My Hero

Chapter Nine

Carlisle's POV

I stood still, completely shocked by the behaviour from Bella's partner. I was puzzled at how she could possibly be attracted to such a rude character.

I wasn't going to judge her, though. It was her choice. Her life.

I hovered on the doorstep, hearing a raised voice coming from inside. I wondered whether I should stay where I was and listen, but I realised that it really wasn't any of my business at all.

Reluctantly, I turned around and tried to block out the sounds that my strong hearing could pick up by focusing on the sound of my breathing. I sat down slowly in my car and exhaled heavily. I had to stop staying with Bella so much; her partner disliked it, and it was interfering with her life.

But why did I find myself listening hopelessly to her voice?

It was quiet, but she still alerted all my senses. I hung on to her every word, waiting for her response to whatever her partner had said.

Bella's POV

My heart hammered violently in my chest as Mark stood over me, his eyes full of rage. I knew what was coming; I was preparing myself for the impact.

"I..."

My mouth went dry and I swallowed, trying to tell him the truth. I knew I had to.

"I... I'm p-pregnant."

My voice came out in such a whisper that I was surprised it was even audible.

"What did you say?" he breathed, his bushy eyebrows pulling together in a frown. I felt tremors shake my body as I tried to force out some more words.

"You heard me," I muttered, and I held my stomach protectively. He could hurt me, but he wasn't going to cause any harm to my child.

He remained silent for a long time, and all I could hear was his ragged breath. Eventually, words escaped from him and I winced, ready for the pain.

"Are you positive?" he asked, to my surprise, and I looked up at him. He seemed oddly... happy.

"Yes," I murmured. "I checked this morning at the hospital."

He looked at me for a long time, before a smile spread slowly across his face. It looked ugly. I tried not to wince as he placed his arms on my shoulders.

"Bella," he said. "This is great news!"

As his hands touched me, I flinched away automatically, but he was oblivious to my actions.

"A child..." he grinned, and I avoided his gaze. "I've always wanted a child!"

As always, it was about what he wanted. I didn't know why I was so surprised. He didn't seem like the type to crave fatherhood at all, though. In fact, I feared for my child. How would Mark treat it? I shivered just thinking.

As he looked at me, I forced a half smile and he led me towards the living room.

"So, what do you feel like doing?" he asked.

I stared at him, completely astonished and oddly terrified by his different behaviour. It seemed even more creepy than his normal actions.

I shrugged, as I placed my crutches by my side. My foot was aching, but I ignored it as he sat on the sofa opposite me, turning on the television. As soon as he found a decent programme, his attention was diverted and I sighed, getting up to grab some painkillers. He didn't look in my direction as I staggered to the work surface, nearly spilling the pills everywhere. I swallowed some fiercely, tears suddenly streaming down my face. I hadn't felt any relief from telling him; now I was just more terrified.

I stared out of the window, noticing a black car pulling off into the distance. The car reminded me of Carlisle – the one person I truly needed to see right now. I felt immediate guilt at the way Mark had treated him; how dare he.

It was disturbing thinking that I might not see Carlisle for a few weeks – I didn't know how I was going to cope. Staying home was going to be torture.

I tipped the rest of my water into the sink, and turned around, reluctantly sitting back down in front of the television.

Carlisle's POV

I was sat rigidly, overwhelmed by the truth. They were happy together. They were going to have a family together.

I should be pleased for them, but I couldn't control my jealousy and need to be in Bella's partner's place.

It wasn't fair.

My eyes locked onto the street ahead; I considered returning to the hospital, but I couldn't work up the strength to move. I had a family myself, and I didn't know why I was being so awfully selfish.

I stared at her window and slowly started up the car, returning to work and trying to accept what had happened.

Work was incredibly long and laborious. Every minute that ticked by was filled by the thought of Bella. I couldn't control the urge to want to be with her, and knowing that I wouldn't be able to see her for a long period of time... it made me anxious and worried.

It was when I was on my lunch break that I realised something that I had been ignoring for a long time. Something that I had tried to dismiss, mainly because of Esme and the effect that it would have on my family, but now it seemed even more forbidden because of her happy relationship.

I was helplessly falling for Bella Swan.

There was no point in avoiding it anymore – the evidence was conclusive. Every minute that I was away from her, I longed to be with her.

Every time I saw her, my thoughts turned erratic and everything around me seemed entirely irrelevant.

Every time I looked into her wonderful eyes, I was lost.

I should have known. And now I was terrified; terrified about what effect this would have on everyone around me.

I exhaled heavily, and looked out the window. It was inevitable that Alice would have foreseen most of what I was thinking, and I suddenly felt very worried about returning home.

I had a lot to worry about, lately.

And so did Bella.

It seemed like we were meant for each other, yet I knew it would never, ever happen.

It couldn't.

I'd have to somehow ignore my feelings and somehow stop them.

