A/N: Disclaimer- I own nothing, and just happen to be lucky enough to bring the Twilight gang along to play in my own little game!

Edward POV:

Last nights shift had been one of the longest I had endured since coming to Seattle. I barely managed to sleep a wink, as every time I began to doze off I would see the horrifying sight of Isabella behind my eyelids.

I'm a doctor, I see things on a daily basis that most people would never be exposed to in a lifetime. She still got to me though. It's not like I've never heard the stories. All through your schooling and training you hear all about how you need to be able to step back, always be professional. Although every doctor has that occasional patient that slips through the impartial façade.

I know it's only been just over a year for me as a doctor, which in reality is not a lot of time but in that time I had never faltered, never felt hesitant. She broke that run I had going, and left me feeling….unsteady. Both as a doctor as well as on a personal level, I know for a fact that I have never released an audible gasp at the site of a patient. Nor felt that unfamiliar tug on my heart as I tried to clean the blood from her face. Or every time she cried out in the pain that my touch was causing.

I just couldn't shake the feelings I was having towards her. I want to help her in some way, and I feel insanely protective of her. My best guess would be that it just broke my heart to see Alice, my baby sister fall apart like that. I could only assume that it has something to do Alice, it has to, right? None of it makes any sense to me, I'm tired. I desperately need to put this from my mind and sleep.

*****

I must have finally managed to drift off sometime in the early morning hours as I found myself waking up on the couch just as the sun was going down. I had slept through the entire day and I was thankful that I have no memory of any dreams related to Isabella.

It was my day off today but I still found myself driving over to the hospital to check on Isabella's condition. I kept telling myself that this was ok because I was her admitting physician, and she was in such bad shape last night. Plus she is a friend of Alice's.

'Yeah right, Edward. Keep telling yourself that.' I mumbled to myself.

When I approached her room it was quiet. I didn't hear a sound other then the machines currently running in the room. I almost felt like a stalker as I slowly crept into her room. She was alone, and just looked completely broken.

I took a seat in the chair beside her bed as I looked over her file again. All I could think about was how much pain she must be in with all her injuries. As I read through the list again I just couldn't believe that a person who could hurt someone in this way could exist.

Broken leg

Broken wrist

Broken nose

2 fractured ribs

Facial lacerations

Head contusion

2 broken fingers…

Those were the worst of it but the list just went on. I'd been sitting here for over an hour when I looked up to see Lauren coming in to check on her.

"Oh…Dr Cullen, I didn't know you were in tonight."

"I'm not, she's…um a, a family friend I guess. So I was just checking in."

"I thought you didn't know her, that's what you said didn't you?" She seemed to have an edge to her voice as she spoke.

"I don't, she is good friends with my sister. Is there a problem Lauren? She does also happen to be one of my patients" I spat at her, god she was irritating as all hell.

"Oh I know. I'm sorry Dr. Cullen, I just thought it was strange that's all. SO have you noticed any change with her?"

"No, nothing." I had been sitting here over an hour and she had not even twitched. Not that I would go so far as to tell her that. I felt creepy enough sitting here all this time with a woman I don't even know, while she lays unconscious in a hospital bed. I found that I had to drag myself away from her, I just did not want to leave.

As I left her room I could hear Alice's voice coming from around the corner at the nurses station. "Hi, I was wondering if there were someone I could talk to about Isabella Swan? I just wanted to know if there were any changes." She was saying.

I mentally cringed as I heard Lauren's response. "Well if you hurry you might catch Dr. Cullen, well your brother I mean. He was just sitting in there when I went to check in on her."

"Really? Isn't it his day off?" Off course Alice never misses a beat.

"I think so, yes. He was just sitting there looking over her chart I guess, since he had it in his hands. He said she was a friend of yours, so he was checking on her."

"That's Edward for you." she spoke a little softer "Always so kind and caring." I didn't wait around to hear anything else. I made it home within hour after stopping by the supermarket for a few things.

****

The next couple of days were spent the same way. I would sneak into Isabella's room before and after my shifts. Plus stop by while working my shifts, just to make sure she was comfortable and receiving her pain meds on time.

On day 3, I was exhausted after a rather long and gruelling shift and I found myself nodding off while sitting in the chair by her bed. The first time my head dropped should have been enough to convince me to leave, but no. I had to stick out not wanting her to be alone.

