Saving Bella
Disclaimer:
I own nothing! Bella Swan & Carlisle Cullen belong to Stephanie Meyer. I'm simply writing out a fantasy of mine! However, I do own Maddelyne Cullen.
Rating:
R (for an abusive relationship)
Genre:
Romance/Hurt/Comfort
Pairing:
Carlisle/Bella (Bellisle? Carlella? I dunno.)
The Beginning of the End
The rain is beating down on my head fiercely. Aggressively. I open my eyes only to shield them from the rain. I'm almost suprised when I find it's an intense labor just to raise my hand over my eyes. Then, it hits me, if you'll forgive the pun. The symbolism of it all comes into view. The beating of the rain only serves to remind me of the beating I suffered mere hours-maybe minutes, I don't know-ago at the hands of a man I once thought would never hurt me. The man who always fought to the death to protect me. But, ever since I rejected his marriage proposal, he changed. He became...the...anti-Edward for lack of better terms. It was as if something within him had snapped. I remember the first time the beatings started.
I thought Alice would have seen Edward's intentions and come to my rescue. I thought wrong. Edward simply used her own weakness to bypass her visions. He threw me over his shoulder and ran to La Push. Again, I thought for sure Jacob would save me. Once again I was wrong. Edward also managed to plot his attacks when he knew Jacob would be nowhere near us. And, thus, it began. He taunted me. Stroking my cheek in an ever familiar loving fashion. Then, without warning, the wind was knocked out of me. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. Not about anything but the pain. And, then, I heard him.
"You stupid bitch!" He spat, venomously. "I was prepared to offer you everything you've ever wanted. I would have turned you into a monster just like me. All I asked of you was one thing! One simple thing! Marry me! That was all you had to fucking do!" Again. His iron fist smashed through my rib cage. The physical pain was only matched by a man Edward, himself, had once saved me from. James. Only James had ever bestowed this kind of sheer agony upon me. But, that was nothing compared to my mental anguish. I felt betrayed. Devastated. Like I meant nothing. Which, in retrospect, was always true, I suppose. I knew it never made sense for someone like Edward to love me. I should have never let him in. But, I know hind sight's always 20/20! But, you never see what's in front of you!
I slowly moved to shield my ribs. That was when I felt the all too familiar sting. I could just see the events that had led to my black out. I could picture Edward beating the life out of me. And leaving me there, alone, and freezing in the pouring rain. So typical. He would wait until I had come around and play the part of the hero. He would ride in, his shiny silver vovlo speeding through the sand and scoop me up and race home with some heroic story for his family as well as Charlie. It enfuriated me to no end. But, what could I do? Noone would ever believe me. Besides, even if I did, Edward would all too happily give in to the desires that once plagued him...and kill me. And, after the first beating, I vowed one important thing to myself...I would not give him that satisfaction. If I had to suffer, so would he.
Then, I heard the roar of an engine. But, it doesn't sound like the volvo. Finally, I managed to turn my head in the direction of the sound. At first, I was surprised to see Edward's father, Carlisle's, black mercedez speeding towards me. Then, I thought Great...The bastard's hiding behind his father's car to lull me into a false sense of security. My next thought was Wonderful...he's finally gotten bored with me and come to kill me outright! But, as the car sped to a halt just a few feet away from me, all predictions flew out the metaphorical window. I was at a loss for words when I saw Carlisle step out of the car, running toward me and fall to his knees at my side. The concern and fear written in his unnaturally beautiful face was unlike any emotion I'd ever seen in him before.
"My God, Bella..." He whispered. I don't think he knew I could hear him. "Bella? Bella, can you hear me?" I tried to say 'Yes' but all I could muster was a pathetic moan. "Dear God. She was right. How could I not see the signs?! I've seen this a million times in my line of work! Fucking idiot!" I could tell he was thinking out loud. But, I couldn't quite fathom who 'she' was. I thought, perhaps, it was Alice. Maybe Edward had slipped up and she had seen something, afterall. Or maybe Rosalie had tipped Carlisle off? No, that wasn't her forte. She wasn't much of a mind reader like he was. Perhaps Esme had figured it out and tipped off her husband. She may not have been a mind-reader, but, she always seemed unnaturally intuitive. Maybe she had picked up on something. Either way, now was not the time to play detective.
