I am so sorry to take so long. I received a new laptop for Christmas and have been slowly moving things over to it. Hopefully after tomorrow I will be able to do updates faster than I have been. I don't own these characters and I am glad you love the ride I am taking them on. I hope you don't hate me for this chapter. The songs for this chapter are "How Do You Sleep" by Jesse McCartney, "Always on My Mind" by Elvis, "Unbeautiful" by Lesley Roy, "Don't Speak" by No Doubt and "Tear My Heart Open" by Pappa Roach.
BPOV/DECEMBER 20TH
I woke up and noticed Alice was not lying with me anymore. I felt human again compared to the past few days of hell that I lived. Whoever thought it was nice to let someone in their house with this shit going around should be shot. My mouth felt like sandpaper and I desperately needed a shower. After two days of sickness and no showers I was grossing myself out. I vaguely remembered a bath but I don't remember getting clean during it. I turned the water to hot and undressed. I climbed in and let the water fall on my back. I slowly eased the tension out of my shoulders and went on to clean myself up. I got out, dried myself off and put one some clean pajamas. I was not going anywhere other than to the couch and back to my bed. Besides I knew Alice wouldn't let me do a damn thing. I was grateful that I had closed up Sugar and Spice early.
I was grateful that the dizziness was gone as I carefully went down the stairs. I saw Alice working on her laptop at the dinning room table and she smiled at me when she popped her head up.
"Bella I am so glad you are feeling better. You had us all worried!" She popped up out of her chair and hugged me.
"I am feeling better but who exactly did I worry?" I looked at her. She obviously spilled the beans to someone.
"Edward called a couple of times a day. He talked to you but all you did was nod your head. Do you remember that? " She went to the kitchen and made me some soup and tea.
"I thought I had died and it was an angel leading me to the gates. I feel bad that I didn't say anything to him. I am sorry I worried you all. I would never have gone in if I had known they were all sick. No one said a damn thing till was already taking the delivery in. I could wish them harm but if they went through anything like I did they already went to hell and back again. "I enjoyed the hot tea and the salty soup felt good on my throat.
"Esme and Rose will be happy you are feeling better. I kept my promise I kept everyone away. I did hire a nurse as I couldn't keep up with all the cleaning, disinfecting and what not."
"Alice, thank you for that and I am sorry I put you through this. I am just glad you didn't get this shit because it is horrible. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to anyone of them including the babies." I wanted to call Edward so he would know I was ok. I wanted to hear his voice while I was fully awake and not thinking I was dying.
"The clients wanted to have them do another project for them so they are in California looking at more sites. They have phone service if you want to call him. I talked to Jasper this morning and everyone is ok. They are looking forward to coming home. Someone misses you a lot from what I was told." She shook her finger at me and smiled.
"Bella a huge delivery came while you were sleeping. Thank god you gave them this phone number or they would have sent it back. What the hell are you doing for Christmas dinner? There is enough food there for a small army. I had them put every in the fridge downstairs so it would start thawing. I know you want to go over and start prep work today but please take today off for me please? Tomorrow you can go back to the hard working sister friend I know." She laughed and I agreed with her.
I finished up my lunch and she told me to leave it. I went back up to bed and got cozy in my bed. I reached for my cell phone and dialed the number I had grown to love dialing. I just hoped that he would not be working or busy that he would not talk to me. I missed him but it was just four small days away. I knew they were coming home on Christmas Eve but that was our girl's night to enjoy each other before everything got crazy and hectic. I don't know if Edward knew or not so that was one piece of news I didn't want to break to him.
"Hello beautiful!!! I take it you are back to the world of the living?" I could see his smile in my mind. I had missed it more than I thought.
"I am better though I thought you were an angel taking me to heaven. Even in my dreams you are a god. "I started giggling.
"At least I know I am in your mind whether it is a hallucination or not. Did Alice tell you we are in California now? Bella I was so worried it took my brothers and my father to hold me down not to take the plane and come take care of you. It reminded me when you were in the hospital and you were so sick. "All I heard was silence.
"Edward I am sorry you were worried but believe me it was better that you were there and not here. From what Alice said there was not much anyone could do. It is going around and I just happened to be lucky enough to get it. I miss you and I want you to come home."
"Bella we are all trying but these clients are important to our future. I will be home Christmas Even and we can see each other then."
