I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Ch. 17:

(EPOV)

I heard people say your life flashes before your eyes when you have a near death experience, but to witness it first hand was something else. At some points I had a hard time distinguishing between flashback and what was happening around me.

"A new girl started today. Her name is Bella Swan. She is the police chief's daughter," Alice announced, looking at me pointedly while leaning into Jasper.

"What's that look for?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know. Just you're single and she's probably single. One plus one equals two," she hemmed and hawed.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't go playing matchmaker."

She huffed in disappointment. "Don't you bet against me, Edward. She's your one, I just know it." She turned away and started to talk to Rose.

So maybe she was right.

She walked into Biology class and I felt as if the world turned on its axis. She was the prettiest girl that I had ever seen, she also appeared to be shy. I could tell right away she was different from all the other girls, that she was special.

The teacher directed her towards where I was sitting. I moved my things over so she would have some space. She sat down and her brown eyes appeared nervous as they locked with my own.

"Hi, I'm Edward Cullen." I held my hand out to her. She brushed her long, brown hair over her shoulder, before she extended her hand.

"Bella Swan," Her blush darkened as she slipped her small hand into mine.

Someone spoke that I didn't recognize. "You can hold his hand. Just watch out for the wires. He might be able to hear you too. So go ahead and talked to him. If you think Masen is up to it, a visit from him might cheer Edward up too."

Was he okay? What about Bella? Please, tell me I didn't fail them. What happened to Alec? Please, tell me that he didn't touch them.
"I don't know, he's only three," my angel's voice spoke up. She sounded tired and upset. I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn't move.

"He's Edward's," I heard her snap. I could only suspect it was about Masen being my son.

Drift…

"You want to go out on a date?" Bella paused. She pulled her lower lip in her mouth biting it and her brown eyes grew big.

"Forget it, I don't know what I was thinking. I know you've said you don't date. Sorry." I started backing away as I spoke then turned to leave.

"Edward," she called.

I looked over my shoulder.

"Yes." She smiled shyly, blushing.

"Yes?" I questioned in case I didn't hear her right. I turned around and my backpack slipped down my back slightly.

"Yes." She nodded.

My angle spoke again. Pleading with me. "Wake up soon. You have a little boy who needs his daddy. I need you too. You promised not to leave, so fight this. Wake up. I love you so much."

'I'm trying!' I wanted to yell but couldn't. 'I love you, too. Tell Masen, I love him. I'm fighting.'

I knocked on the door and it opened with a man in a police uniform staring at me. He looked me up and down with a frown. "May I help you?" he asked sternly.

"Yes, sir, I'm here to pick Bella up," I replied nervously.

"And you are?" he asked gruffly.

"Edward Cullen, sir," I held out my hand. He shook it and I tried not wince when he squeezed it.

"How long have you had your license, Edmund?" he asked.

"Just over a year, sir. My record is clean, I promise," I stuttered slightly.

"Dad, leave him alone," Bella appeared at the door. Looking beautiful in jeans and a pretty blue top. She was carrying a sweater with her.

"Just wanted to get to know Edmund here." He shrugged unapologetically.

"His name is Edward. You know that." She rolled her eyes before looking at me. She broke out into a smile. "Hi, Edward, are you ready to go?"

"I am. You look beautiful." I complimented her. She blushed and turned to her father.

"Bye, Dad." She waved.

"Fine. Drive safe. Take care of my daughter." He watched as we went to the car and I opened the door for her.

"He's in here," I recognize the voice of my father.

"Oh, my baby," I heard my mother's voice close by.

"The doctor believes he is going to make it through just fine." My father was on my other side.

"Are they sure? Maybe we should get a specialist in here," my mother sounded like she was crying.

"He sustained a blow to the head. His scan showed signs of swelling, which would be normal for this injury. There are no clots and brain activity is good. They will check again soon. He's going to be okay." My father promised her patiently.

"What did the doctor say about Emmett?" my mother asked.

Emmett was here and injured?

"Emmett is worse off than Edward right now. He survived surgery, but is still being closely monitored. The bullet punctured his left lung. Another inch and it would've gotten his heart. He is in a medically induced coma and on a respirator." I felt some of my anger melt away hearing his life was in the balance.

