Author's note: Happy Sunday! Sorry it's been a while, but hopefully it's a case of better late than never. Thanks for continuing to read and review this story despite my irregular updating schedule.
We're picking up with Masen this time. A lot of you guessed what his idea was, so let's get to it.
Enjoy!
Chapter 12
MPOV
"She needs to be with her family," Dad's stern voice drags my focus away from the mountain of paperwork stacked on my desk - paperwork I need to have done before I can't even think about going home. I hate keeping Lark waiting, but thankfully she has an after-school class keeping her busy. With any luck, I'll be out of here shortly- provided this 'chat' doesn't take too long.
I doubt that; I can tell from the tense expression on my father's face that he's far from happy. That's hardly surprising. I prepared myself for his anger once Mom revealed both he and Charlie were coming to the hospital to speak with Bella.
Something I apparently can't be a part of.
I wanted to be there to support them both, but one word from my mother quickly put me in my place. There's no moving her when she's made her mind up. My dad has slept in the spare room enough to know that very little can change her decision when she sets her mind to something. And woe the consequences if you go against her.
In this case, she's right. I can see that now. My presence would only antagonize Charlie. I should sit it out on this occasion. We need him to see reason, not start another fight, or worse, a war between our families. Mom is a master negotiator, regardless of who she is dealing with. She'll talk them round, and if not, that's when I'll step in, whether my parents want me to or not. Bella has made her decision, and I refuse to let her be intimidated or bullied. Least of all by her own family and beefcake, if he's hanging around - again.
"Bella needs support through her recovery. Our family home can provide this," I say, truthfully. "I don't see what the problem is."
"Are you sure this is really wise?" Dad's voice is filled with disapproval.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Don't take me for an idiot, Masen. You know as well as I do your mother is growing fond of her. You both are. You've even introduced her to Lark, which, I'll admit, concerns me. Bella coming to stay with us is only going to complicate this further."
His words anger me, and I don't hold back my response.
"I don't see why. And if it's such a bad idea, why are you telling me, not Mom," I say defensively, which only proves exactly what I'm denying; I am too close … too invested in Bella's recovery. It goes far beyond the patient and doctor bond.
Shit! I'm panicking, but I try to appear calm on the outside. I don't need to give Dad any more ammunition than he already has.
"However much I am against this, we both know that once your mother gets an idea in her head, there's little I can do to dissuade her," Dad says, breaking the awkward silence that had descended.
He's a pushover, in other words.
"Is it really so bad if Bella were to stay with us for a short time?" I can hear the defensiveness in my voice too late. Dad has been asking way too many questions about Bella already. If I thought my mother's closeness to her would buy me some time, I was sadly mistaken. He's even more curious now.
"No, but I don't want either of you getting too attached or involved. Charlie is not going to be happy when he hears what you have planned. I'm still not convinced she shouldn't be with her family, Masen. It would certainly save a lot of trouble for our family."
"You can be the one to tell Mom that."
It's a shitty move, bringing my mom into the conversation again, but he's still not sold on the idea of Bella staying with us. And what my mother wants, she gets; She's the only one capable of talking him down. He may be a big, powerful man who deals in million-dollar contracts and arrangements, but one word from my mother, and he's putty in her hands.
"We both know that's not happening. She's down there now playing peacemaker and chief negotiator," he signs in frustration.
I can't help smirking. Good luck, Charlie - my mother takes no prisoners.
"I know you're worried, but we've already been through this, Dad. Bella's treatment is my only concern."
"Really?" He asks, unconvinced.
"Yes, really. I think-" I'm about to reply when the door bursts open and Jess rushes in, looking flustered.
"Thank God you're here! I was worried you may have already left!"
"What's wrong, Jess?" I'm standing, making my way over to her while she catches her breath.
Did she run all the way down here?
"I'm sorry to interrupt, , but the recovery ward upstairs called. There's an incident," she says, looking incredibly uncomfortable, almost hesitant.
