Sixteen
When then plane landed at Sea-Tac a few hours later, it was unseasonably cool and dreary. Unbeknownst to me, Edward had a driver assigned to bring me to Forks. It would take a little over three hours to get there and I was anxious. The driver, an attractive man who looked to be in his mid thirties, held a sign with my name and I had to smile at the lengths that Edward went through to ensure that I would get to my father without a hitch. I desperately wished he was here with me and I missed him already. I dragged my luggage towards the tall man and stood before him.
"Miss Swan?" The man asked me in a deep baritone. He had sandy blonde hair and was the same height as Edward but had a slightly larger frame. If I didn't only have eyes for Edward, he would definitely be my type.
"Yes, that's me."
"Good morning Miss. Mr. Cullen hired me to chauffeur you to your destination. My name is Garrett." He smiled warmly and inclined his head, gesturing to my luggage. "May I take your bags?" I nodded, handing him my carry-on and my suitcase. Once he acquired my belongings, I followed him to a black SUV in the parking lot. He swiftly put my bags in the trunk and opened the back door for me, closing me in. Before I even got my seatbelt on, he was already behind the wheel, starting up the car and setting up the GPS.
"Where to, Miss Swan?"
" 530 Bogachiel Way, please."
He quickly typed in the address and once the navigation was locked, we were on the road. I pulled out my cell from my bag, immediately calling Sue. I told her I was in Seattle and I would be at the hospital in a few hours. She sounded exhausted and it made my heart ache fiercely. After I hung up with my stepmother, I called Edward. It rung twice before his velvety voice caressed me, making me calm once more.
"How are you feeling, love?"
"A little better now that I'm hearing your voice. Thank you for sending me a driver. It really took getting a rental off my hands."
"It's no problem at all, Bella. Did you get in contact with your family?"
"Yes. I talked to Sue briefly. She didn't say much over the phone so I'll find out more when I get to the hospital."
"Call me when you have an update. I love you."
"I love you, too."
I was not surprised how much Garrett was accustomed to speed on the road. He didn't drive as fast as Edward but he was pretty damn close. Usually I would be a nervous wreck but I welcomed the speed with open arms. Before I knew it, we were on the outskirts of Forks. I gazed out my window as Garrett drove through the familiar small town that I called home, embracing the greenery all around. I never realized how much I missed it, now accustomed to the city life that is Manhattan. When Forks Community Hospital came into view, I directed Garrett to the visitor's lot. He parked fairly close to the entrance and was out of the car and at my door within a matter of seconds. I stepped carefully out into the light drizzle as he procured my bags from the back. I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and turned to face him when he handed me my luggage.
"Thank you, Garrett," I said with gratitude.
"It was my pleasure, Miss Swan," he replied with a small smile. He then reached into his pocket, extracting a card and handed it to me. I looked down to see his name in bold along with his contact information. "I'll be on standby whenever you're ready," he explained. "Don't hesitate to give me a call."
I nodded and took a deep breath, walking towards the entrance. I already knew where to go and once I got to the wing where they kept my father, I immediately saw Leah and Seth sitting in the waiting room. I assessed them closely, both of their faces drawn and restless. Seth saw me first and quickly rose to his feet, striding towards me. He wrapped his arms around me and I sighed in comfort.
"I'm so glad you're finally here," he murmured. He held me for a few more moments before he finally let me go. I looked up into his brown eyes, which usually held so much happiness were now dim with sadness. He was so tall now, a little over six foot five.
"I'm here."
Leah came to us and embraced me as well. "I'm glad your finally here. Mom has been a wreck."
"Where is she? How's my dad?"
"The doc is with mom as we speak," Seth piped in. "They're in room 208."
I rushed down the hall, walking inside the room. The doctor and Sue paused, both of their eyes landing on me.
"Bella. . ." she gasped in relief before rising to her feet and swiftly embracing me. Her soft cries of agony caused a few tears of my own to fall as I held her close to me. I shushed her, telling her that everything would be fine. They had to be, for my sake and hers.
"Excuse me, Miss Swan, I know this is a difficult time for you right now but I would like to discuss your father's condition." The mere mention of my father brought my eyes to him lying in the bed, hooked up to tubes and monitors. The ominous beeping of the machine felt grim, knowing my father's life was on the line, hanging by a thread.
"Tell me please, doctor. . ." I paused, not knowing his name.
"Dr. Harlowe, " he interjected, with a slight nod of his head. " Mr. Swan had a massive hemorrhagic stroke. Due to the severe bleeding, we had to take immediate action and perform emergency surgery to repair the blood vessel that was broken. It was detrimental to remove the excessive amount of blood so there would no longer be pressure on his brain, which is highly dangerous. Since, he was brought in immediately, his chances for survival and recovery seem better."
"What is his outlook for the future?" I had to know, for the sake of my sanity.
Dr. Harlowe looked forlorn when I asked him that question. I knew that whatever he was going to say wasn't going to be good. He contemplated for a few short moments before he finally gave me an answer. "I'm going to be frank with you, Mrs. and Miss Swan. Since Charlie had a hemorrhagic stroke, he's more likely to have long-term complications. About three-quarters of the patients who had this type of stroke survive after the first year. More than half survive after five years."
I looked away from him, the words I didn't want to hear rung like a bell through my ears.
"But," he continued, "it doesn't necessarily mean he falls into those statistics. I'm speaking purely from a medical standpoint. With proper rehabilitation care and preventative measures, he can survive much longer."
"What do we have to do?" I said with finality. I was determined to do everything in my power to ensure that my father stayed alive.
