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Chapter 42: My Wake Up Call

Edward's POV

Saturday-1 Day After Accident

I woke up to the feel of someone running their hand through my hair. I opened my eyes to see mom perched on the arm of the chair I'd slept in. Once I'd calmed enough last night and pulled myself up from the floor with dad's help, I planted myself in the recliner. Mom and dad tried to convince me to go home to sleep, but I wanted to be there if Bella needed me. I gave my keys to dad and sent them to stay at the apartment. I gave Charlie and Sue the spare key I had for Bella's apartment.

"Good morning, sweetheart," mom said softly. I stretched to relieve the tautness in my muscles.

"Morning," I said on a sigh. I pulled my phone from my pocket. It was 7:20am. I could see Bella in forty minutes.

"How did you sleep?" She handed over a cup of coffee. I smiled in thanks.

"Not well, but that's not surprising considering. What about you and dad? Was the apartment comfortable?"

"Of course, sweetheart." I looked at her skeptically. I could see dark circles trying to appear under her eyes. "I am tired, but it wasn't because I couldn't sleep. Sue and I were up late making sure all the wedding plans were postponed. We had to figure out what to do with everything." Ten minutes later, everyone walked in. Alice came over and handed me a bag. "What's this?"

"Clean clothes, toiletries, books, laptop, and snacks," she listed. "I know you aren't going to leave, so I stopped by your place this morning before your parents left to pack you some stuff. I grabbed your school stuff since you have your last final on Tuesday." I started shaking my head in protest. "Do not argue with me. Bella will be angry when she wakes up if you haven't prepared. You know she will."

"Thank you." I took the bag and looked around to see what she'd packed. I went to the bathroom to clean up for the day. At 8:00, we began visiting Bella in twos. Alice shoved one of my textbooks in my face and forced me to study when I wasn't in with Bella.

Bella stayed on the ventilator until 3:30pm. Dad was present when they removed the tube. He said she was doing well and oxygen saturation was normal. Overall, the doctors, including dad, were pleased with her progress. The swelling was down. Her vitals were stable even if a bit low, but Bella's blood pressure had always been low. They had elected to continue the induced coma for two more days to be on the safe side. Visiting hours were an hour long each at 8:00am, 11:00am, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:00pm. I was never able to see her for long, but each glimpse of her alive, breathing, gave me hope. She'd be fine.

Sunday-2 Days After Accident

The next day was much the same. I woke up and showered in the doctor's lounge. Dr. Denali allowed me to use it since I wouldn't leave. He had also called to talk with my advisor about the situation. I elected to take the final on Tuesday, because when they stopped the drip on Monday and when my Bella woke up, she'd insist I not stop my life just for her. I didn't want her mad at me. I didn't want her to worry about me. She needed to worry about herself, about healing. Emmett had talked to the Chief. I was on a leave of absence from work for at least the next two weeks. We'd see how Bella was doing then before I made any further plans.

Everyone arrived just before visiting hours began, then we took turns seeing her. We ate together in the cafeteria then visited her again. I checked her vitals each time to make sure things were looking copasetic. I couldn't wait for her to wake up. I'd give anything to see her chocolate eyes.

Monday-3 Days After Accident

Monday morning I was the first to visit Bella. I had to be in class at 9:00, so I spent a few minutes with her before leaving. Emmett drove as I was in no shape to get us there safely. Dr. Fredrick pulled me aside after class to talk about what had happened. He wanted to ask me if I was sure I would be ready for the final. I assured him this was the best choice for me. He said he would be thinking about Bella and to let him know if there was anything he could do. I thanked him before rushing back to the Jeep. They were going to stop the drip at noon. I wanted to be there when she woke up.

But she didn't. We waited for the drip to wear off, for her to open her eyes. Dr. Lewis said all we could do was wait. I started to worry. She should be waking up. They discovered the bleed early. There shouldn't have been any brain damage. There couldn't be. There wasn't. She was just taking her time. It was typical, stubborn Bella. She'd do it on her terms, in her own time.

Tuesday I studied as best I could. The exam was given in the afternoon and wouldn't be over until 8:30. I wouldn't be able to get back in time to see her for the last visiting hour. Each time I was with her, I begged her to open her eyes. I just wanted her to be okay. I needed her to be okay. By the time we had to leave for the test, I was a ball of nerves; not about the test but about Bella. I had studied a lot the week prior since we were planning on being in Forks all weekend for the wedding. That wasn't the issue.

