Bella's eyes were saucer-sized as she saw Patrick Bellaney step into the room.
Edward, hand still in hers, took in her thumping heart-rate and mouthed "what?" to her.
"That's him," she whispered, looking at Bellaney, who was introducing himself to Charlie. "The cop I told you about."
Charlie, however, had already recognized the name. It was burned into his mind forever. Who forgot the name on that kind of report?
"How'd you get assigned?" he asked Bellaney, ignoring the silent, and clearly junior officer beside him.
"What?" Bellaney asked, confused by the question.
"How'd you get assigned. To this case." Charlie's intonation had no patience in it.
"I handled the missing person's case she filed."
"Thought so," Charlie said. "Now get out." He pointed to the door.
"I'm here on police business." Bellaney laughed a little uneasily, "Remember, you called us in to report an assault?"
"No," Charlie said, "you're an ass, shitting all over the uniform. Get out. Tell them to send a real cop."
Bellaney's face was the colour of a beet.
When he stood there still, Charlie moved closer, hissing through his clenched teeth. "I may be a small town cop, but I know my procedures, and I have the time stamp on that fax you sent me. I'll happily send it off to the judge. Watch him hand you your ass in court for fun."
Bellaney's voice shook with anger when he spoke, jabbing a pudgy finger at Bella. "You're nothing but a spoiled brat. They might not know it, but I see through you." Then, with his solid, and silent shadow trailing in his corpulent wake, he smacked the door open, and tromped down the hall.
Edward had been prepared to find a way to more subtly evict the man, but stood, happily surprised by Charlie's blunt handling of it.
He and Bella stared at her father, who suddenly looked abashed.
"Sorry," he mumbled, "about the swearing."
Bella nodded, adding a quiet, "Thank you, Dad."
"I'm just gonna call the station back," Charlie muttered, moving into the corridor again.
"Wow," Bella said to Edward.
"A suitable sentiment," he chuckled back.
Edward didn't say anything else, wanting her to rest before she had to speak again, so when Charlie entered the room next, they hadn't yet discussed the disclosure of their engagement.
"So," Charlie said, "you're...getting married." He paused before he added, "Congratulations. I'll, um. I'll let your mom know, when I call her later. She wanted to fly out, but I told her to hold off." He ran a hand through his hair, "you gotta date in mind?"
"We're thinking early May," Edward said softly, looking to Bella. She nodded, preserving her air.
"Very small," Bella whispered. This was important. Her eyes told Edward as much. "Just family."
"Of course," Edward said. He hadn't mentioned anything about Alice's desires to manage the wedding yet, and wouldn't mind her doing so, as long as it helped, rather than strained Bella.
"So, I've asked some other officers to come a bit later," Charlie said, letting a smile flicker on his lips. "I'm gonna make some more phone calls about the ja—Bellaney."
"Sure, Dad," Bella smirked. "You do angry well."
Edward smiled at this too.
Charlie gave a gruff harumph, and displaced Edward momentarily, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. "Love you, kiddo."
"Love you Dad."
Alone again, and foreseeably for a few hours, Bella pulled Edward to her, silently inviting him to sit beside her on the bed.
"Not enough room," he said, shaking his head, looking at the many leads and wires. Then the bridge of his nose wrinkled as he thought. "But we could have you moved home, if you want. I can get Carlisle to set everything up there."
"And Charlie?"
"I don't think he'll protest, you being under appropriately supervised medical care there. We can get a nurse, for appearances sake, if you like."
She raised her eyebrows in protest.
"From what the doctors have told him, Bella, Charlie is under the impression your life has been dramatically shortened, Bella. To years, at best. I think, on some level, he understands that it is months, not more. I doubt very much he'll object to anything you want to do."
Her eyebrows rode higher.
"Well," he smiled, "not anything, but most things within reason."
"Can you talk to him? And Carlisle, then?"
Edward nodded, the plans already sketching themselves out in his mind.
