So, I hadn't had much desire to continue the story, but tonight I'm feeling inspired. I'm thinking I'd like to continue it until the end, but my attention span isn't very high so I may feel differently tomorrow. Either way, I had created a rough guideline for the story until about chapter 8, so I guess that's saying something. I'm not too sure if I like the guideline I have but I want to make sure I do the story right! I have done a little bit of research for the upcoming chapters and I think part of what has me unsure on whether I want to continue is having to write the aftermath and healing process. So, I'll be taking my time and doing some research because I do want to do it justice. It's not a story I'll be taking lightly. Any who, this is a very long authors note but I wanted to explain to you where my head is right now. Author notes will be getting shorter after this! 😊 Without further ado…
Chapter 2: Comatose
EPOV
One week after the attack
"Hey Edward." I was woken from my sleep by the voice of my sister Alice. "Alice, when did you get here?" I asked groggily. I didn't feel rested at all.
"Jazz and I got here about an hour ago, but we didn't want to wake you; you could use the rest. We went and got some coffee." I noticed the tray of coffee cups she was holding then, and she reached her hand out to give me one. "Thank you." I said softly.
"No changes?" Jasper asked me. I turned my head and looked over at my love, my heart breaking all over again as I layed my eyes upon her broken body. "No," I sighed, trying to keep my tears at bay. "Carlisle and the doctors have agreed that it's time to take her out of the medically induced coma. I'm not sure how long it will take for her to wake up. Could be hours or even days if her body isn't ready."
Jasper took the chair across from me while Alice sat on the arm of it. She reached over and squeezed my shoulder, then took my hand. "She's going to be okay, she's strong. Bella will make it through this." I took a deep breath. "I know Alice, but I'm scared for her. Waking up isn't going to be easy, she may wish she never had."
I winced as I remembered the state I found her in. Taking a sip of my coffee, I embraced the burn of the hot liquid, allowing it to distract me from my own thoughts.
"Are Emmett and Rose coming by today?" I asked Jasper. Not a day had gone by since they heard of the attack that they hadn't been by Bella's side, giving her all the love and support they could, even though she remained unconscious. We were all family, if not by blood than by choice, so the pain of the attack lingered deeply in all of us.
"Yeah, I think they will be by shortly after lunch. Since Carlisle is going to be trying to wean her out of the coma today I know everyone wants to be here waiting for when she wakes up." Jasper replied. As if on queue Carlisle walked through the door.
"Alice, Jasper, I'm glad you are both here." Carlisle walked over to the pair and gave them each a hug. "Son, how are you doing?" Carlisle questioned me with concern lacing his voice. "As well as can be expected giving the circumstances I guess." I shrugged. He nodded to himself as if pleased with my response.
"So, Dad, what's the plan? Are you going to try waking her up today?" Alice questioned, her voice nervous.
Carlisle nodded, and began to explain the process. "Bella's injuries appear to be healing well physically, mentally, we all know that work has yet to be started. I have discussed with the other doctors on Bella's case and we have all come to the agreement that she seems to be healing at an appropriate pace and we should begin to wake her up. I'll start by removing her breathing tube, and if all goes well and she is able to breathe on her own, I will continue weaning her off the sedative; keep in mind her body has been through a lot and it may take a few hours for her to wake up." Carlisle walked over to Bella's arm and started fiddling with her IV's. I moved to the chair by her side and sat down, grabbing her unoccupied hand and holding it tightly in my own.
"Are you ready?" Carlisle asked, and we all solemnly nodded.
It had been about four hours since the removal of Bella's breathing tube and Carlisle had stopped the sedation, the rest was up to Bella.
I felt nauseas; scared for her to wake up but equally as scared for her not to. Rosalie and Emmett had arrived about an hour ago, bringing coffee and bagels with them. My stomach was in knots, eating felt impossible. Carlisle had come back every hour or so to check on Bella's vitals, and so far she was doing okay.
The television was playing in the background, but nobody was paying attention, so it was just background noise. The air was tense, no one sure of what to say; nothing could be said that would make the situation better.
I hadn't moved from my spot beside Bella for the last few hours. My hand gripped her hand as I stared longingly at her face. It wasn't the face I recognized, but it was the face I loved.
