A/N: Thank you for all the well-wishes! Yes, I'm back at home after being in the hospital, and doing better. Nothing dire, and I'm not dying, lol!
Guess what? Two of my fics (not Wisp) are up for Fandom Choice Awards! Midnight Carnival in Favorite Short Story and As Children After Play for Best Friendship (I assume the nomination was for Bella/Rose friendship in that one). You can see all the nominations and vote at thefandomchoiceawards dot blogspot dot com. Also, I totally pushed to get Rainbow from Sideline Collision nominated as Best Original Character, and she's up there! So go vote for the kitty!
All standard disclaimers apply.
Wisp
Alice and Jasper pulled up at the little cabin at the same time Esme did, which eliminated the need for Edward to carry Wisp inside. He bit his tongue and tried not to argue—the world still spun when he exerted himself, and carrying a grown girl definitely counted regardless of how underweight she was. They both needed some time to rest and recuperate, not just Wisp, though at least now they were home and could do it together. Edward knew going to the hospital when he felt so bad wasn't the best idea, but he hadn't been able to help it. Wisp was his responsibility, not Esme's or Carlisle's. He needed to be with her.
She'd done remarkably well at the hospital, all told. Everyone agreed it was at least partially because she was so out of it, asleep or mostly-asleep for the bulk of her stay. The fact that the anti-nausea medication knocked her out was a blessing. Edward had no idea whether all similar meds would do the same, or if Carlisle had picked one with that property on purpose. Either way, he was grateful. His little Wisp needed to be in a facility where she could receive the best care, but he hated the thought of her panicking. Luckily, she hadn't seemed to realize that she was on a bed at all. She'd only balked at the wheelchair they tried to use to transport her to his car, and Carlisle had stepped in to carry her instead. She did not protest, but Edward noticed that she didn't snuggle against him either, like she always did with Edward.
Nor did she cuddle against Jasper as he carried her inside and set her on the air mattress next to Edward's bed. Wisp yawned, her eyes half-lidded and heavy. She was more awake than she'd been in the hospital, but still groggy and sick. Carlisle sent them home with a brown paper bag of medications—an anti-nausea liquid, a stronger painkiller than the children's Tylenol she usually chewed, and something to help her sleep. Edward doubted the last one, at least, would be needed. She slept well enough with the nausea medication alone.
"Glad to be home?" Jasper asked as he straightened.
"You have no idea." Even the walk up the one flight of stairs made Edward's heart pound and his breath catch, and he sat heavily on the side of his bed. Esme, mothering as always, had changed the bedding while he was at the hospital with Wisp, and both his bed and her air mattress were crisp, cool, and clean.
"What would I do without you?" he asked, cracking a small smile as Esme helped Wisp under the blankets and tucked her in.
"You never have to worry about that," she replied, "so hush now. Your job is to rest and get better—both of you."
Jasper felt Wisp's forehead and lymph nodes, then let her be. "I've been in touch with her social worker. He says he'll make another visit in a week or so, once you're both feeling a little better."
"He can come now," Edward said, "as long as he comes without that bitch doctor." He'd told Scott as much yesterday on the phone. "I didn't get us sick on purpose. Feel guilty as fuck, but I don't have anything to hide."
"I know you do."
Wisp smiled sleepily up at Esme as the latter finished tucking her in and smoothed the blankets down over her body. "Mother."
"What was that?" Jasper raised an eyebrow.
Edward could only smile as Esme kissed Wisp's forehead. This was the second time he'd heard his girl call Esme that, and the happiness in her voice warmed his heart. "Hi, baby," Esme said. "You rest now, okay? Sweet thing. You need it."
"Rose didn't tell you?" Alice stepped into the room holding a large box and a bunch of helium balloons. "She asked Esme to be her mother before she got sick. Poor thing! You look like a ghost, Wisp, honey."
It was true that Wisp didn't look so great. She was pale as death, eyes sunken, thinner even than she had been before. But she was on the mend and that's all Edward cared about.
