A/N: Okay, you guys were so great that I decided to start this chapter. Thanks for the advice, bellaklutz. I'm trying to prove to him that I don't actually LOOK for this drama, it just finds me. Haha. Here goes. Chapter title borrowed from the Styx hit "She Cares".

Part Eleven

Like a Human

I worked as hard as humanly possible to get out of that hospital in record time, and, surprisingly enough, Edward was by my side the entire time. So, with the help of a wonderful Cullen and my will to do, I was out in two and a half weeks with a strict order of bed rest from my physician. "That means rest in bed, Bella," Doctor Hudgins reminded me for the fortieth time, grasping my shoulder a bit too friendly as Edward and I tried to escape the hospital lobby.

Edward growled at this display of affection, as he did every time the doctor looked at me as something other than a patient. "I'll keep a close eye on her, doc," he promised through clenched teeth, clenching his fists around the wheelchair handles, his knuckles white. "You don't have to worry about Bella." I felt him staring tenderly at the back of my head.

Doctor Hudgins sighed. "Maybe I should check in with you at your house periodically, just in case." His gaze averted to the purplish bruise right below my knee, and his brow knit together as if he was trying to find out how I'd gotten it. I knew that look all too well. He thought Edward was beating me!

"I… no!" Edward's face was red, and I knew he understood what the doctor was thinking as well. "I couldn't… of course not… I'd die first…"

"Jake gave me this bruise," I explained sadly, taking Edward's hand. "Right after he… shot at me."

Edward held it firmly. "Well, I think that's all, Bella," he said, changing the subject quickly. "All of your stuff is in the car. Are you ready to go?"

Something was troubling him. I could tell by the way he would not look me in the eyes. The girlfriend in me wanted desperately to comfort him, but the therapist in me couldn't help but be intrigued. Perhaps he thought Dr. Hudgins was… competition? I resisted the urge to laugh out loud at the concept of Edward being jealous. Still, I needed to make him feel better.

"Edward?" I whispered, ignoring Dr. Hudgin's intense stare as I stood up slowly from the chair.

"Yes, love?" He looked worried, as he always did, for my safety. But I knew what I was doing. Slowly, with great care, I walked into his embrace, savoring the moment before pressing my lips to his.

"I love you." Never, in my seventeen years, had I meant anything like I meant that.

"I love you too, Isabella Marie Swan. And I always will."

I inhaled deeply one more time, taking in the lavender and cologne scent that belonged only to Edward, before sitting once again. Dr. Hudgins looked away dejectedly as I waved goodbye and disappeared through the glass door.

TNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEB

"Welcome home, Bella!" a choir of Cullens and Hales greeted me as I was wheeled through the front door. If I had been living with Renee and Phil, a surprise party would have been a huge surprise, but somehow I expected it from Alice.

"Sh!" Edward commanded, supporting me as I stood, my legs shaking violently. "Bella's on strict bed rest until further notice."

"Well, if you're going to make me sleep the day away, you might as well go on ahead and take me home, Edward," I said, only half joking.

Alice shot Edward a knowing glance. "Bella, we have a surprise for you," she said, almost squeaking. Edward cleared his throat suggestively, and Alice backed away. "Right, I think I'll let Edward tell you."

Edward snaked his arm around my shoulder and looked down at me, grinning crookedly. "I talked to Charlie, and he said he didn't mind if we took you in while you were still recovering. That is, if you're up to it?"

"Up to it?" I shrieked happily, earning a curious glance from Emmett and Rosalie, who, until then, had been sitting virtually still on the soft leather couch. "Edward, I would love to. Thank you so, so much!"

"My pleasure," he said. "Now, what say we take you to your temporary bedroom so you can get started on that bed rest straightaway?"

"But Edward! We can't just let all of this party go to waste, can we?"

"Bella, I don't want you taking any risks. It's not healthy."

"Yes, Doctor Cullen," I said. Edward cringed, apparently remembering the incident with Doctor Hudgins.

"I'll tell you what," he said, on the verge of a compromise. "You go up to bed for a few hours, and I promise I'll save you tons of cake. We can have an after party."

I giggled, stifling a yawn. "I guess you're right. I could use a bit more sleep. But after that, I will get my cake, Edward Cullen!"

"All the cake you want, love. All the cake you want."

A/N: Awwwww! Cuteness. Warning: the next chapter is going to have lots of drama AND lots of cute Edward ~n~ Bella moments. So REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW if you want a quick update. Thank you guys so, so much for all the review on the last chapter. You rock! Much love,

C.J. 3