Chapter 2

I woke up on the white couch in the Cullen's living room. Edward was sitting on the floor next to me, his head resting on my forearm, his hand intertwined with mine. Alice was pacing around the living room talking quietly into the small silve cell phone I recognized. I couldn't tell what she was saying, but I could make "Carlisle" every now and then. I took a deep breath and Edward eyes met mine in one of those inhumanly quick movements.

"Bella," he sighed. His eyes would have been brimming with tears if his inhumman body could produce them. "I was so worried. Carlisle is on his way. I didn't know what to do, you just collapsed in my arms."

He closed his eyes and kissed my hand over and over.

"It's okay, I'm fine now." I tried to sit up, but got dizzy. Edward's cool hands gently pushed my shoulders back onto the couch. "Maybe not."

"Bella," his voice was now concerned again as his hands traced the features of my face. "Bella, you're burning up. Alice, tell Carlisle that she's running a fever."

I saw Alice nod from where she was still pacing and continued talking into the small silver phone. "Yes, that's what we're doing. She's not going anywere untill you get here."

I glanced over at Edward who was lighly kissing my hand again. I smiled at him and brushed my hands across his cheekbone. "Mmm, pleasant." He mumbled.

Then the pain came back. I dubbled up on the couch and pulled my knees to my chest. I couldn't stand it anymore, I let out a scream of pain and gasped for air.

"Bella!" Edward yelled. "What's wrong? Bella please, look at me!"

His hand left mine and had moved to my shoulders. He was gently shaking me and his voice was becoming more and more panincked. "Bella, please." he whispered.

I opened my eyes and tears fell over onto my cheeks. "It hurts," was all I was able to mumble.

"Bella," Alice said, "Carlisle is coming. He'll be here in a few minutes, can you hold on 'till then?"

I nodded and gripped Edward's hand. He stood up and sat onto the couch, pulling me onto his lap and huggin me as tightly as he could without hurting me. I gritted my teeth and waited for Carlisle to come.

I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep, but I woke up to hear Carlisle murmering to Edward and Alice.

"It looks like appendicitis. She'll have to have it removed, we should get her to the hospital as soon as possible. You two take her and tell Dr. Corbin to admitt her and I'll be there shortly. I need to inform Charlie."

"No, he'll be too worried." I mumbled from the couch.

"It'll be fine, Bella." Alice said. "Trust me."

"Okay."

"Bella, we're going to drive you to the hospital." Alice said.

"Okay."

"I'm going to carry you out to my car, is that okay?" Edward asked, not wanting to hurt me.

"Okay."

I felt Edward's cold arms lift me off of the couch and carry me out the front door. I felt him slide me into the back seat of the volvo. I grabbed his hand when he went to close the door. "Stay with me."

It was his turn to say "okay."

He slid in next to me and closed the door. Without saying a word Alice opened the door on the driver side and jumed in while Edward cradled me in his arms.

"Edward." I musttered.

"Hm?"

"What did Carlisle say was wrong with me?"

"It's your appendix. Carlisle is going to remove it when we get to the hospital." He stated. I snuggled closer to my angel. I was asleep again before we reached the hospital.

"Bella," a soft, faint voice called from somewhere far off. "You're going to feel a small pinch, but it shouldn't hurt."

I nodded, but was too tired to answer.

Soon I was lulled back to sleep by the faint beeping of a near by machine.

"Everything went splendidly. The appendix came out with no complications so she should be able to go home tonight Cheif Swan."

"Please, call me Charlie."

"Charlie. The only thing we should be worried about is infection. So just keep this ointment on the stitches and bring her back in a week to have them removed."

"Thank you Dr. Cullen."

I stirred in the hard bed after hearing the short conversation between my father and the father of my love.

"Hey, dad." I said groggily. "When did you get here?"

"Just before you went into surgury. Honey, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so glad you were with Edward. It was his quick thinking that got you here. Just think of what would have happened if you were home alone!"

He was starting to get hysterical so I interupted him. "Dad, you have to be like Mom. She learned a long time ago to trust my ability to make friends who understand my constant need of medical attention. You're lucky actually. In Pheonix I never knew anyone who had an amazing doctor for a dad."

This seemed to relax him a little, but not much. He turned back to Carlisle and began asking complicated question about what I should and shouldn't eat and how often he should change the bandage over the stitches.

"Charlie, lets go outside and I'll answer any questions you have. Let Bella get some sleep. She's had a long day." Carlisle said, ushering Charlie out the door. I gave him a look of huge gratitude. Just as they were walking out the door, Edwad walked through it.

"Edward." I breathed. I had never been so happy to see him.

"My dear, I'm afraid you'll live." he said smiling.

"That's the real tragedy isn't it?"

His face turned cold. "Bella, if you would have died, I don't know what I would have done. I can't loose you again."

"There is a way to prevent that you know. And it is after graduation." I said.

"I know. It's just, right now is not the greatest time. But I promise, soon."

I was shocked. This was the first time he didn't object as soon as the words were out of my mouth. He didn't even ask me to marry him again. I stared into his eyes. They were dark, he needed to hunt.

"What's wrong, Edward?" I asked him.

"It's nothing. Really. Just something we need to deal with later. It's nothing important." He gave me a reasuring smile that did nothing but worry me more.

"I love you." I told him.

"Forever." he replied. "Now, let's see if I can spring you out of here a little early."