Love In a Bubble
They had an instant attraction before it all turned to black.
Intro: A back and forth from Bella and Edward.
BPOV
I never oversleep and I hate to rush.
My shower seems to take forever and I didn't dry off well enough, so now my pants cling to my legs and my T -shirt is tight around my middle but my boobs look good. I grab my cell and keys off the kitchen counter with one hand and brush my hair with the other, looking like an animated character on speed.
EPOV
My brother, Emmett, calls to inform me that Rose is in labor. The pregnancy is a miracle. The doctors feel she is at risk. We're all on edge.
I have to get to the hospital.
BPOV
I stop for a quick coffee and head for the highway, which may get me to work on time.
I can only hope.
EPOV
My cell rings, as I get on the ramp.
"Yeah, Emmett? How is she?"
"Hanging in there, man. Will you be here soon? I need you, Edward."
He sounds so desperate and afraid.
"Hey, I'm on my way. I should be there in ten minutes."
"Thanks, man. Love you, Bro."
"Love you, too."
BPOV
I juggle my coffee and the steering wheel. One sip of my caffeine fix warms my nerves. Shaking my head, I am so upset with myself for not buying a new alarm clock. I know I procrastinate. I know I am always busy. But there shouldn't be any excuses. This should be a lesson. I scold myself, inwardly berating my habitual carelessness.
EPOV
The off ramp is a mile away. I look to my right and see an antiquated, dinosaur of a Chevy truck. What catches my eye is the cute, little brunette driver.
BROV
A silver flash comes right next to me on my left. But the wild flame of his bronze hair ignites his perfect profile. And from the corner of my eye, I see something ... coming.
EPOV
I smile. She frowns and points. It's too bad I can't get her number. She waves for me to look. As I turn my head, it's too late. The impact jolts my car to the right. Wheels screech, as I brake.
BPOV
Oh my God, where did that car come from? I watch his car swerve out of control right into me.
EPOV
I try to avoid her truck, but I crash heavily into the driver's side. We both drag down the interstate, sparks fly, until we reach the bridge. Her truck slides down the embankment, saving my car from the fall. There is another impact ... an explosion ...
I fade to black.
Love in a Bubble
Edward and Bella have a car accident that renders Bella into a coma. Edward visits her every day, talking to her about anything and everything. While Bella sleeps, she plays out all of Edward's conversations as though they were dates; both falling in love in a bubble.
Chapter One:
EPOV
I hear whispering voices surrounding me.
"Esme, it looks as though his eye movement is fluttering. He's coming to."
"He looks so pale, Carlisle."
"Edward. Son, can you hear me? It's Dad."
"Edward, dear. It's Mom. Please, open your eyes."
They sound so worried.
I want to open my eyes. My lids feel as though they are glued together.
"Look, he's licking his lips!"
"Yes, he's coming around, Esme."
There's a flash of light, horns blare, tires screech and that horrible sound of her truck barreling down the embankment. And I shout, "Noooooooo!"
I sit up in bed and open my eyes, panting heavily. My parents grab me around the shoulders. The room is dark with only a small overhead light on behind me. I intake in my mother's perfume as I lean my head on her shoulder. My father gently rubs my back, whispering soothing words.
Mom sits on the bed stroking my hair and holding me close, but carefully. "It's all right, Edward. You are in the hospital. We're here." She continues.
I look up at my father. "There was an accident."
"Yes, Edward," he says. "You have a broken leg, some scratches, contusions and a rather nice bump on your head."
"I feel a little fuzzy," I rasp out.
"You were in surgery for over an hour, son. The doctors set your leg. With lots of rest, and a little PT, you'll be fine," he reassures me.
"The other driver?" I ask.
"Dead," he says with malice.
I furrow my brow. "She's dead?" I clutch my chest from the squeezing pain; I skip a breath and tear at my hospital gown.
"Drunk driver went right into you from the opposite lane, as you hit another car. Two other cars smashed into the perpetrator and he went up in flames." He shakes his head.
"But the girl? The one in the truck. She tried to warm me. Her truck went off the embankment. It was her truck that kept me from going over," I rant.
My mother soothes, "Edward, we will find out about her. Please, try to remain calm."
"Dad?" I plead.
"If you calm down, I will ask the desk," he points and exits the room.
"Mom, before I was hit, I saw this girl driving next to me. I guess she saw the other driver coming because she tried to warn me. I didn't have time to react. Once I was hit, I went into her." I sigh.
"Oh, Edward, how horrible," she cries.
"Mom, her truck saved me. I would have gone over that embankment, too. I don't know what happened, but her truck ..." I trail off.
"Your father will find out." She smiles and pats my hand.
The door opens and a tearful Emmett walks into the room very slowly. His wrinkled shirt hangs loosely out of his jeans. There are rings under his bloodshot,
tired eyes.
I look up at him. "Hey man, I'm sorry about all of this. How's Rose?"
Emmett takes all of two steps and he is at my bedside. Tears roll down his face, as he sniffs and wipes with his arm. "Man, she's good." He tries to control his quivering voice, "You scared us. Well, me."
