First matter of business, I don't own these characters, ruh roh….no big check for me!

Venomoushubby says hi to you all and thanks you for allowing me to spend time with him in between my updates. He also thanks the person who offered to send him an Xbox so I could write while he was occupied. He says he also takes Tim Horton's coffee as a bribe to tie me to my computer to write *cracks whip*

So I hope you all enjoy this…..

This chapter goes out to araeo! Please oh please go check out her work! I never have laughed as hard as I have reading "Work in Progress". Do yourself a favor and let yourself be pulled into the hive mind of the girls…..LOL!

BPOV

I woke up and groaned. Pain. My ribs pulled sharply with each and every breath that puffed past my lips. I cracked my eyes open and winced at the bright light. I vaguely registered a soft beeping sound coming from the right side of me. Where was I?

I turned my head, licking dry lips and let the room come into focus. Hospital. Yesterday's events came rushing back to me full force. Car. Deer. Crashing. Baby. EDWARD!

I gasped and immediately tried to push myself to a sitting position. My ribs screamed in protest and I squeezed my eyes shut and cried out, my head spinning.

"Whoa there, Bells! Take it easy girl. You've just been in an accident." My eyes snapped open as I heard the familiar husky tones and I turned my head to see Jake sprawled out in a plastic chair pulled up to the side of my bed.

Wait. Jacob? Had I dreamt Edward? I closed my eyes again. They must be giving me some pretty strong pain medications, because it had seemed so real. I was brought out of my reverie with a jolt when the door swung open and a nurse walked into the room carrying a chart.

"Ms. Swan! How are you feeling this morning? Are you ready for some pain medication before we transfer you to your new room?" She stared at me with a cheerful smile waiting for me to answer.

I opened my mouth and licked my dry lips. "Yes, please, c-can I h-have some water?" I was surprised at how shaky I felt. I turned to Jacob staring into his dark eyes wishing that they were the green eyes I was longing for. "How l-long have you been here?"

"Bells, I just got off work. I couldn't come before now." His gaze was apologetic and I reached out to grab his hand.

"No, no, Jake. I didn't mean it like that." I bit my lip. I hadn't been my intent to make him feel guilty.

The nurse walked back into the room carrying a hypodermic needle full of clear fluid and I instantly shrank away from her. I hated needles. Ungh! She smiled knowingly at me and winked as she reached for the IV bag.

A light clicked on in my head. "WAIT!" The nurse turned to me with wide eyes. "What are you giving me? Is that safe for the baby?"

The nurse rolled her eyes and looked at me. "First I have to answer to pretty boy, now you! We do know what we're doing around here, having gone to school for this and all!" She jammed the needle into the rubber stopper on the bag and injected the fluid with a huff.

I grabbed her free hand pulling her down to me and startling her in the process causing her to drop the needle. "What did you say? Pretty boy?"

She studied me carefully, flashing her eyes between Jacob and I, trying to put two and two together. I shook my head at her imperceptivity. She understood and nodded her head. "Yeah pretty boy. Beautiful green come hither eyes, sex hair, panty dropping smile…..I'm assuming you know who I'm talking about."

I sure as hell did. I nodded biting my lip, trying to control my breathing. He was here! She smiled knowingly at me, amused at my expression. "Good, because he just paid for a private room for you for the duration of your stay. We'll be taking you up there in about 5 minutes."

My mouth fell open in shock and Jacob glared out the window, refusing to look at me. Edward had paid for my medical care! My mind was whirling, full of questions. Did he leave? Was he still here? What did this mean?

I gasped again suddenly realizing that I hadn't dreamt last night. He knew about the baby. My face flushed as I thought of everything he had said to me last night. I flushed even deeper with shame when I realized how little I had actually said to him in return. Fuck!

I was going to win the award for stupid this year! I leaned back on the bed and closed my eyes trying to make sense out of this whole mess. The mess I had made. I was ever so grateful that the baby was okay. I would have never forgiven myself if something had happened to our child. Edward's child.

