A/N: Hi, I know I'm a bit late but I was quite busy during the holidays. Anyway, I'm back to normal so here's another chapter. Enjoy

EDIT: 08/12/2018 Minor corrections made.

Chapter five

From Charlie's description, he had to be Edward's father. Well, I knew he couldn't be his real father, obviously, since vampires can't have children. But he was apparently the leader of the coven.

I should have been appalled when Charlie'd told me about the "Doctor" but I really hadn't thought that a vampire could work at a hospital. A hospital! With humans and blood everywhere. But his eyes had the same golden colour as Edward's so he must have had an incredible self-control. I'd never thought this could be possible. He didn't seem to notice Tyler's bloody bandages, like he wasn't even there.

I realized that I had been staring at him like an idiot, so I composed my face into more normal expression.

"So, Miss Swan," Dr. Cullen said, "how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I said. I hoped it was for the last time.

He walked to the lightboard on the wall over my head and turned it on.

"Your X-rays look good," he said. "Does your head hurt? Edward said you hit it pretty hard."

"It's fine," I repeated with a sigh, throwing a quick scowl toward Edward.

The doctor's cool fingers probed lightly along my skull. He noticed when I winced.

"Tender?" he asked.

"Not really." I'd had worse.

I heard a chuckle and looked over to see Edward's patronizing smile. My eyes narrowed.

"Well, your father is in the waiting room - you can go home with him now. But come back if you feel dizzy or have trouble with your eyesight at all."

"Can't I go back to school?" I asked, imagining Charlie trying to be attentive.

"Maybe you should take it easy today."

I glanced at Edward. "I suppose you are going back to school." I already knew the answer.

"Someone has to spread the good news that we survived." Edward said smugly. Stupid vampire, I thought.

"Actually," Dr. Cullen corrected, "most of the school seems to be in the waiting room."

"Great," I moaned.

Dr. Cullen raised his eyebrows. "Do you want to stay?"

"No, no!" I insisted, throwing my legs over the side of the bed and hopping down quickly. Too quickly - I staggered and Dr. Cullen caught me. He looked concerned.

"I'm fine," I assured him again. I'd never said 'I'm fine' so many times in such a short time.

"Take some Tylenol for the pain," he suggested as he steadied me.

"It doesn't hurt that bad," I insisted.

"It sounds like you were extremely lucky," Dr. Cullen said smiling as he signed my chart.

"Yeah." I smiled back and glanced at Edward who was looking at me suspiciously. He was probably still wondering how much I had noticed.

Dr. Cullen turned to Tyler and I walked slowly down the long room. Edward followed me noiselessly. I stopped and turned to face him.

"Uhm... thank you for saving my life," I said, blushing for no reason.

"You're welcome." It looked like he was waiting for me to say more.

"So... see you tomorrow." I smiled and continued walking to the waiting room, leaving him there staring after me.

When I entered the waiting room, Charlie rushed to my side; I put up my hands.

"There's nothing wrong with me," I assured him.

"What did the doctor say?"

"Dr. Cullen saw me and said I was fine and I could go home."

Charlie put one arm behind my back, not quite touching me, and led me to the glass doors of the exit. I waved sheepisly to Angela, who was in the waiting room with others, and then we walked out and to the cruiser.

We drove in silence. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I barely knew Charlie was there. I still couldn't believe what Edward had done. He risked everything because of me. His coven, or maybe I should start calling them "family", must have been furious.

I was wondering if he suspected that I was different too. I didn't know if he'd ever heard about wizards and I wasn't sure telling him would be a good idea. But I suddenly realized that I wanted him to know me. What was wrong with me?

"Did you call mum?" I asked Charlie so I could think about something else.

"Not yet." He glanced at me uncertainly. „Did you want me to?"

"No... not really." I was relieved. I didn't want to disrupt her happy normal life.

"Maybe you should tell her, though," said Charlie suddenly. He'd pulled up the car. We were home now.

"Why would I do that?" I asked incredulously while getting out of the car.

"She's your mother," said Charlie defensively. "One thing is not bothering her with problems in wizarding world but this is different. It was an accident, not attempted murder."

"I still don't see how it is different," I murmured, walking to the front door. "She would freak out anyway."

"Well, it's up to you." Charlie shrugged but he let the subject go.

Charlie decided to stay at home with me for the rest of the day even though I tried to persuade him to go back to work. So I gave up and went to my room to do some schoolwork. I was still behind everyone from my class. Unfortunately my head kept aching a bit so I took the pill Dr. Cullen had given me and fell asleep. I woke up right before dinner. Charlie had ordered a pizza so at least I didn't have to cook.

