Risk of Being Found
Chapter 1
"Bella, why do you have to go all the way to NYC?" My dad asked for the millionth time. "Forks Hospital would be lucky to have a Physician Assistant like you. Carlisle even said he'd personally oversee your hire." My dad was pleading.
"Dad, NYC has offered me a wonderful salary and helped me find a nice studio apartment with great security. He won't find me there. I need to do this. I had to come here to rest, recoup and get my head together."
"Bella, your dad and I are just worried about you with everything you went through this last year. You almost died!" My mom started crying.
"I know, trust me." I sighed. "But I need a fresh start. I can't have that here. This is the first place he'll look when he's released."
"Bells, that's not for several years." My dad said sternly.
"I know, but I don't want to keep running. Besides, I'll be back to visit and there's always Skype." I assured them.
"Fine, I guess we're not going to talk you out of this." My dad all but pouted.
"No, sorry." I squeezed his hand. "Don't forget, Edward lives there and he's only a few blocks from me, plus Peter and Jasper are driving me out there and helping me move in. I'll be fine."
"We'll come in a few weeks, after you're settled." My mom tried to hold back her tears.
"Mom, I lived in Georgia for years and you only got this weepy the first year!" I tried to lighten the mood.
"But you were in college, this is different. You're actually moving away." And she lost it. My dad held her and tried to quiet her.
"Renee, it'll be fine. She's a tough girl and can handle herself, now." He nodded and winked at me.
"Dad is right, mom. I've been training with Jasper and Peter, plus dad made sure I got my gun certification and he bought me a Sig like he uses, just not as big. I'll be fine."
"I know baby, I'm just really going to miss you." She latched on to me and started crying again.
"Mom, that hurts." I winced as she had her head on my shoulder where he stabbed me.
"Shit! Sorry baby." Her hands were fluttering all over me. "Come and rest."
"I'm okay, besides I need to make sure I have everything ready. Jasper and Peter will be here early in the morning." I sighed. My brothers were prompt and early risers.
"They get that from your dad." My mom chuckled.
I washed what few clothes I had and left out an outfit for tomorrow, packed a small bag for our overnight stay and checked to make sure I had everything. I text my brothers and they said they'd be here at 5am. We were all going to breakfast before we took off.
5am was too damn early, but I was up and ready when they got there. My dad had loaded the last of my boxes into the UHAUL and I had my purse and overnight bag.
Kissing mom and dad goodbye and promising to text often, we were off. Breakfast was a good idea. Sometimes my brothers had it together!
"Are you nervous?" Peter asked a while after we had been on the road. He could always feel my emotions.
"A little, but at least I'll know someone." I laughed.
"True, and who wouldn't love your view?" Jasper smiled.
"I know, I love my place. I can't wait to get the rest of my stuff in there. I'm glad Edward was able to help me out."
"Is he on the same rotation as you?" Jasper asked.
"I think in the beginning, yeah. He said he's on graveyard shift for 6 months and I'll only be there for 3. After thatI'll rotate and if I like the ER, I might stay." I shrugged.
"Why not get into a private practice?" Peter asked.
"Because I don't want to be micromanaged, and most doctors think we're below them as it is. Working at a private practice would be worse."
"I guess." Peter shrugged.
"Hey, you're your own boss! I don't want to hear it." I said, jabbing him with my finger. He and Jasper burst out laughing.
"True, but I'm busy as hell and have no social life." He groaned.
"Only because you're a prude." Jasper laughed.
"No, I'm not a man whore like you." Peter reiterated. "Women have a thing for cops."
"Ewwww… I don't want to think about women throwing themselves at dad! Besides, mom would kill them." We all laughed.
Stopping halfway there, we got a room and then went to dinner. After dinner I took a long hot bath and drank a glass of wine before crashing, knowing 5am would come early again.
Between the three of us, we made the almost 40-hour trip in two days. We arrived late in NYC though, so we got another hotel room and let our parents know we'd arrived safely. I also called Edward and he said he'd meet us for breakfast and then help move my stuff since he was off for the next 3 days.
Snuggling into bed that night was a wonderful feeling, but I had a hard time falling asleep. Not because I was afraid, but for the first time in months I felt free. He was thousands of miles away and would be for the next few years.
Thankfully I didn't have a lot to get into my studio, and they had a service elevator to make moving easier.
I had my table and four barstools, the made to order cushion for the couch area, a couple of throw rugs, my mattress and bedding, my plant, clothes, TV, tons of books, dishes and all my kitchen accessories, plus my towels and such.
"Bella, the view is amazing, but it's a matchbox!" Peter huffed.
"Peter, not everyone needs land and a huge house. It's just me and possibly a cat. I'll be working most of the time, so I don't need something so large I'd have to spend all my free time cleaning. Everything is pretty much included in here. I just had to add my touches, not to mention there's a top of the line gym and indoor heated pool."
"Don't forget the rooftop deck." Edward laughed.
"See, plenty of room!" I smiled.
"I like it, too bad there isn't anything like this in Forks." Jasper shrugged.
"Have Peter design one, that's what keeps him busy." I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, joint venture." Jasper patted his twin on the back.
"Like hell." Peter shrugged away.
We got everything unloaded and unpacked, and decided to order pizza. Edward and I ran to the local market so he could introduce me to the owner. "This is the best place to shop. Occasionally I'll go to a big box store and buy a large quantity of something I use all the time, but working like we do, it's best to keep just the necessities on hand. Hospital food is pretty good and free, a big perk! It's just easier to stop at the deli or someplace on the way to and from work." He shrugged. "Then on your days off, cook. That's what we do."
"We? Did you get a roommate?" I teased.
"No, he has his own place. We're new but spend a lot of time here because it's closer and more private." He smiled.
"Do tell."
"His name is Garrett. He's a doctor too, but he just transferred here from Upstate so he's just renting a tiny room for now and all his stuff is in storage." Edward rolled his eyes.
"Well, I can't wait to meet him."
"Tomorrow night we're going out with a bunch of people. It'll be perfect." Edward told me it was all the people we'd be working with and they were excited to meet me. "It's easier to break the ice outside of work."
My brothers went back to the hotel for the night. We were meeting them for breakfast in the morning before they had to catch a cab to the airport.
The goodbyes were hard. I loved my brothers and they had really been there for me when I was left for dead. They both took off work, Jasper helped the local P.D. find the piece of shit and Peter stayed by my side until our parents arrived. Peter stayed and worked from my apartment for a few weeks until I could manage on my own. Luckily the attack hadn't happened at my place, so it was safe, but I had to walk by his place on the way to class and it gave me the chills. Even though he was in jail and I knew I was safe for the time being , I still had flashbacks. Hell, I still have them. I just manage them better now with the meds and therapy.
"Earth to Bella." Edward waved his hand in front of my face.
"Sorry, thinking." I shrugged.
"I was thinking we should go to the cat shelter. You're going to want someone to come home to." He smiled softly; he knew what I'd been through.
"Sounds good. I think I'd like a cat."
Off we went to find me the perfect companion.
AN: I know… A new story…
Sorry, it was bothering me… I'll blame JM Gaff for making me start this!
Thank you to the LOVELY Bonnie Plemons for agreeing to be my new Beta!
Enjoy!
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