BPOV
"Bella? You have to tell me what hurts or I can not help you." The perfectly pronounced, crisp words echoed in my ear.
I was squeezing my eyes very tightly closed – which seemed to help me forget about the pain just enough to keep me from passing out– but the moment I heard that voice, they snapped open.
Never to this day would I have thought that Jane, of all people, would be my hero. It kind of made me feel a little guilty for not giving her more a chance in the beginning.
Here I was, all alone in the woods and she so happens to be nearby… wait. Okay, so maybe it wasn't so weird that she was the only other person in these deserted woods with me. I mean, this is Jane my creepy ex-roommate who used to watch me while I slept.
"Leg." I hissed through the pain, letting her know what was wrong.
"Do you need to see a doctor?"
Why no, actually I feel like skipping through a field of wildflowers. Yes I need to go see a doctor!
I decided I didn't have enough strength to tell her all that so I just settled with nodding my head.
For being so thin and sickly looking, Jane was freakishly strong and managed to cradle me in her arms as we made our way back up the path. It seemed to take forever to make our way back onto campus, but I couldn't tell if that was because I had really gone that far in or I was so focused on my injury that it just felt like that long a time. Then Jane broke out into a sprint and before I could register what was going on, she had me laid out in the backseat of her car.
I was momentarily stunned by the watermelon scent wafting in the air. I wouldn't have pegged her for a fruity-scented car freshener girl.
Then I was reminded of the situation by another excruciating sting in the side of my knee. I wanted so badly to go get Emmett and Jasper first, but when yet another stab of pain flared through my leg, I knew I wouldn't be able to last that long.
The cease of vibrations from the car was the only indication I had that we had arrived at the hospital. Jane quickly scooped me up again and headed straight for the emergency room.
When we passed through the automatic doors, a series of Jane's strong, clear voice and orders from the nurses surrounded me. I was passed from Jane to a nurse and then placed on a very uncomfortable bed where a doctor started pressing various points around my ankle and knee.
I watched silently, tears stinging my eyes as Jane disappeared from the room. I started sobbing then, wishing she would come back so I had anyone here that could comfort me. Even if it was my Loony Roomie…
After only a few seconds one of the nurses walked up to me with the biggest needle I have ever seen in my life and she was aiming it at my arm.
Huh-uh. No way. That weapon is not penetrating any part of my body.
I started shaking my head furiously and crying even harder. The nurse tried restraining my arm against the bed but I started thrashing it around so she couldn't get a hold of it.
I didn't want to be doing this right now. I wasn't strong enough right now to do this without someone here. I needed anybody with me here that could calm me down.
Preferably, Edward.
I started to feel myself getting weaker and weaker from dealing with the pain and chick fighting with the nurse so I just gave up. My arms and legs went limp, I closed my eyes, and I laid there, just praying that the needle didn't hurt worse than my leg did right now.
I kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting, but never felt anything. When I opened my eyes back up the nurse with the needle was talking to two figures in the doorway. Namely, Emmett and Jasper.
I was so happy that they were here that I started crying all over again. They must have heard me because all three heads whipped in my direction and the two boys pushed past the nurse and came to my side. Emmett walked around to the right side of the bed and sat down pulling me into a one-armed hug. I felt Jasper cup my left hand into his two larger ones, but couldn't see because Emmett had me in a vice grip.
Then I felt the metal, pointy tip pierce my skin as it dug past layers of skin and into a vein. Jasper held my hand firmly and Emmett rubbed my back until I felt the needle exit and I started to feel whatever it was' effects.
I could feel myself slipping into a small nap from the exhaustion, but before I was out I heard Emmett scold gently, "You better never do this to me again, B. When we get home you're… grounded or whatever. You're in trouble."
The last thing I remembered was forming a small smile on my lips to let Emmett know I accepted full responsibility for my actions.
