AN: i know, i know. i practically killed you guys with that last chapter. but i got 24 reviews for it! which were all so awesome...so thanx! sadly, this chapter will b e one of the last. it's loosely based around chapter 24 of Twilight, where Bella is in the hospital.here, it's Edward in the hospital.im sorry, but i didnt unstab Edward here, since i dont know how, but i do know how to make him all better. :) but thats not happening in this chapter either. so, i hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen: A Promise to Keep

Bella sat there, absolutely still, her cheeks stained with the salt water of her tears. All through the long night, Bella had cried, cried for her love, her life. She had cried until there were no tears left, until her eyes had grown red and tired, but she did not sleep. All she could do was sit there with a lifeless, faraway look in her eyes. The obnoxious beeping of the machine beside Edward's bed was the only thing that gave Bella hope in the darkness of the early morning.

Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett and Charlie had stayed with Bella for a couple of hours, but then the doctor had insisted that Edward shouldn't have such a crowd. But Bella had refused to go.

The beeping continued, slowly. Bella's mind replayed the horror of that prom night over and over again. Why, Bella? Why I didn't stop this madness? Why? A tear-less sob shook through Bella, escaping from her lips. She pulled her legs up onto the chair, hugging them as she rested her chin on her knees. She rocked herself back and forth as more tears escaped through her lashes, spilling onto the dress she still wore from the night before.

She looked up immediately when she heard movement coming from the bed. She watched as Edward stirred in his unconsciousness, twisting in the web of tubes. For a moment, she swore she saw his dazzling green eyes open. No, impossible, she thought to herself, turning away.

"Bella," she heard a familiar voice mumble. Again, she looked towards Edward, and saw for sure this time that his eyes were open. He smiled slightly when he saw her.

"Edward?" Bella questioned, uncertain that he was really awake.

"What happened? I feel like I went through Hell," Edward said, his voice shaking.

Bella shook her head, not wanting to recall the awful night.

"All I remember was Zack, telling me to go, and then you screamed, and he punched me."

"No, Edward. He didn't punch you. He had a knife," Bella whispered, another tear streaming down her cheek.

Edward's eyes filled with understanding at the situation he was in. "It's okay, Bella. Everything will work out fine," he soothed.

Bella sobbed again. "You promise?"

"Yes, love, I promise. I'll be all right soon enough. And I'll be out of here," Edward said with sincerity.

"What happened to Zack?" he then asked.

"He's somewhere in the hospital. A broken nose, they said. And then he'll be on his way to court," Bella recalled, remembering what her dad had told her.

"A broken nose?"

"Yes. I kind of punched him, but I didn't think it would do that much damage," Bella muttered.

Suddenly, Edward groaned in agony. Naturally, Bella began to worry. "I'll get the nurse," she assured as she rose to push the help button.

"No," Edward mumbled, but it was too late. Bella's finger hit the button.

"I don't want to go back to sleep. I want to keep talking to you," Edward groaned.

"But I don't want to see you in anymore pain, understood?" Bella said sternly.

Both of them were silent as a nurse walked in, sending pain medication into the IV.

When she was gone, Edward spoke again. "I'd rather be stabbed all over again then be away from you, Bella."

"But I can't stand to see you in pain again Edward. And besides, maybe it will make the recovery faster."

"You're all I need to recover," Edward said, his eyelids already heavy with sleep.

Smiling at that, Bella walked over to the bed and leaned down to gently press her lips to his. "I love you, Edward," she whispered.

"I love you, too, Bella," Edward muttered groggily. "Everything will be okay. I promise." And then darkness closed over him.

AN: didn't you just luv it! Emmett and Rose had their chappie, Alice and Jasper had their chappie, and now Bella and Edward have their chappie! since lately it seems you guys are big on reviews, how does 230 sound? REVIEW!

oh, and check out my other fanfics, if you guys have the time. they are:

Caterina (for The Thief Lord)

Day of Night (for Twilight)

Have a Nice Trip! (for Twilight)

The Trouble with Mike (for Twilight)

later! eclipsed heart