Bella's POV again

"Hello there, Isabella. I'm Dr. Wallace. We just got your x-rays back; it doesn't look like anything's broken. How are you feeling?" The doctor's bronze glasses reflected the bright light from the fluorescents when he pulled his stool up right next to me. Edward and I had been shuffled into this tiny, rather ugly room as we waited for Charlie and Carlisle to show up. Edward had refused to be seen by any of the nurses, his intimidating glare causing most of them to back off and focus their attention on me.

How was I feeling? Shocked, terrified, embarrassed, but mostly sickeningly guilty for putting Edward (and all of the Cullens) in such a precarious situation. Nothing physically hurt, but I had a hard time keeping my body from shaking. "Um, I'm fine. A little…shaken up, I guess. It's my fault it happened, I should have been paying better attention-"

"Nonsense, Bella," Edward said sternly from the chair next to the examining table I sat sitting on, "there was no way to avoid the accident. You heard that there was another vehicle entering our lane?"

"Oh yes indeed, it says that on the accident report. How awful of circumstances there had to be a car running parallel to you. At least everyone is all right. The other man, Mr. Coonley, is doing just fine." Dr. Wallace smiled, standing up and patting my hand. There was a high-pitched beeping noise and Edward rolled his eyes, obviously impatient. His face looked far too intense to give me any comfort that we were both okay.

"Oh dear, it seems I better get moving. This rain has been causing so many accidents tonight! When your father gets here, Isabella, just have him talk with one of the nurses. You're good to go, I think your body is just trying to handle the shock. Take care, both of you. And Edward, tell your father I said hello." Edward nodded and stood up, shaking his hand. Once he had left, Edward turned to me.

"I'm so sorry I ruined your birthday." I whispered, avoiding his eyes. I felt terrible. And pathetically guilty that he had to come to my rescue again. Tears pooled up in my eyes and my face burned. This was supposed to be a special night for the both of us.

I felt his cool arms wrap around me snugly, his hands rubbing up and down my back. He didn't say anything, which was almost worse than having him tell me what I deserved to hear. The tears broke free, falling down my face as I started bawling. It was completely involuntary. When there was a knock on the door I pulled away, sniffling as I wiped my face on the sleeve of Edward's jacket. Crap. Bad idea, now I ruined that, too.

"Bells? It's me. Can I come in?" Charlie's exhausted voice still managed to boom from outside the room. Edward opened the door and let him and Carlisle inside. Fear gripped my

"Hey Dad. I'm fine. Edward's fine. The guy we hit is fine. I just want to go home." My voice cracked on the last word, allowing Charlie to awkwardly hug me with one arm as my face was smashed into his rough leather jacket. He kissed the top of my head and whispered, "I can't lose you Bells. Please, please pay better attention next time you drive. I've seen some terrible accidents before, and you must have just gotten lucky."

As he released me, I instantly went to Edward's side. Gripping my hand firmly, he wound his arm through mine. My body was beginning to feel sore, and as we made our way out to where the cruiser and Carlisle's car were parked Edward had allowed me to lean against his side.

Charlie opened the passenger door, then made his way into the drivers seat. There was a long awkward moment when no one moved. Carlisle was seated in his car, looking expectedly at Edward.

"Bella, you alright? Hop in, honey. Edward should ride with Dr. Cullen. You can see each other tomorrow." Charlie said, looking at Edward, then at me, and then settling on Carlisle. He was beginning to look irritated.

"Come on Edward. Bella will be fine," Carlisle said quietly, his face unreadable. Edward looked down at me, his eyes boring into mine. Slowly he released his hand, despite the fact that I was trying to hold on tightly.

"Dad, I want to ride with Edward," I said, angry that Charlie was trying to separate us. I went into survival mode. I needed Edward. Right now, being away from him sounded like the absolute worst scenario.

"Bella, don't make me drag you into this car. I don't know if you're in shock or what, but right now I'm exhausted and would like to get in bed before two am. Say goodbye to Edward." I wanted to slap him in the face. Charlie had been giving Edward crap for so long and had no idea that he had just saved his only child from being sandwiched between two deathtraps.

"I'm eighteen years old, Dad. Ground me if you want, but right now-"

"Chief Swan, would it be alright if I rode in your car? Carlisle can just pick me up once we arrive. It's obvious that Bella is a little traumatized right now." Edward was beginning to lose his cool, I could sense the frustration radiating off him.

"Good god, Bella. Get in the car. Carlisle, I'm sorry for the way she's acting," my face flushed with anger when he said that, "but would you mind picking him up? I would take him home but I have to get up really early tomorrow-"

"Absolutely not. That is perfectly fine with me. Get some rest, both of you." Carlisle's firm but comforting voice made Charlie's sound harsh and unreasonable. Instead of getting into the passenger side, I slammed that door shut and crawled into the back. Edward scooted in next to me, not even allowing me a second before he reached over and buckled my seatbelt. Charlie didn't say a word to us the entire ride back, instead chatting over his radio with some of the cops dealing with my abandoned truck and arranging what to do with it.

"Thanks for riding with me." I muttered, playing with his hand in my lap. With my fingertips I traced his palm, wishing we were alone so I could reach out and hold him.

"Such a small request. I won't leave your side, love," he whispered so quietly I barely caught it, taking his other hand and placing it over mine. Once we pulled up to the house, Charlie slammed his door shut and walked straight into the house without looking back. Edward helped me out, kissing me softly on the forehead before crushing me to his chest.

"I'll be in your room as soon as Carlisle drives by," he said, walking me up to the house. I felt anxious the moment he left, rushing through my shower and getting ready for bed as quickly as possible. As soon as I finished and was about to start worrying why he hadn't already arrived, my window opened and Edward stepped through.

He held his arms out to me as nearly tripped over to him, burying my face into his chest and allowing his kisses along the top of my head to soothe me. In a flash he had me tucked into bed, choosing to lie next to me. With one hand he smoothed my hair back and with the other he traced my lips with his finger, his eyes blazing despite the darkness in my room.

"Thank you," I whispered, trying to scoot closer to him. He chuckled, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

"For what, exactly?"

"Oh, you know, just saving my life. Again." I leaned forward and kissed him, sighing blissfully as he gently kissed me back.

"Never in my life had I been more terrified than tonight. When you weren't waking up. Well… actually that's not true, I was equally as panicked when you decided to run off and fight a bloodthirsty vampire all by yourself."

"Mmhm. Sorry 'bout that." I yawned, snuggling closer to Edward and kissing his neck. His arms pulled me close to him and I finally began drifting off, wishing the feeling of trepidation would dissolve from the pit of my stomach.

One more chapter to come!