A/N: Here you go, the next chapter. This chapter explains more of their rescue and other information that some reviewers were confused about. There will be more information in the coming chapters but if there are still confusing things, just ask. I know in my head how this whole thing goes but could maybe miss a detail or two when I write. FYI: An NG tube is short for nasogastric tube. It is inserted through the nose and down throat to the stomach. NG is just a short term. Please review! I hope you enjoy
BPOV
After the moment I opened my eyes I was worried about Edward. I needed to know if he was still alive. I was insistent that they tell me how was doing, they kept telling me that he was fine and that that I needed to worry about myself at the moment. They had given me medicine to reverse the medication I had taken, they had asked me repetitively if I still wanted to die. I had told them no, it was due to the situation I was in. I felt that I hadn't any other choice. Everyone was touching me and running around in a frenzy trying to treat me, at one point I screamed stop at the top of my lungs. They had all stopped what they were doing and looked at me, I had demanded they told me how Edward was doing. They had then told me that he was alive but in surgery and they would let me know more when they had more information. After that I allowed them to treat me, which was a whirlwind once more. They had told me about the baby, which came as a shock. They told me approximately how far a long I was and it could only be Edwards. I was thrilled and scared at the same time; I had no idea how Edward was going to react.
I had met Edwards mother and sister in-law. Esme was the sweetest woman I have ever known, she was warm and comforting. Rosalie was my case worker. Even though I wasn't a minor, I was taken as a minor and she was there for guidance. Esme and Rosalie had stayed with me when the police came in to talk to me. They had told me that after Edwards's disappearance, his family had done everything to find him and with that, luckily, Esme's word not mine, they found me. The police were still unsure how or why Edward got involved. It may have been simply wrong place, wrong time. They had told me that there was a link between my father and James's brother, John Harsen. My father had helped put John in prison for many years and was murdered during his sentence. They think that James held my father responsible and used me as revenge towards my father. James had been involved in drug trafficking and human trafficking. His brother had assisted him with trafficking drugs but was also a user. He had been pulled over by my father for speeding. My father suspected that he was under the influence and had taken him in and had his car searched. John had been under the influence of cocaine and marijuana. They had also found drug paraphernalia and over $50,000 worth of cocaine in his car. He was sentenced to prison for driving while under the influence, intent to sell, and many other charges I didn't quite understand. He had a different last name as James and didn't have much of a paper trail so they were unable to connect him to James right away. He never gave any information about who he worked for either. During his sentence he was murdered for unknown reasons and James blamed my father. They were unsure where James was at this point, he had escaped before they ransacked his house. He was still at large and that it why there was an officer that stood at my hospital room at all times, they said there would be one at Edwards too. James had had Edwards house burnt to the ground and whoever had started it left the gasoline can there, with his fingerprints. That guy is who led them to James. It was only a few days after that they knew where we were being held and then rescued us. The worst thing that they police had told me that my parents were murdered 6 months after my disappearance. Esme stayed with me the whole time I cried, I had a slight panic attack but she brought me back to reality. "Breathe with me Bella. I am here for you," she had said. I think I had always known that they were dead but never knew for sure. James had never indicated that they were dead; he used them to threaten me. Telling me that if I did not obey him or if I tried to run away he would kill them. I believe that my parents, from heaven, had sent Edward to save me. He was more than my hero, he was my angel. After the police had told me about my parents Rosalie had asked them to leave and to come back at another time when I was feeling better.
Later that evening, friends of my parents had stopped by. I had known them since I was born. Even though my parents had no longer been married they were all still very close. Rosalie had told me that they were listed as guardians in my parents will. Even though I was a legal adult, she had told me that it might be nice to see familiar trusting faces. As soon as Kathy came in, I lost it. All the emotions I had been trying to keep under control came flooding out. She sat on the bed holding me until I had no more tears left. She told me that my parents were devastated after my disappearance and my parents never gave up. Even after their deaths, her and her husband still continued. After I was unable to keep my eyes open any longer she said that she would let me rest but they were going to be back the next day and that I could count on them for anything I needed. She told me she loved me, it was such a comforting thing to hear.
I had fallen asleep as soon as they left and it was daylight again when I woke up. I was all alone in my room, I didn't like it. I was uncomfortable being alone but I did take a moment to soak up the sunshine on my face that was shining through my window. I couldn't wait to be able to go outside. Then a man walked through the door and stopped just inside.
"Hi Bella, my name is Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Is it okay if I come in?" he asked.
"Of course, Dr. Cullen? Are you Edwards father?"
"Yes I am."
