A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews left for me on the last chapter! As a token of my appreciation, here is the next chapter for you! I hope you enjoy! Many thanks, as always, to my wonderful beta, Jenny Cullen, for her tireless work of catching all the things I miss and to my lovely pre-reader and ficwife, EternallyCullen. Love ya, girl!
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I'm just playing in her sandbox.
A heavy silence filled the room as they all looked at each other, unable to give a voice to their thoughts. After a few moments, however, Bella cleared her throat and spoke.
"What do you mean, 'the crux of the matter'?"
Evan sighed and pulled a packet of stapled papers out of a manila file folder. "Edward, you asked why James was suddenly seeking full custody of Matthew. Well, it's because he has another child now."
Bella shrugged. "So? Did he abandon that one, too?" she asked, her voice laced with bitterness.
"No, he didn't. He's now married and has a son who is just over eighteen months old. Bella, this little boy has cancer. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Apparently, it's one of the most common cancers diagnosed in young children."
Edward leaned back in his chair, his breath leaving his lungs in a rush. "You've got to be kidding me," he said quietly.
Evan shook his head. "I'm not."
"I don't understand, Edward," Bella said. "Did I miss something?"
Edward looked directly at Evan Bradshaw as he spoke. "He wants full custody of Matt so he can use him as a bone marrow donor for his new son, doesn't he?"
The attorney nodded his head. "Yes. His attorney has filed a motion seeking full custody on an emergency medical contingency, and that is what's going to be the problem. If he's granted even joint custody, then he'll have access to your son's medical records and will have to be involved in all of his medical decisions. Then, if you refuse to allow your son to be tested as a donor for his son, he could tie you up in court for years, not to mention keeping Matthew from getting the medical care he needs just to spite you."
Bella held her hands up. "Wait! Do you mean to tell me a judge could actually make me have to consult with his no-good, lousy…sperm donor…before I could even take him to the doctor?!" she spluttered. "Even though he hasn't wanted him his entire life and now only wants him as a damn lab rat?!" Her chest was heaving, and she felt as if her world had just been turned topsy-turvy.
"Think about it, Bella. How do we look to an impartial judge by trying to deny James access to his biological son, when all he's trying to do is save the life of an innocent child? We end up looking like the bad guys."
"But that's all he wants him for! Matt would not be taken care of! He'd be the unwanted kid… They'd mistreat him! He wouldn't know a thing about taking care of Matt!" Tears were beginning to stream down her face, and she jumped out of the chair and started to pace. Unbidden, images of Matt suffering a diabetic seizure and dying while in James's care flooded her mind.
Charlie sat stonily, his lips pressed tightly together. "So, what do we do to stop this?"
Evan flipped through a couple of pages. "I think his lawyer filed for full custody knowing that wouldn't be granted and that they then could compromise with joint custody under the condition that Matt be tested to be a bone marrow donor. Or they might offer to drop the entire custody suit if the judge orders the transplant to go through. It's their way of trying to stack the deck, so to say. Any way it goes, they win."
"Matt can't go through something like that. His health is too fragile; we're just now getting his blood sugars under some kind of control! My son's been through so much already! I can't imagine putting him through something like this that isn't necessary for his health!" she shouted.
Edward stood and quickly walked over to her, taking her in his arms. "Shh, Bella. I know this is very emotional, but let's think about this rationally," he said, ignoring her glare.
"Bella," Evan said, "I'll do whatever you want me to do, but right now, I want you to take this information with you and think on it a couple of days. The court date is set for next Tuesday. We need to consider all aspects."
She turned to him. "You think we'll lose?"
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I think there is a very probable chance the judge will at least grant James a bone marrow screening to determine if Matthew is a match as a donor. If he is...well, then, he could very well give James joint custody, or at the very least, order the transplant to take place if Matthew's a match. He's going to look at what's in the best interest of both Matthew and his half-brother, and I want you to think that all through and be prepared in case it happens. Also, I want you to consider the idea of filing to quash the motion for custody, but granting the test to see if your son is a viable candidate. At least that way, you still retain control of his regular healthcare. But basically, you might be holding this other child's life in your hands."
