Disclaimer:
I own no part of the 'Twilight Universe'. Only the idea to this story. This is strictly for fun.
Author's note:
No beta, so all mistakes are mine.
Hope you enjoy it. I will only now start to answer the reviews. You blew me away again. Every single one means so much to me.
THANK YOU ALL!
For reading, for following, for favouring, and esp. for reviewing
Chapter 38 (Bella's pov):
I woke up slowly, groggily. My eyelids were heavy and after a short fight I gave up and left them unopened.
My mind was slow, too. It took me a while to recall all that had happened.
I was sick in the Volturi castle; under their care. There had been a doctor, a nurse. After that my memories were sketchy. There were so many holes, like in a Swiss cheese. And the things I did remember had a dreamlike, unreal quality to them.
After some more minutes during which I had somewhat successfully remembered snippets and bits, I was rather certain that I had had a talk with Sulpicia... Had she really been in this room? I thought so and I dimly remembered I had made quite the spectacle out of myself
When I carefully rubbed my legs together I was mortified to find this detail of my memory confirmed, too.. unfortunately.
The time after this incident was even harder to decipher. I guess there was Marcus and Sulpicia, and other people. But had they really been here? Had it been a dream? I didn't know and frankly I didn't care right now. While I had been lying there my mouth had gone dry and dryer and now I was almost certain a part of the desert had taken residence in it. My tongue felt like sandpaper when it rubbed against my palate to gain some semblance of lubrication. All for naught there was no saliva.
With all the strength I could muster, I pried my eyes open, only to shut them again as soon as I could. It was blindingly light; so much so it really hurt. I felt a stinging pain deep in my eyes. I groaned in pain.
"Bella? What is it? Are you in pain?" A voice to my left immediately asked, somewhat urgently, yet so soft. It took me a moment to recognize it as Marcus'.
"So light... hurts... thirsty..." I rasped, my tongue seemed to glue to the roof of my mouth each time they came in contact. My eyes still remained tightly shut to keep out the glaring light.
Not a second later the sound of drapes being hastily drawn closed reached my ears and the light was muted. I felt a cool hand being placed over my forehead keeping even more light out.
"You'll get something to drink in but a moment, Isabella. Can you open you eyes again? It's darker now." The caring tone in his voice was encouraging, so cautiously I opened my eyes again, ready to slam them shut again if it hurt.
It was still light enough to see, but nowhere near as bright as it had been. The room was bathed in twilight.
Marcus was still to my my left and his cold hand still shielded my eyes from the muted light that fell through the closed curtains.
His gaze was locked on me, his eyes very dark and scrutinizing my every reaction. When I was sure it wouldn't hurt, I opened my eyes all the way and looked at him. Tension I hadn't known I held left my shoulders and I relaxed further. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and his eyes softened. Slowly he peeled his hand away from my forehead leaving my eyes enough time to adapt to the additional light.
"Is it better now? Or does the light still hurt?" While he spoke he gently tucked a stray lock of hair that was matted to my temple, behind my ear.
"It's alright now. Thank you," I murmured croakily. It was uncomfortable to speak.
He simply nodded. "Good."
Just when I thought he might say something more a knock sounded from the door to the study.
"Enter," he ordered and the mask I began to hate slipped back into place.
Heidi quickly slipped into the room. She held a tray with various things on and in a human pace approached us.
"Master Marcus, the nurse advised me to only give Isabella chips of ice as a refreshment for now," he looked up at Heidi suddenly and I saw their lips move. Then Marcus' gaze was back on me and he nodded somewhat reluctantly. Heidi placed the tray on the c-shaped bedside table and stepped back to the foot of my bed.
I was a little confused. Right now I didn't care what went down my throat as long as it was fluid and cool.
I chanced a look at Heidi and when our eyes met, she smiled brightly at me and her bright red orbs sparkled. "It's good to see you awake, Isabella. The nurse will be here shortly to check on you and help you freshen up, if you so wish," she said.
"I could help, too," she added, eyes still twinkling.
"Ugh..." was all I managed. I tried to clear my throat to bring back my voice, but it turned into a nasty cough.
Marcus helped me sit up quickly and gently patted my back to help. How he knew what to do was beyond me, but I was grateful anyway.
"Thank you, Heidi. That will be all." Marcus dismissed her casually, while he still held me up, mindful of all the wires. I felt so weak and somewhat embarrassed. Were it not for his help I don't think I would have managed to sit up.
Heidi left the room quickly and Marcus settled me down into the pillows when I was done coughing.
