A/N: So I have to admit guys, it's been a struggle the past few days. Between my current class coming to a close (final in a couple of days), plus my own medical issues, I haven't had much time to build this chapter. And the outline for this chapter wasn't as fluid as the last few. So this chapter may seem a bit choppy (I'm so sorry in advance), and its is also very late, but it's been a tough couple of days :/ I hope you guys accept it and let me know what you think!

Chapter 35: Sick

Carine opened the door for Amanda and Sky, ushering them in immediately.

"How is she?" Amanda asked, her eyes concerned. The vampire couldn't help a grimace.

"Yeah, that's what we figured," Sky murmured as she followed Carine into the kitchen. Earnest was there, taking in the two humans as they settled at the breakfast bar.

"Do you know what happened?" Sky asked after a moment's silence.

"She…she had a breakdown," Carine admitted, "She's been burying everything for so long, and after what happened at the hospital, it seemed to be the last straw. She was hurting so badly, but didn't want anyone to see. She was unaware of her surroundings, and was suffering hypothermia when we finally found her." The vampire's eyes glanced upwards to the ceiling, listening to the even breathing from Edythe and Beau's room, as well as Beau's descent, his feet padding distinctly against the hardwood.

Beau had known the Thompsons were coming, for Archie had forewarned them that he had called them just as they were about to call Carine. So, when the teenager arrived in the kitchen, Amanda reached out, placing her hand on his arm in comfort, her eyes taking in the drawn look on Beau's face. She could see the tension there, the worry for Edythe.

"Archie said you may be of help," Carine said, gaze holding theirs. The two of them exchanged a brief look.

"We may, but it would be easier to help her if we knew what was going on," Sky replied.

Carine sighed, leaning against the counter besides Earnest. He wrapped his arm gently around her waist, his fingers grazing along her side as she spoke.

"Part of it is that she's still in pain," the matriarch explained, "Her back is still bothering her; the medications are not working. But nothing has ever worked for her except opioids, and she has horrible side effects."

"Have you tried alternative treatments, like acupuncture, massage, chiro?" Sky inquired.

Carine shook her head.

"It's never been considered, but I think any of us are willing to try anything." Sky could feel Amanda's eyes on her and she glanced at her sideways for a moment. Then she looked at Carine, seeing the vampire catch the exchange.

"I may be able to help her," Sky admitted. She stood from the stool for a moment, her hand coming to grip the hem of her shirt and lift the fabric away. For a brief moment, the Cullens could make out the distinct scars that lined Sky's back, nearly identical to Edythe's. As Sky dropped back into the bar stool, she folded her arms casually.

"Massage therapy worked for me, when medications didn't do enough," she said, "But it's a longer process. She has to stick it out in order to see the results." Carine nodded to herself.

"I'm sure she would be willing," she said. Sky nodded and pulled her phone from her pocket.

"I can contact Charlotte now, see how quickly she can get her in," she said quietly as she typed quickly across the touch screen. As she worked, her wife spoke.

"She can also try hippotherapy," Amanda said, then continued when she saw the look that crossed Carine's face, "I know, given your profession, you would worry for her. But it will help her therapy. Beau mentioned how little she enjoyed PT back in Forks. Maybe if it's something more integrated, as well as tied into vet med, she would be more amicable to it."

Carine had to admit she had a point. Horseback riding therapy had shown great promise in helping people, both adults and children, with motor and sensory input deficits or injuries. It was becoming more a popular choice for many underlying issues, both physical and emotional. But that didn't stop Carine's hesitation, knowing the possible dangers associated with the activity. She had lived long enough, and through enough horse-related wars and decades to know how dangerous the creatures could be to humans. Amanda and Sky could see the reluctance there.

"She wouldn't be starting out with galloping or jumping three foot fences, Carine," Amanda insisted. "A lead-line walk around the trail is more than sufficient. And it may just help her relax and reset, as well as aid in her physical therapy." Carine nodded ever so slightly. She was aware that Sky was a licensed riding instructor, and the Thompson's property was filled with a dozen or so horses.

"If she wants to, then we will make the next step," she agreed. The two women nodded, before their attention was returned to Sky's phone, which had just shrilled. One glance at the screen gave Sky her answer.

"Charlotte can get her in on Friday at seven," she said then glanced at Amanda.

"Her shifts are covered for this entire week, and next week too, if needed," the veterinarian said immediately. This had already been pre-arranged between her and Carine, for Edythe to take a few days off before returning to work. Sky nodded and quickly wrote a text back. Then she glanced at Beau.

