PREVIOUSLY ON PICTURE PERFECT: I felt Charlie place a hand on my arm "sweetie, are you okay?" I just nodded I looked up and saw Heath and Brax really worried when they started to merge into one body and back again I knew that this panic attack was bad, I looked around when everything started to blur and spin. Then black and THUD as I hit the deck hard.
CHAPTER 8
BRAX POV
Darcy screamed as Bella collapsed. Heath and I ran to her side as Charlie bent down to check on her, "it's ok, she is still breathing" she said catching the worried look on mine and Heath's faces. Sid came over and bent beside Bella "Indi, can you run out to the car to get my medical bag" he asked his daughter "Yeah, of course" Indi replied before running inside "Brax, can you call an ambulance" Sid told me. "ok, they will be here in 5 minutes" I said kneeling beside Bella, her skin was pale and clammy and she had bright red blood trickling down the side of her face, seeping from the large gash on her head extending up into her hairline. "Daddy, is she going to be alright" Darcy asked Heath, I looked at him partially hoping he would reassure me as well as his daughter. I could see the nervous, concerned expression on Heath's face "ah, yeah baby, she is going to be fine…" Heath said not sounding 100% sure of himself. "Guys, the ambulance is here" Indi said as two paramedics raced through the back door "hi guys, I'm Doctor Sid Walker, this is Bella" Sid said nodding towards Bella's limp body "from what I can tell she was having a panic attack, just before she collapsed and when she fell she hit her head on the side of the deck." He finished as the paramedics carefully lifted Bella on to the trolley and wheeled her out to the ambulance. I stood watching as they loaded her into the truck and closed the doors, I felt Charlie's hand on my arm "Come on babe, we better get to the hospital" I just nodded and followed. I pushed through the swinging doors of the emergency room followed by Charlie, Heath, Bianca, Ruby, Casey and Darcy "Sid! Is she alright…. How is she?" I questioned frantically Sid turned around "Brax, it's ok she has just been taken off for some tests, I will let you know as soon as I know something." I just nodded and sat on a seat next to Charlie. "Babe, it's going to be okay, Bella is a strong girl" Charlie said soothingly
45 minutes later
BRAX POV
Sid walked towards us we all stood up at once and walked closer "Okay guys, Bella now I did some routine tests X-rays, MRI's and some blood tests and they all came back clear, although she does have a mild concussion, now there was a possibility that the fall could have caused a bleed on the brain but all the tests confirmed that there is no bleeding. All of the tests were clear which means that she is perfectly healthy, I can see no other reason as to why she collapsed apart from the panic attack. The nurses have just finished stitching up the wound on her forehead, but she will need to stay in overnight because of the concussion. I nodded "ok can we see her?" Sid nodded "Yes, but be aware she isn't awake yet but she should be within an hour or so." We all walked into the hospital room to see Bella lying there in a white hospital robe her light brown hair splayed against the pillow, her skin scarily pale under the fluorescent lighting, the gash on her head swollen and red, there was a tube supplying oxygen attached to her nose and a drip in her arm I sat down in a seat beside her bed and grabbed her hand, Heath sat on the opposite side of her and did the same "god Bella what are we going to do with you" I said sighing Heath laughed I felt Charlie squeeze my shoulder "hun, Bianca, Ruby and I are going to get coffee ok, you want some" I nodded "mmm, that would be good thanks babe" I said as the three women walked out of the room leaving us siblings all together. "mmmhmgh" Bella mumbled as she began to stir "guys, she is waking up" Heath said as Casey sat down at the end of the bed. Her eyes flicked open and she looked around