Wow! The most reviews I've had for one chapter! Now I know how to do it - wait until New Year's Eve when you're all drunk lol. Sorry this one's a bit short, but we don't have far to go now.

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Thanks to my betas. You guys are the best.

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Thanks to SM, your guys are the best!

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Chapter Sixteen. The Calm Before The Storm?

Alice's POV

Jasper was a lot less tense once we were on our own, but I wanted him to wait as long as possible before we went hunting. I ran a bath and put candles all around the room. "In you go, Lover," I urged. As Jasper relaxed in the soothing water, I gave him a head massage. After, we lay on the bed, fingers entwined, talking about everything and nothing. A while before dawn we left to hunt.

Jasper's POV

I was a new man, tranquil and with my strength replenished. Alice and I returned home soon after midday. We came across Emmett, Edward, and Bella playing with Daisy in a clearing a short way from the house.

"We're tiring her out so she'll sleep for you, Jasper." When did Emmett get so thoughtful?

"Don't forget to feed her as well," I reminded him. Emmett decided that it was a good idea to do that now, so we all arrived home together. Daisy had let Bella carry her home, which was a big improvement, and I felt more confident about sitting with her. After they'd seen to Daisy's needs, Edward and I sat on Rose and Emmett's bed while Emmett showered and changed. Daisy sat happily on Edward's knee.

When we all got back to Daisy's room, Bella and Alice had added a couch under the window. Edward handed Daisy to Emmett, and sat on one end of the couch next to Bella, pulling her into his lap. I claimed the other end with Alice, while Emmett put Daisy in her bed. Daisy was soon asleep. Edward and Bella left the room with Emmett, when Carlisle and Rosalie were ready to go. Alice and I stretched out on the couch so that Daisy would see us when she awoke.

Rosalie's POV

Emmett and I sat in the back of Carlisle's Mercedes. I gave Emmett's hand a squeeze; he was agitated over leaving Daisy for so long. "She's got six grown adults waiting to fulfil her every wish, Emmett. What more could a girl want?" I pointed out.

"I know, I'm being silly," Emmett said.

"Not silly, Son—there's nothing silly about caring," Carlisle told him.

"Will you call my cell when you get back, Carlisle? Let me know how she is?"

"No, Emmett," Carlisle told him. "I'll call you only if there's a problem, so don't expect to hear from me." I smiled at Carlisle in the mirror.

"So you can relax and enjoy our trip. We'll probably be back before Daisy realises you're gone," I reassured Emmett.

We comfortably made our flight, and soon Emmett was talking lineouts and punts.

Carlisle's POV

I was glad that Rose had lured Emmett away for a short while. He had become almost obsessive taking care of Daisy, and she was too dependent on him. I was sure now, that we had done the right thing in keeping her. It was obvious no one had missed her, and she was such a pretty little thing that she was charming us all.

I was glad Esme had a new project to think about; it would stop her wondering why Daisy hadn't recognised her as the nurturing presence in our house. The others had all accepted Esme so readily as Mom, that she was a little crushed when Daisy clearly favoured Emmett. Even Rose was coming around to her, I noticed she had even used her name on occasion.

I left the Mercedes on the driveway as I would need it to pick up Rosalie and Emmett later, and entered a silent house. When I found Esme she suggested that we go and hunt, which seemed like a good idea.

Edward's POV

When Carlisle left with Emmett and Rosalie, I saw an opportunity to work on a little project of my own. Bella's birthday was only a week away and I was writing a small book of poems for her. Of course, I had to do it alone, so I told Bella I had an errand to run and went to our meadow for inspiration. I'm afraid I got a bit carried away remembering good times I'd had there with Bella, and stayed longer than I intended. It must have been getting on for six pm by the time I got back.

Jasper's POV

Daisy slept soundly for a couple of hours and then she got very restless. I wondered whether she was having a bad dream. I then picked up anxiety, and asked Alice to fetch Edward. Maybe he could find out whatever was worrying her. I tried to send her soothing, calming vibes, but she didn't seem very receptive to them anymore, and then she woke up almost as if she felt me interfering. She looked straight at me, then scanned the room. Her eyes darted to the door as Alice crept back in. There was a flicker of hope, then those big doe eyes glazed over and the whimpering began. Alice ran over and tried to shush her.

"Where's Edward?" I asked.

"Off on some errand. Can't you calm her, Jazz?"

"I think she feels me and kind of rejects it, Alice. I don't really know, but it's not working."

"Can you try harder? It will be a long time until they get back."

"You distract her and I'll see if I can get through to her when she's not paying attention."

Alice stroked her, tickled her, grabbed toys, and talked to her. Gradually, I began to calm her. It was hard but it was working.

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AN. If you've been saving up your comments for one big super-review, you don't have many chapters to go.

I just heard that this little fic has been graciously nominated in the Hidden Star Awards. In three catagories! lol! If you're interested in checking the nominees out, here's a link:-

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thehiddenstarawards dot blogspot dot com/p/not-yet-but-add-us-so-you-will-recieve dot html