Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…

Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!

Chapter 28: Waking Up

Bella Swan

I felt like a deer caught in headlights as Dr. Aro Volturi approached us. I knew he didn't know me by name, but I had attended many of his lectures. Would he know who I was? Would he say something?

"I'm so screwed," I whispered causing Emmett's eyes to grow wide. My only hope was for him not to recognize me, but I didn't find that likely. Why did I have to be such an overachiever? Why did I always insist on sitting in the front?

"Don't worry about it, Bella." Emmett put his arm around me squeezing my shoulder in reassurance.

"Emmett, Alice," Dr. Volturi stated, holding out his hand for them to shake. His eyes lingered on me a while longer than necessary before returning his attention back to Emmett and Alice.

"Dr. Volturi," the young nurse from the reception area came to hand him Carlisle's file. "This is Isabella Swan, Dr. Cullen's girlfriend. His children have given her permission to get updates on Dr. Cullen."

"Thank you, Lydia." I focused all my energy on keeping a straight face as he looked towards me carefully. I couldn't panic. I had to remain calm.

"Is dad doing alright?" Emmett asked, taking the lead in the questioning. It seemed he didn't want to bring any more unnecessary attention to me. And I really couldn't be anything less than thankful. I was already in a massive hole as it was.

"He sustained pretty serious injuries, but he's lucky to have been wearing his seatbelt. Things could've been a lot worse," he began to explain. "However, he's in stable condition with a broken left leg and several fractured ribs. His most serious injury occurred to his left hand. He has a severed tendon and will most likely require surgery."

"Surgery?" Alice asked in an almost panic. "What do you mean?"

"I am by no means a hand surgeon, but it appears Carlisle has received pretty serious injuries to his left hand during the accident. I have already called a good friend of ours, Marcus Volterra, to examine him. He should be here by tomorrow afternoon, and I have already set aside an OR in case surgery is needed. Carlisle is one of the top most surgeons in California and we want to do what we can to save the use of his hand."

I felt the blood drain from my face as I realized the extent of the damage. Carlisle's entire career was based on the use of his hands and it was not possible for him lose all of it. How could this have happened? How was he going to react to it?

"Can we see him?" Emmett inquired before I could. I was certain that Carlisle was going to need all the support he can have.

"We have transferred him to a room 4-315. However, he is on heavy pain medication. He will most likely be unconscious until sometime tomorrow morning. I also ask that only person stay with him overnight. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns." Dr. Volturi smiled at us kindly before making his way to the nurse's station to leave Carlisle's file.

I sighed in relief when we reached the elevators. I didn't know whether Dr. Volturi had recognized me, but I did know that our secret wasn't as safe as before. I had no idea how to handle the situation.

"Is he alright?" Edward asked, joining us in the elevator with Angela and Jasper. Alice immediately molded herself into Jasper's side, wrapping her arms around his middle. "And, was that Dr. Volturi?"

"He's in stable condition, but his left hand may need surgery," Emmett answered as he pushed our number.

"I think he knows who I am. He kept staring at me almost as if he recognized me." I wrapped my arms around myself, willing the elevator to go up faster. I desperately needed to see Carlisle. I knew just being near him would calm my fears.

We reached Carlisle's room a few minutes later and I couldn't stop myself from rushing to his side. I was relieved to see him, but at the same time a wave of concern washed over me. He looked extremely pale and I couldn't make out why. Did he lose a lot of blood? Or was it the pale color of the bed sheets?

I instantly took his right hand in mine, squeezing it gently before moving some of his hair from his face. He looked to be in a deep sleep. "Dad, we're here." Alice's small whisper made me realize she was standing on the other side, holding back tears.

"He's going to be fine, Alice," I said, forcing a smile before looking back down at Carlisle. His left hand was heavily bandaged from just above the wrist covering all his fingers. I could also make out the cast on his left foot and some layers of bandages underneath his hospital issued gown.

Edward brought a chair to his bedside, allowing me to sit down while not letting go of his hand. I could hear the mumbling of voices around me, but I didn't register anything that was being said. All I really wanted was to be left alone with Carlisle. I knew it was selfish of me, but that didn't change how I felt.

