Chapter 9: Visiting Hours
I apologize for taking longer than expected to update. I was preoccupied reading Breaking Dawn for a while, which I loved by the way. I thought it was the perfect ending to the series. But anyways, I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed my story. I appreciate all the great things you all have to say. I love hearing what you think about the story. I really enjoyed writing this chapter because there were quite a few people in it. For anyone who watches General Hospital, my character, Nurse Johnson, is sort of a spin off of Nurse Nadine Crowl lol Just a bit of info for anyone who is interested. So, I hope you enjoy this chapter and leave reviews. I love reading them. And I apologize if it feels as though the story is moving slow. It will be picking up, but everything is needed for upcoming happenings so bear with me lol.
Chapter 9: Visiting Hours
Edward took a shower, letting the hot water ease his tense muscles and somewhat calm his restless mind, before changing into fresh clothes. He put on a faded pair of jeans and a long-sleeved grey shirt before lying down on the couch in his living room to rest for a while. Unintentionally, Edward fell asleep but was awoken by the sound of Alice's voice.
"Hey, Edward," she said to him, standing next to the couch. "I am sorry to wake you but I thought you might want to get out of the house for a bit. You know, to get your mind off of things. I am meeting up with Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie for dinner and then we might go the movies or something afterwards. We would love it if you came with us."
Edward sat up on the couch and rubbed his eyes to wear off the slightly groggy feeling left over from his dreamless nap. "Thanks, Alice," he answered as he yawned, "but I think I am going to have to pass. Dad is supposed to drive me to the hospital to go see Bella, anyways."
Alice looked at him with a surprised expression. "Oh, well, um, Dad already left for work," she said to him slowly.
"What?" Edward exclaimed as he flew off the couch in a rush to get a clear view of the clock. He groaned in disappointment as he realized it was already 4 o'clock and that he had slept practically the entire afternoon away.
Alice explained to Edward, "When I got home Dad was almost ready to leave and he wanted to wake you up but Mom said it would be better if we let you sleep to give your body a little more time to rest up and heal. And since Dad agreed, he left."
Edward sighed. "Great, just great," he complained.
"Don't worry. It's okay. I can take you if you want. I am sure everyone won't mind stopping by to see Bella again," Alice informed him, her tone more cheerful this time.
"Again?" Edward asked with curiosity. "When did they go to hospital?"
Alice replied, "Earlier this afternoon. Emmett and Rosalie were already there by the time Jasper and I arrived." She gave Edward a small smile as though to compensate for the fact that they visited Bella before he did.
"Oh," was all Edward said as he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "Alright, well as long as you guys don't mind, I guess you can drop me off at the hospital." He tried to sound somewhat happy but Edward really wasn't in the mood to be around neither his friends nor accept the pity they would be offering him.
"Great, they should be here any minute."
As though on cue, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Alice exclaimed as she made her way from the living room to the front door. She opened the door and greeted her boyfriend, Jasper, along with Emmett and his girlfriend, Rosalie, as they entered.
"Hey, Edward, how are you doing, man?" Emmett asked, still sounding as casual as ever.
Edward shrugged. "How do you think?"
"Well we are here for you," Emmett told him, patting him on his back, "if you need anything."
Jasper joined in. "Yeah, definitely, Edward. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help."
Edward put his hands in pockets and nodded his head just wishing everyone would just drop the subject as he stared at the ground. "Thanks, really, I am fine but I would really like to make it down to the hospital today so it would be nice if we got going." Edward could hear the acidic tone in his voice but quite honestly didn't care at this point. All he wanted was to be with Bella, not wasting his time making idle chitchat.
Awkward silence lingering in the air for a moment before Alice spoke in response to Edward's obvious annoyance. "Okay, well, everyone at to my car then," she announced, ending with a nervous giggle. Emmett and Jasper followed right behind Alice as Rosalie stood behind. When Edward looked up he saw her staring at him with sympathy in her eyes. She didn't say anything to him but rather just walked up to Edward and gave him a warm hug.
"I'm sorry," she whispered before she broke the embrace.
Edward looked at Rosalie. Her eyes looked as though they were about to overflow with tears but she managed to control her emotions from getting the best of her. "Thank you," he said to her. Edward felt he owed her at least that much. With that, they both headed out the door and into Alice's car.
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"You guys don't have to come inside again," Edward said as he opened the door once Alice pulled up in front of the hospital.
"Are you sure?" Jasper asked. "We wouldn't mind coming in with you."
As Edward got out of the car, he answered, "Thanks but I think this is something I should do on my own."
After Edward closed the door and started to walk away from the car, Alice rolled down her window and called after him. "Hey, Edward, what time do you want me to pick you up?"
Edward turned around to answer. "Well it is 5 o'clock now so I guess whatever time visiting hours are over."
"I think they end at 7," Alice replied.
"Alright so pick me up at 7 then if that's okay. Are you sure you don't mind?" he asked his sister.
Alice looked at Edward as though he was missing something that was completely obvious. "Edward, look at what you have just been through. This is the very least I can do for you."
Edward nodded and smiled slightly. "Thanks, Alice. Really, I mean it."
