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Parallel Parenting
Chapter 21
Edward POV
I stare at Tanya as her face pales a little. "What the hell are you talking about?" she snaps.
"Put him on speaker," I tell her.
"Hang on, Mike, I am putting you on speaker."
I watch her from the corner of my eye; as soon as she hits the speaker I talk.
"Mike, what's going on – why do you have Bella's cell?" It takes everything I have not to yell at him.
"They are fine, Edward, physically anyway."
"What does that mean?"
"If you'll shut up, I'll tell you," Mike hisses, but there's an odd sound to his voice, it's almost as if he's panicking.
"Go on," I say in a calmer tone.
"There has been a car accident …"
I feel the air leave my body, but Mike quickly continues.
"Maggie rammed into the back of Bella's car several times."
"She what?" I scream stopping my own car as I can no longer drive safely.
"They're fine, but … look the EMTs just got here. Bella's in shock and a little spaced out; she doesn't seem to be talking to the EMTs. Just get to the hospital."
"Get the EMTs to call my dad, Carlisle Cullen, and I'll be there soon."
Mike hangs up, but I can't seem to move. "He would have told me if they were badly hurt wouldn't he?"
"Switch seats," Tanya says instead of answering me.
"Edward!" she says in a more authoritative tone.
I get out my car moving around to the other side.
"I can't lose her, or the girls."
"Let's just get to the hospital, you try to stay calm."
Tanya starts to drive the car, but I feel helpless, having the desire to do something, I grab my cell and call my dad.
It doesn't even fully ring once when he answers.
"I know, Edward, and I am outside waiting for them to arrive." "Do you know if they are all okay? What have the EMTs reported?"
"All three are in shock. Bella has a head wound, but all of their vitals are not cause for any great concerns."
"Dad, take care of them, please."
"I can't treat them, but I have already signed off of the rest of my day so I can be with them. I have two of the best doctors ready and waiting in the emergency room."
"Thanks, we'll be there soon," I say.
I let out a breath and close my eyes.
"What the fu …"
My eyes spring open; we are a little away from the bridge, but there seems to be a backlog of cars. I can just see the flashing of the lights of the fire and police.
"Tanya, did he say where the accident happened?" I ask as panic again fills me up inside.
"I …" she shakes her head. "I think it was here?" she says looking at me as her own eyes fill with tears. "I am going to fucking kill her with my bare hands," Tanya mutters.
"Is that Mike's tow truck?" she asks after ten or so minutes of us barely crawling at a snail's pace.
I look out and sure enough, I see a tow truck being towed by another one on the other side of the road. The tow truck's front looks as if it has hit something hard; the whole front is completely bashed in. I frown in wondering why. I watch it as it passes, but Tanya gasps making me turn around, only to see Bella's car on third tow truck. Her car is completely wrecked and looks almost half the size it should be. Both the front and the back have been smashed in.
"Tanya," I plead only just hiding my sobs.
"We'll get there," she says picking up her cell.
"What are you doing?" I ask as she looks through her Google Maps.
"Looking for another road to the hospital, but even in this traffic, this road looks to be the fastest route." She shakes her head and looks out the window.
"There's a cop," she says moving out of the car, and runs to him. I get out running after her.
"This is Isabella Cullen's husband, she was in the car"—she says pointing to the truck that took it— "with his daughters," she adds but stops sharply when a police car passes us, with Mike sitting in the back of it.
"Why has Mike been arrested?" I ask.
"He hasn't. He's just being taken in for questioning until we find the woman who hit your wife's car."
"She's not here?"
"No … she left on foot when everyone was trying to get your wife's car back on the bridge."
I just look at him, thankful that Tanya still has her wits about her. "This is my cell, and Mike has been keeping us informed."
The cop just looks at us and rolls his eyes along with a nod.
"If you get back into your car, we should be opening both sides of the road in the next few minutes," he says before walking away from us.
Unlike what he had said, it takes another hour before the road is moving more swiftly. The journey that should have taken a half hour at most has taken almost two. I run the whole way to the room that my girls are in, with Tanya running behind me.
