Best readers ever. I'm sorry if I made any of you cry. I should have bought stock in Kleenex before I posted.
Location: Forks, Washington
Prompt: Airport
Two days after Bella and Renee reconciled, Renee passed away.
Charlie and Bella had been with her in the room, happily reminiscing on happier times, while also reassuring her that it was alright if she had to go. They knew that her passing would relieve her pain, and they both felt a sense of peace when she took her last breath. Though they held on to each other and cried, Charlie and Bella both knew this was for the best.
Esme came in and offered her condolences, promising that she would get in touch with the funeral home to get things in motion. Bella thanked her genuinely and prepared to drive Charlie home. Just as they stepped out the front door of the hospice, Edward was pulling into the parking lot in his Volvo. Before Charlie could see him, Bella ushered her father to the car and left as quickly as they could.
Bella didn't have time to deal with Edward and the repercussions from her mother's death. She could only handle one thing at a time.
When they got back to the house, Charlie had himself a beer while catching up on SportsCentre before he picked up the cordless phone beside his chair and began to call his friends and family to let them know about Renee. Bella chose to go upstairs and take a shower, letting the hot water practically scald her body as she tried to cover up some of her heartache with pain. Unfortunately, she couldn't get her mind off her mother and he topic of her own mortality.
"I'm going to go pick up your Aunt Liz tomorrow afternoon from the airport," Charlie announced as Bella finally went downstairs, her hunger winning out over her need for privacy. "I also ordered some pizza."
"I can go pick up Liz, it's no problem."
"Bells, I would really prefer to go."
"No, what you would prefer would be to not have to worry about me going to the airport and taking off for parts unknown, right?" Charlie nodded sadly as Bella patted him on the shoulder. "I'm here till it's done, so don't worry."
"I'll still go get Liz, if it's alright with you?"
"Whatever, Dad."
Charlie looked intently at Bella as she sat down on the couch beside him and she jumped as the phone rang. Bella reached onto the coffee table and grabbed a slice of pizza as she tried not to listen to Charlie's conversation, but it was hard to avoid. Bella could hear bits and pieces about the funeral home and meeting with Pastor Webber, but she was still a bit confused.
"I'm going to get Liz tomorrow after we go down to the funeral home and make the final arrangements. Esme is having her transported there and we have an appointment at 11, alright?" Bella shuddered visibly at the thought of going to the funeral home to make arrangements. "I need your help with this stuff, Bella. While I'm getting Liz, I'd like you to go to the hospice and pick up Renee's belongings that we left there today."
"I won't let you down, Daddy," Bella stated firmly as her dad gave her a grateful smile, just as the phone rang again. Bella forced down her dinner as she listened to her father accept condolences from someone else he was friendly with. Though Bella knew her father was well-liked and had many friends, it wasn't until now, as everyone called him, that she could see just how much he was cared for.
Bella found herself hoping that one day she would be loved just as much as her father was. However, she also knew that considering how she pushed people away or kept them at arm's length, it was unlikely to happen.
Charlie and Bella met with the funeral home in the morning and made the arrangements for Renee's visitation and service. Renee had asked to be cremated, so Charlie made sure that part of her request was handled swiftly. They discussed flowers, music and eulogies, while Bella sat beside her father a little shell-shocked. It felt so strange to her to be making the final arrangements for Renee.
Once everything was done and Bella's mouth had dropped open when she saw the final bill, Charlie reminded her that he needed to go pick up Renee's sister, Aunt Liz.
"Are you sure you will be okay to go to the hospice?" Charlie asked as he and Bella stepped outside of the home and they paused. Bella looked up at the bright sun, something that wasn't common in Forks, and let out a small sigh.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. You go pick up Liz and I'll see you at home in a few hours, alright?" Charlie gave his daughter a gentle hug before getting into his large truck and heading away. Bella sat in Renee's old car for far too long before she finally gave up and decided to simply face the hospice head on.
When she arrived, Esme was at the front desk and smiled brightly at Bella before she stood up and wrapped her in a hug. "Bella, how are you doing, sweetheart?" Esme asked gently as she released her grip on Bella and they headed away from the front desk and to Esme's private office.
"Oh… I've been better."
"I'm sure you have, dear."
"My father sent me here to gather my mother's belongings." Esme patted Bella's hand and motioned for her to sit down in the chair across the desk from Esme.
"I have everything put aside for you, but before you go, I just wanted to remind you that at the Cullen Hospice we also offer bereavement assistance. If you feel like you need to talk to someone, Bella, we're here to listen." Bella nodded softly as Esme handed her a few brochures about losing a loved one, and then turned her chair around to grab a shoebox marked with Renee's name.
"It's that small?" Bella was surprised to see her mother's last days fit in such a small box.
"Well, she didn't have much brought with her from the hospital. Her bible, her wedding rings and a photo album filled with pictures of you… it's all in there. I'm guessing these were Renee's prized possessions."
Bella picked up the box and began to stand as she heard Esme's chair scrap across the hardwood floor. "For what it's worth Bella, you don't have to go through this alone. You may not be ready to come in here and discuss your loss with our staff, but I have a son who I know would love to help."