I know Alice had been by quite a bit and there was a man by the name of Mike in here yesterday when I came to administer her meds. Plus Rose would be home today, so she wasn't without company completely. I just some how felt compelled to be here.

Today I was busted for my after hours visits as Alice just happened to enter the room while I was nodding off in the chair. I really didn't know what to say to her, how to explain why not only was I secretly visiting this woman but had now taken to sleeping in her room?? I should have just gone home.

"Edward, sweetie. Wake up." She said while nudging me, I groaned inwardly realizing immediately that I had been caught. I wasn't really doing anything wrong, but it still just didn't seem right.

"What are you doing here, Edward?" She asked quietly. I tried to cover quickly but I knew by the look in her eyes that she was suspicious.

"I was just checking her meds before I left for the day. It was a long day I'm exhausted, so I sat down for a minute and well…the next thing I new you were waking me. I told her. I knew stumbled over a couple of words but she seemed to be letting it go.

"Yeah, I wanted to thank you for that." She started "You know for watching out for her, I know you've been keeping an eye on her and keeping her comfortable. So thank you, Edward."

"It's my job Alice." I mumbled as I stood up.

"Well, whatever. Thank you anyway."

I left the hospital quickly after listening to Alice go on for a few minutes about how she had to get to the shop tomorrow. She had been neglecting it a little and since Rose would be here she could make the time. I was a little annoyed in hearing that Rose would be coming around, not that it was anything personal. Rose is great, but I couldn't help but think that trying to avoid one more person seeing me hanging around her room was only going to take from my time with her.

I didn't feel much like going home so I headed for my parents to pay a quick visit. It had been ages since I had been over for anything other then Sunday brunch. Plus I knew dad was out of town and mom would love the company.

As I entered my parents house I could hear a muffled cry coming from the front room. So I headed that way, only to be surprised yet not to find an infant in a small play pen crying out. I had forgotten that Isabella's children were staying here.

"Hey there cutie" I said while gently picking her up and holding her against my shoulder. "What's your name little one? Huh, I bet it's something pretty just like you. Isn't it." I found myself cooing at her as she settled into my arms and was no longer crying. I heard a gasp from behind me as I turned and saw my mother entering the room.

"Edward! My goodness you scared me half to death. What are you doing here?"

"Sorry mom, I didn't mean to. I'm not really here for any reason, I just thought I would stop by." I was beginning to wonder if this hadn't in some way been intentional. I mean I did know after all that Isabella's children would be here, and I couldn't seem to kick this crazy connection I felt to her. It made sense, I had been forced to leave her room when Alice showed up and now here I am with the next best thing. Her babies.

"Well, I'm glad you're here. Could you bring Emma to the kitchen for me, I was just having a small dilemma before you showed up. They're very well behaved little darlings but every once in a while they end up wanting to be fed at the same time and it's just not possible."

"Sure mom, no problem. What can I do to help?" I asked as we entered the kitchen and I noticed what was obviously her other daughter sitting strapped into some sort of a baby bouncer chair.

"Well Lily here has already had her food but is in need of her bottle. Do you think you could do that well I get some food into Emma?" She asked looking at me like it would be a miracle if I could manage.

"Mom, really! How hard could it be. I'm a doctor for pete's sake, I think if I could manage med school and even just being a doctor I can handle as small a feat as feeding a baby a bottle." I said as I handed Emma off to her and turned to reach for Lily.

I could hear my mom chuckling behind me as I first had trouble getting the strap unbuckled then cursed under my breath when I pinched my finger in the lock mechanism.

"I said I could feed her no problem, mother. Not get her out this contraption," I mumbled just as I was noticing the mass of bronze hair on top of Lily's head.

"Well look at you pretty girl, where'd you get all this hair?" I whispered to her as I placed the bottle to her lips.

"I'd say she rivals you with that mess of hair. Your dad had said the same thing when he first told me about them. Oh, make sure you burp her every couple of ounces, Edward."

"I know mom, I've got it. So has Alice been around much?"

"Oh yeah, she comes everyday. Usually spends part of the day helping out before she goes to the hospital. Then stops back in before heading home. She took Lily home with her the other night but doesn't want to separate them too much, which makes sense."

I didn't really say too much after that I was too busy trying to pay attention to the little girl in my arms. Not wanting to miss her burping schedule. On her final burp she had spit up a little on my shirt but I wasn't phased as I was too busy being mesmerized by her beautiful green eyes. She almost made me feel a little awkward, as she gazed back at me. Almost like she was trying to communicate using her eyes, she looked so perceptive. I was half expecting to hear a quiet 'Hi Edward' come from her tiny mouth as she gave me a lopsided grin.

