Swan's been in the hospital for 3 1/2 weeks healing. Today she gets her bandages off, and I wonder how she's going to take it.
Since she hasn't been able to leave I decided that we could have a date and just last week that's exactly what I did.
I was nervous but I knew I had nothing to worry about. I had a picnic basket with sandwiches and chips.
Charlie told Em that her favorite food was green bean casserole and sweet potatoes, so Em made some for me and I packed that in there too.
I'm pretty sure Bella was only to drink water but I brought some juice as well for her.
I walked in and saw her watching tv, some cooking show. I smiled knowing that's something she loves. "knock. knock." I said smiling as she looked at me surprised and turned the tv off.
"Paul." She said my name like it was a surprise of me showing up. "Don't act all surprised Swan, I come to see you everyday." I chuckled at her.
"I know..it's just, I'm not taking up your time right?" I paused what I was doing to look at her like she lost her mind.
"You taking up my time? No Swan. Never. I want to be here just as much as you want me here." I said to her and continued pulling out the food.
"What's all that?" she asked curiously. "Dinner." I said simply glancing at her over my shoulder. "You didn't have to cook for me you know."
I laughed and nodded. "I didn't. Emily did. Your dad told us your favorite foods, I can cook but not like she can."
She gave a laugh too. She doesn't wince anymore as in the earlier stage of her healing brought pain when she laughed or smiled too hard.
I set everything out in front of us and we ate talking here and there about different things...Jacob included.
"How is he?" She asked quietly. I sat my fork down and shrugged. "I'm not sure. I can't be around him. What he did...is unforgivable." I muttered.
"But he's family..." She whispered to me. I glared at her but my anger not towards her. "He's no brother to me Bella. He let his jealously get in the way and you got hurt. You're in the hospital. You could've died."
I looked at her face. "Don't tell me you forgive him." She shook her head quickly and looked sad. "What's wrong Swan?" I asked frowning and took her hand in mine.
"Is it bad to say I'm scared of my best friend?" She asked quietly. I growled a little and hugged her to me nuzzling her neck.
I rubbed my nose against hers and kissed her. "He was so angry and...it hurt so much." She sobbed into me and I hugged her tighter trying my hardest not to leave and go to Billy's and rip Jake a new one.
I felt all her pain and fear and it made me shudder. My wolf growled and clawed wanting out and to murder the fucker. "Shhhh Swan..Shhh."
I was brought out of my thoughts by Bella talking to me. "Huh?" She rolled her eyes and pushed me towards the door of the hospital room.
"They're going to take off my bandages." She said and I noticed the nervousness in her eyes.. I pulled her close to me. I bent down and kissed her softly.
"You'll be fine Swan. Do you want me to stay?" She bit her lip and looked stared at me and then the nurses.
"Would you?" She asked softly. "Whatever you want." I whispered into her ear.
I held her hand as the one nurse started from the top and the other from the bottom. As they started unrolling the bandages Bella's hand squeezed mine.
I gave her a reassuring smile. I watched as the scars grew longer and longer with each piece of skin they revealed. Bella gasped as she looked at herself in the mirror.
There were 4 thick scars that ran from her left temple and thinned out once they got to her neck and they ran down her arm and stopped just before her fingers.
She lifted her hand and softly ghosted her fingers across them. "I- look...weird." she breathed. "No you look beautiful." I whispered to her.
She looked at me with doubt. "Swan..you had a run in with a wolf, some would call monster. These prove just how much you survived.
You faced danger and came out alive." I told her looking into her eyes. I knew she believed me a little but would have a problem with them, but that's what I'm here for.
"You're so beautiful Swan." I whispered to her touching her face. " You really think so?" She asked looking at me through the mirror. I moved behind her and kissed each scar.
"I know so." I whispered into her neck. 20 minutes later Bella was discharged and we walked out and saw Sam and waiting for us. We got in and Sam looked over at Bella.
"Bella..I just want to say sorry..I-I never thought someone could get hurt again like you have. First Emily, and now you.
It's my duty to protect you, to protect my pack and I guess I was a little too late. You look beautiful though, but I am so sorry."
"It's okay Sam, you have enough wait on your shoulders. It would've happened sooner or later." She laid her hand on his arm and I wrapped my arm around her waist pulling her close.
"It should've never happened in the first place." I growled. "No it shouldn't have. Jake will be punished." I nodded in agreement and pulled Bella closer.