Edward
As I watch the slow rise and fall of her chest, I realize an hour has passed with me just observing her. Knowing it will likely be a few hours before Bella comes around, I decide to check and see if Emmet had any luck in contacting Rosalie. I know I need to make a few phone calls; the least of which I want to make is the one to my parents. My mother, especially, will be devastated.
Making my way out of the room, I close the door and head down the stairs. I don't even stop to look at the worthless lump of a man who still lies on the landing; I just shake my head in disgust. I also need to make a call to our family physician, but perhaps it will be last on my list.
When I finally reach the foyer, Emmett is waiting.
"Did you get ahold of her?" I ask about Rosalie.
"I did, but she's not able to come for a few days. She had a family emergency; her grandmother's in the hospital, so they had to head down to Providence. We need to call Ma and Da, Ed."
Looking up at the ceiling, knowing what lies above it, I curse Jasper for putting us all in this position. Bella's going to wake up disoriented, confused, and in need of assistance that I'm not sure I can give. My mind is racing, trying to think of a female who could help her deal with this. Briefly, Heidi comes to mind, but I quickly dismiss the idea. She's a little too self-absorbed to be of any help.
"You're sure she doesn't have any other friends?" I ask, looking back to Emmett, hopeful that he's just forgotten someone.
"Nah, she's been pretty much a homebody since she came here. She only started talking to Rose because I was bringing her around. I mean, she hasn't started school yet, so she doesn't really know anyone. I don't think she stayed in touch with any of her old friends."
We're both quiet for a beat, thinking of the mess that's been created. With Da being gone, Emmett being the youngest, and our older brother being a fuck up of epic proportions, it falls on my shoulders to make the decisions.
"Okay, you go call Doc, and I'll call Da. It's..." I glance at my watch, noting the time, knowing Dublin is five hours ahead of us. "It's just past two in the morning there, so I'm sure they're asleep."
We go our separate ways, Emmett to the sitting room, and me to my father's study, needing a calm space to make this call. Settling down into his plush, leather chair, I lean my head back, rubbing my temples trying to chase away the stress. This will be the most difficult call I've ever had to make, up to this point in my life.
Picking up the receiver of the desk phone, I dial the familiar number and wait for the call to connect. It rings for the fourth time, and I prepare myself to leave a voicemail before the gruff voice of my father answers.
"Yeah?"
"Da, it's Edward."
"Who is it, Carlisle?" I hear my mother's sleepy voice in the background, and then the sound of what I assume is their bedding rustling.
"Go back to sleep, Es. It's just some business." Listening to their quiet mumbles, I feel like I'm somehow intruding; that my news is going to shatter whatever peace they had found in sleep.
Hearing what sounds like a door latch, a moment passes before I hear my father's voice. "This better be fuckin' important, son. Do you know what time it is here? If this is about the shipment—"
"No, Da, it's not." I pause, taking a deep breath before blowing it out.
"Well, spit it out."
"Something's happened."
"Well, obviously. Now, what the hell is it."
"It's Jasper."
"What's he done now?" I can hear the exasperation in his voice as if he's tired of his son's games. "Is he high again? I swear to Christ that if he's gone and doped up aga—"
"No, Da. You and Ma need to come on home as soon as possible." That brings him up short; utter silence falling over the line.
"What. Has. He. Done?" I can almost picture his gritted teeth.
"Something's happened with Bella."
Silence.
The only sound besides his breathing over the line is the tick of the clock over the fireplace mantle.
"What's he done?" His calm is unnerving. He's removed himself from his role as father and slipped into boss mode.
"I think he drugged her."
"And...?"
"I found him coming out of her room...where he left her naked in her bed."
"Son of a..." What sounds like shattering glass echoes across the line. Several moments of silence pass before his deceptively calm voice comes back over the line. "Where is he now?"
"In a broken and bloody heap on the stairs where I left him if Doc hasn't gotten here yet."
"Good. When he gets there, make sure he doesn't give him anything for pain. That fucker's on so many drugs right now, we don't need to add to it. I wouldn't want him to have a heart attack. Christ," he mumbles under his breath.
"I really need you to come home and deal with this. If it's left up to me, I'm not sure I'll be very merciful."
"And you think I will," he scoffs. "Look, it'll be two more days until I can even think about leaving. We were able to set up a few meetings that I absolutely cannot miss. So, it's..." he trails off, mumbling. "Okay, it's Saturday now, or will be when we wake up, and I have a meeting later today, and the other is tomorrow evening. That one could go late, so the earliest we can get a flight back is Monday. Expect us home sometime in the afternoon. I'll try to move things up if I can, but some of these people won't be very agreeable to me requesting a different time to meet."
