A/N This chapter is dedicated dpennell aka Donna Pennell for nominating me and our story for the FanaticFanficsAwards and to all of you who voted. It was a sweet show of affection for our story and myself. Thank you-truly.
Chapter Twelve
As a handsome waiter pours water into Bella's glass, Edward leans toward her.
"Sweets, this is Sam. He will be your waiter tonight. He'll pour and remove from the right and serve on your left. Any concerns you have with your meal or service, Sam will solve for you." Edward winks and smiles softly.
She smiles and squeezes his hand beforelooking up at the tall, salt and peppered waiter.
"Hello Sam, it's nice to meet you," she smiles up at him.
"He bows his head slightly before straightening, "the pleasure's mine, ma'am."
With that,he steps back as two other waiters step forward to remove Bella and Edward's wine glasses, save for their toast flute.
The table quiets as the family watches the activity of the wait staff. Alice leans forward to intervene, but Jasper calmly pulls her back under his arm.
When the table is arranged, the wait staff fills the water glasses forthe rest of the table before exiting the room, except for Sam, who stands along the wall behind Bella's chair.
Edward watches with amusement as his sister looks over Bella's shoulder at Sam and then looks over her shoulder. The amusement fades as she looks back at Bella with a glare.
He clears his throat and catches her eye with a look of warning and turns to Mom and Pops.
"Mom, did you have as good a day as we had?" he asks putting his arm on the back of her chair.
Bella finally looks up as Edward begins talking.
"We didn't have a chance to compare notes, but Alice and I had a wonderful day. We found some fabulous prints. The abstract print is in this season. It's always nice to get out and just have girl time. She smiles across the table at Alice before turning to rest her warm smile on Bella.
Bella smiles back at Esme before taking a moment to look around the room. She finds it very romantic with its dark wood, fresh flowers, and candlelight. As she contentedly surveys the room her eyes drop to Jasper's across from her. He grins softly and drapes his arm behind Alice causing Bella to smile back.
Carlisle leans into the conversation, "Well, let me tell you, Es, our sons lose a good fifteen years of maturity when they are together. Ask them about the waitress at the range."
Jasper straightens in his seat, "Don't drop a bomb like that, Carlisle. You're going to have me in the dog house for a month."
"Well, I want to hear all about it, Jasper," Alice chimes in menacingly.
"No, no, no—Carlisle!" Jasper whisper shouts.
"They made a bet on who could get a reaction from the pretty little waitress using cheesy pick-up lines. It had to be a hair flip, blush or an obvious flirt back." Carlisle laughs throwing an arm around his wife.
Edward feels his Sweets stiffen next to him, but when he cuts his eyes over to her, she is smiling and watching Jasper squirm.
"Oh, this I gotta hear," Alice squeals and gives Jasper a mock glare.
"No, now, come on," Jasper pleads.
"Your eyes are blue, like the ocean, and girl, I'm lost at sea," Edward barks out as Jasper drops his head.
He stops laughing when Jasper raises his head with determination and leans toward Edward.
"What time do you have to be back to heaven?" Jasper smirks as Edward groans and the family laughs.
"Okay, what about—what was it you said? Oh—'Was that an earthquake or did you just rock my world?'"
"Oh, God," Jasper moans and Alice throws her arm around his shoulders giggling.
He smacks the table as his head shoots up. "I hope you know CPR because you take my breath away—HA!"
"God, did I say that?" Edward looks around the table and Carlisle sits like the Cheshire Cat grinning and nodding.
"So who won?" Esme cuts in, laughing.
Edward looks at Jasper.
"Carlisle," they say in unison and sit back to watch his smile falter.
"Reeeeally, my husband won a flirting bet," Esme sits forward with interest.
"Don't—" he looks at both boys and know his goose is cooked. He sighs dramatically and throwing his arms out wide, he growls, "Did you have any doubt, Baby."
She blushes and leans back into his arm and gives a promising kiss.
Edward cuts his eyes back to Sweets to make sure she is still smiling before he adds, "She blushed and flipped her hair."
"Wow, what did you say, Pops?" Alice asks.
Carlisle just shakes his head, "Trade secrets, my dear," as he pulls his wife closer and kisses her temple.
At that moment, the sommelier enters the room and presents Carlisle with a black bottle sporting a dark pink label. Bella thinks it's so pretty and Carlisle nods as it is opened for him.
