I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!
CHAPTER 52
(Edward)
"I'm really scared," Andrew said as Bella and I tucked him into bed the night before surgery.
"Son, it's normal for you to be scared, but you will be fine," I said hugging him.
Bella kissed his head. "Good night buddy, sleep good, you have a big day tomorrow," Andrew hugged us both and laid down.
I climbed into bed next to Bella. "I'm scared to," She whispered.
"I am to," I admitted, "but I believe we are doing the right thing."
"I know," She sighed curling up against me. "I'm just worried about him and I can't be in that room with him."
"Bella, dad said he has one of the best doctors working on him, things are going to be just fine," I said holding her in my arms.
"Dad, dad wake up," I could feel someone shaking my shoulder.
"What?" I asked groggily trying to open my eyes.
"I'm to scared to sleep," Andrew whispered. "Can I sleep with you?"
"Come here," I said pulling him between us.
"What's going on?" Bella asked yawning.
"It's just Andrew, go back to sleep." I whispered wrapping my arms around both of them.
I laid there unable to sleep staring at my wife and son. He looked so much like her, even though everyone said he looked like me, I saw a lot of Bella in him.
I wasn't ready to be a dad at 17, but I pushed my feelings aside for Bella. I knew she needed me to be strong, she was doubting herself when it came to her being a mom. I knew if she found out that I wasn't really ready for a baby, she would have lost it all together. I never imagined all those years ago I would be this happy.
I glanced over at Bella as we drove to the hospital, she was staring out the window biting her lip. I lowered the rear view mirror and glanced back at Andrew, he was staring out the window, chewing on his lip. I reached over and took Bella's had, a tear slid down her cheek.
Once we were parked in the outpatient section on the hospital, I helped Bella out, then opened Andrew's door. "Um, I think I'm ready to go home. Tonsillitis isn't really that bad."
I looked down at my son, tears swimming in his eyes. "Oh Andrew, if I could go through this for you, I would I said hugging him.
Inside the waiting room was our entire family. "Buzz!" Andrew exclaimed running to Billy.
"Hey Lil Buzz. Your papa called saying you were really scared, so we thought we would come cheer you up."
"Thank you Billy," Bella said trying to stay calm.
"Your welcome. Now, Andrew, why don't you come with me into the waiting room so you can see everyone," Billy said.
"Ok," Andrew said softly.
Bella's hands were trembling as we filled out the paper work, I could see the tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.
"Bella," I said turning her towards me. "You have got to hold it together. Andrew is terrified and watching us to see our reaction. We both have got to be strong for him! After he they take him back, then you have full permission to break down, but not until after he goes back."
She looked down at the floor. "Aren't you the least bit scared?"
"Bella, yes, you aren't the only one who's scared. I'm just covering it better."
"Why do I always feel so fucking alone in my emotions?"
"Excuse me?" I gasped.
"I don't know, I guess you just hide your feelings better than I do."
"Bella! Stop it please, I don't want to have this argument right here in the hospital, but I will if we have to. I'm putting on a strong front and trying to be brave to help you and Andrew. Inside, I want to sit down and cry and panic, but I can't!" I said a little louder than I had meant to.
Bella took several deep breaths, she was trying to not to tear into me, I knew that. I breathed a sigh of relief when she turned and walked into the waiting room.
Andrew had moved to dad's lap, I could tell he was trying to be brave, he hated crying in front of people. His eyes were red and his bottom lip was quivering.
"Andrew," Bella said taking his hands. "I know you are scared, but you are very strong and you are going to be fine." Andrew hugged her tightly.
For the amount of family members we had in there for the simple surgery, it was quiet. The kids were coloring and the adults were carrying on their own small conversations. Jake had his hands on Bella's stomach. From the look on his face, Hannah was kicking his hands. I smiled, never in a million years would I have ever thought of him as a brother. Truth was, I really liked him.
"Andrew Cullen," The nurse called.
Everyone hugged him. "I'll be there when you wake up," Dad said hugging him tightly. He nodded, but didn't respond.
Bella and I followed him and the nurse back. We were allowed to stay with him until they called him back for the surgery. He gripped my hand as they started an IV and then gave him something to relax him a little.
