Chapter 18: Reunited
BPOV
Edward and I had left immediately after the call. Everyone else would follow behind, because I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to see my son. We had been apart for far too long.
I gripped Edward's hand as he drove quickly towards Port Angeles. I didn't even care to look at what the odometer read, what I needed was to get to the hospital. The entire ride was silent. Neither one of us had the words to say, and we were all worried about Anthony. What would we find when we got there? My dad had assured us that he was fine, and as much as I wanted to believe him I couldn't. I needed to see him for myself.
What I couldn't understand was why my mom had acted the way she did. I knew she hadn't done it out of malice, but it still made me hurt. Anthony was her grandson, and he should be safe with her. But she just took him away like she had the right. He was my son not hers.
EPOV
Bella was unusually quiet as we drove towards the hospital. I speeded down the streets wanting to reach him as soon as possible. I was so grateful to Charlie, and I just wanted the nightmare to be over. I couldn't get my car to go fast enough.
I parked the car at nearest parking space getting out and opening Bella's door. I squeezed her hand before we rushed inside hand in hand. I knew it had been our support as a couple and that of our family that had seen us through the last twenty-four hours.
"Where's my son, Anthony Cullen?" Bella asked the receptionist and I could tell she was about to fly off the handle as the nurse looked through the computer.
"He just came in with the police." I clarified gently squeezing Bella's hand. We did not want to cause a scene and possibly delay us seeing our son. Charlie had assured he was fine, and I believed him.
"I'm sorry, nobody is allowed in the room until the Port Angeles Police Chief arrives." The receptionist replied as Bella glared at her.
"Excuse me," Bella paused momentarily reading her name tag. "Heidi, my son was kidnapped yesterday, and I'm going to see him right now."
"I'm sorry, you may wait in the waiting room until he arrives." The lady replied returning her attention to her paperwork.
"I'm not a confrontational person." I prefaced my own anger starting to boil. "But if I don't get to see my son immediately. I will start trouble."
"I am only following protocol." She answered, as I became tempted to punch her. "Please take a seat."
"I don't care what your protocol is. Chief Charlie Swan, my father-in-law, is with him right now. His permission is just as valid." I added.
"I will see what I can do." She replied dismissively. "Please take a seat."
"I will not take a seat." Bella yelled, as a doctor I recognized as Dr. Sanders come our way. Dr. Sanders had worked with my dad in Seattle, but had transferred to Port Angeles when he had gotten married a few years back.
"Is there a problem here?" He asked. "Edward, what can I help you with?"
"My son was kidnapped yesterday, and he was found today. He's in the room with Chief Swan, and she won't let us through." I explained hoping he could help us.
"Is this true?" Sanders asked Heidi.
"According to Chief Michaels nobody is allowed in the room." She explained.
"Can I please see my son?" Bella questioned with tears in her eyes.
"I'll take them through, Heidi." Sanders said. "You can tell the Chief to talk to me if he has any issues. Right this way."
I was so relieved that we were finally being led to Anthony. I needed to know he was alright.
BPOV
I was a very calm person, but I was beyond frustrated with the hospital. How dare they tell me I'm not allowed to see my missing son. I was honestly ready to rip the receptionist's throat apart. I knew she was doing her job, but I was going crazy without Anthony.
"He's right in here. I'll send the doctor who took a look at him inside to speak with you. I'm very sorry about the confusion." The doctor, that Edward knew, said before I opened the door stopping dead in my tracks.
Hospital rooms, or just hospitals, made me sick. The paleness of the room and sharp contrast of the metal crib brought tears to my eyes. My dad was holding Anthony against him rocking him back and forth on a rocking chair. There was even an IV on him. He looked incredibly small.
"Bella," My dad said as I ran towards him and Anthony beginning to cry.
"My baby," I whispered as my dad placed my son in my arms the tears streamed down my face. "I'm here, Sweetheart. I'm sorry."
"Anthony," I heard Edward whisper as he came to us kissing the top of his head, as he gently caressed his cheek.
I looked down at my son. He was fussy and kept turning his head to my chest. I knew he wanted to be fed, but I didn't know if I could. I was just so relieved to be holding him. The pain in my heart had disappeared and I felt like I was able to breathe again. Yet, I couldn't comprehend everything I was feeling.
"Why is he on an IV?" Edward asked my dad, as he helped me sit down on the chair my dad had just vacated.
"He's dehydrated. We don't know why, Chief Michaels is getting information from Renee." He sighed as the door of the room opened.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, I'm Dr. Jones." He said shaking Edwards hand and nodding to me. "I've been looking after Anthony."
