Part II

Bella

Someone was sitting beside me, their arm around my shoulders…had I fallen asleep? When? I still felt terrible…everything ached and my stomach was still threatening to cramp….and I was still so tired. I opened my eyes, realizing that I no longer felt so cold, which was nice because I was surrounded by it. I opened my eyes, looking around for a moment, then realizing that I was lying beside Esme, my head on her shoulder. I was sure that I hadn't dreamed Jasper showing up…maybe Carlisle…but Esme?

"Hello, sweetheart." She said softly, squeezing me gently and kissing my cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Esme?" I asked in disbelief.

"That's right, Bella." The question seemed to make her sad and I frowned a little.

"Are you okay?" She choked out a laugh, pulling me closer.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I'm worried about how you are feeling though." She winced suddenly and I looked at her in confusion. "Carlisle is speaking to Charlie downstairs. He just got home." I looked at the window, realizing the curtains were open and it was nearly dark out.

"Is it Sunday?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes, it's nearly nine…he was out late." She was saying something else with that statement, but I was too disoriented to understand. "You had some applesauce this morning, but you slept most of the day. You're fever finally came down a little." She placed her hand on my face. "Would you like to try and eat something?" She asked gently, and I took a deep breath.

"Esme…you left…you were all…" She flinched, her smile turning sad.

"Yes…we did. I'm so sorry, sweetheart…so sorry. We should have never left. What we did, leaving like that…it was…inexcusable." She kissed my forehead. "Do you remember Jasper coming over? He came to speak with you and you were sick. Then Carlisle came?" I nodded…all of that sounded vaguely familiar. "We have toast and applesauce if you're up for it." I nodded, sitting up against the pillow she propped behind my back. "I'll be right back." She stood, her hand lingering her on arm, then left. I leaned back on the pillow, my eyes wandering around my room. It looted a little tidier. The window was partly open, the air a little cool, and I stared at the curtains for a few seconds, trying to sort everything out. I felt like I'd gone to sleep and had a crazy dream about Jasper and Carlisle and when I woke up it was all true…but better.

"Bella?" I turned in surprise at that voice…I hadn't realized that when Esme had said that they were back, she was including Emmett! He moved toward me a little hesitantly, sitting on the bed with a cup of applesauce in his hand, and I leaned forward, trying to throw my arms around him…but they barely worked. Thankfully he seemed to know what I was going for, because he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. "Hey Bella. I was starting to wonder when you were going to wake up." He rocked us for a second, then pulled away just a bit, his eyes raking over me. "You feeling any better?"

I nodded slightly. "Yeah…I don't really remember much…" He nodded.

"Carlisle said you probably wouldn't. You've had a fever for a few days…you still do. The rest of us just got here today though…this afternoon. Alice and Rose are downstairs." He didn't mention Edward and I was grateful. I didn't want to hear that right now…I couldn't bear it. "Esme stopped to talk to Charlie, so I thought I'd bring you some food. You hungry?" I nodded a little. Although I was more awake than I had been, I was still lagging. He seemed to understand and sat beside me on the bed, placing the spoon in my hand and holding up the open can of applesauce, letting me eat at my own pace.

Even sitting up and eating had exhausted me, and I rested my head against his arm, the spoon starting to fall from my hand. "Can you get Alice…or Esme?" I asked quietly. Thankfully he seemed to know what I needed and nodded, surprisingly enough, without any teasing remarks, and helped me sit back against the pillows, but before he could even leave, Alice appeared in the doorway, then at my side, her arms tight around me.

"I missed you so much." She whispered, kissing my cheek quickly, her eyes pained. "Bella I'm so sorry." I shook my head, returning her hug as tightly as I could. But she must have felt how exhausted I was by how quickly my arms dropped and she helped me sit up, then stand, her arms supporting me as we walked me to the bathroom.

