The Impossibility Of Sensibility, Chapter 11

I look up from my book at a knock at my door. I smile as I set my book aside. "Hi Dr Cullen. Is it time for my check up?"

"It certainly is. How are you feeling?"

"Tired still. Not hungry. The usual." Dr Cullen smiles as he takes my heart rate and blood pressure.

"That's because you're still on IV."

"When can it come out?"

"As soon as you're able to hold anything down without throwing it up. Then we'll talk about taking it out. But for now it's the only way you're body is getting what it needs, so it stays in."

"Ugh. I hate it. It's so uncomfortable. It feels like the end of the needle is going to poke through my hand." Dr Cullen laughs.

"Not to worry, you'll be just fine."

"Are we all done? I'm on chapter 6 of the book you gave me and it's just getting to a good part."

"Actually Jillian, there is something I'd like to talk to you about."

"What's that?"

"It's about Emmett.." I don't let him finish.

"I don't want to hear it."

"Please, Jillian, hear me out. He's still alive." I glare at Dr Cullen. Emmett's the reason I'm here in the first place! Now when I'm finally getting healthy he wants to pull this on me? I don't think so.

"I don't want to hear it, Dr Cullen. Not now, not ever."

"Please just listen, okay?" When I don't interrupt him he continues. "I know where he is. He's been living with me for the past 6 months. He's very well." Tears spring to my eyes.

"Why should I believe a word you're saying?"

"Because it's 100% the truth." Dr Cullen takes an envelope out of his coat. "He wanted me to give you this. He said he understands if you never want to talk to him again. I told him he shouldn't have asked me but that I would tell you. I'll give you some time." I take the envelope from him and stare at the front. It has my name on it in the same messy scrawl that was on the last one. Except this time I recognize whose it is. And it can only be one person's.

I set the envelope on my lap and stare at it for a good hour. I'm afraid of what I might find in there. Why wouldn't Emmett contact me if he's still alive? Why would he make me go through all of this when there was no reason for it? I think back to the first letter. I had never actually read it. I sigh as I realize it could have been Emmett trying to contact me. Now I just feel stupid. I got upset over something that could have let me see him again. With that thought I rip open the flap and take out the letter.

Dear Jilly,

I'm sorry that things have turned out this way. When I heard you'd landed yourself in the hospital I almost lost it. You're lucky to have Carlisle as your doctor. He's a very good person and he'll make you better in no time.

I hope you don't think someone's trying to trick you. It's nothing like that at all. It's really me, Jilly. I miss you. I've thought about you nonstop for six months straight. Wondering if you're thinking of me. I've wanted to see you, but that's not safe for me right now. I'll tell you all about that later, if you decide that keeping in contact with me is what you want. I'll understand if you don't.

Please, Jilly, get better. Not only for yourself, but for your family. They need you.

If you want to reply back to me just give your letter to Carlisle. He'll get it to me.

I love you, Jillian. I've never stopped.

Yours, Emmett

I read it three times before the words actually sink in. I want to reply, but I don't want to look foolish if this really is a trick. I decide to sleep on it and think about it again in the morning. I place the letter and envelope on my bedside table and fall into a restless sleep.

I dream about Emmett. He's wearing a tux and he's standing at the end of an alter. It takes me a second to realize that I'm his bride. My heart swells with pride and love.

I watch my dream self marry the one man I've ever loved, and ever will love. I'm sure of that. My heart was taken from me the day he left and he's kept it all this time. I don't think I'll ever get it back. I sigh contently in my sleep as we say our vows and share our first kiss as husband and wife.

The Impossibility Of Sensibility, Chapter 10

"Hey, what's this?" I glance over at Sasha from my book.

"Oh, that's the envelope you gave me last week, remember?"

"You haven't opened it yet?" I shrug.

"No."

"Well why don't you?" I sigh and close my book.

"Do I have to right this minute?" She hands it to me and I roll my eyes. It's been almost two weeks since Sasha dragged me out to town. I'm proud to say that I've been much better. I slide open the flap and take out the paper stuffed inside it. My first thought upon seeing it is "is this some sick joke?"

"What's wrong?" I glare up at Sasha.

"This is a joke, right? Tell me you didn't actually do this."

"Do what? What are you talking about?" I shove the letter at her and she gasps and looks up at me. You can't fake that, so I decide it wasn't her that did it. I jump up from my bed and stomp around my room.

"Who would be so heartless as to do something like that?! I can't believe it! After everything I've been through, someone decides to pull this?!" Just then my door opens and all three of my family members are standing in my bedroom.

"Why are you shouting, Jillian?" I thrust my thumb at Sasha.

"May as well show them, too. Maybe Greg will know if one of his friends did this." My brother looks at me with confusion.

"Did what?"

"You'll see." Sasha quietly hands them the letter. All of them look up at me. I stomp some more, not because it'll help anything, but because it's making me feel better.

"Oh darling, you don't know who did this?" I shake my head angrily, tears starting to pour over. All of a sudden my anger fades and grief takes its place. I sink down to my knees and shake with sobs. I press my head against my mattress and take parts of the blanket in my fists. I'm beyond rational thought at this point. The last thing I remember before the darkness is calling out Emmett's name.

*

Gregory Marion Sr

"I'm afraid we don't have much else of a choice Mr Marion. She hasn't eaten or drank in several days. She's severely dehydrated. She needs to be hospitalized or she could waste away into nothing. I know this is hard for you, but I think losing your daughter would be harder, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes. Do whatever you can. Just make her healthy again."

"We'll do everything we can for her Mr Marion. Don't worry, she'll be in good hands."

"Tell me more about this Dr Cullen. He's new?"

"Yes, he just transferred this month."

"He looks too young to have such a large degree. Are you sure he's capable?"

"Certainly. He's one of the best doctor's we've ever had. I'm assigning him to your daughter, actually."

"Well I hope you're right about him."

"Not to worry. He's very good at what he does and very passionate. I've never seen someone so driven."

"Yes, well, let's hope he's all you say him to be. Anna and I aren't getting any younger and I want to see my daughter healthy and well before I pass on."

"You've got absolutely nothing to worry about Mr Marion. We'll take good care of her."

*

Carlisle Cullen

"Dr Cullen? Mr Marion is here with his daughter." I flip closed Jillian Marion's chart and follow Lisa to the room Jillian is in. She's laying on a bed with an IV in her arm and a blanket over her. I've seen some bad cases of anorexia, but she's by far the worst. She can't stand without support and weighs only 80 pounds. She should have been brought here a long time ago.

"Mr Marion, a pleasure to see you again." I extend my hand and he shakes it, wincing at the cold of my skin. I turn to Jillian. "Why wasn't she brought here earlier?"

"She wouldn't let me. Every time we tried taking her she'd throw a fit, lock herself in her room, she even ran away one time."

"She finally decided to come?" Gregory Sr shakes his head.

"No. She starting becoming delusional and didn't know where she was or who her family is."

"I see. As I understand why you didn't bring her sooner, I have to say that it wasn't the best choice. It's going to take a lot of work to make her healthy. She's going to be under a lot of stress for a while. And I must stress this to you. If Jillian really wants to recover, she will. If she doesn't, then she won't. It's all about one's will to survive. But we'll do what we can for her for now."

"Thank you, doctor. I'm sure you'll take good care of my girl."

"I'll do what's in my power to help her."