"Bella."
At the sound of her name she tried to open her eyes.
"This is Rosalie."
Rosalie? As in Rosalie Cullen? She was Edward's other sister. The one Cullen Bella had never been able to charm. In fact, Rosalie had disliked her from the minute they met. It was hard to change someone's opinion when they didn't really dislike you for who you were, but rather for what you were. Rosalie had been provoked that Bella didn't seem to fully appreciate the possibilites of a human life. For example to be able to have a baby, Rosalie's own dearest wish.
Bella tried again to open her eyes or at least move, but it seemed impossible. As if Rosalie could read her mind she brought it up.
"You're going to be able to move soon. The sedation is starting to wear off" she informed calmly.
She paused.
"Don't be scared. It's the drugs. We had to sedate you for a few hours to... well, to piece you together."
"Rosalie!" a boy's voice scolded. "Piece together? You're really calming her now. Listen Bella, you had a few broken bones, so what? You're going to be a-okay, sis."
And just like that Bella knew who it was. It was Emmett who had embraced her, litterally, with open arms from the moment Bella had been introduced to the Cullen family. He was big like a big teddy-bear with the easiest personality.
"Yeah, and we pieced her together" Rosalie insisted sounding annoyed. "A big wound in her abdomen, a broken arm and a concussion" she listed. Then she spoke to Bella again. "Listen I know I'm probably not one of your favorite persons in the world, but humans do mature. Maybe we do too?" she asked no one in particular. "Well for what's it's worth atleast I don't hate you anymore."
"She always liked me" Emmett said happily.
From the sound of it Rosalie gave Emmett a slap on the arm, or at least that's what Bella figured.
"It wouldn't be fair to be jealous of you anymore" she continued. "After all you're aging and I'm not."
Rosalie laughed, but it didn't sound like Bella remembered: while Rose's voice had always been melodic and beautiful it had never been filled with any kind of warmth, but it was now. Bella wondered what had brought on the change. If it was simply that she was lying here helpless and that Rosalie felt bad for her. Or she really had matured.
"That was mean, Rosie" Emmett commented.
"To be fair then, for real" Rosalie sighed. "You look exactly the same and I guess that gives me enough reason to hate you again."
When it was Emmett's turn to speak he sounded troubled, not like Bella was used to hearing him.
"Edward would beat himself up if he saw her now. I bet Bella's still the same and she hasn't even turned into this ugly older woman."
"Ugly older woman?" Rosalie repeated sounding offended.
To Bella's amusement Emmett explained further. Not a very smart thing to do.
"Yeah, I mean. If I left Bella I would hope that she'd turn ugly or at least become a bad person so that I'd feel no regret if I ever saw her again."
"You'd think that of me, Em? Really?" Rosalie said obviously taking this personally.
Emmett sighed.
"No, I said if I was Edward and Bella was Bella. You can't really change which means you can't get ugly or old, so..."
"You're messing with me, right? And you know Edward's not like that. He would..."
"Probably prefer if we didn't talk about this" Emmett filled in quickly, probably having caught himself talking about things he shouldn't talk about .
Rosalie sighed.
"You're right. Besides Bella can most likely hear us right now. It's not fair to even bring up Edward. He's probably the last person she'd want to hear about considering he put her in this mess in the first place."
"He meant well and you know it" Emmett argued.
That was something Bella could not understand. He meant well? How? Alright, that was quite enough. Bella tried to open her eyes and Rosalie immediately told Emmett to "shush!" and "she's about to wake up!" Bella's vision was blurry and she couldn't quite make out their faces at first. She blinked a couple of times and slowly she could see clearer.
"What happened?" she got out though her voice was hoarse and weak.
"Someone really wanted to hurt you, that's what happened" Rosalie answered. "And why, well that's the real question" she added.
Bella's vision was clear enough. She saw blonde shiny hair and the dark golden eyes she remembered from before. Rosalie wasn't exactly smiling but her facial expression was far softer than Bella ever recalled seeing. She looked worried, something Bella had never seen before.
"Sorry we're not your favorite-Cullens" she began smiling shrewdly.
"I always liked Emmett" Bella croaked.
"I told you!" Emmett said to Rosalie and then turned to Bella with a huge smile.
She then looked at Emmett. Yes, they both looked as if seventeen years hadn't gone by. Which was confusing. Because the years had passed and things had changed and people changed normally - but they weren't people. They weren't human and apparently wasn't too fond of extreme make-overs despite their eternal lives.
"How are you feeling sis?" Emmett asked, his golden eyes gleaming brightly as he looked at her.
"Awful" Bella answered, slowly sitting up straight. Both Rosalie and Emmett grimaced as if they could imagine her pain.
Bella in turn could merely look at them confused. It was unreal to see them again after all this time.
