A/N: Here we go with the next instalment! See my note at the bottom for more information.

Chapter 8

There was a short knock on the door and I sat up a little straighter, glancing anxiously at Jasper as he stood and opened it.

"Alice," he said gently, stepping aside to let her in. Alice danced in, a broad smile on her kind face, and sat gingerly on the end of the bed with her hand on my foot.

"Rose and I want to know if you'd like some girl time," she said gently. "These boys are wonderful and all, but they're men."

I chuckled quietly, resisting the urge to cough.

"We could do our nails," suggested Alice. "Or maybe watch some movies that these guys hate."

Emmett wrinkled his nose and Jasper laughed.

I didn't know what to say.

"Do you want to?" asked Jasper gently. "Their rooms are just across the hall."

"Um…"

"It'll be fun," said Alice, smiling eagerly. "I promise. We don't bite."

Alice's open, eager face made me hesitate, fighting against my instinct to shy away. I knew, if only for my brothers' sake, that I should try to get acquainted with these girls. Alice and Rosalie had been nothing but kind to me, and I knew that if the boys liked them, they must be good people. They had also, however, seen me at my very worst, and the thought of facing the two of them alone made my face flame red. What must they think of me?

Glancing up at Alice, I saw her face fall a little before she sighed, nodding.

"It's alright," she said. "We just thought we'd offer."

"No," I said quickly. "I mean, sure. Yeah."

"Oh good!" said Alice, with a breath of relief. "You had me worried for a minute." I fidgeted.

"Well, wander over whenever you're up to it. We're just hanging out for now."

"This will be done in about ten minutes," said Jasper, gesturing to the bag of saline hanging from the IV pole. "Carlisle should be by to disconnect you soon."

"After that, then," agreed Alice easily, hopping up from the bedside. "What colour do you like best?"

"Blue?" I said, the word coming out like a question.

"Excellent," she said, and loped gracefully out of the room. The door clicked behind her.

"You'll have fun," said Emmett, spotting my unease as it settled over me. "Both of them are really eager to get to know you."

"Why?" I blurted, and Emmett scowled.

"Because they've heard all about you," he said, rolling his eyes. "And you've Skyped…"

"Only once," I protested, frowning up at him. About a year and a half ago, Emmett had abandoned the computer for an urgent phone call, dragging his girlfriend to sit in his place. Rosalie had looked just as uncomfortable as I had, and we had done little more than make awkward small talk until he had come back. She had disappeared soon after, and I hadn't seen or heard from her again until a few days ago.

"You'll have fun," said Emmett again, ignoring my comment. "They love doing nails and all that."

"I don't," I grumbled, and he snickered.

"Better you than me."

"What's that mean?" I demanded worriedly, and he pointedly avoided my eye.

"They got him in his sleep," crowed Jasper, earning him a frown.

"Got him?" I asked, confused.

"Our dear big brother went out to a party on the night before a big test," said Jasper with an air of maddening superiority that only a flawlessly studious person could take on. "He passed out drunk in his bed, and Rose was so pissed that he blew off their study session that she and Alice painted him all pretty in his sleep."

"I had to go to my midterm with pink fingernails," sighed Emmett finally, reaching over to smack Jasper on the shoulder. I choked back a laugh.

"He would've had a full face of makeup, too, if he hadn't looked in the mirror."

"A good brother would've warned me," said Emmett, sounding slightly bitter.

"Nah," said Jasper lazily, grinning over at him. "You earned it."

Emmett stared even more fixedly at the screen as he fired back.

For the next ten minutes, I listened to the sibling banter I had been missing for so long. Since the two of them had moved away from home, I had forgotten how they used to bicker back and forth and tease each other. As a small child I had hated listening to the two of them fight, but as I listened to them now, it felt like a big piece of my life was clicking back into place.

The boys were back.

Emmett snarked at Jasper, and Jasper, good natured as he always was, laughed easily back at him. My ribs pained me as I laughed in response, unable to hold back my amusement, but it felt so good to smile that I didn't try and stop it.

"Oh you did so!" laughed Jasper, deeply amused by Emmett's indignant face.

"Whatever," said Emmett, his voice a growl. "You know if it had been you, you would've…"

Jasper's laughter cut him off and I rested my head on Emmett's arm. His eyes softened at once when he glanced down at me, lips twitching as he and Jasper shared a significant look.

