No, this is my fault, Renée thought while stepping in between us. She placed her hands on Charlie's chest and began to push him towards the door.
"Mr. Swan, I..." I began.
Renée interjected.
"Charlie, that's enough. Let's talk outside," she commanded sternly.
"You won't ever see my daughter again. Do you understand?" Charlie continued to shout at me as Renée continued to heave against him until he was outside of the door.
His threat was unnecessary because I had to leave her to let her live a peaceful life without all the peril. I backed slowly into the corner, sitting down on the chair again. Bella's breath had picked up slightly; the tempo of her heart increasing, like she could sense the tension in the room.
Watching her small chest lightly rise and fall with each breath, seeing the blood flow seamlessly through her translucent skin, listening to her heart which was echoed perfectly with the monitor all just emphasized how delicate and precious she really was. I had to save her from the nightmarish creature I feared and loathed that finally made it to the surface when I tasted the rich flavor of her blood. I was afraid that I wouldn't have enough discipline left to be around her forever. Would all my efforts fail?
Pushing my ever growing thoughts of leaving from my mind - fighting tooth and nail against what I didn't want to be - I opened my mind to the conversation that was now being shouted in the hall. Listening in on their conversation wasn't difficult in the least. They were barely standing outside the door and with their raised voices it was loud enough that even the humans could hear it.
"Charlie, calm down right this instance!" Renée yelled at him.
"You left him in there with our daughter. She left because of him," he growled furiously with the protective concern, emitting a possessive edge in his thoughts.
I could witness his livid expression through Renée's human eyes. Not the best vision, but it would work. He was right, though; she did leave because of me, because of the danger I placed her in. Looking at her limp form on the bed, her brown hair surrounding her glorious bruised face only brought more fear rippling and quivering through my still form. I was gasping at the air like I'd been suffocated.
"No. She left because of me! If she wasn't so scared to fall in love in Forks than she wouldn't have run away in the first place. This is my fault, not his. If you want to blame someone, blame me," she retorted.
"You didn't hear the way she yelled at him." I flinched at the memory, my nerves stretching tight - guitar strings, tensed to resonate at the gentlest of pressure. "She was so angry and upset," his voice had lowered some, noticing all the attention on them. Charlie hated attention as much as Bella did. "Wait, did you say love?"
Renée eyed the door automatically, picturing my tortured face in her mind. "Yes. I believe he loves her," she murmured.
"Well..." he stuttered. "That still doesn't matter!"
"They were trying to help. You know our daughter, she is very clumsy. If it didn't happen now it probably would have happened in the future. It's better if it is when a qualified emergency room doctor is around," Renée rubbed his shoulders. I could hear her impatience at her ex-husband.
Dr. Jones was still on duty and over heard part of the conversation in the hall. Must be her father the way he was yelling. He walked towards them. "Hello, I'm Dr. Jones. I am the one who worked on your daughter this afternoon."
A nurse had followed behind him and entered the room. She began taking Bella's vitals, not even realizing I was sitting in the corner. Her thoughts concentrated on the information she was writing down on the chart.
I continued to listen to the conversation outside the door. "Oh, hello, yes...I'm Charlie, her father. Dr. Cullen told me she was in a medically induced coma?"
The light rhythmic movement of Bella's heart continued at a steadied beat, a little faster than when she was in a peaceful sleep. Again, I was counting the seconds.
"Yes. She is healing nicely. Once her swelling goes down around her brain we will try and wake her, but it is strictly up to her body to decide when she is ready to awake from this coma," he stated firmly, yet in a tone that would help ease his stress.
"Yes. Of course. I understand," Charlie rubbed his temples.
"I'll leave you alone. Let you have some time with your daughter," he murmured before walking away.
"Thanks," Charlie barely spoke.
When the nurse swiveled around she finally saw me sitting there. Her heart jumped and began beating wildly. I didn't even see him sitting there.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just leaving now," she began to walk towards the door. Now that I think about it... she glanced over her shoulder. He is hot! I might have to volunteer to come back in here tonight. She finally opened the door nearly knocking over Charlie who had reached for the door at the same time.
Standing, I opened my mouth to apologize again. Charlie held up a hand. "No need."
Renée continued to stand in the hall, uncertain if she needed to enter or not, worried that Charlie might decide to release some more of his fury on me.
"I'll leave you two alone," I mumbled while walking out of the room.
Renée turned to get dinner, taking deep breaths while her thoughts were grumbling in complaint at Charlie's behavior. And he's such a nice boy...I just don't understand.
As soon as the door clicked shut Alice was at my side.
I see he calmed down. He was in a white rage in the car on the way over here. I thought I was going to have to restrain him he was so angry.
I nodded, not speaking. I was still burning from the pain.