Chapter 22 It's Time
AN: The conversation Alec refers to in this chapter is the one from chapter 20.
-IT-
Alec POV
Once I got off the phone with Edward, I spoke with Gianna. Just as I expected, she broke down as soon as she learned that Bella had been in an accident and was currently in the hospital.
The past three years had been difficult on my beautiful wife. She had developed a special bond with Bella over the years and even though they spoke on the phone every few weeks, their relationship had changed. Bella had been holding a piece of herself back from us and the rest of the family.
I cannot count how many times Gianna had cried herself to sleep worrying about Bella. To be honest, I had been concerned as well. But I had to be a man of my word, and let her live her life. Knowing Mike Newton was with her was the only thing that kept me sane. I knew he would give his life to protect her.
I phoned Mike right before we arrived at the airport. Out of respect for Bella I didn't speak with him on a regular basis, in fact, it had been ages. I knew he would reach out to me if needed.
"Hey, Alec. I was expecting your call."
"You were? Why's that?"
"Your grandson just paid a visit to Bella."
I sighed. "Did he behave himself?"
"I made sure he did." Mike's voice was terse.
"Listen, I didn't call to talk about Edward; we'll address that topic later. I just wanted to make you aware that Gianna and I are on our way to Washington."
Mike was silent for a moment before saying, "I think that's for the best."
"We should be there first thing in the morning."
"Okay, I'll meet you at the hospital."
I was getting ready to hang up, but Mike suddenly said, "Oh, and Alec?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure?"
"Can you keep this just between you and the missus for now? I don't want Bella to be overwhelmed when she awakes."
"Of course."
"Thanks, see you tomorrow."
We caught the first flight to Seattle. Gianna slept for most of it. I was restless and thought about my grandson. Even though I hadn't meddled in Bella's life, I sure as hell had kept an eagle eye on him.
And I will have to say, I was proud of my boy. He was finally becoming the man I knew he could be. That's why I was shocked when he called to tell me he had gone to see Bella. And to top it off, he had been watching her all these years. That was something we would definitely be discussing when I reached Forks. For now, I just prayed to God he didn't do anything stupid before I got there.
-IT-
Mike met us at the small hospital first thing the next morning. He had called us the prior evening to let us know Bella had awoken from her coma.
Before we entered her room, Mike asked to speak with us outside in the hallway
"Bella doesn't know I'm telling you this, but she's going to be talking with you today about some things that have happened in her life over the past few years," he said with a nervous gulp. "She's really anxious, and I'm just asking you to be understanding. She's been through so much already, and I—"
My wife put a hand on Mike's forearm and interrupted him. "Mere words can't begin to express the love I have for Bella, and there is nothing in this world that could change that. Absolutely nothing. So if you don't mind, I really need to see my granddaughter. "
Mike's eyes widened before he nodded and stepped aside. I stifled a laugh at my wife's authoritative manner. When Gianna meant business, there was no stopping her.
I patted Mike sympathetically on the shoulder and whispered, "She can be terrifying, can't she?"
By the time I went into the room, Gianna and Bella were both sobbing. My eyes became wet from just watching them.
Once the initial greetings were over, and everyone's tears were dried, Gianna and I sat next to Bella and listened as she described the accident.
"Oh, sweetheart," Gianna said. "You are so lucky you weren't more seriously injured."
Bella bit her lip. "They did an MRI yesterday. The results were good."
"Thank God."
"So when do you think you'll be released?" I asked.
"Dr. Greene said if everything continues to go well, I should be able to go home sometime early next week."
"That's wonderful. I'm sure you miss your own bed," Gianna said with a warm smile. "Now tell me about the bookstore. During our last call, you mentioned a location. How is everything coming along?"
Bella spent the next several minutes describing the small storefront she had rented along the main street of downtown Forks. Even though her eyes sparkled as she expressed her hopes for her tiny shop, I sensed an overall apprehension in her voice.
