Hospital Visits – Edward

I kept Bella comfortable all afternoon and made sure she had plenty of rest. To help keep her entertained, I took her downstairs and put in her favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice the long version. I knew that would keep her quiet for the rest of the afternoon until Alice arrived and then we could visit her father in the hospital.

Somewhere around three in the afternoon, a police officer arrived to gather Bella's account of the accident. She wasn't able to provide much since, in her words, she had been preoccupied thinking about something else. I knew what her mind had been on; in fact, it was the reason why she hadn't eaten enough in three days and had passed out Sunday afternoon. I decided I would make sure one of the family was always around whenever I needed to hunt.

I felt guilty that part of Bella's suffering was my fault. If I had just stayed away from her, she would have forgotten about me and continued with her normal life. In my mind, it was fine if I suffered, but it wasn't right that I made Bella suffer. Every time I saw her suffer due to my negligence, I felt a ripping in my heart. More than anything, I wanted to stop hurting Bella, but after Alice's vision last night, I knew I couldn't leave her yet. It wasn't that I wanted to leave her, but it would be best for her if I did.

I had also resolved that Sunday night's incident with Bella would never happen again. I would keep a tighter reign on my emotions. Bella admitted it was hard for her at times, so I would make it my duty not to push Bella into losing control. I decided if I maintained complete control of my emotions, then I could stop both of us from coming too close to danger. It would mean, I admitted to myself, refraining from kissing Bella too passionately or too often. For Bella's safety, I would set safety limits.

After the police officer left, Bella continued to watch the movie while I watched her. I loved her facial expressions. I was engraving them on my mind, so that when the time came, I would create a mental image of her to carry with me. I would remember every expression she made for every feeling that she experienced. I found it a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

After Rose dropped Alice off from school, I took her and Bella to the hospital. Carlisle hadn't called during the day, so I knew no change had occurred in Charlie's condition. I had spent the day keeping Bella's mind off her dad because I knew it would be hard for her after we arrived at the hospital.

Carlisle met us in Charlie's room, and he examined Bella's arms again. He asked her if she had been eating, and I assured him that I had supplied her with nourishment and would personally make sure she didn't skip any more meals. We spent three hours sitting beside Charlie's bed talking quietly.

Alice filled us in on what we missed at school that day. "Everyone was worried about you Bella, but most of the students were leery about speaking to us about your condition. Then at lunch, Angela Weber walked over to our table and asked me how you were doing. I guess she felt I was less intimidating than Jasper and Emmett, and the look on Rose's face would have scared away a bear."

I laughed into my hand. I knew that look, and Alice was right. I saw her use the look on Emmett a few times, and even he admitted it could make him quake in his shoes.

Bella said, "She was with me when I bought the flowers for you and Esme. I told her about how much help you had been after I came home from Phoenix and that the flowers were a thank you gift."

"Well, it was courageous of her. We can be intimidating even if we don't intend to be. Even though Rose sneered at her, Jasper and Emmett were pleasant. Emmett had fun describing the wreckage to her, and I let her know you were fine and would be back in school tomorrow."

"Thanks Alice. I'm glad you gave her the information. I like Angela, she doesn't seem as pushy and forward as some of the other kids at school." Bella smiled at me. "Did anyone ask where Edward was?" Her smile widened.

Alice laughed. "Well, when Angela went back to her lunch table, she shared what I told her about you being home today, and I noticed Mike Newton glaring at us. He probably figured Edward was with you, but other than that, no one asked."

I growled at his name; that boy still annoyed me. Alice and Bella both laughed at me.

"It's okay Edward," Bella added, "I know he can be annoying. You'll just have to learn to ignore him." She ran her hand lightly down my cheek sending shock waves through my body.

For someone who hadn't felt much through the past ninety some odd years, Bella's touch always amazed me because it continually awaked new senses. Even when I knew what to expect, these sensations still took me by surprise. It gave me a better understanding of why Emmett and Rose, Jasper and Alice, and even Carlisle and Esme were always touching each other. Even though I could hear their thoughts at times, I couldn't experience their sensations. With Bella, I was experiencing my own sensations, and while thrilling, it was a little scary. I continually wondered how far these sensations would go and if I'd always be able to control them. If they ever began to control me, they could become a major problem.

