"Bring Me to Life" Chapter 13~See You Again
Or read it HERE at ff.net!
Title: Bring Me to Life
Author: Lindseyfair
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella mostly, some Alice/Jasper, some Emmett/Rosalie
Rating: Overall M for Mature, will designate chapters with more graphic content.
Category: Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Spoilers: None really, would be nice if you've at least read “Twilight” to get the basic character content.
This is Alternate Universe and is All Human.
Summary: 17 year old Edward has returned to Forks after spending six years at an exclusive boarding school. He's not the same Edward that his childhood best friend, Bella, remembers. He's changed and closed himself to almost everyone. Can Bella bring him back to life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. She is the goddess, so thank her.
Chapter 13-See You Again
EPOV
“Dad? Is that you?”
“Edward! Thank god. Where are you?”
“Uh... I'm not exactly sure. Some truck stop in Montana, I think.” I looked around for any signs of where we were. I was holding Gracie tight to me while Bella's tears were flowing down into Kenzie's hair.
“Are you okay? Is Bella alright?”
I could tell he was getting choked up which made me loose the little control I was hanging on to. I let my head fall back while I closed my eyes, tears steaming down my cheeks. “Uh.” My voice cracked a little. I cleared my throat. “She's with me and the girls. We're fine. We just want to get home.”
Seth came over with the bolt cutters. “Hold on a second, dad.”
I put the phone down and Seth slipped the cutters carefully between my ankle and the monitor. As he cut, I got a small shock as it fell to the floor. He then cut Bella's off, sending a small jolt up her leg. I placed the monitors on the table before turning to Seth.
“I knew that Mr. Allen was a little off, but this...” He picked up one of the monitors.
“Man, can you tell me where we are?”
“Off of I-90, outside of Park City.” He grabbed a chair from nearby and brought it to our table to sit.
“Dad, were at a truck stop off of I-90 outside of Park City. We need to get out of here. I don't know if they can still track us. We're only about fifteen miles away from the house.”
“Was it Demetri?”
“Yes... Anne too. They've been tracking our every move with these ankle monitors they've had on us. Plus they have surveillance cameras all over the house. Anne set everything up. She set up the whole network. She was in on it from the beginning.”
“We found the cameras here at the house. Harry and Charlie are on there way to the source right now to check it out.”
I looked to Bella as relief swept over my entire body. “They found the cameras. Charlie and Harry Clearwater are on there way.” Just the sound of her father's name made her gasp.
“Emmett's on the phone with Charlie right now. They'll be there soon.”
“Please, dad... We just want to come home.”
I heard my dad's voice hitch. “There hasn't been a day when we weren't doing everything we could to make that happen. I'm so sorry.”
“Dad...” I started crying so hard my throat closed and I couldn't speak. I handed the phone over to Bella.
“Carlise?” She cried into the phone.
My tears were falling on Gracie's cheek, waking her.
“Eddie?” She looked up at me. “Where are we?”
“We're safe.”
“Away from mommy and daddy?”
I brushed her hair from her eyes as she stared into mine. “Why do you say it like that?”
“When daddy told us you were sick, I wanted to see you. I saw him hurt you. When he found out, he made me promise not to tell.” She lifted up her shirt and on the middle of her back were three black and blue welts.
I pulled her in close. “He's not going to hurt us. Not ever again.” I kissed her forehead before taking her face in my hands. “I'm gonna try and make sure that you and Kenzie stay with us. Would that be okay?”
She wrapped her arms around me and settled her head in the crook of my neck. “It's okay with me. I love you, Eddie.”
“I love you, too.” I kissed her on the top of the head.
Bella and I talked with my father for a few more minutes before we heard the sirens coming towards us.
/&/
BPOV
I heard the sirens and my heart started racing. I looked out the window to see about six cars pull up. When I saw Harry get out of one car, I knew my father wouldn't be far behind. Edward took both the girls as the door opened and he walked in.
I ran through the agents that were blocking my way and straight into my father's awaiting arms. “Daddy.”
