It took her about a week after she woke up to recall her name, though it was only the shortened version of Bella and her surname was lost to the fog of humanity. That was enough to figure out her full name with the nickname of Iz that Jasper calls her though. When I asked if she thought that her full name was Isabella she scrunched her nose and gagged a little while responding, "I fucking hope not. If so my parents hated my ass."

I spent a while going through missing person reports to see if there was one out on her but I didn't expect to find one. I didn't have her last name and I didn't know what she looked like as a human so the pictures were useless to me. I didn't know any of the basic information about her versus what the venom of her change created because I didn't know the condition of her human shell when she was bitten. If there was damage to the facial structure of her skull she would get a whole new face during reconstruction. I still had a hunch that she was part of that plane crash though.

Over the week and a half since that plane went down they had only said that there was no survivors found but had not released the passenger list yet because there was still a lot of them unaccounted for. They wouldn't release that until they found at least 80% of the humans that were supposed to be on board and would then release a list of those that were never found a couple of week later to give them enough time for the hunt to cool and freeze. They did that because there is the chance that the missing people that were supposed to be on the plane never boarded, leaving it then up to the families to hunt down their loved ones. It never went any farther than that because just as easy as they never boarded, an animal got to them first. That would be the case in this instance however because from what I was able to dig up on it, every ticket was accounted for so if they bought a seat their ass was in it. Getting my hands on that fucking passenger list however was proving harder than it used to be.

Two or three times over the passing days I had considered contacting Jasper again to get the girl's last name but I didn't have a good enough reason at the ready to explain and until I knew the whole story of that memory of the woods, I wasn't sure that I wanted his ass to show up. I was still a little salty over the whole thing and I wasn't sure how she would react to him. She was only now losing the standard skittishness with me, though she will jump a mile with a shriek if I'm not careful, and Jasper is FAR scarier than I am. I got more scars than he does but his personality is a lot rougher and his experience with newborns and how he handles them is a lot different than mine. I have experience with them outside a war zone and as far as I know he doesn't. Bella has become my little buddy and there was NO way I was gonna let Jasper fuck her up. I would probably kill him; or die trying.

Though while she was setting down a little more she was still having a lot of trouble with everything else; a fact that she was getting pissed off to end over. I tried to tell her that this was normal and that she would get it in time. When I told her that she threw a fucking fit that would make any self-respecting human toddler proud. I just stood there and let her have it, there was no calming her down and I knew it. So, I let her fuck some shit up to get it out of her system. Once it was, I told her in plain and simple terms that this was her life for at least a year, possibly longer, and to come to grips with it. There was no skipping this stage no matter how much it pissed her off. I spent the next afternoon rebuilding the wall to the house because she decided to redecorate and add a door using me as the tools to create it.

As I was putting the finishing touches on the frame since she did in fact think a set of French door would look nice, I turned my head when I saw her out of the corner of my eye. She was looking at the ground and holding out a beer bottle.

When I took it she sighed, "I'm really sorry I acted like that. There was no excuse for it. You've been nothing but nice to me and I keep trying to kick your ass for helping."

I waved her off as I took a pull from the bottle. After I swallowed it, "I've been there sweet cheeks. I know what you're going through and I know how angry a baby can get. When I took you in I took on every nasty responsibility that comes with it."

She nodded and took a pull of her own beer, grimacing a little at the overly bitter taste. "Doesn't make it right though."

I just shrugged but was cut off from responding when my phone rang. Heading inside with her on my heels, I picked it up off the counter and took a look at the caller ID. Smirking at her, "This might cheer you up, your clothes are here." Her eyes brightened and she started bouncing on her toes as I answered the phone. After getting the information the post office had for me, I hung up and looked at her; my lips pursed as I tried to figure out what to do here. I needed to get a new truck while I was there and a few other things that she wouldn't be able to go with me for but I wasn't sure she was ready to left on her own just yet. I would be while and the last thing I needed was a hungry ferial newborn going to get something to eat because there wouldn't be a voice of reason to tell her that was a bad idea.

I was really fucked either way, but if she was with me I could keep an eye on her and feed her if it became necessary. I would just make getting my truck my first stop and she could just stay in the cab while I tended to my other shit. Settling on that, I smiled at her, "Wanna go with me?"

She just lit the fuck up at that, "really? I can?"

I nodded, "Only if you swear on your fucking LIFE you listen to everything I say. This isn't a joke. If you kill someone that I don't tell you you can, your ass is in SO much trouble."

