All Characters belong to Stephenie Meyers

A quick note from me. Just to answer a few questions.

-Bella is quite naive about her self worth. She doesn't even think it's possible for Edward to like her. In her mind why would someone as incredible as Edward like someone as plain as her. But don't worry I hope to remedy that ;)

-Jake is now older and in my mind has always crushed on Bella since they were young. You may recall Bella being shocked at how tall and muscular he was compared to 2 years ago when she had her last visit to Forks. In my story Jake is now more confident in himself and isn't afraid to show his interest in Bella now. Bella on the other hand is confused but doesn't think of Jake in that way.

Gotta give Edward a little competition ;)

-As for an EPOV I don't know if I will yet. I don't think I could do his point of view justice but I may make a snippet later on, we will see :)

NOW onto this chapter which I made extra long for you guys!

Chapter 12

"Well hello there Charlie" Edward says with ease casually moving to Dad's side and moving a few tubes away that were obscuring his face. Sue and I are still in shock standing right at the end of the bed

"Dr. Cullen, what...?" he starts coughing before he can finish his sentence.

"Hang on just a second Charlie and I'll fill you in" Edward says quickly pouring a small amount of water from the jug on his bedside and assisting Dad to drink.

"Just very small sips Charlie, I know you'll want to drink the whole jug but its better to take it slow I'll explain why in a second" Edward instructs going right into Dr mode. After a few small sips of his water he sighs and groans shutting his eyes briefly before blinking rapidly trying to clear his vision.

"Renée?" Dad whispers "What...? What are you doing here?" he says blinking his eyes trying to focus on me some more.

"I... I..." I try to say the words and still hold back the tears that are trying to overflow.

"That's Bella, Charlie" Edward says while continuing to check him.

"Bella?" Dad asks" trying to move his head.

"Yeah Dad. It's me" I smile sadly. I walk slowly over to his side next to Edward and Sue moves to the opposite side.

"What..What happened?" Dad asks confused and looking to us for answers.

"Well Charlie. You were in an accident on your way to pick up Leah and Seth from school." Edward says pausing so Charlie can catch up.

"The truck didn't see the red light and hit your side of the cruiser" he explains continuing to watch him.

"Is the truck driver ok?" Dad asks. That's him, completely selfless always worrying about everyone else around him.

"They are ok honey. Just a bit shaken up" Sue says quietly.

"Sue?" Dad asks while Sue nods her head as the tears fall down her cheeks.

"Oh honey its ok" he coughs.

"Everything will be fine, I'm not going anywhere any time soon I love you girls too much." he winks as he coughs again. Edward pours a bit more water into his cup assisting him to take another sip.

"Thanks Doc..I feel like I might fall asleep again any second" he mutters closing his eyes and forcing them open again.

"That's completely normal Charlie. You might find your self in and out of sleep for the next few days. Get as much rest as you need and we will talk to you more when your awake." Edward says standing up and pressing the button for the nurses.

"Hmm.. ok.. I'll just shut my eyes for a bit.." he says as his breathing evens out.

"He's ok right? I mean that was all normal wasn't it" I say tears still running down my face.

"He is doing quite well. His body will need a bit of time to heal and if he continues to rest then that will only help him recover faster." he says with a small smile before reaching behind him grabbing a few tissues and passing them to me. Two nurses come into the room and Edward quickly talks to them keeping them up to date on Dad's progress.

I watch Sue as she takes a seat next to my Dad, slowly brushing her hand through his hair as she smiles sadly. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm intruding on such a personal moment between them. I should use this time to call Mom.

"I'll be back" I whisper to Sue, before heading out of the room.

Making my way back to main entrance of the hospital I turn my phone on and take a seat just outside on the bench while it loads. As I start the call to my mother I'm already trying to erase all the worry from my voice.

"Bella? Is everything ok baby?" Mom answers. I can hear the tell-tale crumpling of the bed sheet and blanket.

"Yeah Mom, just me, sorry about calling you at this hour but Dad just had some great progress and I promised to keep you updated" I say looking into the distance noting that we would be in for a storm soon.

