Summary: On Danielle's first night in the Cullen house, she finds she is having trouble sleeping.

A MOTHER'S LULLABY

My room was too big. I wasn't used to having a room that was this big, and the walls were the wrong color. They were the same blue as the room at the Police station. I didn't like them.

I wanted my Mommy. The man who brought me home with him said she was in the sky now, but I wanted her here. If she were here, she could sing me to sleep. If she were here, I would feel safe.

"Danielle?" A voice whispered from the door. It was the woman from yesterday. She was supposed to be my new mommy now. I burrowed under the covers and tried to pretend I was asleep, just like I did when Daddy came home. I didn't want to cause any trouble.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" The woman asked, coming further into the room. "I know you're not asleep, love bug." Lovebug. I liked that name.

"I'm sorry," I whispered from under the covers. The woman chuckled.

"There's no reason to be sorry," she said. "Do you know why you're having trouble sleeping?" She asked. I shook my head, and I lied. They spent a lot of time on this room for me. I didn't want to tell them they messed up.

"Are you too hot or too cold?" The woman offered. I shook my head again. That wasn't it.

"What's your name again?" I asked her softly. My voice sounded funny, and the woman was surprised. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to talk.

"My name is Esme, sweetie," she smiled. "How did your mommy used to help you fall asleep?" She asked. I missed my mommy.

"She used to rub my back and sing me a song," I told her. "I miss my mommy," I said out loud. Esme nodded.

"I know you do. Can I tell you a secret?" I nodded. Esme was full of questions. "I miss my mommy too. She's with your mommy in the sky," Esme explained.

"Did she get hurt?" I asked. Esme shook her head.

"Not like your mommy," Esme explained. "She just got old and lived her life. She lived for a very long time. It doesn't mean I don't miss her, though."

"I wish my mommy lived for a long time," I mumbled. Esme began rubbing my back.

"What kind of songs did your mommy sing to you?" She asked.

"I can't remember," I said, frustrated.

"Do you want to try singing them, and maybe I'll recognize one of them?" Esme offered. I nodded.

I began singing the song that was my favorite. It was easy to remember and was from one of my favorite movies.

"I love that song," Esme smiled. "It's from Anastasia, right?" I nodded.

"Do you like that movie?" Esme asked. I nodded again.

"Maybe Alice can get it for us tomorrow, would you like that?"

"Who is Alice?" I asked again, a little embarrassed I couldn't remember anyone. Esme had a big family.

"Alice is my younger daughter. She's the one with the short, dark hair," Esme explained. "She helped pick out your PJs, remember?"

"Oh yeah," I smiled. I liked Alice.

"Do you mind if I sing to you? It might help you to fall back asleep," Esme whispered. She was really good at rubbing backs. If she was good at that, she was probably good at singing too. She seemed like she could be a really good mommy. I nodded and scooted closer to her.

"Dancing bears, painted wings, things I almost remember…" Esme began and kept singing.

I was right – I didn't make it to the end of the song.