Thank you so much for all the favorites and follows still guys, as well as the lovely reviews. I love reading them. Life is a little hectic at the moment with a new job but I will try and update where I can.

Bella didn't want to get out of the warm, clean water. It was only shallow, but Bella savored it. It made her feel better, more clean.

She wanted to grab the soap and scrub her entire body, but she knew she couldn't. She wanted to scrub away any reminder of Charlie.

The wounds ached and burned from the water but Bella didn't care.

She had her cast covered in a waterproof bag, and Alice was holding her other arm completely out of the tub because of the burn dressing and the cannula. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best bath she had had in a long time.

With Bella's permission, Rosalie carefully ran a flannel over the front of her body and legs. Rosalie made sure she avoided the probes on Bella's chest. They kept her hair dry and avoided the burn dressing on her back, but Rosalie very carefully wiped over her face, making sure to go round the feeding tube.

It wasn't the same as a proper wash, but Bella still felt better for it.

When they were done, Rosalie kept her steady as Alice helped her into the new pajamas.

"They should be able to just pull the wires up through the neck bit or down the bottom." Alice said, shrugging as she looked over Bella's new outfit. The t-shirt was oversized anyway so there wouldn't be any access issues for the doctors.

When they were done, Alice and Rosalie helped her walk back across from the ensuite to the bed.

Carlisle was there waiting for them, and carefully connected all the wires and tubes back up. Bella felt bad because Carlisle didn't work at the hospital, but she wouldn't allow anyone else near her. A female doctor had come in once or twice, but Bella was still reluctant to let anyone unfamiliar too close to her. It seemed she only wanted people who she trusted close to her.

"Do you want any pain medication, Bella?" Carlisle asked her as Rosalie helped settle her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. "You haven't had any in some time." He was frowning.

"No, thanks." Bella shook her head. The pain was making herself feel grounded, and she almost heard Charlie's words circling around her head that she was bad, and deserved the pain. There was something that was stopping her from taking that away.

"Alright." He sighed. "I'll go and chase up the burns team and see how long you'll be waiting. Are you okay for your mother to come back in? She's been asking about you."

Bella nodded. She wanted to see her mother but was worried that Renée would try and convince her to go to Phoenix again, and then with them to Florida.

Renée was more reserved when she came back in however, offering Bella a small smile. "Are you okay, Bella?"

Bella nodded. "I'm fine, mom."

"Alright." Renée rested her eyes on Rosalie who was sitting next to Bella, still holding her hand, and then over to Alice, who was looking through a magazine in the corner. "Esme said that you were welcome to stay with them for the time being, whilst we figure things out. I'll let the caseworker from CPS know when they come to talk to us. I just want what's best for you, Bella. I'll stay around Seattle for as long as you need me."

"I know." Bella sighed. "I really want to stay in Forks, though. That's what's best for me right now."

Renee didn't push the matter after that, and Bella relaxed as they fell into a general conversation.

Around an hour later, Renée had left to find Phil, and Carlisle was back with a new lady. He explained she was from the burns team and was just going to check what was going on with the injuries.

The lady, who Bella found out was called Sarah, wasn't there for long. She cleaned the burn on her arm and on her back, and applied a different type of dressing. She explained she would be prescribing a cream to help prevent infection and to encourage the wounds to close. She noted to Carlisle that they needed to keep doing the IV for a while longer.

The pain was excruciating when Sarah sorted the burns, although she had been very gentle. Bella gritted her teeth but savored the pain, reminding herself that she was alive and that she deserved this.

Carlisle looked worried, and wanted to give her some pain relief through the IV but Bella declined again.

Bella was in and out of sleep then, exhausted after the emotional day.

When she woke, she wasn't surprised to find Rosalie sitting at her bedside, and Alice was curled up on the armchair sleeping.

As she looked around, she noticed Edward standing back against the wall. "Edward." Bella murmured, although her body tensed even just noting his presence.

Edward looked completely heartbroken but he offered her a small smile. "Hi, love."

Bella smiled softly, wanting him to wrap her up in his arms, but also being terrified to go near him. "I'm so sorry."

He was shaking his head before she could finish. "Bella, it's not your fault. I understand. I'll be here on the sidelines, ready when you need me."

Bella nodded. "Thank you. I can't wait to hug you."

Edward laughed, sliding down to sit against the wall. He was respecting Bella's need for space and she was glad of that.

The two of them talked for hours, as Rosalie and Alice eventually left to give them some privacy.

Bella truly laughed for the first time in a while.

She fell asleep peacefully that evening - to the soft, beautiful sound of Edward's voice as he hummed her a lullaby.