“Bells.” He hugged me so tight, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe I had him back. My dad and I had never been the touchy feeley type, but holding onto him made me feel so completely safe again. I was in his arms and I knew for sure Anne and Demetri could never hurt us again.
He pulled me back and took my face in his hands, both of us trembling. “Are you okay?”
All I could do is nod my head up and down. I looked over to where Edward was sitting with the girls and Harry. “We're all fine. We just want to go home.”
“We'll get you home.” He put his arm around my waist as we walked back over to Edward. “I think they'll want to get you all checked out first. We're going to have to take you to St. Vincent's in Billings.”
With all the commotion, it was incredible that Kenzie was still asleep. I picked her up and cradled her in my arms as Edward picked up Gracie. They ushered us out and into an awaiting van. We strapped the girls in as we headed to the hospital in Billings.
Edward wrapped his arms around me. “We're so close.”
“I can't wait to just lay on that couch of yours and listen to you play again.”
“Sounds like heaven.”
Charlie was sitting in the front seat on his phone. He flipped it shut and turned to us.
“They've got Demetri and Anne in custody. I don't think they had even realized you were gone. They're searching the house now.”
“Dad, you've got to make sure they can't take the girls away from us.”
“I don't know what they're going to do, Bells, but we'll try.”
Edward turned to me with a strangely serious look in his eyes. “He was hurting Gracie. She has welts on her back.”
I shook my head as he pulled me to his chest. “I was sure it was just us. I never thought he would.”
“What did they do to you?”
We both looked intensely at my father then back to each other. Edward cupped his palm to my cheek. “We can talk about it later.” I looked towards the girls.
My father nodded as we pulled up to the hospital.
/&/
EPOV
They ushered us in to the emergency room as Bella and I cradled the girls in our arms. We had doctors, nurses, police, and FBI all over us. So many people were shooting questions at us, they were seriously scaring the girls. Finally, Charlie put a stop to all of it. He cleared out anyone who didn't need to be there.
They started the real examinations. Taking our vital signs, checking us over. I made sure that they took pictures of both mine and Gracie's torsos. Even though my welts had mostly returned to skin color, there were still plenty of scars and bruises that were evident.
Kenzie checked out perfectly. They hadn't gotten to her, thank god. Poor Gracie had the welts and a healing rib fracture. I never saw them lay a hand on her, but from the way Gracie told me about the welts, I could tell it wasn't the first time.
Bella was fine, just a little redness on her ankle from the monitor. Then they turned to me. They had taken blood, taken urine samples, and done x-rays on all of us. They seemed to want to do a little bit more on me, which started to concern me.
A nurse came in the room where I was alone. I was wearing my jeans and a hospital gown, the drafty kind.
“The doctor wants me to do an EKG. Do you know what that is?”
“It's a heart test, right?”
“Yes. I just need to place some electrodes around on your chest then hook up these leads. This machine here will record everything. It will only take a minute. If you take off your gown, I can put these on and get started.”
I swallowed hard. I had seen how the doctor and FBI agents had reacted when they saw the scars. I pulled it off and immediately heard her gasp. She didn't say anything as she placed the patches on my chest. She hooked me up to the machine and started the test.
“This will be quick.”
I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I could only imagine what I must have looked like to her. If she could only see the scars on the inside, she would have run away screaming. All that mattered was that Bella had seen them at their worst and embraced them. She took them in as a part of me, kissing each scar until the pain was lost in oblivion.
“All done. Do you want me to take the patches off?”
“No, I got it.”
“Alright. I think I've got all I need. I'll show this to the doctor, then he'll be in to talk to you.”
“Thanks.” I pulled off the patches and shrugged my t-shirt on.
Once the curtain was closed, I could hear the nurse. Her breathing was a little labored. I swear I could hear her start to cry before she was able to move on any further. I couldn't help but tear up myself.
I looked in the mirror on the wall at the man I had become. Dark circles under my eyes from all the sleepless nights. My skin was pale even though we'd spent hours in the sun. And my hair... God, Alice was going to have a fit. Then I realized for the first time, we were going home. I would have Alice, Jasper, and Rose all waiting for me. James, he must have been going out of his mind. My mom... I couldn't wait to pick her up and spin her around. My father, I had heard his voice, but I needed to see him. We'd ended our conversation when the FBI showed up not knowing when I'd be able to see them or come home. Thinking everything was complete, I was hoping the doctor was coming to tell us we could all go.
