True Love Way

Chapter 10

Eight years later

The ringing phone brought me out of my reverie. Looking at the clock, I saw that I'd been sitting on my couch for three hours thinking about those years with, and then without, Bella. The caller ID showed it was my sister.

"Hey, Rose."

"Holy shit, I can't believe it. The accident… are you sure it's Bella?"

"Positive."

I heard her sigh. I could picture her face contorted in sadness. "Shit. I'm sorry you found her that way. I mean, it's horrible that she was in that crash, but for you to be the one to ID her… damn, Edward. Are you okay?"

I threw my head back against the couch, pinching my nose. "Better than she is at the moment."

"What are you…? Are you going to go see her?"

I chuckled at the apprehension in her voice. "What do you think?"

"Should you go? I think… probably not. It's taken you so long to move past those years. I hate to think of what this is doing to you. Now, will you go? I'm almost positive you will. Because you're you."

Laughing again at her assessment, I finally kicked off my shoes and headed for the kitchen. "What if I stop by the hospital before coming to your place?" I poured a large glass of orange juice.

"You could wait, and I'll go with you."

"I should do this alone, I think."

"Your decision."

"Will you still feed me afterwards? I'm starving."

"See you when you get here. I'm sure I can scrounge up some grub of some sort for you." She laughed softly before wishing me luck and hanging up.

I downed the juice and headed for the shower. I could hear the phone ringing again while I was in there, but the hot stream of water on my back felt too good to haul my ass out to run for it. I retrieved the message after I dressed and grabbed an apple from the fridge.

'Hi, honey. I guess you're sleeping. Just checking in. I missed you last night, but I saw the accident on the news. A plane crashed onto the highway! Jesus. I couldn't sleep, thinking about how you could have been involved in the crash yourself if you'd been a bit earlier. I'm so proud of you for stopping to help. Anyway, just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you. Call me when you get up. We can reschedule our date night. Bye, hon!'

I hit erase, and picked up my keys. I'd call Lauren back later. The only thing on my mind at the moment was Bella. The hospital was practically across the street from my building, but I still felt like I couldn't get there soon enough.

Nodding to staff members I knew on my way through, I headed straight for the admittance desk. "Good morning, Louise. Got an update for me on the accident victims last night?"

"Good afternoon, Edward." She corrected me with a kind smile. "And yes, I'll look them up for you. Give me a sec." Her hands worked on the keyboard, calling up the night's events. "Ohhhh, looks like one didn't make it."

My heart moved up into my throat. I didn't want to hear of anyone dying, but I just prayed it wasn't Bella. "Which one?"

"The first one they brought in. Male… mid-thirties. Unidentified."

I pressed my eyes closed, saying a silent prayer for him. "And the others?"

"A younger male is still in surgery. He had extensive bleeding – they removed his spleen last night. They're setting his fractures now. Looks like he may lose a leg. They're trying to save it. The woman –"

"From the plane?" I interrupted, not recalling if there had been more than one woman involved. From the moment I'd identified Bella, she was the only one I saw.

"Uh-huh. Isabella Swan. Lucky gal! She's out of surgery. Room… 319. Her father's here already –"

"Thanks, Louise!" I was already taking off with a grin. "You're the best!"

"Anytime, Edward!" I heard her chuckle at me before she picked up the ringing phone on her desk.

I looked for Charlie in the lounge first. Not finding him there, I headed for room 319. It was in ICU. The nurse at the desk didn't bat an eye as I walked through. I didn't know her by name, but she'd seen me there before. I stood in front of 319, peering through the glass. The curtains were open so the nurse's station opposite had a view of her. She was asleep as the monitors beeped around her, and alone.

"Edward. I should have known you'd show up at some point."

I had been so engrossed in the vision in front of me that I hadn't even heard Charlie approach. "Charlie," I greeted him with a nod. The absence of my usual smile for him seemed odd, but I couldn't muster one for any reason.

"I understand you're the one who identified her." He shook his head sadly. "Thank God you were there. I can't imagine my daughter here all alone, nameless. I can't imagine not even knowing she was…" His voice cracked while tears pooled in his eyes. I slid an arm around his shoulder, and he embraced me in a quick tough-guy-breaking sort of way. It was clumsy and awkward, but there was no way around it. "Thank God you were there," he repeated quietly.

