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EPOV

I woke up feeling something chilly next to me where I remembered Danni being when I fell asleep. Bella's hand wasn't in mine anymore, but there was an extra weight half on top of me. I opened my eyes slowly, willing my half-sleeping mind to start functioning, when I saw the two figures next to me and all thought escaped again.

Danni was clutching Bella like her life depended on it, her little body half laying on both of ours. Bella was next to me, which explained the chill I felt, and Danni had one of Bella's arms in a death grip to her chest. Bella's head was slightly bowed towards Danni and there was a small smile on her face. Danni was laying on us so that she was in between my arm and my body, but she was still on both of us on her back. She looked like she had been crying, dried tear marks running down her cheeks. Bella shifted next to her and her eyes fluttered open. I smiled at her and she smiled back, her gaze moving to Danni.

"Is she okay?" I whispered, trying not to wake Danni. Bella shrugged one shoulder and shook her head. She didn't know. She raised her one hand so I could see it and explained what happened after I fell asleep, about talking to Danni about herself, about me, and then about what was going to happen. She told me Danni had remembered everything that happened and she had been the one to bring up the topic, not Bella.

"Carlisle didn't tell you anything?" I asked. She shook her head.

No, he just came in to make sure I was going to be alright with all the people here. School is easier for me since I can see the people that I feel, but here I can't. I know they are around, but I can't see them and it was making me a little nervous. He told me he would be around and I was able to fall asleep. When I woke up, Danni was already awake. I nodded, thinking.

"So, she knows everything. Now we've just got to find out what's going to happen next," I said, putting one arm behind my head on the pillow. Bella nodded and put her hand in mine, making sure not to disturb Danni in the process. I smiled at her and squeezed her hand three times, causing her to smile back and laugh silently.

Bella and I dozed for a while after that, not wanting to take the chance of waking Danni. Bella mentioned the food she got, but it was at the other end of the bed. With the way Danni was positioned, neither of us could reach it without moving her. Carlisle walked in at one point when I was eyeing the containers and he almost started laughing. He handed me a container and I ate the contents quickly, my stomach letting me know just how hungry I was as I started eating. I didn't even pay attention to what I was eating and Carlisle took the container back only a few minutes after handing it to me.

"So, how is she doing?" he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. I told him everything Bella told me and he nodded, responding the same way I had.

"And now we wait. We should hear from someone today about her, but we still won't know for sure. You said it was only her father's family, which explains the lack of calls that had to be made." I nodded when he paused. "Hopefully we'll know what's going on by tonight or tomorrow then."

"Does she have to stay here while we wait? You were letting her out before this happened," I asked cautiously. Carlisle gave me a stern look and turned to walk out without answering.

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes again. I felt Danni move, turning over until she was lying on my chest, and she tucked her arms in under her small form. I took my hand from behind my head and rubbed her back soothingly. I felt my other hand move and soft lips touched the back. I smiled and felt Bella lean towards me, my hand leaving her mouth. Her hair brushed against the side of my face as her lips gently touched mine. She leaned back, lying down so her head was next to mine on the pillow. I moved my arm so that it was around her and she took my hand in hers again.

"Quite the lady's man, aren't you?" I looked towards the door to see Esme and Alice standing there, Alice with a smug look on her face. I felt Bella laugh and smiled, shrugging. "I tried to warn you when she first came around, but it was always 'nah' or 'what are you talking about?' or 'that's not true, Alice.' Well, look at you now," she said, her imitations of me making Bella's body shake harder with laughter. I just shook my head and they came in, taking the two chairs in the room.

"So, how is she doing?" Esme asked quietly.

"I'm not really sure. She talked to Bella for a while this morning, but I was still asleep." I told them everything Bella told me, just like I had done with Carlisle. Tears formed in Esme's eyes when I mentioned Danni's family, but she didn't say anything until I was finished.

"We're just waiting to see if anyone from her dad's side of the family is willing to take her." I felt Bella tense and ran my thumb up and down her side, understanding her feelings.

"I'm guessing you are going to try to get her to come live with us, right?" Esme asked. I nodded.