Edward feels his hand squeezed and looks to see his Sweets eyes sparkling in the candle's glow. She's happy and his heart seizes in his chest at how beautiful she is at this moment.
He catches Alice's movement across the table as she stiffens and frowns over Bella's shoulder. Edward sits back to note Sam approaching the table.
"Sir, as you requested" As the sommelier before him, Sam shows Edward the label of Weinkonig's Pearl Rose, an imported, non-alcoholic, sparkling wine.
Bella looks at the soft rose liquid in the bottle and the black label and thinks it's almost as pretty as Carlisle's Rose Champagne.
The sommelier hands the bottle to the head of the wait staff and bows before leaving. The wine flutes are filled with great ceremony and Sam provides just as much flourish in filling Bella's flute.
"Thank you, Sam," she says softly.
"Of course, ma'am," he bows slightly before stepping back.
In Sam's wake, Edward brings her hand to his mouth placing a lingering kiss on her knuckles.
Carlisle stands and lifts his flute. "It is my greatest joy that our family circle is complete. My two daughters, my two sons, my beautiful wife, my heart is full to overflowing tonight, so—to family."
"To family," the rest of the table echo the sentiment, even little Maddie, who lifts her tippy cup and bounces her legs against her booster chair.
Edward wraps his arm around his Sweets, kissing her temple as her eyes swim and she sips her delicate wine.
"To family," he whispers against her temple.
She places her hand on his cheek, "to family."
~o0o~
Asthey sip their wine and talk, the waiters move around the table taking the evening's orders.
Sam leans between Edward and Bella as he writes down Edward's orders for their meals.
"Maddie sit still," Alice hisses.
"I think maybe she needs a bathroom break," Jasper says lightly.
"I'll take her, Alice," Bella smiles across the table.
Alice seems relieved. "Oh, that would be nice, Bella, thanks."
"Come on sweetie, let's go see if they have pretty soaps in the bathroom," Bella says softly as she unbuckles Maddie from her booster seat. Setting her down on the floor she makes sure her voluminous dress is in place.
Bella giggles, "I think this dress wears you, Maddie."
"It's a Joan Calabrese, Bella," Alice snaps.
"I'm sure it is, Alice," Bella laughs without looking up from the little one's tulle encasement.
"Come on princess," Bella takes Maddie's hand and the room watches happy curls bouncing next to swaying hips as they walk toward the room's doorway. Sam holds the door for them, bowing slightly as they pass.
They chatter in their own little world on their trip to the bathroom, both glad of the reprieve from the confining expectations of the dining room. The beautiful dress has to be removed for practical bathroom matters and the stockings and Dora panties narrowly miss an accident. Relieved, they sing Five Little Duckies as they reassemble the elaborate outfit.
Although there are no pretty bars of soap, the dispenser releases strawberry foam that is impossible to resist. After making a duck, a cat, and a very lumpy squirrel, they dry their hands and return, conspiring together to be well behaved.
Jasper meets Bella at Maddie's chair and buckles her back in as Edward holds Bella's chair for her and Sam drapes her napkin across her lap.
Feeling well cared for; she hands out a 'thank you' for them to share.
She looks around, alarmed to see that the others have been served the first course.
Sam appears at her left and places her plate on the charger.
"Thank you, Sam," she sighs with relief.
"Ma'am"
She picks up her outer fork as she feels Edward's knuckles run down the side of her cheek. She looks into his adoring gaze and smiles sweetly, kissing his hand before he moves to face his own food.
"Yours looks yummy," she whispers eyeing his Langoustine Ravioli.
He smiles as he stabs one and places iton the corner of her plate next to her Artichoke Terrine.
She does a subtle happy dance that makes him laugh.
~o0o~
As Sam places the second course in front of her, she sees that Maddie has applesauce and crackers. She takes a baby carrot and a slice of her goat cheese and places them next to Maddie's crackers.
She takes a bite making yummy noises and looks over at Maddie. Little fingers poke a hole in the cheese and go to her mouth. She takes another poke at the cheese and brings it to her mouth. Bella smiles and returns to her meal in time to see Sam placing a bread plate between Edward and Bella's charger plates.
"For Ms. Swan," Sam nods before returning to his post against the wall.
Smiling, Edward scoops a spoonful of his lobster salad onto the bread plate.
