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Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Twilight or any of the lovely characters. They belong to the wonderfully talented Stephanie Meyer. I do own the original story line and any original characters. But I do own: All of the books, soundtracks to all three movies, Team Edward t-shirt, Twilight the movie, New Moon the movie and used ticket stubs to Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse.
Last Chapter:
We spent the rest of the night making sure Alice's wedding was going to be perfect and once both the bottles of wine were drank and Alice felt better about her wedding plans, we all climbed into Alice's massive bed together and fell asleep.
Snuggled between the two of them, I found a certain sense of peace that had eluded me all week. Isn't it funny how your best friends can always make you feel better and help chase away all the fears in your mind?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*WYB*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The buzzing of a cell phone pulled me from the best sleep I had gotten in a long time.
"Whoever's phone that is, is going to get it," Rose grumbled from under a pillow.
"Not mine," Alice mumbled. Of course she wouldn't take responsibility for it.
The buzzing stopped and I peeked an eye open. I would have chuckled at the position of our bodies, but I'm pretty sure if I did Rose would shank me or something along those lines for moving.
I was still in the middle, flat on my back. Rose was next to me on her stomach, head buried under her pillow and her right arm and leg were draped across my body.
Alice was lying sideways with her head hanging off the side of the bed and her legs cast across my chest.
I don't know how I slept so well.
I decided to try to sleep more because I was too comfortable and too warm. But the buzzing of the phone started again, pulling me from the depths of sleep.
"Come the fuck on," grumbled Rose. "Someone better take care of that!"
Alice was snoring softly again, so I guess it was up to me to decipher where the phone was and who it belonged to. I nudged Rose off of me; she rolled over onto to her side with a huff. Moving Alice was going to be a little trickier. Finally deciding that moving her was out of the question; I feared that I would make her fall off the bed. I decided that wiggling down the bed was my best bet.
It was easier done in theory then in person. Go figure.
I dropped to the floor with a thump; it was still dark in the room. Making it hard to decipher the time of day it was. Alice believed in having black out curtains in every bedroom. The tiniest light kept her awake for hours. So mix complete darkness with my infinite clumsiness, you have a potential disaster on your hands.
I crawled across the floor, searching with my hands for the buzzing phone. If Rose wasn't so scary, I probably would have said the hell with it and turned on the light. But since I like my face and body the way that it is, I decided that stumbling around in the dark seemed like a better and smarter idea.
Whoever was calling was being pretty insistent, in the time it took me to locate the ringing phone they called four times. I wasn't too surprised to see that the annoying contraption belonged to me but it did surprise me to see that it was Edward. Something must be up if he was calling repeatedly.
"Hello," I whispered into the phone.
"Oh God Bella, your okay," he exclaimed.
"Of course I am, well besides a sore rump from falling off of the bed trying to get to my phone."
When he didn't answer right away I jumped back in "What time is it anyways?"
"4:30 in the morning," he responded, the background noises sounded like he was driving.
"WHAT!" I exclaimed a little too loudly because Rose started muttering curse words and threatening to bitch slap me if I didn't get the fuck out of the room.
So I eased my way into the hall quietly shutting the door to the room. "Why are you calling me so early?" I hissed "I know I told you to save me bright and early on Saturday morning but this is kind of extreme!"
"Bella, I'm sorry for calling you early, but I had to know that you were okay."
Now he was starting to scare me. "You're starting to scare me Edward, what's going on? Why does it sound like you are driving?"
"I'm on my way to Alice's house. Something happened I needed to see you in person," he explained vaguely. He was hiding something.
"What happened?" I demanded.
"I'll tell you once I get there."
"No, tell me now. Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine Bella, this isn't about me," he rushed out.
"Oh my God, are you parents okay? Is it my parents?" I started shaking in fear, whatever it was it had to be huge for Edward to rush over here at the break of dawn.
