First and foremost this is the original story before I started to rewrite it... and got stuck in the writing of the rewrite. If you are following the rewrite you will notice quite glaring differences between this and the one you have already started following. I do not intend on giving up with the rewritten version, however, I think you guys waiting for me to get over my blank slate of a muse isn't going to happen any time soon. So I am re-posting the original. This was my first completed story and it is very different from how my last stories flow.
Secondly, this is not beta'ed. NOT AT ALL. There will be mistakes in spelling (I'm Australian and some words we spell differently). The layout will honestly have you wondering what the hell I was thinking. I wasn't; well that's not true. What I was thinking was that I knew what I was doing and screw anyone else... yes I was a conceited little shit even at the age of 31.
Thirdly, there are 68 chapters to this story, including the epilogue and two outtakes. All of which have been uploaded to my profile I will try to upload as often as I can. Please understand that I have a busy life in the real world. This includes two children, one grown and the other with disabilities. So while I should be able to update wherever I am, if something happens please understand that I will miss updating.
Last but not least. I am not SM. Not even close. I do not own the franchise, work in any capacity with the publishing houses or studios. I merely escaped from reality to play with some characters that I fell in love with while reading four books in a matter of days.
A/N: I'm giving a warning now. Tissues will be needed.
When I walked into the hospital room… there was nothing that could have prepared me for what I saw. Brea was sleeping on the bed, covered in bruises; blood; and God only knows what. I fought back the vomit that was so close to being expelled from my mouth. She had wires and tubes connected to her body, with a heart monitor taped to her stomach where a thankfully healthy heartbeat could still be heard.
"I'm detective Nahaul, and this is my partner detective Tia. I would assume you are her friend Bella?" a gruff voice from behind me startled me, making me squeak in surprise.
How did I not notice them there, wait I know I was too worried about my friend and little sister lying on the bed in front of me.
"I am what happened to Brea? When did this happen, and has anyone else tried to talk to her since she was admitted to the hospital?" I questioned them not caring which one answered as long as someone answered me.
"Unless you wish to take the role of her doctor we can't answer your questions. But at the same time, she won't answer our questions unless you're here." The male detective replied, and I really wanted to hate someone right now, but I couldn't put this hatred and anger at an innocent for no reason but to get it out of my system.
"Fine, I'll take that role, she's now my patient. Now answer my damned questions." I huffed. Well so much for not taking my anger out on an innocent person; I shook my head clearing it from all the emotions I was feeling, I needed to be here for Brea and my emotional hold was not going to help her get through this.
"Thank you, Dr. Swan. To answer your questions, possibly two people attacked her just over two hours ago in her own home. Both her parents and we have tried to talk to her but she won't answer anything until you were here." The female detective; Tia answered and I could see that she had shed at least one tear for my dear little sister.
I nodded my head and made my way over to the bed where a seat right beside her. I could only guess that it was here for Chelsea's benefit.
"Bella?" she rasped out in her sleep, and I grabbed her hand letting her know I was here with her.
"It's okay Brea. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." I whispered in her ear not wanting to startle her anymore than she already was. I had sat there for about ten minutes before Tanya entered the room.
"Bella has she said anything? Maybe I could give her parents some good news." Her voice was hopeful but she was holding something back.
"No, but whatever I would have said otherwise would have put us both in trouble. I've taken her as my only patient." Not looking at Tanya, but keeping my tone clear of any emotions.
It wouldn't be any good getting their hopes up until she made some progress medically not emotionally right now. I heard the door close behind her as she left the room as I continued my vigil watch over the poor girl how was now facing a battle to keep not only her own life but that of her unborn child. It made me really happy and guilty that I had a beautiful son waiting for me once both of us were ready.
When Brea began to groan some a while later both the detectives and I came closer to the bed.
"Brea honey. I'm here. You're safe now. No one can touch you here. I promise you I'm not going anywhere." I could only reassure her of what I knew would happen.
And that was enough for now. I held her as she cried, as she let go of the pain she was holding, and for the devastation of the situation she was now in. I could see both detectives fight the tears that were forming in their own eyes as they listened to her crying. Knowing the training that they both went through to keep themselves distant from the victim, I understood their hesitation of being in the room.
Glancing at the two of them at the door I silently asked them if they were ready. With a nod from both Nahaul and Tia, I knew it was time to start.
"Brea. I'm going to ask you some questions about what happened. What you tell me will not go past these walls. Only the two detectives yourself and I will know what you say. Are you okay with this?" I had to break it as best as I could, she needed me to help her once more and I was more than willing to do so.
A soft okay was barely heard over the beeping of the medical equipment that she was hooked up to.