I took advantage of the hospital cafeteria to make sure Bella had a healthy supper. I bought a variety of items knowing she would eat what she wanted and leave the rest. I figure it was better to get more than less in case Bella was as hungry as Sunday night. I had monitored her scent all day to make sure it retained it natural odor, and so far, Bella continued to smell like Bella. A short time after Bella ate, I drove Alice and her back home. I stayed at Bella's until ten and then drove home, and after dropping off my Volvo, I turned around and ran back to Bella's. I met Alice coming out as I went in.

"Edward, keep the phone near." Alice commented.

"Why?" Instead of being cryptic, I wished she would just say what she meant.

"Carlisle will call about five tomorrow morning." She was just about ready to run home.

"Wait," I grabbed her arm before she could rush off. "Why will he be calling?"

"Well, why else? Why don't you just look? It would take less time than talking." She laughed at me and stared into my eyes.

She was right, but I didn't always invade her thoughts, but since she invited me, I looked.

Charlie will wake up and Carlisle will call so you can bring Bella before school to see him. See, nothing serious. I'll see you tomorrow when you come to pick us up for school. Alice thought all of this as she headed home. After gathering her thoughts, I scaled the side of Bella's house and entered her bedroom window.

Bella was towel drying her hair as I entered. "Edward, why didn't you use the front door?" She inquired.

"It's more fun this way. I can look in and see what you're doing before I enter. Who knows, one day I might see something extremely interesting."

Bella blushed a deep red. "That's not fair. You knew I'd blush and that's the only reason you said that." She walked over to the bed and sat down.

"I love that color on you. It makes you look healthy and alive."

"What, I look don't look alive otherwise?" she pouted.

I loved to watch her lips when she pouted. They looked much fuller and redder, and they were much more tempting. I swiftly sat down beside her and slowly moved in to kiss her. She surprised me by pulling back.

"Edward, you didn't answer my question."

"Yes, you always look and feel alive, but when you blush, there is a healthy glow about you, and I have missed that the last few days. Because of the accident and not eating, you've looked much paler. Even your scent changed. I didn't like that. You still look a little sallow; I mean a little more than usual, so making you blush brings more color into your cheeks and it reassures me that you're going to be fine." I didn't want to make her upset, so for once, I gave her the entire truth without editing.

"I don't know whether to take that as a complement or an insult." She looked deeply into my eyes looking for the truth.

I returned her gaze with a loving smile and slowly leaned toward her once more. "I meant it as a complement Bella." Then I gently and carefully kissed her full ruby lips. They tasted sweeter than usual, and as I pulled away, she let out a deep sigh that intoxicated my senses.

I couldn't resist her aroma, so I gently settled onto the bed after wrapping my arms around her and kissed her neck and shoulder, but stayed away from her lips.

"Edward," she murmured. "I don't want to start something I can't finish, so kiss me one more time and release me. That will be all I can handle this evening."

I complied with her request with a deep chuckle. Her thoughts paralleled mine. Neither of us wanted a repeat of Sunday evening when we both almost lost control. I needed to keep in mind Bella's reaction to my kisses even if they weren't on the lips. Besides, I had promised myself not to allow anything to start that neither one of us couldn't finish.

After I tucked her into bed, I laid down beside her. "Bella, we'll see your father before school tomorrow. Alice says he'll wake up."

"While I'm there?" She was more alert now.

"She didn't say. I just know we are to be there before school, so you need to sleep now. I want you refreshed and rested before we go. I don't want Charlie to think Alice hasn't been watching out for your welfare." I chuckled

"I don't want to get Alice in trouble either. Charlie likes Alice."

I could tell she was settling down. "Good, you just relax and fall asleep." I hummed her lullaby; I knew that would help her relax and fall asleep faster.

"Edward?" she softly murmured.

"What?"

"Promise you'll never leave me," she said just before she drifted off to sleep.