- 0 -
Sam's axe made a thumping crack in the log.
"How's Bella?" he called out, watching Jacob approach. He'd heard from Billy, about Charlie, and then Jacob's sudden departure.
Jacob shook his head wordlessly, and Sam put the axe down. His forehead puckered. "Is she—?"
"She's alive. For now."
"I'm sorry, Jake." Sam hushed out, meaning it. For lack of better seating, he gestured to several large trunk pieces, awaiting their fate on the larger block.
"She's in the hospital," Jacob said. "On dialysis."
Sam said nothing, but nodded, listening intently.
"You remember that vampire that kept coming back here?"
"Sure."
"Went after her. Used another leech—one of Bella's friends, that she changed—to hurt her."
"Shitty."
Jacob nodded. "They killed him."
"Good."
The silence persisted a bit longer after that, as Jacob struggled for words.
"She's dying, Sam."
But Sam understood there was more than just grief walking about here. He looked at Jacob, eyes suddenly alert.
"They want to change her."
Sam closed his eyes, and blew his latest breath out through his mouth. "They asked you to talk to me?"
"No." Jacob shook his head. "I wanted to ask you." Then it was his turn to breath shakily out. "For me."
Sam stood, not able to sit and hear this. "You'd rather have her like them, than die?"
Jacob didn't answer, but rubbed his hands over his face. Finally, he said, "I'd rather have her not die."
"That isn't what you're asking for, Jake."
"She's so young, Sam."
"And young people die all the time, kid. All the time."
"But she doesn't have to."
"Oh, she'll be dead. She'll just be walking around potentially killing people."
"They—" Then he stopped. He wasn't the one to defend the Cullens.
"And she'll be dead to her father, one way or another."
"They wouldn't let her kill people, Sam."
"If you say so, Jake."
They waited in their uneasy silence, a while longer.
"You make the call, Jake. I'll abide by it," Sam finally said.
"What?"
"You make the choice," he said softly. "I'll stand by your decision. If I say it goes one way or another, you'll resent me no matter what. You decide. The elders will understand. The Cullens have never broken faith with us. They've helped keep our people safe. I believe that they'll still do that...with Bella."
Of all the outcomes, Jacob had not expected this one. Watching Sam pick up his axe, and walk away, Jacob didn't have a clue what to do, and sat in stunned silence, weighing, with dread, which death would be better for the woman he loved, and would never have.
- 0 -
"That's the last of it," the paramedic said, setting down a small bag on the side table. He handed a chart to the nurse the Cullens had hired, who scanned it and nodded.
Carlisle was already eyeing the many things that had arrived home with Bella—bags and IV poles, and machines that squeaked and beeped periodically.
Bella was fighting to keep her eyes open, finally comfortable in the bed she'd started to think of as theirs. Edward was beside her, saying nothing, but a cool presence she was glad to finally feel so closely again.
When she woke up later, it was with a smile, knowing he was beside her, and that they were finally alone. "Missed this," she murmured, as he pulled her closer.
His "hmm," was an appreciative one.
"But I need to get up."
"Why don't I get you whatever you need?" he suggested.
She laughed. "Don't think you can walk the bathroom over here." She let him help her up, and helped her to the small ensuite. "I'm OK," she assured him, "you get your healthy woman back, right?" She cocked an eyebrow at him, and watched him smile wryly.
"Fine," he sighed melodramatically, "I suppose I'll take you in health as well as sickness."
She snorted a giggle as she closed the door behind her.
When she emerged, clean and dressed in something other than a hospital gown, she felt even better.
Seeing her move towards the bedroom door, Edward intercepted, "humour me. Another full day in bed, just like Carlisle suggested? Before moving around the house?"
Here she took in, and then slowly released a breath, considering this. "Promise to keep me entertained?"
"Absolutely."
Her idea as to what constituted entertainment did not encapsulate the notion of rest he'd imagined.
"You promised," she whispered into his ear, after kissing him there.
