NOTES!:
(I just wanted to let everyone know this is the first story/fic I have ever worked on. I have never thought of myself to be a writer and I may lack slight writing skills that make books and stories amazing. However I hope with that aside the ideas and things added into this story keep you interested enough to keep reading. Some things in the story are slightly out of canon and I have created my own way. However I promise it will still keep you interested in reading. Also just to add I have only read the first Twilight book. Thanks!
ALSO! I'm putting this story into chapters now that I figured out how.)
Bella finally returned home after a long amazing night at the prom with Edward. He dropped her off at her house and took care of her like he had promised Charlie. Regretting saying goodbye, Bella smiled at Edward and walked inside the house.
Inside the lights were off, other than one she could see coming from the kitchen. Curious and confused she went into the kitchen to find Charlie sitting with his gun which he had just cleaned and surrounded by beer cans.
"Late night?" She said trying to make a joke and smiled slightly as she looked at him.
"Your late." His voice was stern and drunken, not what she was expecting at all. Even though the beer cans all over the kitchen said otherwise.
Over the past few months she had been there she noticed her dad never kicked the habit of drinking. He started when her mother left and figured it was a way for him to deal with the heartache and just never got over it. They got in to it a few times before when she had come home after being out on the weekends and he was so drunk he could barely stand. He would always find some reason to be pissed off about something, but never held it against him personally since she knew it was because of the beer.
However from the tone of his voice this time and the fact he waited up for her she knew it was going to be difficult to deal with him in this state. Figured she would make the conversation between them quick and easy, giving her the chance to go to bed still in a good mood and not let him ruin her night.
"I know but-" He cut her off by standing up and blurting out something she didn't understand. He surprised her when he brought his shot gun with him, but figured he was going to put it away. She hoped it wasn't loaded.
"No excuses!" He kept stumbling closer to her as he carelessly pointed the gun in her direction. Not to shoot her just to jester with his hands as he got angry.
"Don't you think you are over reacting a bit?" Of course she was going to keep it short, but she didn't understand exactly why he was so pissed. He had never been like this before.
Out of nowhere he pulled his hand up and hit her in the side of the face with the back of his gun. She yelped in pain as she fell back into the wall and to the floor. "I can show you over reacting." He just walked away and back to the kitchen to grab another beer. On his way back from the fridge he looked down at her. "Go to bed. Maybe you will do as I say next time." He took a sip from the can and made his way to the living room like nothing happened.
Bella stayed on the floor holding the side of her face. She was in too much shock to even cry at that moment. Unbelieving when he just walked by her and didn't care. After finally feeling the pain in her head she pulled her hand away to see the blood. Fighting with her thoughts she wondered if getting up and running would just set him off again. So she slowly pulled herself off the floor and to her feet. Walking backwards she made her way to her room, making sure he wouldn't follow.
Once there she locked her door and crumpled to the floor where the tears were finally able to escape. Some time had passed and she finally got a hold of herself and got up to go clean herself off. She looked in the mirror and could not believe the horror she saw. How am I suppose to hide that? she thought. It really did upset her that Charlie hit her, she had no idea what to think about this whole situation at the time. Doing the best she could she managed to get the wound clean and bandaged, making her resemble a mummy almost. She didn't bother changing clothes and crawled into bed with her thoughts and tried to go to sleep.
Morning had come and she got out of bed with her few hours of sleep to encourage her. The pain in her head was unbearable but she pushed herself to at least go find some pain pills. Knowing Charlie had already left for work she had no reason to try and avoid him so went about the house as she please. It didn't take her long to make up her mind to go back to sleep and forget about school for the day.
Edward didn't come over to Bella's that night like he normally did. Mainly just to give her a chance to relax and to answer all the questions his family dished out at him. Of course Alice wanted to know everything.
He did return that morning to wait for her outside like he always did, but was confused when she never came.
Of course it was no struggle for him to find his way into the house to hurry her along. He started with her room, happy to see his choice was right on. She had never slept in before and hoped she wasn't getting sick or something.
"Bella." He spoke softly as he approached her bed and reached down to rub a hand down her back to gently wake her. She looked so amazing when she was sleeping. It took him a moment to notice she was still in her dress. He stared a minute to remember their night once again and tried to wake her once more when she didn't move. "Come on beautiful." He kissed her cheek lightly after he spoke and sat down on her bed beside her.
Bella groaned slightly as she was waking up. Her headache was still present and the burning pain in the cut made her keep her eyes shut. She really didn't even notice she was being woken up by someone until she felt his cold hand rubbing up and down her arm. She smiled slightly forgetting about her pain for the moment and rolled over to be closer to the familiar touch. That is until she felt him tense and opened her eyes to find him staring at her.
