-Chapter 4-

-EPOV-

Bella was beautiful. She always has been but when I saw her awake for the first time in 4 days, I was speechless. Her big brown eyes looked a little glazed from the medicine and she glanced around at everyone. When her eyes met mine, I just stared at her. I planned to talk with her, but suddenly I couldn't even remember my own name. I had gotten used to it but I was so excited to finally see her awake. When she called me over, I tried not to push everyone out so I could talk to her. We talked about Tanya but I didn't tell her that I had gotten in a fight. Bella was always worrying about everyone but herself. When Alice sent me to get coffee I assumed it was because they were talking about me but I blew it off.

When the nurse came in with more medicine everyone left but me and I was glad for the time alone with her. As she started getting loopy, I thanked God that my sisters weren't there. She started saying how she loved love and that she loved me. I would have flown to the moon if those words were true. I knew she was loopy but inside I was praying that she was serious. When she fell asleep, I sat there for a while and just stroked her cheek gently until I drifted off too. The next morning I woke up a few minutes before she did. I remembered the previous night and tried not to laugh. She caught on and asked me why I was laughing. I was laughing at her craziness but she was hurt because she thought I was laughing at her words. I didn't notice she was leaving until she started walking and I pulled her to me. I picked her up and was really quite alarmed at how tiny she was. She was bigger than Alice but still as delicate as a flower. When she started crying, my heart broke in two. I apologized profusely and we made up and started exploring the hospital. She wanted some books though because Bella is Bella. She reads a lot but it's cute when she does. She gets so into the book that she gets expressions that match the story on her face. One time she was reading one of her love stories and she started whispering yes when the man proposed. As I set her back up in her bed, I couldn't think of anything else to say but asking if she was alright. I probably looked like an idiot. Great. Getting the books took longer than expected though because Tanya was in my father's office. I thought about breaking up with her but I felt bad about yelling at her and ditching her on our anniversary, even though it was for someone much more important.

She ran up to me and started kissing my face. It was not horrible but not too pleasant either. Tanya didn't kiss. She sucked your face, neck and everything that wasn't covered. She had tried to get me to have sex but I wouldn't because I wanted to save myself for marriage. It was old-fashioned but I thought it was a good idea and I was sticking to it. After we planned a date for our missed anniversary I made an excuse and left with the books for Bella. As I came to her room, a nurse walked out brandishing an empty syringe. I came in to see her drifting off. Her eyes were a sleepy soft brown and she had a small grimace on her face that smoothed out as she went under. I stared at her for what seemed like hours then I realized that I should probably go home like I promised Esme. She would be unhappy if I didn't keep my word and in truth, now that Bella was okay, so was I. So I set the books by her bed and silently slipped out. I drove slow for once and thought about how and when I would break up with Tanya. I had needed to awhile ago but it had to be handled gingerly because her father was the main benefactor at the hospital. I got home and my mother ran out to embrace me.

"Edward! You came home! I've missed you so much! I bet you're exhausted. Please come in dear. How is Bella? Carlisle tells me she's doing well and she should be free to come here tomorrow or Saturday! Isn't that exciting? Alice told me that you were quite attentive. I'm glad you are because she's in the guest room which is closest to yours. I wonder how she's going to handle the stairs…" my mother grew quiet as she pulled me inside. I greeted everyone and then took a shower. I drug myself to bed and I fell asleep immediately as a brown eyed angel danced in my dreams.

The next morning, I woke up disoriented and dazed. I looked for Bella and then realized foolishly that she was at the hospital. I trotted down the stairs and got my breakfast and read the paper. When Carlisle went to leave for work, I asked him when Bella would be discharged and he said that today would work as soon as he checked her out. I was about to leave to see Bella but then I remembered that I was going to hang out with Tanya today for our makeup date. I groaned but met Tanya at Starbucks like planned. We talked and drank coffee and then we went to the park for a walk. She soon got bored and demanded that I take her to the mall. That was the worst decision of my life.

She took 4 hours to be satisfied and I carried all of her bags to her car. As soon as we parted, I drove to the hospital. It was unusually busy because some idiot had set off fireworks and burned himself and when the firework shot into the road there was a 4 car pileup. I came in and saw Bella watching the news with horror-filled eyes. I shut off the TV and she gasped and looked at me.

"Edward! Don't ever scare me like that again!" she said breathlessly. I suppressed a laugh at her expression and squeezed her hand gently.

"Sorry. Carlisle says that you can go home after he finishes with the accident victims but it might take awhile." I said normally as I tried to hide the disappointment I felt because she wasn't out of the hospital yet. My phone beeped and I rolled my eyes. It was Tanya.

Hey! Guess what? I found the CUTEST lingerie ever! Wanna come over and help me break it in?"

~T+E=3~

No. We've talked about this and you know where I stand.

-Edward

Just then I heard a very impatient person clearing her throat.

"What was that about?" she asked bewildered. I was usually good natured but I was a little upset with Tanya…again. I pasted on a smile and shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh nothing's wrong. I just was rolling my eyes at how funny Tanya is." I lied. She raised her eyebrows in a yeah-right-very-funny expression. I knew it was no use to hide it anymore so I sighed and told her the truth. Well most of it. I left out the little detail that I was madly in love with her.

"Well to tell the truth, Tanya and I have been fighting lately. It's no big deal though." I lied again, not wanting to worry her but she saw through me like always. She rolled her eyes and then patted my hand gently.

"Don't worry. It will be fine. You guys always make up and besides couples always fight." She soothed, but I caught the bitter note at the end. She turned away from me but I placed my hand at the top of her head and turned her back.

"Why the scowl Bells? You've always said that falling in love is dumb." I teased her gently. She glared at me and tilted her chin imperiously.

"If you're done commenting on the lack of my love life, please leave." She said coldly. She turned while scrunching her face tight from the pain. I moved to help her but she slapped my hand back. I recoiled as she remained frozen and said nothing. I tried to apologize but she wouldn't say anything, so I left to let her cool down. Later Carlisle checked her out and I drove her home as I tried again to say sorry. She ignored me for a while before she fell asleep and I gently carried her to her new room. When I laid her down and covered her up she sighed and she looked so breathtaking. Her brown hair cascaded in waves all around her and the moonlight shone on her face making her look ethereal. I wanted to kiss her. Right then and there. I wanted to kiss her and hold her and never let go. The intensity of those thoughts surprised me, so against my better judgment I leaned down and kissed her forehead. I stood up then as I tried to calm myself on the way to my own room. I fell asleep slowly and I couldn't get Bella out of my head. I was falling in love with my best friend.