"She already told Bella she doesn't want to live with anyone from his side since she hasn't met them, so it's all up to them. She said she wants to live with us, so now we've just got to get it to happen." Alice and Esme nodded just as Carlisle came in again.

"Oh, good. You're already here. We just got a call from Danni's grandparents," he said, looking at Alice and Esme and then at everyone. I looked down at Danni, who was still sleeping.

"Let her be, Edward. It might be better if I let you know and then you tell her in a way that will sound…better," he hesitated, glancing down at Danni's face with worry. I nodded and he leaned against the wall, sighing.

"They seemed like really nice people. But they are old. Her grandmother even admitted it. They know they can't take care of her and they know she wouldn't be happy living with them." He paused and I waited, holding my breath.

"She also told me…the rest of the family doesn't even know she exists. She didn't go into what happened or why, but she said that's why no one else has called and not to expect them to. She is a ward of the state now, since she has no legal guardians." I looked at him, my anxiety making it impossible to speak. He looked back at me, his eyes only revealing a sadness that made my heart constrict. Suddenly a smile broke out on his face.

"She is coming home. The papers have to be filed, but we got approval to take her home to start her rehabilitation." I breathed a huge sigh of relief and my body slumped on the bed. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my heart, which sounded more like a hummingbird's than a human's. Bella was laughing next to me and put her hand over my heart. I took mine from her grip and put it over hers, making my fingers fall between hers.

"Geez, Edward! You're acting like a protective older brother!" Alice exclaimed, laughing. I smirked and opened my eyes, looking down at Danni.

"That's exactly how I feel, Alice," I responded. She immediately sobered and I looked up at her. Her face was a mask of calm understanding. Danni yawned against me and I looked back down at her. She opened her eyes, blinking rapidly to clear her vision, and turned her face towards me. Her eyes opened wide and a smile broke out on her face. She flung herself at me and sat on my chest, bouncing up and down with excitement. I kept a hand on her back so she wouldn't fall over and she proceeded to tell me what got her so excited.

Edward! Edward, Bella talks like me! She understands what I'm saying! She exclaimed, emphasizing her amazement by slamming her hands down on my chest once she was done. I chuckled, mentally thanking god that she wasn't stronger than she is.

I know, Danni, I signed, speaking at the same time so Bella and the others knew what I was saying. And the only reason I can talk to her is because of learning how to talk to you.

Danni blushed and smiled, throwing her arms around my neck to hide her face. All of us started laughing and I rubbed her back. Bella brushed Danni's hair back from her face and looked at me, gesturing for me to tell her the news. I smiled and nodded, leaning back so I could see her face.

Danni, we have something to tell you, I signed while she was looking at me. She frowned in confusion, tilting her head to one side. I smiled and chuckled. Take a guess.

Edward, I don't know! Just tell me! She exclaimed, slamming her small hand on me again. That set us all laughing again, but she just kept looking at me, waiting for an answer.

Okay, then, I said. Guess where you're going. She narrowed her eyes for a few seconds, but understanding lit up her face soon after.

She stood up and started jumping all over the bed, just missing Bella and I each time. Both of us shot up and grabbed her arms. Bella held her I.V. line so Danni didn't pull it out and I pointed to it, only able to keep her attention for a few seconds. She sat down on my leg, still unable to keep still, and sounds of joy streamed from her mouth.

So I guess you know? I said.

I'm going home with you! She signed, throwing her hands in the air to express her joy. I smiled and nodded. I turned to Carlisle, who was still leaning against the wall.

"When can she leave?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"Anytime, I guess. I've just got to get her discharged," he said, starting to walk towards the door. He paused just inside it. "You're car is still here, right?" I nodded. "Let me see if I can get her set. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Danni rattled on and on about everything she wanted to do as soon as she got to the house while we waited. Bella and I just smiled and nodded, her hands going barely slow enough for me to follow. I wasn't sure if Bella could distinguish one word from another, but it seemed like she could. Alice and Esme just sat there watching her, joyful smiles on both of their faces. Danni followed my gaze and seemed to realize that only half of her audience actually knew what she was saying. She looked at me, pointed to herself, and then pointed at them. I gave her a confused look and she sighed heavily.