She scowled, wanting nothing more than to block out that thought. Could she really live with herself if something bad happened to this other child? She mentally shook her head, determined to focus on what was best for her son.
"What if Matt's doctor writes a statement that he's medically contraindicated from donating bone marrow?" Edward asked.
Pulling his legal pad back in front of him, Evan wrote a few notes. "It certainly wouldn't hurt. With Matthew's health history, it could definitely be putting him at risk to undergo such a procedure. Who's his doctor?"
"Dad," Edward answered immediately. "He had Dr. Ferguson, but we fired him a few months ago."
"Will Carlisle swear under oath that Matthew's too ill to be a donor?" Evan asked.
Edward nodded. "If he believes it would be too risky, he will."
Evan cleared his throat. "Well… What's the relationship status between the two of you?" he asked, pointing between both Edward and Bella.
Bella stared at him for a few moments. "We're friends."
"We're involved romantically," Edward clarified, unable to wipe the grin from his face, regardless of the grim circumstances.
Charlie rolled his eyes.
"That might be another issue, then. James's attorney could argue that Carlisle only swore to such a statement because he's your father…and Bella's employer."
She frowned. "That's ridiculous! Dr. Cullen would never—"
Evan interrupted her. "We all know that, but believe me, it is something the opposing attorney will bring up. Has he seen any other doctors?"
"Yes. He saw Dr. Taplin at Children's Hospital in Seattle," Edward said.
He wrote some more on his legal pad. "Okay. We can subpoena him if we need to, but I'd rather try to talk with him first. If he won't agree that Matt's too fragile to undergo that type of procedure, we certainly don't want to call him to the stand."
Bella was twisting her fingers. "Will this be like a trial? With a jury?" She felt stupid for asking, but she knew if she didn't know what to expect, her mind would create a much more horrible scenario.
"No, it'll just be the judge. We'll present our case, and James's attorney will present his. Then the judge will make a ruling."
She nodded. She felt numb all over, as if she were stuck in her own personal purgatory.
Charlie stood and stretched. "We'll talk all this over and let you know. Thanks for everything, Evan." They shook hands, and Bella and Edward followed him out of the office to stand in the light mist that was now falling.
Bella wrapped her arms tightly around her torso. She was trying to not fall apart in the middle of the parking lot. "Dad, thanks for coming with me. You too, Edward."
"Why don't you come home with me, Bella?" Edward asked her, his arm around her shoulders. "We can talk to Dad about what's going on and see what he says."
She nodded and climbed awkwardly into Edward's car. At the back of her mind, she was thinking that she wasn't dressed appropriately to meet Edward's family, but she couldn't bring herself to care enough. All she could picture was her son being taken from her to be sent to live with someone he had never met and who had no clue what specialized care he needed. The thought terrified her.
Then, her mind unwittingly went to this other child, whom she had never met. Only eighteen months old…and he'd already been handed a death sentence. She didn't want to think about him, but her mind pulled up an image of Matt when he was that age and so ill. She remembered the countless nights that she'd sat beside his crib as he slept, unsure if he would live to see another day. She wondered if this child's mother did the same thing. If she'd known someone was alive that could possibly save his life, wouldn't she have done whatever she could to make that come to fruition?
Damn it, damn it, damn it! Stop it, Bella! Don't even think about this kid! Bella scolded herself, but the door had been opened. She wondered what this little boy looked like, and she knew that if she actually saw him, it would make him too real to ignore.
James is the enemy! she reminded herself.
Yes, James is. Not this innocent child…
I can't put Matthew through something like this!
But what if it's not that bad? Matt's always been so sick, and he's such a caring little boy. It may not be a big deal to him. Don't you think he'd want to help someone else if he had the chance?
He's only six. He can't make a decision like that!