The more time that passed when she didn't wake up, the bigger the chance that she wouldn't. Something was wrong. She shouldn't have still been asleep. I wondered what could be going on. I thought about what she was thinking. Was she thinking? Could she hear us? Had there been brain damage? Were they too late? Those questions and more plagued me while I was taking the test. How could they not? I tried to push it to the back of my mind and focus. She'd be upset if I blew this.

Wednesday-5 Days After Accident

I turned my head from side to side trying to work out the kink. I had slept in the ICU waiting room for the fourth night in a row. The recliner I was in was nicer than the plastic chairs that littered the waiting room, but I must have slept funny. My neck had a crick that didn't seem to want to go away. It was 7:36am; twenty-four minutes.

I stood up and folded the blanket that had kept me relatively warm during the night. I made my way over to the coffee maker and started a new pot. This one had to have been at least twelve hours old. I went back to my seat and pulled a granola bar from the bag Alice had packed me. I rubbed my face hoping to dispel some of the sleep before the coffee was ready. Just as I was finishing my breakfast, Charlie, Sue, Renee, and Phil walked into the room.

"Morning," Charlie greeted. Sue and Renee both hugged me.

"Morning," I answered then went back to the coffee pot to pour a cup.

"Did you hear anything last night?" Renee asked hopefully. I shook my head. It was the same question and same answer every morning. "Maybe she'll wake up today. She was responding to physical stimuli yesterday."

"I hope," I answered truthfully.

We sat in the room in silence. There wasn't much to say anymore. Every day we met in the waiting room, watched the door until 8:00, and took turns spending time in the room with her. I would sit with her, hold her hand, and talk to her. Some people said they remembered people talking to them when they came out a coma.

At 8:00, the door to the ICU wing opened. Charlie and Sue went inside for their visit. When they came back, Renee and Phil went in. Finally, I was able to go inside. They usually spent a half hour with her between the two couples. I got the rest of the day, which I shared with our friends when they stopped by. She lay in the bed unmoving. I took the seat on the left side of her head. I cradled her hand in mine and rested my chin on the mattress so I could watch her.

"Good morning, love," I said quietly. "I had my last final yesterday. I feel good about it. There were a few diseases that tripped me up, but overall, I feel comfortable with it. One semester down, three hundred to go." I chucked at the ridiculousness of my statement. "Now, I can stay and take care of you throughout the day. I don't have to worry about running to class. So, when you're ready to wake up, I'll be here."

I felt exhausted. Everything was catching up with me. I laid my head down to rest for just a few moments. I only had another twenty minutes with her before they kicked me out. I thought I felt her fingers twitch in my hand. I looked up hoping to see her awake. Her eyes were closed, but she moved her head to the side. The movement caused her to groan.

"Bella?" I asked, hoping she'd answer me. She whimpered. I pushed the chair away and leaned over so that when she opened her eyes she wouldn't have to turn her head to see me. She'd be really sore. Her breathing picked up, and her heart rate spiked. The monitors beeped loudly. I hit the nurse call button. "Bella, love, can you hear me?"

"Is everything-" Wanda, Bella's nurse began, but was cut off.

"E-Edw-" Bella said but began coughing.

"Evelyn, call Dr. Lewis. Bella's awake," I hear Wanda say before she came inside and checked Bella's vitals.

"Edward." Bella's voice was soft, strained. She blinked several times. I could see her brown irises and it was such a relief.

"Bella, I'm here. I'm right here," I said as I stroked her cheek and kissed her wherever I could. "I'm right here, love. I'm so glad you're awake."

"Can you-" She began coughing again. Wanda poured a glass of water and handed it to me after placing a straw inside. I placed the straw on her lips and she took a small sip. When she turned away slightly, I placed the cup on a table. "Can you turn on the lights?" I froze. I looked over at Wanda to make sure I had heard right. She was looking at Bella oddly. I turned back to Bella and took her hand in mine.

"Bella, is it dark?"

"It's pitch black. What's going on? Where are we? Why am I so sore?"

"What's the last thing you remember, Bella?"

"Uhh…I was…" I watched as she scrunched her forehead and tried to remember. "I don't know. Edward, I don't know. What's going on?" She was starting to panic. "Ow! It hurts."

"I know, baby. I need you to try to stay calm. Everything's okay. Everything's going to be okay." I placed my mouth next to her ear. "Slow breaths, Bella. In. Out. In. Out." She matched her breaths to my voice. The heart monitor slowed. I heard a shuffling at the door and looked over to see Dr. Lewis and Dad.

Bella's POV

I woke up slowly. I must have slept hard, because my body felt heavy, like lead. I felt a warmth encompassing my hand. It had to be Edward. I tried to move my hand, but it hurt. I moved my head and groaned at the pain it caused to radiate from my temple.