when she saw us all sitting there staring at her she smiled and laughed "what what are you all looking at" We just laughed "God, Bella do you realise how much you scared us?" Heath said "mm, I'm sorry guys" she said smiling weakly "Bella, Sid said you had a panic attack, why didn't you tell us that all that stuff was still affecting you this badly" I said squeezing her hand "guys, it is seriously it's not a big deal… this one just got out of hand, but I can control them" she said. At that moment Sid walked in smiling lightly "Well Bella, it seems that you gave your family quite a scare there, It seems that just before you collapsed you were suffering a panic attack, now when you collapsed you hit your head on the edge of the deck which is where you got that nasty gash on your forehead now you are going to have to stay in overnight because you got a concussion from your fall and you have some bruising on ribs but that should clear up in a week okay, now we have given you some pain medication to help" Bella nodded "Oh and also, I think it would be a good idea for you to speak to a counsellor because panic attacks don't just occur for no reason, I assume that something traumatic has happened at stop time and that is causing the panic attacks" I looked at Bella who I could tell was growing angrier by the second "forget about it" she said bluntly, shocking Sid a little "ah, well Bella I really do think it is a good idea as these panic attacks can become worse and you may not be able to control them if they get any worse" he replied reasoning "Sid, I am NOT seeing a counsellor so would you stop talking about it!" Bella yelled. Heath placed his hand on Bella's arm and squeezed as I stood and turned towards Sid "ah, mate I'll talk to her about it but I can't promise anything" I said as Sid nodded and left the room again. "Here you go bab… oh Bella your awake!" Charlie cried as she came back into the room handing me my coffee "How are you feeling?" She said pulling up a chair "uhh, a little tired and my head hurts a bit but I'm alright… although listening to these three girls carry on" she said softly and we all laughed.
2 hours later
CHARLIE POV
As we sat around talking for hours, Bella and the guys sharing stories about their childhood. Bella embarrassing her brothers and them embarrassing her. By now Bianca had taken Darcy and Ruby back to the house to wait for us. I knew visiting hours would be ending soon and I really wanted to ask her something. "Guys, you have been here for ages why don't you go outside and walk around for a bit I'll keep Belle company" I said all three guys looked at me then to Bella who just smiled and nodded. The three guys stood, before leaving the room stretching their arms and legs. "Bella, can we talk?" I asked, she smiled "Um, I am a little confused as to what we are doing right now… but ah sure go ahead" I stood sitting on the side of her bed. "I know, that we haven't known me for very long but…. Would you be one of the bridesmaids at my wedding?" I asked hopefully I looked at Bella waiting for a reply she was just staring at me her mouth slightly open "Bella?" I said waving my hand in front of her face "ah, yeah um sorry… ah you ah want me to be a bridesmaid in your wedding that is in less than two weeks?" she asked finally I smiled nodding "yeah, I really do" Bella continued staring for a few more moments before her eyes glistened with tears "oh Charlie that is so sweet, I would love to…. Thank you so much!" she said sitting up and hugging me. "Oh! Ah, honey your welcome" I said hugging her back. Just at that moment a nurse walked in "ah, sorry to interrupt but visiting hours are over" she said politely I sat up wiping the tears from my face "oh, ok" I said "just, tell the boys that I will see them tomorrow" Bella said reading my mind. I just nodded and began to walk out of the ward "oh, Charlie" I stopped and turned towards Bella "Thank-you for including me in your family" I just nodded before leaving for the night.
