A/N Hello readers! You've made it to chapter ten, so what are you going to do now? Go to Disney World? No! You're going to Twilight World! (trust me it's so much better). A humungous thanks goes out to everyone who read and reviewed this story, you mean the world to me. (The Twilight World that is—it's so much better than the real one too).
Disclaimer: Would you believe me if I told you that I was actually Stephanie Meyer pretending to be a fanfiction author for my own enjoyment? If so, you would be a sucker, because alas I am not. That means I did not invent these characters or the Twilight World, so I will gain nothing by publishing my little story here, but I'm ok with that.
Hope you enjoy this chapter anyway!!
Chapter 10- EPOV
I didn't slow down as I passed the large oak tree near the garage. I sprinted through the front door after hardly pausing to open it and flew up the stairs finally coming to a stop outside Carlisle's office on the second floor. I knocked quietly, yet swiftly on the old cedar door and waited though I could hear Carlisle's thoughts from the other side with perfect clarity.
He of course knew it was me. Aw, a bit antsy are we Edward? I suppose that means he knows about our plans for tomorrow.
I could no longer wait for an invitation to enter. I nearly threw the door off the hinges when I opened it and Carlisle amusedly stared at me. "Come in?" he chuckled, making the command a question.
"Tomorrow?" I asked, pure excitement filling me to the brink. "She's coming tomorrow? But how? How did you convince them to allow her a home visit with us?"
"Oh I have my ways," he said mysteriously. And it helps that I'm the best doctor they have. Hundreds of years of experience as a doctor has to come with a few perks.
"Alice, Japser, and Esme are out shopping," he continued out loud. "We haven't had a human over to visit in years, so most likely they're buying food. Alice will most certainly pick out new outfits for everyone in the family, and several for Bella, I'm not entirely sure of what clothes Bella has anyway. Esme mentioned something about picking up a bed, we obviously don't want Bella to have to sleep on the couch," he laughed lovingly as he pictured his beautiful wife, completely in her element: picking out home furnishings in order to care for her children.
I noted that in Carlisle's mind, he referred to Bella as just another one of his children, no different from myself. I wasn't sure what to make of that. I obviously wanted her to stay forever, but I didn't think that was possible. Carlisle was getting too far ahead of himself, and apparently so was the rest of my family.
"So what's the plan?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the horrible thoughts of Bella leaving. I was good at burying thoughts in my head, half a century of practice had allowed me to nearly perfect the art. But it was still there, I could feel it. I couldn't bear to lose her again, but could I change her? Could I take her perfect soul and keep her bound to me forever? The inherent selfishness in such an act made me sick, so sick in my mind that I could almost feel it in my stomach.
"The plan is," Carlisle began, aiding me in my attempt to escape my thoughts, "You, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie are going to go to school tomorrow like usual," he said this in his most authoritative father voice. I didn't like the sound of that. Why did I have to waste time going to school when I should be spending time with Bella? It was ridiculous, but I decided not to argue, for now at least. If Carlisle cared enough to use this tone, then it would be disrespectful to contradict him. I silently waited for him to continue, allowing the chagrin to show on my face.
"Esme and I are going to bring Bella home midmorning tomorrow," he said smiling. I appreciate your willingness to comply, he complimented. I simply shrugged and tried a bit harder to mask the unhappiness I felt about this plan. "We'll get her all set up, give her some lunch, try and help her to feel comfortable. Then we can introduce her to the rest of the family when you guys get home from school," he finished, proud of his carefully laid plan.
"Just to clarify," I spoke, letting a bit of sarcasm ice my tone, "You expect me to spend seven hours trapped in the purgatory known as Glen Ellyn Hills High School while you and Esme get to go gallivanting off to the hospital to pick up the love of my life and spend the day with her?" The idea was completely absurd to me. How could my dear level headed father be so concerned with keeping up appearances in a high school of all places when I could have the opportunity to spend a little extra precious time with my love?
Yes that was the plan, and Esme and I could spend some time with her and…
I cut off his thoughts, "Carlisle, I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one, because there is no way in Hell that I am going to school tomorrow," I stated with an air of decisiveness.
So stubborn, "Well it was worth a shot," he laughed. One should never bet against Alice, or Esme for that matter. "I suppose you want me to excuse you for the rest of the week as well?" I'll probably have to have him removed permanently, because there is no way he has enough sick days left to last him a whole week.
