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Back to School

A week after my mom left, I found myself spending a lot of time with Charlotte, trying to bend my arm in ways I wasn't sure it was ready to bend. I had my stitches removed two days before, and she was more than ready to get my arm moving again. I was ready too, or at least I thought I was. Until Charlotte started the real torture.

After an hour I was relieved of my misery and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Charlotte laughed at my enthusiasm, and this led me to believe that I wasn't the first person who was desperate to escape her at the end of a session. As excited as I was to leave Charlotte, I was also feeling anxious about my session with Kate. I went to the lobby to find my dad.

"Hey Bells," he said when he saw me, "How did it go with Charlotte?"

"Peachy," I said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, sweetie, it will get better," my dad said in an understanding manner as he wrapped he arm around me and we headed to the elevators.

"I know," I said as he hit the button for the floor we wanted. We rode in silence and when the doors opened I was relieved to see Edward sitting in the waiting room.

"Hi, Bella. Hi Chief Swan," Edward said.

"Hello Edward," Charlie said, "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Charlie?"

"Sorry Charlie," Edward replied with a small smile.

"Hello Bella," Esme said from her seat next to Edward, "How are you today?"

"Sore," I replied, "I just had a session with Charlotte."

"Oh sweetheart, I know it's hard, but it will get better," she said, mirroring what my dad had just told me.

"I know," I replied with a smile. Just then the door opened and Kate walked out.

"Hi Edward, hi Bella, are you ready to come on back?" she asked. Edward and I both nodded and I stood and started walking while Edward started rolling his way back to Kate's office. Once we were in the office I settled on the couch while Kate helped Edward onto the couch.

"So," Kate said once we were settled, "How is everything going?"

"Good," Edward and I both replied at once.

"Bella, you have had a big week. Why don't we start with you?" Kate said.

"What about me?" I asked

"Well, I heard your mom left. Are you doing alright with that?"

"Um, well, I wasn't at first," I admitted, "I was really upset. But then I called Edward and he kind of talked me down."

"Well, I am very impressed and happy that you were able to work things out so quickly," Kate said with a smile.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"How have things been since she has been gone?" Kate asked.

"It's been alright," I said, "I miss her, and I am alone a little more than when she was here, which is hard because I am still doing things one handed. I mean, my dad has stayed home with me as much as he can, and I spend some time at Edward's house when my dad is at work. But every once in and while I am alone, and that's hard."

"Has it only been hard physically, or has being alone been emotionally hard as well?" Kate asked.

"Yeah, I get nervous being alone," I admitted, "I tend to jump at every little thing."

"That is normal after what you have been through," Kate said, "Have you had any episodes like the restaurant while you have been alone?"

"No," I replied.

"Good," Kate said, "It will take time for you to get completely use to being alone, but as long as you aren't having any serious episodes, it's okay. If you do have an episode, tell me and we will revisit this. For now I would recommend staying home for short periods of time, and then gradually longer periods of time.

"Okay," I replied.

"I also heard that you got your stitches out," Kate said with a smile, "That must be nice."

"Yeah it is, but physical therapy isn't so nice," I said with a grimace.

"No, physical therapy is never easy, but it is rewarding," she said.

"I know it will me get my arm back, but just hurts so much," I said, and Edward took my good hand and squeezed it.

"The pain will lessen over time. Just don't push yourself too hard or overdo it," Kate said.

"Okay," I replied.

"Good. Now Edward, how are you doing?" Kate asked.

"I'm good. I just wish I was making as much progress as Bella," Edward admitted.

"What do you mean?" Kate asked.

"Don't get me wrong," Edward said as he looked down at me and smiled, "I am so happy that she got her stitches out and she is starting physical therapy, I just wish I was making more progress with my leg."

"I know it's frustrating, but leg injuries tend to be more severe and take longer to heal," Kate said, "The most important thing, like I told Bella, is not to push yourself. If you push yourself too hard, too fast, you will set your progress back even farther."

