I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT
A couple of hours had passed since the doctors and hospital counselor had come in to speak with Bella. The papers had been signed and preparations began for them to disconnect Charlie from life support. Bella had been quiet, diligently sitting at her fathers side, every once in a while she would get up and pace the room for a minute then go right back to her seat. It was now almost 5 in the evening, the hospital had told Edward they would start disconnecting at 6 to give Bella more time with her father. When he told Bella this she simply nodded and went back to staring at her father. Knowing she hadn't eaten anything since the pancakes that she made this morning he decided to give her this last hour alone while he went to get her something light to eat, he figured she wouldn't want it but it was an excuse to get out of them room. He had tried to give her privacy a couple times but she hadn't wanted him to leave.
"Bella," he said, making her eyes snap to his. "I'm going to step out for a bit and give you some time alone. It's a little after 5."
Bella looked at the clock. He was right it was 5:05 on the dot so that meant she had less than an hour with her dad. Still she didn't want Edward to leave.
"Edward you can stay. I mean it," she told him but he just smiled and walked over to her. Not getting up from her chair she looked up at him and sighed. Edward leaned down ever so slightly and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, catching a whiff of her strawberry scented shampoo.
"I promise I will be right back, Bella. I know you may not feel up to it but would you like something from the coffee stand? Maybe some tea or something light to eat?" Bella sighed, nodding slightly.
Edward made his way out oft he small room toward the coffee stand in the main lobby. Ordering a black coffee for himself and a tea latte with some shortbread cookies for Bella. He stepped away from the counter and waited for his name to be called, checking his phone while he waited.
4 missed calls - Emmett
2 missed calls- Mom
Text from Emmett- Incoming bro, sorry I couldn't stop them. Mom called at lunch to see if everything was ok for dinner and I couldn't lie to her.
Rolling his eyes at his brothers inability to ward off their mom he dialed her number only to hear it ringing behind him. He turned around and came face to face with his parents. Damn you, Emmett.
"Hello son," his father greeted while his mother flew to his side, wrapping him in a hug. He hugged her back, relishing in her warmth. Edward had always been a momma's boy but he didn't realize how good his mom's hugs felt until now. Until Bella made him realize just how precious having your parents around was.
Carlisle and Esme Cullen were about as perfect as any set of parents could be. His dad was a ER doctor at Seattle General and his mom was a retired interior designer, though she still did small jobs on the side. They were the kind of parents that were there for everything. All the sports games and dance
recitals he and his siblings had over the years you could always count on seeing Carlisle and Esme's
face in the crowd.
"Hi mom, dad," Edward said, nodding at his father while still in his mothers grasp. If he had any ill thoughts toward his brother for having a blabber mouth before they had now dissipated. It was nice having his parents here.
"Tell us everything son."
So he did. Edward poured his heart out to his parents about a girl he just met. He told them about Charlie and Renee and how after today Bella wouldn't have anyone. His dad gave him sound medical advise, assuring him that Bella was making the right decision. Esme on the other hand shed some tears for this young girl her son seemed to be quite taken with. She couldn't imagine leaving her children alone in this world at such a young age.
Edward had grabbed their drinks but hadn't realized how much time had passed while he was talking to his parents until a small voice came from behind him.
"Edward?"
He spun on his heels to find Bella standing right behind him. Her eyes were so swollen and red, glancing down at his phone he realized it was 10 minutes to six. Not even thinking of his parents who were sitting not 5 feet away he quickly pulled Bella to him.
"I'm so sorry Bella. I didn't realize how long I had been away."
"Its ok. I didn't realize either until the nurse came in. Is everything alright?" she asked while glancing past Edward to his parents, who smiled warmly at her. She managed a small smile back before turning her attention back to Edward.
"Yes. Everything is fine, lets get back up there hmm?" Bella nodded and leaned into him slightly. The movement wasn't overlooked by his parents, who although new their age difference didn't realize just how young Bella would look. Edward turned slightly to his parents, "Mom, dad can we talk later?"
