Chapter 23
Bella's POV
I closed the doors to the Tardis as Edward and I followed behind the Doctor. We were outside the hospital Carlisle used to work in, the one Edward and I were outside earlier. The Doctor stopped moving and we stood at his side. I gasped at what we saw.
It was another version of Edward and I standing just meters away from us, having the fight we had earlier. It was surreal and yet somewhat unnerving to see myself like that. I wonder is this how Edward felt when we met his human self. I was surprised at how I looked. I never realised how petite I actually am and I could have at leased tried to brush my hair.
Suddenly they turned their heads toward us with their expressions oozing with bewilderment. Much to my amazement as soon as they registered our presence they disappeared. Literally fading away right in front of our very eyes, quicker then one could blink.
"What just happened?" I asked, stunned.
"You and Edward have now become fixed points in this time, replacing the versions of you that were already here. It's a default of sorts that my kind created to help heal paradoxes in the unlikely event of one's occurrence. It's now possible to change and fix your timelines so the paradox will never manifest itself," the Doctor explained.
"So now if we make things right and not make history repeat itself then everything will go back to normal, correct?" Edward asked, guilt remerging in his voice.
"Oh Yes," the Doctor replied. "Like I said: all the people the Reapers consumed will return. To the humans it will be like it never even happened. None of them will remember a thing."
"But we will remember everything?" Edward said emotionless.
"Yes," the Doctor responded simply. "Now what we need to do is get that letter to Carlisle, so in the future we'll know where and when to get you."
Edward nodded and we followed behind the Doctor as we entered the hospital. I didn't know whether it was a good or a bad thing that Edward's family would forget what happened. I know it's a shame they'll forget about Renesmee and I but maybe it's just as well they forget about Edward's impending future as a vampire.
It was my first time in a hospital since my change into a vampire and the smell of human blood was very strong. Though I could pin point Carlisle's familiar scent I had new found respect for his self control.
As we walked up to a nurse's station I began to absorb my surroundings. The hospital was like it was straight out of a World War One period movie. It even had wounded, shell shocked soldiers in its beds.
"Excuse me, do you know where I could find Dr. Cullen?" the Doctor asked a plump nurse with plain brown hair.
"Sorry Sir, but it's after visiting hours and Matron is very strict about visitors to the hospital, even if you're looking for one of our staff," she explained.
The Doctor quickly pulled something out of his pocket and showed it to the nurse. It was a blank piece of paper.
"Oh! Sorry Dr. Smith. He's in his office, down the hall near orthopaedics," she apologised and gestured toward the direction we had to go.
The Doctor thanked her and we began to head for Carlisle's office.
"Doctor how did that blank piece of paper make her change her mind and let us through?" I inquired.
"Its physic paper. I can have people see what I want them to see, for example tickets or IDs. It comes in very handy. Its interesting that it doesn't seem to work on you vampires though," the Doctor explained. This just amazed me more. This Doctor was full of surprises. Edward seemed fascinated by the Doctor's latest gadget.
As we travelled down the hall Carlisle's scent began to become stronger and stronger.
The Doctor stopped and turned to us as we made it too a dark brown door with the words 'Dr. Carlisle Cullen' plated on the front.
"Right, since Carlisle said he only remembers you two giving him the letter I'm going to wait out here, but don't say anything stupid that will upset the future. Remember he doesn't know who you are yet, so be quick and careful. We already have enough problems to deal with as it is," the Doctor said seriously.
Edward and I nodded in compliance and the Doctor stepped aside as Edward leaned forward to knock on the door.
"Come in! I'm not busy!" Carlisle yelled with a friendly tone from inside.
Edward took a deep unnecessary breath as he pushed open the door. I followed still hand in hand. The office was small with countless numbers of medical books stacked everywhere. Carlisle looked the exact same as he does now except for his old fashioned clothes and physician's white coat. He had his blond hair styled back to match this time's fashion.
Carlisle's expression changed from a smile to one of seriousness when he registered mine and Edwards scents, realising we were both vampires. He stood up from his desk and walked towards us.
"I'm surprised to see two vampires visit a hospital in the middle of the night. I don't have this territory clamed or anything, I'd just appreciate it if you didn't hunt here. In my hospital especially," he said seriously yet staying friendly.
"Do not worry," Edward said calmly. "We are not here to hurt anyone. We are actually here for your help."
