Tests
BPOV
My alarm went off; telling me it was time to get up. I had not slept all night, so scared to find out if my life was going to be cut short, or if I had a future.
I got out of bed and jumped in the shower, concentrating on everything but the tests which I would have today. Dad and I were going to be making the trip to Port Angeles alone, he wanted to be able to hold my hand and be there for me today. I think he is feeling guilty, but if I do have this disease, I can't blame him. I would never blame him, it isn't his fault, it's nobody's fault, it's just one of those things.
Once I was dressed, I went downstairs to start the coffee machine and to make breakfast. The last few days my lack of appetite was getting less and less, but I promised Paul that I would try to eat something a few times a day.
Paul has been there for me every day, he really is becoming the best friend I didn't know I ever needed. He is not great when I cry, but he will put his arm around me and lightly tap me.
As I sat at the table drinking my coffee and eating some dry toast, I could hear dad slowly making his way downstairs. I looked up and nearly gasped when he walked into the kitchen, he looked so pale and weak. The new tablets that he had been given were taking a while for his body to get used to, the result being that he was struggling to keep food down unless it was soup.
"Bell's, I can't come with you today. I'm so sorry, I've had no sleep all night, I will be here when you come back."
"Dad its fine, go back to bed. Do you want anything to eat?" I asked him, getting up to help him.
"No, its ok I've spoken to Sue Clearwater and she is going to pop round with some homemade soup and some herbal tea."
"Ok, dad I love you, please just rest up and take it easy today."
"Drive safe Bella, and don't stop until you get to the hospital." Dad said before disappearing back up the stairs.
I cleaned up my dishes and left the house, getting into my truck. Rather than heading towards PA I headed towards the La Push. I knew that Paul had responsibilities with the pack today, maybe Billy could join me. I couldn't tell my dad, but I didn't want to do this today alone.
I pulled up outside the Black's house; I walked up to the porch and knocked on the door. There was no answer, I tried to open the door, just in case he was stuck, but the door was locked.
"Bella are you ok?" I jumped and turned around quickly when I heard Sam's voice.
"Do you know where Billy is?" I asked.
"He is at the hospital in Forks today having some physiotherapy on his legs, before seeing the diabetes consultant. He won't be back until late this afternoon. Is there a problem?"
"My dad can't come to Port Angeles today and I'm supposed to have some tests done. I didn't want to do this on my own; I know that Paul has to patrol today, so I thought I could ask Billy to come with me." I explained, trying to keep the tears from falling down my face, I suddenly felt so alone.
"Bella, come here." Sam said softly before pulling me into a hug, I couldn't stop the tears. "I feel so alone." I whispered.
"You are not alone, the only reason Paul is patrolling today is so that he can keep busy while you are at the clinic. Just wait here ok, and I will get him now." I nodded and felt Sam pull away from me.
I sat down on the porch steps, staring into the forest. Paul emerged a few minutes later and jogged over to me.
"Bella, are you ok?" Paul asked, pulling me up so I was stood in front of him.
"Yes, I'm sorry for stopping you from doing your job."
"Don't be silly, come on I need to make a quick stop at mine and grab a shirt and some shoes, then we get going."
I nodded and followed Paul to my truck; I climbed into the passenger seat when Paul opened the door. I sat silently as he walked around the front of the truck and got in the driver's side. The trip was silent, as he drove to his house, once we got there Paul jumped out and ran into his house.
I looked at his house surprised and in shock, his house had to be the biggest on the Reservation.
He was not in there long but came out fully dressed and wearing shoes, as he got back into the truck I couldn't stop staring at his feet. I chuckled when I realised that this was the first time I had ever seen him wear shoes.
"Are you going to tell me the joke?" Paul asked, when I looked up at his face, I could see the small grin.
"You're wearing shoes; I've never seen you wear shoes before." I told him, and then smiled when he started to laugh.
"They do feel weird, my feet feel trapped. But I don't want the clinic chucking me out for not wearing any." Paul chuckled.
The rest of the journey was either silent or filled with the radio blearing out music. I couldn't stop staring at Paul, he was good looking, but I knew I was nowhere near ready to begin a new relationship. I just hoped that Paul really was going to wait for me, I knew that it would take me months if not years to be able to move on and trust my heart with somebody else.
Just over an hour later, Paul parked into a parking bay. We both got out of the truck together. Paul took my hand and squeezed it, dropping it, before leading me into the main doors of the clinic.
We went up to the main desk and the receptionist processed me in before giving me several sheets to fill in with my personal details. It was all simple questions and within minutes the forms were all filled in and Paul had handed them back to the receptionist.
I watched as the receptionist handed the forms over to a nurse, I t was then that I started to feel nervous and couldn't stop my knees from bouncy and twiddling my thumbs.
"Stop, everything will be ok." Paul whispered placing his hands in mine and resting them on my knees, stopping the bouncy.
