Guys! It's been years, how ya been?! I have no excuse, life is fleeting and I haven't had much chance to write but I'm back with this longer chapter and I sincerely hope I can continue to have more time to write. I finished my Victorious fic two years ago and between then and now, I've had 3 deaths in the family and lost my job so I've been pretty unmotivated. But I kept getting comments asking to continue and complimenting my writing as well as some suggestions that were instrumental in finishing this chapter. So I wanna say thank you to everyone who commented and gave me the time I needed to get my shit together.

Without further ado, Chapter 3

I wake up, a small yawn escaping as my mind barely registers the feeling of silky sheets and even silkier skin. The frigid temperature, no matter how much I love the feeling, makes me burrow deeper into the blankets.

A giggle and a loving, breathy laugh make me crack an eye open. I see Alice looking at me with amusement and adoration, propped up on her elbow as one of her fingers brush the hair from my face. The feeling of a hand caressing up and down my back lets me know that Rosalie is behind me. "It's almost 10, Belle."

I groan, trying to will the bed to swallow me whole. "That's so early, Allie."

Rosalie presses a soft kiss to my exposed shoulder, her cool breath causing a shiver to run up my spine. "Come on, Bella. Please? For us? Now that everything's sorted out, we have some lost time to make up for."

With a small hum and a yawn, I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes. "We can spend eternity making up for the lost time soon, Rosie. But Bella's still human and humans need to eat and sleep."

Rosalie pouts adorably, an almost inaudible whine escaping but Alice just places a quick kiss to her lips. "Victoria made breakfast. We'll wait for you downstairs, Belle."

After doing my business and taking a quick shower, I trot down the stairs with a happy smile. The white sweater Victoria got me for my sixteenth birthday and a pair of black leggings Alice replaced my grey sweatpants with make me feel relaxed in a way I haven't been since being separated from my family. A deep inhale through my nose tells me breakfast this morning is Nutella pancakes. "It smells delicious in here, mama."

Victoria gives me a bright, adoring smile as she brushes my hair away from my face. "Anything for you, my love."

James huffs, a jealous look in his eyes as he wraps his arms around Victoria's waist. From the whining in the living room, it seems he abandoned Jasper and Emmett in the middle of a game. "What about me?"

I roll my eyes, cutting a piece of my pancake and dipping it in the excess syrup around the plate. "You know she'd give you the world if she could, Jamie. She doesn't need to say it, it's so blatantly obvious."

Victoria turns in her mate's arms, pressing a gentle kiss to his nose. "Even vampires get insecure, darling."

I turn to Alice, who's sitting beside me at the kitchen island, then to Rosalie, who's lounging on Alice's other side while disinterestedly thumbing through a magazine. "You do?"

There's a shift to Alice's eyebrows, as if she's saying "duh" while Rosalie glances incredulously up at me from her magazine. "Well yeah. Just because we're destined for our mates – our souls being the perfect compliments to one another – we go a little crazy trying to prove that we're good enough for them. Because of this, we would do anything within our power to make our mates happy and content."

A small hum escapes as I finally start eating my pancake. This is a lot to process and it's getting a little difficult to replace the crap Edward told me with everything I'm now learning. I don't realize I'm lost in thought and running on autopilot until I feel arms wrap around me from behind. The presence of a pale leg in my peripheral vision tells me it's Rosalie behind me. Victoria takes my empty plate without a word and Alice twines her fingers with mine. "Penny for your thoughts, Belle?"

Leaning back against my blonde mate, I feel her nuzzle my neck and Alice squeezes my hand gently. "Just thinking of ways to make sure you two never question how happy I am with you."

I let out a small laugh under my breath at the surprised expression on Alice's face and the subtle way Rosalie stiffens behind me, obviously neither of them expecting that answer. It fills me with a sense of pride at having that effect on my mates. As soon as the shock came, it's replaced with a loving gaze and the sound of Rosalie purring contently still against my neck.

"What have we done to deserve you, doll?"

-PB-

I see Rosalie hiding her smile behind her hand as Alice adjusts the fifth outfit she's had me try on. Normally, I'd say something sarcastic or give her a playful pout but something in my mind clicks. I've never once seen Rose – my ethereal blonde goddess – actually smile.