"No, our parents are fine. It's Riley, Bella. He's in the hospital," he blurted out.
"What?"
"Jasper got a call just a little while ago from one of the partners at their law firm, James attacked Riley and he had to be hospitalized. I don't know anymore than that, once Jasper told me that much I rushed out the door to find you. I had to make sure you were safe."
"You have to take me to the hospital. This is my fault, Edward." I was crying now. I didn't know that Alice had joined me out in the hallway until I felt her small arms wrap around my waist. I sagged back against her, suddenly too tired to stand on my own.
"I'll take you, but this is not your fault! Do you understand me?"
"It is he only went after James because of me. I should have never called him," I was almost beyond being understandable, between the hiccupping sobs and choking breath I'm sure he could barely make out what I was saying.
He started ranting again about it not being my fault, but I felt Alice slip the phone out of my hand and she took the call over.
"Hi Edward."
A long pause followed. "Okay, is Jasper with you?"
I could still hear the murmur of Edward's voice but I couldn't make out what was being said.
"He is? Okay, I'll get us all ready and we will be waiting for you."
Silence again.
"She'll fine, she just needs a minute. How far away are you?"
More muffled words.
"Okay, we'll be ready. Bye."
"Come on Bella, we have to get dressed," she said hauling me back into the bedroom. A sleepy looking Rose was sitting up on the bed looking at us both in confusion. One look at my tear stained face though caused her to jump up off the bed.
"What the fuck did he do?" she demanded.
"What?" I asked in shock.
"Edward!"
"Edward didn't do anything! It's Riley; he's in the hospital," I choked out the tears started falling again. I couldn't beat back the immense guilt that I was feeling.
"What? Why?"
"I'm not sure, Edward didn't explain what happened; only that Riley's brother James was involved."
"Okay, so Riley's in the hospital and he was put there by his brother. What I want to know is what any of this has to do with you or Edward," Rose wondered. Alice also stopped yanking clothes out of her closet to look at me questionably.
"That is a long story," I said pulling my jeans up my bare legs. "Do you have a sweater I could borrow?" That snapped Alice back into action; she rushed into her closet again.
"I'm not going to be that easy," Rose snapped.
I sighed heavily, I wasn't in the mood nor did I have the energy to explain everything.
"It is a long story, Rose. I promise to tell you everything, just not right now. Okay?" I pleaded with her.
She stared at me for a moment, her face an unreadable mask. "Fine."
"Okay, so here is a hoodie of Jasper's. I would never condone wearing something like this, but all of my sweaters would be too short on you," Alice said thrusting a dark grey sweatshirt into my hands. "And I don't own any sweatshirts."
Chuckling softly at her disdain for all things sweat related, I slipped on the warm material. After forcing my feet into my chucks, that I thankfully had the fore thought of packing, I was ready. Just in time it seemed because a pounding started on Alice's front door.
"That'll be Edward," Alice said pulling a turquoise sweater over her tiny white tank top.
I rushed out of the room and down the stairs; I just wanted to be in his arms. I yanked the door open and flung myself into his arms; he stumbled backwards for a second but recovered quickly.
"God Bella, I was so worried about you," he murmured kissing the top of my head. He walked us into the house, quietly shutting the door behind him.
"It's not me that we should be worried about," I said tearfully.
He set me on my feet then, his fingers grazed the bottom of my chin lifting it up so that our eyes met.
"You are my number one priority. When you wouldn't answer that phone, I couldn't help but think that sick fucker had gotten to you too. So please don't tell me not worry about you, it's my job," he explained softly. "I love you so much and the thought of you being hurt or scared kills me."
"I'm fine though."
"And for that I am immensely grateful. Is Rose and Alice ready too?" He asked releasing me from his hold, only slightly though, he kept a firm arm wrapped around my waist.
"They should be," I slumped against him, thankful that he was here.
"We are," Alice called out as they stepped into the entry way. "Here's Bella's bag."
