Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its fantastic characters. I've never owned it in the past and I will never own it in the future - Stephanie Meyer has this honour. I do own my mistakes though, and I'm sure there will be many

A/N: Sorry this has taken so long. The good news, I do have the rest of this fic written. Only one, maybe two more chapters to come. I'm not sure yet whether to end this one and start a separate sequel or just keep F&I going. Also, I have taken liberties with Renee's character purely to fit my story. I hope I don't upset Renee fans but if I do, please forgive me! I also think this is my longest chapter – ever. Surprising as I found it so hard to write, it brought up memories of losing my Gramps.

Totally unrelated – I found out today I'm going to be an Auntie! I'm so happy

Usual warning - this is a femslash story. Don't like? Don't read – Simples!

Chapter Fourteen

It had been another three hours since Carlisle told them the news: the news that Bella had died, and the news that Bella may not walk again. Alice had been going totally crazy during that time, but Carlisle was adamant that Bella needed to be settled first before allowing anyone in to see her. Finally, for his own sanity more than anything, he agreed to let the hyper pixie see her girlfriend.

Alice tentatively entered the small hospital room and let out the breath she hadn't realised she had been holding. Bella, her precious Bella, was lying on the bed. She looked so small and fragile; the only sign of life was the reassuring beep of the heart monitor. Alice sat next to the bed and for once, since she became a vampire, she wished she could cry. "Oh Bella, I'm so sorry."

Bella looked awful. Her face was one big bruise with her right eye swollen shut. She had a bandage around her head, her arm and leg were in a cast, and she had two large blocks either side of her body to prevent her from moving. She also had an oxygen tube under her nose, helping her to breathe. Alice gently picked up the hand that was uninjured and kissed it gently, scrunching her nose slightly at the odd smell. Carlisle had finally allowed her to come in and she had no intention of leaving. She was going to stay until Bella was ready to leave the hospital, even though Carlisle had no idea when that may be. 'How did it come to this? We were so happy earlier; it was the best night of my life so far. How did it turn into the worst?'

Alice felt a hand rest gently on her shoulder and looked up. "Carlisle," she sighed "How can she get through this? She looks so bad. And she doesn't smell like Bella either."

"It's the transfusions. She'll be Bella again very soon, I promise." Carlisle looked sadly at his daughter and then Bella.

"Did we do the right thing? Not turning her?" Alice wondered.

"Absolutely, I have no doubt in my mind. Bella may not have survived the transformation with these injuries Alice. We could have lost her. I wasn't willing to take that chance," Carlisle paused as that thought sunk in. He never truly realised the impact Bella had made on his family until tonight. Yes, he knew everyone, himself included, loved her; but the fury his wife and children had showed when destroying Victoria had taken him by surprise. Carlisle had never seen such anger in his family. Bella Swan was family, in every sense of the word apart from one aspect. And Carlisle sincerely hoped that day would come, that this wasn't the end.

"Alice, I had to call Bella's mother. She's her only surviving relative now. She's getting the first flight out of Jacksonville and she will be here tomorrow afternoon. Sweetheart, it's important that you keep up appearances. I know you don't want to leave Bella, but you MUST hunt. The others are going tonight. After everything that has happened they need to feed." Carlisle took in Alice's black eyes. "And so do you. Please, please go with them."

Alice knew he was right. She couldn't let their secret slip to Bella's mother, or anyone else at the hospital. "Will someone be with her all the time?" she asked.

"Yes, I will make sure of it."

"Okay, but I'm coming straight back afterwards and no-one will throw me out." Alice stood defiantly, causing Carlisle to chuckle. He would love to see someone try to throw his daughter out.

"I will make sure the nurses know not to disturb you. Now go hunt, everyone's waiting for you."

Alice kissed Carlisle on the cheek and turned to kiss Bella. Finding a spot other than her hand that wasn't hurt was difficult, but she found one. Alice placed a gentle kiss on Bella's lifeless lips. For the first time since they had first kissed, Bella's lips were as cold as her own. She didn't like it, not under these circumstances. "I'll be back very soon my Bella. I love you."

*******

It had been a week since that fateful night. That night had been both the best and worst of Alice's entire existence. That night Charlie Swan died and Bella Swan almost lost her life. Renee had turned up the day after it happened. At the risk of sounding cruel, she wasn't much use to anyone. She fretted about her husband as much as she worried about Bella.

After the woman had proved herself to be scatty, erratic and somewhat useless with this sort of thing, Esme had taken it upon herself to organise Charlie's funeral. It had been a beautiful service. Charlie was laid to rest in a picturesque spot in the cemetery that Esme had picked out, underneath a large tree, overlooking the town. The whole town of Forks had turned out to say goodbye to Chief Swan, even the Quileute Indians who hardly ever left their reservation. Esme and Carlisle attended the funeral for Bella. The regret and grief that Bella couldn't be there was evident, but after a week, she still had not woken up.