She had a bandage wrapped around her head, thankfully she hadn't needed any brain surgery, but the damage to the outside was quite severe. She had a black eye that probably couldn't open even if she was awake, and her cheek had a large gash that followed her cheekbone. Her lip was split and I did my best not to even look at her neck, which though it was better than it looked five days ago, was still dark shades of purple and black.
One of her shoulders had been dislocated, and the same arm held her broken wrist. That was going to take weeks of physical therapy to get back to the mobility she used to have.
Her body was battered to bits and pieces, it was a miracle she was even still alive. She had one broken rib and two others were cracked, Carlisle said she was very lucky that the broken rib hadn't punctured her lung, otherwise it could have been fatal. She had deep lacerations around her ankles and wrists, quite obviously from her struggling against the restraints I had found her in.
I coughed slightly, feeling a lump beginning to form in my throat at the thought of finding her in that state. I closed my eyes and leaned forward until my head rested against her arm. I breathed in deeply and tried to take in the warmth and the smell of my girl. I needed to stop thinking of her that way and stay strong for her, she needs me now more than ever.
I kept my eyes closed and tried to think back on a positive memory.
It was a warm summer evening, about a month ago. Bella and I were lounging in bed, having spent the entire day there but neither of us making any move to do anything more productive. We had a movie playing on my flat screen, but we hadn't paid it any attention; instead talking about absolutely everything and anything.
"Edward, you're wrong about a lot of things, but you are absolutely wrong about the fact that cats are better than dogs. Dogs are absolutely the superior species. They are so loyal and kind and ah! Can we please get one I want one so bad!" Bella grinned, smiling ear to ear.
"Come on, cats are so much less maintenance than dogs, you don't have to do anything except make sure they are fed and watered, they practically take care of themselves." She scoffed, "You know, I read an article the other day, and it tested that if an owner of a cat died, and an owner of a dog died, the cat would end up eating its owner's dead body where as the dog would literally starve to death and die by its owner's side. That is loyalty you can't find just anywhere."
I looked over at here incredulously, "Bella, what the fuck kind of articles do you read?" I laughed loudly and she playfully glared at me, grabbing the pillow out from under my head and hitting me with it.
"Hey!" I grinned at her, grabbing her by the waist and flipping her over so she was under me and I was resting above her. She couldn't stop laughing I looked at her mischievously and reached down to tickle her sides. "Edward!" Bella screeched, she and I both knew that was her weak spot, she was one of the most ticklish people I knew. She couldn't get another word out between her gasps for breath and laughing so hard.
I stopped when I thought she couldn't take any more and admired the sight of her below me. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were sparkling "That's enough, I cant take it anymore." She said breathlessly, her chest heaving while she regained her breath. "I'm going to get you back for that you just wait." She smirked, quite amused with me.
She grabbed my neck and pulled me down to her, repositioning us both so this time she was on top and I was laying beneath her.
She bent down towards me and peppered my face with kisses, soft and quick. Pulling back, she smiled at me, "I love you."
I reached up to the back of her neck, and gently pulled her head back towards my own, "I love you too." My eyes reflecting at her the love I felt for my better half. And with that I pulled her the rest of the way to my lips and showed her just how much I loved her.
I was woken from my reverie by a hand gently shaking my shoulder. "Edward, wake up." It was Alice. My eyes darted open and I looked towards my sister, but she wasn't looking at me, neither was anybody else. They all had their eyes focused in one direction: Bella's.
I slowly turned my head towards her, focusing my eyes on her closed ones. She had begun to stir; eyelids fluttering. Emmett silently left the room to go and grab Carlisle, but I barely noticed his departure. I was focused on one thing and one thing only.
"Bella, baby, can you hear me? It's me, it's Edward. You're safe now. Can you hear me love?" I kept my voice soft, my heart beating a mile a minute, but I was trying my best to stay calm and not let her hear the nervousness in my voice.
She coughed; it sounded painful.
Even though it had probably only been thirty seconds, it felt like forever before she finally began to open her eyes. She blinked a few times, wincing from the pain.
Her good eye scanned the room, until she found me.
"Edward," She choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. "What happened?"
And there we have it. Chapter 2. I'm not 100% satisfied with it, but I wanted to post a new one. The first chapter was very long, so expect the next few chapters to be around this length! Please let me know what you think and keep in mind, I am not a doctor, I just watch a lot of Grey's Anatomy and tried to do some research on my medical talk. I hope you guys enjoyed Chapter two, the next may be up within a week or so! 😊