But he's always been like you – more grown up than he should be for his age. Why don't you just ask him what he wants to do?
Bella bit her lip and stared out the window at the greenery speeding past as she waged the argument in her mind. The truth was, she didn't want to tell Matt any of this. She'd been unable to shield him from many painful things in his young life – things no child should ever have to experience – and she wanted nothing more than to keep this problem away from him.
Give him some credit. He's a smart kid. And if by some chance James is allowed to take him at times, he needs to have some time to get used to the idea.
"What're you thinking about so hard?" Edward asked her, slipping his fingers through hers and squeezing gently.
She sighed and bit her lip again. "This other kid, if you want the truth. What should I do, Edward? You heard Evan. If I fight this tooth and nail, then I might be signing this child's death certificate. How could I live with myself?"
He made a noncommittal sound and turned onto a gravel lane that wound through the woods. "Let's talk with Dad and see what he says. Don't make a decision yet, especially an emotional one. Let's just pull all the facts together, both about Matt's ability to be a donor and this other child's prognosis."
Nodding, Bella looked over at him and smiled. "Thank you for being here with me, Edward. I've never been one to depend on anyone else, but I honestly don't know how I would get through this alone." She stared down at her feet in embarrassment, unable to look into his eyes as she spilled her guts to him.
"You're welcome," he said quietly, stopping in front of a large white house that sat in a small clearing. "I'm glad you finally let me in."
She let out a small laugh. "I'm working on my Lone Ranger syndrome."
Edward laughed and opened her door, helping her out of the car. "Lone Ranger syndrome. I like that!"
Bella grinned and looked up at the house, coming to a sudden stop. "Is your entire family here?" Worry clouded her voice.
He slid his arm around her waist and propelled her forward. "No, just my mom and dad. You don't get the pleasure of meeting my brothers just yet," he added with a smile. He laughed when he heard her sigh of relief. "Don't worry. They're gonna love you."
I hope so, she thought. Dr. Cullen was always kind to her, but she was unsure how he would feel about someone like her dating his son. Her stomach churned with nerves, and she walked alongside Edward woodenly.
When she looked up at the porch, she saw Dr. Cullen standing in front of the large door, a petite brunette beside him. The woman – who she could only assume to be Edward's mother – was smiling at her, clouds of caramel-colored hair framing her heart-shaped face.
"Bella," she said in welcome, her hand outstretched, "it's so wonderful to finally meet you. Edward has told us so many wonderful things about you! I'm his mother, Esme. I know that you already know my husband." She smiled again at Bella.
Bella couldn't help but smile back at her, her nervousness diminishing at the warm welcome. "Mrs. Cullen, it's nice to finally meet you, too." She shook hands with Edward's motherand then reached out to shake Dr. Cullen's hand. "Dr. Cullen," she said in greeting.
He shook his head. "Bella, please, call us Carlisle and Esme. You'll find we're not very formal here at home," he said with a smile.
Nodding in agreement, Bella followed them into the house and was in awe at both the simple elegance and grandeur of the place. She was no architect, but she was sure several walls had been removed to create the huge great room that now faced her and was done in varying shades of a cream pallet. There was a shiny black grand piano on a raised platform in one corner, and the entire back wall was made of glass. The view looked out over the backyard, which was landscaped with natural elements, such as wood and stone, before it ended in the thick forest that stretched for miles.
"Your home is beautiful," she said truthfully. She knew her eyes must be wide, but she couldn't stop herself from staring around her. She'd only ever seen houses like this in magazine spreads.
"Thank you," Esme said, the delight evident in her voice. "I'm so glad you like it. Please, make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink?"
Edward led her over to one of the pale slipcovered couches, and she settled beside him. "Water would be wonderful, if it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all," Esme said as she flitted out of the room.
Carlisle sat on the couch opposite them and leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. "Now, Edward, your message was somewhat vague. Please fill us in on what's happened today, and then let me know how I can help."