"Why are there cats on the ceiling?" Andrew asked.
"Son, those are the lights," I said.
"Well shouldn't the cats, get the hamsters on the floor?" He asked.
Bella stared at him scared that something was wrong with him. "He's ok," I whispered.
"Yah mom, wanna go climb on the convertible over there?" He asked pointing to a wheelchair where a blanket was.
"Are you sure?" She asked me.
"Yes," I said softly. "It's what they give them to calm them down."
"Why can't they give me something?" She asked softly.
I laughed. "Could you imagine what that baby would be like if you took that stuff?"
"I guess it wouldn't be a good idea," She sighed.
"Mom, did you know you were going to have a monkey?" He asked.
Bella's hand went to her stomach. "Sure thing kiddo, what ever you say."
The door opened and two nurses came in. "Alright Andrew, are you ready?"
"Yep lets race to see who gets there first!" He exclaimed.
I shook my head, putting my arm around my wife. She wasn't the least bit amused by what the medicine had done to him. Bella and I hugged him telling him that we loved him and watched as they wheeled him away.
Tears began streaming down Bella's cheeks. "What if something happens to him?" She cried.
I wrapped my arms around her, allowing her to cry. This was the time she could let her emotions out and I wasn't going to stop her. "Baby, we are doing the right thing for him. He's been so sick," I said.
"I just can't help worrying about him," She whispered.
"I know, but he is in good hands," I assured her.
Bella and I stood there holding each other. "Baby, I'm scared to," I murmured.
Bella looked up at me and smiled. "I know," She sighed.
(Bella)
It was nice that Edward admitted that he was scared. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in this. Edward wrapped me in his arms and we walked into the waiting room. I had been so nervous before that I hadn't noticed that everyone was there. "Wow," I muttered.
"Yah, looks like everyone loves Andrew," Edward said.
"Just a bit," I replied.
Mom came over and hugged me. "Now onto the fun part of waiting."
Edward released me. "I'll go talk to everyone," He said kissing my forehead.
I turned back to mom. "I just want to run back there and hold him."
"Oh sweetheart, I know," She said softly.
I looked at her. "What do you mean?"
Mom pulled me over to a row of chairs and we sat down. "I know what it's like to be a mom, who's worried about her child," She took a deep breath. "I think the time I was the most scared, was right after you had been raped. I stood in the waiting room not knowing what to expect when you woke up. You had just gotten comfortable with us and then that happened. I waited for the nurses and doctors to come and talk to me, praying that no news was good news. Finally they came out and told me how bad it really was and that they had to sedate you."
I choked back a sob, hearing her side of the story. I had heard it from other people, but mom hadn't ever said much. "I couldn't imagine someone laying a hand on Hannah."
"I just kept saying over and over again, if only I had been home. If only, if only, if only. Then they let us in to see you. Carlisle and I went first for obvious reasons, I wanted nothing more, that to pick you up and hold you."
"I do remember waking up, in so much pain, then I saw Victoria and knew for sure you were going to get rid of me."
"Never Bella, it never crossed our minds, even when we found out you were pregnant with Andrew, you were ours always and forever."
"What if something happens to him mom?" I cried.
"Bella, with any surgery there is a risk, but it's rare. If it was a major surgery, your dad would have told you," Mom said hugging me.
The time went slowly. I could hear each tick of the clock and was pretty sure I was about to go insane.
"Bella, can I feel the baby?" Alivia asked.
"Sure honey," I said.
Alivia placed her hand on my stomach. "I can't wait to play with her."
"I'll let you babysit with mom's help," I said.
"Awesome," She said smiling brightly.
Before long, everyone was touching my stomach. The walls in that tiny waiting room started to close and I thought I was going to scream. "I need to use the bathroom," I said getting up.
"Are you ok?" Edward asked helping me up.
"Yah," I said and went into the bathroom.
I walked into the bathroom and stood there for a minute shaking, I wanted it all to be over. Once I was finished using the restroom, I washed my hands and splashed water on my face.
