Love in A Bubble

Intro: A back and forth intros from Bella and Edward.

They had an instant attraction before it all turned to black.

Edward and Bella are in a car accident that renders Bella into a coma. Edward visits her every day, talking to her about anything and everything. While Bella sleeps, she plays out all of Edward's conversations as though they were dates; both falling in love in a bubble.

This story was my contribution for the compilation, 'Words of Love for Meli' for Meil of Meli's Stories. Fran thought it would be a wonderful gift for her as she went through her chemo treatments to have Fan Fictions stories written just for her. She's one kickass lady.

This was my pleasure to write a simple love story to bring an 'awe' and an 'ooo' to Meli as she read each page. I hope all of you will enjoy and send your love to Ms. M.

Beta'd by the lovely and wonderful Frannie Sunflower or Fran Walsh or My Beta Queen.

And as always, I own nothing Twilight.

BPOV

I never oversleep and I hate to rush.

My shower seems to take forever and I didn't dry off well enough, so now my pants cling to my legs and my T -shirt is tight across my middle but my boobs look good. I grab my cell and keys off the kitchen counter with one hand and brush my hair with the other, looking like an animated character on speed.

EPOV

My brother, Emmett, calls to inform me that Rose is in labor. The pregnancy is a

miracle. The doctors feel she is at risk. We're all on edge. I have to get to the

hospital.

BPOV

I stop for a quick coffee and head for the highway, which may get me to work on

time. I can only hope.

EPOV

My cell rings, as I get on the ramp.

"Yeah, Emmett? How is she?"

"Hanging in there, man. Will you be here soon? I need you, Edward."

He sounds so desperate and afraid.

"Hey, I'm on my way. I should be there in ten minutes."

"Thanks, man. Love you, Bro."

"Love you, too."

BPOV

I juggle my coffee and the steering wheel. One sip of my caffeine fix warms my

nerves. Shaking my head, I am so upset with myself for not buying a new alarm

clock. I know I procrastinate. I know I am always busy. But there shouldn't be any

excuses. This should be a lesson. I scold myself, inwardly berating my habitual

carelessness.

EPOV

The off ramp is a mile away. I look to my right and see an antiquated, dinosaur of a

Chevy truck. What catches my eye is the cute, little brunette driver.

BROV

A silver flash comes right next to me on my left. But the wild flame of his bronze

hair ignites his perfect profile. And from the corner of my eye, I see something ...

coming.

EPOV

I smile. She frowns and points. It's too bad I can't get her number. She waves for me

to look. As I turn my head, it's too late. The impact jolts my car to the right. Wheels

screech, as I brake.

BPOV

Oh my God, where did that car come from? I watch his car swerve out of control

right into me.

EPOV

I try to avoid her truck, but I crash heavily into the driver's side. We both drag down

the interstate, sparks fly, until we reach the bridge. Her truck slides down the

embankment, saving my car from the fall. There is another impact ... an explosion ...

I fade to black.

LOVE IN A BUBBLE

Chapter One:

EPOV

I hear whispering voices surrounding me.

"Esme, it looks as though his eye movement is fluttering. He's coming to."

"He looks so pale, Carlisle."

"Edward. Son, can you hear me? It's Dad."

"Edward, dear. It's Mom. Please, open your eyes."

They sound so worried.

I want to open my eyes. The lids feel as though they are glued together.

"Look, he's licking his lips!"

"Yes, he's coming around, Esme."

There's a flash of light, horns blare, tires screech and that horrible sound of her truck

barreling down the embankment. And I shout, "Noooooooo!"

I sit up in bed and open my eyes, panting heavily. My parents grab me around the

shoulders. The room is dark with only a small overhead light on behind me. I intake my mother's perfume as I lean my head on her shoulder. My father gently rubs my back, whispering soothing words.

Mom sits on the bed stroking my hair and holding me close, but carefully. "It's

all right, Edward. You are in the hospital. We are here." She continues to pet me.

