STRUGGLES

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them. She also makes the banners for each of my stories.

"Of course, that is normal procedure in cases of this sort, but, Norma has really put some sort of bug into their ear."

"What has Bella told the police?"

"Nothing. She hasn't been in any shape to talk with the police due to her injuries, the surgery and then with Carlisle putting her into the medical coma."

CHAPTER 11: QUESTIONS BUT NO ANSWERS

Esme, before arriving at the hospital, had stopped by the penthouse apartment that the family maintained which happened to be near the hospital to get everything in readiness for her family, Charlie and Renee along with her husband. Everyone would need someplace to rest and change clothing, so, the penthouse was the best option instead of an impersonal hotel room. The situation was bad enough that their surroundings away from the hospital needed to reflect a different type of atmosphere. Something that would help, hopefully, to refresh the spirit even just a little.

After getting everything done to her satisfaction she had gone on to the hospital and was there when her two children had arrived and during all of the discussions that had ensued after their arrival and that of Emmett, Rose, Angela and Ben. It was then that she had told her children where they would be staying. She was sure that the others, Jasper and Bella's friends, had made their arrangements which was confirmed when Jasper happened to mention that the two couples were staying with him at his home.

So, of course, no one but Charlie and Jasper were there when Renee and Phil had arrived at the hospital. But, a great surprise was had by Renee when she entered Bella's ICU room to find a strange man sitting next to her daughter and holding her hand. From what she could observe since she wasn't able to hear anything other than the sounds of the machines that were attached to Bella, she saw his mouth moving was that he was either praying or quietly talking with Bella in very hushed tones.

She quietly stood just inside the doorway and continued to watch the man's actions for a bit longer seeing how tenderly he treated Bella, almost as if he loved her, and observed that he was very gentle in his handling of her, then she asked, "And may I ask who you are and why you are in this room?"

The sound of another human's voice that was unexpected startled the man sitting next to the unconscious woman's bed. His head jerked around to see and older vision, almost, of the younger one in the bed. He immediately realized that the woman standing at the doorway was Bella's mother. And, this lady was waiting with an expectant smile on her face for an answer to her questions.

"My name is Edward Cullen and I'm Mrs. Harrison's attorney. As to why I'm in here is going to be harder to explain, other than to say that I have no real reason to offer that would be understandable to anyone else other than myself."

Renee just smiled at him as she advanced closer to him and her daughter. "Mr. Cullen, I'm Bella's mother, Renee, and from what I saw and what I'm sensing I do believe that I would fully understand what is happening in here.

"Evidently, you were having a hard time sleeping and wanted to get better acquainted with your client which you thought might lead to a better understanding of what is going to be happening to her.

"Or, at least, that's as good of an answer to anyone else as I can think of offering. However, know that I'm not fooled and we'll leave it at that for now."

"Thank you." Was all Edward was able to reply as he was still trying to understand the pull this unconscious woman was having upon him. He knew what Alice had said, but, still didn't want to fully acknowledge it as yet. That's not to say that he would contradict his sister's statements as they were coming true. At least, he was able to admit that much to himself, even though, it was more of an unconscious acceptance of what Alice had told him than what his conscious thoughts would allow him.

"Don't mention it, I'm always accused by those that know me, as being unconventional, but, make no mistake that those very same people will also tell you that I'm very perceptive at times. The funny part is that as far as they know it is only occasionally, but, I'm more observant than what they are even aware."

And with that bit of information being said Edward wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do with it. In a way, it sounded as if the lady was telling him that he wasn't going to be able to put too much pass her, over on her, or, have her believe any nonsense that he might speak. He would have to make sure that he was always straight forward when dealing with Bella's mother; more so than with anyone else. But, then the same could be said with any of the people close to Bella or him since both sets of people in question in his mind knew the two very well.

As Renee saw that she had the young man's attention once more she spoke once more to only say, "Deal with handling my daughter's case and heart honestly and I'll be happy."

And with that last part of her comment Edward wasn't quite sure how to respond, so, all he did was to simply nod his head then glanced back at the woman that was in the bed next to where he was standing. He had risen when first Renee made her presence known and had begun approaching his position. But, now was time to be on his way to allow her mom time alone with his client. So, reaching out to barely run his fingertips up her cheek and across her forehead, he turned abruptly after that and left without exchanging any further words with Renee.