“What's the verdict, doc?”
He sat down across from me, looking over my chart.
“I know you probably don't have the answer to this, but I need to ask anyway.” He shut my chart as his expression turned deadly serious. “I know you went to your local doctor back home and got your STD screening, but he didn't do any kind of drug screen.”
“No.” Drugs? What was he worried about?
“Do you know what kind of drugs you were given that caused the blackout episodes?”
“No. I didn't want to know. Is there something wrong?”
“Prolonged drug use can have effects on your cardiovascular system. From your preliminary tests, you have an irregular heartbeat and a murmur. That is a little odd for your age. I'm afraid those drugs might have had an effect on your heart. I recommend you get a full cardiac workup when you get home. I'm going to give you a prescription that will help with regulating your heartbeat. If you have any dizziness, fatigue, or rapid heartbeat you need to get a hold of a doctor immediately. I see that your father is a doctor?”
“Yeah, a neurosurgeon, but I'm sure he knows a good cardiologist.” I laughed as I wiped my hand across my face. “After everything, my heart was the last thing I was worried about.”
“I think we've caught it in time. I'll make sure to get this prescription for you.”
“Are we done?”
“From my standpoint, you're good to go. I'm done with the girls, but I'm not sure if they need to take you anywhere else for questioning.”
“Have you dealt with many cases like ours before?” As soon as I asked the question, I regretted it.
He sighed as he nodded. “Unfortunately, child abuse is prevalent no matter where you live. Never anything with this much national attention though.”
“Attention?”
“You don't know, do you?” He put my chart down on the counter and took off his glasses. He slipped into a kind of father mode as he set out to explain what had been going on while we were isolated. “You're pictures have been on every news station and almost every paper for months. I saw that guy... Um... What's his name?” He reached up and grabbed the back of his head as if he was willing the name to flow out. “Emmett Swan! Yeah, he was all over the news telling your story. We've had to call the hospital media director to handle all the press. They started arriving right after you did. You had the whole nation pulling for you.”
“They all know?” I suddenly felt my chest get tight, my heart raced. My breathing became heavy and erratic as I felt the anger well up inside of me. Each scar burned with a new intensity. What I'd been trying to hide for so long was now common knowledge to the whole country. I could feel the air leaving my lungs, but it wasn't returning now matter how hard I was trying to bring it back in.
“Calm down. It's going to be fine. I hear the FBI has them in custody.”
He put his hand on my shoulder to steady me. I grabbed his arm and threw him across the room. “Nothing about this is fine!”
I bent over, breathing heavily with my hands grasping my knees. I could hear him get up and start yelling outside of the room, but I couldn't comprehend the words. All I could hear was the blood pounding against my eardrums. It got so loud it was all I could hear as I took a breath in and nothing came out.
That's when I felt her arms around me. I took my hands from my knees and let them slip around her waist. She was my life preserver, wrapping me up in her. She saved me.
“I'm here. I'm right here.”
I pulled back, putting one hand on each side of my Bella's face. I crashed my lips to hers as the tears started flowing from both of us. I didn't need oxygen. I didn't need anything. Just her lips on mine, her flesh beneath my fingertips. Her fingers reached into my hair pulling me in closer to her. She moaned against my lips as I told her I loved her over and over and over again. I never wanted to escape this kind of ecstasy.
“Eddie?” I felt a tug on the hem of my shirt.
My lips left Bella's with another moan as my hand made it down to Gracie's little fingers. I looked to see that bright smile shinning up at me. She held her arms up to me and I picked her up.
“Where's Charlie? I thought he was watching you?”
“He's got Kenzie. That nurse brought me to you.” She pointed to the door where the nurse that did my EKG was standing.
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “You're welcome.” She ducked out and pulled the curtain behind her.
Bella went over and turned on the TV on the wall.
“What are you doing?”
“Harry is holding a press conference. Just to announce that we've been found.”