"Is it true? Did he take that bullet for Bella?" Mom was crying.

"That is what I heard from Jasper. He said Bella told him that Emmett jumped in front of her when Alec tried to shoot her. He saved her life," dad answered.

Alec was that close to her. I felt an overwhelming gratitude to Emmett. How could I not, he saved her life, and probably Masen's since Masen was with her.

"Are you sure about this, love. I don't want to rush you into anything you're not ready for." I pulled her back to the bed and sat, pulling her on to my lap. Her admission made me hopeful, but I didn't want to rush her because she felt scared.

"I was afraid to rush too. But the feeling of losing you again is too much to bear. I can't handle that either." She looked nervous and was fidgeting. I covered her hands to calm her down.

I knew the feeling, it would break me to lose either of them.

"Then we will go as slow as you need. I think you're already taking steps in the right direction with wanting to see someone for help. I will support you however, I can. If you are agreeable, maybe I can sit in on some sessions or we find some for couples or even family sessions, whatever the both of you need." I suggested as I rubbed my nose against her cheek and then kissed a tear on her cheek tenderly.

"You're really willing to work with me on this? There are days I'm just about ready to give up." She seemed surprised at first that she was honest with me.

"Then I won't let you. I get you need to stand on your own two feet, but there is nothing wrong with me supporting you to do so. I'm not that scared 18yr old boy, who bailed when he started to panic," I vowed to her.

Her reaction a few minutes ago alerted me that I could never make that mistake again.

More time went by, I am not sure how much. As it went by I had fewer flashbacks and better sense of what was going on around me. I could hear the steady beep of a machine and my parents talking quietly. My mother was worried about seeing Bella again after everything. She was also worried she messed up so much she would never get a chance to meet her grandson.

I was aware that Bella was back in the room on one side of me and my mother on the other. My mother apologized and explained to Bella what had happened, mother to mother. I knew she was still hurting even though she told my mother she understood and wasn't going to keep Masen from her. She said it was what I wanted but I wanted her to do what she wanted. I would have to talk with her when I woke up.

I felt her touch my hand and she brushed my hair. "Please, wake up soon. You have a little boy who misses you, so much. He's not the only one." She squeezed my hand. I concentrated as hard as I could trying to squeeze her hand back. I heard her voice catch when she felt it.

"I think he just squeezed my hand," Bella sound excited. "Edward, can you hear me? Can you squeeze my hand again?"

It was easier this time when I squeezed her hand. I squeezed my other hand knowing my mother had been holding on to it.

"Oh, I felt something too. Edward, sweetheart, can you open your eyes," she pleaded with me.

"What's going on here?" I heard my father again.

"Carlisle, I think he might be waking up. He squeezed our hands," my mother sound excited.

"It could have just been a muscle spasm," he explained.

"It wasn't a muscle spasm. I know he meant to do it." I heard my angel insisted.

"Edward, squeeze Bella's hand if you can feel this?" my father asked. I felt nothing and was worried.

"What does that mean? Is he paralyzed?" My mother sounded frantic.

"No, he's just not responding to stimuli so it means he's still in a coma, but he might be starting to wake up. However, that can take hours, or days, still. It's not like on TV, or in the movies," he warned them.

I felt slightly relieved too. I was ready to wake up and hold Bella in my arms and hold Masen.

"Bella, maybe you should go get some sleep. You look dead on your feet, dear," my father suggested kindly.

"I'm fine." I could tell she was lying even though I couldn't see her. She sounded exhausted. I squeezed her hand. "He just squeezed my hand again. I want to be here when he wakes up," she insisted stubbornly.

"Bella, I understand you want to be here for him, but the best thing you can do for him, and Masen, is to get some rest. I'm not trying to get you to go to be mean," dad said as kindly as possible. "I promise if he shows more signs of waking up, I'll call you immediately, but you know that if he was awake that Edward would tell you the same thing we are."

"I know. Jasper is visiting Emmett. He was going to take me home in about an hour. You promise to call?" she sounded defeated.

