AN: Sorry it's taken so long to update, major stress in my life right now. Thought I would finish this up over the weekend, but the story has become something bigger than I originally had intended. Glad you are all enjoying it and thank you for all the kind words!

Chapter 12

Bella stood frozen in the exact spot where Carlisle had left her. She didn't know where to go or what to do. Finally she felt a hand on her shoulder, looking around she saw her saving grace, Jacob, standing next to her. What was he doing here?

"Jake, what are you..?"

"I was here getting a prescription for Dad, saw Carlisle, and he filled me in on the accident and Edward's condition. Bella, why didn't you call me? I would have been here sooner."

"I'm sorry; it all happened so fast. One minute I'm with my husband, the next he's getting hit by a car. I'm so lost right now Jake, I'm lucky I remember my name." She said. "I'm so numb; I don't know what to do or feel Jake."

Jake put his arms around Bella and hugged her to him. He didn't like to see his friend in pain, and while a few years ago, he would have done anything to have her in him arms; he never wanted it to be under these circumstances.

"Let's go sit down." He coaxed her over to some chairs that were outside Edward's room.

"I wonder if the family knows yet?" she wondered. "I should call them."

"I'm sure they know Bella. Just sit here and relax. They'll be coming through the door any minute and I won't have anymore alone time with you."

"Alone time?" she asked. "Are you serious? Jake, my husband is having a second operation on his brain. I don't know what's going to happen to him. Right now my life is completely up in the air, and you want alone time? I think I'd rather you left."

Jake was stunned. He couldn't believe that his best friend was telling him to leave.

"Bella, I'm just saying, whenever the Cullen's are around, they treat me like a dog. It's like I'm not fit to eat off their floor. I just want to help you get through this and make sure you're going to be ok." He said sullenly.

"I'm sorry Jake. I'm just so worried about Edward."

"It's ok." He sat there for a minute. "Bella, would you be this worried about me if I were in Edward's place?"

Bella gasped and just looked. "I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer. Of course I would. What's gotten into you?" She turned away from him and stared down the corridor that led to the operating rooms.

Like Jacob had predicted, the rest of the Cullen clan had been notified and everyone was back at the hospital waiting for some news.

Emmett and Rosalie where already in the building at her obstetrician's office. She was officially 8 weeks pregnant and in perfect health. Emmett was strutting around like he had been the only man alive with the ability to father a child.

Jasper had finally made it back to Forks and he and Alice rushed in the front door. He walked immediately over to Bella and gave her a hug. As always, Jasper's calming presence made her feel at ease.

"Jasper, I'm so glad you're here."

"Bella, everything's going to be fine, don't worry." He reassured her.

Bella looked around the room and saw Esme standing at the door to surgery, looking through the little window. She looked as lost as Bella felt. Then she saw Jake stand up and walk over to her mother-in-law, bend down and whisper something in her ear. Bella was very curious, and the next thing she new, Esme and Jacob were hugging, this made her smile.

Finally, three hours later, Carlisle walked back through the doors. Everyone tensed waiting for the news.

"Bella, he's going to be just fine. We relieved the pressure to his brain that was causing all the mood swings. All of his motor functions have returned and he won't be in any more pain. He's going to be in intensive care for a couple of days just as a precaution, but there is no doubt he'll make a full recovery."

Bella jumped up and threw her arms about Carlisle. Relief was cursing through her body and she felt like she could run a million miles an hour.

"Can I go see him? Please?"

"Of course, I'll take you back there. Everyone can come see him."

Carlisle led the way, with the rest of the family close on his heels. Jacob stood to the side and let everyone pass. Bella noticed this and went over to him.

"Come on Jake, aren't you coming with us?" she asked.

"I don't think so Bells, I don't want to be in the way." He replied shyly.

"Jacob, you will not be in the way, and I know deep down inside you're secretly worried about Edward. I saw you hugging Esme and whispering words of encouragement to her."

Jake looked down at the floor, he didn't think anyone saw that. He definitely didn't want anyone seeing his more sensitive side. Relinquishing to Bella's request, he grudgingly followed everyone back to ICU.

Once they got back there, Carlisle said they could only go in two at a time and for no longer then five minutes a visit. This time Esme and Carlisle went in together on Bella's insistence. She couldn't imagine having a child in the same situation as Edward and not being able to see him right away. She also insisted that the rest of the family go before she did, stating that she would have plenty of time to see him later. Actually, she was afraid to go see him. She knew he was still unconscious, but after the last emotional encounter they had, she honestly didn't think she could handle something like that happening again.

After the family had seen for themselves that Edward was indeed going to be ok, Carlisle walked over to Bella and told her is was ok to go see him now. When she hesitated he frowned at her and asked what was wrong.

"Carlisle, I don't think I can handle another scene with Edward. Maybe it's best if I come back later?"

"Bella, he was suffering before and in great pain, although I'm sure he didn't tell you that. He wasn't able to control his emotions. We've relieved the swelling affecting that part of his brain, he'll be fine now. I promise you."

She looked him in the eye, knowing he would never lie to her, but she still felt trepidation as she walked toward the small unit where Edward was located. Looking behind her she saw Esme and the rest of her family smile at her encouragingly.

