Chapter 6
"Bell?" I felt a cold hand on my forehead as the words were spoken, and I curled up tighter under the covers, trying to ignore the pain in my side, and the throbbing behind my closed eyes. That same chilled hand brushed a stray curl off of my cheek, resting there for a moment before the voice spoke again.
"Come on, Bella, wake up," said Jasper gently, his mouth close to my ear. "There's an officer here to speak with you."
The word 'officer' made my eyes fly open, my mind conjuring my father's likeness before sense took hold.
"There we go," said Jasper gently, sitting down on the edge of the mattress of this very comfortable, squishy bed in which I'd been stationed earlier that day. With a great shiver and a cautious, slow apprehension, I slowly sat up, blinking away the last remnants of sleep.
My head felt ready to burst, and my injured rib flared with every breath.
"I know you feel bad," said Jasper gently, reaching out a careful hand towards me, "but there's someone here from the police department. They need to talk to you. Are you up for it?"
No. "Sure." My voice was low and gravelly, and I cleared it anxiously. Jasper frowned and rested his hand on my forehead again.
"Do you feel alright?" he asked quietly, pressing his lips to my brow. I blinked furiously, to rid my eyes of tears at the unbidden memory of our mother using the same method to test whether or not we were feverish. Jasper didn't notice.
"Fine," I lied easily, knowing that there was nothing he could do to alleviate my symptoms. Aspiring medical student he might be, but even he wouldn't be able to take these feelings away.
"Come on downstairs, then," he said gently. I moved my legs to slide out of bed, taking care to find my footing. The mirror on the other end of the room glinted, urging me forward to look at myself, to criticize.
"No, never mind about that," said Jasper, steering me away from the mirror, through which I could see my straggly hair and red-rimmed eyes. "You look perfect."
Yeah. Sure.
"Do you want someone to sit with you while you talk with the officer?" asked Jasper, urging me through the bedroom door and towards the long staircase. "Emmett, or me, or even Esme…"
"No thanks," I said quickly, shaking my head as I took the first tentative step downstairs. "I'll be fine."
"It's no trouble, Bell, really."
"I'll be fine," I insisted, taking great care not to fall or jostle myself on the stairs. Jasper rested his hand on my upper arm, ready to snatch me up if I lost my footing. Glancing up at his face, I saw his brows twitch together as he grasped my upper arm more firmly, rubbing up and down.
"You feel hot," he said quietly, stopping me mid-step to rest a hand on my forehead. "Do you feel sick?"
"No," I said quickly, dismissing the dryness in my throat and pounding in my head as byproducts of the tears from the last few days.
"When you're done talking I'll get Carlisle to take your temperature," he said, ignoring my denial. "You look flushed."
"I'm fine," I said quickly, turning from him and pulling away. I made my way down the rest of the stairs on my own, leaving Jasper to hover by the kitchen while I moved uncertainly into the sitting room. Esme turned to smile at me when I entered, handing a blue-clad police officer a tall glass of water. When I stepped through the doorway, the boy with copper hair I had only glimpsed earlier met my gaze, offering me nothing more than a quick smile before he whispered to his mother and slipped away.
"That's my son, Edward," explained Esme, watching me as my gaze trailed after the boy. "You can meet him properly in a little while."
I said nothing in return, but sat myself gingerly in the chair that Esme urged me towards.
"Do you want me to sit with you?" she asked quietly, crouching down in front of me to smooth some stray tangles of hair that had escaped my braid. "I don't mind, if you'd like me to…"
"That's ok," I said quickly. "I'll be fine."
"Just holler if you need me, then," she said, and with a gentle squeeze to my hand, she stood and faced the mysterious officer.
"Do let me know if you need anything else," she said to the man, who smiled gently and nodded, holding his silence until he was sure she had left. For a long moment, neither of us said anything, simply taking each other in.
"My name is Officer Cheney," said the man gently. "I'm with the Seattle Police Force. You can call me Ben, if you'd like."
"Bella," I said automatically, glancing away from his wide blue eyes.
"Alright Bella," he began. "I'm going to need to ask you some questions. Doctor Cullen will take a full statement from you later on and pass it on to our office, but in the meantime, there are some questions we need answered."
"Okay." My voice was small and squeaky, and I curled in on my chair, ignoring the flaring pain in my rib.
