Love in a Bubble by Gabby1017

by Words of Love for Meli

Edward and Bella have a car accident that renders Bella into a coma. Edward visits her every day, talking to her about anything and everything. While Bella sleeps, she plays out all of Edward's conversations as though they were dates; both falling in love in a bubble.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter Four:

EPOV

My running mind isn't shutting off as I make it into bed without anyone seeing me.

I can still see Bella's frail body, beaten and bruised. Then, I see her beautiful face before the accident. Her glowing smile and her hair blowing around her neck from the wind. But then, that frightening look of terror when she notices the oncoming car.

Sleep doesn't come easy and all too soon it's a new day.

I don't want to wait any longer to see her. I dress quickly and call a nurse for some assistance.

Once I'm mobile in a wheelchair, I make my way to the elevator up to Bella's room. Another nurse greets me as she brushes Bella's long hair, and allows me entrance since the chief gave his permission.

She's a stout, little woman with gray hair up in a bun under her nurse's cap. She watched me carefully as I settle myself next to the bed and search Bella's face. "Hey, Bella, it's Edward. I'm back. I couldn't wait to see you this morning. I hope you don't mind that."

BPOV

That melodic voice rings clear, I smile inside, and a warmth washes over me.

EPOV

My stomach loudly growls, and the nurse frowns. "Edward, did you have breakfast this morning?"

I confess, "No."

She stops brushing Bella's hair and points it at me. "Now, listen here, Edward, you can't be skipping your most important meal of the day."

I quietly agree.

"I'm going to go down, get your tray, and you are going to eat it all. You hear?" she admonishes.

She exits the room, and I grab Bella's small hand in mine. "I couldn't wait to see you again, Bella. I have so many questions about the accident."

BPOV

Hmm, the accident. That frightened man had no control with his eyes wide and brows almost to his hairline, he crosses over the median strip and plows into me dragging Edward's car.

I couldn't breathe from the fear.

"Were you aware the whole time you were hit?" Edward asks.

"Oh yeah, I was aware. My fear strangled me silent, and I watched as I was being dragged along the highway. That horrible screeching sound of metal scraping along the road tore through my ears."

EPOV

"When I saw your truck go over the embankment, I lost consciousness," I say.

BPOV

"As I hit the railing and overturned, I was snatched by an outer force that pulled me from my cab, yanked me through the prickly brush and deposited me on the rocky banks of the river. I felt myself lift upward, but your emerald eyes drew me back," I recall.

EPOV

The nurse enters the room carrying a tray of food. "Now, you finish every bite, young man! She scolds.

I smile at her. "Yes, ma'am, I will, thank you."

She pats my shoulder and quickly leaves the room.

I prepare my coffee with sugar and milk, take a sip and hum. "Bella, do you drink coffee or tea?"

BPOV

"I'm a tea girl. Decaf. I get too jittery," I automatically think.

EPOV

"I usually don't have the time for breakfast, but I would love a leisurely breakfast with you. I have a small terrace overlooking a duck pond." I take a bite of the buttered toast and scoop a mound of eggs into my mouth. "This isn't bad for hospital food." I chew, then swallow. "Your dad told me that you like to cook. I grew up tagging along with my mom to the grocery store and cooking everything from fried chicken to fricassee. When you finally get out of here, maybe we could cook … together."

I finish eating, clear my throat, putting my tray on the table and holding her hand.

BPOV

The warmth of his hand relaxes me as though a tiny ball of light travels through my veins up my arm and to my soul. "You tug at my heart. I want to know more about you as a boy.

EPOV

I stroke her fingers with the tips of mine. Funny, I can see goosebumps rise on her skin.

"Are you cold?"

BPOV

"I can't be cold when I'm burning up.

EPOV

"When I was young, I always had goosebumps. I was a skinny little kid and the cold would go right through me."

BPOV

"Me, too."

EPOV

"I can't explain this pull I have towards you, Bella, I don't want to leave your side. If I could get dragged into your head, I would go."

BPOV

"You don't have to explain, Edward, I know what you are feeling."

