Saturday (Day Nine):
Angela looked right, then left, then right again. She had lived in Forks her whole entire life, but she didn't go to the hospital often. Only when she needed a checkup.
"Ah!" her eyes lit up when she spotted the correct room number and she paused, when she read the sign that instructed everyone who entered must sanitize their hands.
She took the poster board she was carrying and tried to lean it against the wall, tsking when it slid and fell flat on the floor.
'Ben offered to carry it for me,' she scolded herself and hurried to rub the gel in her hands.
While she was doing this, she glanced up, looking into the hospital room. The windows and door that slid shut were all glass.
She had never met Kit's parents before, but assumed that they were nice people. They had to be considering how sweet and kind Kit was.
Properly sanitized, she picked up the card and quieted her footsteps as she entered.
That was the nice thing about a small town hospital. Friends were allowed to visit if someone was in the ICU, and Angela was relieved when she went to the front desk, that her name had been put on Kit's visitor's list.
"You came at a good time, Angie," said the receptionist, Lucy, who had gone to school with her mother, "Only three at a time and it's just the mom and a family friend."
"Excuse me?" Angela mumbled softly, not wanting to startle anyone or be too loud.
A black woman turned and looked Angela up and down, frowning at her.
"Who are you!?" the woman demanded.
'This must be the family friend,' Angela thought and smiled warmly, despite the harsh tone.
"I'm Angela," she introduced herself, "Angela Weber."
"Oh, you're Angela!" a woman jumped up and she swayed.
"Everly!" the other woman reached out to steady her, "Not too fast."
"Oh, Vanessa, hush!"
Angela smiled at the exchange, Everly batting Vanessa's worried hands away.
Everly Algren was 5'6" with dirty blonde hair thrown up into a messy ponytail. She had a full figure that could only be due to motherhood and she had green eyes. Her lips were as full as Kit's and they both had the same Duchess nose. Though, Everly didn't have any freckles, this was definitely Kit's mother.
"My boyfriend and I made this card," Angela thrust the poster board forward, "And a bunch of kids from school signed it."
Everly gasped, her head tilting as she took it from Angela's outstretched hands.
"Aww, that's so sweet," she crooned, "Thank you, she's gonna love it," she looked around for somewhere to put it and Angela was shocked by all the machines, wires and tubes.
"Here, I'll take it," Vanessa offered, "Give me your car keys, I can put it in the back."
While this went on, Angela's gaze slid over to Kit. She was in the hospital bed, hooked up to machines and a breathing tube. There was another tube inserted in her nose and Angela couldn't figure out what that one was for. The sight made her a little nauseous.
"It's nice to finally meet you."
Angela quickly averted her gaze and felt her face flush, embarrassed that she had been caught staring.
"Sorry."
"That's all right," Everly let out a loud breath and she reclaimed her seat, "You can talk to her if you want. Oh, um, my husband obviously isn't here, right now, but I'm Kit's mother and Vanessa is her godmother."
"Godmother?" Angela parroted, "I didn't know Kit was religious."
Everly nodded, "Christian—sit down, honey—just not the 'bible-thumping, we hate everyone, but ourselves kind'."
Angela smiled a little and complied, going to occupy the chair Vanessa had been sitting in.
"Um," she started, "My father's a Lutheran pastor and I think my brothers—Joshua and Issac—go to school with your other daughter."
"Ahh," Everly said. It didn't sound like she wanted to talk, "I see."
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
They sat in silence, and surprisingly it wasn't uncomfortable. Angela was a naturally quiet and reserved person, so she didn't mind the quiet.
"Kit mentioned that you had invited her to go dress shopping?"
"Yes!" Angela smiled a little, nodding, "There was a girls' choice dance and now prom is coming up."
"That sounds like a lot of fun," Everly murmured, "I didn't go to a lot of dances. You found a dress?"
Angela nodded. She had chosen a pale pink dress and a pair of pink strappy heels to match. She explained this to Everly.
However, it was a possibility she might not be able to wear what she had purchased.
"The school's thinking of canceling the prom," she admitted.
It was something that had been heavily discussed on Friday. That same night, there had been a parent meeting with the entire Quillayute Valley school board as some parents were wondering if they needed to pull their children out of school.
There were rumors circulating that Kit had tried to kill herself because she had been bullied.
"Oh, really?" Everly asked, "That'd be disappointing, I bet. So, who, exactly went dress shopping with you?"
The tone threw Angela off and she turned so that her body faced Everly.
"Jessica picked Bella and myself up after school," she answered, "And we all went to Port Angeles. Lauren was supposed to come too, but she had other plans."
"Jessica Stanley and Lauren Mallory?"
"Yes."
"They were mean to Kit."
"…Yes, I think so."
Flashback:
"I can't go shopping with you guys," Lauren announced the day of the outing.
"What?" Jessica whined, leaning against her car, "Why not?"
Angela waited to hear the answer. She, Lauren, Jessica, and Bella were all supposed to go dress-shopping for the upcoming dances. They were going to Port Angeles right after school.
"Yeah, sorry," Lauren apologized, but she didn't sound sorry at all, "I forgot that I have plans, but text me pictures of your dresses, kay?"
"Sure," Angela nodded. That was doable, "It's too bad you can't come."
"Yeah," Jessica chimed and glanced at Angela, "I guess it'll just be me, Angie and Bella."
"Fuuun," Lauren drawled, looking at her cellphone.
