Chapter 15

A/N: thanx to Beta Anallbr who wrote Soldier Boy. I was making her a banner and she agree to beta this chapter after my old beta disappeared!

A Mother Would Never Judge

Alice POV

The plan worked as expected. Ten minutes later mom came barging in.

"Guys, what are you doing in Emmett's room. All three of you are grounded; go to your rooms. I am so disappointed. Making your dad eavesdrop on Bella. What were you thinking?" She crossed her arms in front of her.

"The same thing you were." I whispered under my breath.

"Cool it mom, we just thought she was awake. Dad is the one who didn't take his hand from the intercom. How is that our fault? Anyway it's the weekend. We couldn't sleep so we were just listening to music." Emmett pointed innocently toward the stereo.

Mom rolled her eyes, "Okay I will let you stay downstairs since it's the weekend, but no TV or eavesdropping. I want Bella to have her privacy. I will go check her. Edward do you need your alarm or anything? I could go get it for you." Mom looked at Edward.

"No mom, I'm good. I will just get it tomorrow; since there is nothing happening tomorrow I will sleep in." Edward ran his hands through his hair. It was back to normal and spikes wore off.

Mom nodded. "Go ahead, I won't wake you up."

"But we're going shopping tomorrow right Mom? Bella promised she would go with me." I jumped up and down in anticipation.

"Um we'll see, and you're grounded, you're not going anywhere." Mom walked outside while all three of us followed behind her. I rolled my eyes. I was going.

Carlisle POV

Richard left with Liz while I sat down in my office. Charlie had called earlier checking if Bella was in one piece and not had fallen off the bed or something. I chuckled. I wouldn't be surprised if she did.

I turned toward the door when I heard voices coming from the living room.

I walked by the room to see my three kids relaxing in there. Esme had brought her drawing pad outside and sat down beside Alice.

"Aren't you guys supposed to be in bed?" I still couldn't get over how conniving they were, making me eavesdrop on Bella's conversation. It was a good thing I didn't hear something I regretted; however, if they continue with their acts I just might take out the intercoms.

"It's the weekend Dad. I'm not sleepy." My daughter whined, making me sigh. I forgot again. It was funny how much knowledge I learned everyday about medicine, but forget the days of the week within a couple of minutes.

I nodded, "Okay, tell me about your day. I know Emmett had a good one, right Emmett?" I raised my eyebrows.

Emmett huffed and laid himself on the couch.

"What about you guys? How much money did you make Alice?" I smiled at Alice.

"Less than I made last time, its okay. It was only a few hours in the morning. Maybe next year I could make enough for better yearbooks." She grinned.

I turned to Edward when Esme called me, "Carlisle, you have company." I turned around to see where she was looking.

I smiled when I saw it was Bella, blushing while changing positions on her legs she was standing on. "Are you okay honey, do you need to call Charlie?" I hope she wasn't uncomfortable staying the night.

She shook her head and started to sign something. I turned to Esme while promising myself to learn sign language again.

Esme smiled, "She has the name of her old doctor, and it might help you contact her. Renee didn't have anymore information." I turned back to Bella to find her blushing and avoiding eye contact.

I sighed, realizing she was lying again. Charlie was right; this girl didn't know how to lie. "Okay, give me the name; I will call her right now if it's okay. I don't know if I could find the doctor in the morning."

Bella signed each letter to Esme while she wrote it down for me. I nodded when I read the name.

"Is there something else? Are you okay? Are your cheeks hurting?" Bella shook her head in refusal and gave Esme a small hug. She waved goodbye to us, while we did the same and went back upstairs.

I looked at the name closely and smiled in recognition. It was Siobhan. I went to medical school with her. Like me she devoted her career to working for small clinics. I forgot she lived in Phoenix.

I walked to my office and started to search through my old phone book. I hoped she didn't change her number, but I knew the chances were small. I searched through the names and couldn't find it.

"Esme!" I called while still looking for the number.

"What happened Carlisle?" She came in, I didn't look up.

"Esme where are the old phone numbers, I can't find it in this book." I pointed to the address book.

"I don't know, let me look around, whose number are you searching for?" She started to look toward the same book.

"Dr. Siobhan. She was Bella's doctor in Phoenix."

"You mean the one who went to medical school with you? Oh, what a small world."

I slightly smiled at her enthusiasm and nodded my head.

"I think it's in the old phone book, but I gave it to Liz for some numbers she was looking for, want me to call her?" Esme suggested.

I nodded my head, still searching around my desk.

"Are you sure you want to tonight, I mean isn't it too late?" she asked.

