Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Or Harry Potter or King Kong.
BPOV—Twenty-three
I was about 99.99 sure I was dreaming. Because, first of all, I was back at my house, in the living room. And I wasn't wearing the sweats I was sure I had fallen asleep in.
Oh and Edward, who is supposed to be in a coma with a broken leg, was sitting on the couch, smiling up at me, perfectly fine. I made my way over to him and he held his arms open, pulling me onto his lap. I curled into him, sighing contently.
"Don't leave me Edward," I whispered as he held me. He rocked me gently, kissing my hair, cheeks, forehead occasionally. "I love you too much. I can't lose you."
"I know Bella," Edward sighed. "I love you too."
"Then don't go. Think of Nicky. Think of the new baby, who will never get a chance to meet his father. That's not fair. Stay with me Edward," I pleaded.
"Bella," he groaned. "I love you. I love Nicky. I want you to tell him that okay? And the new baby too. Tell the new baby that I love him, even if I don't get to meet him." I pulled back, my face shocked and panicked.
"Don't talk like that!" I screeched. "Don't Edward! You're not going to die! You're going to wake up and you're going to stay with me forever. You're going to stay with your kids and with me. With your family. Please."
"Bella I don't know if I can," he said seriously. "I love you Bella. I love all of you. But I don't know if I can do it."
"You can Edward, you can," I whimpered. "Please. For me. For Nicky. For Alice and Jasper and the twins. For Carlisle and Esme. For Emmett and Rose and Joey. I can't raise two kids on my own Edward." My voice cracked and Edward pulled me closer, content in holding me.
"I love you so much. I'm going to miss you Bella. All of you," he said, and for the first time, I noticed tears silently streaming down his face. He had given up hope.
"No Edward no!" I shrieked, my voice ringing through the silence of our living room. "Stay! You can do this Edward I know you can! I love you please! Do you want our kids to grow up without a father? Nicky isn't going to remember you Edward. And he looks so much like you. He has your eyes." My voice broke.
"Your eyes Edward," I repeated. "I can't look in those eyes every day knowing that I lost you. Please, please stay with me."
"Bella I need you to calm down," Edward said sternly. "All this stress isn't good for the baby. Please, just relax."
"How the hell do you expect me to relax!?" I shouted, anger taking over with my panic. I jumped off of his lap, pointing an accusing finger in his face. "My whole life is threatening to leave me. You promised you would never leave me Edward. You said you'd stay with me always! You're a hypocrite!"
"Until death do us part Bella. If I had another choice I would take it," he said, his voice weak and pleading for understanding.
"You have another choice!" I snapped viciously. "You can stay! You can stay with me and with your son! You can stay with this baby who needs a father Edward." He looked so desperate so upset. I slowly lowered myself back onto his lap and pressed my forehead to his.
"Don't do this Edward," I said in a broken, pained voice. "Please. I love you." I pressed my lips to his softly, lovingly.
"I want to stay Bella," he said suddenly. "So badly. I want to be there for you, to be a good husband. I want to be there for Nicky and the baby to be the father they need. But Bella…I don't know if I can. I don't know if I'll ever be whole after this."
"You will be," I said softly, my breath quickening as I realized I was breaking his resolve. His resolve to die. "I'll help you. Nicky will too. We'll all help and make you whole again. And even if you're never whole again I'll love you forever. Past death. Into whatever is beyond this life. Heaven. Reincarnation. Whatever it is. I'll be there and I'll be loving you the whole way."
"Bella…" He shook his head. "I love you Bella but I can't stay." And then suddenly Edward was fading away. My eyes widened and I started to panic. I gripped onto his jacket.
"Edward don't go! I swear if you go I'll die too! I'll stay for Nicky and the baby but I don't know how long I'll last! I can't live without you Edward! Please, please, don't kill me, if you die I'll die, please, stay for me," I screamed, my voice a babble of panic. But Edward continued to fade. After a moment, his eyes went wide with panic.
"No!" he yelled. "No Bella! I want to stay with you Bella, stay with you and Nicky! I won't go, no, no!" But he continued to fade. He looked like a character on TV when the channel is staticky. I sobbed as he kept fading.
"Stay Edward!"
"Bella! Bella I love you Bella!" he yelled, trying desperately to cling to the couch, to me, to something. Something to hold him here, with me. But I saw he was fading. He was almost gone.
"I love you Edward. I'll join you as soon as I can." Just before he was gone a blissful smile spread over his face. Was that dying.
"Open your eyes," he breathed, right before fading into oblivion, almost as if he was never there at all.
I jerked up, my breath coming in gasps. That dream had seemed so realistic, so heart wrenching and painful. Tears were rolling down my face. But then I noticed three things.
The first thing was the long, flat, beeping noise that was flooding the room, drowning out all other noise.
The second, was the finger heart monitor lying on the floor.
The third was a pair of emeralds staring up at me and a crooked smile.
I let out a blissful cry and tossed myself at him. I could hear the musical chuckle I loved so much. It was weak and soft, but it was still there. I kissed him fiercely on the lips.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again!" I scolded him, unable to keep the magnificent smile off my face.
