Disclaimer:

I own no part of the 'Twilight Universe'. Only the idea to this story. This is strictly for fun.

Author's note:

Questions? Just ask.

Enjoy! And if you liked it, review, if not, let me know, too. ;-)

Recap:

When I was back in bed, Aro and Marcus came in, the latter, came straight to sit on the chair next to me. Looking subdued. I never heard what the doc had conducted, and as no one had told me yet, I asked straight out, "So, what's the verdict?"

Chapter 30 (Bella's pov)

Marcus and Cia didn't meet my eyes, when I looked at them inquisitively, but Aro met and held my gaze deliberately.

In a human pace he stepped closer to the bed and asked conversationally, "How much do you remember of the doctor's visit, Isabella?"

"Well, I remember everything just fine, up to the point, when he mentioned the needles..." I told him, a shudder ran down my spine and I a disdainful, dirty look at the contraption taped and bandaged to the back of my hand.

"Good. There was not much after that. When he had taken the needed blood samples, he gave you something to calm you down, because you were so agitated. You fell asleep quickly after that. To us he explained his findings. He will be back tonight with more equipment, to conduct an ultrasound examination of the tissue beneath the scars on your abdomen, and of your heart," he explained, his head cocked to one side.

Okay, I remembered the doc saying something about my belly, but I couldn't recall anything about my heart. But now that I thought about it, he had frowned, and taken longer, when he listened to my heartbeat.

"My heart?" It came out hesitatingly, I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

"Yes, Isabella. Your heart. He diagnosed you with 'endocarditis'. It means that the inner most layer of tissue in your heart, the one that is in contact with your blood, while it is pumped through your heart, is inflamed, most likely due to a bacterial infection. The antibiotics you have been taking to control the infection of your wounds, obviously haven't been effective enough. This is my mistake, and I apologize for it. When I ordered this type of antibiotics, I failed to consider, that you have different stems of bacteria with different resistances in the USA, than we have here. As a consequence, the bacteria had the chance to enter your blood stream. They reached your heart. I am truly sorry I failed you in such a fashion. The physician changed your medication to a different substance. This one should work just fine, but it needs to be administered intravenously. You will have to bear with the IV for some time now," Aro ended, looking contrite.

The room was silent, so much so, that I would have been able to hear a pin drop.

It took a little while for me to consider all he had said.

A squeeze to my hand brought me out of the contemplation. Marcus had taken my hand into his, again. He handled it with even more care, as it was the one with the needle in it.

What he said all made sense, but I was surprised that I was still here and not in a hospital. I was sure the docs back home would have had me admitted.

"Okay. But, it can't be so bad, because I am still here and not in some hospital, right? I mean I am glad I am not; I don't like the scents, all the whites, the terrible beds. I don't like anything about hospitals, really." My nose involuntarily scrunched up in disgust, when I thought about all things hospital. I would have expected a chuckle from Aro, but he looked so serious. Marcus threw him a pleading look. It seemed he had lost the ability to speak. He looked angry, and frustrated.

"Marcus? Are you okay? You look so, so... I don't know, unwell? You don't even look at me. Are you angry with me? I mean...I thought you were, we were...friends." My voice broke on the last whispered word. I felt funny again. Why wouldn't he talk with me, or even look at me?

Before I could go any further in my irrational state, he gripped my hand tighter, not hurting me, but tighter than before, and spoke so fast and urgent I almost didn't catch anything. His eyes were wide with emotion, as he tried to explain, "No, Bella. Never. I could never be angry with you for being sick. I just don't like seeing you like this, hearing your heart stumble and skip, when you are upset; it scares me. You loose the little colour you hold. And here you are in this room still, because I am too selfish. The doctor wanted to hospitalize you, but I wanted to keep you here. He is collecting machines and medication for you right now, to bring here, to change this room into a hospital room, so that he can take care of you here. I am sorry. If you want to, we can take you to the hospital right now. If you felt safer there. I want to be your friend, I want to..." he stopped abruptly. While he told me all this he looked intently at me. Never had I seen so many emotions on his face.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw as Aro left the room silently.

