Quote of the day: "I'll tell you something about tough times. They just about kill you, but if you decide to keep working at them, you'll find your way through."
- Joan Bauer, Close to Famous
Chapter 17- Denial
BPOV
"Bella. Bella, wake up, Love." The voice of an angel whispered. I didn't want to wake up, I was comfortable were I was and if I didn't move then the pain in my back wasn't as bad.
Why was I in pain? My mind was suddenly filled with horrifying, nightmarish visions and my eyes snapped open expelling them. Instead of the visions of blood and death, my eyes met with those of an angel. My angel. His pale beauty enticed me. His golden eyes hypnotized me even as they shone with some unspoken emotion.
"Bella" My angel sighed with relief. "Are you okay?"
I moved my body, finding that I am under a blanket on Edwards couch, and felt a sharp pain radiating from my back. My head throbbed and my eyes stung as if I had slept with them open. "My back hurts a bit but I'm fine. Where's Charlie? Is he okay?"
A pained expression swept over Edwards face and sorrow darkened his eyes. I knew what he was about to say but I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to.
"Bella, Charlie is dead. We didn't make it in time for him. I'm so sorry." His eyes continued to darken with shame and guilt.
Charlie. Dead. The idea was ridiculous. Ludicrous. Absurd. I scoff, "Charlie's not dead." Edward gave me a mournful look. "Charlie is not dead." I repeated firmly as if saying it would make it true.
"Bella, I'm sor-"
"No, Charlie is not dead. My dad is not dead." My voice became hysterical and I was practically hyperventilating and then it hit me. I had to go home. Charlie would be at home. Yes! Then Edward could see my dad wasn't dead. Charlie would be sitting in front of the TV with a microwave meal watching football. Just like he always is.
I jumped out of bed, ignoring the pain in my back, determined to prove that Edward was wrong. As I walked out of the Cullen's house, with Edward following, I saw that my truck was outside. Edward must have picked me up, I thought with a smile, and made my way to the garage.
A few minutes later I was in Edwards Volvo and he was driving me home and I smiled as Ids thought of Charlie waiting for me. I would go home and cook him salmon or whatever fish he had caught with Harry the other day.
When Edward pulled into the parking space, I didn't even look back at him as I ran up the steps and threw open the door. "Dad, I'm ba-" But Charlie wasn't there.
There was no Charlie in the living room watching sports. There was no Charlie in the kitchen failing horribly to heat up the left overs that I put in the fridge. There was no Charlie sleeping in his room or in the garden. Charlie wasn't here.
Then I felt a pang, like a needle had just pierce my heart. I small slither of doubt that said maybe Charlie was dead, but I refused to believe it. There were other places he could be...
With a new goal in my eyes, I grabbed Edwards hand and he allowed me to pull him to the car where I demanded to go to the police station. Charlie had to be at work. And if he was not there then he was on the reservation.
I walked or more like skipped towards the head office of the police building. I knew, I knew that Charlie was here. I could feel it. "Morning Peter." I cheered.
"Bella." Peter said in shock. "What are you doing here?"
I was confused by the question, "I'm here to see my dad, of course."
"Are you sure you want to see him?" He looked taken aback
I frowned at the question. Why wouldn't I want to see him? "Of course."
With a sigh Peter got up and indicated for Edward and me to follow him. He lead us through the hustle and bustle of the police station that seemed a bit quieter and melancholy today for some reason. We followed him down a corridor I had never walked through before. My frown deepened, however, when we walked through a huge metal door that said 'MORGUE'. Why would Charlie be in the morgue... unless there was a murder and he had taken the case. However, I felt another needle go through my heart and the slither of doubt soon became a small hole.
"Bella I don't think-" Edward started but I quickly cut him off.
"Edward, I need to see my dad." I said with as much conviction as I could muster.
"Here we are." Peter announced and I looked around the room. The were metal sinks and cupboards bordering the somewhat large room. Cutting tool, pinching tools and chemicals were all sitting on trays waiting to be used. And there in the middle of the room was a metal table with what I assumed to be a body on it, however there was a white cloth covering it. But there was no Charlie to welcome me in this morbid room.
"Where is he?" I asked, fear and confusion lacing every word.
Peter sighed and looked at me sadly before walking over to the single metal table and pulling back the white sheet slightly.
"No." I gasped in horror. "No, no, no, no." With every word I said I back up a step until I bumped into Edward and fell onto the floor. "No!" It was true.
Tears leaked down my cheeks and I continued to gasp for breath. I felt my entire body tremble with my despair. "No, this wasn't suppose to happen." I whispered, "He was suppose to live and fall in love again. He was suppose to walk me down the aisle and live to see Renesmee. He was suppose to grow old and be happy with Sue."
I felt cold arms wrap around me and lift me up. "He wasn't suppose to die." I cried before I slipped back into darkness.
This is the 1st chapter that me and my beta have done together. I'm really happy with how it turned out, what do you think?