A/N I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I didn't get the chance to thank you personally.
I've been asked if there will be a HEA to the story. Yes, I would never write it any other way.
I've also been asked if Izzy and Teddy will get back together. Yes, they will meet up soon. But after everything, Teddy has a lot to make amends for.
~T&I~
Chapter 22
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
Edward.
Edward had gone to look around the house of his dad's college friend. He seemed to like Edward, and he was going to prepare a contract, so if there was any damage or parties, he would be prosecuted. Edward also agreed to look after their golden Labrador. The dog went to doggie daycare during the day while he was in lessons, but he would pick him up when he finished.
He was introduced to his nephew, who owned a computer store. They fixed and updated computers. He was impressed with Edward's knowledge of computers and offered him a job on a weekend with more hours optional.
Everything seems to be coming together for him. He would have enough money for this year. He would also have enough for next year as well if he budgets. Then he would only have to work out what to do with the last two years.
He did, however, hope to do his assignment in a school in or near Forks. That way he could stay at home.
The only thing left to do was to keep it from Rachel as long as he could.
Angela would be in Seattle studying early-year teaching. She would make an excellent kindergarten teacher. Ben had gotten in at MIT. He was going to be studying law much as his dad did.
Edward was pleased to hear that Mike was staying in Forks working in his parent's store learning how to run the place so he could take over one day.
Both Jessica and Lauren had gotten into a course at the community college, doing hair and beauty. They planned to open a shop in Forks once they both had qualifications.
Edward had heard that Siobhan had been sent to her dad's again. While she was there, she got into a car with a guy and a girl. The car was stolen. They got into a car chase with the police and the car crashed into another car and the people in the other car died. He heard she was now in prison for 25 years to life.
~T&I~
Izzy
Izzy had been used to pain. She had walked on her crippled feet for years. But that hadn't prepared her for the pain she was now feeling. She wished her. Meme was here with some of her ointment and the drink she gave her for the pain. She didn't like the medication they gave her in the hospital. Her Daddy had to persuade her to take the medication. She was just worried about getting addicted to artificial medication, as Meme called it.
Jasper had been taken into the office and told he must stop trying to push Izzy toward Teddy. Helen told him she was so far behind in her mental and physical development that going to Forks would push her back from the progress she had made. Without breaking Izzy's confidence, Helen told Jasper they were still trying to work through what happened to her. She explained she wasn't just taken by one set of people but was used to ensure someone got a deal he wanted and used Izzy as his insurance. While she was at the other place, they had really worked her hard.
He must stop calling her Izzy but must continue to call her Marie, just as everyone else must. It was pointed out to him that there were still many people out there who would love to take Izzy again. He was given his last chance to obey what he had been told or he would be removed. It was pointed out how close he was to finish his residency.
~T&I~
Izzy.
"Good morning, Miss Marie. We have a treat for you. Let's get you to the bathroom and then we will take you to the children's playroom. You can meet some of the other kids," Nurse Peters said.
"Can Bobby come with us?" Izzy asked.
"Of course, I'm sure the other kids will love him," Nurse Peters replied.
Izzy was nervous as they pushed her down to the playroom. Izzy looked around as they went down the corridor at the walls, which were painted blue. She wondered if she could draw on the wall. Maybe draw pictures of a big bad bunny in the story she dreamed about. Or maybe the blue could be the sea and she could paint some fish. Before she knew it, she was in a large room with many toys, books, and a big television. Izzy thought when she was younger this would have been a great place to play. Then her thoughts went to her sweet Teddy. How they had played for hours together until it all went wrong.
"Well Marie, let me help you sit on the bean bag, then we can put in a DVD. It's a Disney movie called Frozen," Nurse Elliot said.
"What's your name?" a small boy asked Izzy.
"My name is Marie," Izzy answered.
"My name is Luke. Is that your dog?" asked Luke.
"Yes, his name is Bobby," Izzy answered.
"Can I pet him?" asked a small girl.
"Yes, of course. It's okay he doesn't bite. What's your name?" Izzy asked.
"I'm Claire, that's Sarah and Suzy," Claire informed.
"I'm Daniel, that's my friends Sammy, Amber, and Grace," Daniel pointed.
"Now all the introductions are over, shall we settle on the bean bags so we can watch the movie?" Nurse Peters chuckled.
As the movie started, Bobby sat with his head on Izzy's knee as Claire sat nearby, stroking Bobby.