"Help? Alright, I'll see what I can do," he replied calmly, noticeably becoming more relaxed.
"Thank you. You see we are a long way from our home but with your help we'll be able to return there. Take this letter and when you met a man called the Doctor give it to him and more importantly do not open it until the second time you met him," Edward explained.
Carlisle's expression became confused as Edward handed him the letter after he pulled it from his pocket. His expression became even more bewildered as he read who the letter was addressed to.
"I'm sorry, of course I will help but how do you even know who I am, and how do you know I will meet this Doctor?" he asked.
"Well it's complicated, but it will become clear in due time and we really do appreciate your help. Even if this does sound strange at this stage I'd do anything to get us home," Edward responded.
Carlisle nodded. " I'll keep it on me always and do what you say if it means it will get you home. I myself am far from home. Have been for many years. Like many of our kind I have travelled a lot," he said almost nostalgically.
"Thank you, we are both very grateful," I thanked on behalf of both of us.
Edward shook his hand and we quickly said our goodbyes, turning to head out the door. Abruptly Edward turned back.
"Oh! And Carlisle, when the time comes I just want you to know that it will be worth it and that you are strong enough" Edward said sincerely.
Carlisle nodded but he looked slightly confused, as did I. I would have to ask Edward what he meant by that after we leave. We turned and exited his office where the Doctor was waiting for us impatiently. I closed the door behind us.
The Doctor quickly stepped over to us. "Did every thing go to plan?" he inquired.
"Yes, I think so," Edward replied simply yet honestly.
"Good then, we must get back to the Tardis before anything else can go wrong," the Doctor ordered as he quickly turned and began heading in the direction we came in. Edward and I followed behind like earlier. As we walked I looked up to Edward.
"What did you mean when you said those things to Carlisle just before we left?" I asked almost in a whisper.
"In less then a year, actually months even, Carlisle will change me into a vampire and unlike when he changed the others he found it very difficult with me. He fought with himself whether to change me or not. He didn't particularly want to condemn someone to this life and he didn't know if he was strong enough to do it. To control himself. He felt like he was being selfish, not because he was trying to save me but because one of his stronger incentives was his loneliness. It was the first time he tasted human blood he didn't know whether he could stop, but he obviously succeeded. He had absolutely no self-confidence. I just wanted him to know that he does have the strength and control to do it as if it would some how help him through it," Edward explained.
I smiled to Edward to show I was happy with what he had done but I suddenly surprised to realise that we were now outside the hospital, heading for the Tardis. I was too enthralled in Edward explaining himself that I didn't notice us leave the hospital.
The Doctor opened the door to his Tardis and we followed him inside. The whole fact that it's bigger on the inside still amazes me.
The Doctor walked over to the controls as I noticed Carlisle, Emmett and Jack talking to each other to one side. We began to head in their direction.
"Next stop, Forks!" the Doctor exclaimed as he jumped around pressing a number of buttons.
I was ecstatic, as was everyone in in my family. I could not wait to get home and see everyone, especially Renesmee. I could tell that Edward felt the same way.
As we made it over to them they were curious as to what happened while we were gone, and Edward began to fill them in. I felt relieved. It was all over. We were actually on our way home.
I was so grateful to the Doctor. He has come to the rescue so to speak, fixing the paradox and getting us on our way home. I decided to go and thank him personally. I dropped Edward's hand as I went to walk over to the Doctor.
When I was about half way between the Doctor and everyone else I heard a loud crashing noise and suddenly the Tardis began to sway and shake violently out of control. A found myself being thrown to the floor. There was sparks, fire and smoke everywhere.
I felt Edwards arms wrap around me as he pulled me to him. At the angle I was at I couldn't see his face and as I went to turn I noticed Jack lying motionlessly on the floor. Then a thick wave of his scent hit me. His head was gushing with fresh blood as he lay unconscious.
"Jack!" I heard Emmett yell but I couldn't see him anywhere. It was like the Tardis was throwing us around like rag dolls.
"Don't worry! He'll be fine!" the Doctor yelled as he held on to the controls.
"All I did was land in the forest beside your house!" he screamed over the chaos. He pulled a monitor in front of him and groaned exasperated.
"It's the Weeping Angels. They're trying to take the Tardis by force," the Doctor explained quickly.
"What will we do?" Edward shouted.
"For once... I don't know," the Doctor replied grimly. "I just don't know..."