She had repacked my overnight bag for me. I had completely forgotten that I had it in my rush to get to Edward. He grabbed the bag from her and ushered us all outside.
"I'll drive Bella's car," Rose offered holding up my keys that she must have swiped from my purse. "That way you guys don't have to come all the way back here to get it later."
"Thanks," I offered weakly as Edward helped me into his car. Alice decided to join Rose for the ride and we were off.
We didn't talk much on the way to the hospital, just held hands tightly as Edward drove and stared out the window intently.
I had to wonder what had happened, Riley sounded confident the other day about talking to James, and I sorely doubt that he would have suspected this kind of an outcome.
"Where is James?" I asked breaking the silence.
"I'm not sure, Love. Jasper didn't ask many questions."
"Hmm." I could only hope that he was in jail.
Before I knew it we were pulling into the visitor's parking lot at the hospital. It was considerably less full then I thought it would be, but then again it was only five in the morning. I noticed Jasper's red Mustang was parked a few cars down from us.
"Jasper is here?"
"Yeah, he went straight here after he got the phone call," Edward explained as he helped me out of the car. We waited for Alice and Rose to lock up my car before we headed in the emergency room doors.
I went straight to the check in desk; a frazzled looking middle age woman with thick black hair and tired eyes was sitting there going through forms.
"I'm looking for someone," I said weakly.
"Aren't we all," was her sarcastic reply, she didn't even bother to look up from her paper work.
I didn't have the energy or the time to deal with her shitty attitude about life so I chose to ignore her comment.
"Riley Carter is the patient's name."
"Awe the ever popular Mr. Carter," she said finally looking up at me. "Are you a relative?"
"No, just a friend."
"Well then I will tell you what I told everyone else. He is in surgery the doctor will be out to speak to his family when it's done," she said mechanically. I'm sure she has delivered that same speak a million of times.
"Is he going to be okay?" I pleaded softly.
"The doctor will be out to explain his condition. You can wait in the waiting room," she repeated pointing her blood red nail in the direction of the waiting room.
"Okay," I said resigned. I could tell that she wasn't going to tell me anything.
I turned on my heel and headed back to Alice, Rose and Edward.
"What did she say?" Edward asked wrapping his arm around my waist.
"Nothing really, just that the doctor will come and explain everything once he is out of surgery."
"Surgery?" Alice gasped.
I nodded my head. "She said that we could wait in there." I nodded my head in the direction of the brightly lit room to our left.
We entered the room solemnly. I was surprised to see how packed it was. Jasper was seated in the coroner next to a balding middle aged man, someone else from their law office I presume. A younger couple and a child sat in the area by the T.V. seemingly uninterested in everyone else. And lastly Megan was slumped in a chair by a window holding tightly onto Riley's grandfather.
She didn't notice us at first, so I took a moment to take in her appearance. She looked horrible. Her blonde curly hair lay in deflated strands on her head, her eyes were ringed in red and she had evident tears streaks down her face. I guess in short she looked devastated.
Alice shot across the room and plopped herself into Jasper's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. I knew that this was tough for them both, Riley was both of their friends; even long before he and I had dated. Alice's movement caused Megan to look up at us. Her eyes widened once she recognized me.
"Bella?" her voice was raw sounding.
"Hi Megan," I offered lamely.
She disengaged herself from Riley's grandfather who was slumbering peacefully in the chair next to her. Her movements caused him to shift slightly but he continued snoring softly. She stood slowly, almost as if her legs were tired from sitting for too long.
She shuffled quietly towards us, her arms wrapped around her chest in a protective stance. Rose excused herself to a chair by Jasper; she probably sensed that Megan wanted a minute alone with me. Edward on the other grasped me slightly tighter, pulling me flush to his side.
"So you heard about Riley then?" she stated once she was in front of me.
"Yes, Jasper works with him," I said with a nod in Jaspers direction.
