Big thank you to the ladies who help make this story! Whatobsession and Jessypt.
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March on, worker bees!
Know your enemy!
We take our orders given by the queen
We're not the killers, we're the worker bees
If you resist us you will feel our sting
Surrender now before the swarm sets in
Protect the hive from enemies!
-Billy Talent
I run as fast as I can, anger and hate propelling me forward. The few people I pass on the street stop and stare at me, shocked by my appearance, I'm sure. I'm running down the main street of the town, looking down the alleys as I go. I hear Emmett shout and skid to a stop, tripping over my feet. I fall to the ground but quickly jump up and run down the direction I heard his voice.
When I get to the end of the block I see Emmett hunched with his hands on his knees, breathing hard.
"I had the fucker! I fucking had him!" he shouts, kicking an abandoned can on the ground.
"Where did he go?" I ask, looking around frantically. Dust hangs heavily in the air, and I can smell the distinct scent of burning rubber.
"He had a fucking car," he says breathlessly.
I look down at his hand to see blood dripping from his knuckles. "Tell the cops to look for a broken windshield."
"Goddamn it!" I shout, throwing a hissy fit in the alley. "God fucking damn it!"
I can't believe he got away. We were so close to him, and he just slipped away. My knuckles sting as they brush against my clothing. I have no idea how bad my face looks, but my hands are torn up from beating Alec's face.
"Jesus," Emmett sighs, staring at the dust that's settling from Alec's getaway car. "You fucked up his face bad. I'm not sure how he can even see to drive. I got the plates." He sounds defeated, but I'm still fired up. This isn't over.
"What are they?" I demand.
As soon as he's fed me the make, model and the plate number, I turn and start to jog out the alley. My head feels woozy, and I don't feel totally stable on my feet.
"Where are you going?"
"To finish this shit." While I hid my cash when we first came to the Cullens, I found a gun Carlisle kept in the house. I'd need that first then I'd track Alec down. He wouldn't get away again.
"Don't be stupid, Edward," Emmett shouts behind me. I hear his footsteps then I feel his hand on my arm. I spin and push him back against the building. "We need to get the cops," he insists.
"Fuck the cops! He's been here... fuck," I pull at my hair. "I don't even know for how long! He was dating your sister, Emmett! Your sister!" I sneer. Emmett's eyes go wide, and the lightness he always has about him dies and is replaced with something dark and full of anger. "Your sister - the guy she's been talking about, the fucker - Aaron - who was 'looking for his sister' all this fucking time. It was Alec, looking for Bella. The cops - they we're probably buying him drinks for fuck's sake!"
Emmett hasn't recovered from his shock when I turn to leave again.
"Edward!" he shouts, but I don't turn around. "Bella needs you. You saw her; she's a fucking mess. Let the cops handle this and take care of her first." When I don't stop he screams down the alley. "Put her first, damn it!"
That's what he doesn't understand; I am putting her first. I wasn't the one who was held hostage for years and raped daily every way imaginable. I wasn't the one treated like a slave, beat and deprived of food. The best thing I can do for Bella is to put that fucker in the ground. He's been under the cops' noses for God knows how long. They couldn't handle it, so that only leaves me.
When I get to the main road I start to run, trying to get to the house as soon as possible, praying a car and keys will be there for me to take. The world around me is eerily quiet until sirens pierce the silence. I hear a car skid to a stop and turn to see two officers I don't recognize running full speed at me. I turn to flee - a knee jerk reaction - when a body slams into me from behind throwing me painfully to the concrete. My head slams against the sidewalk, and my vision goes dark for a second. Black and white dots dance behind my eyelids before I'm able to focus on my surroundings at all. I can feel the wetness of blood coming from my head.
My face is being shoved harshly into the concrete, and I can feel a knee pushing between my shoulder blades, stealing my breath from me.
"Stop resisting!"
"I'm not fucking resisting!" I wheeze out. I can't move my head, let alone resist.
Cuffs get slapped on my wrists. He tightens them, and I can feel the metal digging into my skin. I'm forcefully pulled up from the ground to my feet. I sag against the officer, finding it hard to hold myself up. I spit out blood right next to the cops shiny shoe. My pants and shirt are torn and ripped from the confrontation.