How was I going to tell him that there was no Cullen's allowed at the house Christmas Eve. With Jasper asking Alice to marry him I was not sure how many more holidays we were going to have to ourselves. I bit my lip thinking of a way to tell him.
"Edward I don't know how to say this but I don't think Alice will let you in the house that night. We are doing our Christmas and….." I paused because I didn't want to hurt him.
"Bella it is ok Jasper explained things to me. I guess Alice already informed him we were not invited. I understand and I am sure mom has things planned for us already. We usually do our Christmas that night too. I am going to miss you though."
I heard noise in the background and someone getting hit. The phone went dead and I just stared at it wondering what the hell happened. My cell phone rang a few minutes later and I wanted to know what happened.
"Bella I am so sorry my brothers decided to well be asses." I heard him laugh and Emmett yell in the background that he was missing my cooking.
"I love you and I can't wait for you to get home. Tell Emmett the cookies will be waiting for him at the house for when he gets back. "I didn't want to say goodbye but I was getting tired and started yawning.
"Bella get some sleep love. You need your rest. Please don't go over board for dinner and keep your calendar opened we have plans. I love you. Sweet dreams." I heard Edward hang up and I put my cell on my nightstand.
I got cozy and laid in bed looking at the ceiling. I heard Alice breathing as she was standing at the door to my bedroom.
"Alice what do you want I am trying to sleep." I was a bit annoyed but she would not be doing that if it was not that important.
"How did Edward take the news about our night we have planned?"
"I take it you are the one that brought it up to Jasper and in turn he talked to Edward about it. He understood but I think they are planning something. I have missed him but we need our traditional night together. Do you want the normal food or should I make snacks instead?" I sat up carefully and looked at her.
"Snacks are just fine and I know they are planning something. Who knows we might like it!" She yelled goodnight from her room and I heard her door close. I got up, closed the door again, crawled back into bed and fell into an Edward dream.
APOV/DECEMBER 22ND
Bella was back to her normal self after being so sick. She kept saying thank you for taking care of you but I knew she would do the same for me. I was glad that I had not caught it yet and we were taking precautions to make sure the coach house and main house were clean from all germs. I called to have all the vents vacuumed out and new filters put into anything that needed on. Bella bleached everything that didn't move.
We both finished up our bathroom and she said she was heading over to the main house to start prep work for Christmas dinner. When she told me what she was doing I was amazed by her. She was not doing all the dishes needed for the Feast of the Seven Fishes but we still all enjoy it. She wanted to do something different than turkey or ham.
Everything was ready for our night on Christmas Eve. I mentioned going to church but Bella said she was not ready to get back into religion. She knew and believed in god but I think she still had some resentment over losing her parents. She finally forgave herself but she still had questions that were not answered. At this point I don't think going to church was going to help that either.
We both had been hiding presents from each other. I think we both knew we had gone over board on each other but this year was different. We had a lot to be grateful for in our lives. I walked over to the main house to help Bella. She said that Emmett wanted a train cookie so a train cookie he got. So she had been mixing up cookie dough all morning on top of prep work. I was going to mention we get out and go get some lunch but I walked into a bloody massacre.
Bella was at the sink shaking and her lips were white. She was holding her hand and I could see the towel dripping with blood. I knew what to do but we needed to do it fast. I grabbed a clean towel and took off the dirty one to see just what she had done. I saw that she was cutting vegetables and something must have slipped. There was blood on the counter and then leading to the sink. She had sliced the palm of her hand and she needed stitches.
"Bella don't pass out on me ok?! I am going to put a new towel on it and we are going to walk to the car to get you to the emergency room. I need to you stay with me ok?" I saw her nod and go stark white when she saw all the blood on her hand.
I wrapped her hand up and I took her out the back door. The cool air did us both some good and brought some color back to Bella. I took us to my car as fast as she could walk. I didn't care about a speeding ticket while I was driving. I flipped my phone up and called Rosalie and Esme.
"Hello Alice dear how are…."
"Esme I don't have time to chit chat. Bella cut herself badly we are heading for the emergency room. I need you to go lock up the coach house and main house and make sure the alarms are set." I heard her go silent and told her Bella is ok and they could meet us there. I told her not to worry. Hell I was worrying enough for the both of us.
