Author's Note:

Hi everyone. Here's another installment of Finding What Was Lost. Thank you all for the adds and for the comments and reviews. I am behind and will be responding to those after I post the story. I'm glad so many people seem to like the story! I have been working on it and will try to update in the beginning of next week. I am taking my friend's daughter to New York City for a few days during winter vacation. I'm so excited to share my love the city with someone who has never been there before!

One last thing. I know nothing about comas. I read briefly and I didn't realize there were different kinds of comas. The little bit mentioned in this chapter and the next was from a combination of reading a few different websites. It was interesting. So please keep in mind that this is a work of fiction. If I missed a few things just roll with it!

Please keep the reviews coming. I love reading what you think!

Happy reading!

Lisa


Chapter Four

"For the first time tonight, I would like to introduce you all to the new Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen," the DJ announced as the couple walked into their reception. Guests stood on their feet and clapped as they spotted the couple. "Now join me as we play their wedding song, 'I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You,' by Savage Garden as they enjoy their first dance as husband and wife."

Edward held his bride close to him as the music started. He smiled brightly at heard the music and faintly saw other people in the room. his focus remained on his wife. "Hi Mrs. Cullen. I love your dress."

Bella laughed. She stood there in her beautiful wedding dress waiting to dance with her now husband. Her arms were draped around Edward's neck. Her dress was fully embroidered and beaded bodice of Chantilly lace on a gorgeous A-line skirt of silk organza. It also had a beaded sweetheart neckline. "I don't think I'll ever get sick of hearing that."

"You don't think you'll get sick of hearing about your dress?" Edward joked. "It is beautiful. Not as beautiful as you but it's a nice dress."

Shaking her head. "No, you silly man! I don't think I'll ever get sick of hearing you call me your wife."

As he leaned into her, Edward stole a kiss. Their guests all cheered and yelled. "Good because you'll be hearing it for the rest of your life. I love you so much. You really do look so stunning."

"Thank you and you look good yourself." Bella paused as she listened to the song. She couldn't help but laugh. "This song is so terrible! Why did we pick it?"

"It's the first song we ever danced to in high school." Edward explained as he spun her.

"I know, I know, but it is so cheesy," Bella replied. "It does bring back some memories. We were so young, and such know it- all's."

Edward kissed Bella's cheek. "It's true. We thought we were so smart. We thought we knew everything."

"We knew nothing!" Bella looked up at Edward with wide chocolate eyes. "There is one thing I knew then and I know now."

"What's that?"

"I have loved you since I met you."

"Don't you mean before you met me?" Edward asked chuckling making a reference to the song title.

"You are so not good with the jokes Edward!" Bella paused as the song wound down. "Yes, I guess you're right though. I loved you for my whole life. There will never be anyone else for me. You're it. You're all I know and all I want to know."

Ignoring the sounds of the glasses dinging, Edward kissed his wife again. "I love you so much Bella. There will never, ever be anyone else for me, never."

For the remainder of the evening, Edward and Bella mingled with their family and friends. They thanked everyone personally for coming out and spending their special day with them. They didn't get a chance to eat dinner because there were too many people to talk to. When it came time for the cake, they didn't shy away! They were excited about their four-tier strawberry shortcake cake; however, they were surprised when they cut into it and found carrot cake. It wasn't only a flavor they didn't care for, but it had walnuts, which Edward was deathly allergic to. Bella cried. There would be no piece of cake to freeze and eat on their first anniversary. There would be no cake for them to eat at the reception. Esme hugged her. She promised to call the bakery on Monday to give them a piece of her mind. Bella was very upset over the cake mix up. She felt she was missing a giant tradition for the reception.

As the guests enjoyed the cake, Emmett had snuck out and drove to the convince store down the street. He bought a package of Hostess Cupcakes. He hurried back and presented them to Bella and Edward. Bella cried as she wrapped her arms around her faux brother. It wasn't the gourmet cake that they had ordered and hoped for, however, it was the thought that count and completed their day. Both she and Edward were moved by Emmett's thoughtfulness.

When the evening settled down, Edward and Bella were back in their hotel room where they would spend one evening. The following day they would be jet setting for Fiji. Edward looked at Bella as she sat on the bed. Her legs were crossed. Gone was her giant wedding dress. In its place were shorts and a tank top. They were opening their gifts. Edward studied Bella as she laughed reading a card. She looked up at him and smiled. "What?"

"I can't take my eyes off you. Today was perfect you know."