I caught the tail end of my mom mentioning that tomorrow would be interesting as Rose would be at the hospital so Alice was spending the day at the shop. The girls would be needing their baths and she couldn't seem to keep them on a separate enough schedule to do everything herself.

"I don't know how she does it, she has some help but mostly seems to do it on her own. I guess practice really does make perfect. Ohhh…Edward look at you two, she's got your shirt clutched in her hand."

Sure enough when I looked down the little angel was sleeping with her head tucked under my chin and her tiny little fingers wrapped around a small piece of my shirt. Once mom started talking about how she couldn't wait to have grandbabies of her own I decided it was time for me to hit the road.

After I tucked Lily into one of the play pens in the front room and said my good byes to my mom and Emma I headed for the door turning briefly to offer my services.

"I'm working the late shift tomorrow mom. I could probably swing by for an hour or so earlier so you can get the girls bathed and what not without too many interruptions."

"Sure, why not Edward. That'd be great. So I'll see you tomorrow then." I left my parents house pretty much ready for bed. My head barely hit the pillow and I was down for the count.

****

I showed up to mom's the following day with just enough time to help with bottles and then keep one occupied while the other had her bath. Then I had to head to work, I hadn't seen Isabella all day and it was grating on my nerves.

I noticed as Rose sped by me leaving the hospital when I pulled in and couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped me. Realizing that there would most likely be no one to interrupt my time with Isabella .

Alice had stopped by again and was in the room when I had stopped by on a break. So I found myself acting as though I had come by to check on her charts and then chat with Alice briefly. Once she left for the evening I had found myself popping in on Isabella a few times through the night, including sitting with her for an hour or so after my shift had ended.

In my short conversation with Alice I had informed her that everything was fine, Isabella was only in an unconscious state due to the pain meds. She had been afraid of what seemed to be a near coma state, and was relieved to hear that we were just trying to keep her comfortable.

"She's going to be fine, Alice. She's no doubt in a lot pain right now and I'm, well we're just trying to keep her as comfortable as possible." I said trying to sooth her worries.

"Well I guess it makes me feel better, but I have to say that I'm worried about the girls. They've never been away from her, Edward."

"I think we're going to start weaning her off a little by the end of week. At least enough that she'll be lucid for short periods, she's going to be feeling pretty rough for a while, Alice."

"I know, I know. I just can't help but worry though, I mean the girls have all of us but they have no parent right now. At least not one available to them." Her eyes were glistening as she spoke, it was plainly obvious how important these people were to her.

"You know they're young enough that they won't register seeing her like this, you could always bring them one at time. Even if it's only briefly and let them lay with their mom, you know listen to her heart beat like they would if she cuddled them any other time."

"Oh my god! Your amazing Edward, do you know that? How had I not thought about that? I've got to go. I love you big brother." She whispered against my cheek as she pulled me down for a hug. For a tiny little thing, she seemed to pack some pretty decent heat.

"Thanks Alice, love you too."

She left in a rush mumbling something about bringing one of the girls by tomorrow night. By this time I had taken to having brief one sided conversations with Isabella. I would tell her about my day, sometimes about any difficult patients I may have had the pleasure of dealing with. I would reassure her that she would soon be waking up for us, and for her girls. Today I was quite happy to be able to tell her about Lily and Emma and how well they were doing. Knowing she would most likely take extreme pleasure in knowing they were being cared for.

****

I hadn't been around when Alice brought Lily by the following evening, but was content to sit and listen as she told me about how Lily had been fussing a little but immediately calmed as Alice laid her on her mothers chest. Again I felt that unfamiliar tug in my own chest as she spoke of the touching moment. Emma was brought by the following evening and was just as content to snuggle up to her mom.

I had finally gotten the nerve to ask about Isabella in what I hope was an inconspicuous manner. She hadn't had too much to add to what I already seemed to know. Her parents were deceased, Rose, Alice, a woman named Angela and this Mike fellow I had met were the only form of family she had, and none were blood related.

Until she reminded me I had forgotten that the monster that put her in here was not Lily and Emma's father. Alice didn't know much on that front, just that she returned home from college pregnant and she felt there were some strong feelings on her part.

