A/N: I'm so sorry for leaving you all hanging in last chapter, but I had to do it.

Thank you to everyone still reading and reviewing...

So here we go, this is the scene that where I got the inspiration for PL, you could that was my "Stephenie Meyer" moment.

Unfortunately, this chapter will put you on a roller coaster (I hope) but things will slow down...eventually.

Shoutout to my beta, you are an amazing women and friend!

As ever, I hope you enjoy it!

"But the struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has its own way of takin' its sweet time

No, life ain't always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine
Hey, life ain't always beautiful
But its a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride"

Life Aint Always Beautiful - Gary Allan

EPOV

"You ready for this?" Emmett says as he hits me in the arm.

No.

"Do you think you'll win the title again?" he asks

No.

"Are you going to say anything?"

No.

I sit there, methodically taping my hands, trying to keep my mind occupied. I can't believe it's been a year since the last finals, a year since my life changed, and not for the better.

Vegas will always be a place that I hate, the place that I hurt the only person I truly loved. After the baby shower, I gave up on trying to fix things with Bella. I don't even know what I would say to her, no words can mend what I did to her.

For about 3 months straight I would wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat from my nightmares. Each would consist of Bella in various states of distress, me not able to save her. Not once. She would always be just out of reach, or someone else would come in and save her. Let's just say it pissed me the fuck off.

My meetings with Dr. Weber helped that, but Bella didn't come up a lot. I made sure of that. It probably wasn't exactly what Dr. Weber wanted but at her I drew the line. Bella was never the problem, it was me. Well,me and my fucked up family.

"Masen!"I hear someone yell.

I look up, seeing Paul standing in the doorway.

"You're up…" he responds.

Pulling my body from the chair, I stretch, my back already feeling stiff.

Fuck. I'm getting too old for this.

As I walk down the hallway, my heart begins to beat fast, the adrenaline already starting to flow through my veins. As I get into the main arena, I hear the crowd yelling and shouting, making my heart beat even faster.

I get to the chutes, Emmett on my heels.

"You ready for this man?" he asks.

I swing my leg over the metal gate, sliding onto the bull that was chosen for me at random.

Bushwacker.

He's never been ridden a full 8 seconds, his buck off rate at 100%.

Just my fucking luck.

Emmett climbs up the gate, helping strap me in. When the rope is secured, he holds his hand out and I take it, shaking it.

"Good luck man," he smiles. "And try not to make it look too easy you asshole."

I crack a smile.

Turning to the man in charge of the gate, I hesitate but nod my head, letting him know I am as ready as I'll ever the chute flies open, time seems to slow, everything around me fades away. It's just Bushwhacker and me.

I've been doing this for years, but every ride is different, all them unpredictable. This one is no exception. But something is wrong, I can feel it.

I don't know how far into my ride I am, but I can feel my body slipping. As I fall off the bull, my hand becomes lodged in the tie up. Using all my might, I keep my body off the ground but my toes drag in the dirt, my bicep on fire. Shifting my head around I notice the helpers and rodeo clowns are trying to get the rope off, not having any luck.

"Fuck!" I call out, more pissed off than worried.

But then out of nowhere, an image of Bella appears in my vision, and I can't tell if she's real…or a figment of my imagination.

But then all I see…is darkness.

BPOV

I remain seated on the curb, my body not being able to move, my muscles frozen in place.

"Here's the rest of your…." I hear Rose say behind me.

She fly's to my side, clearly knowing something is wrong.

"Bella….are you ok?" she says, grabbing my face between her hands.

I open my mouth but my mind won't form the words.

My phone rings again, making me jump. Rose takes it out of my hand and answers it.

"Hello?" she says. "Jackson…what the hell is going on. Bella is sitting on the curb like someone just ran over her dog."

She then falls silent. I finally shift my eyes up to her, her facial expression masking mine.

Seconds later she hangs up, handing the phone back to me.

"Uhhh he's at Spring Valley," she says.

I just stare at her.

"Bella!" she screams. "What are you still doing here? GO!"

And just like that, my body springs to life. I fly off the curb, amazed that the cab is still here. Walking to the open door, I swing back around.

