Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…
Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!
Chapter 29: Edward Saves the Day
Bella Swan
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of activity, but I was glad it was all over. I had pressed charges against Mike. And the court had granted me full custody of Matt and Mike would only get supervised visits a few times a year and only in Chicago. Mike has also been ordered to attend anger management classes. I had wanted him completely out of our lives, but I had to settle for what I got. As much as it bothered me, Mike was still Matt's father.
The whole ordeal made me realize that I needed to get away from all that was Mike. And, Chicago was the perfect place to start over. Once school ended for Matt, Edward and I would use the entire summer to move across the country. I was excited yet nervous.
I finished putting away my files for the weekend when I heard my phone ring. "Hi, Alice," I answered, balancing my cell phone on my shoulder as I picked up my desk.
"Hey, Bella. I tried to get in touch with Edward, but he's not picking up his phone. Can you please tell him his tuxedo is ready to be picked up. I have been nagging him to pick it up for five days now. The party is Saturday and he still hasn't picked it up. They close at five today."
"He won't be able to make it today, Alice. He'll be in a meeting to at least six or seven." Edward knew he had to pick up his tuxedo for Carlisle and Esme's vow renewal. It was one of the most highly anticipated parties of the year. Carlisle and Esme would be celebrating thirty five years of marriage.
"Can you pick it up for him?" Alice inquired in a very frustrated tone. "I'm heading over there to get Jasper's tux, but I won't have time to bring you Edward's. I have to make sure all the decorations are being done correctly."
"Not a problem, Alice. I can be there in an hour or so." I had just enough time to make it to the other side of town and be back to pick up Matt from school.
"See you then," she replied before hanging up.
I picked up my purse, making sure I had everything I would need before crossing the hall into Edward's office. "Why haven't you picked up your tux?" I asked the minute I stepped through his door.
"I was going to pick it up today after my meeting," he answered as he looked up from his laptop. "I've just been swamped with work. I want the Chicago office to be up and running by September first."
"I know," I sighed as I closed the door behind me and walked behind his desk, putting my cell phone and purse down before massaging his shoulders. Edward had been working hard the past few weeks. I had no idea how he handled all the stress. "I'll go pick up the tux."
"You're too good to me," he moaned, leaning back and closing his eyes.
"Look at the bright side. You won't have to work this weekend," I reminded him before bending down and placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
"Thank God for that," he replied, giving me a smile.
"Well, I better get going if I plan to make it to the tuxedo place and be back to pick up Matt from school." I grabbed my purse before heading out the door. "Good luck with the meeting."
"I'll need it." I rolled my eyes at his response. Edward was stressing over nothing, he had been preparing for this meeting for weeks. He was completely prepared.
"You'll be fine," I assured him with an encouraging smile. "I love you!"
I groaned in frustration as I got onto the highway and was forced to hit the brakes. The entire road was at a standstill. Not a single car was moving. How was I supposed to get to the tuxedo place in time and still have enough time to pick up Matt?
I dug through my purse looking for my cell phone. I would have to have Alice pick it up and I would go pick it up whenever she got home. But, as I searched I couldn't help but curse out loud. I had left my phone on Edward's desk.
Edward Cullen
I turned off my laptop a few minutes after Bella left before grabbing the printouts and files I was going to need for my meeting. I had worked extremely hard over the past three months and I hoped that by the end of the today I would have signed the first contract to be run exclusively from the Chicago office. I needed everything to go picture perfect today.
"Mr. Cullen," my secretary said with a small knock on the door. "Your clients are waiting in the conference room for you."
"Thank you. I'll be right there." I gave her a nervous smile before she nodded and left the room. I stood up and noticed that Bella had left her phone on my desk. I quickly pocketed it before heading out of my office. I didn't want to make them wait any more than absolutely necessary.
The meeting was going wonderfully and I was absolutely certain that we would land the account by the end of the day. "Do you have any questions before I continue?" I asked as one of the phones in my pocket began to ring. I couldn't believe that I had forgotten to turn off Bella's ringer.
