17.
Flashback: Nine years ago. (Picks up after Rosalie's call to Edward)
I storm into the hospital and stop at the receptionist's desk. "Where are Carlisle and Esme Cullen?" I shout at her.
The woman looks up, startled. "Excuse me, Sir? How can I help you?"
"You can help me by telling me where they are!" I pound my fists. "Where's their daughter? A ten year old named Rosalie?"
"I'm sorry but I can't give out information like that", she says. "Are you a family member?"
"I'm Edward Cullen!" I yell. "'s bloody son!"
She gasps. "I didn't know." She looks into the computer database and then turns back to me. "Dr and Mrs. Cullen are in the OR. Your sister must be in the waiting room."
I run up to find Rosalie. I spot her as soon as I enter the waiting room. She's sitting next to Tanya, crying into our housekeeper's shoulder.
"Rose", I call out.
She runs over to me. She hugs me with as much force as she can manage and I lift her into my arms. "Oh baby. I'm so sorry you had to go through that", I say.
She's shaking with what I think is fear. "What's going to happen to them?" she points at the two operating rooms facing each other.
"I don't know. I don't know", I say. I'm scared too.
I'm nineteen years old and I'm so scared. I need to see my parents and hear them tell me everything will be OK. I just need to talk to them. I need something.
Tanya comes over to us and envelops the two of us in her arms. "I love you two", she says as her own tears trickle down her face.
What's going to happen? How many times have I asked myself this question?
~X~
It's 3: 09 am when Dr. Gerandy walks out of the OR."Edward. We need to talk", he says, his head hung low.
I look at him and I see anguish. My blood runs cold. I already know what he's going to say. But I can't bear to hear it. I don't think I can. I just can't.
I leave Tanya and Rosalie to follow Gerandy to his office. Once we're there, he tells me to sit. I refuse. "Just say it", I say through gritted teeth."Just say it."
Gerandy is the Chief of Surgery at this hospital. He's my father's mentor and Dad regards him with the utmost of respect. And so do I.
"We were unable to save Carlisle", he says quietly.
My knees buckle and I collapse into the nearby chair.
He goes on with details of the surgery and how there was no chance to save Dad.
There are all kinds of pain in the world. There's physical pain and then there's mental pain. Mental pain is the type of pain that eats away at you and stays with you for the rest of your life.
Dad taught me how to ride a bike. He always tucked me in bed whenever he was at home and off duty. He never raised his voice or made me feel small even when I did anything wrong. He encouraged me and told me to chase my dreams and to do what I want in life.
Most importantly, Carlisle Cullen loved his wife and children. He was the best father I could have had. He was a family man and we came first no matter what.
"What about Mom?" I choke out.
"Esme will survive. She'll make it through." He sounds so sure that I can't help but believe him.
You find out more in the next flashback.