Disclaimer: Not owned by me, managed by me, or claimed by me in any way, except in my daydreams.

This story is almost entirely based on personal experience (minus the inclusion of Edward). There are days when I do think Mother Nature is out to get me. I read a few months back a story, which I cannot now find, where Bella decides that Mother Nature is out to get her because she will soon be top of the food chain. That story sort of inspired this, so my thanks to whomever's it is.

I have been reliably told by a kind reviewer that the story is "Most Dangerous Predator" by Xaipre. So thank you to Xaipre and to the reviewer!

She'd been fine until breakfast. Bella would later realise that she should have enjoyed the first thirty minutes before then, because they were the only good ones she would have all day.

Bella had woken up to the cold embrace of her fiancé, as usual. He had given her a rather thorough good morning kissed and then promised to be back in a couple of hours after a quick hunt. As his eyes were starting to darken, Bella wholeheartedly agreed and sent him off. Then she took a shower and got dressed, knowing whatever she pulled from her closet would end up switched for something 'fashionable' as soon as Alice caught sight of her that afternoon.

Then she went downstairs to eat breakfast. It might have been July, but it looked as cold and unappealing outside as it usually did in Forks. In deference to the weather Bella put the kettle on to make tea. It should have been an easy thing to do; she'd managed it enough times in her life, but Murphy had other ideas. The pain in her fingers from the slopped boiling water was nearly blinding. For a few brief seconds it felt almost as bad as the memory of venom coursing through her veins and setting her on fire. Quickly, Bella stuck her fingers under the kitchen tap, letting out a rather loud curse when the water turned out to be warm. She wretched the tap over to the cold setting and then sighed blissfully as the throbbing pain in her fingers vanished.

Bella knew it would be temporary. As soon as she removed her fingers from the cold water, the pain would return. Bella was no stranger to burns, but she hadn't scalded herself with boiling water in a few years. She was quickly remembering how much it hurt.

Suddenly, the thought of Edward's cold hands was even more pleasant than usual. If she was lucky, Alice would have seen the injury and Edward would be on his way. Deciding it was worthwhile to wait and see, Bella kept her fingers under the running tap.

But the minutes ticked by on the wall clock and no vampires showed up. The phone didn't even ring. After ten minutes, Bella had to acknowledge that Alice was probably too caught up in wedding preparations to have seen her soon to be sister-in-law's clumsiness. Which meant that Edward would be at least another hour, unless she called him.

No, Bella thought, I don't need to go crying to him just because of a stupid burn. Besides, this is nothing compared to what the change will be like. In less than two months.

Despite being absolutely certain that eternity with Edward was what she wanted, Bella was still a bit apprehensive at the thought. It was hard to forget the burning agony that James' bite had caused, and that had only lasted a few minutes. This time, she'd have to endure it for days.

Stop thinking about it, Bella told herself. There was not point worrying or working herself up over it. It was what she wanted. And even if going into it ahead of time knowing roughly how bad things would be wasn't exactly pleasant, the actual enduring of it wouldn't be any worse for her than, say, for Rosalie.

Bad example, Bella decided.

Even with the cold water, her fingers were starting to hurt. She pulled them out and dried them carefully with a towel. Her first and second fingers were bright red and it looked like she'd gotten the ring finger as well. Wincing, Bella pulled her engagement ring off and set it on the window sill. She had a vague recollection that cold milk was supposed to help ease the pain of a burn. Grabbing a glass for the cupboard, she filled it from the milk jug, absently noting the fridge was getting empty. It could be because she hadn't been shopping. Which could have been because she didn't want to be seen in public in her car. Which was definitely because Edward had got the stupid thing for her, despite her very vocal wishes to the contrary.

Still, Charlie had to eat. She'd have to bite the bullet and go anyways. But after her fingers were no longer throbbing. The milk did seem to be helping, though, even more than the water. Sighing again, Bella picked the glass up, keeping her fingers submerged and when upstairs to Google the treatment of first degree burns on her computer. Typing one handed wasn't exactly easy, but she found a respectable link pretty easily. Unfortunately, it didn't say much of use, and nothing that she wasn't already doing. Certainly, it didn't say anything about how to stop the pain.

She decided to leave her fingers in the milk, at least until Edward returned and could offer some useful medical advice – or overreact and take her to Carlisle – as to how to stop the pain while maintaining the use of her fingers. She could still read a book one handed, though.

Edward found her curled up in bed an hour later; book in one hand, fingers in the glass of milk in the other. It had long since warmed to room temperature, but as Bella had removed her fingers a few times to check the pain level, it was still doing more help than harm.

'What happened?' he asked, as soon as he noticed the position of the glass.

'The kettle attacked me.'

Look frozen half between worry and amusement Edward came to kneel at her side. 'Let me see,' he said and without waiting for a reply he pulled her fingers from the glass, using a tissue from the side table to wipe them dry. Bella winced. 'I'm sorry.'

He gave the red puffy digits a good look over before placing them back in the milk.

Bella arched a questioning eyebrow at him.

'If it's helping, you might as well keep them there. It's only a first degree burn and there isn't much else I can do.'

'I thought so,' Bella said, but there was a trace of wistfulness in her voice.

'They're going to hurt for most of the day, and likely be quite tender to the touch tomorrow.'

'I know. It's not the first time I've done this to myself. But it's the first time the kettle's done it to me,' Bella stated.

Edward smirked. 'Still going with that story?'

'Yes. My bad luck's getting worse. Someone is out to get me.'

