I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT... JUST PLAY WITH IT
The sound of Edward's phone pulled him from his slumber early Friday morning. For a moment he forgot where he was but then everything from the night before came back to him. Bella. Charlie. The hospital and everything in between. When they had finally found a small bed and breakfast the night before Eleazer's wife, Carmen, called informing him that their 2 year old must have gotten a stomach bug at daycare. She was an ER nurse on the night shift and needed him to head back to Seattle to relieve her mother. Edward assured him that he would be fine and that his family was more important so Eleazer arranged a taxi to hurry home. Edward tossed and turned for the better part of the night thinking about Bella. He worried about her being home alone even though he knew she was probably used to it, then he would think about that and feel guilty about the things he took for granted in life.
Reaching across the bed he grabbed his phone and brought it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Time to fess up baby bro."
Of course it was Emmett, he thought to himself. Pulling the phone from his ear he looked at the time groaning when he saw how early it was.
"Seriously Emmett. Its 6am. Did you set an alarm and wake up just to call me?"
"Maybe. Look Edward the sooner you tell me what is going on and why you of all people spontaneously took a trip to Forks, Washington the sooner you can get back to sleep and I can decide if I need to get my ass down there." Emmett stated.
"Wait how do you know I'm in Forks?"
"Remember that app Alice made all of us download to our phones, it's a tracking app you idiot. How do you think her, mom, and Rose always know when we are playing golf?" He answered with a chuckle.
Edward groaned then went on to explain everything to him. The interview, the letter, him meeting Charlie and Bella and even the connection he felt with her. To be honest it felt good to get it off his chest and talk to his older brother. He told him about the night before and that he needed to stay with Bella until all of this was over or until she made him leave. Then Emmett asked what he planned to do after, which was something Edward hadn't really thought about.
"I don't know Em. I haven't really gotten that far," he admitted.
Emmett sighed, "I just don't want you to get hurt Edward. You don't know anything about this girl. She could have plans for college or just to get away from Washington all together."
Well that was something that never crossed Edward's mind. He decided he would try to talk to her more about herself if they had a chance. Maybe as a distraction if need be. After a couple more questions from Emmett they ended the phone call stating he would save Edward the misery of explaining this to their parents by telling everyone the situation at dinner tonight.
By the time they got off the phone it was already almost 7am so there was really no point in trying to get more sleep. Edward got up and showered before making his way over to Bella's house which was conveniently only about 5 minutes from the place he was staying. Pulling up to her house he got out of the car and made his way to the front door. His stomach was in knots at the thought of seeing her again as he knocked on the door and took a look around their front porch.
Charlie Swan owned a quaint little home that was pretty secluded from neighbors and surrounded by trees. Although he had never been inside he could tell it was two story and maybe 2 or 3 bedrooms at most. The greenery was a little overgrown in the front but he did notice some small flowers trying to bloom and Edward wondered if Bella had tried her hand at having a green thumb. He didn't have much time to ponder because he could here movement in the house as Bella opened the front door.
"Good morning Edward," she greeted, her tired eyes looking up at him. She was a good head and a half shorter than Edward and so small. He greeted her back surprised when he received a slight smile as she invited him in the house.
"Uhm visiting hours for the ICU don't start until 10 and I wasn't expecting you so early. I was going to make breakfast if you would like some," she said while biting her lip. She was nervous, he could tell, and the last thing Edward wanted was for her to feel that way around him. He gave her a smile and nod to which she returned with the most beautiful blush making its presence on her cheeks.
"Great uhm the living room is right through there, please make yourself at home. I'll just be right through here in the kitchen if you need anything." She scurried out quickly which made him chuckle. It wasn't like he didn't have this effect on women but with Bella he wasn't trying to "whoo" her, he wanted to know everything about her and for her to know all about him. He wanted to take her home to his place and give her everything she could ever want and need. Edward quickly reeled those thoughts back in remembering how difficult her life was about to become. For now he would settle with being a friend and see where that relationship would take them.
Making his way into the living room he noticed a shelf with pictured near the window and walked over to have a better look. If he though Bella was a beautiful women he had to admit that she was the cutest little girl he had ever seen. She was so happy in all the pictures, most of them with a much healthier looking Charlie. He looked at every picture intently and could see where things took a turn in their life. It was like the pictures told a story of when Charlie got sick. Suddenly Bella's big smile started to fade in them and her eyes weren't as twinkly, she started to look more tired and if the change in her wasn't easy to see the change in Charlie was for more worrying. His eyes started sinking into his face and his skin grew paler with every passing moment, still they looked happy. He looked at a couple more pictures until he came across one with a baby Bella being held by a young women who was sitting in this exact room. Assuming it was her late mother, Renee, he picked it up to have a closer look, almost dropping it when a small voice came from behind him.
"Her birthday would have been tomorrow," Bella said, her voice so low that Edward barely heard. He set the picture down and turned around to see her standing there, tears welling up in her eyes. Taking a step towards her she continued, "Every year dad and I would take fresh flowers to her grave but I guess this year will be different."