How could I promise her that? One day she would realize that she wanted more than I could give her, and she would ask me to leave and I would. I also knew that a day might arrive when I needed to leave her for her own safety. I never wanted anything but the best for Bella, and I knew that the best wouldn't include me. She deserved so much more; someone so much better than me, but I couldn't tell her that right know. She had more than enough to think about without worrying about keeping a monster around in her future.

I held her all night; I didn't want anything to disturb her sleep including my movement from her bed. She didn't move all night nor did she sleep talk. Around five, I heard the phone and answered it before the first ring finished.

"Edward, bring Bella to the hospital before school."

I knew it would be Carlisle. "Alice told me you would call. Is he awake?"

"Not fully, but he did come out of the coma last evening and now he is sleeping. He may be awake before you arrive, and if not, Bella may be able to wake him up."

"We'll be there; I'll wake Bella now and go home for the car."

"I'll arrange for the night staff to let the three of you in to see Charlie." Then he hung up.

I woke Bella by rolling her so she faced me and then kissing her eyelids and her neck. She moaned slightly as I kissed her neck for the fourth or fifth time, so I stopped.

"No," she complained, "Don't."

I wasn't sure if she didn't want me to kiss her or if she didn't want me to stop kissing her, so I gently kissed her lips; I found she responded in her typical Bella fashion. She twined her arms around my neck and began kissing back. Just as I was about to pull away from her, I felt her tongue touch my lips, "Bella," I murmured softly as I pulled away from her.

She only replied by pulling closer to me and seeking out any spot she could kiss. She began on my neck and worked up to the corner of my mouth. Her lips were so soft and warm, and they sent electrical charges through me. I knew I needed to stop this, so I slowly pulled away from her. Bella kept pulling toward me, and I knew I needed to ask her to stop, but I didn't want to do it in a manner that might offend her.

Fortunately, before I had time to say anything, I heard Alice. "I hate to break up such a lovely sight, but if we are going to the hospital before school, Bella needs to get ready and you need to get the car." Then she chuckled.

Bella moaned as I pulled away, but I wanted her to get up so I said, "Bella, Carlisle called. Charlie is out of the coma."

Bella's eyes opened instantly. "He's awake?" She asked.

"No, he's sleeping, but Carlisle wants you to go talk to him. He thinks that might help Charlie wake up."

"Then let's go." Bella was trying to get up out of bed by pushing away from me and almost fell out of the bed.

"Bella," I grabbed her before she could fall out. "How about you turn over and then get up in the usually manner? I don't need you falling out of bed and injuring yourself."

She smiled sweetly at me. "I'm sorry Edward. I was in a hurry." As she was rolling over, she must've noticed Alice was present. "Oh! I didn't hear you come in. Good morning Alice."

Alice laughed. "I've been here awhile. In fact, I got to see a little of the floor show." Alice informed her, to which she blushed.

"Oh," was Bella's only reply as her blush deepened.

I helped Bella up out of bed, kissed her, and whispered, "I'll see you as soon as I change and get the car. Be careful," and then I was out the window and running home.

After I reached home, I rushed to my room for a change of clothing. What I was wearing appeared slightly rumpled and I noticed some dirt on the cuff of the jeans. I figured it must have gotten there when I was walking round Charlie's cruiser trying to get both of them out. On the way down stairs, I stopped only long enough to say good morning to Esme and to let her know that Charlie was no longer in a coma. I thought she could pass the word onto the rest of the family. Then I rushed out side, slide into my car, and drove to Bella's house. I used the front door this time. As I was about to knock on the door, Alice opened it.

"Bella's still in the shower. She's not as quick as you." She commented.

"I'll fix her breakfast while we're waiting." I wasn't about to let her leave without eating, and I could make an omelet that I knew she would enjoy eating, although to me it smelt unappetizing.

"I'll watch. Maybe I can learn how to cook a little." Alice's laugh was contagious and I laughed with her.

"Yeah, maybe you can cook something up for Jasper."

"Well, I was thinking more along the lines of cooking for Bella, and Charlie after he comes home," she replied, the laugh still in her voice.

"What do you mean?" I was slightly confused about where she was going with her comment.

"Well, after Charlie gets home, someone will need to stay around to help. Bella is still in a cast and I doubt Charlie will be on his feet right after he gets home. I figure I can stay with them a bit and help out until they are both fully recovered."

