Wow, you guys are pretty invested in this story, haha. I'm honestly shocked, but thankful nonetheless!
It's come to my attention that many (and I mean MANY) of you have reached out to me expressing your hopes that Bella and Edward will eventually become a pairing when she's older. I considered it, and honestly, it might go that way, or it won't. We'll see. I'm not thinking too much about it now.
After hearing everyone's opinion, I'm sort of in the middle now, and I just want to do right by the story at the end of the day and have fun! So please bear with me in the meantime. Bella is still a kid and has to deal with her own issues before romance can even be touched in the story :)
Edward paced in the waiting room as he, Rosalie, and Esme waited patiently for Carlisle to appear with news of Bella. Jasper and Emmett joined them shortly after, both conveying thoughts of guilt he couldn't ignore.
What if I'd paid closer attention to her? I would have seen the signs. I noticed she was too distracted today...
Edward's brows furrowed at the empath's thoughts, and he glanced his way, seeing a collected calm masking his turmoil as Jasper sat in the chair beside Esme. His hand held hers in a vice grip. The latter was also at a loss for words, barely keeping herself together. It crushed them to see Esme in pain, the same way it did when Bella suffered.
Emmett was no better–torturing himself with alarming panic when it occurred to him that Bella being sick to her stomach had something to do with his cooking last night. If he had been the cause of the trigger–
"It's not your fault, either of you," Edward said too low for any humans nearby to hear, gritting his teeth as he turned to face the window. Jasper and Emmett's thoughts mirrored apologies, knowing Edward was also stressed.
Another restless hour passed before Carlisle strode in, wearing his scrubs and appearing haggard. Everyone was on their feet instantly, and somehow, Alice was magically standing beside Jasper now, holding his hand as Carlisle spoke, "She's alright now. Stable," Esme strode into Carlisle's arms when he said the words, relief evident on her face. Carlisle rubbed her shoulders as he continued, "We're admitting her for the night. Best to be on the safe side with the fever and all. The results of the scans won't be ready until tomorrow morning. So if you'd like to head home, go ahead. I don't think she'll be up anytime soon."
No one made to move, all quite clear in their wishes to remain in the hospital until they could all go home together. Bella included.
"When do you think she'll wake up?" Rosalie asked, crossing her arms to keep herself from breaking something in the room out of sheer frustration. Of course, Edward couldn't blame her for feeling that way—he's been tugging at his unruly hair all night for the same reason.
Carlisle sighed, appearing strangely tired even though it was impossible, "Patients who experience seizures for the first time will often take a while to recover. It takes a lot of energy out of them, especially children. Time will tell."
"Why did this happen?" Esme questioned.
"It could have been the fever spiking or something else entirely. We won't know until the scans are back. But..."
"But what?" Jasper stepped up.
Carlisle grew solemn, "If it happens again, I want to run some tests for epilepsy. Tha possibility is slim–"
"But a possibility nonetheless," Edward murmured begrudgingly, glaring at the floor. He tried and failed to shut everyone else out. But their thoughts were too loud to ignore. The possibility of Bella leading a normal life if she did get diagnosed with epilepsy would be much more complicated in the long run.
But not impossible, he reminded himself choosing to be optimistic.
Carlisle nodded, "I'm afraid so. For now, two can come into the room at a time. Who wants to go first?"
No one spoke for a moment, slightly stunned by Carlisle's straightforward demeanor right now. However, Edward wasn't fooled. The man was in just as much pain as Esme right now–as they all were.
Edward couldn't stand here anymore. He needed to get away from the others. From their roaring thoughts and fears. It was tearing him apart to hear Esme's anguish. Jasper and Emmett's guilt. Rosalie's anger and Alice's shock. It was too much for him.
Excusing himself, Edward strode out of the waiting room and made his way out of the hospital's main entrance. He stood under cover of the walkway and stared into the pouring rain for a long while before he felt Carlisle walk up to him. Sending his thoughts rather than speaking out loud, an old habit they adapted long before the Cullens became a family.
Son, are you alright?
"This is too much," Edward shook his head. He'd been silent most of the night, processing everyone else's thoughts to consider his own. Now that he's been given the news of Bella's state, everything seemed to crash in on him. "How much can she take? Her parents, that...monster, and now this? When will it end? Can she ever live a normal life?"
"I wish I knew why these things have happened to her, Edward. I really do," Carlisle sighed as he stepped beside his son and stared out into the night. "But sometimes there is no right or wrong answer here. It simply is. Such is life."
The rain drowned out their voices to the humans passing by—nurses or doctors rushing to get to the ER or visitors making their way back to their vehicles—but Edward and Carlisle heard every word spoken to each other.
Carlisle patted his shoulder, squeezing it, "But as we helped her years ago, we'll do it again. Always."
A low, hoarse hum broke them all out of their silence. Esme's eyes widened as she watched Bella stir awake, her brows furrowing slightly before her glassy brown eyes opened.
Bella looked around, fighting through the haze in her mind before she noticed the woman standing at the foot of the bed. Bella's lips quirked up in a lazy smile, "Mom..."
It was rare when Bella referred to Esme or Carlisle as 'mom' or 'dad' and whenever she did use the terms, it made both of their hearts swell with love. It was no secret to Esme that Bella carried the burden of replacing her parents with them in some way and it would be a battle they would have to help her cope with in the future. But for now, she would take this as a win, despite the situation.
Esme rushed to Bella's side, cupping her face in her hands and feeling the warmth of her cheeks seep into her cold palms, "Hi, baby. I'm here."
Bella leaned into Esme's touch, clearly unaware of where she was until she noticed the machines beeping beside the bed. She frowned, "Where..."
Movement by the door caught her attention. While every member of the family were gathered around, sitting on the couch or in uncomfortable plastic chairs, her attention went to Carlisle as he walked towards the bed she was laying in.