I drove like a madwoman and hoped I wouldn't get stopped by a police officer. I whipped into the parking lot and hopped out. Bella was silent and white the whole ride. I carefully helped her out and saw that blood was soaking through the towel. I ran us into the foyer and noticed the nurse at the desk. She took one look and called some type of code. People came out running from everywhere. It was like watching mice fight for cheese but Bella was their cheese. Some man put her on a gurney and took her back.
"Sweetie I know you are worried but she is in good hands. Can you fill out this paperwork for me and then I will take you back." The woman was older and had grey hair in a tight bun on her head. She was wearing colorful scrubs and a name tag that I didn't notice.
I was grateful I had paperwork to do because it calmed me down. Esme and Rose must have driven like bats out of hell because they flew into the foyer where I was. They both sat down next to me and I could tell they were worried. They must have seen all the blood because Rose handed me a bag of clean clothes. I didn't realize I was covered in blood the entire time I sat there. I finished the paper work gave it to the nurse and told her I was going to change. She handed me a biohazard bag to put my clothes in. It was nice of her and she also told me to wash everything in cold water. She was a sweet lady and she helped calm me down again.
I quickly changed and noticed that the nurse was talking to Rose and Esme. She said we could go back now and talk to the doctor. All I wanted to know if Bella was ok. She took us back to one of the cubicles and there was Bella getting stitched up by what I thought was a doctor but turned out to be an intern. She was in green scrubs and I saw a bag like mine on the floor. The doctor took us aside and said if Bella could cut herself she did it in the best place possible. She had sliced open the fleshy part of her palm but missed anything that was important. I was relieved that she would be ok. He said he would be back with her paperwork and pain pills.
We all sat there looking at her looking at us. I sat carefully next to her on the bed and held her safe hand. Esme and Rose took the chairs near the wall to stay out of the way. The silence was deafening as she was being stitched up. The intern told us 15 stitches total and she would be just fine. He wrapped her hand and said that there would be information on to take care of it from the doctor. He left us there and I decided to break the silence.
"Bella what the hell happened?" I knew what happened but I wanted to hear it from her lips. It was the only way I would know she was ok.
"I was cutting vegetables and the knife slipped the wrong way and I cut myself. Shit what a way to enjoy the holidays. I am going to look fucking brilliant at the party with a gauze glove. "
I was glad to see the color was back in her face and she was talking compared to the white zombie she was before. I knew she was unhappy about all of this. She wanted Christmas and New Years to be perfect. After being sick this was just adding icing to the damn cake of fate for her.
"Bella don't worry about anything ok. We can help you fix dinner and as the party we can get you gloves to wear with your dress if you want. Promise us that you will try to be more careful next time."Esme got up to hug her and Rose followed suit. I was happy to have them here with us and loving her as much as I did.
The doctor came back in and said Bella could go home. He went over paper work with me on how to dress it and make sure to check for infection. He gave me her pain pills and said that for a few days things would be touchy but in time the scar would be hardly noticeable. Bella got up off the bed carefully and I grabbed both of our bags of clothes and we headed to our car. I could tell Bella was tired and was ready to go. I got her into the car and Esme pulled me over to them. She said they got everything cleaned up and bleached. They had to throw out the food she was prepping but Esme said she could get more as she could tell what Bella was going to fix. Rose was a trooper dealing with all this. I hugged them both and said we were going to go home have dinner and get some rest. They said if we needed anything to call. We all headed home and the worst thought came into my mind, Edward would have to know somehow. I was not sure if Bella wanted to tell him or if I should.
We were in the car and I was taking it easy on the way back. Bella started to head over to the coach house but I told her it was all taken care of and not to worry about till tomorrow. She slowly went up the stairs and we plopped onto our couch. She was silent and I knew she was embarrassed and feeling like a complete ass over this. Bella never cut herself but it did happen to the best of chefs. Chef Clay was missing part of his little pinky finger from an interlude with a butcher knife. I fixed her some stew and gave her a pain pill to take. It was early but not early enough that sleep would not come to the both of us. I brought up the subject of Edward while we ate and she looked at me knowing she would have to call him. I did dishes and she went upstairs to get it over with.