I opened my mouth to say something but he just shook his head 'no'. And handed me a spoon with an ice chip on it.
Gratefully I took it and let it dissolve in my mouth. It felt so good.
I turned slightly to get myself another one, but Marcus was quicker. He held me slightly down with his left hand on my sternum and collarbones and scooped up another chip with the spoon he had taken from me without me realizing it.
"I don't want you to overexert yourself," he explained simply.
I was ready to voice my objection, when I remembered a talk I had had with him.
"If it was me, wouldn't you do the same?" He had said.
With this I conceded; after all I would do the same.
Spoon after spoon he fed me little bits of ice. My throat felt much better, but I was still warm, though not as hot as I had felt before.
The nurse came some time later, ready to help freshen me up. Under one arm she carried what looked like a fresh set of bedding and such, while in her hand there was a little tray obviously containing medical supplies. Her other hand held a plastic washbasin.
Marcus bid her in and assured me he would be close by, when I was obviously reluctant to let him go. It was irrational, because I really wanted to get clean- everything seemed to stick to me- ,but I felt so comfortable in his presence.
The mask was back on my face, much to my chagrin. This time I let her work. I simply relaxed back into the pillows and tried to block this ordeal out. When she was done with my front and it was time to do my back, I was halfway back to sleep.
I had to try really hard to stay up sitting in the bed, but it cost so much strength, that I was literally panting when we were done. The nurse had offered to call Heidi for help, but I had refused. No need to flash more people than I already involuntarily had...
She had braided my hair loosely and put me in a silky nightdress; plus loose fitting shorts, after a small argument on my part. I still hated the feel of the catheter between my thighs and the sticky feeling of sweaty skin on skin that you get when there is nothing in between. I had also brushed my teeth, so all in all I felt okay, but tired and exhausted. She had let me be while she cleaned her supplies and administered more medication, after she had yet again controlled my vitals. It was peaceful in the darkened, warm room and I was drowsy.
"Bella?" Marcus' voice brought me from my near sleep state and I opened my eyes lazily.
He stood to my right, as always dressed in dress pants and a crisp white shirt, but today there was no cloak. His left hand was placed on the bed on the right side of my head and he stood bent slightly forwards, bringing his eyes in my line of sight.
"Hm. Marcus?" I was still to disoriented to be completely awake.
"I'd like to lift you from the bed, so that your nurse can change the linens. Would you mind that?" he asked.
"Yes please," I told him with a little more alertness. "I'd really like new bedding. Thanks for helping me."
"You are more than welcome," he smiled at me, while he bent further down, placed one hand carefully under my knees and the other around my upper back. He raised me from the bed swiftly and sat on the chair close to the bed with me on his lap, mindful to not put any strain on the various cables and tubes.
I blushed and was humiliated, when I realized that he most certainly had felt the catheter when he had been holding up my legs. He simply ignored my reaction.
I felt a little like jello, trembly and boneless, so I simply let my head rest against his right shoulder. I was annoyingly weak.
The nurse continued to work not minding us at all. Marcus and I remained quiet. Both of us probably spacing. When it was time to get back into bed, I didn't want to. Marcus was so nice and cool. I didn't want to loose this. Plus, I felt really good in his arms. His scent was comforting, soothing.
He caught on quickly and exchanged a few words with the nurse in Italian before she left the room.
"Thank you. I really feel better out of bed," I sighed in relief. "If your uncomfortable though just put me back in," I added feeling selfish.
"I certainly don't mind. Your warmth, it feels good. I can't remember the last time I held someone like this and felt such warmth. It is truly pleasant," he told me in almost a whisper.
A few second later, there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Marcus spoke.
Aro and Sulpicia, with Heidi in tow, entered the bedroom.
It was quite a sight and I was suddenly wide awake. Aro held some kind of flower arrangement in a basket. It was at least three foot high and held dozens of flowers in colours varying from bright yellow over oranges to red. I had never seen anything like this. It was breathtaking. Sulpicia held some magazines, newspapers and books in her arms.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw how Heidi placed a tray with food down and left the room.
I didn't know what to say, I was overwhelmed.
A soft "Oh!" escaped me belatedly.
Aro and his wife smiled brilliantly at me.
"Ah, Isabella, it is good to see you somewhat up and about. You had us rather worried," the Volturi leader told me.
"We were informed it was custom to bring flowers and small presents to entertain a patient. I hope we made the right choice?" he explained but looked honestly uncertain to the gifts.
I was torn between laughing out and crying. My body went with crying. I felt hot tears run down my cheeks, but couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene in front of me. I was so deeply moved.
