DISCLAIMER - I don't own Twilight I just play with the characters


"Bella, it's been almost four hours since we've been here. You should eat something, dear," Esme said softly.

I started to refuse but Carlisle interrupted, "You can't be strong for him if you don't take care of yourself, Bella. You heard the doctor, there is nothing we can do right now but wait. Please go to the cafeteria with Esme. I will stay here with Edward ."

Reluctantly, I released Edward's hand and left the room. We walked to the cafeteria in silence. As I sat at the table, Esme bought us sandwiches and some coffee. I ate, not really tasting the food as my mind kept thinking of the worst case scenarios that once again brought tears to my eyes. Esme shifted her chair closer to mine and wrapped me in a hug.

"Mom…How did this happen?" I said in a broken whisper. "We were so happy, everything was great…perfect. Why did this happen to him? Why…"

Esme whispered comforting words as she soothed me, trying to suppress her own sniffles, but there were no answers she could give.

I had lost my parents in an accident over four years back, but ever since Edward and I got together, Carlisle and Esme had always treated me as their own daughter. Esme was ecstatic when Edward and I broke the news of our engagement and insisted that from that day forward, I addressed her as 'Mom'. I knew that day that I was very lucky to be marrying into such a loving family.

I thought back to the day I met them for the first time….


I nervously played with the hem of my baby blue tunic and bit my lip as I sat in the passenger seat. Suddenly Edward's hand clamped down on mine, stilling it. I was completely lost in my thoughts so I jumped as he sighed exasperatedly.

"Bella! Would you please stop fidgeting? You are even making me nervous about meeting my own parents! Just try to relax, baby, please. They have heard nothing but wonderful things about you from me and could not be more excited to meet you."

"But what if I cannot fulfil their expectations? If they think that I am not good enough for you…" I fretted.

"Don't be ridiculous. Please baby, trust me. They will think nothing of the sort. They will love you Bella, I know it."

I am sure he could tell I wasn't completely convinced but dropped the topic for the rest of the ride.

I was stunned when I saw the Cullens' home. It was beautiful with an old-worldly charm. Edward told me that his mother had designed it and it was big, yet stunning in its simplicity.

Edward squeezed my hand in reassurance as we stood at the doorstep and pressed his lips to my forehead. Just then, the door opened and I saw a woman in her late forties with the same bronze hair and striking emerald eyes as my boyfriend.

She beamed at us as Edward stepped forward and pecked her cheek. "Hello Mom. Couldn't wait for me to ring the doorbell, I see," he teased.

"Oh hush Edward! Please come on in both of you," she eagerly replied.

In the living room, I saw Edward's father. He was as tall as Edward, with blond hair greying slightly at the temple and kind blue eyes. Esme went and stood beside him as Edward introduced me.

"Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Bella Swan. And Bella, these are my parents, Esme and Carlisle Cullen."

I shook hands with Carlisle as he gave me a warm, welcoming smile. When I extended my hand toward Esme, she surprised me by pulling me into a hug. When she released me, she greeted me with a beautiful motherly smile that I returned with a bashful one of my own. "It's so nice to meet you, Bella. I could hear it in my son's voice the first time he told me about you that you are special to him. I have been eager to meet you ever since," She gushed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," I said but Esme interrupted me.

"Oh no need for such formality dear. Please call us Carlisle and Esme. And Edward, I must say, she is just as beautiful as you described her."

I blushed at her compliment and Edward kissed my flaming cheek. "That she is, Mom."

After that conversation flowed freely as we had dinner together. By the time we were leaving, Esme and I had exchanged numbers and we decided to get together for lunch in the coming days. On the ride back home, Edward was smug while I was relieved and giddy with happiness. I knew Edward was very close to his family and while their opinion might not be a deal breaker, but it mattered to him to have his parents' approval and that made it very important for me too. I was glad that they liked me and trusted me for their son.

The next day, Edward insisted on meeting my parents too. So we bought my mother's favorite lillies and went to the cemetery. It was the first time I had brought a guy to my parents' grave and Edward's heartfelt words brought tears to my eyes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Swan, I am truly sorry I did not get the chance to meet you. But since you gave birth to and raised such an amazing girl, I am sure that you both were wonderful persons. Bella and I haven't known each other very long, but she is definitely making a special place for herself in my mind and in my heart. I hope she feels the same about me and I promise you I will try my best to keep her happy always."

After I said my goodbyes, we walked back to the car I told him that I did indeed feel the same for him and sealed my statement with a passionate kiss.


We came back to the ICU after we finished and I took my place beside the bed, holding Edward's hand in mine.

Time crawled. Even though I knew he was sedated, I kept hoping for some sort of a response. Something, anything to know that he was fine.

As the visiting hours came to an end, Carlisle and Esme hugged me tightly and whispered comforting words before leaving. They did not bother to ask me to go home because they knew there was no other place where I could survive right now except here, next to my husband.

I ran my fingers through his hair and stroked his arm as I hummed the lullaby he had written for me. Edward always hummed it to me when I was stressed or anxious. As I sang it now, I hoped it would provide him some comfort wherever he was. As exhaustion overtook my mind, I drifted into a restless sleep on the chair beside my husband, holding his hand tightly in mine, hoping I never have to let go.


A/N - Thank you for reading ! I would love to know what you think of this chapter and the story so far...Please type something in that box below and let me know xoxo