BPOV
I sat there looking at Alice as we ate. I knew she was going to bring up the subject of calling Edward. I knew I had to do it but it didn't make me feel any better. For all the stupid things for me to do is to cut myself. It happened to the best of chefs and even Chef Clay had his wounds. I just thought that it wouldn't be as bad. The doctor said I was lucky to cut myself where I did. I missed everything important for hand anatomy and I would heal with time. I felt like a complete ass for doing this and worrying everyone.
I knew I had to thank Alice, Rose and Esme for being there for me. I was lucky and proud to be part of their lives. I considered Esme my second mother and Rose my other sister. For someone that was a single child I was happy to have them in my life.
Alice my dear sister friend said to head to bed. I knew I had to get this over with before the pain pill took over my body. My hand was beginning to throb as the shot was wearing off. I got out of the scrubs they gave me and put on some warm pajamas. I crawled into bed and grabbed my cell phone to call the man I loved to tell him I injured myself.
"Hello beautiful I was not expecting to hear from you. I miss you and just a few days more and I will be home."
"I didn't want to call you as I know you are busy but I wanted you to hear this from me. I was prepping for Christmas dinner and cut myself. Alice drove me to the emergency room and I had to have 15 stitches. I am ok and will be fine but I will have scar."
I could hear him breathing and then silence. I was not sure if we had a bad connection or just if the pain pills were making me loopy already.
"Edward, are you there?"
"Bella how the hell did this happen and why did it happen? I thought you were careful and moved like a gazelle in the kitchen?" His voice was tense and I didn't know what to say to that but I got it out.
"It happens even to the best chefs. Chef Clay is missing part of his pinky. Water can make things slippery, vegetables can be slippery. Hell I don't know how to explain it. It just happens and this time I cut myself to the point I needed stitches."
"Fuck Bella what the hell were you thinking? First the flu now this, Bella you are a walking health hazard."
He was pissed off that I got sick and then cut myself. I was getting pissed at his tenacity and maness.
"Edward calm down it is not like I did this on purpose for shits sake. Like I said it happens."
"No girlfriend of mine is going to put herself into situations like this! I won't let it happen!"
"Edward, you will be lucky you asshole to have a girlfriend when you get home!" He hung up after that. The motherfucker hung up on me.
I screamed and threw my damn phone at the wall. It shattered into several pieces and that made it worse. I was going to get up out of bed to clean it up but said fuck it.
"I take it I need to get you a new phone? At least it is still early that I can get one here today. What the hell happened?"Alice sat down next to me on the bed and I told her what happened.
"Assward went all Neanderthal on me! What the fuck is he thinking?"
"Bella I don't know but I am here for you as always. Believe me when I say this Jasper and I have had some knock down drag out fights and we always work them out. Edward loves you and he will see the error of his ways, even if he doesn't see it now."
She picked up the broken pieces of my cell phone and took out the little memory card. At least she could have it transferred and I wouldn't lose everything. She put my pain pills on the night stand incase if I need them during the night. I was feeling the effects and slowly sank into my bed. I could hear the phone ringing and Alice tucking me in. She kissed my forehead and left heading downstairs.
APOV
I could kill Edward right now. Bella didn't hurt herself on purpose. I know my best friend she may be klutzy but in the kitchen she is smooth as silk. I have been in the kitchen before when she has nicked herself or has come close to chopping of an appendage. Edward had fucking balls to tell her what she could do and what she couldn't. This time it was all on Edward and this was one clusterfuck he was going to have to fix.
The damn phone was ringing off the hook and I knew who it was. I knew she didn't want to talk to him just yet but I would take messages just as she had done for me when this happened to me. I picked up the phone and was surprised to hear it was Jasper.
"Alice what the hell happened? Edward was yelling and the next moment was storming out. "
I told him how Bella had cut herself and how things went from bad to worse when they were talking. I explained that this could happen to anyone and he went fucking Neanderthal on her.
"I am not surprised with the reaction he had but he could have handled it differently. My brother is an ass but he loves her and wants to protect her. We will talk to him and make him see how he fucked this up."
We talked for the next few hours and then Jasper said that Edward had come back. I knew that was my queue to get off the line and let them handle it on their end. We said our good byes and I headed up for bed. I hoped that Bella could deal with being injured and upset on top of that. I checked in on her and she was out like a light. Thank god for good pain killers.
