Maybe Even Then

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer who created these wonderful characters.

Prologue

Bella was having difficulty opening her eyes. Her lids felt like they were stuck together. She moaned softly as from a distance she heard someone uttering her name. "Mom." She said thickly.

"Bella...Bella." Gentle hands touched her face, smoothing back her tangled hair. "I'm here, sweetie."

"Mom." Bella said again. Her head lolled to the side as she finally managed to pry her eyelids open, only to regret it moments later as the blinding lights seared her eyeballs. "It hurts." She cried.

"I know, baby." It was definitely her mom. Bella recognised the soft inflection in Renee's voice as she tried to soothe away her fears. "You're in hospital."

"Why?" Bella tried to sit up but her body refused to obey her. She moaned again, flopping back against the pillows. Her sore eyes were finally getting used to the bright strip lights. Renee swam into view, her outline still hazy, as Bella tried to focus on her mother. "What happened to me?"

"You were in an accident." Renee told her as she leaned across and plumped up the pillows behind her daughter's head.

"What accident?" Bella whispered hoarsely. Her throat was dry. She felt so thirsty.

"You don't remember." Renee's brow furrowed in concern. She stopped fussing with the pillows and perched on the edge of the bed next to Bella, taking her hand.

"No." Bella shook her head and regretted it when it began to ache abominably.

"Oh." Renee glanced across the room at someone. Bella wondered who she was looking at. "Edward would probably be the best person to explain." Renee returned her attention to Bella again. "He has not left your bedside." She whispered so only Bella could hear.

Bella looked at her mother blankly. She had no idea who Renee was talking about. She didn't know anyone called Edward. She was about to ask more questions when a tall, good looking teenage boy appeared in her line of sight. Bella blinked, trying to focus on this dreamboat. He was really something. Like one of those models you see on front of the teen magazines. He smiled crookedly at her; his light golden brown eyes were full of pain. "I'm so glad that you're awake." His voice was smooth, like velvet.

"I'll leave you two alone for a moment. I'll just go and tell Charlie you're awake." Renee gave Bella a knowing smile.

"Dad's here?" Bella croaked in surprise.

"Of course he is, sweetie." Renee patted her hand, smiled indulgently at Edward and then left.

Bella didn't know what to say to this Adonis. He was staring at her intensely, making her feel very uncomfortable. She wasn't used to this type of attention from boys, especially not one as handsome as this. Had he been in the accident with her or something? He leaned forward and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. Jeez, he was freezing. Bella didn't mean to flinch but she couldn't help it. This seemed to upset him as he inhaled sharply and withdrew his hand.

"You are angry with me." It wasn't a question.

Bella had no idea whether she was angry with this guy or not. She had no idea who the hell he was. She just stared up at him, feeling completely dumbstruck. Her silence seemed to hurt him as he closed his eyes for a few seconds, pinching the bridge of his nose to calm himself down. This Edward guy was clearly very highly strung. Bella couldn't deal with people like that. She was an anxious individual herself. She normally liked to be surrounded with calm, chilled individuals.

"I am so sorry, my love."

My love? Why was he calling her that? They weren't intimately acquainted. It was all a bit too much. Handsome or not he was beginning to freak her out. She looked longingly toward the door, hoping that someone, anyone would come in and save her from this awkward situation. For once her wishes were granted. The door flew open and her father strode in, followed by Renee, a Native American man in a wheelchair and another tall teenage boy with long black hair tied back with a rubber band, who Bella assumed must be his son. His expression was open and friendly and when he saw Bella a huge smile lit up his face in greeting. Now he was cute. Bella recognised him and the man in the wheelchair. She was sure of it. She found herself smiling back.

"Can I sign it?" The cute boy said as he came around and made himself comfortable on the other side of the bed. He was still smiling that sunny smile. Bella was captivated. "Earth to Bells." He clicked his fingers in front of her face when she didn't respond.

Edward was scowling. Bella had nearly forgotten him. She noticed her father bristling at the sight of Edward. Well Charlie obviously didn't like the guy, although Renee seemed to. How odd? Bella's head was a welter of confusion. The cute boy was still talking to her, asking her again if he could sign the cast. "Huh?"

"Your cast." The cute boy pointed to her left leg. Bella raised her head and finally got to see the extent of her injuries. Her mouth opened in an O. The cute boy noticed. His face fell. "Sorry, Bells. You've only just woken up. Me and my big mouth." He pretended to zip it.

"Give Bella room to breathe, Jacob." The man in the wheelchair chuckled, his eyes crinkled at the corners.

So the cute boy's name was Jacob. It suited him, Bella thought vaguely. She racked her brains. She knew him. She did. She noticed the man in the wheelchair's gaze slide over to Edward. His expression darkened as he glared at him. Well, it seemed that nobody like this Edward guy. Bella wondered why he just didn't leave with the level of hostility directed at him. She kept her attention on Jacob instead. She did know him, she did. Bella bit her bottom lip as she strained her brain for some answers. "I know." She declared in relief as an old memory popped into her head. "You're mud pies Jacob."

Jacob snorted through his nose at this pronouncement. Bella blushed as all the adults joined in. Even Charlie was smiling. The only one who didn't seem amused was Edward.

