Disclaimer found on chapter 1
Chapter 4 – I Remember
The front door of the Cullen's home opened. Six vampires filed inside, one of whom was carrying a very groggy phoenix. Hera's partially shaved head was swathed in bandages and she was, of course, still wearing the bright purple casts on her arm and leg. Carlisle had chosen the color for her, knowing it was his baby girl's favorite. The hard shells were already covered in names and well-wishes from her family and the hospital staff, who were greatly saddened to see the child go.
Hera could barely hold her own head up, and was now resting it against Edward's shoulder. The others carried the various and assorted gifts, balloons, and flowers the convalescing girl had collected during her hospital stay. Little Alice looked comical as she could barely be seen under the huge lion plushy Emmett had found for his baby sister. After laying eyes on it, the phoenix had immediately turned to Edward and told him he wasn't allowed to eat it, causing everyone to laugh as Edward pouted playfully. Everything was to be transferred to Hera's room so that they could continue their job of cheering the phoenix up as she recovered.
Alice and Rosalie had strung a "Welcome Home Hera" banner across the room, but the phoenix was in too much pain from the trip home to either notice or appreciate it. Though Emmett had driven as carefully as he could, Hera still groaned in agony every time the car ride jostled her even the tiniest bit.
Rosalie preceded the others into the child's room and pulled back the covers so her brother could lay down his precious burden. The others quickly found places to set the flowers and presents while Alice unclasped the charmed necklace, showing Hera's wings to the world for the first time since she was rushed to the hospital weeks before. Exhausted from the trip home and still doped up on pain killers, the child had simply clutched the white teddy bear her mom had handed her and fell asleep. Hera's mate, siblings, and mother watched her for a while before they started drifting out of the room.
Edward stayed the longest, but he too left after turning the light off.
When Carlisle arrived home that evening, he found the house to be much quieter than usual. It wasn't that the Cullens were often noisy, but there was usually some sound resonating through their home, whether it be the dulcet tones of Edward's piano, the artificial mayhem of Emmett's video games, or even the soft whisper of Jasper turning the pages of one of his treasured books.
He smiled and kissed Esme as she welcomed him home. "Where is everyone?"
Esme helped him out of his coat. "Well Edward's eyes were dark so I sent him out to feed. Emmett offered to go with him and they've been gone about thirty minutes or so. Jasper and Alice are upstairs in their room, Rosalie's in hers, and Hera's asleep."
Carlisle nodded. "I figured she would fall asleep after the trip home, but has she been awake at all since then?"
"Yes. She was up about three hours ago and I was able to get some soup in her before she nodded off again."
The doctor smiled. "Good. I'll take a look at her a little later then. Rest is what she needs most right now," he said as he sat down on the couch. Soon Alice and Jasper drifted downstairs and greeted their father before finding their own seats.
Hera's head was hurting, but she ignored it for the time being. Every time she complained she was given medicine that made her arms and legs twitch. The sensation was aggravating enough on its own, but doubly so when you had limbs in a cast.
Opening her eyes revealed two people she loved but was not expecting to see in Alaska. She gave the biggest smile she could endure and reached out with her good hand. "Aunt Nelle, Uncle Nick… how did you get here?"
Nicolas Flamel smiled sadly at his broken little bird as he grabbed the offered hand, covering it with his much larger one. "We rode here on the back of a giant albatross! Oh I wish you could have seen the wondrous things to be found when flying over the ocean, my dear. I saw no less than twenty whales! And the dolphins… one of them tried to catch a ride with us! I dare say if he'd jumped just a half-meter higher he would have made it!"
Perenelle elbowed the old wizard in the ribs. "Stop lying to the girl, Nicolas. We took an international portkey, Hera darling. How are you feeling?"
She was about to respond to her beloved aunt's question with a polite lie, not wanting anyone to know she was in pain, when Uncle Nick began grumbling. "My explanation sounded much more exciting than, 'We arrived by way of someone's smelly, discarded boot.'"
"There's nothing wrong with a little less excitement, Nicolas." She gestured to the little girl. "I dare say Hera has most likely had enough excitement to last her a year or two."
Hera giggled before answering the earlier question. "I'm getting better, Aunt Nelle. Mama makes me stay in bed but she said when I get stronger that she and daddy will make me a nest on the couch so I won't be bored."
Nicolas scooted his conjured chair a little closer to the bed. "Bored? Have these vampires not been keeping you entertained, little one?"
"Oh yes, Uncle Nick! Rose colors with me and Jasper reads to me. Emmett and Alice take turns telling funny stories and Edward plays games with me."
