Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. It belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

Baby Steps

Renee POV

"I'm sorry, Bella, but I think…I think this is what's best for you, ok? Just trust me on this," I said hopefully. But I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince.
She didn't nod, she didn't speak- she made no indication that she'd even heard me, until a few minutes had past. "Ok," she whispered.
I sighed. It was my fault and I knew it. If I hadn't let her stay with Charlie in Forks, she would never have even met that Edward. She would still be my fantastic, beautiful Bella now, not some empty shell of a teenage girl.
The rest of the drive down the winding roads of eerie green was silent. I didn't have the courage to say anymore. I felt guilty enough for taking her away from Forks and causing the largest tantrum known to man only a few hours ago. I didn't need to rub in it on the drive to the airport as well.
I reached to turn on the radio to ease the silence but Bella let out a hoarse cry of protest.
"No!" she screeched. I glanced in her direction for a brief second. She was staring back at me with bloodshot eyes. Her face was gaunt and haggard and she looked so much older. She'd thrown her hands out to cover the controls of the radio and her chest was heaving with the effort of the objection. I nodded frantically, trying to indicate that I'd understood her and praying that she would relax. After a moment she seemed to trust me and went back to staring out the window as Forks disappeared behind us.

Phil greeted us at the airport and I ran to his loving arms, seeking some much needed comfort. Bella didn't follow my actions, even when Phil held his arms out for her.
Once again we drove in silence. Phil tried numerous times to make conversation but each time he got no reply. Finally, after what felt like hours, we arrived at home.
I gave Bella a tour of the house but I don't know if she really listened, even though she must have heard. It looked as though she was waiting to hide in a closet somewhere and cry, which I was sure she would do a little later.
"And here's your room!" I tried to sound a little cheery as I opened the butter-yellow door to reveal her spacious, sunlit room. That did it. A muffled gasp escaped her lips as she crumpled to the floor, leaning her shaking body against the doorframe. Phil must have heard the thump because he was by my side in seconds, crouching beside me, trying to console her.
"Baby girl, come on. Let's get you cleaned up," I said gently. She just shook her head. I tried desperately to swallow the lump forming in my throat. Phil picked her up from under the knees and behind her back and carried her through the threshold to her bed where he placed her softly on the mattress. He sensed he was no longer needed and shifted edgily from the room.
I sat beside Bella on the double-bed and wrapped my arm around her, trying desperately to comfort her. She flinched at my touch. What had he done to her?
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.
"No." It was nothing more than a sob, barely audible as she was curled up in a ball, her back against the bed-head and her head pressed against her knees.
"Do you want me to go?" She said nothing. Once again, it was she hadn't even heard me. I sighed helplessly and left, closing the door behind me.

"I don't know what to do with her!" I sobbed into Phil's chest. He patted my hair in an attempt to sooth me. "She won't speak to me! She won't do anything but cry and just stare at things! It doesn't feel right to send her to school yet but its Monday tomorrow and I told the Principal that she'd be able to come in and take a look around!" I wasn't sure if he could understand my ramblings but I had to voice it to someone. Bella was worse than I thought. She needs to be here. She needs to get on with her life, but it will take some work, I thought to myself. Baby steps.