Disclaimer: Definitely owned originally by Stephenie Meyer and currently by the writer, producers and director of Breaking Dawn Part 1.

Am I the only one who noticed the house seemed to change again? New rooms! And suddenly a lot more books. That makes it all very confusing. Office, library, who knows?

This one kind of got away from me. But it makes up for the lack of an update yesterday!

Bella wasn't yet so big that she couldn't move. And walking around the house, or at least moving from one room to another, made her feel slightly less of an invalid. Rosalie walked a step behind, arms out and hovering on either side of Bella as she inched along, ready to catch her the instant she stumbled. Considering her centre of gravity was changing by the hour, Bella was grateful for it.

The entire house was unnaturally quiet. Bella knew that Edward, Jasper and Emmett were in the dining room; books, laptops and papers spread out across the massive table, vainly searching for anything that might be of use. Alice was outside, struggling between trying to see something she couldn't and fighting a very real and increasing headache. Bella was worried about her and sorry for what she was going through at the same time.

Esme was in the kitchen, trying yet another recipe in the hopes that maybe Bella would be able to eat it. Bella didn't have much hope for that, but it was kind of her mother-in-law to try.

She hadn't seen Carlisle in over an hour. The last few days since they returned home from the island, he had been doing a pretty good job of pretending not to hover, when he wasn't in the dining room researching or in his office. Bella knew how worried he was about her and how frustrated he was at feeling useless to help.

So, she had used the pretext of a walk to go look for him, knowing he'd probably be in his office. Which was exactly where she and Rosalie found him. He was standing at the window, looking out at the rain. Bella tried hard to ignore the equipment set up in the room; why it had been brought in in the first place and what it was going to be used for now.

'Rosalie,' Bella said, her voice sounding weak even to her own ears. 'Can you give us a few minutes?'

Bella knew it wouldn't be that easy. 'I'm not leaving you alone with him!' Rose hissed.

Bella watched Carlisle visibly flinch.

'It's alright. I just want to talk. Rose, he isn't going to hurt me.'

Rosalie frowned; glaring at her father's still turned back. 'You don't know that.'

Bella followed her gaze. 'Actually, I do. It's okay. Please?'

'Fine. But if you need me you just scream. I'll be here with Emmett.'

'Thanks Rose,' Bella told her sincerely.

And then they were alone. It was only after the door had closed none too gently that Carlisle turned around.

'Bella,' he said. 'How are you feeling?'

Since she was asked this by every member of the family at least once an hour, she shrugged. 'I'm okay. I can still walk; that's got to be a good sign.'

Carlisle smiled without humour. 'You must rest as much as possible.'

'I know,' Bella sighed, taking the hint. It went against her nature to settle herself on the table, but she did it anyways, pulling her knees up as far as she could with her ever growing stomach. Nervous, she fiddled with the edge of the tunic top Alice had arrived home with the day before. Any excuse to shop.

'Did you wish to discuss something?' he asked, stepping away from the window. However, he kept his distance and Bella's heart broke a little. She was doing this to him, just like to Edward and Esme and everyone else.

'I'm sorry,' Bella choked out. 'I'm sorry for all of this.'

Carlisle seemed to hesitate a moment more and then thought better of it. He was at her side instantly. 'What do you possibly think you have to apologise for?' his voice was soft and kind, as it always was.

Bella blinked through unshed tears at him. 'I've got everyone scared. And Edward...I don't even trust my own husband. And I didn't trust you; not when we first got back.'

'But you do now?' he asked, a slight note of desperation in his voice.

'Yes. God, of course. I know you'd never hurt me. I just...when Edward told me what he planned, I couldn't let that happen. I'm still worried he's going to suddenly do something.'

'I don't believe he will. If anything, Bella, he's concerned enough with how it will affect you emotionally. He's terrified that you won't even let him touch you with Rosalie nearby.'

'I know. I'm sorry,' she whispered.

Slightly exasperated, Carlisle sighed. 'Stop apologising, please. Bella, none of this is your fault. It's not anyone's fault. I wish I had an easy answer. The fact that I don't is...' he trailed off.

Bella couldn't ever recall hearing the Cullen patriarch at a loss for words. 'You do know that's okay, right? Edward may expect it, but I don't. You don't have to have all the answers, Carlisle.'

The pain in his eyes evidently showed he thought he did.

'I'm just glad you're here. I'm glad I can depend on you. None of us know exactly what's going to happen, but I trust you to help me anyway you can. That'll be enough.'

'I fear it won't,' he whispered, barely loud enough for her human ears to hear.

And that was really the crux of the matter, Bella knew. What he was most worried about was the feeling of helplessness. Carlisle just wanted to help people, and right now, he couldn't help her.

'I do,' she said, finding the strength in her voice she thought was gone. 'Have faith,' she told him.

If vampires could cry, Bella thought he would be. 'Do you truly believe that?'

Bella took a moment to think that through. 'Yes,' she finally said. 'Yes, I believe that. I believe this happened for a reason. And because of that, it will turn out alright.'

'I fear my belief is no longer that strong,' he admitted.

'Then believe in me. I can do this. I know I can.'

'Such strength,' he whispered, stroking her cheek gently. Bella smiled. 'I will try. I will do everything I can do see you through this and I will try to believe that it will be enough.'

'Thank you,' Bella said.

He gave her a small smile; it was more than she'd seen from him in three days. 'You should rest and I mean that. Rosalie can help you back to the couch.'

'Or you can,' she countered. 'If you don't mind?'

'Hardly.' He lifted her gently, ignoring the slight protest about being carried. But honestly, she was tired enough not to argue.

Rosalie didn't look happy when they passed her on the way to the living room. 'It's fine, Rose,' Bella assured her. She didn't look any more convinced.

'Thanks,' she told Carlisle when he had settled her in her usual place amongst the cushions and blankets.

'Do you need anything?'

'No. You probably have research to do or something.'

'Yes,' he admitted, though they both knew how productive it would be.

'Thank you Carlisle.'

'Try to rest,' he said and bent to his her forehead gently, ignore Rosalie's hiss of displeasure.

'Please, Rosalie,' Bella begged. 'Stop.' Bella alone seemed to be able to calm her appointed bodyguard down.

The blonde sighed, but at she stopped glaring at her father. Carlisle smiled gratefully.

Talk about rabid plot bunnies at 1am. I think I still have the bite marks on my ankles!