As promised - hope to get the next chapter up soon. (Would go a lot faster if the darn characters didn't keep changing my outline on me!! 
)
Chapter 15:
He woke up. Finally! Edmund wanted to shout outlet everyone know he was all right. But he couldnt open his eyes, couldnt make his mouth work. He could hear a man speaking Latin? No, no one was there now. He must have been mistaken. His eyes at long last responded to his demands that they open. Edmund looked around his room, a little fuzzy at first. No one was there. He was definitely alone. Just a letter on the ornate desk next to his bed My dearest son, Edmund began reading his fathers handwriting! His father never wrote to him! Edmund sat up quickly and, ignoring the resulting ache in his head, grasped the paper tightly, his little heart racing with excitement. His accident must have made him realize he must have but as Edmunds tiny hands clung to the piece of paper, he felt his heart shrink back in his chest as he read the words beautifully inscribed on the Royal House of Winslow stationary. The letter wasnt for him. The letter was about him. About what a disappointment he was. About how he was a bad seed, never good enough. About how he was dead weight to his brother dead
Edmund! Richards joyful shout echoed off the four walls of Edmunds huge, empty room. Father!! Someone get my father quickly! Richard exclaimed as he rushed into the room. Edmund instinctively swiped away his tears and scrunched the letter up under his pillow, out of sight, as his brother raced over to his bedside to see him. He smiled at Richard as he chattered on about how happy he was, how worried hed been But deep inside Edmund knew his father was right.
He was different from his brother. Edmund had always know that. Nothing he ever did seemed to be right. He tried so hard, but he always managed to do the wrong thing, say the wrong thing. But at least then father noticed him! He hated this huge palace. It was too big and lonely. And without his brothers cherished companionship, he Edmund knew he would always be alone now. And even though he hated it, he would show them all that he didnt need any of them. Not even Richard. Because even Richard thought that Edmund was damagedhe could see it in his eyes. Why couldnt things just stay the way they were, before the accident, when it was Richard and Edmund together against the world Edmund drew in a shaky, resolute breath, even as his brother hugged him tight. Grow up Edmund, he thought. Time to grow up!
Richard was the one who was going to rule San Cristobel someday. Edmund couldnt help but be sad that he would always be apart from that. Different. Outside. Always second. Always an afterthought. But he would never, ever let anyone know. He swore it! He didnt want their pity. He didnt want them to feel sorry for him the way his father and his brother must. Gosh, his head still hurt a lot. But his heart hurt more, Edmund thought as he hugged his brother back, closing his eyes to squeeze away traitorous tears. He liked it better when it was his head that hurt.
Edmund opened his eyes slowly, expecting to see the lush surroundings of his room at the palace his eyes focusing in on the flowers beside his white bed. What? This wasnt his room, Edmund thought confused but hell, his head still hurt like the devil!
No! I wont accept that Rick. There has to be something else. You have to come up with some other way. Cassie? Edmund turned to see where her voice was coming from and was just about able to see her in the doorway, talking to a man in a white coat. Doctor? Rick, hadnt she said? Rick Bauer, Edmund recalled. Whatever he was saying, he was obviously upsetting her, Edmund thought, crossly Cassie Edmund croaked weakly.
Im sorry Cassie. Those are the only options. If we are going to save him, we need to make a decision soon, the doctor was explaining. We simply dont have time. The longer we wait
Oh God! Its just not fair! Cassie cried, cradling her tear-stained face behind her hands. We were only just beginning, Rick. This cant be the end. It just cant. Not like this. Not again, Rick. Please please help me, Cassie begged between sobs. You have to, Rick. There has to be something. Anything. Please, Cassie wailed.
Edmund felt a familiar constriction in his chest as he watch Cassie cry. He couldnt bear to see her cry. He was about to summon the strength to try to call out again when he recognized Reva Lewiss voice.
Cassie, cmon hon. Youre not going to be any good to Edmund this way. You have to stay strong. Let the doctors do their job, sweetie. Thats all we can ask Revas voice trailed off as she manoeuvred Cassie gently away from the doorway to Edmunds room.
Doctor Bauer closed the door behind him as he entered the room. Good, Edmund, youre awake. There are some things we need to discuss. Medical things.
Yes, Edmund agreed, his voice still weakened and scratchy, but his eyes blazing determination, tell me whatever it is we have to do to make Cassie happy again doctor.