The spell was broken by a gentle knock on the door as Carlisle stepped inside.

"You've finished," he said gently, eying the empty bowl on tray Esme had brought up earlier. "Are you still hungry? I can get you some more."

"No thanks," I said quickly, forcing my anxiety down as Jasper shifted out of the way to let Carlisle through.

"Let's check you over," said Carlisle gently, reaching out and taking my hand. He had hands like most doctors did- cold and steady.

"Looks perfect," he said with a genuine smile. "It's not hurting you, is it?"

"No."

"Good," he said, reaching up and unhooking the bag of saline from the pole. "This looks like it's all done."

"Good," I said, and he grinned again.

"I'll have to hook you back up tonight," he warned. "So you'll have to be careful while you're sleeping."

"Okay," I said, and as if in response, my ribs flared.

"I'll take the tray down with me," said Carlisle, finally, standing from the edge of the bed.

Emmett took the glass of water from the tray before passed the dirty dishes to Carlisle, looking longingly at the empty bowl.

"There's more in the kitchen," laughed Carlisle, shaking his head. "You boys, I swear…"

"What?" asked Emmett, indignant.

"The three of you eat more food than is humanly possible, that's what," retorted Carlisle. "You're lucky we've got so much fridge space. The girls aren't half so bad."

"We're growing boys, doc," said Emmett, laughing him off. As Carlisle left the room, Emmett passed me the glass of water and insisted that I drink it. The water was warm now that it had been sitting out for so long, but I didn't let it bother me as I took a careful sip.

"Esme's an awesome cook," said Emmett suddenly, his mind still on the food. "She cooks all kinds of awesome stuff." Jasper nodded his assent.

"She could open a restaurant," said Jasper easily. "She's got a knack it."

"Does she always cook for you?" I asked, glancing up.

"We're supposed to be on our own for breakfast and lunch, but Esme's always cooking," said Jasper. "This place comes with room and board, so she makes supper every night."

"We'd probably starve otherwise," said Emmett mildly, glancing away from the baseball on TV.

"Good luck," I snorted, and he smirked.

"Knock, knock!" Alice's cheerful voice filtered through the closed door before she cracked it open, popping her head through. "All done?"

Jasper squeezed my shoulder as I nodded and carefully scooted down to the end of the bed.

"Excellent," said Alice. "We're all set up."

"Set up?" I asked, apprehensive as I stood.

"We've got all the stuff ready for nails and movies," she clarified, taking my non-needled hand in her own. Emmett laughed.

"Good luck, kiddo," he said, winking as I looked over in alarm. Jasper punched him on the arm.

"Don't be rude," said Alice, admonishing, leaving Emmett smirking. "We'll have heaps of fun."

"Heaps of fun," agreed Emmett, though in a very sarcastic voice. "Just take it easy on her, Alice. She's sick and injured."

"You are such a jerk," said Alice crossly, frowning as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "Come on, Bella. Some girl time away from your boar of a brother will do you some good."

I couldn't help but smile.

"See you later, Jazz," said Alice, in a much friendlier tone than she'd used with Emmett. She shut the door behind us.

"Have fun!" shouted Emmett, and a peal of raucous laughter followed. I couldn't help the thrill of anxiety at the sound, wondering what my brother knew that I didn't. Emmett wouldn't knowingly send me into the wolf's den, would he?

"Honestly, you'd think we were going to torture you," said Alice mildly, shaking her head. "With the way he talks…"

"Yeah." My throat grew dry.

"It'll be fun, for real," said Alice, and I stared intently at her smiling face.

She seemed just as eager and happy even without Jasper around.

"Rose is waiting," she said finally, jerking her head in the direction of the open bedroom a few feet down the hall. "We're hanging in her room this time. Mine's a mess."

"Okay."

"Rose?" said Alice, peeking her head around the corner. The room was just as elegant as you'd expect for someone like Rosalie, who looked like she didn't have an ugly bone in her body. A stately bed was centered against the back wall, which also contained a beveled, arched window. On the left-hand wall was a set of large French doors which led to a small balcony with two small chairs that looked perfect for early morning books and coffee. The doors were open just then, sending a gentle breeze through the room. Rosalie herself was poised on a stool in front of a vanity table, setting out bottles of nail polish.