"Of course, after all, as his fiancée, you should be alerted immediately," dad sounded amused.

My fiancée? How long have I been out?

"Thank you for that," she whispered shyly.

"It was the very least we could do," mom answered.

LB

I don't remember much after I drifted off. I thought I opened my eyes once or twice, but it could've been another dream.

"How is he?" my angel asked.

"He's better. He's out of the coma and is asleep. He should wake soon. He's been mumbling yours and Masen's names for about an hour now," dad informed her.

"Can I wake him?" Masen asked.

I felt so relieved hearing his little voice.

"No, sweetie, daddy needs his sleep," Bella softly explained to him.

"But I want him awake," he whined.

"He will soon. Masen do you know who this man is?" Bella distracted him.

He must have shook his head since I didn't hear anything.

"This is your daddy's daddy. He is your grandpa."

"Hi," Masen whispered shyly.

"Nice to meet you, Masen," dad greeted him warmly.

"Who is she?" Masen asked.

"That is your daddy's mommy. She would be your Grandma," Bella answered.

"Why are you crying? Is my daddy okay?" Masen sounded upset.

"Your daddy is going to be fine, honey. I'm crying because I'm happy to meet you," mom answered emotionally.

I tried to open my eyes and blinked in the dim light. It took me a moment before I focused in on Masen, who was holding Bella's hand by the door. He was clutching Grover in one hand. He spotted that I was awake first.

"Daddy," he squealed and broke free from Bella.
She made a grab for him but he was too quick. "Masen," she froze momentarily when she saw I was awake.

"Daddy, you're awake. I missed you." He climbed up on the empty chair and tried for the bed.

Bella caught him before he succeed.

"Hold on, Masen, we need to be careful so we don't hurt daddy or the wires." She pulled him into her lap.

He pouted slightly.

I opened my mouth to say it was okay, but my throat was too dry. I ended up coughing.

"Here," mom held out a cup with a straw. The water felt good as it soothed my throat.

"Thank you," my voice was still rough. "I think I have a frog in my throat." I cleared it again. I turned and smiled at my son who was now looking at me wide-eyed.

"You ate a frog?" he looked at me in disbelief. "Let me see?" he leaned forward.

I opened my mouth and he tried to look in. My dog tags dangled from his neck.

"I don't see him." Masen's eyebrow furrowed.

"Daddy, was just joking," Bella explained softly.

Masen leaned back into her and grinned.

"How are you feeling, son?" my father asked, standing by the foot of the bed.

"Like an elephant sat on my head," I answered.

Masen giggled this time. While the others just looked slightly amused.

"Silly Daddy, elephants live in Aftrica and Asia. Not here." Masen laughter was the best medicine.

"You're very smart, Masen. You must have gotten that from your mom." Dad winked at him. He turned to me with a smirk. "I'll go tell the doctor you're awake so they can make sure that elephant didn't turn your brain into peanut butter." He snickered.

"Funny," I rolled my eyes and winced slightly.

When he left the room I turned my head to Bella. She was brushing a few tears from her eyes. She looked pale and still exhausted.

"Hey, beautiful, how are you?" I asked softly.

She gave me a watery smile.

"Better," she whispered. She wiped her eyes again with her left hand, and I noticed the promise ring on her hand.

"Can I get a hug, Masen?" I opened my arms to him.

He practically launched himself to me before Bella held him back.

"Masen, careful, daddy is still hurt," Bella reprimanded kindly.

"The only thing that hurts is my head. It will be okay, just careful not to touch any wires okay, little buddy."

He nodded and slowly made his way on the bed this time. I wrapped my arms around his small body and kissed the top of his head.

"I missed you, Daddy," he whispered.

"I missed you too." I closed my eyes briefly.
"I got something for you." He held out his Grover. "Auntie Alice helped me making a Super Grover costume for him. He can stay with you and protect you." I grinned and took the small toy.

"Thank you." I kept one arm around him and reached out the other to Bella. She grasped it tightly and I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it.

"I love you," I whispered looking directly into her eyes.

"I love you, too." Her eyes filled with emotion.

I turned to my mom without letting go of my family.