"Which patient is it, Jess?" I ask, sensing there is more to it.
Waylon is renowned for being difficult. He's in the ER every other week. He's been drunk and disorderly more times than I can count, but I try to step in to calm him down before having to get the police involved.
"It's Miss Swan. Her father is causing a scene. Your mother is there too. It's getting very … heated. She and are disrupting the whole floor."
Before finishing her sentence, I'm out of my office and heading upstairs to Bella's room. As soon as I reach her floor, I know this is bad - very bad.
We can hear the shouting before we've even rounded the corner. Bella's guards are outside having a standoff with hospital security. Nurses and doctors are trying to usher nosey patients back to their rooms.
Then, just when I think this situation couldn't possibly get any worse, I hear my mother's voice loud and clear.
"Renee would be ashamed of you for treating your daughter this way!"
Fuck! Charlie is not gonna like that.
Damn right, he doesn't.
"It's none of your fucking business, Esme. I'm warning you now - keep your nose out of it. You don't want to go against me, and you won't like the consequence if you do. Not even Carlisle can protect you."
Bastard!
No one threatens my mother and lives to tell the tale. I don't even need to look across at him to know Dad is fucking furious. Before now, he's trailed behind me, urging caution so as not to draw any attention to ourselves. But now, he steps forward and almost takes out one of Charlie's men in the process of getting past.
I follow, and as I reach the door, one of the other bodyguards steps in front of me.
"Move." I ground out through gritted teeth. Surprisingly he follows my request, and we hurry inside. The scene that greets me is far worse than I could ever have imagined.
Mom's finger is in Charlie's face... Jake is attempting to hold a furious Charlie back …Dora and Rosalie are on either side of my mother with matching furious expressions and are arguing with another man I don't recognize. And Bella, she looks absolutely devastated. Tears are streaming down her face, and she looks broken.
Ignoring the chaos around me, I rush over to her while my dad steps in between Charlie and my mother. He's in his face, ready to throw the first punch. If he had a gun with him, I know it would be pointed directly at Charlie's head.
It's chaos and mayhem. And I won't have it.
First, I focus my attention on Bella because she's the most upset out of everyone in the room. My hands automatically clasp hers as I check her over, making sure she's okay.
"I'm okay, Masen," she says in a small voice, offering me a tiny smile to try and put me at ease- I'm sure because I must look like I'm about to explode.
Which I am.
Only when I'm sure she's okay, do I turn to face the rest of the people in the room.
"What the hell is going on in here?" I demand over all the arguing taking place.
All sets of eyes turn to me. All are angry … some are hostile … some shocked.
For the first time since I entered the room, Jake suddenly seems aware of my presence. He steps away from Charlie and marches towards me, but I refuse to cower to him of all people.
"What's this got to do with you anyway, Cullen? Wait, let me guess ... I bet it was your idea to let Bella stay with you? Very fucking cozy." he spits. His eyes are glaring daggers at me, and his nostrils are flaring like an angry bull.
"Bella's healthcare is none of your business."
"None of my business!"
He lunges for me but is held back by Charlie, of all people.
"Calm down, Jake. You can't touch him - especially here of all places. He knows that." Charlie sends me a hard look.
"Cool down," he instructs, and surprisingly, Jake appears to listen but not before goading me.
"We both know he's a pussy anyway." he sneers. "One who sends his mother to do the dirty work. Please!"
All right, that's enough.
I'm about to show this asshole exactly how much of a pussy I can be when a soft hand touches mine. Looking down, Bella's hand is clasped around mine; her eyes pleading.
"Please, Masen, don't do anything stupid. He's not worth it."
Somehow, both Bella's touch and her words do the trick, calming me before I do something I might regret. She's right; I can't let this idiot provoke me. That's what he wants- a reaction.
He smirks across at me, but I'm the one laughing when Bella announces, "just go, Jake, and don't bother coming back if you can't respect my friends or me."
"Friend?" Jake spits. His eyes are hurt rather than angry.