~o0o~
By the third course, Bella is comfortable enough to join in the conversation.
"Alice, you should have seen Maddie in the pool today. She was jumping to me and swimming to the wall like a little seal."
She flakes tiny pieces of Scottish Salmon for Maddie, who gobbles them up and asks for more.
"Did she get her face wet?" Esme asks in disbelief.
Maddie bobs her head as she licks her fingers.
"Yes, she even went under the water three times." Bella holds up three fingers, and when she sees Maddie struggling to fold her fingers, Bella stops and helps her make three fingers with her little hand.
Alice reaches over and hugs Maddie, "My little fish."
Initially, Bella thought it best to sit out of the fish course to save room for the meat course. So with Bella and Maddie's samplings, Edward is left with only half of his dish. But seeing his girl happy and carefree makes him thankful for the four bites he enjoys.
Bella watches Carlisle and Esme catching each other's eye in the candlelight. She nudges Edward when Carlisle sits his watermelon radish on Esme's plate knowing she will enjoy it more than he will.
The moment is broken with Alice clucking as she cleans off Maddie's hand and tells her to sit up.
Bella makes an 'oh my' face at Maddie and sits up like a statue. Maddie laughs and sits up like a little statue while her mama scrubs her face.
~o0o~
With the next course, Sam places two bread plates between Edward and Bella.
"For the little miss," he murmurs.
"Thank you, Sam," Edward nods.
Edward and Bella share a smile and Bella asked that Edward scoop a spoon of Blue Corn Grits onto Maddie's plate with a steamed carrot for scooping. He then puts a couple of bites of his prime rib on Bella's bread plate.
She kisses his cheek as she returns the plate with pieces of veal and lamb.
By this time, a bread plate has appeared between Carlisle and Esme so that they might share their mushrooms and bits of duck. And just when Alice feels taken aback by the lack of decorum that has developed around the table, her husband reaches across and stabs a mushroom from her plate popping into his mouth as Maddie claps and giggles.
Bella sits back, smiling at the lovely turn the night has taken. Edward, noticing her stillness, reaches for her hand.
She squeezes it and turns to him, "Thank you Moondoggie, it's been the best Christmas of my life."
Edward swallows thickly and nods, "Me too, Baby. I love you."
"I love you too." She smiles before lifting her free hand.
Sam is there instantly.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Sam would it be too much trouble to see the dessert menu again?"
"Of course not, right away ma'am." Sam bows and is gone.
"I think Maddie and I should get our own dessert if you stand a chance of getting any at all," she says softly to Edward.
She had declined ordering dessert earlier, thinking she would be too full after so many courses of food. But as the dinner moved forward she realized there was very little wasted food.
Each course was an excellent blend of rich flavors and textures, always visibly stimulating and consisting of just the right amount of bites to get the full experience. So that here, at the end of the meal, she is physically satisfied and feels as though she has lived the dinner, truly making cherished memories to carry in her heart's pocket.
"The white chocolate mousse with two coconut sables, please, Sam," she smiles up at him.
"A good choice, ma'am," he smiles slightly as he straightens.
~o0o~
As the wait staff move around the table, pouring a dessert port and coffee, Carlisle sits back surveying the richness of his life. He craves a cigar to share the moment but knows he can wait until they get home, maybe Jasper could join him. If Edward were staying at the house, he could join too.
He looks wistfully at his son who is teasing Maddie and Bella, trying to steal their coconut biscuits.
He's back in their lives.
He glances at his Esme laughing at her son's antics. He'll do whatever it takes to keep that smile on her face.
~o0o~
As Carlisle settles the bill, Edward steps away from the table to settle his own account. A substantial tip worth more than a full night's work is given gladly to both Sam and the concierge for their exclusive attention tonight. He credits them for making Bella's first formal dinner relaxing and enjoyable; that is worth any price to him.
While he's gone, Bella sips her cappuccino. She looks over at Maddie draped over Jasper's shoulder while he talks with Esme about the new semester starting in two weeks. She smiles as Alice gently brushes Maddie's curls away from her face.
"I think she had a wonderful time tonight."
Alice kisses her slumbering angel's forehead, "Yes, she did. Thank you for helping with her," Alice smiles across the table.
"She's so sweet and fun, it's impossible not to enjoy her," Bella says before taking another sip.