After dinner I decided to call mum after all. I didn't tell her about the accident (Charlie threw me an disapproving look) but listened to her cheerful babble about her life in Florida, where she'd moved with her new husband Phil (she still owned our house in Phoenix so I could be there with her in the summer).

I spent the rest of the evening reading my Biology textbook. I didn't want to be the worst in the class and I didn't want Edward to do all the work again. It would only raise more questions about my previous school.

In the morning the weather was warmer so I didn't have to worry about ice anymore. I felt surprisingly cheerful and even Charlie noticed.

"You look better," he observed.

"Had a good sleep." I smiled, pouring some milk into a bowl of cereals.

"Listen," he said and then hesitated a bit. "I was thinking… it's your birthday this Saturday."

"Yes," I said, turning back to face him.

"Well, I was wondering, what would you like to do?"

"Uhm… nothing?" I didn't like birthday parties and he knew that.

"It's a big one. You will be seventeen. Didn't you say that you come of age at seventeen in your world?"

"Yeah." I nodded. This was the only reason I was looking forward to my birthday. I would be able to do magic.

"Well, maybe we should invite your mother for the weekend," he suggested. I could tell that he had been thinking about it for a while.

"Dad." I sighed, shaking my head. "She's in Florida. I talked to her last night, she said she had a plan for the weekend. She's sending me a present by mail."

"Maybe she could cancel…"

"No, she couldn't." I said it sharper that I'd intended so I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Listen, Dad. I know you're worried about me, but I'm fine. There's no need to get Mum involved in my life more than is necessary. And she hates it here anyway."

"It was just an idea, that's all." Charlie put up his hands in defense. "But I still think we should celebrate it. Maybe you should invite your school friends over."

"They're going to the beach."

"Are you going with them?" He sounded hopeful.

"No, I wanted to spend my birthday with you."

"So at least let's invite Billy Black and his son, Jacob. You know, I bought you the truck from them."

That didn't sound that bad.

"Well, yeah, sounds good." I smiled and glanced at my watch. "You're be late for work."

"Oh," he said, suprised. "I'd better go then. Bye, Bells."

I managed to arrive at school without causing any incident. I knew people would ask me about the accident so stuck to the story I'd made up yesterday. I told everyone who asked that Edward had been standing next to me and pulled me out of the way. Some people were surprised because they hadn't noticed him standing anywhere near me, but I was very persuasive.

I arrived in the Biology class and went to my usual seat. The table was still empty so I sat down, prepated to pull out my things. After a few seconds I heard the chair next to me move. I turned my head to him at once.

"Hello." I smiled at Edward who looked surprised by my good mood.

"Hello."

He didn't say anything else but stared at me with the same curious and speculating look as yesterday and the day before. It made me wonder what he was thinking and frankly, it was slightly unnerving. At last I pulled my textbook out of my bag, glad that I didn't have to stare at him. I opened the book on the chapter we were supposed to go through today.

"How is your head?" Edward asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Fine, thanks." Everyone kept asking me this question so it was becoming quite annoying.

Before he could ask me more questions, Mike came to our table. He glanced at Edward uncertainly but then smiled at me.

"So, Bella, are you coming to the beach with us this Saturday?" he asked excitedly.

I'd forgotten to tell my new schoolmates that I wouldn't come.

"Sorry, Mike, but I have other plans." I carefully avoided mentioning my birthday.

"What plans?" he almost snapped. He was clearly disappointed. From the corner of my eye I thought I could see Edward scowl.

"Some family friends are coming to visit." I was suddenly grateful for Charlie's idea. At least I didn't have to lie.

At that moment Mr. Banner arrived so I was saved from more questioning. Mike returned to his seat and I turned my head to the teacher.

The lesson was quite boring but I was determined to get better at this stupid subject so I took the notes carefully.

When the bell finally rang I put my things back to my bag and turned to Edward to say bye. He was staring at me again.

"What?" I snapped at him. My patience had worn off.

"Sorry?" he asked, confused.

"Why do you keep staring at me like that?"

"Oh," he said looking embarrassed. "Sorry. I'm just trying to figure something out," he admitted.

"What are you trying to figure out?" I asked slowly, not sure what he was getting at.

"If you are..." he started but then changed his mind and shook his head. "Well, never mind," he said quickly, raising to his feet.

"If I am what?" I stared at him but he just smiled slightly and quickly walked away.