"Kit, too," Angela reminded. Kit dressed so cute and she got so many compliments on her shoes, that Angela had to invite her. Plus, she was nice and funny and maybe they could convince her to ask Emmett Cullen.
Only, she didn't miss the look that Jess and Lauren shared. Shyly, she bit her lip, frowning.
It was Jessica who scowled, "You invited Kit?" she sounded irritated.
Angela raised an eyebrow, "Um, yes? She's our friend."
"She's annoying," Lauren interjected.
Angela was careful to keep her tone neutral, "Because boys ask her out? You said the same thing about Bella and have no problem with her going."
Lauren shrugged, "Kit's worse," she said simply.
"Seriously, Angela," Jess was back to her whiny tone, "I can't believe you invited her. That's so annoying."
"If you bring her, people are going to stare at you," Lauren warned, "And you hate being stared at."
Angela shifted her weight, and began to play with the ends of her hair. That was true. Her height made her very self-conscious and sometimes, she feared that people were staring at her. When she was younger, people would tease her, though now that she was older, she had developed into a very well-liked person at school.
"Plus, has she even asked anyone to the dance?" Jessica sneered, "Has anyone asked her to prom?"
Angela didn't know how to respond to that. Quite a few boys had asked Kit to the girls' choice dance and probably to prom as well. Why wouldn't they? Kit was nice and funny and she was really pretty.
"Well, I invited her," Angela concluded, "And I'll let you know if we have to get her after school."
"I'm not picking her up," Jessica said firmly, "That's not happening."
Angela's mouth dropped open. She was shocked. Why was Jess being so rude? She had no problem picking her and Bella up after school, and she would have picked up Lauren too if the blonde hadn't canceled.
"Angie," Lauren giggled, "There's a thing called a weight limit."
Angela frowned when Jess laughed, "That's mean, you guys," she said quietly, "Kit's not fat."
"Sure," Lauren snorted.
"Whatever, it's my damn car," Jessica shrugged carelessly, "I'm not picking her up."
"Then, Kit can come to my house, after school," Angela pulled her backpack further up her shoulders, "That way, you can pick up both of us at the same time. You won't be wasting gas."
She turned on her heal and walked away from her friends. Picking up Kit would use up no more of Jessica's gas, than what would have been used to pick up Lauren.
Lately, Jessica and Lauren had been saying really mean things about Kit and it was starting to get on Angela's nerves.
She figured that her friends were just jealous of Kit's wild popularity, but she wasn't going to say any of that out loud.
.
.
.
.
Port Angeles was a beautiful little tourist trap, much more polished and quaint than Forks.
But Angela had been here a million times. So had Jess. They knew to head straight to the one big department store in town, dragging Bella behind them.
Kit, unfortunately, hadn't been able to come, much to Angela's disappointment, and Jessica had looked very delighted when Angela had come out of her house with no one at her side.
So, it was just her, Bella and Jessica and currently, they were looking through the juniors' section for the dress-up clothes. The dance was supposed to be semiformal and no one knew what that meant.
They had successfully found the dress racks, when Angela debunked the rumor that Tyler wasn't taking Bella to prom.
"I told you it wasn't true," she murmured to Jessica who only snorted in response.
Bella ground her teeth, "Do you think that if I ran him over with my truck he would stop feeling guilty about the accident? That he might give up on making amends and call it even?"
Angela giggled and Jess snickered.
"Maybe," Jessica wheedled, "If that's why he's doing this."
The dress selection wasn't large, but Angela had expected that. It didn't take long for her to find a few things to try on, but she really had her sights set on the pink dress. It was the only one left in her size.
She turned to Bella, "Come with me?" she asked hopefully, eager for Bella's opinion, "Oh, hold on!"
She shifted her picks to her right arm and dug out her cellphone with her left.
"What are you doing!?" Jessica hissed as Angela set her phone up to take a picture of a strapless dress. The top was all yellow sequins and the bottom was a poofy skirt make out of pastel yellow tulle.
Reluctantly, "Sending this picture to Kit," she snapped this picture, "We're doing the same for Lauren."
She didn't miss the way, Jessica huffed and went off to the changing rooms.
.
.
.
.
Dress shopping hadn't taken as long as the trio had planned, which in turn upset their plans to go to dinner at a little Italian restaurant on the boardwalk. They still had a good hour.
"Why don't we take our clothes back to the car?" Angela suggested and Jess nodded, "Then we can walk down the bay."
"Fun!" Jess squeaked, her fingers tightening around her shopping bag.
Jess had purchased a black strapless number and Angela joked that she would pray that Jess could get away with it. The dress made her boobs look fantastic.
"You guys go ahead," Bella waved a hand, "I'll meet you at the restaurant in an hour. I want to go look for a bookstore."
"Oh," Angela's eyes lit up, "Well, we can come with you," it had been awhile since she found a good book to read.
"Yeah," Jess agreed, "There's one around here somewhere."
Bella smiled tightly, "No, go have fun. Seriously, it'll be kind of boring. I can get really preoccupied when I'm surrounded by books."
Angela nodded, respecting Bella's need for privacy. She really liked the brunette. They were both kind of quiet and had some things in common, "Okay, then. Come on, Jess."
Jessica looked a little more reluctant, but followed, happily launching into how excited she was for the dance, now that they had found dresses to wear.
"I'm so excited for my dress, I bet Mike'll flip when he sees me!" she gushed, pulling her phone out of her jeans pockets, "And the shoes will look perfect!"
"So will the jewelry that you picked out," Angela added, stopping at the trunk of Jessica's car, "It's so sparkly. The necklace will—Jess, you're not going to open the trunk?"