"Bella Swan please." My name was called out and I jumped up from my chair, and held my hand out to Paul. He smiled briefly before taking my hand as we walked towards the nurse.
We followed the nurse into a room and sat down on the available chairs; I still had Paul's hand in mine.
"Right Miss Swan I believe you are here to be tested for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, the doctor would like to do some blood work before you will be connected up to an EMG machine to check your electrical activity in your muscles. It is an easy test where wires will be connected to your skull; also he has requested that you have an MRI so that we can get a detailed image of your brain and spine." The nurse explained, before turning her back to me while she set up the needles for the blood work.
"Bella, are you feeling ok?" Paul asked sounding panicked. "You have gone really pale, almost green."
"I don't like the smell of blood, it makes me feel sick and pass out."
"Bella, your sense of smell is not that strong, you can't be able to smell the blood."
"Yes I can, it smells of salt and rust." I argued back, and had to smile at Paul's shocked face.
"Not possible, that is how it smells to the pack. I wonder if the other imprints can smell blood like you can." Paul whispered, just before the nurse came over.
"Are you ok my dear, you have gone awfully pale." The nurse asked sounding concerned.
"She doesn't like the sight of blood." Paul answered for me.
"Maybe, it would be best if you get up on the bed. I don't want you passing out and hurting yourself, it could delay the other tests if you knock your head."
Paul helped me to stand and led me to the bed before helping me to climb on. I held my arm out and closed my eyes, the same time that Paul took my other hand and squeezed it. I flinched when I felt the needle enter my arm, within seconds the scent of my blood hit me and I started to feel dizzy and sick.
"I don't feel good; I think I'm going to..." I was suddenly enveloped in darkness.
"You need to wake her up, it's been ten minutes." I could suddenly hear Paul's panicked voice.
I opened my eyes and gasped when I could see Paul crouched in front of me, shaking slightly.
"Paul, calm down I am fine." I shouted out getting his attention.
"Bella, are you really ok?" Paul asked, as his eyes sweeped up and down by body.
"I'm fine, I told you about passing out, calm down or you need to go outside and get some fresh air."
"There you are Miss Swan, I almost had to go get the doctor, you are my first ever patient to pass out for so long. You will be pleased to know that I have taken all the blood samples required. So get comfy and have some water, the doctor will be in shortly to set up the EMG." The nurse, explained before picking up the tubes of blood and leaving the room.
"Christ Bella, you scared me to death. I don't ever want to see you like that again, I watched as your eyes rolled back into your head, and the stupid nurse wouldn't do anything."
"Paul, I'm sorry I scared you. But look I'm fine ok, I don't think I have ever been out for so long but then again the last time I had any blood work done I think I was still in kindergarten."
"Wow, why have you not had any kind of blood work done?" Paul asked, sounding shocked.
"My mom didn't think it was necessary and she was also paranoid that the government would use my blood for experiments with my DNA." I explained.
"Ok, you have to admit, that that is a bit weird." Paul replied, looking confused.
I shrugged my shoulders, after growing up with mainly my mom for almost seventeen years, I was used to her different ideas.
A short time later the doctor came in and attached a wired hat to my head before connecting it up to a machine; I am informed that I need to sit as still as possible for the next thirty minutes, so they can get a really clear reading.
Half way through the procedure, the door opens and my dad walks into the room. I am shocked how well he is looking.
"Dad what are you doing here?"
"Shh, don't talk; it can mess around with the results. I couldn't sit at home knowing you were going through this. Harry told me that Paul was with you, but I wanted to be here too."
"How did you get here?" Paul asked.
"Sue gave me some of her special herbal tea, I don't know what was in it but I felt so much better. As a cop I'm hoping it was all legal, because it gave me a buzz to begin with, and now I feel back to normal, so I got a taxi here."
"Sounds like you had something that Old Quil would have made up, Sue is a nurse at the reservation clinic but Old Quil is still the medicine man of the tribe. It's all natural ingredients that he goes into the forest to collect himself." Paul told dad, as he got up from the chair.
"How has she been Paul?" Dad asked, while keeping his eyes on my face.
"She gave us a scare when they done the blood work, she passed out for ten minutes. Scared the crap out of me sir. She has had this on for about twenty minutes now and then it is just the MRI."
"Has the doctor spoken to you at all?"
"No, he came in to put the wires on Bella's head and then left saying that he will be back once the MRI has been done."
Dad nodded before we fell into a comfortable silence, I could feel my eyes getting heaving and must of dozed off, because the next thing I was aware of was the wires being removed from my head.
"Welcome back, Miss Swan, we got some really good results. Have a drink of water and go to the bathroom if you need to, a porter will be with you soon to take you to your MRI."
I swung my legs off the bed and stood up; I needed to wake myself up so gulped down a cup of ice cold water.
"Dad, you look much better, you will need to speak to Old Quil, he might have something to help you with the aches and pains or maybe a sleep remedy." I suggested, as I started to pace the room.