"Brea, do you know who did this to you?" first and foremost this was the question that needed to be answered.
I was dreading her answer; I knew she knew how her attacker was; as it happened in her own home, either they broke in, or she knew them. But I was afraid she would shield him after their past. She swallowed and nodded her head.
"Can you tell me their names, Brea? Remember they can no longer hurt you now, and once you have taken back that power they never will be able to again." I hated myself for putting her through this.
She had barely gained consciousness and I was interrogating her; doing the police's work because she wouldn't talk to anyone else.
"Riley, Riley, and some other guy. I can't remember his name but I know it starts with an A." She had blacked out after answering her one question and I knew it was going to take a very long time for us to get everything that was needed to have his ass put in jail.
"Dr. Swan, do you know who Riley is?" Detective Tia asked; and I understood why, there was no way I was able to hide that.
"He's the baby's father. From her old hometown. I've met him once but I don't know anything about him." My voice could not hold the disdain for the vial animal any more than my face could.
He had done this to his own child. Willing to destroy it after not having anything to do with the pregnancy at any stage. I was seeing red and knew that if I had a punching bag I'd rip it to shreds. It was quiet for a little while; waiting for her to regain consciousness. I hadn't even realized that Tanya and the two detectives were talking, probably gaining the information about Riley that I wasn't able to provide them.
"Bella, am I going to be okay?" I jumped as Brea's voice was barely audible; frightened that I wasn't able to answer her question truthfully.
Even if she made it through the initial part, it was going to take a very long time for her to regain control over herself both physically and emotionally.
"You want the truth or me to lie?" I tried to lighten the mood but I also knew it was pointless. I had to try; I had to see her smile at least once more before we went any further.
I was half-happy, she smiled, but it was forced as she looked towards the wall.
"He came over to talk about the baby. His friend wanted to sell the baby to some stranger, but I wouldn't give her up. You know it's a girl in there. I'm gonna give her your name because you've done so much for me that I want her to know how wonderful you've been for me. Like my sister in so many ways. Mum said that she agreed that you were so important to how far I've come." She started to cough, near the end and I reached for the oxygen mask that was sitting beside her.
The small smile that played at the corners of her mouth was more than any words that could be said.
"I think she should have your mother's name. Chelsea is a very strong woman who I know would be honored and proud to have her grandbaby named after her." However, before I had finished talking she was shaking her head no s badly I'd thought she would knock the mask off her face.
I raised my hands up in surrender; I knew she wouldn't budge on this manner. She was so much like me it was almost like we were blood sisters.
"What happened Miss Tanner? Once they realized that you wouldn't go along with their plans?" Detective Nahaul asked making me jump once more.
I watched as Brea shuttered at the memory. I so badly wanted to go hit him up the back of the head, but it would have only gotten me arrested.
"It's okay, I'm right here Brea. Tell us what happened afterward." I spoke in the softest voice that I could; not wanting to scare her any more than she already was.
"Riley cornered me. He said that once I had the baby he was going to take her away from me. That I wasn't a fit mother and he could prove it because you were always buying everything for me. I knew he couldn't do anything regardless because you were there when he gave up wanting to be a part of her life when we met for lunch that day. But his friend had other ideas.
"He was pissed that I had said no. I guess he already had a buyer or something. He told Riley to hit me, make me go into labor early so they can take the baby and go. So he did; he slapped me across the face. But it wasn't enough. His friend came over and pushed Riley out of the way and punched me in the belly, just above where she was sitting.
"I tried to get away but all I did was make it to the staircase. I don't know how I got upstairs but the next thing I remember was being pushed down the stairs and hearing Riley telling his friend he killed us." I knew she wasn't giving all the details, but she gave enough for the police to be satisfied with the arrest warrant, and within minutes they left the room to do god only knows what.
"That was great, rest now Brea. I'll be here when you wake up I promise." I whispered before placing a kiss on her forehead. She sighed and succumbed to the exhaustion and pain she was in.
I sat there for what could have been days, hours, or minutes; I wouldn't know I was so lost in what had gone on in the last few hours in her life. The psychologist in me was going through different strategies that would help her recover through this. Edward and Alice would help with the physical and medical aspects; I knew they would.
Jasper and the boys would be her personal bodyguards throughout the whole situation and healing process. The girls would step up in any way that would be helpful to her. But there was so much I still needed to know what had gone on. Like did she know what the other guy looked like, what they were wearing, what car they were driving? Then we'd have to go through all the events in detail to show her how strong she truly was.
Getting her to realize that it wasn't her fault that they were the bad guys in the situation. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice the police enter the room once more or make their way over to me as detective Tia placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Riley handed himself in at the station a few minutes ago. He's giving a full statement. He's showing remorse for what they did and is giving up his friend. All he asked in return was that we told Brea that he was truly sorry, he didn't want it to go like this." Detective Tia told me. I nodded; it was the only thing that I could think of.