Charlie and I had stayed in contact over the years, resulting in a first-name basis relationship. I had the utmost respect for him, both professionally and as Bella's father. He respected the way I had always put his daughter first, just like family, and also the way I'd gotten my shit together and joined him in the emergency services field.

"It was quite a shock," I admitted. "This was the last thing I expected. How is she? She had surgery last night?"

"There was internal damage. Shit load of bleeding. I don't know how many units of blood they've transfused. They just keep coming with them. Other than the swelling and bruising – and the damn machines and tubes she's hooked up to – you'd never know what she's been through. Not a single bone broken."

I chuckled softly. "That's Bella."

"She hasn't regained consciousness. We don't know how serious her head injury is."

"Shit," I muttered. What else could I say?

Charlie hummed in agreement beside me. "I have a favour to ask, if you don't mind. Seeing as you're here."

"Shoot. Anything."

"This place has the world's worst coffee, and I'm dying for a decent cup. Would you mind staying here with her while I run out? You have my number. Just call if there's any change? I'll only be a few minutes."

"Take your time, Charlie. I won't leave her side." It pleased me to know he trusted me with Bella's care, and it eased my worry that he'd tell me to just leave her alone.

I donned the protective paper suit and stepped into her cubicle. Seeing Bella through the glass partition was tough enough – being in there with her set off a full set of emotions. My legs felt too weak to stand, so I pulled up a chair next to her bed. My own breathing was rapid compared to the rhythmic breaths coming from her. She looked peaceful at least. At rest…

My breath caught in my throat as I forced that thought out of my head. It made it seem like she was dead – or dying. She wasn't going to die. I wouldn't let her.

"Just sleep, Bella," I whispered near her head. "Sleep until you feel better. You're not alone. I'm right here with you, and your dad's here. We'll be here, Bella. Every minute. I promise you. You'll never be alone."

She moaned softly, causing me to halt my monologue. I checked her monitors for abnormalities. Nothing seemed off. It may have been involuntary. Returning to my previous position, I stroked her hair while I continued whispering consoling words. Another moan caused me to smile. My Bella was in there. Somewhere behind the deep veil of unconsciousness, she was functioning and alert. And she knew I was with her.

~ 0 ~

"Thanks for feeding me." I smiled, dog-assed tired. "Sorry for cutting out on you like this. I'll stay over next time?"

Rosalie gave me a tight hug. "Next time. I know you want to get back to check in on Bella."

"Who said I'm going to the hospital?"

My sister rolled her eyes at me. "Where else would you be? Drive careful. You're dead on your feet." She kissed my cheek before holding the door open for me. "Hey, should we tell Jasper?"

I gave it some thought. He never spoke about Bella – not to me, anyway. I had no idea if it would cause him stress, and he didn't need extra stress. They had a new baby at home finally, after a rough start. Little Emily had been born prematurely after a difficult pregnancy and spent her first three months in the hospital. They deserved to just enjoy her for now. There was no point drawing him into this without even knowing Bella's prognosis. "Let's wait on that," I voiced my decision. "At least until we know what's going on."

I had no idea when that would be. There had been no change in her condition when I checked in on her before going home. They had brought in a cot for Charlie, and he was stretched uncomfortably on it, but sleeping, regardless of any discomfort. I didn't disturb him, instead watching over Bella from the other side of the glass for a half hour or so before going home. Not sleeping for two days did wonders for my own sleep. I collapsed on my own bed without moving for a solid nine hours.

~ 0 ~

I brought Charlie a decent coffee when I returned in the morning. He was rumpled and worried looking, but grateful for the java. I noticed several empty cups from the vending machine in the trash can when I pulled the chair over by him to sit down.

"Not much sleep, huh?"

He rubbed at his neck, grimacing. "I'd register a grievance over the condition of this cot, but truthfully, I wouldn't have slept well in a king's bed. This ol' back won't like me if I put it through this much longer, though." It creaked and cracked, driving his point home as he stretched.

"You here for the long haul?" I hadn't even considered Charlie's predicament. "How long can you stay off work?"

He blew out a heavy sigh. "Well, I've got two weeks of vacation left. But I don't plan on leaving before my girl's awake and on her way to recovery." His weary eyes were locked on Bella's unmoving form. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens."

"You know, my place is just across the street. Feel free to use it if you want to grab a shower or sit on a comfortable piece of furniture." My offer was genuine and extended with a grin. "I have a spare room you can use any time – now or if you have to travel back and forth. You're more than welcome."

