Dangerously Beautiful • Carlisle Cullen

Chapter 8: Hospital sleep overs

A few days had passed, and Cole was no closer to trusting her brother. Carlisle had been able to slowly get closer to her, which only fueled Charlie's heartbreak.

He never wanted his sister to fear him. He only ever wanted what was best for her, to protect her.

Even though she was still terrified of him, Charlie sat in her room, keeping an eye on her. His chair pushed into the farthest corner, still Colette's eyes flickered to him every time he shifted. Her fight or flight instinct was in high alert, and because of that she had not come out of her regression.

Carlisle was starting to get worried, not only for her mental state, but with how much stress she was under, her resting heart rate was keeping steady at around 130 beats per minute, normal being between 60-100.

They had tried to sedate her, thinking that a small dose would help calm her, but it seemed to do the opposite, as she fought the sedative, making her heart rate and blood pressure skyrocket.

Charlie had restricted Bella from seeing her aunt, worried that in her regressed form, she wouldn't recognize Bella, or think that he himself was harming her.

This was a position the Chief had never been in. Taking care of someone who was utterly terrified of him. Carlisle had tried many things, even as simple as talking to her, bonding with her, and it seemed as though he gained her trust back in a matter of hours.

Charlie thought he had thought of everything. He brought in her coloring books, her favorite blanket, anything that would remind her that she was safe with him but it didn't seem to help. He could still see the hesitation in her crystal blue eyes that broke his heart.

"Maybe you should just go home for a bit. Get something to eat, get some proper sleep. Come back tomorrow and see if the time away doesn't help." Carlisle told Charlie, wanted to see if the man himself was not the trigger for her regression. The longer she stayed in it, the more Carlisle got worried she would be mentally compromised.

"I guess an actual bed doesn't sound too shabby, and a steak." Charlie said as the Dr gave him a small smile. "I'll be sure to call you if anything changes." Carlisle assured the older brother and with a nod of his head, Charlie left.

Colette seemed to relax, falling asleep within the next few minutes. Carlisle would check on her from time to time, checking her heart rate.

Excitement showed in his eyes as hour by hour her heart rate was dropping, settling down into a proper rhythm at around 80 beats per minute.

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Alarm bells rang from Cole's room as the woman shook violently in her sleep. Tears cascaded down her face, leaving red hot streaks. "Cole!" Carlisle ran into the room. Touching her arm gently, she let out an ear piercing wail. "Don't. Please! I'm sorry. ADAM! STOP!" Colette screamed in horror as her night terror ravaged her mind.

"Cole, it's not real. It's not real." Carlisle chanted to her as the nurses tried to hold down her arms and legs from flailing around, not wanting another IV ripped out.

A loud gasp, then another, as sobs came from Cole, making every person in the room feel for the girl. "It's not real. You're okay." Carlisle cooed as he made her look at him, her bloodshot blue eyes looking into his golden ones.

"Carlisle?" She asked, a hiccup coming from her, as she groaned knowing she took in a lot of air as she cried, and will now deal with them for quite a while. "It's me." He said as he realized the bright blue was replaced with its duller counterpart. Colette was back to herself.

Releasing her appendages, the nurses quickly left the room, leaving the pair alone. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he kept his eyes connected with hers. "Tired." "What kind of tired?" He asked as she looked at him. "Mentally. I wish I could just go to sleep and not have nightmares."