THAT'S MY WIFE
Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
This chapter has been beta'd by dowlingnana and her work is making the story flow more smoothly.
All things were moving as in slow motion, but, once two shots were fired and the bullets had left the gun Edward had tackled the woman with Charlie still trying to move Bella to safety, but, Mark had taken a huge leap to get between his future wife and the bullets.
Chaos brought out all around as women screamed and men were trying to stay out of the way, but, protect their families at the same time. The loudest scream was Bella's as she saw blood appearing on the front of her wedding dress.
CHAPTER 29: SO MANY QUESTIONS
The women retreated to the far sides of the chapel to get out of the way while some men rushed forwards to see what aid or help could render as some of the others were busy trying to bring order to the chaos that was running ramped within the chapel.
As the shots were fired Mark had taken a huge leap to try to put himself between Bella and the woman that was aiming the gun, Edward had tried getting to the woman while Charlie having observed the actions of the woman was trying to pull his daughter completely behind his back to protect her from the actions of the mad woman.
Some of the men were slowly restoring order while others were quickly trying to find out the condition of any that might have been wounded. No one knew who had called for help by placing the 911 call, but, the sirens could be heard arriving as the condition of everyone inside was being ascertained. Bella quickly realized that the blood covering her wedding dress was that of Charlie's and Mark's. Mark had taken the two bullets throw the back and one had exited from the front hitting Charlie in the chest only to have exited out his back and became lodged in the wall nearest to Bella just barely missing her.
She quickly helped to lower Charlie to the floor into a sitting position and then he motioned for her to check on Mark. Moving quickly over to her future husband Bella saw that he wasn't moving or breathing and that he had his eyes closed, but, definitely showing an expression of extreme pain upon his face. She saw him open his eyes and realized that she was next to him as he was trying to speak a couple of times, but, instead, she watched the light of life that was slowly draining out of his eyes and his breathing became ragged before ceasing altogether. Quickly feeling for a pulse she found that he didn't have one. By this time some of the men had made it over to offer help where or how they could. Charlie allowed them to check his wound which they discovered it was more of a shoulder wound, but, as they checked over Mark and Bella it was pronounced that he was gone and Bella had no injuries.
She didn't even acknowledge the tears pouring down her face as she took the time to look around at the scene of a disaster that now existed instead of the one showing the joy that should have been happening because of her wedding. That was when she saw that Alice was only a few feet away checking on a man that was lying on top of a pew that had been upended onto a woman and as Bella looked closer at the woman she recognized Maria as being the one that had fired the shots. And, that realization led to her feeling uncontrollable rage towards the person that had help to ruin her life not once, but, twice.
Bella knew from the man's position that he had been the one to take Maria down and prevented her from doing further harm to anyone else that had been gathered in the chapel. She hoped that he hadn't been hurt or shot by the crazy bitch as he had tackled her. She knew she should go over to check, but, she still had to make sure her dad was doing okay first.
Looking back over at Charlie from where she was still kneeling beside Mark's dead body, she saw that, although he was in pain, he seemed to be dealing with his injury pretty well with the help that had collected around him. He motioned with his chin in the direction she had just been looking and said, "You need to go check upon that couple that the Cullen's seem to be surrounding. And, if he's okay thank him for reacting so quickly. Let him know that his quick thinking probably saved the lives of many people and that we all appreciate his courageous action more than words can express."
Bella slowly rose to her feet and walked over to the nearest person to her and that was Alice. And it was as Alice turned towards the sound of the approaching footsteps that Bella caught the first glimpse of the man that had taken Maria down; it was Edward, her Edward.
Before she could comment or ask a single question everyone's attention was suddenly jerked towards the chapel doors as they were thrown open and the paramedics along with the police entered. They all quickly took charge to giving medical treatment to the ones that needed it as the police began asking questions of all of the assembled guests concerning what had taken place and how one person ended up dead.
As the police and the paramedics took charge of the situation and the injured Bella tried several times to get close enough to Alice to ask her about Edward and why he was at the wedding, but, each time, through no fault of anyone, there was an interruption of some sort that needed her attention. But, after what seemed like days, even though it was only a few hours, everyone was allowed to leave, the injured moved to the hospital while Mark's body was moved to the morgue after being declared dead by the coroner. Bella chose to go with her father while the Cullen's chose to go with Edward who was still unconscious.
At the hospital everyone ended up in the same waiting room while waiting for any information concerning the condition of the injured. Bella wanted to know how her dad was doing, but, at the same time was very concerned about Edward's condition as well. She still hadn't had a moment to ask all of the questions that needed to be asked concerning Edward's appearance at her wedding to Mark as the police had followed the main parties to the hospital to continue with questions that required more complete answers.
