Well here is 8, and I have 9 ready to post too. I will post it in a few days when I get 10 back fully beta'd.
SIS Chapter 8
"She could have died—you left her there. You left them all there!" I shout.
Jacob shakes his head. "She met me there; she didn't want you to know—"
Before he can finish his lie, I hit him again.
"What the hell?" I turn to see the security officer who just yelled at me.
"He doesn't get near her," I yell back at him.
"Edward!" I turn seeing Charlie, who's looking at me in surprise, his eyes fall to Jake and he glares. "I told you to leave. You should do it fast because when I have proof that the bruises on her arm came from you, I will kill you," Charlie growls.
He fucking hurt her? I step back toward Jake who I'd let go of.
"Edward, Bella's asking for you." Charlie says the one thing that makes me stop. I turn and walk into her room.
"Bitsy," I say as I move to her bed.
"Hi," she rasps out looking at me sadly. "My head hurts, and I can't see or think clearly enough to read your lips. I miss hearing your voice," she cries.
I pull her into my arms and hug her close, kissing her neck. I pull back and give her a smile.
~I love you~ I sign out to her. ~You complete me, and I fucking missed you so much after you were brought here.~
She chuckles when I add in the swear word to my signing.
~I love you, too,~ she signs back to me making me feel happier.
~I need to go back; the guys are next door getting food.~ I sign feeling sad that I was not getting much time with her.
~I know,~ she responds.
~I will be back as soon as my shift is over,~ I tell her.
I kiss her fully on the lips and pull back. When I turn around Charlie looks a little angry, but I know he'll get over it.
"I love her with all my heart," I tell him as we walk out the door.
"I fucking knew this would happen if you came here," he says shaking his head.
"I'll come over to the station at ten, and you can come over here for a few hours."
I nod at him. "If you're sure – she's still your daughter," I say.
"I know, but you'll be her husband soon enough, and we both love her." I pull him to me in a man hug, thanking him without words.
"I'll see you soon," he says pulling back from me.
By the time I get back down to the guys, they are done eating their food. I only get a few bites of my dinner in before we are called out again.
It's just after ten when Charlie arrives at the station. I only give him a nod before running out and getting into my car.
When I arrive at the hospital, I take the stairs two at a time, to get up to Bella's room.
"Hi," I say moving to her.
She moves over on her bed and I take her invitation and lay on the bed beside her. I feel much happier when she places her head on my chest.
~I thought I was going to lose you~ I sign where I know she can see.
Bella nods and lifts her head. I see tears running down her face. ~I was so scared. I started to second guess my decision to leave where we were. Jacob left us, and he said he'd send help.~
I feel the anger fill my insides again. I had started to think he knew she was down there, but to have it confirmed is making me want to hunt him down and slowly kill him. I am sure the parents of the children—hell, any parent would be on my side if I beat the utter crap out of him.
~How is Mrs. Clark?~ she signs.
I shake my head at her. ~I don't know. I will ask when a nurse comes in.~
Bella nods at me. ~My father has given the okay for you to stay the night or however long you can. You're my interpreter, so they can't deny you.~
~I will stay as long as I can,~ I sign, hoping that I get to stay all night with her. ~Now close your eyes and get some sleep.~
She nods and moves closer to me. I hold her kissing the top of her head before closing my own eyes.
"Edward." I open my eyes to see Charlie standing over me.
"Huh?" I say moving to get up, but he pushes me back down.
"I just came to tell you I have someone coming in to cover for you today, but you'll need to work next Saturday for them." I nod right way. "Call me when she wakes up," I again nod. I think he says goodbye, but I am already halfway back to sleep, so I'm not really sure.
~S.I.S~
"Edward," I hear my father hiss. I open my eyes and look at him.
"What?" I ask, trying to work out why he looks as if he is mad at me.
"You can't be lying in her bed," he sighs, "and you could have at least taken off your shoes?"
I chuckle a little. "I was tired, Dad," I tell him sitting up slowly so that I don't wake Bella. As I sit up, my dad starts to wipe the bed clean.
"Dad, she's sleeping," I hiss at him, and he looks at me and then to Bella.
