Chapter 48
The disorientation upon waking was slowly starting to dissipate. Vaguely remembering the impediments to his head movement, he was agreeably surprised when he found that he could turn his head towards the door with little pain. Wiggling his toes and fingers, he was satisfied that he could feel and move all of his extremities. Purposefully blinking, he rallied his concentration and once again heard the pleasingly low female voice and what he assumed was his doctor.
'Dr Gerandy, do you have any updates on Edward's condition? Did the scans show any reduction in the swelling on his brain?' said the female voice. He saw shadows of movement in the shaft of light created by the slightly ajar door. Fumbling for the alarm attached to his fingers, he pressed it several times in the hopes of getting the attention of his family and the medical staff.
'Well Ms Swan, Mr and Mrs Cullen have cleared me to speak to you about Edward's medical details, so I can tell you that while the swelling has all but gone, there was something-' he cut off at the sound of Edward's medical alarm.
'Speak of the patient and he will answer!' he said happily.
Edward could see them cautiously entering the room.
He saw the young doctor who had previously woken him. His form was familiar enough to Edward that he felt relaxed at his presence. He turned to look at the woman next to him.
Well of course.
I'm dead.
Well at least I have a Goddess to keep me company in the afterlife.
Anxious chocolate eyes looked into his forest green pair and life was suddenly right again.
Bella Swan. Goddess. Mine
He wordlessly struggled to lift his hand out for her to hold. Grimacing in concentration, he shakily tried to raise his limb towards her, unaware of the visage he presented.
Face scrunched up, looking as if he was pointing accusatorily, he stared at Bella, waiting for his stupid brain and body to catch up with the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, Bella took it the wrong way.
Looking as if her heart were breaking, he watched helplessly as she gasped, clutching at her chest. Turning swiftly she collided first with the door and with his father who had just entered into the room upon hearing the alarm signal.
Everything was happening so quickly.
Watching the last of Bella's long hair swish out of sight, his brain finally caught up with the situation.
'BELLA! COME BACK!'
He looked between his shocked parents and the doctor for help in retrieving back the love of his life.
'What's happening!? Someone go and get her! Dad, help me!' he rambled, anxious with the sudden onslaught of emotion so soon after he had woken.
Appearing to shake himself out of bewilderment, Carlisle quickly made for the door, shouting over his shoulder, 'of course I will son. It is so good to have you back!'
He locked eyes with Esme and immediately needed a comforting touch. Crying with a mixture of relief at seeing him wakened and shock at seeing the hurt in Bella's eyes, she quickly sat beside her son on the narrow bed and half pulled him into an embrace, his head quickly finding a natural resting place against her soft neck and shoulder.
'My life is like a fucking soap opera sometimes Ma. She makes it all worth it though,' he said in a muffled voice. Wordlessly, she raised her hand and started stroking the back of his beck and scalp with a gentle touch that went some way to soothing the shaking caused by the quick turn of events.
Unable to stop himself any longer, he let the tears come.
He woke again and was quickly relieved to find an asleep Bella half strewn across his legs, her hand holding his tightly, even in sleep.
His parents seemed to have gone home for some much needed sleep, safe in the knowledge that their son was awake and without serious brain damage.
Dad must have gotten to her before she left.
I hope she didn't hurt herself.
Silly Bella.
As if I'd ever forget you.
He felt himself crying quietly as he looked down at the woman he loved.
The firm, his career, his house and cars; none of it mattered. His family and Bella were everything. Finding out about the accident could come later. He had everything that mattered. It was time to make it permanent.
Gently lifting his arm in a stronger, smoother motion than before, he rested his hand on her head and started sifting his fingertips through her thick, sweet smelling hair. He circled his fingers in circles, as he knew she liked to be woken in the morning.
Her head stirred against his legs and he watched her abruptly lift her head at the feeling of his fingers in her hair.
Her eyes locked with his and she started crying paths of salt tears to match his own.
'Edward…I'm so sorry…I couldn't-…I don't…I jus-' she started, but he gently placed a finger over her full lips.
'Marry me Bella'.