My head was swirling, I had so many questions anyway, and now I had no idea, how to console Marcus. I was so glad he wanted to be my friend. I truly needed a friend like him especially now that I was going to live for a while longer.

I took a deep breath to pull myself together. I needed to clean this mess in my head up, one step at a time.

"Marcus, first of all, Thank You. You have no idea how much I hate hospitals. I am so glad I don't have to be in one. I truly am. So, please don't be angry with yourself about this, okay?" His eyes shot up to meet mine. I squeezed his hand, like he had done before, not sure whether he really felt the difference in pressure. The relief and hope in his gaze then was mind boggling.

"Secondly," I went on in a softer tone, after I was sure the first part had sunken in, "I am glad I can call you a friend. I enjoy your company too, you know. I was just afraid that you wouldn't agree, that you didn't see me as more then a guest." I felt my cheeks warm with the blush, that was triggered by my confession. Marcus smiled.

"I have some questions though, Marcus. For example, Aro explained what that endocarditis-thing is, but what does it do? And what do I do? The same goes for this dehiscence under the scars, that the doc mentioned. Do you know what that means, what it entails?" I was curious. Marcus moved his chair closer to my bed, but kept my hand in his all the while.

"Of course, Bella. I will gladly answer any question you have, if I have the answer, but first I would like for you to eat something. It is noon already, and you missed your breakfast." Marcus was much more relaxed now. It showed in his posture as well as in his voice.

"Okay," I conceded; truth be told, I could do with some food.

The food arrived within minutes. Meanwhile, Marcus had tended to the fire, aired the room and brought in a contraption that resembled a 'c'. It turned out to be a bedside- table and the upper part fit perfectly over my legs. This way I could stay in bed while having my meal or reading, he explained with a smile.

The food was good, as always; some kind of stew with meat and vegetables in it.

Marcus' smile had been growing slowly, but steadily with each spoon I had ate. Encouraging me to eat some more. It had been like a game to me. Childish? Yes. Funny? Yes. It was better than him staring at me all the while, not doing anything.

When I had had enough I submitted to my ever present curiosity, "So?"

"Very well, I shall answer your earlier questions. Aro already explained the basics to you. The effects of endocarditis vary from case to case. You show a fewer, intermittently arrhythmias, shortness of breath and anaemia, which in turn causes your weakness and tiredness. The anaemia could also cause a headache, dizziness, or shortness of breath. We think that the anaemia in your case is not only due to the infection, but to the operation and months of malnourishment, too. The doctor will bring two or three units of your blood type. It should make you feel better. Along with the sedative that he gave you, he also administered something to lower your fewer.

"I think it is working so far," he added silently.

Then he gazed at me, and I knew there was more, but he wasn't sure whether or not to tell me. He sighed deeply and continued, "You need to know that your condition is severe. Apparently, without treatment, this kind of infection is almost always lethal. According to the physician we caught it early, which is good. The bad thing is that your body is very weak as it is, and won't be able to put up much of a fight. In short, your condition evens out the advantage of catching it early. Your prognosis now depends on the successfulness of the treatment.

We were warned that you might get worse first, before you get better. The ultrasound he is going to do later is to see, whether there are vegetations of bacteria on your heart valves. It is bad, if there are. The treatment consists of high dosage antibiotics, for which you need the IV, and anti-febrile medication to protect your body from further stress; and of course, rest. You can dine in bed. Someone will help you with your human needs, and no, you can not argue that. You are my friend, and I will take care of you." I was about to object, when he added quietly, "If it was me, wouldn't you do the same?"

What could I say to that? Yes, I would certainly try to help, were it him.

"Yes, yes I would," I told him in a small voice, nodding at him.

