Okay guys, I didn't realise that I had a health essay due in two days, so I might not have time to update tomorrow, but we'll see how I go. Thank you for the support you are all providing me with.

-A xx

Esme

Another week without my husband went by. Carmen and Eleazar were getting back today, and I was excited to see them. Maybe I wouldn't feel so strained once they were here again, knowing I could count on them to help a situation if I weren't present at the time.

I got a call from the school earlier this week telling me that Violetta was sent to the school counsellor after many concerned reports from her teachers. They said that I could request she doesn't see the counsellor, but I would have to have a meeting with the principal as to why, and I didn't know what I would say.

Violetta said it was fine and that she won't talk anyway and also that I didn't need to worry about her at all. Leah, Renesmee, Seth and Jacob told me different. They said that she sits by herself, up the back in the darkest corner in every class, and she sat by herself at the darkest table in the back corner of the cafeteria. She wouldn't talk to anyone, not even them, and she would sit motionless until she was listening to music. The only class she actually seemed to have interest in was music, and there was a boy she talked to every lesson.

That worried me. Was she trying to move on from Mason with someone whom she knew nothing about? And who knew nothing about us? That was not a safe option.

I was cleaning the house when my phone rang. I saw that it was the school and picked it up formally, "Hello, Mrs Cullen speaking."

"Hello Mrs Cullen, this is Trish again from Burnsville high. I called your husband, but he said you would be a better contact at the moment. Violetta was called into the counsellor again today, but she had an anxiety attack and now she isn't registering anything. Would you be able to come pick her up?"

I sighed, "Yes, I'll be there soon."

"Thank you." She said cheerfully before hanging up. Her voice was becoming more and more familiar to me.

I stood up and walked out of the house. It was just Jasper and I home right now. Everyone else that didn't go to school was working in Bella's café. They were making great progress, but they only had 2 weeks at the most before Carlisle got back.

He followed me out and to the car. I looked at him when I started it, "Any reason you decided to come?"

"I was just bored, and you know…anxiety attack…"

"You can't calm her down there, Jazz." I shook my head.

"Why not?"

"Because if she's still having the attack and it magically disappears as soon as we enter, it might look a little strange."

He sat back, "Yeah, you're right."

I drove down the long driveway and turned towards the direction the school, driving at our usual too fast speed. I had my elbow leaning on the door and my head in my hand. I was exhausted between keeping the peace in the house, keeping an eye on Violetta and making sure she was okay, and trying to keep myself sane while Carlisle was gone.

"You okay? You're really tired."

"I am aware, thanks."

"What's going on?"

I smiled at him appreciatively, but it was forced and he knew it, "I'm fine, thank you honey."

"You're not fine." He shook his head, "Are you having a bad day?"

I shook my head, "No, I'm just very strained."

"Because of us, and Carlisle's absence, and Vi's book and Mason?"

I nodded, "Well, not because of you all, just because I'm trying to keep everyone calm and peaceful around each other. I would not be able to stop an argument."

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." I shook my head, "It's not anyone's fault."

"You're eager for Carmen and Eleazar to get back, aren't you?"

"Oh yes." I nodded. "Very."

He laughed and played with the stereo until a song sounded and he paused, "Wait…"

I listened to what it was, "Is that you?" I asked.

He nodded, "Why is this—Emmett…"

"Oh no…" I said quietly.

"This is not good. This is not good at all."

"He really wants that band, huh?"

"How do I get it back off the radio?"

"I don't know…find out where Emmett gave out copies and call them to ask them to take it off their list of songs to play?"

His phone rang and he picked it up, "Edward?" I could hear Edward on the other end too.

"You're song is on the radio man."

"I know, is Emmett there? I need to yell at him."

"He went out with Rose for a while…"

"Shit, what am I supposed to do?"

"Pray to god that you don't get famous?"

"Every time I hear it I hate it even more."

"I like it." I said as I paid more attention the song than to their conversation.

He hung up with Edward after a few more words and put his phone down into one of the cup holders. "It's so bad."

"It's good." I smiled.

"You have to say that."

"Fine. Jasper, I think it's shit and I hate your song. Better?"

"Yes, thank you." He nodded and laughed.

I smiled again and we pulled into the school car park.

Jasper walked into the office behind me. There were a few young girls, around 16 or 17, and they were whispering about how hot they thought Jasper was, oblivious to our hearing. He was trying so hard not to react. I smirked at him and looked towards Trish, who walked up to her side of the desk, "Mrs Cullen, how nice to see you again, under unfortunate circumstances, of course."

"Esme." I corrected with a smile, "And yes, rather unfortunate."

"Who's this?" She asked, looking at Jasper.

"Vi's adoptive brother, Jasper." He introduced himself with a smile, taking pride in the whispering of the girls behind us, and the older women further behind Trish.

My phone rang and I apologised and declined Carlisle's call, something I would regret later.