It seemed as though her friend didn't hear her and Angela wrinkled her eyebrows. Jess was typing furiously on her phone, her shopping bag swinging in the crook of her elbow. Her eyes were hard with concentration and a knit between her own brow. She had her lip between her teeth as if she was fighting back a smile.
Figuring that she was texting Mike, Angela chuckled and gently touched Jessica's shoulder which successfully got her attention.
"Jess, you can text Mike, later," she laughed at Jess' expression, "C'mon, it's girl time and it's cold. Open the trunk and we can go."
"Oh, right," Jess popped the trunk to her car and they put their things inside, heading towards the boardwalk.
Angela had always liked the quiet, but she kept glancing over at Jessica who was still typing on her phone. The clicking of the keypad was distracting and she wondered if Jess and Mike were talking about their second date. She knew that Jess was hoping that he would kiss her, soon.
"Seriously, you and Mike can't wait until tomorrow?" she giggled, scowling when Jessica pressed her phone to her chest.
Jessica gave her the side-eye, looking like she was going to burst, "I'm not texting Mike…"
It could have been left at that. After all, whoever Jess was communicating with, wasn't Angela's business. She had only been teasing, but Jess had a thing where she would trail off or do something to bait people into asking her further questions.
Angela knew the routine well, "Who are you texting? You've been glued to your phone this whole time."
Jessica bit her lip again, her eyes darting everywhere at the people milling about. For a moment, Angela really worried that Jess would explode.
Finally, Jessica exhaled loudly, grasping Angela's wrist. It forced Angela to slow down her steps.
"Okay, okay," Jessica gasped, "But, like, you can't tell anyone. Lauren would literally kill me if she found out that I told."
There was an odd discomfort at the pit of Angela's stomach, but she nodded.
"Okay, okay," Jess grinned, "So, like, me, Lauren, Katie and Ashley—you know them right? Katie Marshall and Ashley Dowling?" Angela nodded, so Jess continued, "We've beeeeen…kind of messing around with Kit!"
Angela was bewildered.
"Messing around with her?" she parroted, not quite understanding.
"Shhhhh!" Jessica hushed, tightening her grip on Angela's arm, "Yeah, messing with her. It's funny."
Angela blinked. Messing around? What was that supposed to mean? She didn't think she had ever seen Ashley and Kit talk, though maybe they shared a class together. Lauren had made it abundantly clear that she couldn't stand Kit, neither could Jess and Katie—
"I thought Katie and Kit were friends?" Angela thought back. The two Sophomores had clicked on Kit's first day and had often walked to first period together.
"No, Katie tolerates her," Jessica said sharply, "And she's the one that gave us Kit's number. It's funny," she said again.
Angela shook her head. For a few seconds, she was silent, "Kit said it was funny?"
"Oh my God," Jess scoffed, "Calm down, Angie. I said it was funny, didn't I? Let's keep walking."
End Flashback:
"I tried to ask Kit about it once," Angela whispered, glancing over at Everly, "But she said everything was fine."
She suddenly got misty-eyed and she forced herself to breathe past the lump in her throat.
When Everly didn't respond, she asked, "How is she doing?"
"I don't know," Everly frowned, "Her fever keeps going up and down, then spikes during the night. So, that's not good, but they haven't turned up the oxygen concentrator, today. That's a good thing."
Vanessa returned and Angela quickly stood, moving aside so that the woman could sit.
"Blake's here," Vanessa told Everly, "He says he's going to speak to Dr. Cullen about something and then come straight here."
Angela felt out of place and figured that she should excuse herself.
"I should probably get going-
"Oh, you can stay," Vanessa stood up, "I need to get some grocery shopping done, anyway. We're out of milk, eggs and all that fun stuff."
Angela nodded, looking over when Everly gasped and made a move to reach into her pocket, "Let me-
"I've got it," Vanessa cut her off, holding up a hand, "Will I see you, tonight?"
Angela tried to pretend like she wasn't listening, though that was hard when she was standing right between the two adult women.
Had Everly not been going home? Not that it was her business, but what about Indigo?
She got her answer, when guilt crossed over Everly's sullen face.
"Not right now, Vanessa," Everly said firmly. She turned away and reached to take Kit's hand, "We'll talk about it later."
Vanessa rolled her eyes dramatically and left the room in a big huff.
After a moment, Everly patted the spot next to her and Angela complied with the silent request.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that."
Angela shrugged, "That's okay," she took a step forward, then turned to look at Everly, "I can talk to her, right?"
Everly gestured encouragingly, "Go ahead. Hold her hand."
Angela complied and took Kit's pale hand in her own. She was still warm.
"Hey, Kit…it's, Angela…"
Carlisle frowned deeply at the bags in his hand. One was filled with tiny sky blue pills. The other was filled with bigger, white pills.
'Kit…' he shook his head. He closed his eyes, sighing through his nose.
"What? What are they!?"
Carlisle, ever patient, rose from behind his desk. Blake had requested to speak to him in his office and upon entering, had given him the pills and refused to sit, waiting impatiently for Carlisle to identify them.
"These," he handed Blake the blue pills, "Are maximum strength laxatives. And these," he handed Blake the white pills, "Are extreme weight loss capsules."
He heard Blake's breath hitch as well as his heartbeat get faster. There was a knit between his brow.
"I—laxatives?" Blake questioned, "Don't those make you go to the bathroom?"
