The Learning Curve: Chapter 92

Forks Community Hospital

I was falling asleep on Edward's shoulder when a doctor in teal scrubs came out to talk to Alice. We'd been in the waiting room for hours, only leaving to visit the restrooms or the vending machines. Charlie had showed up to see if I wanted him to take me home, but he consented to let me stay with Alice. He'd even told me I didn't have to go to school tomorrow, which only drove home the gravity of the situation. Charlie only let me skip school when I was vomiting or mentioned the word "cramps."

"Miss Brandon?" the doctor in scrubs asked, and I struggled to alertness as Alice jumped from her chair.

"What's going on?" she asked immediately. "Are they okay?"

"I can only give you an update on your father," the doctor said with an expressionless face. "I was the lead surgeon on his case. Right now he's in post-op, and he's recovering well. There was some damage to his liver, and he has some broken ribs, but he did well through the surgery and should make a complete recovery."

Alice's shoulders sagged and she closed her eyes. I could only imagine the relief. "Will I be able to see him soon?"

The doctor nodded. "A couple more hours and he should be situated in a recovery room."

"And my mom?" Alice asked. "Can you tell me anything? Is she still in surgery?"

"As far as I know, yes," the doctor said. "That's all I can tell you."

The doctor left, and Alice sat back down beside a sleepy Jasper.

"What a jerk," Edward muttered. "Can't even take five minutes to find out what's going on...my dad is still here, I'll go get him."

"You don't have to do that," Alice said, but her bleak expression belied her lack of concern for the niceties.

"It's the least I can do," Edward said and I shifted to allow him to get up. Just as Edward reached the waiting room door, however, Dr. Cullen entered all on his own to give us an update. Alice's mom would be in and out of surgery throughout the night. We wouldn't know anything for certain until morning.

"I'd highly suggest you go home and get some sleep, all of you," Carlisle said with a sharp look at each one of us.

"No, I can't leave," Alice shook her head quickly. In spite of the circles under her eyes and her slumped posture, I knew nothing would convince her to go home to sleep.

"I thought you'd say that," Carlisle nodded. "So I've got a room upstairs with four beds that you kids can use to get some rest. I can even have a nurse come wake you when you can see your father, Alice."

Alice hesitated, and Jasper nudged her gently. "Come on, you know he's right. It'll help."

"Okay," Alice relented, and with Carlisle leading the way, we all gladly filed out of the waiting room and went to our beds for the night.

A/N: Sorry for the wait on an update. FFN wouldn't let me upload the document last night or this morning.