To all who are reading this, thank you!


CHAPTER 15

BEDSIDE MANNER

"Bella?" Alice's voice echoed through the stall where Bella was kneeling, face above the toilet.

"Bella, are you okay?"

Having just thrown up, she had certainly felt better, but at least the nausea was going away. "I'm fine. Just… give me a minute."

Moments later, Bella flushed the toilet, and exited the stall with unsteady steps. Without a word, she went to the sink to wash her hands, then rinsed her mouth. "Ugh." She braced herself on the counter, and hung her head. "Remind me not to do any shots next time."

"Noted," Alice said as a group of women entered the washroom. "You want to get out of here?"

"Yeah, I think I've had enough clubbing for one night." For the year really. Or maybe the next ten years.

By the time they left the washroom, Edward and Carlisle were waiting in the corridor, worry etched on their features. Behind them were Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie.

"Hey, guys," Alice said. "We're going to call it a night. Bella isn't feeling too good."

"You're looking pretty pale," Edward told her as they neared.

"Yeah well, puking your guts out will do that to you," Bella replied.

"I'll get the car."

Before Edward could take a step, Alice said, "Since Carlisle's car is closer, how about you drive Emmett and Rosalie? Jasper and I can ride with Bella in the Mercedes. We can meet at the hotel."

But Edward shook his head. "I'd rather not. I don't want to leave Bella."

"It's just a twenty-minute ride. And Carlisle's a doctor. She'll be fine with us."

Edward opened his mouth to protest, but Bella interjected. "Hey, this isn't tug of war. Alice is right. I'll be fine, Edward. Right now, I just want to sit, and Carlisle's car is the closest."

The muscles of his jaw flexed. He kept glancing between Carlisle and Bella. "If that's what you want."

"It is. Please? I'll see you back at the hotel."

"Yeah. Okay, sure." Edward reluctantly fished his keys out of his pocket. "Come on, guys," he said to Emmett and Rosalie.

"How are you feeling, Bella?" Carlisle asked as they started walking toward the exit.

"Like I drank too much."

Her nice little buzz had been replaced by an unsteady feeling. Not bad enough to make her stumble, but enough to make her feel crappy.

"Headache, nausea, dizziness?"

"Yes on one and three. The nausea's better, though."

The crowded club was entirely too hot for her comfort. When they finally navigated through the crowd and reached the door, the cool night air was heaven on her sweaty skin. As Bella and Alice waited on the curb, Carlisle and Jasper went to fetch the car. In less than two minutes, Bella was seated in the front passenger seat.

"I'm sorry I ruined your evening, guys."

"Don't worry, Bella," Alice said from the backseat.

"You didn't ruin anything," Carlisle assured her as he started driving.

Recalling how lonely he'd looked tonight, Bella pivoted her head on the headrest. Eyes finding his, she said, "You didn't have much fun, did you?"

His shoulders rose and fell on a shrug, his mouth curving ever so slightly. "I guess clubs just aren't my thing."

"How about we do a museum tour next time?"

His smile broadened in answer to hers. "I'd be game for that."

Bella couldn't be sure her nausea wouldn't return, but she was feeling a bit better, especially after cracking the window open.

They were nearing an intersection when Alice said, "Carlisle, if you take a right here, then two lefts, you'll avoid all the red lights. We'll get there faster."

With a nod, Carlisle followed Alice's advice, and sure enough, it was green lights all the way.

Once they arrived at the hotel, Carlisle exited the car, then hurried around the front bumper. The next thing Bella knew, he had opened the door for her, and was waiting with his hand extended.

Grateful for his help, Bella placed her palm in his, and got out. As he gently grabbed hold of her elbow, she thanked him, and they started walking.

"Alice," Carlisle said as they entered the building. "Would you mind getting a sports drink from a vending machine? It'll help hydrate her and build up her electrolytes."

As Alice and Jasper went in search of a vending machine, Carlisle led Bella to the front desk to check in. Thankfully, the reservations had been made earlier that afternoon, and the hotel had most of their info.

"Here are your keycards," the hotel clerk said. In all, Alice had rented four rooms to accommodate Carlisle and the three other couples in the family. "Have a good night, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen."

Bella and Carlisle exchanged an amused look, but neither of them bothered to correct the clerk. "Thank you," Carlisle said. "Have a good night as well."

As they crossed the lobby, Carlisle texted the room numbers to the others, then guided Bella toward the elevator. As soon as they entered, he pressed the button for the fifth floor, and up they went.

The elevator began its steady climb. Second floor. Third floor. By the fourth floor, Bella's nausea had returned.

"Feeling nauseous again?"

Bella could only nod.

Ding. Finally. They had made it to the fifth floor. By some miracle, she and Carlisle made it to the room in time, but barely.

God, it was mortifying, puking in front of Carlisle—even if he was a doctor and had undoubtedly seen worse. Right now, he was standing by her right shoulder, holding her hair away from her face.

"That's it. You'll feel better after."

As her body overheated, she felt a cool and soothing touch to the nape of her neck. "Thanks. That feels nice," she managed once the worst had passed.

"I'll get you a cold washcloth."

A couple of minutes later, he ushered her out of the bathroom, and toward the bed.

"These shoes are coming off," Bella said as she struggled to undo the clasp. A few tugs later, the first shoe was off. Then came the second.

Finally, Bella flopped down on the bed. Lying on her stomach, she remembered that Carlisle was there, so she turned on her side to face him. "I'm sorry," she said as he sat down by her hip.

A slight frown marred his features. "What for?"

"You spent most of the evening dodging women and watching us dance. Then, you got left with vomit duty."

His eyes softened. "I was happy to help, Bella. How are you feeling now?" He was in doctor mode, his features indicating that he was assessing her with his senses.

"Better," she answered. "Hopefully, no more vomiting."

"Your heartrate is a little elevated, but that's normal considering." There was that encouraging smile again. Carlisle had an impeccable bedside manner.

Something drew his attention just then, and he looked toward the door. "Alice and Jasper are leaving the elevator. I'll let them in."

Maybe it was wrong of her to feel this way, but Bella was disappointed by their arrival. Minus the puking, spending time alone with Carlisle had been nice.

"How is she?" Alice asked as she entered the room, Jasper in tow.

"Better," Carlisle answered.

"I have your sports drink, Bella. I also brought some bottled water in case you want some in the morning."

"Thanks, Alice."

"While we were crossing the lobby, I saw Edward pull in. He shouldn't be long now."

Without meaning to, Bella's eyes flickered to Carlisle's. Once Edward would arrive, he and the others would undoubtedly leave for their own rooms. Feeling a pang in her chest, Bella tried to reason with herself. You shouldn't feel this way. Edward's your fiancé.

Something akin to regret washed over her just then. That and a touch of sadness. It wasn't normal. A woman in a healthy and functioning relationship shouldn't be saddened by the idea of spending time alone with her fiancé. But she was.

If given the choice, she would much rather spend the rest of the night in Carlisle's soothing company.

Stop it, she chastised herself. You shouldn't be thinking this.

Out of the corner of her eye, Bella noticed a change in Alice. She had grown incredibly still, her focused expression indicating that she was having a vision. One moment, she was staring into nothing, the next her eyes snapped back to Bella's.

Whatever she had seen had been something of a shock.

Because Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett were now entering the room, no one but Bella noticed Alice's demeanor.

If the two women had been alone, Alice would have likely shared her vision. As it was, she regarded Bella with a look that said, "We're going to talk about this. Soon."

What could it be, Bella wondered. What was Alice's vision?

I guess I'll have to wait to find out.


Thanks for reading! As always, reviews are much appreciated.