"Wisp, I brought you a care package since you're sick," Alice said, setting the box next to Wisp's air mattress. Wisp stared at the purple and white balloons clustered around a big silver mylar balloon that said "Get Well Soon" in big block letters. "Do you like the balloons?" Alice grinned as she released the ribbons, letting the balloons bob into the corner of the room. "You can play with them when you're feeling better. Jasper says you're on bed rest for now." She shook her finger mock-seriously at the girl lying meekly in her little bed on the floor. "But don't worry—I have lots of stuff for you that will make you feel better."
She knelt by the box and pulled off the lid, then began pulling things out. "Oh! There's a back rest for you downstairs. I forgot—will you bring it up, Jazz?"
Edward watched in amusement as Alice piled things next to Wisp on the big air mattress. The poor girl had no idea what most of it was, he was sure of it. There was a get-well card for both him and Wisp that Rose, Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Carlisle, and Esme had all signed. A little portable DVD player and a handful of Disney movies. A couple of new books—she did know what those were, and her sleepy eyes lit with excitement when she saw them. Some bath salts that Alice swore were "rejuvenating." A plush little brown teddy bear wearing a t-shirt that said "Get Well Soon." A new pair of red flannel pajamas and several pairs of thick, fuzzy socks. Lotion ("body butter," Alice corrected him) that smelled like sugar cookies. Herbal teas and a mug that was all hers, with a scene from Alice in Wonderland on it. Some treats she could hopefully start to eat fairly soon—in the next couple of days—that wouldn't be too hard on her stomach. Animal crackers in an iconic little circus box. A bag of microwave popcorn. A bathtub caddy so she could bring a book or the DVD player into the tub with her.
"You're spoiling her rotten," Jasper observed, though there was nothing but amusement in his voice.
"Oh, hush." Alice flipped him off behind her back, where Wisp couldn't see. "She couldn't ever be spoiled. Could you, Wisp?" She patted the girl's knee. "Of course not. And after everything you've been through, you deserve a little pampering."
Edward couldn't agree more.
The backrest, as he had feared, was an ugly pillowy-thing with arms that Wisp could use to prop herself up in a sitting position. Useful, and he was sure she'd like it, but as he said before, ugly.
Not that it mattered much at the moment. Wisp was asleep again before Jasper had it in the room.
"You just rest now," Esme said as Alice packed away Wisp's care package back in the box. "Carlisle and I will come around to check on you both, so don't push yourself."
"Where's Rose?" Edward was more than a little surprised that she hadn't come to visit Wisp in the hospital and wasn't here now. As brusque as she was with the rest of the world, she genuinely seemed to care about his ward. "I kind of expected her to be here, bossing everyone around."
"Her doctor read her the riot act," Alice said, rolling her eyes. "Ordered her to keep away while everyone was sick, and lectured her about carrying around heavy stuff like she does here and at the shop. Emmett gloated, they got in a huge fight, and the doctor threatened to put her on bed rest if she didn't start listening better. I think she's mostly just sulking now, but I can't blame her. She's not used to anyone telling her what to do."
That was true enough. Emmett tried from time to time, but he knew better by now than to expect her to pay any attention.
"Just rest," Esme repeated. "Rose will be back when she can. I know she loves Wisp, but she has a baby to think of. As tough as she is, this has to be difficult for her."
Edward didn't doubt it for a second. Rose did not and would not ever deal well with anyone, even her doctor, telling her what to do.
Alice and Jasper said their goodbyes, promising to come back and visit within the next couple of days, as Wisp slowly came off the medication and started, hopefully, to feel better.
"But don't worry," Esme said with a little wink after the front door closed behind them, "Alice promised not to try to cook for you." Rose was a good, if unenthusiastic, cook. Alice was not. She had a heart of gold, but everyone agreed it was best she wasn't allowed in a kitchen.
"Thank you." Edward let his face curl into a tired smile. "For everything. You and Carlisle have been amazing."
"I told you before that you can't do this alone, nor should you have to." Esme returned his smile. "Rest now. I'll come back to check on you both later tonight. And please try not to pick her up unless you have to. Remember, you're still sick too."