"Bella, sweetie, Angela and I are going to head home. Do you want me to swing by later tonight to pick you up?" Edward's voice knocked me out of my daze causing me to look up at him.

"I'll stay the night or go back to Carlisle's house. Thanks for coming." Edward gave me a warm hug before Angela did the same. It was obvious from Jasper's perch at Alice's side that he had no plans to leave either.

Emmett and Rosalie were curled up together on the couch, staring off into space. I suddenly felt very alone as I looked at the two couples in the room with me. I just wanted things to be normal. I wanted to erase everything that had occurred in the last few hours. I wanted to be back in Carlisle's bed, wrapped in his arms.

"What happened? Is he alright?" Anna walked in few minutes after Edward and Angela left, looking extremely worried. She gasped softly as she looked down at her son.

"Nonna!" Alice immediately jumped out of her seat and into her grandmother's arms. Emmett hugged his grandmother too, making me feel as if I were intruding on a family affair. I suddenly felt very out of place even though I knew there was no other place for me to be.

"Isabella, my love, are you alright? What happened?" Anna came to me, giving me the same hug she had given Emmett and Alice. Jasper and Rosalie both seemed to fade into the background, allowing us to have this moment as a family. I really did feel as if I was a part of the Cullen family. I felt like I belonged.

"I'm fine, just a few cuts, nothing serious. We got hit on the freeway and this happened. The other driver was drunk and he lost control of his car," I explained before realizing what I had just told Alice and Emmett. A drunk driver had almost taken their father away.

"Motherfucker," Emmett mumbled causing Anna to glare at him.

"Don't use that language, Emmett," Anna scolded before taking a deep breath. "I will never understand why people insist on drinking and driving. But, the only thing that matters is that you're both safe and relatively alright. What have the doctors said?"

"He's on pretty heavy pain meds now," Emmett began looking a bit far off in his thoughts as a few tears escaped down Alice's cheeks. "But, he should wake up in the morning. The most critical thing is his left hand. A specialist is flying down to take a look at it. Dr. Volturi believes he's going to need surgery."

"I have faith that it won't be as bad as it seems. Carlisle is very resilient. I know he'll be just fine. We don't need to worry." Anna's voice was full of confidence, changing the atmosphere in the room. "Now, I believe I still haven't said hello to Rosalie and I haven't met this handsome young man."

"It's nice to see you again, Anna." Rosalie stood up from the couch, making her way over to greet Anna.

"Nonna," Alice practically skipped over to Jasper, taking his hand. "This is my Jasper, my boyfriend."

I couldn't help but smile at Jasper's sudden panicked expression. I knew first hand just how intimidating it was to meet the Cullen matriarch, but Jasper had nothing to worry about. His presence proved the kind of man he was. He really did have real feelings for Alice.

"Alice failed to really describe how handsome you are," Anna gushed, bringing him into tight embrace.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Cullen." Jasper's nervousness became even more evident by the appearance of his Southern accent.

"It's Anna, sweetheart. There's no need to be formal." Anna settled herself on the couch with Rosalie as I returned to my post by Carlisle's bed. I didn't plan on leaving his side until I knew he was awake.

The next few hours seemed to take an eternity to pass. The nurse came in a few times to check his vitals before disappearing again. Carlisle's condition had remained the same. His vitals were normal and the nurse had assured us that he would wake in the morning. There was nothing more that could be done.

Emmett seemed lost as the time crept by. He kept coming in and out of the room, unable to sit or stand still for more than a few minutes. While Alice remained at Carlisle's left side, leaning into Jasper. All we could do was wait.

"It's getting late, everyone," Anna announced just after eleven. "We should head home and get some sleep."

"I'm not sleepy," Alice protested as yawn escaped her mouth.

"Anna's right, darling, you're not accomplishing anything by staying here the whole night." Jasper kissed the top of Alice's head before helping her up.

"Are you going to come home with us, Isabella?" Anna inquired as Alice kissed her dad's cheek, whispering something to him before making her way outside with Jasper.

"I'll stay the night with him." I was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted, but I wasn't going to get any sleep if I left. I needed to be with him.

"Do you want me to bring you anything? Coffee? Food?" Anna seemed extremely concerned about me. "You know, he'll be fine on his own for tonight."