As soon as I see them, I feel a small weight lift from my chest. It only lasts a few moments as I am quickly informed that Bella needs to get more tests done, and may have cracked ribs. As my dad pushes her down the hallway, I follow confused, to see that they are not going to x-ray. When I ask, I am told that she is pregnant, and I feel myself stop. Since we starting developing our relationship, I have dreamt about having a baby; dreaming about her telling me, that we were going to have a baby, and now to have been told this way, makes me hate myself even more. This should be a happy time, but I have this dread that she will lose the baby, and it will be my fault. I should have been more direct with Maggie. I should have taken more steps to stop her madness. And because I didn't Bella and my unborn child may pay the price.
~PP~
I keep a hold of Bella's hand as she drifts off to sleep. The bruises on her head are slowly spreading down the side of her face. Even with the band aid covering the cut, I can still see the swelling.
The door to her room opens, and I know without looking that it's my dad.
"I think she's sleeping."
"Her body is overly tired and she needs to rest."
"The baby … will be okay, won't it?" I can't help ask.
"She is very early on, Edward."
I just look at him.
"I can't answer that question. Her body has been through a lot today. Then add cracked ribs to that."
I shake my head. "Dad, the baby has to be okay," I say, but it comes out as if I am begging him.
He places his hand on my shoulder. "I'll be here for another few hours. I know she's in the best care available, and I have faith in the staff here. Stay calm and think positive thoughts, it helps." I nod at him and he walks out.
I place my hand on her flat abdomen and caress her skin. I know the baby is in there, and right now everything looks great. Leaning closer I place a soft kiss to her stomach. "I'm your daddy, little one, and you have to hang on. Grow strong for your mommy and me. You are going to be so loved. You've got two great, loving, sisters who will always protect you. Then there's your mommy, and she is so beautiful, kind, and amazing. Just don't play any games with her—most parents let their kids win, but not her." I chuckle. "I am just as bad, but we never let it get out of hand … well … maybe we do, but only if it is just the two of us. Sometimes we get a little competitive, but we like it when it does. Your sisters and our competitiveness is what brought us together. We love you, and we will always love you. I can't wait to meet you, but for now you need to stay right where you are and grow for several months." I place another kiss on her tummy and look back up at my wife.
~PP~
Bella has been sleeping for the past hour. I am sitting here holding her hand as I flick through the channels on the television. I stop when I see my face on the news channel.
"As we reported earlier today, local stockbroker and businessman, Edward Cullen's wife was involved in a severe car crash. A member of the public who was at the scene recorded it on her cell and has given the footage to WGN-TV. We warn viewers that this video shows disturbing scenes and violence.
I sit forward as the footage starts to play.
"BEEP … she just hit that car again!" I hear the person recording say as Maggie's car rams into Bella's car. "For people watching, this is the third time this crazy BEEP … has hit that car," the woman behind the camera says.
I watch open-mouthed as Maggie's car starts to push Bella's car across the road and into the barrier at the beginning of the bridge.
"Oh my God there is kids in the car!" the camera woman yells as Cordie's screaming face comes into view. "They're going to go over, that crazy BEEP … is going to push the car over the bridge!" she adds and you can hear her crying in fear for my family. "Where are the police? I called them after the first BEEP … time she hit the car! Where are they?"
I jump in my seat as Mike's tow truck seems to come out of nowhere plowing full force into the side of Maggie's car. As the woman recording the video starts to speak again, I mute the sound so I can watch.
Mike runs to the car, and I see him pushing everyone away, not letting them open the car doors. But he moves so quickly using his chain and hook, to pull Bella's car back on the roadway from dangling over the side of the bridge.
The woman's video seems to zoom in on Bella, who is partially trapped holding the steering wheel, as Mike safely gets both the girls out and to the side. He then goes back to Bella, slowly helping her out of the car.
"He really did save you," I mutter feeling overwhelmingly grateful that Mike was there. From what this woman has recorded, I doubt anyone will charge him; this was clearly done in self-defense, of someone he cares about.
The door of the room opens again. "Ah, I was just coming to tell you the news has gotten a hold of this story."
I look at my dad. "Do they have Maggie's name yet?"