Alice helped me back into the bedroom, her arm firmly around me, and I didn't know if I could let myself believe that she was really here…my hand clutched her blouse, desperate to keep her close. "Here Bella. Sit down, you're exhausted." She sat beside me, smiling faintly when I kept my hand around her shirt. "Okay, here." She sat beside me, an arm around me when tears seeped from my eyes. "I'm so sorry…oh Bella, I am so sorry. It was so stupid of me…" She rested her head on top of mine while I cried into her shoulder, so tired and wrung out… "We're back now, Bella. I'm going to make it up to you, okay? I promise! As soon as you're better, I'll take you shopping and…" That sounded so much like the Alice I knew and missed that I sobbed a laugh.

"Okay. Shopping." She wrapped her other arm around me, holding me tightly.

"We're going to take you to our house, okay? Carlisle has more medical supplies there, and we'll take care of you." She promised, kissing my head again. "You can just rest. Carlisle and Esme are talking to Charlie...they're going to come upstairs and then we're taking you home." I nodded, leaning against her side and focusing on her cold hand that rubbed my back soothingly.

Carlisle

"I need to take Bella back to our house. My office can easily be set up as a hospital room and I have more supplies there. And I think it would do her good to get out of this house." To my surprise, Charlie wasn't even angry. He hadn't even seemed all that surprised or curious to find us here. He was just…indifferent? Surely I was reading him wrong…but Jasper seemed upset, so maybe I was right. Maybe Charlie had given up on her.

"Sure. Take her…if you think it'll help." I felt my jaw clench and was immediately calmed by Jasper. I threw him a grateful look, then took my wife's hand. She had stayed by my side as I'd explained Bella's condition…as I'd told the girl's father that she could have died…and he'd only nodded, not seeming overly upset. His eyes were resigned, his shoulders slumped. Had he even tried?

"Esme, can you help her get ready?" She nodded, her cold eyes on Charlie before she went upstairs. Emmett stood in the doorway, his face furious, and before I could warn him, he stepped forward.

"Sure, take her? That's all you have to say?"

"Emmett…"

"Your daughter could have died." He snarled. "Do you have any idea how sick she is? How much pain she is in?" Charlie closed his eyes, his jaw tight. "You abandoned her! Every f*cking weekend? You leave your sick, grieving daughter alone! Do you have any idea what could have happened?!"

"Emmett, enough." I spoke quietly, stepping forward and touching his arm, although I knew exactly what he was thinking. I remembered when they'd brought Esme in after she'd jumped from the cliff…how her grief had driven her to kill herself. How much longer would it have been before the same happened to Bella? "Can you and Rosalie go out and get some food for the house?" I was furious with Charlie, but screaming at him wasn't going to help. "Please." He nodded tersely, reaching out and taking Rosalie's hand, and I turned to go upstairs to help my wife get Bella ready.

Bella was sitting up in bed, Alice at her side, watching as Esme put some of her clothes into a bag and listening to Alice chat softly. Moving to sit beside them on the bed, I rested my hand briefly against her head, glad her fever had gone down, although I was sure wasn't gone altogether. "Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?"

"Better. Thank you." She mumbled, seeming embarrassed, and I touched her arm, trying to change her focus. She had no reason to be embarrassed.

"Were you able to eat something?" She nodded while Esme mumbled that Emmett had given her a full serving of applesauce. "Do you feel sick at all?"

"No…I'm okay." I wanted to laugh…or I would have, had she not looked so painfully small in that bed, even next to tiny Alice.

"Can you tell me how you feel? Does anything hurt?" She hesitated. "I need to know, Bella, so I can know which medicines to give you." I took her hand, rubbing my thumb along the back, and heard Jasper on the stairs, his gift obviously moving her.

"Everything hurts…and I'm so tired…and cold." I realized she'd gone back to trembling and tucked the covers around her once more as Alice moved away a little.

"Body aches and chills…this level of exhaustion….she definitely has the flu." I told Esme and Alice softly. "Her immune system would have been weak, so she probably caught it at school. Jasper said she didn't know how long she'd been feeling sick." I put the blankets back around her. "These flus usually last for a few days to a week, so she might get worse before she gets better."

"What can we do?"

