An: Sorry for the delay! Between mother's day, class winding down, and graduation week, it has been CRAZY! I cannot believe I finally graduated. I did finally hear back from the clinic yesterday. They had filled the position internally, but I was the favorite, so I am interviewing for what they call a Rover Nurse, where I will go between all of their clinics. I am not sure what exactly it is going to entail, if it is more pay, or even if it is full time, if the answer is no to any of those, there is no way I can take the job. My parents graciously let my husband and I live with them while I finished school, but we need our own space, plus we have two car payments, insurance, my school loans, etc. that needs paid. Therefore, prayers or whatever you believe in whatever is meant to be happens. Once again I love reading all of your reviews, and every time I get an email notification that alerts me to a new story follow or favorite I get a little Tachycardic. (Sorry a little nurse humor it means my heart beats fast so excited!) I appreciate everyone's patience and everyone who takes the time to read!

Chapter 9

EPOV

I walk into Bella's room behind Jasper and Alice, my parents taking up the rear while Emmett gathers his strength. I take inventory of all the machines in the room not able to bring myself to look at her. I look and notice to see a ventilator is breathing for her completely, and I run my hand through my hair nervously, as I take in account her vitals. Her respirations and oxygen level are of course good since the respirator is controlling it, her pulse is faster than I'd like probably from her losing so much fluid, and her blood pressure is in the low range. I notice she still has the chest tube, and also an IV set up with antibiotics, and fluids. I hear my mom sob as she takes in her form. I wrap my arm around her; I finally look up and see her weakened state. I can't help the gasp that leaves my lips. Even covered in bruises and scratches, she looks like an angel. I step up next to her and kiss her forehead and whisper "Do not ever scare me like that again Isabella."

I feel my Dad come up and grip my shoulder. "She's a fighter son, she will be okay."

I don't have a chance to respond because Emmett comes in with Rose. He completely loses it and wraps his body around her. Jasper, Dad and I all surround him and Bella to make sure he doesn't accidentally pull on cords or tubes in his hysterics. He just keeps repeating, "My baby sister, I can't lose her, I just got her back. Not my baby sister." In all my years as his best friend, I have never seen him this bad, I have to look away to keep myself composed. "She is going to be okay Emmett. She is just heavily sedated right now. Everyone needs to go home and get some sleep before Peter and Charlotte get into town, I will take the first shift," my Dad says with a pointed look to me giving no room for argument. "Esme will drive you home Edward."

We all mutter a "Yes sir," but Emmett, and you can tell he wants to argue, but one look from his wife makes him think better of it.

He quickly leans over whispering something in his sister's ear before Rose kisses her hair and has to drag him out of the room. I can tell it is just as hard for her, but she knows he needs his sleep to function for the challenges ahead. My Dad had explained how we are not sure how much, if any, permanent damage was done to her brain. She might forever be a vegetable, could be blind, and might not even ever wake up. She could also wake up and be perfectly fine, we just will not know for sure until we start weaning the sedation medications. We will not start doing that until her body has had time to heal itself some, and then it is completely up to her when she is ready to wake up, it could still be weeks or month. I let out a groan just thinking about it. We truly did have a long stressful road ahead. I prayed to whatever God there was above that she ended up being okay. By the time we got back to my house it was 630 AM, and the sun was already shining. I was thankful I had blackout curtains and tinted windows throughout the house from the overnight shifts I was all too familiar with in my line of work. Giving my Mom a quick peck on the cheek I told her goodnight as I made my way to my bedroom, and she went to one of my three guest rooms she had decorated. I had bought the house in hopes of one day having a large family of my own, and here I am 30, unwed, and I find out the woman I have been in love with all these years with cannot have children. I rub the bridge of my nose knowing I am too exhausted to even be thinking about this right now. If we are meant to be together, we can always adopt, or foster, or something to that affect. I smile to myself at these thoughts then remind myself how crazy I am because she doesn't even know how truly madly in love I am with her, and she is in a medically induced coma right now; she might not even want anything to do with me when she wakes up, if she wakes up. I let out a sigh as I toss and turn trying to get comfortable.