"Well, her face is all over the news, if they don't have it yet, they will soon. You can see her running away when Mike was getting the hook fastened to Bella's car. The news crew and the fire station captain said that Mike saved all three of them. If he had not hooked the car and pulled it back and tried to get the girls out, the car would've tipped over the side. He kept the car on the hook and pulled it back enough to get them out, he is a hero."
I nod at him, and switch off the television.
"Is Mike out of the police station yet?"
"I'm not sure, but they'll be here in about an hour to question Bella."
I nod again and frown. I don't want to wake her, but I know it's best to get this over and done with.
"I'll wake her," I tell him.
"She'll have time for a shower, and here is a change of clothes for both you and her."
I take the bag he gives me with a raised brow.
"The girls wanted to make sure she had her own pajamas, and clean clothes to come home in. I think they even packed a teddy bear for her. Your mother grabbed a clean outfit for you to change into from your work clothes."
"Thanks, Dad," I say smiling at how good our girls are to their mother.
"Nayeli," as I speak against her ear softly, my dad leaves us alone.
She moves a little and blinks.
"Hi," I say when she opens her eyes fully. "The police will be here soon, but you have time for a shower, and a change of clothes. I'm not sure what you have as the girls picked them out, but my mom helped so I am sure you have everything you need."
Bella snorts a little. "I am sure whatever anyone picked would be fine, and no matter what, it'll be better than what I have on." I help her to slowly sit up and then take her into the private bathroom.
I end up undressing her because any movement she makes seems to hurt her. When she gets under the warm water, I wince at seeing how badly her side is bruised.
"I know," she says, "the girls have bruises on their chests that look almost as colorful."
I just look at her. "I thought they weren't hurt?"
Bella just looks at me. "They have no broken bones, but they are bruised from being strapped into their booster seats."
I close my eyes. "I'm going to kill her, if I catch her first; I swear to God, I will rip her head off with my bare hands."
"What do you mean if you catch her first?"
I open my eyes. "She fled the scene, while Mike was saving you and the girls. The police should be out looking for her by now." I stop talking and take a deep breath. "I should also tell you that it's on the news. There is even a video clip showing her hitting you and trying to push you over the bridge. You have no idea how right you really are; Mike did indeed save you and the girls."
Bella looks down. "I don't think I can watch it, being in the car was scary enough. I really don't want the girls to see it, either," she says the last part sounding a little panicked.
I give her a little nod. "My mom will not let them see it, and we will do all we can to make sure they don't see it. It's okay; it is all over and you and the girls are safe." I know when I watched it, it looked scary as hell. I can't imagine what she and the girls went through being in the car, and I surely don't want them to watch the video.
Bella finishes her shower and I help her dry, dress, and then comb her hair putting it into a bun.
"Are you feeling hungry?" I ask.
Bella shakes her head. "No, however, I should eat something, but make it light, please."
I smile and nod at her. "How does tomato soup, grilled cheese, and fruit sound?"
"Good," she says with a smile.
I smile back at her and kiss her lips.
"I'll see if dad will allow me to order it for you."
Before I can even call him, he is walking through the door, with Samuel and what looks like two Chicago police detectives.
I help Bella to bed, and look at my father. "Dad, can you call Simply Soup and order us a couple bowls of tomato soup and a couple grilled cheese sandwiches? See if they have any fresh fruit, too, as well as milk to drink?"
"I will do that, son," he says before turning to leave the room.
I look to the police and introduce Bella and myself.
"Mrs. Cullen, I am Kevin Spades and this Derek Cloud, we are with the Chicago Police Department, and we're dealing with what happened today. Do think you are up to answering questions?"
"Yes, please have a seat if you'd like," Bella says and I move to sit next to her on the bed as Spades and Cloud move to the end of her bed. Samuel stands next to me and my father reenters the room, taking a seat on Bella's other side.
"Before we start, may I ask if Mike is okay?" Bella asks.
"Mr. Newton?" Spades asks as if he is confirming who she's talking about.
"Yes. Rose, his boss, she's my friend and works with him. She said that he was arrested?"
"Ah, we let him go; no charges have or will be filed against Mr. Newton."