"Let's get started, then."
ooOoo
"Thank you so much for your time," said Ben gently, shaking my hand quickly before turning to Doctor Cullen. "We'll be in touch soon with all the appropriate paperwork."
"Thank you," he said quickly, also reaching out to shake the officer's hand. "You have my fax number?"
"Absolutely," said Ben, turning to exchange goodbye pleasantries with Esme. Esme shook his hand and spoke mindless reassurances for my safety and wellbeing as I rested my head on my knees, taking deep breaths to stave off the panic and embarrassment flooding through me. Like Doctor Cromwell, Ben had asked all kinds of questions about Charlie's deviant ways. Ben took diligent notes. Ben asked follow up questions.
Emmett poked his head into the living room just in time to see Officer Ben exit the house. As the sound of the police cruiser started up outside, Emmett crossed the room in four big strides, crouching down in front of me and prying my hands away from my face.
"You okay?" he asked gently, holding my wrists so I couldn't hide from him.
"Fine," I said forcefully, pulling away. "I just hate the questions."
He didn't say anything in return, merely glancing down at me with gentle, surveying eyes.
"Did he say what they're going to charge him with?" asked Emmett.
"No."
"Damn."
"Bella?" Carlisle's voice rang out from the doorway, and when Emmett and I glanced over, I saw the black medical bag hanging from his hand.
"Jasper says you might have a fever," he said gently. "Mind if I check?"
"Are you sick, sweetheart?" demanded Esme quickly, rushing past her husband and moving my brother out of the way. I frowned as the back of her hand, cool and soft, felt my forehead and cheeks, her face falling as she took me in.
"She's flushed and her eyes are glassy, Carlisle, look…" she said, fussing as Carlisle came over and opened the bag.
"We'll sort it out, Esme," he soothed. "Open up for me." He slipped a digital thermometer under my tongue and urged his wife to stand back, lest she overcrowd me. Esme backed up only reluctantly, moving only a few steps away.
"Fever," said Carlisle brusquely as the instrument beeped, and he took it from me. "Look up?" I tilted my head up to the ceiling and felt the Doctor's warm, gentle hands probing my neck for swollen glands.
"Are you feeling sick?" he asked. "Cough? Chest pain?"
"Just the rib," I said quickly, feeling my face heat up with all the attention focused on me.
"Headache? Stomach pain?"
"A bit of a headache," I admitted, seeing Emmett's frown.
"So a lot of one, then," he deadpanned. "She's always been one to downplay."
I scowled, but said nothing.
"I'll get you some Tylenol," said Carlisle gently. "And rest. I think you've overworked yourself."
"I'm fine." I insisted, moving to stand. "Please don't fuss."
"You'll take your Tylenol and have a rest," said Carlisle firmly. "Doctor's orders."
I couldn't help but smile as he grinned, winking.
"Your brothers will settle you in, I'm sure."
"Jasper!" called Emmett, his loud voice echoing through the house. Jasper took less than ten seconds to find his way over, eyes raking over each of us in turn.
"What's wrong?"
"Boo's sick," said Emmett briskly. "Carlisle says Tylenol and sleep."
"Right then," said Jasper, stepping forward to take my hand. "Come on, Bella."
"I'm fine," I insisted again, embarrassment welling in me at the thought of being waited on. "I don't need anything, really…"
"Stop arguing and let's go," said Jasper firmly. "You heard Carlisle. Rest and Tylenol."
"I'll bring some up in a few minutes," said Carlisle, repressing a smile with difficulty. "You boys take good care of her."
I had no doubt at all that both of my brothers would take his words closely to heart as they marched me towards the staircase, where Alice and Rosalie were just descending. Alice smiled widely when she saw me, and pressed a firm kiss to my cheek before offering Jasper the same treatment. Rosalie merely smiled, giving Emmett a pointed look that I couldn't interpret. Emmett grimaced back at her, and I frowned, looking askance at my brother.
"Never mind, Bell," he said hastily, ushering me away from Rosalie. Rosalie quickly wiped any concerned look from her face and smiled sweetly again, offering me a small wave as the boys urged me upstairs before I could ask any questions.
"What was that about?" I asked, turning to Emmett as we entered the room I'd been settled in before.
