STRUGGLES

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them. She also makes the banners for each of my stories.

After the police left Carlisle informed both Charlie and Jasper of what was happening with Bella and the decisions he made concerning her wellbeing. It was at that point he had a quick glance at the overhead clock and realized that he needed to be heading to the airport to pick up Edward and Alice.

CHAPTER 6: AND SO IT BEGINS

Edward and Alice quickly disembark from the plane to head towards the baggage claim area before worrying about looking for a parent that is scheduled to pick them up. However, once getting to the baggage area and
Alice is pointing out the different bags that belonged to her and Edward, Carlisle walks up to ask if they needed any help.

"Yeah, Dad, I was told by Alice that she was traveling light this time, but, take a look at what I've collected so far." Edward remarked to his father while indicating the various pieces of luggage he had managed thus far to pull from the conveyor belt. There was quite a bit of luggage still moving along it when Alice pointed out two more pieces coming their way.

"Damn, Alice, I told you not to bring all of this stuff with you." Edward was getting frustrated with his sister.

"I didn't bring all of this for me, silly. Some of this is your luggage and the rest of it I brought for Mom and your new client. You do want her to look nice when you all have to go to court, don't you." Was the comeback that Alice delivered with a bit of a smirk.

Both men just shook their heads as there wasn't any arguing with Alice when it came to certain topics and clothing was one of those. However, the remark 'go to court' wasn't missed by either man in spite of the fact that Alice wasn't aware of their hesitation at that statement of hers. Everyone in the family knew that Alice had an uncanny talent of knowing things ahead of time just like she had been enjoying displaying to Edward on the flight to Seattle while telling him that he was about to meet his one and only.

It didn't take long to get everything loaded onto an airport trolley and then out to Carlisle's car where all of the luggage was loaded into the trunk of the vehicle. As all three got into the car with Carlisle behind the wheel silence hung in the air until Carlisle had finished pulling out into the even flow of traffic and that was when Edward turned to his father and asked, "Okay, now give me the complete story about this woman and her history. Dad, I need to know it all to be able to handle everything without any surprises slapping me in the face."

So, Carlisle began at the beginning telling him about Bella and the type of person she was. He told Edward about Bella and Jasper owning the restaurant together and that they had a good working relationship since they each had their own special talent in running the restaurant besides the two owners also being cousins. From there he told about Bella and Frank getting married and about certain incidents that caused him to suspect physical abuse happening to the young woman, but, how each time she refused to confirm the situation. "Son, she told no one and we all chose to believe her excuses, even though, we knew in our hearts that they were lies because the evidence that was staring us in the face.

"Even her own father who happens to be the Chief of Police in Forks, had an idea about what was going on, but, Bella's stubborn denials when questioned, even by him, stayed his hand to where officially he couldn't do anything. As I said, we all suspected, but, allowed ourselves to more or less turn a blind eye and acted like she was telling us the truth.

"But, now, with what has happened, every one of us are riding the heaviest of guilt trips anyone could possibly know. It's because we let ourselves act as if we believed what she told us and let her get by so long with the lying that she's now in the state that she is.

"The son of a bitch came close to killing her. And because of how I seen these things go with treating these types of cases from the medical side and Charlie knowing what could be expected from the legal side that is why we called you; the best attorney possible needed to help Bella clear all of the upcoming hurdles that are going to be coming at her." Carlisle concluded just as they pulled up at the hospital and he found a parking spot up close.

But as Carlisle and Alice made to get out of the car, Edward halted both of them with his next questions, "Dad, you haven't told me much about the current situation. What type of conditions am I walking into? What had happened to bring the Harrisons to the present state of affairs?"

"Edward, we really don't know. The only person that really knows is Bella. All I can tell you is that Frank Harrison was found dead due to a gunshot wound that hit the jugular vein and he bled out rather quickly because of that. But, somehow he had managed to inflict almost as bad of a wound to Bella since I was told that she had also almost bled out before help could arrive. She had been stabbed in the abdomen with an upper thrust that had gone through several organs creating a lot of damage to them."

"So, what shape is she in now and where is the body of her husband?"

"His body was taken to the coroner's office since he was already dead and she was brought here where a blood transfusion was given immediately to her upon arrival so she could be taken straight into surgery. It took hours to try to get the repairs done and to get her stabilized.

"Even at this point it is unsure if she will survive. As soon as I had arrived and talked with Charlie for a moment I entered the OR to inform her surgeon that I was her personal doctor and would make any decisions concerning her care after surgery. But, we still face the possibility that she won't recover; it's a touch and go situation at this point and Charlie didn't take that news very well. And, he still had to face calling her mother to tell her about the condition of their only child which I'm not sure if he has done that yet or not.

"However, in the meantime, Bella has been removed from recovery and taken to Intensive Care, but, due to the damage done and the length of the surgery I've ordered for her to be kept in a medically induced coma for now." Carlisle finished explaining to his son and daughter. His final bit of information seemed to have left them speechless, at least, for the moment as neither appeared to have anything else to offer by statement or question.

So, all three exited the car and Carlisle led the way into the hospital and up to the ICU waiting room where Charlie and Jasper were waiting. And as the three entered Carlisle gave a quick glance over to his friend to see how he was holding up, but, to all appearances Charlie was in worst shape than when he had left. But, as the newcomers did enter both occupants in the room looked to see who had entered before shifting their attention back to the nothing that seemed to have them occupied.

"Where's Esme?" Was the only question he asked as he glanced around the room and saw that his wife wasn't there.

"At the moment she's sitting with Bella." Charlie offered before adverting his face once more from the newcomers.

