Love in a Bubble
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.
Beta'd by the lovely and all-knowing SunFlower Fran.
Chapter six:
BPOV
His eyes are so green.
EPOV
Her eyes are open.
BPOV
He looks so shocked.
EPOV
Her eyes are open.
BPOV
I can't seem to talk but I smile.
EPOV
I smile at her. "You're smiling."
BPOV
I look around.
EPOV
I quietly explain, "You're in the hospital, and as much as I'd like to keep you all to myself, I need to ring for the nurse and call your dad."
She grabs my wrist and mouths, "Edward?"
I nod. "Yes."
She mouths again, "Give me a moment."
She reaches out and I wrap my hand around hers. Her other hand smooths over my knuckles and I get chills. I watch her run her fingers over my palm, around my wrist and forearm. I relish her touch, so light, so caring. She entwines her fingers between mine and examines our grip. She guides my hand to her lips slowly kissing each knuckle with her eyes on mine. I think my mouth drops to my chest and she smiles. She quietly clears her throat and says, "Thank you."
I don't break our connection sitting closer and doing the same. Her smile blinds me. "No, I thank you. You saved my life."
She smiles and rasps, "For me."
I shake my head to the reality and show her the nurse's control. "I need to call the nurse."
She nods.
BPOV
I don't know the force that takes me by surprise and by impulse, I explore him. Edward's hand is large with long tapered fingers and a solid palm that covers mine with a comforting warmth, bringing me back to a safe place.
The nurse rushes into the room, leans down and looks into my eyes. She gives me the biggest grin and hugs me. "Darlin', I've been waiting for you to arrive." Tears form at the corner of her eyes. "I can't wait for Charlie to get here."
Edward interrupts, "I was texting him."
She shrugs and sasses him. "Oh Edward, I already told him his baby girl is awake. That man will probably, for the first time in his career, put on his sirens and lights on and speed here barely touching the road." She laughs. "Now, we are waiting on Dr. Rinnella. That man gets emotional."
CHPOV
I'm in pretty good shape, despite my eating habits, but I couldn't breathe. Bella's awake.
I inform my deputies that Bella's up and I have no need to explain the rest.
I get in my car, take a deep breath, put on my lights and siren, and fly low to the hospital.
Within minutes, I'm in the elevator running to her room. I hesitate at the nurse's station realizing tears are running down my face. I wipe my eyes, straighten my back, walk to her door and open it.
Edward wheels his chair to the other side of the bed, and I see my little girl with a smile on her face and her beautiful brown eyes staring at me. She quietly says, "Daddy."
I leap to her side and hold her tightly. "Oh Bells, my little girl, I'm so glad you're awake."
I don't care that I'm a blubbering idiot. My daughter is up and she will be fine and I will dance at her wedding.
"How do you feel?" I ask.
"Like I just woke up. My throat is a little raspy." She touches the bandage on her scalp. "This itches. Otherwise, I feel okay."
Dr. Rinnella rushes into the room and smiles at Bella. "Well, it's nice to see you, Isabella. I'm Dr. Rinella."
"It's nice to see you, too." She smiles.
That's my girl.
"I hate to push all of you out, but I'd like to examine my star patient," he orders. "Why don't you both go to the cafeteria and get a coffee? I need some time. I'll have the nurse come get you."
She opens the door, and I wheel Edward to the cafeteria.
EPOV
As starving men, we purchase massive helpings of fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, and biscuits. I feel as though I haven't eaten in days. Once we inhale our first plate, we go for seconds and slow down our frenzy. We have plenty of time to eat everything on the menu.
The chief clears his throat, wipes his mouth with a napkin and asks, "What did she say when she first woke up?"
I don't tell him of our intimate moment. "She acclimated herself to being awake, then she thanked me." I snort. "The girl saves my life and she thanks me."
He smiles. "That's Bella. Oh, don't get me wrong she has a stubborn streak and is headstrong. You can't change her mind when she runs full speed with blinders on."
"Yeah, I get a feeling she is her own person."
He smiles. "Very much."
"Chief, she's in me, I feel her."
"Maybe this is guilt?"
I shake my head. "No, I used to laugh at my father. He told me that when he first saw my mom that he fell in love. I didn't believe him." I laugh. "That doesn't happen." I nod. "But it does. It really did."
The chief watches me through a tight stare. He continues to eat, but he watches.
"I don't know, Chief. A few days ago, I was all consumed by my music, the store, and Jasper coming back home. It's all secondary."
He stops eating, places his utensils on the plate, entwines his fingers and rests his chin on his hands. "I've always liked you, Edward, but if you harm a hair on her head …"
"I'm going to see her through this. I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm going to hold you to it or I'll shoot you." He twitches his mustache and smiles.
"Did you see the apple pie?"
I react, "And they have ice cream."
Once we finish our meal or meals, we drink coffee and nurse our pie ala mode.
I push the plate away from me and groan. "I'm stuffed."
The nurse walks up to us. "Chief, Edward, you can come back up."
The chief quickly stands. "How is she, Mable?"
She smiles. "I'll let Dr. Rinnella tell you." She squeezes his hand. "But it's all good."
He blows out a long breath.
"She's a chip off the old block, Charlie, stop your worrying," she croons. "Now, go grab the elevator, I'll take Edward."
BPOV
He pokes me.
He prods me.
I get flashes of light through my eyes. He removes the bandage on the back of my head twisting and turning my neck.
A few hmms and then a smile.
I raise an eyebrow. "Well?"
"We still need to run a few tests but you're up."
I frown. "That's it?"
"For now. I do want you to take it easy. In a few days, we will get you mobile. Let's do some tests and see where we are with you. Okay?"
I shrug. "Okay."
"We'll keep you on a light, liquid diet for tomorrow and add some thicker soups and puddings in the next few days."
Dad and Edward return.
"Oh good, Charlie, I'm glad you're back. I was telling Isabella we will be performing a few tests tomorrow and after that, we can access her mobility. I'm very positive about her physical progress being that she was comatose less than a week. It's a good sign."
Dr. Rinnella squeezes my hand. "I'll see you in the morning." He says his 'good nights' and walks out.
Edward wavers in and out in his chair, he catches himself, but I can see the exhaustion. "You need to get into bed."
He smiles. "I'm stuffed. Your dad and I ate like pigs tonight."
"Oh, really."
Dad clears his throat and throws Edward a dagger or two.
"Yeah, relief made us hungry. Don't be so hard on him, "Edward pleads.
The nurse saunters in. "I'm glad you ate, Charlie. Now, you need to go home and sleep. Your candle's at the end of its wick."
"Mable, I think you're right." He bends and kisses me on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, Bells."
"Good night, Dad, get some rest."
"I think tonight I'll sleep like a baby." He smiles at me.
"Love you, Dad."
"Love you, too." He turns to Edward and points. "Remember what I said."
Edward chuckles.
Dad leaves.
The nurse gives Edward a look. "That man threaten you?"
