"Um … nervous. Fingers are tingly."
Pulling a black stethoscope from his pocket, Edward quickly puts the buds in his ears and lays the end piece against my back. "Deep breath for me?" he asks, and I do my best, glancing over to a concerned-looking Emmett. "Again."
A cough stirs in my chest, and I cover my mouth until it passes. Moving the stethoscope around to my heart, he tells me to breathe normally before pulling away and tucking the instrument back in his pocket.
"You have a little more fluid than I'd like on the left side, but I think we can get it under control with some medication adjustments. Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy?"
I shrug. "Not particularly … Maybe just a little but not bad."
To be honest, I haven't felt super great all morning, but I'm not usually one to complain. The wreck that killed our parents left me with a year of recovery. I broke both legs, my left arm, and lost my spleen. Carlisle was a little overbearing at times but made sure I had the best medical care—just a little too much of it sometimes. Since then, I try not to complain unless it's serious.
Which is probably why it took almost dying for me to find out I was in heart failure. I had, what I thought, was a bad flu but kept getting worse. Eventually, Kate found me on the kitchen floor, barely breathing. That's when Emmett flew to New York, and Carlisle and Esme soon followed.
And the rest, well, that's where I am now.
"Last night, she was fairly clear," Emmett says. "She was first admitted to the ER at Mount Sinai because of fluid in her lungs, and she wound up with two chest tubes. Can I listen?"
Glaring at him, I say, "No. You're my brother right now, not my doctor. We had a deal, remember?"
He puts his hands up in defeat, staying put in the chair to my right. "Fine. You're right." Looking past me to Edward—who's been watching with a somewhat amused expression. "There were rules made before she would agree to move back home. I'm only allowed to take her vitals and listen to her chest once a day, and I had to upgrade the kitchen and buy her new cookware. In return, she moved home, I got to pick her doctor, and I get unlimited cupcakes and cookies. She's a great baker."
"Oh, my bag!" I say, pointing to it. "I brought you a few cupcakes."
"Cupcakes?" Edward asks with a grin, showing off beautiful pearly whites—because he's clearly incredibly close to perfect. Too bad he's my doctor. Pulling out the small white box, I hold it out to him with a smile and hope he opens it now. "Thank you so much, Bella. I really need to take a look at least, and I mean, it is a good time for a snack."
I nod with a smile as he unties the orange polka dot ribbon. It's autumn, so I did a little theme. He opens the box, and I swear to God there's a gleam in his eyes as he pulls one out.
"This is highly inappropriate," he mumbles, shaking his head before taking a bite.
'"I hope you don't mind carrot carrot cake; it's my favorite. Em will eat anything, but he's fond of pumpkin spice. He usually calls me a few times a year and begs for a few batches. Freezes them even." I giggle, and Emmett nods, looking proud.
"A man has needs," he says. "Be warned though, Masen. They're addictive and pretty fucking terrible for you, so you'll need to add a few miles to your runs and hit the gym harder."
Eyes only on the cupcake, Dr. Lumberjack takes another bite and moans. I feel the blush come back full force and have to look away.
"Worth it," he mumbles. "We're gonna need to get rid of these because I have about six women outside of this room who will maul each other for these. And I'd join them."
The short reprieve doesn't last long enough, unfortunately. Once he's finished, he sits back on the stool and rolls over to a monitor attached to a metal swinging mount.
I should have brought more cupcakes for a longer distraction. Next time …
Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.
