Crash

Edward stood by the front door with both our bags over each of his shoulders. He'd been carrying my bag at school this last week despite every one of my protests. It made me feel a little uncomfortable at first as most people at school began to stare at us. Those who didn't were too focused on their simulation babies in their arms.

As I walked towards Edward, I swung Ed's bag onto one shoulder and lifted my old thin coat from the hook. I couldn't afford any new clothes for myself and as it never really got cold in Arizona, all I had was a thin coat. It didn't do much here in Forks, but it did enough.

When I got to Edward's shiny silver Volvo, he opened the door for me. His hand rested on my hip as he helped me climb into the car with the sleeping baby in my arms. I shifted my son between my arms whilst Edward buckled my belt in for me. His lips hovered beside my cheek and I held my breath.

"Are you alright Bella?"

I let out the breath I had been hold and nodded to him.

"I'm fine, thanks."

At that moment I did feel a little unwell. I felt myself shivering slightly but didn't want him to know. He'd tell me to stay home and would take Ed to school with him to let me rest. I didn't want that and wouldn't let it happen.

"Esme would like it if you were to come around for dinner with little Ed tonight. She hasn't seen either of you all week."

My eyes stayed on the boy in my arms as I considered the offer. It would be nice to see Esme again. She was much like a mother to me and I missed that. My own mother wasn't much of a mother in the first place so to even get a small chance to have that sort of a figure in my life was amazing.

"I'd like that. I've missed her. She's a great mother."

"I'm lucky I guess. I could be in a group house if I hadn't been adopted."

We became silent as he focused on the road. I stared out of the window to see the surrounding forest a fresh white colour. Even though the sky was the usual dark cloud, everywhere seemed naturally bright as the snow reflected what light there was.

"I'd like it if you could stay the night."

He wanted me to stay at his night. I couldn't help but think that maybe he liked me and wanted me to stay with him.

"I mean we are supposed to be working on the assignment together, but I haven't taken the night shift yet. I don't want to say that you have to let me take Ed home by myself, so you could stay, and I'll help. I'd like to help, and you look really tired. You could use a break. Esme had been hoping that you'd stay round some time anyway and…"

"Take a breath Edward. I'd like to stay but I wouldn't want to impose."

"You wouldn't be."

I caught a small smile from him as he pulled into the school parking lot. Everyone was standing around in the snow, smiling and laughing but still stood to watch his car drive by. Since I'd first arrived at school in his car, they always watched to see what we'd do. Rumours had spread about us dating and Edward adopting my brother as his own son. I just ignored them all.

"After school, we'll go back to mine, so I can pack some things and then we'll go to yours."

"Okay. I'll text my mom to let her know at lunch. We should get to class though."

Smiling, I watched him push his door open and step into the cold air. Climbing out myself, I held my son closer to my chest. Everything then happened at once. The sound of ripping metal stung my ears and woke Ed in my arms. His cries matched my feelings as I stood petrified. A dark blue van sped towards me and I had no time to get out of the way. I recognised the van as Tyler Crowley's and looked closer to see his terrified face whilst he struggled to gain control. Using my body and arms as best I could, I shielded my baby and let my eyes close.

I was hit; the impact wasn't what I expected and realised why. A cold body had knocked me to the ground causing my head to smack against the asphalt. Dazed, I didn't register what happened next. My only thoughts were on my wailing baby in my arms.

"Bella? Bella are you alright?"

Panic surrounded me as my eyes flickered. I was finding it difficult to stay conscious.

"Can you hear me Bella? Open your eyes."

Laying my head against the freezing ground, I found it easier to open my eyes. With them half open, I could see Edward's worried face above me. We were in an enclosed space with the frightening van wedging us between against his Volvo. The front end had been smashed, the side mirror crushed to pieces. Edward's body was pressed to mine, his chest protecting my still crying baby.

I tried to sit up off the cold ground but was held down by Edward's strong hands.

"Lie down Bella. You might have a concussion."

My teeth chattered together as I let my eyes close. The warm but loud, tiny body disappeared from against my chest and despite the terror that washed through me, I didn't have the energy to fight.

"Baby…"

"Little Ed's fine sweetheart. You kept him safe but now you need to look after yourself. Rose will quiet him down and warm him up."

One of his hands rested on my hip and he pulled me into his chest. His other hand scooped under my head. With his body against mine, I embraced the warmth that radiated from him.

"The ambulance will be here soon Bella. Stay awake for me sweetheart. Try and keep your eyes open."

He said it again. It wasn't difficult to notice that he had called me sweetheart twice now. The name alone warmed me from the inside. Maybe he liked me too. A loud siren made my pounding head worse. I opened my eyes and found the green pools I was looking for. The sirens switched off, but now blue lights flashed all around.

Heavy footsteps grew louder and the atmosphere surrounding us seemed lighter. There was more space around us as students moved away.

"Bella? Bella?"

The voice was easy to recognise. Even in the moment of panic, I felt comforted by my Dad's voice.

"Dad…"

"He's right here Bella. Hold on."

His body hovered over mine as a squealing sound pierced my ears. I peeked over his shoulder and saw the blue van scraping across the icy ground. It was moving away from us ever so slowly until there was at least a meter between it and us. A paramedic rushed down the side of the truck and knelt beside us. Edward sat up and moved away from me a little to give the paramedic space.

"Can you hear me Bella?"

"Ye…"

"Okay. Good. We'll get a stretcher in here for you. I know it's cold, but you need to stay awake just a little longer."

It was only half a minute later when I was being lifted onto a stretcher and carefully lifted away from the van. A blanket was thrown over me, but it wasn't much help. I felt a warm hand grasp mine as whispers of my fellow students surrounded me.

"I'll be right behind you Bella. You're gonna be alright. I love you baby girl."

My father's hand disappeared from mine and I realised how much I was shaking. I was shaking all over and couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. Two fingers quickly lifted my wrist before slowly placing them by my side.

"Her pulse is slowing. She's bordering on hypothermia."

The stretcher was lifted higher and I was slid into the back of an ambulance. If it wasn't for someone stepping into the ambulance behind me with my whimpering baby, I would have forced myself up to find him. Another blanket was tucked around me as the sirens started up again. Someone removed my shoes and socks slowly and carefully, making sure my ankles or feet weren't broken.

"We'll need to get her in for an x-ray. Edward said she hit the ground hard."

The ambulance came to a stop and the doors flung open. Fingers shaking, I clenched them together, trying to control the shaking.