A Side of Me You Didn't Know

"Hey there, Angel Face." He slipped into the room and pulled up his chair. "I'm so exhausted. On the bright side, Jenny, the girl who got caught in the house fire, she woke up this morning, and it's been only about three weeks. She's doing very well, night I add. I've spent the whole day caring for her. I think she's attracted to me."

"Who isn't?" Asked Alice as she stepped into the room, followed by her father. Of course, she was referring to the fact that the dance was coming up, and it was girls choice; eight girls asked Edward to the dance. He turned them all down.

Edward blushed.

"How is she, son?" he picked up her chart and scanned it.

"Same, I guess."

"Well it seems she's doing better lately. Have you finished the book you were reading?"

"Yeah. I'm starting on another one tomorrow."

"Oh, okay. Good because it seems she is more responsive to that type of stimuli. Maybe she's on her way to waking up."

"Really?"

"Now, don't get your hopes up; you know there's no exact science to predicting when someone will wake up, or if they will. But if she has enough mental stimuli, maybe she will wake up."

"You hear that, Bells? My dad says you're doing better now. That's good. I hope you're feeling better too; I've been working awfully hard to keep you comfortable." He brushed her cheek with the tip of his finger, marveling at the softness of it. "I'll read you another book tomorrow. Chief Swan says your favorite is Wuthering Heights. Well, I personally don't like it, but I'll read it to you anyway, if you like."

His father smiled when the beeping increased slightly. Alice grinned. "Damn, Edward. You make her heart skip and she hasn't even seen you with your new look yet."

"Maybe she just likes books," he objected, blushing slightly.

Alice tsked. "Oh Edward, why is it so hard for you to believe that people might actually like you?"

He sighed. "Maybe because they don't."

"Angela and Lauren do. They worship he ground you walk on after your little show in the cafeteria the two months ago." She tsked again. "Edward, Edward, what a temper."

"Alice, there's a reason why Esme is my mom and it so that more annoying people like you don't have to tsk at me all the damn time."

"Alright, you, two, that's enough."

"Sorry dad."

"Sorry dad."

"In all honesty, I think Edward was the better man that day by not starting a fight. I'm proud of you for walking away, even when your temper dictated otherwise."

Edward looked up from Bella's peaceful face and into the warm eyes of his father. "Really?"

"Really."

Alice grinned. "We're all proud of you, little brother."

He beamed. "Thanks, Alice."

Carlisle smiled and headed out to continue his rounds. Alice turned back to Edward. "So. Tell me about Bella."

"Well, her bones in her pelvis and spine are healed, but she's probably still in pain. Um… her spinal cord… was not… permanently damaged, but there's still a chance she won't be able to walk because of the damage to her pelvis. I guess it's just a waiting game now." he sighed. Tears stung his eyes again as he talked about her suffering. "I know she hears me," he whispered. "I've told her all about us and about me. I've told her all about her dad and how he loves her. How I love her. Are you sure it's not crazy to fall in love with someone in a coma?"

"I never said it wasn't crazy. I just said that I understand it. She and I will be good friends. I can feel it."

"See? It's like she's a magnet."

"For trouble, according to Chief Swan."

Edward stuck his tongue out at her, then shooed her out so he could do his job.

****

"Hi mom." He kissed his mom's cheek.

"Hi honey. How was work?"

"Good. Dad says Bella's doing better now."

"That's great, honey."

He pushed up his sleeves and started on the dishes Esme had abandoned to greet him. She watched in astonishment.

"What, mom?" he was concerned at her totally bewildered look.

"Nothing…" she shook her head and proceeded to start on dinner.

"So mom. It's been some time since it's been just the two of us. We hardly talk. What's going on?"

She sighed. "Your father works a lot. That's exactly what's going on."

"So? I work a lot too."

"I know. And you work hard too. What is it about that girl?"

It was his turn to sigh. "I really don't know. Out of all the patients dad showed me my first day, she was the one who stuck out to me. She looks… I don't know… innocent? Maybe it's that she was so helpless in the situation that brought her there. Maybe it's that taking care of her finally showed me how to be human."

She looked up at her son. "What do you mean?"

"Don't get me wrong, you and Carlisle are the kindest, most compassionate people I've ever met. You guys have put up with me longer than I deserve. But all my life, with everything I went through, I was just used to being hard and cold. And totally uncaring. Kill or be killed, it was how I lived. And when I came into your home, it was different. I expected you to be angry and hurtful like everyone else. But you weren't. I guess maybe I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.I almost wanted it because i expected it so much." He dried and replaced the last dish. Then he grabbed a spoon and dipped it in the sauce his mother was working on. "Oh God, mom. Remind me to be home for dinner more often. Cafeteria food sucks!" he grinned at her. "Anyways, it wasn't until I had to take care of helpless people that I found it in me to be… I don't know… nice."

Esme just stared at her son as he practically waltzed back to sink to rinse his spoon. He came back with a fork. "Can I try the rice too?"

She laughed. "You're going to eat it all before dinner."

He stepped close to her, eyes smoldering. "Please, momma?" He even pouted.

Unable to resist his dazzling charm, she sighed. "Fine. One. Taste."

He grinned happily and tried the rice.

"I suppose you want some of the chicken as well."

He shrugged. "Nah. I know you like to plate the food all artistically and stuff like you see on TV, so I won't ruin your chicken. Besides, the way you cook, I already know it's going to be amazing." He rinsed his fork. "Later mom. I have a paper to start." And he practically danced out of the kitchen, leaving Esme stunned.

She didn't know who that girl was, but she knew she'd changed Edward from the cold, uncaring boy he'd been into the son of her dreams. She'd never seen this more sensitive Edward before. Warm and happy, always smiling. A slow smile spread across her face. Her family was finally coming together.