"No, I understand. I just... Da, she's going to need someone to help her. Rose can't make it, and I'm not sure what to do."
"Jaysus," he says with a huff. "Just do what you can. Help her as if she's your little sister. I mean she's only sixteen. Sixteen," he growls, almost to himself. "What the fuck was he thinking? She's just a child!" Another glass object doesn't survive my father's wrath, and all the while I can hear him trying to get his breathing under control. "Look," he says, blowing out a breath, "I know she seems comfortable around you most of the time, so maybe it won't be so bad." He's trying to sound convincing, but fails, miserably.
"Yeah, sure, just get home as soon as you can."
"I'll do my best, Edward. Just take care of her."
"I will."
Disconnecting the call, I lean back in the chair, turning to stare out into the night sky. I've never held as much contempt for the man who calls himself my brother as I do at this very moment. To prey on an innocent young girl, to coerce her into bed, is beyond disgusting. He's brought disgrace to our family and lost any shred of respect we might have had for him.
The buzzing of my cell phone gets my attention, and drawing it from my pocket, Heidi's name flashes across the screen. Hitting accept, I bring the phone to my ear, not really ready to deal with the drama that usually comes when Heidi doesn't get what she wants.
"Hey, Heidi."
"Hey, baby." I outwardly cringe at her term of endearment. "How soon will you be coming by? It's already after nine," she says, hope clear in her voice.
"I don't think I'm gonna make it tonight."
"Oh, come on, Edward. Why not? You promised you'd come over. And don't say something came up, please." She sounds almost anxious.
"Well, something did come up. What do you want me to say?"
"Damnit, Edward!" The irritation in her voice is clear; she is not happy. "Will I see you at all anytime soon?" Her snippy, curt tone is grating on my already frayed nerves.
"I doubt it. Something came up here that I need to take care of."
"Something came up? Something came up, he says," she mumbles.
"Heidi, look, you know I have responsibilities where my family is concerned. You knew this when we started dating. Since when has it been a problem? This isn't something new; I've always had commitments that I need to keep."
"When am I going to be a priority?"
The silence between us stretches until it becomes uncomfortable.
"Look, Heidi, I don't know what to say."
"Whatever, Edward. It's late, and I'm going to sleep. Call me when you have the time." When the line goes silent, I huff out a breath. I really don't have time for her fucking dramatics right now.
The knock on the door gets my attention. "Yeah?"
"Ed? Doc is here," Emmett says after cracking open the door. "We moved him to one of the guest rooms."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Getting to my feet, I rub my hands over my face. My brother's broken ass is the last thing I want to think about, but it needs to be dealt with. Following behind Emmett, he leads me to Jasper where the doctor has already begun his examination.
"Mr. Cullen," he greets me. "Seems your brother took a nasty tumble, I presume?" His eyes are questioning, but I'm not giving him anything.
"Something like that. Look, I just need to know what his injuries are so we can make sure he's...comfortable." I smirk, knowing my father's instructions were to make the bastard suffer.
"Well, it would appear that he's got some major bruising, and more than likely some broken bones from his fall. I won't know until we have some X-rays taken. A lot of his injuries aren't consistent with a fall down the stairs, though. Do you know what happened?" he asks, turning to me.
"Yeah, we beat the shit outta him," I say directly, not sugar coating it. The son of a bitch deserved it, and I'll tell anyone that'll listen how much he earned that beating.
"All right, then. Well, I need to have him moved to the hospital so I can take those X-rays, and maybe an ultrasound to check for internal bleeding. The blows he took to his abdomen look pretty serious." Rummaging through his bag, he pulls out a syringe and a vial of some medication.
"What's that?" Emmett asks before I have a chance.
"I don't want him in too much pain if he happens to regain consciousness while we move him."
"No." My voice startles the doctor.
"What do you mean, no?"
"I mean I'm under strict instructions from my father to be sure he doesn't receive any pain medication."
"Well, I'll do what I can, but I can't guarantee he won't receive any at the hospital." He looks almost defiant as he says it.
"Well, Doctor," I say with a false smile on my face, "I think it's in your best interests to be sure my father's wishes are carried out. Do we ... understand each other?" There's no mistaking the meaning of my words.
As he thinks it over, his eyes glance from me to Emmett to Jasper, finally settling on me. "Of course."