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I woke up a short time later, or the whole next day later for all I knew. Either way it was still bright outside. My vision was a little blurry and I was a little disoriented, man I did not miss being on this stuff. I tried to adjust myself in the bed, but the fear of jostling my leg kept me from getting as comfortable as I wanted.
Jasper and Emmett were still there and watching me cautiously as I regained full coherency.
"What time is it?" I felt my words slur slightly. I don't remember feeling this… drunk last time.
"About one thirty. How are you feeling?" Jasper's voice sounded like smooth silk and was very gentle.
"Just a little… out of it." I sighed, "How much damage is there?"
"The doctor said it looked liked your knee had been a little strained before hand, but you re-fractured it today." He said apologetically.
"But just the one place, right? Not three places?" I tried to lighten the mood a little.
It worked, "No. This is definitely not as bad as last time."
"I beg to differ. I actually had to suffer through the pain…" I grumbled.
Jasper smiled and shook his head. I took that moment to glance over at Emmett; he was surprisingly quiet and had the biggest frown on his face. I don't think I had ever seen Emmett frown. Ever.
"Em?" I asked timidly. His eyes reached mine and all I wanted was for him to come over here and hug me.
"Bella, I just have one question." I waited, "What were you doing? They told us you were found in the woods. The woods. When the hospital called I honestly thought you were going to die. Why would you do that to me? To Jasper? Edward? Everyone else?" he looked like he was fighting on whether to yell at me or ask if I was okay.
"But I'm not dead. See?" I waved a hand around for emphasis. That didn't please him. He just shook his head and slouched farther down in the chair.
"I was mad. Okay? I was mad that you and Jasper and Edward and everyone was keeping secrets from me. Friends don't do that. So I went to the last place anyone would come looking for me. I didn't realize how far I had walked until I couldn't see anything but trees anymore. I'm sorry. I really am." My eyes welled up and I didn't know what to do so I just wrung my hands in my lap.
"But Edward asked me to protect you. I was supposed to make sure you were happy and healthy, then you go and pull a stunt like this!"
"Em I-"
He interrupted me, "You didn't see how broken Edward was the last time you were in the hospital. And you two hadn't even been dating that long! Bella, you are Edward's whole world. He is wrapped around your pinky, even if you don't know it and if you were suddenly just… gone, I don't even want to imagine what Edward would do."
"I'm sorry!" I sobbed, "I know it was stupid, but when I'm mad I don't think and I'm so sorry!"
The look on his face softened and he was at my side instantly, "Geez, don't cry Bella. Shh, shh. It's okay." He hugged me close and ran a hand over my hair, "I'm not mad. You just scared the shit out of me."
"I'm sorry," I whispered again. My voice was hoarse and scratchy, it sounded so unfamiliar. But all of this was unfamiliar; Emmett had never, ever been mad or hurt or anything but happy at me!
"I know, its okay." He started rocking us back and forth then and I had never felt closer to Emmett than I had before. He was the older brother I always wish I had. Now, though, it truly felt like he was. I didn't care anymore, I was introducing Emmett Cullen as my older brother to everyone now.
I finally smiled as Jasper came over and rubbed my back.
...And I decided I would introduce Jasper as my best friend.
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After our big crying fest/heart-to-heart, I called my parents and let them know what was up. They insisted on driving over, but I told them not to. It was too far of a drive to just get here and watch me lay in a bed the rest of tonight and tomorrow morning, then hobble around for another couple of months with that damn brace again.
I thought about calling Edward, but he was probably studying or logging in extra hours for his residency stuff. I didn't want to scare him with what ended up as a false alarm.
The doctor came by and showed me my x-rays. I'd fractured the bone right about where it almost connected to the knee. I told him about the whole Brooke incident and how it had been sore the last few days and had told me that if I hadn't of seen a doctor about it soon I would have been in close to the same situation I was now in a month.
So technically I was doing myself a favor. Getting it done and over with, right? I mean, come on, we all knew I wasn't going to go to the doctor for my sore knee any time soon.