"She's just worried about you, that's all," he said quickly. "Rose is…"
He paused for a moment, lips pursed.
"Is what?" I asked.
"Let's just say she understands more than you think," he said, speaking in a strangely deliberate way.
"What?"
"Never mind, Bell," he said softly. "Get into bed, and I'll let her tell you all about it when you're better."
"I'm fine," I insisted again, resisting only slightly as I was urged down onto the soft sheets. "Really…"
"Relax, and let us help," said Emmett firmly, taking the sheets and drawing them up to my chin. "It's the least we can do."
"What?" I asked, confused as Jasper looked away, his hand wiping suspiciously at his cheek.
"I'll be back in a minute," he said quickly, and rushed out of the room, closing the door gently behind him. Both Emmett and I stared after him, me confused, and Emmett concerned.
"He'll be alright," said Emmett gently, almost to himself, before he turned to me, sighing.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concern blooming in my chest as I sat up, ignoring Emmett's worried frown.
"Sit back and calm down," he ordered, sitting on the edge of my bed. He tried to urge me back, hand on my shoulder, but I shook him off, looking quickly towards the door.
"Is he okay?"
"He'll be fine, Bella," said Emmett. "He's just upset."
"Why?" The word fell from my lips before I had the chance to catch myself, and Emmett froze, staring at me with mingled sadness and disbelief.
"Are you serious?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly. "Bella, my god…"
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry," he snapped, angry. "For God's sake, Bella, look at you. Why do you think he's upset?"
I said nothing, turning my eyes instead to the golden bedspread, tracing the loops of thread with my fingertip. There was a long silence between us and I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze until he heaved a great, shuddering sigh and shifted away from me. I looked up and saw his shoulders slump, as if he were deflating, and watched with wide eyes as he ran his palms roughly over his eyes.
"Are you crying?" I asked, aghast. He didn't answer right away, taking a deep breath instead, running his hands through his hair. The curls stood on end as his large fist fell to the bed, and when he turned to me, I was dismayed to see his face downcast and glistening with tears.
"He feels responsible," said Emmett in a growl, reaching over to pull me into a hug. "We should have noticed. We should have said something… There were definitely signs."
"I didn't want you to know. Not ever."
"That doesn't matter," he said gruffly. "You're just a kid. You're our responsibility, and we failed you."
"No you didn't…"
"Yes, we did," said Emmett firmly, twisting my long braid around his hand. "We did."
"Em…"
"You were never the same as he was, you know," said Emmett, cutting me off. "When Jasper was born, I was just a baby. We were always so close in age, it was like we were twins. I never felt like a big brother to him. We're only ten months apart."
"I know," I said, frowning. "But…"
"But we were older when you came. You were different."
I kept quiet, resting my forehead on his shoulder as he ran a hand down my back.
"Did you know he used to call you his baby?" asked Emmett. "Everywhere we went with you, that's what he'd tell people. 'That's my baby!' or 'Look at my baby!' He'd tote you around like a little doll."
"I know," I said thickly. Mom had told me that story so many times over the years, sometimes to remind me of how much my brother loved me when I was angry with him.
"You were always special to us… we should've seen what he was doing. I'm so sorry, Bell," Emmett sighed, resting his cheek on top of my head. We sat quietly in the bed together for a long moment, neither of us speaking, neither of us knowing what to say. I felt his tears on my shoulder as he ran his big hand up and down my back, and I fought back my own tears, not wanting to make him feel worse.
"I'm sorry," I said finally, wishing more than anything that Emmett- big, strong, unmovable Emmett- would stop crying.
"I love you." His voice cracked.
"Love you too," I said, my voice muffled by his shoulder. "Please don't cry."
He simply cleared his throat and sat up carefully, gently pushing me back against the pile of soft pillows. I pulled the covers up higher, watching apprehensively as he stood and stretched, leaning over to kiss my cheek.
"Love you. I'll be back in a minute."
"Okay."
"Don't fall asleep yet," he warned. "Jasper will want to see you, okay?"
"Okay."
With only the slightest awkward pause in the doorway, Emmett departed, only stopping once to glance back into the bedroom. I lay there, in the silence of this unfamiliar room, burrowing under the covers to keep the chill away. The burning behind my eyes and lump in my throat were testament to how much I wanted to break down, but knowing that Jasper, who already felt so guilty, would be here soon, I forced myself to keep calm.
