It's Time

Chapter 33

Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

A second disclaimer:

I'm not a professional writer. I write Twilight fanfic simply because I love this fandom.

I apologize in advance for any errors.

Nonno POV

By the time I got off the phone with Edward and Bella, my hands trembled in anger.

How dare Carlisle threaten Gia!

The sad part was, I only had myself to blame. I had turned a blind eye toward my son's treatment of his own children and then sat quietly by the sidelines as he became a monster who would hurt an innocent baby.

"Is everything okay, Babbo?"

I turned and found Eleazar and Carmen, concern etched across both their faces.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." I ran a palm along my jaw before walking to the closet and grabbing my jacket. "Listen, I need to run a quick errand before dinner."

"Errand?" Eleazar asked, eyebrows knitted together. "Can't it wait until later? Bella should be home any minute."

At the mention of my granddaughter's name, I added, "Oh, Edward is driving Bella home this evening. Can you let your mother know he'll be joining us for dinner?"

"Why is Edward bringing her home?" Carmen asked. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine, sweetheart." After opening the door, I added, "I apologize, but I really need to go."

-IT-

Carlisle didn't answer his phone, so I called Esme who picked up almost immediately.

"Hello, Alec."

"Esme, I need to speak with my son. Can you put him on the line?"

"He's not available at the moment. I'll have him call you later."

My blood boiled at her dismissal. "No, that won't do, I need to speak with him now."

"Well, we don't always get what we want, do we?"

My daughter-in-law and I had never been on the best of terms, but she had never been so blatantly disrespectful. "Just tell me where you're staying."

"Staying? I'm confused. We're at home, Alec."

"Cut the shit, Esme, I know you're in town. Where in the fuck are you staying?"

I heard her huff on the other end of the line. "We're at Huckleberry Lodge, cabin five."

I ended the call and made my way to the small, secluded resort. Their cabin appeared to be the last one on the left. After parking, I walked to the door and knocked twice.

"Alec, what a surprise!" Esme exclaimed in a sardonic tone. "Please, come in."

"Where's my son?" I asked after entering the room.

"What no pleasantries? It looks like hanging around with that Swan trash has affected your sense of decorum."

My face reddened. "It would be wise for you to keep your mouth shut when it comes to my granddaughter."

"Granddaughter?" She barked out a laugh. "Oh, please. If that's not a stretch of the truth, I don't know what is."

"Esme, I'm not doing this with you. Now, I'll only ask one more time. Where's Carlisle?"

After pulling out a pack of cigarettes from a dresser drawer, she lit one and took a long, slow drag. "He's out somewhere getting hammered. Who could blame him after being treated so appallingly by his own son? And for what, some little whore."

My fists clenched at my sides. Never in my life had I wanted to hit a woman as much as I wanted to at that moment. "The only person Carlisle has to blame is himself. And believe me, he's going to pay the price . . . In fact, you both are."

She blanched. "Wh-what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, Esme, that after the little stunt you pulled, and the way Carlisle has treated Edward, you both are no longer part of this family. I'm banishing you both to Italy ... You'll never step foot in the States again."

"No! Oh, please Alec, Carlisle will never allow that to happen."

"Carlisle no longer has a say!" I roared walking toward the door. "Tell your husband to expect a visit from me first thing in the morning. Oh, and have your bags packed, too."

EPOV

As soon as I entered my car, I called Jared to find out where my parents were staying. After finishing the call, I tried Nonno's number, but he didn't answer.

Damn it!

When I arrived at the lodge, I spotted Nonno's car. I could hear shouting coming from inside the cabin. Just as I made my way onto the porch, the door swung open, and I was happy to see Nonno step outside. However, that emotion soon changed to one of horror as I watched my mother pull a handgun from her pocket, aiming it toward the back of an unsuspecting Nonno.

"No!" I screamed as I ran forward, pushing him out of the way. The next thing I knew, I felt a deep, burning sensation in my chest. After realizing I had been shot, I collapsed to the floor struggling for breath before everything faded to black.

Nonno POV

A body slammed into mine, and the deafening sound of a gunshot echoed through the air. After landing on the wooden floor of the cabin's porch, I stood and discovered Edward lying in the doorway, blood pouring from an open wound near his heart.

I ran and knelt next to him all the while praying that this was all a dream. Removing my jacket, I placed it over the wound to control the bleeding. I may have been in shock over seeing Edward in this condition, but I saw red when I realized Esme had just shot her own son. I know I was her target. I was the one who was to get her bullet in my back.

My grandson had saved my life.

But at what price?

Esme stood wide-eyed, staring at her son. The gun remained in her grasp, hanging limply at her side.

"Don't just stand there! Call Eleazar!"

-IT-

Several hours later, I sat in the hospital's waiting room while Edward battled for his life on an operating table. Gianna sat across from me, enclosed in Carmen's embrace. Upon learning about the day's events, my poor wife had nearly fainted. I had wanted her to remain at home, but she insisted on coming to the hospital. Carmen hadn't left her side since their arrival.

When Eleazar phoned thirty minutes later, I stepped outside to take his call.

"Hello, son."

"Any word on Edward's condition?"

"Not yet. Carlisle and Esme?"

"On the private jet with me."

"And the sheriff?"

"Easily paid off. The shooting was deemed as accidental."

I exhaled.

Once Esme had gotten Eleazar on the line, I somehow managed to let him know what had happened. A short time later, he and Mike had arrived with a physician. Edward was stabilized at the scene and then an ambulance came and took him to the hospital. I followed after them while Eleazar and Mike remained at the cabin to deal with the cleanup.

After dragging my fingers through my disheveled hair, I asked, "Is Mike accompanying you?"

"No, I saw no need for him to come along, so he went home to check on Bella. I know she wants to be at the hospital, but she also doesn't want to leave Gia."

"The poor girl's more than likely terrified."

"Looks like we're getting ready to take off, I need to go."

"Have a safe trip. I've arranged for Afton to meet you at the airport when you land."

"Sounds good. Love you."

"I love you as well. Talk with you soon."

After I returned to the waiting room, the surgeon entered and said, "Mr. Cullen is alive but in critical condition. The bullet entered his left lung. We had to remove the lower lobe — too much damage had occurred. We must monitor him closely the next few days as he's at risk for pneumonia, blood clots, and infections. But given his age and medical history, I expect him to make a full recovery."

I shook the doctor's hand. "Thank you for taking care of my grandson."

He nodded his head. "I can take two of you back to see him."

"Go, Mamma," Carmen said to Gianna.

We followed the physician to the ICU where Edward lay in a bed hooked to a ventilator. At the sight of our beloved grandson, Gianna sobbed, burying her head into my neck.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I attempted to convince not only her but myself that everything was all right. "Shh, Mi Tesoro. He's okay. From here on out, everything will be okay."

AN:

Thanks to Fran, Gail, Diane, K, and Kay for their help with this chapter.

In chapter 34, we'll hear from Eleazar and learn more about Carlisle and Esme's fate.

I discovered today I am nominated for ten Twi Fic Fandom Awards. Talk about feeling honored! Thank you to those who nominated me - I am so full of gratitude.

I recently posted a new one-shot called The Beach House. If you get a chance, check it out.

Until next time,

HE