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CHAPTER 27

Carlisle's POV

4 days after Edward's accident ~

Bella was cuddled into Edward's side when I opened the door to his hospital room. She lifted her head slightly, only to lay it back on his chest, saying nothing. I hated seeing her so broken, it … it just wasn't Bella.

"Any change?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. The hospital would have called had there been any change—considering I was technically his next of kin. Bella may be the love of his life, but in the eyes of the law, she really had no say over what happened to him. I would never make any decisions regarding his health without consulting her first however; as far as I was concerned, she might as well be his wife … and I knew it was only a matter of time before she would be.

"No," she said simply, not once making eye contact with me. I nodded, and took a seat in the chair to the right of the bed, facing her.

"Masen misses you." I didn't come here for chitchat.

"I …" she whispered, but seemed to hesitate for a second. "I know," she finally cried, burying her head into Edward's chest. My heart broke for her, it really did, but she needed to realize, that as much as she loved Edward and didn't want to leave his side she had a little boy at home that desperately needed his mother.

"He doesn't understand any of this, Bella. You won't let any of us tell him what's going on, all he knows is Edward is sick and you're with him. And …." I sighed, taking a deep breath before continuing. "He's scared …."

"I … I know," she cried, wiping a tear away. "I just … I …." She was full on sobbing now.

"Bella …" I said, sitting opposite her, wiping her tears away. "I know what you're going through, Bella …. Well, enough about it …." She looked at me but didn't say anything. "I'm not sure if you remember this, or not … you and Alice were so young, but when you were four—"

Bella gasped sitting up. "Oh, Carlisle, I'm—"

"Honey, it's okay …. All I was going to say is, I understand. I didn't want to leave Esme. I wanted to be right there beside her when she woke up. But, I had three very scared kids to tend to …."

"I …." She took in a deep breath then went on, "I don't want him to think …." I was fairly certain I knew where her thoughts were going.

"You don't want him to think you left him." She didn't respond, so I took that as a sign of admission. "Bella, you know he'd never think that. Edward knows you love him—"

"I don't want him waking up alone, Carlisle," she interrupted, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Honey, that can be solved, easily. But, you really need to go home to your son. Edward wouldn't want this, Bella. You know full well he would tell you to go home if he were able. I'm not telling you you can't come back, I'm just saying you need to spend time with Masen, too … maybe explain—"

"I can't—"

"Bella," I interrupted her. "It's been four days. We don't know when he's going to wake up. It might be good for Edward to have Masen here—"

She glared at me incredulously, then snarled, "I am not—"

"Why?" I quickly interjected. "Is it better to let Masen think he just left? Because, that is what he is going to think, Bella. You know I'm right …." I wasn't trying to hurt her; I just wanted her to start thinking more rationally.

She didn't say anything. She just lay there playing with the hem of the blanket that covered them, tears still falling randomly down her face. I hated seeing her so broken … so lost. The Bella I knew had always been so strong. I mean she raised that precious little boy virtually on her own for nearly four years, and there wasn't a doubt in my mind she would have continued to do so had things not gone the way they did on New Year's Eve. Hell, there wasn't a doubt in my mind she'd be more than capable enough to raise the twins and Masen completely on her own if it was needed—but that would never happen, whether Edward pulled out of this or not—and God do I pray he does—she'd never be alone in this. She will always be a Cullen.

"Like I said, it might do Edward some good having Masen visit … studies have shown—"

She sighed, wiping fresh tears away. "I know what studies have shown, Carlisle. I just … he's only three."

"Almost four … but, regardless, he understands more than we give him credit for. I think it'd help him understand why Edward's not around."

She stared at Edward for a moment then turned her big, sad eyes to me, relenting. "Okay. In … in the morning, please? Can someone come up around eight? I really don't want him to be alone."

I smiled, nodding. "Not a problem. Do you need someone to pick you up?"

"Yeah," she whispered, lying back down next to Edward. "I'm not even sure where Edward's car—"

"Jasper picked it up Tuesday morning," I interrupted. "I'll be back at eight to get you. I'm sure Alice will have no problem coming up to sit with Edward."