"Sorry, Mom," I apologized.

She just smiled and nodded and she ruffled Masen's hair a bit.

"I'm just glad you are all okay and that…" she hesitated. "The proper person will be behind bars soon." She smiled. Alec wasn't in jail yet, what did that mean?

"What happened?" I asked.

"We can get into details later." Bella glanced at Masen.

I nodded in agreement.

Dr. Gerandy entered with my father at his heels. My mother got up so that Bella didn't have to.

"Which one of you is my patient?" he teased.

I was glad he didn't lecture that Masen was lying with me.

"My daddy is." Masen lifted his head and looked at the doctor warily.

"I see. Can you do me a favor and go sit with your mom for a minute so that I can check him out?" he asked with a smile.

Masen nodded and slipped back to Bella.

"Daddy has a frog in his throat and he said an elephant sat on his head," Masen explained and the other adults laughed lightly.

"Well, that's not good." Dr. Gerandy chuckled. "Let's check that out. What did you do to get all these animals to attack you?" he joked as he held up a pen light.

I followed it with my eyes as directed. "I'm not sure," I answered.

He went on to test my reflexes and even had Masen help him a bit. After a thorough examination he stood back and smiled.

"I'm sure you will have a headache for a while, so I'll get you some more meds for that. But everything else looks good. I think we should keep you one more night to be one the safe side, but I think there will be no problem with you going home tomorrow."

"That sounds great." I was slightly disappointed that I wasn't going to be released today, but I knew that it was far-fetched after being out for a couple of days.

"And something for being a very good boy." Dr. Gerandy pulled a red lollipop out from his coat.
"Ahh… thanks." I felt like a kid suddenly.

"Not for you. For him." Dr. Gerandy held the treat out to Masen who was waiting quietly with Bella.

He looked at her first and she nodded. He took it carefully. "Tank you," he whispered.

"You're welcome. Take good care of your daddy, okay?" Masen nodded then put his thumb in his mouth, which was a new thing.

"Thank you, Garry." My father shook his hand before he left.

"Knock, knock," Jasper announced as he and Alice stood in the doorway.

"Hey, guys, come on in," I called. They entered hand in hand and came over to the bed.

"Hey, Rip Van Wrinkle, glad to see you finally woke up." Jasper smirked.

"Yeah, well, what can I say, I need my beauty rest." I smirked.

"Masen, your grandma and I were going to get some lunch. Would you like to come with us? I know the cafeteria has some great ice cream." My father suggested. I knew he was trying to distract him so we could talk. Masen looked at Bella who nodded encouragingly but he still looked nervous.

"I don't want to leave, daddy," he stated crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I'll be right here when you get back." I promised, but he still looked unsure. His thumb went back into his mouth.

"I love ice cream. May I come?" Alice offered to help get him out of the room for a short bit.

"Of course, Alice. We will love to have you." Mom smiled.

"You coming or do I get all the ice cream?" Alice looked at Masen.

"Do they have cherries?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know, let's go find out. We can even bring back some for your mom and dad. How does that sound?" dad smiled.

"I would love some ice cream," I replied with a smile.

"Okay," he slid off Bella's lap and grabbed Alice's hand.

Once they left I turned to Bella.

"How are you really?" I asked her, and almost immediately the dam broke and she started to cry.

A/N:

He's awake. He doesn't know many details yet, but will by next chapter. I did my best for the medical details, by using medical websites that seemed reputable. If the info is wrong I apologize.

Thank You For All Reviews

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Preview Alert

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Preview:

There was a quick knock and Jasper entered quickly.

"Sorry to bug you two, but I just heard from Peter and I thought you would like to hear the newest news," he apologized as he took the seat on other side of me.

"Did he find Rose?" Bella asked looking a bit anxious.

"No. She already left the place she was in. She didn't go home either." Jasper answered with apologetic look. Bella frowned and she looked very worried about her. She probably wouldn't rest until she knew that Rosalie was alright.

"I have news about Alec." Jasper looked at me then glanced at Bella cautiously. She stiffened and put down the spoon. She reached for my hand and laced our fingers together.