FFL 23
"And who might you be?" asked one of the black haired men in black suits. "Are you perhaps Bella?"
"What are you doing here? Who brought you here?" asks the blonde looking at everyone. "TELL ME!" he yells grabbing me by the arm and pulling me up.
I let out a yelp
"Be gentle brother" says the black haired man who had spoken first. "We wouldn't want Bella here to think that we're all savages now would we?" there's an edge to his voice that the blonde doesn't seem to catch.
"I don't care what she thinks!" yells the blonde "Someone here brought her and I demand to know who the traitor is! Now tell me you stupid girl WHO BROUGHT YOU HERE!" he yells shaking me by the arm.
"Perhaps I didn't express myself correctly brother let the girl go" says the black haired man again in a mancing voice.
The blonde lets go of me at once flinching slightly. The black haired man must be the leader.
"Now" he says in much more calmer and slightly nicer voice "Where were we? Ah yes! Why are you here Ms. Swan?"
"I…I please don't hurt Edward anymore!" I say going down on my knees again "Please he's badly injured."
"Now now please get up Ms. Swan." Says the black haired man picking me up.
"Please" I sob.
"I would love to do that Ms. Swan but you see Edward here broke the rules and he has to be punished. Unless…" he trails off.
"Unless what?" I ask desperately "please tell me is there anything we can do? PLEASE if there is anything I can do I'll do it! PLEASE!" I say frantically grabbing onto him desperately. "I'll do anything"
"Really?" he says cocking his head to the side "would you really do anything to save our dear Edward here?" he says nodding to Edward's unconscious body.
"YES!"
"I must warn you it is something that must not be taken lightly Ms. Swan."
"Aro you can't be serious?" says the blonde "The boy broke the rules and should be punished accordingly. We have never"
"If Ms. Swan here agrees brother then we wouldn't have an issue now would we?" asks Aro.
"Well yes but the other"
"That is something we will discuss a later time brother" says Aro interrupting the blonde again.
"So Ms. Swan in order to save our precious Edward here you would have to" he pauses and stares at me for a long time.
"What?" I ask when he doesn't continue
"Marry him" he says simply.
"Marry Edward?" I ask shocked and somewhat dumbfounded. I knew it was coming and that it was the price to save Edward's life but still hearing it out of Aro's own lips was still shocking and made it real.
"Yes are you not willing to do that? Maybe it was too much to ask. Felix" he says turning the man standing closest to Edward
"NO WAIT!" I scream "I'LL DO IT! I'LL MARRY EDWARD!"
"And how exactly will you do that Ms. Swan" says the blonde sneering my name. "When you're already engaged with Jacob Black"
I was shocked for a second that they knew but then again it had been all over the newspapers back when the pact was first made. Our parents never made an official announcement or anything but it was rumored and since Jake and I have always been together…
"I'll talk to my parents they'll understand and if they don't then I turn 18 years old in a couple of months and then I can do whatever I want." I say with a shaking voice.
"Swear to it then" says Aro "in blood. Jane give me the knife"
This gorgeous blonde girl steps forward and gives Aro what looks like a gold ceremonial knife.
"Put your hand forward."
Shakily I extend my hand and it might be my imagination and fear for the man but I could swear his hands were colder than they were a minute ago. His voice and eyes are cold and frightening.
He grabs my hand firmly and makes a cut across my palm then makes a similar on his.
"A blood oath" I say unconsciously out loud
"Yes" says Aro shaking my bloody hand with own "and if you break it you and Edward…well let's just say that what we did to Edward today will seem like a caress compared to what will happen then. Understood?"
I nod my head not trusting my voice.
"Now that our business is done lets go. I want to get home as soon as possible it's been a tiring couple of days."
I can tell some of his companions don't agree with what we have just done but they stay quiet and follow him nonetheless.
"Bella are you all right?" Jasper comes forward as soon as they're gone. "Let me see your hand." He comes behind me and I collapse into him
"Bella!" several concerned voices say yell at once
"I'm ok" I say in a weak voice "is Edward ok?" I ask anxiously. "We should call an ambulance" I say moving over to where Edward is.
"Edward" I whisper "please be ok."
"Riley call Carlisle" Jasper commands "I need Andrew, Christian, Benji, Danielle and Carlos to make a perimeter to make sure nobody is around. The rest stand guard until Carlisle arrives and we'll meet at the house. Bella we really need to wrap your hand in a bandage or something."
"It's fine really" I say not looking away from Edward.
"Bella it's still bleeding it can't possibly be fine." Jasper says anxious
I look down at my hand "oh" is all I say. I hadn't noticed.
"Here" says Tanya in a hollow voice. She hands Jasper a bandana.
I look up at her and her face is expressionless. I feel slightly guilty towards her I mean she's technically Edward's girlfriend but now he must marry me and once again she ends up alone. As much as I might feel guilty nothing could separate me from Edward right now.
"I'll be going home. If you guys need anything just give us a call. Please keep me updated on Edward's condition Rose." With that she turns to leave.
"Wait Tanya" Jasper calls out but she doesn't stop "fuck! One of you go after her and make sure she gets home safely."
"Bella here give me your hand." He squats down and takes my hand "there that should do it for now until Carlisle can take a look at it."
We all stay there like that waiting for Edward's father to come. The atmosphere is tense because everyone is on guard and even when the 6 people who were doing the perimeter come back and report that no one is lurking we don't relax.
