Chapter Twelve

Once again, I apologise for how short this is. Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter, I'm so freaking glad that people haven't lost faith.

Disclaimer – you know the drill. I don't anything except Alessandria 'Sandy' Mitchell, Lance, anyone else unrecognisable and YOU CAN'T HAVE THEM!

Nessie POV

I watched Grandpa Carlisle lead Lance away with a small smile. That boy was so sweet and he clearly put a lot of thought into the beautiful flowers he'd brought Sandy. There was Feverfew (meaning protection), white hyacinths (meaning I'll pray for you), marigolds (comforts the heart), yellow roses (friendship), yarrow (meaning health or healing) and violets (calming tempers and inducing sleep). The contrasting colours and scents made for an enticing bouquet and it was stunning. Add that to the Marc Jacobs box he had and you found yourself a caring and loyal friend. I sighed happily. Sandy was going to be ok, thank God. We all sat in various positions, doing various things (Uncle Jasper was pacing, Aunt Rosalie was flicking through all the magazines for the third time, Grandma Esme was scrutinising the paint on the walls like it was poisonous and I was tucked into Jacob's side) for two further hours before Grandpa Carlisle returned and ordered us to return home until the following day. I did so grudgingly, but the call of my comfortable bed was strong and Jacob was very insistent. However, it took a fifteen minute argument plus assurance from Alice that Sandy would in fact survive for Uncle Jasper to even consider leaving.

When we finally reached home, I didn't go straight to bed like my dad had ordered me to. Instead, I fought off the heavy lethargy pressing my eyes closed and went to my wardrobe. I pulled out a large white scrapbook that I had been waiting for the excuse to use, a carefully organised arts and crafts box and the six large envelopes stuffed full of pictures. Smiling down at the pile, I perched on my bed, spread the items around me and set to work.

XXX

I woke up groggily the next morning and clambered out of bed, dressing in pale blue denim shorts, white flip flops and a white tank top. I pulled my long auburn locks back into a high ponytail and skipped out of my room and downstairs. Jacob had arrived at the exact moment I reached the bottom of the stairs and I leapt straight into his arms gleefully. He caught me expertly and his large, comfortingly warm arms wrapped around me. Going against normal procedure when in the house, he actually had a shirt on although it had no sleeves and didn't really leave much to the imagination. He also had on denim shorts and was actually wearing shoes for once. The hospital nurses would be so disappointed. Uncle Jasper was so desperate to get to the hospital that Jake had to eat his breakfast in the car. When we got there, Jacob having polished off his breakfast easily, Uncle Jasper almost gave the poor receptionist a heart attack. Grandpa Carlisle appeared and escorted all of us into his cosy office, much to the relief of the receptionist I noticed.

"Sandy woke up half an hour ago." Uncle Jasper had to be shoved back into his chair by Aunt Rosalie as dad winced at everyone's thoughts. "You must bear in mind that the last time Sandy saw us, she was both angry and afraid. We cannot risk exposure nor frightening her anymore than we already have, do you understand? It is for that very reason that I believe Nessie should be the one to speak to her." The statement was met by stunned silence.

"Why me?" I asked in disbelief.

"Renesmee, don't be rude," dad admonished me and I went to apologise.

"No, it's perfectly alright Edward. I think Nessie would be the best person because she is relatively neutral and can explain things effectively and calmly to Sandy without bias." I anxiously pressed my hand to Jacob's face and he soothingly ran a hand up and down my arm.

"You'll do great, Nessie," he whispered reassuringly and I nodded determinedly.

"Where is she?" I asked and Grandpa Carlisle rose. Uncle Jasper looked slightly furious at me as I left the office with Grandpa Carlisle and I heard Jacob growl warningly at him before the door closed. I was led to room 254 and stood outside nervously. Grandpa gave me an encouraging nod before leaving me to it so I knocked on the door shakily. I needed Jake. "Hey Sandy," I greeted weakly when I had entered. I was thankful that the majority of Sandy's injuries were covered with a crisp white sheet and pale blue blanket but winced at the ones that were exposed. Sandy's features were bruised and her exposed right wrist was in a brace and a sling (to prevent her from moving her sprained wrist, I assumed). She had so many pillows that I feared the other patients in the hospital didn't have any at all.

"Hello Nessie," Sandy replied stiffly, just as I had expected she would.

"How are you?" I asked cautiously as I perched on the uncomfortable plastic orange chair on Sandy's right.

"As well as can be expected." I finally looked up into my friend's eyes and winced at the forced blank look there.

"Do you want me to explain everything to you? Or do you want me to leave? I'll do either," I asked bluntly, knowing I needed to get straight to the point before Sandy went crazy. Said girl looked contemplative as she focused on a spot on the white wall opposite her bed.

"Explain please," she eventually answered.

"Do you want me to just reel off information and you ask questions whenever you need or want to? Or do you want to ask questions and I'll answer them?" Once again, Sandy looked thoughtful as she weighed the two options.

"Reel off information please." I nodded, wondering rather desperately where to begin and eventually decided on the very beginning.

"Carlisle was the first one of our family to become a vampire . . ." And, slowly but surely, every single member of the Cullen family's stories came out. Sandy listened aptly, interested against her will I believed and only asking questions when there was something she really didn't understand. I decided to leave out Uncle Jasper's story as there was too much to explain involving him that he needed to say himself.

"So . . . Jasper and Alice were together?" Sandy asked in what I assumed was meant to be a horrible attempt at a casual tone.

"Yes, but they broke up on amiable terms when Alice found Sylvester." I really didn't want to talk about this – it was Uncle Jasper's job to tell this part.

"How do I know he won't go back to her?" It was as if Sandy was completely ignoring the mention of Sylvester. Then I felt extremely uncomfortable, wishing my nosy family members outside the door would help out a little bit.

"Um . . . I can't really tell you that part. That's Jasper's story."

"And how do I know his self control won't break? He is, after all, a vampire." I sighed exasperatedly. This was too painful. I wanted Jake. Running a hand through my bronze ringlets, I eyed Sandy carefully.

"That's part of his story too." Sandy rolled her eyes but I wouldn't give in and she seemed to accept my dodging. My family members were getting worse although I was certain Sandy couldn't hear them. Uncle Jasper had taught me the perfect poker face though, so I gave no indication that I could hear eavesdroppers outside the door.

"One more question . . ." I held back a desperate groan. Why couldn't Jasper come in here and explain for himself?

"Go on," I urged against my will.

"How long are your family going to stand out there eavesdropping?" Oh crap.

Ok, I will update in two days, with a longer chapter (celebrate and rejoice). Love Bianca :) x