A/N Here is another chapter. It's a little longer for y'all. The words just poured out so hope y'all enjoy and be sure to review!
Chapter 22
The next two days passed like the first one. Anabelle was adjusting to staying in bed most of the day and only stretching her legs to go to the restroom. She really didn't like not moving so she poured all her energy into her schoolwork. Math is one subject she got through the easiest.
She had only seen her father a total of three times while she's been in the hospital and expected as much. He'd drop by during lunch to say hi and ask her how it was going. It was the same answer every time. 'I'm good. I got some work done and finished a movie. How about you dad?'
He wouldn't even be there for 2 hours before he got a work call he had to go home to answer because he didn't have his computer where his work was located. It upset Anabelle but Paul would always avert her attention to other things. She didn't know what she would do without the support of Paul and Jacob in her corner. The little things they would congratulate on made her feel accomplished and proud. Whether it was walking to the bathroom without help, or sitting up without support, Jacob and Paul would be there, cheering her on.
Now it was day 4 and Anabelle was waiting to be introduced to her physical therapist. She was trembling, suddenly nervous. A warm hand engulfed hers making her look up at Jacob. "Why are you nervous?" He asked, his tone soft and warm.
"What if I'm not where he's expecting me to be? I haven't done that much."
"What are you talking about? You have done so much these last few days. You've improved so much." Jacob exclaimed. " Going to the bathroom by yourself. Sitting straight in your chair and not in bed. You've done more than you know."
Anabelle looked up at him and almost melted at the smile he was giving her. The door then opened and Nurse Julie and a man stepped into her room. "Anabelle, this is your physical therapist, Scott." She gave the man a small smile. He was in black scrubs, his hair styled on his head and his beard scruffy.
"Hello Ms.Lahote, I'll be your physical therapist for your visit this week. Do you think we could try to walk out the door today?" She looked over at Jacob, an encouraging smile on his face. She then looked back at her PT and nodded. Scott instructed her to get out of bed, so they can first go over a few stretches that would be helpful in the days to come, including leg rotations, ankle rotations, and small leg lifts, before getting up and out of bed.
Once Anabelle was standing, Scott instructed her to slowly walk toward him, Julie holding her IV and bringing it with her. "You're doing great, Anabelle, just remember to breathe deeply." She did as instructed and pushed her legs to walk outside the door, and into the brightly lit hallway. Her legs were shaky at first but when she looked up at Jacob with a bright smile on his face, walking with her, she straightened a little and started to walk normally but slowly,his encouragement helped greatly.
"You're doing great Belle. Keep going." She held on to Scott's arms tightly and walked to the end of the hallway. Scott then moved to the side of her, one arm still holding her for support. When Scott moved, he revealed Paul at the end of the hallway, smiling brightly at his younger sister. This gave Anabelle the confidence to continue and walk straight towards her brother.
"You're doing great Belle!" Paul exclaimed wrapping his arms loosely around his sister, ultimately helping her when she staggered in her step.
"I think that's enough for right now," Scott said leading Anabelle back to her room.
"She's doing great," Paul said with a smile. Jacob nodded in agreement but quickly replaced his smile with a look of seriousness.
"What did Sam say?" He asked. This made Paul sigh and rub his forehead with his fingers.
"He will probably need us in the coming days. The redhead has been spotted once again at our borders. She's getting sneaky and going in and out of our borders like she's baiting us. We don't know why she's coming on the res when she wants the leech lover."
"Yeah, that is weird considering Bella hasn't been on the res since I've been here. I'm her only tie to it."
" Well, that may have to change. Sam really wants everyone to be on guard. We will probably have to leave Anabelle for the last few days." Jacob looked at Paul in surprise.
" What?" Paul sighed and hung his head.
"I know. She'll hate it but if she knows it's to protect the tribe then she'll understand. She's strong, Jacob. Give her some credit."
"When who's supposed to protect her? If neither of us are here, who protects Belle?"
"Sam said the vamp doctor is here. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. He's a doctor, and he's not that bad compared to the others." The boys then walked back into the room, the PT was gone and Anabelle was smiling from ear to ear on her bed.
"What's got you in a good mood?" Paul asked sitting on the chair on the left while Jacob sat on the right.
"Scott says I did better than expected and that we'll try to go around the floor after I've had lunch. And I got a robot today!" She clapped her hands together, actually being happy since she's been in the hospital. "Will ya'll play with me when it gets here?" She asked.
"Today, yes. We will play with you but tomorrow maybe not." Paul said, making Anabelle look at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?" She asked. "Are y'all leaving?"
"Not exactly," Jacob interjected. "We just need to patrol some so we will probably not be here as often. But we will try to visit as much as we can."
"If it's for the tribe then yeah, I understand. Whatever y'all need to do, do it. I'm going to be ok right here." She gave them a smile making the boys sigh in relief. "Do y'all need to leave now?"
"No," Paul said looking at Jacob. "We're both yours this evening."
"Great!" Anabelle exclaimed. "You can help me with homework." Paul groaned before grabbing her backpack.