"Oh good," she said, and while my instinct was to shy away, she smiled with nothing but kindness. "I'm glad you decided to come."

"Thanks for inviting me," I said, and her smile widened.

"Of course," she said. "Sit down. Wherever you want. The bean bag chair is pretty awesome."

The purple plush bean bag looked fine to me, and I gently settled myself down in it.

"Shut the door, Alice, will you?" she asked, jerking her chin at the open bedroom door. "I don't want Emmett sneaking over to make sure we're playing nice."

My brows twitched together.

"Oh don't worry," laughed Rosalie, glancing amusedly down at me. "We will play nice, but that doesn't mean I want him bumbling in here. If he pisses me off again, I'll have to paint something other than his fingernails."

Alice's laughter was infectious. Rosalie reached over and grabbed a handful of nail polish bottles, holding them out to me.

"Now, Alice tells me you like blue."

Alice clutched my hand tightly in her own, her eyes streaming with tears as we sat huddled together on Rosalie's big bed. The TV flashed before us, Alice sniffling loudly as she used up Rosalie's stock of tissues.

Titanic had never made me cry, but seeing Alice's usually-happy face so distraught made me want to tear up.

"Oh get ahold of yourself," laughed Rose, unsympathetic to the core. "I mean, come on."

"He died for her!" said Alice, scandalized.

"He died because she wouldn't let him on the door," said Rose, scathing. "Why you insist on this movie, I'll never know."

"Shut up," said Alice, though with a hint of laughter in her voice. "What do you think, Bella? Beautifully tragic romance, or sentimental nonsense?"

I froze, glancing between the two.

"Well, it's sad," I said carefully, and Alice smiled gloatingly. "But," her face fell, "I've never cried over it."

"Cop out," laughed Rosalie, squeezing my shoulders to lighten her sting. This afternoon, I had learned a lot about Rosalie's sharp tongue.

"Well, I think it's beautiful," sniffed Alice, her eyes watering once more as the credits began to roll.

"Ugh," Rose flopped back onto her pillows with a great sigh.

"Well, what would you have watched?" demanded Alice, eyebrow raised. "Die Hard? The Fast and the Furious?"

"Maybe," said Rose slyly, winking at me. "Anything but that romantic garbage."

Alice just rolled her eyes.

"You're weird," she complained. "All girls like Titanic."

"I'm not all girls," snarked Rose, resting on her side to look over me to Alice, eyebrow cocked.

"No, you're definitely not," said Alice, and before a real argument could break out both of them dissolved into peals of laughter.

"Bella?" Jasper's gentle voice rang through the bedroom door, and he knocked lightly.

"Go away!" shouted Rose, and Alice laughed again. "We're having very intense girl time!"

"Yeah," said Jasper, sounding awkward, "but Carlisle needs to set up the medication again."

"Oh, open the door then," said Rose with a long suffering sigh. "I suppose that's a good enough reason." I blushed, embarrassed, but Rose would have none of it, poking me admonishingly in the shoulder.

"Stop that," she said, and I just smiled shyly. Jasper poked his head around the door, peeking inside.

"All decent?" he joked, and Rose raised an eyebrow.

"That's your girlfriend and your sister, weirdo," he said. "Of course we're decent."

"Yeah, yeah," said Jasper, stepping fully inside. Alice and Rosalie laughed and my face burned brighter than ever when Jasper stepped aside and let Carlisle in after him, who looked very amused.

"Evening, ladies," he said gently. "Ready for me, Bella?"

"Yeah," I said, switching places with Alice to let her take the middle. Rosalie watched with avid interest as Carlisle wheeled the IV pole beside the bed and hung a full bag of saline on it, gently taking my hand to reattach the tubes.

"Everything should go smoothly," he said. "Just remember not to pull."

"Okay."

"And just wheel it with you when you leave. Other than that, have a nice night. If you get hungry, I'm sure one of the girls will help you down the stairs."

"Thanks."

"Have a good sleep, Bella."

"You too." He smiled gently at Alice and Rose as well, who bid him an eager farewell.

"If you need me, just come on over," said Jasper gently, hovering for only a moment in the doorway before he shut it behind him, leaving the three of us alone in the room once more.

"Does it feel weird?" asked Rose, leaning over to examine my hand.

"No," I said honestly. "Just a little cold." Her nose wrinkled, and she tossed me a knitted blanket.