"Just go," Rose says, turning me back around. "Everything is situated here. I'll go pack my things and take care of Bree and be on the next plane, right behind you. Just GO!"

I slide into the seat, Rose shutting the door behind me. I gaze out at her through the car window, tears wanting to fall.

"It will be ok," she mouths.

When we reach the airport, everything pisses me off, my emotions on a fucking roller coaster. I even almost forget my bag in the cab, my mind on nothing but Edward.

"Miss…." I hear behind me.

I turn around, seeing the cab driver looking at me.

Pay the driver Bella.

I pull out some cash, giving it to him, not really caring if it's too much. Picking my suitcase up off the ground, I make my way into the airport, the place is packed. Of course there is a long ass fucking line at the ticket counter.

When it finally becomes my turn, I run up to the counter, scaring the shit out of the desk attendant.

"May I help you?" the lady asks.

"I need a ticket to Vegas, as soon as possible. It's an emergency."

She starts typing in a million things to her computer, each click of hey keyboard irritating me. After what seems like forever, she finally looks up at me.

"A plane will be departing in three hours. We only have one seat left, and it's in first class."

Fuck me. Three hours!

"There's nothing that will get me there faster? I need to get there as fast as possible – it's a family emergency," I repeat myself hoping maybe the dire tone I'm using will somehow conjure up another 757 that can fly me there immediately… preferably landing right outside the hospital.

She looks at me annoyed. Guess she's not the fairy godmother after all. I'm sure she sees a 100 people a day begging her to conjure aircraft out of the sky.

"Well there's a flight into LA and then you could connect…" she taps her fingers a few more seconds. "Nope. That's not gonna get you in any faster. Three hours is the fastest you can get there honey. You want it or not?"

I reach into my wallet, pulling out my "in case of emergency" credit card my parents gave me. After things get settled at the ticket booth, I immediately head straight to the terminal, the minutes not going fast enough.

As I sit for a while, every scenario goes through my head, every moment of us together replaying like a movie in my mind. Pulling out my cell phone, I figure this is a good time to call my parents and tell them I won't be going to Barcelona.

I dial their number, the phone ringing over and over, until eventually the answering machine picks up.

"Uhhh hey Mom and Dad, something came up and I'm not going to make it to Barcelona. But I'm fine, and I promise to call you soon when I have more information."

I know that I totally just lied to my parents, but me telling them over the phone that I just wasted the thousand dollars they gave me for the trip and just charged a plane ticket to their account…didn't seem like the best of plans.

The three hours pass by unbearably slow, my nerves not fading away. Perk of first class though? Priority boarding.

When I get into my seat, I pull out my iPod, hoping my music will calm my anxiety. After about twenty minutes of that, I pull the buds out of my ears, throwing it back in my purse.

For fuck sake.

I reach up, hitting my call button. A few seconds later, the stewardess comes over.

"Can I help you?" she asks.

"Uhh I need a drink," I mutter.

"I can't serve drinks until take off I'm afraid."

I look up at her, and it takes everything in my power to not rip her eyes out. After what seems like another fucking eternity, the plane finally departs, the distance between Edward and me shrinking.

When the seatbelt sign turns off, I realize I really want that fucking drink.

Another perk of first class? Free booze.

Somewhere between the forests of Washington and the fucking desert of Las Vegas I down two beers and a miniature ass bottle of vodka.

Who in the hell thought there were the perfect size? A fucking midget colony?

Nothing like going to see your ex-boyfriend, who is in a coma, drunk.

When the plane starts to descend, my heart rate is so high I fear I might pass out, the alcohol probably not helping in the scenario.

Once I get my baggage, I hail a cab.

"Spring Valley," I say to the driver, my ass flying backwards at she steps on it.

At least someone knows I'm in a fucking hurry.

When we reach the hospital, I walk into the emergency room, not really knowing where else to go. I find a clerk behind the desk.

"Uhhh I'm looking for someone who was admitted here…" I squeak out.

"And you are…"

"Isabella…."

What the fuck do I say?

"Masen," I blurt out. "His wife."

