Bella's never the type to accuse someone without proof. But she is damn sure the blonde mechanic had done something to her truck. She huffs in annoyance as the engine won't start.

Irina bites her lips, trying hard not to chuckle at her frustrated mate because she looks adorable in this state.

"Rosalie! Did you so something to my truck?" Bella half-yelled, knowing the vampire would hear her anyway.

Rosalie appears with her arms crossed.

"It's so ancient, I told you it would die on you anytime soon. And no, I didn't do anything. You could confirm with Jasper as we were in the garage the last hour."

Irina reaches out to soothe the human by running her hand up and down Bella's arm, which does the trick for a moment, "Maybe Rosalie could help you to take a look at it and I could help send you home?"

Bella seems dazed at her mate's touch and Rosalie smirks at her reaction. Bella looks back at Rosalie and sighs.

"Fine. I just don't want to go to school in Charlie's cruiser, it makes the stares worse."

"Whilst I'm here and don't have much to do, what if I help to send and pick you up from school? It'd give us time to talk more," she suggested.

Bella blushes and tries to resist. Somehow, someway, Irina manages to convince her that it's actually a favour for the vampire instead of the human. Rosalie has to hand it to her cousin, she maneuvered that successfully. Once it's settled, Irina reminds Bella she owes the other blonde an apology.

"I'm sorry I accused you, Rose. To be fair, you have threatened my precious truck a few times previously," Bella grinned and before Rosalie could scoff, the human wrapped her in a grateful and apologetic embrace, leaving the vampire in a putter.

Rosalie narrows her eyes at her husband whose hands look far too dirty to be playing the Xbox, like he had been tampering with a rusty old engine. He grinned and winked at her to keep it a secret. She now knows not only Alice wants to play matchmake for the new mates.

"Do you miss your mother?"

At that, Bella feels slightly guilty. She's been too preoccupied with the vampire drama in her life that she had been out of touch with Renee. She wonders if her mom had harassed Charlie yet about her silence.

She thinks about how her life had dramatically changed after moving to Forks. Despite all the troubles, she realises she had found happiness and much more love with the vampires.

"Not too much. I think it's cause I know she's happy with Phil, travelling and all."

Rosalie who's in the backseat watches Bella's facial expression carefully from the rearview mirror. The human wouldn't admit it but sometimes the lack of parenting role does bother her. But Esme's nurturing side seems to placate the girl from time to time.

Eleazer had helped to arrange for the Denali's vehicles to Forks seeing their stay would be much longer than anticipated. But they wouldn't arrive in a few days so the Denalis would borrow from some of the Cullens' collection in the meantime. It's less risky to drive than to run through town and not having a logical explanation to any humans. It's been a while since Irina had driven a car so Rosalie agrees to chauffeur them while she gets accustomed to the machines again.

So this morning as promised, Irina, Rosalie and Alice went to pick Bella up from her home, and the huge smile on the human's face matches the one on Irina as she discovered Rosalie and Alice gave her the shotgun seat.

"Hey, it's my two favourite blondes!" she giggled entering the car. "And the annoying pixie's here too," she added seeing the unamused look on Alice's face.

Irina had toned down her jealousy by a notch after she had had a talk with Kate last night and agreed to let Rosalie and Alice join them on the morning ride.

"It's too early for you to be chipper," Rosalie quipped, to which Bella just shrugged.

"I have a feeling today's gonna be a good day."

"It does feel like it, doesn't it?" Irina added, making the human girl that much happier to have someone else agreeing with her. She leans in and pecks Bella on the cheek, as if it was something she had done many times before. Bella blushes and busies herself watching the scenery outside. The fact that Irina dressed up today makes her heart flutter even more.

Rosalie snorted at the mates, clearly they're a match made in Heaven. But she won't complaint seeing how happy those two are in their own bubbles, which she's guessing has something to do with what transpired last night; their endless conversations.

"I have seen it, it will be a good day for most of us!" Alice agreed after going through her visions.

