Chapter 16: Please Stay
3 days and she was still unconscious. Edward absent-mindedly stroked her face battling the thoughts concealed in his head. "I can't hurt you anymore Bella," he whispered in defeat. Gently placing his cold lips onto her still form, closing his eyes, he sighed, "My heart will remain with you for eternity I promise you that much." Reluctantly pulling back, he touched her face for the last time before walking away.
Carlisle was about to enter Bella's room when he noticed his son heading in the opposite direction. Edward's eyes were down cast, his hands hidden in the worn pockets of his jacket. "Edward'" Carlisle spoke reaching to take his arm. Edward pulled away his expression explaining far more than any words could.
"She almost died because of me, because of my carelessness. Worse yet she almost became one of us," his words fell with such conviction it shocked Carlisle.
Pre-empting Edwards attempt to escape Carlisle pulled him aside, out of the earshot of his colleagues and patients. "Don't waste your breath, nothing you say will change my mind, I have to leave for her sake" Edward hissed. "For your sake I will not let history repeat itself!"
"Stop trying to protect me, Edward, I am your father I should be the one protecting you," Carlisle answered quietly, holding Edward in his place.
Edward hissed a little yanking his arm back, "I'm leaving here, Forks, this life and there is nothing you can do to stop me." Carlisle grasped onto Edward throwing him against the nearest wall pinning him there. Edward glared at him as he tried to push his father off him.
"Edward stop," Carlisle demanded his voice dangerously low.
Edward stopped, glaring unwaveringly at him. Carlisle signed knowing he had lost. Carlisle sighed, shaking his head, "I wish you would just come home and stop worrying about me."
"And allow Aro the satisfaction of killing the only family I have left? I am not going to let that happen. However that is irrelevant, this is beyond you and Aro. This is about Bella. About endangering her life further than I already have. "Edward insisted, the pain clearly showing in his voice at them mention of his love.
Carlisle closed his eyes for a few moments before letting Edward go. "Do you truly believe that running from Forks will solve anything?" He asked. Edward combed his fingers through his hair, leaning back against the wall as he did so.
"It will protect everyone I care about" he answered honestly his eyes directed at the floor
Carlisle let out a long breathe. "Edward, I have stood on the sidelines watching you grow up, watching as you were forced to mature at such a young age. You need to understand that I only want what is best for you and in this case I believe that means staying here at home, with us," he spoke in earnest. Edward shook his head.
"I can't stay father, I can't" he muttered sadly.
Pinching the bridge of his nose Carlisle exhaled slowly as both father and son stood in complete, strained silence.
Curiously Bella opened her eyes to the sensation of someone touching her face. Her blurred vision started to clear to reveal her boyfriend towering over her. A pain shot through her through her throat as she started to speak "J…Jake"
"Shh, don't talk" Jacob soothed
Her eyes wandered around the room focusing on the IV in her arm. The sound of the EKG next to her bed gave off its simple rhythm. Bella let out a small gasp as she remembered what had happened to her. "Edward. Where is he?" She asked her voice laced with panic as she sat up suddenly. Jacob steadily forced her to lie down.
"He is fine Bella" Jacob stated.
Bella lay back against the hard pillow breathing slowly. "What happened to the Nomads?" she enquired.
"The pack took care of them whilst Edward was extracting the venom" he explained quietly stroking her hair.
"Where is he?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly as she closed her eyes.
"I'm here", Edwards voice rang out into the silence like a bell in the quiet of the night.
Jacob glanced at the vampire letting a small growl emirate from his chest, he quickly returned his attention to Bella. A small solemn sign left his lips as he stroked her fragile face. "I'll leave you guys alone" he whispered as he bent forwards placing a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.
Bella sat up slowly, trying to prevent herself any more pain. She looked helplessly at Edward. "I thought you would have left…" her voice trailer off inaudibly. Edward cautiously moved to sit on the side of the bed his presence making her slightly uncomfortable.
