Swallowed
Chapter 4: Bella?
Edward POV
She couldn't be dead. No, no, no. Not now.
"Carlisle?" I whispered. "What's going on?"
"Come with me, Edward. I have to tell you something." Okay, now I knew there was something very wrong.
We walked into Bella's room. I saw her lying on the bed, hooked up to a million machines, lifeless. She was so beautiful and fragile. The heart monitor kept a steady beeping which was a good sign. I walked over to the chair by her bed and sat down. I stroked her head, feeling the warmth beneath my fingers.
"Bella?" I whispered, "Bella, I love you."
"Edward," Carlisle finally said, "she can't hear you."
"And why not?" I said angrily.
"She's in a coma," he said, his voice cracking.
"No she's not," I didn't want to believe this.
"Yes, she is, Edward."
"No." If I could cry, I would be.
"I'm so sorry. We are doing everything we can, but nothing seems to be working." Carlisle's tone was worrying.
I just sat there, staring at the love of my life. What did either of us do to deserve this? How would I go on? How are we going to break the news to Charlie? Charlie.
"Carlisle, what are we going to tell Charlie? He's here with Alice."
"Well, I think you should talk to Alice first. Then, if you don't want to have to tell Charlie yourself, either Alice or myself will do it."
"Okay. I'll go talk to Alice." I headed down the long hallway toward the waiting room. I walked through the doors and came face to face with Alice and Charlie. "I need to talk to Alice."
"She's my daughter! I want to know what happened!" Charlie yelled.
"I'll let you know soon, Charlie." Alice said calmly.
We walked through the doors and went into Bella's room. I heard Alice gasp as soon as she saw Bella. How was I going to break the news to her? Alice, your best friend is in a coma. And she might die. Ugh.
She walked over to Bella and sat in the chair, just looking at her, sadness painted all over her face. She let out a dry sob and I walked over to her.
"Alice, Bella is in a coma." I choked on the last word.
"Oh my…" she couldn't even get out a sentence.
She turned to me, stood up, and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back just as tight. I didn't want to let go. This was the worst day of my life. Hugging Alice was holding me together. But all too soon Carlisle came in.
"Uh-hem," he cleared his throat, "who's going to tell Charlie?"
"Alice and I will. I need to be there for him, too."
Carlisle gave me a little smirk, "okay."
Alice and I walked out of the room for one of the longest walks of our life. It felt like it took two hours to get to the end of the hall. We walked over to Charlie who was sitting down. Alice and I sat on either side of him. He turned to face Alice.
"How is she?" he asked in a low voice.
I didn't like Alice's reply, but it was truth enough, "not so good, Charlie. Not so good." Her tone was bleak.
He then turned to me. "It's true, Charlie. She's in a coma and it doesn't look good." I was sick of saying these words. I never want to have to say them again.
Charlie jumped up and ran down the hallway. I looked at Alice and we followed at a walk. He saw the room and turned into it, but he stopped at the door. I came to his side and saw that a tear slid down his face. He slowly walked over to her and sat on the end of the bed. I sat in the chair beside her head and Alice pulled up a chair and sat near Charlie. We sat like this, in silence, for almost an hour. Charlie spoke first.
"Well, I'm going to head home. It's getting late."
"I'm going to leave too," Alice said, "I'll go home and tell the family. Will you be alright Edward?" I nodded.
They walked out the room and I was left alone. I stood up and leaned over her head. I kissed her and told her, "goodnight, love." Then I went to sit on the end of her bed. This was going to be the longest night in history.