Author's Note: Okay, so this chapter…yea. It's mostly just setting the board for things to come. I hope you all enjoy it. And please let me know if you all like me posting teasers on blogspot because I've gotten no feedback for using them so I will continue it for another week, and if I still get nothing I am going to stop using them. So please please please let me know if you all are enjoying the teasers because I am essentially doing it for you- my readers.
Anyways, enjoy and please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. The chapter title is a song from Buffy the Vampire Slayer Once More With Feeling- which is also not mine.
Chapter 7: Where Do We Go From Here?
Jasper's POV
We had been at the hospital for hours. Alice had a mild concussion and was still asleep. Carlisle told us that we just had to wait until she woke up. I kept my head down feeling exhausted.
"Jasper, can I get you some coffee or a soda? Something?" I looked up into Rosalie's concerned gaze. That's something I don't get to see very often.
"Nah, I'm ok, Rosalie. Just want her to wake up."
"We all do, bro. We all do." She sighed heavily resting her hand on my shoulder. "Well, I'm gonna go check on Emmett. I've never seen him like this." I watched Rosalie walk down the hall towards Alice's room turning to go to Carlisle's office. I was in there for a while, but I just couldn't handle seeing her like that. I told everyone I was taking a walk but didn't go far…just in case.
~*~*~*~*~*
Carlisle's POV
Once Edward had told us that Alice fell, I took off in the direction he told me to. Once Bella filled me on what she did before calling Edward, I felt quite helpless. I didn't want to move Alice without a stretcher and some help because it could've done more harm than good. Since I became a doctor, I had never felt as helpless as I did tonight as I kept watch over my poor baby girl.
Esme and I rode with Alice in the ambulance while Emmett, Edward, Jasper and Rosalie followed. The doctor who was seeing to Alice told me nothing I didn't know. Mild concussion….meaning a possible chance that she…I can't even consider the possibility. It would hurt us all if that happened.
Jasper left a while ago for a walk, but I assume he didn't go far. Alice would be happy to see him once she woke up. I hope.
Edward hadn't left her side since he got here. It was hard to watch him keep vigil over his precious sister. The guilt was clear in his eyes. I could see it was killing Esme to see him so upset over what happened. What I don't understand is how she fell. I could understand it if it was Bella who slipped, as awful as that sounds, but Alice hasn't fallen since she was 2.
I looked up as the door opened. Jasper slipped in looking worried.
"Rosalie took Emmett to the cafeteria if anyone wants to join them."
Bella who had been sitting quietly in the corner stood up. "Edward, baby, let's go get something to eat. You must be hungry."
"I have to be here when she wakes up. I should never have left her side. This wouldn't have happened."
Bella placed her hands on his shoulders before resting her head on his. "Edward, don't do this to yourself. Alice would slap you silly for it. Now come on, if we go eat now, you'll be able to stay up longer." She pulled him up by the hand leading him out of the room. I whispered my thanks, knowing that Edward would need not only food but a break.
"How is she?" Jasper's eyes never left her face as if willing her to wake up.
"Unfortunately all I can say is that she is stable. Any other problems will come to light when she wakes up."
"Will she?" He turned to look at me- fear etched in his face. "Will she wake up?"
"Jasper, I cannot lie to you. There is a very very small chance she won't wake up, but I know Alice. She'll wake up."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Can I help her at all? Is there anything we can do to help her wake up faster?"
I ran my hand over my face slowly trying to figure out the best answer. "You can try talking to her. Some patients respond to the voices of their loved ones." He nodded again.
"Can I have a moment alone with her? Please?" I nodded and gently lead Esme out of the room.
If anyone can wake her up, it's Jasper.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jasper's POV
I sat down in Edward's chair, leaning over the hospital bed. I took Alice's hand between my own kissing it softly. "Alice? Darlin', can you hear me? Maybe it's better that you don't." I took a deep breath. I can do this. "You were wonderful tonight. That song was amazing, and I'm hoping that it meant what I think it means. Alice…..I love you. Please come back to me. Darlin', please wake up for me."
I rested my forehead against her hand trying to compose myself. It killed me that she was hurt. I slowly lowered her hand and my head down to the bed sobbing softly. I couldn't even imagine my life without Alice. She had to wake up soon.