Then one of the many nurses that had stopped in my room said she had a visitor with her. I wasn't sure who it was, but when Jane walked in I was filled with so many emotions.
"How are you feeling, Isabella?" She asked carefully. I didn't even try to correct her for calling me my full name. She practically saved my life, she can do what she wants.
"I'm doing good. I wanted to thank you for helping me back there." I offered awkwardly. I had never felt anything more than creeped out by Jane, but now I kind of wanted to hug her.
Eh… maybe not quite yet, but I was getting there.
"It was no problem at all. I was just on a walk and heard you scream, so how was I supposed to ignore a plea for help?"
"I just… is there any way I can make it up to you?" I felt like I owed her. Big time.
"No. Nothing, Isabella. I'll see you around campus when you have returned. Goodbye." And then she left.
"Thank you, again…" I mumbled even though she probably didn't hear me.
"I swear, if she hadn't of saved your life, I would feel like calling the cops or something right now." Emmett muttered.
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It was pretty boring, sitting in a hospital, just waiting to be released. After countless minutes of playing 'Guess Which Number I'm Thinking Of' with Emmett, I resorted to calling Alice and Rosalie and letting them in on the news.
I almost forgot that they didn't know anything and thought I was healthy and well. Boy did they remind me of how clueless they were.
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Call from Bella to Alice:
"Hey, Ali. So uh… I'msortainthehospitalrightnow."
"WHAT?"
(I should have known she would understand all that)
"I fractured my knee… again."
"WHEN?"
"Like… two, three, maybe four hours ago…"
"HOW?"
"I slipped on a muddy hill."
"WHERE?"
"In the woods."
"IN THE WOODS?"
"Yes, Alice."
"WHY?"
"Oh you know, just felt like I hadn't seen the men in the white lab coats in a while… thought I should pay them a visit."
"Don't get sassy with me, Bella."
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Call from Bella to Rosalie:
"Hey Rose…"
"Hey Bella…"
"So. I fractured my leg. How has your day been?"
"In three places again?"
"No…"
"Oh? Just two this time? Or was it more, like four or five?"
"Shutup, Rose! I thought you would at least feel some sympathy for me."
"Oh, honey I'm passed that. Emmett called me when you were out cold. I had my time to be worried, now I'm just wondering how you did it... again."
"Shutup, Rose!"
.
I tried calling Edward a couple times, but he never answered his phone.
Oh well.
If he can keep secrets so can I.
Yeah... I guess I hadn't really gotten over that yet...
EPOV
After hanging up with Jasper, I made sure I had my keys, wallet, and phone and bolted to my car. All that kept running through my mind was: Bella's hurt. Bella's not okay. Get to Bella.
Nothing else mattered.
I stabbed my key in the ignition and cranked the engine on before flinging the gearshift into drive and peeling out onto the street.
The whole trip up there I was completely on edge. My hands were shaking on the steering wheel and my foot gradually pressed down on the gas pedal more and more as I got closer to Bella. I tried calling Jasper and Emmett multiple times but they never answered, which drove me even more insane than I already was.
After way too long, I finally made it to the hospital in Pullman and hightailed it to the ER. The nurses in reception were unsurprisingly startled when I crashed into their desk demanding to see Bella. When they just stared back at me, slack-jawed, I started for the back rooms where patients were held, figuring I could find her faster myself.
"Nah-ah-ah, dear. Only family is allowed back there at the moment." One nurse who magically found her voice again said as she blocked my path.
I wondered for a split second how Emmett and Jasper managed to get back there before I blurted out, "I'm her fiancé."
"Seriously?"
"Yes! Go ask Emmett and Jasper. Aren't they with her?"
"Yes, Miss Swan's brothers are back there. Should I tell them Edward has arrived?" she asked in a snotty tone.
"Please do." I mentally rolled my eyes; Bella's brothers? They don't even look alike.
The nurse reappeared a few seconds later, not looking pleased, "You're clear. Go ahead."