With a little chuckle, he reaches over to pat my back. "You're a cat, Edward. I swear you have fucking nine lives."
"Emmett!" Mom scolds.
"Sorry." He clears his throat.
"Well, you have a niece. She's beautiful like Rose. Blond fuzz on her head. And, hey, my dimples." He hands me his phone. "I got a few pictures so you could see her."
I look at the photos. "She's a beauty, Em. Like I said, I'm sorry I wasn't here for you."
"Christ, Edward, you were in an accident. You didn't plan this. Mom and Dad were with me." He sits on a chair near the bed, running a hand over his eyes.
"So, what did you name her?" I ask.
"Catherine Anne. Rose wanted something simple and not a flower," he harrumphs.
Dad walks back into the room with his head down. He looks at me with worried eyes.
"Edward, the girl, she's still in surgery."
"What did they say about her?" I sit up, watching my father's reaction.
"Since she was brought in she hasn't regained consciousness. I'm afraid she has swelling ...the brain. I don't know the severity. I can talk with the surgeon, once he's out," Dad moans. "The impact was overwhelming for her truck, ripped her seat belt and she was thrown from the cab."
Mom watches Dad carefully. "Carlisle, what else?
"Ah, Esme." He pauses and pinches the bridge of his nose. "It's Charlie's daughter."
He sadly looks at Mom and takes her hand in his.
"Charlie Swan?" She places her other hand over her mouth. "Is he here?"
"He's on the way."
"You know her?" I barely get out.
Dad answers, "We know of her, son. She's the Chief of Police's daughter."
Emmett stands. "Yeah, the Chief's a great guy. Sorry about his daughter. Ah, look, I gotta get back to Rose. But I'll check on you later."
"I'll be over in a little while, Emmett." Mom smiles up at him.
I look up at Emmett. "Hey congratulation, man. Tell Rose I'll see her soon."
He nods, "Yeah, right. Check with you later. I'm glad you're all right, Edward." He leaves the room.
Dad sits in the chair near Mom. "Charlie and I have gone fishing."
Mom holds back a giggle. "Twice. They went twice." She clears her throat. "Oh, I shouldn't laugh. But, yes, your father brought home an old boot and a tree branch."
Dad confesses, "I brought home a huge salmon once."
"Yes, dear, the salmon that fed the town," Mom jokes.
Dad tries to convince me, "Edward, it was a huge fish. Your mother is making fun of me."
It all goes over my head. I have but one thought. "I didn't know he had a daughter. What did they say about her?" I sit up, watching my father's reaction.
Mom interjects, "You wouldn't know her, dear. She's a few years younger than you."
"Isabella. Well, Bella, she likes to be called. She came to live with Charlie while you were away at college. Once she graduated from high school, she went off to Seattle. Before all that, she lived with her mother. Funny, you two never met." Dad shakes his head.
"Didn't you tell me she was opening a bookstore near Edward's store?" Mom adds.
"Yes, she is." Dad sighs.
I try to get comfortable in bed, shifting the cast on my leg. "The store two doors down from me?"
Dad leans forward. "Yes. In fact, Charlie was telling me she was going to have a music section. He told her about your music store and she decided against it. Didn't want to interfere with your business."
I smile. "Really?"
"Oh, Carlisle, I hope she will be all right." Mom yawns.
"Look, you two should go home. Between Rose and me, you have to be exhausted." I shift again.
Dad gently pats my leg. "I think you're the one that needs the rest, Edward. We'll stay a little longer." He gets up. "I'm going to check the front desk about Bella. Okay?"
I feel relief. "Thanks, Dad. I really want to know about her."
Dad walks out of the room while my mother stares at me. "I really don't want to leave you." She begins to cry. "I was so scared, Edward."
I reach out for her. "Mom, I'm okay."
"Well, I didn't know that. And now, I feel for Charlie. Bella is his only child," she sniffs.
On cue, Dad walks in with Chief Swan by his side. He's still in uniform with a somber look on his worn face.
Mom gets up and hugs him. "Has there been any word, Charlie?"
His voice cracks, "No Esme, not yet. She's still in surgery."
Mom pats his arm. "I'm so sorry. If there is anything we can do?"
He sighs. "Thank you." Then, he looks at me. "How are you doing, Edward?"
"A little bruised and beaten. I'm sorry about Bella." I can barely say her name.
He approaches me at the foot of the bed. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about the accident?"
"Sure."
"Do you know what happened?" Charlie pensively asks.
"Bella was driving next to me on my right. She saw this other car coming and tried to warn me. By the time I turned my head to the left, he hit me and I went into Bella's truck. We skidded down the road until we hit the bridge and her truck went over the embankment. After that, Chief, I went blank."
"That's what Carlisle relayed to me. Once the driver hit you, he veered left and two other cars plowed into him." He shakes his head. "Well, you get some rest."
"You'll let us know about Bella, Chief?" I sincerely ask.
"I'll leave word at the desk that once she can have visitors, you can see her," he offers.
"Thank you. I'd like that. She saved my life and I want to thank her."
He sadly smiles. "That's Bella, always being thoughtful of others."