Edward's mind was at a blank at first when he saw the bandage on her face it taking his breath away and making him speechless. After the initial shock a million things ran through his mind at once.
"Bella my God what happened to you?" She could hear the sadness and concern in his voice and it broke her heart. Struggling for a few seconds she had to think of something else to tell him other than the truth.
Glad that he couldn't read her mind. She knew if she told him Charlie had done it he would kill him. At that moment she couldn't deal with anymore stress.
"The stairs became my enemy.." That's all she could really say and looked down and away from him.
"You fell down the stairs?" He looked at her confused. Yeah that wasn't unlikely for her but he didn't think she would ever hurt herself this bad from falling. He reached to touch under her chin and make her look at him. Stroking her good cheek when she finally did look at him, in nothing but adoration. What am I going to do with her? He thought.
"Up them actually. The cast makes things a little more challenging." She tapped at it with her finger but didn't look away from him. His eyes could always make her day just a little bit better.
Without having to look away from her he remember the cast. That did make things a little different, but he couldn't let her keep getting hurt. Not while he was in her life now, not after what James did. He shuddered at the thought of him and what happened. "I guess I'm just going to have to be your all time shadow for a while then huh?"
Bella smiled up at him. "I don't think I would mind that." And she really wouldn't. How was she suppose to face Charlie and it be normal now? Even though she wanted things to go back to normal.
"So I take it you are staying home today?" He still couldn't get over how bad she had hurt herself.
She nodded and closed her eyes again as she leaned her head against his chest.
"Is there anything I can get you?" He spoke softly and toyed with her hair. Bella simply just shook her head, too tired and happy to be laying with him to think of anything else she could want. Without realizing how tired she actually was it didn't take long for her to fall asleep again.
Bella ended up staying out of school a few days that week. At least until her face healed enough to where she could hide it with some make up. Edward was always there to take care of her as long as she wanted.
Leaving only to feed or get something to entertain her with. She avoided all contact with Charlie as possible, keeping herself locked up in her room when he was home and he never bothered her.
In the instant it felt like she had just gone to sleep about a week after he first hit her she was being jerked awake as Charlie pulled her from her bed. Once again drunk and stumbling as he held on to her. It took her several moments to even realize what was happening as she was tossed out of her room to the hall way floor. She groaned slightly in pain when she hit the floor and looked up to see Charlie.
"Get up!" He yelled only standing inches away from her.
Still not knowing what was going on she didn't argue with his demand and quickly got to her feet. Trying not to stand so close to him though.
"Skipping school now are you?!" He growled and filled the space between them she just made.
Bella tensed as he got closer in that instant. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't even try to lie to me!" He slapped her and tossed the paper he got in the mail at her that explained to him the days she had been missing from school.
Bella gasped when she was hit, her face just starting to heal, but was still sore and it made the pain even worse. her hand instantly moved to cover the spot where he had just hit, looking down at the paper when he threw it at her, knowing exactly what it was. This was ridiculous, he couldn't keep acting like this every time he drank and something didn't go his way.
"It was because of you I missed school!" She didn't know why, but she was more pissed now than scared.
After saying that she regretted it because it only angered him further. He grabbed her by her throat and tossed her to the floor.
Her breath hitched when she fell on her back to the floor. "This is exactly why mom left you" It really wasn't, but she didn't care, she was going to do anything to hurt him back just like he was hurting her.
"You don't know anything about that!" He was furious at that point and you could tell by the look on his face it hurt him, moving down to where she was on the floor just to hit her again before pulling her up by her hair.
Bella made a soft moan at his attack when she was hit, but she tried to fight back. Hitting him and struggling when he grabbed her. She had never been hit by anyone like that before and it hurt her emotionally more than anything that it was her father doing it. She started crying, no matter how mad she was at him, she couldn't control her emotions anymore. "Charlie stop!"
She wasn't going to win this fight and could tell by each time he threw her down or hit her. It was bad enough trying to see through the daze of being hit, but the tears were making it more difficult to focus on anything. The only thing she could do was put her hands up and try to block him in some way.
"Edward!" She cried out, not knowing what else to do or if he would even hear her. Where was he and why wasn't he helping her? She started to panic now that her one thought that made her feel safe wasn't there. "Dad please stop.." She didn't want to fight her father anymore, not wanting to lose that one piece of hope that he wasn't really this type of person.
Charlie suddenly stopped hitting her when Bella last cried out to him looking down at her. His face had lost all trace of his anger and he was frozen. She took advantage of that to shoved him away enough to get into her room and close the door, locking it instantly. She broke down, dropping to her knees and clutching the front of her shirt as she cried. Having never felt so alone in her whole life than in that moment, she never knew she could be that helpless. Never thought she would have to feel that way around someone that she loved and cared about.
