Worth the Fight Update

WTF Ch. 22 on FFn

WTF Ch. 22 on Stars

WTF Ch. 22 on AO3

WTF Ch. 22 on Wattpad

“Alice, can you go into my closet and find my cast condom?” Bella asked her friend. “I’m covered in sand, dirt and … fuck it, the beach. I’m covered in the beach.” She ran her hand through her hair, grimacing when she remembered the laceration along her hairline from her drugged clumsiness. “I can’t wash my hair. Damn it.”

“Not in the shower, but I can do it for you in the sink, Hells Bells,” Alice said. “Where was that cast condom?”

“It should be in the closet, in my underwear drawer,” Bell explained, shifting on the bed.

Alice went into her closet, ruffling through the drawers. She found the ‘cast condom’, pulling it out and carrying it to the bathroom. While she was in there, she turned on the water and cleared off the bench inside. “Come on, Gimpy. Let me help you.”

“I need a shower cap. I think I have one from my trip to the Wynn when I dumped Jake’s ass,” Bella deadpanned. Standing up, she slipped the crutches underneath her arms and hobbled to the bathroom. Bella sat down on the toilet and wrapped a towel around her body, removing her clothes.

Alice found the shower cap. With Alice’s help, they wrapped her cast in the cover. Leaning heavily on her friend, Bella sat down on the bench with her towel. Alice pulled the removable shower head, angling it away from Bella. “Holler when you’re done. I’m going to make some more coffee and we’re going to have a chat after you’re all cleaned up. It’s a lovely day. The view over the lake is just what you need.”

“I don’t know, Alice,” Bella grumbled. “Possible concussion and sunlight?”

“Work with me, Swan,” Alice said. “We need to talk.” “Okay, okay,” Bella agreed.

Worth the Fight Teaser

Around midnight, Edward picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He knew that she’d need another dose of her pain killers soon. Setting her up on the bed, he got another protein shake and some ice packs. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gently roused her. “Bella, wake up,” he cooed, brushing her messy curls from her face.

“No,” she mumbled, trying to roll over but groaning as she shifted. “Ouch.”

“That’s why you need to wake up, beautiful,” Edward chuckled, trailing his fingers down her pale skin. “You need to drink some of this protein shake and take your pain medication.”

Her eyes fluttered open. Her nose was scrunched as she sat up, and rubbed her face. “Every bone in my body hurts,” she moaned.

“I can imagine,” Edward said soothingly, opening up the protein shake as he helped her up. “Do you want to change into something more comfortable?”

“That means I have to move, and it hurts to move,” she grumbled, taking the proffered shake and pain pill. She shifted on the bed. “But, I probably should. I also need to pee.” She blinked blearily around the room. “Crutches?”

“Not yet,” he argued, easily scooping her up.

“You are not watching me pee. You still hate me,” she huffed.

“I don’t hate you, Bella. I could never hate you,” he argued, carrying her to the bathroom. “You take care of … this. Where can I find your pajamas and such?”

Balancing on one foot, Bella directed him to her dresser, explaining what she wanted.

Edward closed the door, finding the clothes she wanted. He also called Charlie, who’d sent him a text while Bella was snoozing on his chest. He asked for an update.

“How is she?” Charlie asked, instead of a normal greeting.

“Broken tibia and covered in scrapes and bruises,” Edward answered. “Carlisle thinks she should be fine and won’t need surgery, but … it’s a waiting game. She needs to see him in two weeks.”

“Right, right,” Charlie mumbled absently. “I know that … can you stay with her tonight? I mean, I would come, but trying to get these guys out of my house is like …”

“I was planning on it,” Edward interrupted. “She’s going to need help getting around. I can stay tonight, but perhaps Alice or Rose can help her out more than me. I mean, we’re barely friends.”

Worth the Fight Update

WTF Ch. 19 on FFn

WTF Ch. 19 on Stars

WTF Ch. 19 on AO3

WTF Ch. 19 on Wattpad

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but I am sorry for disappearing. You scare me.”

“Explain that, please,” Edward sighed. He promised Emmett and Jasper that he’d had an open mind, but seeing her at the barbecue along with her cold reception in the house? It made him prickly.

Yes, he was attracted to her. Extremely so, but was that attraction worth getting shit on?

He was also protective of her and felt more for Bella than he felt for Victoria. Again, was that worth being ghosted?

All because of his choice of occupation?

“You scare me because what I feel for you is ten times what I felt for Jacob,” Bella whispered, fat tears slipping down her dirty face. “That scares me more than anything …”

She couldn’t continue. A nurse came in, asking questions about Bella’s injury and if she had any allergies. Bella replied no, but did ask for something for the pain. Along with her emotional anguish, she was also dealing with physical pain. The nurse nodded, ducking out of the room.

“Drink your water, Bella,” Edward encouraged. “Have you had anything to eat today?”

