Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta-in-Chief: Lola...she was a showgirl, but she gave that and her yellow feathers up to beta my little story. (Additional disclaimer: Barry Manilow owns the lyrics to Copacabana)
"Mom, are you certain it won't be a problem for Eden to stay with us for a few days?" Jason sat on the edge of his mother's bed looking worriedly at her.
"Yes, I'm sure Jason. Don't worry about it. I honestly believe you two are old enough to know better. I'm still not feeling 100 percent, so I am hoping that the two of you will have mercy on me, though. Since we are going back to Forks on Wednesday, maybe we could cut it back a day? Could she come over on Monday and just spend two nights with us?" Bella reached over for a Tums, which she now kept on her nightstand, to try to calm her upset stomach. Jason laughed when he heard it gurgle.
"Maybe you need to just eat something?" Jason said helpfully.
"Maybe I need to watch what I eat." Bella snapped back instantly feeling bad at her jab. "I apologize Jason. I just don't feel really great about myself right now. I wish I felt better because I would drag my sorry butt to the gym with Gen. I just don't have the energy to do it right now. If I watch what I eat over the holidays I'll be okay. Anyway, do you want me to talk to Eden and ask her to just stay two nights or do you think she'll be okay with it?" Bella asked as she snuggled farther down in the bed and pulled the soft blanket up.
"Eden will be fine with it. We haven't seen each other for a few weeks so we'll take whatever we can get." Jason laughed as he tucked his mother in. He paused as he looked over her in the bed, oddly enough the same bed where Jacob had died. At first he had wondered how she could even keep it and then remembered that Bella was nothing if not sensible. She could afford much better when it came to many of their belongings, she just never saw the point on spending money just because they had it.
In the days following Jacob's death, it wasn't unusual for Jason to kneel at the side of his parent's bed and rub Bella's back when she broke down. It made it easier for Bella to also comfort Jason when his feelings became too overwhelming. Those first few months after Jacob's death, the two of them clung desperately to each other for support. They still shared a very close bond, and while their relationship was very open, there was only one topic that they both considered off limits and that involved using either of their names and the word sex in the same sentence.
They had both clung to the belief that what the other didn't know wouldn't hurt them. And as far as Bella being the adult, she had no trouble telling Jason, although she knew she didn't need to, simply 'don't do it'. In her heart, Bella knew that Jason held Eden to a much higher standard than to just to sleep with her. Still, that was the only topic where they even considered setting limits with each other and they both recognized that if Jacob was still alive or if Jason had been a girl, that topic would be allowed in conversation. Bella being female and Jason being male, they simply didn't have the same equipment, and Bella knew little of what advice she could possibly give.
"I'm sorry Jase. I've just been feeling so rotten. I've been trying to get this next book out and think up ideas for the seventh one. The second movie should come out next spring, and the fifth book should be published in time for Christmas. There's just so much to do." Bella yawned and blinked rapidly, as if trying to keep herself awake.
"Don't worry Mom, Eden and I will help you this week with whatever you need, and then once we're in Forks, you can relax for a few days. I really think all you need to do is get some sleep and put some food into you. Tomorrow after I talk to Eden, me and you are going to go get something to eat okay? I'll take care of the details. Go to sleep now Mom." Jason leaned over and kissed his mother's sweaty forehead. He noticed it was warm and then brushed his hand gently across it. Yup, no two ways about it, she was sick.
He looked over her worriedly. Could it be possible that he would lose his mother too? She mentioned gaining weight, but Jason didn't see it. A few days ago when she first said it, he had jokingly asked her which toe she was gaining it in, which caused her to immediately break down into tears and slam her bedroom door. How could someone who threw up so much manage to gain any weight at all? He made a mental note to ask Eden about it on the phone tomorrow when he called her. She would be disappointed about having only two days instead of the three or possibly four that they had originally planned, but Jason knew all he had to do was mention Bella's being sick and Eden's nursing flair would kick right in.
He would also have to ask either Emmett or Rosalie if they would mind driving Eden, since he didn't want her on a long car trip alone. He would have gone to pick her up but he couldn't leave Bella alone while he did and he wasn't about to suggest she make the trip with him. It was bad enough that he would make her do that on Wednesday when they drove to Forks for Thanksgiving so Jason could spend the rest of the weekend at his Grandpa Charlie's, which brought him closer to Eden.