"The massage is not going to be relaxing for her," she warned. "That's why I had it scheduled for later in the evening. She won't want to do much the following day. So just cuddle with her, spoil her, treat her to food in bed, whatever she wants." Beau nodded immediately. Sky's eyes moved to the Cullen parents.

"The first session is always the worst, but it will gradually get better as the weeks go on," she said, and they nodded in understanding.

"Isn't your anniversary coming up?" Amanda asked suddenly, eyes shifting to Beau once more.

"Yes, the twelfth," he replied, slightly uncertain.

"Do something for it," Amanda said. "Obviously nothing too outlandish; don't take her far away. But some kind of…something. You know what she would like."

Beau tried not to grimace, though the Cullens clearly knew what was going through his head.

"Our anniversary is surrounded by bad memories," he said.

"Then replace them with good ones," Sky interceded, "It was a test of the strength of your relationship, just like this is." Beau hesitated but nodded. There was a long moment of silence, as the vampires couldn't help but listen to the sleeping human two floors above, their nerves tense as piano wires with every breath she took.

"Is there anything else we can do?" Earnest asked.

"Just be there for her," Carine answered, "All of us. However she needs us, to be there when she wants it." Earnest nodded, his ocher eyes still conveying the worry that had not completely left his eyes since Edythe had gone missing. The humans in attendance nodded as well, but only Beau was aware that the rest of the Cullen children were listening. They all absorbed all they could, both from the adult conversation, as well from their human sister. Their concern, like their parents', had not dissipated from Edythe's return, and from hearing exactly what had caused this deeply concerned them. They all made internal vows to do what they could to help Edythe.

She needed them to.

"Heading to school?"

Edythe turned, one hand on the banister as she looked up at her sister. Eleanor stood at the top of the stairs, bounding down gracefully besides her. Edythe smiled halfheartedly.

"Yes; I need to make up the Bio midterm I missed," she said quietly. It was only the two of them and Earnest in the house; Archie had dragged Beau to their Calculus class with him and Jessamine, and Carine had been called in to cover another resident for the morning and afternoon. Royal was out in town, looking into installing some new upgrades on his BMW.

"I'll be back after that, I promise," Edythe said now, twisting her wrist to brandish the slim bracelet around it. The smart band had been Edythe's idea; the GPS tracker in it allowed her family to know where she was when wearing it, easing some of their anxiety since her disappearance. Eleanor smiled, though a little sadly. She reached out and took Edythe's hand.

"I know, Edy, but…" Eleanor hesitated and Edythe cocked her head to the side, waiting. Eleanor sighed; such a forlorn sound was not typical of Edythe's usually buoyant sister. The golden eyes stayed locked on hers as she spoke.

"I know you've already heard this so many times, you're probably sick of it but…I'm here, if you need me. We all are." The look in Eleanor's eyes reminded Edythe of the same expression she had seen in the others; the fear, the uncertainty, and she recalled again how much she had worried them. Not that she could really control her actions at that point, but they still had an effect, and an unpleasant one at that. Edythe stepped forward, her arms coming around Eleanor's waist. Her older sister immediately reciprocated, pulling her to into a hug gently.

"I know, El," Edythe murmured against her shoulder, "Thank you."

Eleanor didn't respond, just feeling Edythe underneath her. After that night, of having to feel how lifeless and cold Edythe's body was when Archie had found her, it still dowsed Eleanor like a bucket of ice water. The memory was stark, horrifying, and she would do anything to erase it. But the feeling of her baby sister hugging her back gave Eleanor something to hold onto, to remind her Edythe was right here with her. And Eleanor would make sure she would be okay.

Despite that, Eleanor could not shake the edge off while she tried to occupy herself around the house during the afternoon. She moved restlessly between the living room TV and her and Royal's bedroom, unable to find an activity that would distract her sufficiently. She was relieved when she heard the approach of the Volvo, knowing Edythe had arrived home, and quickly was in the kitchen to greet her.

Edythe was unsurprised by Eleanor's presence when she came in, accepting her family's more hovering nature in stride, knowing she had been the cause of it. Earnest beckoned for her to come to eat, placing a plate of avocado chicken salad before her, along with orange juice and a piece of garlic bread.

Edythe thanked him quietly as she picked up her silverware; sh tried to ignore his and Eleanor's gazes as she took the first bite in her mouth. Earnest was an outstanding cook, but no food she had eaten since she had returned tasted like anything but cardboard. But she knew she would scare them more if she refused to eat, so she worked to ignore the taste—or lack thereof—as she swallowed another mouthful.

