Never Too Late

by zia raine

A horrible accident leaves Edward broken and empty. When he wakes up to the world and finds he doesn’t remember anything, Bella does everything she can to bring back her Edward

9. Surprise, Surprise

Title: Never too late

Author: Zee

Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella, Renesmee, Alice/Jasper, Rose/Emmett, Jacob/Leah
Rating: K+

Category: Drama

Spoilers: None but it would be better if you've read the Twilight series to get an idea of the characters. This is Alternate Universe (AU) and is All Human (AH).
Summary: A horrible accident leaves Edward broken and empty. When he wakes up to the world and finds he doesn't remember anything, Bella does everything she can to bring back her Edward.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer – the genius

a/n: Thanks again to those who subscribe to me and to the fanfic. : ) you guys are ah-s0me. Heheh. Thanks for the positive review on chapter eight, too. XD heheh. I'll post the next chapters as soon as I can, promise! I might even share a song that I wrote for twilight on chapter ten.. Just keep reviewing, you guys! Thanks again!

Never Too Late

Chapter Nine: Surprise, surprise

Bella's POV

What was wrong with me? This was my husband for crying out loud! But the way he said, "I love you" to Nessie while looking straight at me was like being a seventeen-year-old all over again. I blushed like crazy and I had to look down and break his gaze. Too fast, too fast, Bella. I said to myself. I looked up just as Nessie pulled away from Edward and I heard Carlisle call out to me.

"Bella, do you mind if I talk to you for a minute, please?" He asked slowly.

Edward put Nessie to her feet and we both stood up. "Not at all, Carlisle, what is it?"

"Breakfast is ready, you guys." Alice came dancing out of the kitchen.

"Hold that thought, Carlisle." I said.

"I'll see you in my study." He said so and I walked into the kitchen with Edward beside me and Nessie in his arms. The moment we stepped in, everyone's face brightened.

I sat Nessie in her place next to Jadis on his high chair. He was making gurgling noises that made Nessie erupt into a fit of giggles. "Edward, you can sit here, next to Jacob, I'll just talk to Carlisle."

"Hey, bro." Jacob grinned and moved his chair to let Edward sit down. Edward looked up at me and Jacob said, "Don't worry, I wont bite." Then he looked at Nessie. "Spongebob, remember? Completely harmless."

At that, Edward chuckled and a chill ran up my spine. It's been so long since I heard that velvety laugh and I loved Jacob for letting me hear it again. "I'll be back." I promised.

"Don't worry Bella, we'll help him out if he needs it." Jasper walked to Edward's other side and gave Edward his spoon.

"Thanks guys," I sighed then went to Carlisle's study.

"What is it, Carlisle?" I asked as I sat down in one of the leather couches that he had in that room.

Carlisle was sitting across me and he said, "Bella, it's necessary that we let Edward undergo tests. We already know that he's lost his memory but to what extent, we're not entirely sure."

I nodded know he still had more to say, "We need to look at his brain activity so we can be prepared for… the future."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Carlisle hesitated. "Well, people with amnesia are very unstable. You've seen how Edward reacted when he realized he couldn't remember anything. I've seen more. I was a bit surprised but absolutely relieved, Bella that he did not react violently like most patients do. He didn't feel threatened by us and that is something we need to be thankful for. But we can never know for sure unless we run him through some test first."

I felt the blood rush to my face as tears threatened to pour again. "Carlisle…" My voice broke. I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to swallow. "These patients… do I even want to know how violent they were?"

Carlisle pursed his lips. "Amnesiacs, especially those with families, have been known to… beat their wives. It is very confusing for them, and for families who already have their own problems as it is, the patient gets stressed out and these burst of emotions are triggered."

This time I couldn't hold it in. Tears fell freely down my cheeks now. Carlise stood up, crossed the distance between us in four strides and sat beside me. Have I completely lost my gentle Edward that he could be capable of something like that? Carlisle took me into his arms. "Bella, don't worry. If we do find out that his brain is still very unstable, we will do everything we can. And with out family, I doubt that anyone can have a better environment for recovery. Your sisters and you… You've made men out of my sons. And with the relationship that you and Edward have I believe that you will be able to overcome this. We will do everything we can." He repeated and the way he said it, it was like he was talking to himself as well. I looked up and saw that tears filled Carlisle's eyes as well.

I sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Carlisle. I'm being so selfish. I'm sorry. I know it hurts you, maybe even more than me, to see Edward like this."

He wiped a tear from his eye and hugged me tighter. "No, don't apologize, Bella. I'm being strong for my family." He said this with so much conviction but then his voice broke and I felt his weight on my shoulders as he started to sob. "My son, my youngest son. He had so much in him, so much potential, so much he could do. Why couldn't it have happened to me? I lived my life the best I can and now, being at the top of my field, I can die happy… but my son…" he sobbed as I tried to console him through my own tears. "He still has a life ahead of him, a life with you…"

"Carlisle…" I cried.

His sobs stopped abruptly and he stood up. He walked to the back of his table and grabbed a box of tissue. He started to clean his face as he cleared his throat and mumbled his apologies. "I shouldn't have broken down like that, Bella. I apologize."