We were all pulled out of our thoughts when the machines started to beep out of control. I reached over and pushed the emergency button; it was all I could think of that would get the medical staff in here. Even the heartbeat of her daughter was going at a frantic pace.
A blur of white coats and medical terms were called throughout the room. Myself and the two detectives were pushed towards the side of the room to allow for everyone to gain access to my little sister. I knew what was happening, her heart wasn't able to keep up with all the damage that she'd received from these vial and sorry excuses of humans. She was dying and there was nothing I could do.
I watched as her clothes were cut from her body, as weird and scary looking machines and equipment were brought into the room to help her daughter to make her way into the world. I felt when both detectives held me, forcing me to stay where I was rather than making my way over to the bed; I needed to say good-bye to my sister. Tell her that we would tell her daughter what a strong and wonderful woman her mother was; there was nothing that she would need to worry about as we would make sure that her parents were never left to care for her child on their own, we would all be there for her.
But I knew why they were holding me back. It was for me, they were worried about me that I'd get lost in the scene playing out before me. I turned my head into Detective Tia's chest, I couldn't watch anymore.
I heard the cry of her daughter, only seconds before the machines started their long and painful beep. That one noise that I'd be petrified for the rest of my life. Brea was gone; lost to us because of some weak moment in a young man's life. I didn't even realize that I had cried out in the pain of the moment until Tanya handed me a very small bundle of blankets with tears running down her face.
"Bella, I'm so sorry. She fought for so long, but I think it would have come down to her or her daughter. She gave herself up for her daughter to survive..." her voice gave out and I knew what she was saying was true.
It was the same thing I would have done if it were Junior and me in her place. We stood there for minutes before I was able to gain control of my emotions. I needed to get it together; Chelsea and Marcus were waiting for news as to what had happened to both the girls in their lives. Oh god Chelsea and Marcus, how was I going to be able to help them; would they allow me to help them in whatever way they would let me.
I began to panic thinking that I'd failed them, I was here to help their daughter, not watch as she gave her life to save her unborn child. I hadn't even taken a look at the bundle of blankets snuggled into my arms. She smelt the milk that was in me, and she nuzzled into me for comfort and nourishment.
"Someone get me some milk for her. She may like the smell of mine but she can't get acquainted with it. It won't be helpful for those who ultimately will be caring for her." I called to all those in the room, only to be handed a small bottle and blanket to cover myself; masking my scent as I fed the little girl in my hands.
She looked so much like her mother, the same dark brown hair, and her eyes the shocking green to match. Only her nose was different from Brea's and I prayed to God or whoever was up there listening that she didn't have any characteristics of her father. She must have been hungry, though I wasn't quite awake when Junior was first fed so I wasn't sure if this was normal.
I watched as she drank most of her formula, taking in the miniature of her mother. She was beautiful, and hopefully she and Junior would grow up as family as we had planned.
"Tanya, I think it's time we go and tell her family. Chelsea and Marcus must be going out of their mind, let alone Jasper." I spoke with a very sore and cracked voice, void of most emotion that was bubbling on the inside.
We walked out of the room with the police while the other medical staff finished cleaning and caring for Brea's body. The pain that ripped at my heart at even the realization that she was gone hurt so badly I had to stop listening to what Tanya was saying to the others; I couldn't even tell you who was there in the room with them.
"I know it won't take away the pain, but would you like to meet your granddaughter?" I could only say those words, I was lost in my own pain, but I needed to push it away to help Chelsea and Marcus. I made my way over to Jasper and took hold of Junior before finding safety in his arms; losing a few tears to his shirt. I don't think he even noticed how much just standing there with his arms around me saved me from losing control. God, I just hurt so much; how in the world are Marcus and Chelsea handling this if I'm feeling this much pain. I could only imagine that their pain was thoughts of times worse than what was coursing through my body.
As I made my way over to her parents I had to put my pain aside once more. I would help Brea's family get through this pain that they were suffering. I could do that much for them at least. But when they asked me who it was that took their daughter, it took absolutely everything I had and more to not answer them, give them Riley's name. But I couldn't.
She was legally my patient and I was bound by law to keep that to myself. Until the day of the court case that I knew would happen. All I could do was reassure them that the ones who did this had been taken in and they would come to justice. Then I would have to see the pain on their faces when it became known that he was the one whose ignorance and bad judgment caused the loss of their daughter, my friend, and sister.