I smiled at him, "It is very nice to meet you. I have heard so many great things about you. Edward looks up to you in every way. How is he? I am so worried about him but no one will let me see him."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too Bella. That is actually what I came to see you about. Edward isn't doing well emotionally; physically I believe he will be fine with time. I had given him some pain medication and right now he is getting some much needed rest. But if you are feeling up to it I was wondering if you would like to go see him, maybe sit with him for a bit. I don't know when he will wake up but you being there will probably be beneficial to both of you," he explained.
"Of course, of course!" I started to get out of my bed and as soon as my toes touched the floor I started to see stars and me knees grew weak. I closed my eyes, embracing myself for the impact of the floor. It never came, I felt two strong arms catch me and Dr. Cullen lifted me and placed me back in bed.
"Easy Bella, we are going to take our time. Lay back and catch your breath while I go and get a wheelchair. Then we can try again but with my assistance. But before I go I wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for Edward."
"I didn't do anything, if anything I am to blame that he is in the situation," I turned my eyes toward the window, away from Dr. Cullen's caring eyes.
"Bella, please look at me."
I turned towards him but couldn't find the courage to look him in the eye. He gently cupped my chin and brought my face to his.
"Bella, none of this is your fault. You didn't ask for any of this. No one, not even Edward, blames you for any of this. This horrible ordeal that you have both been through is James's fault. You had no control of what happened. Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you Dr. Cullen."
"Please call me Carlisle, now how bout I get that wheelchair and we go see Edward."
"Thank you," I smiled at him.
Carlisle left and I couldn't help to become anxious. I have been worried about him but I wasn't allowed to see him until now. I hope Carlisle was right and Edward didn't blame me for what has happened to him. I would understand if he did but I had to see him to make sure he was okay. If he never wanted to see me again after that I would go away, even if it did break my heart. I owed him everything.
Carlisle walked through the door pushing a wheelchair, "Are you feeling up to going Bella?"
"Yes, I have to see Edward."
"Okay, I am going to disconnect you from the monitor and hang your IV bags on the pole first."
I nodded. From what I could tell, Carlisle was a very gentle and caring man; I could see where Edward got his compassion from.
"Bella, we are going to take this nice and easy. If you pass out again we will have to wait a few hours before we try again, so nice and slow, okay?"
I nodded again and allowed him to help me sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I am good."
"Okay, let's try standing, nice and slow." He emphasized the word slow. I listened to him because I didn't want to wait any longer to see Edward. After I was standing on my own two feet without passing out he assisted me to the wheelchair.
"Still doing okay? Do you feel weak or dizzy? And be honest with me, you are no good to Edward or the baby if you push yourself too hard."
He had known that I would play down how I felt, there was no use trying to lie. "I am feeling tired, a little weak but I am not dizzy."
"Are you in any pain?"
"My back is still tender but it's still tolerable."
"Thank you for being honest with me," he placed a blanket over me, "Now let's get going."
He was pushing the wheelchair down the hallways when I asked, "Does he know about the baby?"
"Yes he does." I could hear the hesitation in his voice.
"How did he react? Is he upset? It's your turn to be honest with me, please?"
"He was shocked, he was angry at himself for not realizing it and giving you all those medications."
"He couldn't have known, it's my own body and I didn't even realize. He was only helping with giving me those medications," tears started to sting at my eyes, "He's not happy then." It was a statement not a question.
"Bella, I don't think he is unhappy. He doesn't know how to feel at the moment, he is having a hard time. He has a lot of things to process at once and he isn't coping well," after a short pause, "Here we are."
As I entered Edwards' room, I noticed another man sitting in a chair out of the corner of my eye but my focus was on Edward. He was so pale, there were dark bruises covering his face and a bandage wrapped around his head. There was a tube sticking out of his nose and then I realized there were restraints on his wrists. I would recognize them anywhere, they had been used on me many times in the past for other reasons.
"Why is he tied down?" I asked softly.
"So he doesn't hurt himself," the man in the chair answered as he stood up.
"He tried to hurt himself?" my voice quivered.
"Bella, this is Jasper. Jasper this is Bella," Carlisle introduced us.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I wish it could be under better circumstances."
"Jasper. Edwards' brother in-law, you married his little sister."
"That would be me," he answered through a small smile.
I looked back at Edward, "He tried to hurt himself?" I asked again, tears threatening to spill.
"Bella, Edward is having a very difficult time, which is completely normal," answered Jasper.
"Can you push me closer to him please?" I asked Carlisle, he pushed me as close to his bed my wheelchair would allow. "Is it okay if I touch his hand?" He looked so fragile.
"Of course, you are not going to hurt him."