That captured his interest. "If you're serious, I would kill for a hot shower."

We agreed to do split shifts, as neither of us wanted Bella to be left alone for any length of time. I had called in to book off for the next couple of days, and having just had a good sleep, I took the first shift after settling Charlie in at my home. I could hear him snoring before I even left the apartment. I dropped my spare key on the kitchen counter for him to lock up when he left. I wasn't planning to return until he was with Bella.

I sat silently at Bella's side for the first hour, unable to take my eyes off her. I only moved when the nurse came in to check on her. Then I got brave and touched her. I began with her hair, softly brushing it off her face with my fingertips. After stroking her hair for a while, I moved down to her cheek, avoiding the bruised areas near her temple and along her jaw. Her skin was so warm and soft. She made me think of the last time I'd seen her, in Phoenix – she was so vulnerable then, too. Just as I had that night together, I began singing to her softly.

"…when I feel blue, in the night… and I need you, to hold me tight… whenever I want you, all I have to do is drea-ea-ea-ea-eam." Everything in the room faded into the distant background. We weren't in a hospital room. There weren't tubes feeding this beautiful girl. There weren't constant beeps from monitors. Nothing, and no one, existed besides me and Bella.

"I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine… anytime night or day. Only trouble is, gee whiz… I'm dreamin' my life away –"

"Don't let me stop you." The nurse in the room burst my Bella bubble. She was smiling. Hell, practically swooning. "It's time for her sponge bath, but finish up! That was really sweet. I'll just wait."

I was on my feet, hands in my pockets, and mouth pinched into a thin line in a flash. I shook my head hurriedly. "I'll be back when you're done," I mumbled as I darted past her. I didn't still suffer the low self-esteem I once had, but I was not prepared to share such a private thing with a staff member, or anyone else for that matter. That was meant only for Bella to hear.

I took the opportunity to grab a shitty coffee. Charlie was right; it was the world's worst. Then I called Rosalie to give her an update. She and Emmett were taking advantage of a day off together and were headed for the woods for some hiking and a night of camping out. She promised to have her cell phone on in case I needed her, and she'd pop in when they got home and cleaned up in the morning.

Charlie returned mid-afternoon, shaved and smelling good, and looking much more rested. He brought me coffee and a sandwich, which I devoured.

"What were you doing when I came in, anyway?" he asked, sipping on his own steaming liquid.

"Reading the paper," I replied with a smirk.

"Out loud?"

I hummed, nodding. "I ran out of things to talk about without any prompts, so I just started reading to her. She seems to rest better when she hears that someone's with her." I shrugged. I had no idea if that was true, but I just felt like she was calmer somehow.

Charlie smiled at me strangely. He didn't frequently give out smiles – occupational hazard or just his personality – but when he did, I knew his intentions. There was his warm 'Jesus, it's good to see you' smile, and his amused 'You're shitting me, right?' smile. This smile was neither.

"What?" I challenged.

"Absolutely nothing. I can't smile?" He still wore the same look, though his lip was beginning to turn up slightly in amusement.

"Does Bella know this smile? I'm not familiar with it."

He chuckled. "She does, in fact. When she wakes up, ask her about it."

I dropped the subject, smiling myself. Charlie was optimistic. He didn't say 'if' Bella wakes up; it was 'when'. "I can sleep on the cot tonight, if you want. I'm going to see what I can do about changing around shifts when I go back, but I'm fine to take the night shift here if you want to give your back a break. Rosalie is going to stop by tomorrow, too. I'm sure she'll share some room time with us."

"I was surprised she hadn't been in yet," he commented. "I know Bella cut you all out of her life rather abruptly, but I really thought Rosalie would –"

"Care?" I finished his sentence for him. "She does. This is her first stretch of days off in almost three weeks. She had plans. And once she's back to work, I'm sure she'll be dropping into Bella's room every chance she gets." Rosalie was completing her surgical rotation, specializing in neurosurgery at this facility.

"You know, at one point, I was certain she'd go into law enforcement. She used to love hanging out at the station," he mused.

"I remember."

"And the way she kept you boys in line… admirable. But so is neurosurgery – if you want to take the easy route."