Bella couldn't help but chuckle again. "Perfect Edward? Perfect? We got McDonald's on the way back to our room because we didn't get a chance to eat. The caterers' messed up our dinner completely and the bakery used walnuts in the cake and could have killed you. Emmett was sweet though to go out and buy the cupcakes for us, even if they were from Seven Eleven and prepackaged. It was so nice of him. Anyway Edward, I don't know where you were today, but it was far from perfect."

"All those things were true but my god Bella, I am-I can't even tell you how I feel. Happy doesn't begin to describe how I feel about you, and us. Elated might be a good start. I mean we are really married, bound together for this life and whatever might come after. Today is truly the best day of my entire life. It will probably stay that way and not ever change, except maybe when we have a child. Their birth will compare but this might just be my number one day. I love you." He paused before holding up his hand. "Look we are married!"

Laughing, Bella stood up and dragged her feet over to her husband. She wrapped her arms around him, stood up on her tippy toes and kissed him. "You are such a dork Edward but I love you too. Look, we are married!" She stood on her toes and pulled herself up to him. "You know what would make this day really perfect?"

"What's that? You know anything you want is yours. Just tell me."

"I want you to take me to bed husband," she smiled.

"Now you are talking Mrs. Cullen," Edward said as he lifted her up. He gently dropped her on the bed before he crawled on top of her and kissed her again.


"Mom started pureeing foods for Seth. He seems to really like them. He's such a good eater Bells. He loves the cereal mixed with bananas. He likes the rice cereal but isn't a fan of the oatmeal. I laughed when I tried to feed it to him. I know how much you hate oatmeal. You should see his face when he eats it, he looks just like you honey! You make that face that you don't really know what to do with the oatmeal. The one where you want to spit it out, but you don't? Well, Seth makes that face too except he does spit it out!" Edward laughed as he held Bella's hand. He clasped their hands together. "Bananas seem to be his favorite food though. Oh, yea and he loves the squash too. He's not so much a fan of the peas either, but then again I guess you can't win them all," Edward explained to his wife who was still in a coma. He smiled as he spoke of their son. "While the nurses were bathing you, I went down to the lobby to meet mom. Seth fell asleep on the way up here, so he is still in his car seat." Edward began to tell his wife.

Seth was growing a rapid pace in the five weeks since Bella was admitted to the hospital. How could a month and one week seem like a lifetime? That it was weeks since he heard her voice or her laugh. She still laid in a coma. Gone were the bruises and the bandages. Her face was still yellowed from the bruises healing but the dark purple marks had faded. She looked like her beautiful self just sleeping.

Carlisle explained that her body was working hard to heal itself from the injuries from the accident. He believed that it would only be a matter of time before she awoke. Edward was beginning to feel more skeptical. Carlisle also told him that week five was usually critical and was afraid she might have brain damage if she was in a coma any longer.

Although he never showed it, he was starting to lose his faith. He missed the sound of her voice or just holding her hand. He missed coming home from work later at night and seeing her asleep. He missed slipping into their bed and laying beside her and holding her. Her laugh. He missed her laugh too. The list was countless of the things he missed. His family and friends could feel him loosing hope but never let on they knew. They were all positive for him, not matter how difficult it was.

Carlisle and Esme's worries focused on Edward. They both had the faith that Bella would wake up. It was Edward they were concerned with. He hardly ate and had lost weight. The only time he let Bella's bedside and got fresh air was when the nurses came to take her to her testing or to bathe her. He took a walk around the hospital grounds, but he would always return to Bella's room. He had no appetite and often left his meals that his mother prepared for him. In the beginning he would nibble on them. Now they went untouched.

Emmett was the first to voice his concern for his younger brother. After Esme and Carlisle sat down and explained to Emmett about the real events of that fateful day, he felt terrible that he didn't listen to his brother. Instead of being there for him, he totally abandoned him. He believed that Edward was capable of the worse. If he would have thought he would have known that Edward only had eyes for Bella. Jessica had tried to come between them in high school and once when she began to work at the firm. Edward had confided in Emmett about how uncomfortable Jessica made him feel. Emmett knew all of this and felt terrible that he didn't remember all of the information over a month ago. Edward, in true fashion, forgave his brother without a second thought. Edward didn't have the energy to remain mad at his brother and really needed his support.

Before Edward could say another word, there was a knock on the door. "Is anyone in here?" The voice asked.