Renee silently watched his departure then she took the seat which Edward had previously occupied. She, like Edward had done, took her daughter's hand and begins to quietly speak to Bella in hopes that her daughter would hear that her mother was close to hand. It didn't take much time before the nurse assigned to Bella's case came in to check on the patient's vitals. And what she saw seemed to satisfy the nurse as she had a slight smile as she made notes on Bella's chart. Renee was about to ask the nurse how Bella was doing, but, the nurse left just as quickly and as quietly as she had appeared, so, that opportunity passed her by. She would just have to wait until she left or until a doctor appeared to ask Dr. Cullen what was happening physically to Bella.

Unbeknownst to Renee or anyone else the nurse went back to her station to place a call to Dr. Cullen to inform him of the slight changes in his patient's condition. It was then that she received the orders to continue with a constant watch of her vitals and to note any and all changes that occurred. It seemed that Bella was stabilizing and would be able to be moved to a more private room in a couple more days if she continued to show signs of improvement the way the nurse had described.

XXXXXX

Edward had gone to the penthouse apartment along with the rest of his family to try and get some rest while letting his mind relax so he can make better sense of how he needs to proceed with the case and to try to figure out why his new client, even, in an unconscious state, is having such an effect upon his emotions.

His feelings for her made no sense, but, they are what they are. Laying there with all of these thoughts running around in his head he once again feels the pull to be near Isabella Harrison. His mind quickly reminds him of his sister's predictions, of how upon first sight of Bella his feelings were immediately affected and he made the promise he did to her; the sort of promise that no attorney under the current circumstances can honestly be sure that he can keep so avoids making. No, the lady had some strange hold over him and she didn't even know it and he didn't understand it. It defied any reasonable explanation that his analytical brain could come up with. The only explanation that remained constant was Alice's prediction of what the two of them would find with this trip.

The more he tried to shut down his merry go round thought process so he could try to relax and doze off to sleep it seemed the more active his brain became, the wider awake he became and the more fixed on his thoughts of the unconscious beauty laying in the hospital. It wasn't long after that that he began to feel the pull to be closer to her once more; to believe that she might feel a need for his presence, and, as that thought made itself known Edward had to admit to himself that he sounded like a nut case. But, it made no difference as he got dressed and returned to the hospital.

Edward didn't stop to let anyone know that he was leaving; he didn't think to let anyone know that he was going out. He was moving without realizing that he was making decisions, as if he was in a daze, but, the draw was pulling him back to the hospital to be with his beauty.

As he arrived upon the ICU floor where Bella Harrison was located he checked in the waiting room to see Charlie Swan and Jasper Whitlock asleep, or, at least, trying to sleep in the uncomfortable chairs that were there for family members of the patients that had been placed in ICU for intensive and specialized care. So, after checking on the two men he continued on to Bella's cubicle. She was the same as she had been when he had been with her earlier with Alice.

He moves forwards, but, stops beside the chair located a little way from her bed to pick it up so he could move it closer to the bed while he sat with the young woman. Reaching out to take the hand lying motionless on the bed that was nearest to him and gently holds it. He leans forwards close to her ear and begins to whisper to her.

"Little lady, I made you a promise and I'm going to make sure somehow, someway, that this promise is kept. How I'm going to make it happen I have no idea, but, please, have faith in me regardless of appearance at times during the coming events of this situation."

He stopped speaking, reached up to rub his forehead and then started speaking again. "I have no idea what the future holds for the two of us, but, according to my sister, Alice, we are both together in a forever union.

"Alice is pretty definite about this. I think you'd like my sister, even though, she is quirky and kind of strange. She's still the sweetest, so full of energy that she can be a bit tiring to be around, and will be the best friend a person could have on their side.

"She has a way of knowing what will happen from time to time in the future which can be a bit scary." He had said and then paused.

Edward was so wrapped up in the things, just anything his mind could think of to say, that he was whispering to the unconscious woman that he never realized that someone else had entered the room and was leaning against the door frame until that person spoke. His head jerked around in that direction to see an older vision of the sweetheart lying in the bed he was sitting beside.

She introduced herself as Bella's mother and spoke quietly to him while never questioning why he was there. But, the last statement she made about dealing with her daughter's case and heart gave him quite a start. The fact that a woman he didn't know and had never met could give off such information was frightening to say the less. It gave him more food for thought, like Alice's prediction, and gave rise to more questions that he had no idea at this period of where to find the answers.

A/N: Renee was very perspective as to what she observed during the brief time that she saw Edward with Bella. The vibes she was receiving coming from watching how Edward was acting with Bella spoke volumes to her. She gave him good advice, but, Edward is still puzzled by a lot of things. Everyone will be at the meeting and hopefully some good can come from it. At least a good starting point will be established and decisions made. Will these decisions give everyone a positive direction to start? Are more surprises awaiting around the corner?

Thanks for reading the story and hope you will enjoy it. Your reviews, ideas and comments are always welcomed.