"Excuse me, gentleman," I said apologetically, taking out her phone and noticing it was Matt's school that was calling. Was something wrong with Matt? "I need to take this. I'll be right back."
I stepped outside the conference room before answering. "Hello," I said, hoping that my clients weren't offended by the call.
"Hello, may I speak to Ms. Isabella Swan," the girl answered.
"She's not available at the moment. May I take a message for her?" I kept a close eye on the conference room door.
"I'm Marlene, the school nurse. I really need to get in touch with her. Is there any number I can reach her at?" She asked, making my blood run cold. Why was the school nurse calling? What had happened to Matt?
"She's out of reach. Is Matt alright? Did something happen to him?" She had to tell me something. What had happened to Matt?
"Are you his father?" She inquired and I knew I had to pretend that I was.
"Yes, I am. Is my son alright?" I repeated, my frustration growing with each passing second.
"Your son has been in an accident. I believe that he has broken his left arm and he is in pain. He needs to see a doctor as soon as possible." I knew I had to get to the school fast. I couldn't allow Matt to be in pain.
"What happened?" I asked, walking towards Carlisle's office. I had to leave and somebody had to take over my meeting. Matt needed me.
"He fell off the playground equipment while playing with some of his friends. His arm is in very bad shape."
"I'll be there in less than thirty minutes," I answered before hanging up and walking straight into my father's office.
"Carlisle, I need you take over the Smith meeting," I said causing his eyes to grow wide.
"Are things not going according to plan? Have they requested my presence?" He questioned as he stood up.
"Matt has been in accident at school and Bella is on her way to pick up the tuxedos for Saturday. She left her phone and I have no way to let her know. I need to get to Matt," I replied as I tried to figure out how I was going to be able to get him out of school. Would they notice that I'm not really his father? Was Mike even allowed to take him out of school now?
"Go ahead and go," he stated as he stood up. "Let me know how he is."
I couldn't think of all the obstacles I was bound to face. The important thing was to get to Matt as fast as I physically could. I needed to make sure he was alright and if his arm was really broken then I needed to get him medical attention.
I zoomed through traffic faster than I normally would. I was astonished that I hadn't met one police officer on my journey and arrived at the school in twenty minutes instead of the usual thirty. I practically ran into the school, finding the office and the nurse's room.
"I'm looking for my son," I said to the front desk secretary, trying to stay calm. "I got a call from the nurse."
"Child's name?" she inquired.
"Matthew Newton." I used all my strength to keep a straight face when I said the bastard's last name.
"Through those doors, Mr. Newton." she pointed to the doors at the end of the hall.
I was relieved that I wasn't asked for identification and went straight through the doors. I froze in place as my eyes landed on Matt. He seemed so small sitting on a blue couch, cradling his left arm with ice and crying. His knees and elbows were covered in ugly red scrapes and it was easy to tell that he was in a lot of pain.
"Matt," I said gently as I reached his side. I didn't want to scare him and cause him to move his arm unnecessarily.
"It hurts," he said as tear drops ran down his cheeks.
"I got you, buddy," I assured him as the school nurse approached us.
"I'm about ninety-nine percent sure it's broken. I recommend taking him to the ER as soon as possible. I have made sure he has iced it and that should keep the swelling down until he sees a doctor," she explained, giving me a sad smile.
"Thank you for your help, Marlene," I replied politely while trying to figure out the best way to carry him.
"This might hurt, Matt. I'm really sorry," I said when I figured there was no way not to cause some pain when I picked him up.
I picked him up gently, cringing as his cries got a bit louder. "I got you," I said soothingly, kissing his forehead before nodding at the nurse and carrying him out.
"Where's mommy?" He held onto my neck with his good arm and kept the other close to his body. I could clearly see that the bone was slightly sticking out. They would probably have to pop it back into place.
"Mommy had to run some errands and she left her phone at work. I will call Alice and Bella should be with her soon." I really wished Bella were here. I had no idea how to deal with this.