"Bella, can't you see he's using you. For what reason, I don't yet know. Maybe so his family can get one over on us … or so they can use you as a -."
I'm about to step in when Bella once again stands up to him.
"Enough! Jake, can you hear yourself? Masen has been nothing but supportive to me. How dare you accuse him of that."
Wow, Bella is angry … really fucking angry.
It's the first time I've seen her lose her temper, and boy does she let rip. The woman who was in tears when I walked into the room is long gone.
"If anyone has an ulterior motive or is manipulative, it's you! Have any of you asked me what I want … what I think is best?"
Silence. You could hear a pin drop.
"No, you haven't. Maybe if you had, I wouldn't have felt the need to seek other alternatives to returning home. The Cullens have very kindly offered me a place with them, and I will be taking them up on that offer whether you like it or not." Bella said with conviction.
Well, that put him in his place. Jake looks like he's about to cry.
Good; serves him right for talking shit about things he knows nothing about.
"Bella, please…"
"Just go, Jake," she says, not even meeting his eyes. Her focus is on the far side of the room, like she can't bear to look at him for another second.
Her words do the trick, and Jake leaves the room sheepishly. However, if I thought Jake leaving would mark the end of this confrontation, I was mistaken. Now it appears to be Charlie's turn to voice his anger.
"No, I won't have it. You're not going anywhere near that family." Charlie seethes.
"That family!" Mom seethes.
"That family saved your daughter's life when she was rushed into this very hospital." Mom is equally furious - clearly offended by Charlie's comments.
"That family who were here for Bella when you were not. My son has done nothing but look out for Bella's welfare. Don't you dare -"
"Enough please, Esme" Dad steps in, despite the daggers Mom sends him. He offers an apologetic smile for cutting her off before moving towards Charlie cautiously; his hands held up in hopes of a temporary respite from the chaos surrounding us all.
"We won't get anywhere arguing like this, Charlie. I know you're angry and feel aggrieved, but this is what Bella wants."
"Maybe, but that is neither here nor there. You and I both know this goes beyond what my daughter wants. And you … you and your family ambushed me here- so I can't do a damn thing about it."
"Charlie, this isn't an ambush," Dad says calmly.
"It feels that way, Carlisle," he spits out my father's name as though it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. "You intentionally brought me here so I couldn't cause a scene." He accuses.
I want to laugh because he's done just that, turned our discussion into a free show for everyone on this floor, but something tells me Charlie is on the verge of a major meltdown, so I hold back.
Shaking his head, he walks over to Bella, whose hand tenses in mine. I squeeze back, showing her I'm here … I'm going nowhere, regardless of what Charlie says.
"Are you insane or just trying to punish me?" Charlie sounds defeated. His shoulders slump. It's the first sign of emotion other than the anger he's shown.
"Despite what you think, I'm not trying to punish you. This is about what I want … what I think is good for me. So please ... value my opinion, for once. Let me do what is best for me, not for the family," Bella sighs, looking exhausted.
Charlie looks thoughtful, and for a moment, I think I see a trace of sorrow in his eyes. I can't help thinking that maybe he wishes his relationship with his daughter wasn't so broken. He's so hard to read it's impossible to know what's going on in his mind, which I suspect is exactly what he wants.
Time to go in with a little more persuasion.
"Mr. Swan, if someone is trying to hurt Bella, your home is the first place they would come looking for her. You want to keep her safe - my family and I can do that. No one would think to look for her at our house."
There's a long, tense, awkward silence as Charlie considers my argument before he finally responds.
"This is only for the short term. As soon as you reach the next stage in your recovery, this situation ends, you are coming home. This is a temporary solution, and I have conditions." Charlie warns.
"Name them," I reply, sending Bella an encouraging smile.
I expected this. I wasn't naive enough to think Charlie would agree without laying out some conditions of his own; his security for one. Just so long as it isn't Jake, we're good.
It looks as if we have passed the first hurdle. Whatever Charlie's requests, we'll do our best to make it work.
For Bella.
