Forgotten

Chapter Three

Someone was shaking her awake and calling her name. That's the first thing Bella noticed as she began to wake up.

"Bella? Bella, sweetheart, please wake up." The voice sounded slightly frantic.

Bella slowly opened her eyes and found herself looking into the warm brown eyes of her husband.

"Thank God, you're okay." He said in relief. "I walked in here and you were lying so still and then you didn't wake up right away when I tried calling your name, I was afraid that…"

"That I'd gone back into a coma?" Bella went on when he seemed to be unable to continue.

He nodded. She started getting up and Edward moved quickly to stack the pillows behind her back so she could lie back comfortably.

Bella smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Thanks." She said.

Edward felt a warm feeling flood his chest as she directed her smile at him. "No problem."

Then, Edward remembered what he'd woken her up to talk about and a frown marred his brow.

"What is it?" Bella asked, when she noticed his expression change.

Edward sighed, "I couldn't stop the mob from attacking."

Bella frowned in confusion. "Excuse me?"

Edward chuckled, "Our friends and family called about an hour ago and they all insisted on coming here and seeing for themselves that you're okay."

Bella tensed. "Oh." She wasn't sure she was ready for that, yet.

"If you're not ready for them yet, I'll just send them all packing, you don't have to worry about it." Edward reassured her. Bella glanced at him curiously. Did he just read her mind?

He surprised her again by saying, "You've always had such an expressive face. I've always been able to tell what you were thinking. It used to tick you off at first, but after a while you got used to it, I guess." He shrugged.

She didn't know what to say to that so she just remained quiet.

Sensing her hesitation on bringing up the past, Edward went on, "Anyway, if you'd rather stay here, I'll explain to them that you're too tired to see anyone…"

"N-no, it's okay. I'd rather get this over with now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. As long as you promise to stay close. I don't want to look like an idiot when I don't recognize my favorite aunt or my best-friend."

Edward grinned, ''Don't worry, your knight in shining armor will protect you from their wrath at all costs." He joked while performing a way too dramatic courtly bow.

Bella chuckled at his antics.

"They'll be here in a little bit so you should probably start getting ready."

Bella nodded and Edward turned and walked out of the room to give her some privacy. In the past, he would've insisted on remaining to watch but now…now, he had to act more like a roommate than a husband.

Edward was okay with that as long as it helped her regain her memory. He just hoped it didn't take too long. He was already longing to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. He didn't know how long he'd be able to hold back. God, how he loved her. That's why he had to wait. He had to be patient for her sake.

Guests started arriving an hour later. Edward welcomed them one by one and led them to the family room.

When half an hour passed and Bella still hadn't come down, Edward became worried and decided to go look for her.

The moment he stepped out of the room, he caught sight of her coming down the stairs slowly. Edward could do nothing but stop and stare. God, she was beautiful.

She had put on a simple blue knee length sundress. Blue was her favorite color. It was also the color Edward loved seeing on her. Does that mean she remembered something or was it just a coincidence? Edward wondered. But he had no time to think about it, as Bella had reached his side by then.

"Hey," She said, as she looked up at him and it took all of Edward's will power not to take her in his arms right then and there.

Instead, he just extended her arm to her, "Shall we?" he said.

She smiled and linked her arm with his, already feeling calmer and more secure then when she was in her room fighting the inclination to climb down the window and run away without a backwards glance.

Edward opened the door to the family room and laid his hand at Bella's back to lead her in. Bella held her breath and stepped in the room.

All conversation stopped as Bella and Edward entered together.

It was Alice who broke the silence first. She came forward and hugged Bella saying that she looked good and that if she didn't know any better, she wouldn't have guessed that Bella had been through an almost fatal accident.

A few more friends came forward and shook their hands, introducing themselves to Bella, awkwardly.

Last, came Bella's parents. Her mother, Renee, hugged her warmly and asked how she was doing, if she needed any help, but Bella assured her that she was fine. Her father , Charlie, hugged her and kissed her forehead but otherwise said nothing. Bella guessed that her father was a man of very few words.

Edward remained at her side all through it, just as she requested. Every once in a while he'd hold her hand in his or put his arm around her shoulder. Bella tensed whenever he did that, but she didn't have the heart to rebuff him, or move away.