From the back seat, Emmett decided to butt in as he so commonly did. "Aw, how sweet," he said mockingly, wiping away a fake tear.
"Oh shut up," Rosalie told him, smacking his arm playfully. Everyone else in the car just laughed. Even Edward let at a small chuckle at Emmett and Rosalie's usual bickering for it gave him a sense a normalcy; as though nothing had changed but, when in reality, everything had.
"Well, I should get going. Thanks again, Alice. Bye, everyone," Edward said, waving goodbye, before walking away from the car and into the hospital.
Upon entering the hospital, Edward headed for the front desk to find out Bella's floor and room number. Although he had been there just yesterday, remembering the exact location of Bella's room had been the last thing on his mind.
"Excuse me, miss?" he politely asked the receptionist at the help desk. "Can you tell me where I can find Isabella Swan?"
"Yes, no problem. One moment please," she replied as she entered some information into her computer. "Ah, here, third floor, room 20B."
"Thank you," he said to her in the same polite tone.
The receptionist smiled at him. "My pleasure. Have a nice day."
"Same to you," Edward responded as he headed off to the gift shop.
"I would like a bouquet of roses, please," Edward asked of the young man behind the register.
The gift shop employee scoffed at him and let out an irritated burst of laugher. "What is this? Valentine 's Day? I don't have a bouquet of roses," he mocked, trying to imitate Edward's voice. "This is a hospital gift shop, not a florist."
Edward glared at him in retaliation for his unnecessary rude comments. "Fine," he told him flatly. "Do you have any flowers at all?"
"Yeah, I got a couple of daisies with those little sticks that say 'get well'," he replied, rolling his eyes.
"Just give me those then," Edward told him firmly. He wasn't in the mood for this man's immature behavior.
The man turned around and picked up one the small pots with yellow and white daisies, placing it on the counter in front of Edward. "That will be ten dollars and fifty cents," the employee said, speaking for the first time without making a sarcastic remark.
"Here," Edward said as he handed the employee the twenty dollar bill he already had in his hand.
The employee handed him his change as Edward picked up the flowers. He murmured a quick, "Thank you", as he headed for the door.
"No problem," the employee shouted after him. "I will be sure to put that bouquet of roses on the side for you when they come in," he mocked as he laughed hysterically.
Edward just ignored him and continued to walk out. "Stupid jackass," he mumbled under his breath.
From the gift shop, Edward took the elevator up to the third floor. He exited off and walked down the hall until he reached room 20B. Edward could nearly hear his heart beating louder and louder with each step as he got closer to his destination. Before he knew it, he was standing outside room 20B. Although he had been experiencing an overwhelming need to come here today and knew in his heart that he had to be here, Edward couldn't help but hesitate going in at the last moment. But with a deep breath, all that anxiety went out the window as Edward entered into the room.
While it still felt somewhat uncomfortable with the machines and all, there was something that made Edward felt at peace. He put the flowers on the window sill and sat in the chair next to Bella's bedside. Edward couldn't help but notice how immensely different the room looked from how he remembered it being the night before. It was no longer plain and dull but had been ornamented with get well gifts much like the one he had just brought himself. Edward couldn't believe how many things Bella had received in such a short amount of time. But then again, Bella was always well liked.
Edward couldn't contain his smile as he thought of all the reasons why he liked Bella. She sweet, brave, caring, funny, smart, and more beautiful than any other girl he had ever seen. Yet it was the fact the she was so unaware of just how amazing she was the made Bella even more attractive to him. Edward gently stroked Bella's cheek as his mind flooded itself with memories of her. He lightly traced her soft features, memorizing each of them as he did so. Edward could have sworn that he saw Bella's cheeks flush when he touched her but dismissed the possibility for his mind was playing tricks on him.
Being there in the hospital with her today felt so different than the short moment he was there the day before. Edward no longer paid attention to the machines, the beeping noises, the brace on her wrist, the gauze wrapped around her head, or the cut and bruises that were scattered about her body. Now, he could only see his Bella, his soul mate and love of his life. Of course, that sickening feeling of guilt continued to gnaw at him in the pit of stomach since he still blamed himself for her being in this situation in this first place but being with Bella somewhat relieved his pain.
"I love you," he whispered to Bella as he picked up Bella's uninjured hand and brought it up to his lips to kiss it. "I am so sorry for doing this to you, Bella. So sorry. Not just for hurting for physically, but for hurting you emotionally as well." Edward's voice broke as his guilt choked up in his throat. He took a deep breath and swallowed hard to keep his emotions at bay.
"I wish I could have told you sooner how I felt, how I truly love you more than I ever thought humanly possibly. Maybe this would have been different," he said to her softly as he put her hand against his cheek. "But I am not going to lose you, Bella, not like this. I won't let that happen. I need to be with you, Bella, so much. So please, I am begging you, wake up. Please." And with that, a small tear rolled down his cheek.
Before he could say any more, Edward heard a knock on the door on the already open door. He quickly wiped his eyes, pulling himself together, before looking up at the nurse. She had shoulder length blonde hair and a smile with a positive gleam.