EPOV

I look down. "I feel responsible for you being here in a coma."

BPOV

"No, Edward, it wasn't your fault."

EPOV

"I wish you would open your eyes. I want to see that radiant smile again. I have only seen it once and crave it; I can't grasp the intensity of my desires."

BPOV

"I want so desperately to wake up, but I'm lost in this cloud of white. You touch me, and I want to hold you tight, but my life force is absent."

My heart rate races and it's hard for me to breathe.

EPOV

Bella remains comatose, but her breathing quickens.

I buzz the nurse, and she rushes in, grabs the oxygen mask and places it over Bella's nose. She leans over and whispers into her ear smoothing her hair.

Within minutes, her breathing calms.

The chief enters the room, stopping short and staring at the oxygen mask. "Dear God, what happened, Edward?"

"I don't know. One moment she was fine and the next she was gasping for breath."

The nurse removes the mask. "Hyperventilation is common in comatose patients."

The chief asks, "What caused that?"

"She could have been startled," she answers.

I interject, "By what? Isn't she in a deep sleep?"

"It could be anything." She places the mask on the side of the bed. "A nightmare. A sound. You could have said something that triggered a response."

"She really can hear me?" I ask.

"Yes, there have been studies that show comatose patients can hear. That's why we encourage communication. Let them hear your voice, get them into a conversation and that may induce a wake-up call."

The chief shakes his head. "Then, we need to talk to her."

"I've been doing that since I entered the room." I shrug. "About cooking."

"Oh, that's good. She loves to cook." He becomes enthusiastic. "We need to talk about the things she likes."

"By the way, Chief, does Bella drink coffee or tea?"

He smiles. "She's a tea drinker; decaf. Bella can't handle too much caffeine. She gets jittery. Besides, her mother was a coffee drinker. That woman would put on a pot early in the morning and go through three of them throughout the day."

I chuckle, "She must have been hyper."

"Oh, she was full of energy." He mumbles, "All the wrong kind."

I nod. "I see."

"Bella only looks like her with brown eyes. Renee was a beauty with dark hair and pale, blue eyes," he barely whispers.

I quietly say, "Seems as though Bella is more like you."

BPOV

"I'm like my father. He's strong and loyal and stable."

Dad sighs. "She's her own person." He grins. "And stubborn as the day is long."

"Hey, I'm not stubborn."

EPOV

I smile. "Yeah?"

The Chief remembers, "When she was three she wanted to walk to the store around the corner by herself. I had told her, 'no' and she sat on the front stoop staring down the street."

BPOV

"And I waited for him to go into the house." I giggle in my head. "Then, I walked to the store."

EPOV

"So, she sat there and wallowed?" I ask.

The Chief protests, "Hell, no, she got up and walked to the store. I kept an eye on her without her seeing me. Then, she sat back on the steps looking like the cat that ate the canary."

BPOV

"Oh my God, you knew?"

EPOV

"And you never told her?"

The chief shakes his head, smiling. "No, she was so proud of herself. I couldn't take that away from her."

BPOV

"Oh, Dad, I love you."

EPOV

His voice cracks, "I just want her back."

BPOV

"I'm coming, Daddy, just a little longer to heal."

EPOV

I pat his shoulder. "She'll wake up soon, Chief."

"I hate to be selfish, but she's all I have. She's the best of me," he exhausts.

BPOV

I try to reach and strain every ounce of my energy.

EPOV

I glance down at Bella's hand, and her pinky finger twitched. "Chief, look." I stare at her hand.

The chief watches as Bella's fingers slightly move. "Did she?"

I nod in disbelief. "I think so. I'm not sure."

Her hand scoots towards mine. My eyes widen, and I cover hers in mine, "She is moving. I can feel her touch."

The chief stands and runs out the door, returning with the nurse.

The nurse stares at Bella. I remove my hand and place it in hers. Then, she smiles. "Yes, there is some movement." She broadly smiles at Bella. "Looks like your Sleeping Beauty is starting to stir. Let me get a call into the doctor."

She exits and the Chief and I shout out in joy.

BPOV

"My boys cheered. Hmm, my boys."