind, and Happy Holidays.