"Thank you, Bella," he replied with emotion in his voice. After this we sat in silence. Marcus resumed his examination of my hand, although the range for his scrutiny was limited because of the IV and it's dressing.

It left me time to think about everything, and I found myself in the impossible position that I would call one of the 'infamous' Volturi brothers a friend. But Marcus truly was a friend. He stood by me. It felt good to be close to him. But although I felt so content, there was also this little malicious voice in my head, that kept telling me, that I wasn't worth his friendship, that I wasn't good for him, that I would cause him and his family pain.

But he had just told me he felt differently.

I was overcome with gratitude. He thought me important enough to be here now, to sit by my side. He thought I was worth the effort and expense to keep me safe, sane and alive. He thought I was worth it.

The memory of me and Jasper sitting in this stupid hotel room in Phoenix came up, he had told me I was worth it too. I pushed it back. Obviously he hadn't really thought I was worth it in the end... He had lied, even if it had been a white lie to placate me.

"Thank you, too, Marcus. I never thought I would find a friend again, least of all here." My voice was reverent, it held all the meaning I couldn't express with words. It broke, but there was so much more I wanted to tell him now. My eyes welled with tears of gratitude. I gathered my bearings and continued, "I know now, that you are nothing like the stories I have heard about you, had made you out to be. When I came here, I was convinced you were all monsters. But you are so much better. I'm sorry I was so naïve, so susceptible to someone else's opinion, that I took it at face value. Now I don't know what to think anymore. What was a lie, and what was the truth? Was it all just lies?"

The more I spoke in my rant, the more I felt lost. Where did that leave me?

They had cheated me out of my human life. Right now I resented them more then ever before, and for the first time, I didn't feel guilty about it.

"Bella, it wasn't your fault. You trusted them, and thought their opinion on things the only right and true one. If there is someone to be blamed for any of this, it is them, whoever they are," he stopped here, looked pained for a moment, before a steely determination took over. He captured my gaze in his, trying to ascertain that the the importance of his next words would come across.

"To be completely honest, we, the Volturi, have done cruel things. We have committed many crimes in our time on this earth, atrocities, that I am not proud of. But I cannot change those things now. It is part of what and who I am.

"You see, form their perspective, we might very well be monsters, Bella. Things, situations, and personalities especially, are so multi faceted, that depending on your point of view, you can see disparate pictures."

He began massaging my palm and fingers, that had begun to feel a little colder, because of his continued touch, to further the circulation. The fire was still sizzling comfortingly in the hearth and bathing us both in its warm glow.

"Furthermore, and forgive me, if I sound patronizing, as it is not my intention, you are still so very young, an adult, by all means and experienced beyond your years, but in some ways, still so very young. Of course you would trust in a judgement made by others, when you trust those so explicitly. No one can fault you for this." The apologetic smile he directed at me while he spoke, took the wind right out of my sails, nipping my indignation in its bud.

I could see the truth in his words. Plus, he really was so much older and more experienced than I.

"Okay," I allowed reluctantly, but glad beyond anything, that he didn't take offence. I snuggled deeper into my pillows. I was tired again.

Marcus simply kept stroking my hand in a hypnotic, relaxing manner, while I dwelt on my own thoughts.

"Marcus?" I asked, when a sudden thought hit me.

"Mhm, yes, Bella?" He seemed just as lost in thought as I had been, when he answered. But his smile, when he focused on me was blinding. I smiled in return.

"You said something about hearing my heart stumble, skipping a beat or two. Is that why you were looking at me strangely? I mean you and Aro? Is that the reason, why I feel so funny, kind of light-headed then?" My voice drawled lazily, still caught up in this relaxed haze.

He nodded in agreement.

"Your heart beats regularly most of the time, it is a steady thump- thump, thump-thump, a very melodic tune. It only varies in pace, but yesterday and especially today, it came to sound irregular at times, particularly when you were stressed in some way." He paused then.