I've seen her lips twitch up in amusement. I've seen her smile politely at teachers or other faculty members. I've seen her smirk when she and Emmett are planning something mischievous.

But whenever she's happy, whenever joy lights up her eyes and her features seem to visibly brighten...her hand covers her smile.

Alice pauses in her movements and Rosalie's hand moves away from her mouth as both look at me, confused and concerned. "Something wrong, mia bella?"

I give Alice a quick nod before stepping away to sit on Rosalie's lap. "Can I ask you something very important? You don't have to answer if you're not comfortable."

Slender arms wrap around my waist and I see my beloved pixie sorting through the clothes to keep busy. "Of course, baby girl, what's up?"

I tilt my head, giving her the best puppy eyes I can manage. "When am I gonna see that beautiful smile of yours?"

The question catches her off guard and Alice looks over at us as if curious about the answer too. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've never seen you smile before."

Before Rose can defend herself, Alice continues. "She's right, Rosie. Every time you are genuinely happy, you cover your smile."

Rosalie's eyes get a little distant and I know both Alice and I regret asking. "Royce always said my smile was more beautiful than all the diamonds in the world..."

Nothing more needs to be said as we jump into action. Alice nuzzles Rosalie's neck, a comforting purr making our love relax. My hand tangles with hers, soft kisses placed on her knuckles. "We understand, darling."

I nod in agreement, eyes trying to convey just how much she means to me as hers lock with mine.

Venom tears shine in her eyes and Alice's purring gets more intense as if she can sense our mate's distress. We sit in the change room for a few more moments to allow Rosalie time to compose herself. When she nods that she's okay, Alice pays for our things and we cut our trip short. I nod at Alice when we lock eyes in the rearview mirror. The rest of today will be spent with cuddles and stolen kisses until I can't stay awake anymore.

-PB-

"You know, Belle..."

I tilt my head to the side in a silent gesture for Alice to continue her thought, placing the bookmark back in my book so she has my full attention.

"You never told us how you ended up with Charlie. And why he hasn't come looking for you even though you've been here for over a month."

Rose glances up from her laptop, the page full of auto parts she needs for her next project. "If you don't wanna talk about it right now, we won't make you. But you also never said how you got separated from Victoria and James, either."

The events pass through my mind's eye in what feels like both a second and an eternity, every detail so vivid it's like I'm reliving them.

My giggles fade into the wind as I hold tight to James, the air stinging my skin as he runs through the woods with me on his back. I vaguely notice Victoria's adoring smile as she looks over at us.

"Where are we going, Jamie?"

"That would ruin the surprise, Baby Belle!"

It's only a couple of minutes later that I feel him gradually slow down so I don't get sick again (long story for another time) and I hop off his back when he fully stops. I see an empty park lit by the glow of the lights on the fence along with the moon and my eyes light up. I love the swings especially, the feeling of flying being second only to being on James's back.

"We need to hunt but we saw this place and thought you'd prefer to hang out here than be bored back home."

I launch myself at Victoria, hugging her tight to convey my delight. "You thought right, Mama V, this is so much better!"

James pouts in faux offense. "It was my idea!"

I roll my eyes but hug him tight as well, sighing contently when I feel him rub my back the way he used to when I was a kid. "You guys should head out. The sooner you feed, the sooner James can give me another ride on his back."

Victoria laughs when James gently flicks my forehead, both giving me a kiss on the head before disappearing.

I have fun on the swings, a bit bummed I forgot my phone at the house but figuring I'll check what I missed when we get back. I twirl on the merry-go-round, do flips and tricks on the monkey bars (only falling once or twice, don't tell James), and start to worry when I notice it getting light again. The fence lights turn off and the sun is rising along with my anxiety. They've never left me alone this long. Something must have happened.

"Excuse me, miss?"

I turn to the gate from my spot on the swings, seeing a man with curly brown hair that is barely beginning to grey; unnoticeable to an untrained eye. His brown eyes look at me in concern and I see the words FORKS PD on his jacket. "Is something wrong, officer?"

The man points to the swing next to me and I nod, barely holding in a smile when he sits with what I call a dad grunt. "Sorry if I startled you. I'm Chief Swan with the Forks police department. Would you mind coming to the station for a minute? You look very familiar and I'd like to check something out."