I gently slipped my hand in Edwards, "I am so sorry Edward," my tears betraying me and rushing down my cheeks, "I am so sorry this is happening to you. Edward you saved my life and this is how you are paid. I am so sorry, I love you so much," I was sobbing at this point. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Bella, remember, we talked about this. None of this is your fault. We don't always understand why things happen but they do anyways. And it's neither yours or Edwards fault. We can just help each other heal and move on from this."
I laid my head down on Edwards' bed and continued to hold his hand. I don't know how long I laid there unit I heard my name but it wasn't Carlisle or Jasper who had said it.
EPOV
I could feel someone holding my hand with small slender fingers and soft delicate skin. I could only be Bella, I was afraid to open my eyes, afraid it might just be a dream. But I could smell her, her sweet lovely smell so I slowly opened my eyes and saw that her head was lying on my bed, her long dark hair sprawled over my arm.
"Bella?"
"Edward? Oh my gosh, how are you feeling?"
"How are you doing Bella? I was so worried about you, I am so sorry," I could feel the tears starting to pool in my eyes.
"Edward I am good, you have nothing to be sorry about. I am alive because you saved my life, I love you Edward."
"Oh Bella, my love, I love you too!"
Bella's grasp on my hand tightened and I watched as she stood up too quickly, the color draining from her face, he knees betraying her. I tried to move towards her but I was unable because of the restraints. "Bella?" I said urgently.
My father was quickly by her side, lowering her safely back into the wheelchair, "Bella, dear, are you okay?"
She didn't answer, she just sat there with her eyes closed. My father placed his fingers on Bella's tiny wrist, I noticed the sheen of sweat across her forehead. I felt utterly helpless, tied to this damn hospital bed. By this time Jasper was also by Bella's side, a worried look on his face.
"Bella, come back to me," Carlisle asked in his sweet tone.
"Bella, my love, please. Open your eyes," I begged from my hospital bed.
Slowly her eyes opened, revealing those beautiful brown eyes.
"There we go, take it easy. How are you feeling?" my father asked.
"I'm sorry ," she responded quickly, panic in her voice.
"Hey it's okay. We were just concerned. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay," she said as the color started to return to her face.
I sat there horrified and helpless. Here I have been drowning in my own self pity while Bella has been dealing with this on her own, being strong and brave, unlike me.
I pulled on my restraints, "Jasper, please take these off?"
"I can do that but someone will still have to stay with you at all times."
"I understand."
" will be here shortly to see you."
I ignored his comment as he was undoing the restraints, focusing my attention to Bella.
"Bella, how are you doing?" I asked, concerned.
"Edward, I am fine. I just stood up a little too fast is all."
"Bella, remember what I told you about pushing yourself too far," my father gently scolded her.
"I know, I just wanted to give Edward a hug, my emotions got the best of me," Bella looked at me as a rose colored blush bloomed across her cheeks.
"I would still like a hug. Dad will you help her?"
"Of course, if you're feeling up to it Bella."
She nodded anxiously, I watched as he helped her stand. Bella leaned towards me and I leaned towards her. As painful was it was, I needed to feel her in my arms. As soon as her arms wrapped around me, all my fears, shame and pain came crashing down and I melted into her.
"Oh Bella."
"Edward, we are going to be okay. We are going to get through this together," she said comforting me.
She was my rock. We held onto each other like our lives depended on it, then I could feel Bella's body start to tremble. I knew it was taking more strength than she had to stand.
"Bella as much as I never want to let you go, I don't want you passing out again."
"I never want to let go, Edward."
"Bella, I am not going anywhere. I will be here for you and our child, always." I promised her.
Bella loosened her grip and brought her eyes to mine, "You're not angry then, about the baby?"
"Bella, I was never angry about the baby. I am happy, I am just frightened because of what you have been through." I could feel Bella start to shake harder, standing was tiring her out quickly, "Now please sit down before you pass out, please Bella?"
She quickly kissed on the lips and let go of me, my father helping her back into the wheelchair. "We should get you back into your room, you need to rest."
"No! I am not leaving Edward, I feel fine," she protested, exhaustion written all over her face.
As much as I didn't want her to leave, I knew she needed rest, "Bella, I think that would be best. I really don't want you to go but you need rest, the baby needs you to rest."
"I am a little tired, but I will be back Edward, I promise."
"I am looking forward to it, I am not going anywhere Bella, I love you," smiling at her.
"I love you too Edward."
"Edward, I am going to get Bella settled and I will be back to check on you," my father said.
I nodded at him and watched as him and Bella left. It pained me to see her leave but I knew it was for the best.
As soon as they were gone, Jasper spoke, "How are you feeling Edward?"