"Bella," he sighed, his face peaceful in spite of the pain he was undoubtedly feeling. "I love you." Every word seemed to be difficult for him but he was managing.
"Oh Edward I love you too. I'm so glad you stayed," I rejoiced. I hugged him as tight as I dared without hurting him.
"What?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his exhausted tone.
"You stayed," I reminded him. He didn't seem to realize what I was talking about. But, then again, it had been my dream. I decided then not to mention it to anyone. The nurses came rushing in (and if his heart had really stopped he would so be dead by now) to check why the heart monitor had stopped.
"He's awake," one of the nurses gasped. I just nodded, not taking my eyes off of his face. I pressed my lips to his again, ever so gently.
"How long?" he murmured.
"About a day," I told him. "Long enough to scare me half to death." He smiled at me again.
"Nicky?" he asked.
"He's at Carlisle and Esme's. They'll be so happy to know you're awake! And Nicky." I raised a hand to my chest, right over my heart. "Oh the poor thing. He kept yelling at you to wake up. It broke my heart Edward. It really did." Edward's eyes seemed to be drifting closed on their own accord.
"Bring…them," he mumbled. I could hardly understand his words.
"Of course Edward. Alice had her twins too! So she's already here. I'm going to go to her room and call Carlisle and Esme to bring Nicky over. Sleep now okay?" He was asleep by the end of my sentence. I glanced at the clock and saw it was five in the morning. Well, they wanted a call.
I threw one last glance at Edward, making sure the nurses were giving him medicine and he was still sleeping. I snuck off, quickly running towards the maternity ward. I couldn't wipe the goofy grin off of my face. I ran into Dr. Michaels on my way over.
"Hey Bella," she said. "I heard about Edward. But I assume this smile means something good."
"He's awake," I told her excitedly. "Do you know where Alice is?"
"Room 242. Jasper and the twins are in there too," she informed me. "Congratulations about Edward too."
"Thanks." I tossed my arms around her, just needing to hug someone. Then I ran off to find Alice and Jasper. I whipped the door open but froze at the scene in front of me.
Alice and Jasper were both asleep in her hospital bed, cuddling, Jasper's arms wrapped around her protectively. The twins were laying in separate cribs at the foot of the bed. There were little nametags on each crib. I leaned over to see Lilly Isabella first.
She was wide-awake, surprisingly. She had Alice's navy blue eyes, the color of the ocean or a stormy night. The little tufts of hair on their head were Jasper's blond. They both had Alice's pixie like features. And they really were identical. Although, from what I could see, Jillian had a little birthmark on her collarbone, and Lilly didn't. Lilly smiled up at me silently. Jillian was fast asleep, her mouth open, her little hands clutching at the pink blanket that bound her. I reached in and picked Lilly up. She stared at me with twinkling eyes.
"Hello beautiful," I whispered to her. She seemed to smile at me. I rocked her silently until she fell back to sleep. I smiled down at the two of them. They were even sleeping in similar positions.
"Bella!" Alice exclaimed suddenly, her voice a whisper.
"Edward's awake!" I squealed quietly. A beaming smile spread across her face.
"I knew it!" she said. She instantly went to stand up, looking for a wheelchair so we could go see him.
"Will the babies be okay alone?" I asked uncertainly. Alice bit her lip.
"We'll take them with us," she decided. She picked up the sleeping Lilly and cradled her gently in her lap as Jasper pushed her wheelchair. I could see the motherly love radiating from Alice's face. She was a natural. I picked up Jillian and the five of us made our way to Edward's room.
"He was asleep when I left him. He talked a bit but he seemed exhausted. I think he's in a lot of pain but he puts on a brave face," I informed them as we walked- or wheeled in Alice's case. They listened seriously. Alice was almost bouncing from excitement.
I let Alice and Jasper- after handing him Jillian- go see Edward first. I pulled out my cell phone to call Esme and Carlisle. I dialed their home number and Esme answered on the first ring.
"Bella? Is he okay? Did something happen?" she burst instantly.
"He's fine," I told her quickly. "More then fine. He woke up." I heard her whisper the news to Carlisle rapidly.
"Could he talk?" she asked, her voice excited.
"Yes. Barely, but he asked me about Nicky and said he loved me. That's about it before he fell back asleep," I told them rapidly. "Can all three of you come up to the hospital? I know Edward would love to see you."
"We'll be there in fifteen minutes," she promised, hanging up the phone. I dialed Emmett and Rosalie next.
"'Lo?" Emmett answered after almost the fourth ring. He sounded half asleep.
"Edward woke up," I announced. I heard a gasp, a scuffling noise, a bang and then a muffled 'ow!' I chose not to ask.
"We'll be there in ten." And then he hung up. I was a little surprised by his lack of questioning but I just shrugged it off, sliding my phone back into my pocket and entering the room. I saw Edward struggling to stay awake as Alice and Jasper held the babies in front of him. He was smiling at them.
