Disclaimer: All rights go to Stephenie Meyer - I just own the plotline.

Note: OK, this is more of a chapter that's vital but not very action-filled in the physical sense. I hope it satisfies. This will sound stupid, but what are hits? I saw my story stats and looked at my hits - I don't know what they are. I feel the need to say this: if anyone steals my stories, I will personally hunt you down and copy your own! Sorry, but that's how it will be if that were to ever happen. But you guys rock, so no worries!

BPOV

I felt so numb - like what was happening was just the worst nightmare I've ever have - one I can't wake up from. It was impossible to wrap my mind around the fact that Edward is dead, and I, basically, killed him. I cried when I realized that even though hadn't accepted his love, he still gave up his life for me. You can never understand the full impact of such a sacrifice unless you have witnessed it first-hand.

Most people grieve not for the person who died, but for themselves - that they'd never see them again. I did, too, but more so I grieved for all the things that Edward would never get to do, the years he would never get to live. And the other Cullens. They all must hate me now - I was surprised that Alice would even touch me, the reason that her brother was dead.

I don't know how long the two of just sat in that empty waiting room, sobbing, but it seemed like an eternity. I was thankful that no one else was around for Alice's sake - no one should see her in such pain.

I looked up to see the large black-and-white clock hanging on the wall. It had only been twelve minutes, but it, as I said, had felt like forever when Carlisle walked into the room.

I didn't know what to say and was scared at the prospect. Thankfully, he spoke first. "We…we were able to save him. He is alive, but…I'm not sure for how long. Believe me, I want to scream and shout for joy, but I don't want you two to become too hopeful," he said. I didn't scream or shout, no matter how I longed to, but I couldn't stop a small smile from spreading across my face. Edward had come back to us, and that was all that mattered right now.

"How…how bad off is he?" Alice managed to get out.

At that, Carlisle looked away. He mumbled something that I couldn't understand, then cleared his throat and repeated it. "Edward wasn't just hit by the car - it half-ran over him. As you can imagine, the bodily damage is terrible, but it's the head injuries that worry me the most since they are more serious. When I find out more, I will come tell you, but I have to get back to Esme."

After Carlisle left, Alice and I sat there in silence, waiting. For what, I'm not sure - I can only focus on the present. I remembered the twelve minutes of pure agony that I'd just gone through - how broken my heart had been. I had never felt such pain in my whole life. This ran much deeper than hurt you would feel if you lost your best friend.

"He loves you, Bella. I don't want to make you feel any worse than you already do, but I think you need to know that," said Alice quietly.

"You're right. It took twelve minutes of thinking that I'd lost him, but I think you need to know this: he may not feel that way anymore. I wouldn't blame him. But, after so many years of being nothing more than friends, I've finally realized that I am in love with Edward." I looked towards her, waiting for her reaction.

"Finally," Alice whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Yes," I agreed. "Finally. I just hope that I'm not too late."

I finally got to see Edward, thought it was much later - nearly three o' clock in the afternoon. Carlisle was right - he was in terrible shape. I hated to admit it, but it was a miracle that he had pulled through those terrible twelve minutes.

"He's in a coma," Carlisle said. "The brain damage was more serious than I'd thought. We…we don't know when or if he will ever come out of it."

I froze as his words sunk in. The thought that I'd never see Edward's beautiful emerald eyes again was paralyzing. I'd already lost him once. Could I bear for that to happen twice?

"My baby. My poor baby," Esme cried. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see her in such a state of despair.

"I'm so sorry," I said to Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Alice. "This is all my fault."

"No, Bella. No one blames you. Do you think that we'd rather see you in that hospital bed? No. You are like a daughter to Esme and I," Carlisle said sternly.

"Yeah, seriously, Bella," piped up Emmett. It was obvious that he was really shaken up by Edward's almost-death, but he tried to make the best of things. "You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thankfully, Eddie here went all Superman and saved you."

We sat there for a while. Esme sensed that I wanted a few minutes alone, and she somehow managed to get everyone out of the ICU. Grateful, I sat down by Edward's bed.

"It's me, Edward - Bella. I'm not sure if you can hear me, but I just wanted to apologize for all the pain I've caused you - both emotional and physical. I'm sorry that I realized too late. I just want you to know that, even if you don't love me anymore, I'm in love with you. I was so stupid to ignore my feelings. And, lastly, I want you to know that I'm going to be here. I'll stay by your side no matter what happens." I squeezed his hand gently and closed my eyes, listening to the steady beat of his heart via the monitor.

I had meant every word I'd just said. There is a silver lining in every thundercloud - I've just got to find it.

Note: Did you honestly think that I would kill off Edward, one of the main characters! Have some faith in me! Sorry this is short, but that last sentence is the perfect cut-off line. Please review and listen to my Playlist!