Patience has never been her virtue. Which is why Rosalie finds herself approaching the Swan's house anyways. Irina is still somewhere sulking and worrying herself to death. A gentlewoman who respects her mate's wishes.

But Rosalie couldn't give a flying fuck.

It had been far too long since Bella's anonymous text. She felt herself wilting in this mostly unbearable existence. No human would ever escape her. After all Bella Swan is...

What is Bella Swan to her?

The question puts a halt on her strides, coming up short from knocking on the door. Would any vampire risk wrath of Denali's coven just for a human?

Fucking yes! And this isn't just some random human. It's Bella. Knowing her brother's twisted skills at words, there's only one thing that could explain Bella's MIA status. He had hurt her. It doesn't stop there, doesn't it? The fact remains Bella cuts off all communication from all of them and instead more often than not fled to La Push could only mean one thing. Someway, somehow, they had all hurt her.

This logic only made her resolve unshakable. She knows she needs to shake Bella off this stupor and face the music. She knocks as how any human would and waits a few seconds before the door is opened. But it never did. Charlie's cruiser is parked at its usual spot and yet there's no sound. Sniffing the air, she knows Bella is home.

Deciding to be her usual self, she picks the lock, a skill she had learned in the 50s, and gently opens the door. Charlie's scent seems old and as she approaches, she notices his messy hand-written note on the kitchen counter.

Bella, I got called to Seattle for an investigation. Will be back tomorrow. I left the cruiser just in case of emergency.

It annoys her how much Bella is left to her own devices by her parents. Other teenagers might have loved the opportunity to throw a wild party but not her Bella. Bella Swan enjoys the simple things in life. She knows Bella wished her parents were a bit more involved, as parents instead of as children.

She hears small movement upstairs and heads to Bella's room in an instant. The door is locked.

Bella never locks her door.

If she had wanted she could easily kick it down. But what good would it do having to explain it to the Chief later on. She takes out the hairpin again but stops as she heard Bella's whimpers of pain, "Irina...". She picks up on the human's weakened and slow heartbeat.

Her instinct kicks in and she pushes down the door with her leg. Bella's lack of response at the sudden noise only confirms her worry. All wrapped up in her thick blanket, she finds Bella curled up in her bed in a fetal position. Her face, red.

Bella's in pain.

She checks her temperature and confirms her suspicion. Her forehead and neck seem much warmer than the usual. She grabs the thermometer and gently places it under Bella's tongue, "Rose?"

"I just need to check your temperature, Bella."

She obliges and Rosalie becomes more worried as it reads 104 Fahrenheit. Quickly she grabs a clean face towel and boils the water. Dipping it the warm water, she gently presses it against Bella's face and her breath seem to relax slightly. Her temperature is still hot but not as before.

"Mom?" she called.

Quickly, she gathers Bella in the thick blankets and carries her to her M3. She puts on the seatbelts for the both of them and quickly drifte away. But she hears Bella mutters, "Nobody ever stays."

Rosalie has never sped in Forks in her entire vampiric life before.

Her mate's hand feels warm in hers.

Irina sits gingerly by Bella's side on the hospital bed. Ever since she had arrived, Bella refused to let go of Irina's hand, even when she's dead asleep, much to Rosalie's dismay. The once medical student insisted Bella stays warm entirely until her fever's gone and Irina had listened. But the sobs came out of the human broke their undead hearts and they relented.

So far it had seemed to work.

Bella's condition is stable now as Carlisle had briefed them. The pain seems to have subsided looking at Bella's calm face, a different feature than 12 hours ago. Thank God Charlie wasn't there when Bella was trashing the bed. The fever made her delirious and with it came her PTSD. She had dreamt of James and Victoria. And especially Laurent. Irina feared this.

It took many persuasion and embrace for her to come to her senses and then fall back asleep due to her exhaustion. She hadn't even had anything to eat yet and the drip is compensating her need for water.

If Irina could cry she would endlessly. But she pushes aside her irrational fears and puts on a strong face for Bella. Her mate needs her strength. It's hard to have faith when every now and then her condition worsens and the group of nurses and doctors push their hard bodies out of the room. At those times, it was hard to decide if their super hearing ability had been a curse or a blessing. Hearing Bella in that state made them wished Bella was a vampire already.