"I know," Edward said, "I guess I am just feeling sorry for myself."

"You will get there Edward, just have patience," Kate said.

"Okay," Edward said.

"Alright, now there was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about today," Kate said, "I got a call about your school. They will be reopening it next week and wanted to know if you both had medical clearance to return." Edward and I looked at each other nervously before turning back to Kate.

"We need to discuss how we are going to handle your return to school," Kate said, "Bella, your injuries are less severe, so you could start back right away if you wanted to."

"What about Edward?" I asked.

"Edward, you can start back right away too, but it may be easier to wait until your leg has healed a little more."

"No," Edward said automatically, "I want to go back when Bella does. It will make things easier for both of us."

"Okay, I can agree with that," Kate said, "Going back to the place where such a traumatic incident occurred is not going to be easy, so having each other to lean on will be helpful."

"Do even think we are ready to go back?" I asked.

"Only you can answer that," Kate replied, "Just like physical therapy, the most important thing to remember is to not push yourself. Pushing yourself emotionally can be just as dangerous as pushing yourself physically.

"If you go and it feels like too much and you need to leave, that is okay. Everyone at that school knows what the two of you went through, and they will be more than understanding with anything you need. Don't try to power through just because you think you need to or because you want to prove something."

"Okay," I replied and Edward nodded.

"I will clear my schedule on the day you go back just in case something happens and you need me," Kate said.

"Thank you," Edward said.

"You are welcome," she replied with a kind smile. "Alright, our time is up for today. Regardless of what happens on Monday at school I still want to see you again that afternoon. We can discuss how things went and we can start working on some desensitizing exercises."

"Ok," Edward said and Kate got up to help him back into his chair. Once he was ready we headed out to the lobby to meet our parents. Once there, Kate wished us a pleasant night before heading back into her office.

"So, how did it go?" my dad asked as we all piled into the elevator.

"Good. Kate told us they were reopening the school on Monday, so Edward and I decided we wanted to go back then."

"Are you sure?" Esme asked worriedly.

"Yes, we want to try. If it doesn't work, we will leave," Edward said, "We won't push it."

"Kate said she would clear her schedule on Monday in case we needed her," I added, "Oh, and she wants to see us Monday afternoon no matter what happens."

"Alright, if you guys are sure you want to do this, I'll support you," my dad said, "Just know that if you aren't ready, that's okay, too."

"We know. But we want to," I said

"I'm going to take the day off in case you need me," Charlie said.

"Thank you," I said with relief. It was really nice to know that my dad would be around if I needed him.

"I'll make sure Carlisle has the day off too," Esme said, "That way we can both be around in case you need us."

"Thanks Mom," Edward replied. We made our way outside, and when we were forced to part I leaned down and kissed Edward's check and said goodbye.

The week went by in a blur. I talked to my mom, she wished me luck on my first day back, but I could tell she was nervous for me. Edward and I had another date at his house; we ate meatloaf and watched more episodes of Castle.

All too soon it was Monday, and Charlie was driving me to school. We pulled into the parking lot and parked next to Edward's family. Carlisle was just getting Edward situated in his chair when I got out of the car.

"Hi Bella," Alice said from her spot by her parents.

"Hi Alice," I replied quietly before looking at Edward.

"Hey," he said, "Are you ready?" I nodded before grabbing his hand. Together, with our hands joined, we slowly made out way into the school for the first time since we were shot and I lost my best friend.

AN: Thanks to my beta Jenn! Thanks also to: Chilly Howdy, Angelus Draco, boo1414, sandy4321, BernieR, sujari6, Leibeezer, Iluvecookies, debslmac, RihIsLife, jansails, lynard69, ellaryne for taking the time to leave a review, it means a lot!

I am so sorry this chapter took forever to get. There are no excuses this time. Time just sort of got away from me. My beta is almost done with the next chapter so you should have it soon!