Chapter Five- Returning

A/N: Warning: The following chapter involves a certain baby girl who we all know and love getting awfully sick. I'm sorry, but its kind of essential for her character's development. Also, before everyone starts jumping to conclusions, I just wanted to give you all a heads up that she is NOT upset over Edward – that would be seriously weird at this stage of the story.

EPOV

One month later we were back. Despite Carlisle's assurances that her growth would continue to slow and that she shouldn't need further medical attention for at least another half year, something happened to trigger a demand for our return. Initially I was pleased. I had missed Bella and her innocent views of the world. So much for not getting involved.

I should have known that Aro wouldn't have called Carlisle back to Volterra without a good reason, and all good cheer was wiped from my mind when I saw her.

Now seemingly a young toddler, just under two years old, Bella was curled up in her bed. Unsmiling, unmoving. Catatonic.

She seemed completely unaware of anyone in the room, though it was crowded with her parents, aunt, four of the guard as well as Carlisle and myself. Her hair was dull, her skin taught and sickly looking, and her eyes blank.

'What happened?' I asked, as Carlisle bent to examine her.

Sulpicia growled at one of the guards, who cowered towards the wall. This in itself was curious, the Volturi guard was famous for its composure.

It was Athenodora who gave us our explanation, pointing towards the cringing guard as she did so. 'Three days ago, Otello there forgot to sedate her meal before she entered the hall. When she went to drink, the human started screaming. Bella' her lips curled with distaste around the name, earning a hiss from her sister ' has been like this ever since.' I could sense from her thoughts that Sulpicia had wanted Otello killed for his mistake, and the unfortunate guard and survived only because Renata had suggested that his death would further traumatize the child.

The distraught Sulpicia continued 'She refuses to drink, even when the human is sedated. We tried feeding her from a cup and still she refuses, we even tried giving her that fowl animal blood you insist on drinking, but nothing!'

'Can't stay I blame her on the last one' Athenodora muttered. Sulpicia looked about ready to murder her sister, but instead broke down in tearless sobs while Athenodora looked on in disgust. I flinched from the negative thoughts radiating out from the woman. Her dislike for Bella was almost palpable, it was clear that she rarely left her sister's side and that this was the only reason for her presence now.

'I was afraid this might happen.' murmured Carlislem, drawing my attention back to the child in question 'Children have a great capacity for empathy, shes overwhelmed with guilt over the harm brought to the human. She's refusing to do anything which she thinks might cause that pain to anyone, ever again'

'Can you help her?' Sulpicia was practically begging.

'She might be able to move beyond this in time, but I'm afraid that won't be for quite a while. In the mean time, however, she will still need nourishment. There is something I can think of that might work, although I'm afraid you won't like it...'

'Anything! Anything for my treasure.'

'Very well then. Edward?' Carlisle outlined the plan in my thoughts. It was a good idea, although he was right that the Volturi definitely wouldn't like it. I hurried back to the foyer and explained what we required to the receptionist, promising to mind her post until she returned.

It didn't take her long. Nobody keeps a vampire waiting. I returned at full speed, but slowed as I entered the room. Carefully offering the bottle to Bella.

'What is this!?' Aro began furiously, but silenced as she reached for the bottle and began to drink.

'Baby formula,' I answered pleasantly 'its what some humans feed their young on. Carlisle theorized that since she was half human, human food would be able to sustain her.'

'Its hardly the most ideal solution,' Carlisle continued 'and it will certainly be more difficult to organize her diet so that she gets all the nutrients she needs, but it also seems to be the only option left'

Aro looked likely to protest, but Sulpicia silenced him with a look 'Thank you Carlisle. You have saved our daughter'

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A/N: I did my research and baby formula was deffinitly available back then.