Bella jerks upwards and gasps as if she had come back alive from drowning. Irina moves forward to assure her that she's safe and breathing, just like many times before. After awhile, she listens and calms down.

Bella groans realising this is her third time at a hospital. "Why am I here?" her voice croaked. And she suddenly feels so thirsty. Irina gently helps her with it.

"High grade fever. Rosalie found you and brought you here. It's been about 56 hours since you're here."

Feeling her slightly warm skin, she can't help but wonder, "Charlie?"

"We convinced him to go home and change while we stay here with you."

Instead of her usual grateful smile, Bella looks wary of the companions. "What's wrong, Isabella?" Irina held her face but at the last minute Bella turned her cheek so she missed. Hurts flash on the vampire but she pushes the pain aside prioritising her mate's wellbeing.

Jasper whispers from the outside and everyone left except for the three Denalis. He had told them they were suffocating her and that he detected dreadfullness filled their human friend.

Surprised by those who stayed, Bella looks even more anxious being left there with them. She nervously rubs her elbow and tries to distract herself.

"What about Edward?"

Two vampires snarled at his name and Bella recoils back into her bed. Irina raises her hand to get her sisters to control themselves. Kate scoffs and mumbles unintelligently under her breath.

"No one has seen him. Rosalie's still out there searching for him."

"That's not the real question you have, isn't it Bella?" Tanya gently proded. "If our presence here disturbs you, we will gladly leave. But as the coven leader, I have ordered Irina to stay. Because holding her near you helps with your recovery somehow."

Bella's eyes widen, wondering why she had not realised both of them were holding hands from when she woke up. "Thank you." She continues to stare at their linked hands, asking herself if it was out of pity or part of an act. She knew Edward's claims were at least a little dramatic but could there be truth in there? He had already hurt her but when he told her those things, he didn't seem to even want to get back together. She wanted him here so she could see all of them face her and tell her the truth.

"Do you need us to leave, Bella?"

Surprised at the choice they're allowing her to make, she shakes her head no. The three sisters smile in relief. Kate and Tanya had already thought of Bella as one of their own when Irina claimed her as her mate. They would have left, if it truly what was she wanted but they had hoped it wouldn't come to it.

"I was just wondering why do you care so much about someone you barely know?" she bit her lips. "And please don't try to spare my feelings. It makes me furious to be treated with a kid's glove."

Tanya checks with Bella before she and Kate approach the bed. Even a human can tell that Bella is apprehensive of the situation. There is fear in her eyes but not the kind of fear one would normally have when the learn about vampires. Tanya recognises it as something else.

"Like it or not, you're part of the coven now, kid," Kate replied with a big smile.

You're one of us now, Bella Bear!

She tried so hard to push down all these bitter thoughts and memories. Sweeping them all under the carpet isn't doing her any good.

"That's what they said the last time too," she whispered brokenly.

The three Denalis look at each other, understanding her sentiment. Rosalie had mentioned Bella's last words before she collapsed and she had also filled them on Bella's family history. Sure the parents love Bella but there's a touchy subject on abandonement. Renee isn't even here.

"We mean it, Isabella. You're my mate and that automatically means they're your family now as well. I'm sorry to tell you that you can't get rid of them easily. I tried," Irina stuck her tongue out at Kate, remembering her dramatic ass few hundred years ago.

Kate wanted to smack her sister back in the head but stops herself in fear accidentally hurting her human sister.

"What about Laurent?"

Bella pulls her hand away, feeling a little light-headed from the lack of contact and knowing she'd need much more strength and bravery to approach the subject.

Irina looks paler than a normal vampire. She thinks she knows what Edward had told her mate. That douche bag! He will be headless by the time she finds him and find him she will!

"Isabella, please, can we focus on your recovery first before we cross that bridge?" she pleaded. She squeezes Bella's hand, not giving her a chance to runaway from her when her mate needs it.

Bella takes a deep breath to just pause. They need a pause. Now's not the time yet. But soon she'll be ready to talk.

"Okay. But it's a conversation we need to have. And soon."

"I promise."

"Don't. I've heard enough of promises."

They hear Charlie's voice alongside Carlisle approaching the hall. They get up, readying themselves to leave. Irina stays, tightening her grip, "I'm not letting you go until it's time."

Her words are heavy with a double meaning. But Bella falls silent and nods.

"I'm going to pretend to sleep when your father's here, okay?"

