Author's Note:
I didn't forget about the story! Sorry about the delay. I had a bronchial virus that just wouldn't go away. It felt like when I had pneumonia. It was awful. I was completely wiped out for over a week. The worse part was there was nothing my doctor could do because I didn't have an infection. It was just a virus that wouldn't go away. My stomach hurt from coughing so much that I half expected to wake up with defined abs (sadly, that was not the case). I still feel like I have had the life drained from me but I guess I'm getting better. No matter how bad it was, I am thankful it wasn't the flu (by the way, do you know they test for it by sticking a swab like thing up your nose? Gross! I didn't know this until my doctor tested me for it. Ypu'd think there would be a better way!).
Okay-enough of me talking. Here is the next chapter. I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think!
-Lisa
Chapter Three
"How was school? The east coast?" Bella asked Edward as she stood in her driveway. It was cold outside. She ran out to the mailbox when Edward had pulled into his parents' driveway. When he saw her, he walked over to his mailbox as well. This conversation was the first she had with Edward since they broke up and said goodbye in late August. Christmas was a week away and they both were home to celebrate the holiday with their families.
Edward shook his head. "It is okay, highly over rated. I think I prefer being back here. Boston is fun, and New York City was amazing, but New Hampshire just isn't my thing. What about you? How's school? How is Seattle?"
Bella laughed. "It is a lot of fun. I really love it. I'm not too crazy about my roommate but the rest isn't so bad." She paused as she shyly asked, "Have-have you been seeing anyone?"
Shrugging, Edward looked up. He noticed Bella was freezing as she stood in just a long sleeve shirt. He wanted to continue talking to her but didn't want her to freeze. Edward quickly removed his jacket and placed it on her shoulders as he continued. "I've dated some, but I haven't met anyone I want to have a relationship with. How…how about…you?"
"I've been out with a few guys, but nothing ever developed into anything, so no, no I haven't."
"I miss you Bells, I miss you a lot. I've compared every girl to you and they don't even begin to add up. None of them could hold a candle to you," Edward honestly stated.
Giggling, Bella looked into Edward's emerald eyes. "Funny, I was doing the same thing. No one came close to you. They were nice but they weren't you," she whispered.
Finally laughing Edward looked at her. "Why did we think it was such a good idea to break up again? Who's idea was that? It was a terrible idea!"
Bella looked at Edward and smiled sadly. "I don't know. I guess in theory it seemed like a good idea, especially with you being so far away, but now, now I don't think it was a good idea. I miss you, so much."
"No, it probably wasn't a good idea," Edward smiled as walked closer to Bella. He placed his arms around her and smiled. "I'm finishing out the year at Dartmouth but then I'm heading home. I'm transferring to the University of Washington."
Bella shook her head. "But you have a scholarship, you can't throw that away. Plus, Dartmouth is a great school Edward, its ivy league. It's your dream school. You didn't think you'd get accepted there."
Edward began to explain what he was thinking. "I know that but I really miss being here. This is where I belong. I don't fit in there. It isn't home. I talked to my advisor about it and then my parents. Washington gave me a pretty similar deal, as long as I keep my grades up, which you know is a piece of cake for me. I'm coming home."
"Really?" Bella asked with glee in her voice.
"Really," Edward simply replied with a smile on his face.
"Edward Anthony Cullen, why are you really giving up going to your dream school? It's an ivy league school," she repeated. She wanted to make sure she understood what he was saying and wanted to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
"You know I'm a mama's boy," he paused to listen to the angelic sound of her laugh. "I miss getting my ass kicked by Emmett and Jasper," he said referring to their brothers. "I miss you. I was hoping during our break we could spend some time catching up with each other. Maybe we could start things back up between us? I miss you so much. You can't imagine. My roommate Ben thought I was gay for the longest time because it took a while to even look at someone else, let alone go out and date or actually interact with another girl. He teased me and said I was really pretty. He wanted to know about my hair care."
Bella could no longer hold her laughter in. "Gay hu? You better not have changed that much Cullen!" Bella paused as she walked closer to Edward. "Pretty? You're handsome and might even titter on the edge of gorgeous, but pretty you are not. You do however have great hair," Bella said as she ran a hand through Edward's hair. After he swatted her hand away, Bella wrapped her arms around Edward's neck as she stood on her tip toes. She kissed him. "I can imagine how much you've missed me because I have missed you so much and yes, I want nothing more than to be with you again. I love you Edward, so much that sometimes it is scary, and it hurts too."
