Author's Note: Wow! When I said review, you guys reviewed! That totally made my day. :) Thank you for sticking with the story and still liking it! There's still so much that's going to happen and I just want to get to it, but I don't want to rush anything. Build up more suspense, ya know? (hehe)

CHAPTER 14: Get Well Soon

My mind is foggy. My body also feels heavy. I'm not sure if it's because of the life vest I am wearing or if it is the heavy rope pulling me down that I can't get loose from. Either way I can't tell which way was up. The water is cold and the night makes it hard to see anything the under the sea. I try to hold on for as long as I can but I am so disoriented. Was I going up or down in my attempt to reach the surface? Of all the things that could happen to me, my death results in a drowning. Not a car accident or a broken neck—but in a place out of my element.

I grow numb and my arms are tired from trying to break free from my watery grave. Even with my eyes open, the water is murky as if I am locked in a dark, hazy room. I was never much of a swimmer and everything restricting my movements—the life vest, the rope, my clothes—I grow weak and begin to feel lightheaded. The next thing I remember seeing before I close my eyes is a bright light and a sudden force against me. Then everything went dark.

Within a matter of minutes, I feel something bothering my eyes again. Something brighter than the light I saw before I gave into the darkness. My body no longer feels heavy but it still feels very weak and I can't move my arms. I try to lift them but they wouldn't obey my commands. My head stirs with a pounding headache and I am unable open my eyes as well. But, I can

breath. I want to ask what is going on to anyone who can hear me but it's difficult to find my voice. I let out a soft moan in its place instead. Was I dead? Was I in heaven?

"Bella?" I faintly hear my name. Is this the voice of some higher being? Something soft brushes against my cheek. It's warm and it makes me smile even though I can't form the happy feeling on my face.

With all my might, I try to force my words out of me. "Wh…wh…where…am…I?" I practically breathe. My mouth is dry and I'm having a hard time swallowing.

"You're in the hospital," the soft voice says. "Here, have some water." They tilt my head up so that I can put my lips to the glass. The cool liquid going down my throat is refreshing and is exactly what I needed.

Little by little with the strength that is slowly coming back to me, I try opening my eyes again. Everything in the room is burly and I can't clearly make out the figure hovering in front of me.

"What…happ…ened?" I breathe again. Talking is exhausting. I feel like falling back into a nice long sleep again. When my vision finally starts to get a little better, I'm surprised to see Edward and his worried features staring at me. He looks terrible like he hadn't been sleeping properly.

"You fell overboard, Bella," he sounds distressed. "You weren't able to resurface even though you were wearing a life vest because of the rope that was tangled around your body. I took off my vest and jumped in after you but I couldn't find you right away since it was pitch black. Marcus turned on the ship's search light, which helped me spot your orange vest in the water as you were sinking."

"So…that…was…the light…I saw…?" I reply tiredly.

"Probably?" Edward looks unsure. I can't fully open my eyes yet. "You were barely breathing by the time I gave you CPR, but you were able to cough up most of the water you had in your lungs. Luckily, we were already headed back to shore. We took you to the hospital right after."

"How long…have I…been here?" I gulp. My mouth is dry again.

"About a day and a half."

A day and a half? I swear everything only happened within a matter of minutes. I was drowning and now I was here. Was I really unconscious for that long? "Where's…Aro?"

"He and Jane left for the cafeteria. They shouldn't be gone for too long. Aro's also contacted your parents."

"Oh, great…" I rolls my eyes lazily. I can picture the both of them in hysterics, especially Renee. She always has a tendency to overrate while Charlie is probably going to revoke Marcus's boating license or something if he could. I just hope neither one is trying to fly over here just to see how I was doing.

"Is…Aro upset?" I ask.

"He was more worried about you than upset," he says quietly. "Bella…I'm really sorry. It was my entire fault. I should have been more careful and made sure you were safe. I can't even begin to describe how I felt when I saw you falling off the side and how I couldn't save you." Edward's features look grim and pained. I know he's replaying that moment in his mind.