"You don't know what you're doing! Her kidnapper, he was just here!" I shout. The whole force - all five of them - in Forks has been alerted to the situation but I don't know who these cops are. Everyone in town has an idea of what happened to Bella, but the details have been kept quiet. They didn't want her in the media and have a target on her back.
"All we have is a report of you starting a brawl in the coffee shop." I get a look at the cop's face as he drags me toward his car. "Information is still coming in on the other man."
"It was with him! It was Alec - you've got to listen to me. You're fucking with me while he's getting away. Please listen to me," I plead as a hand pushes on my head, forcing my body down in the back seat of the car.
I lean back in the seat and scream at the top of my lungs, kicking the safety plate that blocks access to the two officers up front.
One slams something against the plastic barrier. "Knock it the fuck off!"
I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes. He's probably half way down the 101 by now. I can't go after him, and I can't help Bella. The car starts to pull away from the curb, and the farther down the road we get the more my head pounds.
I can feel blood seeping down the side of my face; I can't open my eye and know my lip is torn open. Every move I make causes my ribs to scream in protest. My bloody knuckles rub uncomfortably against the back of the seat - but nothing hurts worse than knowing I've failed once again. Alec's out free to roam and Bella will forever live in danger and fear, because I couldn't stop him when I had the chance.
When we pull up to the station I see Charlie and Carlisle waiting by the door. The cop that threw me in the back seat opens the door and grabs my arm, jerking me out of the car.
"You need to un-cuff him and let him go," Charlie demands walking up to us, hands on his hips - all business.
"Sorry, but you're not in charge here." He pulls me into the building.
People are rushing around and phones are ringing off the hook. I hear a radio go off describing the car Alec was driving. Someone has informed the cops. My ears strain to hear any details, but a tall man comes walking up.
"You need to let him go." He points a finger in our direction.
"Chief?"
"I said let him go!" he yells, then turns to his radio and shouts an order into it.
The cuffs get removed from my hands, and I pull my wrists forward to rub them.
"Jesus, Edward, are you okay?" I can see Carlisle through my one good eye, trying to assess the damages done to my face. Charlie is in complete cop mode and is ordering the team around. His focus is in finding Alec, and I couldn't be more grateful.
"Where's Bella?"
"You're head is bleeding pretty bad. We should get you to the hospital and -"
"Where the fuck is Bella?" Everyone in the small station pauses at my outburst before resuming what they were doing.
"She's safe. She's at home with Esme." His voice is soft and quiet compared to the chaos around.
"She's not at the hospital?" I assumed she'd be sedated from her panic attack like before.
"No. Alice called us, and when I got there she was doing her breathing exercises like Dr. Carmen had taught her. She was able to calm herself down." I can hear the pride in his voice. She'd come so far, now this.
I think about her not having to go to the hospital and my chest tightens. "She's not safe; Esme can't protect her!" Panic sets in at the realization, and I turn to leave the station.
"Edward," Carlisle stops my exit. "You need to take a deep breath."
I try to struggle out of his grasp, but his hold doesn't loosen - I don't have the strength to fight him off. "Edward, you're not breathing right, and you're bleeding badly. Look at me."
I look him in the eye the best I can. I sway from foot to foot. Carlisle's hands tightly grip my shoulders. "Look at my eyes, Edward." I feel dizzy and am having trouble standing.
"Take a deep breath." He breathes in deep, and I follow his motion feeling a burn in my chest. "You need to calm down... breath again." Again, I follow his lead, dragging air into my lungs.
"Edward... Edward!"
Carlisle's voice sounds like he's shouting at me from under water. I feel a hand slap lightly on my cheek; I want to push it away but my arms are too heavy to lift. My head starts to pound, my brain thumping against my skull. My breathing is labored, and I can't get the air in my lungs. Spots dance around the room, before I slump over, falling onto Carlisle.
~*E&B*~
I struggle to move but my body is too heavy, and I don't have the strength to move an inch. It feels like there's cotton in my ears and mouth. I lick my lips and the sting shocks me. I want to open my eyes, but it's impossible. If I could open them I imagine I'd see heavy weights lying on my chest. I struggle once more and then give up, welcoming the darkness.
~*E&B*~
I lie still, because every movement hurts. I can't get my eyes to open. They feel stuck together and crusty. I feel like I've been asleep for weeks but can't remember why. I lie there, trying to think about what happened to cause me to feel so tired, but I keep getting distracted by sharp pains throughout my body.