"Thank you," she whispered, a sad smile on her face. I could tell she wasn't necessarily happy, but deep down I believed she knew it was for the best.

"You're welcome," I replied. "I told Esme I'd give him a kiss, so …." I leaned down and placed a kiss on Edward's forehead, whispering, "Come back to us, son. Your family needs you."

I chanced a glance at Bella as I stood back up, she smiled the same sad smile, but didn't say anything.

"I'll see you in the morning?" I asked, heading for the door.

"Yeah," she whispered.

I nodded as I opened the door to exit my son's room. "Try to get some sleep." There was no response, but then again, I didn't really expect one.

It was shortly after eleven when I arrived home. The lights were off in the house, so I quietly made my way up the stairs. After checking on Masen, who was still fast asleep, I made my way to the master bedroom. Esme was already in bed, reading, just as I figured she would be.

"Any change?" she asked with hopeful eyes. I shook my head solemnly. She sighed and moved on to the reason for my late night visit. "And Bella?"

"I'm going to pick her up in the morning at eight," I replied, pulling my pants off, placing them into the hamper.

Esme smiled at the sentiment. "So, she's going to come home then?"

"Yeah," I replied, pulling my shirt off. "Though, I'm not sure for how long. We didn't really discuss that, I was more concerned with getting her here. She did request Edward not be alone, which I can understand. I personally don't want him waking up alone either."

"Heavens no," Esme replied.

"I told her I'd call Alice … have her sit with him in the morning when she leaves. I just hope I don't wake her when I call in the morning—"

Esme shook her head. "I'll sit with him if you're going to be here with Bella and Masen …. You don't work tomorrow do you?"

I shook my head. "No, but I wasn't sure we should take him to the hospital."

"I'll call Rose. She'll be up, I am sure of that. And, having Masen there may help her out a bit with McKenzie."

I nodded, shrugging my shoulders as I climbed into bed. "That works too."


BPOV

My leg bounced nervously as I sat in the chair next to Edward's bed waiting for Carlisle and Alice to arrive. I was freaking out over leaving Edward. I knew I had to—that Masen needed me, but the idea of Edward waking up without me being there, scared the shit out of me.

Masen came first and Edward would expect no less. Therefore, I needed to suck it up and do the right thing by my son—how I ever lost sight of that was beyond me.

"How's it goin' lil' momma?" Emmett boomed, walking into the room with Carlisle.

I glared at him, managing a half smile. "Definitely been better, Em."

"I hear ya," he replied somberly, turning to look at Edward.

"You ready to go?" Carlisle asked, grabbing my attention. I turned to look at him, nodding slightly, before turning my attention back to Edward and then back to Emmett.

"I won't leave him alone," Emmett vowed. "I promise."

Tears filled my eyes as I turned to Emmett, whispering, "Thank you."

"Not a problem." Emmett smiled, nodding a single nod.


The ride to Carlisle and Esme's was quiet for the most part. I just watched out the windows as we drove through the city. All these people going on with their lives as Edward's life basically hung in the balance. Yeah, he was alive, but, he wasn't with me. And it just amazed me that all these people could just go on as if nothing had happened.

They don't know him, Bella, I thought to myself as I noticed the city starting to fade away. Before long, I noticed the tree lines that blocked the Cullen home from passerby's eyes.

"Did you tell him?" I asked as we pulled into the driveway.

Carlisle turned to look at me as he shook his head. "No. He was still sleeping when I left."

"Oh." What else was there to say?

"You can do this, Bella," he reassured. I nodded, opening the passenger side door, but I didn't say anything—there really wasn't anything to say. I honestly didn't know if I could do it or not.

The house was relatively quiet when Carlisle and I walked in through the garage. I walked slowly and quietly down the hallway then through to the living room, along the big glass walls that looked out to the huge back patio, pool, and hot tub—taking in the smell that wasn't the hospital.

"They're probably in the kitchen," Carlisle said, gesturing for me to follow him. I just smiled and followed.

Masen sat at the island in the center of the kitchen, and appeared to be coloring … his little tongue peeking out as he worked hard to stay inside the lines.