"Check." Normally Edward balked at anyone who tried to tell him not to hold his girl, but Esme was right. Carrying around another person wasn't in either of their best interests right now. He didn't think he'd ever forgive himself if he dropped her.
Wisp was out like a light, her sleep heavy and deep, and as Esme left them alone Edward allowed himself to relax for what felt like the first time in days. He was gladder than he could express that she had accepted the air mattress; now they both could sleep in comfort and he didn't have to worry about jostling her or rolling her off of his body and onto the bed if he moved in his sleep. She was on the floor next to his bed—he could see her, hear her. If they both reached out their arms, he could touch her. Eventually she needed to be in her own room, but for now this was a perfectly good compromise. Not just for her, but for him, too. He was immensely comforted by the sight of her, the knowledge that she was okay.
"I'm sorry this happened, little Wisp," he said as he rolled himself into his clean bed. "I didn't get either of us sick on purpose. I can't be too sorry that we might have a real name for you, though." Isabella. He let the name echo in his mind as he gazed at her sleeping face, her body a little swell under her blankets. Did she look like an Isabella? It was hard to say. She was his Wisp, and had been for months now. She looked like herself—the girl he cared for, the girl who trusted him not to hurt her.
With a lilting meow, Pet peeked around the corner before stalking over to the air mattress. She climbed up, settling herself on Wisp's sleeping back and beginning to wash a paw.
"Did you miss your person?" he asked, watching with amusement. Wisp didn't budge. "What do you think—d'you think she looks like an Isabella?" It was an awfully big name for such a little girl. A regal name. Weren't there Spanish queens named Isabella or something like that? Wisp was an undeniably lovely young woman, but regal she was not. Once she heard what had happened, Alice would probably give her a new nickname. Isa? Izzy? He wrinkled his nose. Neither sounded like they fit her. Bell?
Bella.
A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Bella. Lilting—sweet and small, just like she was. "You'll always be my Wisp," he murmured, watching her dark eyelashes flicker as she slept. "But when you're ready to find out what else you can be, maybe Bella wouldn't be as frightening as Isabella."
No response.
"Yeah, I know. It's going to take some time."
Wisp woke in the evening, groggy but peaceful, and she smiled as she turned over and hugged Pet to her. "Pet," she said, nuzzling into the scruffy black fur.
"Hi." Edward put down the book he'd been reading and smiled at her. "I think you were too out of it to miss Pet, but she missed you." He suspected so, anyway. Pet had been a demon while Wisp was in the hospital, destroying things and yowling so loud, Edward was glad he didn't have any neighbors. Someone would have called animal control on him for sure. Now the ball of fur purred happily, burrowing into the warmth of Wisp's arms and blankets. He could only be happy that Alice's choice of pet seemed to be as attached to her human as Wisp was to her. He didn't know what would have happened if they'd got a dog or cat that didn't like her.
The afternoon had been peaceful; he'd read and even napped a little, much more relaxed now that he knew Wisp was home safe. She was still sick, but her temperature had dropped below dangerous levels and she had enough fluid and drugs in her system to keep her symptoms under control. He needed to watch for signs of dehydration returning, but for now she was good.
"Pet," she repeated happily, her eyelids blinking with the slow precision that Edward knew meant she was still fairly out of it. "Pretty Pet. Good Pet." The cat rubbed its hard little skull against her chin, and she responded with a slow giggle.
"I don't know if you ever had a pet before. Something you could give your heart to without fear. I'm glad she makes you happy."
Wisp raised dark eyes to him, and her smile gentled. This was the sweet smile that not even Rose got—the one that was just for him. "Pretty Edward."
He laughed. "I probably look just about as bad as you do right now. But I appreciate the sentiment." And the words. Edward hadn't forgotten the way she'd turned inward, giving up, almost, before he fell sick. How she'd refused to speak, shedding her clothing and doing nothing but sitting still, as if she were part of the furniture and nothing more. Whether she'd worked through whatever was bothering her or just plain didn't remember after being so sick, he didn't know. Nor did he completely care. She was talking, wearing her pajamas and lying peacefully in a bed—never mind that it was on the floor. He'd take it. No matter the cause, he'd take it.