She looked up when she heard what had to be Edward entering her room. Still not really having a grip on herself she spoke out still half crying. "Stay there..." Knowing she was covered in blood and could more than likely smell her from there she didn't want to make things harder for him.
Yes her blood was intoxicating to him and it made him stumble back a little once he entered the room, but she was hurt and he would just have to deal with his own problems later. He didn't listen and went over to her. "Bella what the hell happened?!" He crouched down to her level on the floor and reached out for her, his heart stung when she flinched back away from him. "Don't." She said softly as she shied away from him.
"Bella..." He looked at her his face soft and hurt. Pained that she was like this and she didn't want him. He hated himself for leaving to go feed, but in this case was kind of glad since it made it easier to resist the smell of her blood. That didn't change the fact he was pissed she had gotten hurt when he was suppose to be protecting her. After the shock of her state he started to get angry as his mind wandered. Growling he spoke through clenched teeth. "Charlie?"
Bella looked up at him at his sudden mood change, worried. "Edward don't...please just don't" A new flow of tears fell down her cheeks as it hit her all over again. Her head fell into her hands as she cried, Edward not being able to do what she wanted before and moved closer to her. Taking a minute trying to figure out how to comfort her without hurting her anymore. "My God Bella.." Fully taking in the sight of her injuries his heart broke. If he could cry for her he would at how upset he was at himself for letting this happen and the fact it was Charlie who did it.
"What can I do?" He looked at her helplessly. Bella looked up at him from her hands never seeing his eyes that sad and hurt before. Without thinking she moved quickly into his arms squeezing her eyes tightly shut. Not caring that being against him hurt her physically. She needed the emotional support and his touch more than anything at that moment.
He hesitated when she moved into his arms since he didn't want to injure her further, but couldn't help but wrap his arms around her lightly. He had to stop breathing to keep the smell of her from getting to him. It was easier to control in a situation like this since he had better things to worry about, but didn't want to risk it.
"I'm so sorry..." He found a spot to kiss lightly on the top of her head. Not only was he apologizing for not being there, but he knew how much she had to be hurting emotionally because of Charlie. He shook at the thought of him again, trying his hardest not to let his anger take control.
He held her until she went to sleep, he needed that at the least to make her know he was there for her.
Opening her eyes Bella had no idea where she was at first. The room was really bright and she was wrapped in a blanket on a small day bed. The room was familiar but she was still confused and started to panic a little.
"Bella calm down, its ok" A high pitched voice spoke and she blinked her eyes to make out who it was.
"Get out!" Another voice spoke, that one she knew and her vision became clearer. Making out Alice leaving the room and Edward shutting the door behind him as he walked over to her.
"Edward?" She spoke softly, changing her mind about sitting up when it hurt. She sighed.
"I just left to get you some water for when you woke up. I'm right here." He sat down on the side of the bed taking her hand in his and setting the glass of water on the floor.
"When..How...How did I get here?" She looked at him confused.
He smiled just a little bit and kissed her forehead. "I wasn't just going to leave you there. I had Carlisle take care of you, I was so worried...." He squeezed her hand a little harder, but not to hurt her.
She started to feel a little embarrassed, she didn't want him to have to be in the middle of her family problems. "Thank you."
"I'd do anything for you.." He looked into her eyes then over her body trying to see how she was healing.
"How long have a been here? Does Charlie know where I am?" Not really processing the fact it was Charlie who did this to her, she still worried.
Tensing and growling he looked back up to her eyes. "Why do you care what he knows?" He glared, but not at her, just at the thought of him.
That frightened her. She was never scared of him, but scared of what he could do to her family. "Hes my father?"
"Yeah but.. this is why you are here in this condition. Because of him." His voice was sharp and full of tension. She could still feel him shaking like the night he found her.
"He will come looking for me if I just don't come home. He will look here." She didn't want to go back home and have to face him, but she really didn't want him showing up there while Edward was still pissed.
Edward moved to stroke her face gently. "Don't worry. Because of you...I wont lose control with him. You have no idea....just how much I want to..." He shut his eyes and his jaw clinched. Bella placed her hand on his that was touching her face to try and calm him. "I trust you." She spoke gently and removed his hand from her face to kiss it.
Once Bella was healed enough she was getting ready for her first day back at school. She had not gone back home, Edward took care of going to her house and getting things she would need. Keeping his promise, he left Charlie alone, but wasn't going to leave her alone with him. Carlisle took care of talking to the school and explaining why she had not been there. Well not explaining the truth as to why, but he took care if it.
Edward couldn't be with her the whole time she was at school since they had different classes, but kept tabs on peoples thoughts who had spoken to her. They really were worried about her and had a million different reasons to her injuries. Hurting only him when some thought he was the reason behind them.