I began walking down the corridor and paused outside her office. Everything was still perfectly in place and my thoughts turned back to seeing her singing beautifully to that one song. I was absorbed in the memory, until I was interrupted by Megan, a fellow colleague.

"Hi, Dr Cullen," she said, slightly dazed, and I forced a smile back.

"Megan," I replied. "How are you today?"

"Great thanks," she answered, looking at me in the familiar way that most people did. I sighed internally. "Um, I was actually wondering where Bella is?"

I blinked, puzzled that she was concerned about her, yet glad the topic had turned towards her.

"She fell over today and fractured her ankle, I'm quite concerned about her actually..." I explained. "I didn't know you two were friendly...?"

"Oh dear... um, yeah, we met on her first day here and we talked a bit. I just wanted to catch up with her really, I haven't talked to her since that day."

My mind had wandered during her explanation, but I nodded.

"Well, I can give you directions to her house if you want to visit?" I offered, then added, "Or I could take you there after work?" I couldn't resist a chance to see her.

She raised an eyebrow at me and I could sense the blood rushing to her cheeks. I winced, hoping I hadn't given her any ideas. She smiled after a moment.

"Sure, when do you finish?"

I quickly looked at a nearby clock and replied, "In an hour."

"Well, I'll meet you outside at half 6 then," she grinned and added, "Thanks!"

Before I could reply, she had practically skipped away down the corridor and I exhaled. Sometimes, I couldn't believe some of the things I got myself into...

Bella's POV

The day was horrific.

I was already fed up with sitting still and I longed to be outside, in other company. One person in particular...

Mark hadn't said or done much since I told him the truth, which was good in some ways, but bad in others; it made me realise how much I wanted to see Carlisle.

I thought through how long it would take my ankle to heal; I concluded it would be around 6 weeks before I could work again.

Surely I wouldn't have to stay in the house all of that time. I could sneak out, with a good enough excuse, and somehow see Carlisle.

I sat still, watching the blurry screen, the effect of the painkillers gradually wearing off. I felt incredibly tired and was considering going to sleep, when there was a sudden knock on the door, causing me to nearly jump out of my seat. I looked at Mark, who was asleep himself on the sofa, and I sighed, reaching for my crutches and stumbling towards the door. I honestly felt like I would collapse, but I luckily reached the door handle to steady myself. It was strange having a visitor; nobody tended to like us.

I opened the door, and standing there was somebody whose face I knew, but name I couldn't remember.

"Er... hi!" I smiled, and frowned.

"Bella!" she exclaimed, walking past me. I saw a black car speed off into the distance, and I could have sworn the driver had blonde hair like Car-

"I heard what happened!" she interrupted as I closed the door behind me. I suddenly remembered her name.

"Meg, how did you get here?" I asked, leaning against the counter. I was finding it incredibly hard to remain standing.

"Dr Cullen gave me a lift." My heart leapt into a race. "He was worried about you."

I felt a sudden happiness at her words and a warm glow in my chest as she invited herself into the living room.

"Oh," she said, looking at Mark who was still sleeping. "I didn't realise you..."

"It's fine," I shrugged. "Would you like a drink?"

"Ooh, if you're offering," she frowned. "I'll make it if you like, you sit down, you look exhausted, Bella."

I smiled gratefully and noticed Mark stirring as I took my seat. He opened his eyes and sat slowly upwards, stretching his arms. He looked at the television, then frowned as Meg came into the room.

"Oh, hi! Sorry," Meg said, placing down the cups. "I wanted to see how Bella was..."

Mark looked at her and suddenly smiled, patting the space beside him on the sofa.

"It's perfectly fine," he grinned, as she sat down.

It was alright for Meg to visit, but Carlisle... I sighed in frustration. This was going to be a long night.

Carlisle's POV

I sped away from Bella's house, telling myself not to stay. It would cause upset, and that was the last thing I wanted to do.

I arrived minutes later at my own house and abruptly cut off the engine. Today had been such a long day, and I felt oddly exhausted, which definitely wasn't in my nature.

I entered the living room and was surrounded immediately by relieved sighs and hugs.

"Dad!" Rosalie and Alice echoed, smiling at me.

"We were worried!" Edward sighed, looking at me with disapproval. Jasper and Emmett joined his side.

"I'm sorry," I breathed, sitting down tiredly. "I just had some things to think about."

I saw Rosalie glance at me, before staring at the floor. She had been incredibly close to Esme and our separation seemed to have been tough for her.

After a while settling back in, I felt relieved to be back where I belonged. A night away had caused them all kinds of anxiety and I willed myself not to do it again.

A few hours later, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and Edward were all out hunting, leaving just Alice and I in the room. She was looking at me with an expression that seemed to be a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Dad?" she asked suddenly, and I turned slowly towards her. I brought my eyes up to meet hers, and I knew what was coming. Not now, please...

"Is there something you want to tell me about a certain Bella Swan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I stared at her, completely conflicted. Should I tell her that I'd fallen for Bella; that I had already gotten over Esme? Would it break her heart?

Why was everything always so difficult?