Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Faith, Hope, And Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 14:

Confessions…

Edward woke with the sun shining brightly on him. He groaned and rolled over, scrubbing a hand over his face. When he turned his head and looked at the clock, he shot up straight. The green numbers read 12:00.

“Fuck!”

He swung his legs over the side of his bed and ran into the adjoining bathroom. He flipped on the shower, stripped, and jumped under the spray, screaming when the frigid water hit him.

“Shit, that’s cold.” He adjusted the temp and hurried through his shower, brushing his teeth as he washed his hair one-handed. When he was done, he grabbed his electric razor and buzzed off the four-day growth, leaving just the scruff.

He yanked on a pair of jeans, pulled on his socks, and slipped his feet into his well-worn Chucks. He then pulled a shirt over his head and ran down the stairs, sliding to a halt in front of his mother.

“Mom, why’d you let me sleep so late?”

Esme smiled, handing him a to-go cup of coffee and a bagel sandwich. “Sweetie, you needed the rest and Bella isn’t going anywhere. Now take your coffee and eat your breakfast. Go see your girl and tell her I’ll be there to see her later.”

Edward nodded and bit into his bagel. “Fanks, Mom.”

He walked out the door, got in his car, and quickly drove to the hospital. When he stepped off the elevator onto Bella’s floor, he finally settled down. He walked down the corridor and to her room. Before he reached it, however, the nurse called his name.

“Edward!”

He turned and grimaced. “Hey, Lauren.”

“They moved her. She’s in room 205 down on the second floor.”

He nodded and turned back to the elevator bank. “Thanks.”

**FHL**

Bella was giggling at Emmett. He had just taken a taste of the broth they had brought for her lunch. “Bella, seriously! There is no way you can survive on that,” Emmett grimaced.

“She’s not allowed solid foods yet, Emmett.” Edward smiled from the doorway.

Bella returned his smile and waved him over. “You look better. Did you sleep?”

“Yeah, I slept until noon. I feel better,” he nodded. “You look good. What did Dr. George say?”

Bella leaned her head back on her pillow. “My scan from this morning came back clear, so the bleed is gone. No more swelling. Someone from ortho is coming up to set my arm and put it in a cast. So I got a new room and crappy food. All’s well.”

“Good. You still have to take it easy though, right?”

Bella nodded. “I’m going to be here for another week. They want to make sure all my motor functions are operating correctly. Then someone has to stay with me for a week after I get home. I’m not allowed to do anything for myself for a month. I can’t come back to work for another month, and even then, I’ll only be allowed back part time.”

Edward sank into the chair by her side. “That stinks, but it’s only temporary. You’ll be back to full-time before you know it.”

Bella nodded but didn’t say anything. The room was suddenly filled with an awkward silence even Emmett didn’t know how to change. Instead, he looked at Rosalie and the couple silently agreed to leave.

“Okay, Bells, we’re gonna take off,” Emmett said. “You get some rest and we’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Rosalie leaned down and hugged her friend. “Love you, Sweetie.”

“Love you guys, too.” Bella smiled as they left. She sighed once the door was shut and looked at Edward. “I love having visitors, but it’s exhausting.”

Edward reached out and took her hand. “Rest, Bella. I’m not going anywhere.”

She shook her head. She had so much she needed to tell him. “I don’t want to, Edward. There is so much…”

He shook his head. “We have plenty of time.”

“That’s just it, though. If this accident has taught me anything, it’s life is fragile. I’ve been scared for so long.” She stopped and looked him in the eyes. “I don’t want to be scared anymore.”

“Scared of what?” Edward needed to know what she was thinking.

Bella shook her head. “So many things.”

“Bella, we all have fears. Lord knows I do.” Edward squeezed her hand.

“What are you afraid of, Edward?”

“I’m scared of never being a doctor, or if I become one, will I be any good? I’m afraid to lose someone I care about—my friends, my family. Mostly, though, I am scared I’ll never get to be with the woman that I love.”

Bella felt her heart clench. He had found someone; she was too late. She tried to stop the tears from falling, but one slipped out anyway.

Edward watched her reaction and suddenly had reason to hope. When he saw the tear slide down her face, he reached forward to wipe it away. “Baby, please don’t cry.”

Bella turned to him in shock at the endearment. “Edward?”

“Bella, I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you this for years. It took almost losing you to open my eyes.” Edward took a deep breath and looked deep into her eyes. “I’m in love with you, Bella.”