Alice watches Bella's natural grace and envies her. She leans toward Bella and lowers her voice, "You did well tonight." Her smile is almost shy.
An olive branch
Bella cocks her head and smiles back. "Thank you, it was a memorable evening. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Did you?"
"Yes, I always enjoy this restaurant," her smile broadens, "but I'd enjoy it a whole lot more with a handsome waiter hanging onto my every whim," Alice teases.
Bella smiles back, "Yes, that was very sweet of Edward," her voice softens, "He takes good care of me."
"I'm glad he has you, Bella. He seems genuinely happy." Alice catches her eye before dropping them and playing with the spoon resting on her saucer.
Bella smiles gently at Alice's slight embarrassment.
She's trying.
"Thank you, Alice. When we arrived yesterday, he was expecting a sixteen-year-old girl to come bounding down the stairs. It was hard for him to accept that he has missed so much in your life. But I know he's happy that you have such a loving family in Jasper and Maddie," she smiles conspiratorially, "I think he's found a partner in crime in Jasper."
Alice laughs, causing Esme and Jasper to turn toward her. She gives Jasper a cheeky grin and turns toward Bella, "I think you're right."
~o0o~
Edward returns as everyone is standing to leave the room. They smile as they file past the new couple.
Edward retakes his seat next to Bella, turning sideways with his arm behind her and his head resting on her shoulder as she drops her lip gloss into her clutch.
"Have I been good tonight, Sweets?"
She smiles, remembering their pact from this morning.
"Oh Moondoggie, you've been sooo good. I had such a wonderful evening. You're my hero," she coos with her hand on his cheek and a kiss to his mussmass of bronze hair.
"Do I get to pick my reward?" he murmurs against her shoulder as his breath brings goosebumps down her arm.
Her hand runs over his collar and up into his hair.
"Anything you want, Moondoggie," she whispers.
He sits back with a triumphant smirk as his eye darken.
Herheart rate speeds as she holds her breath, caught in her predator's gaze.
He slowly leans toward her and smiles wickedly with a kiss on her shoulder, a kiss behind her ear, his teeth running the shell of her ear and warm lips sucking her earlobe.
He growls against her neck, "I want those shoes and that gloss in my bed, Sweets."
"Oh my," she rasps as he laughs deviously and helps her stand.
~o0o~
As they move to the front of the restaurant, Edward finds it curious that Sam brings their coats.
"Thank you, Sam," Edward says as he takes them from the waiter's hands.
He holds her wrap and she smiles, facing Sam as Edward envelopesher shoulders snuggly.
"Thank you for making our evening so special, Sam," Bella says.
Edward watches a blush form around the man's collar.
"Oh, the pleasure was all mine, ma'am," Sam bows slightly.
He turns to shake Edward's outstretched hand, "I hope we'll see you again, sir."
"We had a beautiful evening, Sam. I'm sure we'll be back whenever we're in Chicago and I know we'll ask for you."
"Thank you, sir."
Bella looks up questioningly to Edward. He smiles indulgently and nods.
She steps forward to give Sam a little hug, "Thank you again, Sam."
Edward smiles to himself as Sam closes his eyes with the same wistful look that passed over the faces of two old men as she hugged them a lifetime ago.
As she pulls back, Sam drops his eyes.
"Of course ma'am," he mumbles out.
Edward laughs quietly and pats the man's shoulder in sympathy as he turns her toward the door.
~o0o~
Standing outside waiting for the valets to bring the cars around, the men stand in a horseshoe formation with their backs to the women to block the wind.
Jasper has his coat wrapped around a bundled Maddie.
"I can't believe you ratted us out, Old Man," Jasper laughs out over his daughter's head.
Carlisle barks out a laugh, "You did it to yourselves and you got me back—good. Esme won't leave it alone until I tell her what I said to win the bet."
"What did you say?" Edward laughs.
Carlisle looks down and clears his throat, "Um—'When you're ready to stop playing games with boys, let me show you how good a real man can be.'" he shrugs and stuffs his hands in his coat pockets.
The girls look over their shoulders as Jasper and Edward double over with laughter and Carlisle smirks at their prostrate forms. They squeal when a gust of wind hits them and the men quickly straighten and return to duty.
Edward stands straight making sure to block Bella.