She stares at me, probably knowing that I just lied through my teeth. She then looks down at her computer, her expression changing.

"I'm so sorry," she says looking up at me.

What? Oh God! I'm too late!

"He's in ICU, third floor, room 2."

Relief washes over me. Shit Bella. Get it together here.

This isn't new information, I knew that's where he would be, but hearing the confirmation of his status in her voice made it all too real.

"Thank you," I choke out, picking up my suitcase and head for the elevator banks.

When I reach the third floor, the doors of the elevator open and I can't seem to make myself move. A young nurse notices me, and she starts to make her way towards me.

"Are you alright miss?" she asks.

All I can blurt out is "Edward" and for some reason I don't have to say anymore.

She gives me the same look at the receptionist downstairs, it really fucking up my already awful mood.

I follow behind her slowly, and I notice that my body is shaking slightly, my palms moist.

She stops at a door, a number "2" on the front of it.

"Everyone else went out, he's all alone."

Fuck. I can't do this alone. I want my mommy.

I stand there outside the door, my knuckles wrapped around the handle of my suitcase so tight I can almost feel them tear. The rapid movement around me becomes nonexistent, nothing but the faint beeping of machines fills my ears.

Reaching up, I place my hand on the door handle, the cold metal feeling good against my flushed skin. I push on it; feeling like it weighs a thousand pounds. When I get it fully open, I hesitate, stepping inside slowly. My eyes adjust to the darkness of the room, and all I can see is the glow from the lights on the machines.

Machines. There are so many of them.

I swallow the large lump in my throat, putting my left leg forward, and then taking a step. Then two, then three. Before I know it, I'm at the foot off the bed. I can see a mass in the bed, but none of his features areclear to me.

All I can do it stand there, my body shaking harder now, and I become frozen again.

Maybe it's not him. Maybe they sent me to the wrong Edward Masen.

"Are you alright?" I hear from behind me.

I shift my head around, seeing the same nurse from before.

She enters the room, walking over to the window, drawing the shades a little, daylight filling the room.

And that's when I see him. Edward.

A single tear falls down my cheek.

Staring down at him, I look over his face, counting the number of bruises and lacerations.

Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen.

I then see a tissue being held out in front of me, the young nurse giving me the "it will be ok" look.

"Thanks," I mutter, taking it from her.

"Have you been updated on his progress?" she asks me.

I shake my head.

"He is currently in a coma due to swelling and bleeding of the brain. The doctors were able to get him stabilized, but he still has long road to recovery."

I swallow hard.

"When will he wake up?"

"We don't know. Every person is different. The body can only determine when it wants to wake up."

"Will he make it?" I whisper to myself.

She smiles at me.

"He seems strong."

For some reason, a smile cracks on my face.

"You have no idea."

"Well, I'll leave you…my name is Jane, please let me know if there is anything I can get for you."

She turns and leaves.

I shift my eyes around the room, I spot a small closet, putting my suitcase in it.

I walk back over to the bed, and continue to stare at him and then I can't hold it back any longer. A year's worth of emotions crashing down on me hard. I sob uncontrollably.

I want nothing more than to take it all back. All of it seem so unimportant now.

As I continue to cry, my body becomes weak, my legs threatening to fall, my knees buckling. But as soon as I fear that I actually might fall, someone catches me.

"Bella bee," the figure says, my mind knowing exactly who it is.

I grab onto Emmett hard, desperate to physically hold onto something.

After a few seconds, I pull back, looking up at him. I am greeted with a smile, although it's not the typical Emmett smile… there is pain behind it.

"How…." I begin to say, but I can't seem to form the rest of the sentence.

He begins shaking his head.

"It all happened so fast…one second he was on top of the bull, the next he was under it."

My heart wrenches.

"It was awful," he added. "There was nothing I could do."

I hug him again, now realizing I'm not the only one going through this. Shifting my eyes upward, I notice we are not alone.

Alice.

Emmett lets go of me, my body lurching forward into Alice's arms.

Tears fall even more now, my body convulsing.

"Shhh…." She coos, her grasp on me tight.

I pull back from her, fearing that I may break her if I continue.

"Why Alice?"I ask.

