Your Guardian Angel

EPOV

The sound pierced my ears, but I ran towards it anyway. I ran as fast as I could, flying past the first three doors until I got to the room full of doctors and nurses. Bella was right behind me and pulled me into the room, shoving the other people aside.

"You need to get out of here," one of the nurses at the edge of the bed yelled. I glared and shoved through them, gently grabbing Danni's hand from the grip of one of the doctors. He grabbed my shoulder and tried to shove me out of his way, but Bella moved behind me, making it impossible for him to get to me. I grabbed Danni's hands, trying to keep her from hurting me or herself.

"Danni, come on. You need to stop." I said, using a normal tone. All of the doctors and nurses were yelling at her and each other, leaving me able to be heard. I repeated myself and she paused for a few second, her grief-filled eyes scanning the ceiling. She started thrashing around again and I leaned down.

"Danni, please stop. Everything's going to be okay. I'm going to make sure you're okay," I said. She slowed, but didn't stop. I kept talking to her quietly, gently convincing her that she would be fine. I heard Carlisle tell someone to put a sedative back, but didn't stop to look.

"Danni, I'm here now. You're not alone," I continued. She froze and I felt her hands attempt to move. I moved my hands to her small wrists and she started signing, only able to get one word.

Who…she kept repeating. She was still looking at the ceiling, but her face shot to mine when I locked her fingers with mine and squeezed her hand three times. It was something I always did when she visited me, when she arrived and before she left.

Her eyes bulged as she slowly recognized me, tears welling up in her eyes as her face contorted even more with her grief. She threw herself at me, wrapping her small arms tightly around my neck and futilely attempting to wrap her legs around my waist. I untangled her from the bed sheet and she pulled herself into my lap. She burrowed her tear soaked face into my shoulder and I slowly rocked her back and forth, trying to calm her. I knew she probably didn't understand what I was saying to her, but I didn't care at that point.

"It's going to be okay, Danni. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." I kept repeating the same things over and over again until she cried herself to sleep, her body becoming limp in my arms. I tried to lay her back down, but she had knotted her fingers together behind my head. Bella gently untangled them, but left them there.

She pulled the sheets down to the edge of the bed and helped me lay down without dropping Danni. I lay down and moved Danni to my side, being careful of the I.V. drip that was still attached to her arm. I was momentarily surprised that it had stayed in the whole time, but my mind moved on. She unconsciously moved her arms as far around me as she could and laid her head on my chest. I put one arm around her, my hand on her shoulder, and sighed. Bella pulled a chair over next to me and laid her head on the bed, resting her chin on her arms.

I looked around the room to see that everyone but two of the nurses, a doctor I remembered from when I was in the hospital, and Carlisle had left. Carlisle waved the three of them out, nodding that he had it under control. The doctor looked like he wanted to argue, but I glared at him, focusing all of my anger over what happened at him. He left, if not grudgingly, and Carlisle leaned on the end of the bed.

"Good job, son," he said quietly. He was smiling, his gaze moving from my face to Danni's half-hidden one. "She's going to need someone with her now, someone who understands and can help her get through. This will be really tough on her." I nodded, a ping of my old pain flashing through me.

I couldn't let her go through that alone, like I did. I felt like I owed it to her, since she helped me. Even more than that, I felt like I had to help her, both for her sake and for Carmine's. Knowing that she could be watching, knowing that the ultimate relief for her would be to know that her daughter wasn't alone even though she's gone…I couldn't turn away from her if I wanted to. Bella squeezed my hand, seeming to notice my thoughts had travelled.

I can help too, Bella signed to me when I finally looked at her. I smiled and shook my head.

"I can't ask you to do that," I whispered, but Bella immediately shook her head.

It's my fault that this even happened. If I hadn't come here, Logan would have left all of you alone. Her mother would still be alive and you wouldn't need to help her because this never would have happened, she signed quickly, not letting me get a word in until she was done.

"Please don't talk like that, Bella. It's not fair to blame yourself for all of this. It's his fault-" I stopped, thinking about what she said.