I was lost in trying to comfort both Marcus and Chelsea giving them reassurances that I was indeed going to be there for them and little Bella when Tanya returned to inform me that I needed to give a formal statement to the police I could only nod, it meant that I'd have to hand Junior over to someone after I had only just gotten him back in my arms. I tried, god I tried to stand, but I couldn't. It was just too much for me now.
Leaving that room in a wheelchair was something that I wasn't expecting. I listened to what my family had to say about how I was holding it together. If they knew exactly how close I was to losing it all I don't think they'd realize it. I wanted Brea back in our lives; I wanted her to know her daughter, but most of all I just wanted to say a proper goodbye to a little sister that I never knew I wanted until I'd met her.
I was wheeled into a room where two new detectives were sitting; waiting for me. I didn't even catch their names. I answered their questions not caring whether or not I had any other emotion other than pain and grief being heard in my words. I answered as they questioned me on everything I knew about Brea, the situation concerning her pregnancy, her relationship with Riley… everything.
When they started to question what had happened in the room I became even less of a shell than I already was. My voice was flat, and I spoke in short distinct answers. I was lost, and I needed two people right now to help me, but they were waiting for me somewhere else right now and I had to do this for Brea. I could deal with my pain later; right now this was for Brea.
I think the hardest part of this whole situation would be what is to happen in the future, once that little girl realizes that her father was unintentionally an accomplice to her mother's death. That her mother chose her to live even if it meant that she would give her life up. All I wanted was to go back to the two men out there that I knew were waiting for me; I wasn't stupid enough to think that my family would have left me, but right now I needed those two.
One of the detectives wheeled me out back to the waiting room where all but Chelsea were waiting for me to return. I saw the pain and agony on each face, I saw the pity and sadness that they had for me and what I had to witness. But most of all I saw the love that each and every one of them had for Brea in their eyes. Marcus reached for my hand before I was completely in the room, needing the touch and the connection to his daughter's last moments in her life.
"Did she suffer? Was she in pain?" his voice was so gentle, his eyes not moving from his grandchild.
"No, she went in her sleep. Even though the birth of that beautiful girl she wasn't in pain. I promise you that Marcus." I could only reply with my voice still void of any emotion. I couldn't bring myself to face that pain while he was still there.
"Thank you, Bella, you don't know how much you helped her, or us for that matter. We thought that we were going to lose her when she brought us to that meeting with you. But you brought her back to us. You were there all through it, right till the very end. I... we are forever in your debt." I listened to Marcus, hearing the joy in his voice when he mentioned that first meeting; only to hear it change to pain and grief referring to her death. I smiled and squeezed his hand before turning to the two I needed right at this moment.
"Take me home. Please." I whispered as I fought the tears fighting to be released from their prison. He smiled and nodded his head before making his way over to me. I heard Peter say he'd drive our car, from behind me as once more Junior was placed in my arms.
"Bella; I need to just quickly check you over. I'm really sorry but it has to be done. I'm worried about you." Tanya's voice called from the doorway once again.
I felt the pain clench around my heart realizing that it would mean that I'd have to let Junior out of my arms once more. I knew that if I did, I wouldn't make it through anymore. I'd lose all control I had over my emotions. I felt as the chair started to move, but I didn't take my eyes off of my son; his sleeping form bringing me more peace now more than anything right now.
It wasn't until I felt us turning the corner that I realized we had left the room and I was still holding my little boy; or that both Jasper and Peter were following me. I briefly wondered why Peter was with us and not Charlotte and the others before I heard the rest of my family whispering behind me. I had already seen Marcus and Chelsea turn off towards the nurses' station where I knew they would be spending their time until Bella – how weird does that sound right now – would be released.
Being lost in a little person's face isn't a bad thing really, I didn't even realize that we had made it to the examination room until I heard the door close and the sudden fall of footsteps behind us ceased. I felt as Jasper took Junior out of my arms when my arms ached for his little body to be there once more. I felt the kiss Jasper laid on my forehead before I turned to Tanya.
She checked my blood pressure first and foremost, before turning to the rest of my body. I followed the little penlight she shined in my eyes, I turned and followed every instruction she gave me while she prodded my body and answered every question she asked… only wanting it to be over. Finally, 10 minutes after we entered the examination room we were released, with Junior in my arms again.
I felt as my body wanted to give in, for the time being, allow the pain to take hold and be released completely but right now wasn't the best time. I had to wait until we were home and Junior was settled in his crib before I allowed myself that time. We said our goodbyes to Marcus and Chelsea with promises that we would return tomorrow to see how they were doing, as Jasper pushed the chair towards the car that was waiting for us near the entrance of the hospital. I only had to wait for a few more minutes before I could grieve for Brea; for the loss of a beautiful soul.