She smooths my hair, not giving me an answer.

I look around the room again.

"Where's Jackson?"

"He took Lily home, she was getting fussy."

Lily. I almost forgot.

"Oh," I respond.

"But they will be back later, I promise you."

I smile, a moment of joy finding me.

"I can't wait to meet my niece."

She smiles lightly.

"I'm so sorry that it has to be under these circumstances."

I look back over at Edward, Emmett still standing beside him. Walking over to them, I place a hand on Emmett's shoulder, feeling the tense muscles in his back.

"I'm so glad that you are here Bella," Emmett mutters. "He would be really happy."

Fuck. Don't cry.

I don't respond, but squeeze his shoulder instead. He then leaves the room, coming back moments later with two chairs. One for me and one for Alice.

"Thanks," I say as I slide into one.

Sitting there, I can do nothing but stare. At every piece of hair, at every mole that is visible. Eventually, even through all the stagnant medical smells, I pick up on his cologne. It triggers so many memories. Every moment together, good and bad. The urge to reverse time grows greater with each passing moment. I pull my knees into my chest, resting my head on the back of the chair.

I sit there for what seems like eternity, the lightness in the room my only gauge of time. My legs become numb, but I refuse to move.

Doctors and nurses come and go, most of them not saying much.

Emmett goes out to make some more calls to friends who he promised to keep updated. Alice goes to find more coffee and to call and check on Lily. I really think they just wanted to give me time alone.

I keep closing my eyes for minutes at a time, hoping that when I open them this will all just have been a horrible nightmare. But the constant beep of the machines keeps dragging me back to the desperate reality that will just not magically fade away.

I sit motionless, passing the seconds by watching his chest rise and fall, willing it to keep its steady rhythm.

Getting up from the chair, I stretch my body, realizing I've been sitting in the same position way too long. My arm leaves my side, it traveling upwards, my hand hovering over Edward's.

I've been afraid to touch him. Partly because of all the tubes and equipment attached to him. But also because I know as soon as my body touches his I am done for. I am certain feeling his skin against mine might make my heart it's a chance I have to take.

I slowly lower my hand, feeling the warmth coming off his skin. I am mere inches from touching it, when the door opens, startling me, making me instantly retract.

A nurse enters, but it's not Jane.

"Where's Jane?" I ask, for some reason not liking they've sent in a new person.

"Jane is the morning shift, I am the night shift nurse," she answers with a smile.

"Oh."

I remain standing at the bedside, watching her as she shifts around the room. She opens his chart, studying it. She then walks over to the other side of the bed from me, replacing some of his IV bags. When she lifts his arms a tiny bit, I see a dark black line on his inner bicep that catches my eye. As she lifts it higher, more of it appears. But before I can get a better look, she drops it again.

I shake my head, thinking this lack of sleep is screwing with me.

She must have noticed my expression because she stops working.

"You know they know what's going on around them right? Talking to him and personal contact is the best thing for him right now."

I bite my lip.

"What if I fuck something up, like make one of the machines stop or something?"

She giggles.

"That's highly unlikely. We're monitoring everything at the nurse's station. Trust me, if anything changes I'd be in here within seconds," she says, giving me a wink. "Talk to him. Tell him to fight. I've seen it work before. The doctors probably don't like to hear me say this, but love is usually the best medicine."

I give her a small smile. Reaching up again, I hover my hand just above him. I'm kinda glad they don't have me hooked up to a monitor cause my heart feels like it's beating right out of my chest.. I slowly place my hand atop his, feeling the familiar surge of energy I experience every time we touch.

"Edward." His name falls from my mouth reverently.

I then hear the machine make a loud chirp, retracting my hand instantly.

The nurse laughs.

"Well you must be someone special to him because his heart rate just quickened."

I look up at the machine, now noticing that the number is a few notches higher than before. I look down at him, his exterior unchanged.

Wake up damnit.

The nurse quietly slips out of the room, I remain standing…. wondering.

Looking around the room again, I shift to the other side of the bed. Taking his left arm gently in mine, I lift it up.

And I am completely floored at what I see.

