All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
"I'm happy to see you are willing to attempt these new treatments Miss Swan."
I nodded my head numbly at the doctor as he began explaining what the new treatments would entail for me.
"They are more aggressive than anything you have ever had before, but many have seen success where other treatments have failed. I have great hopes for you."
I nodded again and swallowed hard. Aggressive was not a word I had come to appreciate. "Side affects?" I asked in a soft voice.
He sighed. "I'm afraid they will be much the same as what you experienced before, maybe worse."
I winced slightly at his words and again nodded my head to show that I was listening.
"Given your condition I suggest we start as soon as possible." Dr. Spencer advised.
"When exactly will I start? How long before we know if they are working?"
"I would like to start treatments with you by Friday. You will come in three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We should know if your body is responding to the treatments within the first few weeks."
"Will I be able to go to stay in school?"
He frowned. "I'm sorry, I don't think that will be an option for you. These treatments are too aggressive." He paused briefly. "I really don't think you will feel up to it. Most likely you will feel too ill."
Friday. I had exactly two days left before the torture would begin. I actually considered baking out of my agreement with Edward as the doctor described how sick I was going to be, but if this meant that I would get what I wanted in the end, so be it. I could submit to a few weeks of sickness if it meant an eternity of happiness with Edward.
"Bella?"
I shook my head clearing my mind of my former thoughts. "Sorry?"
"I asked if you had any questions for me?"
"Um…no. Not right now."
He smiled extending his hand out to me. "I'll see you Friday then bright and early."
I nodded my head and shook his hand. Edward was waiting for me as soon as I exited the door and took me into his strong stone arms.
"I will never leave your side." He promised. I knew he had heard the entire conversation from his position outside the door. There was no need to explain anything to him.
"What about school?" I asked as we walked down the hall to the exit.
"I'm withdrawing. Esme is going to home school me." He explained with a wink.
I frowned. "Edward you can't just do that. What will people think? You have to keep up appearances. You can't…" Edward suddenly cut me off as his lips met mine in a short but very intense kiss. When he pulled away my eyes widened and I was left gasping for air.
"I promised to never leave your side. I plan on keeping that promise no matter the consequence."
"Edward." I said disapprovingly once I had caught my breath again.
"No. I've already discussed this with my family. We are all in agreement, this is for the best."
He opened the passenger side door of his car open for me and I slid inside frowning. He gracefully made his way to the drivers side door and climbed in he turned to me right after he put the key in the ignition.
"It'll be ok Bella. I promise."
I nodded me head and turned to look out my window. I felt Edward grab my hand in his and hold it securely in his as he drove me home. We traveled in silence as I decided what I would tell my father upon seeing him. As far as Charlie was concerned everything was fine. He had no idea how I was really doing.
I said a quick goodbye to Edward until later that night when he would return to my room when Charlie was sleeping. My father was home and I wanted to get this over with.
I found my father in the living room sprawled out across the couch relaxing as he watched the latest sports program on TV. I went in and sat down in a near by chair waiting for a commercial. He was home earlier than usual.
"Dad?" I asked as soon as an advertisement for mouthwash came on. "Can we talk for a minute?"
He sat up straighter and looked at me intently. "Sure Bells. Is everything all right?"
"Yeah." I said instantly falling into my usual routine of downplaying my condition to him. "I mean sort of."
"What is it Bella?" His eyebrows furrowed as he reached for the remote and muted the TV. I knew I had his undivided attention now.
"Well my doctor wants to try some new treatments on me. They are kind of aggressive and well I won't be able to go to school anymore—at least not for a little while."
"What treatments?" He cocked his head to the side as he awaited my response.
"Just some treatments I haven't tried before. They're new and he thinks they might work where the others didn't. I'll have to go in three times a week." I shrugged.
"Will you need a ride, or I mean." He reached up to scratch his head. "What can I do? What do you need from me?" He was completely put of his comfort zone, but more than willing to help me. It was kind of sweet and made me smile.
"Actually, Edward and his father have offered to help me. So you don't have to worry about a thing." I knew my father trusted Carlisle and I figured things would go smoother if I threw him into the mix. My father knew Edward and I were close, but he did not know how close. It was not something we had discussed. He was always polite to him when he saw him with me in the hospital, but that was it.
"Edward huh? Dr. Cullen's son? The one from the hospital? Is he like your boyfriend then?
I blushed at Charlie's words. "I guess you could say that."
"What about school for him?"
"He's being home schooled by his mother." I explained quickly.
He nodded his head as he considered all I had told him. "Well I guess that's ok then. As long as his parents are fine with it." He paused. "When do you start?"
"This Friday."
He looked at me for a long time. "Are you sure you're ok Bells?" Something about his tone made me want to cry. He sounded so concerned and his words were filled with so much love.
"Yeah dad." I managed to choke out. "This is normal procedure kind of stuff. No big deal."
He nodded. "You look kind of tired. Why don't you go to bed and get some rest. I'll take care of you're arrangements for school in the morning."
Charlie and I were not ones for showing our emotions, but I felt the need to hug my father just then. I walked over and reached down embracing him with all the strength I had in me. I could tell I had taken him by surprise but he quickly hugged me back. As I pulled away, I smiled, kissing him on the forehead.
"Night dad."
"Night Bells. Sleep well ok?"
I smiled as I turned for the stairs to take a shower and get ready for bed. The hot water did little to relax me so I decided to cut my shower short and go to bed. I was too worked up to sleep. I decided to prepare my I-pod for my treatments. It was my only escape during the long wait as the poison entered my system. As I shuffled through my CD's, I couldn't decide if I wanted a mix of classical or rock. As I was weighing the odds I felt a breeze behind me and turned to find Edward smiling at me.
"Welcome back."
He smiled then looked at the small collection of CD's I had spread out around me. "What are you doing?" He asked arching an eyebrow at me.
"I'm preparing music for my I-pod. When I begin treatments on Friday…" I trailed off trying to keep the sadness from my voice. "Well it's hard enough without a distraction. I usually listen to music and try to go off into my own little world." I shrugged. "It just makes the time pass faster and easier."
He reached down snatching my I-pod from my hands.
"Hey." I protested. My I-pod was nowhere to be seen.
He smiled. "Allow me."
I looked at him curiously for a few minutes. "What will you put on it?"
He shook his head. "It's a surprise."
I raised my eyebrows at him in disapproval. "I hate surprises." I grumbled.
He chuckled as he leaned down taking me in his arms and cradling me against his chest. He held me with one arm as he pulled down the covers of my bed and placed me inside.
"Trust me."
He kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed next to me. I instantly cuddled close to him and yawned. "Always."
He chuckled kissing me on the forehead. "Sleep Bella."
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I know this chapter is kind of informational BUT important just the same. It was too long to add to considering what the next scene entails.