"Beautiful," he choked. Alice beamed.
"They love you already," Alice said gently.
"Do you need anything Edward?" I asked him, entering the room again. He smiled when he saw me.
"Water?" he croaked. I nodded, pressing the call button to get the nurse. She came in a few minutes later, once I had settled next to Edward, holding his hand. I was so excited that he could hold mine back, even if it was just barely. I rubbed my thumb against his knuckles soothingly.
"Yes?" the nurse said politely.
"Can he get some water?" I asked. She bit her lip.
"Only ice chips for now. He won't be able to have any water for a few days but he'll get sufficient fluids through his IV," she said apologetically.
"Get the ice chips please," I said. She left the room to grab it. "Carlisle and Esme are bringing Nicky." Edward's face lit up.
"Em? Rose?" he gasped. I nodded.
"Them too. I think. Emmett hung up right after I told him." Edward smiled appreciatively. He started to move his hand uncomfortably and I glanced at him questioningly. His eyes darted from mine, to my hand, to my stomach. I got it then. I lifted his hand and placed it on my pregnant stomach, using my hand to hold it up. He sighed lowly when the baby kicked.
"We'll wait for the others," Alice said softly. "Then we'll have to bring the babies back upstairs." I nodded understandingly.
"You beat me Alice," I said cheerfully.
"At what?" she asked curiously.
"Inconvenient birth time. I think this was much more inconvenient then the wedding," I teased. She grinned and shook her head.
"No we were already on our way to the hospital so it was very convenient. Why take two trips?" she asked rhetorically. I sighed in defeat. If you thought of it that way…
"Face it Bella," Jasper said. "A wedding is worse." Edward looked at me questioningly.
"Alice went into labor right after I passed out upon hearing about your accident," I informed him. "Which is so inconvenient. I mean how did you expect one pregnant woman to get one woman in labor and another passed out pregnant woman into a car to go to the hospital anyways?"
"You woke up," Alice reminded me. I rolled my eyes. The door opened suddenly and Carlisle, Esme and Nicky all came in. Nicky was almost asleep. But he lit up like a forest fire when he saw Edward was awake.
"Daddy!" he yelled, reaching forward, almost falling out of Esme's arms. I grabbed him quickly, bringing him to Edward's side.
"Be gentle okay?" I told Nicky. He nodded reaching for Edward. Edward lifted his one good arm, with what seemed like a tremendous effort and wrapped it around Nicky, pulling him against his side.
"Love you Nicky," Edward strained.
"Love you Daddy," Nicky replied, smiling happily at his father. I left him there, keeping one hand ready to grab him if he tried to jump on Edward's stomach or something, anything that would cause Edward pain. But Nicky seemed to know to be still and he was content with cuddling with his father. He fell asleep after a few minutes.
"He was up crying for most of the night," Esme informed us. "Crying for his Mommy and his Daddy. Grammy and Pa were not cutting it today," I smiled and glanced down at Nicky who was sleeping like an angel now. Poor thing must have been worried sick and scared stiff.
Emmett and Rosalie burst into the room suddenly, both of them out of breath. Rosalie burst into tears of joy and pressed a kiss to Edward's cheek instantly. Edward smiled back.
"Oh Edward we were so worried," Emmett said. "You scared us. And it takes a lot to scare Emmett Cullen." He flexed his muscles like a macho man and we all laughed lightly. I could see Edward fighting the sleep that obviously wanted to overcome him. I leaned my lips to his ears.
"Sleep Edward. They'll be back when you wake up. Rest now," I told him, kissing his cheek delicately. He turned his head and I pressed my lips to his briefly. He fell into a slumber,
Alice and Jasper were the first to leave, with the twins, since they were starting to get fussy. Emmett had work and had to get ready, so him and Rosalie left too. Carlisle had brought his scrubs with him to the hospital so when it was time for him to go to work he just changed and left the room. Esme watched her sleeping son with so much love.
"He stayed for you," she said matter-of-factly. I stared at her curiously and slightly creeped out. Did she know about my dream? "He was clearly in pain and it didn't look like he was going to wake up. But…something seemed different every time you spoke. Like his body got more alert, just knowing you were near him. He stayed for you." She didn't sound jealous or regretful. Simply full of love and knowledge.
"I'd better go," she sighed. "I'm exhausted. Goodbye Bella." She kissed my cheek, exiting the room in silence. I laid back on the cot they had set up for me. I reached over and gripped Edward's hand in my own again, making sure the bar was up so Nicky couldn't fall over.
"I love you Edward," I whispered.
"I love you too." And this time, it wasn't an echo of the voice I loved so much.
It was the real thing.
A/N: Okay so how many of you thought that Edward was going to die? Raise your hands, be honest! …Actually I can't see your hands so just send it to me in review form. And all of the details of this car accident are basically the same as what happened to my dad a while ago. Except he didn't go into a coma and his other injuries are worse. But the getting thrown from the car, the rolling, the college kid falling asleep- that's all my dad. REVIEW!!