"Yes, we are all here," Edward said with a slight smile as he walked to the door to greet his father in law. He and Jasper had been staying at Bella and Edward's house since the accident. Both took time off to be with their loved one and be there for Edward. Sue made the trip on the weekends. She didn't want anyone to feel over crowded. She came and stayed at Edward's house too Thursday through Sunday afternoon. Emily, Bella and Jasper's younger half-sister, also made the trip down with her mother. Bella was always surrounded by people who loved and cared about her recovery. "Good morning Charlie."

"Good morning son. How is our girl this morning?" Charlie asked as he placed a hand on Edward's shoulders.

"The same. Still nothing has changed. Did you drive here today?" Edward asked surprised. Charlie was holding a set of keys in his hand which made Edward curious. Jasper treated his care like his baby. It was a brand-new Audi Q7. Charlie loved it but Jasper would never let anyone else drive it, not even his father who was chief of police. Charlie always tried to drive but Jasper always said no.

"No Jasper did. He is parking the precious car. He'll be up soon. How are you holding up?" Charlie asked sincerely.

"I'm," Edward stopped and chuckled lightly. He knew he could lie to his mother and father, poorly, but when it came to his father in law, he just couldn't lie. "Look at me, I'm a mess. My wife is in a coma. I'm here all the time, which makes me a part time parent at best to our son. I'm the only parent he has functioning right now and look at me. I've been living out my dad's locker for a over a month. This is my fault Charlie, this is my fault,' Edward whispered.

Charlie placed his hand on Edward's shoulders. He and Edward had this conversation several times since the accident. "Edward, this isn't your fault. Bella has always had the tendency to overreact."

"Charlie, you are like a father to me. You have to stop lying to me. If anyone will level with me, it's you. You know I caused this, right?"

Shaking his head Charlie looked at the distraught man in front of him. Edward was only thirty, but he had the look of worry of a sixty five year old. This was a conversation that they had many times over the five weeks. "No, this isn't your fault. I love Bella, but sometimes she has the tendency to jump the gun before she knows all of the facts. Maybe you worked long hours and after she saw you with Jessica at your desk the worse took a hold of her. I don't know what she was thinking, but Edward, none of this is your fault."

Shaking his head, Edward continued as he looked down. "I don't know how you can be so kind to me. I put your daughter into the hospital."

"You should know me by know Edward I don't lie. I don't play around with my kids. You are like a son to me. You have been since we moved next to you and you took Bella under your wings then. Without knowing her you were protective of her, like you are now. You love her unconditionally and it is apparent. Everyone sees it Edward. You say you did nothing with your secretary and I believe you. I have no reason not to. I know you would do nothing to hurt our girl."

"If I didn't work so much she wouldn't have had to make an appointment to see me through Jessica. What kind of husband am I when my own wife has to make an appointment to see me? I almost guarantee that Jessica wasn't nice to her when she called me at work. I wonder how many messages Bella left that I never got. Don't you see, if I didn't neglect my wife she wouldn't be here now Charlie!"

Silence filled the two of them. Charlie was the first to speak up. "Do you know that Bella blames herself for her mother's death."

"She talked to me about it once and I told her it was nonsense. It was circumstance. Renee went in labor too soon and Bella was stuck. It was all circumstance. It was all an accident."

Charlie shook his head. "That's right it was an accident. Similar to what happened to Bella- an accident."

Before Edward had the chance to react to Charlie's statement the slowly opened. Jasper walked into the room without saying a word. Edward looked up at him. "Hey."

Jasper stood with his hands in his pockets looked at Edward. He looked terrible. Jasper had bags under his eyes and looked exhausted. The time since the accident had seemed to be taking its toll on him as well. "Hey."

When nothing more was said between the three men, Charlie spoke up. "Jasper had a tough night."

"What happened?" Edward questioned.

Jasper shrugged his shoulders as he looked at his sister. "This situation was too much for Maria to handle and she called me last night and broke up with me."

Edward's eyes widened. "Your girlfriend of almost a year broke up with you because she can't handle your sister being in a coma?"

Nodding his head, Jasper answered Edward. "Pretty much, yea. In a nut shell that's what happened."

"I'm sorry Jazz."

"It's not your fault. I'm glad I didn't ask her to marry me like I wanted to."

Edward looked up at his brother in law before laughing. "You do realize Bella never liked Maria?"

"She told me several times that I could do better." He paused as he reflected their conversation a few weeks ago Leah. "Did she like anyone I dated?"