"Hey…stop that," I tell him, wanting to reach for him but my arms still aren't listening. "You did… save me," I try to smile as best as I can to show my appreciation. "I wouldn't be here…if…if you didn't go in…after me…knowing you was…risking…your own…life. I owe…my life…to you."

"Anyone would have done the same…" he replies softly, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Bella! You're awake!" I hear a surprised voice a few feet away.

"A…Alice?" I ask. I'm still too weak to fully turn my head in the direction of the door.

"Yeah, it's my sister," Edward confirms. It could have been my imagination but he didn't sound that excited to see her.

As Alice gets closer I'm able to get a better look at her as she stands by my bedside, placing a colorful bouquet of flowers on the nearby counter. I hadn't noticed it before but there were flowers and balloons all over the room. She also throws a small duffle bag in the corner somewhere. "How are you feeling?" she asks, gently rubbing my arm.

"Okay…" I half-smile.

"Edward, go get some rest. You've been here all day," Alice tries to shoo her brother away. "I want to spend time with Bella."

"…Fine," Edward reluctantly agrees, rolling his eyes at her command. "I'll be in the cafeteria."

Once he leaves, Alice hugs me gently. "Oh, Bella, I was so worried about you. I'm glad you're alright."

"Thanks. If it wasn't for Edward…"

"I'm so glad Edward was there," a look of relief washes over her features. "You know…he hasn't left your bedside since you got here. Aro had to practically threaten him that if he didn't get some sleep, he'd find a replacement for the lead role."

"Really…?"

"Yeah, he slept here last night," she turns her head to the corner where there is a small rollaway bed against the wall and a blanket. "He was really worried about you. I think more so than the rest of us," my pixie-haired friend says softly. "He's also still blaming himself for what happened, which is stupid."

"I know…and it's not. It was just me…being clumsy as usual," I sigh.

Alice caresses my forehead. "Oh, Bella. What to do with you?" she smiles teasingly.

"Aro isn't…mad at him…is he?"

"Oh, no…of course not," she shakes her head vigorously. She probably saw how concerned I look if Aro was or blames himself. "Edward was torn up about it but Marcus, your uncle's friend, backed him up telling him how 'valiant' and 'courageous' he was for saving you. But, Aro never thought of blaming Edward to begin with. He was very thankful to him if anything."

"That's good to know. Hey…"

"What?"

"What's become of the movie? Weren't they supposed to be working today?"

"Aro postponed the production until he knew you were okay."

Well, that wasn't comforting to hear. "Oh…" I know this production is costing Aro money and stopping production means they're behind schedule, which means going over budget for the extra time required to finish the movie. I'm sure the studio execs aren't too thrilled about that.

"Don't worry about it, Bella," Alice assures me. "Things will go back to normal soon enough. I agreed to stay and keep an eye on you so Edward and the others can go back to work."

"Isabella?" Aro's voice breaks our conversation.

"Hi…" I faintly smile.

"Oh, thank goodness," he rushes over and kisses my forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I try to give him a reassuring nod.

"Bella," Jane greets me by also caressing my arm like Alice did.

"I'll leave you guys alone," Alice announces. She blows me a kiss and waves goodbye.

I frown at Aro. "I'm really sorry…" I say quietly, tears prickling the corners of my eyes. "I didn't mean for any of this…to happen and for you to stop…production…just to be here." I'm getting better about catching my breath as I talk but now I'm also starting to get emotional.

"Oh, my sweet Isabella. Don't be ridiculous," he caresses my cheek with the back of his hand. "Your well-being is more important to me than this movie. The studio can wait. Family comes first and foremost."

"I'll go get a nurse," Jane says and walks out the door to give us some privacy.

"Can I…ask…you a favor?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"Can you tell Edward it's not his fault?"

Aro looks surprised by my request. "Does he still think that?" he shakes his head.

"Yeah. He can't seem to get…over it…even though it was…my fault, not his."

"Sweetheart, it's no one's fault. It was an accident. It could have happened to anyone."

"But I'm the most likely candidate for it," I roll my eyes.

Aro laughes a little. "The most important thing is that you're okay."

