Chapter 26 | Learn to Love Again

October 26, 2013

BPOV

"Right from the start
You were a thief, you stole my heart
And I your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me, that weren't all that pretty
And with every touch you fixed them
Now you've been talking in your sleep oh oh
Things you never say to me oh oh
Tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love"

I quietly shifted to my right side and heard Edward singing. The words, so true and powerful. It was either night time or early morning because of the darkness in the room. He was standing facing the window and his voice was filled with emotion.

"You know you should really sing more often, babe. I love your voice." His head whipped around so fast that I know it had to hurt. I noticed his glassy eyes, unshaven face and how tired he looked.

"Bella? Hi sleepyhead" Edward said in a quiet whisper. He gave me that crooked grin I enjoyed and walked over to my bedside. He sat down in the chair and ran smooth circles across my arm.

"What day is it?" He let out a sigh and moved closer.

"It's almost two o'clock in the morning on a Saturday" he replied and kissed my hand.

"Oh wow…. what happened?"

"How much do you remember?"

"Uh, I remember arriving here and then walking up talking to people. You've been here or was I dreaming? It's like I wanted to speak but my body wouldn't let me."

"Yes I have, baby. I've been singing and talking to you nonstop. Your body has been working hard to recover." I nod my head and smile.

"Have you been eating and sleeping?" His head drops and I knew my answer.

"Bella I was so scared. After the fight, I thought I had lost you forever. And then you get t-t-t-aken…..I was so broken. You suffered a lot of trauma and you coded twice. My only thoughts and concerns were of you. I'm so sorry my love and I hope you can forgive me." His body was racked with sobs and I reached out to touch his face.

"Come here", I responded and patted the open space in my bed.

"You sure? I don't want to hurt you."

'I'm sure. I can't feel a thing." He slipped off his shoes and jacket, pulled down the bar and climbed in. I curled to his side and looked him right in the eye.

"You're forgiven, Edward. I don't want you to keep apologizing to me. It's done and over with, okay? We know how to handle things better now and that's all that matters. Tomorrow is not promised and I want to live every day to the fullest."

"I just didn't want to leave anything unresolved. You're too good for me, you now that right? I don't dese-"

"Shhh, stop it right there. I could same the same thing about you."

He smirked and ran his hand across my face. "I beg to differ. Bella, you make me a better man and that's more than I could have ever imagined. I love you so much!"

"I love you too. Is this moment really a reality?"

"Yeah, it is. I know, I feel the same way. That's why I haven't been getting sleep…. I couldn't stop staring at you." I blushed and put my head across his chest. We laid there in a comfortable silence for a while. I didn't want any interruptions, just him. We laughed and cried and sang and kissed. Edward caught me up on what I missed and I savored every word. I couldn't get enough.

*knock knock*

"Come in!" Alyssa, Carlisle and Dr. Dorman all stepped into the room.

"How's my favorite patient doing?" asked Carlisle. I laughed and smiled back at him.

"Besides my head, I'm doing pretty good."

"How does your head feel?"

"Like a dull ache. Not overbearing but just annoying."

"Yeah, that's to be expected. I just want to take a look at your incisions on your tummy and knee. Dr. Dorman will take a look at your head. Then if you'd like, you can take a shower."

"Really?" I asked excitedly.

"Really. I know you want out of that awful hospital gown. Renee bought some clothes over for you so you can change."

"Finally! I'm sure I don't smell all that great and I certainly don't feel it" I said with a laugh.

"Well, we can remedy that in a few moments." Edward moves from the bed so I could get through the examination. The only uncomfortable part was having the gauze and tape removed. Not matter how gently they pulled, it was not pleasant. Everything looked good according to my two doctors and I was able to take a shower. They was a comfortable chair and Alyssa helped me get in and out. I felt so much better in clean clothes and I stacked my wet hair into a messy bun. My bruises were already in the fading process and weren't so noticeable. Fresh gauze went on my skin and I was wheeled back out to my room.

