Annnnd… we're back.
I am a horrible person for keeping you all waiting like this and I deserve to be throttled via web for my absence. I was never a creative writer. I realize that my previous chapter did very little to move the story line along. I will do my best to remedy that in this chapter. I promised you Carlie and I'm gonna give you Carlie.
All the props go to SM for creating these characters that we just can't seem to let go of.
It was 11:55 on April 4th, 2010 and I was absolutely terrified. I was sitting in a wheel chair in the Cullens' living room with Edward, Carlisle, Alice, and Jasper drinking some diluted apple juice and waiting on Esme and Carlie to walk through the door.
In the previous two hours I had learned all about my family and the lives they had been living. Before my accident Edward was a composer and private piano teacher while I worked at Forks High as an English teacher. A year after the accident, Edward had taken a second job as the Forks High music teacher when crabby old Mrs. Banner retired. The teaching gig supplemented his income, but more importantly it provided medical benefits that he desperately needed with me in a coma and a new baby to take care of. Carlisle had shifted to part time at the hospital so that he, Alice, and Edward could take turns taking care of me while Esme had retired completely so she could watch Carlie during the day. When I told everyone how sorry I was that they had to change their lives because of me, they – just like the loving family that they are – told me not to be silly. Apparently, Edward found that he really loves teaching, while Carlisle and Esme had been enjoying their extra free time together.
Several weeks after my accident, Alice had been visiting the hospital cafeteria when Jasper, whose sister had just delivered a baby boy, asked Alice if he could share a table with her.
"I told him 'sure'," Alice had recounted, "but only if he took me on a real date the following Saturday. I said, 'I like tulips, movies, and pizza.'" Everyone had laughed as Alice retold the story for Bella's benefit, including Jasper.
"I knew right away that she was perfect for me," he had said. "I asked her to marry me just six months later."
I found out that Alice and Jasper had remained engaged for almost two years. Alice sheepishly admitted that she was waiting for me to wake up so I could be her maid of honor. "That's so sweet of you, Ali," I said, "but I wish you hadn't waited for me for so long."
"Yeah, I knew you would say that," Alice replied. "Edward finally cornered me, though. He said that Jasper was starting to feel like I didn't want him and that you would have been upset with me for letting it get that bad. He was right." At that, Jasper had leaned over and kissed the side of Alice's face, whispering "I would have waited forever." I was so happy for my best friend to have found such a wonderful man for her.
When I asked about Jake and Leah, Edward's bright smile caught me off guard. He and Jake had never been on the best of terms. Edward was still holding on to the notion that Jake was in love with me, while Jake, who had been acting as a sort of big brother and protector ever since my dad died, was convinced that Edward wasn't good enough for his best friend.
"Well, you know those two," Edward had chuckled. "They're always arguing about something. Last I talked to Jake, Leah was giving him the cold shoulder because he hadn't proposed yet. I asked him what the hell he was waiting for. They've been together for nearly 6 years now!"
I was stunned. "Wait a minute," I stopped him. "You talk to Jake?"
"Well," Edward answered a little sheepishly. "You know, Jake's a good guy. After your accident the two of us sort of bonded over our mutual devastation. At first he was convinced it was all his fault, since you were on the way to his house when it happened. We talk a couple times a week now. He comes over to see you occasionally and tell Carlie stories about when the two of you were little." I was so excited to hear that my husband and my best male friend had finally gotten past their differences that I had cried just a few happy tears.
A ringing phone brought me out of my musings. Carlisle looked down at his cell, smiled, and answered. Each of us became so silent that the little voice on the other end could be heard throughout the room. "Hi Papa Carlisle," she said. "Nana told me to call you 'cause we're gonna be at your house in 15 minutes."
"Oh, that's very good to hear," Carlisle answered while smiling warmly at me. "We can't wait to see you, little one. Your daddy and mommy and Aunt Ali and Uncle Jasper are here waiting for you. I'll tell them all you're coming."
The little voice giggled. "Papa, mommy's always at your house. I know that! Nana helped me color a picture for mommy this morning. I drew a big heart with lots of colors. Did Aunt Ali bring muffins?"
Tears started to collect in my eyes at her innocent words. She had never known a mommy who lived in the same house as her. I could tell that this arrangement would take some getting used to, for everyone. I was suddenly very grateful that Alice and Carlisle had arranged for a therapist to come speak with us. I had a feeling I was not the only one who was going to need to talk.
"Yes, sweet heart, Alice made muffins, but they're only for dessert. We can't spoil our lunch with them, can we? Why don't you go help your Nana get ready and we'll see you in 15 minutes."
"Ok, Papa, love you! Tell mommy and daddy I'll see them soon!" Bella was stunned that Carlie made sure to include her so easily. She reached over and squeezed Edward's hand, knowing it was all his doing.