I got up to go to use the bathroom in the room so no one would know about my breakdown. I had to stay strong…for Alice.
I paused for a second before heading back to the comfy chair. Just as I sat down, I heard a soft groan. My eyes snapped to her face. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Alice! Thank God you're awake!" I pressed the call button to get a nurse in. "Alice, everyone will be so happy you're awake. How do you feel?" I sat down taking her hand.
"I'm sorry. Do I know you?" I couldn't breathe or think.
"Uh, I'm going to get your family. Sorry." I pulled the door open before heading towards the cafeteria to find everyone. She didn't remember me. How could she not remember me? As I got to the doors I paused before going in to take a deep breath. How could I tell the Cullens that their daughter didn't remember me and possibly them?
~*~*~*~*~*~
Emmett's POV
Rosalie had kept me in this damn cafeteria for the past hour trying to convince me to eat. The only thing I wanted to do was sit in Alice's room.
"Baby, I'm not hungry. I just want to see Alice."
Rosalie just shook her head and pushed more food toward me. Somewhere in there Edward and Bella joined us, and a little later Mom and Dad came down.
"How is she, Dad?" I looked up hopeful. He looked up, distress clear in his expression.
"She's stable. But that's all we can tell right now." I sighed standing up to go back.
"Wait, son. Jasper wanted some time alone. I'm hoping that it'll so some good." I nodded. If anyone could wake Alice up its Jasper.
I rested my head in my hands. "How did this happen? Alice never falls in general. I just…." I shook my head feeling so helpless.
"Ummm, I don't think it was …. An accident." Bella spoke up carefully. Everyone looked up at her, surprised. "I'm sorry I didn't bring it up earlier, but its true I wasn't there when she fell. I was so worried I forgot about it."
Edward wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Bella, no one blames you for focusing on Alice, but what do you mean?"
"Well I ran into Evelynn, and she's the one who kind of told me where Alice was. She said she went downstairs, but well you know what happened. But I don't know if Evelynn actually pushed her."
There was dead silence as everyone took this in. I know this Evelynn chick didn't like Alice, but to go as far as pushing her…this girl was in for a rough road. Rosalie was looking toward the door with a concerned look on her face. I followed her gaze and saw Jasper heading our way.
"Jasper? What's wrong? Is Alice okay?"
"She's awake." He said sounding like it was the worst thing ever.
"Then why do you look like someone died?" Edward asked.
"She doesn't remember me."
Crap.
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~
Jasper's POV
It has been a couple days since Alice woke up. She was coming home today, but she didn't remember it. She remembered nothing personal. Her family, me, even things about herself- all of it was gone. Her doctor as well as Carlisle said that Alice had a very good chance of making a full recovery, but it may take time. The best thing we could do was treat Alice normally and surround her with things that may trigger her memory.
I was home waiting for Alice to come home. I would have been there, but it was still hard for me to be around my best friend. She looked at me without any recognition. How could she not remember? I heard a knock at my door.
"It's open." I heard the door open but didn't turn from the window.
"Hey, Jasper. It's Edward. I just thought I'd come see how you were doing."
"I miss her. Ever since that song, I've wanted to talk to her, but she can't even remember singing it."
"She's gonna kill me if she finds out I said this." I looked at Edward curiously. He was looking at my favorite picture of me and Alice. I had framed it and kept it on my desk. Edward came over and handed me the picture. "Jasper, she loves you, man. And that's not going to go away. She's going to remember. If Alice is anything, she is stubborn and tenacious. Just give her some time. Spend time with her and tell her your favorite memories. You woke her up, maybe you're the key to helping her remember." He chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders.
"So the song…"
"Yea, you were the someone special. Just do me a favor, and don't let on that you know when she tells you." I nodded looking at the picture.
"Thanks, Edward."
"No problem. Umm, Dad called a little while ago. They should be home in about a half hour- if you want to come over."
I nodded again, not really able to say anything. I know this is hard for me, but I can't even imagine what it has been like for the Cullens. To have their daughter and sister remember nothing of her life and how they were a family. I heard Edward leave and walked over to my bed sinking down on it not taking my eyes off of Alice's face.
My best friend, the girl I loved more than anything in this world, was lost. How am I supposed to wake up every day knowing that she doesn't remember me and how we were together?