Her voice broke at the end and before Edward could stop himself he stepped forward and took her into his arms. Walking them over to the small couch he sat down and pulled Bella into his lap as she continued to weep into his chest. He held her tight and rubbed her back once again his heart breaking for this beautiful girl that had literally fallen into his life. Not saying a word he let her cry into his chest, comforting her as much as he can, and hoping he could hold her like this forever.
Bella didn't understand what was happening to her. Never before in her life had she been so open and emotional with anyone other than her dad, not even her friends she once had. She didn't know what it was about Edward that made her feel some comfortable but she did. After knowing him for less than 24 hours she felt like she could tell him anything, confide in him like someone she had known for years.
Lying there on his chest she felt so safe even though a small part of her felt stupid for crying like this again in front of him. He didn't seem to mind though and in that moment Bella was thankful for him being there. He smelled good and inviting, like a man unlike the boys she knew who smelled like they took a bath in cheap body spray. Then Bella thought to herself, how old is Edward Cullen?
After a minute or two she pulled away and looked at him, "Sorry" she mumbled. Blushing as their eyes met and locked for the first time. He wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled sympathetically at her. Suddenly she couldn't keep the question from coming out of her mouth.
"Edward how old are you?"
Bella watched as his face changed, his smile turning into a slight grimace. She knew he was older at least late 20s but watching his reaction to her question she was suddenly nervous about his answer. Edward took a deep breath and looked back up into her eyes before answering.
"I turned 34 two days ago," as the words left his mouth he felt a small weight lift off of his shoulder but when he saw Bella's eyes widen at his answer the weight came right back.
34! Bella thought. He was almost 16 years older than her but did that really matter. Bella was never into guys her own age not that she dates much anyhow. They were immature, full of themselves and although she had never had a boyfriend, mostly because she was so busy taking care of her dad, she knew she wouldn't have given them the time of day. She decided that age didn't really matter as much as how someone treated her and cared for her. In her mind Edward had shown her more compassion and friendship in the past day than she had ever been shown in years from anyone who wasn't a doctor or nurse at the hospital. Bella put on the biggest smile she could muster at the moment which seemed to put him at ease.
"Well then Happy late Birthday."
"Thank you, Bella," he smiled as she lifted herself off of his lap.
"The pancakes are ready if you're want to eat."
They ate breakfast in a comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. While they were eating Bella thought about how she could surprise Edward with a little something for his birthday, even just to thank him for being here for her. She decided that depending on how things went at the hospital today maybe they could go out to dinner at the diner in town. They embarrassingly sing you "Happy Birthday" and give you a delicious old fashioned sundae, she remembered her dad bringing her there so many times throughout her childhood.
They got to the hospital just in time for visiting hours and made their way up to ICU. Charlie has pretty much stayed in every part of this small hospital besides the pediatric unit so Bella saw many familiar faces while walking through the halls. Many told her how sorry they were and that if she needed anything to let them know. It had always been nice living in a small community like Forks. Especially with her dad being the chief of police, before he became ill, everyone knew him and Bella. Still she knew that once he was gone there would be nothing for her here. Everyone may be interested in her life now but that will fade as everything else does in a small town.
Walking into her father's room wasn't as hard as she thought it was going to be. Nothing had changed from the night before according to the day nurse and they would send the doctors in to talk with her about options as soon as they were available. Edward pulled a chair to his bedside for her to sit and then went to the other chair in the corner trying to give her some privacy. He checked his emails from work making sure he wasn't needed although he knew Emmett could hold down the fort while he was gone. Bella had been quiet for a good bit so he glanced up to check on her only to find her asleep with her head resting on Charlie's arm. He smiled slightly at her relaxed face, she seemed so content at the moment but he knew before too long he would have to wake her. As if ready his mind the door to Charlie's room slowly slid open and his doctors walked in accompanied by a women in business clothing, a hospital counselor he assumed. He motioned at them to let him wake Bella.
"Bella, the doctors are here." He whispered as he gently nudged her shoulders. Bella opened her eyes briefly before sighing and sitting up, Edward stood next to her for support as the doctors began to speak.
Nothing. Nothing had changed in Charlie's condition, not that they expected anything to. The doctors explained to Bella that they had drawn blood work this morning and also ran an EEG to check for any brain activity, both of which were not good. Just overnight Charlie's kidneys had begun to fail and his liver wasn't far behind, his EEG showed no brain activity which was the same as last night and the doctors didn't expect that to change. He had been without oxygen to his brain for over 5 minutes and that coupled with the cancer didn't make his odds better. Once the doctors finished talking the counselor stepped in, Edward felt Bella tense on side of him as she explained that Charlie expressed wishes of not wanting to stay on life support. Bella couldn't deny that her father had talked to her about that beforehand multiple times so she reluctantly agreed to sign the paperwork to end life sustaining measures.
After the doctors left Edward pulled Bella into his arms. She was taking this fairly well although he felt some silent tears soaking his shoulder through his shirt. Bella relished in Edward's hug and warmth. She thought back to the last conversation she had with her dad. It was about him. She was fighting with him about making decisions for her, about trying to be in charge of her life and future. She wanted to go back, to tell him how sorry she was for being angry with him and to thank him for sending her Edward. Even if all he ever was was a friend he was already a pretty darn good one.
NEXT CHAPTER WE MEET THE CULLENS! LEAVE A REVIEW IF YOUR STILL WITH ME!