Bella lets out a soft breath and smiles. "Thank God, he saved us," she tells them with a smile.
"We know," Spades states.
Bella frowns a little, and Cloud sighs. "Mrs. Cullen—"
"Bella," she interrupts him.
He nods at her. "Okay, Bella. We have looked at his dash cam footage, and also a Miss Dennis managed to video record everything after the second time you were hit. Both show clearly that Mr. Newton took drastic, but necessary measures to save the lives of three innocent people. Someone else also recorded it, and we have almost the full story from them of what happened, and it was also released on the WGN news."
"Okay; then if you know everything, why are you here?"
"We just need some background information. This attack didn't look random, nor did it look like road rage. So we are trying to determine if this was premeditated, and why Ms. Peters tried to kill you. Mr. Newton indicated that you know her, and that there were several issues between her, and Mr. Cullen." He looks to me as if he wants an aynswer.
I nod at him and spend the next hour going through Maggie's past behavior before Bella and I met. I share how her behavior has changed since Bella and I have gotten together. When I get to her action with the court and the kids, they keep their eyebrows raised.
"Mr. Cullen, you should have reported her for harassment."
"I know that now, but I thought —" I stop and run my hand through my hair. "Her father was a friend … a colleague, and I was trying to be professional."
They both nod and then one writes down something on his notepad.
"Do you have any idea where she's gone?" Bella asks.
Spades and Cloud seem to look at each other, and then to Bella. "We've already arrested her."
"You have?" I ask.
"Yes, we went to speak to her father about her, or her whereabouts. He was talking to us as she tried to leave in his car, only to be stopped at the end of the street. "
"Did he know that she was there?" I ask through my clenched teeth.
"We're not sure, but we are planning to look at the surveillance video of his estate. A court order has already been processed, and the video is being viewed as we speak. The video shows all activity both inside and outside as well audio. We will soon know if he was involved."
I just nod at him, feeling even angrier about this than I already was. If her father knew, I will make sure he completely loses everything he has built.
Spades and Cloud ask us a few more questions, but when it's clear Bella is wiped out, my father ends it.
"Edward, whatever you are planning on doing to Mr. Peters forget it," Bella whispers as the door to her room closes behind the detectives.
I look at her and see that she is narrowing her eyes at me. "This is his daughter, and it's not about right or wrong when it comes to protecting her."
"Well, I disagree. If your child has harmed another as she has, then he should have made her do the right thing and not have helped her get away. He should have gotten her help the day he left my office when he saw that she was clearly delusional."
"He may have been trying, but keep in mind that you can't help someone that doesn't see they need help. He may have been trying to get her to do the right thing, but the police arrived before he accomplished it."
I just snort not believing what she is saying, and I'm not even sure she believes it herself.
"Edward, I am too tired, worn out and cold to slap sense into you. He should not have to bear the consequences of his child's actions. And I for one can understand his desire to pretend that she didn't do it, or that there was a part missing in the feed that was shown on the news."
I sigh moving to her. "You're so level headed."
"Yeah, be grateful, after all it was my level head that gave you another chance, and then another after that."
I smirk kissing her head. "I am grateful." I stop and take a large breath in and let it out slowly. "I am sorry, and I swear I will not bad-mouth him to anyone. In fact I will refrain from talking about him completely."
"Fair enough," Bella smiles at me.
"Son, here is your dinner. I'll give you two time to eat, and then we'll need to head out."
I nod and take the tray of food from him.
The soup smells good and I grab a spoon and feed my beautiful wife. I refuse to let her help and continue feeding her and taking bites in between until she tells me she can't eat anymore. I eat the rest of my grilled cheese and soup before cleaning up.
We watch the Game Show Network, and laugh at the answers during Family Feud. The show has just ended when my father comes back in.
"Okay, it's time to leave."
I look at my dad who appears worried.
As I turn back to Bella, I place a smile on my face. "I'll be back as soon as they allow visitors in the morning."
"I know you will be. Give the girls a big kiss and a hug from me and tell them again that I am so proud of how brave they were."
A small tear runs down Bella's face and I pull her to me. "I will tell them, and you need to know you were brave, too."