"Shit, sorry," he says.
I shake my head and turn a little to look at her, happy with the fact she is still asleep.
"What can I do for you?"
My dad rolls his eyes. "I came to drop off her appointment card to get her cochlear replaced." I take the card from him with a smile.
"Your mother wants to officially meet her, and she's pissed that you've been lying outright to her about someone special in your life."
I groan. There's a part of me that knows I should have just said, 'yeah I have met someone, and it's her that I am spending all my time with,' but I knew she would want to meet her, and my mother is relentless when she wants something.
"You need to tell her that it will happen when Bella is ready." I look at my girl and then back to my dad. "Does she remember that Bella is deaf?"
I know Bella was introduced to my parents at Jasper's wedding, but as I hogged all her time, it was a short meeting.
He nods and then smiles. "She's booking classes for both of us to learn ASL, and she asked for leaflets about Cochlear implants." I smile letting out a little breath. I should have known my mom wouldn't have cared less that she was deaf as long as I am happy. But at the same time, I didn't want her feeling sorry, or unsure of how to talk to Bella.
"I have explained a little about it, but I have made sure to tell her that she shouldn't pity Bella," my father says.
I smile widely nodding at him. "No, she shouldn't. Bella's deafness is just a part of who she is, just like the fact that she has brown eyes. I look at Bella who appears as if she's starting to wake up.
"I'll be back in about an hour to look her over," my dad tells me, speaking to my back, as my eyes are still on my girl. Bella's eyes open just as the door closes.
"Morning, Bitsy," I husk out to her, and then kiss her lips.
"Morning," she says between my kissing her. She chuckles as she pulls back. "I need to get washed up," she says, and I pout still kissing her a few more times, before moving so that she can go and get washed up.
I sit back down on the chair, and send off my first text to Charlie.
Bella is awake, and in the shower.
I scroll down my list finding my father's name and sending him one, too.
Bella's awake; can you get us both breakfast from the diner and two strong coffees?
My cell buzzes almost immediately and when I open the text, I see that it's from my father.
I am too busy being a doctor to be your maid; get it yourself. I'll be up to see Bella in about thirty minutes.
I snort as another text comes in right after that.
Don't worry sweetie, Mommy is here and I'll go and get you and Bella breakfast. See you soon. I love you.
I groan when I get to the end of the text. I love my mother, but this is not the way I wanted her to meet Bella.
"Hi," I hear the love of my life say.
I look up to see that Bella is dressed with her hair in a towel, my eyes run over her ass in the tight jeans she has on. I look up and see her breasts are covered by a snug camo t-shirt. Just as my mouth opens to talk to her, I see the bruises on her arm that Charlie was talking about.
"What happened?" I ask, happy she can't hear the harsh tone of my voice.
She looks at me as if she is confused, so I let go of her hand and sign as I speak to her this time. "Your arm—the handprint bruises—what happened?" My eyes go back as I look at the bruise; I know the handprint is too large to be anyone other than a man or large adult.
~Jacob grabbed my arm;~ Bella signs and lets out a sigh. ~I don't think he meant to leave a bruise on me. I was trying to get away from him, and he wanted to talk to me.~
I feel the rage of anger growing inside of me, but I close my eyes trying hard to bring it under control, not wanting to scare Bella.
"Does it hurt?" I ask, hoping she can read my lips since my hands are clenched into fists at my sides.
"It hurt when he did it, yes, but I am okay now," Bella says touching my face softly. I open my eyes and kiss her. As her mouth moves with my own, my hand goes into her hair and I hold her head close to me as the other hand moves over her body.
"Hello," my mom calls from the doorway behind me.
I pull back a little and Bella just looks at me.
"Sorry," I mouth and then turn to face my mom, to see that she's smiling her scary large smile. I turn back to look at Bella "I'm really sorry," I sign to her.
"Hi, Mom," I say and sign 'my mom' as I talk.
"Hello," my mom says in a rather unusually loud voice.
"Mom, speak in a normal tone, and maybe a little slower than normal, but not overly slow," I tell her, knowing my mother tends to speak very fast when she is excited, signing as I talk.
"I'm sorry," my mom says still talking loudly.