By now it was common knowledge, if not accepted to everyone personally close to them that Eden was Jason's imprint. Their parents dealt with the situation by ignoring it and dealing with it as a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, which they could easier accept. Jason and Eden choose to deal with it as situations came up. When Eden was asked out to a movie by a boy from her school, she immediately picked up her phone to call Jason letting him know that she was going to go but that it was just a friendly date. Jason told her to be extra careful and to take care of herself even more because he wouldn't be there to watch over her himself; he went so far to ask her to take Leah along.
So far, everything had been working out smoothly for them. Now that there was an actual break in their school schedules, they wanted to spend the extra time together. It was agreed by Emmett, Rose and Bella to split the time between their two houses. With Bella agreeing to be responsible for Eden while she was under her roof, and Charlie agreeing to be responsible for Jason after Thanksgiving until Bella picked him back up again on Sunday. Everyone seemed to take it one day at a time, and it seemed to be working for all involved.
Jason paused on his way out of his parent's bedroom. He switched the light off then made a silent plea to Jacob's spirit to guide Bella through whatever sickness she had, and to not take her away from him as well. Losing his father had been difficult enough. Jason didn't want to think of what might happen should he lose his mother.
The next morning Jason reached blindly for his phone as it vibrated on his nightstand. He peeked one eye open to see who was calling so early. It was Eden. He flipped it open smiling through his sleepiness as he answered.
"Good morning Sunshine." He held back a yawn so she wouldn't know that he was still asleep and that she had woke him up with her eagerness.
"Good morning Indie." He heard her laughter as she repeated the nickname that she had come up with for him. "So I was thinking that while you are out here, after Thanksgiving on Thursday, we could spend Friday with Charlie, Saturday with my family, and Sunday after your mom comes back to pick you up, we could spend some time with my Grandpa and Grandma. I know they would both love to see you again. And Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper will be there, probably even Uncle Edward if he doesn't have to work. Would that be alright?" Eden asked as her voice crackled through the phone.
"That's fine with me, but let's just play it by ear though. My mom's still not feeling so hot and she can't seem to kick this bug she got awhile back. She asked if it would be acceptable for you to come down on Tuesday instead of Monday. I told her it wouldn't be a problem. Sorry Sunshine, but I hope you don't mind waiting one more day." Jason knew what the answer would be before Eden even said it.
"Of course not! I hope she feels better soon. Make sure she drinks lots of fluids so she doesn't get dehydrated Jason." Eden paused and he knew what was coming next. "Are you sure she's even up for me being there? I don't want her to think that I am a pest." Jason could hear the worry in her voice.
"As if my mom would ever think of you as a pest. No, she doesn't mind, she just wishes she felt better. Anyway, this has been going on too long. I was thinking of asking your grandpa, you know, since she's comfortable with him, if he wouldn't mind…" Eden cut him off.
"Of course he'd look over her for you, Indie. Try not to worry. I am sure it's nothing." Eden tried her best to comfort him through the distance.
"I know Sunshine, it's just that when my dad died, it was so fast. He was sick, and by the time he went to the doctor, it was too late. This just feels like the same. Mom's pretty stubborn when it comes to seeing the doctor. She always tries to get better herself. She didn't even want to see a doctor when I was born." Jason sat up in bed and adjusted himself, straightening out, among other things, his wrinkled t-shirt and sweats that he slept in. He looked at his closed bedroom door as he heard another door in the house slam. Standing up quickly,he opened his bedroom door. He walked over to his mother's bedroom, still listening to Eden on the phone. He knocked lightly on the door, then opened it then looked in. The sight that greeted him made his heart twist. "Eden, I'll call you back. It's mom." He said urgently as he heard her say a quick 'bye' and then disconnect.
Jason raced over to the bathroom just in time to hold Bella's hair back as she threw up clear liquid. When the vomiting turned into dry heaves, it was Jason who reached over to the drawer for a hair tie. He pulled her hair gently into a loose tail, then helped her rinse her mouth out by the sink.