"Don't freeze," she advised sagely, and I couldn't help but laugh.

I had laughed an awful lot today, despite the circumstances. It felt nice.

"Well girls," said Alice finally, checking her phone for the time. "It's half past ten and I've got to be up early."

"Sure, sure," said Rose easily, bidding Alice farewell. "Let me know how it goes tomorrow."

Alice had told me earlier that she was meeting with her professor in the morning to discuss her final paper.

"Definitely," said Alice, smiling. "Have a good night, you two."

"Goodnight," I said automatically, glancing over at Rosalie. She yawned, but waved lazily at Alice as she stood and left the room, stopping for a moment in the doorway.

"What?" asked Rose, frowning.

"Just… don't push it, okay?" said Alice, who looked pointedly at me. I glanced between the two of them anxiously.

"I've got it, Alice," said Rose with a sigh. Alice smiled briefly and nodded, gently excusing herself once again.

The door closed behind her, and I glanced furtively at Rose.

"Do you want me to go?" I asked quietly, making her frown.

"No," she said quickly, reaching out her hand. "No, stay for a bit."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "Because if I'm bugging you…"

"No, you're not," said Rose, shaking her head. "I promise you're not."

"But Alice said…"

"Yeah, I know," said Rose with a sigh. "She's just worried."

"About what?" I asked, and Rose hesitated.

"Listen," she said. "I've wanted to talk to you for a while now, but I didn't know how to bring it up."

"Bring what up?" I said, butterflies erupting in my stomach.

"Lay down," said Rose, offering me another fluffy pillow. She seemed to have an endless supply. "Do you want a drink or anything? I'm going to get some soda before I start."

"Um…"

"Never mind," she said gently, smiling. "Emmett says you like Sprite. I'll grab you one."

"Thanks," I said, blinking in surprise at her recollection of this minor detail.

"Be right back."

By the time Rose slipped back in with drinks in hand, my stomach had moved from butterflies to outright nausea. What could she possibly have to say to me that required such privacy that not even Alice could hear? Was she angry with me for monopolizing my brother? Would she have him choose between us? Maybe she was-

"Relax," she said gently, cracking open my soda can. "You look like I'm about to attack."

"Sorry," I said, taking a drink to collect my thoughts. "I'm just…" There was a moment of silence.

"Yeah, I know," she sighed.

We were silent for a long moment.

"Did you have a good time today?" she asked gently, scooting closer to me.

"Yeah, thanks," I said. "It was fun."

"Good, good…"

"Do you… hang out with Alice a lot?" I asked, fishing for something to say.

"Sometimes."

"Oh."

Silence once again.

"Well, I think I'm tired," I lied quickly, finishing my Sprite as quickly as I could. "I should probably leave you be."

"No, wait," said Rose, rubbing hard at her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm screwing this up."

"What?"

"I want to talk to you," she said gently, rolling over to face me. Her eyes, which had been so surveying and aloof all day, were now liquid and anxious as she reached out and took my hand, much like Alice had during the movie.

"Lay down, and I'll tell you a story," she said, and I did as I was told. Rose laid back on her pillows too and stared up at the ceiling, leaving me to do the same. Although I did not want to look at her when she was so obviously avoiding my eye, neither one of us felt the need to relinquish the other's hand. She squeezed mine before she began.

"How much has Emmett told you about me?" she asked finally.

"Not much," I said quickly, wracking my brain to remember what I'd been told. "You're from the southwest."

"New Mexico," she confirmed, nodding slightly. "Anything else?"

"Your parents aren't around?" I said, hedging.

"Correct."

"You're really pretty?" I offered, blushing and smiling at the same time. She laughed and glanced over.

"Well thanks," she said, and I chuckled.

"That's all he told me," I admitted. She sniffed.

"Did he ever tell you about Royce?'

"No," I said, trying to remember. "Who's Royce?"

"My ex-boyfriend," said Rose gently. "He was…"

I waited patiently, glancing over when she spoke. She was still staring at the ceiling.

"Not so nice," she finished, meeting my eye briefly.

"Oh."

"I don't want to upset you," said Rose finally, "but I want you to know that out of anyone else here, I'm the one with the most insight on what you're feeling."

I felt the familiar wave of anxiety welling up inside me at her words, and without reason, I felt my eyes burn with tears.