I sat down with Gracie on my lap as Bella found the right channel and came to stand beside me.
I looked to the screen to see Harry approaching the microphone with the hospital's logo on it.
“At eleven thirty last night, Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan were located outside of Park City, Montana. They are both in stable condition. They have no comments at this time and their families plan on releasing a statement as soon as they have a chance to talk with the two of them.”
“Do you have the abductors in custody?” A female reporter shouted from the audience.
“Yes. We currently have two suspects in custody. They are undergoing questioning. This is an ongoing investigation and the FBI and local authorities ask for your cooperation and patience.”
“Have the families been reunited?” A male reporter pushed up to the front and spat his question at Harry.
“Police chief Swan has been reunited with his daughter and the Cullen's are on their way to see their son. Like I said, a statement will be made available as soon as possible.”
I turned to Bella. “They're on their way?”
“Yep, I guess your dad got a helicopter or something. They should be here any minute.”
We left the room to go find Kenzie and Charlie. Harry came back and took us into a conference room. It was almost seven in the morning and I was exhausted. None of that mattered when I saw that door open.
“Edward!” My mother ran to me and took me in her arms. Her fingers stoking my hair as she kissed my cheeks. She pulled back to look at me and her eyes set on mine.
“I'm okay. I think I'm okay now.”
Her eyes went to my head and there was the look of horror I was expecting. “What did they do to you're hair?”
“They dyed it. At least they didn't cut it. It'll be fine. Alice can fix it.”
“Damn right!”
I left my mother's arms for those of my sister. “I missed you so much. I'm so sorry.”
“Edward.” She put her tiny hands on both sides of my face. “You have nothing to be sorry about. None of this was your fault. I just can't believe you're coming home.”
“I hear you've been keeping my couch warm for me.”
“I don't know why, but whenever I left your room, I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. Staying in there was the only way to breathe.”
“Except when she was with me.” I turned to see the messy blonde hair of my big brother.
I let go of Alice to give Jasper a hug. “I hear we have you to thank for finding the cameras.”
He pulled back from me as he eyed Alice. “Both of us actually. It's a long story. We'll tell you later.”
I felt Rose's arms wrap around my back as Gracie came and jumped into Jasper's arms. I turned and pulled her into me.
“I love you. You know that right?”
I looked in her eyes as I swept the hair from her forehead. “Of course I do. I love you, too.”
“I've been trying do hard. Doing everything I can to make sure...”
“I know. I know.” I swept a tear off her cheek.
“And Emmett, he's been going all over making sure every one was looking for you.”
I turned to see Emmett standing with Bella. He slowly walked over to me as he squeezed Bella's hand. I held out my hand to shake his.
“Thank you... for everything.” He stood in front of me just looking at my outstretched hand. He grabbed it and pulled me in for a bear hug, lifting me off my feet. “Can't... breathe.”
“Sorry.” He put me down. “Thanks for protecting my little sister.”
Bella took my hand. I brought it to my lips. “With my life.”
I looked over Bella's shoulder and saw him waiting there patiently for his turn. I swallowed hard as I made my way over to him. I wrapped my arms around my father and started to sob on his shoulder.
“I love you, Edward. So much son.”
“I love you, dad.” I pulled him in tighter.
I felt two little arms wrap around my calf. I looked down to see Kenzie holding my leg and swaying with her eyes closed. I bent down and picked her up. She laid her head against my chest as I kissed into her hair.
Bella wrapped her arm around my waist. I slipped my free arm around her shoulder as I brought her into me.
She looked up at me with those amazing brown eyes I could never resist. “Let's go home.”
I sighed and smiled. I closed my eyes as I kissed Bella's forehead. “Home.”
/&/
A/N: Sorry this is a little shorter than the last couple of chapters, but I felt this was a good place to stop.
Real life has been intervening a little this week. My niece is trying to make up her mind on weather or not she wants to be born this week, so I've been making trips back and forth to the hospital and looking after my nephew.
As always, thank you everyone for all of your support. Please keep reviewing and commenting. The next chapter is going to cover their homecoming. I'm so excited! Are you?
