Chambers of the Soul
Summary: Bella lives with her abusive father; Charlie, her older brother; Maxi and her younger sister; Harmony. She almost thinks there's no hope but what happens when the new family comes to town? Will she ever be happy? What if Bella and her siblings became happy and then someone came back to haunt them…
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All characters and other twilight-related things belong to SM. I only own the storyline.
I entered the room quickly, not wanting to awake Maxi who was sleeping contently in one of the uncomfortable, plush hospital chairs to the side of Bella's bed.
I lifted another chair effortlessly and placed it inaudibly next to Bella's bed. I sat down quickly; hoping my swift actions wouldn't wake the two sleeping humans. "Hey baby-girl." I murmured, stroking Bella's warm cheek my cold hand.
She shifted in her slumber; tugging at the tubes around her. I sighed inwardly. She was so strong. How many times had she been in a hospital bed fighting for her life? I studied her carefully, taking in her battered form and wincing. We'd let them down. They had trusted us, and we'd just shipped them off without even investigating. What had we done?
She was curled on her side facing me; an oxygen mask over her face and an IV in her hand. She was battered and her breathing seemed to be a struggle. The monitors beeped and hummed loudly around her but she remained content and stationary.
"I'm so sorry," I started. "We never meant this to happen. I hope you'll trust us again. I know you were becoming so happy, and little Harmony is broken down again, but I promise we'll never, ever do this again. I'm so, so sorry Bella." Venom tears were starting to form in my eyes and I tried to push them away. I couldn't break down.
Edward? Carlisle's thoughts rang out from outside of Bella's private room. May I come in?
"Sure Carlisle." I permitted and he came through the door quietly. He smiled at me, his thoughts ringing with hope, and moved to check the machines. He appraised them slowly and then turned to look over Bella.
"Is she alright?" I asked him; worried for her health and safety.
He nodded. "Surprisingly yes," He met my gaze. "I know you are very worried about Bella's mental health but she has gone through so much already and I believe that she will pull through this too. Charlie and others – such as Tyler – have all attempted or raped Bella, as much as it pains me to say it."
I nodded. "They are sick bastards." I cursed angrily. "Vile excuses of human beings. I could never hurt someone so innocent like that."
Carlisle agreed both through mind and voice. "Yes, Edward." He looked at Bella once more. "She's stable and doing well though I am slightly worried about her breathing. She seems to be struggling."
I reached out to Bella carefully and stroked her flustered cheek. Her breaths were rapid and strained and I knew if she was awake, it would hurt her a lot. "Can't you do anything?"
"I'd like to keep her on the oxygen at the moment but if that doesn't seem to work then we can try the nebulizer with beta agonists to help relax the smooth muscle around the airway. If all fails; intubation and ventilation." He told me solemnly.
I sighed again. Bella went through so much. She was so strong.
Carlisle left a few minutes later to give Bella and I some time together. About 10 minutes later, she began stir.
I stroked her cheek in a continuous pattern as she was regaining consciousness. When her eyes fluttered open, shut and then reopened, I smiled softly. "Hello sweet pea."
She grumbled in irritation and blinked at me in confusion. "E-Ed-Edward!?" She gasped out, her hand reaching out to hold her throat.
I pulled her hand back softly and pulled it towards me. "Shh, Bella. It's me. It's Edward."
"You…" She struggled to find her breath. "You were gone…"
I nodded and readjusted the mask over her face. "Yes. Do you remember what happened, Bella? At Renee's house?"
She studied me for a few quiet moments and then reached nervously for my hand. I let her take it. "Yes." She whimpered. "Now I do," She quietly added.
"It's okay, sweetie." I soothed. I brushed the hair back from her sweaty faced and pressed her back against the pillows when she tried to get up. "You just focus on resting, please."
"I don't want to rest." She protested. "What about Maxi and Harmony?" Her eyes went wide.
I grinned at her actions. She was still so protective, even when she was hurt herself. "They're fine. Maxi is over there," I pointed and she followed my gaze; clearly shocked that she hadn't noticed him. "and Rosalie is taking good care of Harmony. They aren't hurt – at least physically."
She finally nodded after looking over Maxi with her eyes. She seemed satisfied but then withered in pain. "My throat hurts."
"It will," I informed her. "Your breathing has been affected, but you should be fine too. It's already getting easier." I smiled at the improvement and she smiled back.
"You saved us."
I shifted nervously at the statement and tried to look away from her. I knew the questions that followed. "Yes, Bella. We saved you."
"How?" She demanded. Despite my earlier protests, she pushed herself up and stared into my eyes.
"We knew where you were…" I bit my lip tenderly and stared down at her hand in mine. "There's something you need to know…"
I looked back up to her face to see her big, chocolate brown eyes staring at me so innocently. "You're nervous." She stated. "Please don't be nervous, Edward. You're not a bad person…"
"You won't say that if you know the truth…" I managed to get out. I didn't know how to tell her. It could put them in danger with the Volturi, but I just couldn't lie to them anymore.
"I'm a…vampire, Bella." I choked out eventually, looking down at my feet that were tapping restlessly on the sterile hospital floor.
The silence lasted for a number of minutes, both of us sitting perfectly still. Eventually it broke.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a huge grin take over Bella's face. "My angel." She murmured.
I looked at her in bewilderment. "I don't think you heard me correctly, Bella. Vampire, not angel…"
She laughed softly and shook her head at me, the grin still on her face. "I heard you. I'm not bothered that you're a vampire, Edward. You and your family are like our saviors! Our angels! You came into our lives when we needed you…You'll never be a monster."
"Then ask me the most basic question." I stated bluntly.
She frowned. "You don't eat people Edward…"
I shook my head in agreement. "No, but I kill animals. I've killed humans, Bella, in the past. Not now, not after I found Carlisle; we like to see ourselves as vegetarians of our kind. Only feeding off of the blood of animals."
"That doesn't matter, Edward. We all eat animals. It's life. You're not a monster if you can stand to be around humans like this…especially here in the hospital." She told me, ever the sweetheart.
"It's difficult." I confessed. I searched for any clear sign that she was afraid of me but found none. "I just wanted you to know…"
"Then I'm glad you trust me enough to tell me." She said; a sly grin on her face as she pushed herself towards me.
I pulled her carefully into my arms but still kept her on the bed. I lifted the mask for a second and planted a careful, soft kiss on her lips and then her forehead, and then pressed her back against the pillow. "You need to rest, Bella. You're in pain."
She frowned, as if only realizing her throat was now hurting her. "Ow," She wheezed, pressing a small hand over her throat. "It really hurts now. Thanks for the reminder."
"No problem." I smiled down at her although I hated to see her in pain. "I love you, Bella." I whispered as she closed her eyes.
"I love you too, my angel." She grumbled at the edge of slumber. Then, her lips pressed in a tight line and she fell into a deep slumber.
My angel…
Sorry for the delay; major writers block at the moment, life has just been so hectic in sorting some things out :')
Savannah
Xxxx