"I mean, I'm not saying I know exactly," she backtracked. "My dad isn't a great person, but he's decent. I just know what it's like to be subjected to... well... you know."

I did know, so I nodded quickly, and to my dismay, a big, fat tear fell down the side of my face. I wiped it quickly before it could mark her pillows.

It didn't escape her notice.

"I'm going to hug you," she told me quietly, and before I could react either way, I felt her arms snake around me. Her hug was strong—stronger than I'd expected—but very much different from either of my brothers. For a brief moment, I was reminded of my mother, and it was that link that made my body relax into her as I tried not to lose control of myself.

"Want a tissue?" she asked, reaching behind me to take the box Alice had desiccated. I pulled one gently out and dabbed my face, determined not to be a snivelling mess.

"It's okay to let it out, you know," she said gently, drawing me into a sitting position so she could take a good look at me. In that moment, I saw what my brother might have seen in her, besides her obvious good looks. Rose might be harsh, sarcastic, and opinionated, but this side of her, the side that cared, was worth every bit of her attitude. I bit my lip to keep myself in check, and she just pulled me closer.

"I'm sorry if I've upset you," she said gently, and I shook my head, resting my chin on her shoulder. "I just want you to know that if you ever need to talk to someone who isn't Carlisle or your brothers, I'm always here."

The dam broke, and for the first time since arriving in this strange house, I let myself fall apart.

"That's what I thought," said Rose gently, rubbing her hand down my back. She moved us closer to the edge of the bed—or the IV pole—as I leaned in closer to her, straining the tubing. She said nothing for a long moment, but let me rest on her shoulder.

"You need a good cry," she said gently, speaking over the noise I was making. "Everyone does now and again. And you've got a damn good reason to so don't even think of going all red and quiet on me when you're through."

A mad desire to laugh intruded on my weeping, so I was able to quiet down and wipe my face.

"Sorry."

"Don't," said Rose seriously, sitting back against her pillows and giving me some space. "Don't ever be sorry for what he did."

I simply stared at her, her blue eyes piercing and sharp.

"Lay down and get some rest," she said finally, reaching down to pull down the blankets. "You're welcome to sleep in here if you want to. I know how much it sucks to be all alone in a strange bed."

Tiredness was overtaking me, and I didn't have the will or gumption to argue. I took her up on her offer, and slid myself carefully under the covers of the bed, letting her draw them up over us. We were both silent for a moment as Rosalie turned off the television, and put the box of tissues back on the bedside table. When she was done, she laid on her side next to me, resting her head on her hands.

"He really does love you, you know," she said suddenly. My eyes, which had drifted closed, snapped back open inquisitively. They felt scratchy and sore.

"Emmett," she clarified, seeing my confusion. "He really does care deeply for you."

"Yeah," I said, feeling my face flush again. "I love him too."

She smiled.

"He talks about you all the time," she said. "Non stop. Every time you do something good, you know this whole house hears about it."

I flushed and groaned, hiding my face as a mental image of Emmett parading my test scores around these college-educated strangers flooded my brain. And Emmett could be so loud...

"Don't be embarrassed," she laughed in a whisper. "It's cute to see him so proud."

I grinned awkwardly.

"Am I bothering you?" asked Rose suddenly, looking apprehensive. "Alice always tells me I talk too much at night, and I can stop if I try…"

"No, it's okay," I said quickly. "I don't mind."

"Good," she said with a grin. "I mean…"

Her last statement was interrupted by the noisy rumble of a vehicle from outside her open French doors rolling down the gravel drive.

"Who the hell is coming down here this late at night?" she demanded, more irritated than angry. I watched her roll over with an angry huff before she pulled herself out of bed, marching to her balcony.

"What the hell…" I watched, mildly confused as Rose's expression shifted from annoyed to confused, then to white-faced fear. A car door slammed shut and I heard loud thumping footsteps, and a pounding of a fist on the front door.

"Send me my daughter, right now, or so help me God I'll come in there and get her myself!"

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I know it's been a long time coming, but I'm trying very hard to beat back this ancient writer's block to get things moving! Everything is looking good so far, and I'm full of some new ideas. As long as I can keep the inspiration coming, I think more chapters will be headed your way!

Also, please check out the new story I posted tonight called Invictus. I'm very excited about it! Thanks for all your support, and as always, let me know what you think!