I'm baaack! Hi. My tests are finally over and I appreciate it that you guys understood me when I had to be 'offline' for a while. Anyways, I'd like to thank you! Yes, you! Right now, you're probably reading this, and I highly appreciate it. Please keep on reading this A/N. (There's a long list of people to thank, I think you'd also know yourself if I've mentioned you in my previous chapters before!)

I've written the next chapter in advance. I'll be posting it once I get 20 reviews. I know that you guys can do it. Don't be lazy ;). Remember that beautiful number! 20, 20, 20!

I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope it'll clear things up. I really worked hard in this! Note that this is the beginning wherein I will be switching POVs from time to time.


Dusk and Dawn: Chapter 15

Uncertainty

EPOV

"It doesn't matter, Bella."

"Men always love their cars", she said obstinately.

"Well, consider me different from all the rest because I want you safe", I smiled to myself. Bella was already exasperated right now.

"I'm okay, Edward", she insisted.

"Give me the phone, Edward", Alice whispered. We were at a small pizza parlor having dinner. I ignored her plea and turned my head away from her.

"Be sure to match the cashmere sweater with the black mini-skirt!" One day, I'm going to blow up and just yell at her for her perkiness.

"Just for one day, please?" I said again. I sighed, "Just try."

"For the last time, Edwa—" I heard loud honking from one car.

"Bella?" I said frantically. Of course. I was being an empty-minded. Bella was still driving. "Bella?" I said even louder, ignoring all the staring eyes amidst me. I hung up and started calling again. I fidgeted with the keypad, redialing her number. I couldn't reach her phone.

"What is it Edward?" Alice asked after noticing my strange reaction.

"Bella", I said under my breath, still trying to reach her number. "Something happened", I said with panic.

"Where was she?" Rosalie asked.

"She was driving to the hospital"

"And?" Emmett continued.

"I heard turbulent car noises, loud tires screeching and then her phone went dead."

"We'll hear from her later", Jasper said comfortingly. "If something did happen, which I pray won't, we'll get a call."

I wearily ate through my dinner, separating the peas from the rest of my food; I pushed the carrots even farther. I was in no mood to have anything down my throat.

After reaching camp, I walked behind Emmett and Jasper when we dropped the girls at their cabin. I still haven't received any calls about Bella. I was beginning to be extremely worried.

"Dude", Emmett gripped my shoulder to keep me from slouching. "Calm down, I bet you'll receive a call tomorrow morning", he smiled.

"Maybe you're right", I sighed. I had practice tomorrow morning. We were almost finished with the dance; all we needed were more steps to finish the song's last thirty-two counts.

*:o:*

I walked towards practice. Another three hours of agonizing dance routines. I was ready to quit, all I needed was an excuse to have to head home. I was doing this for Bella, since she wanted it so much.

Two hours later, our dance was finally over. Finished. Finally. Lance decided to dismiss us early, considering we've practiced the entire dance for about five times.

"Meet back here at four o'clock", he announced just before we walked out the door.

Frankly, I was the only one who groaned.

"I'm open!" Emmett waved his hands signaling for Jasper to pass him the ball. I was practically in between both of them and it was the usual two-versus-one game again. I snatched the ball just as soon as Jasper tried to throw it to Emmett. I ran to the basket, but Emmett had blocked me and Jasper was just right behind me.

I shifted to my left to trick Emmett of where he should run to and quickly turned to the right, just pass him. I shot two points, and then Emmett grabbed the ball and headed for the basket.

An hour passed, we were sitting on the ground, drinking cool water.

I was still anxious about hearing what was going on with Bella. I imagined she would just call and say it's all some sort of joke, and then laugh. That wouldn't be so nerve-wrecking and ambiguous anymore.

"Any call about her yet?" Jasper asked after noticing my sudden silence. The hot weather made my voice a bit hoarse and my throat dry. I shook my head and tightened my jaw, still looking straight at whatever was in front of me.

We walked to lunch after that. Alice and Rose were already seated at a table. I walked with Emmett and Jasper to the line. They were serving strawberries dipped in chocolate again.

I did the same thing with my dinner last night. I shoved most of my food to the far ends of my plate. I stood up, with my stomach empty, but my mind full of anxiousness.

I walked to my cabin, still trying to reach Bella. I couldn't reach her phone. I didn't realize that I threw my phone to the ground in failure until I remembered that I needed it for a four o'clock alarm.

I spent the entire afternoon in my cabin. I laid on my bed, sat on my chair, then started strumming on my guitar. It was my entire fault, if Bella had gotten into a great accident, I wouldn't forgive myself. I shouldn't have called her while she was driving.

My watch read three fifty and I was still on my chair, playing the song Bella wrote on my guitar. There was a loud bang on the door. I've never heard a bang on the door since the time Alice badly needed to find her new skirt or something. So my hunch was that it was Alice who lost a necklace or something else that tempted me to overlook her.

"Edward!" she banged even louder. I stood and slowly walked to the door. I looked at her; she was panting while carrying her phone. "It's dad, really important, Edward."