Alice and Rosalie, well Alice mostly, fills Irina in on their past activities and humourous moments while Bella objects to their version of their story, "I'm not that bad," referring to her clumsiness. Irina hating to see her mate's frown, reaches out and squeezes Bella's hand, "I'm sure it was more of bad lucks than your clumsiness, Isabella."

Bella's blushes at the way Irina says her name and basks in the attention, unconsciously. The good mood prolonged as Irina drives the way Bella preferred; under the speed limit, which must have been hard to do considering all the vampires who had driven Bella in the past was such an adrenaline junkie with their precious cars.

But when they arrive, the good mood starts to fade as Bella notices the many watchful eyes on them. Her heart picks up its rate and she tried her hardest to calm her nerves. She gets a text and she sees it from Angela.

People are talking about your breakup with Edward. Keep your head up and try to ignore their stares.

The other vampires, specifically the blondes, caught the nerves on Bella's face. Irina reaches for Bella's hand while Rosalie scoots further and places her hand on Bella's shoulder. Alice is too focused on her vision to notice the situation.

Alice's vision had been wrong. It hasn't been a good day since they stepped into school. Bella got hounded by the boys when no Cullen was within vicinity, asking her to confirm if she's newly single again. Lauren's been a bitch yet again and Bellas has another accident during PE.

Luckily Emmett was there to stop Rosalie from killing the girl who threw the ball at Bella's head, causing her to trip and fall flat on her face.

The Cullens are frantically searching for their human. She isn't in her Biology class. Infact, she is nowhere to be seen after she got sent to the nurse one hour earlier.

Rosalie is this close to confronting Lauren when she receives a text from her cousin.

Bella called me to pick her up. I'm taking her somewhere fun. -Irina

It aggravated Rosalie a bit. She wanted to be the one to comfort the human. She already had plans to let the human cuddle her to sleep, as she always did on the days she felt sad.

But she has a mate now.

The voice snapped her out of reverie to focus on what the teacher wrote on the board. But she still feels like something hurt on the inside and she wonders why.

Bella and Irina lounge by the window pane, sitting opposite of each other, drowned in books, pillows and blankets, their feet almost touching. It has been a long time since Irina had been too enchanted by something or someone but she can't help her eyes that drift to the human eventhough the book in her hands might be far more interesting.

"I may be human but I can still feel your eyes on me."

Irina bookmarks the page and puts the book aside before learning forward on her elbows, "Then there's no more use pretending, isn't there?"

Bella puts her Wuthering Heights down to pay the vampire attention, "Would you like to talk? I think I saw a cafe not far from here."

Touched by her consideration, Irina gently lifts the book up to Bella's eye level and scoots nearer to Bella. "Do you mind if I sit next to you?"

Bella makes space and Irina leans against the glass wall right next to her. The idea of dating might be much too soon for her but she finds that she doesn't mind being close to Irina, not when the Denali provides her comfort she never knew she needed.

The temptation to just slides next to the blonde is high so she freezes her body, not trusting her own instincts.

"Isabella, you can lean against me anytime you want to, I promise," Irina whispered so only she can hear them in the quiet library. As if she had somehow read her mind.

She's only ever used to affections with Alice and then Rosalie. She used to be stiff in their arms but after all they've been through, she no longer had qualms or doubts on returning their affections.

Bella knows Irina is her mate and everyday the pull gets stronger but she still had reservations. It's only been two days. They don't expect her to start jumping on Irina's lap do they?

Despite all that, she doesn't mind when Irina initiates things. There's no sign of malice behind her intention. She really seemed genuine in everything she does. So carefully she leans back and pushes herself closer to the blonde. In return, Irina puts her chin on Bella's shoulder and peers into her book. "Do you mind if we read together?"

She smiles and lets her as they continue to finish the rest of the chapters in silence. She can feel how cold Irina's skin is but it doesn't bother her, not much like Edward's did. Irina's even almost the same temperature as Rosalie.