"Edward told me…you called…my parents. What did they say? Was my mom…freaking out?"

Aro sighs. "Well…you know your mother. I told her you're fine and that you were just resting at the hospital so there was no need for her to worry and try to book a flight here to see you. I also told her that I didn't think you would appreciate it if she did."

"Uncle Aro!" I say in shock. I can't believe he said that to my mom! I can see Renee looking offended by his comment. I would never say such a thing to her. Although I feel like I was the parent and she is the outgoing, rambunctious child—she was still my mother and I respected her. But, at the same time…I'm glad she didn't hop on a plane at the first chance she got.

"Don't worry, I put it in more…sensitive terms," he tries to calm me down. "I simply advised that stress wasn't good for your recovery. I told her you would be more worried about her arrival here than she is about your condition."

"I see…"

I'm really glad Aro said that to her. Renee can be forgetful and absentminded sometimes when she's on her own. I doubted Phil would be able to accompany her since his schedule with his baseball team is pretty hectic right now. My mother will probably get lost at the airport during her connecting flight or lose money or her luggage in the process. She also isn't very good with directions. Just thinking about these things and how much of a disaster it would be for her to come here is already starting to stress me out so I'm glad she listened to Aro.

"I also told her you would call her the first chance you got, so call your mother as soon as you feel better, alright?"

"Yeah, I will. What about Cha…my dad?"

"Charlie was a little calmer about it. I told him I was taking time off to look after you and that you would also call him when you could."

"Time off?" I raise a confused eyebrow.

"Well, yes. You are my responsibility. I want to be sure you are at a hundred percent before I leave you alone again."

"That's really unnecessary, uncle Aro. I can just stay at home and call one of the helpers if I need something. I should be fine by tomorrow."

Aro hesitantly shakes his head. "I don't want to risk it, Isabella. What if you are walking down the stairs and feel faint all of a sudden? I couldn't live with myself if an accident like that were to happen."

"It won't," I squeeze his arm with the strength I have, which is more of a light touch. "I'm not bulletproof. There will be other times in my life where I'll get into another accident, or scrape my knee, or break an arm—or something. No matter how much you try to look out for me, you can't protect me from every little thing." His over protectiveness is really starting to sound like Edward's.

He smiles and caresses my cheek again. "You've always been a strong, resilient person. But, still. I'll have Jane check on you from time to time."

"Deal."

"Hello…knock, knock," came a different voice by the door. It's one of the hospital staff.

Aro greets her in Italian and speaks to her like that for a few minutes. She walks by my bedside and smiles warmly at me. "Hello, Isabella. I am Dr. Moretti. How are you feeling today?" Of course she'd also call me Isabella.

"Getting better," I half-smile.

"Good," she smiles again, her eyes crinkling as she does. She runs a few tests on my breathing, eyesight and some other things before she starts scribbling something on my chart. "Well, everything seems to be in order. I don't see anything to worry about," she tells Aro. Then she turned to me, "You should be able to go home first thing tomorrow. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded for a few days, it is perfectly normal. But if it persists, please contact me. Okay?"

"Okay…" I replied quietly.

"Grazie," Aro says to her after she hands him my prescription and leaves the room. I'm able to turn my head better now toward the door and see her almost bump into Edward who has returned. They apologize to each other and he walks around her before stepping back inside. He looks surprised to see Aro.

"Oh, I'm sorry…I'll come back later," he starts to walk out again.

Aro stops him. "No, no, Edward. Come in," he motions with his hand. The actor makes his way

slowly over to us, giving me a small smile. I can't help but blush for feeling a little awkward about having both men here. "Stay as long as you like to keep Isabella some company. Just don't overexert yourself by not resting or eating. She will be released tomorrow."

"That's great!" he smiles a little wider.

"Ah, is that the bag Alice brought?" Aro points the duffle bag I saw her with earlier.

"Yeah…what's in it?" Edward looks at the bag curiously.

Aro smiles at him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Since it's been hard to pry you away from this room, I had Alice pack you some extra clothes and snacks."