"Do you think that's wise? What does Jasper think of the idea?" I had mixed up the eggs and put them in the pan while we were talking. All I needed to do was prepare the filling for the omelet, which I did as Alice responded to my question.

"Jasper and I talked about this last night, and he thinks it's a good idea. In fact, Esme had mentioned stopping in during the day in case Charlie needed anything while Bella and I were at school."

"You do realize that Charlie really likes you." I didn't know whether to mention some of his thoughts.

"Jasper and I talked about that also. Charlie may like me, but not enough that it would ever create a problem. Besides, in case you haven't noticed, or heard, he is still in love with his ex-wife. I'm just a very pretty face, and in his mind, the same age as his daughter. Jasper is not worried and neither am I. You see Edward, in a well-developed relationship, two people who love each don't hide anything from each other. I just wish you would tell Bella what you're really thinking and why you're thinking it." Alice stared intently at me as if she was reading my mind.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I had finished Bella's omelet and slide it out of the pan onto a plate.

As I walked over to the refrigerator to pour a glass of milk for Bella's breakfast, Alice replied, "Yes you do, you just don't want to talk about it. You're still planning to leave Bella, thinking it is for her own good. What if what you think is the best thing is really the worst thing you could do to her?"

"What is the worst thing he could do?" Bella asked as she came into the kitchen, and she wasn't smiling.

I wondered exactly how much of our conversation had she heard. "It's not nice to ease-drop on others." I kept my voice as pleasant as possible, even though I was still upset about what Alice said.

"You mean like you do when you listen in to the thoughts of others."

"Bella, that's not fair. It's not like I do it on purpose." I protested.

Alice laughed. "Edward, you do to, especially if you think someone is hiding something from you."

I saw Bella look directly at Alice. "So, what did you mean by 'the worst thing you could do to her?'"

Now it was Alice's turn, but would she tell Bella what she meant, and how would Bella take the news about my plans to leave her because it would be for her own good?

What do I tell her Edward? Alice looked to me for guidance.

As long as she wasn't going to reveal the truth to Bella, I would give her another acceptable answer. "Rose," I started. "Alice didn't think it would be a good idea if I told Rose . . ." I was lost about how to finish. I couldn't think of anything.

"It's okay Edward, Bella's part of the family, we can tell her. I thought it would be the worst thing if Edward told Rose that Emmett has a crush on you."

I don't know who was more shocked, Bella or I, but I had to keep it from showing on my face.

"Don't worry Bella; it's nothing serious. Emmett is just impressed with how you handled Billy and his son, and how courageous you were when you faced James, and even though he thinks of you as his little sister, he also has a slight crush on you, but that's just Emmett." Alice laughed lightly.

I hoped her laugh was to lighten the mood and reassure Bella what she said was true, but then I began to wonder how she came up with that so fast. Did Emmett really feel that way about Bella, and if he did, how did I feel about it?

Alice swiftly moved to Bella's side and said, "Look, Edward made you a healthy breakfast, and as soon as you're done, he'll drive us to the hospital so you can see your father." Then she ushered Bella over to the table and helped seat her while I dug silverware out of the drawer so Bella could eat.

No one talked while Bella ate breakfast. Alice watched fascinated as Bella ate, and I sat contemplating what Alice had said about Emmett. I knew it would bother me all day until I found out if it was true or not. I tried searching Alice's mind, but all she was thinking about was how Bella could eat something that smelled so bad, and then wondered how blood smelt to Bella and if Bella, when she changed, would even be able to drink blood if it really affected her in such a negative manner.

As soon as Bella finished, Alice was up and placing all the dishes in the sink. "You take Bella to the car, and by the time you both get there, I'll be done with the dishes and in the back seat."

"Not if I pick her up and carry her," I replied.

"Be fair Edward," Bella added. "Besides, I'm not an invalid. I can walk by myself."

I smiled at her, "You're right. You can walk," and then I added with a soft chuckle, "But can you do it without tripping?"

Bella gave me a wicked smile back. "Just watch." To which, Bella started hobbling slowly toward the door while I gathered up her schoolbooks.