She giggled as she threw her arms around my neck and placed a smacking smooch on my cheek making me chuckle at her as just jumped back down to raid my closet for something to put on. We had a fucked up little relationship, as is normal with newborns. That little ball of bitch was probably the closest thing I have ever had a kid sister. I was playing the role of 'daddy' right now but that sure as fuck wasn't going to last. I am not exactly father of the year material. As soon as she no longer needed constant parental supervision that shit was over and the joys of tormenting a sibling could begin. I had to tread lightly with Jasper in that respect because he had a ten foot pole up his ass, but this little one, she could take it as good as she gave.

When she reappeared a few minutes later I cocked a brow at her selection. It was simple enough, a pair of tear away pants and a hoodie but I was more curious as to how the hell she thought they were going to stay on. When she handed them to me, I snorted at the shoe string that was with them, "You're serious?"

She nodded and explained, "You always talk about blending in and, while I might not remember it personally, snow means it's fucking cold. I can't really get away with only wearing your underwear now can I?" She had a point.

Shrugging a little, I helped her into the pants and had her hold them in place as I wrapped the string from an old pair of boots around her hips and tying it as tight as I could without breaking it. Once they were secured, I rolled the top over the sting and cocked my head; it'll work for now. Plus they were long enough to cover her bare feet so that wouldn't raise any brows. After slipping the hoodie over her head, I grabbed an extra coat from the closet and held it open for her.

Once she was dressed and ready, I put on my shoes, grabbed my own coat and led her out into the world. I wasn't overly worried. If there was something about this trip I needed to know, I would. I didn't think anything would go wrong. This wasn't a huge city so any missteps on her part could be covered with little hassle; I just didn't want her to know that.

When we got to the dealership, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her right up against my side. To the humans we looked like a couple buying a car. To another vampire, it was what it was, an older vampire restraining a younger one with no experience around humans. I looked down at her when she pressed even harder to me and brought her sleeve covered hand over her nose and mouth. She was fast enough that no one would have seen it, but I saw the waterfall of venom dripping down her chin. With the hand that wasn't covering her face she gripped my forearm around her waist. She was shaking and a constant quiet growl was going in her chest, so hard in fact that she was actually vibrating from it.

I dipped my head and whispered for her that holding her breath would make this a little easier. It wouldn't do much once a human was right in front of her, but it would do enough to keep her from snapping.

It was also something that didn't need to be worried about. As my eye scanned the lot, they widened a little before a smile lifted my lips. Telling her stay calm I called out, "Hey, Garrett."

The other vampire on the other side of the lot snapped his head to look my direction, his own eyes a little wide. I hadn't seen him in thirty years and this was nearly the last place I ever thought I was going to. His eyes then slid to the Little Lady in my arms and excused himself from the conversation he was having, waving off a different, HUMAN salesmen as he came over.

After a quick handshake He turned to Iz, as she decided to go by for the time being, his eyes soft and understanding. "How old is she?"

I glanced at her as she snarled at him, giving her a squeeze to tell her to knock it off, "A week."

He nodded and glanced over his shoulder, "Perhaps it would be easier if we got her in a place that is not so saturated with humans. Having seen the kind of shit you drive, I know what you're here for. Let's get her inside and give her a little break. I have some bags in my office."

Oh thank fuck, that would certainly help. As we followed him inside, I tightened my grip on Iz and pulled her with us, sticking up a light conversation that if overheard wouldn't be paid attention too. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He just shrugged, "boredom, pure and simple. If there was something else going on I assure you I would turn tail and run as far and as fast I fucking could. As it is, I was tired of the mundane and needed something to focus on for a little while." Then he looked over my shoulder, "You didn't think it was for the money, did you?"

I snorted and shook my head as he reached a closed door, opening it and holding a hand out for up to enter first. Garrett was a rich son of a bitch, having come from it with he was human and living as long as he has. Once we were inside, he looked around the floor before closing and locking the door, using his foot to slide something over the crack at the bottom. It wouldn't keep the baby in, but it would keep the humans out. I drug Iz over to one of the chairs and pushed her into a sitting position and putting a hand on either shoulder to keep her there while Garrett went around the desk and took a seat.

He reached under the top and opened one of the drawers, pulling out a shiny stainless steel thermos and held it out to her. She looked at it like it was going to kill her making him smile a little wider before chuckling. "It is nothing untold, Young Lady. This is three pints of the finest." When she blinked at him he elaborated, "AB positive; my personal favorite." Then he winked at her, "You look thirsty."