I've never seen Edward blush before but he sure was blushing now! I tried to suppress my smile. He looks so adorable with the shocked expression on his face. Aro smirks again and pats him playfully on the back. "Isabella, darling, I need to make a few phone calls. Will you be alright?"

"Yeah. I'll be here if you need me," I lightly joke. He smiles one last time and gives me another kiss on the forehead. He also glances at Edward before he disappears out the door.

"Have you…really been here the entire time?" I quietly ask Edward. I have to look away as I blush a brighter shade of pink.

"Umm…yeah," he laughs embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck before running his hand through his hair. He does that a lot.

"Why?"

He shrugs at my question. "Just to make sure you're okay. We're off for a few more days so it's not like I'm doing much," he grins.

"You could be practicing your lines."

"Nah, I have them memorized pretty well. We also have the scripts handy on set."

"…It's not your fault, you know."

"Huh?" he was taken back by my sudden words. I really wish he'd stop blaming himself.

"I appreciate what you're doing but not if it's going to cost you your health. You don't look so well, Edward." He really looks haggard and stressed. Even his beard has grown out when he's usually clean shaven.

"I'm fine, I promise." He gives me such a warm smile that it makes my heart skip a beat. I look away after realizing how long I had been staring at him, which brings back that famous smirk of his. "Get some rest. I'll still be here when you wake."

"Okay…" I yawn, suddenly feeling sleepy again. "You really don't have to stay though," I add with my eyelids already closed. Sleep was taking over me sooner than I want it to.

"I want to, so don't worry. Just sleep, Bella." I wasn't sure if I was dreaming it or not but I felt his hand brush against my cheek. I can faintly hear another person enter the room. I think it's a nurse this time. She's inserts something into the in vitro in my arm telling me it should help me rest, which is what I need the most so my body can recuperate faster. My mind is still running but my body stops cooperating with me again. Soon enough, I fall back into a deep sleep.

The next day I am released in the afternoon. I'm escorted out in a wheelchair, which Edward is steering, until we get to the hospital's main entrance. He helps me up by the hand and elbow as I walk groggily to the town car Aro has sent for me. There's another tinted SUV behind it with two body guards standing outside.

"Is all this really necessary?" I sigh.

"It was your uncle's orders," Edward looks at me apologetically. "The security detail is for the both of us. Aro told the media that the cast was going to be in Florence today hoping to distract them away from the hospital. Everyone is there except for us. By the time they realize I'm missing, we should be safely at the villa."

"What about Alice? I thought she was going to stay with me for the day?"

"She forgot there was some kind of fashion expo there where she's showcasing a few clothing samples. Jasper is with her taking pictures."

"And Emmett and Rosalie?"

"They're in the city, too, as my representatives. You see, I came down with a bad case of food poisoning," he winks.

"Oh, really?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Signora Bella," Felix opens the door for me. "How are you?"

"Much better, thanks," I nod. I know everyone is concerned for me but all the questions about my health are starting to get tiresome.

"Thanks, Felix. I'll take it from here," Edward says to him.

"Very well, Signore."

Edward helps me into the back seat and sits beside me after I'm able to sit comfortably. With much effort, I buckle my seatbelt. I look back and see the security guys enter their vehicle as well. "Is anyone home…at all?" I ask.

"Just a few of the helpers. It'll just be us until later this evening," he answers. I blush at the thought—alone in a big house with Edward. I want to lock myself in my room to avoid causing him any trouble by taking care of me. But, it was really sweet of him to offer.

"Are you sure you don't mind doing of all this? If you're only doing it due to a guilty conscious—"

"I'm not, Bella," he laughs softly. "Popular to contrary belief, I know how to be a nice guy. I also know how to speak my mind if I don't want to do something. No one asked me to do this. I volunteered."

"But…why?" He leaves me feeling so stumped by his sweet and caring actions.

"Why not?" he shrugs. He kind of had me there. I can make up a bunch of excuses for him but he usually had a rebuttal so I didn't even bother. I would assume Edward playing the leading role, his face is what the media wants to see the most, yet he's here…with me. I suddenly feel really happy at that fact. "What are you thinking about?" he suddenly asks, examining me.