"We will try to keep the stress we put on you to a minimum, Bella. Please don't get angry or frustrated, if we treat you differently for the next days. We are only trying to look out for you," he urged me to understand. I was embarrassed. His plea just showed how much of an ungrateful brat I had been. I was the one with double standards, because I would try to look out for my friend in such a way, too, were the roles reversed.

After some more time had passed, I asked something else, "How long will it be, till I can go without an IV? When can I walk around again?" I was embarrassed, and my tone betrayed me. The next confession came out in barely above a whisper, "I'm not a good patient, you know. I'm too impatient. I get stir-crazy... "

'Might as well warn him.' I sighed mentally.

"My mom said I get mean, bitchy and overly sensitive, when I'm sick... I wouldn't know, it's been sometime since I had a fewer," I told him honestly.

He simply moved yet a little closer and now held my hand in both of his, he was so nice and cool, I felt so hot.

"Alright, consider me warned." A smile played in his tone, and some of the mirth I had seen yesterday, had returned to his eyes.

"As for the first part, I'll try to distract you, Bella. There are many ways to pass the time. I am certain we will find something to entertain you," he reassured me with a confident smile. Then he added, "To give an exact time is impossible. We will have to wait and observe, how effective the new antibiotics will be, but it is to be feared, that you might first feel worse tomorrow, or the day after, yet. The doctor was surprised to find you so well oriented."

"Do you think Cia will stay with me, when he comes back later for the ultrasound? I mean, he seems to be okay and all, but I just don't know, It's odd. I think I would feel better if she was here. I trust you and Aro just as much, but it's something about female company that is more comforting, you know?" I had no idea, why I was explaining this to him, but the sad look on his face, when I had practically begged for Cia's company before, kept popping up, and I didn't want to see that again.

As soon as the first sign of understanding crossed his features, I continued, I wanted to get away from this uncomfortable topic, "And what other equipment will he bring? Do you know?"

Marcus was just about to answer, when someone knocked on the door. Whoever it was had been asked to enter, as in the next moment a very serious looking Demetri stood next to Marcus, and after a curt nod, directed at me, whispered urgently to him. A low growl was steadily building in the room, and Demetri looked at my hand, which was held ever more tightly in Marcus' large ones. Slowly it was starting to become too tight; it was starting to hurt.

Demetri took a few steps back, and in a voice and speed I was able to comprehend, said, "Master, with all due respect, Miss Bella's hand, I think you are holding it a little too tightly. You might hurt her." His posture changed, while he spoke. His head was lowered, shoulders slumped, arms straight, held slightly forward and his palms were facing up. It took me a moment to realize that he was the picture of vulnerability; everything about him screamed submission.

Marcus' growl had become so loud then, that it hurt my ears, but I couldn't slide away, or cover my ears. As soon as Demetri said the word 'hurt' though, Marcus' eyes snapped first to mine and then down to our hands. In a movement too fast to even be a blur, he was at the other side of the room. My heart was pounding loudly, and I was dizzy again.

"Bella, please forgive me. Let me apologize later, please. I need to leave. Sulpicia, please, come here." So many emotions played over his face, that I, if at all, only caught half of them. There was shock, anger, frustration, remorse.

Then he was out of the room in the blink of an eye, as was Demetri, and Cia was right in front of the bed. Their speed made my head spin.

"Breathe, Bella." Cia's voice was soft, but the command was clear. I hadn't even noticed I had stopped breathing. That reminder was all I needed, because just like that I took a huge, gulp of air, and my head cleared.

'What just happened?'

Cia slowly inched closer, like one would approach a scared animal. She tried to be as non- threatening as possible. I burst out laughing, it was hilarious, or maybe I was just loosing it. My companion obviously went with the latter option, because she stood there, frozen, no idea what to do.

