Thanks again to all my reviewers!

This is more of a filler chapter; the next one will be longer, and in my opinion, better. But please don't hesitate to tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of Stephenie Meyer's characters.

Outside in the hallway, a small girl waited on one of the hospital chairs. She lithely jumped up as soon as we emerged from the room. After a closer look I realized she was about eighteen, though her small stature gave her the impression of being on the younger side. She was short, frail looking, and light on her feet. Her skin was the pallid color I had grown accustomed to, her eyes as black as her pointed hair. I realized she must be Alice Cullen.

There's no way they're all related, I thought. They don't even look alike, except for their eyes and skin. I wonder how Bella fell in with this crowd.

"Very nice to meet you," she said in the voice I recognized, smiling a reassuring smile. She held out her hand.

I grasped her outstretched fingers, not at all surprised by their chill, though it was the first time I had touched one of them. Their skin resembled ice in every characteristic.

"Thank you for calling me, Alice."

We moved towards the empty chairs, Alice and Carlisle gracefully sitting down on either side of me.

"When did this happen?" I asked, wondering how long she had been in the hospital before I received Alice's call.

"We brought her here around noon," Carlisle answered, glancing at his watch. "So I'd say she's been sedated for about eight hours."

Eight hours? "How long will she stay asleep?"

Carlisle inhaled deeply. "That all depends. Considering the dosage they had to give her, she could be under for the next few days."

I pressed the back of my hand to my forehead, feeling a headache building behind my eyes. I would wait in the hospital with her, of course, for however long it would take her to wake up.

"Do you…" I swallowed as I prepared myself for the answer. "…do you think she'll make a full recovery?"

Would she be able to walk again? Would she suffer severe mental damage? How could I take care of her when I was with Phil in Florida? I had been planning on tempting Bella into moving back in with the prospect of a trade-off. I would spend half of Phil's away games with him, the other half with her. If she couldn't take care of herself, how would I make that balance work? How could I send her off to college? Would she be able to live on her own?

My head was swimming with questions, many of which I knew were ridiculous. But still, what could be expected of a mother who's just been informed her only child is in the hospital? Dr. Cullen's smooth voice brought me out of the worrisome future and back into the nightmarish present.

"I've seen the x-rays. She suffered a split of her right tibia. It was a single clean break, which means it will heal faster. She'll be in a cast for about six weeks."

I nodded, mentally crossing another concern about wheelchairs off my list.

"None of the broken ribs did any damage to her organs, and as long as she remains still for a while, they will heal as well. The scrapes and bruises will heal on their own."

He shifted in his seat to face me. The flood of relief I felt was quickly stopped by his expression.

"She did lose an immense amount of blood, however. They'll probably need to give her one or two transfusions. As a matter of fact, they'll be coming soon." He checked his watch again.

As if on cue, an orderly and a doctor rounded the corner. I felt slightly nauseated by the sight of the IV bag full of blood, and quickly turned away. The doctor nodded to Carlisle, and then turned to me.

"Are you the patient's mother?" She asked calmly, inspecting a chart she carried with her.

"Yes," I said, rising in unison with Alice and Carlisle.

"I'm Dr. Strauss. I'll be attending her. We need to give her a transfusion to make up for the blood she's lost. Type O positive…" She went back to her chart. "I expect she'll be out for at least three days after the transfusion. Overall, I'd say she'll be here for another week or so."

Edward emerged out of the room shortly after the orderly entered, shutting the door behind him. He quickly headed off down the hallway. I heard Carlisle and Alice draw Dr. Strauss aside to speak with her, but I was too preoccupied with Edward's retreating figure to listen to what they were saying. Making a split second decision, I followed him.

Review some more if you want chapter four!