I look up at my father. "There was an accident."

"Yes, Edward," he says. "You have a broken leg, some scratches, contusions and a

rather nice bump on your head."

"I feel a little fuzzy," I rasp out.

"You were in surgery for over an hour, son. The doctors set your leg. With lots of

rest, and a little PT, you'll be fine," he reassures me.

"The other driver?" I ask.

"Dead," he says with malice.

I furrow my brow. "She's dead?" I clutch my chest from the squeezing pain; I skip a breath and tear at my hospital gown.

"Drunk driver went right into you from the opposite lane, as you hit another car. Two other cars smashed into the perpetrator and he went up in flames." He shakes his head.

"But the girl? The one in the truck. She tried to warm me. Her truck went off the

embankment. It was her truck that kept me from going over," I rant.

My mother soothes, "Edward, we will find out about her. Please, try to remain calm."

"Dad?" I plead.

"If you calm down, I will ask the desk," he points and exits the room.

"Mom, before I was hit, I saw this girl driving next to me. I guess she saw the other

driver coming because she tried to warn me. I didn't have time to react. Once I was

hit, I went into her." I sigh.

"Oh, Edward, how horrible," she cries.

"Mom, her truck saved me. I would have gone over that embankment, too. I don't

know what happened, but her truck ..." I trail off.

"Your father will find out." She smiles and pats my hand.

The door opens and a tearful Emmett walks into the room very slowly. His wrinkled shirt

hangs loosely out from his jeans. There are rings under his bloodshot,

tired eyes.

I look up at him. "Hey man, I'm sorry about all of this. How's Rose?"

Emmett takes all of two steps and he is at my bedside. Tears roll down his face, as

he sniffs and wipes with his arm. "Man, she's good." He tries to control his quivering voice, "You scared us. Well, me."

With a little chuckle, he reaches over to pat my back. "You're a cat, Edward. I swear

you have fucking nine lives."

"Emmett!" Mom scolds.

"Sorry." He clears his throat.

"Well, you have a niece. She's beautiful like Rose. Blond fuzz on her head. And,

hey, my dimples." He hands me his phone. "I got a few pictures so you could see

her."

I look at the photos. "She's a beauty, Em. Like I said, I'm sorry I wasn't here for

you."

"Christ, Edward, you were in an accident. You didn't plan this. Mom and Dad were

with me." He sits on a chair near the bed, running a hand over his eyes.

"So, what did you name her?" I ask.

"Catherine Anne. Rose wanted something simple and not a flower," he harrumphs.

Dad walks back into the room with his head down. He looks at me with worried

eyes.

"Edward, the girl, she's still in surgery."

"What did they say about her?" I sit up, watching my father's reaction.

"Since brought in she hasn't regained consciousness. I'm afraid she has swelling ...

the brain. I don't know the severity. I can talk with the surgeon, once he's out," Dad

moans. "The impact was overwhelming for her truck, ripped her seat belt and she was thrown from the cab."

Mom watches Dad carefully. "Carlisle, what else?

"Ah, Esme." He pauses and pinches the bridge of his nose. "It's Charlie's daughter."

He sadly looks at Mom and takes her hand in his.

"Charlie Swan?" She places her other hand over her mouth. "Is he here?"

"He's on the way."

"You know her?" I barely get out.

Dad answers, "We know of her, son. She's the Chief of Police's daughter."

Emmett stands. "Yeah, the Chief's a great guy. Sorry about his daughter. Ah, look, I

gotta get back to Rose. But I'll check on you later."

"I'll be over in a little while, Emmett." Mom smiles up at him.

I look up at Emmett. "Hey congratulation, man. Tell Rose I'll see her soon."

He nods, "Yeah, right. Check with you later. I'm glad you're all right, Edward." He

leaves the room.

Dad sits in the chair near Mom. "Charlie and I have gone fishing."

