One chapter will talk about the past, one about the present until we reach the point where we began with the present. Confusing much? It keeps things interesting. ;)
Same disclaimer applies-Twilight belongs to S.M., but the idea of this story is mine.
Many thanks to my awesome betas and friends - TeamAllTwilight and m0t0b33. And to my newest help: Momma Laura.
Here's Saturday already (along with some other places in the world, I bet). I have a family gathering so this is an early update.
Tissues warning.
June 2012
I knock once before opening the door and stepping inside, not looking toward the bed.
When I get my courage up to look at Edward, I see his head lolling to the side, his eyes closed. He's sleeping.
I take a moment to just look at him.
There is a white bandage wrapped around his head—he probably has a concussion.
The blanket is tucked in on his sides, his hands resting on top of it.
I can't help but stare at his legs.
This can't be happening. The doctor is wrong.
He has to be wrong.
I walk closer and sit at the end of the bed, resting my hand on Edward's knee. It's an uncalculated gesture, but it shows me the cruel reality. He doesn't even stir.
"Edward," I murmur, covering his hand.
He jerks and opens his eyes. "Bella!" He squeezes my hand, clenching his teeth. "Come here. Closer. Let me hug you."
"Uh, what?" I ask, unsure.
"I want to make sure you're real. Please, come closer. I can't." He swallows hard. "I can't move."
I slide closer and immediately wrap my arms around his neck. "God, Edward. I'm so sorry for everything. I bet your feelings changed three sixty. You must hate me right now, don't you?"
"Are you crazy, baby?" he whispers, pushing me away a little to stare in my eyes. "I'm worried you'd find me…repulsive now."
"Are you crazy?" I throw his words back at him.
A small smile appears at the corner of his mouth. Edward strokes my cheek, keeping his intense green eyes on mine.
Instinctively, I lean closer until we're a breath away, and then I take his face in both my hands and press my lips to his. He moans loudly, kissing me harder, his hot tongue licking at my bottom lip. I thread my fingers through his soft hair while his hands move up and down my back.
This kiss holds so much meaning, so many feelings. It brings tears to my eyes.
When we need to breathe, I pull away, sitting quietly next to him, holding his hand in mine.
Suddenly, Edward clears his throat. "Any idea what happened with my things?"
"They're at your mom's now. Uh, I'm sorry about your phone—it's broken."
"Only my phone is there?" he asks worried.
I know where he's headed, but I'm not ready.
I beam at him. "You're lucky my gift for you survived unscathed."
Edward gives me a faint smile. "I really love the watch."
"Your wallet is there, too," I add quietly.
"Isabella, this is not how I wanted to do it," he mutters. "What else did you find in my things?"
"Your car keys," I blurt out.
He chuckles, stroking his thumb over my palm.
"And…uh…there was this fancy box from Tiffany's," I mumble, peeking at him through my lashes. He's watching my every movement. "It had a nice ring in it."
"Do you like it?" Edward asks hoarsely, frowning.
I see that he wants to move, and I jump up, looking around. "Do you need anything?"
He swallows audibly. "Don't worry, just come here. Tell me."
I keep eye contact as I raise his hand to my mouth. "Yes," I choke out, bursting in tears.
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, it's beautiful. Yes, I love you, too—so much I have no idea I could hide it. Yes, I'll marry you."
His eyes are huge, and the heart monitor beeps rapidly and loudly. He tugs on my hand, and I silently comply, leaning to kiss him again.
"Bring it here. I want to put the ring on your finger—where it belongs."
I grin, hugging him tightly. "I'll be here with you no matter what," I promise, kissing him again.
Our moment is broken by the door opening loudly as two doctors and a few nurses rush inside. They sigh in relief, and except for Dr. Greene, they all leave.
"That's the one reason I don't agree with the patient's significant other near them. The monitor goes awry."
We giggle like two school children.
"I'll be right back." I wink at Edward and leave the room feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
He still loves me.
And no matter what the verdict is, I will love Edward for the rest of my life.
Of course, even though everyone says it's not my fault, I'll always feel that way.
I find his family in the waiting room. Victoria jumps on her feet when she sees me, her eyes are searching mine.
"Can I see him?"
I nod. "I think so. The doctor is in there now. Uh…he asked for his things," I say awkwardly because his parents know what's there.
Esme hands me the bag, smiling softly. Then she wraps an arm around my waist. "Let's visit him."
The look on Edward's face when he sees me and his family is priceless. I wished we were alone, too.
His mom goes to sit next to him and whispers softly, stroking his hair.
"What did the doctor say?" his dad asks, walking closer.
Edward purses his lips. "It's not that bad; those were his words. How the fuck isn't it bad when I can't feel my legs?" he groans, exasperated. "He said I would heal, but it will take time, and it's going to be a slow process."
My heart bursts at the news.
He's going to be okay.
There's a chance.
"Edward!" Victoria rushes to him, throwing herself on top of him and hugging her brother tightly. He looks surprised, but returns the hug.
Keeping her there, he looks at his parents. "Where's Rosalie?"
"She'll be here as soon as she can. She can't leave the school just yet," Esme explains.
"I see." Edward glances at me. "Did you talk with anyone from work?"
My eyes widen in horror. "Uh, crap. I forgot to call Mr. Brown." I quickly pull out my phone, but Edward stretches his right hand.
