A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you for the feedback on the last chapter; I was (probably) unnecessarily nervous to post that chapter, so I'm glad it wasn't ridiculed as much as I was expecting.

Obviously, the vet stuff is not the main plot of this story, but I do not want to just gloss over it; so I'm going to attempt a happy medium, when necessary. Please let me know if you find I'm failing in that area.

This chapter is not very "active"; mostly conversations. I hope you like it all the same! See you at the end!

Chapter 29: Worry

"Edythe?" She looked up at her name to see Lex standing moving toward her, coming to stand besides her and Beau on the treatment table. Beau was brandishing the neck of a particularly fat chihuahua toward Edythe, and Edythe's hands were busy, one thumb pressed to the base of the neck while the fingers of her other hand pulled back on the syringe she held, the vacuum drawing up blood from the dog's jugular.

"What's up?" she asked casually as she finished, her finger covering the injection site for a moment before Beau's thumb replacing hers automatically, applying pressure. Edythe angled herself to the receptionist, eyes curious as her hands automatically transferred the sample to two blood tubes, her wrist unconsciously inverting to mix the anticoagulant.

"Mrs. Brennan called again," Lex said, with a slight sympathetic smile as Edythe fought an exasperated grimace. "She's asking for you again. She has a question about the thyroid medication for her dog…"

"Ajax," Edythe finished, nodding. "I'll take it in a second, once I can get the blood running."

Lex grinned, relieved as he thanked her and moved back toward the front of the building. As she had been speaking, Beau had lifted the dog, holding it in one arm while he reached for the tubes she held.

"I've got it," he assured her, "Take the call, then have a few minutes for lunch. I saw Carine come in already." Edythe smiled, squeezing his hand in thanks before she moved toward the second floor, heading for the break room. As she stepped onto the landing, she waved at her mother before reaching for the phone line, quickly sidetracking the call to a wireless device on her waistband, where an ear piece was inserted into her right ear.

"Hello, Mrs. Brennan, how are you?" she greeted the elderly woman as she stepped into the break room, dropping her stethoscope on the table besides Carine before retreating to the kitchen to heat up her food.

"Hello, Edythe, hon, I'm so sorry to bother you," Mrs. Brennan said, concern coloring her tone. "But the medication Ajax is taking, the bottle says one to two pills twice a day, but how do I know how much to give him?"

As Edythe began to recount the instructions to the woman, she pulled her lunch out of one of the several microwaves and returned the break room, closing the door and settling besides Carine on the couch; thankfully, they were the only ones present. Her mother waited patiently while Edythe explained the medication dosage to the woman and answered her questions.

"Okay, that makes sense. Thank you so much, Edythe," Mrs. Brennan said vehemently, "I don't mean to be such a bother."

"It's no bother at all, Mrs. Brennan," Edythe assured her. "I'm glad to hear Ajax is doing better." The call ended shortly after and Edythe pulled the ear piece out of her ear, leaving the cord around her neck.

"Sorry," Edythe apologized, "Bad timing."

"Don't be," Carine responded with an easy smile. "How's your shift been?"

"Crazy, as usual," Edythe said with a grin, "A foreign body and emergency pyo. Plus a dog came in after getting into a full bottle of Tylenol."

"Wow, sounds like you were busy. What was the foreign body?"

Edythe reached into her pocket to pull her cell phone, quickly scrolling to her photos and handing it to Carine. Her mother's eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"Is that a rubber duck?" she asked incredulously, to which Edythe laughed.

"Yup, it still squeaks and everything," she told her. "You would never think the dog had swallowed it; jumping up all over me and happy and healthy as a horse, other than the bloody diarrhea. He only just got out of surgery half an hour ago." Carine shook her head as she returned the phone.

"You haven't had a moment to breathe since breakfast," Carine teased, though a touch of concern, knowing it was well past three in the afternoon and Edythe had only just gotten lunch, having been at the hospital since seven.

"Not really, but I prefer it that way," Edythe said with a shrug; she noticed Carine's expression.

"I'm fine, Mom," she assured her with a smile; the expression was easy, relaxed, that Carine had a hard time not believing her.

"I just don't want you to push yourself too far," she admitted, reaching forward to push the loose piece of hair from Edythe's braid.

