Chapter Fifty Five
Charlie
I headed back to the hospital in the cruiser, Jasper at my side,
"So it seems my daughter has been through the wringer since meeting your family." He nodded,
"You are a man of few words it seems." He turned his gold eyes on my face,
"What can I say Charlie? You're right, she has."
"So what are your plans for the future? Bella said you were writing a book about the Civil War. I guess who better than someone who was there." He nodded,
"Yes. I was going to college with Bella until she finishes her education then I planned on asking her to marry me." That was the most he'd said,
"Oh I see. You were going to live with her?"
"Not in the way you think Charlie. I haven't laid a finger on Bella."
"I'm glad to hear it. I guess she wont be going to college for a while now, so you plan on hanging around?" He looked through the side window as he answered,
"I'll wait as long as it takes."
I nodded and we pulled in to the hospital car park.
Jasper
What could I say to Charlie? I'd not looked after Bella as well as I should. I just wanted him to know I'd be there for her however long it took. We walked to the I.C.U in silence and Charlie introduced me to the nurse and rescinded his previous ban on me. I looked over to her bed, she lay as when we'd left. Her skin almost the same colour as the white dressings. I walked over and took her limp hand, "Bella I'm here darlin'" then I sat beside the bed and watched her breathing. She had two drips running, one blood and the other some medication. The blood scorched my throat but I swallowed the venom produced by the smell. Charlie came over a few minutes later,
"No change the nurse says. At least there's no more bleeding into the skull. Poor kid has so many injuries its easier to say what isn't damaged."
I didn't say anything I just got up to offer him the chair. He sat down and took the hand I'd released. I leaned against the wall beside her bed and closed my eyes trying to feel her emotions, but all I got was pain. The medication was dulling it but she was still suffering so I pulled it from her taking it myself as a penance for allowing her to be in this position. Her heart rate settled as the pain diminished and Charlie touched my arm, "Are you responsible for that" he pointed at the heart monitor.
I nodded and closed my eyes again swallowing down the pain as best I could.
Bella
I was in the dark but the pain was receding. I had no idea who I was or where I was, the darkness stretched on indefinitely. Then I heard a regular beeping noise and smelled antiseptics, Oh god! I was in a hospital but why? What had happened to result in a hospital stay? I tried to remember but everything was hazy. I tried to remember who I was and I saw a man in uniform, dark hair and a mustache my dad. Rain and cold...a house...my home...with my dad...a black-haired boy...falling. The black-haired boy had pushed me and I hit my head. That's why I was in hospital, I hit my head as I fell. We'd argued but I couldn't remember what we argued about. Then a flash of pale skin that I knew would be cold to the touch. I was so confused, there was a funeral, someone had died, was that the cold skin? Someone I knew had died and I was going to the funeral, was that why I was arguing? Had the black haired boy tried to stop me going? Why would he do that? He warned me about someone, someone dangerous...but who? I couldn't remember and my head ached.
Charlie
My back was aching from sitting in this damn chair so long, so when the Nurse touched my arm I was only too happy to stand up,
"You need to get away from here for a while. Why don't you go get something to eat. The restaurant is open down near reception. We need to change your daughters dressings anyway."
I nodded and walked to the door but Jasper never moved, in fact he hadn't since first getting here.
"Sir, you need to go with Chief Swan while we change Bella's dressings"
I turned back but Jasper hadn't even opened his eyes. As the Nurse was about to take his arm I intervened, "I think it would be better to let him stay. He's not in your way."
She glared at me, so I added, "I'm sure his father Dr Cullen would agree"
She stepped back at that,
"Oh well if you're sure?"
"Yes I am. I'll get something to eat then I'll be back."
He nodded very slightly to me and I turned and walked out. I may not like him but I couldn't fault his devotion to Bella.
Jasper
Trouble was coming and I could really do without it, especially with Charlie being downstairs. I smelled him before I heard him.
"Can I help you?" it was the Nurse.
"I've come to see Bella Swan."
"Well she can't have any visitors only family I'm afraid, but her father is down in the restaurant if you want to speak to him."
"What about him" I knew he was pointing at me.
"He is Bella's boyfriend and he has permission from her father to be here."
"Oh he has? You need to get away from her before she gets killed." he shouted to me before the nurse ushered him out.
I knew I hadn't heard the last of Jacob Black but for now he was out of my hair.
"Would you like a drink?" the Nurse was by my side.
I opened my eyes and smiled, "No thank you."
"Are you sure? You've been here a long time. Maybe you should have a rest." I shook my head,
"I'm fine but thank you for the offer" and I closed my eyes to prevent any more questions.
Bella was floating towards consciousness and I wasn't leaving. As the monitors picked up her increased vitals the Nurse hurried to the bedside.
"Bella? Bella? Can you hear me dear?"
Bella was frightened, I could feel that, so I sent calm thoughts to her and she settled a little, then her eyes flickered and opened.
"Where am I?" she asked bewildered.
"In Port Angeles honey. You had an accident but you're safe now"
Her eyes studied the Nurses face and then moved to look at me.
"Who are you?" she asked, "Where's my Dad?"
I moved forward and sat on the edge of the bed,
"Bella, its Jasper. Charlie will be back up in a few minutes, he just went to get something to eat."
"Jasper?" I could see she was trying to remember.
"Yes darlin', Jasper. You remember Carlisle, Rose, Emmett?"
She shook her head then groaned and put her free hand to her head.
"I hate hospitals" I laughed quietly,
"Yes I know. How are you feeling?"
She looked at me again. "I should know you shouldn't I?" I nodded
"It would be helpful if you could. What's the last thing you do remember?"
She closed her eyes and tried to picture what had happened. "I hit my head."
"Among other things yes."
"Oh" she opened her eyes and looked at the grazes on both hands then experimented with moving and I saw her wince. "I don't remember. What happened?"
I looked to the Nurse who was out of earshot at her desk.
"You jumped out of a moving car." Her eyebrows knitted
"I jumped? Why?"
"Edward and Alice were trying to take you away"
"I don't remember. Who is Edward?"
"It doesn't matter at the moment. Anyway your Dad is back"
I moved back so Charlie could get to the bedside. She recognized him with a cry,
"Dad. I can't remember what happened."
He put his arms gently around her, "Its OK Bells. It'll come Back to you. How you feeling?"
"Jasper said I jumped out of a moving car. Did I?"
He looked at me then back to her, "Yes I think so. Do you remember anything?"
"Yes. I remember bits. A girl with a pixie haircut in a car. A man in the back, that's all. I don't remember Jasper though, but I should"
I sighed. "I'll be outside Charlie."
He nodded and I walked out of the I.C.U straight into Jacob Black.
