Shaky Ground Teaser

“Esme, are you sure I can’t help?” Bella asked, her leg propped up at the kitchen table. She was icing it after her first physical therapy session. It wasn’t too grueling, but since her injury was so severe, it hurt to do the smallest things like pointing toes and flexing her calf muscles. “I’m just sitting here. Give me something to chop.”

“Okay, if you insist,” Esme chuckled. “Help with the stuffing?”

“Let’s do it,” Bella smiled. Esme handed Bella a bulb of fennel, a couple of shallots, three granny smith apples and chestnuts. Bella got to work while Esme fried up some sausage.

Edward was out with Charlie, Carlisle and Jake, looking at temporary housing. He’d signed the paperwork with OHSU, becoming the associate chief of emergency medicine, complete with a huge raise, signing bonus and tenure track position. He was going to start after the first of the year, giving him time to sell his home, but he wanted to get settled in the city. He also wanted to get out of Carlisle and Esme’s hair. They were more than happy to have him stay, but he missed having his own place.

Bella was going to continue staying with Carlisle and Esme. Her apartment was gone, with all her belongings. Edward suggested she stay with him, but she decided to stay with her ‘adoptive’ family. Edward’s parent suggested that Bella stay with them, but the idea of going back to Seattle made Bella physically sick to her stomach. Elizabeth understood why and suggested that Bella talk to someone. When she was a little bit more mobile, she’d consider it. But, Bella needed to get her leg better. Dealing with the emotional aftermath of the quake would come after her physical injuries were healed.

“Have you heard from your friends? Alice? Rose?” Esme asked.

“Yeah. They’re on their way, from last I heard,” Bella replied. “Their boyfriends are coming, too. They’re checking into a hotel and should be over here a little after dinner.”

“How are they faring?”

“We’ve only spoken briefly. Rose’s expertise as a surgeon was required with the survivors,” Bella explained. “Alice, as a nurse, was also needed.”

“Are they still working for Harborview?” Esme asked, her nose wrinkled.

“Alice is employed through the university and will be transferring hospitals. She’s going to work at Virginia Mason,” Bella replied. “Rose is still in the middle of her surgical residency. She’ll complete her residency at the hospital where they wanted to transfer Edward in Olympia. Alice moved in with Jasper, her long-time boyfriend and Rose is living in temporary housing in Olympia with her boyfriend, Emmett.”

“And they work for the fire department?”

“Yeah,” Bella smiled, putting the cut vegetables into a bowl. “Though, Emmett is going to move to Olympia, I think. I don’t know.”

Esme nodded, sitting down next to Bella. “I know that work is the last thing on your mind, Bella.”

“More of my lack of work,” she grumbled. “I know I can’t go back to Seattle. I like it here in Portland. My dad would love for me to come back to Jacksonville.”

“Can I make a suggestion?” she asked. “Work at OHSU?”