Before he can slip his hands back in his pockets, he feels a tube slip into his hand from behind. He looks down to see Sweet's lip gloss in his hand. He looks up to see Jasper and Pops staring curiously at it. With great fanfare, he runs it under his nose like a fine cigar and slips the coveted lip-gloss into his lapel pocket, giving it a loving pat.
Carlisle looks over Edward's shoulder, "We are three lucky sons-of-bitches," he says proudly.
"That we are, sir," Jasper agrees as he shifts Maddie to his other shoulder, "That we are."
~o0o~
Edward sits in the wing-backed chair in the corner of the hotel room guarding the angel who has fallen into his broken world. He cocks his head to the left to see her serene face hidden beneath the scattered hair splayed out over sheets and pillows. Her lithe nakedness casually draped with a honey-colored sheet.
His breath hitches.
She's too perfect, this angel. He has tried to find a flaw in her but has only found her to be good, sweet, loving, loyal, gorgeous, sexy, and very—bendy.
He smiles in the dark at that last one…
"Baby hold on while I get the key in the lock—ungh—Baby, wait, I—I gotta get the lock." His eyes roll back in his head as she rubs him through his dress pants from behind while the key refuses to fit.
With a click,
A bang,
A swish,
And another click, he has her inside and against the wall.
She wraps herself around him, sucking along his neck while her fingers run through his hair.
Seeing her dressed up, a little flirt of cleavage, a little flash of leg…
She's so beautiful, she steals his breath away.
"Don't worry Moondoggie, I know CPR," she giggles in the crook of his neck sending a shiver down his spine.
He must have said that last part out loud.
He pulls away helping her get a solid footing before releasing her.
She pants against the wall waiting for him to strike.
Edward watches a shiver start at her shoulders and run down her back, ending with her pressing her thighs together.
He saunters towards her, circling her. At the nape of her neck, he places a heated kiss before gentle fingers begin unzipping. Wet, open mouthed kisses follow the journey of the zipper until he reaches lacy boy shorts.
He straightens and tender touches slide the dress off her shoulders, down her arms, allowing it to pool at her feet.
He takes her hand, "Step out, Baby." He whispers.
With her so close, it's hard not to rush, to take, to consume.
He walks back around as pin by pin he frees her hair to cascade down her back and shoulders.
Face to face with her, she pants into his mouth as he runs his fingertips up her thighs, her hips, her waist, her sides, stopping at her luscious breasts.
He has the satisfaction of seeing her arch her back pushing her breasts towards him, inviting, begging.
He stills until she looks up at him.
A wicked gleam shines in his eyes as he slowly pulls the gloss out of his pocket.
With a devilish grin,he holds her captive and slowly untwists the cap.
Pulling out the wand, he steps towards her, softly running the gloss over her kiss-swollen lips. He replaces the wand in the tube and places it in his shirt pocket.
She's glorious with her black, peep-toe heels making her legs go on for miles and her breasts heaving with each excited breath, her round expectant eyes pleading.
He runs his thumb under her plump lower lip and moves his thigh between her legs as he moves in to claim his prize. He licks along her bottom lip and growls as his mouth covers hers.
Her whimper into his mouth has him picking her up and spreading her out on thebed. He surveys his canvas, her long, glossy hair, wavy from being up, spills across the pillows. Her breasts, her hips, her flat stomach, her glorious mons, she was pieced to perfection just for him.
Standing there fully clothed with his hand in his pocket, he rubs his erection with the back of his knuckles watching her writhe.
"Edward, please."
"Shhh, Baby, I'm admiring my prize."
With that, he removes his shirt and pants before climbing between her legs. She reaches for him, but he takes her hands and kisses each palm before placing them above her head.
As he runs his hands down her arms, he kisses her silky, sweet lips until she's panting and writhing.
He sits back on his heels between her legs and shows her the glossy wand.
His fingers run a line from the hollow of her throat between her breasts before he circles the wand around her left areola. Without warning, his mouth descends, hot, wet, covering and consuming. He sucks her fully into his mouth circling his tongue. He pulls back to take her nipple between his teeth and flick the tip with his tongue.
"Gah, I can't—I—I—stop, please stop!
Keeping his hands on her breasts, gently kneading and caressing, he hovers over her as she squirms and rocks her head.
"Baby, look at me," He whispers.
She opens her eyes, disoriented.