A minute probably passed and I wheezed out between bursts of laughter, "It's okay, I'm fine, just you... you looked so... it was a sight for the gods, priceless. I think I have never seen a vampire trying so desperately to be non threatening.

She smiled then, and relaxed. Still rather slow, she came over to me and sat down. Absent-mindedly, I had begun to rub my hand. It hurt, where the IV lay under the dressing.

Cia watched me closely.

"Really, I am fine. It's no big deal. But what had him so upset? I mean we were just talking and he explained everything. I thought we were both relaxed, then Demetri came in and told him something, everything went down from there. He'll be okay, right? I mean Marcus? He was so..., but Demetri, too, will be fine, won't they?" My head was one huge mess, and it showed in my ravings. How Cia caught on, I don't know, but she did.

She reassured me, "Yes, they will both be fine. Demetri informed my brother of an unexpected turn of events regarding your safety here. Don't worry, it is not truly a danger, but irritating nonetheless. We had wanted to talk with you about the whole situation anyhow, but then you got sick and we wanted to explain all things concerning your health first." She patted my hand softly, but it hurt and I flinched away.

She notice of course, "Perhaps my love should have a look at your hand first. Does it hurt badly?" The concern oozed from her, it was uncomfortable.

My response was truthful, " First it was a sting, but now it's burning. I think it's the IV."

I hated all the attention, all the ruckus I caused.

"They won't be long. How about I answer your earlier question, the one concerning the equipment, until they come back?" She was so upbeat.

I nodded.

"Okay, firstly, he will bring many things that he will need to keep your IV running, basics, he said, plus the transfusions, if he manages to get some so quickly. He called and let us know, that your blood-type isn't very common. The small hospital here in Volterra has no such blood." She hesitated before a devious grin spread curled the corners of her lips upward.

"You truly are a rare delicacy, aren't you," she giggled.

Of course they had heard that. I scrunched up my nose, and she went on, spearing me part of my embarrassment, " Then, there is the ultrasound unit, an EKG thing, a pulse oximeter, some oxygen, just in case, and something to monitor your blood pressure... Oh and some personal things, Aro paid him to stay here in the castle and on call as long as you are sick and might have sudden need of him," she didn't seem to care about all the inconveniences I caused.

All the things she had listed were used in intermediate or intensive care units; I would know. Was I really that sick? True, I felt like shit, but that bad? Huh.

Cia didn't say anything else. We simply set in silence.

Some time later I could hear noise from the other room. It must have been meant for my ears, because I knew they would never cause such sounds, not without intention.

A short time later, someone rapped softly on the door to my bedroom. It still felt strange to call for whoever to enter, but I did it anyway.

Aro and a distressed looking Marcus entered.

"Ah, Isabella. It is good to see you are still up and doing considerably well all things considered. Cia mentioned something about your hand? Would you mind me having a look at it? I do have basic knowledge in the medical field. The doctor will be here as soon as he can. " Aro made easy conversation, he at least seemed unimpressed by all the things going on. Marcus on the other hand was clearly affected, he had closed the door behind him, but not taken even one step further. He stood next to the door, motionless, like a statue.

"Well, Isabella?" Aro pushed. Apparently my musings about Marcus' demeanour had taken longer than I thought.

"Uh, yeah, sure. But it's not too bad. It's more of a burn." I looked back up at him, and in this moment, though they looked nothing alike, he reminded me of Carlisle. He had a genuine, reassuring smile on his face, one that reached his eyes and made them twinkle. Confidently he walked over to me. "It's alright," he said, while he began to unwrap my hand. "I'll just have a quick look and see if I can help you. Don't worry."

"Oh, you know, I just won't look, okay, I...," I gulped, just the thought of seeing that contraption in my hand had my nerves rising. I hated that they used such see through IV plasters these days. Where were the old ones, that hid everything from view?

"Shh, Isabella." Aro chuckled and paused his movement. "You can turn around and face away, if you like. You don't have to worry. Marcus, why don't you and Cia distract our dear guest?"

