***Here's the next installment! I hope everybody likes it! And thank you to those who have taken the time to read my work and thank you to those who have reviewed, I like to know what you guys think! I have another story in the works now as well, so keep an eye out for that!***
"Rosie," Bella said as her pulse quickened dramatically. "What happened? Is Emmett OK"
"What's wrong?" Edward whispered as he sat up on the couch, alarmed by the look of panic spread across Bella's face.
"I don't know, they aren't telling me anything." Rosalie's voice cracked, "I called you as soon as we got here. I didn't know what happened Bella, we were just on our way out to breakfast this morning and all of the sudden this truck hit us out of no where. I don't know what to do Bella, they wont even let me in there with him."
"Where are you?" Bella hopped off of the couch, snatching her purse off of the couch.
"Forks Memorial."
"I'm coming right now ok? I'll call as soon as I make it there."
"I have to go," Bella said as soon as she hung up the phone.
"OK," was the only thing out of Edward's mouth as he quickly slipped into his shoes and managed to find his car keys before following Bella out the front door.
"I can't believe this," Bella said once they made it into Edward's car.
"Where are we going?" He asked as he started the car, realizing his destination was unknown as he slid the car into reverse.
""Forks Memorial,: Bella croaked. "Emmett was in an accident this morning."
"Is he OK?" Edward wished he wasn't driving, the desire to hold her in his arms was overwhelming.
"I don't know," Bella said quietly as a tear rolled down her cheek. "They aren't telling Rosalie anything."
"It's going to be OK Bella, I'm going to get you there as soon as I can."
Edward's heart was racing almost as fast as he Civic was weaving through traffic on the main street of Forks, squinting through the windshield as rain drops began to cloud his vision. Panic hit him as he slowed the car down, unable to keep his current speed and keep them both safe at the same time. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, a white discoloration spreading across his knuckles.
The red emergency sign on the front of Forks Memorial seemed to be dripping drops of neon red as the rain poured harder, making it difficult for Edward to find the curb through the running colors in front of him.
"Go," he said as they safely reached their destination. "Go find your brother."
Bella said nothing and climbed out of the car, ducking under the overhang of the emergency entrance overhang.
She sucked in her breath as she pushed through the heavy door, her damp skin meeting the chilled air of the hospital.
"Bella! Oh Bella!" Rosalie came running up to her, her emerald green shirt torn and stained, black streaks coming from her eyes.
"Rosalie!" Bella hugged her tightly, "Are you OK?"
"I've been better," she grimaced. "The truck hit on Emmett's side, I only got a few stitches."
"You still don't know anything?"
Rosalie shook her head, tears flowing from her amber eyes.
"Someone has to know something," Bella's eyes darted around quickly. "I'm going to find someone and make them talk."
A tear stained Rosalie followed, sniffles were the only sounds coming from her. She remained a few paces behind Bella, amazed by her boldness and ability to keep a stable mind.
Truthfully, Bella was falling apart inside. She tapped her fingers on the counter nervously as a nurse rambled on about procedure, typing quickly into the computer in front of her. Bella didn't hear anything that the nurse was saying, all she wanted was to see her brother and know that he was OK.
"Swan family?"
Bella turned to see a tall, blonde haired man walking to towards her, dressed in pale blue scrubs.
She managed to wave at him as panic rose within in, "I'm Bella Swan."
"I'm Dr. Newton, I took care of Emmett when he arrived here this morning." He offered his hand to her, which she reluctantly shook. "Would you please have a seat?"
God he told me to sit down, it's never good when they tell you to sit down.
Bella quietly obeyed, sliding into one of the hard plastic seats that lined the hallway of the hospital hallway. Rosalie inched closer, but remained standing as she leaned against the wall not far from Bella's seat.
"Your brother had massive internal bleeding when we brought him in, most in which we have stopped but we aren't out of the woods quite yet. There is some major trauma to his chest and right now we are trying to keep the blood out of his lungs."
"Jesus," Bella whimpered as the tears started to flow heavily. "What does that mean? Is it something you can stop?"
"We are doing everything we can Ms. Swan, I assure you, I just cant promise anything."
"I don't understand," she stood up and began to pace back and forth. " You say you are doing everything you can, yet you cant give me a straight answer about him being ok or not. All I want to know is his chance of making it through this."
