78 The Awakening

"I want Mommy!" Bella cried before bed.

"Bella, your Mommy hurt her head today and a really smart doctor is taking care of her. She needs to stay at the hospital until she's better." Anna explained as she cuddled her granddaughter close.

"I miss her." Bella's lip trembled.

"I know you do. When Mommy feels a little better I will take you to see her. Right now though, she needs lots of rest to get well again."

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Edward kept vigil by Sara's bed for three days, barely taking time to shower and eat.

Everyone came to visit, bringing food, offering to help take care of Sara, offering to just sit with him. He insisted on being the one to care for Sara's needs, even asking the nurses to teach him some of her basic care.

"I've never seen a husband so devoted!" One of the nurses said, walking out of Sara's room one day. One of her colleagues heard this and said, "Don't you know? He's not her husband or boyfriend. He's her boss!"

"Her boss? If he is, then he's in love with her. He has to be!" The nurse replied in shock.

"I think so too. He's paid her entire bill and never leaves her ward. Sometimes at night I've heard him cry when passing by her door." The other replied.

On the fourth day, he thought he was imagining things when her hand moved. He grabbed it and commanded her, "squeeze my hand, Sara!"

Though she didn't squeeze it, she brushed his hand with the lightest of feathery touches. He excitedly called the doctor to come and see.

"Yes, she's slowly improving. She may wake up entirely in the next few days. Then we can further assess her condition." Dr. Yao said after examining her.

On the sixth day, she opened her eyes. Edward, who had set up his office from her ward, looked up from his laptop to find her eyes on him.

"Sara! Sara, I'm so glad you're awake!" He cried.

Slowly, she smiled.

"Edward?" She whispered, her throat was so dry!

"Yes, Sweetheart! It's me!" He answered.

She licked her lips.

"Can I have water, please?" She whispered.

"Yes!" He stood and poured her a cup and held it to her mouth, helping her drink.

"Where's Bella?" She asked quietly.

"She's with Robert and Anna. She's safe. You kept her safe." Edward assured her.

Sara sighed deeply, thankful.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

"Because in the past I was an idiot and I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving to you how much you mean to me." He told her, leaning down to her face.

"I wondered when you would figure it out." She smiled.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked her.

"Please do." She told him.

Their lips met in a gentle kiss. He explored her mouth almost reverently.

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"There appears to be no residual brain damage. Your body needs time to heal, but in time you should be back to normal, which is short of amazing." Dr. Yao told them after throughly examining Sara.