I shook my head, opening my drawers of the desk, "her work is never scheduled. At least I could leave a message for her to call back."

After a few moments I heard the door of the office shut closed.

Next morning

Bella POV

My eyes opened to see the sun shine in front of my sight. It was beautiful. I stretched and silently sighed. I stood myself up and gazed outside the window. I could see the river waters sliding down making it sound like rainforest. The sun was making the water look like sparkles were floating on top of the river. I wonder how someone made a house here?

I sighed again and went to the bathroom. I smiled to myself when I saw a toothbrush tagged with my name. Esme thinks of everything. I started to brush my teeth but winced when I tried to move my jaw. I forgot about my cheek. I thought about going to Carlisle and asking for help but I blushed when I remembered I had morning breath. I sucked it up and started to them very slowly. By the time I finished, I saw my watch for the time. I gasped realizing it took my over 45 minutes just to brush my teeth. No wonder my elbows felt like electric shocks were traveling underneath my skin. I kept my elbows by my side and ignored everything. My hands will be fine after few minutes. I decided to go downstairs and see what is going on. I reminded myself to call Charlie too.

I was froze my step in the middle of the stairs when I heard sobs coming from somewhere in the kitchen.

I narrowed my eyes and tipped toed the rest of the way. I hid behind big vases and looked inside the kitchen. I saw Cole sitting on his wheelchair and looking at the plate of food in front of him. His mom was hugging Esme and sobbing.

I was disgusted with the sight. Didn't Cole feel anything when he saw his mother weep?

"Bella's awake!" I heard Alice squeal and ran to hug me.

I smiled at her contagious attitude and smiled too, while returning her hug. It was funny to see her so hyper in the morning. I wonder if she is like this everyday.

I saw Cole finally look up toward me. I felt my heart squeeze when I saw he had puffy red eyes. He was affected by his mother. I just didn't understand why he couldn't talk to her. Why is it so hard to share his feelings with her? A mother would never judge her child.

Cole sighed while rolling toward me. His movement seemed very natural. I wonder why he would be dependent on his mom to take him every where when he could do everything on his own? I could even have Kelly or Nathan teach him new tricks. I smiled at the thought of my friends. I reminded myself to ask Esme about using the internet later.

"Hi Bella." Cole stopped in front of me. "Look I'm..." he sighed again and started where he left off. "I am very sorry about what happened with Tanya. I didn't know that was going to happen. I would have warned you not to tell everyone but everything just happened too fast. I am really sorry." He looked toward his sneakers.

I stared at him, I didn't understand him. What did he mean about warning me, and why is he apologizing for any of this. He should be apologizing for not taking my side when Tanya accused me. Instead he just stood there. Even his mom was accusing me of being a liar. I pursed my lips and walked over to Esme. I signed to her what I wanted to say. I left the mystery cell phone upstairs. (I still need to return) I grimaced at my memory. I needed to get a planner or something to write everything down.

Esme smiled while giving me a one arm hug. She turned toward Cole; "Bella is asking what you are apologizing for? Not taking her side or keeping quiet? And why are you even talking to her. As far as she knew, you don't speak." Esme voice turned remorse at my words. But they were true. I looked around for something to write on, when Alice smiled and brought me the cell phone from upstairs. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, how did she know I was looking for this?

She just smiled and whispered, "I'm psychic." I burst into silent giggles at her goofy face. She did seem like a psychic. I would ask her about the numbers for lottery later.

I took the cell phone and started to type when Cole spoke. "I am sorry for both. No one in this town knows I can talk or move. And I did take your side when Tanya said those things to you; the only thing that went wrong was that you left before I stepped in. I tried to come after you but then you ran over and pushed me. After finding out about Leah and watching the fights. I realized what was going on. I wanted to visit the hospital too but I wasn't allowed."

My rage flared, I typed fiercely on the cell and gave it to Alice to read since she was already reading from the corner of her eyes.

"That doesn't explain why I was accused of being a liar? What do you mean no one in this town knew you didn't speak? Are you mute like me too? And you shouldn't have stepped in when Tanya was calling me a liar in front of town. You should have stepped in when you own mother was calling me a liar in front of others. Do you know what hurt? It was the embarrassment of trying to prove someone else did talk to you when you couldn't speak back!" Alice quickly read then gave the cell back to me.

Around me, I saw Carlisle and Liz's husband walk out of Carlisle's office. Emmett, Edward and Jasper stood by the corner of the walls. I didn't notice Liz until I saw her move next to Cole's mother. I blushed realizing everyone was watching this.

