Good afternoon everyone, so, I'm sure you're all wondering where I've been and why I haven't updated when I said I would. Well, to put it simply, it's been a fucking nightmare few weeks. I don't want to go into deep detail but a secret that I have kept for several years came out. I had no intention of telling it but it came out. Ever since then I've been a whirlwind of violent emotions and writing took a backseat to the bullshit I was dealing with. But, luckily, I haven't completely fallen off the edge and I've finally pulled my shit together enough to post a new chapter. Please enjoy.
Chapter Thirty
Edward was in the bathroom in a second after I hollered for him. His hair was a mess and his green eyes were glassy as if he were still asleep.
"What's wrong?" He asked, tail whipping around furiously.
I held out the bloody tissue, "I'm bleeding! Did we overdue it last night? Oh, my god, what if I'm hurt again."
Edward cocked his head a little as he stared at the tissue. He burst into laughter after a few moments.
"What's so funny?" I demanded, "I'm hurt and you're laughing?"
"Bella," he tried to control his snorts of laughter, "You're not hurt. You're having your menstrual cycle."
I looked up at him darkly, "What?"
"It explains the mood last night. And the smell," he shook his head and reached into cabinet but didn't pull anything out, "You don't have anything to catch the blood? Didn't you just go to the store?"
"Wait," I said, leaning back, "Why am I bleeding again? I already bled after my surgery."
"Bella, you're going to bleed every month."
"What!" I gasped, "Every month? Why? That's not fair!"
"Bella, it's natural."
"No, this is not natural. I've never bled from this area before! This is gross!" I groaned.
"I'll run to the store and get you some stuff for it."
"What am I supposed to do until then? Sit on the toilet while my vagina bleeds?"
"Um, why don't you take a long shower or bath? I'll be very quick. Twenty, thirty minutes tops."
I groaned loudly and crossed my arms, "Fine."
He left the bathroom while I turned on the shower. I'd rather be in the shower where the blood would wash off me then sit in a bathtub for it to float around me.
I stepped into the shower, watching the blood run from my crotch to my ankle and finally onto the shower floor. I shuddered; I wasn't a sissy about blood, but I definitely didn't like it coming out of this area.
The water had run cold by the time Edward loudly announced he was home. I sighed in relief and turned the shower off. He walked into the bathroom with a full sack.
"Alright, I got you several things. I wasn't sure which you would prefer since this is your second menstrual cycle and all. But try these and see what you like."
I groaned as I looked into the bag. It was full of those diaper-like things the hospital had given me after my surgery. I hated them; it truly did feel like I was wearing a diaper.
"Will you go get me a pair of underwear? And some clothes. Please."
He ran out of the bathroom and returned in a matter of minutes. I smiled as he handed me a pair of underwear.
"Thanks."
"I got you some medication that'll help the cramps and moodiness if you'd like to try it."
"Thank you, I probably will," I slipped on the pad as they had instructed me at the hospital, "How long am I supposed to bleed?"
"Um, depends on the woman. Some bleed for two days while other's will bleed for five, or maybe eight. It just all depends. What was the length last time?"
"I wasn't really paying attention to the days. Maybe three? Or four possibly?"
"Well, the first day is always the worst." He said, "I'll go make breakfast if you'd like."
"That sounds good," I smiled.
"Would you like anything in particular?"
"Um, I'm easy. But, I'm craving something sweet."
"I'll make some fructus panem, it's a sweet acceptable breakfast food."
"Good," I said, "And don't forget, we have dinner tonight with Alice. Tomorrow is her and Jasper's uniting ceremony."
"I know, I have to run to my home and get my clothes for tomorrow and make sure they're clean and pressed."
I stood on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek, "We have to be there a little early to help them set up the room. Did Jasper tell you they rented a private dining room at Popina? So, make sure you dress appropriately tonight."
"Thank you, mother," He chuckled, "I guess your maternal instincts are showing."
"I'm guessing it's a side effect from my menstrual cycle?" I asked.
He nodded, "Yes ma'am. I'm going to go get breakfast started."
I turned to the mirror after he left the bathroom and began to brush my hair. I shook it out, rubbing a plant oil in the roots. Emily showed me this stuff, it's supposed to make my hair grow. I'm interested to see if it really works. Emily's hair was certainly long.
Once my hair was finished, I changed into a loose dress just to wear before I had to change for Alice's dinner tonight.
"Mm, that smells good," I said as I entered the kitchen.
He looked over his shoulder and smiled, "Yours is done."
I looked to the plate with the steaming food and smiled. I grabbed my plate and sat at the table. The food he fixed was sweet. Like fruit; it reminded me of fruit pastries on earth, which, made me start to wonder about my home planet.
"I wonder how earth has changed." I said.
He looked up from his plate, "Considerably I'd say."
"I'd like to see how it's changed though. If the people are still the same. Or if the planet and cities are still the same. It'd be interesting."
"I'm sure you could ask my father. He's the one that has the connection with earth."
"I'll need to ask him when I see him next time. He's coming to the ceremony tomorrow, right?"
"Yep, he'll be there."
"Hello! Is anybody home?" I heard Alice call.
"We're in the kitchen," I yelled back before wiping my mouth and standing.
