I'm really sorry for not updating sooner. I just didn't expect it would be this hard (not the story, just LIFE in general). And I've been having computer problems, so please don't eat me.

Anywho: Here is your next chapter I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: No matter much I wish otherwise I still own nothing :(

Chapter 4 – Taking Care of Bella

Edward POV:

What could be taking him so long?

"Edward, chill bro," Emmett complained, "She'll be fine and they've only been in there for just over and hour. Give Carlisle some time to sort thing out."

I had been pacing the small waiting room-which due to the incredibly late (or was it early?) hour was deserted-for just over an hour. Ever since Bella had gone into surgery.

Charlie had gone home to change and get some food. I felt so bad for him, his only child, my one true love, was so sick and there was nothing we could do for her. Carlisle was the only one who could help her now.

I knew Carlisle would need time to find the problem and 'work his magic', but every minute that went by was another minute where my frustration, panic and the tempo of my pacing increased. I was glad the secretary had left her desk; I needed time to vent and compose myself.

We had thought that once the medication took effect and she was rehydrated, that Bella's condition would improve. But the truth was that they had made almost no difference at all. So when her condition had worsened during the course of the afternoon Carlisle had booked the surgery. He was going to perform an exploratory examination.

We had come to the conclusion that her stomach problems were the source of all her other aliments, her temperature and headaches. So now it was Carlisle's turn to find the real origin of the problem.

I continued my pacing-ignoring Emmett's requests that I relax, or 'chill' as he out it-reflecting on Bella's lack of progress throughout the afternoon.

She had seemed to be getting better, for the first few hours since we had brought her to the hospital, then suddenly she was complaining of stomach pains again and her temperature had risen to 103.

I had done all I could to help her, but I couldn't do much. Sickness was my most pressing fear with Bella. A physical threat I could fight. I could rip it to pieces to make myself feel better if it even so much as thought about hurting my angel. But against a disease or infection I was powerless, and I didn't like it. Nothing should hurt my angel; she was too good, in every way.

"If you want to know how she is, just look." I was really starting to get on Emmett's nerves now. He knew I could use Carlisle's mind to monitor the operation, but I just couldn't bear to see her that way. I shuddered and voiced my revulsion towards his idea.

"I don't want too see her that way."

Emmett rolled his eyes, you're so crazy sometimes kid, just chill and learn some patience. It wasn't unlike Emmett to disregard my ability, but this one thought was the one that sent me over the edge.

"Don't you remember the conversation we had before?" I yelled. My sudden outburst caused Emmett to jump. "What if Rose was the one in there cut open and lying on a table? Would you just be able to 'chill'?" I made small quotation marks with my fingers and Emmett flinched. I hated fighting with Emmett, but sometimes I just snap.

"Okay? Edward I know you're scared and everything, but she'll be fine. Carlisle is the best. I'd be worried sick too if it was Rose...N-n-not that I'm not worried about Bella too." He was trying not to imagine Rosalie if she was as sick as Bella, and he wasn't making much progress.

"I know you would be, but you'll never know how this feels. Rose is pretty much indestructible and we all know she can take care of herself," She had demonstrated this on numerous occasions. "Bella is so fragile and small. It's a completely different scenario."

Emmett got up and came to stand next to me, putting his hand on my shoulder. "I know you're worried bro. But she really will be fine."

"I don't want her to be fine. I want her to be Bella again." I knew I sounded like a sulky child, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

"Maybe you need to get out of here for a whi...?" He stopped dead, when he read my expression. "I don't mean leaving the hospital," Not that wouldn't be the best option. "I just mean..." he wracked his brains for a solution. "You could go and help Alice. You know she's probably going to attempt to purchase the whole gift shop for Bella. And even then she might want to go out and get more. You don't want Bella to suffocate in a room full of presents?

"I'll go and see if she needs help." I grumbled. At least she wasn't too far away. I could hear her thoughts clearly and I traveled towards the gift shop.

Alice loved and excuse to shop and today was no exception. She had decided that since the gifts were not as 'classy' as she wanted she would buy more. I had to go and stop her.

When I found her she was in the middle of the gift shop and internally debating which, of several, get well balloons Bella would like best. She was dangerously close to just buying them all.

This girl needs a $100 limit on her credit card, I swear. I thought to myself, and then laughed as I imagined her expression when she went to buy her next pair of shoes. Which would no doubt cost several times that much.

My laughter caused her to forget her predicament.

"Edward? What are you doing here?"

I decided to use Emmett's excuse. "I'm saving Bella form suffocation" I laughed at her confused expression. "You didn't seriously think all these," I gestured at the balloons, "would all fit in her room?"

"Of course not." She sounded offended

"Then why did you just think about how I'm ruining your fun? You were also almost completely decided on getting Bella a large number of these balloons." I smiled as her eyebrows pulled down into a scowl.

"You're no fun Edward. And you cheat."

"Well then you should have used your 'almighty power' to predict the future to see that I would be difficult if you tried to suffocate my Bella using Balloons.