Alice had glued herself to Bella's side every single day, never leaving until the early hours of the morning to hunt. She was fully aware that she couldn't expose what she was to Renee; she had to ensure her eyes remained gold. Alice was grateful to her family. Her siblings had come for her every night to take her out to feed. Emmett even offered to bring her a small rabbit or guinea pig, a 'snack' she could have in the grounds of the hospital. Rosalie had slapped him hard for that suggestion and Alice steadfastly refused. She couldn't eat a cute little rabbit or a guinea pig, they were cuddly and adorable.

Alice was currently curled up in the chair next to Bella, reading Wuthering Heights out loud. It was one of Bella's favourite books and Alice was trying anything she could to get Bella to wake up. Carlisle encouraged her to do this as he was certain Bella could hear. He was convinced Alice would be the one to bring her out of her unconscious state.

While Alice was reading, Renee had turned up. She stood in the doorway, watching Alice intently. She had wanted to ask the girl something since she had arrived in Forks. Renee may be scatterbrained, but she was an observant woman. She waited until Alice finished the chapter she was reading and entered the room. "So, Alice, how long have you been in love with my daughter?" she asked with a smile.

Alice looked up, slightly startled. Again, she was focused so intensely on Bella she had neglected to see this coming. She had been ignoring her visions for the last week. She decided to be honest; this was no time for lies, "Ever since I met her." 'Since before I met her, but I can't tell you that.' "She stole my heart and I love her more than anything. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her."

Renee smiled. "I knew it; it radiates off you. I take it the feeling is mutual?"

"Yes, Bella is very much in love with me. We told Charlie a little while ago and he was so great. I don't know how I'm going to tell her he's gone when she wakes up."

Renee just stared down at the linoleum floor. As Bella's mother she knew it was supposed to be her job to do that, to tell her only daughter her father was dead, but she couldn't do it. She had let Bella down too often in the past and she knew she would do it again. Renee liked Alice and her family very much, although she was aware the feeling wasn't entirely mutual. Oh, they were friendly enough, but they weren't warm. She knew Bella would be alright with them. Despite her selfishness, she did want her daughter to be happy.

Alice asked Renee. "So, you're completely okay with us? Being together?"

"Oh Alice, Bella almost died. Believe me, being in a gay relationship is NOTHING I would be bothered about. I'm just so happy she's found love. And she caught herself quite a catch I must say." Renee winked at Alice, causing the small girl to laugh.

Alice was about to resume reading Wuthering Heights when she heard it: a blip in the heart monitor. It was small, probably only noticeable to her vampire hearing, but it was there. She glanced at Renee who had obviously not heard anything. Alice watched the monitor: beep, beep, beep, beep... There it was again, the blip. Suddenly, it started to speed up. Alice could hear Bella's heart beating faster and her vampire senses noticed a small twitch in Bella's hand.

"Bella? Bella honey can you hear me?" she spoke softly, rubbing the girl's hand gently. The beep of the monitor continued to increase, as did the movement in Bella's hand. It was as if she was looking for something. Alice lay her hand under Bella's and gasped as Bella grasped it weakly. Renee had bolted out of the room screaming for Carlisle, scaring the living daylights out of a passing nurse. Alice continued to speak to Bella, stroking her moving hand.

"Bella honey, wake up. Come on, you can do this." Alice watched as Bella struggled to open her eyes "One of your eyes is swollen; just try opening your left eye. Come on baby." Slowly but surely, Bella's left eye opened and gazed into the distance. Alice lowered her face above Bella's to give her something to focus on and smiled with pure joy as Bella looked at her. 'Oh, I've missed those beautiful brown eyes.'

"A… Alice?"

"BELLA, you're back!" Alice couldn't contain her joy as Carlisle rushed in with two nurses.

"Alice, you'll have to leave while I check Bella over. You can come straight back when I'm done. I've already sent Renee to the waiting room." Alice made no effort to leave the room. "Alice Cullen I will get security to drag you out if I have to." He stated. With that "threat" Alice reluctantly left the room and made her way to the waiting area. Renee was anxiously pacing the room so, with nothing else to do, Alice joined her.

Renee mumbled. "Is she okay?"

"I don't know. I got thrown out of the room!" Alice threw her hands up in the air and huffed as she kept pace with Renee. She pulled her cell phone out her pocket and called the family to let them know Bella had woken up. Within ten minutes, keeping up appearances for Renee's sake, they were all in the waiting room, pacing with Renee and Alice.