"Right now the odds are in his favor Ms. Swan, but we won't know until we stop the bleeding entirely. I'm sorry but that's all I can tell you at this time."
"Dr. Newton, we need you in here." A young, dark haired man peered around this corner. "He's bleeding again."
Dr. Newton looked at Bella briefly before running towards the operating room at the end of the hallway, disappearing behind the doors without a second look.
"Wait," Bella's breathing became heavy, her voice growing loud. "Wait, what does that mean? You cant go!"
"Bella," Rosalie sobbed. "What's going on?"
"I don't know," Bella collapsed into the chair. "I don't know."
"Bella! Bella!" Edward's loud voice echoed down the white hallway, his feet sliding across the floor as he desperately searched for her.
Bella said nothing as she continued to cry, curling up in a ball on the chair.
"Over here," Rosalie croaked, not paying any mind to the fact that she had no idea as to the man was.
"Bella! What happened?" Edward began to panic as he looked over her face, her skin tone much paler than it usually was. "Bella, look at me. What's going on?"
"They don't know if they can stop the bleeding or not," she whispered.
"Oh Bella," Edward wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "It's going to be OK, I know it is."
Rosalie began to sob loudly as she watched Bella and Edward, unable to deny the chemistry that was going on between them. She wanted desperately to be far away from the hospital, back in the car with Emmett. He was holding her hand, flashing her a quick smile before turning his attention back to the road as the traffic light turned green. The night they spent together had been perfect, ending with them both lying with each other in a sea of cotton blankets.
But as she blinked the nightmare that was before her wouldn't go away. They still stood in the hallway, the only comfort she had was the wall she rested upon.
"I don't know what to do," Bella whimpered. " I cant just sit here."
"Why don't we take a walk, they have to have a cafeteria or something around here somewhere."
Bella shook her head, " I can't leave. As much as I want to, I cant. If anything happens, I need to be here."
"Do you want me to get you anything?" He asked, running a hand through her brown hair.
Bella shook her head, any answers that she came up with were impossible.
Edward was beginning to feel restless himself as he watched Rosalie slid into the seat next to Bella, wrapping her arms around her. The whole situation annoyed him. Here he was feeling totally helpless, while he watched the one he cared about suffer.
He stood up as the two women remained curled up together, beginning a nervous pace up and down the hallway.
"Edward, you don't have to stay." Bella said as she watched him walk back and forth quickly.
"No, it's not that." He sighed, "I just feel like i should be doing something to help you guys, I cant just stand there."
"Would it make you feel better if I needed a bottle of water?"
Edward felt a hint of relief as Bella gave him a playful smile.
"Yes," he breathed, "Do you both want one?"
"Please," Rosalie said. "Thank you…I'm sorry, I didn't get your name amidst the chaos."
"Edward."
"Rosalie."
"It's nice to meet you, although I wish it was under better circumstances." He looked down at the floor, "But hopefully everything will be OK."
"Me too," Rosalie said receiving a nod from Edward before he headed down the hallway.
"He's sweet," Rosalie said once Edward had left.
Bella nodded, picking at a hangnail on her left index finger. "He is, he is my biggest mystery too."
"How so?" Rosalie curled up in the chair next to Bella, her worry easing slightly as they found something else to talk about.
"I met him two days ago when I first came to stay with Emmett, and you know what? He has completely captivated by him ever since."
"I can tell, when I saw him hugging you there was no denying it." Rosalie wrapped an arm around Bella, "You can see it in the way he looks at you too."
"But this isn't normal Rosie," Bella shook her head. "I feel strongly about someone I JUST met."
"It happens that way sometimes, but you shouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about it. Just do it and see what happens."
"Why does everybody keep saying that?"
Rosalie surprised herself as a quiet laugh escaped her, " Because you just have to jump and hope for the best. I mean I took an interest in Emmett after he spilled coffee all over me at the office one morning."
"Poor guy, being a klutz runs in our family." Bella shook her head, tucking her knees closer to her chest.
The two women grew quiet, both wishing more time had passed during their conversation.
The hallway was empty and silent, making them feel out of place against the large white walls.
Suddenly two young men in green scrubs ran by, bursting through the doors Emmett's doctors had disappeared in.
"Oh god," Bella said as she and Rosalie watched them disappear in the same room. "Something's wrong."