"I did," he mumbled back, returning her gesture and making her breathing became wildly erratic. "But maybe not so much entertainment."
"Nooo," she moaned, as he pulled away. "I'm fine—you always have that effect on me."
"With far less dire consequences," he said softly, reaching for the oxygen cannula.
"No!" she growled emphatically.
"This isn't a 'no' from me, love," he said, setting it in place, and putting his lips to her clavicle, "just taking precautions."
He was showing her why he was taking precautions, and she was very much enjoying his efforts, when there was a loud rap at the door.
They both groaned in frustration.
"Sorry!" Alice muffled voice called.
Edward set his jaw in a hard line, and growled out an exasperated "I doubt that," as he got up to let his sister in.
Bella watched a silent exchange between the two of them, wondering what soundless conversation was transpiring out of the reach of her human ears—or mind.
When Edward returned to the bed with a whispered, "tomorrow," Bella had a good idea, and she tried very hard not to blush, realizing her future sister-in-law would have seen something she'd preferred to be private—and clearly, something else too.
"Please don't make me regret asking you to look," Bella mumbled, as Alice approached.
Alice didn't say anything for a bit, but let her lips twitch in a small smile that carried apology and regret all together.
"Sorry," Bella said, "I know you're looking out for me. I'm just," and she looked around the room at the equipment there, "frustrated."
"I know," Alice said more easily. "Maybe I can take your mind of that for a bit? I know you guys want to get married in May, right?"
"Sure," Bella said, looking worriedly at Edward. Thoughts of that horrific birthday party always swam up everytime Alice suggested the 'planning' of anything.
"Small, right?"
Both Edward and Bella nodded.
Alice had a small book with her. "Can I help put it together? Seeing as you're going to be busy with school?"
"Small," Bella said again. "Just family."
"OK," Alice said slowly. "We can talk about what 'just family' means in a bit. In the meantime, I thought I might show you some things—and not you," she amended, lifting an eyebrow at Edward. "No peeking at dress ideas. 'K?"
Edward smirked, but nodded.
Then Alice flipped open the first page of the book, and began showing Bella sketches of the many things apparently required by a wedding.
It was mind boggling.
By the end of the queue of items, Bella held up her hand. "No more!"
"But, you haven't decided anything!"
"Surprise me," Bella said, pushing the book back towards Alice. "You're right. I have school, and breathing, and eating to focus on."
Alice didn't ask for confirmation, but looked hopefully at Edward. He just shook his head and said, "her choice."
"You will not regret this!" Alice exclaimed, as she bounced from the room.
Bella thought she very likely might, but kept it to herself.
"Alice," Edward said, just to make sure she understood. "Planning our wedding. And you've given her carte blanche."
"We can veto things."
Edward's raised eyebrows illustrated his dubious opinion of this notion. Then he softened his expression, as he leaned in to kiss her lightly. "I leave you to your happy delusions."
"I think I've earned a few," she smiled back.
"No," he said, "you haven't. You simply deserve some happiness, at this point, and I am happy to provide as much of it as I can." He let his lips feather out a kiss over her neck, and she felt her heart flutter to its rhythm.
"Hmm...more," she purred.
"Tomorrow," he promised.
- 0 -
She wasn't sure if it was being home, or having the weight of worry lifted, but she felt noticeably better the next day, and even more so the day after. By the third, she was restless, and it was harder to stay put to rest.
"Surely I cannot suffer mortal endangerment in the backyard?" Bell asked Edward.
Rosalie saved him the difficulty of answering. "You," she said, "could find mortal injury in an ice cream sundae. Or anywhere. No backyard."
"And she has spoken," Edward said, nodding at this unexpected pronouncement from his sister.
She'd been kinder of late to Bella, and warmer too.
Bella had her suspicions as to why, but kept them to herself.
"Have some friends over, Bella. This is your home, too," Rose said more kindly, bringing her a phone.