"I know, okay, I know. I wished I could go back in time and do that exact thing. Trust me; I couldn't sleep all night thinking about that morning. I told my mom about my progress and I agree with Esme about taking physical therapy again." Cole said a little louder.

"Should I give you a round of applause?" I rolled my eyes and showed it to Alice who started to laugh before reading it out loud.

Cole face turned red in anger, good. "What do you want me to do? I said I was sorry." He wrapped his arms in front of him.

I shook my head at his immature actions. Then I frowned, I was arguing with a thirteen year old. What is wrong with me? Now I realized how Kelly felt when she had a yelling match with Nathan. No matter how wrong he was he would never admit it.

"Why did you lie? I mean, why does everyone even think that?" I signed instead. Feeling too annoyed to type.

Esme eventually translated when Cole watched me in confusion.

Cole just shrugged.

"Ok, look, I don't know why you are doing this, but don't make me come between this. Because truthfully I don't know what is going on. Right now I have problems of my own. A friend of mine is losing her health and her parents. She needs my help. I know I could help you too. But I won't until you ask me. I am not pushing someone who doesn't want to get up." I typed and gave it to Alice. I made my face determine.

Right now, all I could think about was Cherry.

Cole sighed, turning his wheels rolling into the living room. I followed. "Shut the door." I heard him say.

I frowned closing the door on everyone's baffled face. He could have just asked everyone to leave.

"Look Bella I am sorry." He spoke, but his eyes were looking at the closed television. "Whatever I am doing, is for my mom. I didn't want my mom to know that I could move my hands or talk. I have been pushing myself behind her back. You were right when you said you don't know. You're the first person that actually said the truth. Everyone just assumes they understand but they don't."

"What do you want others to understand?" I typed and showed it to him.

"I just want to be alone. I didn't want anyone's help. I don't want my mom to bring a glass of water to my mouth and make me drink it like a baby. I don't want to be treated like a baby. If that isn't enough, my friends kept coming over asking for what happen just so they can gossip around. I wanted to do this on my own. Dr. Cullen and everyone tried to help, but the minute I fall down, my mom would come and help me up. I didn't want her help. It feels like I am more of a burden then her son. I wish I had my dad. He would always tell me to man up when I felt like crying. After a few months, it got to the point where I couldn't take it. I decided to help myself without telling my mom or anyone." He moved his fingers to the edges of his shirt. "I saw my mom every night cry while holding my dad's picture. I wanted my life to be the way it was, with my dad I lost my mom too. I got a 24 hour nurse instead. The first months were a nightmare. I kept seeing my dad die in front of me. Therapy helped. It was the only thing that opened me up. Only my therapist knows about my progress. I made her promise me that she wouldn't tell anyone. She said she wouldn't until I fully recovered. I started to act up in front of my mom just do she would leave me alone. It hurt to see her always doing everything for me. She stopped going with her friends too. You know she always used to have women parties with my friends mom. But now all she does is take care of me." His tears drop from his cheeks. Cole didn't bother to wipe it off.

I realized Cole didn't just lose his mom; he lost his self respect and ego when his mom tried to help. Cole's dad was obviously made Cole confident for himself. But all that confidence left him once he had to depend on his mom for everything. At the same time watch her give up her own life. I walked over to him and squeezed his shoulder in reassurance.

He smiled sadly at me, "I just want to be left alone. I didn't want anyone to know until I could stand on my own feet. Now my mom expects me to move and talk. The reason I didn't talk was because I wanted her to get tired of me. Maybe she could send me some health care and let me be. But instead when one of her friends suggested it, she screamed and stopped meeting her. Dr, Cullen suggested I took therapy. The therapist covered for me saying that I express my feelings to her moving my eyes, when my mom was refusing to send me to therapy saying I don't talk then what's the point. But I did talk, I yelled and screamed. I begged God to kill me just so I could go to my dad and not make my mom wait for me hand and foot. It killed me to look at a glass of water and not reach it. I hated to hear my mom's sob and not be able to hug her. I wish she would be mad or angry with me. Dad is dead, then why am I alive?" His shoulders started to shake.

I didn't know I was crying until I felt my breath hitch.

"Because that is how your dad would want it to be. He couldn't lose you, just like your mom can't. For your mom, you're her only life. Without you she might lose the reason she wakes up in the morning with a strong face. She wants to take care of you. Cole." I turned around to see Cole's mother whisper the words while walking toward him.