"Treat the symptoms until it passes. Antibiotics won't help. Tylenol will keep her fever from rising too high. And we need to make sure she's getting enough nutrients…and fluids. Dehydration is dangerous in humans. Her body needs water. I'll set up another IV when we get to the house. If she gets sick again, sprite can help her stomach settle, and the applesauce should be bland enough." Esme nodded, standing up straight with the bag in her hand. "I should have had Emmett carry her to the car…it would have been more believable for Charlie. Jasper?" Jasper came into the room, his worried eyes on Bella. "Can you take her to the car? I don't want her to have to walk…especially not down the stairs." My son nodded grimly, stepping forward and wrapping Bella in her comforter, then lifting her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder tiredly as he carried her out of the bedroom, Esme, Alice, and myself on his heels, and we left Charlie without a word.

Edward

I stared at my phone for the first time in days. I had a missed call…from Emmett. That was new. He hadn't spoken to me since…well since we'd left Forks honestly. I sighed, looking around the tiny hotel room in the middle of Mexico, wondering what I thought I was doing. I was no tracker…why had I thought I could find Victoria. 'She'll go after Bella…I don't have a choice.' Even thinking her name was too painful. 'It's better this way…' But I couldn't get beyond that thought…thinking about Bella was a unique form of torture and I wondered how long it would be before I had to check on her…before I had to see her for myself. 'But I can never let her see me…I have to let her move on.' Picking up the phone with a sigh, I dialed my voicemail and placed it against my ear. I missed my family enough to hear what he had to say.

"Edward?" Emmett's voice wasn't mad…it was worried. That alone was enough to shock me. "We're in Forks. You need to get over here…now. It's Bella." Emmett cut off then, and I could hear my mother's worried voice, although I couldn't make out her quiet words. "She's really sick, Edward. I swear, little brother, if you don't get you're a** over here, I will hunt you down. I mean it Edward. Stop whatever it is you're doing and come home. Now."

I dropped my phone on the table, my entire body feeling like ice. Then, half a second later, I grabbed the phone again, dialing my brother. He picked up after the first ring. "Edward I swear to…"

"She's sick? What's wrong with her?"

"Oh now you care?"

"Emmett!" I roared at my brother, my teeth bared, even if Emmett couldn't see me.

"Don't you dare!" Emmett snarled, taking me by surprise. "I called you two days ago! You're not the one whose been taking care of her you f…" His voice was cut off abruptly and Carlisle came on the phone.

"Edward?"

"Carlisle I'm…"

"Not now, Edward." I flinched. Carlisle had never sounded this upset with me. "She's suffering from malnutrition and the flu…we've been trying to get her fever down for a few days now. You need to come."

"Where are you?"

"Our house. Charlie let us take her two days ago…rather, we insisted. He'd left her alone for the weekend…every weekend." I flinched at that, wishing I could hear his thoughts…there was more to that story. Sighing, he switched to his 'doctor' voice, giving me the facts. "When Jasper found her she had a fever of 102, and she was barely responding to him…by the time I got here she'd stopped responding altogether and her temperature was the same. She can't keep warm because of her malnutrition and the weight she's lost, and she can't keep food down. I have her on an IV now. I'm trying to prepare you, Edward." I snapped out of my horrified daze. "It's important that you understand how bad it is." His tone softened a little. "She's still in a lot of pain, and half the time when she woke up at first, she didn't even believe that we were really there. So I sincerely hope that you are on your way as we speak. Because we're all she really has, Edward. You made a huge mistake." I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

"I was trying to protect her…"

"If Jasper hadn't found her, you might have killed her." He took a deep breath, obviously trying to calm himself. When will you be here?"

"Tomorrow morning….at the latest."

If I had any possessions when I checked into that hotel, I didn't when I left it. I ran, glad for the cover of darkness. Jasper had gone against my express orders…and I couldn't find it in me to be anything but deliriously grateful. 'If she had died…' I couldn't event think it. 'What was I thinking? Leaving like that…stupid, irresponsible…' I raced through the dark streets of Mexico, my ability alerting me to nearby humans and my speed and reflexes keeping me out of sight. They would only see a blur if they were to spot me anyway, but I didn't really want to leave any rumors. No need to get the Volturi involved.