"I know. I just need to be here for my own peace of mind. I'll probably just go to sleep in a little bit." Anna gave me a knowing smile before hugging me again.

"He's very lucky to have found you, Isabella." Anna smiled once more before leaving me alone in the room with Carlisle.

I allowed the silence to engulf me as I gently stroked his right hand. "You need to wake up and be alright," I whispered, not really sure if he could hear me or not.

"We're all really worried. I think Dr. Volturi may know about us. I think he recognized me." I voiced my concerns causing my fears to resurface. What would happen to his career if our relationship was discovered? Would he even have a career if his hand needed surgery?

"I don't know what to do, Carlisle. I don't know how to handle this all on my own." I brought his hand up to my lips, kissing it lightly.

I stared at him for a few minutes before kicking off my shoes. One of the nurses had brought in an extra blanket and pillow, but nothing was going to make me comfortable. I bit my lip anxiously before carefully climbing into bed with Carlisle. I made sure to keep all my weight off of him, just relishing the warmth of his body.

I laced my fingers with his as I rested my head on the corner of his pillow. I knew the nurse would probably ask me to sleep on the armchair, but I was going to take advantage of the time I had with him.

"I love you," I whispered sleepily as my eyelids began to droop. It seemed like my exhaustion was finally catching up to me. I leaned up pressing my lips to his jaw before allowing sleep to take over.

I woke up a three times during the night when the nurse came in. However, I was extremely thankful that she didn't make me get up. She simply smiled and told me I had nothing to worry about and I should keep resting.

I checked my watch the fourth time I woke up realizing it was just after seven. My entire body protested as I stretched, noticing that Carlisle was still completely oblivious to the world around him. Would it take him long to wake up now?

I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I needed to get out of bed before Dr. Volturi decided to make his rounds. I wasn't quite sure what he knew, but I didn't think being in Carlisle's bed was of any help.

"Bella," Carlisle suddenly moaned causing me to turn to face him instantly.

"I'm here, sweetheart," I cried, reaching out to stroke his face.

"I feel like I've been hit by a dump truck." Carlisle's blue eyes fluttered open, meeting mine. "What happened? Where are we?"

Carlisle looked around the room in a confused daze before attempting to sit up. "Don't, sweetie," I said as he groaned in pain. "We were in a car accident."

"Are you alright? When? Where is Alice and Emmett?" Carlisle looked extremely panicked before he gripped my hand.

"Alice and Emmett are at home with Anna. They are perfectly fine and weren't involved. I have a few stitches, but nothing serious." Carlisle sighed in relief, wincing as he tried to move. "I'm worried about you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," he replied and I instantly knew it was a complete lie. I leaned into him, kissing his lips. "Was the accident my fault?"

"It was a drunk driver," I sighed while keeping my hand in his. A mixture of pain and anger appeared in his eyes.

"What's my prognosis?" Carlisle quickly composed himself, ignoring my previous statement. "When can I go home?"

"A broken leg and a few fractured ribs. And Dr. Volturi is flying in Dr. Volterra to take a look at your left hand. He thinks you have a severed tendon and you're most likely going to need surgery." I braced myself for his reaction, but he seemed to be at another place.

I stayed silent as he lifted his left hand, examining the bandages carefully. "I guess my career is over." Carlisle's voice seemed strangely even as he spoke, almost as if he was separating himself from everything.

"You don't know that." I wrapped both my hands around his good hand, feeling the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Hand surgery is very delicate, mia stella. I'm just being realistic." I shook my head in response as the tears escaped my eyes.

"I'm not losing hope. We'll see. It's quite possible you won't really need surgery. Dr. Volturi can be wrong." I wiped away my tears, trying to stay focus on the positive. We were both alive and well. And Carlisle was going to be fine.

"Did you say Dr. Volturi?" Carlisle asked. "Does he know?"

"He hasn't said anything, but he was looking at curiously yesterday. I don't doubt he knows." I was unable to continue before a knock interrupted our conversation.

"Come in," I called as I moved from the edge of the bed to the armchair nearby.

"I'm glad to see you awake, Carlisle," Dr. Volturi stated as he came in with the chart in his hand. "How are you feeling?"

