A/N: Major writer's block has prevented me from uploading this earlier, so sorry about the wait. This chapter, had I done the entire section from Twilight, would've been really, really long. As it is, the next chapter's going to be... uberly-long.
Yesterday had been one of the most dreadful days of my entire existence. What with Renee, thinking Bella was pregnant; Alice, her constant worries of Jasper slipping and about the tape she'd watched that James had made; Carlisle, worrying about Esme, and whether or not she lost to Victoria; and Emmett, always wondering what football game was on next; I was as close to delusional as I'd ever been.
But that wasn't the worst of it. The worst was seeing Bella lie on the drab hospital sheets, plastered in numerous casts, tubes running through her body, and her heartbeat, what used to be a comforting sound, beeping so robotically through a machine. Her blood, now just a transfusion, a donation from a stranger, smelled sick, and I hated every bit of it.
Every so often, one of my family members or Renee would pop in to check on Bella, only to realize she was still unconscious. It seemed that no one noticed I was even there anymore. It wasn't like I had to leave to go to the bathroom, or eat, or anything. Of course, Renee noticed, just in her thoughts. I winced, remembering her thoughts.
I would've thought, with Carlisle as a father, he would've known better…
I knew Charlie wouldn't talk to Bella about it…
I should probably talk to Edward and Bella together, when Bella wakes up…
Alice had left for a while, stolen car on hand. Fabricating evidence was all she'd thought before she sprinted away.
"Bella?" The door cracked open slightly, revealing an older version of Bella. I waved at Renee.
"She's still sleeping," I told her, and she looked at me. Does he ever leave? When Bella wakes up, she is getting a piece of my mind about protection. She's only 17!
She walked cautiously to Bella's side, managing not to trip over the copious number of wires and tubes on the ground. Unfortunately, Bella had not inherited that trait from Renee.
Oh, I hope she's all right. Carlisle said she was supposed to be up by now. Is she alive? Oh, wait, that thing's beeping; I guess that means she is. I should come back later- I need to get something to eat, Phil's supposed to call me later…
Renee stroked Bella's hair, a tired look in her eyes. She was so adamant about going to Forks. Maybe I should've stopped her – I mean what a wreck! And that boy! Charlie says it's his fault she left. I should have a word or two about that with him.
I winced, planning my speedy exit. It wasn't necessary, however – Renee got up from the hard chair and made her way across the room. Just before she left, though, she looked back at her daughter.
"Bye Bella," Renee said softly, oblivious to the fact that Bella couldn't hear her. She had shadows under her eyes, and her face was weary. It was obvious she cared about Bella, though sometimes she wasn't the best mother.
"Good-bye, Renee," I called as she left, but she was gone. I sighed; I had proven my thoughts correct once again- to Renee, I was just a constant object in Bella's room. Which, in a way, I was.
I hadn't hunted in a while, yet I was staying in her room. It was like putting a starving man in front of a feast and telling him he couldn't eat it. Even though Carlisle and Alice told me numerous times to leave, I couldn't bring myself to. Who knows what could happen if I took my eyes off her for a second?
The door opened again, interrupting my brooding. Oh, please don't be Renee, I thought. I couldn't stand another bombardment of thoughts from Renee about protection.
Hello, Edward. Bella still sleeping? I looked meaningfully at Bella, still laying there, her face serene and calm. Carlisle furrowed his brow, and checked her tubes. She should be up soon. Don't let her sit up or anything; it might injure her further.
"You need to hunt." It wasn't a question, it was a demand. I shook my head firmly – I wasn't letting Bella out of my sight for an instant. He sighed, worry lines clear on his face. Sure you can handle it?
"Yes," I told him firmly. After Wednesday, I could handle anything. Okay, see you later, Edward.
He left, and again, I was alone with my thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, if I'd changed her… no. I looked at Bella; she was so pure, so clean, and so innocent, that I couldn't let her be a vampire. I couldn't bring myself to turn an angel into a demon.
Outside, I heard Alice making a phone call to Charlie. Her responses were much the same as the ones that she gave to Renee, although I was quite certain he wouldn't come down to Phoenix.
Edward… I fake-coughed slightly, knowing Alice would hear me.
Here's the story – we drove to Phoenix, and tried to convince Bella to talk to us. She agreed, and drove to "our" hotel. Of course, being Bella, she tripped on the stairs, and fell out the window. The evidence has all been taken care of. Let's just say the downtown Phoenix Marriott feels lucky that we're not suing for "slippery staircases".
Alice showed me the scene, in her mind: Convincing blood-red paint was scattered around the broken window. Shards of glass lay threateningly in the street, sunlight glinting off it not unlike it bouncing off our skin. Yellow police "danger" tape was pulled around the scene, and police cars were in the distance. Alice was standing in the background, arguing with a bewildered hotel manager.
I rolled my eyes. Leave it to Alice to find "fabricating evidence" to be something fun. I shook my head – those poor, poor hotel managers.
A/N: Yes, it's an abrupt ending, but I had to cut it short otherwise there wouldn't have been a good stopping point for... twenty pages. I have a lot of the next chapter typed up, so that'll be up soon. Oh, and I know I have to update my AIM fic, so I promise that it'll be up soon as well. So, umm... review! Reviews make me happy!