Chapter 49.

Bella POV.

It had been the longest six hours of my life. After my call to Edward, Charlie had come outside to find me. I had been on my knees for an hour, unable to move.

"Bells," he whispered, as he helped me to my feet. "Come inside. It's starting to rain."

I never spoke, but let him lead me back to the couch, where he cradled me again. "He'll be fine, Bella. Carlisle knows what he's doing."

"I'm scared, dad. What if I lose him?" I sobbed.

"You won't lose him, honey. Carlisle won't allow it. I know he won't," he whispered, kissing my head.

I looked around the room and realised that the others weren't there.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Carlisle asked Esme and Alice to assist him upstairs, and the others couldn't stand not being able to do anything. They have gone for a walk."

"And Eva?"

"Still by her sons side. She won't leave him," he said. I nodded. I knew that. I don't know why I asked.

"Are you okay, dad?" I asked. It had been the first time I had thought about how he was feeling.

"I'll be fine. As long as my two best girls and future son are okay, I'll be great," he sighed.

I started sobbing again, and dad rocked me gently. I actually dosed off a little, but even my sleep was plagued by fear of losing him. I jolted awake two or three times, and Charlie finally decided I needed some coffee. He got up, and went to the kitchen. I decided to stretch my legs, and go and help him.

"Has anyone been keeping in touch with Edward?" I asked.

"I think I heard Alice a couple of times speaking with him. Don't worry Bells, they wouldn't leave him out of the situation."

"Yeah," I agreed. I knew that, too, but my brain just seemed to open my mouth regardless.

Both dad and I sat in silence drinking our coffee, and watching the seconds tick by on the clock. Every tick and tock felt like an hour, and I knew I would lose it soon. I needed to know what was happening.

"Do you think I could go up?" I asked dad.

"No, Bella. Right now, the up stairs of this house is being used for surgery. They have probably sterilised the whole place, while they've been up there. I don't think it would be a good idea," he said.

"You're right. I know you are, I just can't stand this," I groaned.

Before dad could answer me, I heard someone coming down stairs. I got up immediately, and went to see who.

"Carlisle," I whispered. "How is he?"

"Bella," he said, with a small smile. "He is stable at the moment. The next twenty four hours are critical, though. I will be giving him constant supervision all night, but I need to hunt first. The procedure has drained me, some what, and I want to be replenished for him. I need to be fully aware," he explained.

"Has the bleeding stopped?"

"Yes. I managed to drain the blood, and remove a large number of clots. I have had to put in an external drain, just as a precaution, as the bleeding was quite severe. I have managed to repair the artery as much as possible, but the drain will help if it starts to bleed again."

Oh my God. My Hunter.

"Can I see him?" I whispered.

"Yes, but give Esme and Alice a moment or two. They were making him comfortable in bed, and cleaning up. They won't be long. And Bella, don't be alarmed when you see him. It was a very invasive surgery, and he is swollen and bruised," he said, with his brow furrowed.

"Bruised?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. I didn't understand that, either, but I suspect it's just been a traumatic experience, and his human half is reacting to it."

"Is he awake?" I asked.

"No. He won't wake for some time, and when he does, it won't be for long. That is one of the side effects. Fatigue. But it is natural, so there will be no need to worry about it," he smiled, gently.

"Thank you, Carlisle."

He hugged me briefly, and left to feed. I walked slowly up stairs. I was trying to prepare myself for the sight I would see. I took a deep breath before walking into the room, but all the preparation in the world, would never have stopped my shock. He was sleeping, of course, but half of his hair was missing. He had lots of stitches forming an arc above his right ear, and the plastic drain that Carlisle had mentioned. This wasn't too bad, but the swelling and bruising was. I just never thought I would see a vampire with a bloody wound, and swelling and bruising. It just wasn't right. It wasn't natural. The whole right side of his face was almost double in size. The bruising had appeared, bold and black, almost immediately. Dark black and purple patches, that covered his face, head and even down his neck.

"Oh my God," I breathed. Eva looked round at me. She never even heard me come in. She must be so worried.

"Bella, sweetie," she whispered. "Come and sit, please."

Shit. She looked ill. How was it possible that a true vampire could look so ill. She looked like a corpse.

"Eva. How are you?" I whispered, as I sat at Hunter's other side.

"Holding on," she whispered. "Is Charlie okay? Is he still here?"

"Yes, he's in the kitchen. He says he's okay, but I know he's not. He will try and remain strong for us, though," I whispered, as I took Hunter's hand in both of mine.

"I'll go and see him, and give you some privacy," she said, standing from her chair.

"You don't have to do that, Eva. You need to be here, too."

"Yes, but I also need to be with Charlie. I need him right now, and I know you need my boy. But I will be back soon. I don't think I could stay away too long," she said, a very small smile on her lips.

I nodded, and she left the room. Alice entered after her.

"Hey," she whispered.

"Hi," I sighed.

"He's going to be okay, Bella. Carlisle's the best," she said with a smile.

"I know, Alice. Doesn't stop me worrying though. Have you seen how Edward is?" I asked. I couldn't help but worry for him, too.

"He's holding it together for now. I don't think he will be too good when he gets home, but we are all her for him. For all of you."

"When will he arrive?"

"Around six hours, give or take. I saw he managed to get a flight quite quickly."

"Thanks, Alice."

"Do you need anything Bella? Do you want me to bring you a blanket or anything?" she asked.

"No, I'm good. Thank you."

"No problem. I'll let you be. I'll see you later."

I smiled at her as she left the room. I looked toward hunter again, and noticed his blue layer was still surrounding him. I wondered why that was. I would ask Carlisle later. I sat and stared at him for a while, just willing him to come back to me.

"Come back to me, handsome boy. Please, I need you. We all do. Your mom, dad, the family, even Charlie. Please Hunter. Don't leave me," I sobbed, as I caressed his hand and placed it to my cheek. I sobbed silently for I don't know how long, and I felt I needed to be closer to him. So, I very gently, got on the bed and laid beside him. I was careful not to touch any of the machines wirings or his I.V. I cuddled into his side gently, and I found myself drifting toward sleep.

I was roused a short time later by Carlisle.

"Oh, I'm sorry Carlisle. I didn't mean to do any harm," I whispered nervously.

"It's okay Bella. Nothing has happened. I just need to check his drain, and clean his wound again. I didn't want to disturb you, but I need to get to him," he said, apologetically.

I gently got off the bed, and sat on the chair again. I watched as Carlisle cleaned him up and checked his drain and I.V. and then re-set all the machines.

"How's he doing?" I asked.

"He seems good, Bella. But he has a long road of recovery ahead of him. His temperature seems to be remaining stable. I thought the fever would return," he mused.

"That might be what his layer is doing. Regulating his temperature. It's that blue layer that protects him from his fire," I said.

"Yes, Bella. I think you may be right. Well, that's a good thing. A fever can be dangerous to him after a procedure like he has just had. At least his body is controlling that for us. Other than that, he's stable enough. He's doing better than normal patients would, but I suppose that's his vampire half finally working normally again. I imagine he should wake up sooner rather than later, if that is the case."

I nodded, feeling slightly better than I had before.

"How is Edward? Have you heard from him?" I asked.

"Yes, I've been keeping him informed every hour. He shall be home soon. A little more than an hour," he said.

"Is dad still here?"

"Yes. He fell asleep, and Eva has stayed with him. She knew you were here with Hunter. Your father needed a little comforting earlier. I think everything got too much for him. But he's fine now," Carlisle smiled.

"I'll go down and see him," I said, and leaned in gently to kiss Hunter's cheek.

"I won't be long," I whispered to him, and went to check on dad.