Walking into the room, she once again saw her husband hooked up to numerous machines. She stared at his unmoving form and noticed that there was a calm expression on his face. Not like the pain-filled look he had when previously coming out of surgery. This time there seemed to be relief.

She went over to the bed and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "Edward, you ever make me worry this much again, I'm truly leaving you." she whispered into his ear and kissed his earlobe.

She straightened up and looked at his face again, there seemed to be the tiniest smile on his lips. Relief washed over Bella.

"How long will he be in ICU?" She asked Carlisle.

"Just a couple of days as a precautionary measure, then we'll move him back to the same ward he was in before. Unfortunately there's no bed in here for you or a chair. You might want to go back to the cottage for the night and get some rest. Or better yet, come over to our house and stay. That way you won't be alone. Alice and Jasper are staying there for the weekend and they would love to spend some time with you. What do you say?"

As if on cue, Alice popped her head in the doorway. "Come over Bella, we can have a slumber party! We'll get Rosalie and Emmett to stay over too! Come on, you know you want to!"

"No, I'm not leaving Edward. The last time he woke up and thought I had left he was so upset. I'll just sit up in the waiting room or something. I'm not leaving my husband. Besides, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I won't have Edward waking up alone."

Carlisle knew there would be no persuading her. He went to grab a chair to set in the tiny space near Edward's bed.

Alice understood, came over and gave her a hug, and walked back out with the others.

"Bella, he's going to sleep all night. Are you sure you won't come home with us?"

"I'm sure Carlisle, thanks though." And with that, she sat down in the chair and prepared for a long night. Everyone came back in one more time to check on Edward and say their goodbyes.

Jacob was the last to come in and when he saw Edward, he got a strange look on his face.

"Bella, what's it like to love someone as much as you love Edward?"

Taken completely off guard, Bella really didn't know how to answer that. After a few moments to contemplate his question, she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"It's the best and sometimes it's the worst thing imaginable. At times you want to spend every second of everyday with that person. You want to breathe in their very existence to make it your own. You totally become one with each other. Then at times, it's all you can do to be in the same room. You feel like you're losing your sense of self and you don't know where you end and they begin. If you're strong enough and don't give up, the good definitely out weighs the bad. I think people forget that it takes work to be in a relationship. It's not a fairy tale or a romance novel, its real life. If you love that person enough, you can overcome absolutely anything that gets in the way. If you don't have confidence in yourself or the other person, you might as well walk away."

As Bella was saying these words to Jacob she realized that she had stopped putting effort into her marriage. She had been so determined to stay the independent woman she always wanted to be and stopped being Mrs. Edward Cullen. She chose this path and realized she was constantly looking for the quick fix to everything. So what if Edward didn't surprise her with flowers, he did other things to show how much he loved her. Breakfasts in bed, making sure there was coffee for her in the morning, filling up her car with gas because he new she hated doing it, and so many other things. When had that all stopped being enough?

Bella jumped up from her chair and gave Jacob a big hug.

"Thank you Jake!"

Confusion filled his voice. "What did I do?" he asked.

"You made me realize that I have the best life a person could wish for and I was trying to throw it all away. I know Edward would never cheat on me, put I was so determined to make him that bad guy, to make it all his fault. I was just as much to blame, if not more. I wanted a fairy tale and actually what I have is so much better."

"Bella, I think you might have hit your head somewhere along the way."

"No you silly! I'm fine, I'm finer then I have been in a long time!"

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt Mrs. Cullen, but I heard that Mr. Cullen had to have a second surgery and I just wanted to see how he was doing?"

Bella released Jake and saw Angela, Edward's ward nurse standing in the door way.

"Oh Angela, hi, come on in, if you can find room. Edward's going to be fine; we're going to be just fine." Bella told her sounding a little too happy with her husband in ICU.

Angela looked at Bella then over to Jacob and raised her eyebrows. Jake just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what the heck had gotten into Bella. She was kind of sounding a little wacky. Maybe sleep deprivation was finally taking its toll.

"How rude of me," Bella continued. "Angela, this is my best friend Jacob Black. Jake, this is Angela…Angela the nurse. She was assigned to Edward before he had to go back into surgery."

Angela reached out to shake Jake's hand. When they made contact there was a spark that hit both of them at the same time. A bit startled, Angela released his hand quickly and looked him in the eyes. There was something happening between them, something electric, some thing that said they would be getting to know each other very well.

Jake felt it too and smiled at Angela. This nurse was hot!

"Well I just wanted to see how Edward was doing. I'm off now and on my way to get something to eat. I'll see you soon."

She was about to leave when Jacob spoke up. "I was just leaving myself, do you mind if I join you?"

Angela blushed, "No, I wouldn't mind at all."

"Bella, I'll come by to check on you in the morning." And with that they were both gone.

Bella smile to herself. For the first time in a very long time she was completely relaxed and content. Looking over at her sleeping husband she reached for his hand and took it in hers.

"Oh Edward, I have been such a fool. I only hope when you wake up that you'll forgive me. I love you."

"Bell's, there you are!"

"Dad, what's going on?"

"We caught the person who hit Edward; we're going to need you to come down to the station."