WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

≪•◦ CHAPTER SEVENTEEN | TOLD YOU EVERYTHING WOULD BE OKAY ◦•≫

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      Colby woke up groggy in the backseat of Carlisle's car, her head resting on a jacket that did little to block the coldness of Emmett's body from seeping through. She blinked a few times, trying to clear the fog from her mind. "Emmett?" Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

     "Hey, look who's awake," Emmett said with a sweet smile, his eyes filled with relief. Jason, sitting in the front seat, turned around and smiled at his sister.

     "You're insane, you know that?" Jason said, his voice a mix of worry and amusement. He chuckled, but the concern in his eyes was evident. "I just keep things entertaining. Where's Bella? Is she okay?"

     Carlisle spoke up from the driver's seat, his voice calm and reassuring. "She is. She and Edward are in Jason's car, headed to the hospital. We're taking you there as well. You may not have lost as much blood as Bella, but you were still hurt pretty badly." As he spoke, he pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.

     "And James?" Colby asked, her voice trembling slightly.

     "James would've probably killed Edward and Bella if it weren't for you," Emmett said, gently stroking her hair. "Edward might not admit it, but you saved his life in there. But don't worry, James is ash now. He won't be bothering you two ever again."

     Jason took a moment to look at his sister and Emmett, noticing the immediate change in her since they became involved. She hadn't picked up a cigarette much at all since the accident with James, and she seemed happier, more full of life, except when she and their mom fought. "I don't see why our mom is so against any of you. But I do know she'll think twice before berating you guys after she learns that you kept them both alive. She'll come around. Eventually." Jason said genuinely, a smile appearing on all their faces before they got out of the car.

     Emmett cradled Colby as they walked into the hospital to get her checked out. Her back was pretty sliced up from the glass, but she tried to put on a brave face.

     Once they got Colby checked out and cleaned up, they waited for Bella to wake up. Luckily, no stitches were needed for Colby, just a few bandages and instructions to take it easy for a few days, which was easier said than done for someone as stubborn as Colby.

     "How is she?" Colby asked as she walked into Bella's hospital room, which was currently only occupied by Edward and Bella.

     "She'll be in a boot for a while, but other than that and the blood loss, she's going to be fine," Edward said, not daring to look away from Bella's sleeping form.

     "Thank you," Edward added softly but loud enough for Colby to hear.

      "What for?" Colby asked, taking the empty seat beside him.

     "Protecting her, risking your life for her, and me. You could've let him crush me, yet as weak as you had gotten, you didn't. I owe you," Edward said, finally looking over at her.

      "You don't owe me anything, Edward. I would've done it even if I hated you," Colby said with a chuckle.

      "Like your family?" Edward asked.

      "To be fair, the only one that actually hates you guys on her own accord is my mom. Grace just does what she's told. Jason, I'm not sure about him. He doesn't hate you guys or really like you guys, but he says he can't have an opinion on people he doesn't know, though he does like Emmet and Carlisle." Colby explained with a small chuckle, "Just wait until he meets Rose." Edward added before his face turned back to being serious, "If it wasn't for him, I would've killed her. I couldn't stop."

     "Because you didn't believe in yourself enough. The self-hatred you have for yourself did that. But, I think you still would've stopped if it wasn't for him. It just would've taken you a little longer," Colby said, placing her hand on Edward's shoulder.

     Edward gave a barely visible smile before he heard footsteps. "Bella's mom is coming. Gonna have to act human for a bit, just play along."

     Colby just nodded, understanding what he meant before pretending to be asleep.

     Soon, just as Edward said, Renee, Bella's mom, walked into Bella's room just as the girl began to stir. "Has he been like that for a while?" Renee asked, pointing towards Edward as she sat on the edge of the hospital bed.

     "In and out, yeah," Colby said with a soft smile as Bella opened her eyes. "Bella...? Baby...? Bella..." Renee cooed, her hands gently resting on Bella's arm.

     "Mom?" Bella responded, her voice weak but filled with relief. "Hey." Renee said, Colby smiled at the gentleness in Renee's voice, "Where is he? Where is...where is Edward? Wait- where's Colby?" Bella asked, slightly panic in her voice, "He's asleep. Colby's next to him."

     They look at Edward who is sleeping, and then Colby who just waves and smiles, "Glad to see you awake." Bella smiled visibly relaxes at the sight of the two of them being okay, "He never leaves. And your dad is down at the cafeteria."

     "What happened?"

     "Well, when you fell you broke your leg. And you lost a lot of blood. You don't remember any of this, do you? Bella shook her head, Renee sat up a little more before she explained, "Edward and Colby came down with his dad to try to convince you to come back to Forks. So you went over to their hotel and you tripped. And fell down two flights of stairs. Way through a window! Colby tried to go after you to keep you from falling but she ended up tripping and falling on some glass but she wasn't as banged up as you were." Renee said in shock looking from Bella to Colby before back to Bella. Bella nodded, "Yeah, that sounds like me."

     "Oh, honey. I'm so sorry." Renee says as she takes her cellphone out of her pocket and began typing, "It's Phil. He's so worried about you." Bella's brows furrowed, "You're texting."

"Finally, yeah. I told him to stay down in Florida. Oh honey, you are gonna love Jacksonville. It's sunny everyday. We found the cutest little house and you'll get your own bathroom."

"Mom, I still wanna live in Forks." Bella blurted out completely halting her mother's explanation of the new house, Colby shifted in her sit as the mother-daughter duo continued, "What?"

"I wanna live in Forks."

"Okay. We'll, we'll talk about it." Renee gave a soft smile before giving the same one to Colby, "Do you mind getting dad? I have to talk to him. Apologize."

"Okay, baby, I'll go get him. Renee says as she kisses Bella on the forehead, "And I'll go get a nurse, okay." Bella agreed and with that Renee left the room, "your mom's sweet." Colby commented, Bella smiled and nodded, "she's something alright". Bella said with a soft smile before it twisted into slight fear and worry, "So...what happened? Wh~where's James?" Bella asked, before Colby could answer Edward 'wakes up' and walks to Bella, "We took care of him. The woman, Victoria, she ran off."

"I'm alive because of you, both of you."

"Probably couldn't get ahold of James without you though, Bella. Though I'll admit your plan was stupid." Colby said which caused Bella to give a short chuckle before Edward spoke, "No, you're in here because of me. The worst...part of it...was...I thought I wasn't gonna be able to stop.."

"You did stop."

"Because Jason made sure I did." Edward says before he gives Colby a look that she easily read as him asking to give them some privacy

     "I'm going to go find Jason and Emmett, I'm glad you're okay, Bells." Colby said, Bella nodded with a smile as Colby walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

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     The next day Colby had woken up later than usual, her back still sore from the events prior.

     A soft knock on her bedroom door brought her fully out of her sleepy state, "Come in." Colby said groggily. As the door open she spotted her mother holding a cup of coffee and a smile, "How're you feeling?" Heather asked as she handed the cup to Colby, "Sore but otherwise normal, and thank you." Colby said with a smile before she blew on the hot coffee to cool it before taking a sip.

     "I'm glad you're okay."

     "I told you everything would be okay, I do have pretty good judgment and instincts." Colby said with a small laugh, "For somethings I'll give that to you. I just don't trust that family." Heather said as she sat beside her daughter.

     "Are you at least willing to be civil? I finally have someone that makes me happy and lets me be me." Colby explained, Heather sighed, "I can at least give it a shot. After I meet this Emmett guy." Colby smile brightly at her mother before hugging her.

     "Thank you."