Bella began to relax, her earlier anxiety of meeting Edward's parents fading. She'd been afraid they wouldn't approve of her – that they would judge her for her past – but they seemed thrilled that she was in their home, and she could see nothing that would contradict that. However, her adrenaline was crashing from her earlier stress, and she found she was content to just sit on that sofa beside Edward, his body heat soothing her tense muscles. She gratefully accepted a crystal goblet of water from Esme, and she sipped on it as Edward and his father discussed her life.
Edward quickly gave his parents a rundown of what had occurred in the lawyer's office earlier that day. "So, obviously, we have some major concerns about what's going to happen," he finished by saying. "Not only about James gaining custody of Matthew, but also how these medical procedures will affect him, health-wise. Dad, what can you tell us about this form of leukemia?"
"Well, it's the most common form of cancer in children, but it also has a good prognosis, usually dependent on a bone marrow transplant. Much better than twenty years ago. Normally, it's treated with chemotherapy, followed by a transplant. Has this child already undergone chemotherapy?"
Bella shrugged. "I don't know. The court papers didn't say; all they said was that his son had this form of cancer, and they were filing for custody based on an emergency medical contingency."
Carlisle leaned forward a bit. "And what are your thoughts on it, Bella? Have you considered having your son tested?"
She stared at him for a moment. "No! Of course not! Can he even be considered a candidate with his medical history?"
"May I ask you a question first, before I answer that?" he asked politely.
Bella nodded in agreement.
Carlisle sighed. "If this were someone else – someone not attached to your ex-boyfriend – would you at least consider the possibility of allowing Matthew to be screened as a donor?"
She stared at him in silence.
"What are you getting at, Dad?" Edward asked quietly.
He gave them a small smile. "What I want you to think about is if your immediate abhorrence of the idea is related to subjecting Matthew to further medical procedures…or if it's because this has been requested through the court system by his absentee father."
Bella tried not to glare at him in response; she didn't trust her voice in that moment.
"And how does that make a difference?" Edward asked.
"From my perspective, it's much easier to see all options, whereas you're looking at it through your emotions. I'll give you my medical opinion in a moment, but I would like for you to ensure that your decision is what's best for Matthew and not just a way to strike back at his father."
Seething, Bella replied, "And how could giving his father the right to suddenly be involved in his medical decisions be what's best for him? James doesn't know a thing about his history."
Carlisle smiled serenely at her. "True. That might not be in his best interest, but this is also his half-brother we're discussing. His half-brother who is dying of leukemia. Wouldn't you like to be able to give Matthew the choice when he's older of whether or not he'd like to become acquainted with his sibling?"
"When he's old enough, yes, I'll let him make that decision," Bella answered, her teeth gritted.
"But how can he do that if this young child dies before Matthew reaches that age? And how do you think he'll feel if and when he discovers that he could have saved his brother's life, but he wasn't allowed to?"
Bella stood up and paced back and forth in front of the glass wall. She had not expected this. She'd thought they were coming to speak to Dr. Cullen about how this idea was horrible for her son…not the moral ramifications. Finally, she spoke. "What's involved in the screening process?"
"It's a simple blood test. They'll draw some blood and crossmatch it with his brother's. If that matches, they do further testing, but if it doesn't match, then that's the end of it."
She stared out of the windows, watching as twilight descended. Was the fact that she was so against allowing this to happen really just her way of lashing out at James for deserting her as a pregnant teen? Once the dust settled, if this child succumbed to the leukemia, would she be able to live with herself if she blocked the motion and Matt wasn't tested? She looked up at the sky, hoping to find the answers she needed there, but knowing she could only look within herself.
End Notes: For those of you who are not aware, September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! So please find some way to support the children and their families that are fighting this horrible disease. No child should even know what cancer is! For an inspiring story, search for Thumbs Up For Lane or Lane Goodwin. He was a young boy in my community who came to worldwide attention last year as he fought this "monster." His courage and attitude will certainly put all of your own problems into a much better perspective!