62
MOVING DAY
Finally the day I have been looking forward to for weeks
is here. Today, I am going home. I can't really express in
words how I feel in this moment. Joy and happiness seem
way to mundane for how I feel right now. I've missed my
home so much. It's not so much the house that I've missed
as it is the feeling of being home.
This was where Edward and I spent hours curled up on the
couch watching movies together. Where we ate bowl after
bowl of soup together because it was the one food that didn't
make me sick. This is where I grieved for my father. Where
I grieved for myself. Where I found the strength to keep
trying, to not give up, to try one more time. This is where
I found hope.
"Bella, calm down," chuckled Edward, placing his hands on my shoulders.
"I can't help it," I said with a smile. "I'm going home today. Finally, Baby, I'm going home with you. Why aren't you more excited?"
"Oh, I'm plenty excited," said Edward, smiling at me. God, I had missed seeing his smile. "I'm just trying to be manly about it."
"Whatever," I giggled. Carlisle and Chloe came in with smiles on their faces and a wheelchair. "Is it time?"
"Yes," laughed Carlisle. It was nice seeing him laughing too. "Now, we need to talk about a few things first."
"Ok," I said quickly.
"First, Edward, unless you want to have to scrub up again, you are going to be under the same restrictions that Bella is. That doesn't mean you both can't go out but you have to be extremely careful and brief. I would avoid places like the grocery store and the school. Just do something like go for a walk or something."
"Ok," said Edward. "Mom said she was taking care of our groceries anyway."
"I know," said Carlisle. "It's important that you eat right, Bella. Organic foods to help rebuild your immune system."
"Ok," I said.
"Now, Chloe will be coming by to help with your home care needs. If I hear that either of you are giving her a hard time, I will not be happy," said Carlisle.
"Why would we give Chloe a hard time?" I asked. He just looked at me. I rolled my eyes. "I'm not that difficult."
"Right," he said slowly. "I'll just let you believe that. Just remember that it will take a few months or so for your body to heal enough for you to really be risk free. I will also be running tests every couple weeks to make sure the leukemia is still gone."
"Is it likely to come back?" I asked.
"It could," said Carlisle. "You will have to be screened for the rest of your life probably."
"Oh," I said, looking at my feet.
"We'll face it together," said Edward, grabbing my hand. "I promise."
"I know," I whispered. I took a deep breath and looked back up at Carlisle. "Is that everything?"
"I wanted to talk to you about sex," said Carlisle. I felt my face turn red. "Now, I know that it's been a while but I would like for the two of you to wait at least a couple more weeks."
"Why?" asked Edward. I bit my lip to stop from laughing. He looked so heartbroken.
"Because her body is still very weak, Edward," chuckled Carlisle. "Just let her get a little stronger, ok?"
"Ok," said Edward as he blushed.
"Well, I think that's about everything," said Carlisle. "Are you ready to go home?"
"I'm more than ready," I said.
"Well, you are officially released from the hospital," said Carlisle with a smile. Edward smiled as he came over and lifted me up into his arms.
"Let's go home," he whispered.
"Let's go home," I echoed back.
Edward kissed me softly before he carried me over to the wheelchair and set me down, ignoring the snickers coming from Carlisle and Chloe. I could have walked to the chair but I liked being in Edward's arms. I took one more look around my room before Edward pushed my chair out of my hospital room and down to the elevator. All the nurses from the floor told us goodbye as we walked by. I wouldn't miss this building but I would miss those who took care of me while I was here. Chloe told us she would see us tomorrow before she went back to work. We made our way down to the lobby. Carlisle waited with me while Edward pulled the car up in front of the hospital. He came back in and pushed me out. I smiled at him when I saw my car. God, that man really loves me.
"Ok, Bella, take it easy," ordered Carlisle. "I'll see you soon."
"Carlisle, thank you for everything. I know I keep saying thank you but I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done for us," I said. "I'm lucky to have a father like you."
"Sweetheart, I'm the lucky one," said Carlisle.
Edward lifted me out of the chair and carried me over to the car. He set me in the passenger seat and kissed me again before he shut the door. I pulled on my seat belt as he climbed into the drivers seat. He buckled his own seat belt and started the car. He shifted the car into drive and held my hand as we drove away from the hospital.
As we drove down the road, I watched the scenery pass by like I did when we came home from New York. Only this time, I was full of joy and not anger. Everything was wet and green. Everything was beautiful. We drove by Newton's Sporting Goods, Marshall's Novelty shop, the grocery store. I watched as people went in to buy their groceries. I watched as they lived their lives never knowing how much we take everything for granted. We drove by the high school. I could feel my tears falling down my face when I saw Emmett's jeep and Jasper's truck. Only this time, they were tears of happiness and not sorrow.
