BPOV:

I still could not believe I missed 2 years being away from my family. I guess the only thing to do now is count my blessings that I'm here now. Edward was still snoring lightly, cuddled up close to me in this small hospital bed. I couldn't begin to imagine how he coped the past 2 years without me. Just as I was contemplating this, I felt him stir.

He smiled looking up at me and said "good morning beautiful"

I couldn't help the huge smile that crept on my face looking into those beautiful , green piercing eyes.

"Good morning handsome" I responded.

"I'm going to use the restroom, I'll be right back" he told me while getting up and stretching.

I guess he was cramped up from sleeping on this small bed. Hopefully, we'd be gone soon and wouldn't have to deal with that much longer.

Nurse Angela walked in the room and asked if I would like some help to freshen up, for which I was most grateful. She was helping me sit up as Edward walked back in the room.

"I'll go and get some coffee, while Angela's here" he told me before leaving the room.

Nurse Angela helped me brush my teeth and wash my face. She checked all the necessary vitals and said that I would begin physical therapy today shortly. As she was leaving, I stopped her…

"Angela" I questioned….."can you tell me anything about what the past few years have been like for my family?"…..

She sighed and said "I knew that question was coming. Well, I've been your nurse for the past 2 years, so I've developed a pretty close relationship to your family. When you didn't wake up, it was very hard on everyone, especially Edward, but he didn't really show it emotionally. In the first few months, he and the kids would visit almost every day, but when they began counseling, he slacked up on bringing the kids. However, he came to visit you every single day, even if it was only for a ½ hour or so. He would read to you or sing; it was very sweet"

I smiled at this as she continued…..

"On Sundays, everyone would visit. Edward would bring the kids and they all would cuddle close to you and watch Disney movies and play games. Sometimes, Nessie would paint your nails or brush your hair. Alice and Rose would come also and pamper you while telling you about their day. The strength and love of your family is astounding. No one ever gave up hope."

"Wow" I responded as tears came down my eyes.

"Oh, I didn't mean to upset you honey" Angela said.

"You didn't, I just am overwhelmed" I replied.

"Well that's understandable, I'll be back to check on you before physical therapy begins" she stated before leaving.

A few minutes later Edward came back with breakfast. When I smelled the food, my stomach growled loudly.

"I got you some fruit and crackers. I know you must be starving, but you have to eat light so we can see how you tolerate solid foods after all this time" he said.

I started nibbling on the fruit, while he sipped coffee and stared at me. After I ate, he cleaned up.

"Edward, I know you don't want to talk to me about the past 2 years yet, and I understand. I just want to say that I love you so much. From what I've been able to pry out of hospital staff, you have been such a devoted husband and father, which isn't surprising to me in the slightest. I'm so sorry for leaving you…." I couldn't continue because of the tears and sobs.

He kissed away the tears and said "baby, don't cry. It was hard, but I knew you would come back to me. Please don't apologize. You were so strong carrying the twins and have given me 5 beautiful children. I'm just sorry that I wasn't there when you began to feel ill. I kept thinking, if I was there and had gotten you to the hospital sooner, then you wouldn't have lost so much blood. But all that's in the past, you're here now and that's all that matters" he responded while rubbing soothing circles up my arms.

We just held each other for the next hour or so, before being interrupted by the physical therapist. Edward said that he would call Alice and find out what time the kids were coming and go talk with the doctor.

Ben, my PT, was able to get me to stand on my own for a few seconds. I practiced taking baby steps, while holding on to him. In that one hour, I didn't feel as though I made much progress, but he said I did fine.

Soon after, Edward came in holding Charles. I don't know how I knew it was Charles and not Jessie, I guess its mother's intuition. Behind him was my mom, holding Jessie and Nessie, Anthony, and Marie Claire and my dad.

"Mom, daddy" I gasped as they both rushed to the hospital bed.

Mom placed Jessie in my arms and kissed my faced numerous times.

Dad said "I missed you kiddo, with a huge smile on his face"

"Not as much as me papa" Marie Claire said while giggling.

I spent the rest of that day with my family. The hospital room was full with my children, nieces, nephews, friends, etc.

Each day I spent at the hospital was just like that over the next few weeks. Finally, after 4 weeks, I was released to go home. Before releasing me, I had to be able to hold down solid food, take care of personal hygiene without assistance, and be able to walk on my own. I thought a lot of those goals could have been accomplished from home, but everyone kept saying it was best done under hospital supervision, even though my husband's a doctor.

So after 4 weeks + 2 years, I was finally released from the hospital and ready to go home….