THE CAR JOURNEY between the newly established household of four was much more awkward than either Charlie or Veronica had been expecting it to be. They knew it would be a little bit awkward, after all it would appear that both of Charlie's daughters had inherited a lot of his great people skills, note the sarcasm. Yet he had hope that it wouldn't have been as bad as it was turning out to be. Each attempt at conversation made by either Charlie or Veronica targeted at their new companion was either avoided entirely or only answered using one word. Bella had been incredibly cold and shut off to the pair of them the second she took the front passenger seat in the car and watched as Charlie had to teach Veronica just how to clip the carrier, and functioning car seat, into the back seat. She had sat there sighing as it took them most likely a lot longer than she was used to Matthew being clipped in. And from then on it had been only progressing more and more negatively. 

Charlie had tried to engage Bella in conversation in regards to starting school, how her hair looked anything really and he had gotten very rigid frozen responses. Veronica had then tried to step in by speaking about things that the pair could do together that would be something new and fun and could help Bella adjust to their surroundings. But Bella didn't seem overly keen on anything that Veronica had suggested and the younger girl had brushed it off as though it had gone a lot better. For she knew that forming an actual bond with someone you had become estranged to took a lot longer than TV and films would indicate but that did not stop her from hoping it would. And therefore, the group settled into an uncomfortable silence as Bella watched the world go by through the window with a look of longing etched on her face, Matthew slept in the back unaware of the environment around him and Veronica spent the rest of her journey pulling faces into the rear-view mirror hoping to catch her father's eye at one point or another. 

When they did eventually arrive at the house in Forks, Bella had been quick to clamber out of the uncomfortable environment within the car. She had taken the keys to the house using the excuse of needing the toilet desperately and Veronica could see how much it could be the truth and how much it could have just been a ruse to get away. She didn't blame her sister for either, as she was sure she would have done the same had the roles been reversed. That had however, left both her and her father to bring both Matthew inside and their small belongings which had flown over with them. And with the look on Charlie's face it was clear that Veronica would be having another go at getting her nephew out of the car. 

"Give it another go, come on Ronnie you can do it. A little bit of practice for if your sister needs a hand every once in a while." Charlie encouraged as he took in his daughters face upon hearing that she would be trying it on her own. 

"I don't even have a clue on how to get it out." Veronica whined and Charlie gave her a small smile in response.

"Just the opposite of how you put it in there. Be gentle and try not to wake him up." At her father's words Veronica would attempt to remove the baby carrier from the back seat, though would find difficulty a few steps in. And Charlie, not wanting to disturb his grandson would step in to help with the final two steps giving his youngest a pat on the shoulder. 

"Nearly had it there bug, we'll practice when he's not in the carrier later so you get the hang of it without the stress of Matthew being inside." Charlie offered and Veronica could only give an awkward grin back. She knew she would have to be able to do basic care for her nephew aware that it would be required on occasion to help her big sister and father out. But she wished she had paid a little more attention in health class to have a baseline for what she was supposed to do. As at present she was nothing short of clueless. 

"Take him inside, and I'll bring the suitcases do you think you'll be able to settle him in his bed? I'm not sure if your sister would have gone straight to bed herself." Charlie muttered the last sentence as he waited for Veronica to respond.

"Think so, can't be too hard right?" Veronica's question would not be answered as she was encouraged to head inside from the cold sharp winter wind to shield the baby before he became ill within his first 24 hours in the small town. 

Upon entering the house Veronica came to find it not as quiet as she expected. Considering both her and her father had come to the conclusion Bella had not reappeared outside was because she had settled down for a quick afternoon nap, the noise coming from upstairs indicated otherwise. Veronica could hear the clear footsteps echoing as Bella moved from room to room, most likely reintroducing herself to the space she had not been in for nearly three years, and taking in the vast changes which had occurred over the last few months in preparation for her arrival. And as Veronica walked up the stairs she could hear her sister echoing her on the staircase which lead to the attic above. It would be something she could not stop after all it was a public space she only hoped her sister would respect her privacy and not enter her bedroom without Veronica's approval at least for the first time. Veronica chose to continue to ignore her sister's movements for now and would check in on the older girl one she had settled Matthew down in his new bed. Just see how the older girl was feeling perhaps without their father around. 