"Do you think Edward really loved me?"

Irina pulls back to study her mate's face carefully. It was one question she never expected to be asked. As much as she'd like to break off whatever bond they built together, she knew that if she were to be cruel, it would knowingly hurt her mate in ways that are unnecessary. What she also doesn't want to do is give her endless hope.

"We all think it stemmed from his bloodlust," she answered politically.

"What's your honest opinion then?" Bella challenged.

Irina did promise to be as truthful as she can with her mate. And she wouldn't want it any other way.

"At some point he must have did. You're so easy to love, Isabella."

That last bit of information took her by surprise. For brutal honesty, she could always rely on Rosalie when she knows others would have opted for the least hurtful option. But she much prefers Rosalie's way because even when Rosalie's words had often stung her in the past, she'd always come back to soothe the burn. They had to learn the ropes around each other but they had found a middle ground; a compromise. In corners where there's no watchful eyes, Rosalie would hold her dearly and Bella would be healed. But Irina had been very gentle with her it's so endearing. There's a softness in her that's almost similar to Esme although Esme's is more of maternal instinct whereby Irina's kindness and gentle ways have touched her heart warmly. It floats her to clouds of happiness. Everytime Irina compliments her it does not cringe her as when Mike did it. It does not suffocate her like Edward's stiff words.

She finds her walls silently disappearing. A wave of serene and happiness coats her heart. Maybe, just maybe, she can start to trust Irina a little bit more.

Bella's head then drops onto Irina's shoulder and she leans into the vampire as much as her heart craved for. There's a small fire in her her soul that desires for Irina's lips again. But her mind whispers back - soon.

Rosalie flips through the magazine the fifth time. It's as torn as if one thousand people had read it. This is ridiculous. Of course she trusts Irina to keep Bella safe. Out of all Denalis, she's most relieved fate had chosen Irina. She thinks Kate would have been a tad too much of a succubus and lewd for dear old Bella while Tanya wouldn't have been what Bella needed.

Irina's the most controlled and the most affectionate out of the three. And so she finds Irina's love to suit Bella's needs. But this anxiety is getting to her. It's past eight already and she just needs to see the human tonight, before sleep overtakes her. This need transpired after what happened in PE earlier.

Against Emmett's advice, she had went and destroyed the girl's Chevrolet car. If her nosy siblings weren't in the way, she would have done more damage to the girl who had hurt Bella.

"They'll be here soon," Alice plopped right next to her on the couch.

Rosalie wonders if Irina had feed their human. She seemed to have forgotten about human needs last night. The Denalis may have impressive control on their bloodlust but they have remained isolated from the human world in so long, they might have lost touched with their basic needs.

She feels strong hand on her shoulder and being agitated as she is, she bites Emmett, not feeling the slightest guilty for hurting her husband. He should have known better. And he does know better since he's laughing his ass off to their room to leave his wife alone, "You're such a vampire, Rosie!"

She needs Bella and she needs her now. The moment she hears their car approaching, Rosalie almost jumped but Alice's hand blocked her, "Wait till they're inside. Irina wouldn't like that."

It was a low whisper she is sure Irina coudln't have heard her over the engine car and the infectious laughter of Bella.

Ah Bella.

Quickly Rosalie grabs the magazine she had tossed earlier and pretend to read about Tesla's car again. The moment Bella enters their home, she stiffens, trying to fight her impulse of just flitting to the human and grab her away. Alice notices this and sneakily places herself on Rosalie's laps and cuts off her sister's growl with a question, "Have you eaten Bella?"

"Yeah! Irina took me to a Japanese restaurant," she grinned.

It is clear that the day turned out as accurately as Alice's vision. It had been a good day for Bella and Irina.

"Nothing raw I presume? Humans need their food cooked. Otherwise, you know, parasites and all," Rosalie questioned.

Irina's too in bliss by the milestones she achieved with Bella today fails to notice the accusatory tone in her cousin's question. Alice being the peacemaker assures her that Bella won't get food poisoning tomorrow.