Rosalie didn't say anything as she stood up , running to the door. As soon as she peered in the tiny glass window in one of the doors she turned away, covering her mouth as she pressed her back against the wall.
"Rosie, what is it?" Bella panicked, her legs feeling like jello as she stood up.
"There's so much blood," she shook her head. "And there's so many people in there. Its never good when there is a lot of people in there."
Bella gulped as she peered in the door, dread filling her as soon as her eyes feel on the operating table and took in the same scene Rosalie did.
"My brother cant be in there," Bella's hand pressed to her chest as the air escaped them. "He can't."
"Bella," Rosalie let her hand fall to her side.
Bella's eyes only grew wide as her body slid down the wall, the walls spinning as she sank to the floor.
"Bella, are you OK?"
Bella shook her head, "Can't breath."
"Oh my god," Rosalie dashed to the floor. "Somebody help!!"
Bella gripped Rosalie's sleeve, tugging on it as she struggled to get air in her lungs.
What's happening?
"HELP!" Rosalie's screams rang up the hallway.
"Rosalie!" Edward dropped the two water bottles as he towards the two women. "What's wrong?"
"Something's wrong with Bella. We saw these people running into her brothers hospital room, and she just started having trouble breathing. We need to find someone!"
"Hold on," Edward said and took off down the hallway.
"Excuse me, we need some help! " Edward screamed as he ran to the nurses station.
The nurse immediately hung up the phone, startled by the loud outburst.
"Sir, calm down. What's going on?"
"My girlfriend, she cant breath! We need help now!"
"OK sir, hold on. I just need to page the doctor."
Good lord, what is wrong with these people!?
Edward didn't say anything as he rushed back down the hallway to where Rosalie sat with Bella.
"Edward!" Rosalie shouted, "I need you!"
Bella.
Edward took off as far as his legs could carry him, the soles of his shoes squeaking across the floor.
"Bella passed out!" Rosalie said, cradling an unconscious Bella.
"Bella," Edward's eyes grew wide as he stared down at her. "For the love of god, somebody help us!"
A group made up of doctors and nurses appeared, rushing down the hallway with a stretcher. The doctors said nothing to Rosalie or Edward as they reached Bella, pushing them both out of the way.
This cant be happening.
Rosalie trembled and fell against Edward as Bella was lifted onto a stretcher, the tears rolling down her face.
"It's going to be OK," Edward said as he rubbed Rosalie's shoulder, trying to believe his own words.
Edward's want to leave the hospital was reaching the level Rosalie had gotten too earlier, the feeling of paranoia took over him. It seemed like every minute that ticked by gave way to the possibility of something else going wrong. All he wanted to do now was scoop Bella up and take her home, and lay with her on the couch like they had done just hours earlier.
He took off down the hallway towards the stretcher, immediately meeting the hands of one of the doctors.
"Please, let me come with her."
"Sir, you have to wait out here. As soon as we know anything we will tell you."
What in the hell is wrong with this place?
He watched helplessly as Bella was wheeled down the hallway, disappearing behind a set of double doors just as her brother had.
"I need air." Rosalie said as she looked at Edward, taking slow and careful steps towards the entrance.
Edward stood still for a moment, debating on whether or not he should follow. To his surprise, Rosalie turned and motioned for him to follow as she reached the nurses station near the entrance.
"I hope you don't mind," she said as he came up to her. "I don't know if I can handle being alone right now."
"You're in good company on that one," Edward managed a grin.
Rosalie sighed and tucked her dirt stained jacket close to her as they stepped outside into the cold and rather damp weather. The sky was dark with storm clouds as large drops of rain dripped from them, creating a transparent shield just outside of the overhang.
They remained silent as they started down the sidewalk, remaining out of the elements thanks to the navy blue canopy that remained above them.
"So Bella says she's quite fond of you," even with everything that was going on, Rosalie was still curious.
"Really?" Edward's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name.
"You sound surprised."
"Well, this whole thing between me and Bella is kind of new. Neither of us are sure of what to make of it, and honestly it's kind of refreshing to talk about it with someone from the outside." Edward said as he fished a small box out of his pocket, immediately catching Rosalie's attention.
"Does she know about that?" she asked as she watched him pull a lighter out of the same box the carton had come from.
Edward shook his head, "No one does. You wouldn't either if I wasn't so stressed out right now."
"Well as someone from the outside, I'll make sure I leave that out." She smiled at him as he lit the cigarette.
