My Hero

Chapter Twenty Three

Bella's POV

"Size five, please. Thanks."

I took the shoes from the counter and joined Carlisle, who was busy talking to Edward but quickly looked up towards me as I sat beside him.

"Okay?" he asked and I nodded.

"Except they're having problems trying to find shoes big enough for Emmett's feet," Alice added, joining our side.

I glanced over and saw that Emmett's feet were easily twice the size of mine, causing me to snort. "Have you ever recommended that he joins the circus? I hear being a clown is very entertaining..."

Edward sniggered. "Yes, we have actually. Several times."

I smiled. "What did he say?"

"Well, he didn't say much, but he made a gesture which I really wouldn't want to share with you," he replied.

Jasper soon stood beside Alice, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. I couldn't help noticing the slight grimace on his face and tried to persuade myself that it wasn't due to my presence. He had seemed to like me before...

Eventually, Esme, Emmett and Rosalie gathered around us, causing a grin to appear on everyone's faces. I distinctly heard Edward disguise a laugh with a cough and peeked up at Emmett who was moving his legs around in some sort of dance.

"Um... Emmett?" I asked. "Is there something wrong?"

He grumbled. "They only provide shoes up to size nine. These are slowly scrunching my toes together."

I bit my lip with all the force I could manage; Rosalie was looking around suspiciously and I didn't want to get on the wrong side of her.

We made our way towards the alley, Carlisle staying close to my side; it seemed that he was still wary of my safety, even though my confidence had been boosted dramatically over the weeks.

As I took a seat, I watched Alice beginning to prepare the screen with all of our names, a tremendous task considering that she was busy deliberating with Edward about which clown name to pick for Emmett; they couldn't decide between Coco and Bob.

I grinned to myself and took a quick glance around the room; my heart seemed to stop as I noticed a familiar flash of blonde hair coming from the other side of the room. Megan.

"Carlisle," I whispered, jerking my eyes towards her. "It's her! Meg...!"

His eyes visibly narrowed. "Just ignore her. She isn't worth your time."

I shook my head. "No, don't you realise? Everyone at work thinks we're both ill! What if she sees us?"

"If she sees us..." he pondered, "then we'll just have to ask why she isn't at work also. That wouldn't go down to well with the others." He paused. "And besides, she's certainly caused more wrongdoing than us two." There was a long silence before he hastily added, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up..."

I smiled, shaking my head. "Don't worry. That sounds like a plan to me."

He smiled back at me in relief and looked up towards Alice, who had just bounced over towards us.

"We're ready!" she squealed and I squinted up at the screen; I was first up. I quickly retrieved a light bowling ball and took my place in the middle of the alley. After closing one eye to perfect my aim, I threw the ball with as much strength as I could gather, and watched in disbelief as it smoothly knocked down all of the pins. Woah.

There were cheers and applause coming from behind me and I spun around, rejoining my new family. I gave Alice a proud high five and sat beside Carlisle, who was smiling beautifully. He placed his arm around my shoulders and I jolted in happy surprise.

"Well done," he said happily. "I never knew you were so good at this!"

I smirked back. "I have many hidden talents."

Carlisle stood up next and I desperately tried to ignore Emmett who was loudly complimenting my handling of the balls.

"I think there should have at least been a prize for the winner," Rosalie mumbled as we headed back towards the house. I heard Edward heavily sigh beside me.

"You wouldn't be saying that if you lost," he snapped. "And besides, that last strike was just luck."

She turned around to purposely glare at him. "Stop moaning Edward, it's most unattractive."

And she suddenly stalked off, walking through the door with a surprising speed. I heard Edward mutter something incoherent under his breath, before disappearing inside also. One by one, the others left, leaving Carlisle and myself.

"I really enjoyed myself today," I smiled as we made our way up the steps. "Despite losing at the last minute."

Carlisle chuckled. "Never mind. You were the best, in my opinion. Incredibly talented."

I looked towards the floor. "Thanks. I guess it's passed down from my..."

I trailed off, staring ahead in disbelief. After everything that had happened... the baby... Mark... I hadn't even talked to my parents yet...

I suddenly felt a wave of guilt and fear... they had a right to know, yet I was terrified. Mom was so excited about the baby, but knowing it was no longer happening, she would be devastated.

"Bella? Is something wrong?"

I slowly turned towards Carlisle. "Can... can I please borrow your phone?"

I dragged my feet upstairs into my room and closed the door quietly behind me. I hesitantly made my bed, trying to prolong the call as long as I could. After the sheets were perfectly neat and everything was lined up, I slumped down on top and picked up the call, dialling the numbers with shaking fingers. I placed it towards my ear and soon heard Mom's voice... I swallowed loudly.

"Hi Mom, it's... B-Bella," I whispered and waited patiently as she began rambling excitedly.

"Bella! Why haven't we heard from you in so long? Gosh, it's been months! How's the baby? How are you? Is everything well?"

I closed my eyes tightly, unable to speak just yet.

"Bella? Bella are you there?"

"Yes... yes Mom, I'm here. There's... there's s-something I need to tell you."

I heard a sharp intake of breath. "Are you getting married? Oh my gosh, Bella! I..."

"No, Mom," I sighed shakily. "I'm... I'm not getting married. Mark and myself have... split up."

There was a long silence so I added, "And... and I l-lost the... baby."

Tears were freely falling down my cheeks now. I had been trying to ignore of all this up until now, for the sake of Carlisle and his family, yet thinking about it still broke my heart. The raw pain in my chest never seemed to go away.

"Bella... oh Bella! No!" Mom breathed. "Oh Bella, when did this happen? I'm so sorry! No..."

I sniffed. "It's okay, M-Mom... it was two m-months ago."