I had stopped crying too but tears still fell from my eyes. "No, don't Carlisle. We're all going through the same thing." I went to him behind his desk and took his hands. "I know how you feel, I understand how you wish the burden was upon you instead but Edward… he's strong. He is still the same Edward, Carlisle, we haven't lost him. It's just a matter of bringing him back."

"Overoveragain." He mumbled.

"What?" I asked as a lump started forming in my throat again.

"Bella," he sighed. "Please, sit down." I walked slowly back to the couch, Carlisle still behind his desk and I felt like it was too formal… almost daunting to feel this doctor-patient relationship in the air.

"What did you say Carlisle?"

Carlisle pursed his lips. "Another reason why we need to put him through the tests, Bella, besides protocol, is that we want to find out whether Edward's amnesia is recurring."

"Recu—" my voice cracked. I stopped breathing. I could only hear my loud heartbeat in my ears. The pain was too unbearable. I crossed my arms and held myself, my eyes shut tightly..

"We just want to make sure, Bella." It sounded like Carlisle was trying to keep his composure too.

I nodded. "And what if… it is?"

He hesitated and I opened my eyes. "Then whatever we do now to make him remember who he is, we will have to do all over again."

I shook my head. "No."

"This is beyond our control, Bella and even I am scared of this uncertainty, for him, for my family and for your family. That's why I made sure we cover everything, I don't want to give my son anything less than the best care we can give him. I've called Aro and they're flying in. They'll be here tomorrow."

That caught me off guard. "They're flying here all the way from Italy?"

"Nothing that a private jet can't do, they could have flown here today but he still had to arrange his own matters there but they are coming as soon as they can."

"And you're sure he…"

"Aro is a brilliant psychiatrist. He is, as you know, the world expert on memory disorders and he has promised to do everything he can. He is family, too Bella."

I tried to smile but I guess my effort only turned into a grimace. "Whatever is best…for Edward…" Then something came into my mind, "Carlisle, should I tell Edward about this?"

"About the tests, yes. But Bella, you have to be very careful with what you tell him. I realized that it was very irresponsible of me."

"What do you mean?"

Carlisle shook his head. "Doctors are very careful with cases like this, especially prior to tests. It's important that we do not suggest anything that should be recalled or even cause the patient anxiety." He looked at the floor and I saw him clench his fists. "I've done both."

"Carlisle, don't start blaming yourself again. Edward's your son! No one can blame you for wanting the memory of your youngest son back. No one can blame us for telling him who he is. If anything, keeping quiet would have sent him into a panic even more."

He nodded slowly. "I know Bella, that's what I told Aro and he is still confident that we can get around that mistake. I'm just afraid that it might be the mistake that makes or breaks his recovery."

I pursed my lips and tried to compose myself. I sighed. "Can I at least tell him about the accident? As hard as it is for me to think about it, he still deserves to know about it."

He shook his head. "No, not yet, Bella. After the tests, when we get the results and Aro thinks he's ready, then we'll tell him. Right now, I just suggest you rest Edward especially…the morning has been long enough for all of us."

When I went back to the living room, everyone had surrounded Edward with Nessie on his lap. I entered and he looked at me in almost the same way he did before he lost his memory and I suddenly felt my cheeks burn that I had to break his emerald gaze before sitting on the sofa next to him.

He smiled and turned to me. He took my hand and sighed.

"How are you?" I asked him slowly.

"I'm okay." Then he frowned. "Although my head is…"

"I think we better go upstairs and rest." I said.

"Yes, I think so too." He agreed.

I looked at the family and they all smiled at us as we stood up and headed to the stairs.

EPOV

We entered the room. Bella closed the door behind her and led me to the bed then she said, "Edward, I need to tell you something."

My head was starting to throb and I frowned. "What is it?" I asked Bella.

She pulled me to one side of the bed and pulled the covers open. I climbed into the bed and lay on my back as she followed me and sat down, cross-legged, to face me.

"Aro will be arriving tomorrow to do some tests on you."

"Hmmm." I mumbled. I wasn't thinking about what she said. My head was starting to throb really painfully and I had to concentrate to hear her. "Why?" I asked.

She hesitated. "They need to see and make sure that there aren't any other parts of your brain that was affected."

I closed my eyes. I took Bella's hand and put it on my chest, rising and falling, as I controlled my breathing. "Like there is anything worse than this."

"I know, I'm sorry." Bella's voice broke so I opened my eyes and saw that her eyes were red, her cheeks flushed.

I sat up quickly, too quickly, to comfort her but I doubled her as a stabbing pain hit my head. "Agh!" I gasped, a realization hit me. This must be wakefulness calling me out of my dream.

"Edward," Bella clumsily wiped a tear away from her eye. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

She lay me back on the bed and I mumbled, "Stop apologizing, I don't blame you for anything."

"I know." She said but her the corners of her lips pulled downwards. "I just can't stand seeing you like this."