"Yes, they do," Carlisle said, "People with eating disorders abuse laxatives because they incorrectly believe they can remove food from their bodies before the calories are absorbed. "
"Oh," Blake was still looking at the pills and sounded breathless, "Oh, okay."
Carlisle went and pulled out a chair, "Blake, maybe you shoul-
"Everyday it just gets worse," Blakes's voice was thin with tears, "Everyday, it's something new."
"She didn't have that much money," he continued, "I mean, if she goes out with Emmett or any of her friends, we give her twenty bucks, just in case, but if she doesn't spend it, she gives it back. And I thought you had to be eighteen to buy diet pills?"
He was panting as if the conclusion he had just come to had physically exhausted him.
Carlisle watched him with sad eyes. The Algrens were such a small family and he knew that they struggled financially. Blake was working as much as he could, in between trying to be there for his wife, Kit, and Indigo. Neither Blake nor Everly had said anything, but Carlisle had to guess, that at one point, they had worried about future hospital bills.
Carlisle had seen his fair share of families fall apart when something like this happened. Divorces, affairs, even suicides.
"Is Everly aware of this?" he asked gently.
Blake shook his head, "N-no. I haven't told her about the eating disorder. I've meant to, but she's so tired. I try to let her rest."
"Kit's my patient," Carlisle reminded. Blake looked so lost, so hurt, and so confused, "And it's not uncommon for doctors to help explain diagnoses, illnesses, or symptoms to parents, significant others or anyone else. If you'd like, I could help you speak to Everly."
"Please. I would appreciate that very much."
Carlisle gestured for Blake to lead the way, lost in his thoughts.
When did teenagers become so cruel? So heartless? Or had they always been that way?
As soon as he walked into the hospital room, Everly gasped and Blake tried to soothe her before she could panic.
"No, no, wha-what happened!?" Everly demanded, "Is she worse!?"
"No, no, shhhh, shhhh," Blake said, kneeling down in front of her, "No, not worse. But…I have something to tell you and Carlisle agreed to help fill in some blanks."
"That's right," Carlisle said. He felt horrible. He never wanted his presence to cause terror like that, "That's all I'm here for. Kit's no worse."
That appeared to ease some of Everly's panic and she nodded, relaxing when Blake placed his hands on her knees.
"Darling," Blake murmured, "I asked Ness to search through Kit's room. I spoke to Emmett the other day—you know, to find out more about the bullying?" Everly nodded and Carlisle remained where he stood, "Emmett told me some things that were really helpful and—Eve, I think Kit has an eating disorder."
Everly exhaled in a quick gust and reached out to touch Blake's cheek, "What?"
"She was getting so thin," Blake whispered, "She wasn't eating—Ness found all this food in her drawers, Emmett caught her throwing up at school—
"Oh my gosh," she let out a shaky breath, "How do you know she wasn't sick?"
Blake's shoulder had begun to sag again, "Not the kind of sick you're thinking. And," he pulled the baggies out of his pocket, "Ness, found these in between her mattress."
Everly sniffled and frowned at the bags, "I don't know what these are."
Carlisle decided to step in, "They're diet pills and laxatives, but she wasn't taking them. Look, the bags are still full. Most diet pills are supposed to be taken up to six times a day…and you would have known if she was taking laxatives."
"Everly," Blake said, "I think—I think someone gave her these pills. I think we should press charges."
Carlisle's eyes widened. That was the last thing he had expected Blake to say.
It appeared, that Everly was just as shocked as he was.
"Wha…?"
"We should sue the school," Blake said, dead-faced, "Sue and press charges against the girls, then, when Kit wakes up, we're packing up all our stuff and going home. We're going home. Back to Hampton."
Everly nodded dumbly, clearly appalled and at a loss for words.
Carlisle cleared his throat, deciding to intervene. Bella's father was in the waiting room and had looked a little uncomfortable. That had been expected. Kit and Bella were close, dating two brothers of the same family—Carlisle's family, his boys, and they spent a lot of time together.
"If you want to involve the police," he murmured, "They would actually like to talk to you. They have probable cause and need to rule out some things in Kit's case. Charlie Swan is here."
Blake straightened up, keeping his hand on Everly's shoulder, "Great. We'd like to speak with him."
"I can page the front desk to send him in, and you three can use my office," Carlisle offered, "I'd be more than happy to stay with Kit in your absence."
Blake nodded and looked to Everly for conformation who nodded, but still looked hesitant.
Carlisle noticed that Everly still needed Blake's support to stand. That simple action appeared to take a lot out of her and he made a note to speak to Vanessa and Esme about how well Everly had been eating. Not well, if the scent of her blood had anything to say about it. And it did.
Everly shuffled over to Kit and touched her forehead.
"Mommy will be right back," she whispered, "Right back, I promise. Carlisle's going to stay with you, okay?"
Blake said his own goodbye and, as he led his wife out of the room, Carlisle went to stand by Kit's head, observing the monitors.
The comforting smile he always tried to wear, fell from his face and he dropped his head down to look at Kit.
He all ready loved her very much. She was like a beloved daughter and had brought so much light and warmth to his family. She had awakened feelings in his youngest son that he and Esme never thought they would see.
If he had given into Emmett's request, now, would be the perfect moment to sink his teeth unto Kit's neck and steal her from the hospital before the screaming could begin.
Venom flooded into his mouth at the thought and he swallowed it back.
It would almost be like Edward all over again. They even had similar eye colors from Edward's human days.
But Carlisle could not take her. There were more complications besides people looking for them or The Volturi getting involved and they were ones he hadn't discussed with his family.