A gentle knock on the door roused me from my internal musings, and I turned to face the doorway.
The boy was taller up close than he was from far away, and with him so still, I could see that a smattering of freckles was sprinkled over his pale nose and cheeks. His hair looked like it had never seen a comb, standing up every which way, but even as unkempt as it was, it didn't detract from his obvious good looks.
"I'm Edward," he said quietly, taking a tentative step in the room. He lingered by the doorway, a tray in his hands, watching me with wide, green eyes. He looked rather nervous.
"Hi," I squeaked, pulling the covers up even higher. "Bella."
"Yeah," he said, smiling gently. "I've heard."
"Right," I said, glancing away. "What's that?"
"Oh!" he said, looking down to the tray he was holding. "Dad sent me up with it."
"Okay."
"Tylenol, Gravol, water, some crackers and lozenges," he said, stepping carefully forward to place the tray on the nightstand nearest him. He settled it carefully on the stand, taking care to make sure I wouldn't hit it from the bed and knock it over before he stepped back, standing awkwardly between the bed and door.
"Oh," I said quickly, my mouth going dry. "I could have come and grabbed it."
"No, no," he said, shaking his head. "It's no trouble. I figured I should introduce myself, anyways, if we're staying in the same house."
"Okay."
"So… yeah," he said, chuckling as he ran a hand through his already messy hair. "I'll just leave you to it, then. Dad says to take two Tylenol right away, and a Gravol if you feel sick. He also says to drink all the water before you fall asleep. Something about fevers and dehydration… I don't know." He laughed again, shaking his head.
"I will," I said, watching as he glanced up, his green eyes bright against his pale face.
"Do you need anything?" he asked quickly. "I mean, can I get you anything?"
"No thanks," I squeaked.
"Right," he said, nodding. "I'll leave you be, then."
"Okay."
"Okay…" He hovered for a moment before he turned to go, and I felt my face flush.
"Thank you!" I blurted out, making him turn back around.
"Oh, don't worry about it. No problem. I'll see you around, I guess… when you're feeling better."
"Okay."
"Okay."
The awkwardness was almost palpable as he moved through the doorway, closing the door behind him with a gentle click. When I could no longer hear his footsteps outside the door, I sank beneath the covers with a groan, shaking my head.
Were there any words, besides "okay", that I knew how to use?
"Bella?" The door cracked open once again, and this time, my red-eyed brother inched into the room, looking downcast.
"Jasper."
"Sorry for running off like that," he said, his voice hoarse. "I just…"
"It's okay," I said quickly, reaching out a hand. "I'm sorry."
"Stop saying sorry," he admonished, perching himself on the edge of the bed. Reflexively, I almost said it again, but I caught myself at the last minute and remained silent.
"Carlisle brought your tray?" asked Jasper, examining the shiny silver tea tray.
"Edward did," I said, testing the name for the first time.
"Good, good…" said Jasper absently, opening the Tylenol bottle and shaking out two white pills. "He's a nice kid."
"Mhm."
"Here," he offered, handing me the medication as he cracked open the water bottle, condensation running down the sides. Doing as I was told, I popped the sour tasting pills into my mouth and swallowed them with a big gulp of water. My rib smarted as I took a deep breath and I grimaced, rinsing my mouth out with another drink of water.
"Need Gravol?" he asked, shaking the little bubble pack of pink pills at me. "Feeling nauseated?"
"No," I said, speaking the truth. The longer I sat here, cozy and clean in this big bed, the closer sleep came.
"Then rest," said Jasper, reaching over to take the bottle from me as I slipped further down onto my pillows, eyes heavy and sore.
"Love you," I said quietly, as Jasper leaned down to pull the covers up.
"You know I love you too," he said. "Sleep now. Just call for someone if you need anything. Anyone. Everyone's home."
"Thanks."
"Sleep well, Bella," he said, pressing a kiss to the same cheek Emmett had. "Sorry for running off."
My eyes drifted closed before I could reassure him, and I heard his gentle chuckle as he rose from the bed, and left me to my slumber.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Writer's block, you know... I'm hoping to get back with it and start editing a little faster than I have been. Let me know what you think!