Chapter 27

Everybody Hurts

Few Weeks Later

As spring was right around the corner, Dr. Carlisle Cullen is lead honorary for tonight's Doctor's Ball about medical breakthroughs and outstanding patient care in the city of Forks. The Doctors' Ball celebrates many accomplishments, bestowing prestigious awards for excellence in leadership, innovation and service. Last year, nearly 100 of the most prominent individuals in Forks and Port Angeles gathered for an elegant dinner, dance and silent auction. This years now in its 91st year, more than 300 guests were invited along with those few selected doctors in the hallmarks of medical practice in Forks like Dr. Carlisle Cullen, who has earned a world-class reputation for healthcare.

Forks Gardens is a terrific event held under a tent each year at the Forks Canal grounds with a slightly more casual atmosphere. With lovely Tuscan lights strung throughout the ceiling and the tables are set with stunning shimmer crease linens and beautiful black padded chairs. As springtime comes, the decoration was filled with beautiful royal blue pin tuck table cloths and clear Chiavari chairs to compliment the look along with white draping along the walls of the venue the guests will be amazed. Forks Gardens is always a beautiful place to host elegant dinner parties held under a large tent with crystal chandeliers on the ceiling along with a separate auction tent with some wonderful auction items.

Tonight's black-tie event will include cocktails and a silent auction beginning at 6:30 p.m., then dinner and an awards ceremony at 8 p.m. The silent auction will again this year include extraordinary travel packages and more. Live entertainment will be provided by Gig Master. The tickets from tonight's Doctor's Ball went for $500 each. The ladies dressed in their best ball gowns for tonight. Rosalie was dressed in a red strapless ball gown and red peep-toe pumps. Alice was dressed in a pink strapless ball gown with gathered skirt and white an black peep-toe pumps. Bella was dressed in a blue strapless ball gown with tiered skirt and black peep-toe pumps. Mrs. Cullen, Esme was in a beautiful green mermaid 1-shoulder gown for the Doctor's Ball, as she stood next to Carlisle, who was in his best black suit, grey sweater, black tie, black tie and black shoes. Edward and Emmett were in great black suits, while Jasper went in more gray sweater, black pants and nice dress shoes.

"Oh my gosh, this feels like I'm walking into a castle."

"I know," Edward said. "It's so much."

"No, it's wonderful." Edward smiled. He always hated these Doctor's Ball he father attends usually every year no matter what state they are in. Dr. Cullen's legendary medical history follows them. A lot of people believe Dr. Cullen's skills are too advanced for such a small town of Forks, and maybe he will take his skills to Seattle or some place else once the kids are out of the house, but for now, Carlisle loves Forks, his wife is happy, and his kids are happy. Edward did not like being dragged to these fancy parties. He was usually alone with rich pretentious people all night.

"The evening's festivities will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, auction, dinner and entertainment," Edward said.

"Well, I can't wait," Bella said.

This year, the funds raised at Doctors' Ball for a new Fork's Hospital & Forks Rehabilitation Center, which supports Forks market of Forks One Health program that aids in ensuring all citizens in Forks are living healthy well lives. This year, the Doctors' Ball will help raise funds that will be directed to expanding the Mental Rehab Program at Fork Institute. So people won't have to go all the way to Seattle for mental help. The Fork's Institute's Mental Rehab Program serves to help patients with mental disabilities, sleep apnea and other disorders. Fork's Institute is a multi-disciplinary program that combines individualized exercise, education and medical care to minimize symptoms and complications of many mental disorders. The expansion of the gym is needed to ensure that Forks is able to serve all patients who require these treatments and services.

The hope is that tonight's event not only continues to grow in terms of funds raised and attendance but that it also continues to profile the medical mission of Forks One Health and provide a thoroughly entertaining and memorable evening for our sponsors and attendees. Bella had never like fancy foods but tonight with some of the best local restaurants and caterers offering up some delicious food, but she enjoyed Fork's best chefs dishes, as did everyone else.

Bella and Edward were looking at the long list of silent auction prizes. Bella was interested in a few prizes like a Seattle sunset harbor cruise, or Seattle museum tickets. Along with those 2 prizes there was free spa days, a local brewery tours, hot air balloon ride, hiking and kayaking activities. Bella saw a free stay on Isle Esme. She frowned, pointing it out. Edward joked he will try to win the romantic trip to Isle Esme for their honeymoon.

"Wait, Isle Esme? Your father owns his own island?" Bella asked.

"Yeah, Dad saved some rich billionaire typhoon on a plane trip to South America. The guy owned some million dollar resorts in Brazil, so Dad was giving one of the islands and built a house on it for Mom. He named the place after her. It's their honeymoon spot."

"Wow, what a great honeymoon spot."

"We could use it for our honeymoon," Edward said winking at Bella. She smiled.

"You two married! Ha!"

"Why is that so funny?" Bella asked.

"Do you really believe Chief Swan is going to allow you, Edward to marry his daughter?"

"Of course," Edward said.

"Then you are just as crazy as Bella," Rosalie said.

"Bella is not crazy!" Alice crushed a half eaten biscuit and tossed it at Rosalie's head. Rosalie turned around to find Alice giggling at her.

"You got food in my hair!"

