Visitors

A knock sounded at the door causing Bella to pull her eyebrows together grimacing. The door opened revealing Carlisle and Charlie. They both looked frantic as they came into the room. Their eyes scanned the room taking in the situation.

"Bella. Bella. Edward is she awake? How is she? What's wrong with her? Someone tell me somethi…"

Bella's moan silenced Charlie's frantic shouts. Her head turning and tucking into my shoulder.

"Mr Swan please quieten down. If you could step outside I'll let you know what I can. Bella needs rest and peace and quiet. She is stable at the moment but anything could trigger a panic attack with the state she is in. If you'll follow me."

Charlie followed two of the doctors out of the room after giving an apologetic look to me. I gave him a weak smile to reassure him everything was fine. Carlisle pulled the Doctor with the clipboard to the corner of the room, conversing quietly.

"Love you Edward."

Bella's breezy voice said. I looked down at her exhausted face as her eyes stared up at me.

"I love you too Bella. You need to get some rest baby. You look exhausted."

Bella's heavy breathing evened out as she fell into a peaceful sleep. I stroked her hair softly as she lightly snored against my chest. I gave her forehead a kiss before looking up at Carlisle. He nodded at the doctor, and then made his way over to the bedside. The last doctor left the room as Carlisle sat down.

"Well done Edward. You saved Bella's life."

"She nearly died dad. I couldn't let her. She's my life. It's all my fault though. If I hadn't left in the first place none of this would have happened. Bella would be perfectly healthy."

"Son don't blame yourself. None of this will ever be your fault. I should have noticed the signs. Just remember that Bella will never blame you."

"Thank you dad. You've been there for me almost my whole life. Thank you for taking me in when I needed someone."

"It's okay son. Thank you for letting me into your life."

There was a long pause as we just sat there watching Bella sleeping.

"Is she going to be alright?"

"I don't know son. From what I've heard she is in a critical position right now. We won't know for certain until she's had plenty of rest. She has you though and I know she'll make it. Don't give up son, there's so much hope if you believe there is."

"I nearly gave up. Her breathing stopped in the classroom. She died in my arms dad. I did what I could but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help her."

"You saved her Edward. You got her heart beating again long enough for those with professional training to help. The point is that you didn't give up. I'm so proud of you son."

"Thank you dad."

"I'm going to go see the others and tell them what's going on. You know what to do if you need help. Make sure Bella gets plenty of sleep."

"Can you send Charlie and mom in? I think Charlie will want to see Bella."

"Of course son. I'll see you later."

"Bye dad."

Carlisle left the room, closing the door gently. A quiet, annoyed moan came from Bella as she tried hiding her face in the gap between my arm and side.

"Shh. It's okay Bella."

She sighed as she settled in my arms, falling into a deep sleep. I rocked her back and forth, humming her lullaby. I lifted her left hand to my lips, kissing the back of her knuckles and rubbing her forth finger that held her wedding ring I'd given her.

There was a gentle knock at the door signalling Charlie and Esme's arrival.

"Come in."

I kept my voice low so as not to disturb Bella. The door opened a fraction as Esme's head into the room.

"Come in mom. Bella's asleep."

She gave me an attempted happy smile as she came into the room with Charlie behind her. Both their eyes were red and puffy from the crying I assumed they'd been doing. Esme sat in the seat next to the bed whilst Charlie pulled another chair up on the other side.

"Thank you Edward. Thank you for saving my baby girl. I'll never be able to repay you."

"You don't need to repay me Charlie. I did it because I love her. I can't live without her."

"She's a lucky girl to have a man like you Edward. You're an honourable man that looks after those he loves. I couldn't ask for anyone better for Bella. Take care of her, she needs you."

"We need each other."

A lone tear ran down my cheek as I thought back to the years of torture I had to go through. Not because of my predicament but because I wasn't with Bella.

"Son, I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks mom. I couldn't just give up on her though. She's worth so much more than that."

There was a moment of silence as tears ran down our faces silently.

"How is she?"

"They don't know. She will be touch and go until she's had enough rest. Another panic attack could be fatal. She's strong though; she'll make it if she wants. But she may have to fight for it."

"She'll fight. She's my daughter. Us Swan's don't give up without a fight. Bella may be the first female in the Swan family but she's the strongest there has ever been. If there is one thing I know, it's that she will fight to the end."

Charlie's teeth gritted together as he refrained from shouting. He stood from his chair, kissed Bella on the forehead and walked to the door.

"Take care of my daughter Edward. If there's any change let me know."

"I will."

He left the room quietly after giving one last desperate look at Bella. Esme grabbed my shoulder, squeezing it softly.

"Carlisle told us about what you did in the classroom Edward. Everyone's so proud of your actions. They all said that they don't they'd have the strength to do that. We've all been crying so badly."

She gave a broken laugh as she looked me in the eye.

"It's good to have you home son. Better late than never hey."

"Yeah. I'm sorry for not coming back sooner but there were matters I had to deal with. Difficult matters that took longer than I wanted to solve. Thank you for taking me in mom. You've made me into the person I am today."

"Do you know why it was you we adopted Edward?"

I looked at her confused.