Cole refused to meet her eyes and looked at his lap. Cole's mother got on her knees in front of him and took his face in both her hands and made him look at her. Both her fighting back tears. "Your father was a very proud man. He wouldn't take anything from someone until he believed he earned it. I forgot how much you are like your dad. He always used to tease me how I mothered you. He would always want you to do everything without me helping you. He believed you were strong. I wish he could see you right now. He would be so proud. His son was pushing me away just so he could take his own steps. He would look at me and say, I told you so. You are exactly like him. And I am so proud. You didn't lose your dad Cole, he is in you. He lives in your heart and actions. Everyday I would look at your dad's picture and then I would look at you sitting, frozen in this chair. I was mad at myself for not being able to be yourself. I used to think, how disappointed he would be with me. And here I did exactly that. I just held on to you, thinking that I might lose you too. I have nothing else to hold Cole. You are my life." She sobbed. Cole's shoulders were shaking hard but he didn't make a sound. "Do you remember one time you were running and you fell? I was about to run up to you when your dad stopped me. He yelled at you from where we were standing to get up. I thought he was pushing you too much but he wasn't. He knew exactly what he was doing. After a few seconds you did stand up and started running again. The whole time your dad was glowing. He told me at that day, that you will grow up to be like him. But I didn't want you to grow up. I wanted you to stay my baby. After your dad left, I didn't want to lose you either. I was afraid to even leave you for five minutes." Cole started to shake his head to stop her from talking but she kept going, "Cole look at me! I am not going anywhere. I promise to let you take any therapy and help you recover but I won't stay away from you. I can't. I don't want to be with my friends when all I want to be with is my son. I don't want to send my son to health clinic when I can't think about you being away from me even a few blocks. I can't Cole. I can't. I promise to let you be but don't push me away. I won't leave you alone. I will be alone without you. I won't complain about you not talking to me. I promise. But don't take away my life and sanity please." She begged, dropping her head on his shoulder.

Cole slowly maneuvered his arm around her and hugged her to his chest. He finally let go of his strength and cried out too. "I'mmm sorrrry. I ..looovee… you…mom…" he sobbed. Making his mom cry harder.

A/N: hey everyone, as promised I got back in schedule with Friday's update. I asked the person who I was making banner for to beta this chapter lolz. My beta went awol. I would have uploaded this chapter on Wenesday instead. I went back to Cole because I don't want to leave anything out. I can't always make Bella the center. The characters play a huge role around Bella. Hope you like it.

Review winners-

Nara17

May I say WOW this is a strong story!! I just stumbeld on it

I have no words to expres how good this is!!:)

and about the syndromes and illness as long as you explain them it will be no problem I think it's good you use medical terms, I learned allot I never heared of CPRS but now I do know what it is

keep up the good work!!

and update soon!

Elemental Mutant Freak

haha, I've become addicted to this story I think. lol, I had to go to school today and all I could think about was, "Hurry up and let school be over, so I can go read more of the story!" Anyways, it was well worth the wait and I'm absolutely excited to find out what happens next, SO please update whenever you can and thanks for writing this story!

Ratava100d

is it possible to love this story anymore?

renee is a **!

why was she keeping bella and charlie apart?

didnt she have anything BETTER to do with her time.

GOSH!

esme is SO NICE!

cherrys adoptive parents are [list your choice of profanities here]!

thanx for updating.

please update again soon ^^

French Shark

YAY! The amazingly fantastical awesomeness RETURNS! Awesome sm'awesome chapter! But, I'm dying to know what all DID happen to Bella...cause it's still totally sounding as though Renee has been abusing her, etc...Also, Emmett WOULD turn on "Barbie Girl"...I'm just totally unsurprised by this...And poor Bella for taking apart the table with her amazing klutz skills (quite like my own...I could name several of my own not-so-finest moments right here: slamming my forehead on a piano, falling down the stairs of the bus KNEES first-how I managed that I'll never really know-, and managing to trip on a large piece of cardboard in my friend's garage, which caused me to trip on a metal brake thing behind the wheel of a parked car, and landing on a ripstick/waveboard, bruising my knee...and then once again landing on the same ripstick/waveboard a couple weeks later due to slipping on a small spill in the same garage and getting another bruise on my arm. I GOT SKILLS, right?? Well, that or gravity just hates me...)

SpenceSince1993

AH, OH MY GOD, I LOVE UR STORY SO FREAKIN MUCH. sorry had to get that out of my system, moving on, eep i can't wait to read more, i absolutely love your story, one of the best on this site.

i love how bella isn't just a wimp, she can take a punch sure she went down, but she got back up . . . . eventually, lol. I LOVED IT.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WRITE MORE WITH WHAT EVER YOUR FAVOURITE TWILIGHT CHARACTER ON TOP