I laughed loudly when I we pulled up in front of the house. They had put a huge banner on the outside that said 'Welcome Home, Bella'. I looked over at Edward.
"Emmett, right?" I asked.
"Yes," chuckled Edward. "He was up at five a.m. getting this ready for you."
"Let me guess," I said. "He didn't tell you either. You woke up to his hanging this up."
"Yep," said Edward, popping the p. "I wonder how Rose convinced him to go to school and not wait here all day for you."
"It probably involved sex," I laughed.
Edward laughed with me as he pulled the car up into the garage. He came around and helped me out. He kept his arm around my waist as we made our way inside. I almost laughed out loud. I had expected everything to look different but it really didn't. The only real difference was the floor but I was expecting that. Every room looked just like they did before I left. It was almost like time had stood still here while I was gone. I looked up at Edward. He was watching me with a smile on his face.
"I'm home," I whispered.
"You're home," he whispered. "How are you feeling?"
"A little overwhelmed right now," I said. "And pretty tired."
"Do you want to go lay down?" asked Edward.
"Yes," I said. "As long as you lay down with me."
"Of course I will," said Edward.
We slowly made our way down the hallway to our bedroom. Edward pushed the door open and we stepped in. I nearly cried when I saw our nice, big, comfortable bed. I pulled away from Edward and went over and laid down.
"I love you, bed," I said with a smile. "God, I missed you so much. I didn't mean to cheat on you with the other bed. I was forced. Forced, I tell you. Please don't hate me, bed. I will never cheat on you again. I promise."
"Wow," chuckled Edward as he stood, leaning against the doorframe, and watched me hugging the bed. "I think you love this bed more than me."
"That's just silly," I chuckled. "The bed is just a close second. I mean, I can feel my back problems slipping away with every passing second."
"You are seriously crazy," snickered Edward. "But I will admit that I missed seeing you in this bed with me."
"Which makes me ask why you aren't in this big, comfortable bed with me right now?" I asked.
"Good question," said Edward, kicking off his shoes. He came over and pulled my shoes off and dropped them on the floor before he climbed on behind me and wrapped his arm around me. "I think I love this bed too."
"More than me?" I whispered as I turned in his arms and faced him.
"I don't love anything or anyone more than you," he whispered.
"Me either," I whispered before I yawned.
"Sleep, love," whispered Edward.
"I love you, Edward," I whispered as I nestled into his arms. "Now, I'm finally home."
Edward chuckled softly before he started humming. I could feel both of us relax as we let sleep take us over.
I woke up sometime later feeling someone watching me. It was kind of creepy. I opened my eyes and saw Edward watching me with a smile on his face. His green eyes were sparkling and I could tell he was nearly as happy as I was that I was finally home.
"Why are you staring at me?" I asked.
"Cause you're beautiful," he said with a smile.
"You still think I'm beautiful after everything I've been through?" I asked.
"I think you're more beautiful," said Edward with a smile. "And I think you are growing your eyebrows back."
"What?" I asked with a slight chuckle as I leaned up on my elbow.
"I said I think you are growing your eyebrows back," he said again.
"Seriously?" I asked.
"I think so," he said.
I climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom with Edward following me. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I leaned toward the mirror. I gasped softly as I smiled. They were barely there but I had eyebrows growing back. I let my tears fall as I looked up at Edward in the mirror. He was smiling through his own tears.
"I have eyebrows," I whispered.
"Yes, you do," whispered Edward. "They are beautiful."
"Can we take a picture?" I asked.
"You want to take a picture of your eyebrows?" asked Edward as his smile grew.
"Yes, then I can email them to everyone," I said.
"That's a great idea," chuckled Edward.
Edward and I went into the living room. He grabbed the camera and I quickly took several picture. We went back into our room and climbed back onto the bed. Just the small amount of time, I had been up had exhausted me. Edward went out to the car and brought in my luggage and laptop. He climbed onto the bed next to me as I uploaded the photo's. I pulled up my email and prepared my message.
To: Emmett Swan, Rose Swan, Alice Hale, Jasper Hale, Ben
Cheney, Angela Cheney, Garrett Mitchell, Kate Mitchell, Jacob
Black.
From: Bella Cullen
Subject: Notice anything new?
Hey everyone. Having a fun filled day at school? Learning
anything new? In case you can't tell, Edward and I are home.
Finally! Thank you, Emmett, for the rocking banner. Attached
are a few pictures I think you might like to see. I hope to see
you all soon. Let me know if you are up for a webcam show
soon. I love you all so much!
Bella
I quickly attached the photos and pressed the send button. I switched over to my blog site. I was still waiting to hear back from Denise on whether Tricia had woken up yet. The last I had heard they were weaning her off the sedative. I bit my lip nervously when I saw a message waiting for me.
