Bella awoke, her hospital room was dark. The slight green lighting from her heart monitor illuminated the room, still failing to reach as far as the dark depts of the corners. This aspect cast an eerie feeling over the place. She had never seen the hospital in the dark. This is the first time Bella had not completely slept through the night. Which, given the darkness of the room, is what she was sure Carlisle and Edward were expecting.
The final dose of pain medication Carlisle had given her before bed was beginning to wear off, as her body was getting ready for its early morning dose with breakfast. Her stomach rolled uncomfortably and she pulled a hand to clutch over her stomach in the hopes of bringing some relief to the pain. She closed her eyes, breathing steadily.
'I thought this was over,' she thought to herself as her stomach rolled again making her gag slightly bringing a hand to cover her mouth, the IV wire she was connected to pulling slightly against where it was connected to the back of her hand.
There was the sound of moving fabric from the corner of the room and a chair scraping slightly.
"Bella?" A soft concerned voice whispered.
Comfortable with the fact she was not about to be sick, Bella moved her hand back into her lap.
"Yeah?" she called looking into the darkness. She was sure by the concerned authority in the voice it had come from Carlisle.
She was right, Carlisle's face came into view, his eyes squinting slightly trying to read the monitors next to the bed through the darkness.
"Are you feeling ok? You looked like you were about to be sick before."
"I thought I was," Bella agreed.
Carlisle considered this for a moment a crease forming in his brow.
"There has to be something else causing this nausea. I would have expected it to be finished days ago."
Bella gagged again, quickly bringing her hand to her mouth. Moving her face to hang over the railing of the bed ready to be sick. Carlisle was by her side in seconds holding a metal pan under her mouth ready if she were to be sick.
After nothing came Bella relaxed a little, moving her hand but not daring to move her body again. The pain from moving would be enough to send her over the edge and she was thankful that Carlisle did not move from his position under her mouth either.
She groaned, "I really don't feel well, Carlisle". The truth in her words was enough confirmation to Carlisle that there was something very wrong. Bella was quite used to suffering in silence and it was very unusual for her to offer up this kind of information.
"I know," Carlisle said, brushing some pieces of hair away from Bella's face. If she was sick there was no doubt these pieces would have been covered.
"Where is Edward?" Bella whispered.
Carlisle, noticed her face change to a darker shade of green leaned the pan a little closer. "He has gone to get something for me and will bring the others back with him."
As he said this Bella lost the fight she was having with her stomach and was violently ill over the side of the bed into the pan Carlisle was holding. Tears sprang to her eyes as her stomach contracted painfully bringing all of last nights dinner up with it.
Carlisle sighed pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand as Bella brought up another wave of sickness. As he was reconsidering the appropriateness of having the rest of the family come see Bella, she stopped and threw herself back onto her pillow, exhaustion clear on her face.
Carlisle took some wipes from beside the bed and cleaned up around the pan and the corner of the bed sheets placing everything on a small white table with wheels. He sat down on the side of the bed and took Bella's hand in his own.
"I am sorry, Bella. I wish I could do more for you."
Her sweaty face turned to Carlisle and Bella smiled softly, "Carlisle, you are doing more than I would have ever expected. I don't think I will ever in a million years be able to repay you. And... that sucks because I know I will still be alive then once I have been changed." She chuckled softly and winced seconds after.
Carlisle softly adjusted the pillow behind Bella's face and frowned, "I might give you your next dose of pain medication a little early. You were due for it in just over an hour."
He quickly left the room, taking the pan from earlier with him. The nurses must not have been sitting at their desk just outside the doorway as Carlisle was back so quickly he would have had to run at vampire speed.
He considered something for a moment, continuing a moment later, "Would... would you like me to call Edward and ask him not to bring the others past? If you are still feeling like this you might want to rest a little longer?"
"No!" Bella said quickly, blushing a little at her unconsealable keeness. "I mean.. I think it will do me good to see them."
Carlisle smiled softly, Edward really could not have picked anyone more willing and perfect to be his partner. It astonished Carlisle her acceptance of their kind and her love for the family he had created. It was something he never in his wildest dreams would have considered and he could not wait until he was able to call himself Bella's 'father in-law'.
He quickly resorted to his doctor voice and mentioned, "Well I would highly recommend you to have some sleep until then. They will be here in about three hours".
"Ok," Bella sighed, the medication Carlisle had just given her working its magic.
Within minutes Bella closed her eyes, and went back into a painless sleep.
"Oh... no... little sis..." Bella was aware of a voice, the words sounded broken as they were spoken, almost as if the speaker was trying hard not to cry.
"Shh... Emmett, she is exhausted let her sleep for a little while longer, she is still under the influence of a lot of medication", Bella furrowed her brow a little, this voice sounded like it was coming from Carlisle.