“No, not really,” she answered. “I was munching on the veggie tray when I decided to slice my finger. I lost my appetite shortly after that. I don’t like blood, seeing it makes me queasy.”

Edward reached into his pocket, pulling out a protein bar. “Eat this. If you’re going to get pain meds, you’ll get an upset stomach and you won’t be able to hoof it to the bathroom in a cast,” he chided gently. “It’s not the same as the food at the barbecue, but you’ll have something in your stomach.

Bella munched on the protein bar, not really tasting it. “Thank you,” she mumbled. “I don’t deserve your kindness. You have every right to leave after I’d behaved.”

“Jasper and Emmett made me promise to listen to you,” Edward said. “I’ll listen, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stay.”

Worth the Fight Teaser

 “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I am sorry for disappearing. You scare me.”

“Explain that, please,” Edward sighed. He promised Emmett and Jasper that he’d had an open mind, but seeing her at the barbecue along with her cold reception in the house? It made him prickly.

Yes, he was attracted to her. Extremely so, but was that attraction worth getting shit on?

He was also protective of her and felt more for Bella than he felt for Victoria. Again, was that worth being ghosted?

All because of his choice of occupation?

“You scare me because what I feel for you is ten times what I felt for Jacob,” Bella whispered, fat tears slipping down her dirty face. “That scares me more than anything …”

She couldn’t continue. A nurse came in, asking questions about Bella’s injury and if she had any allergies. Bella replied no, but did ask for something for the pain. Along with her emotional anguish, she was also dealing with physical pain. The nurse nodded, ducking out of the room.

“Drink your water, Bella,” Edward encouraged. “Have you had anything to eat today?”

“No, not really,” she answered. “I was munching on the veggie tray when I decided to slice my finger. I lost my appetite shortly after that. I don’t like blood, seeing it makes me queasy.”

Edward reached into his pocket, pulling out a protein bar. “Eat this. If you’re going to get pain meds, you’ll get an upset stomach and you won’t be able to hoof it to the bathroom in a cast,” he chided gently. “It’s not the same as the food at the barbecue, but you’ll have something in your stomach.

Bella munched on the protein bar, not really tasting it. “Thank you,” she mumbled. “I don’t deserve your kindness. You have every right to leave after I’d behaved.”

“Jasper and Emmett made me promise to listen to you,” Edward said. “I’ll listen, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stay.”

Worth the Fight Update

WTF Ch. 18 on FFn

WTF Ch. 18 on AO3

WTF Ch. 18 on Stars

WTF Ch. 18 on Wattpad

Charlie's Home

Edward walked back out of the house, trying not to think too much about the brush off he’d received from Bella. She was coldly polite, but that connection they’d shared had disappeared. He wanted it back, but was resigned that she’d be in the periphery of his life, moving forward.

“Masen! I need another beer. Grilling all this meat is making me thirsty,” Emmett bellowed.

“You’re meeting me tomorrow morning, Emmett,” Charlie chided as he tossed a beanbag, playing cornhole with Carlisle and a few other fighters. “I don’t want you to be hungover.”

“I’ll be fine,” Emmett said. “This is my second beer. I’ll stop after four. I promise.”

“Why am I your beer wench?” Edward snorted. “Jasper is perfectly capable, as are you, Emmett. I could watch the meat while you get your own beverage.”

“Oooh, he has a point, Tubbo,” Jasper sang. “I think I like you, Edward. You’re my new bestie. Slacker, over there, can just suffer in the smoke.”

With a scowl, Emmett handed Edward the tongs and stomped into the house. Edward laughed, flipping over the burgers, and sipping his water. As he manned the grill, an older woman with curled honey hair and a pleasant smile glided into the party with a younger woman next to her. The younger woman was striking with pale skin, dark brown hair, and icy blue eyes. Carlisle kissed the older woman, hugging the younger one. With a grin, Carlisle brought the pair over to Jasper, Edward, and the now grumpy Emmett.

“Esme, I’d love to introduce you to the newest fighter to the Bull Dog family, Edward Masen,” Carlisle smiled. “Edward, this is my wife and light of my life, Esme Cullen.”

“Don’t let Alice hear you say that,” Jasper quipped. “She thinks she’s the light of your life.”

“I love my daughter, but she’s the reason why I have these grey hairs,” Carlisle snorted. “Devil spawn.”

“Emmett didn’t help, either,” Esme teased, ruffling his curls.

“I’m amazing,” Emmett argued. “Alice was the devil spawn … trying to get out from the shadow of my awesomeness.”

“You keep telling yourself that, kiddo,” Carlisle laughed. “How are you doing, Bree? Settling into Seattle?”

“Different than Alaska, but I like it,” the younger woman smiled.

Backyard

Dr. Carlisle Cullen

Jasper Whitlock

Dr. Esme Cullen

Emmett Cullen

Bree Tanner

Edward Masen

Beach behind Charlie's home