I'd left her in the sincere hopes that she would move on, knowing that I never could. I had been permanently changed by this girl, and there was no going back….not that I would want to. But what Carlisle was describing…malnutrition? Was she malnourished because she was sick? It didn't sound like it. That left only a couple of alternatives, none of which I liked. Was she starving herself? Or was she so upset that she couldn't eat? Both made me literally sick with anxiety, and if my stomach still worked then I would have thrown up. 'Did I do this? What else would make her so upset that she would start to starve to death? What if I can't fix this?' The thought of not going back…of staying away to keep her safe, was gone, thrown out the window, and in its place was a need to see her…a need so great that I ran faster than I ever had before.

'I have to help her…I will help her. She is going to recover from this…and then I'll change her, if that's what she wants. I'll do anything. Anything to make her happy again.'

When I arrived at the house, the sun hadn't yet risen beyond the horizon. I realized that it was about six in the morning, and stepped up to the door, fighting the urge to just take the window. I knew I had to speak to Carlisle and Esme first…but I could smell her familiar scent and could hear her heartbeat and…Carlisle opened the door before I knocked, his arms crossed, his eyes both sad and worried. "I am so sorry." I knew it wasn't enough…it would take a while before they fully forgave me for this, but I knew that Carlisle would welcome me back. He was a better father than I deserved. He opened his arms and I stepped into them, my head resting on his shoulder while he held me.

'I know you are.' I'd missed my family. I could hear their thoughts, all centered around myself or Bella, and I relished the sound of them. 'Are you back for good?' His thoughts were stern and I nodded. I wouldn't be leaving again…not unless Bella demanded it. "Emmett's with her upstairs."

"Is she any better?"

He nodded, obviously relieved. "Her fever spiked last night, but it broke a few hours later, and she was able to eat some toast and drink some juice a few hours ago. She was having chest pains for the last two days and I was worried there would be an infection, but she's breathing easier now. She just needs to rest as much as she can and keep eating. The IV is helping her recover from the dehydration, although I'm going to take her off of it today if she continues to do as well as she is now."

I sighed in relief, my head dropping back on her shoulder. "We're going to have to talk about this, Edward. But I'm going to tell you right now, if you ever do something like that again, I will not be responsible for any actions that Emmett or Jasper…or Alice take against you. It was cruel and thoughtless and I know that you knew better that to treat her in such a way." I winched, nodding. "You are my son. And I love you. But Bella is like a daughter to me, and I was wrong to allow what happened."

"It wasn't your fault…it was mine. I insisted we leave…but I never thought…I thought she would be okay…I thought she would move on." Carlisle nodded.

"I know. Come. She's still sleeping, but I'm sure you're anxious to see her." I nodded. "Emmett, Edward will sit with her for a while." My large brother appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his teeth bared. "Emmett, not now."

"Why not? She's asleep. Now seems like a good time."

"Emmett…I just need to see her. Then you can do whatever you want to me." He closed his eyes for a moment, then straightened, crossing his arms and glaring at me.

"No, if you're going to see her, and if she sees you, you're staying with her. If you ever do this again…I swear to god, Edward I will rip you to shreds." He shook his head, and I flinched as his memories assaulted me...Bella staring up at him in disbelief, Bella weak and in pain as she threw up in the toilet, then collapsed in his arms...the way she trembled even when they piled blankets on top of her. "Go. She's your mate. Take care of her, like you should have been the whole time." He shoved past me, stepping carefully around Carlisle, and raced through the door.

I couldn't be offended…Emmett's thoughts were painful and chaotic. He'd sat at Bella's side, along with Alice and Jasper…he'd panicked when she'd coughed so hard she'd been unable to breathe, holding her up and begging Carlisle to help her…he'd assured her over and over that he was real and that she wasn't alone. And he was hurting…so much that lashing out at me was all he could really do. I mounted the stairs six at a time, leaping up them until I found myself frozen in the doorway to Carlisle's office.

Carlisle had set up a bed in the large room, the rails on the side up to keep her from moving too much. But I was sure the bed was more comfortable than an actual hospital bed, and the sheets were luxury cotton or Egyptian something or another…I didn't keep track of the names, just glanced at the packages Esme and Alice brought home. The comforter was pulled up to her chest, and attached to her arm was a needle and a tube leading to an IV bag that slowly dripped fluid into her veins.