"Masen …" Esme hinted, her eyes looking from him then to me.

He turned his head to the direction Esme was gesturing, and his expression alone nearly brought me to my knees—God did I miss my little boy.

"MOMMY!" he yelled, jumping off the stool. "You's home!"

"I am, baby," I cried, bending to pick him up, hugging him to me. "God, I missed you!"

"I misseded you too Mommy," he whispered, pulling back to look at me. "Is Daddy wiff you?"

I shook my head, frowning slightly as I felt the tears fall down my cheeks. "No, baby—"

"Why?" Masen interrupted, tears falling from his little eyes. "I misseded him, too."

"I know, baby. Daddy—"

"He said he never leave me for more than a few days," Masen interrupted in full on sobs. "Nana says a few is two …Papa said Daddy been gone for—"

"Oh, Masen, honey," I interrupted, pulling him close to me again. "Buddy, Daddy didn't leave you. At least not …." I sighed, standing up with Masen in my arms. After placing him on the island, I stood directly in front of him and went on. "Masen, remember when I told you Daddy was sick? When I talked to you on the phone?"

He nodded. "Uh huh."

"Okay, well, Daddy is still sick, Mase. And, sometimes, when people get really sick, they have to sleep at the hospital …. You know, where Daddy works?"

"Will I see him again?" he asked, pulling his quivering bottom lip between his teeth.

I chanced a glance at Esme, and Carlisle, they both smiled encouragingly.

"Yeah, buddy," I sighed, relenting to what was probably best for both Masen and Edward. "You can. But, first, I have to tell you a few things, okay?"

"Two," he stated proudly.

I giggled, genuinely giggled.

"Masen, honey," Esme cooed with a giggle of her own. "I told you it was about two, right?"

"Yeah," he sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Masen," I scolded, though it really wasn't meant to be a scold—now wasn't the time to be scolding, if you asked me, but he needed to know it wasn't nice to roll his eyes at people.

"Sorry, nana," Masen replied sheepishly.

"It's okay, honey."

"Okay, so Masen, when you see Daddy …" I started, then glanced to Carlisle before bringing my eyes back to Masen. "He's—Well, when you're sick, Mommy makes you do what?"

"Sleep," he replied, his face showing pure disgust. "I not even tireds."

I laughed. "Yes, Masen, that's right. So, Daddy, he's going to be sleeping when we're there, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy. I'll be quiet so I don't wake Daddy."

We all laughed. I'd gladly let him run wild through the halls of the hospital, screaming bloody murder, if I thought it would wake his father up.

"Actually, Masen," Carlisle started, coming to stand by us. "You have to be respectful to the other's that are trying to feel better at the hospital, but, you can talk to your Daddy. Play …" He glanced to me, explaining, "It might be good for him to hear everyday sounds."

"But Daddy hasda sleep to feel better, Papa."

"You're right," Carlisle replied with a gentle smile. "But, Daddy won't wake up unless he feels better. Trust me—"

"Masen," I interrupted. "Daddy doesn't care if you play while he's napping on the couch at home, does he?"

"Uh uh."

"Okay. So, this is no different, baby. Daddy's just napping, okay?"

He nodded, but I wasn't quite sure he understood it.

"I see him now?" he asked with hopeful eyes.

I took a deep breath, exhaled, and said, "Yes, Masen."

"Yah!" Masen yelled as I put him back on his feet. Masen took off yelling something about McQueen as I turned to Esme and Carlisle.

"Will you go with us?" I asked Carlisle.

"Of course," he replied with a smile.

"I'll get his coat," Esme offered, leaving the kitchen.

Carlisle pulled me into a hug. "It'll be fine, Bella. He'll be fine."

I wasn't really sure which 'he', he was talking about, but I took it as both. "I hope so."

"Bella, dear," Esme cooed, walking back into the kitchen. I pulled out of Carlisle's embrace and turned to look at her, but she didn't give me a chance to respond. "I made a few calls this morning, and I think we may have a plan figured out, if you're willing to listen …."

"Please …" I whispered.

