They needed toilet paper. And hand sanitizer. A couple of cases of water and some Tylenol wouldn't hurt either. Edward had lived long enough to know things were about to get ugly. Renesmee, or Nessie as the family had taken to calling her, was only three years old. She may have looked sixteen, but she was very much so still a child. His child. Edward would throw himself off a cliff before he let her go without. No matter how long it took and how much money he spent, it would all be worth it to make sure his baby made it through what was sure to be one of the darkest times in American history.

After stocking up on water and medicine, Edward headed to the toilet paper aisle. Much to his horror, it was empty. There wasn't so much as a single square left. Edward cursed under his breath. Why hadn't they come earlier? They should have headed to Costco the second they heard the name COVID-19. Edward looked up towards the ceiling and closed his eyes. While his soul was damned, he hoped God would take pity on his poor, innocent daughter.

Edward opened his eyes and spied something tucked away in a long-forgotten corner of the top shelf. He scaled the shelf with spider-like ease to reach his treasure. It was an entire pallet of store brand toilet paper. Judging by the dust and fading packing it had been up there for years. He gathered it all up and returned to the ground before anyone could wonder where the bronzed haired teenager had gone.

Edward had just stacked the last pack into the already overflowing cart when Emmett came barrelling around the corner. He had a cart stacked high with cleaning supplies, canned vegetables, and enough toothpaste to keep every month in town minty fresh for the next decade. Though he often thought of his brother as more of a looker than a thinker, Edward had to admit Emmett was a pro at preparing for the end of civilization. Edward hadn't even thought about buying things like dish soap and laundry detergent. It would have been a nightmare if Alice was forced to go without her four daily outfit changes.

Emmett eyed Edward's cart. "Is that all you're getting?"

"Yes," Edward said.

While he was hoping for more, ten-packs of toilet paper and six cases of water would have to do. He'd had ways of finding more. His father-in-law would approve of his methods, but Edward didn't care. Nessie's life could be on the line.

"This place will be picked clean by tomorrow," Emmett said, gesturing to the growing crowd. "This may be our last chance to stock up. I'd go back for more if I were you."

Emmett was right. While their classmates snicked over memes and twitter posts, COVID-19 was no laughing matter. People were going to die by the house full. It had already happened in China. It would be long before hospitals overflowed and the state declared a shelter in place order. Unlike last time, Edward would be ready when that day came. He wouldn't let his family down this time.

Edward and Emmett headed back through the store throwing everything they could get their hands on into their carts. They didn't know if Nessie liked kidney beans or beets, but figured she'd be up for just about anything in a few weeks. Emmett tossed a 24 pack of wet dog food into the cart.

"I'm not feeding my daughter dog food!" Edward exclaimed as he tossed it out. He was desperate, but not that desperate.

"It's not for her, it's for Jacob," Emmett said. "If it works for labradors it will work for werewolves."

Edward started grinding his teeth, a leftover habit from his human days. He had forgotten all about Jacob. The supplies he'd gathered would be barely enough for Nessie. The last thing he needed was to deal with the never-ending appetite of a werewolf. He wondered how angry Bella would be if he sent Jacob back to La Push. It had been over six months since Billy Black's funeral. It was far past time for Jacob to go home and start processing his grief. All the Cullens had lost people they cared about. It was part of life as an immortal being.

They had nearly made it to the checkout when they were stopped by an elderly man. He was wearing thick glasses and a grey pea-coat. Emmett swallowed hard. A quick peek into Emmett's head relieved that the mean bore a strong resemblance to his grandfather.

"Excuse me, boys," the man said. "Would you mind sparing a pack of Tylenol?

Edward's response was immediate and much more aggressive than necessary. "No! Get your own!"

"Please", the man begged. "It's for my wife." Images of a sitting in a wheelchair-bound woman rubbing her hands flickered through his head. "She has arthritis."

"You shouldn't be here," Emmett said. "It isn't safe."

"I couldn't leave Mary in pain."

While Emmett showed signs of cracking, Edward wasn't moved by the man's story. While painful, arthritis wasn't fatal. They'd discovered last fall Nessie's body burned through medication at three times the normal rate. If she got sick they'd need everything in their carts and more to keep her alive. If a little old lady had to be in pain for Nessie to survive then so be it.

Emmett's fingers curled around a single bottle of Tylenol. Edward emitted a low growl causing Emmett to drop it. He didn't need to be a mind-reader to know Edward would tear him to shreds if he handed over a single pill.

"You should try Staples," Edward said. "They keep a few bottles in the back with the first-aid kits."

The man nodded. "I will, thank you."

Two hours and a trip to Target later, Edward and Emmett sprawled out on the couch and started watching the news. Edward's heart sank when the anchor announced that there were eight new cases in Portland. Portland was only 25 miles away. Nessie, Bella, and Alice had gone shopping there the previous weekend. He prayed they hadn't come into contact with any of the victims. All it had taken last time was a handshake to bring an end to life as he knew it. He'd never forgive himself if Nessie met the same fate.

Edward heard the garage door open and sprang to his feet. Had he still been alive, his heart would have skipped a beat. Carlisle was home. Edward glanced over at Emmett with wide eyes. They couldn't let Carlisle into the house. He was covered in germs that could easily kill Nessie. Edward armed himself with a bottle of Lysol and raced outside. Carlisle was standing on the driveway with a puzzled look on his face. The spot in the garage where he usually parked his car was occupied by Nessie's supplies.

"Where did all this come from?" Carlisle asked.

"Edward and I went shopping," Emmett explained. "We picked up a few things for Nessie, just in case things turn south."

Carlise looked at the toilet paper stacked up to the ceiling and chuckled. "Did you leave anything for the rest of the state?"

"We need this stuff," Edward snapped, angered by his father's laughter. "It's only a matter of time before the virus strikes here!"

Carlise sighed. "Get Esme and your siblings. It's time for a family meeting."