A couple of hours had gone by when Bella started to feel a little lightheaded, and her hip started to bother her. Her hip was the worst injury she'd gotten in the accident.

Edward noticed that Bella began to sway on her feet as though she was about to faint. He hauled her clause to him and led her to a nearby chair, right away.

"Bella, are you okay? I knew it was too soon…" He chastised himself.

"I'm okay, I just need to lie down for a while that's all." Bella tried to calm him down. "I'll just head up to my room for a while."

"I'll come with you." Edward said, anxious at the thought of her navigating the stairs in this condition.

"No, it's okay really." She insisted.

"Let Edward take you up, honey." Bella's mother interfered. "I'll take care of everything here." She said, referring to their guests, who, Bella noticed, were all now watching the exchange with curiosity.

Bella blushed and looked down. Edward, noticing her discomfort, quickly led her out of the room and then he leaned down and wrapped one arm beneath her legs and the other around her shoulder, to carry her up the stairs bridal style.

"Edward really, I can walk." Bella protested.

"Just indulge me." He grinned, feeling elated that he had her close to him and that she was totally relaxed in his arms without the tenseness that he's felt in her before. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she was exhausted, but Edward liked to think it was because she was warming up to him all over again.

He carried her to her room and laid her down on the bed. Then, he took her shoes off and covered her with a warm blanket.

He was about to leave when she caught his hand and asked him if he could stay until she fell asleep. So, he sat at the side if the bed, close to her.

"Do you know what the scariest thing about all this is?" Bella turned to her side facing him and asked after they'd been quiet for a while.

Edward reached forward and swept back a lock of hair that had fallen over her eyes.

"What is it?" He asked, softly, almost whispering.

"This hollow feeling I have inside. It's like there's an empty feeling inside of me. Like a huge part of me is missing."

"Don't worry, we'll work together and you'll remember everything in no time, I promise." He said, trying to reassure himself as much as her.

Bella smiled sleepily at him, and her eyes fluttered closed. In moments, her breathing turned even and she fell asleep.

Edward stayed for a while to watch her. She looked so peaceful, that he couldn't resist lying down beside her for a while. Just a few minutes, he told himself, then he'd get up and leave her to rest. He rested his head on the pillow right next to hers and promptly fell asleep.

Bella woke up first an hour later. She was too groggy at first to notice anything, but when her vision cleared she noticed the figure of the man lying right beside her. Edward? What was he doing here? Bella stilled, not wanting to wake him up. He was probably exhausted. She traced the lines of his face with her eyes, noticing for the tenth time how handsome he was.

"Happy Anniversary. Don't forget our plans tonight."

"Would I ever?"

"I love you."

Bella gasped and got up straight in bed. What was that? It was like a flash, but it was too brief for her to remember. She'd heard the words, though. "I love you…"

"Bella? Are you alright?" Bella turned around to find Edward propped up on his elbow and looking at her worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said, she wouldn't tell him about the flash yet. She didn't want to get his hopes up too much.

"Are you sure?" He insisted.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Then she remembered something else. "What are you doing here? What happened to the guests?" She asked.

"I have no idea, but they're probably gone by now. I was a bit tired so I decided to lie down for a few minutes, but I guess I fell asleep." He ran his fingers through his hair to comb it but he only made it worse, and Bella had to admit he looked incredibly appealing, with his hair all mussed and still looking sleepy.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

Bella's stomach growled in response to the thought of food. Edward grinned. "Don't worry. Mrs. Stevens must have something ready for us by now."

They headed down to the kitchen together and indeed they found that although Mrs. Stevens had retired for the night, she'd left them food laid out on the counter.

They ate in silence for a while, until Bella spoke.

"Tell me how we met," She said quietly.

Edward started at the question. He hadn't expected her to want to know about it so soon.

He smiled at the memory. "We met when you came to work at my company a few years back."

"Really? I worked for you?"

"Yeah, but only for a few months." He said.

"Why, did you fire me or something?" She teased.

"No, actually, you quit."

"Why?" Bella asked again.

Edward suddenly looked uncomfortable. Bella had a feeling that he was the reason she'd decided to quit. She wanted to know exactly why, though.

"Well, …" And he started telling the story.

Author's Note: A bit of a cliffie, I know, but I couldn't help myself! :D

Tell me what you think!