"You really scared me, you know," he told her as Pet wiggled free and went to investigate the window. "Please, don't hide from me like that again. Whatever's bothering you, it's my job to help you now."
She bit her lip, chewing on the soft pink flesh. He knew she was groggy, so he didn't really expect more of a response from her than that.
Until she opened her mouth.
"Sor-ry, Edward."
He blinked.
Then blinked again.
Yes, that was his Wisp, a little line between her eyebrows as she concentrated through the haze of medication. Her long hair was messy from sleep and could use a wash, and she was still chewing on her lower lip. Her cheeks had a little color as she sat under the warm blankets Esme had piled on her air mattress, though the rest of her skin was sickly pale.
"Wisp?" He moved, sitting up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Sor-ry, Edward," she repeated. Her lower lip quivered slightly. "P-punish?"
"No, honey." He slid to the floor next to her mattress and turned her body gently so they were sitting face to face. "I'm not going to punish you. Never." His hands squeezed her bent knees gently. This was...odd. She'd used words before; that in itself wasn't the problem. But this conversation felt different. Like she was actively trying to understand him and respond appropriately.
"Pen...penance?" Her forehead wrinkled further as she struggled for words inside what he could only assume was the chaotic mess of her mind.
"No. There's no penance in this house, no punishment. Just help. We try to help each other. That's what friends and family do."
"Sorry."
Edward shook his head. "You don't have to be sorry, little Wisp. Just please don't shut the world out like that. It's not healthy, and you make me so scared."
"Scared?"
He nodded, somehow finding half a smile for her. "Very scared, sweetheart. Scared for you." Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead. She smelled like hot skin and clean laundry. "I know you're scared, too. I just hope you're not scared of me. I'll never hurt you. Do you know that?"
"Hurt." She put her hand to her stomach and grimaced. "Ow, Edward."
"Yeah." He sighed. "It's about time for your meds." Her eyes remained on his, but the fierce concentration was slowly leaking from them. She was too tired and too out of it to stay focused for long, and he felt bad for making her try. Still, he couldn't help asking her one last question. "Tell me something about you, please. Tell me something about Wisp." Or Isabella. He wasn't picky.
Wisp tipped her head to the side, studying him in silence just as he studied her. Her delicate brows didn't draw into a frown again, and there was no sign of frustration or unease in her body language. She sucked on her lower lip with a look on her face that Edward badly wanted to classify as consideration.
"Do you understand?" he asked, reaching forward to trace just the tips of two fingers along the sharply defined line of her jaw. "Can you understand the question, sweet girl?"
She bit a little harder on her lip just as the sound of the door opening downstairs met Edward's ears.
"Hello?" Esme called. "Anyone up?"
"Mother," Wisp said happily, and her face lit like a clear dawn. She looked toward the empty doorway, then met Edward's eyes again. "Mother, Edward." She smiled even wider and pointed as Esme appeared.
"Yeah." Edward didn't know if his heart hurt or felt glad as he watched his Wisp hold her arms out for Esme's hug. "She's my mother. Looks like you've decided she's yours, too."
Esme chuckled as she held Wisp's eager body close. "You're looking much better," she said, brushing tangled strands of dark hair away from her face. "How do you feel, sweetheart?"
"Mother," Wisp replied, nestling into the arms that curled softly around her. Her eyes closed for a moment, her face awash with contentment.
"I'm almost jealous," Edward said with a grin. "But you still like me best, right?"
"Hush, you." Esme waved a hand at him, but there was a smile on her face. "This little one has a big enough heart for everyone in her life. Poor baby's been starved for love in both directions, giving and receiving."
Well, not anymore. Wisp had a ready-made family now, and it looked like she was taking full advantage of the opportunity. Edward honestly couldn't be happier. It was the reason he'd got her the kitten, after all—so she could have something to love.
