The Chase

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. This fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only. I also do not own the novel, A Long Fatal Love Chase, by Louisa May Alcott that inspired me to write this story.

Author' Note: It has been a week and I am back again. I hope you like this chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 14 – Forgiveness and Moving Forward

Edward paced the hospital waiting room like a mad man. Bella had been admitted nearly twenty minutes ago and he had heard nothing. Jasper left him alone to pace in agitation, knowing there was nothing he could do to relieve him of his tension. He started off in search of someone who could help them. His attention is drawn to a nurse who is standing with her back to him at the reception desk. Her hair is styled in a short pixie cut, and her figure is tiny. Jasper feels drawn to her.

"Excuse me, ma'am." He says politely.

The small woman turns to look at him. She checks him out up and down before smiling at him. "Sir? How can I help you?" She asks in a flirty voice.

"My friend's wife was brought in nearly half an hour ago, Isabella Cullen, and we are terribly worried since we have not heard anything. Would you be so kind as to let us know how she is faring?"

Alice's smile turns into a sympathetic expression. "Of course. If you will have a seat, I will be back momentarily."

Jasper exhales in relief. He finally has something positive to tell Edward. "Thank you."

She nods and hurries away. He watches her fine figure walk away before going back over to Edward to try and comfort him.

Five minutes later, the nurse is back. "Mr. Cullen?" She questions, looking directly at Edward.

"Yes?" Edward asks anxiously, continuously knotting his hands together.

"Dr. Biers will see you now."

Edward follows the nurse down the hallway and Jasper trails behind silently. She leads him into an office and turns to address them both. "If you need anything else, then ask the front desk for me. My name is Alice."

"Thank you, Alice." Jasper murmurs while Edward nearly runs into the doctor's office.

Dr. Biers is young and attractive with sandy blonde hair and piercing eyes. He stands and shakes Edward's hand.

"Mr. Cullen, I am Dr. Biers. Please call me Riley."

Edward jumps in. "How is she?" He doesn't want to know anything else. He just wants to know how his Bella is doing. If she suffers much more for this, then he doesn't know how he will be able to bear it.

Dr. Biers looks at them seriously. "Mrs. Cullen has two broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen. We are getting ready to head into surgery to remove her spleen, but other than that she appears to be okay. I believe she will make a full recovery. It will be a slow and painful recovery to bear with her ribs though. She will need constant care."

"She will have that. I won't ever leave her side." Edward says passionately and Dr. Biers believes him beyond a shadow of a doubt.

"I need to go in and remove her spleen. Please sign these papers to give us your consent." He says softly.

Edward quickly signs the papers. "When can I see her?" He asks desperately.

Dr. Biers eyes become sympathetic. "After her surgery. She has had a tremendous shock to her system and it may take a while for her to regain consciousness. Do not be alarmed if it takes another day before she wakes up. Sometimes these things take time. "

Edward nods and feels a small bit of the weight he has been lugging around fall away, but he is still apprehensive. Until he sees his Bella, he knows that ache will not go away. He finally got her back and she was giving him a chance to prove himself to her. He had to do everything perfectly in order to ensure that she took him back. He loved her with his whole heart and he couldn't stand to lose her.

Four hours later, Edward is sitting by Bella's bedside. Dr. Biers said the operation went well and now they just had to wait for her to wake up. Edward leaned over and held her hand in his. He placed a gentle kiss on her palm and watched her face as she slept peacefully.

Edward just starts talking. He starts talking and he isn't sure if he will ever be able to stop.

"Bella, you are the only woman I have ever loved…you are pure, good, loving, kind, and intelligent. You see good in me and no one, aside from Jasper, has seen good in me for a really long time. I love you. I am sorry that I let you down, but I can promise you this: I will never let you down again. I am changing and I want to be the better man for you. I want to be the man you desire. I want to marry you. I want to have children with you. I want to be with you every single moment of forever. You are my life now. I love you. I love you so much. Please forgive me."

Edward lets the tears leak out of his eyes and he is shocked when he hears the small voice.

"I love you too, Edward. I forgive you."

Edward turns to her as the tears stream down his face. He sees Bella's beautiful eyes overflow as well.

He leans in and presses his lips lightly against hers and then wraps her in a gentle hug.

"Thank you." He murmurs reverently. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Bella smiles at him and wipes the tears that are falling down his perfect cheeks. "You are good, Edward. I see it." She says softly. Edward hugs her again, carefully, and he realizes that he finally did the right thing. He is finally going to be the man that Bella needs. He will be there for her through thick and thin, forever. It is all he has ever wanted.

I will be writing a very lengthy epilogue (it may be two parts). There are a lot of loose ends for me to tie up and I want to make sure I answer everyone's questions as well. Review and let me know what you would like to know that I have not answered yet. I want to make sure that everything is clear.

Thanks again and please review!

Bookworm 722 –