"I love you too, my Bella," Edward said as he swung her around. When he placed her on her feet, Edward planted a sweet kiss on her lips and held her close to him as the snow began to fall from the sky.
Edward had awoken from his day dream to find him still sitting in the family waiting room of the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. He wasn't sure if it was just minutes or if hours had actually passed as he sat there with Emmett, who was holding Seth, and their mother. Emmett hadn't looked at Edward for the duration of him being in the room. He was so angry with Edward and refused to listen to him at all. His concern was his nephew and the promise he made to his mother.
"I'm begging you both again to please tell me," Esme asked with tears rolling from her eyes, "tell me how this happened and why Bella was driving Emmett's car and why the baby was with him and not with Edward or Bella? Please!"
Silence engulfed the room. Emmett, who was feeding Seth looked his mother and spoke. "Why don't you ask your son over there? He has all the answers to everything. Ask him why Bella ran out of his office hysterically crying, go head, ask him."
"Shut the fuck up Emmett, really," Edward responded as he placed his head in his hands. "Nothing happened."
"Both of you watch your tones and language," Esme scolded them. "Please, will one of you tell me what happened to Bella?"
Before either one of them had a chance to answer, Carlisle entered the room. He was in full doctor mode and had the latest news of what was going on with his daughter-in-law. He looked exhausted and in need of a shave. "She is pretty banged up and she is still unconscious. She's actually in a coma," he spoke slowly. He looked over at his son who ran his fingers through his hair. He began to tug at it. Water left his eyes. He looked at his son. His small three-month-old son taking his bottle from his uncle. Emmett was on his high horse and claimed that Bella didn't want Edward near Seth.
"She has to be all right. She is breast feeding Seth. We don't have that much in the freezer, maybe a day or two's worth so she has to wake up," Edward said frantically trying to rationalize his son's nutritional source.
Carlisle walked over and rubbed his son's shoulders. "It's okay Edward. Although breast milk is the best, it isn't an option right now. We'll get him started on some good formula. I'll even ask one of the nurses to get it from the maternity ward as to which one is the best. I'm sure that I can get samples just to make sure Seth doesn't have a reaction to it. He'll do fine and will be okay. There are way too many medications in her body right now to try to get milk from her. She would pass them onto Seth."
"She is very adamant about breast feeding dad. She wants the best for him. I think we have enough to wait until she wakes up and we can ask her what she wants to do. I want to make this decision together," Edward stated almost ignoring his father's reasoning.
Carlisle looked at Edward and took a deep breath. "Edward, Bella is in a coma. I don't know when she will come out of it. We can't wait to ask her."
"Well, can't you just take her off the medication and gradually wake her up?"
"Edward, this isn't a medical induced coma. Her body put itself into a coma." Carlisle paused as he watched his son's face go from pale to gray. He continued to talk about the baby's health. "We will get him the best formula since her milk isn't an option right now. He will be okay. We will get him the best Edward."
Edward shook as the next few words exited his body in a soft, scared tone. "Is she going to die?"
"Isn't it too late to worry about that now?" Emmett sneered.
"Emmett!" Esme scolded him. "Please respect your brother! He is going through some rough stuff right now. We all love Bella and I understand we are all stressed. Just please be nice to him right now."
"Is she dad? Is she going to die?" Edward repeated.
Carlisle sighed. He heard Esme gasp and he saw the look on Emmett's face. "Well, to be honest with you she isn't out of the woods yet."
Emmett got angry. He took Seth and stomped towards the door. He looked up at Edward and sternly spoke through his teeth, "I hope it was worth it," and stormed out the door.
Esme and Carlisle's eye were on Edward. "What the hell is this all about? What is going on between you two and why is your wife in the middle of this whole thing?" Esme asked. "Please make us understand what happened Edward. I want to know now!"
Edward sighed as he sat back down in the spot vacated by his brother. He began crying uncontrollably. Carlisle placed an arm around Edward to console him. "It looked so bad. I know how it must have looked but it didn't happen. I swear to god nothing happened."
"What didn't happen?" Esme asked as she wrapped her arms around her son. She looked up at her husband. "Tell us what is so bad and why your brother is acting like this."
Edward swallowed as he told his parents the encounter. Tears ran freely from his eyes as he began his story.
"Jessica, could you please cancel the rest of my appointments. I need to work on the Hunter case and I want to get home to see Bella and Seth at a reasonable hour tonight. She has fallen asleep waiting for me over the last few nights," Edward told his assistant over the speaker phone.
"Sure. The mail is here, do you want it?" She asked.