I sincerely hoped that Edward was still in Forks because there were things that needed to be said to him, and I needed to be saying them. It was time for me to man up and take care of Edward's heart as he had been taking care of mine. I knew I had hurt him deeply, the vague snippets of last night's conversation had proven that. What I didn't know is where this left us and I was scared to even think about it.

I felt a cool hand on my wrist and opened my eyes to see the nurse from before who had been joined by a tall skinny orderly who was staring at me expectantly. "We're going to move you now. Just lie back and we'll wheel you in this bed and transfer you when we get to your new room okay, Mrs. Masen?"

"SWAN!" Jake's harsh growl shattered the stillness. "Her name is Swan, not Masen."

The nurse cast a nervous gaze toward the orderly before facing Jacob. "I beg your pardon Officer Black. Mr. Masen signed all her medical forms, I just assumed…." She trailed off embarrassed and began to disconnect the several machines I was hooked up to.

My cheeks flamed in embarrassment. Who the hell was Jacob to get all bent out of shape? When the nurse had called me Mrs. Masen my heart rate had tripled causing the monitor to beep wildly, informing the world at large that I secretly liked being addressed as such. Between his rude behavior and the traitor monitor I was mortified.

After kicking Jacob out of the room and fussing to remove all the wires connecting me to the monitors they were finally ready to move me. I was tired and very sore after being manipulated by the nurse, and I knew it would only be worse when they had to take me out of this bed to put me into the next.

I felt the bed moving and kept my eyes shut, trying not to think about the discomfort. A moment later the nurse called my name, wisely sticking to 'Isabella' this time, and advised me it was time to move me. I nodded my head keeping my eyes squeezed tightly shut and listened as her and the orderly counted to three before sliding me across into the bed.

FUCK! OWWW! I could hear Jacob talking to the nurse again but couldn't make out the words. I lay panting on the bed wishing I were anywhere but here. The room became quiet again, and after about 10 minutes or so I began dozing in and out of consciousness, letting the painkiller take me along. I was just beginning to have a really good dream involving Edward and I in the back of his ambulance when Jacob's low voice startled me awake.

"Bella, I know this isn't a good time, but you being in this accident really made things clear for me." He leaned forward over me and cupped my face in his large hand. "Can we talk?"

I nodded and slowly tried to push myself up a bit with no success. "Jake, could you please raise the head of the bed a bit. I feel awkward lying flat on my back, especially if we are going to be talking."

Jake quickly walked to the foot of the bed and fiddled with the buttons until the top part of the bed had inclined enough to prop me up to a semi sitting position. "Are you comfortable, Bella?"

I nodded and he made his way back to the chair beside the bed. I stared at him a moment and thought about how things might have worked out had Jacob not betrayed me. Jake was ruggedly handsome, with deep dark eyes and long black hair which was held back by a leather thong. His body was hard and muscular; he had clearly grown into himself over the last five years. I knew that most women would find him very attractive, but he lacked the classic handsomeness that was Edward.

He reached out and took both my hands gently in his, surprising me. "Bella, I know that my actions all those years ago affected you deeply, and all I can say is that I am sorry. I have been so selfish, expecting you to just accept me back into your life. All I am asking for is a chance to prove myself to you, even though I don't deserve it."

What?! I shook my head and looked down at the blankets in my lap, trying to wrap my mind around what Jake was trying to say. He wanted me? WTF? As much as I valued his apology, it was five years too late. My heart belonged to someone else now, even if that person didn't want it. I squirmed uncomfortably and wished he would leave. I know it took a lot of bravery to say what he had to me, but how do you let someone down gently after that.

"Jake," I bit my lip trying not to cry in frustration. "You'll never appreciate what your apology means to me. I was so hurt for so long over what happened between us. I not only lost my boyfriend, but my best friend."

There. That was nice. Now he would go. Ummm. He's not going. I looked up to see his eyes staring hopefully into mine.

