Chapter 15

Carlisle's POV

I received Jacob's call not five minutes before the ambulance's arrival. This was just the sort of thing I'd been worried about happening since we'd been spending so much time with the family. Over the past few weeks, I'd watched Aria slip further and further downhill unwilling to accept help even when it was offered. Now, I just knew I needed to do whatever it took to save her life. Emmett' crew unloaded the gurney from the bus before offering Hope a hand down from the vehicle. The poor child looked like a stiff wind might blow her over as she fought to control her emotions. Jacob appeared beside her not a minute later; his presence seemed to set her slightly at ease despite the situation. I took a deep breath and set to action working on the girl on the stretcher. We'd need to pump her stomach at the very least and see about getting her into some sort of rehab center if she'd agree to it. I knew one thing for certain, this family could not handle losing another member and it was not going to happen on my watch.

Jacob's POV

Knowing we couldn't do any good in the trauma room and also realizing Hope could not handle the waiting room right now, I ushered her into an empty exam room where I could dim the lights and reassure her that everything would be all right. Esme and Alice burst in not long after. Dillion was still at school and Emmalyn was in Rose's care helping out at the boutique she co-owned with Alice. "What happened?" was the first question out of Esme's mouth.

"Overdose," I stated matter-of-factly. "She's conscious, but they're pumping her stomach right now. Carlisle said she should make it."

"Sweetheart?" Esme took the stool in front of where Hope sat and took her face into both hands. The girl only stared at the floor unwilling to allow any emotion to reach her face. "You're awfully pale..."

Without warning, Hope pushed up off the gurney and rushed to the sink where she emptied her stomach. Esme was by her in a second, rubbing her back in circles and offering a drink when she was done. "Come on, how about you come lay down for a minute."

Hope's POV

I allowed Esme to lead me back to the gurney and help me up onto it only because I didn't have the energy to fight. Never in my life had I experienced so much pain in my head. My hair was matted to the sides of my face as the sweat acted like glue keeping it clumped together. After a moment, the room began to spin and I grabbed either side of my face against the pain, leaning forward even as I swayed.

"Hey," Jacob steadied me with his hands and touched my face which felt like it was on fire. "Is it your head?"

Unable to speak against the pain, I nodded carefully as a searing pain traveled through my head down into my neck. I winced.

"Ok, ok," he helped me lie back against the pillow and turned off the brighter of the two lights in the room. "Do you think you might get sick again?"

I nodded ashamed. Jacob only handed me a basin to keep at my side.

The door opened and Carlisle walked in wearing an expression that told me he might have good news; however, his expression changed when he saw me and moved quickly to my side.

"What's wrong?" he inquired glancing over me with trained eyes.

"She has a headache," Jacob, my savior, jumped in. "She threw up a minute ago."

Carlisle turned back to me, palpating my head and neck, gently, and running through a quick exam. "Do you have a history of migraines or stress headaches?"

I shook my head no and he gave me a sad smile.

"Well, my guess is that your body is reacting to the trauma you just went through. I'm going to start an iv and start a series of meds to help with the pain. Our migraine protocol here is very aggressive, but effective. OK?"

"Aunt Aria?" I croaked in broken tone.

Carlisle's POV

"Your aunt is in the clear. We pumped her stomach of the toxins and she is currently awake and meeting with one of our psychologists on staff," I reassured her as I gathered the tray to start an iv. "This is going to pinch a bit," I warned before counting down. The needle went in easy enough and soon I had a steady flow of saline running. "We're going to start with benedryl and zofran which will relax you and help with nausea then I'm going to give you Toradol for pain."

I injected the medication slowly watching her carefully to gauge her reaction. Already she shook from pain, but I could see the chills that wracked her body as the meds flowed through her veins. Esme slipped out quietly to retrieve a blanket from the warmer in the hall; it made its way over the teen's slender body bringing some relief.

"Sweetheart?" I inquired with concern.

"There's a weird taste in my throat," she whispered.

"That's ok, darling, that's just the meds," I reassured, leaning down to readjust the tubing.

"It still hurts," she sniffled.

Before I could jump in, Jacob reached over to take her hand in his own. "Give the meds time to kick in."

"But Aunt Aria..." she argued.

"Will be just fine. Carlisle is watching out for her and I'll bet Esme and Alice would even be willing to sit with her until you are able to go check her out yourself. For right now, your only job is to lie back and close those beautiful eyes. Now, REST."