I feel her shake her head. "No. I completely broke down, if hadn't been for Mike—"
I kiss her lips to shut her up.
"You were brave, very brave. And your body only stayed still because it knew if you made any big movements, the car would have toppled over the edge. You saved them, too, by playing smart."
Bella wipes her face. "I love you," she says kissing me again.
"Look after him for me, too?" she says as she looks at my dad.
"I will if you relax and calm down for me," he tells her.
"Done deal," she says giving him a small smile.
"Good, that will show me that you are able to follow doctor's orders more than Edward is, anyway. He is horrid at listening and paying attention to a doctor's orders, and it is nice to know that you're better at it than he is."
I raise my eyes at my dad who stays stoned-faced and looks deadly serious.
"Easy win then," Bella chuckles.
I kiss her one last time. "See you tomorrow. I love you so much," I say yet again as I walk out the door.
I wait until we are in the elevator before talking to my dad. "What was that about? You raised me to always follow doctor's orders whether I agreed with them or not."
"I know that, and you know that, but I was hoping she didn't. I knew that she would add this to your little contest to see who is better at something?"
I chuckle and can't help the silly grin I now have. "Sly one, Dad. I think you have her number on that one."
~PP~
When I arrive at my parents' home, I only call a hello to my mom as I pass her on my way to where the girls are sleeping.
I walk into their room to find that they are asleep in the one bed hugging each other.
I walk over and give each of them a kiss.
"You made me and you mom so proud today. I love you both," I tell them with a quiet sob. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost the three of you. I swear no one will ever hurt any of you again. I am so sorry for bringing that woman into our lives."
I move to the other bed, taking off my pants and shirt leaving on my boxers and t-shirt. I get into the other bed and lay there watching them until sleep overcomes me.
Bella POV
I groan as I try to move. I haven't been able to sleep for more than an hour at a time all night. The pain in my side is surreal, and the fact that I am pregnant, means that I'm unable and unwilling to take any heavy duty pain killers.
"Hi," Mae one of the nurses says as she sticks her head into my room. "Can I get you a cup of decaf tea, decaf coffee, juice, or milk, and toast?"
"No. I am okay," I tell her, knowing that she worked a ten-hour shift, and the last thing she needs is to make me something to drink.
Mae walks fully in to the room. "It's no trouble. I could even bring you warm milk, but I should tell you that it's just past seven, and the ward will be getting noisier around eight-thirty when the rest of the patients wake-up.
"No—" I stop and hiss closing my eyes. "I am okay," I finish when the pain has dulled to just an ache.
Mae looks at her watch. "I can't give you another Tylenol for another hour; are you sure you don't want something stronger?"
"No, thanks," I try to smile.
She nods at me. "I'll just take your vitals then."
Mae straps my arm to the blood pressure machine and takes my temperature as the machine gets to work on blowing air into the cuff around my upper arm. When the machine beeps, she smiles at me.
"Your blood pressure is still a little high; I am sure it's just because of the pain, but it will need to be a little lower before you be released."
I simply look at her. I know she's right, but I don't want to stay here. I want to be home with my girls, with Edward, and in my own bed.
"Try to relax and get some sleep, and hopefully that along with the painkiller you'll get here in an hour will help reduce your blood pressure before the next time I take it."
Mae walks out of my room leaving me alone. I pick up my cell, seeing that it's now twenty past seven. Knowing that Edward and the girls should be awake, I text him.
~Hi, how are the girls this morning? Give them another big hug and a kiss for me. I think it would be best to keep them home from school, for the rest of the week. They only have three days left, anyway. After you've had breakfast, can you send your dad in, so I can use him to make them let me out of here? I love you and want to come home." xoxo~
~Love, is there something wrong? Are they thinking of keeping you in longer? I can come right now; the girls are still asleep, and yes I was planning to keep them home from school. I love you, too. xoxo~
~Nothing's wrong; the nurse just said that my blood pressure was still a little high, and that if it's not lower, they may want me to stay longer. She thinks the pain, and the lack of sleep is causing it to be high. So I'm trying hard not to move, but sleep is not easy when I am here. I've tried; I just don't think I'll get any decent sleep in the hospital. I seem to only be able to sleep when you and the girls are around. xoxo~
~Another good reason for me to come in now, then. xoxo~
~The girls need you, too. I can wait. Love you.~
~Love you, too. xoxo~
I place my cell phone down and take some deep breaths. I am not sure if it's due to what happened to me yesterday, or that I am still in shock, or it's just hormones, but all I want to do is cry. There is a part of me that wants to tell Edward 'Yes, come here now, the girls have your parents, but the larger part of me is thankful he is with them, because they also went through the same traumatic experience as I did yesterday.