After the longest thirty minutes of their lives, Carlisle entered the waiting room. Unlike the last time he did this, he had a small smile on his face. "I've checked Bella over and I'm pleased to say she is now fully conscious. Her arm, leg and internal injuries are healing well. She should be out of the casts in a few weeks. The head injury has also left no lasting damage. Being unconscious for a week has helped in a way. However, her back is still very swollen and she is not reacting to any stimuli on her legs or feet. But I have checked the recent X-Rays and I am fairly sure she will regain feeling once the swelling reduces and the break heals." Carlisle stopped as everyone started to speak at the same time, their relief flowing through the room. Carlisle whistled and everyone fell silent again. "Hold on. It's good news, but she's still in for a rough time. She'll need physiotherapy and a lot of care. But I am confident enough to say I expect a complete recovery."

Carlisle thanked the gods for his vampire strength as he was engulfed by his family members all at the same time. Renee watched in amazement at their reactions, she had no idea how ingrained Bella was in the Cullen family. They were all laughing in sheer relief. Alice sank into a plastic chair and held her head in her hands.

Renee knelt down and tilted Alice's face up to meet hers. Renee smiled and embraced Alice in a hug. "She's okay." Then Renee turned to Esme and spoke quietly, "Can we please talk privately?"

"Of course, let's go outside." The two women, vampire and human, strolled slowly to a bench outside the hospital entrance. It was an overcast day; there was no chance of Esme suddenly sparkling in the sunshine. Esme sat quietly, waiting to hear what the woman had to say. She found Renee to be a strange woman. She felt her love for Bella, but her past actions had been very selfish. Esme couldn't quite connect with a woman who could only put her own needs above her daughter's. Although she was willing to listen, and see what Renee had to say, "You must be very relieved about Bella."

"Oh, I am. I truly am. Despite everything, I don't know what I would have done if I had lost her as well." Renee had a guilty look on her face, not sure if she should do what she was about to do. "Esme, I have been observing you and your family this past week. I have to say I trust you all with my daughter. What I have seen this week has been amazing. Bella has found love with your daughter and she has been accepted into your family unconditionally."

Esme beamed. "We love her very much Renee. I consider her my daughter, part of my family. But that's not what you brought me out here to say is it?"

"No. Esme, I am about to ask you something very important. I heard what Carlisle said, Bella has a rough ride in front of her. I love my daughter dearly, but my life now is on the road all the time; I can't be there for her, not in the way she needs me to be. I have a husband to think about. Esme, would you please consider taking Bella in to live with you and your family permanently? Now Charlie has gone…" Renee couldn't finish that sentence. "Please don't think badly of me. After seeing everything this week I know that the best thing I can do for Bella is to place her into your care. I'll sign anything. I'll even send you money. I just hope you'll say yes."

Esme blinked furiously. "I don't understand you at all. You say you love her but… She's your only daughter! She's seriously injured and you still can't put her first?" Esme was getting angry. "I would have thought that something like this would make you realise how much you stand to lose." For the second time in a week a Cullen wished they could cry. "Personally, I don't know how you can do this, how you can live with it. However, it would be our honour and our pleasure to take Bella in. We will get Bella through this. She will be loved and cared for as one of my own. You can keep your money, we don't need it." Esme was furious, but there was no way she would deny the woman's request.

Renee nodded and the tears freely flowed. She was giving up her daughter. She knew it was the right thing to do, but she still hated herself for it. "Thank you." She sobbed. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I'm doing this for Bella, not you."

Edward had exited the hospital and approached the two women cautiously. "Renee, Bella is asking for you. Alice is already with her."

"Esme, I can't go in. I can't see Bella and leave her, it would be cruel. Can you please go in and explain? Tell her about Charlie?" Renee asked, "I will be forever in your debt."

'This woman has no shame. It's a wonder Bella turned out as well as she has.' Esme nodded her head curtly and watched as Renee left.

"Are you alright?" Edward asked his mother.

"No, I'm not. I just can't understand people like that. How can she do this to Bella? It's heartbreaking."

Edward wrapped his arm around Esme's shoulder, "Come on."

Esme and Edward walked back inside and Esme explained to the family what Renee had asked of them. They all agreed to the woman's request unequivocally. Esme was very proud of her family. Having Bella live with them would be hard on all of them, yet they had no hesitation in agreeing. Esme slowly made her way to Bella's room, dreading the conversation she was about to have. She went inside to be greeted by the sight of Alice lying with her head on Bella's chest and Bella's uninjured arm resting across Alice's back.

Bella opened her good eye as she heard someone come into the room, "Mom?"

Alice lifted her head as Esme sat next to Bella on the other side of the bed. She had seen this conversation coming; this was going to be hard. She held Bella's hand softly and waited for Esme to start speaking.