He reached out to run his fingers over her forehead.
He was definitely conflicted, but he was going to do whatever he could to keep Kit human until he was able to discuss with her if becoming a vampire was something she really wanted.
Bending over, he kissed her forehead.
"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured to her, "You're going to be okay. We're going to get you through this. We all love you so much."
Everly had never met Charlie Swan before.
The man had a mustache and curly brown hair. He had brown eyes and stood about 6'0" with an average build, dressed in his police uniform. He was the Chief of the Forks Police Department.
Carlisle had been kind enough to let her, Blake and Charlie use his office. She hadn't wanted to leave, but Carlisle promised to stay by Kit's side and this conversation was not something that she wanted Kit to hear.
"Our girls are good friends," Charlie said with a small smile.
Everly nodded and she managed to return the smile when Blake came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle.
"Yes, they are," Blake agreed, "Bella's a lovely girl. She comes to visit Kit any chance she gets."
Charlie nodded, "Speaking of Kit. I'm very sorry to disturb you, but this isn't something that happens often in this town. So, I just had a few questions to ask," he pulled out a notepad and pen from his pocket, "How were things at home?"
Everly frowned, offended. What was that supposed to mean? Was he implying that things at home hadn't been going well or that they were abusive?
"Look," Blake held up a hand, "I don't know what you think happened or what you've been hearing, but Kit's a good girl and things at home were great," Everly nodded in agreement, "She gets amazing grades, she has friends, she goes to bed on time and helps out with her sister."
"Okay," Charlie lamented, "I see. I meant no offense. Why don't you two tell me what happened, then," he waited patiently.
Everly felt Blake shift against her to reach into his pocket. She turned her head and saw him pull out Kit's cellphone, extending it it to Charlie with a shaking hand.
"Look for yourself," Blake's hand began to run up and down Everly's arms, "It's ruthless. There's hundreds and hundreds of texts from these girls telling Kit to kill herself."
It was silent as Charlie clicked through Kit's cellphone and Everly scrutinized his every reaction. She hadn't been strong enough to go through it, but she knew Blake had and could tell that he was having a hard time.
'I don't understand why she didn't tell me,' she thought miserably, 'I could have helped or changed her number or done something. She didn't have to do this all by herself.'
Charlie's eyes widened and he stared at the phone as if a hippo in a blue tutu had just jumped out from the screen. She could imagine his brain, desperately trying to connect the dots as he read through each and every text message, imagining that this could have easily been Bella instead of Kit.
It was disgusting. She didn't need to read the texts to know that. Just the thought of them made her insides curdle.
She, herself, had been bullied in school. Always. In elementary school she had done nothing but act out until it put in her therapy. In middle school, all the way into high school, she had become that girl. Popular, but not in a good way. She drank, partied, and slept with everyone—girls and guys. Occasionally, at the same time.
It wasn't until much later in her life, that she learned her multiple sexual partners and hypersexuality was due to her background of being sexually abused.
And then, she had met Blake and things got a bit easier when she committed herself to one person and was treated as she always had deserved to be treated, but then she got pregnant and the bullying returned. There was nothing worse than that girl becoming that girl who was also knocked up at seventeen, having her baby two days before her eighteenth birthday.
Not that she regretted it. Kit being born had been the most precious gift in her life.
Still, having every single person question your first borns parentage was something that always produced an ache in Everly's chest. Once, someone had slipped ten casting call flyers into Everly's locker, spilling out when she opened it. They were for the Jerry Springer show.
It's not something she had ever told Kit about. Why would she? How cruel would it be to tell Kit that there were people out there who were adamant that Blake was not her father?
Vanessa had been one of those people once upon a time…
"Everly? Eve, are you all right!?"
"Wha…?" Everly blinked a couple times, her voice sounding hollow to her own ears.
She felt her face being tilted up and then she was staring into Blake's beautiful blue eyes. There was a permanent sadness to them, the once bright color, glossed over. He looked concerned.
"Are you okay?" he asked, "You got all quiet and you weren't blinking."
"Why don't you sit down?" Charlie pulled out a chair for her.
"Oh, I'm okay," she assured, but took the seat anyway, "Thank you. I was just spacing out, sorry."
She leaned her elbow on the armrest of the chair and could tell that Blake didn't quite believe her.
Her tired eyes shifted over to Charlie and she saw that his mouth remained in a grim line even when he spoke.
"One of the numbers is saved in the phone as Katie. Is that Katie Marshall?" Charlie glanced at Everly and she nodded, "Do you two know the identity of the other three numbers?"
"Um, it's Ashley Dowling," Blake listed, "Lauren Mallory and Jessica Stanley."
At the last name, Charlie's face paled and he frowned deeply, but nodded and wrote them all down.
"We called their parents," Everly reminded quietly.
"Yes, we did," Blake said, irritation seeping into his voice, "And none of them responded. Lauren's dad, David. He showed up at a meeting I had to get Kit's schedule changed. He apologized and said it was a misunderstanding," he pointed at the cellphone, "That, is not a damn misunderstanding!"
"The school never informed us," Everly continued, not commenting on Blake's language.
"No, they didn't!" Blake continued to rage, "The principal pulled Kit into a meeting with these girls, dismissed it, then proceeded to scold Kit about her grades. She said he yelled at her and she burst into tears. We didn't get one single phone call."
Everly reached out and took Blake's hand, worried that he'd completely flip and destroy Carlisle's office. Not that she would blame him, but she didn't want Blake to get arrested.