"Hmm. It would mean a lot to Riley that you are here," she said almost stiffly. Like she didn't really mean it.
I just nodded my head; I really didn't know what to say to that. Edward ran reassuring hand down my arm. Megan's eyes flickered to his movement.
"So this must be Edward."
"Yes," I answered her uncertainly. I'm not sure where she was going with this.
"Huh." Her attitude was almost bitter. I could understand that she would be upset given the situation, but her facial expression was almost bordering on being hostile.
I decided to brave her attitude and ask her if she knew what had happened.
"Do you know what happened between them?" I asked awkwardly shifting from one foot to the other.
"Sort of. I only know what the police do and that's not a lot," she spat out bitterly. "I also know that it's your fault that he's even in here."
Edward stiffened next to me; his hand secured itself to my hip tightly.
"I know," I said quietly. I didn't need her to tell me this; I knew that from the moment that Edward told me that Riley was in the hospital because of James.
She looked at me stunned for a moment then; I think she thought that I honestly would try to deny that I had anything to do with this. After a second she pursued her lips and continued on with her story.
"Well, Riley found out what hotel that James was staying in and decided to coroner him there last night. He tried mine and James old apartment repeatedly before as neighbor told him that James had moved out. Anyways he found him, just to talk, and then I get a phone call at two in the morning from this place telling me that Riley was rushed in here by ambulance because he had been severely beaten."
I gasped in horror then, I knew that he was messed up but hearing the words "severely beaten" caused my stomach to clench.
"And James?" I asked weakly. It would kill me to know that, that scum was walking free somewhere.
"Also in the hospital."
"What?"
"Riley wasn't the only one severely beaten. He gave as good as he got as far as I could tell," she explained with a soft smile on her lips.
"I'm so sorry," I blubbered out. The tears started falling then, not for James of course but for Riley.
"You should be," she spat any trace of softness was now gone.
"Hey now," Edward's firm voice stated next to me. "She said she was sorry, not that she should have. She didn't do anything wrong here. James has been stalking her, sending her disgusting things in the mail. He wouldn't even know that she existed if it weren't for Riley, not that I am blaming him, but she didn't do anything to ask for his attention. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You of all people should understand how messed up in the head James is, how can you blame her for being an innocent bystander."
She seemed taken aback at his speak, the rage in her eyes dimmed for second before coming back even stronger. "She called Riley whining about James, wanting his help to deal with her situation. She should have just left him out of it!"
"No she shouldn't of," he cut in. I was shocked that he was defending me so passionately. I figured that he would agree with her on leaving Riley out of it. "He got her into this mess by introducing her to that sick fuck, so I can't see why she wouldn't call him about it, James is after all Riley's brother. And another thing, Megan, if you must know she only called him for advice on how to handle James; she repeatedly told him that she didn't want him to get involved in it."
She looked like she was at a loss of words then, Edward had pretty much stomped anything that she could have used into the ground. Not that I agreed with him on any of it, I shouldn't have called Riley. If I hadn't then we all wouldn't be in the hospital waiting room right now. And Riley would definitely not be in surgery.
A throat clearing behind us broke the tension that was flowing around our little threesome. I turned to see Riley's grandfather standing there.
"It's good to see you again, Bella," he said warmly offering me his hand.
I shook it tightly for second. "You too, Arthur. This is Edward Cullen."
"Nice to meet you Edward," he smiled warmly at Edward also. "Why don't we all take a seat and talk for a minute."
Once we were all settled in the hard plastic chairs that lined that wall, his Grandfather cleared his throat again. "So I take it that there is animosity going on between you two." he nodded his head at Megan and I.
Megan didn't answer him, she just sat there stone faced, so I nodded my head yes.
"I see. Megan what is it that has you so upset?" he turned his questioning onto her.
"It's her fault that Riley is in this mess," she spouted off angrily.