I really liked the idea of that, any distraction was welcome. I sought Marcus' gaze, and was more than relieved, when I found it instantly. I didn't want to tell him, but I willed him to see that I wanted him closer to me, my friend; more than Cia. First he looked taken aback, then he slowly made his way over to the left side of my bed, gauging my reaction continuously. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he stood before me, his hand outstretched. Without a moments hesitation, I latched on to it, from where I sat and pulled down. Naturally I wouldn't have been able to move him one inch, but he caught my intention and sat down.

Aro picked up his work again, and I could feel my heart rate rising. The dizziness returned, Aro stopped and Marcus froze, all simultaneously.

Marcus lent further in my direction, and with his left hand brushed some hair out of my face. The coolness of his touch felt heavenly on my heated skin. I leaned into his hand.

"Bella, please try to calm down. Your heart, it is beating without much rhythm right now. Just calm down, take a deep breath." Hesitantly, he turned so that his back rested against the headboard, and he opened up his arms. I could choose. It was a silent offer to help, to hold me, support me.

Awkwardly, I freed my hand from Aro's light hold and crawled over to him. I practically fell into his arms, when the IV tube held back my right hand. It gave a bad sting and I flinched. Marcus held me close and a deep sigh escaped him.

"Please, accept my sincerest apologies for my earlier behaviour. I never meant to hurt you, Bella. Please, forgive me." His dark orbs swam with remorse, the colour was now more of a puce than a ruby red.

"It's okay now. I'm not angry or anything. I know you didn't mean to hurt me. You're forgiven. Whatever Demetri told you, it obviously upset you... He's fine isn't he? I mean..." I trailed off.

Demetri had looked so vulnerable, defeated even, well, for a vampire that is.

Although he respected his Master, he had stood up for me to him. Why would he care if I got hurt? The least I could do now was to ask after his well-being, right?

Marcus held me just a bit tighter, and I felt his smile against my hair, when he mumbled, "Yes, he is just fine. Nothing happened to him."

My mind translated this to 'I didn't happen to him, neither did anything else.'

That was enough for me, and I took another deep breath. Marcus' scent was comfort. I relaxed further into his gentle and cool embrace. It felt heavenly.

A throat being cleared noisily broke me out of my bubble, and just then I realized, how intimate our current position was. I had completely forgotten about Aro and Cia.

"Isabella, if you would just hold your hand back to me..." Aro said, a smile in his voice. I did so, and desperately wished for a hole to open up and swallow me whole. But I couldn't make myself move. I felt safe. Instead I distracted myself. I pushed the embarrassment decidedly to the back of my mind and asked something I had been curious about for a little while today, "Does the doc know what you are? I mean, he is going to stay here for now..."

Before anyone answered, I remembered the way the good doc had looked at Cia, and I snickered weakly.

"What is so funny now, Bella?" Cia looked questioningly at me.

I giggled louder. The irony wasn't lost on me that she should be the one to ask that.

"I just recalled the way the doc looked at you again and again, Cia. It was too funny. He was clearly torn between falling to his knees, and kissing the ground you walk on, and running away, screaming as he went." The pictures my own words painted before my mental eye, threw me over the edge. First I was giggling hard, but I tried to muffle that by turning my face into Marcus' chest. When I felt his chest vibrating with his own chuckles, and his muffled breathing in my hair, as well as Cia's giggles, I could hardly keep it in. It was when I heard Aro growling under his breath, what must have been a string of profanities, I broke out in a full out laugh. It was just too much.

It took me quite a while to calm down. I had not realized the atmosphere had changed once again. Cia wasn't in sight and when I tried to turn around, to ask Aro, Marcus' left hand shot up and hindered me. He held my head to his chest, so that I was facing the wall to the left of the bed, and murmured one apology after another to the top of my head. I was confused. It didn't make any sense.

