Chapter 18
5:30 AM. An hour till she needed to be at the hospital. Sighing, Anabelle unplugged her iPod and placed it in her travel bag along with her headphones. There was then a knock on her door. "Hey there princess," Gene said, smiling brightly to lift his daughter's spirits. "Are you ready to go?" The 14-year-old nodded and dragged her feet to the door. She was super hungry and wanted breakfast. She couldn't wait till she could eat again. This fasting thing was taking a toll on her.
She walked downstairs to find her father with her bags at his feet and Paul eating a bag of cereal. "Paul! You know I can't eat." Anabelle exclaimed.
"What?" Paul asked, a mouthful of fruit loops in his mouth. "You don't even like cereal. I'm the only one who eats it."
Anabelle rolled her eyes and gathered her book bag filled with things she thought would entertain her. After making sure she had everything, she followed with a sense of nervousness but held her composure.
All three Lahote's filed into the Toyota truck and drove 30 minutes to Forks General Hospital. Gene could sense that Anabelle was antsy so he looked at her through the rearview mirror and asked, "You want some music, Princess?"
She nodded numbly. "Yes, please." Paul reached for the dial and turned it to a local country station. Anabelle lip sang to the song but didn't make any noise. She stared out the window, hoping this was all a dream. She pinched herself, just in case it was.
It wasn't.
She slowly sank into her seat, closing her eyes, still hoping that when she woke up, she'd be in bed.
The Lahotes' arrived at the hospital thirty minutes ahead of schedule, making sure they had time to check in with time to spare. After checking in at the receptionist's desk. They were now seated in a large waiting area with glass surrounding the entrance. After looking around and finding nothing to focus on, Anabelle took out her Harry Potter book from her bag and began to read it.
She glanced at Paul to find that he was playing on his Nintendo DS that he got for Christmas a few years ago. Even though it was a few years old, Paul insisted that it still worked and already had a collection of games to play.
While Gene went to turn in the paperwork, Paul and Anabelle sat next to each other, immersed in their own thing. When Gene came back, he said that everything was going to plan and to just sit tight.
And that's what they did, for two hours.
At around 8, a nurse, led the Lahote's to the elevator to go to level 4 to prepare Anabelle. Gathering all their things, and traveling up in the elevator, the Lahote's are then led to a room full of beds and curtains that can provide privacy.
"There is a bathroom over there where you can change into this." The nurse said, handing Anabelle a gown. "Only leave your underwear on, no bra. I'll be near if you need anything." After nodding, Anabelle slowly made her way to the bathroom, already feeling uncomfortable. Every single time she had to wear a blue gown, she felt vulnerable and cold. Like everyone could see through her. She quickly tied it in the front, making sure you couldn't see anything before placing her clothes in the plastic bag that was provided, then putting on the highly gripped hospital socks.
She then put her hair in a bun and made sure she looked presentable before leaving the bathroom.
She stopped in her tracks when she saw several tall native Americans circled around her bed. Having heard her, the pack turned around and all smiled brightly. Anabelle noticed someone fight through the crowd and grinned at seeing Jacob. She shuffled as fast as she could and hugged him as hard as she could while not exposing anything.
He hugged back strongly as well, breathing in her scent. Roses. The whole pack noticed how Anabelle visibly relaxed and looked less tense when being embraced by Jacob. When they pulled away, they both smiled at each other before someone cleared their throat. They both looked up to see Gene looking at them curiously.
Trying to make it less awkward, Anabelle hugged everyone else before getting to the bed. And covering herself with the warm thick blanket. "What are all y'all doing here?"
"We were all free today," Seth answered, smiling his bright smile. Anabelle looked at Jacob confused.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming last night?" Anabelle asked Jacob making him roll his eyes.
"Then it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" He winked at her causing her to blush.
Emily then stepped forwards with a white folded piece of fabric. "And here are your other surprises." She fanned it out, showing a big red heart with black lettering that said, 'BelleBrave.' "We had them made as soon as we heard." Anabelle then saw the pack unzipping their jackets that she didn't even notice they had on and revealed the same shirt sporting on all their chests. Even Leah had one.