Izzy watched the movie with fascination. The kids were singing, and she was listening. She wanted to join in, but she didn't know any of the songs.
She was getting angrier with Prince Hans from the Southern Isle. How dare he use Anna to get to be the King? She clenched her hands when Hans tries to kill Elsa. She was relieved when Kristoff came to save Anna. She laughed at the singing Trolls.
When it finished, she wondered if they had a book. She had an idea she could paint some characters on the walls in the corridor.
"Nurse Peters, is there a book with pictures of the characters from Frozen?" Izzy asked.
"Yes, there is a book on the bookshelf. Did you want to take it back to your room?" she asked Izzy.
"Yes, please. Will we be watching any more of those movies?" Izzy asked.
"Yes, if you would like to. We have Little Mermaid, Tangled, and Moana. There is probably some more if I look. Have you seen none of them before Marie?" Nurse Elliot asked.
"No, I've been living with my mom, and she didn't have a television or liked to go to the movies," Izzy answered with a shrug.
"Well, we can soon remedy that, my dear," Nurse Elliot added.
"Will the other children like me to read them the stories I have written? I've finished drawing the pictures," Izzy asked.
"Yes, when everyone has had lunch and their naps, you can go back down to the playroom for an hour. You can't do too much at once since you had extensive surgery," Nurse Peters reminded her.
Once she was back in her room, she got her cell and called her dad.
"Daddy, you have got to get the music and some words to the Disney movies Frozen, Little Mermaid, Tangle, and Moana. All the other kids knew the songs, but I didn't, and I so wanted to join in the songs with them," Izzy rushed to say.
"Well, I'll ask Seth and Leah to sort that out for you. I'll bring them with me later," Charlie replied.
"Thank you, Daddy. I'm getting ready for my lunch. I'll see you later," Izzy said as she hung up the cell.
Charlie chuckled to himself as he was left holding the phone. His Izzy seems to be coming back to him.
Days passed, and she went down to the playroom with the other kids every day. She was walking further all the time. She could join in with the singing of all the other movies with the other kids.
"Marie, has a lovely voice don't you think Doctor Young?" Nurse Peters asked.
"She has. Is this her handy work?" Doctor Young asked as he pointed to the drawing on the wall.
"Yes, she has been coming out of her room at night and drawing. She has asked for some paint," Nurse Elliot added.
Jasper smiled, as he knew all the talents that Izzy had.
"Make sure she gets the paints, but don't let her out here on her own at night. Tell her to do it during the day when there are more of you about, Doctor Young instructed. "Make sure she isn't standing for long. She still has stitches in. That girl seems to manage the pain with no painkillers. God knows what she must have gone through.
Izzy was just finishing the last of the castle that belonged in the movie Tangled. She had her usual friends sit in a row watching her paint. As usual, Claire was instructing her on what she should do to make it look better. Izzy just smiled and followed her instructions. It only took her a week to complete the characters of Frozen, Little Mermaid, Moana, and Tangled.
Izzy soon had her cast taken off as she had her stitches removed and boots put on. She only had to wear them when she did her physical therapy and walked. She was walking with a frame, but she was used to pain, and the pain she was experiencing wasn't as bad as before. In fact, it was a relief that she could now walk with flat feet. She could also breathe without getting short of breath anymore.
Jasper, Hamish, and Gale were walking down the corridor to check in on a new patient when they heard Izzy's voice coming from the playroom.
Beyond the flower meadow,
In Apple blossom Wood,
Some animals lived happily.
In a quiet neighborhood.
Life was good and perfect.
Things were always quiet.
Until one day a stranger arrived
Big Bunny was his name.
"Has she written that herself?" Hamish asked.
"Yes, I believe she has. You find that the pictures she had drawn herself," Jasper added.
They all stood at the door watching as the kids looked at the pictures as Izzy continued reading.
"Come swimming with us," said the otter. "You'll be very cool."
"All right," said Big Bunny, as he jumped in the pool.
He started to giggle, and then he farted in the pool.
All the kids laughed, as did Jasper.
"I think we'd better see our patient," Jasper said.
"Don't you think we should tell her that's not a pleasant word?" Gale asked.
"No, I'm sure it's just a child thing they seem to enjoy themselves," Hamish answered.
Ten days after her surgery, Izzy could leave the hospital on the understanding that Charlie would bring her to physical therapy every day.