I reached the front door before her and held it open for her. I waited patiently while she maneuvered slowly through the doorway and watched in case she tripped. I had no intentions of allowing her to fall, but proceeding carefully, Bella made it all the way to the car without tripping once. Of course, Alice was already in the back seat waiting for us by the time Bella arrived. I was just about to congratulate Bella on her accident free walk when she hit her head on the doorframe while getting into the car. I was instantly concerned, for the sound of her head hitting the frame was rather loud.

"Bella," I leaned over and asked after she settled into the seat, "Are you okay?"

"So much for an accident-free walk to the car." I could tell she was trying not to cry.

"It's okay Bella. You did walk all the way here without falling." I chuckled softly. I didn't want to make fun of her injury, but I wanted to lighten her mood a little.

"I'm okay Edward. It just hurts a little. It could have been worse, and at least I'm not bleeding." She turned and smiled at me.

I leaned in and kissed the top of her head. "When we get to the hospital, I'll help you out of the car. I don't want you in a bed next to Charlie with a matching head injury." I said it with a grin to let her know I was teasing.

She just smiled back and that made me wonder if she hurt her head more than she was willing to admit. There were some real disadvantages to not being able to read Bella's mind. How could I tell if she was hurt or what she was feeling if she didn't tell me, and what happened to her decision to tell me everything? I was back to the same questions I had asked so often before. After I was seated and started the car, I asked, "What are you thinking?"

Bella looked over at me with an almost startled look. More than anything, I wanted to know what was going through her mind at that moment.

I gently touched her cheek and then pushed a stray hair behind her ear. Once again I asked, but this time softly and low, "Bella, what are you thinking?"

She looked me straight in the eyes and replied, "Nothing really."

"Really Bella?" I knew there had to be more,

I could hear Alice in the back seat. Maybe she doesn't want to share Edward. Maybe, like you, she wants to keep her thoughts to herself.

I turned and glared at Alice, but then refocused on Bella, who looked at me questioningly as I turned back from glaring at Alice.

"Really Edward, it was nothing. More of wondering if my presence would really make a difference to Charlie."

It didn't sound like the truth, but I would not accuse Bella of lying to me. Maybe Alice was right; maybe this was something Bella didn't want to share, or maybe she was disoriented from hitting her head.

"Come on Edward," Alice prodded from the back seat. "We don't have all day, and we still have to go to school."

I wasn't happy about not knowing what Bella was really thinking or feeling, but I backed out of the driveway and headed to the hospital. Carlisle would be waiting, and if we took too long, we wouldn't arrive at school on time.

"Alice?" Bella turned around and looked at her. "Will Charlie be okay?"

Is that what was worrying Bella? And if so, why didn't she just say so? More than anything, I wished her mind were not a sealed vault to me.

"He is going to be his old self. He'll enjoying fishing, watching games on TV, and going to work. And he'll still love and worry about you," Alice reassured her.

At least that brought a smile to Bella's face. Maybe I had been reading too much into Bella's earlier expression. Maybe she was more concerned about her dad than I realized.

In no time at all, I was parking the car at the hospital. I quickly went around the car and helped Bella out making sure she didn't hit her head again. She smiled at me this time, and I decided I misread Bella completely after she had gotten in the car.

We found Carlisle in Charlie's room and he reassured Bella that Charlie was out of the coma and just sleeping. He then suggested that we leave Bella alone with her dad for a little while, but he instructed Bella to let the nurses know if Charlie woke up. Alice and I then followed Carlisle to his office.

"Has Alice told you she will spend a few more days with Bella and Charlie while he is recuperating?" He asked me.

"Yes. I'm hoping that will not be a problem for her or Charlie. I know Bella could use the help and I was glad Alice was willing to lend a hand." I smiled at Alice. She really likes Bella and Charlie, and I was glad they both liked her.

"Good, and during the day Esme will drop by to make sure Charlie has everything he needs. The hard part might be making Charlie agree to stay home for a few days before he goes back to work. I know he is dedicated to his job, but in this case, he needs a few days at home to rest and I am counting on the two of you to make sure he does just that. If nothing else, encourage Bella to argue the point with him. He may listen to her more than he will listen to us."