"She's right this way." Trish said, walking to our side of the desk and motioning for us to follow her. We trailed a few steps behind her down the hall and stopped a few doors down. It was labelled with the counsellor's name and that she was in fact, the counsellor.

I glanced at Jasper and he looked back at me as Trish knocked quietly and opened the door.

"Mrs Cullen is here." She said to the counsellor. She stepped to the side and motioned for us to enter before smiling ad closing the door behind us.

"Jesus Christ, why do you always need to call her?" Violetta asked harshly. She had her hand in one of her hands, resting her elbow on the arm of the couch.

"Please, sit." The counsellor motioned to the couch that Violetta was already on. I sat down beside her and Jasper beside me.

"Do you have to lie down on this?" He asked her, leaning forwards slightly so he could see her passed me.

She rolled her eyes, "Why are you even here?"

"Esme asked me."

"I did not." I shook my head, "Stop trying to get me in trouble."

"Mrs Cullen, do your children normally take charge before you?"

"Hm? Oh, no, that was a joke…sorry."

"I think this is hardly a joking situation."

"Yes, sorry." I apologised again.

Violetta snickered, "Do you take joy in ruining people's happiness or are you just a complete bitch without realising it?"

"Vi!" I scolded.

The counsellor ignored Violetta's question and looked at me, "Ms Cullen."

"Mrs." I corrected.

"Sorry. Mrs Cullen, you may be aware that Violetta refuses to talk to me?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Well, are you able to make arrangements for her to see someone outside of school?"

"I'm not going to force her to see anyone, but if she is willing, I will."

"You need to take charge, Mrs Cullen."

"I don't appreciate you using that tone with me, thank you. And my daughter will not be forced into anything that makes her uncomfortable or gives her massive amounts of anxiety every time it happens."

"Then I would suggest a mental institution."

"What!?" Violetta exclaimed.

"Only for a week or 2, just to see how it works out for you, if it fixes anything."

"Are you implying that I need fixing, Ms Valerie?" Violetta asked.

"No, that's not what I meant—"

"That's exactly what you meant!"

"Okay, Vi? Stop, please? Take a breath."

"I'm not going to a mental asylum."

"Institution, not asylum." The counsellor said.

"No, honey, I'm not going to send you away without your consent. You know I don't force you into anything serious."

Jasper's phone rang. "Sorry." He said quietly and declined the call. He put it on silent and slipped it back into his pocket, "Carlisle." He whispered to me.

I nodded to acknowledgment and turned my attention to the woman in front of us. She was young, fresh out of college, I assumed. This was probably her first or second year.

"Look, can I just go back to class?"

"Why do you sit by yourself rather than with your siblings?"

"Why do you know where I sit?"

"I have talked to Renesmee; she has told me some things. Has Mason returned home yet?"

"My god, Ness needs to shut her fucking mouth."

"Language." I reminded.

"Are you going to talk to Ness about that? Or shall I?" Violetta asked me.

"No, I'll talk to her this afternoon."

"Cool, now can I please go back to class?"

"You can't go back to class, but you can go home." The counsellor said.

"Great." She stood up, "Let's go."

"Mrs Cullen, please consider the outside help, as I am not able to do much if she doesn't talk to me."

Violetta shook her head as she walked to the door and walked out it. Jasper followed her quickly.

"I'm very sorry for her behaviour and attitude." I said.

"It's normal for children her age." She said. Oh, if she knew her real age, things would get a whole lot more complicated. "Is there anything happening at home that may be upsetting her and causing her to fall behind in class?"

I shook my head, "Her father is out of town, and they are very close, but she seems to be handling it well enough."

"Mrs Cullen, your daughter self-harms."

I looked down and nodded, "I know."

"So maybe a small amount of force would be justified…"

"I'll talk to her about it again. Thank you, Ms Valerie."

She nodded and I walked out. I saw Jasper and Violetta outside by the car. Violetta was in his arms, crying I assumed. She was overly stressed lately, and Carlisle and Mason both being gone didn't help anything.

"Bye Esme." Trish smiled as I walked out.

"I'll probably see you within a few days." I smiled as I walked. She laughed as I walked out.

I approached them and the car slowly. Violetta moved from Jasper to me. I put my arms around her and kissed the top of her head as she sobbed into my shoulder. Jasper looked behind us, "Why is she watching us?"

"Who?" Violetta asked through sobs, her voice was muffled.

"Valerie." He said.

"She's probably just observing how we act with Vi." I said quietly.

"Great, I'm pretty sure it's illegal for her to follow us home, so I'm going to put 911 on speed dial now." Violetta said, stepping away from me and wiping her eyes. She opened the door and stepped into the back of the car.

Jasper kissed my cheek and slipped into the passenger seat. I got in and started the car.

"Did you like my kiss? I was showing off to her. I think it went well…" Jasper smirked as I drove out of the lot.

"Magnificent." Violetta said sarcastically, staring out the window, her face emotionless.

"Call Carlisle back." Jasper said to me.