Chapter 7 – Anxious

Victoria came here! I was in the wrong place. I spent all that time tracking her and lost her in Brazil. I looked at Bella from corner of my eye and she was writing her notes. I cringed at the thought that she had to put her life in the hands of those mongrels. They could have killed her themselves, but she had to trust them to stay alive. When she was telling me and Alice everything, I was ready to rip the desk out of the floor. I left so she would be safe, but she was in more danger that I ever thought possible. This just added to the list of things I had to make up to her. At lunch, she spoke with Angela and Alice. Jessica and Lauren were whispering to themselves. "Why is he so interested in her?" Lauren asked, "She's not that pretty. And she's a total klutz." Jessica sighed, "I wouldn't say that, but things will be interesting. Her friend Jacob really likes her too and now Edward's back. I'll bet you anything they are going to be fighting over her." Lauren rolled her eyes, Please. She is not that interesting. Why are these guys going crazy over her? First she had Mike drooling like crazy, then Tyler and Eric. What is so interesting about Bella Swan? I closed my eyes and leaned closer to Bella, "Be careful of Lauren. She's is really jealous of you." She looked at me, "Who cares? Between you and me, when I started talking to everyone again and I saw her new haircut, I honestly thought someone scalped her or cut off all her hair, because of her winning personality."

I laughed, "That's an interesting theory." Lauren watched the two of us, Why couldn't he be interested in me like that? Bella winked at me and looked across the table, "Is something wrong, Lauren?" Lauren shook her head, Don't talk to me, you ditz. Bella rolled her eyes, as if she heard Lauren's thoughts. "Don't you worry about her. We only have to deal with her for a few more weeks, then its graduation." I nodded, "That's true. But still…. If only?" Bella looked at me, "Edward, don't. She's not worth it." I shrugged, she was right. This shallow girl wouldn't see the attraction Bella had for me. Edward, I don't care what she says. Bella is coming home with us after school to talk to Carlisle. "Alice," I warned her, "you said we shouldn't push her." She rolled her eyes; I said you shouldn't push her, not me. I shot her a warning glance. Fine! But we are still talking to Carlisle. I nodded. Carlisle would be interested in knowing that the pack has grown to five members. That is the largest it has ever been. From the times Carlisle encountered the pack; it was always three of them. Also, their theory of vampires in the area causes their change was interesting.

The day went by with less tension. In the parking lot, Bella went straight for her truck, but Alice beat her there. "Can I come over? I really want to see Charlie." "Sure, he'd love to see you." Alice beamed, While I'm at there, you talk with Carlisle and tell him everything. Alice and Bella were gone and I was on my way to the hospital. I wasn't upset about leaving Bella this time because she was with Alice. I walked through the hospital to Carlisle's office. He wasn't in there, he was down the hall. "Carlisle, when you're done, come to your office. We need to talk." I'll be there as soon as I can. I waited in the office, looking out the window. I watched as people came in and out of the hospital. I listened to their minds, to calm myself down. The bone will have to be reset, Dr. Gerandy was walking by. He was someone I wanted to speak to. I flew to the door, "Dr. Gerandy?" He looked back, "Edward Cullen. It's great to see you again." I shook his hand, "It's good to see you too. I have a question? You were the one to check Bella Swan when she was found?" He nodded, "Yes, I volunteered to help find her." I nodded, "What happened to her? Was she all right?" He nodded again, That poor girl. She was delirious that night. "Yes, physically, she was fine. She wasn't hurt, but we don't know how long she was out there and it was cold when she was found. Mostly she suffered from exhaustion. But, Edward, you know I cannot really tell you any of this, doctor/client confidentiality." I nodded, "I know. Still, thank you." Dr. Gerandy walked away; I wonder how he would have felt if he knew Bella came back to the hospital a few months after that with a large gash on her forehead. She said she tripped in the Quileute boy's garage and fell on a hammer. I never really believed that story.

My eyes followed him as he turned the corner. Bella was hurt in the boy's garage. He must have done something to her. He was going to pay for that. Carlisle was rounding the corner himself, holding a folder, flipping through them. "Edward," he greeted. He patted my back and closed the door behind us, "I knew all about Bella's accident. I was just reading it. She had to have several stitches and Dr. Gerandy had Charlie wake her up every hour to make sure she didn't have a concussion." My mood to throw furniture was creeping up again. "But I don't think Bella's medical history is the only reason you came here." "Yes," I sighed, "Alice spoke with Bella today and she found out a lot of interesting information." Carlisle leaned forward on his desk, "Such as?" "Firstly, the pack is larger. They are five of them." Carlisle's eyes widened, "Five? There have never been more than three of them. What caused the increase?" "Apparently, after we left, not all the vampires left. The Quileutes believe that when there are vampires in the area; that causes their change." Carlisle looked at me, "Really?" I sighed, "Victoria was here, hunting Bella." Carlisle looked at me, "What?!" "Victoria wanted revenge against me for killing James, so she was planning on killing Bella." Alice never mentioned anything. "That's because I asked her not to look for Bella's future." My head fell forward, into my hands, "I left all of this for her to deal with by herself." "Edward, we didn't know. If anything, we should be grateful to the wolves for keeping her alive." I looked up, "Right. And it was that Jacob who hurt her and caused her to get those stitches."

Edward, stop beating yourself up. The separation wasn't easy for any of us. Carlisle's mind thought back to the time when I was away and how he mourned that fact that all of his children weren't together, all six of them. I shook my head in shame, "You are right about that, at least. I do owe those dogs that much. They kept her alive. As far as keeping her safe, that was something left to be desired." Carlisle stood behind his desk and came to stand beside me, "Edward, I heard what Esme told you last night and I wanted to add to that." I looked up, "Yes?" "She was right about you being patient. I know it was difficult, beyond difficult leaving Bella behind and coming back so suddenly, it is hard for anyone to deal with. You must give Bella time to cope. But, only when she is up to it, please bring her by? I am anxious to see her again." I smiled, "I will try." A nurse was coming towards Carlisle's office, "I should get going. You're needed elsewhere." I opened the door as she prepared to knock and I drove back to home.

Emmett and Rosalie were in the garage, working on Emmett's truck. "Hey, where's Alice?" "By Bella's. She wanted to see Charlie." Emmett nodded, "So, when are you bringing Bella over?" I sighed, "When she wants to come over." "I understand. Besides, she should be mad at you, not us." My head snapped in Emmett's direction. From the look on my face, he retracted his statement, "Ok, that was over the line. I'm sorry." Well, it's not that far from the truth. Rosalie was under the hood, blocked from sight. My eyes were fixed on her. Emmett looked between us, Edward, don't even try it. I shook my head and went into the house. Jasper was reading in the living room, "Are you going to go back to get Alice?" I sighed, "I don't know if I want to deal with Chief Swan." Jasper nodded, "That's true. That's the one thing all men fear, the father of the girl they love." I snorted, "Not that he can hurt me. But what he'll being thinking. All the things he saw Bella go through and I can't deal with that." Jasper nodded, "I'll go with you and keep him calm, if you like?" I shrugged, "That'll help." "You're not going without me," Emmett called from the garage. Jasper and I looked towards the door, "And why do you need to go?" Emmett walked through the door, cleaning his hands, "Because I want to see Bella and I am not waiting for her to come here." Jasper and I shared a glance; neither one of us could stop Emmett if we wanted to and I wouldn't deny him that. He missed her too. After another two hours of waiting, Jasper, Emmett and I left in Emmett's truck to go get Alice.