"Really? That's fantastic!" She exclaims.

"Yeah he just woke up for the first time a few minutes ago and he's his usual self" I laugh

"Oh that's great baby, so do the doctors think he will make a full recovery?" she questions

"Well Ed.. I mean Dr Cullen said that he is doing quite well considering what happened. It' will still be a long road to recovery Mom, and I want to be here to help him." I pause

"I know baby. You're always looking out for everyone besides yourself. Please make sure you take care of you. Try to have some fun while your there, go out with some friends and loosen up your still young baby" she says with what I'm sure is a smile.

"I don't know Mom. You do all that for me. You know I would rather relax or paint & draw then any of that" I chuckle.

"I know. But I think you would have a lot of fun if you let loose. Hell you might even meet a special someone.." She says

"Haha.. Yeah well I'm quite happy for now" I laugh. Looking over my shoulder I notice Edward is there waiting patiently for me to finish my call. With a small smile I mouth 'my mom.. just a sec'

"I know you are.. But I can't wait for you to experience love Bella, not from us but from the man you love, it's like nothing you can read in a book, it's cosmic, it's two souls connecting as one and well... I'm sure you can tell me the rest when you experience it" she giggles

"Alright love doctor I'll leave you to your hippy remedies, I'll let you know if there are any changes." I laugh

"Haha ok laugh all you want. You'll see I'm right. Take care of yourself baby, I love you" she says

"I love you too Mom, don't do anything that I wouldn't do" I chuckle looking over at Edward who has a small grin firmly in place.

"Now where's the fun in that! Bye baby" she laughs

"Bye Mom" I end the call shaking my head.

"Hi" I say to Edward.

"Hello.. I was just seeing if you would like to grab a coffee with me? I'm on a little break" he smiles

"Oh that would be amazing" I readily accept putting my cell in my pocket and walking a long side him towards the café.

"How's your Mom?" He asks

"She's ok, I'm trying to keep her updated without freaking her out. She doesn't handle stress too well" I smile.

"Everyone deals with it differently I suppose. I'm sure Charlie will be happy to know your going to be here for him" he says putting his hands into his white coat.

"I guess. I think it's what I needed as well. Don't get me wrong I love Australia but I don't know. I miss Forks, I guess this was always home to me." I say as I feel Edward's hand brace my lower back guiding me across the street.

"I can understand that. No matter where I went, California, Chicago, even Seattle. None of them felt like home. I transferred here as soon as my residency was complete and I've never looked back." He says putting his hands in his pockets once more.

"It's home" I reply.

"Yeah, it's where my family is and it's where I hope to be able to have my own family someday" he shrugs before reaching out to open the door for me.

Walking into 'Little Italy' my senses are enveloped by the gorgeous aromas of freshly ground coffee and decadent baked goods.

"Mmmm I'm in heaven" I grin making my way to the counter.

"Haha I know the feeling" Edward says looking at the selection through the glass.

"Why do you even bother to look Edward? We both know you're gonna order the same thing you always do." Rosalie laughs raising an eyebrow

Edward huffs, "Well I actually was going to order something different, I'll have a slice of the chocolate mud-cake and a large cappuccino" he says grinning back at Rosalie.

"Wow way to live on the edge" she jokes.

"What? That's different.." He defends

"Yeah a real big leap from you triple choc muffin and large black coffee" she jokes back.

I simply laugh at their banter looking at what delicious delight I would like to snap up.

"Hi Bella, what can I get you today my lovely?" Rosalie asks grinning at Edward's sour look.

"Hmmm I'll have a slice of the banana tarte tatin please, oh and a large cappuccino with a shot of vanilla please" I ask licking my lips.

"A woman after my own heart" she laughs getting out orders tallied up.

"Here, I'll fix up both please" Edward says sliding over a $50 "keep the change" he smiles. I pout and tap my foot a few times for good measure. He's got to stop doing that. Rosalie just looks between us before doing as he says.

"Are you guys eating here or taking away?" She asks.

"Um, we will eat here I think" he says looking to me for any objection, to which I have none.