"Aww, guys! Y'all look so cute when y'all match!" All the Lahote's laughed while the pack grumbled.
"I prefer the term, 'Highly Attractive.' Jacob retorted, flexing his biceps and earning a blush from Anabelle.
"Aww guys, that is so sweet of you," Anabelle said already getting emotional. "Y'all are gonna make me cry." She wiped her eyes with her arm and laughed. "Thank you, Em." She embraced Emily in a big hug before letting go and getting comfortable in the bed.
"So Belle, is that really what you have to wear?" Embry asked, eyeing her hospital gown.
"Yup. It's not very flattering but it's not too bad." She shrugged, grabbing her book and iPod, and placing them on the bed. "And the socks are comfortable." She wiggled her feet free, showcasing her socks.
"We also got you some things to spend your time with," Leah said, bringing a basket full of activity books forward. "I know you like sudoku and word searches. There are also some coloring books."
Anabelle's smile brightened even more at the sight. She pulled Leah into a hug and whispered, "Thanks, Lee." The girls shared a smile before Embry stepped holding, holding a white book.
"So I know you're gonna be here for a little while so I thought it would be great to make you a book for you to read ." Anabelle quirked her eyebrow and hesitantly opened the book. The first picture made her gasp and blush deeply.
"Oh my God, I hate you, Embry!" Anabelle gasped, quickly closing it but not fast enough to steal it from Paul's hands.
"Now before you punch me, it's only a joke," Embry said uneasily. Anabelle gaped at him and took the book back before turning it around for everyone to see.
"You think it's a joke to make a book of just pictures of Jacob's abs!?" The whole pack erupted in laughter. Even Gene. Jacob took the book from his imprint's hands and flipped through the pages and they were indeed filled with pictures of Jacob shirtless. He assumed they were taken before or after patrol considering they were all in the woods.
l
He glared at Embry before smirking and handing the book back to Anabelle, making her gape at him. "You're letting me keep this?"
He shrugged. "Sure why not? It's in good hands." The pack laughed at the deep blush emitting from Anabelle while she scowled and shoved the book in her bag before getting comfortable once again.
"Are y'all done with teasing me now?" Anabelle pouted. The pack laughed but stopped after seeing her face and continued talking with her.
While talking, Jacob noticed Anabelle shiver and try to pull her blanket up more. So he walked towards her and moved her to the side before sliding in beside her. She sent a grateful smile his way and cuddled into his side. Gene noticed but said nothing. He knew his daughter had a crush on Black but didn't want to embarrass her.
She'd never had any interest in boys and was very quiet about who she had a liking to. He knew about her little crush on that Mason kid but knew she grew out of it before he left for basketball camp. He knew about her hanging out with him at the diner but never assumed it was anything besides friendship. But Black was a different story. Every day, the phone rings and Paul answers it, only to give it to Anabelle. And every day it turns out to be Jacob checking in on her which turns into 3 hour-long conversations.
Most dads would be mad and terrified that their little girl was talking to a boy but Gene was rather pleased. He trusted his daughter to make the right decisions and to not do anything she would regret.
The pack suddenly stiffened, alarming Anabelle, who looked at Jacob curiously. "The Doc is here." Was the only thing he said before Dr.Cullen stepped out and walked towards the group. Gene was the first to greet the doctor, considering everyone else knew what he was. Sam held Emily more tightly but didn't show any evidence of intimidation. The same being done by Jacob. Anabelle watched as the doctor and a nurse approached the group.
The pack made a clear path resulting in them moving to the opposite side of the bed. The Dr. didn't seem to mind. Instead, he gave Anabelle a warm smile and shook her father's hand. "Happy to see you here today Miss Lahote. The first thing we are going to do today is prepare an IV on your arm ok?"