Then the dumbfuck opened it.

Even as ready as I was for her reaction to the smell of fresh human blood, I wasn't able to stop it. She snarled and ripped out of my grip, catching the retarded vampire off guard as she dove at him and what he had that she wanted. By the time my brain caught up to the scene before me, Iz was sitting on a surprised Garrett's chest going to town on the crushed thermos, her growls turning to purrs as the fire in her throat was doused.

I just looked at them a moment before crossing my arms and glaring at Garrett, "Are you fucking retarded? Like, seriously, are you trying to get killed?" He went to move and she bared her teeth a little and growled a lot. I just smirked, "Well, you're stuck until she's done. If you do anything she will hurt you. For as small as she is, the bitch has one hell of a nasty right hook; cracked my cheek the day she woke up. Hope you're comfortable, she takes a while."

With that, I sat down on one of the chairs and grabbed a list of trucks on the lot and gave them a once over, picking out the one I was leaving with. I ended up not being able to decide between a pickup and a new SUV. It would come down to seeing it in person. I didn't do test drives anymore and I couldn't with Iz with me anyways, that would be mean.

Once she decided she was done with the thermos, she growled at Garrett once last time before coming to sit with me. She plopped her butt in my lap and was looking at the list in my hands, a funny look on her face. When I asked her what was up she shook her head, "What are you getting?"

"Well, I am between this truck here and this SUV."

"Get the SUV. If you need more room for cargo you can always take the seats out but you can't add seating to a truck." Good point. Then she continued, "Don't get black or red. Black is too depressing and red draws too much attention. You should get blue or silver."

I chucked, "Any reason for those colors, Sugar?"

She shrugged, "They suit you. You're fun and silver reflects that but you have this dark and mysterious vibe going on so a dark blue would fit that. You know, I kinda remember being told once that a guy's car is an extension of themselves so it should reflect you." Then she giggled, "I would have said pink but…"

I covered her mouth and cocked a brow, "Stop, right there." Turning to Garrett, I tossed the list on the desk and pointed to the SUV, "I'll take it in blue."

He nodded as his eyes showed his amusement to our battle; "Anything for her?"

I shook my head, "Naw, not this time. We'll get her something in a few more months once she has a little more control over herself." I felt her smirk into my hand and looked at her out of the corner of my eye, "Don't even think about it, Youngen." At that she just giggled.

Garrett snorted as he pulled out the papers for my new car. "You two look awfully close. Did you turn her for mating purposes Peter? I had heard about the loss of the lovely Charlotte."

Iz growled into my hand at the question, her change still being a sore spot for her and I just shook my head choosing to ignore the boiling rage that sentence provoked. It was because of shit like that the bitch was dead. "I'm not her sire. I found her near the end of her rebirth just north of my place, and no, she's not my mate." Looking at her as she became silent, "You alright, Sugar?

She looked at me and I dropped my hand, "What's a mate?"

"Vampire spouse; or something similar to it anyways." She nodded at that but didn't say anything else. She just started staring off into space as I signed the paperwork for my truck and Garrett got my keys.

Leaving his office was much the same as it was when we went in, Iz was latched onto my arm but she was a little calmer since she got some blood in her. When she started growling it was more out of the proximity of another vampire than it was hunger this time. After getting her in the car and the door closed, I turned to Garrett and reached to shake his hand. "Good seeing ya, Man. We're at my place up north for the duration of her first year. Feel free to stop by whenever; just make sure you let me know you're coming so I can warn her. I wasn't kidding when I said she's got a nasty right hook and I won't stop her from defending her home. I like you and all, but that would be counterproductive in raising her to be on her own at some point."

He glanced over his shoulder at the baby that was glaring at him with a smirk on her lips. I don't know how that was possible but it was; and let me tell ya, FUCKING HOT with a capital FUCK. It was comparable to the look she gets on her face when she talks about her memories. They were still mostly out of her reach and as the days pass they got farther and farther away from her grasp but I am becoming convinced that that might be for the best in the long run. I didn't know everything and hopefully never will, but the pure and raw anger she seems to drown in tells me that it wasn't pretty and most likely is going to piss me off. While she has only been with me for a week, like I said before, she's as close to a kid sister I have ever had and due to that, I am a little over protective of the little shit.

However, if Garrett thought I missed that little tremor that ran his spine at the sight of her face, he was out of his ever loving mind. Fucking pussy. I pressed my lips together to smother my own smirk when he turned back to look at me.