He picked her up effortlessly and carried her back to her bed. He laid her down, barely awake, and then went back into the bathroom to bring her a glass of water. As he was walking back into the bathroom to clean it, he grabbed the garbage pail to put at her bedside if she should need it. While he was cleaning up his phone rang. He grabbed it quickly, not wanting to wake his mom.
"Jason, it's Carlisle. Eden called me. She's pretty worried about Bella. Can you tell me what's wrong?" Jason immediately felt calmer than he had in the last few months, since Bella had really started to get sick.
"Carlisle! I don't know where to turn with her. She started out months ago complaining that she was tired. Then she started vomiting, not all the time, but enough. She looks shaky and definitely more pale than usual." Jason paused, and then continued in a rush. "And Carlisle, this is how it was at the end for my Dad. I can't lose her too. I just don't know what else to do. Unless she's unconscious or in an accident, I can't get her to see a doctor." Jason was surprised by how shaky his voice was. He realized that for the first time in his life he was truly afraid.
The reality of the situation hit him like a truck when he finally admitted it out loud. Even when his father got sick and they knew he was dying. Jacob's strength showed through and helped carry him and Bella. They relied on it all through his death. Once he was gone, Jason found his strength from his mother. He could remember all of his father's advice as clear as if he had said it to him only moments ago. 'You'll be okay Jason. I'm going to go somewhere to watch over you and you mother and she's going to take care of you here.' He wondered where Jacob was now, was he still looking out for them? Jason had a hard time believing that his father would be okay with how ill Bella had let herself become.
"Jason, it's going to be okay. I'll look at her when you two come in. Eden's going to come out to you on Tuesday. I'm on call but if you want me to, I can switch shifts with someone and drive her there. I understand that she was supposed to come earlier, but if Bella's truly not feeling well, it's better if this trip is put off altogether." Carlisle's words were upsetting, but still had a calming effect. "I know Edward has been after her to see her doctor but she won't listen to him either and he knows she's not well. He's just as worried as you are."
Jason tried to regain his focus as he listened to Carlisle. He shook his head clear as he responded.
"No, mom said it would be okay for Eden to come for two nights instead of three. We'll be alright. I just," here Jason's words failed him. He took a deep breath and continued. "I can't lose her, Carlisle. I'm only seventeen, if something happens to her, what am I going to do?" Jason couldn't help but be worried about this situation. Heaven forbid that something should happen to Bella before he turned 18, would he become a ward of the state? Would Charlie or Billy want him? His head swam at the thought of everything he was shouldered with and for the first time in his life he resented the fact that he always showed how responsible he could be.
"Listen Jason, how about if you tell Bella that you are going to come to Forks early and switch days? If you started your visit in Forks, and then on Friday left to go home? That way I can take a look at her sooner?" Carlisle was brilliant. No two ways about it.
"I think that would work. I'd have to call Eden and have her check with her mom and dad. I can talk mom into it, she's weak as a kitten right now and feels bad about cutting the trip short so she won't be a problem. Carlisle, would it be okay if I let you go now? I really want to pack if I'm going to come out there tomorrow. If you're going to be at the hospital, maybe I can say that we are picking up Eden from work. If I bring her into your office, could you just sort of look her over without her really knowing it? I'd feel a lot better." Jason couldn't help that his voice sounded like that of a small child.
"Of course, Jason. I think that's a great idea. I'll arrange Eden's schedule at the hospital and call Emmett and Rosalie. Go ahead and call Eden and let her know the plans have changed. We'll see you around noon tomorrow at the hospital. Use the Emergency Room entrance and ask for me if you don't see me there. They can have me paged overhead. Now, regarding you and your mother. I know the renovations that you and Bella are doing to Charlie's house are still going up. Emmett's had quite a few setbacks with the weather. Charlie is fine living there through the noise and dust, but if you think you and Bella would be more comfortable, please feel free to stay on Cullen soil. Okay? Jason, I promise you that things are going to be okay son. I think maybe your mom just needs a gentle reminder that you are still only seventeen. Maybe we can all talk to her together, tomorrow okay?" At Jason's affirmation Carlisle continued, "I am going to call Emmett and Rose now. Go ahead, call Eden and put her mind to rest and I'll see you tomorrow. And if anything at all changes, call me back. I'm on my cell phone right now, so just save this number into your phone? Cell phones shouldn't be used in the hospital so I am going to leave you my office number there and you can always have the operator page me overhead by telling them that you are family and it's an emergency." Carlisle finished up the phone call all proper and businesslike, but it still left Jason feeling comforted by the fact that he really wasn't alone.