Leaving you happy, Lindsey
Title: Bring Me to Life
Author: Lindseyfair
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella mostly, some Alice/Jasper, some Emmett/Rosalie
Rating: Overall M for Mature, will designate chapters with more graphic content.
Category: Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Spoilers: None really, would be nice if you've at least read “Twilight” to get the basic character content.
This is Alternate Universe and is All Human.
Summary: 17 year old Edward has returned to Forks after spending six years at an exclusive boarding school. He's not the same Edward that his childhood best friend, Bella, remembers. He's changed and closed himself to almost everyone. Can Bella bring him back to life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. She is the goddess, so thank her.
Chapter 13-See You Again
EPOV
“Dad? Is that you?”
“Edward! Thank god. Where are you?”
“Uh... I'm not exactly sure. Some truck stop in Montana, I think.” I looked around for any signs of where we were. I was holding Gracie tight to me while Bella's tears were flowing down into Kenzie's hair.
“Are you okay? Is Bella alright?”
I could tell he was getting choked up which made me loose the little control I was hanging on to. I let my head fall back while I closed my eyes, tears steaming down my cheeks. “Uh.” My voice cracked a little. I cleared my throat. “She's with me and the girls. We're fine. We just want to get home.”
Seth came over with the bolt cutters. “Hold on a second, dad.”
I put the phone down and Seth slipped the cutters carefully between my ankle and the monitor. As he cut, I got a small shock as it fell to the floor. He then cut Bella's off, sending a small jolt up her leg. I placed the monitors on the table before turning to Seth.
“I knew that Mr. Allen was a little off, but this...” He picked up one of the monitors.
“Man, can you tell me where we are?”
“Off of I-90, outside of Park City.” He grabbed a chair from nearby and brought it to our table to sit.
“Dad, were at a truck stop off of I-90 outside of Park City. We need to get out of here. I don't know if they can still track us. We're only about fifteen miles away from the house.”
“Was it Demetri?”
“Yes... Anne too. They've been tracking our every move with these ankle monitors they've had on us. Plus they have surveillance cameras all over the house. Anne set everything up. She set up the whole network. She was in on it from the beginning.”
“We found the cameras here at the house. Harry and Charlie are on there way to the source right now to check it out.”
I looked to Bella as relief swept over my entire body. “They found the cameras. Charlie and Harry Clearwater are on there way.” Just the sound of her father's name made her gasp.
“Emmett's on the phone with Charlie right now. They'll be there soon.”
“Please, dad... We just want to come home.”
I heard my dad's voice hitch. “There hasn't been a day when we weren't doing everything we could to make that happen. I'm so sorry.”
“Dad...” I started crying so hard my throat closed and I couldn't speak. I handed the phone over to Bella.
“Carlise?” She cried into the phone.
My tears were falling on Gracie's cheek, waking her.
“Eddie?” She looked up at me. “Where are we?”
“We're safe.”
“Away from mommy and daddy?”
I brushed her hair from her eyes as she stared into mine. “Why do you say it like that?”
“When daddy told us you were sick, I wanted to see you. I saw him hurt you. When he found out, he made me promise not to tell.” She lifted up her shirt and on the middle of her back were three black and blue welts.
I pulled her in close. “He's not going to hurt us. Not ever again.” I kissed her forehead before taking her face in my hands. “I'm gonna try and make sure that you and Kenzie stay with us. Would that be okay?”
She wrapped her arms around me and settled her head in the crook of my neck. “It's okay with me. I love you, Eddie.”
“I love you, too.” I kissed her on the top of the head.
Bella and I talked with my father for a few more minutes before we heard the sirens coming towards us.
/&/
BPOV
I heard the sirens and my heart started racing. I looked out the window to see about six cars pull up. When I saw Harry get out of one car, I knew my father wouldn't be far behind. Edward took both the girls as the door opened and he walked in.
I ran through the agents that were blocking my way and straight into my father's awaiting arms. “Daddy.”
“Bells.” He hugged me so tight, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe I had him back. My dad and I had never been the touchy feeley type, but holding onto him made me feel so completely safe again. I was in his arms and I knew for sure Anne and Demetri could never hurt us again.