This was true, Bella thought. It was her home too, and she hadn't seen her friends for a while. "It would be nice to see Sam, and Marie."
Edward nodded encouragingly at her. Barring the visit from Charlie and Sam in the hospital, she'd just had the company of the Cullens.
Marie and Sam were only too happy to visit, and arrived later that day, looking nervously up at the house from the front yard.
"Wow," Sam said, as they came inside. "Sweet digs, Bella. Crappy that you had to sell a kidney for it."
"Oh my God, Sam," Marie hissed, jabbing her in the ribs. "Filter, girl!"
Sam only snorted, waving a hand at her. "Bella's got a sense of humour, right?"
"That I do," Bella smiled, giving each of them a hug.
Emmett had assured Bella that Sam and Marie had been so well lubricated at the celebratory party, that they weren't surprised they didn't remember anything to do with Bella's 'accident', or the ambulance that attended. They did apologize profusely, but Bella waved it away, anxious to difuse any unnecessary guilt.
"All good, trust me," she said to them.
"But it's not," Sam said, frowning. She paused for a bit, seeing Bella bite her lip. "I'm not good at pretending stuff like that, Bella. You know that."
"I do," Bella said, and with a wave of emotion she hadn't anticipated, struggled to keep the tears at bay. "I'm just going to enjoy the rest of my life, as much as I can."
Edward squeezed her hand.
After an acceptable silence had passed, and they'd all sequestered their various and strong feelings, Marie cocked her head to the side, looking at Bella's hand. "Is that—" and she peered closer, "what I think it is?"
"Yeah," Bella said. "It is."
"Wow," Sam breathed. "Congrats."
"Thank you," Bella and Edward murmured together, smiling.
They let their talk drift to wedding things, Marie surprised that Bella had left it all to her future sister-in-law. Sam was less so, asking pointedly. "You coming back in the fall?" Her voice was low and husky, as if she knew the answer.
Bella only shook her head.
Sam nodded, the corners of her lips lifting up momentarily. She knew the beginning of a farewell.
Towards the end of their visit, Sam said softly to Bella, as Edward showed Marie to the bathroom. "The police came by again, asking about Jun. You hear anything?"
"No," Bella said, shaking her head. "Dave and Leo?"
Sam shook her head now. "I'm sorry, I know you were close."
Bella wasn't sure what to say to this.
After they'd left, and the rest of the Cullens had drifted home, Bella found Jasper. He seemed best suited to the request she had to make.
"Jasper?" she asked softly. "I was wondering if you could help me."
"Certainly," he drawled. "How can I be of service?"
"I don't want Jun's parents to spend the rest of their lives...looking for something they can't find."
"Ah," he said. "I see."
"Would it be difficult to give them some closure?"
"No, not really. When do you want it done?"
"As soon as possible, really. They've waited so many months already."
Jasper thought for a moment. "Not that many," he said ruefully. "Not so many that they're ready yet, Bella, but in a few more, yes."
What struck Bella was the idea that there was a timeline. "How many—?"
"Five or six months before people really start to long for answers, Bella. Before that hope is strong. Especially for parents. Better it should be a relief when it comes."
"Thank you," she murmured. "I appreciate it."
"No trouble. Not for family."
As she brushed her teeth that night, she wondered what plans would be set in motion to fake her own death, not so long from now.
Not that it would be so fake. It would be an ending, she realized, more and more, and one she found more profound with each passing day.
She became aware of Edward leaning against the door, watching, as her toothbrush paused. She put it down, spitting into the sink, and wiping her face.
"When it's time, there can't be any questions for Charlie."
He looked at her, eyebrows rising at the statement, nodding. "Of course."
"And it needs to give him and Renee as much peace as possible."
He nodded again.
Then the tears started. They didn't stop, not even when Edward's arms found her, and his chest became the resting ground for her grief. She'd found, in the small space between an endangered life and something like death, a fragment of perfect happiness, whose fleeting self was already, necessarily, unravelling before her very eyes.