"I think Bella will agree to that. She's just as concerned about Charlie's health as you are." I replied.

"How is Bella doing? Any problems or concerns about her health?" He asked.

"She had a hearty breakfast that Edward cooked, but she might have overheard us talking about something that might have upset her." Alice offered.

"And just what were you talking about?" He inquired

"Edward has been thinking about leaving her, for her own good, so he says. I told him it might be the worst thing he could do to her and that's what I think she heard. When she asked about it, we made up a story about something else and told her I was referring to Rosalie. I'm not sure if she believed us though. In fact, I knew Edward wouldn't believe a word of what I said; it was just too ridiculous. I still think Edward should reconsider chang . . ."

"Alice, please don't go there. You know how I feel, and you know why I feel that way." I knew what she was going to say, and I didn't want to have this conversation right now, and if she was right about her last comment, then I wondered how I could have thought, even for a minute, that what she said about Emmett could have been even slightly true.

"You're right, Edward. I know, Carlisle knows; in fact, the whole family knows, but when will you share your reasons with Bella, and doesn't Bella's desire count?"

"Bella's not ready to make a decision like that. She doesn't understand, and I'm not going to put that kind of decision on her shoulders. I want what is right for Bella, and the best thing for her is to remain human."

Alice looked at Carlisle and sighed. "I still believe your wrong, and I hope it doesn't backfire on you. I need to get some fresh air; I'll be back in a little bit," and Alice walked out of the room.

"Do you feel the same way, Carlisle?"

"Edward, no one in this family was ever in Bella's position. Every one of you that I changed was dying and I made a choice. Bella has a choice none of you really had. Her choice is to stay with you because she loves you. It is her life and her choice."

"Carlisle," I growled.

"Don't growl at me," Carlisle warned in that authoritative parent tone.

"Sorry."

"Just listen Edward, and control you temper. When I have to tell cancer patients they must either undergo treatments that will make them extremely sick but might save their lives or refuse them and they'll die, I have to leave the decision to them. I cannot make that decision for them. The same is true of Bella. I know how much you love her, and I know how much it would hurt you to lose her, but the same is true for her. She loves you deeply; to lose you would hurt her just as much as it would hurt you. This is her life that you're making a decision about. The question is, are you willing to give her a say in it?" Carlisle laid his hand on my shoulder. "Think about it Edward. Now, I have to go and make my rounds." Then Carlisle left.

He had given me a lot to think about, but I wasn't ready to think about it at that moment. At that moment, I want to be with Bella in case she needed me, so I left his office and walked back to Charlie's room. By the time I got there, I noticed Alice standing outside the door.

"Alice, is anything wrong?" She was so quiet and stood so still.

"No. Everything is fine." She turned and smiled at me. "Charlie just woke up."

I stood beside and I could hear Bella softly crying. I was about to walk in when Alice grabbed my arm.

"Give her a few minutes Edward."

"Does Carlisle know?"

"It just happened. I don't think Bella has notified anyone yet."

"I'll go tell the nurse, but when I get back, I'm going to be with her."

"Good. I'm glad." Alice smiled in reply.

I walked to the nurses' station to inform them about Charlie and mentioned that Dr. Cullen would want to know right away.

She just smiled and replied, "I know."

I went right back toward the room. I wanted Bella to know I was there for her if she needed me.

Alice was still standing outside, but I motioned her to come in with me.

"Honest," Bella was saying, "I'm find dad. Alice has been staying with me while you have been in the hospital, and the Cullen's are making sure I have everything I might need."

Charlie looked over at Alice and I as we entered the room and smiled.

"Thank you," he said weakly.

I knew from his thoughts he was actually thanking both of us, Alice for watching out for Bella, and me for finding them. He was more concerned about Bella's welfare than he was about his own.

Charlie focused on me and asked, "Is she okay?"

I was glad I could answer truthfully. "Yes. Carlisle says she only has the bruise on her arm and no concussion or broken bones. He did make her stay home yesterday and rest."

"Good." Some of the concern seemed to drain from his face.

"There, dad, I told you I was okay. It's you that we're concerned about. You've been in a coma for two days. I was really worried about you."