I chuckled along with him. He wore his pride for my sister's accomplishments as if she were his own daughter. He was even proud of Jasper when he graduated law school and got hired on for Family Law at a prestigious firm in Seattle. He often asked about Rosalie and Emmett, but we seldom brought up Jasper. The only person more rarely discussed was Bella. I wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable talking to me about her, or he honestly didn't know many details of her life, but he divulged next to nothing about her over the years. I knew she was writing. I'd even purchased a copy of the two books she'd had published. The little blurbs about the author in those didn't provide me with anything either. The topic gave me more: dysfunctional families. Her degree in sociology was noted in the self-help book, along with the children's book about a home with no parents. It had touched me deeply and made me want to know if she had found happiness at all. The books offered nothing in regards to that. All I knew was the Bella I'd known as a teenager, so that's how she remained in my mind.

"Oh, before I forget…" Charlie spoke abruptly, interrupting my thoughts. "You had a visitor. She scared the shit out of me, actually. I got up to take a leak and heard someone coming in. I thought it was you. It wasn't. Obviously."

Shit! I'd completely forgotten about calling Lauren back. "Sorry about that. I wasn't expecting her, but I should have warned you that could happen. She drops in sometimes. Leaves me meals."

"Uh-huh." Charlie gave me a 'don't bullshit me' look. "She's quite attractive."

I nodded. "She is." What could I say?

"She didn't have any food with her, so I can only assume she visits for other reasons from time to time."

I chuckled, feeling my face heat up. "She does."

"Girlfriend? Or casual friend? That is, if you don't mind me asking."

"Um… casual girlfriend?" I replied truthfully.

"You give out keys to your apartment quite freely," he stated.

"Okay, Chief. Point taken. I've known her for years. She got married and divorced last year. We've been dating for a few months."

"Casually…"

"Sort of." I stared back at him, not allowing his questioning manner to intimidate me. Okay, it intimidated me a little. I began snickering. "I don't know… we've just been going with it. No long-term plans discussed. I've been a bad casual boyfriend these past couple of days. I don't even know if we're still going with it at this point."

"She said she'd drop in on you later on," Charlie announced without overtly acknowledging my confession. "You may want to rethink your offer to stay here tonight."

Lauren normally stayed over at my place when I had a few days off. Typically, I would go hang out at her restaurant. I'd have dinner with her in her office and then a few drinks while she closed up for the night. Then we'd head back to my apartment since it was closer. I'd given her a key a couple of weeks earlier when she had a day off. She had wanted to cook for me at home and needed to start it before I got in from work.

"She's probably worried. I haven't even called her since –" Since the accident. I stood hastily for the second time of the day. "I should go see her. Explain what's going on here…" I ran my hands through my hair. "I'll be back later on."

"Take your time, son. You're not obligated to be here at all."

Wasn't I? My head, my heart… everything told me I was where I should be. "I need to be here," I admitted quietly. "I'll just go… take care of things. I'll be back."

Charlie stretched and reached for my discarded newspaper. "I'll be here. Oh, and Edward? Please apologize to Lauren for my state of undress. Like I said, I thought it was you."

Trying to keep a straight face, I nodded and gave him a wave. Suddenly, I was thankful Lauren had dropped in. I loved Charlie in my own way, but I wouldn't have been prepared to see him naked. Lauren probably handled that much better than I would have.

~ 0 ~

"Hey." I smiled impishly at Lauren when I entered her restaurant. She was at the hostess stand, clearly surprised to see me walk in.

"Hey, yourself!" She stepped around and embraced me. "I met your friend at your apartment."

"Yeah. He told me."

She looked around her dining room, waving over one of the wait staff. "Can you watch the desk? I'm taking a little break." Taking my arm, she led through. Stopping at the bar, she ordered two drinks and we took them to a table in a closed section. "I ordered you some food, too. You've been at the hospital all day?"

"I have, but you don't have to feed me."

She brushed my comment off, reaching for my hand. I clenched it into a fist and she wrapped hers around it. "So your friend's daughter was in an accident? Was it the one you stopped for the other night?" Lauren looked genuinely concerned. I wondered how much Charlie had told her. I realized that I probably should have asked him.

"I ID'd her," I admitted softly. My voice wavered.

"Oh, honey!" Her arms went around my neck in an offer of comfort. "I'm so sorry! That must have been so hard for you! Do you know her very well then?"

I squinted in my own confusion. "I… yeah… no. Not really. I mean, yeah… I used to…"

"You're still in shock," she commented softly.

"I haven't seen her in years," I admitted. "Seeing her like that… after all this time… it's –"

"You were close once," she surmised. "So she's our age? For some reason, I thought she was younger. Charlie spoke of her like she was his little girl."