JPOV
I loved talking to Alice but under the circumstances this was not the best conversation we have ever had. Bella had cut herself while prepping dinner for our family and my brother turned into assward in a split 5 seconds. I don't know what the hell he had been thinking but I wanted to pummel his ass into the concrete. I thought about it and I knew exactly what turned him to this he was thinking back to Sarah. He was comparing this to Sarah and it was wrong. Bella was not Sarah and this was entirely different.
Bella's streak of luck sucked but it was one thing we all loved about her. Hell even I knew that most chefs had accidents in their kitchens. When Alice told me that Bella had cut herself I was worried but I know Alice would take care of her. Mom and Rose were there to for moral support just like they always were. Edward was missing her and the stress around us was pure hell but going postal on her was wrong in so many ways.
He left us there sitting and wondering what had gone on. We all could hear him yelling from the bedroom of our suite and it made things worse to know Bella was on the other line. He came slinking back into the suite and we all just stared at him with anger in our eyes. He went and popped open a beer and put his feet up on the coffee table. Emmett jumped up from his chair and smacked him in the head. I wanted to get a smack in first but Emmett beat me to it. I got up but dad called a truce and made us all sit down and listen to him. All I could think was this is going to be interesting.
He sat there telling us that Bella was different and her klutziness was one thing he loved about her. He went on about how this was different and that he agreed his son was being an ass. He went on and on about respect and taking each other's faults for what they were. He ended with fix this son before it is to late and Bella won't forgive you. Emmett added in that if his little sister was not treated with respect and the admiration she deserved he would kick his ass. I agree with him and said I would be next in line to do it too. I added in that Bella was not going to leave him like Sarah did. This was different and she would fight whoever got in her way to be with him.
Edward just sat there listening and I could see the light change in his eyes. He had a huge thunderfuck epiphany and went to the phone. We all knew who he was calling but we were all sure that Bella was not ready to talk to him just yet. My brother had finally got it and I was glad to see the light go on in the fucking attic of his brain. I saw that familiar scowl come back to his face. He was nodding as he hung up and went to bed. We all looked at each other and agreed it was going to be a long night.
APOV
I had stayed down to work on a few things for some events coming up after the first of the year. My neck was aching and I think I lost the feeling in my fingers from typing too much. I made sure everything was locked up safe and sound and headed up to bed. I was not surprised when I heard soft crying coming from Bella's room. I knew that this hurt her more than she was saying. I walked into her room and saw her turn away from me. I crawled onto the bed and laid next to her. She rolled over and sort of crawled into my lap. The tears really started to fall then and I just hoped that she would see that this would blow over. She tried to talk and all I heard was esteem, doubt and more crying.
"Bella listen to me please sweetie. You did nothing wrong and this whole fight is not your fault. I think he was scared and worried and compared this to losing Sarah." I could see her trying to talk but I stopped her.
"You are not Sarah and this is nothing compared to what she went through. I think they will talk some sense into him. Believe me when I say this you are not the only one that is unhappy with him. You talked to him for so long not knowing it was him and fell in love. You dealt with all this shit that I helped create and you are finally happy Bella. "
She laid there sniffling and I handed her a Kleenex. I saw her wince when she moved her hand. I opened her pain pills and gave her one with a glass of water. I knew that some more sleep would do her some good. She handed me back the glass of water and I kissed her forehead. I got up and tucked her back in and said if she needed anything to come get me. I walked to my room and heard the phone ring as I sat on the bed. This better not be who I thought it was going to be cause I was in no mood to hear him grovel.
"Edward what the hell do you want?" I sat at my desk and thumped my nails on the top of it.
"Alice let me talk to her please. I need to apologize to her. I don't want to go to bed with this between us. Please let me talk to her."
"Do you have a fucking clue what you have put her through? I just walked in on her crying no sobbing because she thought this was her fault. YOU MADE HER SECOND GUESE HERSELF YOU ASSHOLE! She is in physical pain and you made it worse. I don't want to hear or see from you till Christmas day. By then I hope you have come to your fucking senses that she loves you more than life itself and would do anything for you. If you think that Bella would do anything to herself intentionally you don't know her at all." I hung up and checked on Bella one more time. I was glad to see her fast asleep.
I knew tomorrow we were back to prepping for dinner and making cookies. I just hoped that I would help more than hinder. I crawled back into bed and sleep found me.