A/N First off a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to read my first chapter and big hugs to all who reviewed and added alerts, favorites, etc. There are no words to describe that rush!
Big love to changedbyEdward, my wonderful beta for looking after me so well!!
As always, a MASSIVE thank you to Stephenie Meyer for allowing me to play with her characters....I do not own them but I sure wish I did!!
Chapter 2…
(Carlisle's POV)
I decided that there was no sense in delaying the inevitable and made my way back into the tiny town we had once called home. The drive to the Swan residence was relatively short, even with me obeying the speed limit. I was unsure whether Charlie would even be home, but knew I didn't want to meet with him over a speeding ticket. I pulled up a short distance from the house and turned off the engine.
What would I say to him? I generally consider myself a well-spoken person, decades of practice speaking with patients and families in the hospital had given me more than enough experience, but for once I felt at a loss for words.
His police car was parked in the driveway behind Bella's truck. It gave me some peace to stare at the faded red paint of the beast, but my comfort was short-lived. Gathering my courage, I exited the Mercedes and made my way slowly up the walkway.
Through the window, I watched the silver lights of the television dance against the living room wall, and assumed that Charlie was most likely still awake. I knocked on the door and waited.
"Yeah, coming." I heard footsteps approaching the door.
The expressions on the Chief's face appeared to change with each thud of his beating heart – shock, frustration, anger and finally, cold politeness as he reigned in his emotions. He straightened slightly and held the door open, but stood in its path.
"Carlisle." His voice was thick with emotion.
"Hello, Charlie." I looked down at the step and then glanced back up to his face. "I was wondering if I might have a few moments of your time."
He stood for a moment and then backed away from the door, allowing me to enter. I followed him into the living room and stood while he shut off the television and turned to face me. I could see him arguing with himself about how he should proceed and I thought briefly of how much Bella was like him.
Finally he spoke. "What brings you by, Carlisle?"
I could tell that what he really meant was, "What the hell are you doing here in Forks, in my home?"
Remembering to breathe, I inhaled and sat in the seat he had pointed to when we entered the room. "Charlie, I heard Bella is in the hospital…"
His eyes smouldered then and I watched as he stood nervously and shoved his hands into the pockets of his worn jeans. "Yes, Carlisle, she is, and we both know God-damn well why she's there!" His voice rose and I waited for him to continue. "I hope to God that you didn't bring that boy here with you!"
I shook my head and saw the tension in his shoulders lighten a bit. "No, Charlie, Edward isn't with me. He is currently in South America, staying with some friends of the family."
"Well I hope the hell he stays there!" Charlie threw himself back into his Lazy boy and looked at me. "Why are you back?"
It was my turn to stand. "Charlie, Esme and I have been very worried about Bella since the day we left. I can't begin to express how sorry I am for what has happened and I would truly like to help if you think there is any way I can." I paused and looked at him before continuing, "We love Bella like one of our own and I'm truly ashamed that my family has caused this severe stress for her."
Charlie leaned back and closed his eyes, his fingers massaging his temples as if to relieve the pain. "I'm not sure there's anything anyone can do, Carlisle." His voice was calmer now and quiet, filled with remorse.
"Charlie, let me try – it's the least I can do." I moved towards him and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Let me try to find her for you."
I felt his eyes on me then, full of questions, yet terrified to ask. Instead he nodded slowly. "I'll call the hospital and let them know you'll be headed their way." He paused. "I appreciate you taking the time to see her, Carlisle, and it's fine if your wife wants to as well, but I don't want that boy anywhere near her. Ever. Got that?"
I nodded, even though in the dark recesses of my mind, I knew I was most likely making a promise I would not be able to keep. "Thank you, Charlie. I will be in touch as soon as I have seen her. Now if you will excuse me, I'll just show myself out."
He never moved as I headed for the door, but as I made my way down the walk towards my car, I heard his choked sobs and the whispered prayer that followed. "Please God, let him be able to help her."
I returned to the house immediately after my visit with Charlie, not really having anywhere else to go and not wanting the rest of the town's residents to know that I was back. For a fleeting moment I thought about visiting the hospital, but I knew that would only raise questions that I was unable to answer.
I sat in silence, staring at the fireplace, contemplating my next move. The cheerful ring of my cell phone brought a strong distaste to my mouth as I was feeling anything but happy at the moment.
I thought it would be Esme calling for an update, but was surprised to see Alice's photo on the screen.
"Hello, Alice."
"Carlisle, why are you in Forks?" Her voice was like a wind chime and I smiled in spite of my melancholy mood.