The door flew open and Alice came running in, nearly knocking me over to get to the stall. "Ali, you ok?" I asked.
"I never knew being 13 weeks pregnant would make me pee every five minutes," She said from the other side of the door.
"I know with one it does, I couldn't imagine with twins."
I heard the toilet flush and she came out of the stall. "Its bad, I do this all night long."
I laughed. "It will get easier, and then they will come and it will begin more sleepless nights."
"Gee thanks Bella" Alice said rolling her eyes. "Hey Bella, I have a question for you."
"What's that?" I asked.
She pulled up her shirt, revealing a very tiny baby bump. "I'm barely showing and I'm already 13 weeks."
"You are fine Ali, the babies are still small," I said putting my hand on her stomach.
Alice threw her arms around me. "I've missed you," She said tearfully.
I pulled back shaking my head. "I'm always around," I replied.
"The two of us should get together," She said wiping her eyes.
"Hormones making you cry a lot?" I asked.
"Oh my God, the other day, Rachel fell off her bike and scrapped her knee. I cried harder than she did."
I laughed. "Yep, you're normal."
"And Jasper left his dirty clothes on the bathroom floor, I got so mad I threw all of his stuff out of the window," She cried.
"Oh my God Ali!" I gasped laughing.
"Rachel came in and thought it was funny and started helping me."
"I don't know what's worse, what you did or that Rahel helped you," I laughed.
More tears streamed down her face. "He came home before I could clean up the mess and did it for me, he thought it was funny to." She sobbed.
"Ali, it will get better," I said hugging her.
(Carlisle)
We were all sitting around talking. Bella was sitting next to Jake and Nessie, holding Tessa on her lap. Every once in awhile, she would look at the clock and bite her nail. As a doctor, I knew the risks to this surgery were low and that he would be fine, but as a dad and papa, I was nervous to. As a dad, I kept it together so Esme could fall apart, much like Edward had done for Bella. I thought as the kids got older, the fears would become less and less. I was wrong. It got worse. I was the one wanting to call my girls when they were pregnant just to make sure they were feeling ok and their husbands were taking care of them. When the grandchildren came along, I caught myself calling to check on them all the time. Esme had turned into the calm one.
I looked over at Alivia who was playing with Rachel, I was terrified all through Esme's pregnancy with her. I knew we weren't young anymore, but I knew Esme was in perfect health, deep down I knew they would be fine, but it still scared me.
Esme reached over and took my hand. "Are you about to cry?" She asked.
"No, I was just thinking about how scared I was when you were pregnant."
Esme laughed softly. "I was to, but I was so excited."
Dr. White walked into the waiting room and we all stood up and walked towards him. Edward and Bella walked up to where Esme and I were. "How is Andrew?" Bella asked clearly nervous. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"Andrew did just fine coming through surgery. We removed his tonsils and he is now in the recovery room."
"Thank you Dr. White," Edward said shaking his hand.
Once Dr. White was finished talking, I followed him down toward the recovery room. "You've got a great family," He said.
"Thank you, my wife and I have been blessed over the years," I replied.
I slipped on the gown as we got right outside of the recovery room. "How many grandchildren do you have?"
"We have 4 right now and 3 on the way," I said. "Although my wife has a feeling more will be joining us in the coming year or so."
"That is amazing," He said shaking his head.
I sat there on a stool next to Andrew's bed as a nurse checked his vitals. It wasn't long before his eyes began to flutter open. I stood up and gently caressed his face. "Papa," He rasped.
"I'm right here, don't try to talk right now, just rest," I said. He nodded and closed his eyes. I leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I love you buddy." He gave me a weak smile and fell back asleep.
I stayed with Andrew for the two hours in the recovery room and then walked with them as they lead him down to a post-op room. I sat on the bed next to Andrew, while the nurse went to get Edward and Bella.
"I don't feel good," He whispered.
"Would you like some ice?" I asked him. He nodded. "Ok, stay here, I'll be right back."
I hurried out of his room and went down to get him some ice and ran back. Andrew was lying back against the bed, his eyes closed. "Here buddy. This will help you," I said giving him a small spoonful of ice.
"Thank you," He whispered.