"We want to press charges," Blake said firmly, "Those girls need to pay for what they've done."
"You both know Bella," both Charlie's eyes and his voice was nothing but sincere, "She's the most important thing to me. If I were you, I'd go out for blood, too. I'd want to see those girls rot in prison for the rest of their lives. I might even want the death penalty."
"Okay," Blake said, "And…?"
"You two would definitely have a case," Charlie continued, "And if you want to go forward with it, then I'll help you; but I need you both to seriously understand and listen to what I'm going to say…With this kind of specific situation and this being such a small town, there's a possibility that this will go very, very public and blow up all over the news—nationally and there would be a lot of consequences that would come with that. If it went to trial, the opposing side...their job would be to tear apart your little girl and destroy her character."
"Then don't make it public," Blake snapped at Charlie, "The news doesn't need to know about this and what we do is nobody's business! We deserve our privacy and we deserve justice for this. I don't appreciate this scare tactic you're trying to throw at us! It sounds like you're trying to sweep this under the rug."
Everly nodded while she rubbed her forehead. What Charlie had said did kind of scare her a little. They were also debating suing a whole school district. No matter how small it was, would that possibly go public, too?
Biting her lip, she pictured cameras outside her front door and people with pitchforks and torches running them out of town. They also had Indigo to think about and she was only eight.
Did that all matter if they were gonna go back to Hampton like Blake had said?
"However," Everly rubbed her forehead, responding mostly to her thoughts, then glanced at Charlie, "I do agree with my husband. The reputation of this town that you're supposed to be protecting, is not more important than my baby. You don't get to sweep this under the rug," she paused, then added, "A little birdy told me that Bella and Jessica Stanley are good friends," Everly mumbled, "They all went dress shopping together."
She waited for Blake to react. He looked pissed and she squeezed his hand, worried that his face was going to turn purple.
Luckily, Blake kept his cool and through gritted teeth, he growled, "I see, I understand, now. Is there another officer we can speak to?"
Charlie's lips became a thin line and he adjusted his belt, clearly uncomfortable, "It's true. My daughter and Jessica were friends, but after what's happened, I don't believe they are anymore. My apologies, I wasn't trying to scare you both into not pressing charges. I love my job and would never do anything to jeopardize that. My only intention was to prepare you for all of the possibilities. Again, what I said was in no means meant to be a scare tactic and I'm sorry if it came off that way. Kit and Bella are very close and I'd do anything to help."
Everly and Blake shared a look and she searched her husband's eyes, looking for an answer.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that her Kit Kat was hooked up to all these machines while the girls that had done this were at school laughing and walking the halls with their peers as their lives continued like nothing had ever happened. Like Kit didn't exist. Like she didn't matter.
Tears welled up in her eyes and she nodded at Blake, looking away quickly as a tear dripped down onto her jeans. She didn't think she'd ever stop crying.
She felt Blake squeeze her hand and the pad of his thumb began to rub small circles on the back of the skin.
"We'd like to report a crime," Blake whispered, "Is it okay if I come by the police station to do that?"
As Charlie nodded in agreement, Everly saw that his attitude had changed. He didn't look mad or disappointed or even worried. He looked determined and Everly hoped that he was putting himself in their shoes, imaging that it was Bella hooked up to all those machines.
"Of course," Charlie said, "Any time, today, works great."
"And…?" Blake looked at Everly and she nodded again, "If we want to go through with the lawsuit against the school?"
"I would strongly recommend hiring a lawyer," Charlie said, "Lawsuits are way out my jurisdiction. I was out of line and again, I'm sorry."
"Okay," Blake mumbled, then held out his free hand, "Thank you."
"Of course," Charlie shook Blake's hand firmly, "I'm very sorry that we started off the wrong foot, there. Really, you and your family have been in my thoughts."
"That's all right," Blake said with a small smile, "Perhaps I overreacted…"
"Not at all," Charlie assured, "I get it, it's understandable."
"Thank you," Everly said, when Charlie turned to shake her hand, "Tell Bella that she can come by anytime."
"Thank you," Charlie's lips quirked up in a smile and he nodded at both of them, "I'll see you soon, Blake."
"Yes."
Charlie left them alone in Carlisle's office and Everly was grateful that he hadn't offered to walk them out or show them back to Kit's room.
Everly looked down when Blake knelt beside her, still holding her hand.
"We're really doing this," he said to her and she nodded.
"Yes," she said. This is what she wanted. Kit deserved justice, "When Charlie said we should hire a lawyer—Blake, we can't afford that. We can barely afford our own bills and we need to think about these hospital bills."
"We'll make it work," Blake wheedled.
"No, Blake," she dropped her head back, "We won't make it work. We're talking the hundred-thousands."
"…Do you not want to go through with this, then?" he asked and Everly crossed her ankles, then uncrossed them.
"I want to go through with it," she said firmly, "But I think…I think—Blake, honey," she looked him in the eyes, "I think that…we should call your family."
Blake recoiled as if she had slapped him and her face fell when he dropped her hand to straighten up and step back from her.
"I can't believe you," he started quietly, running a hand through his shaggy hair in disbelief.
"Blake," she kept her voice just above a whisper, "I'm sorry, but…your—
"We should get back to Kit," he interrupted her and more tears fell from Everly's eyes, "I'm sure Carlisle has other patients."
Everly wilted, "What do you suggest we do? Blake, we can't just pack up everything and go back to Hampton. The bills were way too much. We'll still owe money here, we'll have to pay to have everything shipped again, plane tickets, we're going to need to find Kit a therapist when she wakes up…"
Blake shook his head, "We can fundraise with the church."