We hugged each other, she laid her dress on the back of a chair.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Just came to say hi and hang out until dinner. Is that okay?"
"Of course that's okay. You're always welcome." I smiled.
She sat at the table and looked at Edward, "You're coming tomorrow right? And tonight?"
"Like I have anything better to do," He joked, "Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world. Jasper is my only cousin after all."
"Okay good. Now, I want you to get along with your brother tomorrow. No fighting."
My head snapped to Edward, "You have a brother?"
He rolled his green eyes, "No. I don't."
Alice sighed, "Yes he does. But they don't speak to one another over a silly feud."
"Why didn't you ever tell me you had a brother?"
Edward stood abruptly, I could tell he was angry from his body language.
"I don't have a brother. I just have a jerk who happens to share the same parents. He isn't anything to me."
Edward walked out of the room, his tail straight. I bit my lip, wondering if I should go after him. I decided to wait and let him cool off.
"Alice, he has a brother?" I asked.
She nodded, "He does. But both of them are stubborn. Can hardly be in the same room. They've been fighting for years now. Never speaking to one another and if they do speak, they fight."
"What's his brother's name?"
"Emmett. He's got a wife, Rosalie, she's pretty nice but a little standoffish."
"Wait, Esme never mentioned having another son. She said that her and Carlisle couldn't have anymore and that's why she pushes Edward to have a daughter."
"Well, technically Emmett isn't Esme's son. They get along just fine and they do love one another. Emmett is Carlisle's son, from his first wife… or wait, they weren't married, they were getting married. Ugh, it's confusing. But, anyways, Carlisle's girlfriend or whatever died while she was giving birth to Emmett. Carlisle was grieving and went to Esme for guidance. They fall in love and then had Edward."
"Why do the two of them fight?" I asked.
"Jasper's not a hundred percent sure. But he thinks it has something to do with Rosalie."
"Do you think they fought over her or something?" I asked.
"Not sure. I've asked both of them and neither one would say."
"Maybe I'll pry a little. See what the deal is. I'd like to meet his brother, but I don't want to make Edward feel some sort of way."
Alice sighed, "I wish they'd just get along."
"Why didn't Esme tell me that she had another son?"
"I'm not sure about that. Maybe she didn't want to make Edward feel bad if you went back and asked about his brother."
"Huh, maybe," I said, "So, what are you doing with your hair tomorrow?"
"I'm putting those baby flowers in it and maybe braiding my hair around it. But I don't know if my hair is long enough," she pulled the ends of her bangs, "I really want my hair to grow out."
"Emily, my neighbor, gave me this supplement that's supposed to make your hair grow faster. Not sure if it works. But, you should try it."
"I'll check it out," She smiled, then suddenly frowned, "I'm afraid my wedding day might be ruined though. You know, I had that thing taken out a week ago, and I'm on my cycle? I went to the doctor because I was freaking out and he said I'm supposed to get it every month. This sucks. I didn't know this was supposed to be an every month thing."
I reached a placed my hand over her arm, "Oh my god… I started this morning to. I freaked out because I thought I was hurt, Edward and I did it last night and he dropped the ball on me that it's supposed to happen every month. This sucks."
She nodded, "It does. And this thing in my underwear is uncomfortable! I hate it! I can't believe women have to go through this every month. We deserve awards. And look at this," She pointed to her stomach, "I am bloated."
"I have cramps." I frowned, "Edward bought me some medicine for the cramps and stuff. Thank god for him because I wouldn't know what to do."
"I'm lucky for Jasper's mom," she said, "I know I've been griping about her living with us, but, she's been a big help."
"Are you guys still planning on moving out here?"
"Yeah. Jasper and I are looking at property around this area. But, we're building an addition onto the house because Jasper's mom wants to live with us."
"Does that bother you?" I asked.
"Not all the time," She smiled, "But, sometimes she can be annoying. She likes to take over, you know? I have to remind her constantly that she doesn't have to cook or clean. She can relax or go on a date. She's been kind of clinging to Jasper ever since her husband died."
"That's not good. But isn't Jasper her only son?"
"Yeah, so I understand why she's clingy. I try not to be mean or pester Jasper about it. He worries about his mom you know?"
"Doesn't she have… something wrong with her?" I asked, trying to be as polite as possible.
"She has Morbus." Alice said.
"Yeah, what is that again?"
"Um it's kind of the equivalent of Alzheimer's, but she was born with it."
I nodded, "So is she forgetful?"
"Yeah sometimes. She'll forget who I am and freak out, a little alien running around her house. But the worst was when she forgot Jasper. That was rough. Luckily, eventually she remembers us. She gets confused a lot about simple things, like where things are or how to do simple things like putting her shoes on but her most recent one is showering."
I frowned, "Is it getting worse?"
"As she gets older it gets worse. I'm not really sure what to do if she gets much worse. Jasper and I both work. I'm afraid she'll get hurt or something."
"Let's not talk about heavy stuff right now. Let's start getting ready for your ceremony tomorrow!" I smiled.
I stood and tugged her hand, leading her out of the kitchen.
So, how did you like the chapter? Bella started her period! I can relate to that being a completely horrible time.