I snorted out a chuckle. "Yeah. He does that. If I'm honest, I'm kind of stuck on that too. It seems like she hasn't aged any – hasn't changed. It's hard to think of her as an actual adult, not a student."

"You knew her from school? Or through Charlie? I don't understand the connection."

"School. And Charlie. And my brother." I stopped to blow out a breath and take a long swallow of the beer Lauren had drawn for me. "Bella used to be with Jasper."

"You're kidding!" Lauren's face showed her shock. "I didn't think life existed for him before Alice!"

Lauren had met Alice and Jasper several times, most recently at their daughter's christening. It was the first family event I'd ever taken a date to. Everyone had treated her like royalty, and Alice, especially, had taken to her like a sister. Lauren had only ever known them as a couple, and she had seen them as everyone else did – meant to be. That's exactly how Jasper felt. He claimed she was his one true love. Even I had accepted that he was right. They were perfect together.

"In high school," I mumbled, not really wanting to talk about it. My siblings were still the only ones who knew my feelings for Bella, and I wanted to keep it that way. "Anyway, Charlie is staying at my place until Bella improves. It's been really hectic. I apologize for not calling you, it's just been crazy."

"Edward, I understand." Her soft voice showed the sincerity in her words. It made me feel even worse. "Listen, after you eat, why don't you go home and get some sleep? I'll come over once I'm closed up here. I'll take care of you. Maybe a nice, hot bath…"

I knew where she was going with this, and it was the last thing I could think of doing with Bella lying unconscious so near. "Lauren, I have a houseguest, remember?"

"Okay, so we'll skip the bathroom antics. Take it to your room. I am capable of being discreet… quiet, even."

She did have some lungs and was quite vocal during sex. "I'm not so sure you can hold back that much." I grinned at her. "Regardless, it's not the night to test it. I told Charlie that I'd stay with Bella so he could have a full night's sleep in a real bed. Sorry."

I had hoped not to offend her. She looked disappointed but not put off. "I'm just so worried about you. I want to be there for you."

"I know… I know that. I am sorry." Tilting her chin up to look at me, I repeated my words. "I really am sorry." A soft kiss accented my apology. "I should get back. I told him I wouldn't be gone long."

"Your dinner!"

"I actually ate already." Putting on my best abashed look, I hoped once more that she wouldn't be upset. "Charlie brought in some sandwiches."

"That's not a meal. I'll get them to pack it up to go. You can warm it up later." She gave me another kiss before standing. "I am going to take care of you."

The hug she gave me outside the restaurant was comforting. The goodnight kiss was steamier than the ones inside the dining room. I felt like the luckiest bastard in the world as I held onto my boxed meal and tasted my sweet girlfriend. The support she was showing endeared her to me in a way I hadn't felt before. "Thanks, baby. For everything. I'll call you in the morning."

"Call me if there's any change – anything. Anytime. If you need me at all, I'll be right there."

It struck me that I'd only just pronounced this relationship as 'casual' to Charlie. Suddenly it seemed anything but. We seemed to have reached a new stage – a new closeness – and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

~ 0 ~

I pondered the idea of having a fully committed, permanent relationship overnight in Bella's room. It was something I'd always envied in others – Mom and Dad, Rosalie and Emmett, and Alice and Jasper. They certainly all seemed to have found their true love. I'd had a few relationships, none of them near what I wanted, yet suitable for the time. Until today, that's what Lauren was. Well, to be honest, she was a little more to me than the others, or I wouldn't have taken her to Emily's christening. Would my niece start calling her 'Aunt Lauren' when she started talking, or should we be married for that? Did I want to be married? Marriage wasn't something I'd even considered. Did I want to marry Lauren?

These things rolled around in my brain as I stretched out as best I could on the cot. There was no way in hell I would be able to sleep, even if it was comfortable.

Was Lauren thinking of marriage and being an aunt? Was she thinking of being a mother? She couldn't be – she'd never mentioned wanting children, and her business was the most important thing in the world to her. She was already married to her restaurant – part of the reason her previous marriage ended so quickly. That was a plus for me, actually. I certainly didn't want children. I would never curse a child with my shitty DNA. I honestly liked that Lauren spent so much time at work.

