Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Faith, Hope, And Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 13:

Explanations…

“What’s the last thing you remember, Bells?” Charlie asked.

Bella turned her head to look at her father. He looked like he hadn’t shaved or slept in a week. She licked her dry lips, but when she tried to open her mouth to speak, she still sounded like she had swallowed sand.

“Let me get you some water,” Edward said before walking out of the room. He returned quickly and held a straw to her lips.

Bella sucked greedily at the cool liquid. When she had enough, she looked over at her dad. “I remember Edward calling and telling me how tired he was, and how I had decided to drive up to Seattle to make sure he got enough rest and good food. I had been on the road for about an hour when a truck swerved into my lane. I jerked the wheel, but…” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Charlie nodded and told her what happened after that.

“What about my jeep?”

“I’m sorry, Honey, it was totalled.” 

Bella turned her head to look at Edward. “You look so tired. How long have you been here?”

“You’ve been here for six days. I got here while you were in surgery the first night.”

“But, Edward, what about your residency? You can’t afford to take that much time off!” Bella exclaimed.

Edward picked up her hand and held it in an attempt to calm her down. “I called my attending. It’s fine, Bells. He gave me two weeks. I just have to be back at the hospital on Monday.”

Bella relaxed back into her pillow but maintained her hold on his hand. “Okay.”

Charlie felt like he was intruding on a private moment between the two and stood to leave. “Now that you’re awake, Bells, I’m going to head home. I haven’t slept in my own bed since you were brought in.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning. Edward, take care of her.”

“Night, Chief.”

“Bye, Dad. Get some rest.”

Once they were alone, the two of them weren’t sure what to say. Edward finally broke down. “I thought I lost you, Bella.” He lay his head on her bed and allowed his tears to flow again, this time in relief.

Bella lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hair. “Edward, stop. I’m fine and I’m here. I’m not leaving you.”

Edward looked up at her. “Bella, I…”

“Time for your medicine, Miss Swan.” The nurse walked into the room, interrupting what he was going to say.

Bella watched as she administered something into her IV. “Now, this is most likely going to make you sleepy, so don’t fight it. You need to rest.”

Bella nodded and watched as she left the room. “What were you going to say?”

Edward shook his head. “Nothing. You need to rest. It can wait.”

She nodded and let her eyes drift closed, the medicine already taking effect. She knew he would tell her whatever it was eventually.

Once she was fully asleep, Edward decided to go to his parents’ house and get some sleep. Now that he knew she was okay, the lack of decent sleep was hitting him. Rising from his chair, he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

**FHL**

Bella woke up the next morning to the nurse checking her vitals. “What time is it?”

“It’s seven. Your day nurse will be coming on in a few minutes.”

Bella nodded. She was hoping she would be moved out of ICU today, but it all depended on her doctor. “When is Dr. George coming in?”

“He usually does rounds at about nine.” Bella watched as the nurse wrote something in her chart and then looked up. “Everything looks good. Have a nice day, and if you’re still here tonight, I’ll be seeing you.”

Bella nodded and closed her eyes, trying to get a little more sleep. She must have succeeded, because when she opened her eyes next, Rose was beside her.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Bells. You really scared us.” Rose smiled at her friend.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Tell me the truth, Rose. How were they?”

Rose looked down at her feet and then back up to her friend. “Your dad was a mess. He wasn’t sure if you were going to make it. I think it got him thinking about your mom.” She took a breath before she continued. “Edward…well…Bella, he didn’t leave your side. If he did, it was only so Charlie could be with you. When he wasn’t here, he was in the chapel.”

Bella was speechless. She couldn’t believe he had stayed with her the whole time. “Why would he do that, Rose? He’s in the middle of his residency. I just…” she closed her eyes, “…I don’t get it.”

“He loves you, Bella,” Rose stated matter of factly.

Bella’s eyes shot open and she stared at her friend. “Rose, come on.”

“Bella, I know you don’t see it, but he does. And I know you feel the same way. I know what happened with Alice and Jasper has made you afraid to ruin your friendship with Edward, but, Honey, that will never happen. You’re lucky, Bells. Not everyone gets to fall in love with their best friend. Now all you have to do is tell him.”

Bella felt the tears rolling down her cheeks. She lay back and thought about Rose’s words. She did love Edward, but could she really risk their friendship?