"Huh?" I reenact my embarrassment. I really need to stop daydreaming around him. "It's nothing. Just trying to…save my strength," I lie.

"That's probably a good idea," he grins. For some reason his smile didn't look like he believes me.

"So, what did you want to do when get home?" he asks casually. The way he says 'home' sounds like we lived together instead of currently situated under the same roof, which is totally different. But it makes me inwardly smile again.

"Eat!" Is the first thing that pops into my head. The hospital food wasn't that great and I didn't have enough energy yesterday to even attempt to eat it. This morning I woke up hungry and what I was able to eat wasn't very satisfying either.

Edward laughs. "Alright. We'll raid the refrigerator when we get home. I think there were some pasta noodles I saw in the cupboards."

"That works me for me," I smile.

We didn't talk much on the way to the villa. I rolled down the window and had my head near the side of the window frame for most of the time, enjoying the summer breeze. The fresh air feels good after being cooped up inside for practically two days. Edward didn't seem to mind that I was off in my own thoughts as he appears to be doing the same. Even though no words are spoken between us, just having him next to me makes me happy. And he looks pretty content himself, which is nice.

The nurse says I'm free to walk around as long as I took it easy for the next few days so I really didn't need to be sleeping 24/7. But basically, I wasn't allowed to do any physical activities for a while so I guess sky diving and such was out of the question. Finally reaching the villa, Edward lets me walk on my own but is always a few steps behind me in case I did the 'maiden fainting in the arms of her love interest' move. I keep telling him I'm fine but he wants to be a worry-wart like Aro.

I'm itching to go to my room first to shower and change but Edward stops me. "But I feel so gross!" I whine to him like a bratty little kid.

"We're in the same boat…no pun intended," he rolls his eyes and smiles. "I was at that hospital just as long as you were. Let's just go in the kitchen and eat something first. After that, we can both freshen up and meet back in the living room."

"I guess," I grumble. Edward smiles again at my pouting face, taking my hand and pulling me slowly toward the kitchen. Couldn't I just eat my food in bed? Better yet, couldn't we have just gotten take out and called it a day?

"Hmm…let's see. I guess I was right, there is pasta in here." Edward has his head practically inside one of the upper cupboards while I plop myself on one of the bar stools. He rummages through the other cupboards and pantries and opens the fridge to see what else he can cook with. He lays out different items on the counter: pasta, bread, cheese, tomatoes, basil, chicken—and everything else in between. He looks like he means business.

"You know I don't eat chicken, right?" I ask teasingly to see if he remembers, knowing full well he did.

"The chicken is for me," he smiles, catching on.

"Ahh…" I nod playfully. Even though he refuses to let me do anything to help him prepare our late lunch, he makes me stay planted in my seat.

"Signore?" one of the helpers enters the kitchen. Edward turns to her from the stove as she tells him something in Italian. He smiles politely and nods and throws something back in Italian to her. It was so rapid and fluent that I would have believed he was born here. She half-nods and leaves the room.

"What was that about?" I ask curiously.

"Nothing," he says while still focused on the stove. "I just asked for a few extra pillows to elevate my legs. Keeps the blood circulation going, you know?" He smiles jokingly even though I can't really tell. I accept the answer since I didn't have the strength to pry into it any further and I really didn't feel like it was any of my business anyway. He can go ahead and keep his little secrets.

"How do you and Alice know so much Italian?" I ask curiously again out of nowhere. I was always curious about it but never thought of asking until now.

"We travelled a lot when were younger. My mother likes to keep us 'cultured' so she would make us study the language of whatever country would be visiting a few weeks beforehand. My siblings and I can speak Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and a little of Chinese and German."

"Are you serious?" I ask skeptically. It was highly impressive. They were a walking Google translator. All I knew was how to speak English and bad English.

"Yeah," he laughs softly. "Crazy, I know. My mother would make our family speak all kinds of languages at home so that it would stay fresh in our memories. It was such a pain back then but it helped with taking a foreign language in school and especially now with our professions. I think Alice is the most fluent out of Emmett and I since she's in Europe more than us."