Push fluids, plenty of rest, something for pain. Jason could handle that. After a quick call to Eden to let her know the change of plans, Jason's day went steadily downhill. Everything Bella ate came back up, and then some. She tried some soda crackers and ginger ale. Then moved onto a piece of peppermint hard candy. Nothing helped.
She sipped slowly at a cup of cinnamon water Jason had made her and that seemed to help calm her stomach down a bit. After a quick trip to the bathroom to brush her teeth and convince Jason she was fine and just tired, she snuggled down in the bed again.
Jason felt her forehead as he went to empty the garbage, again. Still warm, but she was shaking like she was cold. And so pale. He emptied the garbage and once he was convinced that Bella was resting comfortably, he set about the rest of his day. The more he thought about it, he found himself getting depressed. The parallels between what he was doing with Bella were eerily similar to what he and Bella did for Jacob before he died. Every so often he would take a break, loading up things he thought they might need in Forks. He loaded up the truck with his mother's laptop and briefcase as well as their clothes. Jason concentrated on anything to keep his mind moving and not focusing on how worried he was about his mother.
He allowed himself a small smile as he remembered the day that he mentioned the Rainforest Run to Eden and she said her father and uncles participate. Emmett had overheard and with boyish enthusiasm thrown his two cents in. It ended up with a grateful Bella spending the day with Edward, while Jason spent it with Emmett and Jasper and a bunch of motorcycles. He appreciated how much Emmett included him with their family and was grateful that they seemed to all be on the same page in regards to Eden. They seemed to have forged an unlikely friendship with the same goal in mind, Eden's well-being. Through this, he made sure he showed Emmett nothing but respect; the two of them had come away with a better understanding of each other.
After he packed his duffle bag, he sat on his bed picking up his guitar to try to relax. Dinner tonight would be his responsibility. After all, he would be the only one eating. After playing his guitar for almost two hours, he went to the extra room they converted into a gym. He used the weight bench for a half hour before he heard his mother frail voice rasp out his name.
"Yeah mom. What do you need?" Jason entered Bella's room to find herself wrapped in her bathrobe and sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I'm going to take a bath. I feel grimy. Are you sure that it's okay with Emmett and Rosalie to switch days around?" Bella looked at her son.
"Yeah, it's fine with them. I figured we'll take my truck so I've already packed up some things in it. Oh, and since the builders are still working on Grandpa's house, Carlisle called and offered for us to stay at their house, actually he said 'on Cullen soil.'" Jason smiled as Bella finally managed a laugh. The first real sign of pleasant emotion she had shown to him in days.
"Carlisle's always been old-fashioned. He's a great man Jason." Bella stood shakily and he came around to help her to her bathroom. He set her down on the small stool at her vanity leaning over to run water for her.
"So, what do you think about coming back on Friday and Eden staying until Sunday with us? I can either drive her back on Sunday or else between the adults you all can figure out if someone else can drive out here to pick her up." Jason felt the bathwater as he stopped up the tub. He turned to face his mother. "Are you going to be okay by yourself?" He asked, his face full of concern.
"I'll be fine. We'll figure out how to get her home. I'm sorry to be sick like this right now, when she's supposed to come visit us. You miss her don't you?" Bella smiled gently at her son.
"Yeah, I do. We're still young, so, nothing is set in stone, but so far so good. If we take it one day at a time, we're fine. We both are reasonable enough to figure this out." Jason made his way toward the door to leave. "Call me if you need anything, I'm going to leave the doors open." Jason left Bella to her bath and went to scrounge up some food.