My stomach drops and my heart skips. Did the orphanage actually take time to make missing posters? Sure there weren't many kids when I ran away but that shouldn't have mattered. Plus, that was in Maine. "Yeah, of course. Whatever you need, Chief."

Chief Swan leads me to his police cruiser parked on the dirt road by the park, helping me in the front seat. "You can call me Charlie, if you'd like."

I nod with a polite smile, feeling safe with this man for an unknown reason. However, living with vampires for half my life and in the orphanage for most of the other half has made me trust my instincts.

It doesn't take long to get to the station and even less for Charlie to confirm my identity. Turns out, that little brat Miles went crying to the caretaker, nearly throwing up as he admitted to locking me out and how he was going to hell for killing me. The orphanage had no choice but to put out posters and try the bare minimum to find me or risk being arrested for neglect and shut down.

"Where have you been this whole time, Isabella? The police force in Maine spent weeks looking for you but it was like you vanished."

I take a sip of the coffee Charlie was generous enough to buy me as we sit in the diner. "I found some other runaways that were camping near the orphanage. They were teenagers and kinda took me under their wing."

Charlie finishes chewing his bite of steak before asking his next question. "Where are they now? You were alone at that park. Did something happen?"

My chest tightens and I force myself to take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady even though all I wanna do is cry. "I'm not sure. They went to look for a new place to stay and maybe something as a source of income but that was a few days ago. They would never leave me alone that long, Victoria is always worried I'll be hurt."

Okay, so it's not the whole truth. Victoria IS worried I'll be hurt and they take whatever cash is on the people they feed on; always people who are the scum of society, James always says he's settling a score from his human days.

"They must be in their mid to late twenties by now. Why are they still living like this? I'm sure they could get jobs and find a place to stay for you guys."

I take a quick bite of my salad, thinking up a good excuse as I chew. "James never finished school and Victoria was in an orphanage from a young age like I was, only more terrible. They never let her and a few others go to school, only sending enough to avoid suspicion and keep getting funded. From what she told me, the ones who didn't go to school were used to keep the place clean and all that. She doesn't like to talk about it."

Charlie looks sad and a little upset at my words, his jaw clenching and grip on his fork tightening. "Now I ain't about to send you back across the country to a place you'll be kicked right back out of in a few months. But I can't just let you leave, not legally or with a clear conscience. If you want, I have a spare room you can use. I'm a certified foster parent and the room was recently used by a teenage girl less than a year ago, we can go down to the courthouse and sort everything out after we finish eating."

I should be wary, I know; men especially don't offer up their home out of the goodness of their hearts. However, I can feel the sincerity practically oozing off of Charlie. He genuinely wants to help and this is the best he can do without breaking the law. So, I offer him as bright a smile as I can and nod. "I'd appreciate that, Charlie, thank you."

"Charlie met with Victoria the day we reunited; thanked him profusely for taking care of me and he agreed that it would be fine for me to stay with her until I turn eighteen. I'm still legally his ward but he knows I wouldn't be happy if he kept me away from the ones who took care of me most of my life."

Alice nuzzles my shoulder from her spot in my lap, having made herself comfortable there not three words into my story, while Rosalie looks at me with sad eyes as she plays with my hair. "Did they ever tell you why they never came back for you until now?"

I shake my head, tightening my grip on the pixie in my lap. "No. I haven't asked yet, but I know it must have been a good reason. Victoria and I have a mother-daughter bond while James and I have a sibling bond. They would never leave me alone for long by choice."

"Are you planning on asking them?"

"Tomorrow. Right now, I just wanna stay with you two..."

Rosalie doesn't say anything else, scooting against the arm of the couch and patting the spot between her legs. I take the signal and scoot to the offered spot, leaning back against her while Alice takes to adjusting to lay against my front.

Nothing has ever been more peaceful for me.

If anyone has suggestions, ideas, maybe something you wanna see between the girls (barring smut, of course, as an asexual I wouldn't even know where to start) then put it in the comments, I read every single one as soon as I can and they truly help with my writing and creative process. Thank you and as always – Hugs and kisses to those who want them and love to those who need it xoxo