"Look what I have!" Julie sang pushing in a Nintendo game console with a stand holding a TV attached to it.
"Wow! This is the robot you were talking about?" Jacob asked helping Julie push it into the room.
"Yup, Paul, and I play it when I'm here. We're gonna need it if I'm gonna be here for a few more days."
"Well, you're going to have to wait a while, Miss Anabelle. Your occupational therapist is coming after your lunch and then Scott is coming back for another session after that."
Anabelle pouted. "Way to zap the fun out of my afternoon."
"Oh come on! I already have your lunch for you."
Anabelle brightened. "Chicken tenders and fries with a slice of chocolate cake?"
Julie rolled a tray to Anabelle and lifted the lid. "Yup." Anabelle's mouth watered at the sight. Jacob sat with her, his mouth also watering.
"Uh, no sir. Don't you even dare try to steal any of my food." Anabelle said, covering her food from Jacobs's wandering eyes.
"Don't worry Jacob, I got one for you too along with Paul when he gets out of the bathroom." Jacob quickly said thank you before grabbing his tray and sitting in the chair next to his imprint.
Anabelle scoffed. "Like he's still not going to try taking mine when he's done with his food." Jacob stuck his tongue out making Anabelle giggle. She then grabbed the remote, putting on a movie that looked interesting.
"How's Billy?" Anabelle asked. "I hope he doesn't think I'm keeping you here."
"Nah, Dad's cool with it. He likes going to the Clearwaters for dinner instead of takeout. I can't cook to save my life." Anabelle laughed at his expression when Paul came out of the bathroom and started eating with them.
"Dad texted and said he's coming a little after lunch." Anabelle nodded and continued eating her food. She was then alerted that she had a text on her phone.
Mason: How's it going? They give you a robot yet?"
Anabelle smiled before answering.
Anabelle: It's going good, I met my physical therapist, and ate lunch. And yes, I got a robot today.
"Who's that?" Paul asked, looking at her phone.
"Just Mason checking in." She shrugged. "He's pretty upset he can't visit. He tries to text me as much as he can." Suddenly there was a knock on the door. All three looked up to find Reyna standing at the entrance.
"Hi, Anabelle. Just wanted to come and see how you were doing. I tried coming yesterday but you were asleep " She walked in with a cup of coffee, walking to the foot of Anabelle's bed.
"It's good to see you, Reyna. How's the job going?" She asked, taking a bite of her fries.
"It's going well. I enjoy being surrounded by books all day and I also enjoy the silence while working. How are you doing?"
Anabelle smiled and shrugged. "Better than can be expected. My physical therapist came today and I was able to walk some. My homework is keeping me busy most of the time. I can never be bored really."
Reyne took out a little box from her purse and handed it to Anabelle. "It's a card game I thought you would like. Skip-bo."
"Thanks." Anabelle said, grabbing the box and setting it on her tray.
"Anyway, I just wanted to see how you were doing and drop by to thank you for telling me about the job." Anabelle shrugged.
"It's nothing. I knew I couldn't take it so I thought I would tell someone who could benefit from it. It's the least I could do."
" Well, whatever the case, I'm thankful. I should get going. I'm on my lunch break." After saying goodbye, Reyna left, leaving Paul, Anabelle and Jacob. She was done with her food so Anabelle grabbed her piece of cake and sat back in bed.
"You really like cake, don't you?" Jacob asked, smirking when Anabelle took a bite. Anabelle rolled her eyes.
"Of course I like cake. It's the best thing to be created since sliced bread. So many combinations of flavors, all tasty in their own way." Jacob chuckled before diving into his own cake.
"Miss Anabelle, your occupational therapist is here." Julie said leading a tall brunette into her room along with a tall blond. She felt the boys tense and heard soft growls coming from both of them.
"Hello Anabelle, my name is Kelly and this is Rosalie, she's a med student that will be with me when I'm visiting you ok?" Anabelle softly nodded and pushed her tray away standing up straighter. She noticed that Rosalie's eyes were the same golden color that Edward and Dr.Cullen were which would explain why the boys growled.
"We bought a few games to play if you're up for it. I know how boring it could be to stay in this room all day." Kelly said showing what she was holding. The game Trouble.
"Sounds like fun." Anabelle said, uncovering herself and making sure her gown was closed. She then swung her legs over the edge and slowly picked herself up. She felt Jacob tremble next to her and grabbed his arm, stilling his movements. He looked up at her and softly smiled. "It's ok. Nothing is wrong." she whispered.
He softly nodded, kissing her on the forehead and taking a deep breath, breathing in her scent to distract from the vampire smell. They slowly made their way to Paul, Rosalie and Kelly, the werewolf and vampire softly glaring at each other.
"I will be right back Miss Anabelle. I need to talk with Julie about your schedule. You can play the game without me and get to know Rosalie." Kelly left giving Paul the opportunity to speak.
" What the hell are you doing her leech!?" He asked Rosalie who was sitting across from him and setting up the game.
"Like Kelly said, I'm a nursing student and got assigned to this room. Carlisle wanted me to be here when you guys were out looking for Victoria."