Edward was waiting on information for the case he was working on. "That would be great Jess, thank you. Also, would you mind bringing in a bottle of water?"
"Sure, I'll be there in a few," she replied bubbly as she went to fetch him water.
As promised, Jessica came in with the mail and water. She walked over to the desk and sat on it as she handed Edward the mail. She looked at Edward, who looked away from her direction and at his notes for his case. "We've known each other for a long time now, haven't we?"
Edward was busy looking at the contents of the envelope in his hand to really pay attention to her. He answered her half heartily, "Yes. I'm sorry Jess, I don't have time to go down memory lane. I need to work on this-"
"Did you know that I have always harbored a slight crush on you?" Jessica asked with a smile as she interrupted him. She rubbed her legs together.
"No I didn't," he lied still reading the document in his hands. Jessica had made her feelings known on several occasions. He had never told Bella. He knew his wife would over react. It was bad enough that he wanted her out of the company and out of his life, but Edward didn't want Bella to have to worry. The truth of the matter was Edward was ready to fire Jessica. She dressed in appropriately and was too flirty. She did her job correctly but was usually inappropriate when Edward was alone. She made him feel uncomfortable.
"You know, I'm an independent woman. When I want something I get it," she began as she leaned down and touched his arm that rested near the desk. He quickly pulled it away and finally looked at her. She began to unbutton her shirt. "I want you Edward."
Adamantly Edward shook his head and looked at her. "I don't want you. Please get off my desk, close your legs and button up your shirt."
"Come on, you've been with Bella for, well, she is the only one you've been with, am I right?" She paused and then waved her hand. Edward's head was still faced away from her. "It doesn't matter. I'm here to give you a little variety in life," with that she dropped her shirt and leaned forward. "I'll do whatever you want me to whenever you want me to."
Edward stood up and leaned into her, so she could hear him. "Jessica, this is highly inappropriate. I want you to get the hell off my desk and pick up your fucking shirt and clean out your desk, you are fired! I am going to call my uncle and tell him of this episode. Leave now before I call security to escort you out. You will be hearing from my lawyer. This is sexual harassment and I'm through. Get the hell out of here NOW!"
"Oh Edward," Jessica smiled as she heard Emmett's voice on the other side of the door. She looked at the clock and figured that Bella was with him. She smiled as she sat on the desk. She opened her legs a little wider to revel her sexy underwear. "I forgot to tell you, your wife scheduled a meeting with you. She wanted to surprise you with lunch and time with your little boy. I bet she is on the other side of that door," with the last work leaving Jessica's mouth, she dropped her bra.
"Get away from me now and get your fucking clothes on!" Edward seethed before the door opened.
"And that is what Emmett and Bella walked in on. I know it looked bad but god, I never touched her, I swear. I never wanted to be with her ever. I love my wife and I would never do that to Bella. I know Bella has insecurities when it comes to Jessica, but I have never been the least bit interested in her. I wasn't in high school and I certainly don't have an interest now. I tried to explain what happened to both Emmett and Bella, but they didn't want to hear it. Emmett said that Bella didn't want me near Seth and he is acting like his protector now. She took Emmett's car to be alone for a bit. I just want my wife and my son, and I want to go home," Edward continued to ball. He lifted his head and realized something. "Bella probably thinks that I have lied to her all these weeks. She probably thinks that I really haven't been working on the weekends and late at night. She probably thought there was something between Jessica and me. I have to tell her that there is nothing! She has to believe me!"
Esme hugged her son as he broke down in her arms. Carlisle rubbed his back as he spoke gently. "You can go see her in a little bit, but not now. Tests are still being run and they are making her comfortable."
"When will she wake up?" Edward asked.
Sadly, Carlisle shook his head. "I don't know when she will son. We have to wait and see. Just have faith-"
Edward stood up and wiped his eyes. He rubbed his hands over his face and looked at his father. "Right, you said that spiel all ready. I'm not just some other patient's family you are talking to, I'm your son and I want you to give me answers! She's been like your daughter since we were in the first-grade dad! I want you to tell me that the mother of my son, that my wife, the person I love more than anything else in the world is going to be okay. She's my reason for being. Her life means more to me than my own. Please tell me dad that my whole reason for existing is going to be okay, please?" Edward said as he started to cry once again.
Carlisle engulfed his son in a hug. "I wish I could say something else Edward, but I can't. I'm just being honest. I don't want to lie to you. I just plain old don't know what is going to happen. I'm sorry but we're just going to have to wait and see."
