A/N: Finally, the 2nd chapter of A Pianist's Will! I only decided to continue this since I got some wonderful reviews and PMs telling me to keep going! But I'm telling you, this won't be what you expected! Bella gets...devious in this chapter...and then something else happens. Sort of eyebrow-raising...but stick with me here. You've been warned.
Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own.
Bella, play. Now.
I whimpered softly; however, my mind was racing. Should I faint? Fake a sudden cold? Begin coughing? Sneezing? Would my sneezes even sound convincing? Ways to get out of playing piano swamped my mind.
I decided to try the whole pretend-to-have-suddenly-caught-a-cold thing. No harm in giving it a shot, right?
-coughcough-
Edward swiftly turned to face me from where he was standing, and rushed over, concern in his eyes. I felt guilty about deceiving him...but surely it was worth getting out of this horrifying predicament? The piano always seemed to turn against me when I played. I coughed again.
-cough-
"Bella, are you all right?" Edward asked anxiously by my sudden -fake- coughing.
Huh. So apparently, my coughs did sound real...I would try to use that to my advantage. Meanwhile, I tried to sound sick and fluey. "I'm fine Edward," making my voice faint and slightly out of breath. "It was just a little cough, that's all."
He didn't look convinced. I was rather surprised that he believed my lies- he could usually see right through them. But then I remembered that these weren't lies. After all, I was fine, and it was just a little cough. But just for good measure, I hacked again.
"Bella," Edward gently said, his beautiful voice softer now. "Do you feel sick? Does your head hurt? We can go to the hospital if you want- Carlisle is on his shift."
But I shook my head, looking away from his intent, probing eyes. "Edward, really, I'm fi--" I was cut off by another cough- a real one this time. It was longer than my fake ones, and more...intense, in a way. When I finished, my throat felt a little sore.
Edward's brow creased more. "Bella, no one starts coughing for no reason at all. There must be something wrong. Tell me where it hurts," he demanded.
I rolled my eyes, becoming aware of a funny sensation in my throat, but I ignored it. "I probably just swallowed too much air or something. You know that happens," I insisted. I didn't tell him what I was really thinking. I am coughing for a reason- I'm trying to avoid playing piano!
He still frowned, but slowly nodded. It made sense. I did occasionally choke on air, another one of my embarrassing deficiencies. "All right," he finally gave up. "But at least drink some water."
I readily agreed, and he rushed off; the feeling in my throat was becoming slightly uncomfortable, not something easily ignored anymore. I tried to swallow, but was instanly coughing real coughs again. Now the sensation I'd been trying to dismiss suddenly surged up, and my throat began to burn.
"Edward!" I croaked out. I needed water now.
He raced back in, alarmed, with my cup of life-saving water in hand, not a drop spilled anywhere.. I quickly filled my mouth with the cool liquid.
However, I couldn't swallow.
I tried to gulp it down...but it was as if there were a solid barrier in my throat, blocking the flow of water and air. It hurt terribly as I tried to swallow, and I wanted- no, needed- to cough again.
The water spewed out of my mouth as I sat on the bench, eyes red and streaming. Edward placed a cool hand on my forehead fearfully, then said in a crisp tone, "Bella, you're turning warmer every moment. Not to mention blue. We're going to see Carlisle whether you like it or not."
I didn't like it. "No!" I tried to gasp- but no air came. I coughed violently again, and I realized that while I was breathing out, no air was coming back in and filling my lungs; I was quickly becoming lightheaded. What a horrible way to die, I thought. As if I were drowning. Except the life-giving oxygen swirled around me invisibly.I just couldn't reach it. Ok, not like drowning at all then, I decided.
Edward swiftly swung me up into his arms, and began running towards the hospital.
"I love you, Edward," was the last thing I managed to choke out before I surrendered to the darkness.
EPoV
I became frantic with worry and my beautiful Bella stilled in my arms while I ran for Carlisle. This was all wrong. Bella was supposed to be energetic and full of life, smiling and happy with the world. Not this...stranger that had taken over. She was now even paler than usual, almost the unhealthy bone-white that I was. I held her closer. Was she even breathing?