"Why didn't you tell us? Oh, Bella, we could have helped you..."

I closed my eyes. "It's alright, Mom, I'm... I'm staying with a friend. I'm okay."

"Are you, Bella? Are you really, though?" Mom asked. She knew me well.

"I'm... better," I sighed. "Carlisle's really helping me."

"Who?"

"Carlisle. He's a colleague from w-work. He offered to look after me."

There was a long silence before I heard her exhale.

"Alright. We'd like to come and see you though, Bella, we're so sorry."

I nodded. "Yeah... maybe. I'll... I'll have to ask Carlisle."

"Okay, love," she replied. "Just... please take care of yourself. I'm so sorry... We'll see you soon, hopefully."

I smiled slightly. "Yes. Soon. Bye, Mom."

"Bye Bella. We love you."

"I love you too. Both of you."

The phone went silent and it slipped out of my fingers as I curled up into a ball, crying out all of my intensified pain.

Carlisle's POV

I glanced up the stairs, unbearably curious and worried about Bella. There was something wrong... I knew it.

I turned back around and headed towards Edward. Perhaps he had heard something which Bella had thought; I knew her mind was private, yet I felt the need to know her thoughts, to soothe her worries.

"Edward?" I called, placing my hand on his shoulder. He faced me and frowned.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, heading out into the other room with me. I nodded.

"Did you hear any of Bella's thoughts before?" He shook his head and I sighed. "I was with Bella and she suddenly froze, asking to use our phone..."

He narrowed his eyes. "Maybe she'll tell you why after she's finished?"

I hung my head. "I'm just... worried."

He nodded. "You're always worried, Carlisle. Worried about everyone else, worried about their feelings... worried about your work... worried that everything's your fault." He paused. "Just relax a little, it's not all your fault."

I smiled weakly, and noticed that Bella was heading down the stairs towards us both. I immediately noticed her watery eyes and saw that she was shaking a little. I hurried over towards her instinctively, while Edward headed back towards the others.

"Bella, is something wrong?" I asked and she just closed her eyes.

"I just remembered..." she breathed. "I'd never told my parents about everything... so I decided it was t-time to do so."

I reached for her hand. "Oh, Bella... that must have been difficult... I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "Thank you. But I'm okay. They were asking if they could visit s-sometime..." She looked up towards me expectantly.

"Of course," I nodded. "I would love to meet them."

She smiled. "Thank you." After sniffing, she glanced towards her watch. "Ooh it's time for my favourite programme!"

I grinned. "We'll have to see if the television is currently unoccupied."

"If it isn't, they'll have me to deal with."

"I'd be frightened," I added.

She laughed and followed me towards the lounge.

After Bella had finished her food and settled down a little, Alice leapt up in the middle of the room, demanding everyone's attention. As usual.

"Why don't we play charades?" she grinned and I looked towards Bella, who seemed willing to fulfill Alice's wishes. There was a murmur of general agreement around the room, and Bella was soon standing up, moving her arms around and laughing.

"So it's one word?" Jasper frowned and Bella nodded.

Bella drew a rectangle in the air with her finger and Edward shouted, "Television show!"

Bella nodded enthusiastically, before continuing to hunch over and walk slowly, making great emphasis on limping. When nobody guessed, she sighed dramatically and began placing her hands together like a roof. There were no noises from around the room and she groaned, pointing around, before limping again. Then, it came to me.

"House! It's House!" I grinned, knowing her love for the show, as Bella sighed.

"Finally! You should have known considering I watch it at the same time every single day!"

There were laughs around the room and I took Bella's place, thinking hard. My thoughts turned towards Bella's preferences, and I quickly began pretending to crank up an old movie camera.

"A film," Rosalie contributed and I nodded.

I then pretended to hold a wand in my hand and pointed it towards random people, miming spells. I knew Bella was a loyal fan of Harry Potter and was hoping that she would guess soon, so I couldn't make too much of a fool of myself. When nobody uttered a word, though, I slumped my shoulders and pointed towards my forehead, drawing a zig zag. There was still no response, so I placed both hands on my head, pretending that it was a long, point hat. This seemed to spark some thoughts, because Emmett shouted, "It's those books that Bella's always reading... Harry Trotter!"

Everyone sighed and Bella placed her head in her hands, grinning. "Potter!"

"You should have guessed that one, Bella," I teased.

She replied with a shake of her head and a smirk.

It was Emmett's turn in the middle of the room and I quickly averted my gaze as he began jumping around, thrusting at random objects. I exchanged an exasperated look with Bella and she laughed, the joy lighting up her previously troubled face.

"I never would have guessed that one," Bella grinned, looking up at me from underneath the covers. I shook my head at the memory.

"Sometimes, I wonder about Emmett... whether he secretly has the mental age of a three year old."

Bella snorted. "That wouldn't surprise me."

She leaned back against the pillows and I smiled, staring at the floor.

"I had a great time again today," she sighed, causing me to look towards her. Her eyes seemed to sparkle at me.

"I'm glad to hear that."

There was a short silence before Bella asked, "When can my parents come over? If it's alright with everybody... it's just... I'd like to see them."

"It's fine, Bella, honestly," I paused. "Perhaps the day after tomorrow?"

She considered this, before beaming towards me. "Thank you, Carlisle. Although..." Her face turned grim. "Should I tell them about... well... him?"

Anger temporarily filled me but I managed to control it. "It's up to you, Bella."

She nodded slowly, then heavily sighed. "I don't see why they should have to know. Maybe it's best if... if it remains in the past."

"Yes," I agreed. "The less we think about... him... the better."

She smiled drowsily and I headed towards the door, turning off the light.

"What's in store for tomorrow?" Bella asked suddenly and I grinned in the doorway.

"I'll have to think about that. Sleep well."