After they nodded, Edward steered Bella away, back towards the elevator. He handed her the tea which was now the perfect drinking temp since he let time get away from him while he was talking to his parents. Edward cursed himself internally for that, feeling bad that Bella had to come look for him. Once in the elevator Bella broke the silence they had been experiencing for the past couple minutes.
"So those are your parents?"
Edward sighed. "I'm so sorry Bella," he started. "I had know idea they would show up. My brother called this morning to check on me and I explained what was going on because he was worried. He said that he would wait and tell them this evening but my mom happened to call them and he couldn't lie to her so they came to make sure we were alright." The elevator dinged as he finished and they both stepped out into the ICU. In the distance Bella and Edward could see people gathered around the doorway of Chief Swan's room, paying their last respect. Edward reached out to grab Bella's hand as she drew in a shaky breathe.
They made their way over to his room slowly, Bella trying to put off the inevitable for as long as she could. She was so much younger when her mom passed that she doesn't really remember her. The memories are mostly stories Charlie had told her through out the years. So while she had memories of her dad she couldn't help but feel that eventually the memories of her mom would fade with him.
Soon after Edward and Bella crossed the threshold of her father's room mostly everyone cleared out, mumbling condolences as they left. Once everyone but a nurse and the doctors that had spoken to Bella the night before left the room grew more somber, if even possible Edward thought. They explained the protocol to Bella one last time before they began to unplug Charlie from the machines. Edward held Bella at the foot of the bed and if he thought watching them disconnect Charlie from the machines that were keeping him alive was heart wrenching holding Bella's small frame while the silent sobs shook her body proved to be worse. He had never experienced another moment in his life where he wanted to take away some ones pain so much. He couldn't imagine Bella doing this alone.
The doctors said that Charlie could hang on for any amount of time, it just depended on him.
So once the machines were all turned off and the doctors hugged Bella one last time they left the room. Bella found herself crawling into the small hospital bed with her dad one last time. She held his hand and whispered she loved him, laying her head on his shoulder. Edward went to the bedside and sat next to her while they waited. Within 5 minutes he noticed Charlie's breathes became more shallow then they stopped all together.
"Bella, sweetheart..."
"I know Edward," she said while sniffling. Bella slowly sat up and gave her father one last kiss on the cheek. She knew this was going to be hard but she didn't realize she would also feel at peace. Knowing her dad wasn't suffering any longer was somewhat comforting to her but she wished he was still here. Going home tonight would be different for her, though she spent most nights alone at the house when Charlie was at the hospital now that he was really gone she couldn't help but feel more alone. She wondered if Edward would stay with her.
"I'm not sure what happens now," Edward stated while scratching his head.
It was like someone heard him because at that moment the door opened and the same nurse came back in. She checked for Charlie's pulse before declaring what they already knew. Bella had already told Edward that there wouldn't be an autopsy since they knew what he died from, so when the Medical Examiner came in to transport the body to the morgue they told Bella that they would contact the funeral home and notify them that he was ready to be picked up. Bella nodded and thanked them, her true strength shining through again though Edward had a feeling that once she was home the reality of today would unravel her. While she signed the last bit of paperwork he called his parents who were still at the hospital and told them about the Bed and Breakfast he was staying at. They said they would meet him there later because they were set on staying to make sure both he and Bella were alright.
The driver back to Bella's was quiet and short. She mostly stared out the window while keeping a good grasp on Edwards free hand. Once they pulled up at her house Edward ran to get the door and help her out of the car. He really wasn't looking forward to leaving her alone.
"Bella are you going to be ok?"
"I'm sure I'll be fine Edward, I'm used to being alone. Would you stay with me though? For tonight and we can talk more tomorrow."
Edward sighed in relief and nodded as they made their way into the house. He didn't know where tomorrows conversation would take their relationship but he hoped it would work out in everyone's favor. Bella on the other hand had one thought in her mind. To get out of Forks, Washington. Nothing was holding her here any longer and she was ready for a new start.
I had a hard time writing this one. I wanted to honor Charlie's death but I also can't wait to dive into Edward and Bella's relationship. How would yall feel about next chapter skipping some time? or would yall prefer to have some chapters of raw grieving for Bella?