"Mom!" I hiss making her look at me.
I turn back to Bella. "This is my mother, Esme. Mom, this is my girlfriend Bella," I sign as I speak.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Bella says making my mom gasp.
"I didn't know that someone who's deaf could speak so well. If I didn't know you were deaf beforehand, I would never have been able to tell with how well you speak."
My hand covers my face as the feeling of being deeply embarrassed hits me.
"Not everyone who is deaf can speak; some just can't and some choose not to. Some who do are hard to understand, but my mom pushed me to learn to talk so she could pretend she had a normal child," Bella explains.
I open my eyes to see my mom looking upset, and I am sure it is over what Bella said about her mother.
"Oh, I didn't—" my mom starts, but Bella shakes her head and covers my mom's hand.
"I know that, don't worry, Jasper told me all about you."
The smile on her face has my mom and I both groaning over what Jasper has probably said to her.
Bella looks at me tilting her head as she looks back at my mom. "Did you really ask someone who was blind to look at your painting?" I snort and then chuckle as my mom blushes.
"Yeah, I forgot she was blind, and just yesterday I passed her and waved, and then texted to tell her off for not waving back at me." My mom just looks at Bella for few seconds. "You are very beautiful; almost too beautiful for my son."
I give my mom a displeased look but she just carries on talking. "And your hair … I wish I had hair that was as thick as yours." My mom softly touches Bella's hair and sighs a little. "I have thin straggly hair, whereas my son took the unkempt, penny color from me; he took his thick hair from his father." She stops and her eyes move to me before looking back at Bella. "He is just like his dad, and I am sure if he were to have met you before me, he would have made a play for you, too. He would've hit you with all the charm of a Masen. You've more than likely heard it all from Edward, but his dad was a firefighter, too. Did you tell her that, Edward?"
I shake my head as I finish signing everything so Bella can keep up. "Oh, remind me to pull out the old movies; especially the one where Ed and you are singing. That is something you must hear, Bella—" As soon as the words are out my mom's mouth, she covers her mouth with her hands. "Shit, see, I am sorry. I don't know why I say things like that."
Bella just laughs and I look to my mom who thankfully starts to chuckle, too.
"I can't wait, I'll make sure my cochlear implant is fully charged the day we come over to see those home movies."
My mom nods and clears her throat chuckling a little. "I brought the both of you breakfast," she says, almost at a normal speaking level and just the right speed for Bella to be able to follow what she's saying.
"This looks lovely, Esme." When Bella says my mom's name, she made the sign for bubbles. I tap her arm making her look at me.
"Esme," I sign using the letters, and then make the sign for bubbles.
"Yes," Bella smiles at me, making me smile back. I agree with the signed name she gave my mom.
"How do I say my name, Bella?" My mom asks, but as Bella's eyes are on me, she doesn't know my mom is speaking,
"Mom, when you are talking to Bella, even if she has a cochlear implant on, you should gain her attention first. You can either raise your hand if you're in her view or tap her arm."
Bella's eyes stay on me until I am done speaking and then turn to my mom.
"I'm sorry," my mom tells her.
"It's okay, Esme, many people do it, even my friends forget sometimes," Bella stops and gives her a smile. "Did you ask me something?"
"Yes, I was asking how I say my name in ASL."
I watch as Bella takes my mom first through the finger spelling of her name then make the action for her name. "That's your signing name; it just makes it easier. The sign means bubbles, and I think it suits you as you seem very bubbly."
My mom blushes slightly and gives me a smile as both Bella and I start to eat.
When we're finished with breakfast, I pull Bella so her back is flush with my front. I run my hand through her hair as she speaks with my mom, who by the end of their talk was a lot calmer.
I hold Bella's hand as we walk to her appointment. "Your mother is lovely," she tells me, and I smirk.
I have to walk a little twisted, so that I am able to sign to Bella. "Yeah, she embarrasses me often, but I love her dearly. I just wish she would engage her brain before she speaks sometimes."
"That's a mother's right to embarrass her children. You don't know how lucky you are. I wish my mom would care enough about me to admit I was her daughter, much less do things to make me blush or be embarrassed."