"Hello?" I said after taking the phone from Alice.

"Edward", Carlisle said. "I've been trying to reach you."

"Sorry, dad, but my phone is incapable of working right now."

"I wanted to talk to you about Bella. Her condi—"

"Bella?" I felt my heart stop. "What happened?"

"Her condition isn't so critical, son. Don't worry that much. I checked he—" someone was talking in the background. "I have to go, we'll talk later." He hung up before I could say anything else. I was ready to throw the phone.

"Edward!" Alice screamed. "Throw your own phone, will you?" she snatched her phone from my hand.

"Sorry, Alice", I breathed. At least Bella was okay now.

I had completely forgotten about practice. I sat in the room with Alice, waiting for another call from Carlisle. Her phone rang and she handed it to me.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hello?" I heard Carlisle's voice from the other line

"What happened?" I asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"She's fine, Edward", he replied.

"This was my entire fault. Is she awake? How is she?"

"Just a few injuries, son", he said.

"Are you sure? Is her pulse too slow?"

"No, her pulse is normal now"

"I have to get there", I managed to say. I felt an intense adrenalin rush through my veins. I got up from where I sat and started taking out my bag.

"You don't have to come"

"I'll catch the next train to Forks. Please tell mom to see me there."

"Are you sure?"

"I need to see her, dad."

"It's your choice if you want to."

"I'll see you tomorrow, dad."

"Okay, bye, son", he hung up.

"Can I come with?" Alice stood from where she was. "I want to see Bella, too."

"I don't think so, Alice. They wouldn't let us go together." I continued stuffing some clothes into my bag."

"Fine", she pouted. "But I'm going to keep checking on her, brother", she took the phone from me and walked out the door.

I carried my bag when I saw Lance come my direction.

"Edward! You're late for practice", he warned.

"Do your pathetic dance. I don't care", I was ready to exert all my impatience on him, but instead of doing that, I decided to just walk away.

*:o:*

"Mom", I called to Esme. It was about two in the morning.

"Hi, Edward", she embraced me. "I've missed you. The house has been so lonely without you kids at home."

"Same here, mom", I smiled. "Thanks for having the trouble to pick me up."

"Don't mention it", she said as we walked to her car. She probably decided to take her Mercedes to the station since it was her favorite car.

It was two thirty when we finally stopped outside the hospital.

"I'll go find your father", she walked the other way. "Go ahead."

"Excuse me", I walked to the front desk.

"Yes?" she said before looking up. She suddenly smiled, then started batting her eyelashes at me. "How may I help you?"

"May I know which room Isabella Swan is in?" I replied politely.

"Of course", she grinned before tapping the keys on her keyboard. "Room 304", she smiled again.

"Thank you", I said before walking to the elevator.

"Anytime!" she seemed to giggle to herself amusingly.

I walked in. There weren't too many machines around. Bella was sleeping. I could see a small scar on her forehead. She still looked beautiful even if she was lying in a hospital bed.

I sat on the chair beside her, rubbing circles on the back of her hand.

Carlisle knocked before coming in. "Edward."

"Dad", I breathed and walked to him. "How is she?" I turned around to look at Bella again.

"A sprained neck, broken leg and a broken arm", he replied and looking through the papers on his clipboard.

"How many hours has she been like this?"

"About ten hours."

"When is she expected to wake up?"

He seemed to smile encouragingly. "It's just a minor accident", he rested his hand on my shoulder. "She'll be fine, and she'll wake up anytime she feels like it."

"Will there be any traumatic experiences after all this?" I was clearly still worried.

"We'll just see how her mind will respond to them", he said coolly. "Nothing to worry about."

I agreed and decided to just put a dose of serenity into myself for a while.

"I'll check with her later. I have to see another patient."

I nodded and he walked out.

About three hours passed by as I enjoyed watching Bella talk in her sleep. She mostly mentioned my name and sometimes Charlie's. I heard Emily's name last.

"Hey", I smiled and held her cast-free hand.

"Hi", she looked at the clock "How long was I asleep?"

I glided my finger through her hair. "About ten hours."

"When did you get here?" she asked.

"Shhh", I said as I kissed her head, and then sat on the chair beside her bed. "You must be really tired; you can get back to sleep."

"I'm not sleepy", she lifted her head. She suddenly yawned and blinked her eyes a couple of times.

"Of course you're not. I'll talk this time", I said sarcastically. She leaned her head back to her pillow. I sometimes found Bella's obstinacy appealing despite the times she means to be serious.

"I came here about three hours ago, Carlisle told me that you're been sleeping for a long time. Hey, maybe if you just took the Volvo… none of this would have happened", I teased, trying to keep her humored and not blurt out an 'I told you so' statement.

"W-What about your rehearsals?" she yawned.

"I quit", I said curtly. "I needed to visit you."

Her eyelids were heavy. "You know, I had a dream about Emily", she whispered.

"Really", I smiled. "How is she?"

"She's fine", she looked at me and I smiled. "You don't believe me? She told me that the pen you had was her birthday gift and that you hid all the other things that reminded you of her." That was something I was beginning to believe. I've never told Bella about that.