Edward laughed. "I don't think so no one was good enough for her big brother! You know what though, I think she was right."

Jasper chuckled. "Me too bro, me too."

The day continued with people in and out of the room to visit Bella. Alice, stopped by for a visit. She lectured Edward on eating properly and taking care of himself because once Bella wakes up he will have to take care of her. She also said her father and mother would be stopping by later.

Alice took a break from lecturing Edward and was telling her about a date she had and how terribly wrong it was going. The guy was a successful doctor, forty two and lived at home. She tried hard to make Edward laugh, it just wasn't doing the job. When Jasper excused himself to grab something to drink Alice asked if she could join him. Jasper had agreed. She might not have been able to make Edward laugh, however she did manage to cheer up Jasper. Edward was happy to catch a little break from his cousin. He loved her as if she were his sister, however he needed a break from her every now and again.

As the day rolled into evening, the guests let one by one. Carlisle reminded Edward that he was on call that evening and if he needed anything to have him paged. He also promised to check in on his son and daughter in law.

"Hey buddy, say bye to mommy. You'll see her tomorrow," Edward said as he lifted the baby from Bella's chest. He kissed him as he began to strap him into his car seat. "Be good for grandma, okay? I love you Seth. Mommy loves you too even though she can't say it right now. We are so happy you are with us," Edward continued as his son's eyes watched him. A smile appeared on the infant's face. "We love you buddy so much. We'll see you tomorrow." Edward stood up and handed the car seat to his mother. He kissed her check. "Thanks again mom, I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Not tomorrow morning. I have those meetings I can't get out of, unless it is a real emergency and if it is you call me. Even if it isn't and you need me, call me. I'll figure out something. Do you understand me young man?" Esme said as she wrapped one arm around her son.

Feeling like he was a child again, Edward smiled. "Yes mom, I understand. Who is going to watch Seth? Do you think he should stay the night with me?"

"No, we'll be fine. Your dad is going to watch him for a little bit after his shift and then Rose and Emmett are going to bring him here."

"Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow night. I love you mom," Edward said sounding defeated.

"Oh, my baby boy, I love you too. Hang in there, things are going to be okay."

"If you say so," Edward replied with doubt in his voice.

Esme looked at her son and smiled. "I have never lied to you before and I would never start now. Try and rest and have a goodnight, okay?"

"Of course, I'm getting pretty good at this," Edward said offering a half smile.

Esme walked over to Bella and kissed her cheek. "I love you too sweetheart. I can't wait to talk to you again. Rest up so you can wake up."

Edward walked his mother to the elevator. He strolled back with his hands in his pockets. He was getting ready for bed early that evening. He changed and brushed his teeth. He made sure to shave because he was growing a little stub. Bella hated when he had stubble on his chin.

After exiting the bathroom, Edward was making his chair into a bed. The nurses had offered to get him a cot, but he refused. With the reclining chair he felt he was closer to Bella. He set it up on the side of the bed that didn't house the IV stand. The monitors were all on the opposite side. Edward positioned the chair so the head of it was next to the head of Bella's bed. He stared at his wife for what was only a few minutes, although it seemed like hours to him. Over the last month he thought about waking up at their house in their bed without her. It was too much for him to think about. The thought snapped him back into reality. He walked over to the door and shut off the overhead light. Lights from the machines still glowed as well as the soft night that was above Bella's head. The room couldn't be completely dark since the nurses had to come in and check on her vitals.

It only took Edward a few seconds to get comfortable. He was closing his eyes when he heard it. It was a sound that sounded like a soft, quick moan. He sat up and looked at Bella. She looked as if she hadn't moved. He thought his mind was playing tricks on him.

A few moments later, he heard the moaning again and this time it lasted longer. He looked at Bella. Again she looked like she had been unmoved. Edward went to lay back down when he heard the sound again. He stood up and walked towards the front door. He turned on the light and walked back. He was startled when he had reached his chair. He looked at his wife in the bed. Something was different about her. Her body was still very much still. Her purple markings from the crash were almost gone. Her eyes were wide and brown and her- Edward stopped. Her eyes were wide and open. He choked back tears as his heart raced. One of the thing she hated about the coma was when her eyes opened and moved. He reached down with his hands and took hers in his. She gently squeezed back. The only thing he could manager to utter was one thing he had been longing to say since Bella was in the accident.

Looking at her wide open beautiful chocolate eyes, Edward fought back tears as he spoke. "Bella? Are you awake?"