"Honey," Everly stood up and went to him, reaching up to cup his cheek, "Can we just—can we focus on right now. I can't…" she rubbed her forehead again, "We need to focus on our children, ourselves, and this legal stuff, okay? Then, when that's all settled and it's all done, we'll talk about going home. Yes?"
Blake was looking off to the side, at Carlisle's wall clock and he crossed him arms across his chest, sighing heavily as he looked at her.
His glasses were falling down his nose and Everly pushed them up with her finger. She smiled when he took her hand and kissed it.
"Yes?" she asked again.
"Yes," he agreed.
Everly nodded. She wasn't going to bring up his family again. At least, not at this moment.
"Come," Blake urged, going to open the door, "Let's go back to Kit."
She let him led her out of Carlisle's office and back to Kit's hospital room where they found Carlisle sitting at her bedside, one hand holding hers and the other, gently rubbing up and down her arm.
Upon seeing them, Carlisle rose from his seat and approached them.
"Thank you for sitting with her," Blake said, looking over Carlisle's shoulder at Kit.
"It was no problem at all," Carlisle said softly, "Did everything go okay?"
"We're pressing charges," Blake told the doctor in a low voice, "Against the girls and against the school."
Carlisle nodded slowly, "I see. I think that's the right thing to do. If there's anything I can do to help, I will."
Blake visibly relaxed and Everly let go of his hand to go to Kit's side.
"Thank you," she said quietly, "For everything."
Everly couldn't understand why the town was so wary of the Cullens. Because of their good looks? Because they kept to themselves? The children barely had any friends at school and she couldn't recall Carlisle or Esme ever socializing with the other parents. Not that she had any room to talk. She hadn't socialized that much, either. All her contacts were in Seattle or Olympia and they were mostly business.
She couldn't believe how judgmental people could be. The Cullen family were all such pure and light souls and she absolutely adored their children. They were all family to her and she had never met a bunch of genuinely, kindhearted people.
She started a little when Blake kissed the top of her head.
"Darling, you keep spacing out," concern laced Blake's voice, "Are you feeling all right?"
"Yes," she said quickly, "I just…keep thinking. Are you leaving?"
Blake nodded grimly, "Police station. Figured it's best if I get it over with."
She bit her lip. Charlie's words were still bothering her.
"You don't think this is going to blow up into some big, public thing, do you?" she didn't want her family plastered all over the news and she didn't want a huge, giant, spectacle of a public trial.
Their lives were not an episode of Law & Order: SVU.
"No, I don't," Blake stroked her hair, "I won't let it come to that."
She sighed, but mumbled a small, "Okay," and fell silent so that Blake could say goodbye to Kit.
Sunday (Day Ten):
Indigo rolled over in her bed, shifting uncomfortably. She was hot. Way too hot.
Grumbling, she sat up, rubbing at her eyes with her fists and kicked off the blankets. Her parents had so many blankets on their bed and her daddy must have tucked her in which meant he was either downstairs or he had left.
Sighing heavily, she laid back down with all plans to go back to sleep, but then a pleasant scent hit her nose, making her stomach growl. She could definitely smell bacon and either pancakes or waffles. She preferred waffles.
She sat up again and looked around for Mr. Hoppy, her stuffed bunny, sitting him up so that he was propped up right against the pillows.
She only made sure to have him at night. Sometimes, she had urges to carry him around, but she wasn't a baby and left him on the bed.
She pushed herself to the edge of the bed and hopped down, wiggling her toes in the soft carpet. She adjusted her pajama shirt and pulled up her matching pants.
She really hadn't been that hungry lately. She missed Kitty and her mommy. School wasn't that fun anymore and neither was soccer. Her daddy still managed to go, but he never seemed like he was having as much fun as he usually did.
Her stomach made more noises and she decided it'd be best if she went downstairs on her own. It was better than Vanessa coming upstairs to wake her up again. She could be so loud, sometimes.
She went to her dresser and dug out a pair of white fuzzy socks, slipping them over her feet. The hallways, stairs, and kitchen floor were all hardwood and always made her feet cold.
She padded softly down the stairs, remembering that Kitty always warned her to be careful. It was weird, not waking up in Kitty's bed and seeing her in the morning.
"You're supposed to crack the eggs in separate bowls!"
"Don't you think I know that?"
"No, I don't. How often do you watch the Food Network!?"
"How often do you!? You're not an expert chef!"
Indigo frowned at the voices whispering heatedly in the kitchen. She didn't recognize them, but knew they didn't belong to Vanessa. In fact, she didn't hear Vanessa at all, through the sizzling of frying pans and the sounds of dishes moving around.
Shyly, she went into the kitchen and gasped at the big bear of a man she spotted first.
"EMMY!"
She ran to hug him and giggled when he lifted her into his big arms.
"Hey, kiddo!" Emmett greeted her warmly and she beamed at him when he kissed the side of her forehead, "How are you?"
Indigo hesitated, "Um, I'm okay," she twisted around, "Hi, Alice!"
Alice smiled widely and Indigo shivered when the girl touched her face, "Hello, little one. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," Indigo nodded, "Did you?"
Alice chuckled and so did Emmett, his laugh shaking her so hard, she held onto his arm for dear life.
"Yes, little one," Alice murmured, "We did."
"Well, what are you guys doing here?"
"We thought we'd stop by and cook ya' some breakfast," Emmett grinned at her and Indigo thought his breath smelled really nice, "Your dad said we could."
