Doctor

I was woken the next morning to hear someone throwing up in the bathroom. Glancing over to the door, I saw Bella leaning over the seat and emptying her stomach out. Running to her, I pulled her hair behind her ears and rubbed her back gently. When she finished she closed the lid over and sat down on the seat.

"Sorry."

"Hey, there's no need to apologise. It's not your fault. I just want you to be alright."

She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her fingers.

"Did I really say all that stuff last night?"

"What are you talking about?"

She knew I was joking with her, but at least it brought a small smile to her lips.

"Did I really ask to eat you?"

"Yeah."

She pulled away from me slightly as she dropped her head into her hands.

"God. I don't know where that came from."

"What's wrong love? Has something happened recently to make you act differently?"

"I don't know. I suddenly feel as though I have to be touching you constantly or at least be in the same room as you all the time. I feel scared but have no idea why. There are times when I'd be cooking or cleaning or even just reading and suddenly have to be touching you, smelling you, tasting you. I don't get it. I've never needed to be touching you before and have managed almost a whole day without hearing your voice, but now it's as if I can't breathe unless I'm with you."

Tears started to pour down her eyes as she spoke; her words meant a great deal to me.

"This is what I want Bella. I want you to talk to me about any problems or strange feelings. I can't help you if I don't. Next time, instead of eating me, try to talk to me."

"I couldn't help it Edward. That's the problem. I didn't really know what I was doing. Imagine someone trying to stop smoking, it's like them having an urge to smoke; you don't really think about it until you have done it. It's like an addiction Edward. I can't stop it until it's over."

"Come here Bella."

Lifting her into my arms, I sat her on my lap and cradled her to my chest.

"You're gonna be okay Bella. I'm here for you and I'm not going anywhere. Why don't you go to your doctor today and ask them what they think? If you go when I'm gone then at least you are occupied whilst I'm getting our family."

"Thank you. What time is it you're going again?"

"Two."

"Okay. I'll see if they can fit me in at about half two. It will talk about half an hour to get there and then I'll probably be waiting another half hour."

"Make sure you tell me everything they say then."

"I will. I know you worry."

"If I didn't then who would? You're my fiancé; my soon-to-be wife."

"My soon-to-be husband."

I leaned in for a kiss but she placed her fingers over my lips.

"Let me brush my teeth."

"Be quick. I want to give you a morning kiss."

She ran her nose along my jaw inhaling deeply. We spent the morning with Ellie, just sitting round on the couch watching TV, chatting, colouring or reading. Bella was fine until I had to leave. Her whole demeanour changed as she clung to me as I shrugged my coat on.

"Bella, you need to let me go. I'm only going to be gone for a couple of hours. You need to leave in a few minutes anyway."

"But I don't want you to go. I need you."

"Remember what we talked about this morning love. You need to calm down and go to the doctors so that they can see what's wrong. Ellie needs you to stay calm right now. I promise that tonight we'll have some time together. Just you and me if you know what I mean."

A shiver ran down her spine as the grip on my shirt loosened slightly.

"I will only make love to you if you let me go and stay calm."

Slowly, her hands dropped from my shirt and she took a step backwards.

"Thank you love."

Throwing my arms around her waist, I pressed my lips to hers. She responded enthusiastically before forcing herself to pull away and lean her forehead to mine.

"Go. The sooner you go, the sooner I'll get you back in my arms."

"I'll see you later love."

"Bye."

He turned and walked out of the door. As it closed over, the walls I'd built up in my mind, around the thoughts of my life without Edward, threatened to crash down around me. Before they could I scooped Elizabeth up into my arms and hugged her to me.

"Come on Ellie. We need to go to the doctors."

"What's wrong momma?"

"I don't know baby. I haven't been feeling very well recently so we're just gonna make sure I'm okay. It's nothing to worry about. I promise."

"Okay momma. Can I come with you?"

"Of course baby. I'll need you there to make me feel better."

Grabbing my bag, I ran out to the car with her in my arms. There wasn't much of a wait when we arrived and only had to wait twenty minutes before my doctor called my name.

"Miss Swan?"

"Thank you for seeing me at such late notice Doctor Prinz."

"That's quite alright Miss Swan. Come with me."

Ellie gripped my hand as we followed my doctor down the halls. He sat behind his desk whilst I pulled Ellie into my lap.

"Miss Swan, would you or your daughter like something to drink?"

"Can we both have some water please?"

"Of course."

He turned round in his seat and retrieved two cups and filled them with water. Sipping at my water, I handed the other to Ellie and she took a long drink.

"So what is it that you need me to do for you today Miss Swan?"

"I guess just a general check over. I have been feeling a little different recently. I have no idea why I do though."

"Okay. Have you been throwing up or feeling like you are going to be sick recently?"

"I was sick this morning but other than that no."

"Can you describe what you have been feeling?"

"It started about a week ago, I would suddenly get the urge to be with my fiancé; to wrap my arms around him and hold him close to me. Whenever he's not around I feel scared and panicked. I don't know why though."

"Who is this fiancé?"

"Elizabeth's father. My high school boyfriend."

"How long have you been engaged?"

"Three weeks now."

"Where is he today?"

"Picking up his family from the airport. They're visiting for a week before he starts his final year at law school."

"Okay."

He noted down what I was saying and nodded along.

"Have you felt any pain of any kind recently?"

"No."

"Well, I'll give you a check over and I'll see if I can find any problems. You could just be over stressed. Is it alright if your daughter waits outside? I can get a nurse to sit with her and they can do something in the waiting room."

Ellie looked up at me nervously and nodded gently.

"I'll be out in a minute Ellie. Don't worry. I'm gonna be fine."

"Okay momma."

Dr Prinz came back into the room followed by a young looking nurse. I kissed my lips to Ellie's forehead before passing her over to the nurse who carried her from the room.

"If you could lie down for me Bella, I'll just get some supplies."

I gave him a gentle nod as he left the room again. Lying down on the bed, I brought my feet up and breathed deeply. Once my doctor came back, I calmed down slightly. He set up some equipment and attached a pressure band to my arm.

"Just breathe normally Bella and we'll be done soon."

He went through several tests and took some blood as well as getting me to pee in a cup, sending them off for analysis. More questions were asked and I answered them the best I could. When he told me the results I didn't know whether I should be happy or scared. I had a choice, a choice that scared me to death. If I chose wrong it would destroy me. It would destroy Edward. As soon as I thought about the consequences of the choices I knew what I had to do and I had to do it as soon as I saw him.