"Marcus, what happened? Why? Where is Cia?" My voice rose as my unease grew, and I tensed and began to wriggle. I could feel my heart beating faster.

"I'm right here," Cia's voice came from behind me, and a gentle squeeze to my right hand told me she was holding it now.

Then where had Aro gone?

Before I could ask that though, I heard him, "Bella, it's okay, I am right here. I had just gone outside to get some things for your hand. You see, your vein didn't take the pressure, or the tug, too well and it busted. I took the IV out, and will bandage it up now. I am afraid you will have a nice bruise, though." His voice was full of regret as he spoke. In response, I relaxed into Marcus' arms again; I could handle a bruise.

"Okay. You really had me worried. But thanks for not letting me look." The last part I directed at Marcus, who had begun to comb through my messed hair. I relaxed further. It was so soothing, and the cold felt so good. I ducked my head back down and pressed my left cheek to his chest, trying to get as much cold as I could.

"Bella?" Marcus' voice was very quiet. "Wake up. The physician is here. Bella?" This time, my name was accompanied by a light touch to my cheek.

I fought my eyes open, and was a little disoriented at first.

"Hm?" I groaned. Realisation came slowly.

"Okay, okay, I'm awake," I grumbled and tried to turn on my back. Marcus helped me, and I then realized I had fallen asleep on him. I didn't really care though. I felt worse than before.

When I looked around I saw that there were towers of machinery, and I knew what was coming. I was only going along with that because the alternative, all these things in a hospital, was so much more dreadful.

My sight locked on the doc, who stood awkwardly next to Aro, and a human woman, who looked suspiciously like a nurse. I didn't care at this point.

"Okay, just do what you want, I don't care, I'm far too tired," I grumbled out. And closed my eyes again. The light was blinding, and my head hurt.

The doc wasn't impressed, "Miss Bella, I would like to introduce you to my niece, Amalia. She is a certified nurse, and agreed to help me take care of you. We will connect you to the machines. From what I have seen of your medical record, you know those, so we can skip the explanations. Considering your current state and the fact that we will have to administer different medications at the same time, I would like to hook you up on a central venous catheter. Of course we will have to take an x-ray to check the correct position..." he droned on, but I had checked out at this point. I could hardly keep my eyes open.

"Miss Bella, if you would take these? It is to keep you relaxed while we connect you to the machines and examine your abdomen and your heart." I simply nodded and tried to sit up to be able to swallow the clear liquid, but found I needed more strength than I had thought. Marcus supported my back so I could sit up a little and comply with the doctor's orders.

As soon as I touched the pillow again, I was closer to my dream land than I was to reality. But I caught Marcus whisper, "Cia will be in the room with you, Bella. Aro and I will be just in the study, and listen to everything. We'll be here for you. Sleep now, and get better." Something cool touched my forehead. It didn't matter now. I was out.

End note: Please Read!

Hi everyone!

I would like to take the chance, after the 30th chapter, to once again thank everybody, who ever read, reviewed, or added my story to a list. It truly means so much to me!

I wish you all an exceptionally good next year, may your dreams come true. Above all, I wish you good health and love.

Have a great HAPPY NEW YEAR! You are awesome! Thank you!

Personal thanks need to go to the following:

Isarmabelovedofisis:

Thanks so much for all your insight and work. I hope you are doing fine! I wish you all the good things for the new year!

Servant of time:

I loved your input, your work. I regret how it ended deeply. Have a great new year! I wish you the very best"

Madietta:

I still can't believe what you do for the story. I hope you will still find the time in the next year to help me along a bit? ;-) I wish you very well in the next year!

DerFlash:

Thank you so much for taking on the job of an interim beta. ;) Have a great night tomorrow, and an even better next year!

Amaris12345:

It's easy: Thanks so much! I wish you and your family very very well! Take care!

SharonD03:

Thanks for everything! Have a happy new year!