Growing More

Chapter 3: Thank You

(A/N: Song is Not Gonna Die by my favorite band, Skillet.)

Rosalie's POV:

I ran inside to get mom and dad. I couldn't believe Edward was blaming me! How was I supposed to know she couldn't swim?

"Mom! Dad! Come quick! Bella's drowning!"

Edward's POV:

I jumped in and tried to grab Bella, but I was too weak. The bottom of the pool was too far away from me to launch from. Bella wasn't helping at all, and I was afraid it was too late.

I wasn't going to give up on her, though. I was going to fight for her.

Even if it kills me.

Because I love her.

No, Bella, don't close your eyes! I shouted in my head, don't give up on me! You're everything to me! I need you!

Then blackness was fogging my eyes, and my grip on Bella loosened.

I was sinking, sinking...

I couldn't stop it...

I couldn't fight it...

I used my last strength to swim to Bella and hug her.

Then, just as the darkness took over, I was yanked by the arm, and I was coughing and spluttering.

"Edward, are you stupid!? What were you thinking!?" Rosalie bellowed.

"I wasn't *cough* going to st...stand here and watch *cough* her drown, Rose!" I roared, as my mom put a towel around me, and Carlisle tried to pull Bella up.

Bella's POV:

As the darkness washed over me, I couldn't feel Edward's presence anymore. I felt so alone, and so cold, yet there was nothing I could do about it.

I was perfectly content with the way things were going - Edward and I were drowning in each other's embrace.

I know it's cheesy, but cheesy romance is what eleven year olds dream of, right?

Anyway, the drowning was much less enjoyable when I felt cold and alone, left to deal with the pain and stinging erupting from my lungs.

What did happen to Edward, anyway? Did his parents save him, and not see me? Were they too busy catering him to realize that I was dying?

I was dying right? I wasn't sure once I felt a firm grip on my wrist start dragging me in God-knows-what direction. I was so disoriented. Then, it was like being pulled out from under the covers of your bed when you were under too long and the air was getting hot.

Cold air burst over my face, and even though I was freezing, it felt so good.

I felt my back being pressed against something solid and hot. Probably the cement surrounding the pool.

My lungs were still burning, and I couldn't breathe or open my eyes.

"C'mon, Bell," I heard a frantic, familiar voice croak, "wake up. For me."

The voice sent shivers down my spine, and comfort and security flooded my body.

Edward wasn't dead, he was near me. Somewhere.

Pressure started hitting my chest, and it hurt. I figured Carlisle was doing CPR to get the water out of my lungs, but it wasn't working.

"Son, you know how to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, right?" I heard Carlisle ask.

"Y-yea, we learned it in health this past year," I heard Edward say.

"Do it while I keep doing compressions."

What? I asked myself, Edward is going to do mouth to mouth on me?

I couldn't help but mentally yell for joy, when I felt a soft mouth on mine.

Air flooded in my mouth. Warm, mint-and-chlorine-tasting air. Leave it to Edward to always use mouth wash before doing anything like this. I remember him insisting on it, even on the dummy we used in health class. He said, and I quote, "I don't know, I just think people deserve to live and not worry about having to taste disgusting breath in order to."

I laughed in my head, and then I started coughing.

Edward immediately pulled away, and grabbed my hand.

It hurt my throat to cough, and then water spewed from my throat and erupted from my mouth. I felt the water all over my face, and as Carlisle did another compression, I coughed up more water.

He did another compression, and my breakfast came up with the water this time.

"I'll get the mop," I heard Rosalie say dully, like she has seen this all-too-many times before.

"Edward?" I croaked.

"I'm right here, Bell, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so. Thanks for using mouthwash."

Edward chuckled lightly, "don't mention it."

My mouth tasted gross, and I was too dizzy to sit up, but I kinda wanted to get the water and breakfast off my face.

Again, almost like Edward could read my mind, he slid up behind me, supporting my back on his chest, and my head lulled over to his shoulder.

Delicate hands - probably belonging to Esme - began to wipe off my face and neck.

"Why didn't you tell me you couldn't swim?" Edward asked me.

"I was embarrassed. I realized I would have to tell you, when Rosalie was pushing me in, but I couldn't say it in time."

Rosalie came back with the mop, and got a thorough scolding for what she did.

The whole time, I was just leaning against Edwards chest, his legs spread around me, my head lolling on his shoulder, and me battling to keep my eyelids open.

"You can sleep," Edward assured me, and as soon as I heard that, I drifted off into an uneasy rest.