Help them understand me. Can we try to teach them some? She asked, changing from bothered to thoughtful in the blink of an eye. I shrugged.

I don't see why not. They might know a little already from watching me talk to Bella, I answered. She nodded enthusiastically and pointed to them again. I turned and they looked at me curiously.

"She wants to know if we can teach you two some sign language so you know what she is saying," I summarized.

"Cool!" Alice exclaimed, making Bella and Danni jump in surprise. I laughed and Esme joined in.

"I guess that's a yes," I said, signing simultaneously. Danni started clapping enthusiastically before sitting down and staring at Esme and Alice. She turned to me.

I want to teach them letters first, she said. I nodded.

We can try to teach you the sounds of the letters while we are teaching them if you want. Danni shrugged and nodded.

Alice and Esme brought their chairs over and Danni and I sat down on the edge of the bed. Bella laid down behind me so my back was against her stomach when I leaned back. She had her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, choosing to run her fingers across my back and listen since she wouldn't be able to see very much.

Danni started as soon as she saw that everyone was settled. She raised her hand and made a fist so that the palm of her hand was facing away from her. She tucked her thumb next to the side of her hand and stopped.

"That's the letter 'A'." I told them. They quickly copied the letter and Danni smiled brightly, nodding her approval. She looked at me and I pointed at her hand. "A," I said slowly. She nodded once, her face serious, and turned back towards Alice and Esme.

Danni opened her hand so that her index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers were straight up and crossed her thumb over her palm. She watched as Alice and Esme did the same, jumping off the bed to make tiny corrections that wouldn't have really made that much of a difference in a conversation. She smiled, approving of her work, and jumped back on the bed.

"B," I said, looking at Danni. She nodded and continued on to the next letter. We only managed to get up to E when Carlisle came in. His face was blank as he turned and closed the door behind him, but he couldn't keep a smile off his face once he turned to face us.

"Take her home, son," he said, his smile looking like it was breaking his face.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, embracing Danni. Bella joined in, sitting up and draping her arm over my shoulder and putting her other hand on Danni's. Danni looked up at me, not understanding what was happening.

We're going home! I exclaimed, hugging her again to emphasize. Her eyes widened and she let out a high-pitched squeal. She wrapped her arms around both my neck and Bella's her arms barely making it to the backs of our necks. I flinched but laughed, putting my hand on her back to steady her. She suddenly froze and leaned back, her face losing its happiness.

What is it? I asked her. Aren't you happy? She nodded frantically.

Of course I am! But…what about…my mom? She asked hesitantly. I smiled sadly, understanding what she was asking.

I don't know if you should see her, Danni. She had a bad accident. She won't look very good, I signed. I looked at Carlisle to see if I was right and he shook his head sadly.

"She is not even fit for a casket funeral. She'll need to be cremated," he explained. I told Danni what he said and she nodded sadly. I hugged her to my side again and kissed the top of her head. She hugged me back and a single tear slipped down her cheek. Bella used her thumb to wipe it away and Danni smiled at her.

Shall we get you home then? Bella asked, looking at Danni. Danni nodded and looked at me. I squeezed her once more and stood up.

Alice and Esme got up and started collecting Danni's things while Carlisle went over and removed her I.V. drip. Bella stayed with her and held her hand. I went over to the small table and grabbed the sheets of paper and picture books. There was one leaning against the wall that was folded like a card and I picked it up, confused. A thin cursive scrawl went across the front, spelling my name and causing my heart to beat loudly. I opened it slowly, feeling someone's gaze land on me but not looking to see who it was.

"I must congratulate myself on this one. Those stupid humans did not even second guess what happened to your little girl's mother. They take everything at first glance and believe there is no way they can be wrong. Oh, how foolish all of you are."

"Well, enough about that. What I really want to tell you…you're next. You or your little girl. I have not chosen just yet, but maybe I will make it at the same time…Either way, I will get you for trying to take my girl. I will get her and it will be through you. You and everyone else she has any compassion for. She won't leave you even though she knows I killed your little one's mother, so I'll just have to keep going."