"Logan? Is that his name?" Bella's eyes bulged as she realized her slip-up. She sighed and nodded.

That's the name he used when I dated him. I don't know what it could be now. I nodded but she continued.

And back to what we were talking about before, it is my fault because I brought all of you to his attention by not pushing you away. It's selfish of me, but I don't want to live my life all by myself, constantly running from him and having to start over everywhere I go. I don't want to let him control what I do, she signed, only her face betraying her insecurity. I smiled and squeezed her hand.

"I completely understand, Bella. And it's not selfish for you to want to live your life. He's still trying to control you by doing this, but you can't let him have that control. You've got to fight him, just like you've been." She smiled back at me.

So, do you understand why I want to help you with her now? She asked, her sarcasm passing through her expression. I chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah, I get it. Just don't feel obligated to do everything you can to help." She glared at me and was about to sign something when Carlisle intervened.

"You are keeping in mind that we still have to check for next of kin, right? She'll only go up for adoption if she has no other family or no one has the capacity to take care of her needs," he said factually. My body tensed. I had forgotten completely about that.

"How long do you think it'll take before we know?" I asked hesitantly. He thought about it for a few seconds.

"It'll depend on how long it takes to get in contact with anyone from her family and how long it takes them to decide whether or not they can take her. She'll stay here for now, though," Carlisle added, noticing my expression.

"You want to keep a four-year-old cooped up in a hospital room for an indefinite amount of time," I stated. I saw his features waver, just enough for me to notice, and continued.

"You want to keep a four-year-old who needs to learn how to speak the words she's been signing all her life in a hospital instead of bringing her to a house with someone who knows sign language and someone else who can only communicate through sign language." He grimaced just slightly.

"You want to keep her away from the two people who could speed up her progress and relieve the hospital of the problem of trying to talk to her even though she'll have no idea what they're saying." His shoulders slumped and I suppressed my smile of victory. He sighed deeply and gave me a stern look.

"It has to be her choice. I don't even know if the hospital will clear it. According to their records, I'm already fostering you." He ran a hand through his blond hair, a habit it looked like he was starting to pick up from me.

"She'll be in a house with a doctor, a mother figure, and two people who will teach her what she needs to know. She already knows the two of us," I said, gesturing to him and myself, "and she's really comfortable around us. Why would they give themselves more work and say no?" Carlisle nodded his head, surrendering once again.

"You have good points, but it is still not my decision to make. Hopefully they will see it the same way you do." He gave Danni one last look and, seeing that she was still sleeping deeply, walked out. I sighed and looked at Bella, her face resting on her arm.

"Why does so much happen to us I one day?" I asked rhetorically. She shook her head and shrugged, smiling at me. I shook my head and leaned it back against the pillow. My body felt like lead and I immediately fell asleep.

BPOV

Both Edward and Danni slept all night, but I couldn't. Not with all of the people around. So, I moved my chair farther up the bed so that I was right across from Edward's face, and watched him sleep. It was really more like listening to him breathe, but it didn't really matter.

The hospital quieted down quickly once visiting hours ended, but I couldn't calm down. I knew people were in the hospital still, but I couldn't see any of them and it was making me nervous. I had expected school to be bad, but it was easier when I could see the people I knew were there. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, letting my breath out slowly a few seconds later. It didn't help and I jumped slightly when Edward sighed in his sleep.

I opened my eyes and looked at the dark blur of his face. I could only see the silhouette of his face and slowly ran my hand through his hair.

"Bella?" a voice asked from the door. I whipped around, rising half out of my seat, and exhaled loudly when I saw it was only Carlisle. I sat back down and put my face in my hands, listening to Carlisle walk towards me. His hand landed softly on my shoulder and I brought my hands down to my lap so I could look at him.

"You okay? I know this has to be a little nerve wracking for you," he asked, looking straight at my face. I knew he was looking to see if I was going to tell the truth and I smiled. I shrugged one shoulder and nodded, letting him know I was dealing. He smiled back, the dim lighting letting me see more of his face than I had since I first met them. I was actually able to see his mouth move before he started talking, instead of being taken by surprise.