Inside his bicep is a large tribal swan tattoo, the creature's wings spanned open, almost ready to take flight.

Why would he permanently mark himself with a swan?

Oh my god…

And suddenly it's all too much. Too much and love and pain and uncertainty. My body can't process it all at once.

Quickly laying his arm back down on the bed I run to the bathroom just in time to vomit. As I pick myself up off the floor, I hear the main door to the room open. Checking myself in the mirror quickly, I pull open the door, noticing Alice and Emmett have returned.

"Hey…" I say quietly, happy they are back. I am scared to ask, but I have to know the story behind the tattoo. How long has he had it? Why did he get it?

"Emmett..." I start to ask but am interrupted by the door opening once again.

"Excuse me," we all hear, looking at the door. "I'm sorry but visiting hours are over."

My heart drops. How can I leave him?

"No," I say to no one in particular. Shaking my head back and forth.

Emmett walks over to me.

"Come on Bella Bee, he wouldn't want you sitting here all night. Plus we need to get some food in you."

I give him a concerned look.

"But isn't that always what happens? The family goes out to get food, or to go to sleep and the person….."

I can't even make myself say it.

"I promise he will be fine, he is under the best of watch," the nurse says.

Can you? How can you promise something like that?

Much to my objection, I find myself leaving his room. When we reach the lobby, I get a welcomed surprise.

In front of me are not only Rose, but my mother, my father, and Eric. And just like that, the water works starts again.

For the love of Christ, how can I still produce tears?

I walk immediately to my parents, both of them wrapping their arms around me.

"I am so happy that you are here," I mutter.

Pulling back from them, I go to give Eric a hug. My brother may be a jack ass most of the time, but we are always there for each other. When I finally get to Rose, she smiles.

"I thought you could use a little more of your family here."

"Thank you," I say, giving her a hug as well.

I look around me, introducing Emmett to my parents and my brother. For a moment, my anxiety lessens just a bit.

For once I don't feel alone, all the people that I love under one roof. Unfortunately, that roof belongs to a hospital.

"We were about to go get some food…" I say biting my lip. "Do you guys want to come?"

"I'm starving," Eric says.

We all make our way out the front doors, splitting up into two cabs. As we drive down the strip, the lights of the town bring back unwanted memories.

How can a year go by so fast?

We make it out of the downtown area, ending up at a small local diner away from the hustle and bustle of Vegas.

I pull myself from the cab, my mother instantly putting her arm around me.

"Are you ok my sweetie? You look a little pale."

"I've been better…" I admit.

She rubs my shoulder with her hand, giving me a small reassuring smile.

"Everything will be ok sweetie."

I sigh.

"How do you know?"

"Because life has a funny way of working out."

The seven of us slide into a large corner booth. When I get seated, I look up, Emmett already pestering the shit out of Rose.

I can't help but laugh.

I look over at her, a crooked smile on her face. The diner reminds me of the place Edward took me too, remembering the ridiculous fight we had.

I chuckle to myself, hiding my face behind the menu from everyone else. Scanning it, I really realize food sounds awful right now, my stomach lurches at the thought. Setting the menu down, I take a small sip of my water, the liquid feeling good on my dry throat.

O0o0o

There's quiet conversation as dinner passes by, , but I can't contribute much. My mind can't get off Edward, my body almost feeling like there is a strong rope pulling me back in the direction of the hospital.

When we all finish eating, the boys argue about who's going to pay, resulting in the women getting up and leaving the restaurant.

Men and their egos.

Of course my father won, he's an excellent negotiator. That man can talk you into admitting something you weren't even part of.

As we stand in the parking lot, everyone falls silent…none of us knowing what to say next.

"Well, here ya go," Emmett says, handing my parents two room keys. "We got you a room at the Monte Carlo. That's where we're all staying."

"The Monte Carlo?"I blurt out. "But I thought you guys always stayed at the…"

"Yeah, Edward refused to go anywhere near the Bellagio."

My heart palpitates.

"Uhh thank you," Charlie says taking them from him.

"Thank you Emmett," I choke out, realizing how important everyone here is to me.

More than I can ever explain.