I couldn't help noticing the way Carlisle's hands and fingers trembled as he picked me up so gently and carefully. It was almost unnerving. But, it felt so natural for me to bury my head in his chest. I looked up for a quick moment to see pain and fear and concern etched into his beautiful features. I would have been worried about him but, in the process of Carlisle lifting me and carrying me to the car, the pain had become debilitating all over again. I tried to stay awake for Carlisle, but, the pain was too much. The blackness took over again.
The next thing I remember was the bright lights of the Forks hospital and the nurses shouting out orders that didn't really make sense to me. And, I saw him. I saw Carlisle standing over me. Examining my injuries. I could tell by his expression that this was personal. He wasn't treating me like any other patient. It was personal. There was something written in the orbs of liquid gold he called his eyes. It was something I had never seen in him before. A combination of rage, hatred, fear, concern...and, there was something else there that I couldn't quite put my hands on. When Carlisle had finished his examination, I was moved from the emergency room to a seperate room. I was exhausted from the day's events. But, I looked around. I was relieved when he wasn't there. I can't even bring myself to think his name, anymore. My heart stopped when I saw the door open. He'll be furious with me. Carlisle found me before he could save the day. He won't be happy about that. But, I relax when I see Carlisle walk in with another stunningly beautiful blonde woman walking next to him. Looking at her, I knew she was a vampire as well. Her eyes were the same, radiant orbs of liquid gold and she was unnaturally beautiful. I was mesmorized until Carlisle's melodic velvety voice broke through to me.
"Bella, this is my sister, Maddelyne Cullen." Carlisle spoke as he gestured to the beautiful blonde next to him. She looked to be no more than a year or two older than Carlisle. She was tall and thin, like a New York fashion model. Her beautiful blonde hair framed her delicate face perfectly in perfectly poker-straight locks. She was Carlisle's height and appeared the perfect weight for that height. When she spoke, her voice was every bit as musical as Carlisle's.
"Hello, Bella. As I'm sure you've guessed...I, like my brother here, am a vampire. I tipped him off about what my nephew has been doing to you." She explained. I was shocked. How many Cullens were there? And, how could she have possibly known about him? Or what he was doing to me? So many questions I didn't have the answers to. And, somehow...none of those answers really mattered. I was just relieved that someone knew about what he was doing without me having to say anything.
"H-how?" It was pathetic, and, I knew that. But, to my relief, neither Carlisle nor his sister minded. They both just pulled up seats next to my bed. Maddelyne's face took on a caring and sympathetic expression as she began to answer all of my questions.
"Ever since I was changed...I've had a gift. I can see acts of violence. However, unlike my niece, I don't get the luxury of seeing them before they happen. My sights is something like deja vu. I can only see something just after it happens. It's not much of a gift when you consider I can't use it for much good. But, when I saw what my nephew had done to you-and, what he's been doing to you, I couldn't stand it. It made me sick! I had to come to Forks and warn my brother. I'm just sorry I didn't act sooner. I thought for sure my brother would have seen the signs and acted without my interference-especially given Alice's gifts. But, when my brother didn't act, I knew I couldn't let this bullshit go on any longer. Something had to be done." I couldn't believe that she was apologizing for not saving me sooner. I couldn't get mad at her for that. I was far too grateful for all that she had done already. I truly believe that I owe my life to this beautiful creature.
"Maddelyne, don't...don't apologize." I told her. "I am truly grateful for everything that you have done. I truly do believe I owe my life to you. You have nothing to apologize for. It's...Edward...that has some apologizing to do." I explained. I didn't want her feeling guilty for what that bastard did to me. It wasn't her fault that he turned out to be the monster he had claimed to be.
"Don't worry, Bella." Carlisle assured me. I knew he was being sincere the moment he opened his mouth. "Edward will never hurt you again. I promise you that. I will personally see to it." The tone in his voice was that of true sincerity. I instantly felt better. I knew Carlisle meant every word of his promise and I knew he would fight to the death to protect me and to fulfill his promise.