"Hmm," he said tapping his chin. "So you think that Bella caused this problem between James and Riley?"
She nodded her head uncertainly, almost like she was nervous where he was taking this.
"Honey, you know I love you and that you are granddaughter to both me and Sylvia, but if you are obtuse enough to blame Bella for something that was caused by your choices then I don't know what to tell you."
"What?" she gasped out in shock.
"Megan, this rift started the day that you chose James over Riley. Riley defended Bella because it was the right thing to do, when you care about someone then you want them to be safe and happy," Arthur explained, patting Megan's hand gently. "Plus, I'm sure that Bella never would have guessed that things would have played out this way. It's obvious that she cares deeply for my grandson and I have to believe that she wouldn't ever put him in any danger on purpose."
I nodded my head swiftly. If I had, had any idea that they would physically fight with each other I would have never involved Riley.
"But I didn't…it wasn't…." she started then stopped, probably realizing that she didn't have anything to defend herself with. Arthur was being blunt, but honest. He wasn't being mean, if anything he was trying to be extremely gentle.
"No, you didn't send him after James but if it wasn't for your and James marriage, then none of this would be happening. I think it is downright selfish that you are blaming this on Bella."
I could see Edward nodding his head in agreement next to me; he was being uncharacteristically quiet through all of this. He must have sensed that Arthur was going to put Megan in her place.
Megan surprised me then, instead of defending herself or lashing out at me again; she broke down into gut wrenching sobs.
"I know that," she gasped out between sobs. "I'm just so scared that he isn't going to be okay, I just got him back I can't lose him again."
"I'm so sorry Bella. It was very rude of me to blame you for all of this."
I got up and sat in the empty chair next to her, wrapping my arms around her trembling frame. "It's okay, Megan. You have nothing to say sorry for, I shouldn't have called him."
"No, you did the right thing," she wailed into my neck.
"He's going to be okay, I know he is," I could feel my own tears starting again. I couldn't imagine what she is going through, if it were Edward lying in that hospital room; I would be catatonic.
"Promise?" she asked pulling away from me to look me in the eye.
Before I had a chance to answer her, a distinguished looking elderly gentleman walked into the room. I knew by his white coat that he was a doctor.
"I'm looking for Riley Carter's family," he said in a warm voice.
"I'm his girlfriend," Megan said pulling herself from my embrace to stand up.
"Is there any blood relations here?"
"I'm his grandfather," Arthur said standing next to Megan. "Arthur Carter."
"Mr. Carter, I'm Dr. Gerandy, I preformed the surgeries on your grandson this morning."
"Is he okay?" Arthur's voice trembled for the first time since we had sat down with him, up until this moment he had been a pillar of strength.
"He is in serious but stable condition. As of right now, I believe that he will be okay, but the next twenty four hours will be crucial."
"What happened to him?" Megan asked tearfully.
Everyone else in the waiting room, sans the young couple and their child, had joined us in a group around the doctor.
"He has a serious concussion, three broken ribs. Both his jaw and shoulder were dislocated and one of his ribs punctured his lungs. We were able to stop the internal bleeding and have set his ribs. Both his jaw and shoulder have been popped back into place," he explained in simple terms. I was glad that he wasn't using doctor talk, I hated when you didn't understand what they were saying.
"And his concussion?" someone in the group asked, I think it was the balding man that had been sitting with Jasper.
"That is what we will be watching over the next twenty four hours," the doctor answered vaguely.
"Can I see him?" Megan asked.
"He is still in recovery, once he is moved into his normal room I will send a nurse down to get you," he answered her. "If that is all your questions, I have another patient that needs my care."
"Thank you Doctor," Megan said falling back into her chair.
"I do have one more question Doctor," Arthur said.
"Okay," Dr. Gerandy replied.
"Do you know the condition of my other grandson, James Carter?"
I know I'm an asshole for leaving it there! I promise the next update will be here before you know it!
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Symphiann