9am Next Morning
BELLA POV
I had my bag packed since 8:30am and I was now sitting in on the bed with my legs crossed reading one of the magazines Ruby had bought me in. I was wearing a red racerback tank top with grey and red tracksuit pants. As Brax and Heath walked into the room, Darcy screamed "Aunty Bella!" before running and jumping on the bed "Careful Darce, she is in hospital you know" Heath said to the little girl "oh, god I'm fine, can we just get out of here, this place sucks!" I said as Brax took my hand to help me off the bed while Heath took my bag and Darcy grabbed a hold of my other hand. As we walked out of the hospital, slowly as not to hurt my ribs too much, Charlie came in through the doors "Oh good I am glad I got you before you left" she said slightly puffed "Charlie what's up?" I asked "I was wondering if you were up to it, do you want to go into the city to get you fitted for your dress – I know that you're still sore and it's a little sudden but we have to get it done soon before it's too late" she said quickly, I looked up to see if Brax and Heath had taken it all in, Heath looked confused…. As usual but Brax I could see had understood every word and was about to object when I decided to butt in "Yeah, sure that sounds like fun" I said "Ah, Bella I think you should just relax for today…. Wait hang on a second what dress?" he said catching up with the conversation "Oh, Charlie asked me to be one of her bridesmaid yesterday afternoon" I said "oh and Brax… I'm going shopping" I said firmly. Brax looked down at me and then towards Heath, I followed his gaze "dude, you know that you're never going to win, besides she will just leave when you're not looking…" Heath said shrugging. I looked towards Brax and nodded I heard Charlie laugh "pfft… well we will take your bags home but just do me one favour and take it easy… please" he said "urgh, I suppose I can do that for you" I said faking mock annoyance. Charlie took a hold of the arm Heath was holding as he kissed my cheek and left with Darcy following. Brax and Charlie helped me out to Charlie's car where I saw in the front seat while Charlie and Brax said their goodbyes, after several minutes of saying goodbye I stuck my head out of the window "come on you guys, you'll see each other this afternoon… you know if the wind changes you two will end up stuck to each other's faces!" I said as Charlie and Brax laughed before Charlie jumped into the driver's seat and began the half hour drive to the city.
40 minutes later
BELLA POV
As we pulled into a parking space out the front of the bridal shop Charlie got out and made her way over to my side of the car and took my arm, I smiled "thanks Charlie" she just smiled and nodded as we walked slowly towards the entrance of the shop. Charlie pushed the door open and the little bell above us jingled, the shop smelled of crisp fabric and newness a small woman older in a white shirt and pencil skirt walked up to us, smiling broadly "Helloo, my name is Evangeline is there anything that I can do for you two ladies today?" I looked at Charlie trying to hide my laughter at her over enthused attitude, I could Charlie was struggling as well "ah, my name is Charlie Buckton I have an appointment today to get an extra bridesmaids dress made for my sister-in-law-to-be, this is Bella" she said gesturing towards me, the lady looked from Charlie to me and then up and down obviously observing me "Oh yes of course! I remember now, my my what a wonderful looking young lady your are indeed" Evangeline said in her fake posh accent I blushed slightly "Oh um thank you" I said "Your quite welcome my dear, now just take a seat over there and we will get you all measured up" she said. Charlie nodded "okay, it will just take a minute I have to help Bella walk she just got out of hospital today and she has bruised ribs" she said helping over to the soft white couch "oh dear, what happened?" she questioned me "I ah, passed out and landed badly" I said pointing to my head. Evangeline nodded as she went into the room behind the curtain at the end of the small white catwalk in front of us. Charlie and I sat down as Evangeline pulled out a mannequin wearing a green dress "Now, this isn't the fabric that the real dress will be made of we used the last of that on your other bridesmaids dresses but we are getting a new shipment in tomorrow morning and we will just construct the dress from the one we make today, see this dress is just being used for your measurements we do it with all dresses except wedding gowns." She said obviously reading my mind judging by the confused look on my face, "oh okay then" I said standing up slowly and walking up the catwalk with Charlie's help, when I got to Evangeline she took my arm and lead me into the dressing room. After getting into the dress with the assistance of Evangeline I walked back out onto the catwalk, Charlie stood up placing her hands over her mouth my eyes popped "what! What is wrong does it look horrible?" I said worriedly Charlie removed her hands, grinning and shook her head "NO! Gosh no, you look so amazing and that isn't even the real dress! God what can't you wear?" she said sounding slightly jealous which confused me considering Charlie was gorgeous "oh, really? Well thank you" I said as Evangeline strapped a little pillow of pins onto her wrist. "She does look beautiful, now I'm going to need you to be still so that I can adjust the dress accordingly" she said kneeling and beginning to pin the hem of my dress.