Emmett? Carlisle? Bella furrowed her brow. She wished everything didn't seem so foggy. It was usually difficult to wake up when she was still dosed up on the medication Carlisle was giving her. It was rather strong and seemed to make her sleep for hours. But, now, she had to wake up. She wanted to see the rest of her family who had come to see her.
"Look what you have done Emmett," a short annoyed voice came from the other side of the room. "You've woken her up." This voice must belong to Alice, it was so timid and pixie like.
"Alice?" Bella mumbled, trying to find the strength to open her eyes.
"I'm here Bella," she whispered, Bella could feel the cool feeling of Alice's hand grasping her own.
"You can go back to sleep if you're feeling too tired, Bella." Edwards warm and inviting voice came from her side.
This was enough to give herself the strength to open her eyes. She was delighted that she was greeted with the welcoming warmth of Edwards golden iris, and a crooked smile appeared on his face.
"Good morning my love," he wiped some hairs out of her face, leaning in to place a kiss on Bella's lips.
Bella's face turned bright red as her heart monitor went crazy.
"Damn dude," Emmett nudged Edwards shoulder and raised his eyebrows playfully, "Hot."
Edward gave Emmett a warning look and pushed him away.
"Emmett!" Bella called out, slowly getting over the embarrassment of the last couple seconds.
His big playful smile met her eyes and he run to the side of the bed engulfing her in a large bear hug. "I have been so worried little sis! How are you feeling?"
Bella moaned as her broken bones protested the intense movement. She made sure to encouragingly smile so Emmett did not feel bad, it was so much his character to be unconsciously rough.
"Emmett!" Carlisle ran to the side of the bed, pulling him off Bella and rearranged the wires and IV chords that were connected to Bella so they were as before. "I need you to be very careful, she is much more breakable than usual."
Emmett stepped back apologetically his face looking upset.
"It's ok Emmett, I am fine." Bella said smiling encouragingly.
Bella looked around the room. Edward was sitting on the side of her bed, Emmett was behind him, Esme was standing with Carlisle looking a little worried at the condition Bella was in but smiled as Bella met her eyes. And, sitting on the other side of the bed was Alice with Jasper in tow, still continuing to hold Bella's hand, drawing little circles on Bella's inner palm with her fingers. Bella took note of the absence of Rosalie.
"No Rose?" Bella looking back towards Emmett.
He smiled awkwardly and shrugged his shoulders. Bella was slightly hurt at this, she knew that Rosalie did not think the best of her, but she still felt like Rosalie would get past this. Especially now that Bella is going to become Edwards wife and a part of the family.
Bella caught the awkward look Esme exchanged with Edward, obviously telling him something through her thoughts. Whatever it was Edward looked quite upset.
Alice broke the silence, "So, I couldn't let my sister to be sit here without anything to do," her smiled, beaming at Bella. "I brought you some wedding magazines. We can talk about how we want to plan your wedding."
Bella grimaced and rolled her eyes, "You know I'm not good at this stuff, Alice. Unless Edward would like to have his say I am more than happy to leave the complete planning to you."
Alice beamed, "Well, you know I won't let you down."
"Where you taking her for the best part of the wedding?" Emmett said turning to Edward with a smirk on his face, "You know, the honeymoon."
Edward went ridged and glared at Emmett for a split second but continued on with the conversation swiftly as if nothing had happened. "That one is a surprise for Bella. But Carlisle is generously providing it as a gift".
Bella noticed as Emmett had a moment of realisation, obviously this clue had informed him on where Edward was taking her. He turned to Bella.
"You're lucky, Bella. Even Rose and I haven't gone there."
Bella smiled awkwardly, "I hope it's not too much. You know I don't want a fuss."
"Nonsense," Esme chimed in smiling encouragingly, "We have been waiting for decades for Edward to meet the right person, this honeymoon is very deserving of a fuss."
Bella giggled, but grimaced as her ribs protested.
Carlisle turned his head quickly and stood up and began to rush over the Bella's bedside. Bella put her hand out to stop him.
"I'm fine, Carlisle, really. I just breathed out too quickly."
Edward leaned down and kissed Bella on the top of her head. The next couple hours that followed were pure bliss to Bella. She felt at home as she spoke and joked with the rest of her family, almost forgetting she was trapped in her hospital room. She didn't realise how tired she was until Carlisle leaned down and whispered in her ear. Bella realised her eyes had been drooping shut.
"Have a nap, Bella. It will do you the world of good. We will still be here when you wake up." He leaned down and kissed Bella lovingly on the head.
Bella was shocked and taken aback, small tears welled in her eyes. Carlisle had just kissed her on the forehead. Obviously, she knew he cared enough for her to give her twenty-four hour care, but this was the first time he had expressed his love so openly. And Bella was touched.
"I love you, Carlisle," Bella mumbled as her eyes dropped shut, "I love all of you."