By day five, I feel more human and am moved out of the intensive care unit. I'm finally allowed to take a quick five-minute shower with the help of a nurse and Rose, and it's glorious. The running water feels fantastic, and I even get to wash my hair. Technically, Rose washes it, but still. I feel refreshed by the time I'm done and into a new hospital gown and underwear.

"Slowly, Bella," Rose says, helping me back to bed.

Apparently, I'm too speedy for her, but I feel like I'm moving at a turtle's pace. I know I have at least another week left here, but I'm so ready to prove I can go home.

"My balance is steady," I say. "You don't need to keep an arm around me."

"I'd rather be safe than piss off our boyfriends by letting you fall."

They would probably be rather upset, so I indulge her, letting her help me into the bed. She doesn't wait for my nurse to get back and hooks up my monitors herself. Once a nurse, always a nurse, I guess.

"Thank you for your help," I say earnestly. "I'm sorry if I'm a pain in the ass patient."

She smiles and laughs softly. "You're hardly the worst. I know you just want to heal as fast as possible, but you have to remember that you just got a new heart. It's gonna be a process."

I nod as she spreads the blankets over my legs as the door opens. Emmett comes in with our food, and I'm so glad. For some reason, I can't handle much right now, but soup has been a lifesaver. There's a deli downstairs with the best chicken noodle soup, and I salivate at the thought of it as he sets the bag down on my bedside tray table.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, kissing my forehead before putting his hand against it. He's been obsessive about checking for a fever.

I smile as he pulls my soup out of the bag and hands Rose a sandwich. Edward stayed with me last night while Emmett and Rose actually got some rest in the hotel room. They've been taking turns so no one gets worn out, and I'm never left completely alone, which I appreciate.

I quickly dip a spoon in the bowl and moan as the delicious broth, noodles, and chicken hits my taste buds. "Mmm, this is so good. Thank you."

"Sure thing, Bells. Did you eat any of your breakfast this morning?"

"The eggs suck, so no, not really."

He grimaces slightly. "You need to eat more than just soup, Bella. I know you feel better, but you won't get far without eating right."

I try not to roll my eyes because he's correct, but nothing else is appetizing right now. My throat is still slightly sore, and a lot of things just make me nauseous. I blame the pain meds Edward still has me on. We're tapering me off them soon, which I'm not looking forward to because the whole cracking open my chest thing has been rather unpleasant. He wants me off them completely before I'm discharged because, otherwise, I could easily get addicted.

"I'll try an actual sandwich for dinner, okay? Just turkey and cheese though," I say.

He smiles. "I'll get you anything."

Right now, I just need to take baby steps. While I feel better, I still have a long road ahead of me, and Emmett's right. A girl can't live on chicken noodle soup alone.


Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.