Chapter 13

(E POV)

Second guessing wasn't an option. There was no going back now. As time moves, the choices we make sometimes come back to haunt us, but sometimes those choices cannot be changed. Sometimes the choices we make are made for a reason and eventually those reasons come to light.

Standing in the scrub room, washing my hands thoroughly to prevent any contamination into the operating room, I watch as Bella is rolled in on a gurney and transferred to the operating room table. Today was the day. The day that Bella got her bone marrow transplant but a part of me wasn't sure if it would be enough.

5 days. 5 days since I saw her beautiful brown eyes. 5 days since I've seen a smile grace her face. 5 days since I've heard her voice. 5 days since she fell into the coma and my world become a little bit darker. There was no second chance, no second guessing. This was my one shot to bring Bella back to me, to my family and to brighten our days once more.

I finished scrubbing my hands, making sure to cover all areas thoroughly several times. I made my way into the operating room and with the assistance of a nurse, was helped into a gown and my gloves. I looked down at MY sleeping beauty and gently placed a kiss on her forward.

"I'll get you through this Bella. We will have our chance. I WILL NOT lose you now." I whispered into her ear, looking up when I see my father enter the room.

Another nursed helped him get his gown and gloves on and I waited as he walked over to me. I knew that this was going to be just as hard for him as it was going to be for me and we both feared that we would not be able to bring this amazing woman back into our lives.

"How are you holding up Son? Are you sure you can do this?" Carlisle asked looking intently at me.

"I'm okay Dad. How about yourself? And yes, I can do this. There is no way in hell that anyone besides myself is going to perform this procedure. I have to bring her back to us. I have to. There is no other option!" I said adamantly.

"I understand Son. I understand the need to make her better. And you and I will make it happen. Like you said, there's no other choice." Carlisle said looking down at Bella adoringly, showing the love he had for a woman he considered his daughter.

"Let's get started." I say looking at my father and our operating room team.

I knew that everyone here was going to work diligently and efficiently to make sure this transplant happened successfully because everyone in this room adored Bella, as a doctor, a patient and as a person. I knew that my mother and my sister where waiting anxiously in the waiting room for news of how the procedure went, and I knew that I was ready to see Bella open her eyes again and come back to me and my family.

(A POV)

Today was a day I would never forget. Today was the day that would either bring a woman that had become my best friend back into my life or would bring the end to that friendship. Today was going to change the life of my family in one way or another. I know that Edward would never get over loosing Bella, and would feel guilty that he wasn't able to save her if the procedure isn't successful. I know that my father would feel as if he had lost a child if Bella didn't accept the transplant. I know I would feel the loss of a sister and a best friend and my mother, even though she never spoke with Bella, would struggle to keep the family together if such a loss would occur.

I also know that if Bella's body accepts the transplant without any problems and she goes into remission, Edward and Bella would be together in ways other than doctor/patient and friends. Bella would eventually become my sister by law, a daughter to my father for real, and would become a big part of our family. I know my mother would get to know Bella immediately and would take care of her as she recovers. Bella would never be alone again and our family would gain another family member.

Sitting in the waiting room, flipping through a magazine but not reading it, not even seeing the words, I was becoming anxious. My mother continued with her knitting and I knew she had finished the blanket for Bella and was now working on a blanket to help her keep warm after surgery and while she was recovering.

As I sat there anxiously bouncing my knees waiting for any news about Bella I felt my mother's hand on my legs. I stopped moving and looked at her.

"Honey, I know you're anxious. But you are going to drive me crazy if you keep bouncing your legs like that. Why don't you go for a walk?" Esme said.

"Mom, I can't leave. What if one of the nurses, or Dad, or even Edward comes out to give us some news? I have to know how she's doing!" I exclaimed, looking at my mother incredulously for her suggestion.

"Honey, how long does a bone marrow transplant usually take?" Esme asked.

"It depends on how well she does seeing that she's in a coma." I said trying to figure out why my Mom was asking me this.

"Well Honey, it's been less than an hour, does it usually take longer than an hour?" Esme asked calmly.

"Usually yes." I said wondering what she was getting at.

"Then how about you go for a little walk, get a snack and something to drink for the both of us from the vending machine." Esme said pulling some dollar bills from her purse and handing them to me.

I looked at my mother ready to say something, but realized that she was right, took the bills and headed out of the waiting room to find the vending machines.

As I passed by the operating room doors I steered away from taking a look inside, wanting to wait for allthe information before making assumptions. I headed down the hall to the vending machines knowing that it would be a little while longer before I would actually hear any news.

(Esme POV)

As I sit in the waiting room, waiting for news on how Bella's bone marrow transplant is going, knitting a sweater I think about my family.

I knew that Carlisle felt a parental bond with Bella, and had since he took her under his wing 2 years ago. Everything that he had told me about her was in a parental tone and I knew it wouldn't be long before he would bring her into our family.

Alice formed a friendship with Bella immediately and now after so many months has began to rival a sister relationship. Alice has become extremely close to Bella and I was worried what would happen to her if Bella's body didn't accept the bone marrow transplant.

The one that worried me the most was Edward and the relationship that he formed with Bella. I knew that there was a large array of emotions that Edward was feeling for Bella, he had told me so himself two weeks prior to this day. Edward had fallen in love with Bella and was deathly afraid of losing her. I was worried as to what would happen to my son if Bella didn't pull through. How would I be able to keep my son from losing himself if he loses Bella.

I am sitting here in the waiting room, awaiting any news just as anxiously as Alice. I may have never spoken to Bella or gotten the chance to meet her before she fell into her coma, but I have already started feeling maternal towards her. I knew that if her body accepted the transplant, I would be helping her back on her feed. I would make sure that Carlisle and Edward convinced her to move into our house once she was released from the hospital and was recovering. After the past three months, Bella had gained a family and didn't even know it, but I would make sure that she knew she was loved and that she had a family again and she wasn't alone.

I looked up as I saw a nurse entering the waiting room, and waited anxiously to see who she was looking for.

"Cullen family?" the nurse called and I quickly stood up and walked over to her.

"Mrs. Cullen?" the nurse asked again and I quickly shook my head.

"Dr. Cullen asked me to inform you that they are still mid procedure. There have been a few complications, but they are back on track and will hopefully be finished soon." The nurse said graciously.

"What kind of complications?" I asked worried about what may have happened.

"I'm sorry they did not specify but they did tell me to tell you that they will fill you in as soon as they are finished. Just to let you know that the patient is hanging on and that as soon as they are done they will be in to let you know how everything went." The nurse said, patting my shoulder gently.

"Thank you." I said as the nurse stood up and walked out of the room.

I knew that Alice would be upset that she was not here for the information but I thought it was for the best. If she knew that there were complications she would become anxious and would be even more unbearable. I sat back down and grabbed my knitting equipment and I continued to reflect on my family and Bella and anxiously prayed that she would make it out of this surgery successfully.

AUTHORS NOTE: Hey there readers! I know it's been over a year since I've updated, and to be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue with the story. It did not seem like many were interested in it and with everything that has been going on in my life it was put on the back burner. I also wasn't sure where I wanted to go with the story and a part of me still isn't sure where I want to take it. I will keep writing and hopefully not encounter another writers block. PLEASE provide any feedback because it is what helps me going! Any questions, don't hesitate to ask and I will try to respond ASAP! Thanks again for reviewing and reading and hopefully I can keep moving forward!