Previously

"Oh and Chris? I would like for you to arrange a transfer to Seattle Harborview in about three days –we'll talk to authorities and settle everything until then."

Chapter 12

~Bella~

The days passed slowly as I watched the sun shine outside of my hospital room. I had been in this horrid place for only two days now and the weather seemed to mock me. The sun never shone in Forks, maybe it was different here, in Port Angeles. I wanted to feel the sun touch my skin. Wanted to be somewhere where no one knew of my troubles at home, where I didn't wait for my friends to throw a pity party for me. If they still were my friends. Esme, who had been sitting with me all day yesterday, told me that Carlisle didn't allow the others to visit me yet, for which I was (partly) glad since I didn't want their pity, on the other hand, though, I wondered if it wasn't just an excuse. Maybe they didn't want to see me because I brought them into trouble and told them to run from their own home.

"Knock knock." I heard a low, calming voice say from the doorway and turned to see Carlisle with a bouquet of flowers in hand. "They're from Alice. There's also a letter for you." He smiled as he sat on the edge of the bed and showed them to me. It was a mix of purple, white and pink asters, a very lovely bouquet –very natural.

'Thank you.' I signed with my uninjured hand and softly smiled back at him. He put the flowers on the side table and leaned somewhat closer to my face, examining it.

"How are you doing today?"

'Fine' I signed and pointed towards the scratchpad that lay on the side table. When can I be released? I scribbled down after he handed me the pad. Scribbling was definitely the right word. I had to use my left hand, since my right wrist was injured, and I couldn't write clearly for my dear life. It looked awful. I turned the pad towards Carlisle and lay the pencil down, waiting for his answer. He chuckled softly.

"You will have to wait at least two more days because of that nasty concussion you've got. You'll be transferred to Seattle tomorrow and we'll see what Eleazer says then. But you will probably be able to come home with us on Thursday, especially since I'll be there to supervise." I nodded, I guess two days weren't too bad. At least I was and would be able to get some good night's sleep with their drugs running through my system.

Who's Eleazer? I asked.

"He's my brother. We arranged for him to be your doctor in Seattle. –So… I wanted to get some real food for lunch, are you up for that? Maybe some pasta? Pizza? Anything you'd like to drink?"

Any kind of pasta would be great, just no seafood please. Mountain Dew? He nodded and removed the paper from the pad, folding it in half. "By the way, before I'm leaving… this is also for you." He pulled an iPod from his pocket and handed it to me.

"Edward said to give this to you, he also said you can use his kindle app and read a book if you'd like." I looked at the small device for a moment and chewed on my lip nervously, to be honest: I had no idea how to use it. Still, I was so touched by Edwards thoughtfulness and I didn't want to decline the temporary gift. I picked up my pen in embarrassment and told Carlisle that I didn't know how to use an iPod. The last cell I possessed was a very old Nokia which wrote texts, took calls and let you play the game SNAKE. I think it broke about five years ago.

"I'll explain it to you." Carlisle said kindly and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Look." He showed me how to unlock it, play music and open the app where I could read a book and made sure I understood before he moved on. I thanked him again, touched that he took his time to explain something which must feel ordinary to him.

I quickly plugged the headphones in after Carlisle left and started the playlist labeled "BELLA". His music ranged from sad to happy, from pop to jazz and classical music. I liked it a lot, especially since my days would be less quiet and dull from now on. I remembered the letter that was stuck in between the flowers and pulled it out, carefully opening the envelope. It was definitely Alice's handwriting, decorated with hearts.

Bella,

We miss you lots and lots and hope to see you as soon as we get to Seattle.

Dad said you'd be fine so we hope that you're feeling better real soon. We're sorry this happened to you but know that this won't change anything between us…well, besides you being my new roomie! YAY!
Love you lots,

Alice, Jasper, Edward, Rose and Emmett

PS: I hope you like the flowers; Rose, Mom and I thought you'd enjoy those more than some stinking boring roses.

I smiled to myself, relieved that they still wanted to see me and wrote them a note as well. It took me a while to get the words right, especially since concentrating under the influence of some heavy drugs was not the easiest thing to do. I briefly wondered if I should ask Carlisle to rewrite it in order to make it readable but decided against it. It would have to make do.

I leaned back into the uncomfortable bed and enjoyed the soft sound of music coming from the headphones until Carlisle came back. I wasn't very hungry but managed to eat half of the pasta he brought.

"Let's get back to my question from earlier: How are you today? A 'fine' won't do." I frowned but picked up the pad nonetheless, I wasn't used to someone expecting an honest answer. Fine was my standard nowadays.

Ok, I guess. My head and neck still hurt some and I'm sore but as long as I don't move it's fine.

"I'll feel your neck again. Are you still nauseous or dizzy?" I shook my head no and Carlisle snaked his hands around my neck, softly pressuring around the vertebra. I stared at his chest and swallowed hard. This is not Charlie, he's not going to hurt you, he won't hurt you, relax. But I felt my body tense and my heart beat faster in my chest automatically.

Carlisle's hands froze for a moment once he realized my discomfort and removed his hands from around my neck. He sat down on the side of my bed again and slowly took my hand in between his. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." I heard his sincerity but couldn't look him in the eyes. I was being irrational and had hurt Carlisle with it.'I'm sorry.' I signed.

"It's ok, Bella. It was my fault, I didn't think."

'It's fine' I signed. 'I'm sorry.'

We sat together throughout the afternoon and after a while Carlisle fell into light chatter with me. Mostly it was him talking and me listening, just like it had been when I was alone with him at the Cullen home.

He left shortly before dinner and I sent the small letter home with him.

I declined dinner and fell asleep shortly after while the soft music was still playing. I'd be in Seattle by tomorrow afternoon. Further away from Charlie. Charlie, who, by now, sat in a dark, cold cell in jail.

Whoa... I hope some of you are still following. I'm sorry this took forever. Chapter 13 is in progress, I'm hoping to finish this one a lot faster. Keep your fingers crossed.
We'll get some EB "action" in soon, promise.