"She's never really said much about him, you know I don't think I even know his name. When she did mention him the one time though it seemed to be more regret that he wasn't around then anything. It just left me with the feeling that if it had been under her control he would be here, or at least be in Emma and Lily's lives." Her mind seemed to wonder as she trailed off.

"I can still remember what she said clear as day. Something about how 'Lily actually looks more like her dad, and thinking of him just made her remember that the girls are never going to know him. They'll never know their father, never call him daddy, never have him comfort them. Whether it be due to a bad dream, a nasty fall, or their first broken heart.' It broke my heart, we both cried so I basically think that he must have chosen to walk away. Right?"

I didn't respond, it seemed like more of a rhetorical question then anything.

As the end of the week neared and the weaning process continued, Isabella was having a few brief moments where she seemed to be responsive and able to recognize when you were communicating with her. She had even said my name back to me, well my last name but my name nonetheless.

Her only concern being about her children's welfare before she slipped into a quiet slumber. That is one more thing to add to my list of all things Isabella, she is selfless.

The next couple of days were pretty much the same, she would have a few moments of lucidity seeming a little confused mumble incoherently and then drift off again. She seemed to speak of velvet and angels, even going so far as to say something about being dead. None of it made much sense to me. Last night as I sat with her I noticed she was more restless and realized that she would soon be waking more and possibly holding conversations.

As I was leaving her room, I thought I had been hearing things for a moment as she whispered my name. Only to hear her repeat it again this time asking for me to stay.

"Edward" She whispered.

"Edward, please don't go." Needless to say I didn't leave just yet, choosing to sit with her for another half an hour before leaving.

"I'm not going anywhere, you rest." I whispered as I gently pushed a stray hair back from her face. There was still so much swelling, but I imagined she was a very attractive woman in her normal state. I couldn't wait to see her, the real her.

****

The afternoon she finally woke, I had been leaning over her checking her vitals and Alice was seated in the chair behind me. Her eyes had fluttered then just suddenly shot open and she stared into my eyes then finally whispered my name again.

"Edward" She still seemed confused like she was trying to figure something out.

"Yes" I responded, surprised that she had used my first name. How are you feeling today?" I asked her. Only Alice jumped up before she could respond.

"Oh god, Bella! I'm so happy your finally awake. You had me so worried!"

My head jerked towards Alice for a brief second as the use of that name sent me back in time to my night spent with the woman that haunted my dreams for the first several months I was here. I was quickly brought back from my reverie as I took in what Isabella, well I guess Bella had been saying to Alice.

"Alice? Shit Alice, wha…what is he doing here? Please he has to leave, mmmake him leave." She stammered quietly. Her eyes were just a little wild, searching the room. I knew she was feeling disoriented, it was normal in her condition.

"What? He's my brother Bella, and your doctor. He's been taking care of you." Alice replied.

"No, no, no. You don't understand, ppplease. Just, he just has to go, please Alice."

"Isabella, you have to calm down, love. I don't want to have to medicate you again. Just relax, I'll finish checking your vitals then leave you with Alice to catch up. Ok?"

She didn't respond and her eyes never left mine. I thought she was going to have a panic attack, her heart rate was accelerating, her pulse quickening but she was maintaining a fairly even rhythm to her breathing so I let it go for now.

As I left the room I heard Alice scolding her a little about trying to kick me out. Isabella ignored her and only wanted to know about the girls. I was finishing up her chart at the nurses station and could still hear a hushed conversation going on behind the door before finally hearing Alice practically yell out in a high pitched tone.

"What? What are you saying Bells? I, I don't understand." She was immediately hushed by what sounded like a crying Isabella.

"Sshh, be quiet Alice! Someone will hear you."

"Edward, out! We need privacy." My sister exclaimed as I poked my head in the door to make sure everything was ok.

"Alright, calm down, Alice. I was just making sure nothing was wrong, you were pretty loud there." I told her.

"I'm sorry, Edward. We're fine. Just, it's nothing. Just go please, I'll talk to you later."

They continued to talk in hushed tones as I left, but I could help but feel like I was missing something. Something big. I didn't feel right walking away but there was no arguing with Alice….

A/N: So we're finally getting down to the real business here. Edward and Bella connecting again! Yes, Bella had a bit of a strange reaction to Edward being there but who wouldn't given the circumstances. I hope the update lives up to the standards of most readers, we're definitely getting closer!

Yes, we are back to a Bella POV next chapter.