"Bella?" he said, questioningly, almost scared. I whimpered. The pain was only increasing. I heard a chair scrape against the floor then I felt him lean over me. I couldn't remember where we were. Something beeped loudly near me. I felt Edward reach across me then he settled back. "Bella, love, can you hear me?"

"Is everything-" a woman's voice started.

"E-Edw-" I said. My throat was so dry; it hurt. I couldn't even say his name before a coughing fit overtook me. A sharp, searing pain ripped through me at the action. I wanted to know what was going on, where we were, and who that woman was.

"Evelyn, call Dr. Lewis. Bella's awake," the woman said. Bella's awake. Why does she care? Who is she?

"Edward." My voice was strained, almost as if I hadn't used it in a while. I blinked several times. It was dark. I couldn't understand why he'd have the lights out. He exhaled, and it sounded like he was relieved.

"Bella, I'm here. I'm right here," he said as he stroked my cheek and kissed all over my face. "I'm right here, love. I'm so glad you're awake." I blinked again waiting for my eyes to adjust so I could see him.

"Can you-" I began coughing again. The pain took my breath away. I tried to move my hand to clutch over my ribs, but something was tugging at the back of it. I felt him place a straw on my lips and took a sip. It confused me even more though. I didn't understand how he could do all this with the lights out. I turned away slightly and gasped as the pain in my temple resurfaced. "Can you turn on the lights?" Everything was too overwhelming. I needed to see him. I felt him take my hand in his.

"Bella, is it dark?" That's the stupidest question I've ever heard. I tried not the let the frustration puncture my words.

"It's pitch black. What's going on? Where are we? Why am I so sore?"

"What's the last thing you remember, Bella?" I opened my mouth to tell him but had to stop.

"Uhh…I was…I don't know. Edward, I don't know. What's going on?" I could feel the panic rise. Why couldn't I remember? What had happened? I took a deep breath, but there was an intense pain in my chest. "Ow! It hurts." What was happening?

"I know, baby. I need you to try to stay calm. Everything's okay. Everything's going to be okay." He leaned down until he was whispering in my ear. "Slow breaths, Bella. In. Out. In. Out." I matched my breaths to his voice. The beeping started to slow. I heard a shuffling coming from my left.

"Bella, it's so good to see you awake," a man's voice said. My confusion grew.

"Please, turn them on," I begged Edward as I tried to grip his hand, but I didn't have the strength to. "Who are these people? What's going on? I'm scared."

"Bella, I need you to listen to me," he said softly. I tried to nod, but it hurt badly. "You're in the hospital. The woman you heard, her name is Wanda. She's a nurse. The man you just heard, his name is Dr. Lewis." Something wasn't right. There was too much going on for the lights to be out. I stilled at the realization.

"It's not…Am I…The lights…they're on. Aren't they?" It was quiet for a moment.

"Yes." My fear grew. I wanted to know what had happened? Was this permanent? What if it was?

"Are you sure?" I knew it was a stupid question, but I had to ask.

"Yes, love. The lights are on." I felt the tears slide down my cheeks. "It's going to be okay, Bella." I felt his weight settle next to me. He wiped the tears away as he assured me over and over that everything that was going to be okay.

"Bella," the man that Edward said was Dr. Lewis said softly. "I know that right now you are scared. I know you have a lot of questions and are probably confused. I have some questions for you right now, and then we'll explain everything. Okay?" I sniffed and tried to quiet the crying before nodding. "Can you see anything?"

"No," I answered quietly.

"Is it completely black or just dim?"

"It's pitch black. Am I…blind?"

"I don't know, Bella. We'll run some tests and try to figure all this out. Okay?"

"What happened?"

"You were in an accident," Edward said calmly. "You were on your way to meet the girls at some shop to help Alice look at wedding dresses."

"I was running late," I told him. I remembered. I'd been running late since I woke up. "I remember making brownies before I left. Charlie had been asking for some. I left my phone next to my bed. I remember stopping a few blocks from the boutique for a red light. I was looking for a business card in my purse. Then…then…" That was all I could remember. Edward cupped my cheek.

"Another vehicle ran a red light. It hit you on the driver's side."

"No wonder I feel like I got run over by a truck." I thought it was funny, but no one else laughed. I felt Edward lean forward and place his forehead against mine ever so lightly.

"That's not funny." His voice was raspy, like he was trying to keep from crying. "I almost lost you, Bella. Don't joke about this." I wanted to hold him, but my arms wouldn't cooperate. They still felt so heavy.

"Is it really that bad?"

"It could have been." He leaned down and kissed me.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I really need to take Bella for some tests," Dr. Lewis said. The fear spiked again.

