"Carlisle, I'd like you to meet one of our most promising and enchanting attending!" Dr. Garrett exclaimed as he walked towards the new physician.
At the sound of his name, Dr. Cullen turned around and met Bella's gaze. The look on his face transformed from excitement to deep sadness and then to intense curiosity.
Bella did not move far from the entrance to the room as Dr. Garrett announced her name to Carlisle. Not wanting to seem impertinent, Bella slowly walked towards Carlisle and extended her hand.
"I will not faint. I will not faint. I am FINE," she willed to herself.
"Dr. Carlisle, pleased to meet you. I hope you'll enjoy working here. We are very happy to have you a part of our team," Bella managed to say in one breathless statement.
Carlisle could not believe his eyes.
Here was Bella Swan, the young, human girl he knew and loved as a daughter so many years ago. But she had changed, and was now a well-respected physician. She was now Dr. Isabella Swan, and was working in a hospital.
And the most mind-blowing fact of all to him was - Isabella Swan was a vampire.
"Nice to meet you Dr. Swan. I look forward to working with you," Carlisle stated and without leaving Bella's intense gaze, took her hand into a handshake.
"You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Bella dear." Carlisle muttered knowing that she alone could hear him.
Upon hearing his soft words, Bella took a deep breath and released his hand.
"Very well, good day and welcome," she exclaimed hurriedly, turning around to nod at the chief and walked quickly out of the room.
"You're fine! You are! It's alright. Just walk!"
Bella hurried to her car and speedily drove out of the parking lot heading towards home.
Although she felt better leaving the hospital, the thoughts in her head were swirling.
WHY NOW?! Why here?!
Maybe I should leave.
NO! I won't leave. I won't run anymore.
This is my place. This is where I belong! I've made a life here for myself and I am content. I am a successful doctor with a great practice, doing what I love to do.
Bella was still deep in her thoughts when she realized she had it made it home.
She sat in the driver's seat unable to move.
Looking out the windshield into the front porch of her house she realized how much she had accomplished all by herself.
Her home was small but comfortable. It was surrounded on all sides by trees with a sprawling forest behind it. She had picked the house specifically for its isolated location. Her neighbors were half a mile away on each side. Although most of the houses in the area were large estates, her home was a small structure built in a modern style. It was made of beautiful redwood and dark brick and it fit harmoniously with its surroundings. Although it was two stories high, it didn't appear to be a two-story house. The landscaping around the house added to its charm and helped to soften its modern lines. Bella was most proudest of the landscaping around the house as she had done it all herself. A small cherry blossom tree stood in the front yard and crawling vines crept around the porch posts. Around the house Bella had planted lavender, roses, mulberry bushes, and other colorful assorted plants. It was all Bella's and it was home.
I'am not leaving. Period.
With her decision made, she grabbed her bag and headed towards the front door. As she was dropping her purse in the foyer, she caught a glimpse of her eyes in the mirror.
Black. Ugh. I need to hunt.
After changing into a black jumpsuit, Bella headed towards the backdoor and ran.