"Do you want me to stop? I will if…"
"NO! Gah, no—don't stop, please, don't stop!"
He drops his head to her chest with a grin and lifts it just as quickly.
"How about you say 'too much' when you get overwhelmed?"
"Okay, okay, okay can you do my right one now?"
She runs her nails down his back as she arches up to him.
He gives her a wet peck before he turns his determined energy to her right breast—gloss, mouth, tongue, teeth.
When she screams 'too much', he growls, pulls back, and flips her.
He roughly pulls her hips up, putting her ass in the air and her weight on her knees.
As his hand run the curve of her ass, he pants out, "Baby, I want to take you from behind. God, I love your ass," he adds distracted, "are you comfortable with that?"
"My—um –ass?" she squeaks with terror tinting her voice.
If he weren't in such a lust-filled fog, he would have laughed.
"No Baby," he runs his hand between her cheeks until he reaches her pussy and glides his finger slowly between her slick lips before sliding his finger gently inside.
"Oh, oh, oh—yes I want that, please," she keens as she pushes back.
That's all he needs.
He moves his hands to her hips and bends, placing a reverent kiss at the gap at the base of her spine, just below her two dimples.
When she squirms beneath his lips, he pulls back, lines up and plunges until he is completely sheathed.
While he groans with bliss, her yelp registers.
Before he begins moving, he runs his hands over her ass, up her spine and back to her hips where he gets a good hold.
"Ready Baby?" he pants.
She steps her knees out and arches her back in answer.
"God, I love you, woman," he growls as he pulls back and rocks into her.
When he feels the drawing, he knows he needs to slow down. With sweat dripping from his nose, he pulls out to her frustrated cries.
Flipping her over again, he smiles down at her.
She smiles dreamily back and slowly pulls her knees up, spread wide.
"Have I been a good girl today, Moondoggie?" She purrs.
"Such a good girl, Sweets," he growls as he slides his hand under her thighs.
"Can I pick my reward?" she whispers.
"Anything you want, Baby," he whispers back as he places her pump covered foot on his shoulder and begins a path of kisses from her knee up her thigh.
She reaches for the tube on the bed and places it in his hand.
He looks up into the face of a siren, a force of beauty not to be denied.
"More" she moans as she places her other peep-toe pump on his shoulder.
He takes his time glossing and consuming her starting with her breasts, moving to her navel, and below, being rewarded with orgasm number one.
Before she can come down, he flips her and paints that delicious crease where her thighs join her ass, licking and biting as he goes. He moves on to start a line that begins in that beautiful ravine just below her dimples and runs from her spine to the nape of her neck. He follows that path with hot kisses and tongue works, and when he reaches beneath her and taps her clit, it brings on orgasm number two.
"Too much" has her flipped a third time. He places her pumps on his shoulders again and pushes into her. So hypersensitive, she screams as he sets the pace. She is a glorious frenzy of thrashing hair as she claws the sheets.
When he feels her tightening around him, he allows himself to let go. She shakes and cries as he roars into the crook of her neck.
When he cools down he pulls back and can't help the smug sensation of seeing his woman completely done. She is limp and barely coherent.
She gives a small whimper when he withdraws from her, but makes no other acknowledgment of her surroundings.
He stands at the foot of the bed and worships her. When his throat grows tight and his eyes begin to sting, he moves to the bathroom to run a warm bath.
As he carries her to the tub, she is limp with closed eyes. His creeping concern eases when she lazily kisses his neck.
He holds her and bathes her, keeping her hair out of the water.
The bath rouses her enough that she stands and quietly runs her fingers through his hair as he dries her from nose to toes. He carries her back to bed only to have her splayed out across her pillow and softly snoring before he can pull the sheet over her.
Now, he studies his love from his perch in the chair.
She's too perfect.
Even in her sleep she calls to him. Unable to remain parted from her, he stands to make his way across the room to snug up next to her, the little spoon to his big spoon.
As he pulls the sheet back his cell phone rings. He grabs it from the nightstandand sits on the edge of the bed.
He feels her hand run sleepily down his back as he takes the call.
"Hey, Pops."
"Evening, son, I'm so sorry to wake you, but I thought you should know. Dunny just called. Bob is in critical condition in ICU," Carlisle breathes heavily into the phone.
Edward feels the bed move behind him as Bella's gasp cuts through the darkness.