Bella and Edward came into the room. I quickly got up, allowing her to sit where I was. "Hey buddy," Bella said kissing his forehead. He gave her a weak smile and a wave.
"I've given him some ice to help the swelling and to keep his mouth from being so dry," I explained. "And he's not feeling to well."
"Why?" Bella asked beginning to panic.
"Bella, he's just had his tonsils removed and he's coming out from under the anesthetic, it's very normal. The more fluids we keep in him the better off he will be."
"I don't feel well," He whispered. "I think I'm going to be sick."
I grabbed the basin for him as he began vomiting. Tears slipped down his cheeks. "It's ok Andrew," Edward said rubbing his legs. "I know it hurts."
(Bella)
It tore me apart to see my son in so much pain. A nurse came in and checked his vitals right after he got sick. "Andrew, would you like a popsicle?" She asked him. Andrew nodded.
Andrew managed to keep 3 popsicles down and some water. The nurse decided he was doing well enough to take his IV out and start the process to send him home. I was terrified, he still seemed so sick, but since I had dad and Edward there who were both doctors, I didn't have much choice in the matter.
Edward helped Andrew to the bathroom, leaving dad and I still sitting there. "Thank you for being in there with him when he woke up."
"Bella, I wouldn't have it any other way. I know Andrew wanted me close by, I was glad I could do that for him."
"Sometimes having a doctor in the family is a good thing," I said.
He shook his head. "Bella, I would do anything for my family, you of all people should know that," He put his hand on my stomach.
"You're going to spoil her aren't you?" I asked.
"Of course, just like Alivia and all of the other kids."
Edward brought Andrew back in and he actually look a little better. He got him back on the bed and covered him up. It wasn't long and that room was full of family members. Jake, Nessie and Tess brought him a Get Well Soon Balloon. Emmett, Rose and Haylee brought him a stuffed bear. Billy and Sue gave him a card with money in it.
Everyone sat around and talked, while Andrew rested. Tessa and Alivia sat on the bed with him talking to him, even though he didn't reply I could tell he enjoyed them being there.
They released him later in the afternoon. Edward carried him out to the car and put him in the backseat with me. Andrew laid his head in my lap as Edward drove home. Of course Hannah made her presence known and kicked him in the back of the head. He looked up at me and smiled as he rubbed my stomach.
"How is he?" Edward asked.
"He's resting, although he probably would be asleep of his sister wasn't kicking so hard."
"Sisters are good for that. When we were younger, Alice and I would lie at each end of the couch and she would kick me as hard as she could in the ass with her boney toes."
"That had to be bad, she doesn't have much meat on her at all," I giggled.
Dad was there when we got home. He had left the hospital as soon as we got his prescription for his pain medicine, so we could have it as soon as we got home. He held the door for us and Edward carried Andrew in.
"Thank you for picking that up for us," I said.
"No problem Bella," He said.
Once Andrew was settled on the couch, I collapsed in the chair and put it in the reclining position. I was tired and all the stress had finally gotten to me. Edward patted my shoulder. "Rest love."
Dad walked over and picked up a bag and brought it over to him. "I thought since you had another week off of school, that would could have this to keep you occupied."
Andrew pulled out a black leather bag and opened it up. Dad was smiling proudly watching him. Andrew's mouth dropped as he pulled out a stethoscope. He looked up at dad. "This was my very first doctor's bag, along with almost everything it came with."
"Wow! Thanks papa," He whispered.
"Dad, you didn't have to do that," I said.
"Hush Bella!" He scolded. "Ever since he could talk, he's told me how much he's wanted to be a doctor."
I got up out of the chair, tears were streaming down my face. I walked over and threw my arms around him. Dad laughed. "I love my hormonal daughters hugs."
AN-THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND REVIEWS!
A COUPLE YEARS AGO MY SON HAD TO HAVE SURGERY AND HE WAS SO HIGH, IT WAS SCARY AND FUNNY. HE KEPT TRYING TO TALK AND WOULD SAY THE MOST RANDOM SHIT! IT TOOK A LOT OF MY STRESS OFF JUST BY LAUGHING AT HIM!