"I won't," Edythe emphasized with a laugh. She ignored the decreasing spinning in her head, and the trembling of her fingers. "You know Beau wouldn't let me anyway. Neither would Amanda." Carine nodded; she had met with Dr. Amanda Thompson on multiple occasions, and she liked the woman, both as a person and as a doctor. Edythe thoroughly enjoyed the young veterinarian's mentorship, which would have already won Carine over in her mind, but Amanda was a very optimistic, genuine person, the kind of personality people were just drawn to. Carine was ever grateful to her, to providing Edythe with the opportunity in the field, and being at least partially responsible for the change in Edythe's mood.

Carine had noticed the change in Edythe over the past few weeks, as she had started college and work at the animal hospital. Following Amanda's advice, Edythe had chosen to skip the basic college classes, using Jessamine's outside sources to fabricate her college credit from advanced placement class to allow her to be placed into higher level science classes. As a result, she would be able to apply for veterinary schools in the upcoming fall, for entrance a year from then.

Edythe was hesitant to skip the classes originally, still not completely confident in her ability to remember information she acquired prior to her change. But Carine had encouraged her to take the chance, and it had worked out for the best. Edythe was perfectly comfortable in the classes, and her half-time status allowed her to get more hours at the hospital, which made both her and Amanda happy. Carine was thrilled that she loved working at the veterinary hospital, and every time she came home or met her for lunch—a practice Carine tried to make a habit of as often as possible—Edythe would always discuss the cases animatedly with her. Her hemophobia was, indeed, restricted to only human blood, as Edythe quickly discovered after she's had to assist with a dog that had been attacked by a deer a week after being hired. The lack of nauseated response comforted Edythe, glad she could feel normal around blood at least in some species.

Carine was pleased with all of these things, but something still worried her, something that she was not alone in, as Beau and Amanda had both brought it up to her. Edythe was a perfectionist, to the point someone else may have labeled her a 'control freak'. She did flawless work, and was always eager to learn, but she expected a lot of herself, often more than what was reasonable, and that trait drove Carine to bring it up to her newest son.

Beau had agreed, stating Amanda had come to the same conclusion, and they had worked in response to abate Edythe, to ensure she didn't stress herself out over matters she couldn't justifiably control. Beau had been madly concerned as well, and had assured Carine he was aware and worked to help Edythe as much as he could. After the first week or two of him training her, Edythe had taken off, acquiring new skills and confidence quickly in the hospital, and always hungry for more.

"She's like a little sponge," Amanda had said with a half laugh when Carine had spoken to her privately. "I wish half my employees could be as wonderful as her." Carine had smiled, the familiar maternal pride she always felt when she thought of Edythe coming to the surface as someone else confirmed her high opinion of Edythe.

"But sometimes, she needs to calm down," Amanda had added, slightly reluctant. "She expects too much of herself, more so than I or Beau or anyone else does. It's like she's always trying to prove herself, when she already has done so." Carine frowned, troubled.

"All her coworkers trust her judgment, she has earned their respect. Which is amazing, as it takes some of the pressure off me when she can funnel through many of the questions that usually defer to me on. But she always acts like she's undeserving of it. It's unfortunate she thinks so little of herself."

"It's been a part of her for as long as I've known her," Carine had admitted, a small sigh issuing through her nose. She was no stranger to Edythe's lack of awareness of her own worth. Amanda had looked at Carine for a moment longer.

"Were you already practicing when you adopted her?" Amanda asked hesitantly. There was a cautious undertone to the question, as if unsure if she should be delving into possibly personal territory, but Carine didn't mind.

"Not long after," she confirmed. Amanda nodded, her face thoughtful, and smiled ruefully when Carine asked why.

"She respects you," Amanda stated. "She revers you, love you more than I could ever imagine a child could love a parent. She looks up to you every day, especially when she's here. I can see her try every day to make you proud." Carine's eyes widened at the words, a little thrown.

"She told me she'll never go by 'Dr. Cullen'," Amanda continued, "even when she becomes a vet. She said it's because there's already one Dr. Cullen and she'll never be able to be able to live up to the name." Carine had been so shocked, she couldn't help a small gasp issue between her lips. In the same instant, guilt and remorse rushed through her.

Carine knew Edythe looked up to her; it was the first burden that Carine had feared in the family, to have other depend on her as a coven leader. She knew Edythe always worked to do what she though Carine would want her to do, to a fault, although unaware—or unable to accept—that Carine was already proud of her; she always had been. Carine shook her head minutely.