But it wasn't the hospital bed or the IV or the needle…it was her. None of the thoughts of my family could have prepared me for this. Her hair was limp and dull, her face thin and haggard… "Bella." I whispered her name, stepping forward. This was better? This was recovering? I stepped into the room, moving closer although I could see her perfectly. Her breathing was raspy, but Carlisle had said that she didn't have an infection in her lungs, so that was a relief.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my movements hesitant and careful. Too afraid to even take her hand, I just looked at her, taking a deep breath and trying to keep calm. I had to be here for her now…I had to remain calm and…something. I had to do something. She stirred a little in her sleep, starting to roll over, and I put a hand on her arm, restraining her, then left my hand there…she was so warm…and soft…and there was nothing I wanted more than to press my lips against hers and hold her in my arms …it was ridiculous how much I wanted her. Instead, I ran my thumb over her arm, hoping I wasn't making her cold.

She mumbled suddenly, her words incoherent. "Bella? Are you awake sweetheart?" I touched her cheek, stroking it gently. "Bella?'

Her eyes fluttered open and my dead heart clenched when they widened, her lips parting in surprise. "Edward…" She whispered my name so painfully…I reached out and touched her cheek.

"I'm here, Bella. I'm so sorry." I chocked on my words, reaching down and pulling her carefully into my arms. Her entire body shook as she sobbed, gasping for breath, and I rubbed her back, rocking her back and forth. "Oh Bella, I'm so sorry…I love you so much. I'm sorry." She kept crying, shaking her head, and I heard my father's worried thoughts as he entered the room.

"Jasper?" He spoke quietly, and my brother hurried into the room, his gift washing over both of us, making her go limp in my arms. "Her body can't handle this right now." He touched her face, then pulled out a stethoscope, placing it against her chest and listening to her breathe. "Her chest is probably sore, making it painful for her to breathe…a symptom of the flu. How long will she be out?"

"Just a few minutes…"

"Good…she needs to eat something else."

"I'll get her something." I started to stand, but Jasper shook his head, resting a hand on my shoulder. He was as upset with me as Emmett, but he was much calmer about it, and more understanding...at the moment. I had no hopes that his calm would last. I was in a lot of trouble when Bella recovered enough that I could be away from her.

"She needs you to be with her…I'll get her something to eat." I nodded my thanks to Jasper, then, being careful of the needle in her arm, lay beside her, carefully pulling her into my arms. To my surprise, she turned in her sleep, cuddling against me.

Bella

I woke in someone's arms, but kept my eyes closed. I knew that I was with the Cullens…that Jasper had found me and that Carlisle had come and then everyone else….except Edward, but I never thought about that. They took me to their house, and although sometimes when I woke, it was too hard to focus or even stay awake, other times I would wake up sick, and one of them would be there, helping me into the bathroom, their cool hands on my back, and even though I was so cold it was almost painful when they touched me, I was grateful for the contact.

I was always wrapped in blankets, always woke in the bed with rails in Carlisle's study…and after a day at their house, after the painful cough began, my chest began to hurt, every breath burning and taking too much effort. Once I woke up and someone was shouting, and something cold was on my forehead and neck, and I was so cold and it hurt so badly, but in another way, it felt wonderful. Then I'd realized that Emmett and Alice were with me, speaking in tones almost too quiet to hear. Carlisle had come in then, saying something about a needle, and something else pricked me.

I'd opened my eyes then, looking blearily around, and Carlisle had touched my face gently, promising that I would be okay, then sat me up, even though I was so tired and I just wanted to sleep, and he placed something in my mouth, pouring water in my mouth until I swallowed automatically. "That will help."

The next time I'd woken, I'd been fully aware of what was going on, although Esme had needed to remind me that I was at their house and that I was sick. But she'd assured me that the worst was over, and had been able to eat toast and drink some orange juice before falling asleep once more, this time resting easier than I had in days.

