I don't Twilight!

Balance

The following week I found myself getting ready to go back to a place I really wasn't ready to revisit; the hospital. I had my first appointment with Charlotte, and I wasn't really looking forward to it. I knew I wouldn't be doing too much in this first session, but I was still dreading it.

I wasn't ready to see the hospital again, and I was exhausted. I hadn't seen or talked to Edward since I had visited him. I was still having nightmares about him, but I didn't want to get too dependent on calling him every time it happened. It was really starting to take its toll, and I didn't know how much longer I could hold out.

"Bella honey," my mom said as she stuck her head in my room, "Are you ready?"

"I guess," I replied as I yawned and followed my mom out of my room and down the stairs.

"Oh Bells, it won't be that bad," my dad said as we got into the car.

"I know," I said.

I looked sadly at my truck as we backed out of the driveway. My parents had gone to the school the day after the shooting to get my truck and it had been sitting on the curb ever since. I missed driving it, and I knew it would be some time before I was able to drive it again.

As we drove away I suddenly found my dread clearing and a new determination taking its place. The sooner I started physical therapy, the sooner I could drive my truck, and I couldn't wait. We pulled into the hospital parking lot a little while later. My dad and I sat down in the waiting room while my mom checked me in. I wanted to look at a magazine but I couldn't really do that, so I watched the other people in the waiting room.

A door to my right opened and I looked over in time to watch Charlotte walk out.

"Hi Bella," she said happily.

"Hi," I replied quietly.

"Hello Mr. Swan and Mrs. Dwyer," Charlotte said as shook my parent's hands.

"Hi," my mom said, "Is it alright if we are here? We wanted to sit with Bella during her first appointment and get a feel for what is going to happen."

"Of course it's okay," Charlotte said with a smile. "Why don't you come on back and we can get started."

"Okay," I replied as my parents and I stood up. We all walked back to Charlotte's office and sat down on the chairs that were in front her desk.

"So Bella," Charlotte said, "how is your arm feeling?"

"It's still pretty sore," I replied.

"That's normal," Charlotte assured me, "Today I am going take a look at your arm and see how it's healing."

"Okay," I replied.

"We won't start on anything too serious today because you still have stitches, and I don't want to do anything to rip them."

"I don't want that either," I said and she smiled.

"Alright, let me see that arm," Charlotte said as she came around to the other side of the desk. She gently picked up my arm and removed the bandage, then looked at my wound for minute before apply a clean bandage.

"Well it looks good," she said, "There are no signs of infection."

"Good," I replied.

"Yes," she agreed, "Do you have an appointment with your regular doctor later this week?"

"Yeah," I said, "He is going to check the wound and hopefully tell me when the stitches can come out."

"Good," Charlotte said. "Okay, since we want those stitches out soon, I am going to give you a sling that will keep your arm stable. This will keep the stitches from ripping and hopefully help your nerves start healing."

"Sounds good," I said.

Charlotte stood up and went over to a cabinet where she pulled out sling. She walked back over to me and quickly fitted the sling to my body. Once it was on my arm was snuggly attached to my chest and I couldn't move it.

"Now, I want you to wear that at all times, except for when you are bathing," she said, "and as soon as you get your stitches out I want you to make another appointment to see me."

"Alright," I said

"Once your stitches are out we will start working on range of motion with your arm," Charlotte explained, "We will also work on getting some strength back in your arm."

"Sounds good," I said as I stood up.

""I'll see you soon," Charlotte said as she stood to open the door for us.

"Okay," I replied, "Thank you."

"Have a good day," she said with one last smile before she closed the door.

"Well, that went well," my mom said, "She seems really nice."

"Yeah, she…" I trailed off when a door to my right opened, and Edward and his parents came out. Edward was in a wheelchair and his parents were behind him. The room they were leaving was an office like Charlotte's, and there was a young man sitting at a desk who I assumed was Edward's physical therapist.

"Hi Bella," Edward said.

"Hi Edward," I replied.

It was a relief to see him alive and well after the past couple of sleepless nights. I noticed he looked as tired as I felt.

"Carlisle, Esme, how are you doing?" Charlie asked.

"Not too bad," Esme said, "Are you three in a rush to get anywhere?"

"No, why?" my mom asked.

"I just thought it might be nice if we all went and got some lunch together," Esme said. "We can get to know each other a little bit better and the kids can spend some time together."

"That sounds nice," my mom said, and my dad and I nodded in agreement.

"Why don't we go to The Lodge and eat?" Carlisle said as we started making our way down the hall.

"Perfect," my mom said. We split up when we got to the main entrance and made our way toward our cars. It didn't take us long to get to The Lodge, and we arrived a few minute before the Cullen's so we sat in our car and waited for them. Once they pulled up near the entrance, my dad went over and helped Carlisle get Edward out of the car and situated in his wheel chair. After Edward was settled we made our way inside. We ended up getting two tables, one for me and Edward and one for our parents.

Edward and I were awkwardly silent as we flipped through our menus. After we ordered Edward looked at me and sighed.

"I'm so tired," he admitted.

"Me too," I replied.

"I'm still having dreams," Edward said.

"Me too," I said again.

"I know you said you didn't want to get too dependent, but this is killing me," Edward said as he scrubbed at his face "Can't we at least call each other when we have a dream?"

"Yes, of course," I said as I played with the straw in my drink, "I'm sorry, my idea was stupid, all it did was create more stress and that is last thing the two of us need."

"I think we just need to find a balance," Edward said, "You were right when you said we can't rush over to each other's house every time we have a bad dream, but that doesn't mean we can't call."

"You're right," I agreed.

"I think us depending on each other is a good thing," Edward said, "We went through this together, and nobody but you really truly understands what I am going through or how I am feeling, so you are the one I want to call when things get tough. I know we have already talked about this but just want you to know I am here."

"I know you are," I replied.

"Don't pull away from me Bella," Edward said as he picked up my hand. "I need you."

I looked up from my drink and straight into Edward's eyes. My heart broke when I saw a scared look in his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said as I gave his hand a squeeze, "I promise."

"Good," Edward said, and I saw with relief that the fear was leaving his eyes. As we ate I thought about what Edward said, and I realized he was right. All we needed to do was find a balance.

AN: Thanks to my beta Jenn! Thanks also to: Iluvecookies, LiLi82, debslmac, sandy4321, jansails, sujari6, boo1414, Chilly Howdy for leaving a review. It means a lot!

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