"Thank you," he said while releasing a puff of white smoke into the air. "I don't make a habit out of this, it's just when something like this happens."
"Hey you don't have to defend yourself with me," Rosalie chuckled. "I don't judge."
Edward took another puff as they walked along, his gaze cast out to the gloomy weather that surrounded them. He felt reluctant to continue as they walked towards the near side of the building, each step filling him with panic as he went farther and farther away from Bella. Yet as he looked over at Rosalie he couldn't help but notice a look of piece that washed over her face, deciding not to mention anything until she did so.
"How did you and Bella meet?"
"My family just moved out here when my father got a job at a law firm out here, and I had a lot of things to take care of back home so I came a few weeks later. She came with my sister Alice and her boyfriend to get me from the airport. We hit it off ever since."
"Which firm?"
"Jennings and Associates," Edward eyed her curiously as her eyes grew wide.
"I work there! What's your fathers name?"
"Carlisle Cullen."
"Oh my god, really? Bella's brother and I just made partner there."
"Funny how small the world is, isn't i?"
Rosalie shook her head, "This is crazy isn't it? It's almost like we were all meant to meet each other."
Another sign, Edward thought to himself.
"Hopefully it all wont fall apart," Rosalie said as the worried look returned to her face. "I guess we should go back inside."
Both seemed to take their time as they turned around, heading back towards the hospital entrance as well as the reality that awaited them on the inside.
"Excuse me, sir?" The nurse behind the counter waved Edward down as they re-entered the hospital. "I was told to have you two meet in the family room, the doctor would like to speak with you both."
Oh god, Rosalie thought. Here we go.
Edward only nodded as the nurse led them down the hallway, into a small blocked off room next to the general waiting area. He took a seat next to Rosalie, having to only wait minutes until Dr. Newton appeared in the doorway.
He sighed and sat down on the opposite side of the table, placing two clipboards down in front of him.
"I'm sorry for keeping you both waiting, but I have updates on Mr. and Miss Swan." Dr. Newton said as he looked back and forth between the two, "Good updates."
Edward and Rosalie let out a sigh of relief simultaneously.
"Miss Swan is in recovery now, it looks like she went into shock earlier but she is going to be just fine. As far as Emmett Swan is concerned, he is out of surgery. It looks like he is going to recover well, but we wont know until he wakes up."
"Wakes up?" Rosalie panicked, "Is there a chance he wont?"
"There always is when we have to put a patient under, but Emmett did sustain quite a bit of injuries during the accident. He should recover fine, we've stopped the bleeding. Its just up to him as to when he wants to wake up."
Rosalie slumped down in the seat, as good as it was to know he made it out of surgery, she wished that she could talk to him to know for sure.
"You both can see them if you'd like."
"Please," Edward said quietly.
Dr. Newton nodded and stood up, waiting for them both the join him before he started down the long white hallway.
"Bella is in room 202, and Emmett is right across the hall from her. I thought that would make it a little easier on you both."
"Thank you," Rosalie said before Dr. Newton left.
"Tell her I said hi OK?" Rosalie said as Edward started for Bella's room.
He nodded, managing a smile before heading into Bella's room.
"What took you so long?"
Edward smiled as Bella came into few, a white hospital gown covering her petite frame.
"The doctor's are terrible." He slid into the hard plastic chair that sat next to her bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," her pale hand cover his. "Have you heard anything about Emmett."
"He's out of surgery and right across the hall from you. The only thing is.." he paused as he watched the hopeful look drop from her face, "He hasn't woken up yet."
Bella sighed heavily and let her head fall back against the bed, her gaze drifted towards the ceiling.
"The doctor says he should be fine, he's just going to have to wake up on his own."
"Do they think he is going to?"
"He should, that's all the doctor said."
"God, why cant he just be ok." Bella's hands covered her face, muffling her speech.
"He's going to be fine Bella, I know he is." Edward got up and walked around the bed, slipping off his shoes before climbing onto the bed next to her.
"I don't think you're allowed to do that."
"I don't really care," Edward said as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.
"I don't either," she said as she snuggled close to him. "You have no idea how much that helps."
"That would be why I did it."
Bella sighed and closed her eyes, letting the comfort of Edward's warmth take over her.
I don't know what it is about you Edward Cullen, but whatever it is, I'm crazy about you.