Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the amazing SMeyer, except for Tally
Chapter 41
BPOV
Carlisle spoke softly, "Edward, we need to do this soon if we are to prevent any more possible damage the drugs could cause while being in her system."
I could feel Edward pulling away. I turned my head slightly and found him moving to the side of the bed just above my head.
Carlisle joined him on the other side of my head. The tray of items set next to him on a table.
They both looked at me and asked, "Are you ready?"
I wanted to be brave, but everything inside my head was telling me to resist. I was struggling to keep the field from rising around me.
I shook my head, "No".
Edward looked at me intently and then through our thoughts asked me, "Do you trust me?"
I knew my answer should have been "no", considering all that has happened with Tanya, but somewhere deep inside I knew it wouldn't matter what he did, I would always trust him.
I nodded, "Yes".
He put his hand gently on my shoulder, and then asked, "Would it be easier for you if I did it?"
I was so confused. "Can you?"
He smiled and winked at me as he said, "I have two medical degrees, love. I can do it, if you want me to."
I looked up at Carlisle. He smiled down at me and nodded his approval.
I closed my eyes. I was still feeling anxious, but at least if Edward was working on me he wasn't with her.
I would go through any type of physical pain to prolong having to feel the emotional pain that I knew was coming. That was the pain I didn't feel I could survive.
I sent my thoughts to him, "Thank-you, Edward."
Edward informed Carlisle that he would be doing the procedure, but would like him to stay and assist. Carlisle agreed.
Edward gently tilted my head back, lifting my chin up. I kept my eyes closed, concentrating on keeping the field from appearing.
I decided I needed to know something. I was afraid if I waited until after, Edward might not be around to answer.
I opened my eyes and called to Edward in my mind.
He smiled down at me, "Relax, sweetheart. I promise to be gentle."
He was applying some type of ointment to the tools and tube.
"I just wanted to ask you something, before…I can't…"
"Silly Bella, we can still communicate during the procedure. Just talk to me like you are doing now."
He was holding a large instrument and began to apply a small amount of pressure to the bottom of my mouth to open it. I could feel the metal against my teeth, and I knew it was there to keep my mouth from closing while he was working.
I closed my eyes and tried to take a deep breath. My whole body shuddered. My muscles began to tense.
He leaned forward and blew. Once again, I relaxed almost immediately after my throat was filled with his scent.
It was strange how he could calm me like that, how my body responded to him.
"What did you want to ask me, love?"
I tried to remember. What was I going to ask him? Oh, yes.
"Edward, why did you kiss Tanya?"
He paused, then told me to try and hold still. He was putting something into my throat. It burned a little and I winced from the pain.
Carlisle put his hands on my head to help me stay steady.
"It's okay, Bella. Just hang in there. You're doing great."
Only Carlisle would say that you're doing great at something you have no control over. But, I didn't want to prove him wrong.
I tried to distract myself from what was happening by focusing on my question that Edward had still not answered.
"Edward, did you hear me?"
"Yes, love. I'm just not sure how to answer your question. When is it that you think I kissed her?"
I winced again, and my fists began to clench. This was not comfortable. I could see Carlisle handing things to Edward, and I could feel the tube in my throat vibrating.
"Edward?"
"It's working, love. Not much longer now."
I was struggling with trying to hold still.
It wasn't helping that I was beginning to feel frustrated with his avoidance of the issue. I had replayed the garage scene in my head for him once already, and it was enough for me to have to see it twice. I refused to let that memory replay again.
He bent down and blew into my face as he kissed my forehead.
"Please, remember, how much I love you. Now, just try to relax."
My brow furrowed. He still loved me? But…Tanya…I'm so confused.
He watched my expression. "Bella, do you want Carlisle to give you something to help you relax?"
"I'm okay, Edward. Just…are you about finished? My throat is really burning."
As if Carlisle could read my thoughts, he gave something to Edward. "Coat her throat around the tube with this. It should relieve some of the irritation."
Too bad it can't relieve the irritation I'm feeling towards Edward.
I watched as Edward applied whatever it was Carlisle had given him onto a large q-tip shaped stick and slide it down my throat. It tickled at first, but then I could feel a numbing sensation begin to spread.
I was grateful the burning was being soothed, but frustrated that Edward had still not answered my question. I resigned that he probably never would.
Chapter 42
BPOV
I heard the door open, and in walked Tally. I would recognize her scent anywhere.
Edward growled at her and told her to leave.
I thought, "That won't work, trust me. I've tried many times."
She ignored him and walked right up to me.
"See? I told you so."
He cocked his head and looked at me like I had hurt his feelings. Was I being too cross with him?
"I'm sorry, Edward. Please, just get the tube out of my throat. It hurts!"
He continued applying the medicine using the stick to coat my throat.
"Isabella, you need to see this."
Tally was pointing to a small video recorder.
I had no idea what she was talking about, nor did I feel like watching anything right now except Edward pulling the tube out of my throat.
I tried to hiss at her, but it came out sounding more like a sigh.
She raised an eyebrow at me and gave me the look I had seen so many times before when we were back in the castle of Volterra.
I knew I did not have a choice.
"Edward, please tell her I am listening."
He frowned, knowing that I really didn't want to, but told her to play it.
I listened, and I heard the same horrible make-out session that I had heard just behind that bedroom door not two days ago.
I could feel Edward's body stiffen.
If I could cry, my eyes would have been filled with tears right now.
I grimaced and tried to turn my head away from the sound.
Carlisle held my head firmly in place, as they hadn't finished working on me yet.
I heard Edward's thoughts in my head. "Bella, please, don't shut me out. Let me explain. That happened over forty years ago. I was under Tanya's power at the time. I wasn't in control of my actions."
I wanted to ask him if he was under her power when he kissed her by the garage, but I didn't have time.
He was removing the tube, and I was gagging. He removed the large instrument that was keeping my mouth open. Carlisle had let go of my head, and was walking back over to the counter.
Edward gently wiped my lips with a towel, and propped my head upward with a pillow.
My throat was still numb, but I was able to make a whisper come out.
"Please, Tally, turn it off."
"In a minute, Isabella, just wait. There's more you need to hear."
I knew it would take more energy than I had right now to argue with her, so I leaned back farther into the pillow and closed my eyes.
Why wasn't Edward stopping this? Maybe he decided this was a better way for me to find out he was back with her. Coward!
Oh, Edward…How much longer would he stay with me now that he didn't think my health was in danger?
My breathing began to increase, and I could tell the field was just moments away from shielding me completely.
I felt the straps being loosened and removed from my body.
But, I no longer had the energy or desire to run. I decided to let the field have its way. I just didn't want to feel any more pain!
"No, Bella. Please, stay with me!" Edward's voice was pleading with me.
I tried to push the edges of the field back, but they only separated a little creating a small opening just above my body.
I opened my eyes only briefly, when Edward's arms encircled me and then lifted me off the bed and into his lap.
I was concerned that the field hadn't completely dissipated yet. I looked at his face.
His forehead was creased, and he would wince every now and then at the shock I know his body was feeling from the field's current. But he wouldn't let go. I could see the determination in his eyes.
He was stroking my hair, and blowing his delicious scent into my face.
That amazing smell surrounded me and not only helped me to relax, but dulled some of the aching. I decided I wouldn't fight him, at least not right now.
I would stay with him, as long as he would have me.
My muscles relaxed, the field disappeared, and I snuggled closer into his chest.
That is when, I heard the voices.
I opened my eyes and looked over at Tally and the recorder.
"It is time, Isabella, for you to see the rest of the story."