The Sister

Chapter 17

Beth sat up in the hospital bed, her whole body aced, but she wouldn't complain. Her father was already on edge and she didn't want to worry him anymore. The day had passed slowly. Nurses had checked her vitals and bandages which all seemed good. She still couldn't see out of her left eye as a bandage covered it but the nurses were going to follow up with the doctors to try and get that part removed first. For the time being she couldn't see anything on her left side. Because of that she didn't realise anyone stood in the doorway until Charlie noticed them form his seat in the corner of the room.

"Thank you both again. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there," Charlie said, standing up and crossing into Beth's blind spot. Beth turned slowly to see who was there. Jared and Paul both stood in the doorway looking awkward as Charlie shook their hands.

"We just did what anybody would," Jared said. Paul nodded in agreement.

"Hey dad, do you mind getting me some water?" Beth asked, sitting up in bed as much as she could.

"Sure, I'll be back in a minute," Charlie said, stepping past the boys to get out the door.

"How are you feeling?" Jared asked, moving closer to the bed.

"Where's Sam?" Beth asked. It had been the only thought on her mind since she had woken up.

"We can't get him to phase back, he's horrified about what he did," Paul said in a low voice. A grim look on his face.

"It wasn't his fault. I was too close," Beth said, her voice pleading.

"He doesn't see it that way," Jared said, with a sigh.

"Please bring him here, I need to see him," Beth said, her eye flicking back and forth between the two pack members.

"We're trying Beth," Jared said.

"Go and keep trying, please," her voice was broken by the last word.

"We will keep trying Beth. I promise," Jared said sharing a look with his pack brother. "Focus on healing okay?" Beth had no more words for them. She looked away from them trying to hold back tears. She listened to them shuffle out the room with soft goodbyes. Beth wiped at her eye trying to get rid of the tears that had built up before Charlie returned.

"Look who I found wondering the halls," Charlie announced as he re-entered the room and placed a bottle of water on the table next to Beth's bed. Beth's hopes roes for a second before she saw who stepped through the door.

"Billy, Jake it's good to see you both," Beth said, she tried to smile but it tugged at the stitches in her face and turned into a cringe.

"Hi Bethie, we just wanted to check in. Make sure Charlie was being a good nurse," Billy said, trying to smile but she could see the pain in his face. He knew what had really happened to her.

"It's taking some training but he's getting there," Beth said.

"I thought you were smart enough not to pick a fight with a bear," Jacob said, leaning on the base of the bed.

"Apparently not." It was the first time Jacob had spoken to her in weeks. She hoped that was the end of the silent treatment, at least one good thing could come of this.

"Don't worry dear, everyone is out looking for the bear. It will be okay. You are strong," Billy said, offering her a reinsuring nod.

"Thank you Billy," Beth said.

"Well we will let you rest, just wanted to check in," Billy said nodding to Beth.

"If you need anything just call," Jacob said, looking at Beth with sad eyes.

"Thank you both. Keep me updated on the hunting party please Billy," Charlie said to his friend.

"Of course." Billy said, before wheeling himself from the room, Jacob following him out.

Charlie left when it started to get dark. He would go collect Juliet from Sue and be back in the morning. Beth was in and out of sleep, the pain killers making her feel tired but her racing mind not letting her sleep. Charlie visited for a few hours in the morning but Beth made him leave for work. More for herself then him. The sports reruns he was watching were getting on her nerves. The silence once he was gone was somehow worse though. All she could think of was Sam, he was the only person who could make her feel better at that moment.

A knocking on the door made her hopes shoot up, her head snapping in that direction only to be disappointed. She cringed as the quick movement pulled at her stitches.

"Leah?" Beth asked, surprised.

"How are you doing?" Leah asked, holding up a bunch of flowers.

"Like I've had a fight with Edward Scissor hands himself." Beth said.

"I can only imagine. Everyone from work sends best wishes and hopes you recover quickly." Leah stepped into the room and sat the flowers on the table by Beth's bed.

"I should have called and told you guys I wasn't going to make it in. I completely forgot," Beth said, cursing herself for forgetting about work.

"You were attacked by a bear. That's a pretty good reason to forget to call in sick." Leah said with a huff of air. "Sam's not here?" Leah's eyes flicked around the empty room.

"He feels guilty," Beth said before she could catch herself. Leah's eyebrows furrowed up.

"He can stop a lot of things but I don't think a bear attack is one of them. He should be here," Leah said a displeased tone to her voice.

"Men, they think they can stop anything," Beth said with a dry scoff. "How are you doing?" Beth asked after a few long moments of silence passed between them.