"Bells, I'll spend the rest of my days proving myself to you. Just say you'll let me." His voice was low and earnest as he begged. "Please Bells. We'll go to New York, start fresh. Your album is going to hit the big time, and you'll need someone by your side to be there for you and watch out for you."

Ahhh. The album. He wanted to come with me and live the high life. I could see it now. Bella works all day recording, all night performing. Jacob eats up the music scene, hanging with all the groupies, rubbing elbows with the A-listers. One day Bella comes home to the penthouse apartment she paid for to find Jacob banging her publicist on her 10,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. I don't fucking think so.

I sighed in irritation and snapped my head up to glare at him. "What do you propose we do about Edward? Am I just supposed to forget about him?" My voice rang with sarcasm and Jacob pulled back and stared angrily at me for ruining his little daydream.

"But Bella, he……"

I cut him off my voice rising hotly. "Edward didn't do anything to hurt me, it was all a misunderstanding! The only reason I doubted him was because of what you did to me all those years ago with Leah, and I should have known better. Edward loves me, and you…..you only ever loved the idea of me. Get out of my room!"

OWWW! My ribs ached with as my chest rose and fell in my anger. Jacob stared at me shocked by my outburst. Was he ever going to leave?

I heard angry footsteps slapping on the linoleum and gasped when Edward ran into the room his face thunderous. How much had he heard? Jacob stood up and threw his hands up in surrender.

"Get out!" Edward's voice was low and menacing. I looked down at my lap, silently cursing. He had obviously heard some, but had he heard enough? I didn't need any more misunderstandings between us. It was time to make things right.

Before I could even constitute what I was going to say to him, I felt his hand under my chin. I caught a glimpse of green eyes as he breathed my name and then his lips were on mine.

When my brain finally caught up I instinctively raised my arm to stroke my hand through his glorious hair, ignoring the pulling feeling on my ribs. Hospital be damned, I wanted more. I felt him smile against my lips and he slowly pulled back from me. Nooooooo! Too soon!

He squeezed my hands tightly and stared at me, his green eyes dark and intense. "Bella, please tell me……do you still love me? Can we get past this?"

My eyes widened and my mouth fell open. He thought that….that….God! I let go of his hands and leaned away from him so that he could see my face. I needed to make this clear. "Edward, I do love you, but I have some things I need to say to you before you say anything else to me."

He leaned back and flashed me his beautiful crooked grin. "That's fine Bella, but I've already made my decision. Whatever you have to tell me, it won't alter how I feel about you."

I was speechless. How did I get so lucky? I must have done something very good in my previous life to deserve this man. I frowned, undecided how to start. I guess the beginning would be proper. "I only found out I was pregnant two weeks ago."

I looked back up at him and saw the surprise in his eyes. I guess he did believe that I had known all this time and had concealed it from him. "I was on birth control because I was never regular, and didn't think anything of it when a few cycles were lighter than usual. When I finished the last package and didn't start my period, I immediately did four store bought tests."

I felt myself flush. I mean who wanted to talk so candidly about their menstrual cycles with the man they loved? Not me!

He reached his hand out and grasped mine firmly, slowly rubbing his thumb across my knuckles to relax me. I took another deep breath. "Edward, I flew home to tell you as soon as those tests came back positive. It seems that antibiotics render the pill ineffective. Having not had any experience before you, I was unaware of this fact."

Yup! Bella Swan the sex idiot. That's me. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

I paused and pursed my lips before continuing. Honesty was hard, but necessary. "I am not going to lie to you, I was really scared of how you would react, I mean, this was unplanned and I had assured you that we were having protected sex."

His face flushed and he opened his mouth to try to take some of the blame. "Bella…."

I quickly cut him off, this wasn't about him, it was about me. I had done wrong. "No, Edward, I'm not done."

I swallowed hard and stared into his eyes for the moment of truth. "I should never have overreacted the way I did with Tanya. I should have trusted you. I was scared and emotional, and it was easier to believe that you had betrayed me, rather than believe that you might reject me when you found out I was pregnant."