"Alice, I'm not sure you want to hear my answer to that." I waited for her response, but was surprised when I only heard a small sigh at the other end. "Is everything alright with you and Jasper?"
"Yes, we're as well as could be expected. I'm calling to see if you need my assistance." I could sense her anguish as she mentally argued with her mind. "I saw her, Carlisle," she whispered.
A sad smile came to my lips as I knew that she had come to the end of her rope where Edward's demand was concerned as well. "What did you see, Alice?"
A sob caught in her throat and she choked. "She looks so lonely, so alone. I can't imagine…" I heard the phone shuffle and then another familiar voice came to me.
"Hello, Carlisle."
"Jasper, it's good to hear your voice." I leaned forward in my chair. "Is Alice alright?"
"She will be." He cleared his throat in a human way. "Her visions of Bella were quite difficult for her to see. She has been researching her history with the information that James supplied on the video and it has been quite disturbing for her." He paused. "I think it has been even more difficult seeing Bella in a similar state."
I nodded even though he could not see me. "Jasper, please tell Alice that I am going to see Bella tomorrow. I have been to see Charlie and he has hesitantly agreed to let me try and help."
"Do you want us to come home?" My chest swelled with joy hearing those words, but I knew it wasn't possible yet.
"As much as Esme and I would love to see you both, I'm going to have to ask you to be patient for a bit." I stood and paced the empty living room. "Charlie was quite adamant that Edward be nowhere near Bella, and I am afraid that if we all return to Forks so soon, he will come."
"What did he do to that girl, Carlisle?" I could hear Jasper inhale as he uttered the words. "Please forgive me- I should not have asked that of you. None of this would have happened if I had been able to show more control."
I heard Alice arguing with him in the background. "Jasper, Alice is right. This is not your fault. I know for a fact that Bella had already forgiven you. Do not forget that it was me who cleaned and stitched her wounds. She did not blame you. It was an accident." He didn't respond and I only hoped that eventually he would believe us. "Whatever happened between Bella and Edward in that forest is what has caused this breakdown. I only hope I will have a bit more insight after I see her."
Alice took the phone again. "Carlisle, I'm sorry I didn't look sooner. Please tell Bella I love her when you see her." A tiny pixie laugh came through the phone. "I think we should let you go, Esme is quite anxious to talk to you. You may have to buy her a new cell phone, though…her frustration seems to have shattered the one she's been trying to reach you on."
"Thank you, Alice. I will call her now."
We said our goodbyes and I relaxed, feeling as if a bit of the weight I had been carrying was lifted off my shoulders. Over the past few months, it had torn me apart that Alice and I were not seeing eye to eye on the situation. I knew her love for Edward was strong and how much she wanted to respect his wishes, but I also realized it was impossible for me to stand by any longer, not knowing. Speaking with Alice made me realize how much she had been suffering as well, for as much as she loved her "brother" – she felt just as devoted to Bella.
"Hello, Darling," I chuckled as I answered her call before it even rang.
I didn't ask her why she was calling from my office phone, and she didn't offer me details. She listened quietly as I filled her in on my visit with Charlie and my plans to head back to Seattle in the morning.
"I think I will arrange to fly up and meet you, my love. I know I can not go with you to see her, but I can't stand being so far from you while you go through this alone."
"Esme, I want you here as well. I don't know how this will all turn out, but I have a feeling we will be here for awhile."
"I will make arrangements to close the house here tomorrow then. Will we stay in Forks?"
I hesitated. "No dear, not yet. I think it would be best to stay, at least for the short term, right in Seattle. Can you make the arrangements, please?"
"Of course. I will see you soon. Goodnight, my love."
I closed the cell and stared at the bright silver moon shining above the cedars. It would be a long day ahead and I knew it would bode me well to hunt. I headed for our bedroom and changed quickly to faded jeans and a t-shirt before heading out into the dark night. I ran barefoot through the trees, far from the house and towards the scent I had picked up. A lone buck stood in the field below, his fur glistening with the newly fallen dew in the moonlight. I crouched and rushed him, taking him quickly to the ground. He never knew what hit him as I buried my face to his neck, taking his essence and silently thanking him for the gift.
After I had buried the remains, I sat and leaned against a cedar, staring into the moonlight. Thoughts of the day's events ran through my mind and I processed everything again, hoping I would be able to make sense of it all; but the question still remained…
"What did Edward do to cause Bella such pain?"
End of chapter – reviews are like chocolate and I have one mean sweet tooth!!