She sees her golden eyes laced with fire. One's a determination, most probably concerning Edward. The other's meant for Bella; to stay when her mate needs her. No way in hell she'll leave Bella to recuperate alone, not when she can do something about it.

Edward's room looks like it had been hit by a nuclear bomb thanks to Rosalie and Irina's wrath. Bella was discharged earlier today and the two blondes are on a warpath. Rosalie wanted to do it earlier but Irina had asked her to wait for her. Seeing as the asshole is nowhere to be found and neither of them wanted to leave Forks with Bella in that condition, Edward's beloved properties and items are their safest and best bet.

Esme left, heeding Alice's advice.

"Do you think the pups would be interested to grace this room with their urine?" Irina asked.

Rosalie's humourless laughter fills the room. Shit, she wished she had thought of that.

"Esme wouldn't have any of that."

"Too bad."

"But maybe..."

Rosalie gives Irina a look and they both smirk in agreement.

"I believe you've taken care of Edward's precious Volvo?"

"Of course. And I've also made sure the spare parts aren't available. Not for the next one year or so."

They have more moneys than they ever need. So pulling strings as this wouldn't dent their assets and wealth. Even if she wanted to buy the whole company itself, it would be so easy.

Something had changed in Irina. It isn't anything good. There's hardness there, Rosalie noticed. At times like this, they're very similar. It scared her, for Bella's sake. She hopes her cousin won't turn as cold hearted as her. Bella needs her warmth.

"I miss her."

That steely look is gone. On her face now is the same kind of vulnerability that makes Irina, Irina. Well, Irina after meeting her Isabella. It must be difficult, being mated to a human.

Only last week things had been good for the new mates. This shitstorm turned their world upside down. How terrifying is it at the possibility of being rejected? Rosalie shuts her eyes to fight that feeling away and she shivered.

"When did she want to talk?"

Irina looks at her watch, a sigh escapes her lips, "In three hours or so. Did they find him yet?"

As if on cue, Rosalie receives a text from Jasper saying they're on their way back.

"Do you think she'll let me go there earlier to help care for her?" Irina pouted.

The distance and the coldness are killing her cousin. She's over one thousand years old but at this sight, anyone could mistake her cousin as a broken teenage girl.

Alice comes up to the room, stopping to examine their damage and hums, "I saw it to be worse."

"Not as worst as it's gonna be when I get my hands on him," Irina fumed, her anger returning.

"Oh! Charlie would need you. Work came up and he needs to leave soon. Better get out there! And bring food while you're at it!"

And when Irina arrives on time as Charlie's about to leave, she can hear some rustling in the kitchen, probably him struggling to get Bella some food.

"Charlie, I can always order takeouts."

It peaks the vampire's interest to observe Bella addressing her father by his first name. She had heard Bella switch between 'Charlie' and 'Dad' sometimes, depending on her mood, while describing him. She knows her mate loves him and is grateful for everything he's done for her but she notices there's this longing, an absence that may never be fulfilled. Charlie's a good man but he sometimes sucks at being a father. It's no wonder Bella had grown attached to Carlisle. He may be mostly professional at times due to the nature of his work but he expresses his love and affection for Bella often. He also actually spends time with her eventhough they have nothing in common. She wonders how Bella will be around Eleazer. He's much more approachable and less formal than the doctor.

So she wonders if this is still an adjustment period for Bella, transitioning from leaving with a child-like mother to an almost absent and lonely father or if it's simply an act of disassociation. The more distance, the lower the risk of being hurt, she figured.

It pains her to have learned of her mate's turmoils. Having to grow up much earlier than expected. At being manipulated and controlled by a chauvinistic vampire. At feeling being in the way of her mother's love for a younger man. At having to fend for herself as the Chief's daughter. At being hunted and almost killed by James. It had all been too messy.

That's a Pandora Box for another day. Tonight's the time to venture through the storm. She may not come alive out of this but damn it if she wouldn't try to reverse the damage inflicted by Edward.

She knocks and Bella's heartrate picks up incredibly fast.

No one was more stunned when Bella lied to her father about how they had met. Kate bellowed in laughter while waiting out on the hall.

"She is your pen pal?" Charlie's eyebrows scrunched.