"Oh and Bella," Emmett adds. "Here is the key to Edward's room…."

I look down, another key in his hand, stretched out towards me.

"You don't have to stay there, we have a fold out couch in ours, but I thought I would offer."

My heart sinks, but I take the key from his hand, sliding it into my back pocket.

"Thank you."

Emmett hails us cabs, and before I know it, were in a luxurious hotel on the strip, a sense of déjà vu coming over me, only this time there is someone missing.

My parents get checked in, and they head off to their room after telling them good night.

My dad comes up to me, giving me a hug.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us? You can share a bed with Eric."

I laugh a little.

"Right, just what I want to do…"

My father laughs, kissing me atop the head.

"Well if you need anything, we'll only be floor beneath you, where the common folks sleep."

"Alright dad," I say, rolling my eyes.

Of course Edward's room is the penthouse, he may have switches hotels, but his taste for finer things clearly haven't changed.

When everyone else has gone to their respective rooms, Alice stops me.

"I'm worried. Should you be going there alone?"

I look at her confused.

"I'll be fine. I think I might enjoy the silence ya know?"

She nods her head, staring off into space.

"It will be ok," she says, then smiles and turns and leaves.

Sometimes she can be so…freaky.

When I make it to the room, I pull the key from my back pocket, sliding it into the handle, it clicks open immediately.

At least I don't have to fight with this piece of shit.

Sliding open the door, I am immediately hit with his scent, it nearly knocks me to the ground. I step inside, dropping my stuff in the foyer. This hotel room is as big as the one at the Bellagio, but it feels so….empty.

I make my way into the bedroom, seeing his things everywhere, they are all neatly organized of course. Opening the closet door, I stare at his clothes, all of them color coordinated.

These small things bring me joy, glad to know that Edward didn't change in every way. I reach up, pulling down a crisp white button down shirt. Immediately I undress, sliding the shirt over my head, bringing the collar up to my nose.

Walking into the bathroom, I run my fingers along the granite counter tops, grabbing his cologne bottle. I spray my shirt, the scent connecting me with the past.

I look at myself in the mirror, now noticing what my mother saw.

My skin is pale, the brown in my eyes dull. There are dark black circles under them, making me look almost like a corpse. I turn around, shutting off the light to the bathroom, walking over to the beside. I crawl into the left side, knowing Edward always sleeps on the left.

As I lay there, the day's events replay over and over in my head, the phone call, the beeping machines, the image of the tattoo flying through my mind. And as much as I fight my heavy eyelids, I can't hold on any longer.

O0o0o0

I open my eyes, temporarily forgetting where I am.

Shifting around in the bed, I look at my surroundings, remembering.

Shit. It wasn't a nightmare?

Glancing over at the clock, I let out a groan.

3:30am.

I pull the comforter off me, walking into the bathroom, I pull off all my clothes, suddenly desperate for a shower. I turn the water on, getting it as hot as possible. The water feels great against my skin, temporarily melting away the tenseness in my shoulder and the pounding in my head.

After I wash my hair and body, I jump out, grabbing a towel and then throwing on some clothes. I pace around the hotel room, stopping to gaze out the wall of glass windows with a panoramic view of the strip. The place is completely lit up, people still out on the streets.I go back to pacing, knowing there is only one place I really want to be.

Grabbing Edward's key from the nightstand, I make my way out of the room and as I walk down the hallway, I get the feeling someone is following me, but I know no one is there.

When I reach the outside, a hotel clerk approaches me.

"Can I get you something ma'am?" he asks.

"A cab. Thanks," I say.

I wait outside for a few minutes, a yellow checkered cab pulling up. Jumping inside, I tell the driver where I'm headed, my heart pounding again.

When I reach the hospital, I wonder how I am going to do this. It's way past visiting hours.

I pull on the hood of my sweatshirt, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator. When I reach the floor, I open the door slowly, happy to see the there's no one at the nurse's station, and Edward's room is extremely close to the stairs.

Slipping through the opening, I walk closely to the wall, hoping that I will just blend in.

Right Bella. Who do you think you are? James fucking Bond?