"Hi, beautiful" Edward whispered. Even though I didn't feel that way, it made me happy.

"Hello yourself, handsome." He kissed me lips as I adjusted in the bed. I thanked Alyssa and she left the room and stated that she'd be back with food.

"Do you need me to get anything for you?"

"Not for me."

"What do you mean, love?"

"Take a shower, get some food in your system, rest and tell my momma to come up."

"But Bella I don't need any of that."

"Edward that's where you're wrong. You can't be 100% for me if you're dead on your feet. I'm for sure not going anywhere and I know you're not. So please, just do this one thing for yourself. I'll be fine."

"Are you-?"

"I'm certain. Go before I have Esme talk some sense into you." He chuckled knowing that he didn't want to be on his mother's bad side.

"Can I at least come back and sleep up here?"

"I would be sad if you didn't."

"Okay, baby. I'll be back in a few hours. I love you".

"Love you, more."

"Lies!" he whispered yelled as he gave me another sweet kiss. I watched a movie until Alyssa came back with some food. Her facial expression was priceless and she handed m a tray full of various broths. Yay. I'd have to deal with this for now until I could eat some solid foods. I downed the bowls in record time due to how hungry I was and talked with my mom for a good part of the morning. She showed me more pictures of my new nephew and braided my hair. Then my dad came in and we talked about Jacob's upcoming arraignment. He had already been extradited back to Texas and was in jail. He assured me I didn't have to testify because of the astronomical amount of evidence, but I wanted to face him one more time to show that he didn't destroy me. I was afraid or timid. I survived and made it through a fiery storm. Next, I talked to Em, Rose, Marcus, Amanda, and Ben over Facetime. They told me about how many letters and cards I received and all of the outpouring of love from all over the country. I was definitely going to go through each piece and read them all. Gage, Macklin and Laney were sound asleep since it was so early.

The day went on and I slept off and on with more visitors stopping by. Jasper and his team came in the late afternoon and I was finally able to thank them in person. I would forever be grateful for all the work and sacrifices they made to rescue me. Jasper, who I've come to love as a brother, broke down and we cried together. I think it hit him in that moment, how differently this situation could have turned out. I made him laugh to cut the shift in mood and he was able to calm down. Esme dropped by next and we talked and talked about any and everything. I wanted to know how Edward was during my time away and she was open and honest. She left with a hug and kiss on the cheek and lots of great advice. When Ali and Ang came next, as soon as well all looked at each other we cried. Just as I told Edward, I made sure they didn't blame themselves. I refused to let them think that. Ali caught me up on wedding plans and Ang brought up the house situation. It was refurnished, cleaned and ready to move back in and we decided to do just that.

Around 7 that night, Edward returned looking better than when I first saw him. He climbed in my bed and I ate dinner while we talked. We talked until we both couldn't keep out eyes opened. The moon shined brightly over the Florida skyline and Edward wrapped his arms around me. I kissed him and rubbed circles around his jawline. He smiled so big and turned off all the lights. His iPod had been on pause since this morning and he hit play.

"Goodnight, Bella and sweet dreams.

"Goodnight, Edward. They'll be sweet because you're protecting me."

"Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again

I'm sorry I don't understand
Where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine (Oh we had everything)
Your head is running wild again
My dear we still have everything'
And it's all in your mind (Yeah but this is happenin')
You've been having' real bad dreams oh oh
You used to lie so close to me oh oh
There's nothing more than empty sheets between our love, our love
Oh our love, our love

Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
I never stop, you're still written in the scars on my heart
You're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

Oh tear ducts and rust
I'll fix it for us
We're collecting dust, but our love's enough
You're holding it in
You're pouring a drink
No nothing is as bad as it seems
We'll come clean

Just give me a reason just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again

Oh we can learn to love again
Oh we can learn to love again oh oh
Oh that we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again."

A small jump in time next chapter and everyone will be back home! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Please enjoy and share your thoughts!