I smiled now, relieved that Carlisle had returned to his reasonable self. "So when should I be expecting Alice, Esme, and Jasper to return?" I asked conversationally.
"I'm not entirely certain," Carlisle admitted, "All those 24 hour stores make predicting estimated times of arrival rather impossible." They left around seven fifteen if that helps. He added, but it really didn't help at all. With Alice, a shopping trip could last minutes or hours, she was very organized with her shopping needs, but visions were very common during her shopping trips. In fact if I didn't see them myself, I wouldn't believe she could have so many while shopping. It was almost like having a fitting room in her head. She could instantly see if anyone in our family would need a certain item or in her opinion look good in a certain item before she purchased it.
Esme on the other hand could spend hours selecting exactly the right item to furnish a room. She had a wonderful eye for the details and every room she decorated was truly a work of art. I was certain she would thoroughly enjoy searching for the perfect bed and comforter set for Bella. Most likely she would pick out one of the newer foam technology beds like the rest of my siblings enjoyed for their activities. I cringed from thinking of their activities, but a new thought occurred to me, I looked to Carlisle, readying myself for the question.
Carlisle had returned to his luxurious chair behind the heavy antique desk. He was busy skimming through some documents on his flat screen desktop computer, writing in numbers with his ornate stylus. I admired the technology for a moment, it was top of the line and rather advanced. The screen lay horizontally within the build of the desk and it looked like Carlisle was writing on paper rather than a sleek computer screen. The steady stream of calculations and Chinese in his head made me realize he was filling out tax worksheets for properties we owned in Asia. It was laughable to think that people actually used to have to fill these out on paper. "Carlisle?" I asked, hardly distracting him from his calculations. "We don't have a guest room at this house."
"Keen observation, son," he teased, still mostly focused on his calculations, the language in his head switching from Mandarin to Cantonese.
"Yes, but where will Bella sleep?" I asked, allowing my eyes to trail away from the large painting decorating the wall behind his desk, to meet his golden ones, which were eyeing me humorously, all thoughts of Chinese taxes forgotten.
"Well one of the bedrooms in this house, is lacking a bed," he said lightly, stressing the "bed" in bedrooms. "I thought we would put her in your room?" he looked at me curiously now, assuming that's alright with you, of course. If not, I'm sure Alice would be glad to allow her use of her room, Jasper probably wouldn't mind too much either, oh and obviously Bella would be welcome to use Esme's and my room. Carlisle's thoughts were traveling a mile a minute, and my eyes had refocused on the painting behind his chair. I remembered telling Bella about the ancient vampire family pictured in the frame which Carlisle had spent time with in Italy. It was the same family I had wanted to seek out after Bella died so that they might end my life as well, and free myself of my misery. For the very first time, I was actually glad that I hadn't gone to them after all; I might not have ever seen Bella again. I forced my attention back to Carlisle's thoughts and halted him before he could get too carried away making contingency plans for Bella's bed.
"Carlisle, don't be ridiculous. Of course she will be staying in my room, it isn't as if I'll need to sleep there," I laughed, and Carlisle relaxed. I know you like to be near her when she sleeps, I simply thought…
"No, do not misunderstand me, you thought correctly. I would love nothing more than to share my room with Bella. The thought just hadn't occurred to me yet," I laughed at my own stupidity, and Carlisle joined in.
"Oh my son, you are such a product of your era. There's not a soul on this green earth more honorable than you."
At that moment, I heard the thoughts of Alice, Jasper, and Esme coupled with the sound of Esme's Porsche SUV turning off the main road and onto the small dirt one which lead to our property. The vehicle, though called a "Sports Utility Vehicle" was really anything but. Similar to the late Porsche Cayenne it was designed with a large trunk area, suitable for hauling a broken down bed and impossibly folded foam mattress. The new Porsche Chilena was equipped with all the new blue tooth technology and an automated brake which engaged if the radar sensors on the front of the vehicle picked up an object closing in with the front bumper too quickly.