He didn't know Bella was into that type of thing. But then again they don't talk a lot so he knows next to nothing about his only daughter. Guilt punched through his gut. After coming to live with him, Bella had been admitted to the hospital three times. He wondered if she would have been safer or happier not being here. After all, her mother had suffered too. Was the town suffocating as it did her mother? Or was it purely him?

"Yes. We've been talking for a few years now. Turned out she's Dr Carlisle's niece," Bella added.

"Makes sense, they're all blonde. Are you by any chance related to Rosalie too?" he absent-mindedly asked.

Irina's stuttered as Tanya and Kate snickered at the remark. Thankfully Bella had come in to save her.

"Just because they're blondes does not mean they're related, Dad," Bella said exasperatedly, embarrassed by her father's lack of manner.

"I'm sorry. Well, as long as you're nothing like that Edward boy, you're all good in my book."

Irina had to thank Rosalie for that. Apparently her cousin had told Charlie how her brother broke Bella's heart once again and that Irina was the one to help Bella come through. So the two bonded over their dislike and disapproval of Edward.

"Irina?" Charlie was taken aback by her sudden appearance. He didn't even notice the sound of her engine coming in earlier.

Bella chuckles seeing how Charlie seems to have good memory of the Denali's name. Because recently he had picked up the habit of purposely mispronouncing Edward's name.

"Hi! I brought dinner!" Irina pretended to not know about Charlie's leaving.

"That's very nice of you but I actually have to head out. Do you mind making sure Bells actually eats than play with her food?" he requested and Bella groaned at his shade.

She gives him her most charming smile and promises him to do so. And he lets her in and bids Bella goodbye.

"You're early," she pointed.

"You need me," she said and held out her hand.

She's much better now, this Irina knows, so the vampire wants Bella to make the choice herself if she wants to seek comfort from the vampire. Bella hesitates but takes her hand anyway. She wonders if the vampire realises she has the gift of healing. The moment their skin touch, it gives Bella a soothing feeling and she basks in the comfort.

"Are you strong enough to set it up or do you need help?"

Irina understood Bella's persistance of doing things herself. She doesn't want to be a damsel in distress. So it's important for her to always give her the options, even if she's wrong. She'd never utter I told you so. She'd help however her mate needs her to.

Bella stubbornly chose to setup the food herself, which means she had to let Irina's hand go. Two minutes in the kitchen and her hands start tremble and she almost drops the container. But Irina is prepared and she silently assists Bella without taking over fully. For that Bella is grateful.

They eat in silence and Irina turns the tv on to break the silence. She lets her eyes focus on the screen but her other senses are heightened. Her mate is not that strong yet and she wants her to reserve some of her energy for what's about to be emotionally draining night. So she's prepared to assist her mate in any way.

She had thought about it. A rejection would possibly kill her but she will fight tooth and nail to still be in Isabella's life. If the human request for space, she'd be somewhere nearby, silent and observing, to make sure her human's always safe. Even without Alice's visions, she knew tonight would be the msot difficult thing she'd have to go through. And that Edward might come up on top as the winner.

On Carlisle's order, Irina helps Bella up the stairs for a shower as Irina helps to clean the kitchen, much to her protest.

"Really Bella, it will give me something to kill the time."

That shuts Bella up and the human promised not to take too long in the shower. And she swoons just a little bit more at that.

About one hour later, when Bella's ready, Irina shoots everyone a text. They're there in less than a few minutes, with Edward in tow. She couldn't help the growl in her throat as she saw the dickward. Thanks to Irina's temporary redecorating of the Swan's living room, it could fit everyone in. Rosalie did suggest their house but given Irina's well justified reasons, they all agreed it as it would be best to do it in Bella's territory, where she'd feel safer and more in control. Also, Bella's not fit to travel to their isolated house, due to her limited energy now.

To not overwhelm the human, everyone else sans Irina sit the most further away from her. Carlisle had advised them too prior leaving the house. Jasper and Kate surround Edward, his hand on Edward's neck. Kate opens up her palm, her statics glowing brightly, a dangerous but obvious warning. Everyone knows how much she was dying to shock Edward. Meanwhile, Rosalie hated being so far away from Bella but she grimly understands that this is necessary, for Bella's sake.

After all is done with the pleasantries and Carlisle checking on Bella, shit goes down when Bella opens her mouth.

"So besides Irina being mated to Laurent previously, what else aren't you telling me?"