He arranges for Jasper to be transferred, and Emmett begrudgingly goes along with him. It's more to make sure our instructions are followed than for Jasper's support.
"You're sure you'll be okay here with Bella?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine, Em."
"I'll keep checking in with Rosie to see if things change, but don't hold your breath on it."
"Nah, it'll be okay. Just ask her to come as soon as she can. I understand family obligations, Em. If her family needs her, that should be her first priority. You've got yourself a good girl there. She's doing what she should be. Bella will be fine. Ma will be back in a couple days, and it'll all work out."
"Okay, man. I'll, uh, just go make sure that the asshole doesn't get any special treatment." He starts heading for the door. Spinning around, he asks, "Um, should we call Alice?"
"Not until we have a better idea of what's going on. Besides, it's late, so she's probably passed out drunk anyway."
"Got it. I'll call you when I know anything."
With a nod, I send him on his way. Watching from the door, I can see them loading the worthless piece of shit into the waiting ambulance. When they finally pull away and head down the drive, I close the door and turn to stare up the staircase. There's a young lady who is going to need help I'm not sure I can give. Pushing myself off the wall, I take the stairs, one at a time, to check on Bella.
I open her door her door and find her still asleep, her chest still rising and falling. Making my way back to the chair at her bedside, I settle in and watch. I kind of feel like a creeper, but I need to know she's okay. What feels like hours pass, and I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I almost miss the moment her eyes flutter open.
They're unfocused and disoriented as they search the room; the space dimly lit by a lonely table lamp in the early hours of the morning. When her eyes finally find me, I can see the confusion in them.
"Ed-ward?" she asks her voice small and rough.
"Yeah, Bella, it's me. How are you feeling?" I ask with a bit of apprehension.
She's quiet for a beat before she answers me. "I'm...I'm not sure. I feel...weird," she says, closing her eyes.
"Are you dizzy or nauseous?"
"I don't think so."
"Are you in any pain?"
"Why would I be in pa—" Trying to sit up too quickly seems to be something she regrets right away. "Whoa. Okay, yeah, definitely dizzy," she says, her head falling back to her pillow as she breathes in and out through her nose.
"What's wrong, Bella?"
"I shouldn't have tried to sit up," she almost pants out. "Now I've got a wicked headache, and I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Okay, hang on, and I'll get something in case you puke," I say, getting to my feet to find a bucket or something. "This should do." Removing the bag from the wastebasket, I place it on the floor, close to her bed. "If you need to throw up, the bin is right next to your bed."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The silence stretches on for several minutes, her breathing the only sound in the room. Her small voice breaks through the silence. "Why do I feel like this, Edward?"
I don't want to lie to her, but I need to know. "What do you remember?"
"Not much," she whispers. "The last thing I remember is watching old home movies I found from when I was little."
Hearing her refer to herself as when she was little doesn't match up with what I see before me. She looks like a little girl now, small and fragile.
"Do you remember anything else?"
She's quiet, undoubtedly trying to recall what happened. "I remember Jasper being there." Turning her head, her eyes open and again meet mine. "He was actually being nice to me."
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Yeah, I'm sure he was very nice. Being patient, I wait to see what else she recalls.
"We...talked. He brought me a drink, and we sat and talked. I remember him trying to make me feel better when I got upset, but I don't remember anything after that." Her eyes search mine, looking for what, I'm not sure. When her hands finally trail down her body, she must realize she's naked except for her bed sheet, because in her eyes I see the moment realization hits her. "Edward, why am I naked?" The tremble in her voice breaks my heart.
Biting the bullet, I know honesty is the best thing here. Telling her lies or withholding thing won't do her any favors. "I think Jasper put something in your drink, Bella."
Her eyes widen. "He...he drugged me?"
"I think so," I whisper. "We could go to the hospital and have blood drawn to see what he gave you, but I'm not sure—"
"No. No needles."
"Okay. But, Bella, we need to talk about what else he may have done."
She clutches the sheet closer to her chin and squeezes her eyes shut. "No, I don't want to think about that right now."
I really want to argue with her, to scream that we need to talk about it, but seeing her lying there, her eyes still squeezed shut, like she's trying to will the thoughts away, I can't. "All right, we don't have to do it now. But, Bella? We will have to talk about it eventually."
"I know," she whispers. "Do you think he...?" She can't even ask the question, her eyes still closed.
"I'm pretty sure he did, álainn," I say softly. "We could always have you checked by a doctor if you want," I offer.