"Isn't there anything we should be doing? For Edward I mean." I ask.
"No" Jasper responds "we can't move him and what Edward needs right now is a doctor not just simple first aid. Just keep telling him to hang in there. When he hears your voice he'll be re-energized"
So that's what I do for the next 10 minutes until Edward's father arrives and takes him away. I wanted to go with them but Edward's father wouldn't let me. He gave me a cold stare and told me "no". Jasper told me not to worry that Carlisle was just worried about Edward but I have a feeling he was just trying to sooth me. Still though when he offered to take me to Edward I readily agreed. So here I am at the Angels of Mercy hospital waiting for an update on his condition. Edward's mom and sister arrived a little while ago and they're sitting with Mr. Cullen closest to the door while I'm forced to sit at the very end with Jasper who thankfully hasn't left my side. Mrs. Cullen wasn't too cold but Alice, Edward's sister, has been giving me death glares from time to time.
I called Jake and asked him to cover for me with our parents on the way to the hospital. They think we're out on a date. I have to call him to come pick me up so he can take me home form our 'date'. I have to tell him on the way home and then break the news to my mom and dad and that's something I'm dreading because as much as my parents love me and respect my decisions most of the time they can be stubborn. I slump into my chair.
"Are you ok Bella?" Jasper asks "are you in pain? Do you want me to take you home so you can rest? I promise to keep you updated."
"No I'm ok" I say giving him a weak smile " just thinking about all the things I still have to do like talk to Jake and most importantly my parents but that's something that can wait I don't want to leave until I know that Edward is ok and if I can I hope they'll let me see him." I say my voice growing quieter as I go on.
Just then Edward's doctor comes out and we all crowd around him and ask how he is before can even open his mouth.
"Edward is fine we tended to his wounds and also did and x-ray just to confirm and I'm happy to say that he's going to be ok once his bruises and broken ribs heal."
"Can we see him" says Edward's whole family at the same time I say "Can I see him?"
All 3 turn and glare at me. I feel myself shrink back.
"Are you perhaps Bella?" the doctor ask turning to me.
"Yes" I answer in a small voice.
"Edward hasn't stopped saying your name I'm not sure but I think he's worried about you I think it would help ease his mind if you went in and told him you're ok."
"Isn't that a bit ridiculous?" Mr. Cullen asks not believing what he was hearing.
"oh on the contrary once Edward knows that Ms. Bella here is ok he'll be able to calm down which would help accelerate his recovery." Answers the doctor.
Mr. Cullen take as deep breathe before agreeing.
"This way Ms. Bella." The doctor says "now I can't let you be with him for long but just try to assure him of your wellbeing and he should calm down."
"How do you know he's worried?" I ask
"I don't really know" he answers honestly " I think it's a combination of a couple of things like the expression on his face which doesn't seem peaceful nor at rest and the fact that he stop calling your name even though he's unconscious. Here it is." He says gesturing to a room on the right. "You only have 5 minutes ok"
I nod and go in.
I let out a sob when I see him. His face is so bruised and swollen that you can't even tell its Edward.
"Edward" I say moving to his bedside and taking his hand in mine "can you hear me? It's me Bella. The doctor says you might be worried about me so he let me pass even though your parents really want to see you as well. I promise I'm okay. They didn't hurt me. I didn't even know that you knew I was there but you must've if you're worried. Jasper made me get checked up as soon as we got here and hasn't left my side. He's taken really good care of me. Everyone else is fine as well just so you know." I run my hand, the one that's not holding his, through his hair. "You know I've always secretly wanted to do that" I let out something that's both a sob and a laugh. "That's such a dumb thing to say." I pause "Please rest and be at ease so we can talk and see each other again. I want to see your beautiful eyes again." I stay quiet for a long time just looking at him and basking in the pleasure of being this close to him and being able to hold his hand again which I must admit I missed so much. "I love you Edward." I say out loud surprising myself. "I don't even know when it started but somewhere along the line I stopped pretending. Somewhere along the line I started enjoying your company. Somewhere along the like I started anticipating your kisses and your smiles and your laugh. Somewhere along the line I started missing you when you were away and rejoicing when you came back. Somewhere along the line I started hoping it would be forever."
"One more minute Ms. Bella" says the doctor.
"Already?" I ask turning to look at him "It seems like I just got here but ok"
"I have to go Edward but I promise I'll come back as soon as I can." I lean over and kiss his forehead "I love you" I say before exiting the room.
I'm surprised to find Mr. and Mrs. Cullen outside the room. I look around and notice we're alone.
"Don't come back" is all he says before escorting his wife into the room.
"Oh god my poor baby what did they do to you?" I hear Mrs. Cullen sob.
I walk to the waiting room and tell Jasper that I'm leaving. He offers to take me but I tell him that Jake will come for me which he frowns at but doesn't protest. He tells Riley to wait with me outside while Jake comes and to make sure I get home safely.
I go outside the hospital and when Jake arrives Riley tells me he'll be following me but not too closely so as not to frighten Jake.
"Thanks." I say
"You can't tell anybody outside the Cullen family about what happened today" he says in a low voice.
"I know" I whisper before going to Jake's car.
"Hey Jake" I say in faking a bright and cheerful voice as I get inside the car "Thanks for covering for me. We need to talk before we get home."