"Where's Jane?" she asked.
Emmett's smile faded away and he looked angry.
"Jane?" he repeated heatedly. "As in that..." he stopped and closed his eyes briefly as if to collect himself.
No, none of the Volturi was very well-liked by the Cullens.
"So that explains the scent" Rosalie concluded.
She looked at Bella.
"We knew whoever did this to you wasn't human, we felt it, but Emmett found you by chance. You were lying in the middle of the road all alone severely hurt. What happened, Bella? What kind of business do you have with the Volturi?" she asked looking suspiscious.
Bella sighed and felt like pinching the bridge of her nose as Edward always did when he was troubled or deep in thought. Or at least that's what he used to do, maybe he didn't do it anymore. Maybe he... Bella trailed off in her thoughts. Where was I? Oh right, maybe he didn't pinch the bridge of his nose anymore. Oh my god, Bella thought. My thoughts are all over the place!
"Bella?"
"I'll tell you when I'm all clear" Bella answered gesturing towards her head.
Although she wasn't so sure if she had any intention of explaining anything to any member of the Cullen family. Afterall, did she owe them anything? Suddenly Bella felt annoyed. What right did they have to just waltz in and demand answers to their questions? Well they did save your life, a careful voice answered. They did not save my life! Bella shouted in her mind. They said she was severely hurt when they found her, yes, but not dying. She felt childish, but was in no mind to think any clearer.
Still, Emmett and Rosalie seemed to accept her answer for now. They simply nodded in understanding.
"So awake and all!" I'm afraid we're going to need some answers" Rosalie continued lightly.
Ugh, fine Bella thought. Rosalie looked as if she was concentrating.
"Have you seen Alice or do you have any information as to where she might be hiding?" she asked.
"No" Bella answered looking Rosalie dead in the eye.
She nodded satisfactory.
"Have you got any idea or information as to why the Volturi would want to find Alice?" she asked.
"No" Bella repeated. "Look" she sighed, her voice coming out clearer and stronger now that she'd been awake for a little while. "If you came here thinking I did a tell-all of some sorts to the Volturi I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. They asked me about Alice but I don't know anything about it."
Bella felt bittter. Very bitter all of a sudden. If only they knew I got enough troubles of my own, she thought tiredly.
"I better get home" she said and put her feet on the floor.
Emmett and Rosalie looked on in shock as Bella reached out with the arm that was not bandaged and pulled out the IV drip from her arm.
"But that's your pain relief" Rosalie said looking quite shocked.
"It's best if you stay here" Emmett said concerned. "You need to rest."
"Thanks for helping me" Bella answered. "But I'm going home" she added a bit more decisive.
Emmett seemed to sigh or some sorts as he looked at Rosalie.
"Bella, you're safe with us. This is... our house."
Bella shivered when she realized this was the very house she had visited so often all those years ago. In that same moment she recognized the room. One of the guestrooms although it looked slightly different. She figured Esme, their "mother" and Carlisle their "father" probably had redesigned as they both loved decorating.
"How are Esme and Carlisle?" Bella asked standing up not feeling as unsteady on her feet as she'd expected.
"Good" Emmett answered seemingly puzzled by the sudden question.
Bella nodded satisfactory.
"That is good indeed" she said formally.
"And Alice?" she asked a little mockingly thinking they probably wouldn't even give her that much detail. Somehow Bella had a feeling the Cullens knew where Alice was hiding and why.
Rosalie looked a little wary.
"We don't know" she answered.
Bella nodded again not sure if she belived her. She was very aware of the fact that she hadn't asked about Edward, but that was a conscious decision. The nightmares had really frightened her, but he must be fine. Surely they would have said something if he wasn't.
"Well I'm off" she announced.
Emmett snorted.
"You were serious?" he asked.
Bella looked him straight in the eye.
"Yes."
She could tell by the looks on their faces again that this wasn't something they approved of.
"I will get a cab to the hospital" she suggested.
"We could drive you" Emmett flicked in, but Rosalie shook her head.
"Just get her a cab" she sighed.
Bella liked Rosalie a little more now.
"Thank you" she said and her least favorite Cullen nodded stiffly.
Emmett left the room to go and make the call. While Bella felt like she had a thousand things to ask and say, she didn't quite know what to ask or say. It was a peculiar feeling and somehow she could sense the same conflict in Rosalie. She was looking at Bella with a small frown on her face.
Some minutes later Emmett came back. He looked at both of them back and forth trying to decide what was going on.
"Okay..." he said looking as if he didn't get it. "The cab will be here in ten minutes." Then he turned to Bella. "It's probably a good thing we don't drive you anyways. We're not accustomed to you just yet" Emmett said apologetically. "You know small spaces and not very big windows to open, although I can drive really fast" he mused aloud.