"I really can't imagine Emmett speaking another language," I chuckle. He seems so much like an All-American guy that loves football and chicken wings or something. I would never have taken the oldest Cullen to be 'cultured' other than the American way…no offense to him, of course.

Edward laughs. "Yeah…Emmett…Emmett kind of sucks at speaking other languages. I mean he can hold his own, but he never picks any of it up as quickly as Alice and I do. Hey—"

"Hey, what?"

"I'm almost done preparing everything. Wanna go take a shower now? Lunch should be ready by the time you finish."

"But…I though you want me to eat first?" I look at him confused.

"I did it, but I thought you would feel better after a nice shower first then a meal in your belly."

I roll my eyes. I swear that's what I told him in the beginning before he blocked my access off to my side of the villa by standing in front of me. "Now you tell me…" I sigh, slowly getting up from my seat.

"Sorry," he grins. "You okay getting up the stairs by yourself? And I ask that as a concerned friend, not as someone who is teasing you." He probably threw that last part in to stop me for making some kind of irritated remark—and it worked.

I half-nod. "Yeah, I think I'll be fine. I promise to be careful…"

"Good," he smiles again. "I'll see you back here in…twenty minutes? I'm going to check on you in twenty-five, if you're not here by then."

"Now, you're teasing me."

"Yes, I am," Edward flashes me that crooked grin of his and goes back to the pasta he's making for me.

I roll my eyes again and walk away before he can see the smile forming on my lips. He really knows how to make the butterflies in my stomach do back flips using my heart as a trampoline. But, as I told him, I made sure I'm careful about walking up the stairs. There are close to twenty steps that curve up in a half-crescent shape toward the upper floor so it's not an easy feat. I take the steps one by one with a firm hold on the banister. I feel fine and can probably walk up at a normal pace but decide not risk it. After Aro's concern for my safety, I was also doing this for him. Worrying him more than necessary is not something I want. He has plenty of things on his plate to worry about already.

When I finally set foot on the second floor, I smile with relief. I made it! The next steps will be easier because my room is only a few feet away. As I get closer to my door where it's much darker because the sun's light didn't reach it from the second floor windows, I see something sitting in front of it. I walk a little faster wondering what it can be. I stop as soon as I see it.

Flowers and balloons?

Who could have left this here by my door? Was it Aro? I pick up the beautiful, colorful assortment in the basket and smell it. Different fragrances enter my senses, each one smelling really sweet and fresh like a garden. The two mylar balloons that are attached to it say, 'Welcome Home!' and 'Get Well Soon', written in English, which I find interesting. Sticking in the bouquet is an envelope with my name on it. Since it didn't say Isabella, it couldn't have been from Aro. So, who is it from? I open the envelope and read the small letter inside. Whoever wrote it has really nice handwriting.

Dear Bella,

Since I wasn't able to get you anything during your stay in the hospital, please accept this as a late 'get well soon' offering. I promise to do whatever I can to make your recovery a comfortable and speedy one. I hope you know that I will always be there for you whenever you need me so don't hesitate to ask me for anything.

Edward

PS: Sorry, no roses. I had to pick these flowers myself so I hope you like them just as much.

Edward? These are from Edward? I am speechless and shocked as I stare at the letter, reading it a million times over, still not believing these are from him. How in the world did he manage to sneak this up here, let alone pick them himself? That guy still hasn't ceased to amaze me. The butterflies in my stomach are now bouncing all over the place. The giddiness I first felt in the beginning is slowing coming back to me. It is very sweet of him to do this for me. I now feel a million times better by this thoughtful gesture of his.

I also thought it was adorable that he mentioned he couldn't get me roses since he's allergic to them. He could have easily had someone get the roses for him but instead, he wanted to pick each one of these for me. I ran to my room. I had to quickly shower and get back downstairs to thank him. Our day together was only beginning and I can't wait to see what the rest of this day has in store for us!

Author's Note: So, whatcha think? Edward is such a sweet guy, isn't he? Who wouldn't want him?

You know the drill…please review!