"This is your warning, Edward. Either way, you will die. End your fake relationship with Bella now and I will kill you and the girl quickly. Neither of you will feel a thing. Refuse and you will die a slow, painful death. It's your choice. Choose wisely."

My vision tunneled, focusing on the last two words. I felt my chest heaving with my increasing anger and my hands slowly close into tight fists around the letter and the other papers in my hands. Someone's hand landed on my shoulder, but I didn't look around. I just kept looking at those two words.

Choose wisely.

Someone pried the letter from my hand, and then proceeded to take my face in their hands. I felt their thumbs rub across my cheeks and their concern crash into me in waves. A small hand grabbed mine and tugged gently, trying to get my attention, and increasingly harder when I didn't respond. There was a gasp from behind me and a muttered curse. The hands holding my face gently pulled my head down until I was looking at them. Bella's face flooded my small line of sight and I flinched, coming out of my trance. I blinked a few times, clearing my vision, and looked to the side to see that Danni was the one tugging on my hand. I turned back to Bella, watching as her eyes darted around my face.

"Edward…" Esme's voice wavered, exposing her worry. She let the sentence trail off, not knowing what to say. But I did.

Let's get you home, Danni, I signed and spoke, my voice thankfully staying steady. I gave Carlisle the papers in my hand and he slowly tucked them into her bag, not taking his confused gaze off me. Bella took my other hand, just as confused as everyone else.

I gently tugged on their hands and walked towards the door, everyone else following behind. We walked to the elevator and piled in, Danni moving in front of me so she wasn't crushed against the wall. Bella let go of my hand and took Danni's, placing her between us. She smiled up at me and then at Bella, even though Bella couldn't see it.

We exited the elevator and headed for the door. The nurses waved us out, their gazes glancing pityingly between both myself and Danni. Danni pulled on my hand and then let go, running over to the counter where I had seen her for the last time. She put her hands on the counter and wet up on her toes, her nose meeting the edge of the counter. She turned to me with a bright smile on her face and I smiled back.

You've grown more since then, I said and she nodded.

I'm bigger now! I couldn't see over that the last time I saw you! She responded.

She came running back over and I picked her up, tossing her over my back so that her arms were around my neck. She wrapped her legs around me and Bella took my freed hand, smiling up at the laughing Danni. We continued outside to my car and I opened the back driver's side door for Danni. I kneeled down and she slid off my back, jumping into the car. She hopped up and down on the seat as I buckled her in. I closed the door and turned to Carlisle, who closed the trunk and looked at me at the same moment.

"What am I supposed to do, Carlisle?" I asked, only speaking in a whisper. I felt my shoulders fall as I let my despair show and Bella wrapped her arms around my waist. Carlisle sighed slowly, folding his arms over his chest.

"I truly don't know, Edward. The only thing I can tell you is that this is something I believe you and Bella must discuss alone. It is not my place to decide for you when I am not one of those involved." He stopped and I nodded sadly. Bella looked up at me, still not knowing what the letter had said and I shook my head.

"I'll tell you later. It's a lot to discuss," I said and she nodded understandingly. I looked back at Carlisle and he turned to Esme and Alice.

"Will you follow them home and keep Danni busy so they can talk?" he asked them. They both nodded. I smiled thankfully, but didn't say anything.

I walked Bella over to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for her. She got in and I closed the door, walking over to the other side and getting in myself. I saw Alice and Esme walk towards their own car and drove and drove towards home, my mind trying to think of a way to solve our problems without involving the one person I wished to protect from them.

A/N: Well, this has been quite the busy week, but here's an update. I apologize for the extra week you had to wait for this, but the end of my senior year is turning out to be the busiest one yet. Hopefully I can still manage to update, but I'm not sure I will be able to meet one chapter every week. But I promise not to make you wait more than one week in between. I hate when it happens with stories that I read, so I will not do it to my readers.

This song is Home by Daughtry, a song I am sure is well known by quite a few of you.

Please review and vote in the poll if you haven't already! :)