But then I must have dreamed that Edward had come. There was no way…he didn't love me anymore…didn't want me with him. He'd said that…I'd stood in the forest with him while he'd spoke those terrible, painful words. So what would he be doing back? Did he feel guilty? Was he angry? Or was he just a figment of my imagination? Maybe I was going crazy and this was all a terrible dream. There was always the possibility that I would wake up and find myself back in my bedroom at home…but someone was holding me…someone cold. Could I be imagining that? Had I maybe not imagined Edward's presence here?

Someone touched my cheek…gently. A finger trailed down my face, lips pressing against my hair. "Bella?" I really didn't want to believe it…didn't even want to think about it. Because if I allowed myself to believe that Edward was back and he wasn't…or if he was going to leave again?

"Is she awake?" I heard Jasper's quiet voce. "Her emotions are strange…"

"I don't know…she isn't responding to me." That was Edward…it had to be. I remembered his voice! Surely I wasn't hallucinating that…

"Bella." Someone took my hand, squeezing gently. "Hey, open your eyes, darlin." He sighed softly when I refused to comply. "Bella, Edward is here. Come on. Don't you want to say hello?" I took a deep breath, turning a little and opened my, looking at Edward.

Edward looked exactly the same as I remembered, wonderful and handsome and…beyond upset. I closed my eyes again, resting my head on the pillow again. "Bella? Would you like me to leave?" I clung to him, shaking my head frantically and sobbing. "Oh Bella…" He pressed his lips against my head. "I am so sorry…so sorry…" He whispered the words over and over, rocking us back and forth. "Please, can you ever forgive me Bella?" I wondered if Jasper was still in the room briefly, because he certainly wasn't trying to calm my emotions now. The hole in my chest, ever present and painful, seemed to shrink, but I was too afraid to let it. He wasn't back. Or he was going to leave again. "Do you want me to go downstairs?" I shook my head again and he sighed. "What can I do?" He asked painfully. "Please, Bella…what can I do?"

I tried to stop crying, pulling away just a little to look at him. "You're really here?" I confirmed softly, my voice more pathetic than I could have imagined, and he stroked my hair, wiping at the tears falling down my face.

"I'm really here, love."

"Are you…are you staying?" His jaw clenched, his eyes closing for a moment.

"I won't ever leave you again, Bella. I'm so sorry…I know that you shouldn't forgive me…what I did was inexcusable."

"I forgive you." I whispered, laying back against his chest. He gave a quiet, strained laugh and helped me move back onto the pillows.

"Thank you. Carlisle is coming upstairs…he wants you to eat something. Does toast sound okay? A banana?" I nodded a little, letting him help me sit up, deciding to go with this, even if it was a delusion. I could think about it later…I was so happy to see him, and so tired. "Bella?" I realized that I'd let my eyes slip shut and he touched my face. I thought he said something else but I didn't understand it.

"Yes. She's still recovering from the flu, not to mention malnutrition. That takes a little while to recover from, so she's going to be tired for a while. Sweetheart, can you eat something?" I nodded, opening my eyes and thanking him quietly when he placed a plate in my lap. "Eat as much as you can. Here." He placed a glass of sprite on the table beside the bed. "This should help keep your stomach settled." He glanced at Edward, giving him a look I couldn't understand. "If you can keep that down, I'm going to take out the IV, alright?" I nodded, smiling a little, and he leaned forward, kissing my forehead. "I'll be downstairs with the others if you need me. Okay?" I lifted an arm to wrap around him, kissing his cheek, and he held me tightly for a moment.

Edward

She ate slowly, nibbling at the toast, and after a minute I held the glass to her lips, letting her drink. I held her tightly by my side, torn between not wanting to let her go and not wanting to hurt her. I needed to apologize…again. I needed to apologize and prove to her that I would never leave her again because she obviously couldn't believe me. And I would stay at her side, helping her recover…she would recover. I would make sure of it. And then, if she wanted it, I would change her. Or if she didn't want that, then I would stay with her for the rest of her life, and then end mine when she lost hers. Regardless I could never leave her again.

She placed the half eaten banana back on her plate, her eyes closing and dropping back against the pillow. "How are you feeling, love?" I asked softly, gently running my hand over her long hair, and she gave me a half smile.