It seems like I just closed my eyes when my alarm goes off at noon. With a groan, I stretch and tread my way to my master bathroom. I look at my barely used tub and just shake my head wandering why I even have it before stepping into my spa shower. I turn the jets on as high as they can go and let the heat and vibrations relieve as much stress as they can. I make quick work of scrubbing my body and washing my hair, and then I scrub my face after shaving the hair on my arms. Stepping out of the shower the smell of my mother's cooking assaults my nose and my stomach lets itself known. I quickly wrap the towel around my waist before making my way to the sink to brush my teeth, make sure my nails are as short as possible not wanting to risk any hiding spots for germs with Isabella, and shave my 5 o'clock shadow.

I quickly throw on my scrubs since I plan on taking over for my Dad today for the next 24-hour shift so he and Peter can go over her charts. It feels good to be able to be in scrubs again, since taking on the administration side of the hospital I do not get much time to be hands on anymore, and I hate to admit it, I am somewhat excited. I walk into the kitchen, and see my sister and Emmett are already here sitting at the island. Emmett looks as if he has not slept at all, and Rose looks like she is stressed to the max. It makes me thankful my parents will be staying with them after tonight and they can keep an eye on them both. I am afraid Emmett might need to be given something to knock him out, but I hope that's not the case.

I am brought out of my inner musings by the doorbell ringing, "Oh that must be Jasper and the rest of his family, will you get the door Edward?" my mother Asks.

I hadn't even known she realized I had come in, "Yeah of course Ma," I say as I shuffle my way to my front door trying to tame my mane.

"Hey Jasper, Alice, longtime no see," I try to lighten the mood, but no one finds it humorous. "You must be the famous Dr. Peter Whitlock, and Dr. Charlotte Whitlock, it is a pleasure to finally meet the legends in person. It is a true honor," I say reaching out to shake their hands.

Charlotte just pulls me into a hug, "Jazz here says you are in love with our Bell? Is that correct?"

"Yes Ma'am" I say without hesitating. She gives me a smile from ear to ear, as she lets and Alice like squeal out and I notice Peter has still not said a word and is giving me the stink eye. I clear my throat awkwardly. That was apparently the wrong thing to do as it set him off,

"Give me one damn good reason I shouldn't kill every last one of you. ONE REASON! It took Riley and I two years to build that Filly's confidence up enough to even think she was good enough for him, or to even have friends that were the same as his," I notice Emmett flinch back at that remark like he has been hit. "Then we just got through to her we wouldn't abandon her a year and a half ago, after Riley passed away. That family's love is unconditional and we will protect one another with our lives, and share everything. We told her distance would not keep me from protecting her. I sent her to people I thought I could trust, and she ended up getting herself almost killed! Are you fucking kidding me? She was never even this badly hurt in an active war zone! What is even worse is come to find out is the dumbasses I send her to are the people who originally caused all of her trust issues to begin with." He just scoffs.

Before anyone can blink the ice queen, better known as my sister, snaps. "I do not know WHO the HELL you think you are coming into my brothers home blaming them for what that MONSTER did to her. He would've found a way to hurt her, or worse, men like that do not take no for an answer. It is a game to them. My twin brother, who has been madly in love with Bella since she was 15 but respected her relationship with her ex scumbag, saved her life. He could have let his anger get the best of him like most men would, but instead he focused on saving her, focused on getting her lung reflated. He still has not even thought to ask where his car is that he drove to the club last night when he heard she was in trouble because he just jumped in the ambulance. She has been his only thought. We have never stopped looking for her, and yes, my husband said some dumbass things, but he was young, he was hurting, and he had just lost his parents. Stupid and hurtful things are said while we are mourning, he was also shitfaced drunk. He has regretted it every day since, and we take off a month every year just to scour the country for her. Do not try saying we abandoned her, or do not love her. Let's get one thing straight, do not ever question any of our love for that girl. Now you can either stay here and help us help her, or you and get lost out of all of our lives because honestly we do not need any more bullshit to bring us down."

Peter just stands there slack jawed trying to take in all that she said, and in shock, he was just put in his place by a woman. Jasper pats him on the shoulder while Char smirks from ear to ear, "Well it was about time someone put you in your place hon, I told you they were not gonna be the people to come in a guns a blazin and accusin to. But do ya listen, nooo." She lets out melodic laugh while he grumbles under his breath. "Please excuse my dear husband, after his best friend died protectin our dear Bell she became more of a daughter to us, and he thinks he needs to pull the over protective Dad and Dom card on everyone for her. He just does not seem to realize it isn't always what it seems."

