Chapter 21

It's Time

AN:

This chapter involves Bella's injuries, and her coma. While I did research, it wasn't super extensive. I want to remind you that I'm not a medical professional, nor do I play one in fanfiction land.

BPOV

My eyes squinted in protest at the harsh lights that surrounded me. I attempted to raise my arm to shield my face, only to realize that I was attached to an IV bag. After looking around the room, it didn't take long for me to grasp that I was in a hospital.

The accident.

I had been on my way home from Port Angeles when a car swerved into my lane and ran me off the road.

My head was fuzzy, so I couldn't remember anything else. Suddenly, a wave of panic crashed through me. Was I was alone in the car? Desperate for answers, I began searching for the nurse's call button. Just when I discovered it, the door to my room swung open.

Mike.

I began sobbing at the sight of him. He rushed to my side.

"Bella? Oh, thank God, you're awake! You scared me to death, kid!" He crushed me into his arms before backing away and apologizing. "Shit, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"I'm okay. What happened? Where am I?" I blubbered before asking what I really needed to know, "Gia?"

"Shh. She's fine; she's with Emily. Misses her Mommy, but other than that, she's good."

I huge sense of relief passed through me. The thought of anything happening to Gia wasn't something I could bear.

"Let me get the doctor; he needs to know you're awake."

Mike and the doctor returned a few moments later. "Miss Newton, welcome back. I'm Dr. Harold Greene; I've been overseeing your care." After he picked up my chart, he reviewed my injuries.

Broken collarbone.

Fractured skull.

Collapsed lung.

"Was my coma medically-induced?" I asked when he finished.

"No, you have been unconscious since your arrival. You've been breathing on your own, and thankfully none of your injuries required surgery."

"But why have I been in a coma for so long?"

"That, I cannot answer; even with all the medical knowledge we have in this day and age, the body is still a mysterious thing."

The doctor then ran a series of routine exams before stating he would order an MRI scan of my head just to be on the safe side.

After he left, Mike and I broke out in chuckles. "I think that was code for he wants to see if I have brain damage," I said between laughs.

"I can save him the time," Mike answered. "You most certainly do; you always have." He shot me a wink.

"Hey!" I huffed as I crossed my arms with a fake pout. As I did, the intravenous tube pulled and pinched my skin. "Ouch. When can I get this taken out?"

"Kid, you just woke up from being in a coma for over two weeks. Give your body some time to adjust."

A scowl emerged across my face. "I want to go home; I want to see Gia."

"I know; I'll see if I can bring her later this evening."

My mouth lifted into a smile. "Will you?"

"I'll try. I'm not sure what their guest policies are, but then again, it does seem they'll allow about anybody in…"

He had mumbled the last part. "What does that mean?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing...nevermind."

I knew Mike Newton well enough to know when he was being deceitful, and he was flat-out lying.

"Mike, you better tell me what is going on right now."

"I don't want you to get all worked up…"

"Too late," I said with a raised eyebrow.

"Edward Cullen was here to see you."

Holy shit. "What? When?"

"When I arrived earlier this morning, Dr. Greene stopped me in the hallway to inform me that a relative was here to see my daughter. You can imagine my surprise when I peeked in the window and saw that little prick standing by your bedside holding your hand."

As I watched Mike stand from his chair and begin to pace around the room, I thought back to the moments before I awoke.

The dream. I had been having a dream right before I awoke. Was Edward here at that time?

No. I'm not even going there.

Mike turned toward me and continued, "As soon as I saw him, I came into your room and ordered him outside."

I bit my lip to stop the giggle that had formed at the thought of Mike ordering Edward Cullen around.

"Once we were outside, I told him to scram."

"You told Edward to scram?"

He nodded his head with a hint of pride.

"And what happened then?" Visions of Edward pulling out a glock and aiming it between Mike's eyes filled my mind.

"He left."

My mouth fell into the shape of an O.

Holy hell.

"He left?" The tone of my voice full of confusion and doubt. That didn't sound like the Edward Cullen I knew.

Mike shrugged his shoulders.

Hm. Maybe miracles did exist.

"Kid, there's something else I need to tell you," he said rubbing the back of his neck.

Great. Mike was so easy to read, an open book. He was definitely nervous. What could be worse than Edward Cullen being in town?

"What is it?"

"Alec and Gianna are on their way from Italy.'

A tear rolled down my cheek at the sound of their names. I wiped away the wetness while releasing the breath I had been holding.

"When are they arriving?"

"Sometime tonight."

I remained quiet as I thought about them, Carmen, Eleazar, and Ali. I hadn't seen any of them in over three years. It had been my decision. There was still the occasional phone call, but even those were deceptive on my part. Due to my fear and embarrassment, I had hidden the largest part of my life from them.

"It's time, Bella," Mike said gently.

"I know." My voice cracked. I missed them all so much, and I didn't want to keep them away from Gia any longer.

"Are the rest coming as well?"

"No, I asked Alec to hold off on letting them know."

"Thanks," I whispered before adding. "I'll tell him and Nonna everything tomorrow." I squeezed his hand to let him know I was okay. "Can you go and find out about Gia? I think I need to rest now; I'm feeling tired."

"Of course, kid."

After giving me a gentle kiss on my forehead, Mike exited my room. I snuggled beneath my blanket and closed my eyes.

Sleep eluded me. My mind full of unanswered questions.

Would my family forgive me for my deceit when they learned the truth tomorrow?

What was Edward Cullen doing in my hospital room today?

And did he really leave like Mike said?

Another AN:

Um...so yeah. I bet you weren't expecting that, huh? Again, if I flubbed up anything medical - I'm sorry - please be gentle.

I apologize for the delay. Between work, family obligations, work, and did I mention work - it is so difficult to get writing accomplished.

Also, as many of you know, this story is based on my very first fanfic. If I had been a seasoned writer when I started it, I would have pre-written this baby before posting. But being the newbie that I was - I didn't. Lesson learned.

I promise - I will get it finished. I just sent chapter 24 to my beta, so I am a bit ahead.

Thank you for reading and reviewing. I so appreciate your continued love and support.

Shout out to Fran, K, Gail, Alex, and Diane - they keep me sane and make my words pretty.