"Okay…" I raised an eyebrow.

"I need to head home and get some things." I kissed her forehead again. "Please get some sleep. I'll be right back, and I know you'll be safe this time." I walked out and towards the front desk.

"Good morning, sir", the nurse from early this morning said.

"Good morning", I politely replied. I saw Carlisle walk towards me.

"Dad"

"Edward", he said. "Bella was in an accident", we walked to a corner. "Jacob Black told us that he found her in her truck that knocked a tree down, just fifteen minutes away from here."

"It's my fault, dad", I tightened my jaw, looked down, and started shaking my head.

"Don't blame everything on yourself, Edward", he said comfortingly.

"I'm the reason she's in here, dad", I put my hand in my hair and uncaringly shook it. "I'm the reason why she almost died!"

"Don't panic", he said calmly.

"There are so many things I've done to her, dad. I'm only making her life worse."

"Edward. It's was an accident."

"No, it was something I should have prevented", I said, lowering my voice. "I have to go", I walked out.

I drove home, through the long road, I was reminiscing everything.

The first meeting, at the fair, teaching her how to shoot an arrow.

I continued driving with the knuckled of my left hand against my shaky lips.

I reminisced the time we first kissed, when we walked to the pond, saying goodbye.

I realized I had to get out of her to keep her life safe. I was an overprotective, accident-dragging person for Bella.

I reached home. Esme was in the kitchen, making her lemon squares.

"Hi, Edward", she smiled when I walked in.

"Morning"

"I'm planning on taking there to your father. Would you like me to leave out some for you?"

"It's fine." I said and quickly walked to my room. After packing some things, I decided to head back to the hospital.

I planned to talk to Bella about it all. I reached to open her door, but I heard another voice amidst hers.

"I'm just your best friend, nothing more." It sounded like Jacob Black.

"I'm sorry, I'm not following. Could you try to rephrase?"

"We've been best friends ever since you came to Forks. It was only about one month ago that I realized I really liked you, but you were in camp. I decided to tell you once you would get back but then I found out about Edward."

I knew what he needed to say. I felt my heart torn, I felt like something I really liked was being taken away from me. I put my ear against the small space between the door and its frame.

"Don't you get it, Bella?" Jacob said, slightly louder. "I'm in love with you."

My foot made the door slowly slide open. I needed to think quickly. I stood still

"E-Edward?" she stuttered. "How long wer—"

"Long enough", I quickly said and turned to the hallway.

"Edward, wait!" I continued walking down the hallway. It was the only way and the only provided time for me to have a reason for her to think we were over. I'm so sorry, Bella, I thought to myself.

I walked out the elevator and walked swiftly pass the front desk.

"Hi, si—" the nurse wanted to say something. I swiftly waved a stiff hand without looking at the stunned nurse before walking out, since I felt my eyes beginning to well up. I went to my car. I figured Bella might want to find me. I had to get away.

There was a heavy struggle between my heart and what my mind was thinking. There was a part of me that suddenly wanted to run back to her, and enjoy the succulence of life while another part of me wanted to move on and just have the pleasure of knowing I was wise enough to let her live longer.

I drove fast, to Alistair High School. The tears were already falling down. I hit my hands against the wheel. I felt like an idiot. The school parking lot was empty and Jack, the gardener, wasn't around. I ran towards the empty meadow, pass the football field.

I sat there, with knees folded, and hot tears began to pour down. The wind was stronger than it usually was. I felt like I was fine with crying, the tears seemed to calm my nerves down. I didn't know where to go now. All I could ever think of was moving on to have an empty life without Bella.

The next day, I was brave enough to take Alice's suggestion of saying a proper goodbye to Bella. She's convinced me to take my last visit, since she also took a huge amount of time in reprimanding me on how I would regret it someday. I gladly replied that I loved regrets.

I drove there in a slow rate and reached her room. I decided to knock but then I let myself in when I discovered her door was open. She was asleep on my last visit. I walked to her side and saw her swollen eyes. It was painful to see her in this state. I held her hand and looked at me for a while.

I shifted my position. "I'm sorry, Bells", I wish she could have still heard me in her sleep. "Maybe I should have stayed and let you work the whole thing out", what I really meant to say was that I wish there was any other easier way for me to explain these things.

"I—I never stayed long enough to hear what you could have told him in the first place." I was hoping Bella would forgive me, even when it was difficult for me to explain things to her. I wanted to end seeing her. I stood from the seat. "Goodbye, Bella", I kissed her forehead before walking out and gently closing the door behind me.

This is, by far, the longest chapter of this story. So, remember that magic number: 20, 20, 20! Plus, I don't think you need an account to be able to post a review anymore.

*I won't be continuing 'The First Daughter' anymore, since this story is my focus. But, I might start a new one in the summer (Subscribe)

Last Chapter's Answer: 12 months

This Chapter Question: When was the last time you've ever considered someone suddenly become melodramatic? (not a trick question) - review

20, 20, 20!

-Kar