Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on Stars
Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on AO3
Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on FFn
Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on Wattpad
By
the end of the week, Bella was released from the hospital. Things were still up
in the air as to where she was going to stay, but until she had her final
appointment with Dr. Denali in about two weeks, she’d be staying with Carlisle
and Esme, along with Edward, her father and Jake. Also, Edward’s parents were
driving down to Portland with Edward’s car, which he’d left on the I-5 on his
way to Harborview.
Esme,
however, was a godsend. She had taken some time off to help Jake acclimate to
his new surroundings. He’d be going back to school after Thanksgiving, which
was in a week. Everyone was coming down to Portland to celebrate the holiday,
including Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper. They were anxious to hear how
Bella was doing and wanted to give her an update on what was going on in
Seattle.
When
Esme wasn’t helping Jake, Esme was slowly rebuilding Bella’s meager wardrobe.
Edward was bankrolling Bella’s makeover and Bella vowed to pay him back once
she got back on her feet, both literally and figuratively. Edward arched a
brow, shaking his head. While Esme was out shopping with Edward, Bella was at
the house, hanging out with Carlisle, Charlie and Jake. She was reading one of
the many books her father had picked up for her while Jake was schooling
Carlisle and Charlie in the finer art of playing Nintendo Wii. Bella’s cell
phone, which had been replaced by Edward, started ringing next to her. Sliding
her finger across the screen, she answered it. “Hello?”
“Dr.
Swan, it’s good to hear your voice,” said a relieved Dr. Volturi. “Edward was a
mess.”
“He
still is a mess,” she snickered. “But, then again, so am I. How are things in
Seattle?”
“Slow-going,”
he replied. “Demolition of the remaining structures of Harborview have begun.
They’re talking about not reopening. The loss of revenue … it’s too great.”
“What
does that mean?” Bella whispered. “Do I have a job?”
“The
uncomplicated answer is no,” he replied and the sadness creeping into his tone.
“The staff members who have tenure and seniority are being offered positions in
other university hospitals. The most recent hires, including you and about two
hundred other staffers, are not getting the same offer. Technically, you’re
still on your probationary period until January first. However, due to your
heroism and valor during the quake, I’ve fought for you. You will receive your
salary until one year after the quake as severance. Plus, we’re still keeping
you on the university insurance.”
Bella’s
heart dropped. She was homeless, unemployed and just lost. “Okay,” she said
woodenly.
“I
know my son would love to have you work for him in his office,” Dr. Volturi
stammered.
“I’ll
keep that in mind,” she said. “I’ve got to go. Any further phone calls … just …
don’t …” She hung up the phone, stuffing it into the pocket of the plaid pants
she wore. Picking up her crutches, she hobbled to the room she shared with
Edward and curled up on the bed, her tears spilling over onto her cheeks.