Later that night after making sure Bella was tucked in, Jason slept fitfully. He couldn't put his finger on the uneasiness he felt. He chalked it up to nerves and being excited to see Eden again. It was something more than that, he knew. But he couldn't let himself focus on Bella's problems tonight. Not if he had any hope of getting a good night's sleep. He rolled over, thinking back to Eden and where their relationship was headed. He already knew his course in life. It was just a matter of getting everyone else to see that this was the best course of action for him.
"Jason, stop being so pigheaded. Just give me the keys. I feel fine." Bella held her hand out for the keys to Jason's truck. He reluctantly handed them over to her thinking she must be feeling better. There were dark circles under her eyes, but she at least had some energy and she was starting to look human again.
"You can drive, but please be careful. I don't want you passing out while we are on the road."
Jason was surprised to see how coherent Bella was. He enjoyed making small talk with her for the first hour of their trip. After they pulled over for a quick breakfast, Bella's energy and enthusiasm slowly faded. She insisted on driving again, and Jason let her only because it at least gave her something to do other than sleep. As their trip continued, he could tell it was getting more and more difficult for her to remain focused.
After another hour, Jason insisted she pull over to the side of the highway so he could take over. With her energy spent now and her stomach still queasy from the bagel she had eaten when they stopped, she slid over to the passenger side and buckled herself in as Jason got out of the truck and walked around to the driver side, being careful to avoid the traffic. He paused briefly to open the backdoor and reached in for something Bella couldn't make out. When he finally got back into the truck, he held it out to her. She took it and smiled weakly at him. She immediately opened the warm ginger ale and took a small sip, grateful for her son's thoughtfulness.
She had a hard time remaining alert after that. She much preferred being asleep to the nauseous feeling that kept rolling around in her stomach. Jason glanced over at her nervously and momentarily panicked as he noted how still she was. Lethargic, Eden told him on the phone. Whatever it was, it scared him. 'Hang on Mom', he thought silently to himself after pressing down lightly on the accelerator. Once they were actually inside Clallam County, he would start to speed even more, knowing that the County Sheriff was a friend of Charlie's.
Jason made the trip in the fastest amount of time ever. He pulled into the parking lot of the Emergency Room and slammed his truck into park. He got out and went around to Bella's side of the vehicle. When she didn't make any move to get out herself, Jason opened the door nudging her awake. She barely responded, only briefly picking up her head and mumbling something to Jason about her arm not being broken anymore. He shook her gently and she continued to sleep, whimpering only slightly as she protested his shaking her of her body.
"That does it." Jason said, unbuckling her seatbelt. He clicked the door locked and then reached in to pick her up as if she weighed nothing. He turned toward the building and wasn't surprised to see Eden standing by the entrance waiting for them. He noticed that she shivered slightly as she pulled her sweater closer around her body. Jason kicked the door shut with his foot shifting his mother in his arms more comfortably. He made his way across the parking lot carrying her as she snuggled down into her coat shivering.
"Oh Jase, you weren't kidding. She's so pale! Come on, I'll get Grandpa. He's waiting in his office for you two. Do you want to just take her in there?" Eden put a comforting hand on Jason's back and although he could barely feel it through his thick coat, he appreciated the fact that she was there.
"Can I just carry her in there? They won't stop me will they?" He asked as they went through the door that opened automatically.
"Not if I tell them it's for Grandpa. Come on." She walked slightly ahead of them, as if daring anyone to stop them.
They knocked softly on the door and heard Carlisle answer with a swift "Come in."
"Hi Dr. Cullen. She seemed fine this morning. She even did the first half of the driving. She was tired, but not completely exhausted like she's been. It seems like after we stopped to eat breakfast she lost all her energy. She's been sucking on ginger ale, but only managing a few small sips. At least the bagel this morning stayed down, but it was upsetting her stomach." Jason worriedly set Bella down on the couch in Carlisle's office and then turned to Eden to greet her quickly. He hugged her fiercely and then kissed her quickly, not caring if her grandfather saw him or not. "Thank you for being here for me Sunshine." He said tenderly, Eden could detect the underlying sadness in his tone, as well as the forced smile she saw.
She knew that his fear could very well come true. If Bella was indeed seriously sick, what would he do? "Anything for you Indie." She smiled back but her smile seemed forced, Jason could tell that she was worried also.
