Nessie's POV

Things were different now. Momma was sad a lot more.

Before… when we were in the shed… Momma got sad sometimes. But Momma always told me we had to be strong and brave and that we had to keep going. She told me it was important to keep our routine… even when we didn't want to, and she always helped me feel better. Sometimes we would add silly things into our exercise time – like dancing, and sometimes we would play dress up with the blankets and Momma would tell me stories. But we always made it part of our routine because it kept things normal. At least that's what Momma told me.

Now it was different though. I went to school and sometimes Edward picked me up and brought me home to spend time with him and Momma. Sometimes Aunt Alice picked me up and took me to her and Uncle Jasper's house. Sometimes Nana Esme and sometimes Grandpa. Every day was different… and I tried to tell Momma that, but she didn't really listen to me.

Even when me and Momma were together, it felt like she was far away. I didn't like it that she didn't talk to me anymore… she used to tell me everything. She was good at explaining things, even when I didn't always know what she meant.

"Hi Edward." I saw him waiting for me and I smiled. Next to Momma, Edward was my favourite person… but I didn't tell the others that.

"Hey Ness… how was school?" He asked me, but he had his phone in his hand and he wasn't really paying attention. It was weird. Edward always paid attention when he talked to me.

"Okay…" I answered him. We started walking towards his car, and he breathed loudly as he unlocked the car and we got in. When my seatbelt was on, I waited for him to start driving, but he didn't.

I was in the back seat, and a few minutes later he turned around and looked at me… his face looked tired and sad.

"I need to talk to you Nessie." He told me and I didn't know what to say, so I just waited for him.

"You're going to be staying at my house with me for a few days." He said and I was confused. Did he mean just me or me and Momma? Why was he sad about it?

"What do you mean?" I asked. I wanted to cry… something felt wrong.

"I know that you know that Momma hasn't been feeling very happy lately." He started to tell me and I nodded. I knew that.

"This morning Momma decided that she needed some help to start feeling better." He stopped talking and I could see him thinking. I didn't understand. Momma talked to Ms. Parker and Nana Esme and even Edward.

"Sometimes when we get overwhelmed… we need some time and space so that our heads start to clear up a little bit." He began again and I nodded. "At the hospital, there is a special area, where people who are having a hard time, and who need a little bit of help to sort out their thoughts can go for a few days. The doctors and other helpers there can give people the help that they need to sort out the things in their head, and help them feel better. They can give some people things that they can't get from home… like time, space, and a safe space to feel all of the yucky things." He explained and I nodded my head again. I sort of understood what he was saying.

"So Momma and I and Nana Esme were talking today, and Momma decided that she wanted to go there, so that she could start to clear out her head a little bit." He finished and I nodded again, even though I didn't understand why she left me with Edward and didn't take me with her. I couldn't help it anymore and I started to cry. I wanted Momma back again.

"Hey, it's going to be alright." Edward got out of the car and climbed in the back seat with me. I undid my seat belt and turned towards him, reaching over and leaning against him. He put his arm around me and held on to me while I cried.

"Can I see Momma?" I sniffled. My nose was running.

"Not tonight… but we can call her after dinner and talk to her." He answered. I nodded my head.

"Are you sure this will help her?" I asked him. I wanted Momma to be better again… we were doing good until that lady came to the police station.

"Yes, I'm absolutely positive that this will help her." He answered me. "Your Momma is the strongest woman I've ever met… she wants to get better… she just needs a little bit of help to put her on the right pathway." He explained.

Edward answered all of my questions… mostly about Momma and how long she would be gone. He didn't really know all of the answers but he talked to me anyways and kept telling me that she would be okay. I believed him… but it was hard. I didn't want to be away from Momma.

After that, we went home and Edward helped me pack a bag to take to his house. He told me that Grandpa was working but he wasn't, and so that's why I was staying with him. Nana Esme would be home too and I liked that… I talked lots to Nana Esme when I was scared.

Before we went home, Edward took me to the art store and I got some new paints and some blank canvases. I liked watching videos on the phone or the computer, and I was learning how to paint lots of outside scenes… and it was pretty outside right now. There was some snow on the ground, even though it was really cold… at least it looked pretty.

We ate dinner with Nana Esme and Grand-dad Carlisle. Afterwards Edward went to talk to his dad in his office and I stayed with Nana Esme and helped her do the dishes. We talked about Momma and she explained more about the hospital where Momma was and why she decided it was a good idea to go. She told me that there were medications that Momma could try to help her not feel so sad all of the time, and she told me that there were lots of people that worked there that knew a lot about our brains and the way that we think. She told me that she used to work there and still got referrals from people who had spent time in that area.

Before I went to bed, I called Momma with Edward's help. I was so happy to hear her, but she was quiet and didn't say too much when I told her about my day and about staying with Edward. I was kind of sad when she said it was time to say goodnight… but she told me that the next day Edward could bring me to the hospital to see her and I felt a little bit better.

That night Edward tucked me into bed and he kissed my head. I asked him to stay with me until I fell asleep and he did, reminding me that Momma loved me more than anything and that she would be home soon, and feeling a little bit better. It was hard, but I trusted him.

I didn't sleep very good, and the next day I went to school… but I got in trouble for not listening… and then at recess I just wanted to sit by myself, but when I tried, a boy named Alec and a girl named Jane kept bothering me and making fun of me for being so small. When I tried to go somewhere else, Jane pushed me and Alec laughed.

I stood up and ran away.

If Momma could go somewhere alone to feel better… then maybe I should try being alone too.