Dear Bella,
Congratulations on finally going home. Martin and the boys
were so relieved when I told that you were going home. It gives
us hope that Tricia will soon be following you. Which bring me
to my own good news. Tricia is awake. She's struggling with not
being able to really communicate with us but she's been able to
say a handful of words including Bella. As soon as I told her that
you were getting to go home, she smiled. I guess she was just as
worried about you as the rest of us were.
Ashton asked me to tell you to make sure you get plenty of rest.
Jack said that he hopes you come see us soon. I think we all hope
for a visit once you are strong enough to come visit. Please keep
us all updated on how you are doing. It gives us hope.
Denise
Denise,
Thank god that Tricia is finally awake. I will admit that I was getting
a little worried about her. I have a feeling she's stubborn, isn't she?
Yeah, you might say that I'm a little stubborn too. When dealing with
cancer, stubbornness is a very good trait to have. Tell her I said hi and
to remember that I'm always here for her. I've missed my conversations
with her. I look forward to having them again, when she's ready.
Tell Ashton that I promise to take care of myself but that he has to promise
me that he will take care of himself. He reminds me so much of my brother,
Emmett. That's a good thing, by the way. Tell Jack that as soon as I am up for
it, I'll be there to see him. I promise. Take care of each other, Denise. Hold on
to your family and never stop fighting. Oh, tell Tricia I've got my eyebrows back.
Bella
I closed my laptop and laid back in Edward's arms. I felt him tighten his arms around me as I drifted off to sleep again.
"She's sleeping," whispered Edward, waking me from my peaceful slumber. I groaned and rolled over. "Now, I've woken her up. Thanks a lot, Alice."
"What does the pixie want?" I grumbled.
"She wants us up on the webcam," said Edward. "Are you up for it?"
"Yes," I said softly, pushing myself up on the pillows.
"Alice, we're getting on now….I love you, too," he said before he hung up the phone. "I swear she's like the most annoying person I have ever known."
"She just loves us," I said.
"I know," chuckled Edward.
He set my laptop up on the tray and we got up on the web cam. Everyone was waiting for us with smiles on their faces. Goofy, happy, joyful smiles that made my face hurt as I returned them. God, I had really missed my family.
"Hey, guys," I said. "How was school?"
"Good," said Rose. "Jake finally proposed to Leah."
"Oh my god, really?" I squealed. Edward chuckled and grabbed my hand. "When?"
"Friday night," said Rose. "He took her to down to cliffs down in La Push. Apparently that is where they went on their first date. Anyway, he had this candle light dinner waiting for them. She said that they danced to their song before he got down on one knee and popped the question. She, of course, said yes."
"That's so romantic," I sighed. "Who knew Jake could be so sweet?"
"I know, right?" said Rose.
"So how's everything else at school? Lauren still going out with Tyler?" I asked.
"Yes," said Angela. "I will give the boy this, he has been treating her like a queen."
"Good," I said. "Mike and Jessica are still good?"
"Oh yeah," snickered Kate.
"What am I missing?" I asked.
"Jessica's pregnant," smirked Kate. My mouth fell open.
"Seriously?" I asked.
"Yep," said Kate.
"They are getting married," said Garrett, giving me a look.
"Oh my," I said. "I'm sure Mike was loving that. After all the shit he gave her about not being ready for marriage after we all got married."
"Actually, he seems really excited about it," said Ben.
"Ok, enough gossiping," whined Alice. "Bella, what were we supposed to notice in your pictures?"
"You couldn't tell?" I asked sadly.
"Tell what?" asked Emmett.
"I'm getting my eyebrows back," I said. They all leaned closer to their cams as they tried to see them. "Wow, now I feel a little bit like a circus freak."
"I can't really tell," said Alice, sadly.
"Trust me," said Edward. "They are there. They just aren't that noticeable to anyone but me and Bella yet."
"I'm sure you've been studying her very closely since she got home," smirked Jasper. I rolled my eyes.
"Jas, you are such a dork," I said.
"I know," he chuckled. "So how does it feel to be home?"
"Incredible," I said. "I'm exhausted from being up so much today but at the same time, I feel so….relaxed, I guess. It's just great."
"Well, we should let you get some rest," said Emmett. "I'll come see you soon, ok?"
"Ok, Emmett," I said. "I love you."
"I love you, too," said Emmett. "Edward, take care of my sister."
"I promise," said Edward.
Edward closed the laptop and moved it off the bed before we both laid back again. We spent the rest of the day just enjoying being in each other's arms. We watched TV some when I wasn't napping. Today had just really taken so much out of me. I really didn't care right now, anyway. I was in the arms of my husband. I was at home in the arms of my husband. Today, was the best day I had had in a very long time.