Izzy was sad to be leaving, as she had enjoyed the company of the kids. Izzy wondered if she could ever be a teacher when she was better and finished high school.
"Do you have everything ready to leave?" Helen asked.
"Yes, I would like to thank you for fixing my feet, Doctor Young," Izzy shyly said.
"You're more than welcome. You have been a wonderful patient. I will think about you every time I walk down that corridor and see those wonderful pictures you have painted. I'm sure it is something you can do as a job. Your paintings are incredible. You are so talented," Doctor Young said as he gave her a hug.
"People have said that before," Izzy giggled as she looked at her dad and Helen.
"I hope to see you again sometime, Izzy," Jasper whispered as he gave her a hug.
"Maybe someday," Izzy replied.
~T&I~
Things had been busy for Edward. He had to take extra lessons to get the credits to graduate. The exams had been stressful. It made him realize those years he had wasted had taken a toll on his education. The yearbooks had been accepted much better than he thought. He was horrified that the fellow students he had been working with nominated him as the person most likely to fail in school. They didn't see how he had turned his life around. He told both Angela and Ben he couldn't believe they would do that to him. They reassured him they knew nothing about it. They had however been named the couple to get married straight out of school.
Prom had been uncomfortable. The entire group had gone together. But Rachel had to hang onto Edward every minute she could. The theme was under the water. He told the others he would easily drown her in the punch if she didn't leave him alone.
Edward was pleased that she wasn't sitting near him during graduation. Emmett and Rosie have both been on the faculty of teaching staff, so they sat together. Leaving Esme and Carlisle to take care of the children. They made the most noise when Edward was called to walk across the stage.
Afterward, they, along with almost all the graduates, went to the lodge for a meal.
~T&I~
Edward
After they had finished eating with their families. Edward's group of friends went back to the Cullens to hang out maybe for the last time before they left to start the next chapter of their lives as adults.
"You gave an epic speech, Angela," Emmett said.
"I thought you said everything that needed saying, although I could have said it better," Rachel smirked.
"Rachel, why would you say that and why are you here anyway?" Edward growled.
"Edward, you know how I feel about you. Have you been accepted to a university yet?" Rachel asked while trying to cuddle up with Edward on the sofa.
"I thought I made it clear at the prom. We are not together, we will never be together, and thanks to the way you have been acting, I can't even be your friend because you make it uncomfortable being around you. I have been accepted into the University of Seattle," Edward growled.
"Come on Rachel, do you want me to drive you home?" Eric asked.
"Yes, please Eric, I can't believe you, Edward. All this time, I thought we had a chance," Rachel said.
"In all fairness, Rachel, he has spent almost the entire year telling you he wasn't interested in a relationship other than being friends," Angela answered.
"It doesn't surprise me you stick up for him. Just admit it, you want a thing with him as well. The only thing that has stopped you is because of this unhealthy obsession he has with a dead girl," Rachel snarled.
"Please leave my home Rachel, I don't want to hear such a thing," Esme gasped.
"Fine. Come on Eric," Rachel demanded.
"Well, that was fun," Emmett said.
"Is she going to the same school as you, Edward?" Rose asked.
"No, thankfully she believed I was going to California, and she applied there. I wouldn't have gone if she was going to the same place as me," Edward replied.
"I was surprised at the turnout; there must be more than the other years we have been with the other boys. Was this year's group bigger?" Esme inquired.
"Not really. I just think this year's group had a lot of support than other years' groups have," Emmett answered.
"I was disappointed that the Chief never came," Edward said.
"Edward, why do you think he would?" Carlisle asked.
"Because we were all Izzy's friends, and I just thought he would come and support her friends," Edward shrugged.
"Edward, we were all guilty of being her tormentors. Even I could have stood up to everyone, so she wasn't alone. But I didn't want to get picked on or bullied as well, so I did nothing to help her," Ben admitted.
"That's unfair to say, Ben. We never did that," Edward argued.
"It's true Edward, we all did it. What was the last thing you said to her?" Angela asked.
"Hi Teddy," a voice said from the door.
Edward turned around quickly with his fist clenched. He screamed, "My name is Edward."
"Well Edward, if that was Izzy, you would have made her meltdown by now," Jasper said, standing next to Alice at the door.
"What makes you such an expert on Izzy?" Edward growled.
"I've met three of the children and assisted in one surgery and watched two other surgeries," Jasper growled at Edward.
"Was one of them Izzy?" Edward asked.