Did that mean I didn't truly want a commitment from her? Surely, if I was glad to spend time apart from her on a regular basis, that must mean I wasn't looking for something permanent. But if it happened, would it be so bad? She's generous and smart, absolutely gorgeous, and we were fucking fantastic together in bed. That, for the long term, wasn't anything to rue. Most likely, it was heading in this direction anyway. Bella's accident just gave it a little nudge.

I sat up, resting on my elbows to take a look at Bella. New thoughts, mixed with old, pushed out any consideration of marriage. This may have spurred Lauren on to get closer, but I felt myself being nudged in the other direction. Bella was generous and smart. And she was gorgeous, as well. And funny. And intuitive. She knew me better than anyone outside of family. She knew me better than Lauren; she understood me better than Lauren. Did that mean Lauren would never get to the stage of knowing me the way Bella did? She probably could. But part of me didn't want that. A huge part of me wanted to keep myself just for Bella. I'd been fine all these years without having someone be so in tune with me. It wasn't necessary, but I sure as hell wanted that back with Bella.

My friend, Bella.

When she woke, would she be glad to know I'd been here? Would she be happy to see me – welcome me back into her life? Or would she withdraw and ask me to leave her alone again. That would kill me. I couldn't get my hopes up. I couldn't allow myself to believe that this meant anything to her. She didn't even know I was here.

Suddenly, I felt like an intruder. What if she doesn't want me here? She had no choice in the matter – I just threw myself into the situation. She could hate me for taking advantage of the situation.

My head was pounding. I hadn't suffered a migraine in years, but I easily recalled the signs and knew it was already past the point of no return.

Charlie noticed the difference the moment he arrived in the morning. He looked refreshed, holding two cups of coffee. His smile turned into a frown when he spotted me sitting in the darkest corner with two cold compresses – one for the forehead, and the second on the back of my neck.

"You look like hell, son," he announced, setting my cup beside me. "This is taking its toll on you. Go on home now. I'll handle it."

"Charlie, I need to ask you something." I didn't move an inch and kept my voice very low and level so as not to induce more pounding. The aroma of the coffee that would normally make my mouth water was only serving to make me nauseated. "Am I doing the right thing? Being here, I mean."

I heard him pull up a second chair and he sat across from me. Thankfully, when he spoke, his voice matched mine. "That depends on whose interests we're speaking of. By the look of it, it's not in your best interest."

"Migraine," I stated. "I'll be fine after I puke my guts up."

He chuckled softly. "That's good to know."

I sighed heavily. "I almost feel selfish."

"Selfish?" Charlie's voice showed his surprise at my confession. "How on earth do you see spending eighteen or more hours a day at someone's bedside – while they're unconscious – as being selfish? If anything, I'm the selfish one here. I've been so grateful to have you take some of the burden off me that I haven't stopped to consider how this is affecting your life. I'm sorry for that."

It pleased me to know that if nothing else, I was doing something good for Charlie. "I'm being a lousy boyfriend," I admitted as much to myself as to him.

"Your friend, Lauren, seemed very understanding."

"She is. She's being great about this. I've just sort of pushed her aside to do what I feel I need to do."

"You don't have to be here, Edward."

"I do, though. I want to be here for you. And Bella…" My stupid lip quivered saying her name so I shut up.

"It's understandable that you're torn. We're both still in shock. I imagine it's even worse for you." Charlie cleared his throat loudly, making me cringe. "I know we've never really discussed this after that day in my office… I think my daughter made a mistake. Well, probably a few mistakes, but the biggest one was cutting you out of her life."

I hesitated for a moment. It felt wrong to be discussing this in front of Bella – even if there was only the remote chance that somehow she could hear us. "Did she say that?" I finally asked, needing to know the answer.

"She didn't have to. She knows it, and I know it. She's never been the same. In a way, she isolated herself all those years ago. I spoke with Kate last Christmas – first time in years – she's so much like her mother. Beautiful, generous woman."

I smiled at Charlie's moment of reflection. I'd liked Kate very much when I'd met her as well. It seemed as though Charlie had more than a wistful wish that her sister had been more like her.

"Anyway, Kate told me that Bella never brings anyone around to the house –"

"Bella lives there – with Kate and Garrett?"

"Yep. Renee up and sold the house from under her. She hasn't spoken to her since. More isolation."

I whistled through my teeth. "She must have been devastated. Gran's house meant a lot to her."

"Her and Kate. I would have thought it would make them have an even stronger bond, but she kind of pulled away from them too. She lives with them, but not like a family member would. She spends most of her time at the school."