I pulled up a chair and sat down beside Bella. Her voice had wavered and I wasn't sure if she could stop herself from crying. I knew she was concerned about Charlie, but this must have been more of a strain on her than I realized.

I noticed Bella was holding Charlie's hand and I watched as one stray tear rolled down her cheek. I placed my hand on her back and gently rubbed it to relax her.

"Bella is right Charlie," Alice added, "We were all worried about you, but Carlisle kept saying your body used the coma as a way of helping itself heal. We just didn't know how long that might take."

Carlisle walked in the door while Alice was talking, when she finished he began his questioning. "So, Charlie, how are you feeling?"

"Okay," Charlie voice was still strained and hoarse.

"Do you remember what happened?"

"Something ran out in the road and I swerved to miss it. I guess we ran of the road."

"Do you remember what day that was?"

"Saturday evening. What day is it?"

"It's Tuesday. Do you feel any pain?" These were all typical questions to ask a patient just coming out of a coma to determine what the patient remembered; I remembered these from lectures when I was working on a medical degree.

"Just my head. It hurts and I have a headache."

"Okay, I'm going to check you over some more, but first," and he turned toward us, "I'll need you three to leave for awhile. Bella, you might consider calling your mom, and you did tell Billy Black you would call him when Charlie came out of the coma. Edward, she can use the phone in my office, and then why don't you take Alice to school and come back for Bella."

With that, the three of us walked out of Charlie's room. Bella began to cry softly and asked, "He's going to be okay, right?"

Alice and I both answered at the same time, "Yes."

I took Bella to the office and then drove Alice to school. I was glad Charlie was awake; it was one less thing for Bella to worry about. Alice and Jasper were right; Bella did think more about other people than she did about herself.

After Bella made her phone calls and Carlisle finished his exam, Bella and I stayed with Charlie for half an hour and then he firmly requested that I take Bella to school saying he wanted to sleep and that she could visit him after school.

Carlisle kept Charlie in the hospital until Friday and then Alice, Bella, and I drove him home after school. Alice kept her word and she stayed with them until Tuesday of the following week. Bella informed me that Alice had learned how to cook some simple meals and she was surprised at how talented a cook Alice was, considering Alice had never cooked, well, not that she ever remembered anyway.

Carlisle allowed Charlie to return to work on Wednesday and Jasper was happy to have Alice home again. In fact, he was so happy, that we didn't see them all night and they only reappeared in time for school Thursday morning.

Bella's bruises on her arm where finally fading. In all three had formed on the backside of her arm. First, they were a funny greenish blue color and then slowly changed to purple then black before they began to fade. As the week progressed, Bella became more animate and excited. Carlisle had scheduled to take her cast off Friday after school, and now that Charlie had returned to work, they both acted as if the accident had never happened. Bella never mentioned the wolves again, and I was glad because I had decided she had imagined them, and I was going to tell her that if she mentioned it again and hope that she didn't get mad at me for not believing her.

Bella couldn't contain her enthusiasm on Friday. In fact, I had to keep a close watch on her because she seemed more clumsy than usual.

As we walked from the parking lot Friday morning, she tripped three times. I walked her all the way to the classroom door. "Bella, be careful. I don't want you breaking your other leg before this cast comes off."

She smiled up at me. "Edward, it's not like I'm trying to be careless. I'm just excited and things happen."

"But only to you Bella. No one else seems to have these problems when they get excited."

"Well . . ." she paused and looked as if she were searching her mind for some piece of information. "Maybe excitement and hyper-clumsiness go together for me."

I laughed at that thought. "Only for you. That sounds about right." Then I tried to regain a more serious tone, "But please be careful. I'll be here as soon as the bell rings, but if you trip and fall in class, there will be no way I can stop it, so please be extra careful." I kissed her lightly on the top of her head and held the door open for her.

"I will," she whispered before she turned and walked slowly into the classroom.

That was how her entire day was. I escorted her between classes, but she always found a least one thing to trip on, and at lunch I would swear she did trip on air. Bella may have been excited, but by the end of school, I was overly concerned that we wouldn't reach Carlisle's office without a major accident occurring to Bella. I voiced my concern often, but Bella just laughed and said not to worry because for her this was normal.

