Chapter Four: Another Glimpse

I was acutely aware of something dripping down my hair, and the smell of blood. I moaned, knowing I had probably just torn my stitches open my itching my head. Carlisle put something on it, to gather up the blood flow.
"Carlisle, what's been going on?" I murmured.
"You've been going in and out of a coma. And it's been getting worse every time. That's why I've been asking you to fight it, try to stay awake." He replied, his voice oh-so calm.
"I'll try. How are Austen and Ivy?"
"They're fine. They've been worrying about you, you know. They miss you, and they worry you'll die."
"I promised them I wouldn't die."
"Well, you might not be able to keep that promise. Your condition just keeps getting worse. Are you feeling alright? You tore your stitches."
"I'm feeling fine," I lied.
"Okay." He believed me, a shock.
"Can I see the rest of the family?" I asked him. I missed them.
"Yes. They've been waiting for you to ask that." He chuckled, and strode over to the door. He opened it, and spoke to some people. I opened one eye, and watched as Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie entered the room. I smiled at them faintly, and Esme sighed gently.
"Bella, you're doing good so far. We love you." She said in a soft voice.
"I know. I missed you. What has Edward said since I went in?" I asked them curiously. He had left a few times, and I wanted to know what he had said to them about me, like his concerns and thoughts. Alice was the first to answer.
"He said he hopes you don't die. What would he do without you?" She chimed in, her voice sounding unusually sad.
"Oh. I won't die...hopefully." I said, managing to stifle a small laugh. Esme kissed my forehead, and her eyes were filled with sadness.
"We hope so." She murmured. I gave another laugh, and this one was stronger. The monitor beside me beeped with the rhythm of my heart. It was nice to know I was still alive, actually awake, and not dreaming. I sighed gently, closing my eyes.
The blackness was returning again, attempting to take me under again. My eyes flashed open, but my vision was beginning to blur around the edges, and the blackness soon followed. I looked at Carlisle, panick in my eyes.
"Carlisle!" I said, frightened.
"Bella, fight it. You can do it." He assured me. I fought the blackness and blurriness back, groaning slightly. I closed my eyes. Big mistake. Everything went black, but then I was in that place again. That meadow, with the cherry tree and the staircase.
"Great," I thought to myself with a snort. "I died...again." I groaned, and then stayed where I was. I closed my eyes tightly, or so it seemed. I stayed like that for a long time, wondering what would make me go back. It wasn't my time. I knew it wasn't. I had a husband and two children I needed to be with. I couldn't just die now, they needed me. And I had promised I wouldn't die.
Then, I heard the monitor again, and my eyes flashed open faster than ever before. Carlisle was standing over me, along with Edward and the others. I drew in a sharp breath, filling my lungs with fresh air and letting my heart come back to life.
"I'm alive?" I thought to myself, confused. "Wow."
"Oh, Bella! I thought you had died." Edward said, kissing my forehead gently. I smiled, and then closed my eyes.
"I want to sleep." I said in a tired voice.
"Okay, Bella. We'll let you sleep." Esme's voice was soft and loving. I smiled, and heard them all exit the room, leaving me alone with my dreams.