B.O.P. Breach of the Peace

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two
Life and Death and the In-between
Grace Cullen-Swan

I began to recognize my surroundings piece by piece as my senses slowly began to return to me.

I smelled my signature scent of vanilla and almonds at first, and so I thought I might be laying in my bed. The next to come was my sense of feeling, and I quickly realized that I was curled up against someone hard. Their breathing was soothing as it steadily rocked me ever so slightly. Then, my ears detected the sound of the air as whoever was holding me breathed it in and out. Finally, my sight blurred as I struggled to open my eyes against the soft lighting of my mostly dark bedroom.

As my vision cleared, I recognized the face staring back at me as it's nearly identical to my own.

"Carlisle." I sighed, relaxing in the fact that I was looking up into the face of my brother. I took in the smell of vanilla and almonds, our shared scent. He hadn't left my side. I was sure of it.

I was against his side, one of his gentle arms supported my weight as he held me carefully, my head in the crook of his arm as I stared up at him.

"Grace." He smiled just as softly as he had spoken my name. "I've been lying here wondering if you were ever going to gain consciousness again." He sighed, his face morphing into a look of pure torture and fear.

"I'm here." I assured him gently, my heart hurting for him. After so many years separated from one another I couldn't imagine losing him again. I can't imagine the type of pain he went through thinking his twin might not recover. "I'm sorry, you must've been so scared."

"Terrified." He shuddered, pulling me to him a little closer in reassurance. "I should go let the others know you're awake." He told me, yet he didn't appear to even be attempting to get up.

"But?" I giggled lightly.

"But, I need a moment to calm down." He told me truthfully. "Can I hold you for a few more moments?" He asked, though it was pointless.

"Of course." I promised him. "I'm quite enjoying the comfort." I teased him slightly. "I love you, brother." I hummed.

"I love you too, sister. Beyond words can express." He swore to me. "Forgive me, but I'm still in shock over nearly losing you."

"What happened?" I asked him cautiously. "I remember going to speak with the wolves, you and I turned back to look at Edward, and then I just registered different family members shocked expressions." I explained.

"The wolves leapt at us when we turned our backs." His tone turned dark, his tell when he's angry. "I don't think you even realized you did it, but you shoved me back towards the house as one of the shapeshifters bit through your neck. The one headed for me just kept going and bit through your side while the third took off your right leg." He explained, almost in clinical detachment as he tried to keep himself from getting too animated while he held me.

"When you say 'bit through'...?" I grimaced, hoping the extent of the injuries weren't as bad as I feared them to be.

"Fully severed." He copied my grimace. "You were in a total of four pieces by the time Emmett and Jasper shook off their shock enough to leap at the wolves. I'm not sure even they could've stopped them if it hadn't had been for Charlie."

"Charlie?" I panicked. "I told him to stay-"

"He came out firing his pistol." Carlisle attempted to calm me down before I could hurt myself, holding me down so I kept still. "He shot all four of them in the leg as a warning to get them to retreat back to La Push."

"I can't tell if that man is the bravest or the stupidest person I've ever met." I muttered, impressed but furious he had endangered himself in such a way.