"I want mommy," he said as I placed him in the backseat of the car, making sure he was buckled up.
"She'll come soon. I promise." I dialed Alice's number and made my way to the driver's side.
"I thought you were in a meeting," Alice said the minute she picked up the phone. I could tell by the tone of her voice that I wasn't her most favorite person at the moment.
"Alice, has Bella arrived at the shop?" I inquired, ignoring her attitude. I didn't have time to deal with that at the moment.
"She's just walking in through the door. Why don't you call her? I'm very busy planning all of this."
"Alice, Matt is hurt and Bella left her phone at work. Please put Bella on, now!" I stated causing Alice to hand the phone to Bella.
"Hello," she answered as I drove out of the school, keeping one eye on Matt through the rear view mirror. He was still crying, but he seemed a little less scared than before.
"Bella, there's no need to worry, but Matt had an accident at school," I said causing Bella to gasp.
"Edward, what happened? Is my baby okay? Where is he?" She began asking in a crazed tone.
"He fell in the playground and I think his arm is broken. I'm on my way to the hospital now."
"Which hospital?" she inquired.
"Children's Hospital, I should be there in ten minutes," I replied. "Meet us there."
"I will, but how are you going to get him medical attention? I have his insurance card." She inquired as I heard her getting back in her car.
"Don't worry about it. I'll let them know you're on your way." Medical insurance was the least of my worries at the moment.
"Put Matt on, please?" Bella said as I stopped at a red light.
"Matt, your mom wants to talk to you. Can you get the phone?" I asked, turning around to hand him the phone.
"It hurts," he moaned, another tear slipping down his cheek.
"It's alright, Matt. Don't extend your arm." I pressed the speaker button on the phone. "Bella you're on speaker."
"Matt, baby, are you okay?" She asked causing Matt to start crying again.
"Mommy, it hurts," he said in between sobs. What was I going to do now? How could I calm him down?
"Honey, don't cry. Everything is going to be fine. Edward is there with you," she said reassuringly even though I could hear her voice cracking slightly through the phone. I had to be strong for both of them.
"I want you. Are you coming?" He asked in a weak voice that twisted my heart.
"I'm on my way, baby. Be strong for mommy," she encouraged. "I love you!"
"I love you, too," he whimpered before I clicked the phone off.
"You'll feel better soon, champ." I tried to stay calm even though Matt was now sobbing loudly. Hearing Bella's voice had not soothed him, but had made him realize that she wasn't there.
"I want mommy," he repeated causing me to sigh deeply. I couldn't bring Bella here any faster and I had no idea what to do.
"I'm not leaving your side, Matt," I replied as I pulled into the hospital, finding a parking spot near the emergency room door.
"I don't like doctors," Matt mumbled as I opened the backseat and bended down to carry him out.
"I know, I know. But, the doctors are going to make you feel better," I stated after I had picked him up and had closed the door.
Matt settled against me resting his head against my chest as I entered the hospital. I approached the front desk and was extremely relieved that the waiting room was pretty much empty. "How may I help you today?" The woman behind the counter asked.
"I think my son's arm is broken," I explained, moving the melting ice bag that Matt still held against his left arm.
"What's the child's name?" She inquired as she took out the hospital forms.
"Matthew Newton," I replied taking the forms.
"Insurance? Do you have his card?" She continued causing me to sigh.
"His mom has all of that information. She's on her way," I answered before giving her the name of the insurance. I was extremely relieved that Bella and I had the same health insurance because of work. "He's really is in a lot of pain. Can the doctor see him and I'll fill out the forms while he's getting checked out."
"Come on in and into the third room on your right." the nurse buzzed the door open and I breathed a sigh of relief. I could hold off on the forms until Bella arrived. "The doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes."
"Thank you." I gave her a smile before entering the room and settling Matt on the exam table.
"Is mommy here yet?" Matt asked as he looked around the room causing his bottom lip to tremble.