"Well, Carlisle and I were talking this morning, and we thought it might be best for Masen if we tried to keep him on as normal a schedule as possible." I nodded, but didn't say anything. "I spoke with your mom, as well as Alice and Rose—we'll all sit with Masen at night so you can spend it with Edward. But, during the day you should—"

"Be home with Masen," I interrupted. "It's a good idea, Esme. Thank you."

"You know you can still go up there during the day," she replied sympathetically. "And we'll make sure he's never alone. Masen and you can go up and spend a little bit of time with him throughout the day … but, Masen really needs you …."

She was right. That much I knew.

"I'm ready, Momma!" Masen yelled excitedly, as he ran back into the kitchen.

"Well, alright, Papa," I replied, turning to look at Carlisle. "He's ready."

"Well, okay," Carlisle agreed turning to Esme. "Do you want to go with us?"

She smiled widely, nodding enthusiastically. "Oh, please. I'll be just a minute." We both laughed at her haste as she took off for her coat and shoes—she was back in two minutes flat.


Masen was timid as we approached the hospital and when we reached the front doors, he froze.

"Masen, honey?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"I don't wanna," he replied shakily. "I wanna go home."

I looked to Carlisle and Esme for a moment, then knelt down to address Masen. "Honey, do you want to see Daddy?"

"I wanna go home," he repeated, tears flowing down his face.

Carlisle and Esme knelt down beside us. "Why, buddy?" Carlisle asked. "You've been here to see Daddy when he's working …."

Masen looked at him confused, as he wiped away his tears away. "I never see Daddy here."

Carlisle looked to me and then it dawned on me—we'd always gone in through the clinic side, never through the main entrance. I'm not sure why it made a difference, but it did, so I went with it.

"The clinic," I answered Carlisle's unanswered question. "It's the long way—"

"Walking never hurt anybody," Esme interrupted, taking Masen's hand. "Huh, Mas?"

He shook his head, replying confidently, "Nope."

Carlisle and I both just chuckled and followed.


Masen held my hand tightly as we closed in on his father's hospital room. It was almost as if he could sense we were getting closer—that things just weren't right. When we reached room 243, I took in a deep breath, and pushed open the door.

"Hey there, little man," Emmett cooed the moment he saw Masen. Masen didn't respond; he just walked slowly and cautiously by my side as I walked further into the room.

"Masen, aren't you going to say hi to Uncle Emmett?" I asked, nudging him.

He looked over to Emmett, but Emmett spoke before Masen had a chance to reply. "It's alright, little dude. I know you didn't come here to see me."

Masen turned his eyes on me then turned them to Edward.

"It's alright, buddy," I reassured, taking him closer to his father. "He's just sleeping really well, remember, Mase?" He nodded, but he didn't say anything.

"Masen?" Carlisle called from the opposite side of the bed. "Would you like to sit with him?"

Masen's eyes became large as looked at his grandfather—clearly unsure of what to say, or do.

"You can, baby," I reaffirmed, pointing to Edward's right side. "Mommy's been sleeping right there."

He looked to me, then back to his dad. "You sleep right there?" he asked. "Wiff Daddy?"

"Yeah, buddy," I responded truthfully. "I do. You can sit there if you want to."

He stared at Edward a moment longer, then nodded. Emmett was quick to scoop him up and sit him on Edward's right side, as I sat on the edge of the left.

I watched Masen carefully as he sat there rigidly for a moment, just staring at his father— afraid to move, and it made my hatred for that vile woman bubble to the surface again.

"You okay, Bells?" Emmett asked from the chair next to me. I nodded, but didn't explain my outburst.

"So, Em," Esme spoke, effectively and thankfully changing the subject. "I'm not sure if you've spoke with Rose since you've been up here …."

"I have," he replied. "About fifteen minutes before you guys got here. Ali's taking him tonight, Rosie and I get him tomorrow. All's good."

I looked over to Masen again, surprised by what I saw—though at the same time it broke my heart a tiny bit more …. Masen had curled into Edward's chest and was sleeping peacefully.

**Author's Note**

Seemed like a good place to end it. Please let me know what you thought!