"Edward would understand if you went home for the night, Bella. I can drive you home and then Esme can bring you back in the morning." I shook my head, seeing how serious he was with his offer. I couldn't have them go out of their way for me. He smiled again.

"Well, let me know if you change your mind. I'll be around." I nodded and he stood up, patting my shoulder once reassuringly as he walked out. I looked back at Edward's face and sighed, laying my head back down on the bed. I took Edward's free hand in mine and closed my eyes, falling asleep even if it was only for a short while. It really didn't matter to me. My mind was empty, I was with Edward, and I felt calm knowing Carlisle wouldn't be too far.

I woke up a few hours later, the sun just poking up over the horizon. I opened my eyes and Edward was still sleeping, but someone was not. I could feel someone staring at me and shifted so I could see their soul. I still hadn't opened my eyes, but my ability let me see the little girl looking intently at me as if I had opened them. I watched as her soul shifted, confusion constantly trading places with grief, worry, and a little anxiousness.

I sighed deeply so she knew I was awake, and slowly opened my eyes like I was just waking up. I quickly switched my vision back so that my eyes weren't almost completely black and stretched, leaning back and closing my eyes again. I rubbed my eyes with my hands and looked out the window when I put them back in my lap. I turned to her slowly, like I hadn't known she was awake. I give a small smile and she shrinks back into Edward's side.

I brought my gaze to Edward's face and then to the window, hoping she wouldn't be so frightened if I didn't look directly at her. I was able to sense that she knew something was different about me, and it made her wary. I decided to leave for a few minutes and come back, allowing her time to get her bearings without a stranger in the same room. I slowly brought my gaze back to her direction, keeping it above and to the left of her face so I would seem less confrontational.

I'm going to get some breakfast. Could you tell Edward if he wakes up while I'm gone? I slowly signed to her, seeing her expression change as I did so. She nodded once, just barely perceptible, and I slowly stood up.

I went down to the main floor, running my fingers deftly over the Braille under the signs. I couldn't read the small letters on the map, but I did it quickly enough so that no one noticed. I made it to the cafeteria quickly and came across the problem of money. I haven't had a need for it since I was changed and the Cullens took care of anything I needed. I went to a table and someone's hand landed on my shoulder just as I was going to sit down.

I turned quickly forcing myself to keep my hands down so I wouldn't look defensive. A boy only a year or two younger than Edward stood behind me. I couldn't guess his age accurately, but from his size I guessed he couldn't be older. His features were blurred just like everyone else's, leaving me to mostly guess about what he looked like. He raised his other hand and I held back a flinch. The strange thing was, all he did was wave. I waved back cautiously, seriously confused about what was going on. I breathed a sigh of relief when Carlisle strolled through the door.

"There you are, Ryan. I told you to get your mom breakfast, not talk to Bella," he said gently. I looked at him, confused, and he laughed. He ushered the kid, Ryan, over to the food line and walked back over to me. "Sorry about that. Ryan tends to talk to anyone and everyone. He's mentally ill and his mother's here with pneumonia so he's been wandering around. It's hard to keep him in one place," Carlisle explained. I smiled and waved off the apology.

"So, what brought you down here? Edward awake?" he asked. I shook my head and put my hand out at hip height. "Danni's awake?" he guessed. I nodded.

"Did you sign to her?" I nodded miming to him that I told her I was going to come down here and then pointed to the line. "For Edward?" he asked. I nodded again. "But you don't have any money." I shook my head. "Wait here."

He went over to the line and stood behind Ryan, who was the only person on line. I saw him grab something and say something to Ryan, but he was speaking so low I couldn't hear him. He paid and they both walked back over to where I was standing. Ryan waved again and I waved back, a little more relaxed around him than I had been before.

"Here you go," Carlisle said, handing me two Styrofoam containers. "One for Edward and one for Danni. I've got to make sure Ryan gets back to his mom's room, but I'll be up to check on her a little later." I nodded and Ryan waved again as Carlisle led him away. I smiled and waved once more before heading back up to the room.