"Well that does sound like a lot of fun. If they start being boring you let me know and I'll take you back home with me! There's lots of exciting things to do on our island… the pegasus stalls could always use a good cleaning, and I would love to have someone to bring me things when I'm settled in front of the fireplace. You know it takes us old folk a while to get comfortable and we don't like to ruin it by having to get up to fetch something we forgot… old folk are also very forgetful. Are you sure you're not bored here?"
"You're silly, Uncle Nick," Hera said before sticking her tongue out at a smirking Edward when he came in with her pain medicine and a bottle of water. Her own mind had ratted her out again!
Nicolas grinned knowingly at the phoenix before answering, "Yes… that's what your Aunt Nelle has been telling me for years."
Nicolas and Perenelle had stayed with the vampires and phoenix for two days, but had too many responsibilities to accept the offer of a longer visit. Hera had never tired of listening to her Uncle Nick's stories nor her Aunt Nelle's gentle ribbing when he went off on one of his "tangents"… whatever that meant. She was, therefore, very sad to see them leave. She didn't stay sad for long. In fact she never felt anything for long because she was still sleeping through most of the day.
The night that the Flamels left heralded the return of the phoenix's memories of her accident, thanks to her uncle's story on the day they came.
Hera was sitting on the back of a huge brown and yellow bird, loving the feel of the wind blowing her hair back. A sudden splash had her leaning over to see her family swimming in the ocean. Wait, they weren't swimming… they were drowning! It never occurred to her in her dream state that creatures who had no need to breathe couldn't possibly drown.
"Hera, help," cried her mother, "Please help us!"
"Hang on, Mama," the little girl responded. She then tried to get the bird she was riding to turn around so he could pick up her family before she lost them, but he refused to deviate from his flight.
Edward looked at her with betrayal in his eyes as he struggled. "Hera? What are you waiting for? We need help! Come back!"
With helpless tears rolling down her face, Hera answered, "I'm trying, Edward! He won't go back… what do I do?"
"Jump, Hera! You've got wings!" Jasper briefly went under as he grew more tired from treading water. "Hurry… we need you!"
"Jump… you can do it," Alice added.
Suddenly the scene changed and Hera was standing in Edward's room, framed by the open window. The giant oak tree stood before her and nestled in the branches was the bird she had seen the day of her accident… the same bird which she had been riding a moment ago. "Jump, Hera… don't look down," he said.
As soon as the words penetrated her brain she felt a need to look down, and screamed in denial. Scattered amongst the rocks were the body parts of her family. All of them had been ripped apart by something and gazed at her with dead eyes.
Right before she was about to try to fly down and save them, Edward's lips begin to move. "Why, Hera? Why did you let us die?"
She shook her head, covering her ears to keep from hearing the accusations coming from the lips of her dead family.
"Hera, how could you," asked Emmett.
"Hera… Hera why," cried Rosalie.
"Hera, look at me," Edward's voice sounded like it was pleading with her. When she felt a hand on her face she screamed and opened her eyes.
With tears in her eyes, Hera threw her good arm around Edward's neck after her horrible nightmare. He gently held her close while the rest of the family looked on, worriedly. "It's okay, Hera… it was just a bad dream."
Unable to shake her head because of the pain, she responded, "No… I jumped!"
The other Cullens shared bewildered looks. "What do you mean, Hera," asked Rosalie.
Edward, feeling the strength leave the little girl, lay her back onto her pillows. He grabbed the cool cloth Alice had retrieved and began to mop up the sweat and tears that covered Hera's face.
Hera looked at her family with a guilty expression. "I saw a bird and thought that I could fly like him because we both have wings!"
Edward closed his eyes in sudden understanding. Unwilling to let his mate think that he was angry with her, he forced the pain from his face and listened as she explained.
"I didn't think my wings would let me fall, but I was wrong," she finished dejectedly before the tears came once again. "I'm sorry!"
Carlisle crouched down so as to be at eye level with his young daughter. "It's okay, Hera. Calm down, sweetheart… it was an accident." The doctor patiently wiped the tears from her face with the cloth. When her green eyes focused on him, he repeated, "It was an accident, and everyone has them. When you're feeling better you and I will talk about this so you can learn from your mistakes, but until then I want you to focus on healing, okay?"
"Okay, daddy."
Not very exciting chapter, but I felt they all needed to catch their breath and the story's winding down anyway. Thanks to all who've reviewed and/or placed me on their favorite list. I've never been anybody's favorite before joining this site, lol!