Chapter 15: Taking care

A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter! I was caught up with work and the little time that I had was spent on writing the chapters for my other fanfic. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

EPOV

I drove faster than I had ever dared to drive on the narrow roads of this small town of Forks. Bella was fast asleep on the passenger seat but even in her sleep she kept murmuring something…not like sleep talking but just the kind when someone is really in pain… I had caused her this pain…if only I had been with her… From my earlier degrees from medical school, I knew that stress was also an important factor aiding sickness… the immune response during stress is much lower than the normal level and it is very easy for someone to catch a cold or fever when stressed.

The car skidded to a stop in front of my house and I ran inside, carrying Bella in my arms. Carlisle was in his lab…a place where he tried out new chemical compositions on cell lines for potential drug molecules. It was a miniature clinic and he was waiting for me to bring Bella. Esme followed behind me as I ran up the steps. I did not bother to knock knowing that he had already heard me coming up the stairs.

I placed Bella on the small bed and stood at her feet. Carlisle examined her and was telling me his opinion in his mind.

From what I can see, its just a normal fever, due to high stress levels. You should talk to her once she wakes up.

I merely nodded. I will tell her everything about myself and then it will be up to her, whether she wants to embrace me or walk away from the monster that I am.

I think we should put her on some I/V glucose…I wonder when she had her last meal. Also, I will give her an injection to put her to sleep.

"Thanks, Carlisle." My father figure patted me on by back and left the room. I could hear Esme's thoughts…kind as always.

Oh…poor girl. She looks so beautiful…I hope one day she will become my daughter…Edward…I will get some groceries and prepare some food for her when she wakes up…I think chicken noodle soup should make her feel better…I remember reading about it in a women's magazine…

I walked up to my mother and hugged her. She hugged me back fiercely when I thanked her.

I will just get some stuff for her from the hospital…could you move her to the bed in the guest room that Alice set up for her?

I nodded, letting my father know that I had heard him, never removing my eyes off the face of my angel, who had walked into my life for the second time.

I carried her slowly up the stairs to the guest bedroom, which was right across my room on the second floor of the house. I held her against my chest when I moved the covers and then placed her on the bed and moved the sheets to cover her.

My fingers sought out her cheeks and brushed them ever so slightly…so warm…

"Sleep, my love, I am here. I am sorry…I promise never to leave you again…I am too selfish to do what is best for you…Even if you decide to push me away…I will be around watching you, protecting you…like your guardian. I love you, my angel…so much"

Carlisle set up the I/V and I sat in the chair across the room. My eyes never left her face…her heart beat steady…modulating my own unnecessary breaths…the constant beat better than any music I have ever heard…but for one…

How wrong I had been, in thinking I could love with out her. May be it was fate, destiny that brought her into my life for the second time. She was meant to make this mundane existence into life…at least as alive as I can become.

I heard my sibling arrive…all of them thinking about the same thing…how was Bella? Alice had had a vision of me carrying Bella into our house and they knew she was here.

Alice was the only one to come up to the room, when the rest of them decided to stay downstairs and wait for me.

Alice was excited…and as she skipped into the room, her mind said in a typical sing-song voice…She'll wake up in exactly 2minutes and 32 seconds. Oh…and don't worry, she is here to stay. She loves you too, you know…

For the first time in nearly 5 hours, my eyes strayed from my angel's face to meet my sister's exuberant smile. "I owe you, Alice. For eternity."

I will remember that the next time I want to go shopping… I groaned! I should be more careful with what I promise Alice…

Alice quickly left the room, subtly giving us some privacy.

Esme called to me from below...Edward...her soup is ready. We are down here. Call us when she is ready. And don't worry. Jasper is nearly breaking down from your anxiety.

Emmett being Emmett said Its time that my little bro becomes a man...Ha Ha Ha...The squirt is quite funny...I like her.

Bella started to stir and I was by her side within a fraction of a second and did not hear anything else that my family had to say.

She seemed disoriented and unfocused and I knew the unfamiliar surroundings would scare her.

"Bella…" her name flowed across my lips like a prayer.

She blinked and turned to look at me. "Edward? Where are we and how did I get here? And…why are you with me?"

Her words stabbed me like fire. I hope she was not hurt beyond repair.

"Love, you are at my house and I brought you here when I saw that you were unwell. My father checked you and gave you some medicine so that you could rest. And as far as the last question goes… Where you are is my heaven, love…Bella…there are certain things that I should explain…"