A/N: Trigger and Tissue Warning!
SM owns all things Twilight. Everything else is mine.
Chapter 18
Three and a half hours. It's been three and a half hours and still no word. I don't know how long this is supposed to take, but I'm getting antsy. Bella called into work, explaining the situation, and has already chewed off five of her nails and is working on her sixth. Her fidgeting and worried habits are making me fidgety and anxious, but I can't really tell her to stop. Seth is more her family than I am, or my family is to her. Hell, I think he's more her family than her best friend Angela is.
But just like Bella, Seth has become a part of my family and it would kill me if he's not fixed.
Finally, after another half hour or so, Dr. Gerandy comes out. I don't like this look he has and I grab Bella, hugging her to me with her back to my front.
He sighs, "I'm sorry. I tried my best, but there was too much swelling and internal bleeding." Bella just nods. "You can come in and say your goodbyes." We nod and follow him back to the room.
Seth lies on the table with all but his clean, shaved head covered. You can see the stitches of where the doctor had cut. Bella covers her mouth with her hand and cries. I tell her that she doesn't have to see this and we can leave.
She shakes her head, "No. I need to do this. He deserves to be given one last goodbye." She walks over to him and starts to rub up and down his nose with a couple fingers.
We spend a few more minutes with him before she feels okay enough to leave. We talk with Dr. Gerandy about what happens next. He says that they will do everything in regards to whatever we choose for burial. Bella decides to have Seth cremated and wishes to take the ashes so she can either scatter or bury him in her backyard, or scatter him in the woods; his two favorite places. The doctor says to give him a couple days before expecting a call directly from him.
On the way back, I ask where she wants to go. She simply responds with, "I need my bed." So, I take her there and I will stay with her.
Some think of animals, including pets, to be just that: animals. But Seth has been the only constant in Bella's life. Angela, being the best friend, has as well, but nothing like Seth was. While I joined him in protecting Bella, he was the best because of his natural instincts and the capability to sense things no human could.
His bond with Bella cannot be replaced.
A/N: *sniffles* It was so hard to write these last three chapters. I have only lost one dog in my life and it was because she was old. I don't remember much of anything that was said after she was gone; I was young and too sad, and it was way over a decade ago.
If you actually read the author bios, then you know not all say, but mine says that I don't promise the HEA for everyone.