"You look tired," Earnest noted quietly as Eleanor settled besides Edythe on the adjacent bar stool. Edythe shrugged as she picked up the forkful.

"I guess I'm still just…" she trailed off.

"I know," Earnest spoke before she could; there was a note of worry there, but also understanding. "It's been a long few days for you." Edythe nodded to herself as she swallowed. Earnest reached across the short counter, his hand cupping under her cheek. She worked to smile at him, but found herself unable to.

Edythe recognized the uncomfortable feeling immediately and she bolted for the hall bathroom. She was just able to make to the toilet before she was sick; as her body rejected the small amount of food she'd had, she felt a cool hand on the back of her neck, and another holding her hair back. After what felt like a lot longer than a few minutes, Edythe finished, her gag reflex slowing after several bouts of dry heaving.

She registered that she was surrounded by chill, gathered in someone's lap as she leaned away from the toilet. Her breathing was heavy, and her nose and mouth were burning. She let out a low moan and leaned back into whoever had a hold of her, her forehead against the granite shoulder that she recognized as Eleanor's. She could hear barely there whispers around her, but did not have the willpower to listen close enough to understand.

"She feels warm," Eleanor was saying to Earnest, her face concerned as she could feel the heat radiating from her human sister. Earnest found the digital thermometer that they kept in the cabinet and offered it to her. Edythe tried not to grimace as she took the device into her mouth. After the device beeped, Eleanor took it from her.

"A hundred point four," Eleanor reported before looking up at Earnest, who was already calling Carine. They spoke quietly for a minute as Edythe tried to calm her swirling stomach, keeping her temple pressed to Eleanor's granite skin, breathing as deeply as she could.

"It's not surprising, given the past few days," Carine told Earnest quietly, her voice uneasy, though more with regret. "Her immune system has been severely compromised and, combined with the amount of stress she's been under, this is expected."

"What can we do?" Earnest asked, his eyes on Edythe's face, while Eleanor's eyes were on him, the back of her hand pressed gently to Edythe's forehead, trying to cool her off. The two vampires' nerves were tense as it was, but now their heightened worry seemed to bleed into the room. It didn't help the situation that Edythe was running a fever; though Carine had emphasized to them many times that a fever was a normal way for a human body to fight off illnesses, the secondary trauma from Edythe's blood transfusion scare always came to the front of their minds.

"Make her rest, try and get her to drink water if you can, food if she feels up to it," Carine said. "We have Tylenol in the bathroom, to help with the fever." Eleanor immediately made to stand, lifting Edythe easily and bringing her up to her room. Once Edythe felt the cool sheets beneath her, she sighed heavily, her hands moving toward her clothes. Eleanor helped her pull her jeans off, as well as the thick sweater she had been wearing. Edythe made no move to cover herself, just lightly pulling the thin blanket she and Beau kept at the foot of the bed over her lower half. Eleanor settled besides her, her hand pressed to her forehead.

"Do you want me to stay?" she asked quietly, her tone low enough to not make Edythe's head ache more than it already was. Edythe nodded ever so slightly.

"If you want to," she murmured, eyes only barely open. Eleanor didn't answer, keeping a hand on her forehead as Edythe leaned her head back against the pillow, breathing as evenly as she could through her mouth.

The terrible feeling had been sloshing inside Edythe since halfway through her biology midterm. She'd had no trouble finishing it—given she had covered the subject more than half a dozen times—but the pounding in her head and behind her eyes, as well as the tightness in her throat, seemed to grow as she had made her way to the parking lot. She had taken a few minutes to get her head level before attempting to drive, and was feeling marginally better by the time she had arrived home.

Determined to do what she could to ease her family's worry, Edythe had forced herself to eat, knowing she had been neglecting the task since she had returned. Food didn't taste edible, but she could feel her hunger, despite her inability to smell it without wanting to gag. Now, she had wished she hadn't tried, to avoid the sickening feeling in her stomach and the aching in her abdominals to add on top of everything else.

She lay there hoping they would leave her be, just reveling in the quiet and lack of requirement imposed on her. And she was relieved they did so; Eleanor didn't leave her side, and she was thankful, as her sister's cool touch was one of the few things she felt relief in.

Edythe had no idea how much time had past, or even if she had been unconscious, but the next thing she was aware of was another cool hand brushing against her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered, opening just slightly.