1 ½ Later
CHARLIE POV
After an hour and a half of pinning and adjusting I could see it was beginning to take a toll on Bella who I realised hadn't eaten since breakfast, I just hoped that Evangeline would be finished soon or Brax would kill me for putting his little sister back in the hospital from exhaustion. The other girls didn't go through this they had their appointment in 40 minute sessions but because the wedding was only a week and a half away we had to do it all in one go and then we would be back three days before the wedding for the final adjustments. "And…. We are all done!" Evangeline said standing up again and standing in front of Bella. "okay now we will just get you out of that dress and you can go." She said ushering Bella gently into the changing room. After a few minutes and a few ouch's Bella emerged from behind the curtain and slowly made her way down towards me, when she got to me and took a hold of my arm she leaned in and whispered "o.m.g thank the lord that is over!" I laughed lightly "Well, how about we go and get some lunch you look a little pale" I suggested "Yeah sounds good" she said. We began the walk to the car laughing and joking about our experience with Evangeline the over enthusiastic, talkative seamstress. I drove us to a little café that the girls and I had visited after their dress fittings, we got out and walked inside. After an hour of talking, eating and sharing stories about Brax, Heath and Casey we decided to do a bit of shopping, so we headed to the nearest mall where we spent the next 4 hours wandering around trying on clothes and shoes and of course making purchases. Bella had taken her next dose of pain medication so she was no longer feeling any pain and could enjoy the shopping without wincing at every little movement. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 4 o'clock. "shit! It's 4 o'clock Brax finishes at 5, we can shop for another half hour so that we can get back before he does… or just after" I said "Yep, sounds fun" Bella said as we walked into yet another clothes store. At four thirty Bella and I emerged from the shopping centre our arms laden with paper shopping bags, I noticed Bella's pace had slowed and she was struggling to walk, knowing that there was no way I could carry both of their bags I grabbed the nearest empty shopping trolley and we piled the bags in, once we were finished the cart was loaded to the top with coloured paper bags we both looked at each other and laughed "Brax is going to kill us!" I said to Bella, "I know, but at least it was worth it!" she said laughing equally as hard. Bella took the cart and leaned on it as we walked to the car and loaded the boot with all the colourful bags, we ended up needing to put some in the back seat as we had ran out of room in the boot. Bella let out a sigh of relief as we sat in the car, she opened her handbag and took out her pain relief but stopped realising she had nothing to swallow the pills, she looked at me "Don't worry, I was going to stop in a McDonald's and we can grab something to eat and drink." I said, we set of for the nearest McDonalds. As we drove into Summer Bay, Bella was now pain free and was laughing and joking along with me, as we pulled into our driveway I looked at her, placing my hand on her arm "are you ready?" I said seriously, Bella laughed "Come on, we will be fine… I know how to handle my brothers" I got out of the car and walked around to Bella's side when Brax's black ute pulled up into the driveway. Bella got out and smiled at him as he came up and kissed me softly "Hey hun, Bella" he said kissing Bella's cheek "are you feeling okay?" he asked looking at her "Brax…" Bella said resting her arm on Brax's and leaning forward "I'm fine!" she said before releasing his arm from her grip and walking to the boot of the car and opening it Brax walked around to stand beside Bella when his eyes bulged "OMG! What did you buy you two, half the shopping centre!" he exclaimed. "Nope, we left the ugly stuff" Bella said as she grabbed a handful of bags, I laughed "Well, go on don't just stand there, make yourself useful, carry some bags!" she said seriously pinching Brax's arm, "OUCH!" Brax said quickly as he grabbed the bags off Bella, I couldn't help but laugh at the control she had over Brax. "HEATH!" Bella screamed, Heath came running out followed by Casey, Darcy, Bianca and Ruby "Oh good your both here, Casey and Heath come and help us with these bags will ya!" she said pointing to the boys. I saw Bianca and Ruby smirk as both Casey and Heath leapt to attention walking over to the car and grabbing some bags "Jesus, what did