They turned their attention back to Carlisle who was talking in a low voice to Bella. She sat on the end of the couch, her arm bent on the side of it, her head resting in her hand. She had her eyes at half mast, and then closed them completely, sighing as she nodded. Jason and Eden sat down as Carlisle gently rubbed Bella's back through the coat she insisted on keeping around her. Carlisle looked over at them, ordering Eden to call Esme and ask her to come to the hospital, but to say nothing to anyone else that they were there. While Eden was busy with the phone call, he talked to Jason.
"I asked Bella if she wanted Esme to come and she said it was fine. Do you want Eden to stay or wait in the hallway while we talk?" Carlisle looked worried also.
"I'd like her to stay if she wants to." Jason shifted uncomfortably, shrugging out of his coat as he started to feel warm and sweaty.
"Of course I'll stay." Eden said as she hung up Carlisle's office phone.
"I can already tell you that she's dehydrated and exhausted. And since I saw her this past summer I can tell she's more pale than the usual 'winter white' we all have. Bella, I think we need to address a few concerns that Jason and I have, is that alright?" Carlisle shook her gently and received no response. He reached for his small pen light and peered into one of her eyes. "Good enough for me." He mumbled and swiftly picked her up in his arms. Jason immediately panicked and was on his feet. "Eden get the door." Carlisle rushed out, quickly walking to the treatment area, setting Bella on a stretcher in a small exam room and quickly turned to face Jason and Eden who were right behind him. He set the wheels of the emergency room staff in motion and then addressed Jason.
"Jason please wait with Eden in my office, I'll be back there in a few minutes." As nursing staff bustled around he could hear Carlisle barking out orders, all professional, he had lost his sincere, soft voice in favor of one that commanded people to jump.
"I want to wait here Eden." Jason couldn't help the small-boy voice that he knew once again escaped his mouth. Charlie wasn't here this time to shoulder some of this. He reached down for Eden as she wrapped her arms around him, drawing him close to her. She snuggled into his chest and rubbed his back gently, his coat forgotten in Carlisle's office.
"We'll stay right here until my grandma comes, then we'll go sit with her, okay? It's going to be fine Jase, I promise." She stood on tiptoe and reached to kiss his lips lightly.
He returned the kiss and then bent to bury his head against her shoulder. He knew they looked silly, a big Native American man being supported by such a small, female, but he didn't care what it looked like to outside observers. He didn't know how else to convey to Eden that he needed her to be there for him desperately. Eventually he picked up his head, after discretely wiping his eyes on her sweater he smiled down at her.
"Better?" She asked him with her playful smile returning.
"Much, thanks. I really needed that." He said as he touched his hand to her wet shoulder. "Sorry if I ruined your sweater."
"No problem, everyone can use a good cry now and then. Did you want to call Chief Swan?" Eden asked.
"No, I don't want to worry him just yet." Jason peeked into the cubicle where Bella lay, pale and shivering as if she were naked out in the cold. He felt his temper flare. "She's cold. Give her a blanket. Who took her coat off?" He almost growled as a young nurse shrank back.
"I, I needed to start the I.V. in her arm. Sorry." The nurse hurried out of the room.
"Jason, please, let us work. You said the last thing she ate was this morning?" Carlisle was filling a syringe from a small vial.
"Yeah, she had a glass of juice and a plain bagel. Oh, and the ginger ale." Jason nodded toward the syringe Carlisle held. "What's that?"
"Compazine. It's going to help her fight off the nausea. I'm also giving her fluids. She's pretty exhausted. I'm going to include this in her I.V. so I won't have to poke her with another needle. We are going to draw some blood from her and I think the fewer needles we use, the better." Carlisle said with a smile.
The nurse returned with a blanket laying it gently over Bella's shaking body. She seemed to calm immediately while Eden explained that the blanket was probably from the heated cabinet. She pulled him reluctantly into Carlisle's office as she explained the different procedures that Carlisle would probably be doing. They waited in a comfortable silence on the couch for Esme's arrival.
"Bella, can you hear me? I'm going to give you something to stop the nausea. Then we'll be drawing some blood work alright? Just relax for now. Esme will be here soon." Carlisle injected the syringe into to small stopper on the I.V. tubing.
"Jason?" Bella managed to squeak.