His eyes shone with unshed tears and he stroked my cheek softly. "Oh, Bella….you silly beautiful girl……I would never reject you. I would never….."

I felt my own tears fall as I stared at his pain. Pain I had caused him. "Edward, I know. I know, and I am so sorry. I let my past experiences color my reactions. I was wrong, and I should have come home long before now to tell you this. Can you ever forgive me?"

Edward crawled carefully onto the bed beside me and pulled me gently against him taking care to steer clear of my ribs and the chest tube. "Bella, I love you. I'm not angry at all that you're pregnant. I know it wasn't planned, but this child is a part of both of us, conceived by the best part of both of us…..our love for each other."

He wanted me still? I stared at him as happiness tried to overcome my disbelief. "Bella, I am so happy that you are carrying our child." I gasped and he smiled softly before leaning in to kiss my nose.

I heard a throat clear behind us and turned to see a nurse glaring at Edward, her hand on one hip the other holding a black leather duffel bag. "You should not be in that bed with her, it's against hospital policy."

No way was I letting him go! I grabbed two fistfuls of his shirt and held on for life, burying my face into his side. We had already been apart too long.

The nurse's face softened and she set the bag on the chair before turning to leave the room. "Be careful with her then, and don't let the doctor catch you."

I stared up at Edward as the door swung shut and gestured to the bag. "Let me guess, courtesy of Alice!"

He laughed his wonderful laugh and swung his legs off of the bed, picking up the bag and gently placing it my lap. "She thought you might like to have a few things."

Alice was a good friend. These hospital gowns sucked, and what I wouldn't give for a toothbrush! I opened the bag and grinned in delight pulling out Edward's fire department t-shirt. "Wow, my favorite pajamas! I can't wait to get them on instead of this stupid hospital gown."

I smiled up at him happily and he laughed with me before raising his eyebrows and staring pointedly at me. "Oh, I almost forgot, Alice wanted you to look in the inside pocket. There's something there for you."

He walked towards the bedside table as I dug around in the bag, trying to locate the front compartment. I finally felt my fingers brush against the tab of the zipper and quickly pulled it open. Something small and hard landed in my hand and I pulled it out of the bag to see what it was.

A small black jewelry box sat in my hand. What the hell was Alice sending me? Diamond earrings to go with the hospital gown? I snorted quietly and flipped open the lid of the box, my breath leaving me in a loud whoosh when I saw the beautiful and delicate diamond ring nestled into the crushed velvet interior.

Edward spun around at my strangled sound to face me, looking panicked. "Bella, love, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

I opened my mouth to say something but only managed a small squeak. Was this what I thought it was? How did…..was he……..I stared in disbelief, trying to control myself.

His eyes dropped to my hands and he looked back up at me, his eyes warm as a smile crept across his face.

"Bella," his voice was low and serious and I shivered in response. "I love you so much."

He came over and knelt beside the bed as I stared at him numbly. "This was supposed to be your Christmas gift. I've been planning it for awhile now." He plucked it out of the box and held it up in front of me.

I stared at the delicate ring, my throat tight with emotion before gazing back up at him from under my lashes.

"Bella, I fell in love with you from the moment I met you. It took one look into those beautiful brown eyes to see my forever staring back at me. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" His green eyes were shining as he held his breath waiting for my response.

My eyes blurred and I was too overcome with emotion to speak coherently. As if I would refuse him. I raised my shaking hand out to him and nodded my head gasping as he slid the ring onto the third finger of my left hand.

"Perfect fit," he gazed down at me, his eyes more tender than I had ever seen them.

I found my voice as he pulled me against him. "I love you, Edward."

He bent his head and kissed me softly, before bending his head to my hand to kiss my ring. "Forever."

Okay! So this is not the end, don't panic. There is so much more story to come still! I know part of this chapter overlapped with the last, but I really wanted to show Bella's reactions to the whole conversation with Edward.

I have to kiss my medic now……Until next time!

Reviews= half naked paramedics dancing for you!

*Kisses*

Tammy