My own breath hitched as I quickly realized she wasn't. I tried prodding her, speaking to her, to see if she would wake, but she didn't do that either. I became desperate, panic clouding my mind.
Do something! A voice cried in my head. Do something- anything! I came to a sudden halt, glancing down at the unmoving form I was carrying, then gently placed her on the hard earth. I'd do CPR- I had learned from Carlisle one day, and knew how to do it properly. Hopefully, it'd work.
I bent my head, and lowered my lips onto hers. How different they were from only 5 minutes ago! They were now dry, becoming chapped. I drew a deep (unneccessary) breath, then exhaled through my mouth. The air flowed from me to her, but she didn't stir.
I wanted to fling myself away from her and cry tearlessly, disgusted with myself. I had vowed to always protect her from whatever would happen, but yet...I gazed at the immobile angel in front of me. I had failed again, for the who-knows-how-many-th time. Leave her, a different voice commanded. You'll just kill her anyway.
But that wouldn't do. I couldn't just abandon her in the middle of these woods. That would only ensure her death more quickly. And as much as I wanted to keep her safe, letting her die would certainly not be a valid solution.
I went back to doing CPR on her, breathing slow, deep, even breaths. Then finally, on the umpteenth breath, her chest began to move up and down on its own accord, and her eyes fluttered open. I was beyond overjoyed.
However, her words were depressing.
"Edward," she breathed, and I lost myself in her deep brown eyes. "I feel..." she trailed off, taking shallow breaths.
"Yes, Bella?" I asked, anxious to hear what she'd say. "How do you feel?"
"Bad," she whispered, then closed her eyes again.
"Don't worry dear, we're going to the hospital now," I murmured, and began running full speed through the trees. At least this time, she was breathing.
As I burst through the hospital dorrs, the recpetionist started, and quickly stood up, gasping at the scene before her. Oh! Dr. Cullen's young son! Who is he carrying? He must be very strong to just hold her like that...He and his father are so handsome and alike! I pursed my lips to keep from screaming at her. Bella was in a critical condition, and all she cared about was my physical appearance! I'd have to speak with Carlisle about hiring a new receptionist.
Trying to keep the fury and annoyance out of my voice, I curtly asked to see my father. She nodded, then led me to him, as I tried to ignore her silly thoughts, and concentrate on Bella instead.
"Carlisle," I quickly greeted my fatherly figure with warmth when the receptionist was gone. Luckily, he was currently taking a break, so I didn't have to intrude while he was examining a patient.
Edward, he replied in his mind with a smile. Alice and Jasper are also here.
"Are they?" I questioned, not at all surprised at their presence. Of course Alice would have seen this coming. But why hadn't she warned me? I was puzzled.
Then they (Alice and Jasper) ran into the room. "Edward!" Alice exclaimed breathlessly. "I just saw this a few minutes ago! I tried to get here as quickly as I could with Jasper, and ---,"
I cut her off, enraged. "You saw this only a few minutes ago! You should've seen this long before that! Then she wouldn't be like this now!" I roared. Her face filled with hurt.
Then Jasper growled a warning to me, and I instantly felt ashamed of myself. It wasn't Alice's fault, after all. She couldn't control which things she could see and which ones she couldn't; I shouldn't be angry at her.
"I'm sorry," I quietly apologized. She smiled slightly, to show I was forgiven, but didn't say anything. Jasper laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Edward, Carlisle said in my head. Take Bella to an empty room. I'll be there after I get the papers. I nodded, then walked out, still carrying Bella, with Alice and Jasper following behind me.
I felt a wave of calmness wash over me as I entered a vacant patient's room, and smiled gratefully at Jasper. Just don't yell at Alice, he reminded me. I sighed broodingly.
Carlisle strode in, papers in hand, as I gently placed Bella on the hospital bed. What happened? he asked. I took a deep breath, then answered, "I don't really know. One moment she was fine, then the next, she was coughing everywhere and couldn't even breathe. I rushed her over here."
He nodded. She's breathing now though.
"I did CPR on her on the way here," I informed him. "It took a while, but she began to breathe again."
Carlisle nodded again, approvingly. Good for you. I'll just check a few things to see what's wrong..Then he inquired for me to tell him the whole story of what had happened. I briefly explained to him, not in the mood for talking much, and when I was done, I leaned back against the wall, sighing.