"Yes, I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Wouldn't want to give her a reason to try and kill me."

I snorted, "awe hell; that little lady is a doll baby once you get on her good side. I'm sure once she gets used to you, you'll learn that she isn't always all… bitey. That being said however, I'm positive her teeth are just as sharp as ours so, remember to call. Also, keep in mind every lady loves presents."

He nodded as he cocked his head to the side, "What all do you have on the agenda today?"

I looked up at the sky as I crossed my arms, "post office to get the clothing she ordered, the hardware store to get a set of doors to replace the wall she broke and after that the liquor store to replace my stock of booze she drank. Nothing overly taxing if she stays in the truck with the windows up. Why, wanna tag along?"

He nodded, "I was thinking about it. Not much going on here and it has been awhile since I have been involved with a brand new newborn. It isn't like you couldn't use the help. There will be times that you need to do something that she cannot be with you."

Now I did smirk at him, "You haven't been involved in raising a baby in over ninety years and I know you haven't done it that it wasn't being raised like we were." Then I glared, "She will not be raised that way, I won't allow it. I plan on teaching her basic defense but battle tactics and strategies are banned from her repertoire. Do I make myself absolutely fucking clear?"

I am beginning to think he might have muscle damage with all the spasms he's had in the last ten minutes. He knew I wasn't fucking around. While I had no aversion to an extra hand with her upbringing, she was mine and ain't no one gonna train her to be a monster. While she was a normal newborn and acted as such, there were other ways to deal with her losing her temper and stopping a tantrum that didn't involve her getting tortured or bitten to shit. I might be proud of my scars, every one of them showed that I was a survivor, that I had lived hell and I wasn't one to fuck with, that was in the past and it was gonna fucking stay there. However, in this instance, being who I was worked well in my favor. To him, right at this moment I wasn't his friend Peter, I was the Southern Captain and I would END him if he fucked with my baby girl. As I said, I was a might overprotective of that baby and I had no problems killing, maiming or destroying anyone that fucked with her.

He cleared his throat and nodded to my terms, "Yes Sir, Captain. This is your show, I just thought I would offer a little extra help where needed."

Glaring at him a little, I looked over at the curious little lady looking at me with her head cocked to the side, waiting to see how I was going to answer. She didn't look opposed to the idea but she didn't look accepting of it either. She knew that I was running the overall show as far as she was concerned but she also knew that I would never put her in danger.

After giving it a moment thought, I nodded as I turned back to Garrett. "As long as you understand that I am her primary 'parent' and what I fucking say goes, I have no issues with this. However, I swear to God Garrett, you do anything that I don't approve of or she doesn't like, I will rip your dick off and shove it down your throat."

He once again gave a nod in consent. "I give me a moment to grab a few things out of my office."

I leaned against the car as he went inside to take care of whatever it was he needed to do and Iz cleared her throat knowing that I would hear her just fine. Once I looked her direction, she raised a brow at me, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

I nodded, "I have known this guy for a long ass time, Iz. I trust him and you somewhat trust me. Plus he had a valid point. While you don't get massively out of hand, if you did it is better to have a little backup to save us from a large problem. You're still really young as far as our kind goes and have a long way to go and a long road in front of you learning to control your strength and thirst and other senses. Raising a newborn is a difficult process and something that cannot be done by just one person. There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to you, Sugar and another set of hands and eyes will make it easier to both raise you right and deal with anything that might crop up in the future."

She pouted a little during my explanation. "I thought we kinda had a good thing going."

I sighed a little before going around the car and climbing in beside her. She shifted her position a little and put her feet on the dash before she started to pick a few threads that had come loose on my pants. I leaned against the door and faced her as I waited for Garrett to hurry his ass up. Biting my lip a little, I thought about how to best explain this to her. After a moment I decided to be blunt as always. It seemed to work better than sugarcoating anything with her, "We do, but there is a lot yet you still don't know and, while I'm good, I'm not perfect. I will forget things as far as explaining things to you, not think to explain them or won't know how to do so properly for an array of reasons. Like I said, raising a baby is not something that is wise to undertake alone. We have a great thing goin' and I wouldn't change it if I didn't think that it was necessary."

She looked over at me a long moment before she nodded, seeming to understand what I was trying to convey. We had a great relationship as far as things with newborns go and I really didn't want to change the retinue we established but it was a necessity to do so for many reasons; reasons I had every intention of discussing as soon as we got home.