"Sore." I paused for a moment knowing he wanted more, then my damn of emotions broke, "Jasper, how could I have been so stupid? Here I am drowning in my own self pity when the strongest person I know, who has gone through more than me, is worried about me. I was acting like a child."
"Just because she has gone through worse things doesn't dismiss what you went through Edward."
"But this whole situation has been harder on her. She has been abused and humiliated for years, I have only been…."I stopped, I couldn't bear to say it out loud. Tears flowing down my cheeks, I covered my face with my hands.
"You only what Edward?" Jasper encouraged.
"I can't!"
He walked up the bed and sat next to me, "Yes you can."
"NO! If I say it, it becomes real!"
"Edward, it's already real. It already has happened. You can't hide from it, try again Edward. What only happened?"
I hesitated for a moment, "I was raped! They said I wanted it! They said because I didn't take it from Bella, that I must want it from a man. I told them no but they had a gun to my head! They said if I fought, they would do worse to Bella and they enjoyed the way she screamed. I couldn't fight, I had to stay alive for Bella. I had to protect her. He pulled down my pants while the others held me over the table and then…" I paused but there was no stopping me now, it was all going to come out, "He raped me, I don't know how many times….there are moments where it gets very blurry. I just remember pain, I have never felt so much pain. Even when they stabbed me, this was far worse. I remember begging for them to stop, that's when they stabbed me. But they continued…it just never stopped…"
"Do you know how many men raped you, Edward?" Jasper asked.
"No, there were three of them there but I don't know how many actually…..ra…" I couldn't finish. I was done saying it for now. "I feel so dirty Jasper, they took so much away from me."
"They didn't take anything that you can't get back. No one blames you or thinks of you as 'dirty.' No one is ashamed of you but you."
"Does Bella know?" I asked hesitantly.
"No, we thought that should be something you discussed with her."
Just then my father walked in the room, "How is she doing?" I asked right away.
He eyed me and Jasper suspiciously, "She is sleeping, she was exhausted."
"Thanking you for bringing her to see me."
"You're welcome, son. Now how are you feeling?" Carlisle asked, walking over to my bed. Jasper stood up and moved to give him room.
"Tired and sore," I answered honestly.
"Is your pain tolerable?"
I nodded, "When can the NG tube and catheter come out? I don't feel there is a need for them and never saw the need for the NG tube in the first place."
"We placed the NG tube because when you took the insulin we had no way of knowing if you took you any pills, so we gave you charcoal through it," he explained.
"Well I didn't and so now it can come out. And the catheter too, I want it out now."
My father didn't respond to my demand, "Jasper, how do you feel about him being unrestrained and able to move around on his own?"
"Dad, why don't you ask me if I am suicidal any longer?"
He raised an eyebrow at me, as if to continue. "I am not, as I was discussing with Jasper. I have seen the reason to live. I need to be there for Bella and our child. I know we both have a long bumpy road ahead of us but I want to live."
"Yes Carlisle, I believe Edward is no longer suicidal or a danger to himself, so the restraints won't be necessary. But I would still like someone to stay with him at all times for the next 24 hours. When Dr. Jones arrives, he is free to change any orders," Jasper explained.
"Jasper, I am fine! I don't need a babysitter!" I exclaimed.
"Edward, you know how these things go. You had told us on more than one occasion that you wanted to die. Up until just a few minutes ago, did that change. Dr. Jones will come an evaluate you and decide what is best in his opinion," Jasper explained, "But for now, I will stay with you until he arrives."
I sat back, defeated, there was nothing I could do about it. My hands were tied, at least not literally anymore.
"Okay then. Edward, I will go get Chris to take out the catheter and NG tube. And then if you're feeling up to it, maybe we can try to get you into a chair for a bit and see how you do," my father said and then left to go get Chris.
"I just want to go home," I said frustrated.
"You will, if you cooperate," Jasper smirked, "But you know what they say, doctors make the worst patients. Especially doctors name Edward Cullen."
"Funny, Jasper," I smiled back.
Chris walked through the door just then, "Hi Edward, I'm here to remove your catheter and NG tube."
I looked at Jasper hesitantly, hoping he didn't feel the need to stay.
"I will be right outside, get me when you're done Chris," and with that he walked out the door.
It was very uncomfortable to have the tubes removed but it was a relief to no longer have them inside my body. I would think twice before I ordered these for any patients in the future, I thought to myself.
"You are all set, I'm going to just get Jasper and we will help you into a chair if you're feeling up to it."
I nodded, the soonder I could move around on my own the sooner I could go home. I still had no idea what my and Bella's future held but I didn't want it to involve the hospital any longer than necessary.
