All fixed! Sorry! I didn't realise that could even happen. Thanks to all the readers who PMd me to inform me my chapter formatting had messed up!

It took me a minute to remember to close the door behind her. Charlie stood up instantly, turning around in confusion. Esme walked around me, as I was still standing flabbergasted in the entranceway. Through the window to the side of the door I could see that the rain was actually washing my truck of all the mud it had accrued on its journey back to me. I turned to look at Esme, who shook hands gently with Charlie. He offered her a seat, apologizing for the mess – he had not expected company.

"Oh goodness don't worry. Your house is refreshingly tidy. Don't forget I've got five teenagers to contend with. Their version of 'tidy' would make anyone shudder."

Her comforting lies flew so smoothly and sincerely that I was seriously concerned. Their version of tidy was immaculate, model-like, show-home. I suppose Esme hadn't truly lied, just as I hadn't truly lied to Jacob a few minutes ago.

Charlie relaxed slightly.

"You brought Bella's truck back for her?" he asked. "Mighty nice of you, thank you."

"Well, I may have brought Bella's truck back to her, but I intend to put her in it and escort her back to my house." She winked conspiringly at Charlie. I was still standing in the entrance hall, confused.

"She just got home…" Charlie began.

"I heard!" Esme said, warmly. "I was so happy to hear that Carlisle released her. It was the first thing he told me when he got home today. And Edward – he's overjoyed. No more visits to the hospital, no more falling asleep in those awful chairs. He's been there almost as much as she has. I've been able to completely tidy his room, and do all of his laundry." Esme was chattering away, which was helping Charlie to relax. Someone this gorgeous who had 'ordinary' problems, was helping him associate with her. Probably.

"I'm pretty lucky. Bella's been taking care of me since she moved back here, and she's a pretty tidy kid."

"That's because mom isn't." I reminded him. "One of us had to be the grown up". Charlie looked startled, as if he'd forgotten that I was there too. He blushed and beckoned me to come sit. I sat on the couch beside Esme, and she rested her hand tenderly on my leg. What had I done to deserve such caring treatment? Was this why she was the 'mother figure' of the Cullen household? Not because she had married the leader, but literally because she oozed love and tenderness.

"Bella is a good girl. That's why I'm so happy her and Edward have found each other."

"Yeah. Edward's a good kid. Never had an ounce of trouble from any of your bunch which is more than I can say for most people in this town."

"Thank you. I've tried to keep them respectful, and always communicative. Speaking of which, that's why I'm here today." Esme said, smiling at me. I smiled back, watching Charlie and his face mirroring mine in confusion and interest.

She folded her hands in her lap, and looked speculatively at me.

"A little bird has informed me that Bella's most dire want as of this moment is a long, hot, bubble bath," Esme began, her smile leaking through her careful and almost professional negotiation face. My face went red.

"I didn't mean…." I started to interrupt, but Esme looked at me with an eyebrow raised. "I'm going to kill him."

"We don't really have a bath…" Charlie began, embarrassed. Concern flashed across my face. Charlie had never really made an extravagant living, but before this point I had never seen him worried or embarrassed by what he had, or didn't have. My stupid comment had caused him sadness. I'd be more careful with my words in the future. Esme saved the situation, as if there hadn't been that moment of embarrassment.

"A respectable bath is not very common. The only reason I have one is that Carlisle insisted I have somewhere I could escape from the children. The only person to have really utilised it thus far is Rosalie." Esme shook her head and pursed her lips slightly. Renee pulled that look too. I wondered if when you became a mother you instantly acquired a handbook on dangerous yet polite facial expressions. "And so I came here to offer our amenities to the newest member of my family." She finished with the addition of a slow 'family' sign.

I felt a lump rise in my throat. She seriously felt that way. I'd only really even met her a few times and yet she was already classifying me as 'hers'. My family. But Esme was not finished yet.

"I've sent the boys on a camping trip – except Carlisle, he had to work – and so it's just us girls until Saturday at around noon."

Charlie and I both looked at the pouring rain outside. If it was true that the Cullen boys were going out into the forests, it would be for a hunt. I wondered if the rain would make things easier or harder for them. Charlie seemed worried they'd be okay.

"It's pouring out." He said, concerned.

"They're only heading to Bogachiel. It's a character building exercise." Esme assured him. Bogachiel was a small state park about 10 minutes from our house. It was small, pretty centered around the highway, and trails and sites were safe and well-covered. Charlie visibly relaxed.

"Dad I'd like to go. It might be fun. I'm being spoiled by everyone. I'm stuffed with real food, and now I get to wash the hospital stink off without my arm falling off in the shower." I went over and hugged Charlie's head from behind. He squeezed my arms back.

"If you're sure kiddo." He said, after turning to face me again. "I don't want you too tired, and ruining your arms and stuff."

"Pfft. I'll be literally at a doctor's house. I can't get too much safer."

Charlie considered that for a moment.

"Alright. I'm headed over to Billy's tomorrow anyway. We were talking about helping Sue with the shop," he conceded.

"Because it's not nice enough to fish?" I laughed. "You had to find something to do I guess."

It occurred to me that if I were staying overnight, I'd need a bag. "Uh, be right back Esme. I'll pack some stuff."

She nodded, smiling, and proceeded to talk to Charlie again. I caught one word about the 'shop', and tuned out to go get my stuff together. I walked upstairs, thinking. I had some newer pyjamas, and they should be clean, sitting in my closet. I grabbed those, my school backpack, some fresh clothing for the morning, and my hairbrush. I meandered to the bathroom, grabbing my toiletries bag and jamming that in too. What else would I need? Should I bring food? I chewed on my lip for a moment, and then I felt my phone buzz.

We have food, you won't need to bring any. Alice.

I rolled my eyes. Sometimes having a clairvoyant friend was a blessing – like in the saving your life kind of aspects – and sometimes it was weird. I fumbled around upstairs for a short period longer, and then started to make my way downstairs again. Esme was still engaging Charlie in discussion. I doubt he'd talked so much all month. I had no idea what they were talking about, and proceeded to grab a few granola bars anyway. When I came back into the living room Esme was laughing at something, and Charlie looked quite pleased with himself.

"Alright, I'm good to go." I said, and Esme rose, walking over to join me at the door.

"Excellent."

We put on our rain jackets, while Esme swooped up my bag, and I slipped into my rain boots. I turned back to Charlie.

Thanks for tonight Dad. This was fun. I signed at him.

You're welcome. He signed back.

"Have fun tomorrow." I said, as Esme opened the door to the unforgiving sky.

"You too Bella."

As we made our way out to the truck, I shook my head in disbelief at the wonderful woman who was kidnapping me. This would certainly be an interesting night.