The occupants of the vehicle were all in decidedly good moods, and I couldn't help but smile at the reason. They were overjoyed to have Bella with us again, to bring her into our home. Esme had long forgotten the initial hesitancy she had felt about Bella's return and Alice was practically bouncing off the seat, imagining the lovely new outfits she had carefully selected for Bella and the rest of my family. Jasper had no choice but to be happy himself, surrounded by current company. Even Carlisle was smiling in his comfortably sizeable office. Sounds like Esme is home early enough for us to leave for the 4 a.m. shift if we head out in a few minutes, how wonderful! That means we can bring Bella home around 9:30. I'm sure we can leave the kids alone to set up Bella's bed and new belongings in Edward's room.
Jasper parked the car just outside the front door, then leapt out with Alice in tow to begin emptying the trunk. Alice easily picked up the large box housing the bed frame and tore up the stairs at lightening speed. I ran up the second flight of stairs to my third floor room and met Alice in my room as she deposited the bed frame. Get to work, loverboy, she teased, and I was too content to gripe about the nickname. Moments later she returned laden with garment bags and shoe boxes. Behind her came Jasper who was carrying the now unfolded mattress to place on the frame which I had halfway assembled already.
The finished product was beautiful and after Esme had found places in the hardly used kitchen for all the human food they had purchased, she zoomed up the stairs herself to evaluate. Perfect, she thought, satisfied with the golden comforter and rod iron frame she had selected to complement the soft colors of my room. I couldn't have agreed more, so I encircled her in a grateful hug which Alice copied when I had finished.
"Thank you Esme, I know she'll love it." Alice said, stealing the words out of my own head.
Carlisle entered at the opportune moment and stole her for a hug of his own. "It's beautiful dear," he grinned contentedly, "Would you be ready to leave for work in about five minutes?" he asked, without a trace of teasing.
"I'll be ready in four," she laughed, stroking her husband's chest lovingly.
"Actually it will be three minutes and eighteen seconds, if you leave in three, two, one—now!" Alice chirped merrily. Esme dashed out of the room and we were all left laughing.
"Edward, meet us at the hospital at 9:00 a.m., but no earlier. Alright?" You can come straight to my office and we'll head over to the cancer ward together, oh and don't bring your car, Carlisle thought as he ran out the room and down the stairs to wait in the Chilena for Esme.
"Nine a.m.," I reaffirmed happily, knowing those five hours wouldn't pass soon enough.
I sat on my bed and lazily watched Alice the tornado twirl in and out of my closet rearranging, I supposed. She was carrying clothes and garment bags back and forth but I didn't bother trying to keep up. Instead I let my mind travel back in time to the few precious months I had gotten with Bella over half a century ago. This next week would grant me more than I ever could have dreamt of asking out of life, Bella would be here and my family would again be complete. The feeling in my chest was something similar to butterflies, or some sort of light pulsating pressure. It almost felt like a heart beat, and I smiled thinking about how Bella made my dead heart feel so alive.
It was nothing short of a miracle that I had survived those fifty years without her and I tried to block the thoughts of what might happen after this week. I had lost her once, but I couldn't do it again. I knew it was impossible, and I was rather certain that I couldn't take Bella's soul from her and prevent her from ever entering the heaven where she belongs. But why had she not entered Heaven before? Perhaps there was a reason she was sent back to this earth, something other than my own torture. But it couldn't be my own happiness, could it? I hated myself for thinking that way and I banished the selfish, egotistical thoughts from my head. I would be better for Bella.
Finally Alice seemed to be content with her work in my closet and she made for the door carrying a large pile of what seemed to be my clothes. "Uh Alice?" I halted her, before she could get too far, "What do you think you're doing with my clothes?" I asked scathingly. I hoped she realized my tone was intended to say "Drop the clothes, now!"
"These are no longer your clothes Edward," she argued, walking at a human pace down the stairs as I followed. "These clothes belong in the 2020's and I will not have my brother wearing them one day longer, especially if he is going to be spending any time with my recently returned sister!" Bella probably already thinks you have the most horrible taste in clothes, this stops now. You are my brother, and you will look like it from now on.
"I highly doubt that Bella cares very much about what I wear, and I hope you don't make her too uncomfortable with the clothing you picked out for her," I warned.
"Oh Edward, I wouldn't dream of making her uncomfortable. And whether she cares or not, you will look presentable." Now stop complaining, and toss me that outfit when you've changed out of it, she commanded with her thoughts.
I turned on my heel and obliged, trying to suppress the half amused, half annoyed look I would have loved to give her.