I can feel the pain of her words hitting me hard. I know that I don't know Renee, but even with that I still can't understand how anyone could abandon their child for something like being deaf.
I move closer to her and kiss the side of her head, which just happens to be above where her implant belongs.
"Hi, Bella, come on in," the woman says and signs as we reach the waiting area.
Bella walks in and I follow, taking a seat across from her.
"Here you go," The woman says and signs.
I watch as Bella clips the implant in place, but there's a wire running from the implant to the computer.
"You know what to do," the woman says and signs to Bella and then begins to tap on the keyboard.
"So, handsome can you start to speak?"
I frown back at the woman, and my eyes move to Bella as she chuckles.
"I need to hear some sounds, talking, so she can level the new cochlear implant to her preferences," the lady tells me.
"Oh," I say grinning. "What should I say?" I ask and think it over for a few seconds. There's only one thing I want her to hear, or rather be the first thing she hears with her new implant.
"I know that I signed this to you last night, but I wanted to tell you, I want and need you to hear me," I say with a smile.
Bella nods and I see that she has tears in her eyes.
"I am completely and utterly in love with you, Isabella Swan. You are my everything and I love you."
"Best thing I've ever heard. I love you, too," Bella says with a sob to her voice.
I move to her kissing her quickly.
I pull back from Bella when the woman clears her throat. "Is the implant working the way the other one was?"
Bella looks to the woman.
"It's the same as my other implant," Bella agrees.
"Have you thought about getting a second implant on the other side yet?"
Bella shakes her head. "I'm still weighing the pros and cons of it."
The woman simply nods at Bella. "If you want to talk some more about it, my door is always open. Now, is everything with the new implant okay? Are the tones and sound levels at the right level for you?"
"Yeah, Kate," Bella says using the lady's name for the first time. "It's actually perfect."
Kate winks and takes the wire out from Bella's implant that is hooked to the computer.
When Bella stands, Kate hugs her and rubs her hand up and down her back. "I am so happy you are okay, you gave us all a scare."
Bella clears her throat before speaking. "Thanks, Kate, I'll talk to you soon."
I frown, a little unsure as to why she changed the subject.
"Yeah, you know the drill, anytime you need to see me, just drop in," Kate tells her.
I take a hold of Bella's hand as we walk out. I wait until we are back in her room and she's back on her bed, before speaking again.
"Are you okay? Yesterday was scary, and I can't image what you went through down there."
"I don't think it really hit me at the time," Bella says looking away from me.
I pull her chin gently around so that I can see her.
"I'm okay. I just seem to ... down there, and my mind seemed to just be focused on what I needed to do to get the children out."
"That seems about right; you were able to do so much because of the adrenaline that was pumping through your body. That is likely the reason the hypothermia didn't kick in and let your body shut down. Until the children were safe, you couldn't afford to pay attention to anything about yourself."
Bella clears her throat again. "Do you think I'll be released today? If not, I would still like to visit Mrs. Clark, just to—"
I stop her from talking by covering her mouth.
"Bitsy, it's okay to be scared. It's also okay to be upset, cry, or even yell about what happened. You don't have to hold that stuff in," I tell her.
Bella shakes her head at me. "There's no point getting upset, and yelling is not going to change anything. Everyone made it out safely; that's all that matters."
This time I clear my throat. A part of me is saying you have to tell her about the two people who died, and the other part is saying just leave it for a day or two. In the end, I keep it to myself. I know she needs to come to terms with the things she did before she can handle the 'what ifs' which will plague her. Once she learns about the two dead people, I know she'll blame herself. "It is still okay to be upset," I tell her looking her right in the eyes.
"He left us … he left us," she cries to me. "I was ... I couldn't leave them, and he said he'd get help." She again stops talking.
~I was scared; the water was rising so fast~ she tells me using only sign language. ~I started to second guess my choice to move. I was scared I would get everyone killed because no one would know where we were.~
I just keep looking at her, but she leaps up as tears run down her face. Her hands are moving too fast that I am not able to pick up what she is saying.