I took the elevator back up, someone else running in just as the doors were closing. They said a quick "hi" to me and I saw him flinch back when I turned. He immediately turned away and I leaned back against the wall, holding the two containers against me. He stayed near the door and didn't say anything else until the doors opened on the second floor. I walked out, feeling his gaze burning into my back, and quickly turned. I glared at him and he looked away, startled. I walked to the room and turned in, his gaze returning for only a few seconds before the elevator doors closed.

I walked in to see that Danni had shifted onto her back, Edward's arm still around her. She was looking out the window but turned to me as I was setting the food on the table. She seemed to be looking more curiously at me now than she did before, but I didn't want to change my vision to find out. I offered one of the containers to her but she kept staring, only moving to raise her hands.

Who are you? She asked me. I smiled and signed back.

My name is Bella. I'm Edward's friend. She kept looking at me, not responding for a few seconds.

How do you know how to talk like that? She didn't elaborate and I guessed she was talking about signing.

I can't talk, so I had to learn sign language, I answered, leaving out the death and vampirism.

What about your eyes? Can you see? I smiled, thinking about the fact that I wouldn't know what she was signing if I couldn't. She seemed to realize the same and looked away. I moved a step closer and she glanced up at me.

I can't see as good as other people, but yes. I only see shapes and black, white, and grey. Her mouth fell into a little "o" and I laughed softly. She looked down at her lap again, twisting her hands nervously. I stood there and waited, having a feeling she was trying to think of a way to ask something else. She glanced at me and looked down again. She started signing, but didn't look up until she was finished.

Edward…Is he…Can he…Can he walk? He couldn't walk the last time I saw him. I smiled and nodded.

Yes. He's been able to for a little while now. A huge smile broke out on her face and she looked at Edward, who was still sleeping. She looked back at me, her smile only faltering for a second.

Bella…is he…is he happy now? He's not sad all the time anymore, right? I shook my head.

He's happier now than when I first met him, but I can only guess that he is happier than when he was still in the hospital. She sighed deeply and I offered the food again. She nodded and extended her hands towards me. I took a couple steps around the side of the bed towards her and extended the container towards her. She took it, making sure our hands didn't touch, and set it on her lap. She didn't open it immediately, sitting there staring at it for a few seconds.

Do you know what's going to happen? To me? I smiled sadly, knowing we would have to tell her eventually. I shook my head and shrugged.

I don't know. Carlisle was trying to contact the rest of your family, but I have no idea what is going to happen after that. I glanced at Edward and back at her. Edward…he mentioned you coming to live with the rest of us if nothing else works out, but that has to be a last resort. If someone in your family wants to take you in, then we have to let them. She had slowly started shaking her head as soon as I mentioned her family. I looked at her curiously, the unmistakable glint of tears in her eyes.

There is no one. Grandma and grandpa died last year, dad is gone, and mom doesn't have any other family. I've never met dad's family, she explained, tears falling down her face. I don't want to go with them. I don't know them! She exclaimed, signing faster than I've ever seen a human in her anxiety. I walked closer and sat on the end of the bed. I took the food from her lap and set it on the table behind me.

Danni, we are going to do everything we can to make sure you end up where you want to be. If that's not with them, then we will fight for you to stay wherever it is you want to be. She nodded hysterically and climbed into my lap, shocking me. She wrapped her small arms around me and sobbed into my shirt.

I put my arms around her and held her as she cried, rubbing her back comfortingly. She quickly fell back asleep again and I understood why Edward had such strong feelings for her. I picked her up and moved next to Edward, laying her down between us. She kept herself latched to me, her face in my stomach and her curls falling all over. I promised myself as I watched her sleep that I would stick to my word. Danni wasn't going anywhere.

A/N: So, like I said in my last update, I didn't update last week because of school work. I didn't get everything I wanted done, but here's the update I told you I'd do. I'm not going to promise another one next week with all of the end-of-the-school-year work, but I will try my best.

This chapter title is Your Guardian Angel by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. After Bella's promise, it fits quite nicely.

Please review! :)