It puts Rosalie on edge when she notices her cousin's eyes are turning dark. "Irina, when was the last time that you hunted?" She feels her protectiveness arises. She must protect Bella.

"Oh my god! All these time I've only been thinking about me. I'm sorry, should have paid attention. Rose, you should take her hunting. Please?" Bella begged.

"I hunted yesterday with Kate," Rosalie didn't want to pass up the opportunity to be alone with the human.

"Oh, I'll go! I'm almost hungry anyway. Wouldn't want to accidentally bite our precious Bella, won't we?" Alice joked.

Bella sticks her tongue out but is stunned when she hears the two blondes growl at Alice.

"Jeez women! I was only joking. You know I was only teasing, right Bella?" Alice went to hide behind Bella but both blondes can see the gleam in her golden eyes.

"Yeah yeah, go eat your disgusting food," Bella waved her off.

"As if yours is any better!"

Bella ignores the pixie and turns to Irina, "So, today was really a good day, huh?" Irina automatically grabs her hands in hers, glowing at the fact that Bella had given her permission to at most twice a day. "It was. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Bella nods and Irina gushes at how cute she is and leaves a soft kiss on her cheek. Before Irina could ask Rosalie to help send Bella off, Rosalie's already flashing her car key at her.

The way home is silent. Bella is still on cloud nine from the amazing day spent with Irina meanwhile Rosalie's getting impatient. She drives over the speed, faster than her usual so they could arrive there faster.

"Can't wait to get rid of me?" Bella raised her eyebrow at Rosalie's need to rush.

She doesn't say anything and so Bella takes it as her cue to leave and she thanks the silent vampire and makes her way inside. After making small talk with Charlie, she heads to her room to get ready for her sleep. And she almost had a heart attack when she notices the silent vampire sitting on her bed, her arms crossed.

"Rose?" she whispered.

Rosalie is drawn out of her stupor, gently closes the bedroom door and pulls Bella into her embrace. Finally, she feel she could breathe again, well, figuratively.

"Oh."

Bella finally realised Rosalie's antics. She gets this way during her protective mode. So she returns the hug and allow herself to be held by the vampire. Rosalie instinctively dives onto brown hair and takes a deep breath.

After a while, she pulls away to examine Bella's injury.

"Is it still sore?"

"A little. Irina helped to put an ice pack on me earlier."

Rosalie could see the bruise has turned a lighter shade of purple. She is relieved but a part of her still feels sad to see it there. It should not have happened in the first place. She grabs the First Aid Kit and starts taking care of Bella.

"So, what did you do?" Bella asked curiously.

Rosalie finishes off covering Bella's swollen cheek and narrows her eyes, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You destroyed her car, didn't you?" Bella was amused.

She huffs and puts her tools away and ushering Bella to go change into her pajamas, the one Rosalie got her for her birthday. It's made out of silk. It's soft and gold in colour. She'd never reveal to Bella how much it cost, not wanting to risk the silly human from not wearing it.

When Bella is done cleaning up, she wordlessly pulls Bella to bed and wraps her arm around her. "Uh Rosalie, what are you doing?"

"Just go to sleep, Swan."

Bella blinks. They are close but they had never spooned before. That was always Alice's thing.

"Are you okay?"

No answer but she feels herself being pulled tighter against the soft body. How could Bella sleep not understanding what's happening?

"Let me hold you for tonight. I need to shake off this feeling."

"What feeling?"

"That I was too late to protect you."

Ohhhh. It all makes sense to Bella. She's dealing with protective Rosalie now. Usually her vulnerability shows up during these moments. She understands how it must have driven her crazy not being able to see her and make sure she's alright after the accident.

"It's just a bruise."

"It means everything to me."

She buries herself deeper into Bella's hair, enjoying the calmness it brings her.

"Goodnight Rose."

"Hmm."

Bella falls asleep and Rosalie starts purring.