"He's with Eden in my office. He's very worried about you Bella, we all are. We were going to just sit in my office and talk to you about it, but anyone can see that you need medical attention. So, if we have to talk at your bedside, so be it. Why have you let yourself get so dehydrated? You should have known better than to allow this to happen." Carlisle gently admonished her as he took a clipboard from a nurse and sat on a rolling stool at Bella's bedside.
"I felt fine this morning though. It comes and goes. I haven't really been eating much because everything is coming back up these days. I think I'm just exhausted Carlisle. I'll feel better after I get some sleep." Bella sat up a little straighter on the stretcher.
"According to Jason and Edward both, you do plenty of sleeping. Just lay down for now Bella. Right now, you're my patient and I need to get some answers from you, okay? Just let the medicine take the edge off the nausea and relax. We're going to draw some blood and send it off to the lab ." Carlisle took the needle and four tubes from the nurse and spoke to Bella through the whole blood draw, knowing she would freak out about the needle if he didn't calm her down. Carlisle handed the tubes carefully to the nurse and told her everything he wanted run, and clearly made them stat, so to make sure that they would be done soon.
"Okay Bella, I know when you were here last I gave you your tetanus shot, so at least that's up to date." He talked through her entire history and physical, correcting the dates and times to what he could remember from the past summer's accident. Bella was beginning to relax and even put her arm up behind her head to prop herself up more when Carlisle asked if he could examine her. She blushed furiously but gave her consent, it was only Carlisle, she rationalized.
"Okay, but no fat jokes." Bella tried to laugh, but could feel herself turn a bright shade of pink as Carlisle helped her into a hospital gown, the nurses all having abandoned the room.
"Fat jokes? Bella, do you consider yourself fat?" Carlisle's brow furrowed.
Maybe Bella's illness was all in her head. He briefly disconnected the I.V. tubing to help her get undressed and into a hospital gown. He had noted her cheeks were hallowed out a bit when she pulled her shirt over her head, careful to not disrupt the I.V. itself that remained embedded in her arm. As he helped her put the gown on, he could see her collarbone sticking out unattractively. He tied it in back for her and saw as she shrugged out of her pants that her belly was rounded. How could that be for someone so thin? It didn't make sense to Carlisle, unless…
Carlisle groaned silently. He hated to even ask. He reached for the clipboard he laid next to her and sighed.
"Bella, I'm sorry I have to ask you this." He said as he reconnected the tubing. "When was your last period?" He finished then reached for the clipboard to write down her response. He waited as Bella looked back at him, dumbstruck as if she hadn't heard him correctly.
"Oh, um. I guess I've been so stressed about work that I haven't really paid attention." She blinked. "Definitely this past summer. July? Maybe June? June would be my best guess. I should have paid more attention but it's always been irregular." She said apologetically, not comprehending where Carlisle's train of though was going.
"June?" Carlisle repeated her answer. "And this is November. Bella, is there any possibility that you might be pregnant?" He asked her softly, gently rubbing her back.
"No. What are you saying Carlisle? You know Jake's been gone for five years now." Bella seemed perturbed, even though Carlisle knew better.
"I know that Bella. But, are you sure there hasn't been anyone else since…" he didn't finish as Bella's hand flew to her mouth, finally making the connection. He had talked to Edward about the incident on Independence Day more than once. Edward had seemed upset by the fact that although they both agreed that it was too fast and they wanted to move slower, it apparently hadn't meant as much to Bella. She'd still left at the end of the summer, back to her own life that he was not a part of.
"Edward!" Bella whispered his name, as it saying it might bring him here. And here was not someplace she wanted him to be right now. At least, not until she had her spinning head under control. "Oh Carlisle, I'm so sorry. I just never thought, oh no." Bella started to shake her head and blink ferociously, as if denying it would make this whole incident disappear.
"Bella, calm down. It's not anything definite. We'll run some tests on the blood already in the lab." Carlisle picked up the phone in the small cube and asked for the Chemistry department of the lab. "Hi Dave, It's Carlisle. One of my nursing staff just brought up blood work on a patient, Isabella Black. Could you add an HCG level to it, stat? Oh and Dave, call back down to this extension when you're done. I'm going to wait. Thanks." Carlisle hung up the phone and turned to Bella.