Bella was completely bemused. Charlie and Renee had finally filled her in about the accident. None of it made sense to her. Her memories were still hazy. She vaguely remembered moving back in with her dad. Apparently she had been attending high school, although she couldn't recall much about that. Renee told her that she had met Edward there. He was her boyfriend. They had been dating. Bella was completely mystified.

"I was surprised when I saw him." Renee was still chattering away. Charlie's expression was grim. He hadn't hidden his dislike of Edward in front of Bella. In fact he seemed pleased when she made no protest when he practically ordered him out of the room. "He's not quite your type is he, baby." Renee tapped Bella's nose playfully. "Normally you like them very well built. I always thought you'd end up with a bodybuilder. All those muscles…" She laughed when she saw her ex-husband scowl.

"He is a bit emo." Bella agreed as she rolled her eyes at her mother's antics. Edward had the whitest skin she had ever seen. She was pale herself but she had nothing on him.

"Well he's not coming in the house again, Bells." Charlie interjected firmly. "I am putting my foot down. He's caused nothing but trouble."

"Okay." Bella rolled her eyes again. Charlie was going a bit over the top wasn't he?

"Okay?" Charlie exchanged a look with Renee. "I thought you'd put up a fight."

"Why?" Bella asked curiously. This Edward guy was obviously not very well liked. Charlie had told her that she had run away because she'd had an argument with him or something. It was all very odd. Why would she run away?

"Is it over between you two then?" Renee said cautiously.

"Was it ever really on?" Bella questioned with a tired smile. "I mean he seems like a bit of a misery guts to me. Did you notice he hardly cracked a smile when Jacob made that joke about his quiff?"

"You know I've got a car." Jacob boasted.

Bella giggled as she saw Jacob's father roll his eyes at this big statement. She had learned that his name was Billy. She was beginning to remember more about them. Billy was Charlie's best friend. He was a Quileute and lived on the local reservation, La Push. In fact he was the chief of the tribe. Jacob was one of three children. Billy had twin daughters who no longer lived at home. When she was younger she used to play with Rachel, Rebecca and Jacob when she came for her yearly visit to spend time with Charlie in Forks.

"That is so awesome. It's a shame you're too young to drive it." Bella quipped.

"Ha ha." Jacob poked her in the side in retaliation. "I'm nearly sixteen."

"Maybe son." Billy joined in. "But you've got to get the old wreck working first."

"I'll get it going soon." Jacob gave his dad a dark look as Billy kept interrupting his attempts to impress Bella. "When you get out of here you should come over to the res and I'll show you."

"I'd like that." Bella admitted. It was something to look forward to. She found Jacob and Billy easy company. She wondered why she hadn't spent much time with them before since she had been living with Charlie for a few months. Bella wished she could remember but her recent memories eluded her. It was immensely frustrating.

"Anyway we better be going now." Billy checked his watch.

"Do we have to?" Jacob whined like a little kid.

"Yes, we do. Visiting hours are nearly up and we've monopolised enough of Bella's time." Billy smiled easily. "We'll see you again soon."

"Please, I'd like that." Bella sounded almost pleading. "Come anytime."

A slow grin spread across Jacob's face. "I'll come tomorrow after school." He offered.

"Cool." Bella blushed. She couldn't seem to control her mouth. She never usually used words like awesome or cool. She noticed Billy trying not to laugh as he ushered his son out of the room.

"Bye Bella."

"See you later, Bells." Jacob mock saluted her.

"Bye, guys." Bella waved them off reluctantly. She wished they could have stayed longer.

Seconds after they had left the door to her room opened again. Bella expected to see her parents but her stomach lurched as Edward sidled into the room. He was back again. This was getting creepy now. Bella didn't know how to handle it. She watched as he walked gracefully over to the bed and pulled up a chair. "I thought they would never leave." He said irritably.

Bella just stared at him owlishly. What was she supposed to say? Piss off, you're freaking me out, stop stalking me….but she was too polite to say any of those things. "Um…don't you need to get home?" She said instead.

"I don't need to hunt." Edward's features smoothed out as he took her hand in his cold grip. Bella flinched as the chill made goose pimples rise on her arms.

"Hunt?" Bella squeaked. He didn't look the type to go hunting, not in those designer threads he was wearing.

"You are always so thoughtful. That's one of the things that I love about you." Edward stroked her hand with his long fingers.

Love? Was he for real? She was really freaked out now. Bella slipped her hand out of his and placed it in her lap. "Um…you know I'm kinda tired." She said desperately, hoping he would take the hint. No wonder Charlie didn't like him, this guy had stalker written all over him.

"Of course, Bella. I 'm sorry." Edward smiled at her tenderly as he made himself comfortable. "You rest."

He was still sitting there, watching. Why wasn't he going? Bella lay down and turned her head away from him. She closed her eyes. She waited with baited breath for him to leave. But after a moment she still hadn't heard any type of movement. She turned back and opened one eye. HE WAS STILL THERE! Gah, this was terrible. Bella silently freaked out inside. This guy was seriously weird. He was sitting there, staring at her. What was she supposed to do? She prayed in her head for Charlie or Renee to come back before she had a meltdown.

A/N-I hope you liked the prologue. Please leave a review, thank you.