"I am sorry to interrupt, Mr. Cullen, but I just have to update Miss Swan's charts," the nurse said to him as she entered into the room.
Edward was taken back by the fact that she knew who he was for he didn't recall ever meeting her before. He cleared his throat before speaking to shake off any excess sadness. "Yeah, sure, go ahead. But if you don't mind me asking, how do you know who I am?"
The nurse gave him a shy smile before speaking. "I'm Nurse Johnson. You probably don't remember me from yesterday but I was the nurse who helped you into the exam room when you were brought in by the ambulance."
"Oh, well thank you then. I apologize for not recognizing you. You can call me Edward, by the way," Edward said to nurse.
"Don't even worry about it, Edward," she told him with an optimistic tone, waving her hand dismissively. "I was also the one who first received the phone call that you, as well as Miss Swan and Mr. Black had been involved in a near fatal car accident." She paused for a brief moment before continuing. "Seeing the look on Dr. Cullen's face when I told him that his son was in a front on collision was heart breaking."
Edward could see the sudden sadness that came upon the Nurse Johnson's face. Edward couldn't even begin to imagine the panic that must have overcame his father when he heard that Edward had been in a possibly fatal accident. Carlisle had no way of knowing in what kind of shape he was going to find his son in, if he was even alive at all. It was then that Edward realized that he owed it, not only his father, but his mother as well, to ease up on them and not be so defensive and harsh when they are only trying to help him.
Nurse Johnson saw the sudden contemplative look in Edward's face and attempted to change the subject for she didn't want to cause him any more pain than which she had seen in his eyes when she came into the room. "But it seems you are doing well today," she said to him with yet another cheerful smile.
Edward shrugged as he gently put Bella's hand between his, playing with her fingers. "I have been better," he said to her in low voice.
She simply nodded and walked over to the machines that were monitoring all of the activities going in Bella's bodies. "Well let me just check up on Miss Swan and then I will be on my way so you can have your privacy." Nurse Johnson took note of everything, writing down all the information that the monitors presented to her in Bella's folder.
"Any change?" Edward hesitantly asked because he would much rather try to convince himself that Bella was getting better than hear that she was still as unresponsive as she was yesterday. But regardless, Edward knew he couldn't delude himself into believing something that wasn't true. He had to face reality because he knew that the longer he ignored it, the harder it would later hit.
"Sorry, no," Nurse Johnson answered, confirming what Edward already feared to be true. "But her vitals are still strong so that's a good thing. And it has only been a day after all so give her some time."
"Yeah, I guess. Seems like I don't have any other choice in the matter anyway," he told her, his voice grim.
"Don't be so pessimistic. I have been a nurse for five years and I have seen a lot of sick and injured people. I have met people who were in even worse conditions than Miss Swan but yet managed to pull through. Want to know why? It is because of this right here," she said, pointing to Edward and Bella.
Edward looked up at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
"This, what you are doing, is what makes all the difference in the world. You can not imagine how much more quickly people wake up from comas when they have friends and family who visit them. Just by talking to her, touching her like you were, Edward, it helps. Of course the patient is not consciously aware of such interactions but how can they not feel the presence and the love?" the nurse paused a moment a shrugged. "Guess it all comes down to having faith."
"You really think it helps?" Edward asks as he softly traced shapes on Bella's palm.
Nurse Johnson smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes, I do."
Gently sandwiching Bella's hand between his hands, Edward told her, "Well I guess you will be seeing quite a bit. Not that I wasn't going to be coming here a lot in the first place, but I have even more reason to do so now."
"Well I am glad to her that. I truly hope everything works out for the best. I hate to leave so abruptly but I have rounds to finish. It was nice talking to you, Edward, and I am sure I will be seeing you here again soon."
Edward let out a light chuckle. "Yes, definitely. Take care, Nurse Johnson."
"Same to you," she told him as she walked out of the room, leaving Edward alone with Bella.
Edward turned his head back to look at Bella, his eyes soft and full of love and admiration. "I will spend everyday here next to you if it will bring you back to me. Whatever it takes, Bells, I will do it for you," he whispered, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, being extra careful not to move the gauze that was wrapped around her head.
Edward sat their silently for the next few minutes with his eyes closed, holding Bella's hand pressed against his cheek. He listened to the sound of her heartbeat on the monitor and her low pattern of breathing. He hoped that somehow, someway that she could feel him there with her. He wondered what she was thinking about, what was dreaming about. Was she resting peacefully and comfortably or did she feel any pain? Was she scared?
Until Alice called to say that she arrived at the hospital to pick him up, Edward spent what was left of his visiting hours telling Bella about a variety of old memories they had made together. It felt like much too soon when Alice called Edward to tell him that it was time to leave. Not wanting to keep Alice waiting, even though she offered to do so, Edward decided to leave.
He stood up from the chair and gently caressed Bella's cheek one last time before kissing her on her forehead. "I love you, Bella. I will see you tomorrow. Sleep well, my angel."
Once reaching the threshold leaving Bella's room, Edward turned around to look at her once more. His eyes grew soft and he sighed before leaving to go meet Alice outside.