you buy!" Heath said "don't ask man, don't ask… trust me it's much safer" Brax said rubbing his arm where Bella had pinched him. "woah!" Bianca and Darcy said as the boys walked inside followed by Bella and myself our arms laden with bags. "I can't wait to see what you bought" Ruby said. We walked inside to be greeted by the smell of delicious food "mmm, what is that?" Bella said as we both inhaled deeply "I'm making dinner for us, seeing as our last 'welcome to the Bay' dinner was such a disaster I thought we could have another one…. With just family" Bianca said catching the worried look on Bella's face. "Oh okay, what do you think Belle?" I asked she looked worried for a second before smiling "Uh, yeah okay and I will make sure that I don't end up in the emergency room again." She said before taking a seat on the sofa. Darcy walked in carrying two tall glasses of iced tea with pink straws and paper umbrellas "here you go auntie Bella and auntie Charlie, Bianca and I made a big pitcher of iced tea… do you want to try it?" she said looking at us both hopefully "Sure!" I said taking the glass from the little girl "auntie Bella?" she asked shyly "of course honey, I' d love to try some" Bella said taking the glass. We both took a sip "mmm, it's good Darce" I said smiling at her "Yeah I agree, yummy Darce!" Bella said taking another sip. After finishing our drinks we sat around talking before Bianca interrupted "Well, dinner will be ready in about half an hour if you want to go and get cleaned up" she said as we all got up and headed upstairs to get ready.
HEATH POV
As Brax, Casey and I sat on the couch watching the footy the girls all came down the stairs, although it wasn't a fancy dinner and they were all wearing casual outfits they all seemed to look movie star glamorous. Ruby was first down the stairs, she was wearing a blue maxi dress with silver sandals her curly hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, her make-up was light and natural but she still looked pretty. Next was Charlie who was wearing light blue denim short shorts with a navy blue singlet with white crocheted singlet underneath with a pair of black thongs. Darcy came next, Bianca had bought her a change of clothes and Bella had helped her with her hair, she was wearing black skinny jeans and a pink and white striped baggy singlet with a white cami underneath and silver ballet flats, her hair was blow dried and straightened, Bella had somehow convinced me to let her straighten my little girls hair. She looked so pretty and grown up. Finally down came Bella she looked extremely impressive, she was wearing white skinny jeans with a hot pink see through button up vest with a white singlet underneath, with black sandals, her long blonde/brown hair was pin straight and her long bangs where neatly combed and rested lightly on her eyelashes, they moved slightly when she blinked. All in all Bella looked like she belonged in a movie which confused me as all three of us guys were related to her yet she looked better than any of us ever could, her features were much more bright and attractive, something which had always annoyed me as guys were constantly after her and Brax, Casey and I were extremely protective of her. We all sat down to dinner as Bianca bought over a dish of lasagne and a plate full of chicken parmagiana which I knew was Bella's favourite food. As we all began to get our food the atmosphere was slightly awkward and I knew exactly why.
Hope you guys all liked that chapter, I had trouble writing in I knew how I wanted it to go but I couldn't get it the way I wanted it when I tried to write it down so it took me a little longer, I have an idea for the next chapter and the wedding has already been planned out in my head I deleted a part in this story where Bella see Charlie in her wedding dress because I wanted Brax to be the one to describe how each of the girls looked on the wedding day which is why I cut the bit with Charlie in her dress and got Bella fitted in a green dress instead of using the one that will be in the wedding. It is all part of the suspense and you will all find out in good time. I promise Charlie's dress will be good I got a photo of the most beautiful dress of the internet and I will be going into a lot of detail on how the girls look on the day. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next chapter will be up soon. But in the meantime here is a little sneak preview of the next chapter.
Next of Picture Perfect:
The awkwardness of the family dinner gets to Bella, so what does she do?
Charlie and Brax talk baby names and god parents. Who will they choose?