My mom saves the day yet again by calling for lunch. I lead everyone into my dining room where she serves us up a lunch of chicken Alfredo, garlic bread, and salad. "Peter, Charlotte, Let me introduce you to my mother Esme Cullen, Bella's brother Emmett Swan, and then I did not get the chance to formally introduce you to his wife, my twin Rose Swan."

Peter finally made the decision to be friends for now and is courteous "It is nice to meet you Esme," he says as he kisses her hand. "Emmett, I know you and Iz, I mean Bella did not leave on the best terms, but if it makes you feel any better she never went anywhere without a picture of the two of you by her bed." That made Emmett's face light up like a kid on Christmas morning and Rose mouthed a thank you while Peter just nodded as everyone dug in.

After everyone finished eating, my mom, and I bagged some up for my Dad, and some for me to eat while I was at the hospital. Alice and Rose quickly straightened up and did the dishes before we all headed out to the hospital. My mom stopped by the club so I could pick up my car knowing I would have to go into work after I finished my shift with Bella. Before she dropped me off, I was stressing because I was not sure what I could do about her position, since she technically had not been with the company for the fully ninety day probationary period. I just groaned. "It will all work out Edward. Just talk to the board of directors, maybe a big donation from the Platt foundation will appease them," my Mom says as if she was reading my mind. I cannot help but chuckle.

"Thanks Ma!" I give her a kiss getting out of the car as I get into mine to head to the hospital anxious to check on Bella's condition. The first 24 hours are usually the most crucial for brain activity. Usually you can be given a general idea if the brain is going to heal, and to what extent. I was anxious to pull back on some sedation meds tonight, and run another EEG and compare it with last nights if my Dad has not already. I grab a temporary employee badge from the security guard at the gate to the parking garage as I pull in. I quickly find a parking spot since I am here not right at shift change. After parking my car, I say a quick prayer before grabbing my stethoscope, a green Littman Classic III. I will never forget Bella bought it for me as a graduation gift. I've of course had to replace parts here and there, but that's what the lifetime warranty is for. I can't help the weird feeling that it should never need to be used on her. I run my fingers through my hair as I take a deep cleansing breath, this is the most important patient of them all, and I cannot afford to be off the top of my game.

I make my way to her room as the staff ass just stare at me and whisper, a few girls try to flirt but I just politely decline their advances as I keep on my journey. I finally reach my destination, and let out a sigh of relief as I see my Dad. He lets out a chuckle, and I can't help the smile either. "How's our girl holding up?"

I see a twinkle in his eye that gives me hope, "Where's my food and I will tell you?"

"Carlisle Cullen! Don't you dare be refusing to give your son report before you eat! You know your job comes first! Just for that, I am giving him your dessert," My mom says has she walks in. I can't help but crack up laughing by the wounded puppy look on his face.

"Sorry my love, Sorry Edward, that was wrong of me. I know you have been worried about her. She has been fighting the meds, so I went on ahead and started pulling them back some, she is responding to stimulus, both pupils are reactive, there is still some swelling, but I am confident it will go down. She hasn't waken up yet, but she is still on some high power medicine, and I am not yet comfortable to pull the meds all the way yet with the ventilator," he gives me a warning look not to try waking her all the way, "Her lungs still need time to heal, and we all know if awake she won't give it time to." I nod in understanding and agreement. "Her temperature is a little higher than I would like, so I sent some blood down to lab to see if we have any infections going on, otherwise I think she will make close to a full recovery."

"Thank God! I will keep an eye on her temperature, have you done another EEG?"

"Not yet, I figured I would leave you something to do other than twiddle your thumbs tonight Son."

I just shake my head and shoo him out of the room as I sit by her bed and flip open the chart to update myself on her full medical history so there are no surprises.

AN: EEG- It tests the Brain waves and brain functions

Once again Sorry it took so long for an update! I ended up going to a Jo Dee Messina Concert tonight at Downstream Casino Resort. My Grandma was supposed to watch my son during the concert then my parents said they would watch my son after so my husband and I could go out to dinner and have a few drinks since we haven't had a date night or sex since august…. Well my parents conveniently forgot their car seat at home, and since we were parked in valet, we couldn't get ours for them. Therefore no date night, sex, or even dinner because everything was closed at 1030 besides McDonalds. I was so mad! So I came home and wrote this chapter instead.