He pulled me back and took my face in his hands, both of us trembling. “Are you okay?”
All I could do is nod my head up and down. I looked over to where Edward was sitting with the girls and Harry. “We're all fine. We just want to go home.”
“We'll get you home.” He put his arm around my waist as we walked back over to Edward. “I think they'll want to get you all checked out first. We're going to have to take you to St. Vincent's in Billings.”
With all the commotion, it was incredible that Kenzie was still asleep. I picked her up and cradled her in my arms as Edward picked up Gracie. They ushered us out and into an awaiting van. We strapped the girls in as we headed to the hospital in Billings.
Edward wrapped his arms around me. “We're so close.”
“I can't wait to just lay on that couch of yours and listen to you play again.”
“Sounds like heaven.”
Charlie was sitting in the front seat on his phone. He flipped it shut and turned to us.
“They've got Demetri and Anne in custody. I don't think they had even realized you were gone. They're searching the house now.”
“Dad, you've got to make sure they can't take the girls away from us.”
“I don't know what they're going to do, Bells, but we'll try.”
Edward turned to me with a strangely serious look in his eyes. “He was hurting Gracie. She has welts on her back.”
I shook my head as he pulled me to his chest. “I was sure it was just us. I never thought he would.”
“What did they do to you?”
We both looked intensely at my father then back to each other. Edward cupped his palm to my cheek. “We can talk about it later.” I looked towards the girls.
My father nodded as we pulled up to the hospital.
/&/
EPOV
They ushered us in to the emergency room as Bella and I cradled the girls in our arms. We had doctors, nurses, police, and FBI all over us. So many people were shooting questions at us, they were seriously scaring the girls. Finally, Charlie put a stop to all of it. He cleared out anyone who didn't need to be there.
They started the real examinations. Taking our vital signs, checking us over. I made sure that they took pictures of both mine and Gracie's torsos. Even though my welts had mostly returned to skin color, there were still plenty of scars and bruises that were evident.
Kenzie checked out perfectly. They hadn't gotten to her, thank god. Poor Gracie had the welts and a healing rib fracture. I never saw them lay a hand on her, but from the way Gracie told me about the welts, I could tell it wasn't the first time.
Bella was fine, just a little redness on her ankle from the monitor. Then they turned to me. They had taken blood, taken urine samples, and done x-rays on all of us. They seemed to want to do a little bit more on me, which started to concern me.
A nurse came in the room where I was alone. I was wearing my jeans and a hospital gown, the drafty kind.
“The doctor wants me to do an EKG. Do you know what that is?”
“It's a heart test, right?”
“Yes. I just need to place some electrodes around on your chest then hook up these leads. This machine here will record everything. It will only take a minute. If you take off your gown, I can put these on and get started.”
I swallowed hard. I had seen how the doctor and FBI agents had reacted when they saw the scars. I pulled it off and immediately heard her gasp. She didn't say anything as she placed the patches on my chest. She hooked me up to the machine and started the test.
“This will be quick.”
I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I could only imagine what I must have looked like to her. If she could only see the scars on the inside, she would have run away screaming. All that mattered was that Bella had seen them at their worst and embraced them. She took them in as a part of me, kissing each scar until the pain was lost in oblivion.
“All done. Do you want me to take the patches off?”
“No, I got it.”
“Alright. I think I've got all I need. I'll show this to the doctor, then he'll be in to talk to you.”
“Thanks.” I pulled off the patches and shrugged my t-shirt on.
Once the curtain was closed, I could hear the nurse. Her breathing was a little labored. I swear I could hear her start to cry before she was able to move on any further. I couldn't help but tear up myself.
I looked in the mirror on the wall at the man I had become. Dark circles under my eyes from all the sleepless nights. My skin was pale even though we'd spent hours in the sun. And my hair... God, Alice was going to have a fit. Then I realized for the first time, we were going home. I would have Alice, Jasper, and Rose all waiting for me. James, he must have been going out of his mind. My mom... I couldn't wait to pick her up and spin her around. My father, I had heard his voice, but I needed to see him. We'd ended our conversation when the FBI showed up not knowing when I'd be able to see them or come home. Thinking everything was complete, I was hoping the doctor was coming to tell us we could all go.