"Don't leave me," I begged Edward.

"Edward can't go with you. I'm sorry." I felt my chest tighten as my breathing accelerated. "Bella, calm down. I know this is scary, but it's just tests."

"Please, don't do this to me."

"Calm down, Bella. I'm right here. You're okay," Edward said.

"Perhaps I could accompany her," I heard Carlisle say and jumped slightly. I didn't know he was in the room. "I do have privileges here. It wouldn't be against protocol."

"Is that okay with you, love?" Edward asked softly.

"Are you sure you can't come with me?" I felt kind of childish asking.

"I wish I could. I really wish I could, but I can't. Dad will go with you though. Is that okay?" I nodded minutely. I heard someone walk closer to the bed and shied away.

"It's just me, Isabella," Carlisle said apologetically.

"Edward," I heard Dr. Lewis say. "Why don't you go to the waiting room? I'm sure the others would like an update." He stood from the bed and let go of my hand. I jumped when he started talking right beside my ear.

"Everything's going to be fine," he soothed. I relaxed a bit when he caressed my cheek with his thumb. "I love you." I smiled as my eyes misted over.

"I love you, too." He kissed my forehead then nose and finally my lips. I felt a hand grip mine. It wasn't Edward.

"Dad will be with you the whole time, okay?" I nodded slightly. "I'll be here when you get back. I promise." I listened as his footsteps faded.

"It's going to be okay, Isabella," Carlisle said as he rubbed my arm. I heard someone, or maybe more than one person, approach the bed. I held my breath. "Dr. Lewis and Wanda are going to help me unhook some machines. We're going to take you to the tests on the bed so we don't have to worry about moving you onto another bed."

I could hear things happening around me, to me. It was the most unnerving feeling. Eventually, Carlisle took my hand again, and I felt the bed move. I whimpered as the sudden movement jarred me and pain flared in my chest, leg, and temple. Dr. Lewis apologized. The noises around me were overwhelming. Without being able to see, the sounds were louder than normal, alarming, and unnerving.

The tests were long and tiring. Carlisle did stay with me. Whenever he wasn't forced to step away, he held my hand. It was comforting to have him with me, even if it wasn't Edward like I really wanted. Carlisle told me everything that was happening. He told me what test was going to be done, why it needed to be done, and a detailed description of what it would entail. I couldn't see what was happening, but my imagination made up for it.

I was tired before the tests even began. A few times, I felt myself falling asleep, but someone would wake me up. I was half way between sleep and consciousness when I hear Dr. Lewis say something about no brain damage. Carlisle said, "Oh, thank God," and I took that as my queue to mentally check out. Carlisle came over and rubbed my arm as he assured me that everything was finished, and I could fall asleep without worry. It wasn't long after that assurance before I fell asleep.

Thursday-6 Days After Accident

On Thursday, I moved to a regular room. I was lucky that I'd gotten a private room. Edward stayed with me all the time. He tried to keep me positive, but losing my sight was just too much sometimes. He tried to assure me that even if my sight was gone permanently, a thing he didn't believe, I would be okay. I didn't feel how this could be okay.

Saturday-8 Days After Accident

On Saturday, I woke suddenly from a nightmare. I was dreaming about the accident. I didn't remember any of it, but I was dreaming what I thought had happened. I wanted to ask Edward about it, but he still had trouble talking about it. It was too raw, too fresh for him. Emmett was the only one that would talk to me about it. Hearing it from his perspective, knowing he would understand all the medical jargon, and hearing the fear and pain behind his words was frightful. Edward caught him talking to me about it the day before and flipped out.

I felt around for Edward's hand. He was always there close by. I could feel my hand shaking as the imaginary images stayed in my head. I didn't feel him near. I opened my eyes to look for him. There was nothing; nothing except fuzzy, dim light. It must have still been early. I froze at the realization. It wasn't pitch black.

"Edward!" I said urgently. He didn't answer. I looked around me, but there were no distinct shapes. It was almost as if I was looking at static. "Edward?" There were no sounds in the room. My nerves got the better of me. I hadn't been alone since I woke up. I felt along the side of the bed for the nurse call button. I pushed everything until someone asked if they could help me. "Can you get the doctor? I'm seeing something."

"Of course, honey," Wanda said excitedly. She'd come with me to the regular room. I didn't think it was typical procedure, but I'd take any consistency I could get. I sat there, waiting. Eventually, I heard the door open. I turned to look, but again, I couldn't see anything besides static.

"Good morning, Bella," I heard Dr. Lewis say.

"Good morning," I answered.

"So, you can see something?" I listened as he walked closer.