"Touché." She playfully punched me in the arm. Stress less Eddykins. She'll be back to normal before you can say, Bella. Alice's strange vision flashed before my eyes again. It was the same as before. Bella looked healthy again, and she was laughing with her arm wrapped around Alice's shoulders.

"Thanks Alice."

"No problem. Now what am I allowed to buy your darling Bella?"

We set to work.

After 30 minutes I had managed to narrow Alice's stack of gifts (much to her distaste) down to only five objects, and we were making our way back to the waiting room.

When we arrived we realized that Emmett was no longer alone. Rose had joined him and they were each admiring the perfection of the other –a little too graphically for me. I made a gagging sound and they immediately banished their unsavory fantasies.

"Feeling better, now she isn't going to suffocate?" Emmett grinned.

"What are you two talking about?" Alice complained. I still hadn't explained our little joke to her.

"Nothing for you to worry about lil' sis, I might tell you later. But I wasn't talking to you." He looked at me again.

"I'm feeling a little better." I admitted. I wouldn't feel properly whole until Bella was better, but I was better then I had felt in hours.

I heard Carlisle's 'voice' before we could hear the whispering of his footsteps. He was thinking in Japanese-one of the few languages which he spoke better then me-but the tenor of his thoughts were elated. He brought good news.

Now normally I'm quite a patient person, but since he wasn't letting me know much through his cryptic thoughts I was getting anxious. He was a vampire for god's sake; couldn't he walk a little faster?

Carlisle slowly opened the door.

"She's in recovery. The operation went well and we are 99% sure that she will begin to feel better by the time she wakes up." I let out the breath that I had unconsciously been holding. She would be better soon. My dormant heart felt like it would burst through my chest.

"You can go and see her Edward," Carlisle said, drawing my attention back to the now. "She's asleep, but you can wait for her to wake up if you want."

I was moving before he even finished his sentence, but I stopped almost instantly. "What was wrong?"

"Well she had appendicitis. So we removed the appendix, but I've never see it get this bad before. We're actually lucky we operated when we did, or she may not be with us now."

I shudder away from these words. I couldn't imagine a world without Bella, it was just too painful. "Thank you Carlisle." I turned to leave once more.

"It was my pleasure Edward; I hated seeing you in so much pain."

"Wait Edward!" Alice called. "Can we come with you and give her our gifts?" She started to jump up and down excitedly.

"Alright Alice, but I would like a moment first."

"YAY!"

I smiled, I knew she would understand.

The walk to her room only took a minute, but it was a long time before I could open the door. What would she look like? Surely she wouldn't look and worse than I'd ever seen her. She'd be hooked up to machines obviously, but I'd been there when James's attack had nearly killed her. She couldn't look any worse than that.

I took one last deep breath and opened the door.

Her scent hit me like a tidal wave. So much stronger due to the unhealed cut in her abdomen. But that made no difference.

There she was. My angel.

She had never looked so beautiful. Her hair was everywhere and her face was relaxed in sleep, but these things did not detract from her radiant beauty.

I sat down at the edge of the bed. How could I be this lucky? What unfathomable reason would make her chose me? I didn't care. She was mine and she was alive. That was all that mattered.

I stroked her perfect face, sweeping one lock of hair from her forehead. She was still warm, but no more than usual. I trailed my hand down to her neck and felt her pulse under her thin skin. The sound was intoxicating, and the beeping machine didn't do the rhythm justice.

I closed my eyes and inhaled her sweet scent. My throat burned, but it felt good. As long as I burned, she still lived. There was nothing that could ever change how she smelt to me or how much I loved her.

I opened my eyes to look at her once more and found her eyes open and staring. When I returned her gaze her cheeks turned the most delicious shade of red. "I have missed that colour on your skin." I told her and she blushed deeper.

"How long have you been here?" Her voice mingled with the luscious scent coming of her skin, momentarily scattered my thoughts. I had gone without it for too long.

"Only a few minutes love. You're not as interesting when you're anesthetized," I teased. "You don't talk." I smiled and the smile I received in return was dazzling. And she accused me of dazzling people. I thought.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm a little sore, but other than that I feel great."

"No dizziness, stomach pains or nausea?"

"No!"

"Well in that case." I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to hers, smiling as her heart and the monitor went wild. "I've missed that too." I admitted.

"You're not the only one."

I opened my mouth to ask her another question, when Alice threw the door open. "You took too long Edward. We all want to see her too." And with that, she pushed through the door followed by my whole family and Charlie. Jasper only went as far as the door so that he could carry Alice's present for her. After that he retreated to stand outside the room so he could breath.

"Alice!" Bella moaned, "What did you get all this for? I..."

"It's custom to get 'Get Well' gifts for those who are unwell," Alice cut her off. "And you my friend we very unwell." With that she stuck out her small pink tongue and we all laughed.

Do you love it? Do you hate it? Tell me please. I hope you love it

Yes know that these symptoms may seem a little severe for appendicitis, but I'm only going off the experience of a friend (having not personally experience this, Thank God), I hope you weren't disappointed. If you were I'm sorry.