"But she graduated years ago… didn't she?" I knew I was pressing for information about Bella's life, but I didn't care. If Charlie was finally willing to give up details, I would surely listen.

"She works there. Under her 'mentor'."

I could hear the distaste in Charlie's voice. Hell, I could practically hear the sneer. I lifted my compress to look at him. "You disapprove?"

"Not my place to judge." Charlie looped his hands behind his head. "But no. I don't like it one bit. And here I am being selfish again. We were talking about you."

"This is fine. I'm curious to know what she's been up to." I also knew that Charlie had a keen sense of character judgment, and it made me wonder why he disliked Bella's mentor so much.

"Well, I'm gonna say my piece – just throw it out there and let the chips fall where they may. I think it's in Bella's best interest to have you here. She's in dire need of the friend she had in you all those years ago. The last thing I want to do is put you in a bad place, but you say you want to be here… if that's the case, then I think you're doing the right thing. I just don't want to see you jeopardize your other relationships, if that's what's going on. Can you juggle, Edward?"

I knew laughing would make my head throb, but I couldn't stop it. "With my lack of grace? Not likely. But I'll give it a shot."

"You should take off for a while. Do something for you. I'll hold down the fort for as long as you need." He slapped me on the knee, encouraging me to get up. "And Edward, don't drive yourself nuts trying to sort through this in your head. Things have a way of falling just how they should if you just let it play out."

It felt good having a heart-to-heart with Charlie. I'd never gone to my own dad for advice on girls or relationships. It was the wrong dad, and ten years too late, but Charlie helped me more than he could ever know with that little talk.

I went home, ate, puked, and ate again before showering. The worst of the migraine was over, so I popped some ibuprofen to keep the lingering twinges from getting stronger and headed over to Lauren's. It was her day off, and I felt like I should do something nice for her.

~ 0 ~

"Aww! Aren't you a sweetheart!" Lauren accepted my flowers and greeting kiss with enthusiasm. "I'm supposed to be taking care of you, and here you are being romantic."

Not romantic – apologetic. This was groveling, not a romantic gesture. "I know I've been shitty to you the past few days. I wanted you to know how much I appreciate the way you've handled this situation. You really are an amazing woman, Lauren."

She wrapped her arms around my neck, rubbing our noses together with a grin. "I'd do anything for you, Edward. Now you know." The nose nuzzling turned into a kiss. The kiss intensified, as did her grip on my neck. It was still tender from the migraine, so I gently removed her hands and led her to the couch with my hand on her back.

"How is your friend?" Lauren nestled in beside me, tucking her legs under herself and running her fingers through the back of my hair. "Is she doing any better?"

I shook my head. "No change."

"Charlie's there with her now?"

Nodding, I grinned at the familiarity she used.

"Good. Can I go with you when you go back?"

My grin fell. I wasn't expecting that and had no idea how to respond diplomatically. "Uh… I don't know about that. I'd feel uncomfortable bringing a stranger into Bella's room." I felt Lauren tense up against my side. Shit. That wasn't cutting it. "I would like you to meet her when she's conscious, I mean. It wouldn't be fair for you to meet her without her knowing it. I think she'd feel more comfortable meeting on common ground."

Lauren hummed her understanding, resting her head on my shoulder. That must have been the right thing to say.

"What are your plans for your day off?" I asked, wanting to change the subject quickly.

"Taking care of you. That's my plan for the entire day."

Doubt flooded my mind again – part of me enjoyed the thought of that. Normally, a day off in Lauren's care would be very pleasing. Today, however, another woman was calling to me, and I wanted, and needed, to respond to that woman. I would continue being a lousy boyfriend. If Charlie was right, it was out of my hands.

A/N ~ So here we are, back to the prologue set-up. We won't have questions answered until Bella wakes up. Soon enough. ;) I know you're cursing me for Lauren, right? But could we really expect that no sane woman has grabbed him up in all this time? Come on. Lauren is completely OOC, BTW. I couldn't put E with a woman who wasn't worthy of him.

Shug is my beta-reader who patiently persists with my punctuation issues. msj, my pre-reader, manages to make me believe I'm not completely crazy. Amazing. And I feel so fortunate to have readers who keep coming back, even when I'm a total slacker when it comes to responses. :( I suck that way, but it's not intentional. I value each one of you. Thanks for reading. XX ~ SR