“What's the verdict, doc?”
He sat down across from me, looking over my chart.
“I know you probably don't have the answer to this, but I need to ask anyway.” He shut my chart as his expression turned deadly serious. “I know you went to your local doctor back home and got your STD screening, but he didn't do any kind of drug screen.”
“No.” Drugs? What was he worried about?
“Do you know what kind of drugs you were given that caused the blackout episodes?”
“No. I didn't want to know. Is there something wrong?”
“Prolonged drug use can have effects on your cardiovascular system. From your preliminary tests, you have an irregular heartbeat and a murmur. That is a little odd for your age. I'm afraid those drugs might have had an effect on your heart. I recommend you get a full cardiac workup when you get home. I'm going to give you a prescription that will help with regulating your heartbeat. If you have any dizziness, fatigue, or rapid heartbeat you need to get a hold of a doctor immediately. I see that your father is a doctor?”
“Yeah, a neurosurgeon, but I'm sure he knows a good cardiologist.” I laughed as I wiped my hand across my face. “After everything, my heart was the last thing I was worried about.”
“I think we've caught it in time. I'll make sure to get this prescription for you.”
“Are we done?”
“From my standpoint, you're good to go. I'm done with the girls, but I'm not sure if they need to take you anywhere else for questioning.”
“Have you dealt with many cases like ours before?” As soon as I asked the question, I regretted it.
He sighed as he nodded. “Unfortunately, child abuse is prevalent no matter where you live. Never anything with this much national attention though.”
“Attention?”
“You don't know, do you?” He put my chart down on the counter and took off his glasses. He slipped into a kind of father mode as he set out to explain what had been going on while we were isolated. “You're pictures have been on every news station and almost every paper for months. I saw that guy... Um... What's his name?” He reached up and grabbed the back of his head as if he was willing the name to flow out. “Emmett Swan! Yeah, he was all over the news telling your story. We've had to call the hospital media director to handle all the press. They started arriving right after you did. You had the whole nation pulling for you.”
“They all know?” I suddenly felt my chest get tight, my heart raced. My breathing became heavy and erratic as I felt the anger well up inside of me. Each scar burned with a new intensity. What I'd been trying to hide for so long was now common knowledge to the whole country. I could feel the air leaving my lungs, but it wasn't returning now matter how hard I was trying to bring it back in.
“Calm down. It's going to be fine. I hear the FBI has them in custody.”
He put his hand on my shoulder to steady me. I grabbed his arm and threw him across the room. “Nothing about this is fine!”
I bent over, breathing heavily with my hands grasping my knees. I could hear him get up and start yelling outside of the room, but I couldn't comprehend the words. All I could hear was the blood pounding against my eardrums. It got so loud it was all I could hear as I took a breath in and nothing came out.
That's when I felt her arms around me. I took my hands from my knees and let them slip around her waist. She was my life preserver, wrapping me up in her. She saved me.
“I'm here. I'm right here.”
I pulled back, putting one hand on each side of my Bella's face. I crashed my lips to hers as the tears started flowing from both of us. I didn't need oxygen. I didn't need anything. Just her lips on mine, her flesh beneath my fingertips. Her fingers reached into my hair pulling me in closer to her. She moaned against my lips as I told her I loved her over and over and over again. I never wanted to escape this kind of ecstasy.
“Eddie?” I felt a tug on the hem of my shirt.
My lips left Bella's with another moan as my hand made it down to Gracie's little fingers. I looked to see that bright smile shinning up at me. She held her arms up to me and I picked her up.
“Where's Charlie? I thought he was watching you?”
“He's got Kenzie. That nurse brought me to you.” She pointed to the door where the nurse that did my EKG was standing.
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “You're welcome.” She ducked out and pulled the curtain behind her.
Bella went over and turned on the TV on the wall.
“What are you doing?”
“Harry is holding a press conference. Just to announce that we've been found.”