Veronica entered the newly decorated nursery and took a second to admire her hard work. It was probably the room she was proudest on and had spent the most time on. The room itself was a cream colour with children's characters on the wall ones of which had been her favourite growing up and she hoped would also grow to be some of Matthew's favourites. The highlight of the room was the blue section of the wall with the white lettering spelling out 'Matthew' that held the changing station just below.

It was surprisingly easy to settle Matthew down in his cot, the seven month old would be sleeping in his own little sleep bag and it was straight forward to swap him into that after removing the little jacket he wore with the trucks on and the remaining of his outside clothing. Matthew was obviously very tired as he barely stirred whilst Veronica attempted to change his clothing, he opened his eyes but remained silent as he stared at the teenaged girl stood above him a look of what she assumed was intrigue on his face. And when he was settled into the cot, sleep bag zipped to just below the shoulders, he was quick to settle back asleep. And Veronica was able to leave him be for the time ensuring the baby monitor was turned on and taking the walkie talkie that work with it outside. She held onto the walkie talkie for the time being with the intent to hand it to her older sister, she just had to find the girl. 

The footsteps above Veronica had stopped, there was no clear evidence of the older girl on the same floor either as Veronica popped her head into each open doorway. And Bella had moved on from investigating one thing to another. Veronica therefore headed downstairs wondering if the other two older members of the family would be located in the living room or kitchen, yet she came across nobody. That was until she heard a slightly familiar misfire of an engine out front and she soon worked out where the others had gone. 

Veronica knew her father had arranged for a tiny little welcome committee for her sister who would also be able to bring over the rusty truck he had purchased so the older girl could easily get around the town. Charlie had done this all through his own best friend Billy black and his son, and Veronica's best friend, Jacob. And therefore, Veronica once again pulled on the coat she had hastily discarded when she had brought Matthew upstairs to head out and see what the noise was all about. And witness her older sisters reaction to the rusty orange truck she was about to be gifted. 

"Well there's our little star." The cheerful voice of Billy Black bounced across the front yard as Veronica moved over the porch and down to meet them. Billy had been in her life for as long as she could remember, the black family having been her second family. With their being countless times she had spent time there when her father had been swamped with work when she was younger leading the man to be almost her second father in her life and his wife a mother figure. It was a tragedy that the accident which had cost him the love of his life had also cost him the function of his legs. 

"If it isn't my favourite member of the Black family." Veronica was just as dramatic back to Billy as she headed over to give the man a hug. His arms wrapped tightly around the young girl and the pair of them waited for the response of the teenaged boy who was only a few feet away. 

"Hey, that is so not cool." Jacob Black would join the conversation as he watched his best friend and father interact. Veronica would turn to face the teenaged boy and stick her tongue out in response. 

"Suck it up Jacob, suck it up." Veronica chided though she still moved towards her best friend stopping at his side. Jacob would then wrap his arm around her in a side hug as the pair waited for Bella's true reaction to the rust bucket that she had been gifted. 

"So what do you think of the truck Bella?" Veronica questioned her older sister titling her head to the side slightly as she waited to hear back.

"It's better than what I was expecting." Bella's reaction was almost snobby in terms as if she had expected nothing good from the information that their father had purchased her a vehicle to travel in. And Veronica only assumed that she was acting this way due to all the change occurring in the space of one day. But she would have to wait and see if this was true or not. 

"The truck was chosen mainly for space as there is plenty enough room for a car seat in the back and other bits and pieces. Should make it easy to take him out and about." Charlie explained as he took in the slightly displeased look upon Bella's face. 

"Hmm... I suppose that makes sense." Bella outwardly agreed but it was clear that she did not like the idea internally, it was clear on her face. 

The three teenagers stood talking for a couple more minutes about trivial things. Mostly about what to expect when school resumed on the oncoming Monday, Bella pressing on how nervous she was that people were not going to like her. With Veronica and Jacob trying their hardest to squash this fear and give the older girl some encouragement. But Veronica had a small suspicion that Bella would fit in just fine, from what she had heard Bella did not struggle to fit in well with most large friendship groups and knowing the kind of people the older girl had in her school year, Veronica was sure that she would have no difficulty settling in. 