"She shouldn't feel that way," Carine had murmured. "I don't put that pressure on her."

"I know you don't, Carine," Amanda said, "But you know Edythe. She puts it on herself, and she's so stubborn she sometimes won't listen to reason." She added with a small laugh. The human had reached out to squeeze the back of Carine's hand affectionately, and the vampire had been surprised at the gesture, though not from a bloodlust perspective, of course. Amanda didn't seem to notice Carine's chilly touch—if she did, she didn't acknowledge it—and Carine was thrown by the amicable, friendly gesture. She had long since grown accustomed to human respectfully keeping their distance from her and the rest of her family, enough interaction as was needed, but never more than required. The motion was something akin to human affection that Carine had not received from a human before, but the accompanying rush of contentedness was not lost on her. She smiled slightly, a little unsure.

"We can't force her to change how she thinks," Amanda said, "But we can work to try to make her see herself for what we see." Carine had agreed, but she found herself bringing up that conversation multiple times since then, and it came to mind now as Edythe sat in front of her, the dilute smell of her blood a solid hint at her physiological state. Knowing Edythe had been trembling and suspicious of low blood sugar levels, Carine chose to not bring it up, as Edythe was eating now. But she did reach out to brush her fingers against Edythe's shoulder.

"How are you feeling?" she asked quietly. Edythe knew what she was referring to.

"I'm fine," Edythe said with a smile. She reached down and pulled the orange pill bottle from her bag. Carine's eyebrows came up as she listened to the rattle of pills inside the plastic container, her senses sensitive enough to count them.

"I haven't need any in a few days," Edythe told her, her voice contained, but with just a hint of pride. Carine smiled, taking the full bottle of Ocalcitin and placing back it down as she reached forward, pulling Edythe into an embrace. Though slightly confused, Edythe moved willingly, sliding into Carine's side and returning the hug.

"I'm glad you are feeling better," Carine murmured to her softly, "But please take it if you need it. You're doing long shifts; I don't want you hurting yourself again; whether your back or diet." Edythe fidgeted slightly, recognizing the unspoken, gentle admonition. She nodded silently, laying her head against Carine's shoulder for a moment. They both sat straight when there was knock of the door, turning to look as Caroline, another technician, stepped into the crack in the door.

"Hey, little vampire," she greeted Edythe, "We need your x-ray vision. You want to take a crack at it before we accept defeat?" Edythe grinned and agreed, quickly finishing her food and placing the empty container in the sink to clean later. She reached down and kissed Carine on the cheek, and her mother reciprocated.

"I'll see you at home," Edythe said in goodbye, and Carine chuckled as her daughter followed her coworker out the door and down the stairs, taking them quickly. Amanda Thompson was ascending in the opposite direction.

"Where's the fire?" she asked as they moved past her, laughing and shaking her head indulgently at their quick response. She arrived on the landing and noticed Carine beginning to stand. As she approached, she said, "They'll do anything to keep from having a doctor have to pull blood."

Carine chuckled. She had been a little thrown the first time she had heard the vampire references some of the staff had been making towards Edythe, her mind automatically going down dangerous paths. But Beau had been quick to reassure her, informing her it was a common nickname in the field for the technicians that was always able to find blood vessels and get samples easily. Edythe had countered at his insinuation.

"I don't get them easily," she had tried to argue, but Beau had immediately shot her down.

"Have you ever missed a stick?" he challenged, his eyebrows raised.

"Well, no, but—"

"But nothing. That's not normal for people, except maybe former vegetarian vampires."

Carine had laughed at the implication then, and found the nickname amusing from an inside-joke perspective. Edythe was just glad her hunting abilities had some use in her human life.

But as she made to get up, Amanda noticed the concerned look on the human doctor's face.

"She took too long to take lunch," Amanda said and Carine nodded grimly.

"I tried to make her go at noon, but she wasn't having it," Amanda admitted, "She said she didn't want to leave us short staffed during the emergency. I probably should have been more persistent." The regretful look on her face triggered Carine to assuage her.

"Edythe is headstrong; she'll always put others before herself, no matter the consequences or how much you try to convince her otherwise," Carine sighed. Amanda agreed with a small sound.