Rosalie and Emmett returned to the house around 6:45. They swiftly ran upstairs to change and settled themselves on one of the cozy new chairs in the front room, Emmett perched on the arm rest while Rose nestled against him from the actual seat cushion. Emmett was of course thrilled to see Bella again, I hadn't even mentioned to him that she still remembered him. Even Rose was glad she would have a chance to make things right with Bella. I allowed a half smile to cover my face as I listened to their content thoughts from my piano bench. I was busy perfecting the revised lullaby I had created for Bella, trying to keep myself from leaping out of the house and sprinting to the hospital faster than Jasper could beat Emmett at World Domination 3.
Alice informed the rest of my siblings that I would not be joining them at school for today, and quite possibly the remainder of the year. Nobody was surprised with my decision to withdraw and they neatly packed into Rose's BMW before heading off to school.
The final hour before I could race to the hospital was spent pacing the living room, then the house, then the front yard, and finally I couldn't take it anymore and I took off in the direction of the hospital, running at my fastest capacity. Unfortunately I made it to the hospital at 8:36 so I decided to wait for Carlisle outside his office.
I was greeted by the inescapable Maureen Lancaster as I sat down in the row of maroon chairs between the nurse's station and Carlisle's office. I knew it would draw more attention to me if I remained standing the entire time so I carefully slid into one of the seats and waited for the minute hand on the old-fashioned decorative clock on the opposite wall to reach the twelve up top. It seemed like such a long journey for a slow moving creature such as the minute hand, and I stared at the skinny rod willing it to pick up the pace.
Ms. Lancaster very unprofessionally made her way over and took the seat next to mine, allowing her eyes to follow the path mine were making across the wide hallway to the clock on the other side.
Wow, can he actually read one of those things? Or is he simply staring at it, I never did understand why there are so many pointers on that old clock. What a novelty, I remember when Dr. Cullen first insisted we hang it up, it's probably worth quite the pretty penny though.
I determinedly kept my eyes glued to the clock face, not allowing myself to roll them as I desired to. Did she really find it that difficult to read the time off one of these old fashioned clocks? The standards for nursing staff at a hospital had certainly fallen significantly in the past few decades.
"Hey sugar, you here to see Dr. Cullen?" or just me? She asked hopefully.
"Yes ma'am," I answered shortly, not bothering to dazzle her today. I had more important things on my mind.
However, she was not discouraged. "Would you like me to keep you company while we wait for him to finish up with his video consultation?" I could give you a back rub while we wait, or you could give me one.
"I should like nothing less," I replied once again with a short tone, unable to bring myself to regret my rudeness. This woman was simply too annoying.
"Well, I never…" she scoffed as she got up angrily and stalked back over to the nurse's station where she belonged.
It was that moment that Carlisle decided to make his appearance. "Edward I believe I mentioned not to arrive before nine a.m.," And what did you do to Maureen, she looks mortified.
"Well, I never…" I expertly imitated the nurse in question, but she was too busy wallowing in self absorption to notice. I was hopelessly giddy as I stood and began walking in the direction of the cancer ward with my father. In a matter of minutes I would see her again, then after that I would take her home for a whole week! Bella, Bella, my Bella. It was all I could think about.
Finally we were outside her room, but I hesitated to knock. There were two nurses inside, and to my horror, they were drawing blood. Not wanting to find out if I could still resist the tempting aroma of her exposed blood first hand, I waited and Carlisle smiled at me knowingly. He didn't seem phased at all, I envied his control. We waited for the nurses to exit the room and Esme met us in the hall.
"Sorry about that," she motioned with her arm toward the too thin door which was supposed to keep me from stealing Bella's blood. "They were supposed to have all the tests done by 8:00 this morning. I told Bella about the plan a little while ago, she seemed very pleased and excited, if I may say so myself." It will be simply wonderful having our family whole once again, having Bella back in our lives. I just wish… she cut off, looking at me sadly.
I heard Dr. Minor and Augusta approaching from down the hall, and I tried to keep from growling. Though Augusta wouldn't admit it, she was very worried that this activity out of the hospital will be detrimental to Bella's heart which would hurt Christy. Dr. Minor on the other hand, was simply thrilled. He couldn't be happier that Bella would have a chance to spend some time outside of the hospital, and he had full faith that she would be well taken care of.
I supposed Dr. Minor wasn't really too bad, he did seem to care about Bella, more so than her legal guardian, the hospital social worker Augusta Christianson. I smiled warmly at him as he came to a halt in front of our trio and I all but glared at his companion with her apprehensive expression and thoughts.