"I was going to" he answered honestly.
"You saved me" Bella exclaimed her voice starting to shake and her eyes became moist as numerous emotions ebbed through her body building in strength.
"I saved you from something I had started," he told her, his fingers combing through her hair.
Bella studied him, her brown eyes searching deep into his topaz ones. "I love you Edward, please stay with me…please," she pleaded. Edward pressed his forehead to hers, his hands cupping her face sweetly.
Bella, you make this so difficult," he chuckled lightly.
She couldn't help but laugh at his words, for they rang very true. Edward lifted his head a little, his lips brushing lightly over hers. Closing her eyes, Bella stroked his face gently with her thumb.
Some time later, Bella was alone resting in her hospital bed when Jacob entered her room. "Hey Jake…" she greeted quietly. Jacob placed a stunning bouquet of flowers in a lone vase and sat softly on the edge of her bed.
"How are you feeling?" He questioned as his eyes inspecting her injured body.
Bella laughed a little despite the pain, "Like someone just ran me over with a semi-truck." She replied. Jacob chuckled sympathetically, his hand resting on her good knee. "What's wrong?" She asked warily. He remained quiet for awhile, contemplating, before looking directly into her eyes.
"When did you…why…why didn't you just tell me you were in love with another guy?" He stuttered the hurt clear in his voice.
Bella bit her lower lip, lowering her eyes to avoid his piercing gaze. "Why?" Jacob repeated.
"I didn't know how to tell you," she admitted gingerly.
Jacob took her smaller hand in his, moving his fingers over the charm bracelet thumbing every charm. He sighed miserably, "I have known for awhile… I see the way you glance at him when you think I am not watching, I know you sit at your window waiting for him. I'm not an idiot Bella."
"I love you Bella with all my heart, but I want you to be happy, whatever that cost may be" he added
Bella bit her lower lip. "I didn't want to hurt you Jake, that was the last thing I ever wanted to do," she answered truthfully.
"No, what hurts me more was the fact that you stayed with me to spare my feelings when you clearly want to be with someone else. Out of everyone in the world why did it have to be a vampire you chose?" he questioned getting slightly agitated now.
"Jake, it's not like I asked to fall in love with a vampire, I didn't ask for any of this to happen," she retaliated.
Hearing footsteps the pair turned to see Carlisle standing patiently at the door waiting check Bella's vitals. "I have to go," Jacob informed her irritably as he got roughly off the bed. Bella chewed on her lower lip as she watched him storm out clearly unhappy.
"Is everything alright?" Carlisle asked concerned as he checked her EKG.
Bella looked at the door Jacob had just disappeared through. "I'm not sure Carlisle," she said, her words lacking conviction.
Outside, hiding behind some trees on the only patch of greenery outside the hospital, a pair of eyes were trained in on Edward and Esme watching intently as they left the hospital.
Edward and Esme wandered over to his Volvo that sat in the back of the parking lot waiting for their return. "I'm glad you chose to stay Edward, you don't know how happy its made your father," Esme cheerfully stated .
"I think I will get used to living in Forks," he answered smiling as he courteously opened the car door for his new mother.
Esme grinned back and affectionately touching his face briefly before getting into the car. Edward took his keys out of his pocket when the sense of being watched fluttered through his stomach. Giving in he did a visual search of the surrounding area focusing on the tree line in particular. Straining his eyes he still couldn't see anyone. Edward still felt uneasy but chose to ignore it as he got into his side of the car and drove to the Cullen home, his home.
The spy hid up in the trees, shielding their thoughts to keep their presence unknown. Looking over their shoulder just as the Volvo disappeared down the long road. "Well, won't Aro love this little piece of news," the spy commented to himself , revelling the glory of his success. Jumping down from the tree the scout pulling their black hood over their head masking their identity before running, at the enhanced speed only a vampire could achieve, all the back toward Volterra.