"Charlie, I don't know if you remember my children, but, I'd like to introduce them to you." Carlisle began and as he turned to indicate Alice he noticed for the first time a strange, but, goofy look on her face. Turning to see what might have put it there he saw nothing, but, Jasper who was looking back at the three standing just inside the doorway with a puzzled looked.

"This is my daughter, Alice, our little up and coming fashion designer, and this is my son, Edward, Bella's attorney." As each were introduced Charlie and then Jasper had stepped forward to shake hands and greet them in a quiet, subdued voice with a lot of pain being reflected throughout the words spoken that also revealed deep concern.

It was at that moment that Esme came into the waiting room and saw that both of her children had arrived. She greeted each with a huge hug and kiss to which Edward responded with, "Mom, stop. I'm not a little kid." And it was that comment that brought a bit of laughter into a very sober and somber room.

"Charlie, were you able to get a hold of Renee as yet?" Carlisle asked as everyone took a seat for a few moments. No one noticed just yet how quiet a normally energetic Alice was and that she was continuously staring at Jasper, but, Jasper did and it was making him slightly nervous. It was the rare occasion that she would sit still or stay quiet for long as her normal self was a reproduction of a ramped up, over amplified energizer bunny.

Jasper did find the young woman attractive, but, he had more important things on his mind at the moment. His beloved cousin was fighting for her life and had gone through hell with no help from her family or friends. Add to that was the limbo state of what she might be facing legally and the deep burden of guilt he was carrying because he didn't do anything to force her to do so something about the situation before it had gotten to this point.

"Yeah, I got a hold of Renee and she had plenty to say about my delay and hesitation in calling her immediately. She's on the next flight that she could get out here and will be calling me later to let me know when she would be arriving."

"Charlie, do we need to make hotel arrangements for her, or, is she handling that on her own as well?" Asked Esme as she glanced over at Charlie and noticed how pale and upset he was. He seemed to be more so than when she had left him to go sit with Bella for a while. "She really put you through the wringer, didn't she." She commented.

"You could say that I had been put through the grinder not once, but, twice. First with what happened with Bella and then with what Renee had to say about the whole situation. But, about hotel arrangements, I think she is making her own." He informed her.

After he had answered Esme and he turned to Edward and said, "Son, I do appreciate you coming at such short notice to represent my daughter. I'm very much afraid that this situation is going to get much, much worse before we even have a chance of it getting slightly better." Charlie quietly remarked to Edward.

"So, from the standpoint of a professional officer you see this going to the extreme?" Edward questioned Charlie.

"Yes, I do. Frank had a sister that did and would do anything she could to harm my daughter. And before you ask why, all I can say is only Heaven knows as no one else does. My little girl has a sweet, gentle soul and would help anyone that she could."

"Well, from what Dad has told me and now with your observation of the situation I'll be prepared for defending her. Do you happen to know of a good private investigator that I can use to start collecting facts for me?"

"As it so happens, I do. He's a friend of Bella's and thinks of her as his little sister. His name is Emmett McCarty." Charlie told him then he continued on to give Edward Emmett's contact information.

"Good. Now, if no one minds I would like to see my client."

"She can't tell you anything as yet since she is in a medical coma." Charlie and Carlisle remarked at the same time.

"I'm aware of that since you informed me of that on the way over, Dad. However, I want to see what conditions her husband inflicted upon her. It'll give me an idea of just how bad things might become and what direction we're going to have to begin researching immediately." Edward explained as he rose from his seat. He saw his Dad and Mother getting up at the same time, but, halted their movements with the comment, "This is something I would rather do alone."

But, before he could get out the door Det. Asher entered to inform Charlie that he needed to speak with Mrs. Harrison.

"Det. Asher, that isn't possible at the moment as she is in a coma and will be kept that way for medical reasons for awhile." Carlisle answered as he also explained that he was Bella's personal doctor. He had even continued to explain what all had taken place in regards to her condition upon arrival at the hospital and what all had to be medically done to give her a chance of survival which was still in question at the moment.

"Very well, but, due to some facts we were given from Ms. Norma Harrison about the marriage conditions between her brother and his wife I would once again strongly suggest that you get in touch with an attorney.

"At this point I can tell you that it is looking as if murder charges are going to be filed against Mrs. Harrison."

"Det. Asher, Mrs. Harrison does have an attorney. I'm Edward Cullen and will be representing Mrs. Harrison concerning all matters of this situation or any others that might be arising surrounding the matter." Edward informed the detective in a firm manner that left no room for doubt.

And before another word could be said Edward did turn and left the room as he had been in the process of doing to go to Bella's room. Once he got there he did see that the room was more as a glass room so the nurses could easily see what might be taking place at any given moment.

He entered, but, as he did he was struck beyond words by the sight that he beheld. Never in his life had he seen such natural beauty he that he could see shining through all of the bruising, bandages and tubing appearing, covering or attached to her. Then one thought entered his mind, "Alice was right!"

A/N: Alice has noticed Jasper and has been struck by unnatural silence. Jasper has seen her, but, because of his concern for Bella he is barely paying any attention to Alice. Renee tore a strip off of Charlie and is on her way to Seattle to be with Bella. The police have indicated that Bella was looking at being charged for murder. Edward has told the officer in no uncertain terms about him being Bella's attorney and then he was struck dumb once he laid eyes upon Bella. What did Norma tell the police about Bella and Frank and their relationship? How long will Bella be kept in the coma?

Thanks for reading the story and hope you will enjoy it. Your reviews, ideas and comments are always welcomed.