"Bitsy," I say moving toward her, but she shakes her head, and before I know what's going on, her small hand is pulling at my shirt. I feel her body shake and she slowly drops to the ground. I keep a hold of her the whole time hoping and praying she knows I am here for her.
It takes some time for her to calm down. I'm almost scared that I will say or do the wrong thing and set her off again.
~"I started to think I was wrong and that I should not have moved. I thought I screwed up, that Jake told you where we were, and I had moved and you couldn't find us. I started to think that I had put the children, Mrs. Clark, and the crew in danger."
I kiss her head. "No, Bitsy, you did the right thing, you moved the kids to safety."
~"I should have remembered my cell, before we left; I shouldn't have had to go back for it."~
I clasp her face to look at me and shake my head. "You did the right thing."
Bella shakes her head at me. "I should've looked to see if anyone else was under the wall that had fallen. I never looked," she says out loud with such a pleading sound to her words.
I sigh, knowing somehow she knows about the two people who died. "Bitsy, there was nothing you could do for them. The two people under the wall died on impact. They were also on the opposite side of the debris from where you were. Once that opening closed, you wouldn't have even been able to see them. Your getting the kids and Mrs. Clark out of there and to safety was exactly why you were there in the first place. If not for you and your fast thinking, they would've likely died."
Bella looks to the ground. "When Dad told me, my first thought was that it could have been me or one of the children." She stops and looks at me.
"And a little part of you was happy it wasn't one of the children, right?"
She nods at me with fresh tears on her face.
"That's just part of being a human, Bitsy. It doesn't mean you wanted the other people to die. As a firefighter, you know that finding someone who has perished is never easy, but it's a lot harder when it's a child. Those images stay with you for a long time."
I pick her up and hold her as she cries softly. When she calms down again, she looks at me. "Why did he leave us, Edward? I get that he must have been scared and just needed to get to safety ... But why didn't he tell you? Why did he leave us there to die?"
"I don't know, but I will find out – that you can bet on."
I kiss her some more as she wipes her tears.
"If it weren't for Bobby communicating with Alice, we would've ended up dying," she tells me.
"Bobby did great and I expect it was with your guidance," I say.
Bella looks at me and I see deflection in them.
"What's wrong?" I ask unsure of what's going through her head.
"I know, and down there, I learned the hard way. I finally fully understood why I couldn't be a firefighter because of my hearing impairment. I always held out hope that someone, would come along and make something new that would help my dream come true." She stops talking and I see her bottom lip wobble. "But after this, I know it's best that I never become a firefighter. When my implant failed me, it almost got us killed. If Bobby hadn't been able to communicate for me, the crew would have been fishing out our bodies instead of rescuing us."
I shake my head at her. "Bitsy, no, you would've found a way. I really believe that," I make sure my words are pronounced, and hold every meaning of each of the words I spoke. "You are resourceful, and you kept a level head. Making the children help you talk to Alice. Having her call us. Keeping an eye on Mrs. Clark, that's all because of you. And just for your information, I would have you as a member of my crew any and every day of the week." I stop and snort. "Okay, that's a lie, because I am deeply in love with you, and the thought of sending you into a fire would kill me. However, you need to believe that if we weren't a couple–in love, I would want you on my crew. To know that I have someone like you watching my back, it'd be like being assured I had one of the best watching out for me."
Bella just snorts out a sob. "Just lay here with me," she begs.
I give her a smile before standing with her in my arms. I move to the bed holding her close to me. I know that she is still somewhat in shock. Hopefully, this feeling of self-blame or what could have happened goes away. I know the feelings she is dealing with; it is the same feeling that all firefighters deal with. The 'what ifs', when you find out someone died on your watch. It's not easy, but in time, she will realize she did all that she could. She has no reason to feel guilty, and I know she'll need time, and someone to talk to. I just hope she knows I am here for her, and she can lean on me.
~S.I.S~
It's a little after lunchtime when my father walks back in. "Hello, Bella," he says using sign language as he talks. "I'm sorry ... I don't know any more than how to say hello and spell your name."
"It's okay," Bella tells him with a sparkle in her eyes. This is the same one I have noticed come every time someone talks to her in sign language, her own language.
My dad examines her as I stand at the window watching every movement.
