Alec sighed, watching the rain fall from his room. It was far too quiet for his liking. He had spent a lot of time after returning to Volterra, pacing in the room that had once belonged to Brittany. He was not an idiot. He knew once she was older the Cullens would probably try and talk her out of coming back to him. His sister Jane had returned to Volterra, and resumed her role as Aro’s pet. Alec didn’t really mind that much. The quicker things were back to normal, the better for all of them. Maybe they’d even forget Brittany existed. He chuckled at that ludicrous thought. The elders wouldn’t forget. They would be biding their time.  Alec just hoped that he and Jane would not be the ones asked to make her a vampire. He didn’t think he’d be able to do it with a clear conscience.

“Alec, we’re needed. The elders are dealing with a rule breaker.” Jane’s happy tone did nothing to make Alec feel better. He couldn’t understand why his sister enjoyed hurting others so much. He turned to face her. “Well, come on.”

“I’ll be there momentarily, “Alec replied formally. “I have something I need to finish quick.” His twin scoffed, but didn’t argue. Alec watched Jane disappear from his doorway before walking over to his desk. The letter he had started to Brittany was waiting for completion. He picked up the pen lying beside it. He began to write again.

Brittany:

Things are fine here in Volterra, though Felix and I miss you a great deal. I hope the Cullen family is treating you well. Feel free to write me back when ever you get the chance.

Sincerely,
 Alec

 PS: Don’t wander alone outside

Alec smiled at his handiwork before folding the letter. He put it in the top drawer of his desk. He would have Felix mail it for him later. He knew hearing from him sooner rather than later would make Brittany happy. Down the hall, he heard Jane call for him again urgently. Alec sighed, going to meet her. He realized that Brittany had changed his way of seeing things now. It was going to be really hard to pretend otherwise. He would just have to do his very best.

***

Brittany found it hard to sleep for days after Jane and Alec left her in the care of Carlisle Cullen and his family. Even though she knew that they meant her no harm, she couldn’t escape the idea that something was very off about them. They had her registered for school under the name Brittany Cullen within the first week of her moving in with them. She found it incredibly difficult to focus. As she paced her room, practicing lines for a dramatic skit she was going to be graded on, she found her thoughts wandering back to Italy.

Brittany turned to face the window, and saw that it was raining again. Downstairs, she heard her foster family getting a little rowdy. Then there were footsteps on the stairs. A knock on the door made her jump even though she figured she should have expected it.  “Come in.”

“Hey there. We’re going out for a nature walk.” Rosalie stood in her doorway looking beautiful as usual. Brittany had decided quickly that her foster mother was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in her life. “You’re welcome to move your practice downstairs. Alice and Jasper are staying behind for now.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay.” Brittany felt bad. She knew that Dr. Cullen and his family had been trying hard to integrate her into their family. She just wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to get used to anyone else. Brittany was afraid they might decide they didn’t want her either. She thought about Alec and Jane then, and she bit bottom lip. She had promised them she would try, but she wasn’t ready yet.
           
“Okay, that’s fine.” Rosalie was chewing her lower lip now though. She hesitated, before speaking again. “May I come in?”

“Yes.” Brittany wondered if Rosalie was going to try and talk her into becoming part of the family more. She got that talk every so often from Carlisle and his other family members too. She watched her settle on her bed.

“Come here.” Rosalie patted the edge of the bed next to her, and Brittany gave in, going to sit next other on the bed. “Brittany, you know that we’re not trying to replace Jane and Alec, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Brittany looked at the floor. She didn’t want to see the pain in Rosalie’s eyes. She didn’t understand why it hurt any of them so much. Their family was so big. Why did whether or not she chose to be a part of it hurt them so much?

“We want you feel comfortable with us.”  Rosalie reached over, cupping her chin in hand. She tilted Brittany’s face to look at her. “You need to trust us. We’re not going anywhere.”

“That’s what Alec said, and then he just let them send me away.” Brittany was annoyed with the tears that sprang to her eyes. “It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything wrong!” The girl heard Rosalie sigh. Brittany was shocked when she felt someone hug her from behind. Then she heard Emmett’s voice in her ear.

“Maybe it wasn’t you, Brit. Maybe they wanted to protect you from something they didn’t want you to deal with. Jane and Alec ... are not normally that considerate. If they felt you needed protection, it must have been bad.” Emmett’s hug was comforting. For the first time, Brittany didn’t feel too guilty when she turned and hugged him back. She was more concerned about getting tears all over his jacket. Emmett didn’t seem to mind it though. He scooped her up. “Tell you what. After Rose and I get back, why don’t I take you out? Just the two of us?”

Brittany nodded. She liked spending time with Emmett a lot. She wasn’t calling him Daddy yet, but he took care of her just the same. She found it comforting there in his arms now. “Will you be gone long? I want to show you my drama homework.”

“Oh yeah? Well, we can certainly listen to it when we get back, right, Rosalie?”

“Yeah.” Rosalie smiled softly at the two of them. She stood up. “I’ll just go get my jacket now. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

When Rosalie left, Brittany looked up at Emmett. “I ... I think she’s mad at me.”

“No, she’s not mad at you. We are worried about you.” Emmett scooped her up gently. “You’re so young, and you have no idea what you’ve been raised around. I just wish we could explain it to you.” Emmett stood up. “Anyway, we’ll see you when we get back.”