"Just a precaution for now." He reassured her as he took her hand holding it gently. "Why are you crying Bella?" He asked her lovingly.
"Don't know. Just, you know, this past summer. The Independence Day party. You know, I mean, you do realize, it would have to be Edward's." Bella felt the unnecessary need to defend herself to Carlisle. "There's been no one else in the last five years and no one since that night with him. What is God thinking? I can't have a baby now. Jacob and I tried for years to have more children. How is this fair Carlisle?" Bella fell back against the back of the bed, her strength completely gone from her body. She rolled to her side curling up into a ball.
"Bella, nothing is definite yet. Let's see what the lab tests show before you get upset okay. Is it your age that has you worried? Thirty five is nothing for concern in regards to childbearing Bella. Women nowadays are having children in their forties. Jasper and Alice have chosen to wait until now to even try to have children. There is no right or wrong time. But I do want you to understand something here." Carlisle's voice became serious and lost the lighthearted tone. "If you are indeed pregnant, and it is from Independence Day, then it is far too advanced for you to have an abortion." Carlisle hated saying the word to her, especially considering it was in regards to his own grandchild.
"I'd never!" Bella gasped at the shock in her voice.
"I know sweetheart. I didn't think you would, but being in my position as a doctor I had to say it. If my diagnosis is correct then you need to be prepared for this." Carlisle straightened out her body and shoved the blanket aside. He began poking around her belly with his hands, causing her to flinch at times and giggle at others. He smiled down at her. "Try to relax Bella. I'll be back in a moment." He turned the bright overhead light dimmer before he stepped out of the cube. He went to the nurse's station and asked the nurse for a stethoscope for hearing fetal heart tones. He took it from her with a brief 'Thanks Susan' and made his way back to Bella's bedside.
He was just walking through the curtain when the phone on the wall rang. He picked it up quickly, listened to the person for a moment before saying a brief 'Thanks Dave' and hung it back on the wall. He kept his hand on the phone and stared at it to compose himself for a split second before turning back to Bella with a sly smile. "Congratulations?" He offered questioningly, not sure how she was going to take the news.
Bella wept openly now. She was so full of so many emotions. She couldn't comprehend them all. How could she not have realized it on her own? She felt completely stupid at not realizing the possibility before, but her hand immediately and protectively went to her stomach.
She thought back to the times that she cried over having to leave Edward back in Forks. It seemed like they had finally understood each other. Making each other a promise to listen first and react second. How could she do this to him now? It was oddly reminiscent of the day when she and Jacob had left Forks together. Somehow they had shorted him his due. They never gave him a chance to explain and for that Bella would bear the responsibility of the regret. But now, would he regret this? Bella thought and then gently moved her hand over her stomach to feel for the child she would share with Edward.
Edward's child. How would he feel about all this mess? Bella didn't see how anyone could regret a child, but didn't he say he would take her whether or not she could have children? The words from months ago, said when there seemed she had no chance of having another child, rang in her ears. He had said that as long as he had her, he didn't need anyone else. Bella closed her eyes.
How could she tell him? Worse, how could she tell him that not only was she leaving Forks again after Thanksgiving, she was leaving and taking his unborn child with her? Before, knowing that they were going to work on a relationship that at least included them living in the same town made the news of leaving bearable. But now, time was no longer on their side. What would happen after the baby was born? How would they work that out? She gently rubbed her belly in circles. She had done this so many times over the last couple of months, trying to calm the nausea and gurgling. Now she did it protectively, lovingly. Her tears were now for happiness.
For Bella, the answer was obvious. She would leave after Thanksgiving. One last time. She would give thanks on Thursday for everything she was being given for the second time. For the second true love she was being given. For the new child she and Edward would welcome together into their lives. Yes, she thought, satisfied with her decision even though it took her only moments to make it. Whether Edward agreed with her or not, and she had a feeling that after the initial shock wore off he would agree with her. She was coming home to Forks to live and raise their child among their family and friends. Now came the hard part, telling said family and close friends.
These chapters are already written but getting more and more difficult to send off to you Lo…any advice?