"Give it here. I want to talk to him."
I put my phone in his palm. "Your card is in my phone… You can call him from your number if you want." I shrug.
He smiles and starts thumbing through my phone. Victoria snuggles better into his side, apparently not ready to be separated from him just yet. Esme's on his other side, one hand stroking his head, the other on his shoulder. Carlisle is at his feet, looking solemnly at his son.
I feel so out of place.
Just then, the door opens to reveal Rose with her husband, Emmett. Her face is tear-stained, and she's pale.
"You're alive!" she exclaims.
"Barely," Edward answers, hanging up with the boss. "I keep thinking that it could have been worse, but then I realize that I can't walk…" He sighs. "Damn."
I wrap my arms around my middle, stifling a sob.
"Look what you've done!" Rose turns to me, shouting.
I blanche, biting my lip, hoping I won't burst in tears in front of everyone.
"I never liked her! Look what she's done to you!"
"Rose, don't blame Bella," Edward hisses. "I really don't want to fight right now. I already feel like shit, and I don't need you to annoy me further."
"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't bitch slap her and kick her sorry ass out of your room!"
My eyes that have been on the blonde woman, jump to Edward.
What's he going to say?
"How's she better than that piece of work, Heidi?" Rose adds, making my choke on my spit.
"How dare you compare me with that skank?" I yell, feeling my blood pressure rising.
"Oh, that's a smart move, Edward. You told her about Heidi," Rose sneers.
Edward frowns, fisting his hands. "Can you stop insulting the woman I love?"
She snorts. "You love her? God, you have horrible taste."
"Rose, darling, calm down. You can't interfere in his love life every time, just because you don't like the woman he's dating," Esme says sternly. "It's his choice."
"How can I stand by and watch him ruining his life? Look what this whore's done to him! My brother will be stranded forever in a wheelchair!"
I feel bile rising once again.
Thanks for making me feel like shit. It's not enough I hate myself for what happened; she had to come and put salt on the wound.
"Rosalie, if you say one more word against Bella, I swear I'm never talking to you again!" Edward shouts, his whole face red.
The door of his room opens to reveal a nurse. She looks surprised then purses her lips.
"No more than three visitors."
"You can all go. I've had enough of this," Edward mutters. "Except you," he whispers, looking at me. "I need you here, baby."
I get the shivers when he calls me that.
And his stupid sister has to ruin the moment. "She's not family!"
"She is!" Edward barks, snatching the bag from his mother's hands and taking the box out. "I'm going to marry her one day."
"Oh, honey. We know you love Bella. Come on, let's leave them alone." Esme stands and gestures for the family to follow her out the door.
Rose doesn't seem to budge, but Carlisle puts a hand on her back, more or less pushing her out the room. I can hear light scolding as they go, but I don't pay attention to them anymore.
I scurry to Edward's side and snuggle next to him, resting my head on his chest.
He takes my hand and after kissing the top of it, I feel something cold sliding against my ring finger.
"I love you, Bella."
I look between the rock on my finger and his honest green eyes. "I love you, too."
.
.
.
After a week of being under the watchful eyes of the doctors, Edward can go home. That's when a problem arises.
How will he fend for himself?
Esme offers her house to him, but Edward declares that he can't live there, especially not under the same roof with a teenaged hormonal sister. That makes Victoria pout and the rest of us laugh.
But we're all concerned about him.
Until Carlisle takes me a few feet away from his son's bed.
"You're engaged."
"Yes, sir." I nod.
"I'm not pressuring you into this, only merely suggesting it. What if you moved in with Edward? I bet he'll be more at ease if you were there to help him with whatever he'll need. You see how stubborn he is. We'd take him with us, but as much as he loves Vicky, they can fight over nothing like no one else."
I give him a small smile, shifting my eyes to Edward, who's watching me curiously. He's now sitting in a wheelchair, scowling at Dr. Greene.
I return my eyes to Carlisle's blue ones. "I guess that's a good idea."
He beams at me, patting my shoulder.
"But I don't know anything about this!" I blurt out. "How can I take care of him? I'm scared."
"We'll figure something out. Let's inform him of the plan."
When I'm next to him again, Edward takes my hand, grinning up at me. It's like he forgets about his problems when I'm next to him. This proves how much he loves me.
How could I not see this?
God, I've been blind.
"So, what's the plan, baby?"
"I'm coming home with you," I say off-handedly.
"Good." He nods.
I clear my throat, glancing at Carlisle, who's stifling a smile. "I'm moving in with you," I explain.
Edward gets a funny expression on his face—one eyebrow raised, wide eyes, mouth gaping. It's as funny as hell, but I can't laugh until I hear it from him that it's okay.
"That means I don't have to agree on that nurse?" he asks, checking with his doctor.
"I'm afraid the nurse will have to visit at least once a week. Until your girlfriend gets the hang of how to take care of you."
"Fiancée!" Edward corrects him, squeezing my fingers. "And okay, but as long as I get my baths from Bella."
I turn red at his innuendo.
"I'm sure Nelly will teach her everything that she needs to know," Dr. Greene says, smirking. "You can go, but don't forget about the check-up in a month."
God help me, I'm going to move in with Edward.
My life has changed so drastically in the past week that I feel like I'm just a spectator to what's going on.
There is only one chapter frm the past left, then we have only present time and the honeymoon, then life. :)