"Is he alright, Doctor?" Edward asked for me since I was still unable to speak. I was terrified of finding out it was all a dream. That if I woke up he would still be missing.
"He's going to be fine." He assured us. "The one major problem I found was that he's dehydrated, which is why he's on the IV."
Anthony began to cry in my arms as he tried to latch on to my breast through my clothes. "Can I feed him doctor?" I asked as I tried rocking him back and forth. My breast were very sore and full, because I hadn't fed or pumped in over twenty-four hours. I had no strength to.
"By all means do so," The doctor answered. "He's going to need plenty of liquid for the next few days."
"When can he go home?" My dad jumped in.
"Well, he should be ready to go home by tomorrow morning. He seems to be responding well, and there's no reason to keep him here any longer than overnight. I believe the Police Chief wants to speak with you first." He answered as I nodded. I didn't want my baby to spend his entire first Christmas in a hospital.
The doctor stepped out of the room as my dad smiled weakly. "I'll go try and contact Peter, so that we can all go home in time for Christmas morning."
"Thank you, dad." I whispered as he kissed my forehead his hand brushing Anthony's cheek.
As soon as my dad left the room Edward took Anthony so that I could get ready to feed him. It just felt so great to have him with me again. Anthony immediately latched on greedily sucking as I held him.
EPOV
The last twenty-four hours had been crazy. My son was healthy and I had no doubt that he would be going home with us in the morning. We still had to talk to the Port Angeles Police, but that was after Anthony was fed. He was the number one priority, and I knew I was not going to let him out of my sight.
At that moment I knew I would not let anything happen to him again. I would try my hardest to always protect him and Bella. They were the two most important people in my life.
I simply watched as my son fed. My heart feeling whole again.
BPOV
Anthony had fallen asleep after being well fed, but I didn't want to put him down. I was sitting on Edward's lap as we both watched our son sleep in my arms. I found it hard to believe that my mom had done what she did. She had endangered her grandson life, because of her selfishness. I couldn't understand it.
"He's not going anywhere, my love." Edward assured me as he placed a kiss on my neck.
"I know." I whispered in a barely audible tone. "I just can't seem to let him go."
I jumped as I heard a knock on the door. I was still on edge, and terrified of someone taking my baby. "It's just the door." Edward said as I allowed him to get up to open the door.
"Mr. Cullen." I heard a male voice say before Edward stepped aside to let him in. "I'm Peter Michaels, Chief of the Port Angeles."
"Nice to meet you, Sir." Edward said extending his hand. "You can call me Edward and this is my wife, Bella, and our son."
"Hello." I said softly as he smiled at me. "Thank you for bringing him back."
"Nice to meet you both. Well, I'll get right to business. Renee is in custody, though she's in Seattle Grace Hospital, her mental state is not stable." He explained as I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
"What happens now?" I asked as I tried to get a handle on everything. It wasn't like my mom to behave the way she was.
"Well, that's up to the DA office. Kidnapping is a federal crime, if she is found guilty she's looking at some hefty jail time." He explained.
"I don't want her to go to jail." I said looking down at my son. "I want her to get help. She's not a bad person."
"The choice is not up to you. She will be receiving psychiatric treatment at the hospital, her husband is with her there as well. A court date will be set, and then its up to her defense attorney." The Chief continued as I tried to process everything.
"Is there any way to make her stay in treatment? My mother has serious issue, Chief." I explained wanting to make my reasons clear.
"Mrs. Cullen, I really can't do much. It is out of all of our hands." He replied as I took a deep breath.
I wanted my mom to get back to normal. I wanted her to be the crazy, scatter-brained Renee that raised me. I wanted my mother back. And as much as she had hurt me I couldn't send her to jail.
A/N: I know a lot of you want Renee to go to jail. It is still a possibility (I'm not telling). But everyone has to see Bella's point of view. Renee's is her mother, and she wants her to get better. She wants her to get back to normal. Plus she caused no real harm to Anthony.
By the way, Bella's reaction at the beginning is how I would be. Come on she's a mother and wants to see her son. Who wouldn't want to kick some serious behind?
I have updated Between Love and Duty with two chapters yesterday. The updates for this story will now be every other day, due to my new schedule. More information on that in chapter of five of Between Love and Duty (which will be updated daily).
On a side note, I have continuously said that this series had four parts. This being the last one. But it looks like I will be eating my words. I wrote chapter 24 about two days ago, and it felt like the place to stop. So, there will be a 5th (and final) part following this one. I have no title yet, since I'm still debating the overall plot.
Next Chapter: More time at the hospital and we skip a head a week or so.
Muggleinlove
