I'm trying to post longer chapters. If the chapter is short, I think I'll post two chapters that day. This chapter is only in Bella's POV. Enjoy! :D
I wake up and I look around. Where am I? I thought, And where's Maxon? I notice the nurse standing next to me. "Where am I?" I ask.
"You're in the infirmary, Lady Bella," the nurse answers. "I'm Naomi and I'm taking care of you until you...well…" she cuts off.
"Until I'm what?" I ask, not understanding. There's a throbbing pain coming from my wrists and the back of my head.
"Well, um, until you die," she says, grimacing.
"What?! Why am I going to die?!"
"Well, we don't have any blood for you and Maxon. Your blood types are both O negative and you can only take O negative blood in. We don't have any O negative blood and since Maxon is king...once you die, your blood will go to Maxon…"
"Wait? Is Maxon ok?" I ask, turning my head to look if I can see him.
"He's fine. He just needs some blood…" Naomi answers me.
"Can I see him?" I ask, but Dr. Ashlar enters.
"Ah, Bella. I'm glad you are finally awake. Maxon has been waiting to say goodbye to you."
"Wait, goodbye? How much longer until I'm going to die?"
"Well, I would say about half an hour or so. Why?"
"Ok. Maxon can come over now then." Dr. Ashlar walks away from me and he turns to his right. I hear him talking to Maxon. As soon as their conversation stops, Maxon comes into view. He is using crutches, but otherwise, he looks normal. "Hi, Maxon," I say, smiling shyly because I feel uncomfortable with Naomi and Dr. Ashlar watching me like hawks.
"Bella," Maxon says, tearing up. He rushes to my side, dropping his crutches. He buries his head in my chest, letting the tears fall.
"Can we have some privacy, please?" I ask, looking at Dr. Ashlar and Naomi.
"Of course," Dr. Ashlar says, gesturing for Naomi to follow him. They walk away and I rub Maxon's head.
"Shh...Maxon, I'm right here," I say, pulling his head up so I can look at him. "I will always be here. Can you have someone write a letter to my family to tell them how and why I died?"
"Of course, love," Maxon says, already calling a guard over here. Maxon doesn't let go of my hand while he tells the guard. The guard bows and hurries off to do his task. "Bella, I love you so much. Why do you have to die?" Maxon asks as he starts crying again.
"Oh, Maxon. I love you too. Now, come lay with me," I say, as I scoot over so he can fit in the bed. He climbs in quickly and he holds me in his arms. I look at my engagement ring. "Here, Maxon," I say, taking off the ring.
"No, Bella. It's yours I want you to have it forever to show that we will always be together," Maxon says, putting the ring back on my finger.
"But Maxon, this looks insanely expensive!" I cry.
"It is, but it was made especially for you. I don't know who else I would even give it to," Maxon says, tears running down his face.
I wiped the tears off of his face. I put my nose to his nose and I looked at his chocolate brown eyes. "I love you, Maxon Calix Schreave, and don't ever forget me." My lips move closer to his. Our lips are so close to touching…
I hear someone clear their throat and I whip my head up. I see Dr. Ashlar standing there. "Yes, Doctor?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Dr. Ashlar says, "but there's someone here to see you, Lady Bella."
"Who is it?" I ask, curious.
"Well-" he starts to say, but then Princess America steps into view.
Princess America Singer is, obviously, a princess of Illéa even though she isn't a Schreave. She was adopted into the Schreave family after she came to the palace and her family disowned her. She is a musician and she has red hair and blue eyes. She's beautiful and I don't understand why Maxon didn't fall in love with her.
I gasp. "Your Highness!" I say, starting to get out of my bed to curtsy.
"Bella, you can stay in your bed. You don't need to curtsy to me. And call me America."
I lay back down in my bed. "America, why are you here?"
"Well, I heard that my brother," she glances over at Maxon, "and his fianceé were in the hospital and you both need blood, but the hospital doesn't have O negative blood. I bet that my brother didn't mention that I have O negative blood, so I'm here to donate."
I whip my head towards Maxon. "Why didn't you tell me?"
He blushes. "I kind of forgot…"
"America, I will forever owe my life to you," I say, already eternally grateful.
"It's no problem, Bella. I will happily donate blood if it means saving you two," she says, already walking away with Dr. Ashlar in tow.
I look at Maxon and he is crying. "What's wrong?!" I ask, concerned.
"Nothing. It's just I'm not losing you. You're going to live!" he replies through his tears. He smiles at me. I breathe in his cologne, glad that I'll get more time with Maxon.
I smile. "I know, it's a little surreal, to be honest."
"Bella, I don't know what I would've done with you," Maxon says, holding me in his arms.
"Maxon…" I start to say, but then I start shaking violently.
"Bella? Bella! Dr. Ashlar!" Maxon yells. Dr. Ashlar rushes into view and he looks at me.
"Naomi, how much longer until the blood is ready?!" Dr. Ashlar says, rushing over to me.
"Two more minutes, Doctor!" Naomi answers.
"Try to speed up the process!" Dr. Ashlar says.
"I'm on it," Naomi answers.
"Bella, look at me. You need blood in the next five minutes or otherwise, you aren't going to make it. Until we get you blood, you need to stay awake, or otherwise, you will never wake up. Maxon, keep her awake," Dr. Ashlar says, rushing over to where Naomi is.
"Bella, dear, look at me," Maxon says, holding me.
"Mmm…" I respond, becoming exhausted. "Maxon...I'm so cold…" I say, shivering so much my teeth are chattering.
"Darling, I'll keep you warm," Maxon says, pulling me closer to him and wrapping his
arms around me tighter. "Bella, Dr. Ashlar is coming with the blood. Just stay awake for a few more minutes…"
"Naomi, quickly!" Dr. Ashlar says, coming into view with blood. "Maxon, get out of bed and help me." Maxon, Naomi, and Dr. Ashlar work together to get the blood ready for the transfusion. "Almost there…" I feel something prick me and I tense up. "Relax, Bella." I feel something warm entering me and I relax instantly. I lay there with my eyes closed, and I feel strength entering me.
"It's working…It's working!" I hear Maxon cry. America must have come into the room because Maxon says, "America, thank you so much! Thank you!" he started to cry, probably into America's shoulder from the muffled sound.
"Maxon, it's no problem. You're my brother and I'll always be here for you. Now, you go check on Bella," America says.
I hear Maxon walk over to my bed. "Bella, are you awake?" he asks. I open my eyes slowly and nod. I smile at him, too tired to talk. I gesture for him to get in the bed once again. He climbs in and holds me in his arms. I snuggle close to him and fall asleep.