My mouth feels like it's full of cotton, and I open and close it trying to wet it. I reach my arm to my side trying to sit up and feel a sharp pull from my arm.
"Hey, hey... don't do that, sweetheart."
I use all my concentration to open my eyes. I'm able to get one open and see Bella leaning over me.
"Hi," I say, my voice coming out broken and hoarse.
Tears are falling on her cheeks, but a beautiful smile spreads across her face. "Hi."
She brings a soft cloth up to one eye and gently wipes it. The other is still refusing to open but the one she's cleaned opens freely now.
I reach up to wipe her tears away but feel the same sting on my arm.
"No, Edward," she says softly, pushing my arm back down. "You need to stay still."
I don't understand why or what's going on but don't have the energy to find out. Bella's here, and I trust she understand what's happening around me. I open and close my mouth again, desperate for some relief.
"Are you thirsty?"
I nod my head.
I feel ice chips against my lips and moan out in delight. Bella laughs. "Taste good?"
"Uh huh," I mumble taking another chip from her hand.
Bella's hand runs through my hair. I feel her lips brush against my forehead as my eyes close against their will again.
~*E&B*~
I hear voices in the room - soft and calm. At first I feel like I'm still sleeping, but have more strength in my body. My limbs don't feel as heavy as they did before. I open my eyes - eye, one still stays closed in protest - and see familiar figures in the room.
Bella is sitting in a chair next to the bed I'm laying in. Her hand is gripping mine, and she's asleep on my arm. I try to sit up, but pain in my ribs keeps that from happening. I see a man in a white coat going over a chart with Carlisle by the door. I feel so confused. Before I'm noticed I take a look around the room. I feel harsh paper against my skin and realize I have no pants on.
I'm in a fucking hospital.
What the hell happened?
"What's going on?" My throat hurts and my voice is harsh and rough; it doesn't sound like my own.
"Edward, you're awake," Carlisle says, softly as to not wake Bella.
I nod my head but my throat is a desert, and it hurts too badly to speak.
"Here, drink some of this." He lifts a straw to my lips, and I drink the water greedily.
"Whoa, slow down, you're going to make yourself sick."
I try to slow down, but the cool water feels so good going down my sore throat. Once I drain the cup I take a deep breath.
"Where am I?"
"You're in the hospital."
"Why?"
"You really don't remember?" A look of worry flashes across his features.
I shake my head. I look down at Bella and smile at how peaceful she looks sleeping. The arm she's laying on has fallen asleep, so I move it while trying to not wake her but am unsuccessful.
"Edward," she gasps. She lunges forward to kiss me, but my ribs feel like they're sticking out of my chest, causing me to scream out in pain.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry." Her hands flutter around me, and her face is panicked.
"It's okay," I rasp out. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Just a couple of days."
A couple of days! "What?"
"Between your fight with Alec and those asshole cops getting too rough -"
"Alec," I breathe out.
I look at Bella who's starting to cry. Everything comes back to me in a flash: the coffee shop, Alec trying to get Bella, Emmett and I chasing him, the cops tackling me. I grab Bella's arm and bring her down to me, ignoring the blazing fire in my chest. I hold her tightly to me, thanking God she's all right. She looks unharmed; I don't see any marks on her. He was here - coming after her, and I've been asleep for two days.
I feel her tears on my shoulder, and my grip tightens. My hand weaves through her hair as I hold the back of her head; my other arm tightens around her waist. "Are you okay?" I ask, pulling back so I can see her eyes.
They're red and puffy, evidence of days spent crying. She nods and wipes her eyes. "I am now that you're awake."
"I'm sorry." I place my hands on either side of her head.
"No. Why are you sorry?" The tone of her voice already tells me she knows why I'm sorry. "It's not your fault. You should have never tried to stop him, Edward. He has guns, and God knows what else; you couldn't have stopped him."
Machines behind me start to beep the more agitated I get.
"Bella," Carlisle says softly, motioning his head toward her chair. She reluctantly sits back down but keeps a tight grasp on my hand.
"Edward, take deep breaths."
I do what he says and soon the room goes quiet again. "How long do I have to stay here?"
"They've had you drugged but just because you were fighting everyone so much."
"Fighting everyone?"
"You wanted out of here. You wanted to find Bella... to hunt down Alec, but you were hurt badly. They had to sedate you so they could treat your injuries, Edward."