"I'm sorry," Carine murmured quietly, "I didn't want to wake you." Edythe didn't respond, her body stretching slightly where she lay curled up on her bed.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. Edythe made to shrug using as little effort as possible.

"Headache, nauseous," she mumbled under her breath, not worrying that Carine wouldn't be able to hear her. "But I'm hungry."

"You're dehydrated," Carine told her gently, "Do you think you could try to drink some water, or would like me to set up an IV?" Carine knew before the question was even out of her mouth what Edythe's answer would be and was unsurprised as she tried to sit up, eventually holding herself up on one hand. Carine offered a small cup of cool water and Edythe took it, bringing it to her chapped lips. She took a few baby sips, pausing in between; despite her closed eyes, she knew Carine was watching her intently. Edythe almost turned optimistic before she felt her stomach lurch.

Edythe felt the metal of the trash can beneath her chin just before she gagged, as well as the cool hands that held her, one set around her middle and the other at her neck and face. Her family's touch was soothing and comforting, and she was thankful for it. But, in the same vein, she hated them seeing her like this. And so the tears that leaked from her eyes were not completely a result of her newly inflamed throat and stomach.

Edythe's body slumped against Eleanor, too worn out to try to move. She felt another pair of hands gently pull her hair back from her face, twisting it up off her neck. She wanted to thank whoever it was, but everything just seemed like too much effort. Only when she felt the foreign chill of alcohol against her skin did she react.

"No," she tried to protest, pulling weakly where Carine held her arm steady. Carine sighed sadly, her golden eyes filled with regret at having to force Edythe into this. But her fragile state was too concerning to the doctor to allow this to go on any longer.

"Shhh, I know, darling, but I need to," she murmured soothingly, her free hand coming up to brush across Edythe's face. "It's the only way I can make this stop."

The words did their job, and Edythe gave in, pressing into Eleanor's shoulder as Carine set up the fluids besides the bed. Eleanor said nothing, just keeping Edythe against her, hoping in vain for her lack of body temperature to help with her sister's fever.

"I hate this," Edythe whispered; the short phrase was low, broken, a clear indication of her state. Carine closed her eyes for a moment in reaction before making to reassure her.

"I know, sweetheart; believe me, I know," she said as she finished, hanging the bag on a hook besides the bedside table. The contents was already full of infusions for anti-nausea and pain relievers. As Carine sat back, Eleanor adjusted Edythe in her lap, pulling the blanket away and her top down, allowing more of her feverish skin to be in contact with her own. Edythe moaned, thankful and relieved for the chill.

"What is causing this?" Jessamine asked from across the room, where she leaned against the wall. Carine just shook her head, her eyes never leaving Edythe's face.

"It's probably just the stomach flu; her fever has stayed the same since she came home, but her dehydration concerns me," she told them, then sighed. "Normally, she would do fine with just attempting oral fluids, but she can't even keep water down. And, given what she's been through, I'm not taking any more chances with her."

Carine had presumed Edythe's condition based on what Earnest had told her, and as a precaution, was keeping Beau away from Edythe until the morning. He was not happy about it, but she had been able convince him that Edythe did not need the added guilt of potentially spreading it to him. He had acquiesced, though begrudgingly.

Now, the Cullen siblings were gathered in Edythe and Beau's room, while Beau slept in Archie's room downstairs. It was nearly midnight, and the vampires had been expectedly tense since arriving home, seeing Edythe once again suffering. Carine could tell from their expression that they were all on edge and anxious, watching Edythe like this. It was painful for all of them, especially when they could do little to help her.

"When will she ever get a break?" Eleanor murmured rhetorically. No one answered, but Carine found herself mentally hoping it was soon; she didn't know how much her human daughter's body could take.

A/N: So I'm definitely going to be editing this chapter in the future to make it sound better. I'm pretty sure this is one of, if not the worst, chapter I've done so far. Which is unfortunate. Normally, in this state, I wouldn't release it out at all, but I wanted to give you guys something.

Edit: I edited it a little bit, so it's a little more cohesive; but I thankfully have plans for next chapter to flesh this all out.

Sorry nothing really of consequence happens in this, but that seems to be reflective of what's going on with me right now (And they say writers can't put themselves into the story), but I guess that just proves my point about how real normal "human" problems are, even in the Twilight/L&D world.

I will tell you now that the next chapter won't be up until next weekend, as I have a final exam coming up and I struggled to get this out to you. Hopefully, in less than ten days, I'll be able to get back into the normal swing and pump out some better content. I hope to see you guys there with me. Have a wonderful rest of your week! :)