Sometimes everything is wrong

Now it's time to sing along

When your day is night alone (hold on)

(Hold on) if you feel like letting go (hold on)

If you think you've had too much

Of this life

Well, hang on

'Cause everybody hurts

Take comfort in your friends

Everybody hurts

Don't throw your hand

Oh, no

Don't throw your hand

If you feel like you're alone

No, no, no, you're not alone

Edward was pacing behind the door as Bella and Carlisle were in a private room while Carlisle took care of Bella. Esme, who loved all her children dearly, was deeply hurt by Rosalie's words, and the fight between Jasper and Edward. The evening was going great. Too great. Of course, something bad was going to happen. As Bella tried to break up an argument between Jasper and Edward, after Emmett chased after Rosalie who got slapped by Alice, she gets injured. It's just Bella's luck. Bella's bad luck. Edward and Jasper started fighting and without Emmett's strength to break it up, Bella fell into the glass trophies when Edward tries to shield her, he shoves Bella by accident straight into the table. Even though Bella was bleeding, she refuses to go to the hospital. She just wants Dr. Carlisle to treat her. Bella sighed. The song "Everybody Hurts" by REM was playing softly. It was a favorite melody to Bella.

"I'm sorry, I am such a clumsy fool."

"It's fine Isabella."

"Just Bella." Carlisle smiled at Bella. "I hate parties." Carlisle smiled again.

"Why?"

"I don't belong."

"You belong just as much if not more than any other, but why do you feel like that?"
"Because I'm a disaster. But please, please don't be mad at Edward, he was protecting me."

"Like he was just protecting you in that hospital when he beat up that kid."

"Yes. So please don't punish him. Punish me..."

"Bella, I am not going to punish you, Jasper or Edward. Rosalie said some very mean and hurtful things yet again. She will have to be talked to again. So, I understand Edward was just sticking up for you and Jasper was sticking up for his sister. Both boys will need to learn on keeping their emotions and fists in check in public. They were lucky the event was practically done. But, it's fine, siblings sometimes fight. Edward and Emmett used to wrestling like monkeys for years." Carlisle playfully rubbed Bella's chin.

"How can you do this?" Bella asked.

"What dear?"

"Be so understanding, so compassionate?"

"Years and years of practice." Bella smiled. "Trust me, my children don't make it easy." Bella chuckled. "But having raised them since they were practically babies, Bella, I know them probably more than they know themselves. Esme and I have watched them grow. Being a parent is great, but being a doctor has trained me even more to better care for my kids. What I enjoy the very most, even more than being a doctor, is my family and their happiness. It's pleasant knowing that, thanks to what I can do, my families' lives are better."

"That's good."

"And thanks to you, my son is happy finally, truly happy in life."

"I am not…"

"Bella, you are the reason my son hasn't been moody or started having sleepless nights again."

"What?"

"When Edward was a young boy he used to have vivid frightening nightmares about his time with his real mother and her pimp. It was why I had him talk to a shrink as a kid. He was such a angry kid most days, getting into fights and not just with Emmett. He loved acting recklessly and dares. But then he went to work on community service at hospital and for 6 weeks, my son became the happiest I have ever seen." Bella smiled. "But then he went back to moody Edward for another year, until you moved here. For a day maybe, he was upset, but he walked with confidence about him after just 1 week and I knew that was because of you dear."

"I am nothing special."

"That is not true Bella. You are something brilliant and special. You're part of this family now." Carlisle finished up his stitching and wrapped her arm. "Now, how are you sleeping dear?"

"I don't know, I guess fine most days."

"Your Dad told me about your nightmares you are having at least once a week."

"He did?"

"I am a doctor. Do you want me to prescribe some sleep medicine for you?"

"Dr. Knight said the same thing during therapy last week, but I am tired of medicine and pills Dr. Carlisle. I took so much medicine in those hospital for those years I was there."

"But the pills helped you right?"

"Yeah, for the most part. But I don't want to be dependent on it."

"You won't be. I will figure out something, a medicine method so you won't be dependent. Do you trust me?" Bella nodded. "Good, them let me help you sleep better."

Bella and Edward found Jasper sitting outside alone.

"I'm going to go see if we can get a cab," Edward said with his arm around Bella. Rosalie had already stormed out, leaving with Emmett when Esme said she was grounded for her words against Bella. Edward gave her forehead a kiss before glaring at Jasper. Jasper stood up and stared down at Edward while he walked away. Bella walked over to Jasper.

"Jasper… I'm…"

"You're tearing this family part."

"I am, am I? Really? Or is your sister's inability to admit she's in love with her brother Edward tearing this family apart?" Jasper stared hard at Bella, before he shook his head and finally chuckled.

"So you see it too?" Jasper asked.

"The thing is, does Emmett?" Jasper shook his head.

"Of course not. He loves my sister. Has been since they first met at kids. He is blinded by his love for my sister. She could kill a puppy and he would love her and blame the puppy." Bella shook her head.

"What are we going to do Jasper? You know you and Edward can't fight like that ever again."

"I know, but I can't have Alice and Edward ganging up against Rosalie."

"Then what can we do so that tonight never happens again?"

"I'm sorry, but I must always side with her, no matter how stupid it is. She is my sister, my twin sister Bella," Jasper said.

"I get that Jasper, but… But your sister is wrong Jasper, and she's hurting this family because of how wrong she is. You can't defend her all the time. Not when she's hurting me because she can't have Edward."

"Emmett will be broken hearted if anyone tells him the truth."

"And who's fault will that be? Not mine. Not yours either. And especially not Edward's. But your sister's fault for lying to him about how much she cares for him." Jasper nodded. "I can see that she loves Emmett in her own way, but it's not enough for her. She wants more. She wants Edward too and that is not fair to Emmett. Right?" Jasper looked at Bella.

"One might say, life is not fair at all."

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