"He did!?" Indigo gasped, "Then, are you guys gonna take me to see Kitty!?"
Emmett's grin fell from his face and his bright gold eyes watched Indigo carefully.
Which each passing second, Indigo began to feel really sad.
"Not today, kiddo," Emmett told her reluctantly.
Indigo pouted at him, "But why not!?" she whined, "You and Alice get to see her all the time! It's not fair!"
"Indigo, stop all that whining."
Indigo turned her head. Vanessa was at the table, drinking from a blue mug and reading the newspaper. Indigo hadn't noticed her, at first, and she felt her heart drop. She hated it when Vanessa scolded her like that. Vanessa was not her mommy.
"I'm not whining!" Indigo argued, making a face, "Why can't I go see, Kitty!? Please, Vanessa? Daddy said I could!"
"Baby girl, not today," Vanessa said sadly. She set down her newspaper, "I'll tell you what, when I go to the hospital, I'll make sure to ask your daddy—"
"And mommy!" Indigo piped, shifting in Emmett's arms. He wasn't very comfy.
Vanessa, who would have usually nagged her for being impolite and interrupting, instead, looked sadder.
"Yes, Indi, and mommy," Vanessa promised, going to place her mug in the sink, "But until then, you can have fun with Emmett and Alice."
Indigo's shoulders slumped. She supposed that sounded okay, but she'd really rather just go and be with mommy and Kitty in the hospital. Her daddy had promised that she could be with Kitty and it had been forever since then.
"I guess…" she sighed softly.
"Aww, cheer up, kiddo," Emmett tousled her hair and grinned when she scrunched her nose up at him.
"We'll have a lot of fun," Alice beamed at her, "We can get some ice cream or go shopping. Wouldn't that be fun?"
"Fun," Vanessa answered for Indigo and the latter frowned, "I'll be around. Keep me updated. I'll be in the living room."
Indigo followed Vanessa with her eyes and when she could no longer hear the footsteps, she turned to Emmett, pushing on his shoulders. His skin, she noticed, didn't move or give like hers did.
"Take me to see Kitty?" she begged quietly, "Please? Pretty please? I won't tell anyone. I promise."
"Oh, little one," Alice began to stroke her back and Indigo twisted to look at her, "I don't think your parents would be very happy with us."
"That's okay!" Indigo assured them, "I want Kitty! Why do you guys get to see her!?"
"Indi," Emmett had never used her nickname before, "Hey, it's all right."
With a huff, Indigo turned and burrowed her face in the crook of Emmett's neck, not minding the cold. Alice was still rubbing her back and she sniffled.
"Aww," Emmett crooned to her, "Come on, now. I know you miss her. I do too, but today we're going to have a lot of fun and then you can tell her all about it. Right?"
"I guess, so," Indigo mumbled, lifting her head. She sighed, "Is breakfast ready?"
"Sure is!" Alice grinned, "Why don't you and Em go take a seat at the table."
Indigo nodded and Emmett set her down. Suddenly, she felt much, much smaller not being in his arms. He was so tall and big.
Still, she took his large hand and led him over to the table so that they could sit down.
"We have coffee," she told him, "Or juice, or milk, or tea, or water, or hot chocolate."
Emmett chuckled, "Thanks, kiddo, but I'm all right."
"M'kay," Indigo sat down and pulled out the chair next to her, "Sit by me, please."
"Sure thing," Emmett sat in the chair next to her and folded his hands atop the table.
Reaching over, Indigo patted his hands a few times and she tilted her head when Emmett took her hand in his.
"Why are you so cold?" she asked him. She squeezed his hand, "Ow. And you're not very soft, either."
Immediately, Emmett released her hand and dropped both of them into his lap.
"Here, you are!" Alice placed a plate of eggs, bacon, and waffles in front of Indigo as well as a cup of hot chocolate, "Eat up."
"Thank you, Alice!" Indigo placed her napkin on her lap and reached for her hot chocolate. She was delighted to see the whipped cream and marshmallows on top.
She took a sip. She was sad she couldn't go see Kitty, but it seemed like she would get to go soon. After all, Vanessa had said she would ask, and Emmett had said she could tell Kitty stories about their day.
She placed her cup back on the table and licked her top lip, glancing at Emmett's place. He really didn't have that much. A lot less than her and she would think, because he was so giant, that he would eat tons.
"Is the rest of your family cold like you?" she asked Emmett, "And not soft? Would it hurt if I pinched you?"
"You are so nosy," but Emmett didn't look mad, he looked happy, "No, it wouldn't hurt if you pinched me, but I wouldn't recommend it," he chuckled.
"Why?" Indigo picked up her bacon, but then set it back down, "Would you beat me up? Have you done that before?" she looked him up and down again. He was kind of scary, "Ever kill anyone?"
Alice gasped, horrified, but Emmett laughed, throwing his head back. When he recovered, he pulled Indigo's hot chocolate cup towards himself, making Indigo cry out.
"I think you've had enough sugar," he said, grinning, "Eat your breakfast."
"Yes," Alice agreed quickly, "We have a lot to do, today. Kit needs a new comforter for her room. Do you want to pick it out? I bet you know her best."
"I do!" Indigo declared. Picking up her bacon again, she took a bite.
She felt a little better. Kitty's old comforter had gotten gross, so, what was she going to do when she came home? Sleep without blankets?
She liked that she would get to pick out the new one and she hoped Kitty would like it. The comforter, Indigo knew, would definitely be yellow.