Alice lightly touched my arm. I think you should go hunting, she suggested. Distract yourself for a while. Your eyes have been turning darker.
I stared at her, and she smiled as she answered my silent question. "Don't worry, you'll be back before she wakes up."
I decided it was the best thing to do for now. Nothing would happen to my Bella while Carlisle was watching over her.
Do you want us to go with you? Jasper asked. I considered, then nodded. Company would be nice.
We streaked out of the building into the dense woods, and I let my senses guide me to my next prey.
BPoV
I awoke on a hard bed, with a white light shining in my eyes. Squinting, I eventually made out Carlisle's blond hair and form standing over me. I blinked. Another hospital? How did I always manage to wake up only to find myself in yet another one?
"Bella! You're awake!" Edward rushed over to my side.
I felt dazed. "How long have I been out?"
"4 hours," Carlisle informed me. Then he smiled. "Edward's been extremely worried. He didn't know what had happened to you."
I realized he was talking about my sudden cough attack. "What did happen? I just started coughing like crazy, and then I couldn't swallow or get any air..." I trailed off, looking from one man to the other. Carlisle quickly nodded at Edward, then stepped out into the hallway.
Edward looked a little puzzled. "I'm still not quite completely sure. What you had resembled asthma in some ways- you suddenly couldn't breathe, you were choking. But it wasn't asthma. If you want, I could call Carlisle over and have him give you the technical name for the condition."
I glared at him for his last sentence. "No thanks. But wait...so I had asthma!" I asked, totally baffled. I'd never had it before, not even as a child. Yet here I was, my "asthma" flaring up.
He sighed. "No, Bella. It wasn't asthma. It was just similar to it. But you're fine now. You can breathe and swallow and everything."
Speaking of breathing..."I remembered I couldn't get any air. What changed?"
"I did CPR on you," he replied casually.
My forehead creased. "You can do CPR?"
He raised an eyebrow, looking a little amused. "You think that with Carlisle as my father, I wouldn't be able to?"
I blushed. Of course. What a silly question on my part.
We were both silent for a while, each thinking our own thoughts. I was bewildered at how a simple little fake cough could change into something more drastic so quickly. What was wrong with me?
Finally, I broke the silence. "So can I go home anytime soon? Or do I have to stay here and wait?" I questioned Edward.
He smiled. "As soon as Carlisle signs your papers, you're free to go."
Naturally, Carlisle then walked into the room with several documents in hand. "How are you feeling, Bella?" he softly inquired.
Oh boy. It was like the car- accident- hospital- incident all over again. "I'm fine," I answered. "May I go?"
He chuckled at my impatience. "Yes, yes you may. But please be careful. I'm sure Edward wouldn't react well to another emergency."
I hopped down from the hard bed, ignoring Edward's smirk. I tried to stalk out of the room, eager to go home, or perhaps the Cullen's house, but I tripped on an unknown- and unseen- object. Namely, the air.
As I flew through the air, Edward caught me, an arm around my waist. He sighed. "I have no idea what to do with you, Bella. Perhaps I'll just keep you at home, where you'll be nice and safe. Although you'll still probably wind up having to come back to the hospital sooner or later," he teased, leading me out carefully. I swear I could have seen Carlisle grinning out of the corner of my eye.
But as we walked out together, with Edward's cool arm around me and everyone staring at us, I'd never felt more safe as I did that moment.
A few days later
So far, I'd been able to dodge the minefield- Edward hadn't brought it up yet, and I was perfectly content with that. We sat on the Cullen's couch in their big downstairs room, me on Edward's lap, his arms holding me securely, while reveling in the peace and quiet. No overexcited Alice waiting to take me shopping, no Emmett charging around the house, looking for someone to compete with. They were all in their own places.
Suddenly, Edward spoke up. And thus, shattered the little hope inside me that he wouldn't have remembered with my distraction.
"Bella, what with your coughing and all...we never got around to you playing the piano. Would you like to try today?"
A/N: Finally! I finished typing it up! But like I said, it wasn't what you expected, was it? I know it wasn't great, but please review anyway. Tell me which parts to change so I can make it better! Thanks!