"I am not happy about your blood pressure being a bit high, and I would like for you to stay in the hospital a little longer."
Bella lets out a huff.
"I'm not surprised her blood pressure is a little high, you all have been poking at her," Tanya says as she comes into the room.
"Tanya," I say and my dad stays tight lipped as she just smiles.
"Not to worry, that's why I am here," she says with a smile.
I frown for a few seconds as the room fills with people.
"Tanya, who are all of these people? She needs to rest," I say.
Tanya rolls her eyes. "No, what she needs is to be pampered. This girl is going to give her a body massage. These girls are going to give her a mani, pedi, and wax touchup. Lastly, she is here to do her hair." Tanya looks at Bella and signs as she talks. "I'll have you feeling like a million dollars in no time; you can always count on me."
Bella can't say a word as my father is yet again talking. "It is highly important for her to remain calm," he says.
"Yeah, because if this works, which it will, you quacks would be out of a job."
My father just looks at Tanya. "Look, she needs her rest," he says.
"How is she going to do that with you and your minions coming in every hour? I mean, really, if you want her to relax, give her a chance to do so. Both you and the nurses coming in here to check her stats every hour is making her crazy. Trust me, I know Bells and I know how to help her relax." Tanya raises her brow. "Now leave so I can make my second favorite girl in this whole world feel better, and come back later to check her vitals. I'll bet you dollars to donuts that it is better when my team is finished."
My father shakes his head walking out muttering about having a nut job in his family and hospital.
Tanya turns and looks at me. "You have something to say?"
"Nope, just make sure that you stay here with my girl until I get back," I say.
"Sure, I'll stay with my girl," she says.
Snorting, I shake my head at her, she knows as well as I do that Bella is my girl, not hers.
I kiss Bella softly. "I'll be back, Bitsy, I just need to check in at the station and let them know you are doing okay."
"Tell them I will be back as soon as your dad lets me go."
I nod at her and walk out.
I only get down the hall a ways when I meet up with Emmett. "I was just coming to talk to you and Bella," he says.
I pull his arm, making him walk with me. "Leave her for now, she's getting pampered, and for once I agree with Tanya, she needs it."
Emmett just looks at me as if I've grown a second head. "I wanted to get this over with so that Rose and Alice could see her without me interrupting their time."
"Emmett, please," I beg. "She almost had a break down earlier."
Emmett just sighs.
"Come on, bro, you know that feeling that you get, like you didn't do enough, or did everything wrong?"
Emmett stops and looks down the hallway. "But she saved those kids and their teacher," he says.
"I know, but she knows about the two people who were killed instantly in the explosion. She thinks if she knew about them, she'd have been able to save them, too. She's just in shock, so let Tanya work her magic and then the girls can come get in some girl time with her. You can talk to her tomorrow," I say.
Emmett sighs but nods at me. "I'll text Rose to let her know to come over now."
I nod at him. "Just to give you a heads up, you have a 'dead man walking' working for you."
Emmett just stares at me with a brow raised.
"I am talking about Jacob Black. He bruised her arm when he grabbed her. I haven't gotten the full story yet, but there is proof of the one thing I suspected he did after I found out she was trapped in the building. Emmett, he lied to me, I asked him point blank if anyone else was down there. I asked him if he saw anyone else down there, and he told me no. He said there was no one else there, but he knew for certain that the children, their teacher, and Bella were still down there."
"Edward, are you—"
I cut Emmett off with a hard glare. "Yes, I am one hundred percent sure he knew!" I yell. "He left her and said that no one was down there; he should be arrested. He planned to let them die."
Emmett pulls at his hair. "I'll get on it. I'll call him in and see what he says."
"No, I think you should wait and talk to Bella first, before you do that."
He gives me a nod, and we start to walk again. After a few minutes of silence, Emmett talks again. "Where are you headed?"
"My station," I tell him.
"I think I'll come with you, or I might just hunt down that fucking low-life bastard and kill him instead of talking to him at all."
I nod, and we get into my vehicle.
A/N: So, Edward is pissed ... How do you suppose that will go over? What did you think of Esme? We can't wait to hear your thoughts ...