Sedate me?
"I don't remember." The shock is clear in my voice. If I were hurt, I would have let someone help me.
Carlisle sits down and takes a minute. I can tell he's trying to choose his words carefully. "You... shut down, Edward. You've been through so much through the years, and everyone, even you, has his breaking point. Confronting Alec was yours." He makes eye contact with me on the last sentence. I want to argue with him, but I can't remember anything after the police station. If he says I lost it with the hospital staff then I believe him.
"So what does that mean? Are they going to fucking lock me up?" Fear wells up inside of me. Am I going to jail? To the nuthouse? Bella starts to cry at my outburst, and the machines start to beep again. She stands up and runs her hand through my hair.
"Calm down," Carlisle says sternly. Once the machines quiet and my breathing goes back to normal he continues. "No. No one is trying to 'lock you up'. Bella told me some of what you went through as a child, Edward -"
I shoot her a look. How could she? I've never told a soul the things I've told her.
Her face crumples at my hard stare. "I'm so sorry," she whispers, her eyes plead for understanding.
"No, don't you blame her." Carlisle's voice is harsher than I've ever heard, making me turn my attention back to him. "Your medical records are incomplete, and we needed to know what we were dealing with. She didn't give any details... just enough to give us an idea of what kind of stress you've been under for the past ten years." His voice softens as he finishes speaking.
Immediately, I feel guilty for assuming she'd tell the secrets of my past. I take her hand and rub my thumb over her knuckles.
"Most people would've broken a long time ago, Edward. You're strong, but no human could withstand what you've gone through and come out without a scratch."
"So what now?"
"Now, for the first time in your life probably, you rest. You don't worry about anything." I give him a 'yeah right' look. "I mean it," he says. "You don't worry about anything. Not money, not work, nothing, and you let other people take care of you." I open my mouth to protest, but he puts up his hand to stop me. "Without arguments. I've already told Esme you need to be taken care of, and if you think you can stop her, good luck." He laughs as he stands up. "I'm going to go let everyone know you're awake and okay."
"Everyone?" I ask Bella once he leaves the room.
"Yeah, they're all in the waiting room."
"Who?"
She looks at me funny. "Emmett, Rose, Alice, Charlie, Esme, Jasper..."
"They're all here? Why?"
"Because they're worried about you, Edward. Everyone has been worried sick."
I'm shocked. Never in my life would I have imagined I would have a waiting room full of people who were worried about me. If Bella was in this bed, I'd understand their presence but not for me - it doesn't make sense.
"Edward," I look over at her and frown when I see the sad expression she wears. "They love you. Everyone is here because they love you." I let her words bounce around my system but don't respond. A foreign emotion wells up in me, but I move to the next topic to avoid feeling it.
"How hurt am I?" I can feel all my limbs; that's a good sign.
"You had to get seven stitches in your head from when those fucking cops tackled you to the ground." My eye widens. I've never heard her sound so hateful. "Your right eye is partially stitched shut from your fight with... Alec," she forces his name out as if it's causing her pain. "You have two broken ribs, but we don't know if it's from the coffee shop or the police. Other than that, you're bruised up badly."
I lie back and take in all the information, nothing too serious. Nothing worse than I've had before. I'm embarrassed about the 'breakdown' Carlisle described. Even more embarrassed at how I reacted toward Bella.
"I'm sorry. I should've known you would never repeat things I've told you."
She looks down to our intertwined hands. "I would never do that to you. I only told them what I had to."
"I know," I say, bringing her hands to my lips. "I'm sorry."
"Where is he?" I ask quietly, scared to broach the subject with her.
She shrugs, than sniffles. "No one knows."
I lay my head against the pillow and stare at the tiles above my head. "Are they looking for him?" I ask looking back at her.
"Yes. They've alerted Canadian and Mexican Border Patrol. All state patrols have his car's information. He's wanted for much more than what he did for me."
"But no news yet?"
She shakes her head, and I can see the fear overtaking her system.
"He won't get to you," I vow. She looks up at me. "He won't."
She nods her head and leans forward onto my shoulder. I take my hand and run it over the back of her head.
"I was so worried about you."
"Shh," I say, rubbing her back.