"It's just static. Well, it's a fuzzy light. I can't make out any shapes or distinct colors." I heard him click the penlight. I knew when he shone it in my eyes, because it brightened. I'd never been so happy. I could feel my bottom lip quiver as tears gathered in my eyes. I heard the door open.

"Bella?" Edward's voice asked. "Bella!" He sounded frantic, worried. I heard him rush over and sit next to me. He gently framed my face with his hands. "What is it? What's wrong? Bella, what's going on?"

"I-" I started, but my voice broke.

"What' going on?" I could tell his question wasn't directed at me.

"It's seems that Bella may be getting her sight back," Dr. Lewis said.

"What? Bella?" He traced a finger under my eye.

"It's just static," I told him. "It's a fuzzy light, no shapes or colors."

"It's still something, love. This is great news." I nodded hoping he was right.

Sunday- 9 Days After Accident

Dr. Lewis insisted on running more tests. I was so tired of tests. They were draining, and I always slept for hours after they brought me back to my room. Today was no different. Edward was waiting in the room with a meal he deemed nutritious. His doctor side was coming out strong. I ate as much as my stomach could handle but I was constantly nauseous. I also hadn't taken any pain medication throughout the day. It made me feel groggy, difficult to wake, and I needed to be able to wake up. The nightmares…I shook my head just thinking about them.

"Eat, love," Edward said gently. I heard him nudge the food closer to me. My stomach was rolling in protest. Just the smell of it was nauseating.

My heart broke thinking about what he'd been through these last days. Sue said he had stayed in the waiting room every night I was in the ICU to be close in case anything happened. Esme told Sue she'd come to the hospital three of the five nights. Edward had been so worked up, so scared, that he'd called her to come back from his apartment.

He had stayed in my room every night since I'd been taken from the ICU. He never left my side and was always taking care of me. On top of all that, he'd studied for and taken his last final of the semester, he was on a leave of absence from work, and he was just overall hanging on by a thread. My refusal to eat wasn't helping matters. He sounded so worried and at the end of his rope.

"Would you like something else?" he asked. He sounded lost, like he was floundering. I felt so horrible that I was doing that to him. I took a slow breath hoping my stomach would calm.

"It's not the food, Edward. Thank you for it, really. I just don't really feel like eating," I tried to assure him.

"Why not, love?"

"I'm a bit nauseous."

"How much is a bit?" He stood from his chair, and I heard him grab my chart at the end of the bed. "How is your pain level?" I told him it was fine, but he knew I was lying when I shifted and grimaced at the movement. "When's the last time you were given any pain medication?" I looked down at my lap to avoid his piercing gaze and realized the futileness of the movement. I couldn't see him in the first place. "It's no wonder you're nauseous and hurting. You're on fosphenytoin, phytonadione, and a very low dose of acetaminophen. The nausea's a side effect of both the preventative meds, and 250mg of the acetaminophen is nothing."

"I don't understand the doctor-talk." He walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. He took my hand in his own, and I knew he was looking at me with an almost angry expression on his face.

"Bella, you have to stop this."

"Stop what?"

"You have to stop trying to be stronger than you are. You're hurting, and that's okay. It's expected. It'd be wrong if you weren't. We have stuff to help you feel better. It's not okay for you to be hurt because you're being stubborn. You need to heal, and you can't do that if you're fighting something that you don't have to be."

"It's just a little-" He cut me off by leaning down and kissing me. He rested his forehead against mine.

"I need you, Bella." There was so much emotion behind his voice that it almost broke me. "I need you with me. I can't do this without you. Please, please don't do anything to jeopardize yourself because you're trying to be strong. I need you to get better soon, because until you're better, I'm not whole. So, for me, love, tell me when you're hurting. I'll fix it."

"Okay." I understood now why he'd seemed so out of sorts, so on edge. He still wasn't convinced he wasn't going to lose me. "I promise. I won't push myself." He let out a sigh of relief causing me to smile.

"Thank you." I felt him reach across me and heard him press the button. Wanda asked what she could do. "Bella needs something for her pain, and she's nauseous."

"Sure, honey," Wanda said. "I'll be in there as soon as I get the meds."

AN: W-O-W! I had to say that first. You guys left 47 reivews for the last chapter!!! Thank you. Really, thank you.

There was only one person who mentioned anything about her eyes. So, temporarily blind. I was actually temporarily blind for two weeks a few years ago. That was not a fun experience. I have a huge respect and awe for people who are blind. It's hard.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. She's getting better...gradually. There is only one chapter and an epilogue left...OMG! There's only one chapter and an epilogue left! It's almost over! That just now hit me.

Leave a review, and I'll send you a sneak peek of the next chapter. :)