"Bella?" Sulpicia asked questioningly.
"They are... it's so... Thank you!" Words simply failed me.
Aro smiled genuinely down at me, put the flowers aside and told me in a calming tone, "You are welcome, Piccola. We are happy the items find your approval."
With a flash he stood before me, a white cotton handkerchief in hand and gently dabbed at the tear tracks.
"Would you mind us taking a seat?" he gestured towards a second chair and the end of the freshly made bed.
"No, not at all. Go ahead," I murmured, a silly smile still on my lips.
It was so unreal. I shook my head in disbelief.
"So Bella, tell me, what don't you like about the bed?" Sulpicia, who had sat on the end of it asked.
"Erm, nothing?" I asked back, completely thrown. Cautiously I looked up at Marcus silently asking for an explanation. He smiled wryly down at me. "You are sitting with me after all," he clarified.
"Oh, that," I giggled embarrassedly.
"Well, I just... it's … Marcus is so nice and cool and he..." I caught myself just in time, but blushed furiously. It had almost slipped that I liked his scent, that it comforted me like nothing else.
Sulpicia raised one eyebrow at me questioningly, and I instantly dropped my gaze to my lap, where my hands rested.
Aro intervened, before it could get any more awkward on my part.
"You still have a fewer, Isabella, and it is good that you seek coolness, as that tells us your temperature is at least not rising at the moment. Would you like to let in some fresh air? We could cover you with a blanket to keep you comfortable," I sent him a grateful look and nodded. Without the oxygen mask on the air did smell stale and unpleasant.
A moment later Sulpicia wrapped the blanket around me carefully and tugged me in snugly against Marcus. Only my head was visible; not even my neck peeked out. It was strange to feel all the cables and stuff coming out next to my neck. I looked at the bunch of them in disdain. A breeze of fresh air made me look up, and I caught Aro smiling amusedly at me, while he stood next to the now open balcony door. The drape covering it billowed into the room, seemingly alive.
"Just bear with the equipment for now, Isabella. It will not be a long time fixture, I dare say," he reassured me, clearly having seen through me. He stepped closer again and retook his seat.
"Tell me, how are you feeling? Honestly?" he questioned me softly, yet sternly.
I knew all eyes were on me, waiting for my reply.
"Not too bad, I guess. My head is clearer, but I think I have problems remembering things from yesterday.. It's all so fuzzy. It's irritating. What really annoys me though is that I feel so weak... I mean honestly, I had problems to keep myself upright, when the nurse," I paused, what was her name anyway?
Amy? Emily? Amalia. Yes, that was her name.
Glad I remembered at least this much, I continued, "I mean, Amalia, helped me. How can that even be. I never felt so... so..." I ended with a frustrated huff. I couldn't remember ever feeling so weak, helpless, dependent, and I didn't like it; not one bit. As if to prove my point my breathing was laboured from my mini- rant and my head sagged back against Marcus chest again.
"Hm, unfortunately we can't help with that. It will take some time for your body to gain back its strength. The weakness is s symptom of the endocarditis, I'm afraid," Aro attempted to placate me.
It didn't really work, but I knew I couldn't help it.
"As I promised before, I'll try my best to keep you entertained, Bella," Marcus spoke softly right next to my ear. I shivered as a reflex reaction, when his cold breath hit the sensitive, warm skin of my neck.
"Are you cold, Bella?" he turned away form me a little and looked straight into my eyes. I shook my head 'no' in silence.
"Hm. How about some breakfast?" he questioned after a short pause, his gaze still as intense.
"Okay," I mumbled.
They arranged everything around me. When they were doe I still sat on Marcus' lap. I had some tea and ate from the porridge with fruit, which was still surprisingly warm, preoccupied with my own thoughts yet again. Aro, Cia and Marcus held a conversation about vampire politics, I guessed. It was comfortable. Their voices soothing, the temperature not too hot, I soon began to drift away.
I was some place between waking and dreaming, when their topic shifted.
"You should put her in bed now, Marcus. Her body needs the respite," Sulpicia spoke softly, and a hand brushed gently over my forehead. "I think her fewer is rising again."
I felt myself being shifted gently and laid down on the bed, before the soft cover was placed over me. It was cold, I shivered and curled up after I had rolled on my side with difficulty. But I was not completely aware. The bed was so soft and I was so heavy and a little achy.
I didn't hear more, as I slipped into dream-world.
End note:
I know I kept you waiting forever. It sucks. Hope you enjoyed it anyway.