"Well...I have to go. Carlisle, don't worry about it. I've got everything under control." Maddelyne laid a hand on her brother's shoulder as she exited the room. I could tell there had been some sort of agreement made between the two vampires and I figured it was better that I know as little as possible about whatever that agreement might have been.
"Bella, I am truly sorry. I cannot believe I allowed my son to do this to you. I feel as though all of this is my fault." I couldn't believe it. Carlisle was actually hanging his head as though he was ashamed of some mysterious wrong-doing of his own. Then, I saw a thin, narrow, path gleaming down his face. It wasn't sunlight as there were no windows in my room. No...it was a tear. I couldn't believe Carlisle was actually crying. I couldn't stand it. He had nothing to feel guilty about. Edward could be an extremely convincing liar. A lesson I had learned only too well. That son-of-a-bitch could make you believe anything he wanted. Carlisle shouldn't feel guilty for buying into his son's act. He wasn't the only one Edward had fooled.
Reaching out for Carlisle, I stroked the tear from his cold and impossibly beautiful face. "Carlisle...This isn't your fault. I don't blame you." He looked up at me, his golden orbs shining with unshed tears. I couldn't explain it, but, my heart shattered at the sight. His face looked as though he couldn't believe what I was saying. "It's not your fault. Edward is a damn convincing liar. He'll make you believe whatever he wants. You're not the only one he's ever fooled. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. You're not the one that did this to me. He did. He did this to me! He's the asshole, Carlisle. You saved me. You saved me from any further beatings. I can't even begin to thank you enough for what you've done. If not for you, I would still be lying on a wet beach, freezing in the rain alone...Waiting for him to return to do...God knows what to me. But, you...You saved me from that."
Carlisle smiled a small smile. It was small, but, it was there. I felt a flood of hope wash over me. I hoped I had brought even just a small glimmer of relief to him. It was the least I could do after all that he had done for me. "Thank you, Bella. You're an amazing woman. You truly are." I smiled. I couldn't understand it, but, it made me feel good to think that Carlisle saw me as a woman when most people still thought of me as the young girl that left Forks years ago with her mother. "Thank you, Carlisle."
Before, I could finish, the door flew open and a comfortingly familiar voice bellowed out. "Where the hell is she?!" When Charlie's eyes found me, he immediately relaxed. "Bella! Bella, oh my God! Are you okay?!" Carlisle answered him for me.
"It's alright, Charlie." He assured my father. "Bella's going to be just fine. She has several broken ribs, but, she should heal beautifully." Carlisle turned to me and flashed me an unbelievably comforting smile. "Goodbye, Bella. I'm glad to see you're okay." He turned to Charlie. "Charlie..." Resting a reassuring hand on my father's shoulder, he added sincerely "It's going to be alright. The situation's being handled by a very close friend of mine. I can guarantee you...this will never happen again. I promise you...no one is ever going to hurt Bella again. I will personally see to that."
"Thank you, Dr. Cullen. I appreciate that." Charlie replied as he took Carlisle's seat next to my bed. "But, I think an attack like this would be better left to me and my guys."
"Charlie. Bella needs you, right now. She's the only thing you need to worry about. The situation will be eliminated before you leave here, today, I assure you." Carlisle assured my father. And, with that, he silently left me and Charlie alone.
"Bells...what the hell happened...I get a call from Edward's aunt?! Maddelyne, I think she said her name was...saying that you were in the emergency room?! And that Edward put you here?!" Charlie was outraged, I could tell. I started to believe Carlisle. It would be better for Maddelyne to do whatever it was she was supposed to do rather than to let Charlie handle the situation. I knew he would only end up doing something he and I would both regret.
"Dad...don't...don't worry...Maddelyne said she would take care of it. And, I believe her. She didn't say what she was going to do...She just said that she would see to it that Edward couldn't hurt me again." I tried to assure him. I knew my dad wouldn't be satisfied until Edward was six feet under, but, I did what I could to placate him.
"Bells...we gotta get you outta here. It's just a matter of time before that low-life piece of shit will hunt you down...and hurt you all over again." I know Charlie meant well. But, he hadn't spoken with Maddelyne. He didn't know how sincere she was in her promises. But, I did. I was content and satisfied that I was now safe. I know Edward will never lay another cold, stone, finger on me. And, I have never been happier!