" So this is all for Anabelle?" Jacob asked. Rosalie gave a small smile towards the girl in question.
"Yes. I'm not heartless. We want to help catch Victoria too. If this is what I can do to help then so be it." Anabelle looked at all three uneasily, waiting for the tension to calm down.
"Well it's nice to meet you Rosalie." Anabelle said, holding her hand out. Rosalie gave the young girl a smile before reaching for her hand. Anabelle shivered slightly before taking her hand away and looking at her brother and Jacob.
"Are you guys ok or do you need to step out?" With one last look at Rosalie both boys got up from their chair and left the room to take a breather.
"They are very protective. Are all the dogs like that?" Rosalie asked, rolling her eyes. Anabelle chuckled and shrugged.
"You could say that. Uh...Thank you for being here when my brother or Jacob can't. They won't ever say it but they are grateful." Rosalie smiled at the young girl and shook her head.
"It's no problem." Rosalie decided she liked this girl. When Carlisle told her about one of the wolves sisters being in the hospital, she didn't expect someone who wasn't terrified or prejudiced of her when finding out she was a vampire. "You're not scared of me?" She asked.
"Why would I be?" Anabelle asked. "You don't drink human blood from the color of your eyes. You're in a hospital where blood is everywhere and you're not thirsting after it. Nothing about you tells me to be scared. You actually seem pretty nice." Rosalie looked at her in surprise before she finished setting up the game.
The boy came back when everything was set up and sat on either side of Anabelle. "Are you guys ok to play with us now?" Both boys nodded signaling Anabelle to start. They played for 30 minutes, the tension slowly seeping out of the room.
Playing the game gave Anabelle an opportunity to learn more about Rosalie. Both of the boys let the girls talk, still getting used to a vampire being in their midst. Some time after, the boys left to go eat a second lunch, the stomachs not full enough from one serving earlier in the evening.
When talking with Rosalie, Anabelle learned that there were a total of 7 vampires in the Cullen family. Carlisle and Esme, Edward, Alice and Jasper along with Rosalie and her mate Emmett.
"So you have attended High School more than 20 times?" Anabelle asked once the game was done and put away.
"It's hard to believe but yes. And I have been to university several times. I have degrees in astrophysics, engineering and business. Now I'm studying medicine." Anabelle looked at the vampire in awe. She could not believe anyone could go to that much school, however long they have lived. She was amazed by how intellectually gifted Rosalie actually was.
"Wow. I think I want to go into business if I ever get a chance to be in college." Anabelle said with hope in her voice.
"From what you've told me about school, you can certainly be accepted into the early graduate program if you so choose. What exactly do you want to do with your business degree?"
"I would like to be the owner of my own bakery. After college, I was thinking of going to culinary school. My mother got her culinary degrees in Texas before she moved to Washington."
Rosalie smiled, glad that the young girl had plans for her future in education. "I'm sure you'll do well. You have a bright future ahead of you. Live your life to the fullest young girl. You never know when it can end."
Anabelle watched as Rosalie's face enveloped a look of sorrow and sadness, making Anabelle be cautious of her next question. "How did you become a vampire, Rosalie?" She then quickly said, "You don't have to answer, I was just curious." Rosalie slowly grabbed the girls hand and squeezed it slightly.
"It's ok. I will tell you. It was a long time ago and I have moved on." Anabelle listened with her utmost attention when Rosalie was speaking.
"I was born in 1915 in Rochester, New York. My father worked at a bank and my mother was a housewife. I was raised to use my looks to my advantage and believe that all I needed was a man of wealth and children to fill my heart with. I did certainly believe that at the time. I really did."
"My looks attracted the attention of Royce King II. He had seen me when I visited my father at the bank he worked at. We were engaged soon after a few months of meeting. Our relationship was purely on physical attraction, which was why we were engaged so fast. I am a woman with morals and would not let him touch me before our wedding."
"But it all tragically ended one week before our coming nuptials. I was walking home late from my friends house. I was babysitting their little boy, who I had grown to adore very much. On my way home, I encountered Royce and his friends on the side of the road. They were drunk and thought they could take advantage of a young pretty girl. So they used me for their dark, twisted fantasy's and left me for dead on the street." Anabelle gasped and covered her mouth. She saw how Rosalie's stoic expression turned into a cocky smirk.
"Carlisle found me and turned me into what I am now. I got my revenge on them after the transformation was complete. One by one. Saved Royce for last so he'd know I was coming." She moved her hair away from her face and chuckled softly. "I was a little theatrical back then. But I am forever thankful that Carlisle was there and saved me. Without him, I would never have met my Emmett." Anabelle smiled with the vampire, meeting her brown eyes with Rosalie's golden.
"Well, I am happy you are here. You have nothing to be ashamed of, those men were cruel and we're only made of bad intentions. You have never hurt anyone while being a vampire. That takes strength. Be proud of that." Anabelle explained, her words impacting Rosalie so much. The girls smiled at each other, both of their moods lifting immensely.