"She'll be here soon," I said as I stood beside him.
The nurse came in a few minutes later and took all of Matt's vital before jotting them down in a file. She looked over Matt's arm, making sure not to move it before letting us know that the doctor was on his way.
"Hello, there, Matthew," a young Native American doctor said as he walked in. "I'm Dr. Black, what seems to be the issue?"
"He fell of the playground equipment. And, I think his arm is broken," I explained as the doctor approached us.
"Can I see your arm, Matt?" He inquired before Matt uncovered his arm and grabbed my hand.
"It hurts," he protested loudly as the doctor began to exam it.
"I definitely think it's broken. We will have to do an x-ray to be completely certain of the amount of damage," he explained before picking up the phone in the room to call the radiologist.
"What's an x-ray?" Matt asked me with wide scared eyes.
"They're going to take a few pictures of the inside of your arm," I answered as the doctor smiled at us.
"Will it hurt?" He inquired in a scared tone.
"I promise that x-rays don't hurt," I assured him just as the x-ray technician wheeled in a portable x-ray machine.
I stood aside as the x-ray technician worked on Matt, cringing every time they moved his arm. I knew they had to have the x-rays from different angles, but I didn't want them to hurt him. I wanted to take away his pain.
The x-rays took a few minutes to develop and the doctor came in not long after they were ready to look them over. "How is it?" I ran my hand up and down Matt's back assuringly. I had no idea what was taking Bella so long.
"Well, the arm is definitely broken," he stated as he pointed to the break on the x-ray.
"What will happen now?" I inquired just as the door opened and Bella ran inside looking completely frantic.
"My baby," she cried when she saw Matt, rushing to his side.
"Mommy," he called as he let my hand go to hug his mom. I had never been happier to see Bella than I was at that time.
"Matt, sweetie, are you alright?" She questioned before kissing his forehead."What's wrong with him?"
"As I was telling your husband…" I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he called me Bella's husband. I hoped that one day soon that would be true. "His left arm is definitely broken as you can see on the x-ray. The break is not too bad, but it should take from six to nine weeks to heal completely."
"Will he need a cast?" Bella inquired while still holding Matt against her.
"He would wear the cast for that time and get it change every week. I will go set everything up so we can start. And, I will send the nurse in so she can explain what he can and can't do for the next couple of weeks," he stated, giving us a warm smile before turning to Matt. "What's your favorite color, Matt?"
"Green," he said in a barely audible voice.
"Wait to you see you're green cast then. It's going to be very cool," he said to Matt before leaving the exam room.
Bella Swan
"Thank you, Edward," I said the minute the doctor had left the room. I couldn't express in words how happy I was to have him in my life. He had proven today without a doubt that he loved Matt as if he were his own son.
"For?" He questioned as he patted Matt on the back before leaning in and kissing my temple. "You have nothing to thank me for, love."
"Thank you for dropping everything and rushing to the school," I clarified before her my eyes grew wide in realization. Edward had left his very important meeting without a second thought. Had he lost the contract because of this? "You left your meeting!"
"That's not important." I knew just how important his meeting really was. "Carlisle took over for me. Matt was my number one priority."
"I love you, Edward," I said, leaning over and kissing his lips lightly. Edward had definitely changed for the better over the past few months.
"I love you, too," he replied giving me a warm smile as the nurse came in to give us all the information about caring for Matt during the next couple of weeks.
I was extremely relieved that Matt was going to be alright.
A/N: Edward stepping up to the plate. What do you think? Isn't Edward holding an injured Matt just too adorable for words?
There's one more chapter left and the epilogue. The story will be complete by next Sunday.
The reaction to Mike was extremely overwhelming. Mike is completely yours to do as you wish. I know the girls over the Twilighted thread have quite the painful plan for him. He's all yours.
Remember to head over to the threads for previews and discussions. I can also be found on Twitter under Muggleinlove.
Next Chapter: Carlisle and Esme's vow renewal
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