"As of now, we wait," he said emphatically, "he's in a medically induced coma and until he wakes up, we'll have to monitor his condition within the next 48 hours. He's not out of the woods yet and we have to make sure his health doesn't deteriorate further. Time is critical. I promise you, we will do the best we possibly can to take care of Charlie."
"Thank you, Dr. Harlowe," I said with a nod. He nodded back in response, promising to check in again within the hour, leaving us alone with our fears. I made sure to get in contact with Carlisle and Alice, relaying everything that has happened in the last 14 hours. Both were sympathetic and wished that all would be well. I decided, along with Carlisle, that it would be best that I take a short leave of absence until Charlie fully recovered. My father and his wellbeing was undoubtedly more important than my job. I promised that I would keep in touch and would update them with Charlie's condition before hanging up. Sue never left my father's side, her hand embraced with his own as she gently caressed his pale flesh. My heart broke a million times at the display, my tears silently flowing as I watched her languishing before my eyes.
Over the next few hours, as promised, Dr. Harlowe came to check on Charlie's vitals and monitor the steady beep of his heart. I must've dozed off because I felt a slight shake of my shoulders, rousing me from my slumber. My eyes fluttered open to see that it was Sue. I was confused momentarily of my surroundings before realization slapped me hard in the face; I was still at the hospital.
"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"It's eight,"'she said softly. I nodded and let out a yawn as I stood to stretch. I looked at my comatose father and wondered whether his condition was worsening or not. Sue answered my thoughts. "He's stabilized as of now. The doctor has hope that he will progress throughout the night and tomorrow; only time will tell."
I looked away from Charlie into the eyes of my stepmother. The brown orbs that held such joyous light was now dim and dull with sadness and grief. My heart ached with remorse for her; she was so scared for my father. She managed to fall in love again after Harry, her first husband, when he died from a heart attack. I was eighteen at the time and it affected Charlie a great deal. Charlie, Harry and Jacob's father, Billy, we're very close and it hit them all hard. Charlie was there to pick up the pieces to hold everyone together, especially Harry's widow and his children. They became even closer and in turn, we spent a lot of time with them and vice versa. In the end, her friendship with my father blossomed into more and that was it. For the first time in years, with Sue I saw genuine smiles on my father's face and when he looked at her. . .it was so captivating. He was never more happy than he was with Sue and I was thankful for her.
"Leah and Seth are in the waiting room. They're gonna take you home to rest," Sue said softly. I sighed, not wanting to leave but I had to unpack and take a much needed shower.
"Alright. Are you going you going to be okay by yourself?" I asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine. I'll call you if anything changes with him," she promised. I nodded and gave her another hug before turning away. I went to my father and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, whispering that I loved him. I walked towards the door and turned around, watching Sue take her place in the chair next to my father's bed as she held his hand. I stepped out, shutting the door gently behind me and went down the hall to my brother and sister to go home.
When we arrived at the small two story house that was home, Seth carried my bags up the stairs to my old bedroom and Leah followed behind. Seth told Leah he would be downstairs waiting when she was ready to go before giving me another hug and left, shutting the bedroom door behind him. I placed my suitcase on the bed and began to unpack everything I brought along for my stay. Leah sat down on the bed and helped, passing me everything that I had to hang up or stuff in drawers. After I was done, I went to my window to watch the rain fall from the sky; something I also did back home in New York. It always
made me feel at peace.
"So how is Black doing? I heard how he's launching his line internationally," Leah said from her perch on the bed behind me.
"Let me guess. . .Billy?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"You know it. He brags about how proud he is of his only son," she said. The tone of her voice dripped with obvious sarcasm and I welcomed it.
"A pompous bastard is how he is," I said nonchalantly.
Leah chuckled at that. "Well, both you and I know that Jake doesn't fare too well with rejection." A small smile crept across my lips as I continued to stare out the window. I watched as the raindrops caused small rivulets against the glass, deep in thought. Charlie was in a medically induced coma and I was anxious, wondering if he would wake up. I hated the what ifs that played on repeat in my head. It was quiet in the room, only the sounds of the rain pattering against the house.
Leah was the first to break the silence. "You know Bella, I believe Charlie will be okay. He's strong, just like you. I know he'll pull through; I can feel it." Her soft spoken words of hope penetrated me internally, causing a few stray tears to escape from my eyes.
"Thank you, Leah," I said in a broken whisper, a sob forming in my throat as the tears flowed freely. I heard her footfalls as she approached me and hugged me from behind. I welcomed the touch, needing to feel the warmth and love from my sister. I was breaking inside but Leah helped me keep myself together.
I'm not sure how long we embraced but once I calmed down, she finally let go. "Are you going to be okay?" she asked with concern.
I finally turned around to face her. "Yes, I'll be fine. I'm actually really tired. I'm going to rest for a while."
Leah nodded and pulled me in for another hug. It was brief,
but welcoming nonetheless. "Get some rest. You've had a long day." She kissed my cheek and closed the door behind as she stepped out of my bedroom. I fished out my cell from my pocket, hitting the number that gave me the solace I needed so much right now. As usual, I didn't wait long before he answered.
"Bella. . ." he said softly, his voice a velvet caress that made me sigh in relief.
"I need you Edward," I whispered in desperation.
"I'm on my way." There was no hesitation whatsoever, his response sure and absolute. I breathed so much easier knowing he would be with me soon. He was the missing piece to the puzzle that I needed to make me calm in this chaotic time. I was strong but I was frayed at the edges.
"Are you still there?" The concern in his voice tugged at my heartstrings, reminding me why I was head over heels for him.
I nodded my head in response, even though he couldn't see the gesture. "I'm still here."
"I'm coming to you," he promised.
"I'll be waiting." For Edward, I always would.