"If it was, I couldn't discuss it with you. Doctor-patient confidentiality and all," Jasper replied.
"Jasper, Alice, it's good to see you both. We miss you," Esme said. "You missed Edward's graduation."
"We didn't, Esme, we were sitting at the back. Jasper had an interview at the hospital. I've just been to see my parents," Alice replied.
"Well, I'm waiting, have you or have you not seen my Izzy?" Edward demanded.
"I'm baffled why you think of her as yours. You never answered Angie. What was the last thing you said to her?" Alice asked.
"I told her I hated her, and I wanted her to come to my treehouse and get her stuff," Edward whispered.
"So your Izzy is going to come in here and give you a big hug and say you're her one? You will tell her she's your one and when you get older, you will become a doctor like your daddy, and you are going to marry her. That's what you told her Edward, and then within a couple of weeks, you were saying horrible things to her," Esme offered.
"I've always wondered what you said to her to make her not sleep here, Edward," Emmett asked.
"I told her that if she stayed at our house, I was going to kill her lovey. That I would come into her room at night and hit her because I hated her," Edward answered.
"Edward, how could you say that to her? She was such a sweet kid, and she had your back for the whole of your kindergarten year. If anyone would have said that to either of our kids, I would be around at the parents so fast you wouldn't see me for dust," Rose growled out.
"I was a kid, and I made new friends. Siobhan and Jess said she was jealous because I had made new friends and she was too weird to make new friends," Edward confessed. "Besides pointing out my faults, did either of you two ever write to her as you promised?"
"We wrote to her twice, but we were busy settling in and finding what we wanted to do," Rose replied.
"But what does that have to do with us that Izzy was left alone? We were across the country," Emmett replied.
"Jasper, tell me about these children you met. Are they like that child on the show?" Carlisle asked.
"They are all small for their ages. This is probably because they were undernourished. They were on the children's floor as it was a more secure place for them to be," Jasper began.
"Are they all small enough to be mistaken for children?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes. All their injuries were much the same: their feet and ankles had been smashed the same way. For most of them, you can't see their backs for scars. Some of them have been burned. One of them when they were trying to remove a little of their ribs, the bone just shattered. That's just some of their injuries," Jasper continued.
"I hope this hasn't happened to Izzy if she is still alive," Esme sobbed.
"They have PTSD, of course. That's not a surprise. None of them can cope in the dark, you will find them curled up in a corner in a small ball as if they were trying to blend into the wall. One patient was taken through to the playroom to watch a DVD of a Disney movie. This eighteen-year-old spoke so excitedly about the characters from Frozen. She demanded that her parents get her the songs so she could learn them," Jasper chuckled.
"So, they have turned childlike?" Esme asked.
"No, not at all. It varies. All of them have started their schooling. All of them are homeschooled, mostly working online. One girl who is eighteen was so proud of herself that she was in the eighth grade. They're just seeing things for the first time, that's all it is. It was pointed out to me by one of the parents when I asked about their education. What do I think these people did put them on the school bus in the morning? Then got them off the bus at night to begin to abuse them," Jasper replied. "They never had any education. Some couldn't even read more than 1st-grade level."
"So, if Izzy was alive, there is a possibility she's like these other children that have been found?" Ben asked.
"Yes, but she will put her life as much as it is back together. I don't know if they will ever be able to have a relationship with someone outside their little circle," Jasper continued.
"So, you are saying Izzy will never have a relationship, get married, and have children like she always said she wanted," Edward asked.
"I don't know. I think if she is still alive. It will depend on if she has been having therapy. It's amazing to see them interact. They communicate with each other by blinking so many times. The others recognize what they need them to do. They have hand signals. They are subtle, you would miss them if you weren't looking," Jasper recalled.
"I've heard about this before. They will probably finish up living together as a commune as they have for however long they have been away," Carlisle said.
"Is it okay if I lay down in my old room mom, we are both tired," Jasper asked.
"Of course, dear. The sheets are fresh," Esme said as she got up.
"Do you think Izzy will come back here if she is still alive? If what Jasper says is right, she will be too dependent on the others to stay here without them," Edward asked.
"Let's hope she's still alive and comes home. We might be able to help her to readjust son," Carlisle reassured.
Thanks always to Kellie (Klcivinski) for pre-reading the chapter and talking me through your thoughts.
Also, as always, thank you to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for all her hard work editing the chapter. For your thoughts on the plot.
Any mistakes are all mine.