For all the wonderful people who reviewed the last chapter. What better way to say thanks than to put up another chapter!

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Many thanks to EvilPumpkin and Angel eyes1 uk, my betas, for helping me to make sense.

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Chapter Eight. Swimming.

Alice's POV

When I found the men I nearly ran smack into Emmett, who was already on his way home. He had heard me coming and decided it could only be trouble with Daisy. He was going so fast he looked as if he could even have given Edward a run for his money, so I shouted after him that I was going to stay. I turned back around and there was Jasper looking more relaxed than I had seen him lately, with a huge grin on his face.

"Fair exchange, Alice. Coming hunting?" Was I ever?

When we had all satisfied our thirst, Edward looked at Carlisle and inclined his head. Carlisle gave a small nod and the pair of them raced home. Sometimes it paid off, having a brother who read your mind. I smiled and looked deep into my husband's golden eyes; Jasper's lips curled back and he growled playfully.

"Five seconds, Alice, and you know what's going to happen when I catch you!" I didn't need telling twice. With a shriek I sped off into the wilderness giggling, knowing Jasper would only take minutes to track me down.

After a very enjoyable morning, we made our way back to the house, drawn by Edward's wonderful music.

Emmett's POV

Edward's playing had sent Daisy to sleep, and while I was mesmerised by the gentle rise and fall of her chest and the rhythmic beating of her heart, my mind began to wander. Sometimes time passed for us not exactly quickly, more as if it had slipped away. I think we had sat there for a couple of hours when I said, "Edward, want to go for a swim?"

"That's a great idea, but you should feed Daisy; she's thinking about food."

"Okay, we'll need to wait for Jasper anyway." I took Daisy into the kitchen and made sure she ate, ran her some water, and saw to her bathroom needs, too. Daisy was very awake now, so I fetched a toy from her room and played with her on the couch until Jasper and Alice came home.

"Hi boys, are we all going swimming then?" Alice danced across the room in time to Edward's playing.

"You tell me, Alice," I replied.

"Yes, we are! And you're coming too, aren't you little one?" She knelt and tickled Daisy playfully.

We all grabbed swimsuits, and headed off to a small lake tucked away deep in the mountains. Jasper kindly offered to look after Daisy, and Alice took the opportunity to hold and caress her while Jasper kept her calm. Edward and I ran into the water, racing each other across the lake and back. It felt so good, slicing through the smooth, silky surface. I floated on my back for a while, basking in the glorious rays.

After thrashing Edward in a splashing fight, I took Daisy back so that Alice and Jasper could have some fun. I sat cross-legged in the shallows of the little beach, enjoying the water lapping around me while keeping Daisy nice and dry on my knee. It was a very bright, sunny day. The light flashing off our bodies and the water, was amazing. I was mesmerised for a while, but pulled back sharply when I felt Daisy struggling and seemingly fighting to get off my lap. "Jasper! Edward! Any idea what she's doing?" Jasper left the frolicking and came over.

"I think...I think she's hot...she wants to get in the water."

I'd forgotten that the sun was hot - maybe I should have kept her in the shade.

Edward emerged from the water, closely followed by Alice. "You have to cool her down, Emmett. Bella was out in the sun too long once. She said Charlie made her soak in as cold a bath as she could stand, and was still pretty ill the next day."

So, even as young as she was, Daisy knew better than us what she needed, and that was the water. I went a little deeper and sat back down; this time the water came half way up my chest. I lowered Daisy slowly into the water. Both Edward and Jasper confirmed that she was enjoying the experience, so I relaxed and marvelled that this tiny scrap would trust me to keep her afloat.

"Would you like another swim? I'll take her for a bit."

"Thanks Jasper, I would." As Jasper lifted her out of my arms, and therefore out of the water, I caught sight of her leg. All the bandaging was swollen and floppy. "Hell no." What was I going to do?

"You need to keep it immobilised."

"What?"

"Stop panicking, Emmett." Thanks Jasper, much calmer.

"Just make sure it doesn't move, doesn't get jogged about, and it'll be fine." Edward's medical training was proving useful.

"Yes, and Carlisle will be there soon after we get home." Thank you, Alice.

Rosalie's POV

I didn't really feel like shopping. Ripping the weed limb from limb, or boxing Emmett's ears, maybe, but not shopping. Still, Bella's electric blue dress was a stunner, and it would be wasted without the proper bag and shoes, which Bella would never find on her own - maybe I could persuade her to find a wrap, too. So I found myself nearly man-handled into the car, and hence the mall. Indoors only on a day like today. I knew my anger was probably irrational, so by the time I had Bella fixed up with the perfect pair of shoes, a bag to die for, and a sapphire and diamond choker, I was much more myself.

"If you don't mind I'd like to do a bit of shopping by myself. Can I meet you at the car in an hour?"

"Of course, Rose. Bella can help me find a book for Carlisle."

Right. I have a plan.

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AN. Hope you all enjoyed your swim with the Cullen boys, Alice and Daisy. Don't forget to let me know how much.