I switch on my television, putting on the cartoon network.
~PP~
"Breakfast time," Mae says as she walks into my room. "And I have your dose of painkiller, too. Hold out your arm."
I do what she asks and she checks my name on my wrist band against my information in her tablet before handing me the painkiller.
Mae leaves my breakfast of eggs and toast, with fresh orange juice. I am not finished long when Edward walks into my room.
"Morning, love," he says as he kisses me.
"Morning." I smile at him, happy to see him. "How are the girls?"
"They're sore, but more upset that I didn't bring them with me to see you."
I look at him and feel guilty, but at the same time I don't want them or anyone else to know about my pregnancy until we are past the three-month mark.
"Let's just see what the doctor says, if you can't go home, then we'll get my mom to bring them here. We'll get a wheelchair and meet them down in the cafeteria for a visit."
"No ifs, ands or buts, I want to go home, and I know I will be able to relax more there, with you and the girls close to me."
Edward smiles and places a soft kiss on my head. "How about you just relax and we'll see what they say."
"What's the news been like? I haven't caused any problems for your work have I?"
"This wasn't your fault, at all."
"I know, but since I have been in your life—your personal life—our girls, and our private information has been on display."
"That still is and has never been your fault. As for the news or work, I am not sure what is being said. I have had other things on my mind, like yours and the girls' safety."
I look at him sheepishly causing him to shake his head. "Sorry, love, I have been worried, stressed, and am now upset that you're thinking this is somehow your fault. I didn't mean to snap, and I will call Tanya and check in with her."
"I know just—"
Edward cuts me off by softly kissing me. As I smile into the kiss, he moves to lie next to me on the bed. We only part when the door to my room opens.
"Bella, Edward," Carlisle says.
I look at him as he smiles a little. "This is Dr. Sally Kelly, she's a great OBGYN, and she's here to examine Bella."
"Hi," I say as she shakes my hand.
"I have read over your notes and looked at the scan. I would like to do another scan in two weeks, to make sure everything's going smoothly."
"So you think I'll be fine, and won't have a miscarriage?"
"There's no guarantee a person will not miscarry, even without being involved in a crash, so I couldn't say one way or another. I'm going to take your blood pressure and then look at your ribs."
The doctor goes about her work, and I am happy that my blood pressure appears to be going down. She agrees that my ribs seem to be cracked and says all I can do is rest. I'm not allowed to lift anything for the next six weeks. I am so relieved when she says she's happy to send me home, but if I experience any pain or bleeding to come straight back. Carlisle helped by saying that he'd see me twice a day to check my blood pressure. The doctor leaves us alone and Carlisle stands up.
"If you help Bella get washed and dressed, I'll call your mom and let her know that Bella is going home, and to tell the girls they have to be very careful for the time being."
"They don't need to be that careful," I mutter to him, feeling angry that my girls have to watch what they do because of an insane, delusional, rich bitch that went off the deep end because she was told 'no'.
"Nayeli, they just can't run to hug you and they have to be careful of how they hug you. We don't want you in any more pain than you are already."
"I know, but it just pisses me off that … I love their hugs, love your hugs, and now? I have to waddle around and miss work because … because she wanted something she couldn't have." I shake my head and move to get off my bed.
"I am sorry my mood seems to be going from feeling guilty, to being sad and depressed, and then to raging angry."
"I understand, and you have been through so much," Edward tells me, "Don't worry about it."
~PP~
Edward pulls his car up to the pick-up point as Carlisle helps me out of the wheelchair.
