The Visit

11.

I felt a presence by my bed and my eyes instantly flicked open. There, sitting on the edge of my bed was Grandpa. Stuck in his eternal youth, eyes a yellowish gold, gazing lovingly at me. He reached for my wrist with his cold fingers. He took my pulse, it was racing. I looked around the room in a panic. It was silent and undisturbed.

"Don't worry, they are waiting outside," he smiled.

"What—what are you doing here?" my mouth was unbelievably dry. I had to swallow a couple of times to articulate. He caught my chin and tilted my face to the side. His movement wasn't hostile. Maybe he was too used to being around humans which gave him this friendly attitude.

"Renesme, you need to take better care of yourself," he sighed and got to his feet. The bed creaked with motion. "I won't follow Edward's advice," one side of his lips curled up. "I'll break your poor Grandma's heart," I chuckled at the thought. Grandma was a vampire. Nothing could break her heart.

"And what did he advise?" I challenged. He walked to my drawers where his black leather bag was waiting. He opened it and fished for something inside.

"He said to poke some needle into her to shake some sense into her." I didn't know what face he was making since he was looking away but I could easily picture Dad saying it. Eyes bleeding with fury. He came back with a little bag of orange pills. I eyed them with suspicion. He laughed at my reaction. "Those are just vitamins, my child," he said.

"Carlisle," I called when he placed the pills by my bedside. He looked up, his gentle smile crept back on his lips. "Do you think Dad will forbid me from ever seeing Jacob again?" my voice was small with a hint of a quiver. He sat in the same spot where I first saw him when I woke up. He leaned forward and took my hand in his now cool hand.

"Your Dad made me worry when he met your Mom. I wasn't happy at first. But I never once thought I could separate them. You and Jacob are the same. Edward is very protective of you. Because you're dear to his heart. We all love you and want you to be healthy." He stroked my hand. I pressed my lips together and then nodded.

"You're right," I admitted. My stomach groaned in agreement.

"You should eat," he advised and I couldn't disagree with him. Grandpa knew how to tame stubborn patients. He got up and went to the door.

"I'll bring something light and I'll try to talk to Edward." My eyes lit up. He smiled as he left.