Mom holds back a giggle. "Twice. They went twice." She clears her throat. "Oh, I

shouldn't laugh. But, yes, your father brought home an old boot and a tree branch."

Dad confesses, "I brought home a huge salmon once."

"Yes, dear, the salmon that fed the town," Mom jokes.

Dad tries to convince me, "Edward, it was a huge fish. Your mother is making fun of

me."

It all goes over my head. I have but one thought. "I didn't know he had a daughter.

What did they say about her?" I sit up, watching my father's reaction.

Mom interjects, "You wouldn't know her, dear. She's a few years younger than you."

"Isabella. Well, Bella, she likes to be called. She came to live with Charlie while

you were away at college. Once she graduated from high school, she went off to

Seattle. Before all that, she lived with her mother. Funny, you two never met." Dad

shakes his head.

"Didn't you tell me she was opening a bookstore near Edward's store?" Mom adds.

"Yes, she is." Dad sighs.

I try to get comfortable in bed, shifting the cast on my leg. "The store two doors

down from me?"

Dad leans forward. "Yes. In fact, Charlie was telling me she was going to have a

music section. He told her about your music store and she decided against it. Didn't

want to interfere with your business."

I smile. "Really?"

"Oh, Carlisle, I hope she will be all right." Mom yawns.

"Look, you two should go home. Between Rose and me, you have to be exhausted." I shift again.

Dad gently pats my leg. "I think you're the one that needs the rest, Edward. We'll stay

a little longer." He gets up. "I'm going to check the front desk about Bella. Okay?"

I feel relief. "Thanks, Dad. I really want to know about her."

Dad walks out of the room while my mother stares at me. "I really don't want to

leave you." She begins to cry. "I was so scared, Edward."

I reach out for her. "Mom, I'm okay."

"Well, I didn't know that. And now, I feel for Charlie. Bella is his only child," she

sniffs.

On cue, Dad walks in with Chief Swan by his side. He's still in uniform with a somber look on his worn face.

Mom gets up and hugs him. "Has there been any word, Charlie?"

His voice cracks, "No Esme, not yet. She's still in surgery. Something about internal bleeding."

Mom pats his arm. "I'm so sorry. If there is anything we can do?"

He sighs. "Thank you." Then, he looks at me. "How are you doing, Edward?"

"A little bruised and beaten. I'm sorry about Bella." I can barely say her name.

He approaches me at the foot of the bed. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions

about the accident?"

"Sure."

"Do you know what happened?" Charlie pensively asks.

"Bella was driving next to me on my right. She saw this other car coming and tried to warn me. By the time I turned my head left, he had hit me and I went into Bella's truck. We skidded down the road until we hit the bridge and her truck went over the embankment. After that, Chief, I went blank."

"That's what Carlisle relayed to me. Once the driver hit you, he veered left and two other cars plowed into him." He shakes his head. "Well, you get some rest."

"You'll let us know about Bella, Chief?" I sincerely ask.

"I'll leave word at the desk that once she can have visitors, you can see her," he offers.

"Thank you. I'd like that. She saved my life and I want to thank her."

He sadly smiles. "That's Bella, always being thoughtful of others."

I look up to my TV and see the Mariner's are playing. "You could stay here and watch the game with me. I think my parents should go home and rest."

The Chief perks up. "If you don't mind? I could use the diversion and the company."

"Pull up a chair, " I say.

"Let me tell the front desk where they can find me." He walks out of the room.

My mom kisses my head. "That was a nice thing to do, Edward."

I shrug. "The Chief can tell me about Bella. I'd like to know about her."

"Are you sure you want us to leave?" she pleads.

"Mom, you and Dad go take it easy. I'm sure Emmett and Rose will need you."

Like Grand Central Station, Mom and Dad exit and the Chief and my doctor enter. With a quick exam, I settle down with the Chief to find out more about that beautiful brunette who saved my life.