"After you ran out of the coffee shop, I couldn't care less about Alec. I was so worried and then when I found out you were in the hospital I... I..." Her voice breaks down into sobs. I hold her tight. I can only imagine how scared she must have been. She leans back to look at me.
"I haven't left, not for one second. Carlisle and I got into it bad yesterday. He wanted me to leave, but I couldn't leave you."
"You should've," I say, pushing her hair behind her ears. I can tell by the dark circles under her eyes she needs sleep.
"There's no way; I just couldn't"
Our bubble is broken when the same man in the white coat comes in. "You have quite the fan club waiting to see you out there," he laughs, opening the chart in his hands.
"Dr. Banner." He reaches out his hand. I reach mine out and shake his lightly, trying not to jostle my ribs.
"How do you feel?"
"Where's Carlisle?"
"He's not treating you," the doctor says softly.
I nod my head. "I feel tired, and my ribs and face hurt."
He writes the information down. "Understandable. They just took the IV out this morning, so you should feel less drowsy as the day goes on. Lucky for you, you have no damage to your eye that we can tell. The stitches will come out in a few days, and we'll know then if everything goes back to normal. Your ribs are wrapped, but there isn't much we can do other than that. You need to lay low and not do any heavy lifting."
"No... I start my job in a few days."
"Sorry, but unless you're working at a computer... you aren't."
I lay my head back in defeat.
"It's okay; we'll figure something out," Bella insists, rubbing my arm.
"Talk to your employer and see what light duty you can do. In four to six weeks you should be back to normal."
Right, because delivering and cleaning kegs is really light duty.
I nod my head, because there's nothing else I can do.
"Any questions for me?"
"Pain meds?" I ask, my ribs protesting more by the minute.
"You are due for another dose in..." He looks at his watch. "An hour. Can you hang in there?"
"Yeah."
"There's one more thing... do you think we could have a minute?" the doctor asks Bella.
She looks at me and stands up to leave.
"No, she stays."
"If you insist. I just wanted to give you privacy."
"It's fine; she can stay," I repeat.
"Have you thought about talking to someone, Edward?"
"What do you mean?"
"Someone who can help you? You body is reacting to a great amount of stress and trauma. Most people need help to work through all you've dealt with."
I nod my head. "I'll think about it."
"You will?" Bella asks, sounding happy.
No. I just want this doctor off my ass.
"Yeah, sure." I smile at her.
"Okay, well, unless you have any more questions for me, we'll keep an eye on you for a few more hours; then, you'll be free to go home."
"Great, thanks."
When the doctor leaves Bella asks me if I want to sleep. I feel rested and don't want to sleep right now, knowing once they give me more drugs I'll be out.
"No, I don't want to sleep. How's Alice?" I imagine the whole situation of personally delivering Bella to her tormenter has upset her.
"She's... devastated. Emmett feels terrible too. He was hung over; that's why he was late." She rolls her eyes. "He's sworn off beer, but we've all taken bets on how long that will last. I give it twelve days." We both laugh.
"Alice was more upset than I was, if you can imagine. I couldn't even get her to talk to me. She feels so guilty and embarrassed."
"It's not her fault."
"Oh man, you have to tell her that. She thinks you're going to kill her." She laughs.
I shake my head. "Alice is very naive. I imagine this taught her a lot, but I don't blame her. Do you?"
"No! Of course not. I keep telling her it's not her fault." She looks down at her lap and speaks softly. "I know better than anyone else how good a liar he is. I'm just glad she didn't fall too deeply into his trap. I think she's terrified at how easy it was for him to fool her. She feels so bad about herself and her weight that when someone gave her attention, she let it blind her. I think she's learned a lot though, and Jasper has been great."
"Jasper?"
"Yeah, he was the first to get to the coffee shop. He went so pale when he heard what happened. He blames himself because he pushed Alice away in order to be professional."
"Sounds like a giant pity party out there," I say laughing.
"No. Everyone is in shock I think. He was in our backyard, and we didn't even know it." She shows little emotion as she speaks, and I can tell she's trying to separate herself from the situation.
"How are you?"
She pauses then gives me a watery smile. "Better than you'd think. I'm not giving him power over me anymore."
"Whoa, look at you." I smile at her.
She smiles shyly back. "Dr. Carmen came right away. She kept me from breaking down completely. She's right, he has no power over me anymore."
"How long was he here?"
"No one knows. Alice met him two days before we left for Portland, so at least nine days."