"Well, I think you all heard that Esme and Carlie will be here in about 15 minutes?" Carlisle asked. We all nodded. I was torn between excitement and terror at the prospect of meeting my daughter for the first time. Edward must have noticed, because he gave Carlisle a significant look and he nodded. "Alice, Jasper, why don't you two come help me make some iced tea and lemonade for when everyone arrives."
"Sure thing, Dad," Alice hopped up from the couch, catching on quickly. "Come on, Jazz, I'll show you how Bella likes her iced tea." She gave me a little wink and squeezed my shoulder as she passed. In a low voice, Alice told me "Don't worry about anything, Bells. You're life's going to be wonderful from now on… just wait and see."
When the three of them left the room, I took a big breath, attempting to get my emotions under control. Edward pulled my chair around to face him and grasped both of my hands in his. "Hey, baby," he started in a soothing voice. "I know there's not going to be anything I can say to make you stop worrying right now and it's completely understandable that you would be nervous. But I want you to know that no matter what happens, Carlie and I will always love you. You'll always be my wife and Carlie's mother, and the most important person to both of us."
Looking into Edward's bright green eyes, there was no way I could doubt the sincerity in his words. He always knew how to calm me and five years without talking had not diminished that ability of his. "Hold on to me?" I whispered hopefully.
Edward smiled with a contented sigh. "Always, baby," he responded. He lifted me from the chair and placed me next to him on the couch. We sat like that for several minutes, just being together and preparing ourselves for the struggle that was about to come.
I had no idea how long Edward and I sat together silently contemplating the future, but it must have been about 15 minutes. We were startled out of our quiet moment by the sound of a car in the driveway. Carlisle, Alice and Jasper filed back into the room as we heard the sound of car doors closing and voices coming up the front stairs. "Edward," Carlisle stated, "I think you'd better meet them in the foyer and give Carlie a little warning so she's not too shocked when she sees Bella."
"Good idea, Dad," Edward responded while gently placing me back in the wheel chair.
Edward jogged out of the room toward the Foyer while Alice and Jasper lightly conversed next to me on the couch. I was straining my ears and waiting with bated breath to hear what was going on in the next room.
The door opened and I heard Carlie's little voice. "Daddy! I missed you! Look what I drew for mommy!"
"That's beautiful, sweetie. Mommy will love it," Edward responded. "In fact, let me tell you something about your mommy… Carlie!"
In the middle of his sentence I had heard little feet pounding toward the stairs. "I'm going to see her," Carlie shouted as she ran up the stairs.
"Carlie, wait! Carlie, freeze!" I heard Edward saying as he ran up the stairs behind her. Carlie must have had a head start because before Edward could catch up I heard a little gasp coming from the guest room, followed shortly by a strangled yell.
"Where's my mommy? Where did you take her, daddy?" Carlie was gasping and crying. By now Esme had made her way to the living room with silent tears running down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Bella, she got away from me," Esme gasped out. I nodded at her as I listened to Carlie crying upstairs. I heard Edward's low voice talking softly to her but I couldn't hear what he was saying. Whatever it was it didn't seem to be helping. It broke my heart to hear Carlie crying like that.
Suddenly I couldn't stand to be so far from my family. It was the most natural thing in the world. She needed her mother and I needed my girl. "Jasper," I stated firmly, "Take me to them."
Without questioning, Jasper stood and scooped my out of the wheel chair. He walked me quickly upstairs and into the guest room. When we entered, Edward looked up with tears in his eyes. He was hugging and rocking Carlie, trying to calm her. "I want mommy," the she mumbled over and over again into his shoulder. Jasper sat me on the rocking chair in the room and left silently.
Without taking my eyes off of Edward I reach my arms out, indicating for him to pass Carlie over to me. He hesitated for only a second before walking over and gently setting her in my lap. Carlie, without realizing whose lap she was in, turned her head into my neck and continued to whimper little sobs. At that moment, all the fears I had that I wouldn't know what to do melted away. I rubbed small circles on her back while I made shushing noises. "It's ok, baby, mommy's here," I whispered.
At that, Carlie whimpered again and wrapper her little arms tightly around my neck. I continued to rock her and talk softly until her crying stopped completely. Edward knelt down next to us and spoke. "Carlie, sweetie, would you like to say hello to your mommy now?"
Carlie sat up straight and looked quizzically at my face, tilting her head to the side in concentration.
"Mommy," she asked, "are you awake now?"
Silent tears started to run freely down my face as I nodded and answered. "Yes, Carlie, I'm awake now. I'm here."
"Is it for real? Am I having a dream?" She confirmed.
"It's absolutely for real," I answered her. "I'm right here with you and I'm not going anywhere."
Carlie smiled shyly at me and looked down, all of a sudden self-conscious. "I missed you mommy. I drew you lots of pictures."
"Thank you, sweet girl," I replied with tears in my eyes. "I missed you too. I love you so much, baby." I pulled her back to me again and held her close. Edward reached for my hand, and when I looked at him, he, too, was crying silent tears. The three of us sat like that silently, holding on to each other and just being a family for a long time that afternoon.