"How am I doing? Asks the girl in the hospital bed," Leah scoffed. "I'm not mad at you if that's what you're asking."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't blame you if you were," Beth said.

"No, I'm not happy about it but I don't think being angry at you will fix things either." Leah said looking anywhere but at Beth.

"I promise nothing happened while you two were dating and-" Beth took a breath to say more but Leah held up her hands.

"I believe you. I don't think I'm ready for any details yet though. One day I want the full story though." Leah said finally making eye contact with Beth again.

"I'll tell you whenever you want to hear it," Beth promised. She knew she couldn't tell her every detail but she would try her best.

"Thank you. I should let you rest, but I'll bring you some real food tomorrow for breakfast." Leah tried to smile but seeing her friend hurt was making that very difficult.

"You don't have to go out of your way," Beth replied.

"I'll be here by eight, you deserve something better then hospital food." Leah said.

"Thank you Leah." Beth said, releaved she still had her friend. Leah left with a short goodbye and Beth attempted to get some sleep but it was pointless. She prepared herself for a long boring day but unexpected visitors seemed to be the theme of the day.

"Knock knock," said an unfamiliar voice from the doorway.

"Embry, Tiffany?" Beth said in surprise.

"Sorry to drop in unannounced," Tiffany said with a large motherly smile.

"No it's okay, just surprised to see you both," Beth pushed herself to sit up in bed so she could see them better with her good eye.

"Embry told me what happened, just horrible." Tiffany said fluttering forward with Embry dragging his feet behind her. He looked uncomfortable and out of place.

"I'll be okay," Beth said.

"Well I brought you something that would hopefully help," Tiffany said pulling a bag off her arm and opening it up. Beth couldn't make out what was in the bag until Tiffany had fully removed it and rolled it out. "I hate how white hospital rooms are so I thought this might brighten up the place. Flowers just die, at least this you can keep using." The blanket was hand made, covered in hundreds of different floral prints.

"It's lovely but this must have weeks hours to make," Beth said her eyes running over the blanket. There were small details all over it, more then her tired eyes could take in.

"Months but I have plenty of them so this one is now yours." Beth opened her mouth to protest but Tiffany cut her off. "It's the least I can do with all the tutoring you have been offering to Embry."

"Tutoring?" Beth questioned.

"Yeah remember you have been helping me with maths," Embry said finally talking.

"Of course, my head is a little foggy still sorry," Beth said catching on quickly to the lie Embry had apparently told his mother.

"Nothing to apologise for. If you need anything feel free to call anytime." Tiffany laid the blanket out over Beth's bed and collected the bag the blanket had come from. "Come on Embry let's let her rest."

"I'll be out in one second mum," Embry said stepping closer to the bed as his mother left the room.

"Has he phased back yet?" Beth asked in a low whisper.

"No, he's not talking to any of us." Embry replied.

"You can see each other's thoughts, right?" Beth asked.

"Yes?" Embry said, not sure what she was getting at.

"Then show him this. Sam I need you, please. I'm not angry at you, I just need you here with me." Beth said staring directly into Embry's eyes.

"I'll show him," Embry said stepping back.

"Thank you," Beth whispered. She watched him leave and sighed as the quietness came back into the room. The weight of the blanket was comforting, like a warm hug. Sleep came eventually.

The following days passed slowly. Elizabeth felt more on edge by the day. The guys took turns on visiting her but none of them brought good news. Leah had started to bring her meals witch was great as the hospital seemed only capable of making soup and jello. The worst part of her day was when the doctor checked up on her. She couldn't tell which one of them was more uncomfortable with the situation. She had instantly realised he was a cold one even before reading his name tag.

"How are you feeling Elizabeth?" Dr Cullen asked as he entered her room.

"Like I've been attacked by a bear," she said shortly, watching his movements.

"I bet," he said with a raised eyebrow. He didn't believe the bear story but he didn't question it out loud. Beth held her breath as he unwrapped her bandages and inspected her wounds. He stepped back as quickly as he could, knowing she was uncomfortable with he being so close. "They are not healing as much as I would like to see." The doctor told her.

"Well I don't think I can rest much more then I already am," Elizabeth replied.

"The nurses will re dress it and I'll add some more medication to your chart. Hopefully we can cut down on the pain a little bit more for you. Brenda could you put her back on fluids," Dr Cullen said to a nurse as he left the room.

"How are things going?" Jared asked on his afternoon check in. The boys took turns checking on her.

"Dr Cullen wasn't impressed by the speed my wounds are healing."

"Well you just keep resting, don't worry about anything else." Jared reinsured.

"I need Sam, please," Beth pleaded. She knew Jared had no control over Sam but she hoped he would pass the message along.