"I asked Sue before she left, and she promised she would get me some more. Never thought to look into old medicine, I remember that my mom used to get something off of the reservation so maybe there is something I could drink regularly."
We made small talk for the next few minutes until the porter came in with the wheel chair, I climbed off the bed and sat in the chair waving as I was pushed out of the room. I was pushed directly into the room with the MRI scanner.
I climbed up on to the bed and suddenly I felt so nervous, what if they find something straight away?
"Miss Swan, you need to breathe." I heard the nurse say as she grabbed my hand.
I took a deep breath, before closing my eyes and concentrating on my breathing and nothing else. I felt the nurse lightly squeeze my hand before letting it go.
I could hear all the noises going on in the room, but decided to blank them out by counting my breathes. I knew if I opened my eyes, I would get nervous again and probably end up hyperventilating.
I jumped suddenly when my hand was grabbed and squeeze. "Miss Swan, it's all finished now. Could you please slowly climb of the bed and get into the wheel chair I will push you back into your room."
I nodded silently and slowly sat up before getting off the bed and getting back into the wheel chair.
"If you please remain in here, the doctor will be in as soon as he is available." The nurse spoke, as I got out of the wheel chair. I watched as she took it and left the room, I sat on the edge of the bed and waited for the doctor to arrive.
"Bella, are you ok? You look a bit pale."
"Yes Paul I'm fine, just a bit nervous now." I whispered.
Paul sat on the bed next to me, and put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me so my head was resting on his shoulder. "You will be fine" he whispered.
"What is going to be happening now Bell's?" Dad asked, as he watched us.
"I have to wait for the doctor, I'm guessing with the results."
"The system has got a lot quicker; I think I had to wait almost a month for my results."
"Gosh, I'm glad I won't have to wait that long, I need to know."
Our conversation stopped when the doctor walked in, I automatically grabbed Paul's hand and held it as tight as I could. I looked at the doctors face trying to guess if he was going to say yes I had it or no I was in the clear.
"Well Miss Swan, all the tests are now complete. As far as the EMG and MRI looks we got everything we needed."
"So what is the news?" I asked, digging my nails into Paul's hand
I watched as the doctor took the chair opposite the bed and sat down. I do apologise Miss Swan, but we won't have your results for another seven days. It is protocol to allow several consultants within the clinic to double check your results. We wouldn't want to give you the wrong result."
"So Doc, what happens now, will the results be posted or given to the Forks hospital." Dad asked, turning to look at the doctor.
"No, we would like you to come back. I will get my sectary to call once the results are in, and have been verified by my colleagues."
I nodded in acceptance, and then watched as he got up and walked out the room.
Dad stood up, and walked over to us "I'm sorry Bella, you didn't get the results today, but how about I treat us to lunch." He ran his finger slowly down my cheek, before bending down and kissing my forehead lightly.
I walked out of the room and clinic, still holding Paul's hand. Somewhere deep inside, I knew that he was my anchor and I needed this contact. I didn't want to think what would happen, if he couldn't have come today.
We went to a restaurant a short drive from the clinic, we all sat in silence once we had ordered our food. I wasn't hungry, but I knew that I needed to eat. I had seen dad looking at me at dinner most evenings when I would spend more time playing with my food than eating it.
"Bell's are you ok? You have been quiet since coming out of the clinic." Dad asked, looking concerned.
"Yes, I just thought I would know today, it's going to be a long week."
"Well I'm here for you and so is Paul, would you rather take the week off school?"
"No dad, school will take my mind off of the wait."
"Well if it gets too much, please tell me and I will get you a pass for the week."
I nodded as the waitress turned up with our food, I managed to force down almost half my salad before pushing the plate towards Paul. Knowing that he would still be hungry after eating his steak. Paul smiled before pushing his empty plate in front of me and finishing off my food.
We laughed when dad done the same a few minutes after Paul finished eating the salad. "Now I know Paul why you are the size you are. You certainly have a healthy appetite, but next time we are out, please order more food."
"Sure Charlie." Paul replied before digging into the left over's."
As we made our way back to Forks, I listened as Paul and dad were talking about the latest game on the TV. My sleepless night was suddenly catching up with me, and as I leaned against Paul's warm arm I couldn't keep my eyes open.
The almost silent whispering kept me from falling into proper sleep, so I listened to the conversation.
"Thank you Paul for being there for Bella today, I felt so guilty not being able to have the strength to support her."
"You don't need to thank me Charlie; I want to be there for Bella."
"She needs somebody like you there for her, I have a feeling you will be there for her not just physically but also emotionally."
"I will always be there for her, unless she sends me away."
"Well, I can't see that happening."
"Good."
"Just don't hurt her Paul; she has been through enough recently. I don't ever want to see her so broken again. I don't know what that Cullen idiot said or done to her, but he hurt her."
I felt Paul's low growls vibrate into my head before I fell into a deeper sleep. It was somewhat comforting knowing that I was sat in-between two of the most important men in my life. My dad and my almost best friend.