Then he paused. Bella had a trouble following.
"But you don't smell like I remember. It's unfamiliar somehow" he said shaking his head in confusion.
"Oh" Bella said.
He's talking about her scent. That's when she noticed the windows were wide-open. Funny she hadn't felt the cold. It had been a long time since Bella had heard anyone talk about her scent. Anthony hardly ever mentioned it because he had been used to it since birth. The Volturi merely grimaced at times. It was only Aro who screwed manners, licked his lips and called her "mouthwatering." Bella shivered at the thought and was glad she hadn't seen Aro in a while.
"You promise you're going to the hospital?" Emmett asked.
Bella nodded.
"I promise" she answered smiling faintly. "But I feel alright."
It was true because the pain was quickly receding and it didn't make sense considering the pain relief had been in her IV drip and that was gone. She had a broken arm, a severe concussion and a big wound in her abdomen, but suddenly she didn't feel a thing.
"You don't need to play strong, Bella. Take these" Rosalie ordered.
Bella didn't quite trust the wellness she was feeling so she took the pills Rosalie handed her.
Making her way out of the house, going through the familiar hallway felt surprisingly good to Bella. She'd always thought she'd feel sad upon visiting the house again. Of course she'd seen it from afar at times but then it always looked like a haunted house. Thinking about it: that was half-true. Maybe it was haunted depending on how you looked at it. The cab was right outside. It was so ordinary and so unlike the Cullens to have a cab come to their house that she felt like laughing. It must be the pills. They were already getting to her, making her feel all funny and absent.
"Take care sis" Emmett said waving her off. "We'll meet again soon."
"Thank you for helping me" she told them both suddenly feeling a bit sentimental.
She turned her back on them before they could see her get teary-eyed. It really must be the pills Bella thought. In the very moment that she walked to the car she felt as though she should be carrying something or someone. Her heart skipped a beat in fright as she realized what was missing. She turned around.
"You didn't see a little dog nearby when you found me?" she called back to Emmett and Rosalie.
They both shook their heads at the same time.
What on earth happened to little Ed? Bella wondered worriedly.
"The hospital, right?" the cabdriver asked right after she'd gotten inside the car.
Bella shook her head.
"No, home" she answered determinedly.
Sometimes they were the same things Bella mused thinking about how often she went to the hospital. Bella told the driver her adress and so they were off. For some reason, or well because Bella was obviously on some heavy painkillers, Bella ordered him to stop much earlier than planned.
"Are you sure about that lady?" he asked confused because there was still a bit left to drive.
She nodded and realized in that very second she had no money.
"It's already taken care of" the driver said smiling at her.
Relieved Bella got out of the car. Bella confusedly looked around her. What a day! First Jane attacked her with the promise of killing her. Waking up at the Cullen's... She really needed to find little Ed though.
"What's going on?" she heard someone call out.
She looked to her left and noticed Anthony running towards her. He had a backpack slung across his shoulder. He was obviously on his way home from school and he looked pretty much horrified Bella stated.
"Jesus, mom!" he said as he took in her appearance.
She looked around her feeling as if the world was spinning.
"Jesus?" she repeated groggily. "No, it's just me."
Was she slurring? What on earth had Rosalie given her? Usually Anthony would've rolled his eyes at her silly comment, but now he was far too worried. He had seen his mother in bandage several times before, but this was at a whole new level and she had been on her own with that vile thing Jane.
"You should've stayed with them" he said his voice shaking slightly. "Carlisle would've helped you."
Bella was carefully scooped up in Anthony's arms as he steered in the direction of their house.
"Carlisle?" Bella repeated drowsily looking up at her son.
Anthony's jaw clenched and he looked serious.
"The whole clan is in town. Best I stay out of their eyehold. I'm going to speed up if that's okay."
And so they were on their way home.
Wow thank you all for the reviews! I'm sooo thrilled to read them and I love hearing what you think.
Ladyice5: I'm thinking Bella tapped into Anthony's power as well and that's what made her power so awesome! At that time they could form a very strong shield together that could protect them from pretty much anything. That's why Aro never managed to snatch away Bella against her (and Anthony's will) while she was expecting. On her own her power's not that strong. That's why Jane has managed to hurt her quite a bit over the years.
Rainn74: yeah there will be more about the therapist's reaction really soon :) I'm glad you find Bella kind of quirky because that's how I wanted to be in this story :D Yeah I really like Bella's and Anthony's relationship too. They have always had to protect each other and Bella had him so young that it feels natural that they would fall into a kind of older sister/ younger brother relationship.
Unstoppable Naley: Wooow thank you, that makes me so happy :D Edward will most definitely make an appearance...
Guest: I'm so glad you find it intriguing, I will try to keep it that way!