"Wow."
"I know."
She starts to laugh lightly.
"What?"
She shakes her head. "The first thing Alice said, in hysterics, was 'thank God I never kissed him!' She doesn't remember saying it, but she was really freaking out."
"I'm sure you both were. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." I hold her hand to me.
"Stop apologizing. Just don't put yourself in danger again, okay?"
I nod my head but make no promises.
There's a knock at the door, making us both turn.
"You up for visitors?" Carlisle asks.
"Sure."
The whole lot of them come filing into the room. Emmett is the first one to the bed with a bouquet of flowers in his wrapped hand.
"Oh, Judas, I was so worried," he howls.
I laugh, glad to see some things don't change. "What the fuck?" I ask, holding the bright flowers in my hand and protect my ribs with the other.
"Is that how you say thank you?" he demands.
I laugh as I hand them to Bella.
"Really, man, I'm glad you're okay.
"Thanks, Emmett." He gives me a pat on the shoulder, and then Esme comes rushing up next.
"Oh, Edward, are you hurting? We were so worried!" She scoots around the bed and tucks the blankets more securely around me.
"I'm okay," I say. I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the attention.
"It's good to see you awake, Edward," Rose says, staying back from the bed.
"You got your braces off," I say.
She smiles widely. "Yeah, I can't believe you noticed! Emmett didn't." She shoots him a playful dirty look.
"And... Judas strikes again. Thanks, man." Everyone in the room laughs, but I have to stop because my ribs can't take it. I look next to me to see Bella smiling. I'm so glad this hasn't made her shut down completely.
Charlie walks up and places a hand on my shoulder.
"Here to arrest me, officer?"
He laughs. "I would love to if I had someone to press charges against you, but he seems to have run off."
"Too bad." We both laugh, and he thanks me for trying to stop Alec.
"That was excessive force, in my opinion. If you want to go after those officers, I'll help you."
"Ugh, Charlie, I can't even think that far ahead right now."
"No problem, son, we can deal with it later."
Son. I despise that but thank him anyway.
Jasper comes up and shakes my hand and updates me on the little information he has. Everyone chats for a while until the nurse comes in to give me more medicine.
"We should all go and let Edward get some rest before he comes home," Carlisle says as he starts shuffling people out.
Esme walks up, setting a pile of clothes on my bed. "These are for you to change into when you leave. They are so soft you won't want to change out of them."
"Thanks, Esme," I say, not even bothering to argue with her. Carlisle is right; there's no point.
Everyone is leaving the room when I realize Alice never spoke a single word. She's the last in the line following everyone out.
"Alice," I say making her turn around. Her face is full of emotion, and I can tell she's having a hard time keeping it together.
"I'll give you two a minute." Bella stands and hugs her friend tightly before following the group out of the door.
Alice comes to the foot of the bed, running her hand along the rail. "I'm so sorry, Edward." Her voice breaks. She's looking at the ground, and I can see the tears dripping from her chin.
"Oh, Alice." I try to say it soothingly, but it comes out annoyed. "Come here?"
Slowly, she walks to the chair next to my bed and sits down.
"I didn't know... I was so stupid. I don't know how I couldn't see -"
"Hey, hey, it's okay." Her head pops up, and she looks me in the eye. I feel guilty when I see the blotchy-ness of her skin and her swollen eyes. "There's no way you could have known, okay?" She doesn't say anything.
"Alice, Bella needs you right now. She doesn't blame you and neither do I."
"Really?" A hint of a smile.
"Really. Not at all. Emmett's right though. You are a douche magnet."
A real smile breaks across her face, and she reaches forward and hugs me.
"I'm glad you're okay. We've all be worried, especially Seth. He won't let anyone play with his red car. He insists it's only for you."
I laugh despite the pain.
"I'm going to let you rest, but I'll be there when you get home. What do you want to eat? Whatever you want it's yours."
"You don't owe me, or anyone else, anything, Alice." She looks at me, and her smile starts to fade. She won't feel better unless she feels useful - she feels like she has something to atone for. "But... if you insist," I say playfully. "Homemade pizza would be nice."
"You got it!" She gives me one more awkward hug before leaving the room.
My eyes get heavy from the medicine, but I feel Bella's hand slip into mine before I fall asleep.
Two more chapters left! The next will be up by next week.
Thanks for reading!