"Not that great. I think the pain meds have worn off," Carlisle spoke, appearing completely calm. Yet I felt like I was going to lose it. My heart was beating frantically in my chest and I was almost sure Dr. Volturi could hear it.

"I'll have one of the nurses start another dose. But, not too much. I want you to be fully alert this afternoon." He scribbled down something into the chart before closing it.

"I heard you're flying Marcus down. Do you really think it's that serious?" Carlisle questioned.

"It's better safe than sorry, but don't worry about anything. I won't be here this afternoon for most of the test Marcus would want to run, but I should be back in time to sit in on the surgery. That is, of course, if it's necessary." Dr. Volturi's eyes lingered on me for another minute or so before excusing himself.

"He knows," Carlisle sighed as I returned to his bedside.

"What's going to happen?" I had a million questions going through my head, but they all boiled down to what was he going to do. Would he ignore it? Would he confront me or him?

"I'm not sure," Carlisle shrugged as the nurse entered to dispense his pain meds.

"How are you doing, Dr. Cullen?" the older nurse asked as she started fixing the IV.

"Hopefully I'll feel much better in a few minutes." The nurse laughed before patting Carlisle's shoulder.

"You should feel the effects pretty soon. Let me know if any of you need anything else." The nurse smiled at me kindly before leaving.

Carlisle and I weren't given much time before Alice bounced into the room. She immediately brought Carlisle into a hug, dropping a bag of clean clothes for me on the floor. "How do you feel, dad?" Alice perched on the edge of her bed.

"I'm doing alright. I just got some medicine for pain." Emmett and Rose wandered in a few minutes later with a stash of magazines.

"I brought you some reading material!" Emmett announced, handing his dad the magazines.

"Did you bring me any of your Playboys?" Carlisle flipped through the magazines pouting as he noticed there weren't any. I was completely shocked by Carlisle's request, but quickly realized it was the meds talking.

"Carlisle!" I scolded causing him to laugh.

"What Playboys, Emmett?" Rosalie asked as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"Busted!" Alice muttered causing Emmett to glare at her.

The rest of the morning was spent much of the same way. The pain medication Carlisle had taken had caused him to completely lose his filter. He said everything and anything that came to his mind.

Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, and Anna left to bring lunch at around noon. Yet I still couldn't bring myself to leave Carlisle's side. Especially, since I knew that I had a guest lecture I had to attend in the afternoon.

"Are you going to join me?" Carlisle wiggled his eyebrows as he patted the empty spot on the bed next to him.

"Why should I?" I smiled saucily as I crossed my legs causing him to groan.

"Because you love me," Carlisle answered with a not-so-innocent smile. "Please, mia stella, I miss you."

"Do you promise to behave?" I was dying to join him back in bed, but I was hesitant to do so. I wasn't quite sure just how loopy he really was.

"Always!" I rolled my eyes at his comment before sighing in defeat. I really did want to join him in bed.

I carefully climbed into bed, settling into his side. Carlisle's right arm quickly pulled me further into him as his lips brushed my hairline. "Have you ever considered having sex on a hospital bed?" he questioned as his good hand brushed the underside of my breast.

"Carlisle!" I scolded, but instantly melted as his lips met mine in a kiss. I knew I should worry about where we were. But the only thing on my mind was Carlisle and the sinful way his lips were moving against mine.

I allowed him to deepen the kiss causing everything around me to fade away. We were the only two people in the entire world. "Dr. Cullen, you have visitors," the nurse stated as she opened the door causing us both to freeze.

My parents were standing at the door looking just as shocked as me. The only thought that flew by my mine was Carlisle's hand is on my boob.

A/N: Busted!!! Before anyone comments on how OOC Carlisle keep in mind he's on heavy pain medication. He is not thinking straight, and therefore can not be held accountable for his actions. I hope this chapter brought in some comic relief.

Remember to review and let me know what you think…these last few chapters were the hardest to write and plan out. We only have a few more chapters left in the story. So, Does Aro know? What do you think he'll do? Would Carlisle need surgery?

Next Chapter: Not Saying (lips are zipped! Update will be in 3 days)

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