"I'm still so tired." I leaned down, kissing her hair.

"Do you want to sleep some more?" She shook her head, clutching my shirt. "I won't leave your side." I promised. "Sleep if you're tired."

"l don't want to." She mumbled, and I chuckled, smiling when she kept her eyes opened stubbornly.

"Were you able to eat?" Carlisle asked me softly from outside the door.

"All of the toast. Half of the banana. She doesn't seem sick, but she's tired."

Carlisle stepped into the room then, removing the plate from Bella's lap and stroking her hair gently. "Ready to go back to sleep?" She shook her head, obviously fighting to keep her eyes open, and he chuckled softly. "Would you like me to take the IV out?" She nodded fervently and he grinned, kissing her forehead, then moved over to her side. 'Are you okay?'

"I'll be fine." I spoke quietly, my arm remaining around her shoulders and Carlisle clamped the tube and gently removed the needle from Bella's arm, quickly placing a cotton ball and a Ban- aid on her arm. "Can I take her downstairs?" I asked softly, rubbing her arm. "It might help…if she can be with everyone."

'You've been here for an hour…you think you know…' I flinched, and he shook his head. 'I apologize…I didn't mean that Edward.'

"You did." I refuted quietly. "And you're right…I can't apologize enough, Carlisle." He nodded.

"I know." He sighed. "Yes, I think it would be helpful if she could get out of this room. Bella?" He spoke up so that she could hear him. "Would you like to come downstairs? Emmett and Jasper are playing chess, and Alice has the TV on."

She nodded, starting to sit up, but I caught her, holding her to my side. "You aren't well enough to walk." I scolded gently, kissing her hair once more. I didn't think I could ever grow tired of that. I placed a hand around her back and one under her knees, lifting her easily and holding her close, taking a deep breath, my nose against her hair.

Jasper

Alice sat by my side, her head resting against my side. Emmett, who'd returned a few minutes ago, sat on the floor across from me, the coffee table and a chess board between us. We'd all had a rough few days…ever since I'd returned to find Bella so sick and…well, we'd been focused on helping her, focused on worrying about her…during the worst of it, when her fever had spiked and she'd been gasping for breath…I'd honesty thought she was going to die…that her heart that fluttered and slowed erratically would suddenly stop and I would have no idea what to do and that Carlisle would be able to save her…and it would kill Edward and us and…

I looked up in surprise, then smiled a little when Edward carried her down the stairs, sitting beside Alice and placing Bella on the sofa between himself and Alice. "Hey Bells." Emmett greeted her with a gentle smile, his voice soft. She smiled at him a little, her eyes still heavy. "You wanna play?" He teasing, jumping up and moved the table, leaning against it as he sat closer to her. She laughed a little, shaking her head.

"No thanks." He shrugged good naturedly.

"You feel better?" Alice asked softly, sitting up and smiling at her. Bella nodded, leaning against Edward.

"Yea, just tired. Where's Esme?" Carlisle stepped into the living room, sitting on the chair across from us.

"She went out for a minute…she needed to hunt." Bella nodded, and I was surprised, as always, at the girl's casual emotions when one of us mentioned hunting. After the initial surprise, she was always fine with it, even encouraging Edward to hunt when he went too long without…before all of this. "How about a movie?" He grabbed the remote, and Emmett grabbed a thick blanket, throwing it over Bella and tucking it around her. I grinned over at her, meeting her affection for us with my own, and Alice took her hand, reaching over and kissing her cheek.

Of course we would all need to talk soon. But as Esme walked through the door, sitting on Carlisle's lap and greeting Bella warmly, And Emmett moved to sit on the other end of the sofa, Rosalie at his side, I knew that Bella was still recovering. Emmett and I could yell at Edward later…we could all work to reassure Bella that we wouldn't leave and try to make all of this up to her…and of course we had to deal with Charlie. But for now, I would hold Alice and keep on eye on Bella while we all watched a movie and Bella drifted to sleep…and be grateful that I'd come back to apologize in the first place. It certainly hadn't been a bad idea after all.