Reversed Twilight (BOOK - 1)

chapter 21

EDWARD (POV )

(In dream)

"Death is peaceful. Easy."
Edward starts to float away...Suddenly from the darkness, Bella reaches out a hand. A brilliant light flares.

Dream ends

Eyes closed. But they slowly open. he squints at the light.

"Life... is harder"

An oxygen tube rests under his nose. he reaches for it, confused. A hand stops him as his surroundings come into focus.

CHARLIE
"You're awake, Champ ! You're okay!!!"

Edward lies in a hospital bed. Bandaged, leg in a cast. In bad shape. Charlie hovers over him , tears in his eyes. On the dresser, He SEES get well cards and a PHOTO MONTAGE of his friends from Forks.

EDWARD
"Bella? Where's -"

CHARLIE
" She's asleep."

He nods across the room to a chair in which Bella "sleeps."



CHARLIE

" She never leaves. And your Mom's
down in the cafeteria. "



EDWARD
" What... happened?"



CHARLIE

" Champ , you fell down two flights of
stairs and through a window."


Edward is drawing a blank, confused. Charlie jogs his memory


CHARLIE

"Bella came here to convince you to come back to Forks. Her father brought her down. You went to their
hotel but you tripped on the stairs."

A moment... then Edward realizes it's a cover story. He nods.

EDWARD
"Sounds like me."



Charlie's cell phone BEEPS. He opens it. Reads a text, starts typing in a reply.



CHARLIE

" It's Peyton. She's worried about you."



EDWARD
"Dad, you're... texting."

CHARLIE
(smiling)

"I told her to stay in Florida. The Suns signed her! "


EDWARD
" That's great Dad ."


CHARLIE
"Jacksonville is always sunny and you'll have your own bathroom"


BELLA
"Dad, wait. I want to live in Forks. I have Mom..(re: the get well cards) ..and friends.

CHARLIE
(re: Bella)
"And she's there."


Edward shrugs, conceding the truth.



CHARLIE
"Renée doesn't like her. Blames her for your leaving. "



EDWARD
"What do you think?"

CHARLIE
(lowering his voice) " I think that girl is in love with you."


Edward smiles. Charlie grins. Edward glances at Bella.


EDWARD

"Um, Dad, would you mind getting Mom? "
"I want to talk to her. Apologize."



CHARLIE
" I'm sure she doesn't care about ,that, champ. But I'll go get her."




Charlie pats his shoulder and Exits. Edward watches him go.The door shutting behind him . Edward turns back to find Bella standing next to him with deep concern. His eyes well. She kisses his forehead soothingly.


EDWARD
" Is Josie - did you -- ?"


BELLA

"We took care of that bitch. And the woman, Victoria, she ran off."


He closes his eyes with relief, then looks at her.



EDWARD
" I'm alive because of you."


BELLA
(darkens)
" You're in here because of me. "


His wounds cause her pain. She strokes his face.


BELLA
"The worst of it... was thinking I couldn't stop -"


EDWARD
"But you did."



BELLA
" Edward , you should go to Jacksonville. Where I can't hurt you anymore..."



EDWARD
"What? No! I want to be with you I don't want -"

BELLA
(sitting next to her)
" Sssh. It's alright. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here..."


She wraps an arm around him. As he curls up in her arms..