)Chapter 15:
He woke up. Finally! Edmund wanted to shout outlet everyone know he was all right. But he couldnt open his eyes, couldnt make his mouth work. He could hear a man speaking Latin? No, no one was there now. He must have been mistaken. His eyes at long last responded to his demands that they open. Edmund looked around his room, a little fuzzy at first. No one was there. He was definitely alone. Just a letter on the ornate desk next to his bed My dearest son, Edmund began reading his fathers handwriting! His father never wrote to him! Edmund sat up quickly and, ignoring the resulting ache in his head, grasped the paper tightly, his little heart racing with excitement. His accident must have made him realize he must have but as Edmunds tiny hands clung to the piece of paper, he felt his heart shrink back in his chest as he read the words beautifully inscribed on the Royal House of Winslow stationary. The letter wasnt for him. The letter was about him. About what a disappointment he was. About how he was a bad seed, never good enough. About how he was dead weight to his brother dead
Edmund! Richards joyful shout echoed off the four walls of Edmunds huge, empty room. Father!! Someone get my father quickly! Richard exclaimed as he rushed into the room. Edmund instinctively swiped away his tears and scrunched the letter up under his pillow, out of sight, as his brother raced over to his bedside to see him. He smiled at Richard as he chattered on about how happy he was, how worried hed been But deep inside Edmund knew his father was right.
He was different from his brother. Edmund had always know that. Nothing he ever did seemed to be right. He tried so hard, but he always managed to do the wrong thing, say the wrong thing. But at least then father noticed him! He hated this huge palace. It was too big and lonely. And without his brothers cherished companionship, he Edmund knew he would always be alone now. And even though he hated it, he would show them all that he didnt need any of them. Not even Richard. Because even Richard thought that Edmund was damagedhe could see it in his eyes. Why couldnt things just stay the way they were, before the accident, when it was Richard and Edmund together against the world Edmund drew in a shaky, resolute breath, even as his brother hugged him tight. Grow up Edmund, he thought. Time to grow up!
Richard was the one who was going to rule San Cristobel someday. Edmund couldnt help but be sad that he would always be apart from that. Different. Outside. Always second. Always an afterthought. But he would never, ever let anyone know. He swore it! He didnt want their pity. He didnt want them to feel sorry for him the way his father and his brother must. Gosh, his head still hurt a lot. But his heart hurt more, Edmund thought as he hugged his brother back, closing his eyes to squeeze away traitorous tears. He liked it better when it was his head that hurt.
Edmund opened his eyes slowly, expecting to see the lush surroundings of his room at the palace his eyes focusing in on the flowers beside his white bed. What? This wasnt his room, Edmund thought confused but hell, his head still hurt like the devil!
No! I wont accept that Rick. There has to be something else. You have to come up with some other way. Cassie? Edmund turned to see where her voice was coming from and was just about able to see her in the doorway, talking to a man in a white coat. Doctor? Rick, hadnt she said? Rick Bauer, Edmund recalled. Whatever he was saying, he was obviously upsetting her, Edmund thought, crossly Cassie Edmund croaked weakly.
Im sorry Cassie. Those are the only options. If we are going to save him, we need to make a decision soon, the doctor was explaining. We simply dont have time. The longer we wait
Oh God! Its just not fair! Cassie cried, cradling her tear-stained face behind her hands. We were only just beginning, Rick. This cant be the end. It just cant. Not like this. Not again, Rick. Please please help me, Cassie begged between sobs. You have to, Rick. There has to be something. Anything. Please, Cassie wailed.
Edmund felt a familiar constriction in his chest as he watch Cassie cry. He couldnt bear to see her cry. He was about to summon the strength to try to call out again when he recognized Reva Lewiss voice.
Cassie, cmon hon. Youre not going to be any good to Edmund this way. You have to stay strong. Let the doctors do their job, sweetie. Thats all we can ask Revas voice trailed off as she manoeuvred Cassie gently away from the doorway to Edmunds room.
Doctor Bauer closed the door behind him as he entered the room. Good, Edmund, youre awake. There are some things we need to discuss. Medical things.
Yes, Edmund agreed, his voice still weakened and scratchy, but his eyes blazing determination, tell me whatever it is we have to do to make Cassie happy again doctor.