'I'll ask Alice to keep a lookout then, shall I?' he was smiling.

Bella huffed. 'Don't you dare laugh at me Edward Cullen. You, with your perfect balance and your hard sparkly skin and your inability to let kitchen appliances attack you.'

He raised an eyebrow at that.

Bella huffed again. Great; bad luck, in pain, and more inarticulate than normal.

'Alice is expecting you,' Edward segued.

'Oh no! No!' Bella cried, scrambling backwards in the bed, a whole two inches before her back hit the headboard. 'I'm injured!'

'And today is hair styling day, if I recall,' Edward explained. Of course he did. 'My sister is not going to take no for an answer. And we have milk at the house. I'll get you a new glass. With ice,' he smiled.

Bella gave frowning a good try, but failed to form the correct facial expression. It was impossible to be anything other than madly in love with him when he looked at her like that.

She put the glass down and wiped her fingers off again. The pain was only seconds in delay. 'Quickly then!' she told him, scrambling up out of the bed so fast she stumbled. A cold arm steadied her and a cold hand wrapped around her throbbing fingers. Relief raced through her. 'Oh,' Bella whispered. 'That's nice. Maybe I don't need the milk.'

'Alice isn't going to let me in on the styling session,' Edward reasoned. 'The milk will have to do. Though Carlisle might have something else to help. He'll be home by now from the hospital.'

'That's good. Anything, as long as it stops the throbbing.'

Edward gave her a calculated look at that and Bella knew he was thinking exactly as she'd feared he would. Thankfully he didn't say anything. 'Come on,' he tugged, leading her down the stairs. His car wasn't there, of course, but the Guardian was. And Bella knew Edward liked driving it just as much as the rest of his family.

As always, they arrived at the white house mere minutes later. The careening journey down the winding driveway had long since stopped making Bella flinch and feel slightly nauseous. Now she knew to focus on Edward – and the throbbing pain in her fingers despite his cold grip – and ignore the trees flying by.

Edward let go of her hand for a few brief seconds in order to race around to her side of the car and help her out. The pain seemed to be building, if anything, and Bella tried very hard to suppress the pinched look that it brought to her face.

Esme was the first to greet them inside the door. 'Oh, Bella, honey! Good morning. Have you had breakfast?'

Bella nodded. 'Yes, but could I have a glass of milk? With ice,' she added.

Esme looked slightly confused by that, but she was far too polite to deny such a simple request. 'Of course, dear; I'll just be a moment.'

She looked even more confused when she returned with the requested glass a moment later and Bella stuck her fingers into the cold relief with a sigh. 'Are you quite alright?'

'Burned my fingers this morning,' Bella mumbled, concentrating on the fact that the burning sensation was completely gone. 'Cold milk helps.'

Esme's look immediately softened. 'Oh honey! Is there anything I can do?'

Bella shook her head, offering a smile to her soon to be mother-in-law. 'No, the milk's fine. It was just a stupid accident.'

'I shouldn't have left you,' Edward started.

'Oh, shush. You needed to hunt and I should be able to make myself tea without causing injury. But since it's me, obviously that's too much to ask,' she complained. Edward followed her into the living room, keeping close enough that Bella knew he was worried she'd somehow trip while walking with her fingers in a glass.

He might have had cause for concern.

'Bella?' Carlisle's voice came from the archway leading to the stairs. Bella was a little surprised he hadn't been at her side as soon as they were through the door. 'Forgive me, I was on a call with the hospital,' he answered her unspoken question. 'You've burned yourself?'

He came to sit on the sofa with her. 'It's a scald, really. I spilled the water while making tea.'

'May I?' he asked.

Knowing the pain would return as soon as her fingers left their current place, Bella braced herself for the throbbing. At least Carlisle was quick about it.

'It's not serious, but it will be quite painful for the day. The cold will certainly help, so continue with that. Aloe Vera may also help once the worst of the pain begins to pass. I'm afraid I can't offer anything more, Bella.'

'I know. It's not the first time I've done this. I just...forgot how much it hurts,' she admitted, savouring the relief the cold liquid brought. It would warm soon though and then maybe ice would be preferable. Ice or Edward. 'I just wish I wasn't always injuring myself.'

Carlisle smiled softly. 'As do I.'

'I don't suppose,' she started, giving him a sweet smile, 'that I'm too injured for hair styling?'

Carlisle never got a word in.

'Absolutely not! You don't need your hands for it and we will do this today,' Alice's voice rang across the room.

Bella looked pleadingly around the room. 'Bella,' Edward began; his voice soft and comforting. 'She isn't going to give up on this. I know you may not feel like doing this right now, but there isn't going to be a better time, either. You only need to sit there and Alice promises to be extra attentive to how you're feeling. Doesn't she?' he asked his sister, caution laced within his voice.

'I will. I promise it won't be that bad, Bella! Besides, it might take your mind of your hand,' Alice reasoned.

Actually, maybe the pixie had a point. 'Yeah, alright. Can I have ice for this instead?' Bella asked, waving the glass with her fingers still in it around more forcefully than necessary.

Carlisle easily caught it before any of the milk spilled, stilling her hand's motion in mid-swing.

'Sorry,' Bella mumbled.

'Quite alright. Why don't you go upstairs with Alice and I will bring you an icepack up in a moment.'

'Okay. Thanks, Carlisle,' Bella said, rising to take Alice's hand in order to navigate the stairs. Since it was offered, it was better not to take the chance that she might trip. Clearly it was going to be one of those bad luck days.