"No, no doctors." She's quiet again, thinking of what, I'm not sure. "I think ... I think I want to get a shower." Her eyes pop open, searching mine. "Is Esme back yet?" she asks, hope in her voice.
Sadly, I shake my head. "No, sweetie. She's still with Da, out of the country. But, I did talk to him last night, and they're going to try their best to get back as soon as possible; hopefully by Monday afternoon."
"Oh." Her voice is small, dejected. "Maybe Rose can—"
"I'm sorry, Bella, but she's out of town. Emmett called her last night. She can't be here for a few days, either."
"Okay. I'm sure I'll be fine."
"I know I'm not your first pick, but I'll do whatever you need me to." I search my brain for what could help her feel better, and then I offer what I can. "How about I start up the shower or even run you a bath? That would probably help you feel better."
"Could you help me with a shower?" she asks with uncertainty.
"Absolutely," I say with a hopefully comforting smile.
She sits up, still clutching the sheet tightly to her chest.
"Still feeling sick?"
"A little. I just want to get a shower and maybe go back to bed?" she says, more like a question.
"Whatever you need, Bella. Here, I'll help you up."
Putting out my hand, she places her small, trembling one in mine, and I assist her up to stand on shaky feet. My hands on her shoulders help to steady her.
"How about you stand here and get your bearings, and I'll go start the water."
"Yeah, okay." Wrapping her arms around herself, she holds the sheet tighter.
When I'm satisfied she won't pass out or fall over, I spin around and head into her ensuite to start her shower. Opening the glass door, I see bottles of girlie shit I'm used to seeing in Heidi's bathroom. Shower gels, shampoos, and poof things are all neatly lined up, right next to a bottle of Mr. Bubble bubble bath, and I'm reminded of how young she really is; the 'grown up' products right alongside the childhood favorite.
When the water starts to steam, I go back to get her. She still looks small, fragile, a vacant look on her face.
"You ready, Bella?" I ask softly.
"Yeah, I think so. I don't feel as sick now."
"Good. That's good. Do you need me to...?" I say, motioning between her and the bathroom.
"No, I think I'll be okay." With her head down and her voice so small, I almost don't hear her. "Thank you." Her words are mumbled.
"Of course, Bella, whatever you need."
Her head is still down as she walks away, her steps still wobbly.
"Bella," I call out as she steps closer to the bathroom.
She turns to face me. "Yeah?"
"Leave the door cracked open, just in case you get dizzy or something, okay? That way you can call for me?"
"Yeah, okay." She steps into the bathroom, closing the door.
As I turn back to the bed, my eyes scan the rumpled, dirty sheets, and I know she isn't up for the job of changing the bedding on a king-sized bed. I look over the mess, not relishing the fact that I have to do this. I think I'd rather be in there helping her into the shower, regardless of how awkward it would be, than to handle sheets my naked brother rolled around in while defiling a teenage girl. But, I also don't want her to have to deal with it.
Pulling the down comforter off, I'm faced with the small stain of blood that tells me all I need to know.
My brother is a monster.
Trying to put it out of my mind, I give one good yank on the sheets, pulling them from the corners of the mattress. Soon, they're bundled into a ball on the floor. Searching the room, I realize I have no idea where the clean linens are kept. Before I can sort out where to look for them, I hear Bella's voice.
"Edward?"
I rush into the bathroom, the steam blocking my view of her body through the glass. "What do you need?"
"I don't feel so good. I think I'm gonna throw up."
"Okay. Bella, can I open the shower? I can't help you without coming in there."
"Uh huh," she says, panting.
As I open the shower door, I'm greeted by the sight of her gripping the safety bar with one hand, her other splayed on the tile, steadying herself. Her thin, girlish frame is trembling, and I'm afraid she's gonna puke all over the place.
"Here," I say, opening a towel for her. "Give me your hand." Helping her step out of the shower, I catch glimpses of faint bruising beginning to form on her hips and legs, and I have to bite my tongue to keep my angry thoughts to myself.
Before I can say anything more to her, she drops to her knees, bending over the toilet, expelling the contents of her stomach.
"Shh, it's okay," I say, doing my best to reassure her, rubbing what I hope are soothing circles on her back. "It's going to be okay." As I listen to the sound of her retching, I make a promise to myself to protect this precious girl from whatever I can, including my sad excuse for a brother.
*álainn; beautiful
A/N: Thanks go out to Fyrebyrd, Gabby1017, Life and Death's Lullabies, and TheMetroDad for pre-reading and to SunflowerFran for editing this for me, but please remember, all mistakes are mine.
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