I said a quick thank you and burst into the hallway where Jasper was standing outside what I assumed was Bella's room, smirking. "Fiancé, huh?"
I scoffed and pushed past him, "Brother, huh?"
"Fair enough." He snickered and followed behind me.
When I entered the room, Emmett was sitting in a chair with his legs propped up on Bella's bed flipping through a magazine. Bella had her eyes closed, but her fingers were tapping a rhythm on her stomach.
I felt Jasper lean up and whisper in my ear, "She's not asleep, woke up a couple hours ago; she's just 'resting'. And by the way, we didn't tell her you were coming."
"Jasper, what are you mumbling about to yourself over there?" Bella's sweet, snarky voice rang out.
"Oh nothing. Nothing at all." He snickered and pushed me forward.
Her eyes were still closed as I leaned down and brushed my lips against her forehead before backing away slightly so I could see her face.
Her eyebrows knit together for a millisecond before they popped open and she grabbed my neck, bringing it down to crash her lips onto mine.
"This feels a little too familiar…" I mumbled against her lips, thinking back to the last time she had scared the shit out of me.
"Mhmm. At least I wasn't in a mini-coma this time around though."
"Yes, thank you for not checking out on me again." I breathed out a sigh of relief.
"We'll just… leave you two… alone…" Emmett drawled out, adding a very dramatic wink as he and Jasper exited.
I shook my head and focused back on Bella, "How long are they making you stay?"
"Just until tomorrow morning. You know, after they fit me with a brace and everything…" She said with a very obvious edge to her voice. I forgot how much she hated that thing…
Just then a nurse whizzed by the door, but back-tracked, entered the room, and smiled at us, "I see you found your fiancé."
My face paled. Crap. This was not how she was supposed to find out.
I just smiled tightly as the nurse rushed back down the hall and hesitantly looked at Bella.
Her face was scrunched into the most adorable, confused look ever. "Edward… why did she just call you my fiancé?"
Do it. Now.
And so I did. I quickly helped Bella sit up fully, and then backed away from the bed enough to kneel down. I was on both knees as I fished the box out of my pocket, but quickly shifted and raised my right leg so I was down on one knee in front of her hospital bed.
"Edward…"
"Shh, Bella."
I watched her take a big swallow and then began my speech.
"Bella, I love you so much. You are… everything. You're the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning, what I dream about in my sleep, smart, funny, beautiful, you keep me on my toes, I don't deserve you but I can't imagine living life without you. When you wrote me that letter, it got me thinking about us. Us, for the rest of our lives. I want that." I could feel the burning sensation in my eyes and started to blink rapidly. I was a man. I would not cry. I would not cry.
I would not cry.
"I know we're only nineteen, but we can stay engaged as long or as short as you want. Its all up to you, as long as I know someday you will be my wife." I took one huge deep breath before I laid my heart to her out for the taking.
"Isabella Marie Swan, will you marry me?"
A small gasp escaped her lips and from the corner of my eye I could see Emmett and Jasper peeking around the corner.
Suddenly this roomed seemed entirely too small and over heated.
She looked me straight in the eye, "Is this what all the secrecy was about?"
Not the first thing I had expected to come from her mouth…
A/N: hahahaha! don't hate me, once i start on the cliffhangers, i can't stop :) plus, its my story and i can do what i want. so :P
and tell me, honestly, who saw Jane coming? were you surprised?
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Favorite?
Definitely when Jane came to the rescue.
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A Few (selected) Teams:
-Team-Emmett-can-propose-to-me-any-day
-Team-coco-puffs-should-never-be-wasted-by-being-thrown-into-jasper's-face ( one of my most favorite teams so far!)
-Team Edward needs to propose! (this was a collective team idea from just about everyone haha)
-Team Bella needs to stop breaking her leg
-Team Renee-is-so-obvious-for-"feeling up"-Bella's-hands (our first renee team!)
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Emeleigh