"Love," Edward says as he opens the car door, and I sit in the seat. My chest seems to become a little tight and I breathe a little faster than normal.
Carlisle sits in the back as Edward gets in the front after placing the wheelchair in the trunk. Another stipulation to prevent any further damage to my ribs is that I use a wheelchair for a couple weeks.
"Let's get home to the girls," Edward says as he starts the car.
I grip the door handle as a strange feeling of fear and anxiety come alive inside me. My heart starts to race and my breathing becomes more of a panting. "Stop," I whisper, not able to talk correctly. "Stop the car," I say again as Edward just hums.
"Stop! I can't breathe," I say for a third time needing to get out of the car.
"Edward, pullover!" Carlisle states and Edward does as he's told.
I open the door, but I can't seem to get out of the car.
I scream out in pain holding my side as Carlisle and Edward both kneel in front of me.
"What happened?" Edward asks and I shake my head not knowing, or understanding what just happened.
"She had a panic attack; it could be just from the effects of the crash. I think it would be best if I drive and you sit in the back with her." Carlisle says looking me over.
I shake my head feeling unsure if I can do this.
"Bella, just take slow deep breaths, make yourself breathe with Edward; nice and slow, full breaths."
I nod at him and try to match my breathing to Edward's. It's almost half an hour before I am able to get out of the car and into the backseat. As soon as I am sitting there, the feeling returns, but thankfully it's not as intense as before.
"I am here, love," Edward says as he gets in and sits beside me.
I look at him and grip his hand.
"I will drive slowly, and I think you should close your eyes and just breathe," Carlisle states.
I nod at him and press my face against Edward's chest after his arm goes around my shoulders. Carlisle drives slowly as Edward holds me to him. There is a short time when his heart rate increases, but I keep my eyes closed, feeling bad as I can't ask him if he's okay.
"Well done, Bella," Carlisle says and I open my eyes to see we are home.
"Weren't we going to your house? The girls are there."
"I thought it was best just to bring you home. Esme is bringing the girls over soon."
"Are they okay, in cars?" I ask.
Carlisle nods at me. "They were tired, and a little scared, but you were driving. Maybe being with Esme made it different, just like you not being in the front made it different enough that you could handle the car ride. You may have issues with the front seat for now, but don't stress about it and give yourself time to heal, and not just physically. "
I sigh but get out of the car and sit in the wheelchair.
"So, I may not be able to drive again?" I ask feeling like I am losing something more.
"No, you may need therapy to drive without panicking. No one knows yet; it could be because it is so soon after the accident – don't rush this, Bella," Carlisle says using his father tone on me.
Edward helps me to the couch as Carlisle calls Esme to tell her we are home.
"The girls are on their way, so I thought I could show you two how to use this?" I look at him as he pulls out a blood pressure device.
"Did you take that?" I ask.
"Nope, I borrowed it," he says with a smile. He instructs both Edward and me how to use the device. Then he tells us to text the number to him, and he'll let us know if it's high or not.
"Mommy!" Is yelled just as two bundles run into the room and straight to me, trying to hug me to them.
"Careful, girls, Mommy's ribs are still sore," Edward says softly as they look at him with a pout.
"We didn't hurt you, did we?" Cordie asks sounding worried.
"No, you made me feel much better. I missed you two so much," I tell them barely keeping my sobs at bay.
"We missed you too, Mommy," Kassie says.
"I'm going to make lunch," Esme says before walking off with Carlisle following behind her.
"So what have you two been up to?" I ask looking at the girls.
"We've been making Mike an award and a medal for saving us," Kassie tells me making me tilt my head a little.
"Yeah! The way he rammed Maggie's car was great," Cordie says.
"Maggie?" I stutter looking scared that someone told them.
"Yeah, Mommy, she was the one in the other car. She looked so mad … angry," Cordie says with almost a whispering tone.
"You saw her?" I sob not having wanted the girls to know that she did this to them.
"Only when she ran away," Kassie told me. "Cordie was jumping down to Mike, and she was slamming her car door, over and over again."
My eyes flicker to Edward who looks as upset as I feel.
"Why would she do that?" Cordie asks.