I frowned and closed my eyes. I took her hand again and this time I brought it to my face. "Bella," I said. My head started to throb again but I wanted to be able to say the words before I woke up, before this dream ended, and I started to wonder who I really was if this life with Bella was not real. But then, if this was one of those dreams then this would be the best dream that I've ever had. I didn't know what lay in store for me when I wake up but either way, I could not let this dream pass without letting Bella know how much she has come to mean to me. I would live this dream, no matter how short it may be, I will live it to the fullest and I knew nothing could stop me from doing just that. "I'm confused and afraid." Until now, I still could not control my desire to find out the truth. I gritted my teeth but I waited for her answer.

"What do you mean, Edward?"

I opened my eyes and looked straight at her. "A part of me thinks this is a dream." I brought her hand to my head. "But, a deeper part, I don't know… it tells me, that this is my life." I brought her hand down to my chest, right above where I thought my heart would be. "I don't want this to be a dream Bella, I don't want you to be just something that my dreams created because you are much, much more than that. And now, I'm scared, because if I am right, if my wish is granted that this life is the life I am meant to lead despite the emptiness I feel then I might fail you."

Bella opened her mouth to protest but I squeezed her hand. "I'm scared that I might fail you by not remembering anything. I was thinking about it, I weighed it in my mind and a question stood out: What if my memories aren't hiding, just waiting to be found, what if they are gone forever and nothing can bring them back?"

She pursed her lips and cupped my face with both of her hands. "Edward, this isn't a dream. This is real, I am real," her eyes were pleading. She took my and hand and squeezed it tightly. "This is our life. But we can't let this unfortunate event stop us from living it." She was looking straight at me, her eyes locking into mine. "I'm worried about that, too, and that's also the reason why we need the tests done, when we get the results we find out if they're there," the touched my forehead. "Or gone forever," and she broke her gaze.

Then she tucked herself in the covers next to me. I could feel the heat of her skin. I wanted her close to me but she seemed to be afraid. "Bella," she turned and I pulled her into my arms. I held her for a moment and she buried her face in my chest.

She sighed and I did to as I breathed into her hair. "Edward," She looked up at me, not breaking my embrace.

"Yes?" I murmured.

"You don't have to scared, about 'failing' me. You're here," she hugged me tighter. "Safe, not unbroken, but safe and that's more than I could ever ask for."

I buried my face in her hair and breathed her fragrance in.

"And, if it turns out that the latter of our worries, turn out to be true, then we will just have look forward, let go of the past and make new memories for you to remember. All you need to know is how you got here."

"Will you be there, though? Will you want to be a part of those new memories?" I held my breath as I waited for her answer. I don't think I could stand letting go of Bella now.

"Of course, I will never, ever, leave you no matter what happens, Edward. "We will make those memories together. You, me, Nessie and everyone in our family. We're all here for you."

I nodded as the truth of Bella's words flooded into my chest and throughout my being. If only I could stay here, with her in my arms, without having to think of anything else, I would be content. But the uncertainty of everything, the emptiness of it all, was still nagging in my mind and I buried my face in Bella's hair as my head throbbed again and I felt myself drift into slumber.

Third Person POV

Bella and Edward slept all through the day, without any interruptions.

Rose and Emmett acted as Nessie's second parents throughout the whole ordeal and even now, now that Edward has woken up, they both knew that they had to both be there for their younger siblings and their daughter. Rose knew that it was her responsibility to lighten Bella's load, not that Nessie was a problem, but then Bella wouldn't have to worry about Nessie knowing full well that Rose was there.

Alice and Jasper stayed with Rose and Emmett in their room while they watched Nessie and Jadis play.

Jacob went home when he got a phone call from Billy that Leah was at his house.

Esme and Carlisle stayed up all night talking baring their hearts out to each other once more. Their worries, concerns and plans for their family they shared with each other until they fell asleep in their clothes.

For everyone, it had been a long day.

The doorbell rang the next morning. An ancient but firm hand pressed it.

Carlisle woke up with a start and realized he was still in the clothes he wore the day before. "Someone's at the door. It must be Aro." Carlise whispered to Esme.

Esme opened her eyes and looked at Carlise. "Here," she ran her fingers through his hair trying to flatten it. "Go," she said, "I'll wake the others up to help with breakfast."

When Carlisle came down to answer the door, he was surprised to find that besides Marcus and Dimitri, Aro's company that he expected, there was another fiery-haired addition to his guests, one whom Carlisle personally did not consider healthy to be around, yet he welcomed them all gracefully knowing full well that they were practically family and were here to help.

Finally, later that morning, Carlisle led Aro and his companions up to the second floor to bring them to their rooms.

"Edward?" Aro whispered.

Carlisle stopped in front of Edward's door. "Let me check." Carlisle opened the door as Aro and his daughter looked in.

Edward and Bella were sleeping peacefully in each other's arms and Aro smiled, so did Carlisle. "How sweet." Victoria said in a dry voice as Carlisle closed the door and started walking them to their rooms.

Victoria took another glance back at Edward's door, the image of him in his tousled bronze mane, clear in her mind. She smiled wryly to herself, We meet again, Edward. We meet again.