"Well take a seat and I'll bring it out to you shortly" she smiles

Choosing to sit in the little nook in the corner we take our seats and I pick up the little card on the table. It seems that all the tables have different quotes or saying on them, how cute.

This one says;

'Dear future husband,

When you propose to me, please don't put the ring in my food because I guarantee I WILL EAT IT.'

I giggle to myself before Edward gives me a confused look. Passing the quote over I watch him read it and he laughs looking back at me.

"That would make for a great story to tell the kids" he winks placing the quote back on the table.

"Yeah, that would be something I would do" I laugh.

Rosalie pops over to the table with our coffees and our sweets before telling us to give yell out if we need anything she'll just be in the back.

"Thank you" Edward and I say in unison.

Blowing slowly on my cappuccino I then take a small sip groaning as the liquid gold slides down my throat and warms my tummy.

"God she makes a great coffee" I say smiling at Edward as he nods and takes a sip of his in agreement.

"So.. do you have a chocolate addiction Dr. Cullen?" I ask cutting into my tart with a smile. He puts his hand over his heart before saying.

"Hi. My name is Edward Anthony Cullen and I'm a chocoholic" he finishes nodding.

"Hi Edward" I say smiling.

"It's definitely a favourite of mine" he grins before eating a big bite of his mud-cake.

"I'll remember that. I have some mean chocolate recipes" I say taking another bite.

"I'll happily taste test" he says throwing his hand up like he is in school.

"Haha if your really good I might even let you lick the spoon" I laugh. He nods rapidly saying

"Yes please!"

After our laughter dies down Edward finishes his cake and sits back with a satisfied smirk.

"You look really tired, do you have long before your shift ends?" I ask

"I finish in a few hours, and then I have 2 days off" he smiles

"Wow that's a long shift isn't it?" I ask

"No, not really 16 hours is kinda normal" he says smiling

"Far out. No wonder you look tired." I say

"It's not that bad once you get used to it. Besides I never had a reason to be home, so it only seemed right to put that time to use at the hospital." he shrugs.

"That's very selfless of you Edward" I reply finishing my tart.

"Thank you Bella" he says looking out the window.

"Shit, looks like we are in for a heavy downpour, we better hurry back before it gets worse" he says hopping up from his chair and reaching for my hand. Putting my hand in his he helps me up and leads me to the door. The rain is beating down outside. Oh it's going to be so cold out there.

"Here" Edward says taking off his long coat and wrapping it over my head and shoulders.

"On the count of 3.. Ready?" he asks before seeing me nod " Ok..1...2...3!" he shouts opening the door bracing it for me to exit.

"I got you" Edward says as the rain rushes down on us, Edward's hand holds me to his side balancing me as we try to rush back to the hospital. My ballet flats are soaked and they nearly slip out from under me a few times before Edward rights me. I cant help but laugh, we must look ridiculous to any other spectators. Edward laughs as well as we finally make it to the awning just outside the hospital entrance.

Sputtering and trying to wipe the rain from my face I finally move his coat off the top of my head to see Edward soaked and smiling like a little kid. His hair is completely matted to his head and water is dripping down his face. Lifting up my hand I use a little of his coat sleeve to wipe away the water laughing and fumbling.

"I'm useless" I laugh giving up

"Haha allow me" he says chuckling. He lifts my other arm to his face I try to hold back more laughter as he pats down his face causing me to giggle as his five a clock shadow tickles my wrist.

"Hahaha Edward!" I giggle trying to pull my hand away which only causes his playful smile to gleam with mischief as he grabs me and wipes his wet face along the side of face and my neck"

"Ahh!" I squeal trying to get away. He stops and holds me in a hug as our laughter dies down. Holding me steady he moves back enough to look into my eyes. His warm breaths cascades on my face as we try to catch our breath. I'm mesmerized looking into his bright green eyes. He stares back at me as the rain continues to pour just beside us and it feels like time holds still.

OOOHHH! Cliffhanger! Don't hurt me! *ducks for cover*

Please review. Reviews make me gloriously happy and therefore even more motivated to write the next Chapter ;)