"I don't know, but she'll never hurt any of you again, I promise." Edward just gets out before he pulls them into his arms and hugs them close.
~PP~
The day goes slowly by, and I am again grateful when Carlisle and Esme go to school to hear the girls' reports for Edward and me. While they are doing that, the four of us cuddle on the sofa watching a Disney movie from our movie library.
"Bath time, girls," Edward says after the show is over.
I walk with them to the stairs, and as I take the first step up I have a sharp pain in my side. On the next step, I move the opposite leg up first but it's still pretty painful.
"Put your arms around my neck," Edward says and his arm wrap around my bottom. I look at him as he looks back at me. I sigh but do as he asked. He lifts me, into his arms, and I press my face into his neck hoping that I am able to stop my tears.
We get to the bathroom but the girls have gone to their own room. Edward puts me down just as the girls return with a chair, and a pillow.
"This is for you, Mommy," Cordie says with a smile. Both girls opt to share a bath, and undress as Edward fills the tub for them. I find myself gasping at the clearly large bruises on their chests. When I had last seen the marks, they were red. I knew they would be bruised, but I never expected them to be this bad.
My eyes flicker to Edward who is looking at the water as he puts in their bath toys. I know that he has seen their bruises, too, by the way he is acting.
"It's not that bad Mommy, it only hurts a little," Kassie tells me, clearly picking up on my anxiety.
"Yeah, grandpa said we should be all better in a few weeks, and I get out of gym, until I am." Cordie carries on clearly happy not to have to go to gym class.
"I hate that I can't play sports. I am going to miss out on rock climbing and everything," Kassie adds.
"I will take you for a day in a sports center the second you are healed," Edward mutters.
"Oh, can't I do something else?" Cordie whines out with a pouty, as Kassie hisses a yes.
"We can do something else that day, I don't fancy climbing any rocks," I tell her making her happy.
Both girls get into the bath, and Edward washes their hair, and then sits with me as they wash themselves.
When they are done, we take them to bed and read a bedtime story. At the end, I opt to go to bed feeling unable walk back down the stairs.
"I am so glad you have bathrooms both up here and downstairs, "I say as I lie in bed.
Edward just hums as he looks at me.
"Are you okay?" I ask knowing that he's gone back to being quiet since the girls' bath. "Just as you said this wasn't my fault, it was not yours either. You could never have expected her to do what she did."
Edward again just hums making me look at him pleadingly, and he rolls his eyes before kissing me. "I never expected her to do something like that, you're right, but it doesn't make me feel any less guilty about what happened. Nor does it stop the anger when I see you in pain or how bad the girls are bruised. I hate that you were the one she targeted. The three of you—" Edward stops and places his hand on my tummy. "The four of you could have died. We could still lose—" Edward stops talking as he clamps his mouth shut to stop the sob from coming out.
It takes time for him to stop silently sobbing. "I am trying to not to show you how upset and angry I am," he finally admits.
"I don't want you to hide your feelings, Edward. Talk to me, don't bottle it up."
Edward tilts his head. "You're still so pale looking and I am afraid that if I talk about it, then it'll push what you went through to the side. It may also push your bottled up stress and anxiety to your limit and cause you more problems. I don't want that to happen."
I nod knowing that he's right, that I am not sure if I can talk about what happened, not yet anyway.
"Then do me a favor, Edward, talk to someone else, we both have to get past this to help the girls. They went through this horrible experience, too."
"Nayeli, I know. We'll make it through this I swear we will."
Edward kisses me and just when I'm starting to enjoy it, pain rips through my body.
"I'll get your pain medication," Edward says pulling back from me.
Edward and I pass the rest of the night talking and keeping our kisses to little pecks rather than full make-out type like before.
Esme calls us and tells us both girls received great reports. Cordie is excelling in Art and English, and Kassie in Gym and Math. Victoria's only concern was that they are both reluctant to have anyone else as a partner and when they are partnered with others, they don't express their thoughts and ideas like they normally would if they were together. But, overall they are doing well.
A/N: Well things are certainly going well considering ... What are your thoughts?
Again we are sorry our posting schedule went to hell in a hand-basket, and thank you for your continued support.