When I reach his room, I open the door quickly slipping inside. The room is dark again like before, the machines still beeping. Walking into the bathroom, I flick the light on, giving the room a soft glow. As I walk back into the room, I gasp loudly as I see a figure sitting in the corner. I put my hand over my mouth, hoping I didn't make enough noise to draw the attention of the staff.

But then I recognize the figure, my heart beating even more. I don't even know what to say.

"Bet you're surprised I'm here huh?" the figure asks.

"Uhh…how did you get in here?" I ask.

"I am his father," he laughs sarcastically."I would have been here sooner if someone didn't take the last seat of the next available flight."

I walk closer to Peter, now realizing his face is puffy…and red.

Has he been crying?

When I get next to him, he pats the chair next to him, his usual brashness not apparent at the moment. I sit next to him, and silently pray my heart doesn't give out. We both sit there and stare at Edward, the room falling silent again.

Until Peter speaks again.

"I owe you an apology….well both of you an apology."

I don't respond. If I start telling this man what I think of him…how many ways I think he's failed his son…it will not end up well.

"You know, ever since his mother's death, life has been…difficult," he says, a small laugh escaping him. "I know I haven't been the best of fathers to him and Victoria…or a fuck…a grandfather for that fact…and there is no excuse for it."

He stops, the words obviously fighting their way out.

"And I know there is nothing I can do to change that…"

I stop him.

"That's not true," I whisper.

He gives me a crooked smile.

"I know that I have no right to say anything, or that it's any of my personal business anymore, but Edward loves you. Even after you… ended things, as much as he tried to fight his love for you, it was always there. I could see it in his eyes."

Peter swallows. Clearly hesitating about what he's about to say.

"And I know I'm the last person who should be giving out advice, but it's never too late to mend things. Love is the most important thing to have in your life. Trust me. I haven't had a lot in my life in a long time."

He swallows falls silent.

"You know, I could give you the same advice."

"I appreciate you saying that," he says. "But I think my only chances to get back my son have been here and gone."

I shake my head.

"But what if your wrong? You just told me it's never too late."

Both of us fall silent.

What if it is too late. What if he never wakes if both of us never get a chance to make things right.

I realize in that moment, Peter and I actually have something in common. We both are clinging to the same desperate need. We are both feeling we let Edward down. We left him feeling unloved at a time when he needed love the most.

"He's going to make it. He has too."I say, trying to will it to happen.

"I sure hope so," he whispers. "And for the record, I was incredibly wrong about you Bella. You being here proves me wrong. What you two had was strong…. Things are not too late for you two. Finding his mother was the best thing that has happened to me. Edward and Victoria…the second."

Shit.

I don't respond, but remain silent. After a while, I start to notice the depth of Peter's exhaustion. I tap him lightly on the shoulder, making him jump.

"Sorry," I whisper.

I pull the key from my back pocket, holding it out to him.

"Why don't you go back to Edward's room? You could probably use some sleep. I'll call you if anything changes…"

He smiles, taking it from me.

"Thank you Bella…for everything."

He then stands up, pulling on his jacket and hat and exits the room.

Getting up from my chair, I walk over to the bedside, putting my hand on Edward's, the machine spiking again. It's now that I notice the ventilator is gone, meaning he is breathing on his own.

Has to be a good sign.

"Do you know I'm here?" I whisper to him. "I need you to wake up. Please. Edward…"

I slide down into the chair and lay my head back so I could watch his chest rising and falling like I had earlier. Somehow seeing it move up and down settles my nerves.

At some point, I must have dozed off because something startles me awake. Not a person, but a feeling. When I open my eyes, they are met with another pair.

Green.

My heart skips a beat.

Am I dreaming this?

I shake my head and blink my eyes to make sure.

"Edward..." I breathe out.

He lifts his hand off the bed, it shakes unsteadily. I stare down at it, and then slide my hand into his, his fingers wrapping around mine. Edward shuts his eyes again, but from beneath his lashes a tear runs down his cheek..

Because I have updated 3 times in under a week, I feel I need to take a step back and make sure I am not speed writing through this... so update might be a little longer than normal, but as ever, as soon as its finished I will post!

Love you all! xoxo.