But, at the same time as she was curious about Edward being there she was feeling the heavy burden of guilt as she acknowledged to herself the fact that she wasn't giving Mark the love he had really deserved. She had tried to explain to him that Edward would always remain the one she was 'in love' with, but, that in her own way she did love Mark as well. Mark had told her that was enough for him since he was very much aware of her history. Bella had been honest with Mark when they had first started dating and he had told her that it didn't make any difference to them, how he felt about her or their future together.
And on the day he had proposed to her Bella had once again tried to explain the difference in the love she felt about Edward and all that had happened in her past and the love she felt for him, Mark, but, just as in the beginning Mark had told her it didn't matter. "All that does matter is if you love me enough to share a life and a future with me. If you can then I'm a happy and blessed man."
It was while Bella was involved in her trip down memory lane and reliving the memories of her and Mark's relationship that she never noticed the approach of Alice with Esme and Rosalie following closely behind. She was jarred back to the present by a touch from Alice and then the question, "How are you holding up?" Who was greatly concerned as to both the mental and emotional state of her best friend.
Bella blinked a couple of times as her mind returned to the current situation and was catching up to what had just been asked. It was then that she looked at all three women and then answered, "Right now I'm not sure. It's like everything was suddenly dumped into the Twilight Zone. So many questions are circling around in my head, but, I'm not sure which to ask first, or, how well I'll receive the answer once I ask my question."
"Bella, dear, I'm so sorry that your wedding day has turned out the way it did. I want you to know also that the whole family is here to help support you in any way we can with the loss of Mark and the injury of your dad.
"We all realize that the next few days are going to be very difficult for you and you need to know that you aren't alone in this; we're all here for you." Esme told Bella as she reached out to give her a hug and continued to whisper private comforting words into Bella's ear.
"Thanks, Esme, that knowledge is very welcoming right now while I'm trying to make sense out of all of this. Why was Maria even at the wedding? What was she hoping to accomplish? Why try to shoot anyone? And, why was Edward here?
"Although, I must say that I'm thankful to his quick thought and action. He is the hero of the day and probably saved many lives, but, still the fact remains that he wasn't expected or invited."
"I know, dear, we were all just as surprised by his appearance as you are. He didn't say anything to any of us about what his plans might have been other than he was going to take a trip. So, imagine our surprise when we spotted him just as he went into action against that dreadful woman."
"What are your immediate plans, Bella?" Alice asked before anyone else could say anything else.
"After I made sure my dad's okay and Edward as well then I'm going to start making what arrangements that are necessary for Mark's funeral. He doesn't have any family, so, I feel that I owe him that much.
"I did love him in my own way, even though, I wasn't in love with him. I would have been happy with our future, I think." Bella quietly told her friend, but, was unaware that Carlisle, Jasper and Emmett had joined their womenfolk. Then she continued, "I felt bad that I couldn't give him my whole heart, but, I did explain everything to him and he accepted it. He said he appreciated the honesty of what I told him." However, before she could continue or anyone else make a comment the doctors handling Charlie's and Edward's cases came into the waiting room to talk with the families.
Clearing their throats to get the attention of the families of their respective patient caused all heads to jerk in the direction of the door. It was then that they realized the doctors had entered to talk with them. Both called each family by name and then proceeded to inform them of their love one's condition.
"Mr. Swan is going to recovery nicely since it was only a shoulder wound and the bullet passed on through without hitting any bones or vital arteries. We're going to hold him for a couple of days just to insure no lingering effects and then he can be released to go home. Shortly a nurse will show you to his room once we get him settled."
Bella thanked the doctor for taking such good care of her father and for letting her know how well he was doing. The doctor left as Bella turned her attention to the doctor that was informing the Cullen's as to Edward's condition and that was when she heard, "that's his ex-wife" and noticed that the doctor was looking directly at her.
"Mrs. Cullen?" The doctor asked and then noticed the frown that appeared on Bella's face. "Mrs. Isabella Cullen?" He tried again only to have Bella answer, "I used to be, but, at the divorce I took back my maiden name of Swan."
"Okay, but, I understand you are the person that my patient is asking to speak to."
"What?" Was all Bella could think to reply.
"I said that my patient, Edward Cullen, is awake and asking to speak with you. Would you please come this way?" He responded before turning around to head back out the doorway while expecting Bella to follow him.
A/N: Bella knows that Charlie is going to be okay, but, has to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Poor Mark didn't make it from the church, but, did save Bella's life. Bella is going to honor the love she felt for Mark by making sure he has a decent burial. But, after being informed that Edward is awake and wanting to talk with her what is she going to do?
Give me your thoughts and I'll be glad to answer back.