I sat down with Gracie on my lap as Bella found the right channel and came to stand beside me.
I looked to the screen to see Harry approaching the microphone with the hospital's logo on it.
“At eleven thirty last night, Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan were located outside of Park City, Montana. They are both in stable condition. They have no comments at this time and their families plan on releasing a statement as soon as they have a chance to talk with the two of them.”
“Do you have the abductors in custody?” A female reporter shouted from the audience.
“Yes. We currently have two suspects in custody. They are undergoing questioning. This is an ongoing investigation and the FBI and local authorities ask for your cooperation and patience.”
“Have the families been reunited?” A male reporter pushed up to the front and spat his question at Harry.
“Police chief Swan has been reunited with his daughter and the Cullen's are on their way to see their son. Like I said, a statement will be made available as soon as possible.”
I turned to Bella. “They're on their way?”
“Yep, I guess your dad got a helicopter or something. They should be here any minute.”
We left the room to go find Kenzie and Charlie. Harry came back and took us into a conference room. It was almost seven in the morning and I was exhausted. None of that mattered when I saw that door open.
“Edward!” My mother ran to me and took me in her arms. Her fingers stoking my hair as she kissed my cheeks. She pulled back to look at me and her eyes set on mine.
“I'm okay. I think I'm okay now.”
Her eyes went to my head and there was the look of horror I was expecting. “What did they do to you're hair?”
“They dyed it. At least they didn't cut it. It'll be fine. Alice can fix it.”
“Damn right!”
I left my mother's arms for those of my sister. “I missed you so much. I'm so sorry.”
“Edward.” She put her tiny hands on both sides of my face. “You have nothing to be sorry about. None of this was your fault. I just can't believe you're coming home.”
“I hear you've been keeping my couch warm for me.”
“I don't know why, but whenever I left your room, I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. Staying in there was the only way to breathe.”
“Except when she was with me.” I turned to see the messy blonde hair of my big brother.
I let go of Alice to give Jasper a hug. “I hear we have you to thank for finding the cameras.”
He pulled back from me as he eyed Alice. “Both of us actually. It's a long story. We'll tell you later.”
I felt Rose's arms wrap around my back as Gracie came and jumped into Jasper's arms. I turned and pulled her into me.
“I love you. You know that right?”
I looked in her eyes as I swept the hair from her forehead. “Of course I do. I love you, too.”
“I've been trying do hard. Doing everything I can to make sure...”
“I know. I know.” I swept a tear off her cheek.
“And Emmett, he's been going all over making sure every one was looking for you.”
I turned to see Emmett standing with Bella. He slowly walked over to me as he squeezed Bella's hand. I held out my hand to shake his.
“Thank you... for everything.” He stood in front of me just looking at my outstretched hand. He grabbed it and pulled me in for a bear hug, lifting me off my feet. “Can't... breathe.”
“Sorry.” He put me down. “Thanks for protecting my little sister.”
Bella took my hand. I brought it to my lips. “With my life.”
I looked over Bella's shoulder and saw him waiting there patiently for his turn. I swallowed hard as I made my way over to him. I wrapped my arms around my father and started to sob on his shoulder.
“I love you, Edward. So much son.”
“I love you, dad.” I pulled him in tighter.
I felt two little arms wrap around my calf. I looked down to see Kenzie holding my leg and swaying with her eyes closed. I bent down and picked her up. She laid her head against my chest as I kissed into her hair.
Bella wrapped her arm around my waist. I slipped my free arm around her shoulder as I brought her into me.
She looked up at me with those amazing brown eyes I could never resist. “Let's go home.”
I sighed and smiled. I closed my eyes as I kissed Bella's forehead. “Home.”
/&/
A/N: Sorry this is a little shorter than the last couple of chapters, but I felt this was a good place to stop.
Real life has been intervening a little this week. My niece is trying to make up her mind on weather or not she wants to be born this week, so I've been making trips back and forth to the hospital and looking after my nephew.
As always, thank you everyone for all of your support. Please keep reviewing and commenting. The next chapter is going to cover their homecoming. I'm so excited! Are you?
Leaving you happy, Lindsey