During this entire time Veronica had forgotten that she still held onto the baby monitor that she had meant to hand over to her elder sister. Rather she had placed it in the unusually large coat pocket and just left it there her original intentions forgotten. That was until it was suddenly activated by the sound of the baby having awoken and needing something. It could be a matter of things but he needed attending to. And Veronica had no real clue what to do. Therefore, she turned to her sister for help.

"I think that's Matthew, what do you want to do?" She questioned looking for advice from the boys mother expecting her to take the walkie talkie away and head to sort her son out. Only Bella stood there with a look of confusion on her face. 

"What do you want me to do? I was hoping to check the truck out a little more." Bella bit back her tone was not the nicest and Veronica winced at her sisters words. She turned to look at her father for help the man seemed a little shocked at his eldest's words and therefore went to step in. 

"You can look at it later Bells, we can't leave Matthew much longer." Only to get a huff in response. 

"Mom would have just gone to him herself." Bella grumbled and made no effort to move. Veronica looked back at her father again and the man shrugged before letting out a sigh. 

"Head in Ronnie, I'll come meet you up there in a minute. Bella and I need to have a little chat." Veronica knew not to argue with her father she recognised the tone he was using and therefore headed back into the house away from the telling off she knew her older sister was in for. 

"Hang on a sec Vero." Came the beckoning call of her best friend as he jogged slightly to catch up with her.

"You alright there Jake?" Veronica questioned wondering why he'd rather come in the house with her and check on a crying baby then get to know Bella.

"Yeah thought there was no better time than the present to meet the little man. After all, I'm gonna be here basically all the time." Jake shrugged and Veronica just gave him a look back before continuing on as if nothing had changed. 

The pair quickly made it to the nursery and there he was little Matthew Swan laid in the cot crying. Veronica went over to the baby not sure what was wrong or what she needed to do, only thinking the best thing she could do whilst trying to work it out was at least let him know that someone was there. And he was not alone. 

"Hey there Matthew, it's okay little man." Veronica spoke as gentle as she possibly could as she moved to lift him up and rock him in her arms. Her lack of time spent around any baby was obvious to her in that moment as she stood there rocking her nephew completely at a loss to what was wrong and how to stop him from crying. Though she did note that he felt a little bit heavier and could guess that he probably needed a clean diaper. Not that she knew how to change him. 

"I think he needs changing." Veronica stated to her best friend and Jacob gave her a little grimace at the thought. 

"Yeah nah I'm out I'll pop back in, in a minute." Jake responded before making an effort to leave the room. Or so she thought before he turned around and looked at her again. "Just kidding, do you think he needs anything else?"

"Maybe he's hungry? I'm not sure." Veronica offered.

"What does he even eat?"

"I dunno what does a 7 month old eat?"

"I'll ask my dad and grab yours so you can work out how to change him." Jacob decided and the two teens looked at each other with a mutual understanding. That they would need serious help and if Bella did not want to come along and provide it they would just turn to their fathers as they had more than enough experience to lend a hand. Jacob then disappeared out of the room and down the stairs and Veronica turned her attention back to the baby she held in her hands. 

"Alright buddy lets get you clean then you can try something to eat. Nanny says you are a fussy eater." Veronica mumbled as she moved towards the changing station and assumed she would just need one of everything in order to clean the baby up. 

"Alright bug, step two in how to care for a baby." Came the voice of her father and Veronica let out a sigh in thanks. Though she would leave the room feeling just a little disgusted at the end of the procedure. A baby's stomach was a wild place. 

Matthew would be sat in his highchair for the first time, a bowl of some sort of pureed food in front of him whist the two teenagers sat upon other chairs at the table. Charlie and Billy were sat in the living room ready to be called upon if the pair needed anything. And Bella? Veronica did not know where her sister currently was but she chose not to focus on it for the time being. Not when she could watch Matthew play around with his food and coo at how cute he was. 

"I don't think we did that bad of a job?" Jacob announced and Veronica turned her attention from the baby to her best friend.

"We barely did anything."

"He's still alive isn't he?"

"Jesus Jake you make us sound like horrible people." 

*EDITED DECEMBER 2022*