The gentle yet grim expression on his face was impossible to ignore despite wearing his blue scrubs and coat. But they'd been home last she remembered. The hospital? Why were they in the hospital? Right. Because I was sick...
"How are you feeling, Bella?" Carlisle asked softly, running a hand over her head affectionately.
"Tired." She breathed out, picking at the cable of the nasal cannula pumping oxygen in through her nose. When Bella looked back up she watched Carlisle with worried eyes, "What happened?"
"Do you remember anything before we brought you to the hospital, Bella?" Carlisle asked, bringing a seat beside Esme and sitting down. His large hand took hold of Bella's small one and gave it a squeeze, reassuring her with his presence alone.
"I was...sick," she murmured slowly, checking with them before they nodded in agreement, "my head was hurting, and then...I don't know. I couldn't focus."
"That's right. You had what was called a seizure, Bella. That's why you're in the hospital."
A seizure...
"What is that?" she questioned as she frowned at him. Carlisle smiled slightly at her, happy to see her curiosity never wavers, even at this time.
"It's a condition many people have, even kids your age. It has to do with a disturbance in the brain," he tapped the side of her temple, explaining as best as he could in a way a child could understand though he didn't expect Bella to do so.
Of course, she was his daughter and was bound to surprise him every step of the way when she asked, "Is my brain...broken?"
"No my sweet girl, it's not broken. it just needs a little help. You had a fever and threw up quite a bit so I want to keep you here overnight just in case."
Bella looked over to see the three boys all sitting on the chairs propped by the wall. All three watched her with wary eyes and she caught Emmett's gaze immediately. The burly man seemed oddly nervous like she's never seen before. It didn't suit him. It didn't suit any of them, even Alice seemed sad which was enough indication to tell her something terribly wrong had happened.
"Sorry, Emmett. I don't think I can eat your cooking again." She said. Small smiles made their way over all of the Cullens and for a moment, it seemed as though they breathed a sigh of relief. Emmett broke out into a heartbreaking grin, shaking his head as he rose and walked to her side. His hand ruffled her hair playfully, but this time she didn't have the energy to scowl as she usually did
"Don't worry about it, kid. After this, I doubt I'll be trusted to cook for you again," he paused, "You gave us quite the scare."
"Sorry," Bella yawned, taking her brother's hand with both of hers as she started closing her eyes. "I'll try not to scare you next time."
A collective chuckle resounded in the room. She didn't feel embarrassed despite the spotlight this time. She liked having her family with her. Taking care of her.
"Love you..." she murmured before sleep began taking her under once more.
"We love you too, Bella." Someone whispered, sounding strangely sad as a kiss was placed on her forehead. She fell asleep with a small smile on her lips, peaceful for once.
The next day, when Bella woke up, she was happy to see Rosalie and Jasper on either side of her bed. Both rested their heads by her legs and slept soundly while Carlisle spoke to another nurse who was handing him a clipboard. As soon as the nurse left and closed the door behind her, however, the two stirred awake roughly around the same time. Odd, but they were always in tune with one another so Bella supposed it wasn't too strange.
"Hey sleepyhead," Rosalie greeted the girl with a smile as she tucked a strand of Bella's hair behind her ear. "How're you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Bella shrugged, feeling her mood drop suddenly when she realized she was still in the hospital. That it hadn't been a dream. "When can we go home?"
Rosalie grinned, "Not until Carlisle says so I'm afraid. Don't worry, we'll be here to entertain you the entire time."
Bella nodded before turning to Jasper, hoping to find a grin on his lips or a warm gaze. There was nothing. He wasn't smiling at her because he wasn't even looking at her now. His gaze was focused entirely on the white scratchy blanket draped over her legs as if it were the most important thing in the world. Bella frowned however before she could ask him what was wrong, Carlisle said, "We'll be taking you home today, don't worry sweetheart. Just have to wait on another scan to get back from the lab."
"For my broken brain." She said as a matter of factly, pursing her lips with something akin to annoyance, but she wasn't sure what she was annoyed at. Her whole body felt strange. As if it weren't hers anymore.
Carlisle shook his head. He took a seat beside Bella and took her hand, "Look at me?" When she did, albeit begrudgingly, Carlisle sighed, "What's upsetting you?"
Bella clenched her jaw feeling oddly vulnerable with her siblings and father watching her now, all waiting to hear her answer. When she felt tears suddenly stinging the back of her eyes, she pressed the heel of her palms against them.
"Bella. Are you in pain? What's wrong?" Rosalie asked but was quickly reassured by Jasper when he spoke under his breath, too low for the girl to hear.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked shakily.
"No. Why would you think that?" Carlisle gently asked.
"Because...I don't know..." She sounded helpless, desperate, and confused. "I'm scared."
A cold hand took her own and she was gently moved into a sitting position before a pair of arms wrapped around her. Carlisle rocked her back and forth, whispering reassurances into her ear to help calm her down. When a hand rubbed her back, she glanced up and found Jasper's sad gaze.
"I'm sorry, Jazz. I didn't mean to get sick. Please, don't be mad."
Jasper's eyes flooded with tears, but they never fell as he sat on the edge of the bed and leaned forward, looking her in the eyes before saying, "I'd never be mad at you, darlin'. I was just worried about you, that's all. I'm glad you're awake now. So glad."
"Hug me then." She snuffled and he let out a chuckle before being taken by surprise when Carlisle reached for his son and eldest daughter and pulled them into a strong hug. Encasing Bella in their love and support.
All four remained glued together for the longest time, each worried about what the future will hold for their family.
Neither having the answer.
But whatever it may be, they would all find it—together—as a family.
Thanks for reading x
Next chapter: Bella finds out a little more about the Cullens true nature.