"Ready to go downstairs for a little while?" Esme asked as she lifted Wisp into her arms. Edward's aunt was not a large or particularly muscular woman, but Wisp was tiny and docile as a kitten. "I thought we'd try some juice and broth tonight, Edward, and see if her stomach can handle it."
He didn't know if it would, but regardless, she needed her meds. If the anti-nausea medication was allowed to wear off, she might not be able to keep down the next dose of it. Then they'd be back at square one.
Wisp was more than happy to snuggle into his lap on the couch, and Edward took a deep breath once Esme placed her in his arms. This was the first time in days that he'd really been able to hold her, and he found that he'd missed the sweetness of her touch more than he thought possible. It felt right, having her tucked securely in his grasp. When he held her, he knew she was safe. He could feel the gentle looseness of her body, free from the tension that meant she was stressed or afraid. He could see her warm, content eyes and the expression on her face. Right now, it was calm.
Esme brought mugs of chicken soup for both of them, along with bland Saltine crackers for Edward. Wisp only had a few swallows of plain broth in her mug, but even so she looked at it with something akin to trepidation after dutifully swallowing a syringe of liquid medication.
"I know," Edward said, holding her with one arm and her mug with the other. "I know. Your stomach hasn't reacted well to food recently. But you can't just stop eating forever."
Eventually he coaxed her to take a little sip. She swallowed carefully, her throat visibly working, and they didn't have to warn her to wait a while before taking another sip. To her obvious relief, she was able to drink the broth and a little bit of apple juice without any mishaps. Edward let out a relieved breath when it was clear that her stomach wasn't going to revolt over its small liquid meal.
"Good girl," Esme said as she took Wisp's dishes. "She'll be on a bland diet for the next few days—maybe a week or so, depending on how soon we can wean her off the meds."
"Bland diet?" Wisp tended to like bland foods, especially starches. He didn't think she'd mind.
"Mm-hm. Broth, applesauce, Saltines, bananas...things like that. As much water and juice as we can get her to drink. Jasper brought over some juice meant for his pediatric patients; it's fortified with electrolytes but not full of sugar like Gatorade."
Edward made a face. Yes, that was sick food, all right. Wisp yawned in his lap.
Esme chuckled. "You finish eating, Edward, and I'll give her a bath before she falls asleep."
"Would you like that?" Edward asked. He touched Wisp's cheek, and she tipped her head toward him with a sleepy smile. "Do you want to go with Esme for a bath?"
"Bath," she replied with another yawn, but she balked when Esme tried to lift her from Edward's grasp. "Edward." Her voice was small and pleading. "Edward."
"Hey. I'm not going anywhere. You know that." He nudged her nose with his, but she tightened her grasp on his sleeve and ducked her head against his shoulder.
And Edward really couldn't deal with that.
He'd been away from her for far too long, first when he was sick and then when she caught the virus. Watching her from his bed, then from the side of hers in the hospital, wasn't the same as the close, daily contact they were used to sharing. He wasn't going to suddenly demand that she continue to sleep in his bed if she didn't want to or anything like that, but he couldn't ignore her when she wanted to keep him close. He just couldn't.
"It's okay," he told Esme, and he was careful as he lifted Wisp in his arms. His head swam a little, but his feet were firmly planted and he didn't falter.
Esme shook her head. "You need to rest too, Edward."
"I won't carry her on the stairs, I promise. But I can't say no to that face; you know I can't."
"Yes," Esme said with a little smile. "I know."
"Come on, pretty girl." Edward nuzzled her shoulder. "You can have a bath, and then we'll introduce you to TV before you fall asleep."
A/N: So many of you have expressed opinions on BOTH sides of the issue regarding Rose carrying Wisp around, which I really didn't expect, lol! Yes, I know the jury's kind of out on the subject. Some doctors say it's not good for pregnant women to be doing things like that, others disagree. Plenty of people have personal anecdotes for both opinions. Rosalie is Rosalie, so she's going to be stubborn and dislike anyone telling her what to do.
Mwah! Loves you, duckies!