"It sounds perfect. Maybe we can see it before we leave?" Gianna asked her voice brimming with hope. I knew she was trying not to push Bella's boundaries even though she was desperate to spend time with her.
"I would love for you to see it," Bella said as she grasped her hand. "In fact, I can't think of anyone I would rather share it with more than you, Nonna."
After the two finished talking about the bookstore, Bella cleared her throat, and said, "I need to talk to you about something else … something important."
Gianna gave her an encouraging nod. We had been expecting this. "You can talk to us about anything, Bella. I hope you know that."
Bella looked at me for a response as well.
"She's right, sweetheart. There's nothing you can say that will change how we feel about you. Nothing."
After exhaling, she said, "First of all, I owe you both an apology. I know I pushed everyone away the past three years."
"We understand. You needed your independence," Gianna said.
"At first that was it, and also, to be honest, I was still afraid that Edward wasn't going to leave me alone."
She glanced at me when she said that part; she more than likely knew about his visit to the hospital yesterday.
"But it didn't take long for me to miss everyone," she smiled, "and I even kind of got over my fear of Edward for the most part."
"So, I don't understand, why did you keep us all at arm's length?" Gianna asked.
"I got pregnant."
"Pregnant?" I said in astonishment.
"When I left Eli and Carmen, I went to Arizona State University to finish my degree. I started dating. And...well, I became pregnant."
"So you thought we wouldn't accept your young man?" Gianna asked still confused by the conversation.
"The young man isn't exactly in the picture."
"Not in the picture?" I said upset to hear about a man not owning up to his responsibilities.
"No, Austin wasn't interested in being a father, so he suggested that I get rid of it."
When my face flushed red, my wife sensed my anger. She placed her hand gently on my back and began rubbing small, calming circles.
"So what happened next?" Gianna asked.
"I had the baby of course."
"By yourself?"
"Well, I had Mike's help."
Completely dumbfounded by what she had just said, I repeated, "You had a baby on your own with only Mike Newton's help?"
Bella blushed and nodded.
"But, sweetheart, why in the world wouldn't you have called us?" Gianna asked. "You know Carmen and I would have been on the first flight to be with you."
"I didn't want to disappoint all of you, I mean, I basically got knocked up on one of my first dates." She shrugged before adding, "And then, the more time passed— the more lies I told. It all grew bigger than I knew how to handle."
"Are you really opening the bookstore?" Gianna asked.
"Yes, that's true," Bella said. "I lied about getting my teaching degree though. I was unable to attend classes on campus during my last year of school and do my field experience, so I ended up earning my degree online. I also decided to switch my minor from education to business."
"Honey, we don't care what your minor is. We don't even care if you have a degree at all. Of course, we want you to be successful and happy in life, but I don't understand why you think those things are so important to us."
"I just thought you would think I was missing out on my dreams because I had made such a big mistake."
"Bella," Gianna said, "one thing I've come to learn in life is that our dreams can change, and often times, those new dreams are better than anything we ever originally imagined for ourselves."
"Oh, it's true, Nonna. Gia is my entire universe," Bella said in an awed, love-filled tone. "Even though she wasn't anything I ever planned or wanted for myself at that time in my life, I will never regret my choice in having her."
"Gia?" Gianna said full of emotion.
"Yes, Gia Rose. Gia for you, of course, and Rose for Carmen."
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm honored," Gianna gushed as she kissed Bella on the forehead. "And I know Carmen will be thrilled to share her middle name with your daughter."
"Do you think Carmen, Eli, and Alice will forgive me as well?" she asked.
"Of that, I have no doubt," I answered before asking, "Now, how soon can we meet this great-granddaughter of ours?"
-IT-
AN:
Hiding behind a martini in Atlanta at TFMU. Hang in there with me. More story to come.
FYI - Mike is referring to Edward's visit while Bella was still in a coma.
A special shout out to all the readers who I've met in person this weekend. It has been absolute pleasure and an honor to get to know each of you.
Until next week,
HE