"I'm just afraid one day she's going to push herself too far and collapse on us," Amanda said worriedly.

"I will speak to her again tonight." Carine told her, "Though I don't think I'll make any progress." Amanda looked at Carine for a moment.

"She's really worrying you, isn't she?" she asked quietly; Carine glanced at her, then nodded.

"There's just something bothering me. Don't get me wrong; she has gotten much better since coming here and working for you. She's off her pain medication, apparently. But, it just doesn't seem completely right. She says she's fine, and she mostly acts like she is. But I feel she's hiding what she truly feels. I'm worried that all of this is coming to a head, that she's going to push herself over the edge, faster than I can get her back." The admittance was a culmination of something that Carine had been formulating over several weeks, since they had arrived in Ithaca. The fresh start seemed to be exactly what Edythe needed, what they all needed. But Carine couldn't shake the feeling that, though Edythe seemed genuinely happy, she was still holding back, still hiding something from them.

"You're her mother; you know her better than anyone. If you think something is off, then it is," Amanda told her. Carine sighed heavily and she watched as Amanda came to sit beside her. After a moment, she spoke.

"Beau told me…about the fall…" Amanda murmured, her eyes away from Carine's, though she registered as she tensed in response to the reminder.

"You almost lost her?" she breathed. Carine closed her eyes, trying to force the too-clear images from her mind.

"Yes," she confirmed, "I thought I did, for a while. I…" Carine couldn't finish, too overwhelmed with emotion. Edythe had only been apart of her life for little more than a third of Carine's lifespan, but she couldn't imagine life without her. Edythe was her first companion, her first daughter, the first light in the forever of darkness Carine had to look dead in the face. The two of them had always been close, more than just friends; since the beginning, Carine had thought of Edythe as her own, and the feeling was reciprocal. That bond that they formed in the first few years of Edythe's immortal life and then shared throughout the decades, was unbreakable, and yet seemed to grow even as Edythe lost her immortality.

Edythe's revival of her teenage self had dictated her need for a guardian, a parent, and Carine and Earnest had been more than willing to fill those roles. Carine was fiercely protective of her family, but there was more to it in regards to Edythe. She was her daughter; she shared in her happiness, she held her when she was upset and in pain, she had fulfilled the role of mother that she had unexpectedly been assigned to. Edythe needed her, just as she needed Beau, and Carine felt she, and the rest of her family, needed Edythe as well, though not in the same way.

When the accident had happened, Carine was primarily working on autopilot, and only later did it really hit her the emotional toll of the events. She knew without a doubt that, despite everything, if Edythe's heart had not recovered, if her fever did turn her for the worst, she would have changed Edythe again, and Beau too. The thought of losing either of them was too painful to comprehend, and Carine had had no choice but to balance on this precarious edge during those weeks in the hospital, watching as her youngest child fought for her life.

Now, it seemed Edythe had finally been placed on the road to recovery where she could move without aid, function with minimal pain medication. But, even as everything seemed to fall into place, as the stars seemed to align and there was nothing for Edythe to fear, Carine still found herself at a brick wall, one she believes Edythe may be putting up herself.

"I can't lose her," Carine whispered, her voice pained. "I almost did once. I can't go through that again." She felt the warm hand on her knee once more and glanced up to Amanda's face.

"You won't," the young doctor said vehemently. "She's stronger than most, and if she's not strong enough, you and Beau and the rest of you will be there for her to get her through it." Carine let out a shake breath, surprised her emotions had turned so severe. And, though she knew it was selfish, she wasn't able to stop herself from meeting Amanda's kind brown eyes.

"I know it's too much to ask but….protect her," Carine said quietly. Amanda didn't hesitate.

"With my life," she swore. Carine couldn't ask for more than that.

A/N: Hello again! So this was not exactly the way I expected this part of the story to start, but I found I liked it more as I progressed. We all know Edythe is a perfectionist and a control freak, and that her opinion of herself is through the floor. The idea of Edythe entering medicine is one I had dabbled back and forth about since creating this story.

There is no denying that Edythe looks up to Carine, and so I wondered how that relationship would reflect in this situation; this is my interpretation, given what we know. I hope it does't sound too outlandish and (hopefully) you guys are willing to see what happens next?

Please let me know what you think, if you would like! I love hearing your perspectives on these chapters, as it gives me a vibe on the receiving end of things.