Anabelle nodded while the nurse approached her right side. While holding out her hand, Anabelle squeezed Jacob's with her other. She suddenly tensed when she saw the nurse grab a needle from the tray she carried. "Hey," Jacob said, squeezing her hand and facing her towards him. "Breathe ok? In and out." She looked at Jacob while the nurse inserted the needle in her arm.
She inhaled deeply and looked into the dark orbs that belong to Jacob. She felt herself staring at his eyes and drowning in the warmth of them. She couldn't even feel when the nurse taped the IV to her arm. She glanced at it before moving her arm, getting comfortable again.
"Now we are going to put some saline to clear it of any blood ok?" After a nod from Anabelle she continued. "It might feel a little cold." The nurse then injected the saline making Anabelle shiver. Her arm felt cold and like jello.
After getting an IV put in, the doctor proceeded to speak about the procedure and the process to recovery. "I predict surgery will be at least two hours. It is very short because there is only one goal and that is to remove the valve and replace it. Once the surgery is done, Anabelle will be taken to the intensive care unit where she will stay for the majority of her recovery." Anabelle absorbed all the words coming out of the doctor's mouth, trying to assess them.
"I am predicting she will wake up 2 hours after surgery, giving her body a chance to recuperate without any pain. Her surgery is set 30 minutes from now so it is a good time to get comfortable and prepare for the procedure." Dr.Cullen turned towards Anabelle when he said that and gave her a small smile of assurance before turning to leave. "I will see you all once surgery is done." Before he reached the hall however, he turned back towards that group and said, "I almost forgot. I will need a copy of your will to give to my supervisor."
Anabelle's face showed no emotion while she nodded and took out a folding piece of paper from her bag. She handed it to the doctor before looking down at her hands. Everyone was quiet during the exchange, wearing faces of worry.
Seeing Anabelle's face made Jacob remind her, "It's just a precaution, remember? It doesn't mean anyone will have to read it." That gave Anabelle assurance and she took a deep breath in, trying to calm the aggressive nerves.
Once everyone said their goodbyes, only Gene, Paul and Jacob were in the room. Jacob had retreated from his spot on the bed but was still by Anabelle's side and holding her hand. Paul was the first to speak. He grabbed her hand and said, "You're gonna do great Belle. There isn't one person that I know that would be able to do this except you. I know I haven't been the best big brother." Anabelle was about protest before Paul continued. "Don't even try to say that I haven't because it's true. When dad was gone, you cooked dinner, did my laundry, and cleaned the house. I was just living in it." He sighed sadly, his eyes becoming moist with tears
"Everytime I go to work," he said, remembering that his father was present. "I can never forget that you were alone in that house with no one if you weren't at Emily's. I need to spend more time with and I will do that. I promise." There were tears on his cheeks which were wiped away by Anabelle who had tears running down her cheeks as well.
Anabelle embraced Paul in a hug whispering, "I love you Paulie."
"I love you too."
After saying her goodbyes to her brother, Anabelle hugged her father before they both retreated out of the room, leaving just Jacob alone with his imprint. "J?"
Jacob looked up and studied her face. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her eyes were red from crying. Her lip was trembling and her nose was red in color as well. She reached for her bag and opened a smaller pocket before taking out a folded piece of paper.
"This is for you." She sniffled and wiped her eyes, not meeting his gaze. "You can read it when I'm in surgery if you want. It has everything I want to say but might not have a chance." Jacob's heart dropped at her words. "I have more for everyone else but I still don't know if I want to give them out." Jacob grabbed the paper and drew a deep breath. "I just want to make sure you had it… in case of…"
"Stop!" Jacob exclaimed, not able to bear the thought of losing the beautiful girl he had come to love and cherish. Anabelle froze and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. Jacob scolded himself and took her trembling hands in his.
"There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm sorry for snapping. It's just, I don't want to think of that. You're going to be ok. I strongly believe that. You have to as well." Anabelle nodded numbly and hugged him to her chest.
"Just promise you'll read it." She begged.
"I promise."