"No, it's me Bella." Esme spoke quietly, "Your mother, she asked me to tell you that…"

"Let me guess: she had to leave, and go back to Phil?" Esme nodded sadly. "Don't worry about it, really. She's been like that my whole life. But I can't be angry at her; her actions led me to you and your family. I'm grateful to her actually." Bella groaned slightly, the pain meds were starting to wear off.

"Bella, how are you feeling honey?" Esme asked. "Shall I get Carlisle?"

"No, no. It's okay. It's weird. My arm hurts, my head hurts. My ribs hurt. I can see my leg is broken, but I feel numb from the waist down. Carlisle explained everything but… It's just strange. How's Charlie? Is he doing okay?"

"Bella, do you remember what happened?" Alice asked, glancing at Esme.

"Yes, sort of... It's all a blur. I remember having the greatest night of my life. Then it jumps to me being held in the air by my throat. I remember Victoria hovering over me and then nothing. I think I passed out just as Victoria was about to kill me. I don't remember anything after that. Is she dead?"

Esme spoke first. "Yes, she is. You don't have to worry about her any more sweetie. Bella… there's something else you need to know."

Alice gripped Bella's hand as tightly as she could without hurting her as she waited for Esme to continue. Alice also noticed Jasper standing in the doorway, just out of sight, ready to use his gift in case things took a turn for the worse. Bella just stared at Esme, waiting to hear what she had to say. She had no idea what was coming.

"What? Did she kill someone? Oh no, is one of your family dead?" Bella was distraught at the thought that one of the Cullen's was dead. The thought it might be Charlie had not yet entered her mind.

"Oh, no sweetheart, we are all fine. Oh Bella, I don't know how to tell you this. I'm afraid Charlie died in the crash. His injuries were so severe he died instantly. He wouldn't have felt any pain and…" Esme broke off and Alice felt her heart shatter into millions of pieces as Bella cried out in pain, both physical and with grief. Bella's choked breaths were coming hard and fast and the tears were streaming down her face.

"Oh nooo… Not my dad. Not Charlie! I… I can't… breathe. Oh god, it hurts. My chest hu…" Bella broke off; the sobs were too hard and too painful for her to speak. Alice locked eyes with Jasper, pleading silently for him to help her. Bella felt calming waves brush over her, but she didn't want it; it would only make things worse. "Jasper stop it, please!" she begged weakly. She had no strength to yell. Bella got her breathing and sobbing under some semblance of control. "Please Jasper let me feel it. I need to." Jasper pulled his ability back and Bella held on to Alice's hand in with a death grip as the pain came flooding back. She had been right; taking it away had made it worse. Alice tried to soothe her, rubbing her arm gently. "DAMN IT." Bella screamed. "WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? WHY DIDN'T YOU SEE THIS ALICE?"

Alice pulled back, startled at the sudden display of strength as she felt Bella's anger and grief being directed at her. "Bella I… I didn't get a vision until it was already happening. Victoria knew how to get around my ability. I am so sorry, you have to believe me. We got you as quickly as we could. We were just in time."

"Not for Charlie you weren't. I'm sorry, I can't take this in. I just… I need to be alone. I can't breathe. Please just leave me alone." Bella cried gently.

"No, I'm not leaving you. I…"

"PLEASE JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!"

"Come on Alice," Esme pulled Alice gently away from Bella's bedside. "Bella, we'll be right outside, we're not going anywhere."

Bella didn't answer as Esme led Alice out the room. Alice was furious, "Esme, what the hell are you doing? I need to stay with her, she's grieving."

"Yes, she is. She's also very angry right now. She's just found out her father's dead, her mother has left her yet again and she can't walk! If she wants to be alone we have to let her be alone. Alice, we aren't leaving her. Just let her have her human moments and be there for her when she needs you to be, when she's ready." Alice just glared silently, knowing Esme was right, but not wanting to agree with her. "Alice, Bella is going to need you more than ever right now. You are going to bear the brunt of her grief, her anger, and her frustration. But she will get through this, I know she will. And you'll be there every step of the way. We all will."

Edward spoke up next. "Alice, she is a mess right now. Her thoughts are so jumbled she can't think straight. She certainly has no idea what she's saying, what she's doing." As he spoke their vampire hearing picked up a small voice.

"Alice? Please come back."

Forced to walk at a frustratingly slow human pace, Alice was back by Bella's side as soon as she could be. "Bella?"

"Alice, I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I didn't mean to yell at you, it's just…I just… I…I can't… Charlie's dead. He's gone and he's never coming back. And I can't move Alice!"

"Sssh, I know." Alice held the sobbing Bella, "I know."

"Please stay with me."

"Always."

And Alice held Bella all night. She consoled her when her nightmares woke her up, when her grief made it hard for her to breathe, and as her legs failed to do what she wanted them to do.

Alice never left her side. And she never would.