When we were finally in Carlisle office and Bella was seated on the table, I let out a deep sigh of relief. Carlisle just looking questioningly at Bella and she told him, "He's just relieved I made it here in one piece." She gave me a huge smile.

"What did I miss?" Carlisle asked.

"Bella has been . . . well, without sounding cruel, she has been less than . . . no, maybe I should say she had been more Bella like than normal." It was hard finding the right words to describe the day.

Carlisle, I could tell, didn't understand what I meant.

Bella smiled at me and offered, "Let me elucidate. I have spent the entire day tripping or almost falling over anything and everything that crossed my path. It was extremely hard on Edward, because he had to catch me each time."

"Oh, I think I understand. 'More Bella like than normal,' meaning slightly more clumsy than usual."

"Yes, exactly." I confirmed.

"Uhm . . . Edward," Bella was looking down at the floor.

Was she mad at what I said? She seemed hesitant to say what was on her mind.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but, uhm; could you leave while Carlisle is taking off the cast?" She looked at me pleadingly.

Why didn't she want me in the room with her? It's not like I hadn't seen her legs before, and Carlisle knew what he was doing so he wouldn't accidentally cut her, but maybe that's what she was worried about. Today hadn't been a lucky day for her, so maybe she was worried something might happen. I could understand her concern and if it helped her to relax then I would comply with her request. "Sure. I'll wait outside." Before leaving, I kissed her lightly on the cheek and squeezed her hand. "Everything will be fine," I whispered in her ear.

To me it seemed like a long time for Carlisle to take the cast off. I had walked outside to breathe in the fresh air. Sometimes the hospital smells became overwhelming, especially if I didn't have my mind focused on something important. At present, Bella was the most important person in my life, but not being with her only made the normal hospital smells worse. I paced around the parking lot, waiting to hear either Bella or Carlisle call my name. I delved around to find Carlisle's thoughts, but he had them closed off. I figured when he was ready to tell me I could come back he would open his mind to me. I wondered why he was keeping them closed. Had something happened to Bella, or was something wrong with her leg and he wasn't ready to let me know about it. The mind can find every imaginable horror when it begins to worry, and I had to control mine before it caused me to act irrationally, like rushing in to Carlisle's office to find out what was going on. If there wasn't a problem, Bella would be upset with me for not following her request, and if there was something wrong, well, Bella would still be upset with me for not listening to her. I had to laugh at that thought. Bella would be mad either way and I wasn't about to be the one to make her mad, so I would wait here patiently until I was summoned. No sooner had I resolved to wait than I heard Carlisle's thoughts. She's all yours Edward; just come and pick her up.

I had to remind myself to maintain a human pace because it was so tempting to race into the hospital to be near Bella. I found her standing, minus the cast, in the middle of Carlisle office.

"And remember what I said. Just because the cast is off, does not mean you can do everything you did before the accident. You are going to have to go slowly at first. The muscles are still weak and need time to strengthen. Keep that sheet in a convenient place and do those exercises every day."

"I'll remember." Bella was beaming. It had been a long time since I had seen that bright a smile on her face.

"You keep an eye on her, Edward, and don't let her over do it, but don't do everything for her either," he pointed his finger admonishingly at me. "It is time she started to walk up and down stairs by herself," he turned to Bella, "but don't run up or down them either," he warned her.

Bella and I looked at each other and as if we could read each other's minds and we both replied, "We promise," and then we both laughed.

Carlisle smiled and added, "Take her home."

As promised, I allowed Bella to walk all the way to the car, but I watched her carefully in case she tripped and fell. After the day she had, I was surprised she made it all the way to the car without once tripping. As I reached to open her door, she laughed.

"The look on your face, Edward."

"What do you mean?"

"Right now you look disappointed that I didn't once trip so you could catch me. Would it be better if I fell right now so you could catch me?"

"You're a tease, do you know that?" I pulled her into an embrace and lightly kissed her lips. "Come on; let's buy a pizza for your supper, so you don't have to cook for Charlie tonight. Then maybe we can sit on the couch and neck until he comes home." I chuckled at the mock look of shock she gave me before she got in the car.