N/A: I've had lots of questions about what's going to happen next. Just be patient, and you'll find out! Anyway thanks for all the reviews, they're all really helpful.
Chapter 5: Dr Carlisle Cullen
"Dad, what happened?" I looked at the face of my father urgently.
Charlie was pacing back and forth, making smaller and smaller circles on the cream carpet.
"A couple of years ago, a kid from over at La Push got injured in the forests around that area. He was running round at night or something- one of Jacob's friends, in fact." I made a mental note that this guy was probably a werewolf.
"Anyway, he was admitted to the hospital over here, where Dr. Cullen works." He sneered at the title. "So, the poor kid came in, bleeding everywhere, and the good Dr comes straight over to see what he can do. Soon as he saw the kid, said he was sorry, but there was nothing he could do, and then started mumbling some nonsense about a treaty and a war. The kid, Jared I think his name was, had a poor time of it with the other doctors- they couldn't work out what had happened. Died of injuries later on. I had to take a report." Charlie sighed and looked out the window at the ever increasing rainfall.
Things were starting to make a little more sense now. From what I could understand form Charlie's babbling, Carlisle couldn't heal Jared because he was a werewolf and it broke the treaty in some way (though, to be perfectly honest, I didn't see how).
"Dad…"I hesitated, and looked at Edward for re-assurance. He was staring stiffly into the distance, the muscles in his jaw taught with worry…or confusion. "Dad, Dr. Carlisle is a professional. Whatever reason he had for not treating Jared was certainly very important. He's a good man. He wouldn't just quit on a patient without good reason."
Charlie whipped around to face me.
"That may be true Bella, but a young man- practically a boy- died Bella, because of that man's decision. How do you think that makes me feel? Carlisle Cullen is a man I've looked up to for all the time the Cullen's " (at this he threw a glance towards Edward, who seemed not to notice) "have lived here, and now…I'm just confused right now." He sat on the sofa, his head in his hands.
"Dad…"I started uncertainly, and threw a look towards Edward. He just gazed right through me, his face thoughtful.
Suddenly Charlie jumped up.
"It just makes me so god damn angry Bella! He is a good man. He always has been a good man….I just don't understand it. And with me being on the force and all….I couldn't just let it go….that was one of the reasons I quit….I couldn't handle it Bells. There was pressure from the La Push council, and I had to do something….but there was nothing I could do, unless I charged him with a law suit…" (He looked thoughtful at this) "But there's too much paper work for that." He laughed once, humourlessly at that, and then flopped back onto the sofa.
"Well dad, it seems to me, you did the best you could. It was probably a misunderstanding. You know how these things are…" I trailed off. Even my attempt at cheeriness didn't fool me. I just couldn't stop thinking about Jared. I had spoken to him, I had known him. I sighed. This would only make life more difficult.
"Charlie, I will discuss this with Carlisle. In depth. You have my word. I trust my father, but even I am…confused by this turn of events." Edward stood abruptly, and I saw my father eye him suspiciously.
"That's…awfully good of you Edward. I was jumping to conclusions before. But…you have to understand. I was pretty close with the guys over at La Push. It's been a rough time." Charlie shook hands with Edward stiffly and even managed an awkward smile. Edward didn't return it. He was evidently lost in thought, his eyes clouded over with confusion, doubt, and even a little…fear?
"Bye dad. We should get together sometime. All of us." I stressed the 'all' hoping he would understand the meaning of the plural.
But he just smiled, and pulled me into a bear-like hug. It was frailer than I remembered, but it still had the iron quality it had always had. Back when I was human.
"Bye Bells. See you soon." He waved to us form the door, his smile wavering ever so slightly. I forced a smile back, and then climbed into the waiting car.
Edward's face was a mask of absolute composure as we drove the short distance to his house. His jaw looked strained, and his eyes were just a little tight. Apart from that, his face looked serene.
I decided to come straight out with it.
"What do you think happened?" We both stared at the curving road ahead, for once taking notice of the dark tarmac racing away underneath us.
"I'm not sure, but I intend to find out." His voice sounded angry, but then he turned his head, and caught sight of my sad face. His expression softened. "What's wrong Bella?"
"It's jut so… unlike Carlisle. Even if he was worried about the treaty, he's never let that stop him before. He always put his work first." It all came out in a hurried jumble of words, and it seemed as though each word was racing to be heard first.
Edward sighed, then turned to me and smiled slightly, smoothing my cheek with his velvety soft touch.
"I know. But I'm sure there's a valid reason. And I do believe we are about to find out what that is." As he spoke, we turned into the driveway, up the winding path to the great white mansion. On the porch of the perfectly white house stood the Cullens, each in a perfectly composed position, each keeping up the perfect charade of humanity. I sighed. This would not be easy.