Bella's POV:

~Clearwilde, Montana~

Four days. Three hours and forty-five minutes since I've last gotten sleep.

Why?

Well, there's a perfect explanation. See, I'm a midwife, I have been for the last four years.

Now that doesn't seem like much but it is when you graduate high school at sixteen and continue to study for the next eight years of your life.

I had just finished helping Jenay through her first delivery. When John called frantically saying his wife, Marnie, had gone into labor.

Marnie had been thirty-four weeks pregnant. When I arrived I quickly did a vital check on both mother and child.

Both seemed to be doing great.

As time progressed though Nettie, my assistant, and I quickly discovered that the baby had his or her arms above her head, if we didn't fix their position, there was a good chance the baby's shoulder would break as it was born.

It took me a while, but I managed to rearrange the arm back in position, with just moments to spare. Despite the brief panic the room felt.

Both mother and child are in perfect condition, a little worse for wear but have a clean bill of health.

Marnie made sure to check that her son, Gavin had ten fingers and ten toes before she let me clean him up and wrap him in a thick wool blanket.

Once I assured the husband and the rest of the family that they would be alright, and that all they needed was some rest and a good meal, I walked out of their residence and out towards my old VW bus and began my lengthy drive home.

I only stopped to put gas in my baby, and to buy a small snack, and coffee before heading home.

Once on the road, I could help let my mind wander to my parents. Thus came all the memories of their deaths and everything else.

I had lived by myself since I was sixteen. I had been left in the care of my dad's younger sister, Linda since I was eight.

My parents were both killed in an accident during an expedition in South America, in the Amazonian woods. We were living there with a local Archuagan tribe.

I was born here, in Montana. Since my mom and dad were an archaeologist and a pathologist and had been on a long expedition before I was conceived my parents decided that it would be fine for me to go with them.

I grew up in the local tribe. Learn customs, and while also playing with their children as we all grew up.

It was just after I hit four that my parents decided that it was time to head back to the United States. Talk about hard adjustments.

I hardly ever let my mind roam for that reason. Then the memories that reside in my mind don't cease.

Aunt Linda had passed away just a year ago from complications to leukemia. It was called Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Her body began attacking and destroying her red blood cells. It happened so abruptly, that I still couldn't believe my beloved aunt was gone.

It wasn't the same without her, the house felt lonelier, and colder without her. It made me miss both her and my parents so much.

So I threw myself into my work.

This was the first time in months that I was able to be home for more than five minutes, and it showed.

When I finally do pull out of the three-floor, large, ranch-style house, my heart squeezes again as I see the driveway. Even though her glossy black pickup truck is there, my heart knows my aunt isn't there to greet me.

I was now alone in the world.

I quickly parked my bus next to the pickup and grabbed my bag and key before heading inside, to avoid the cool morning air.

I quickly step out of my shoes, dropping my bag by the door, and heading into the kitchen to brew myself a cup of fresh Brazilian coffee. My favorite.

I let the coffee percolate and head up the stairs to my room to take a much-needed shower. I quickly gather my pair of sweats, a white tank top, a fresh pair of cotton undies, and a thick pair of wool socks.

As I step into the shower, I can feel my body relax under the hot steaming water.

I allow myself to relax as I slowly begin to scrub away all the dirt and grime from my body with a new eucalyptus body wash one of my friends gifted me a week ago. Then I proceeded to wash out my hair with my herbal essences strawberry shampoo and conditioner.

I feel more relaxed as I get out, quickly drying myself before quickly getting dressed, and combing out and braiding my hair away from my face.

By the time I am finished with the process, I am more relaxed than I have been in weeks.

When I finished getting dressed I hung my towel to dry and threw all of my work clothes into the basket of dirty clothes. Throwing on a zip-up sweater before slowly making my way back down the stairs.

As I reach the kitchen and head towards the refrigerator and rummage through to find something to eat before heading to bed.

Right in the middle shelf is a plate of cold cuts with a note on top.

Bella,

I came to stock up the fridge for you, and to help Mr. Cope with the gardening. I hope these snacks find you well.

~ Shelly B. Cope.

I smile at her thoughtfulness.

Shelly and Harold Cope, were once friends with my parents and Aunt Linda. They had been helping me take care of the house since my aunt got sick.

I've offered to pay them, but have been refused many times. Now, every time I come home after days of being away, I find notes or a cooked meal in the fridge waiting for me.

It made me so grateful towards them.

Truth is I only had the Copes and a few friends I have made since moving here.

I tried pushing them all away just after my Aunt Linda passed away, but Mrs. Cope wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.

Even when I yelled and screamed at her.

She simply held me tightly, and allowed me to cry myself out.

Before I realized it, I had aimlessly made myself a cold cut sandwich. Staring at it made my stomach rumble in ravenous hunger. It was gone before I realized I was even hungry.

I then proceeded to quickly drain the rest of the glass of orange juice before I got up to wash my dishes and dry them before placing them back in their respective places.

The events of the last three days finally began to weigh down on me as I walked down the hall and headed into one of the guest rooms.

The last thing I remember is climbing into bed before pulling the covers over my head.

Disclaimer:

I don't own any of the Twilight franchise or its characters alike. I do own the new characters and plot.