"Good Morning Dr. Cullen," Dr. Minor greeted him enthusiastically. "Esme, always a pleasure, and I don't believe I've me your son, Edward is it?" he asked eyeing Carlisle questioningly. There's obviously no family resemblance since he was adopted, but the skin color and the eyes are unique, how strange that they match when they're not even related.
Carlisle responded jovially. "Right you are Dr. Minor, this is my brilliant son Edward. And Augusta, I hope your morning is going smoothly," he said as he turned to face her full on. Her heart seemed to skip a beat and her breathing became ragged, Oh he is gorgeous, oh if only I weren't married, she thought regretfully. This woman was always able to get on my very last nerve.
Luckily, the door opened and the two nurses exited the room carrying their computerized clipboards. The five of us entered and examined the exhausted looking Bella who lay quietly on her bed. As soon as we made eye contact her eyes lit up. "Edward," she breathed in a voice too quiet for the humans in the room.
"I'm here love," I responded immediately as I made my way over to her bedside and grabbed one of her frail hands in mine. I immediately began to doubt our plan to bust her out of the hospital. She looked too fragile and her face was even paler than usual.
"I'm sorry," she sighed, "I just hate the smell of blood," she admitted, embarrassed. I laughed out loud at that remark as I remembered her fainting in biology. Carlisle and Esme stared at me, completely shocked. They were both worried about Bella too, unsure if we were making a wise decision. Dr. Minor and Augusta had only confusion in their thoughts. Bella's and my close proximity reminded them that they didn't really understand why we had taken such a quick liking to Bella, insisting that she be released on a home visit to our house.
"Most humans can't smell blood," I reminded her.
"I can," she maintained, "It smells like rust and sea salt.
"You are simply amazing, do you know that?" I chuckled and her face brightened significantly when a blush began to fill her features. Carlisle and Esme relaxed marginally as the blood lent color to her face, but Dr. Minor and Augusta were still a bit confused with the whole scene.
Dr. Minor ignored his confusion out of determination to be happy for Bella, Rachel to him. He began discussing logistics with Carlisle, and I took the opportunity to see how Bella felt about the upcoming week.
"So Miss Meyer," I drew her attention away from the doctor talk, "What sort of things would you like to do this week?"
She blushed and looked down, allowing the hair to cover her face. "I don't know, anything you'd like I suppose," she replied softly.
"Well I would certainly enjoy anything that meant I could spend time with you," I admitted with a grin, knowing too well that her answering blush would be beautiful.
"I feel the same," she whispered, and I let the half grin on my face turn into a full blown joyous smile.
Finally Esme pushed a wheel chair to the side of Bella's bed and I helped her into it. She was wearing an adorable pair of pajama pants with cartoon characters all over them. It reminded me that she was still hardly more than a most innocent child, a mere sixteen years on this earth. This time around at least.
Dr. Minor and Augusta followed us to the edge of the cancer ward before bidding us and "Rachel" goodbye. We cleared all the hospital security and the automated, voice activated parking manager in the employee lot. I helped Bella into the seat behind Esme's and pressed the button on the wheelchair so that it folded up into a manageable size before I slid it into the trunk of the car. Carlisle held Bella's one bag and he placed it carefully in the trunk along with the wheelchair.
I felt so content that I could have been singing. I laced my fingers with Bella's during our drive and we arrived in no time at all. Bella's eyes lit up as she took in the site of the house. I had to admit, it really was a beauty, but its appeal had nothing on Bella. I unbuckled her and lifted her onto my lap so that I could bury my face in her strawberry scented hair.
She insisted that the wheelchair was completely unnecessary and refused to use it while we toured the house with Carlisle and Esme following us silently as they had been the whole ride home. They were almost as much in love with Bella as I was, they wanted her to be happy so much that it hurt, and I loved them all the more for their unconditional love toward Bella.
I led Bella around the house keeping her fingers firmly laced with mine. She looked around curiously and slowly, trying to drink in all the details of the house. She was positively radiant, and her excitement was tangible.
"Welcome home," I whispered, pulling her close to me so I could gently kiss her warm lips. I smiled contentedly as I listened to her heart rate explode inside of her small chest. This was the scene from Alice's vision two nights ago, and it was so much better in person.