He met with her after every class to walk her to the next, and make sure she didn't need anything. Always regretting having to leave her when they weren't in the same class together.
Mike ended up catching Bella alone after one of her classes while Edward wasn't around. She just figured he was running late and was going to wait for him. Caught by surprise when Mile started rambling on and on to her. She only really caught the part when he was trying to invite her to a party that was coming up if she was feeling better. Before she could even speak Edward was by her side pushing Mike away.
"You stay away from her." He growled slightly under his breath and Bella looked up him surprised.
"He was only talking to me, calm down." Yeah he wanted to protect her but she didn't want to seem totally helpless and have him following her around if he was going to be like that with everyone she tried to talk to.
Mike stumbled back from the push and glared at Edward. "What's your problem man?"
"Come near her again and I will kill you." His eyes narrowed. He was serious.
"Edward! stop this." Bella was getting angry and people were coming out of the classes to watch, why was he making a scene. This isn't what she wanted.
"Aren't you over reacting just a bit? I know she is your girlfriend and all, but you don't own her." He turned his attention away from Edward and back to Bella. "So will you go?"
Extremely pissed now Edward shoved him against a locker. "I. Will. Kill. You. Got that? Shes not going anywhere with you." He dropped Mike to the floor and moved back to Bella and pulled her with him to leave.
She resisted and jerked her arm away from him, angry. "Why are you acting like this? I know you want to protect me, but this-" He cut her off and stopped walking to look at her.
"You don't know what he was thinking." He spoke softy to her trying to control his anger and just let her know he only did it to protect her.
"Thats still no reason to make a scene in front of the whole school. Its bad enough you and your family have to act different anyways." She spoke as they walked outside towards the school parking lot. She wasn't really mad at him, but did worry.
He walked with her ashamed of himself now from the way she made it all sound. "He hurt my feelings..." Sighing, it was odd for him to admit something like that, even more so to her since he was suppose to be the tough one that took the pain for them both.
That stunned her and she looked up at him concerned. "Really?" She tried to read his face and could tell he was serious. That bothered her for some reason and she reached up to touch his face lovingly to try and help.
He leaned against his car when she touched him and shut his eyes. "He thought I was the one that hurt you..." It wasn't the first thought of the day he heard like that, but the others for some reason didn't get to him the same. It was just the way he thought it. "Along with trying to get you drunk at the party he was inviting you to and....." He opened his eyes to look at her. "I'm sorry."
This really caught her off guard and she didn't know what to think about it. It made her sad to see him like that since she never had before. "You would never hurt me." She spoke gently but seriously, making him know she meant it. She pulled him down to her and kissed him softly, she could understand why he went off on Mike with the last thing he heard him thinking. "Don't ever think you would hurt me and you know better when people think it." She tried to smile for him and let him go.
He really did love her. The sadness he felt instantly disappeared when she spoke to him. He knew she was serious about what she said and her actions spoke just as clear. He pulled her back to him when she let go for another kiss. A little more aggressive than the first one, he was starting to feel more comfortable with the physical contact between them over the time they had spent together.
Bella yelped playfully when he grabbed her for another kiss, enjoying it fully until she heard him growl against her lips and quickly pull away to stare behind her.
"What's wrong?" She turned to try and see what he was looking at. Noticing he wasn't letting her go, just enough to allow her to turn around.
She tensed instantly when she saw Charlie walking across the parking lot and in their direction calling her name. She shook her head to herself really and her body trembled, she hadn't even thought of Charlie the whole day and he just shows up out of nowhere. "No...I can't..." She struggled with her words as she tried to move from Edward's arms but he didn't let her. Instead he moved her to the passenger seat in the car.
She gripped onto him when he pulled away to shut the door and get in himself. "Don't leave me." She panicked.
Edward bit his lip when Charlie came closer, the fact Bella seemed scared to death of him only made him hurt more and struggle harder to not go kill him. He managed to do the right thing and moved them to leave. "I'm not going to leave you." He tried to reassure her with a kiss to the forehead as he quickly moved to the other side of the car and got in. Grabbing her hand once there and looking at her. "Is he gone?" She didn't look up to see for herself.
He looked out the window to find Charlie right beside his car looking in at him. "Unfortunately no.." He rolled down his window, knowing he wouldn't go away unless someone said something, plus he didn't want him coming to look for Bella at his home.
Charlie ducked down so he could look over at her. "Bella we need to talk." She didn't say a word, didn't even look up at him. Edward still held her hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb to let her know he was there for her. He looked back at Charlie when Bella didn't speak.
"I don't think this is a good time." He pressed his lips together making sure to keep himself calm. He had a million things running through his mind that could make this ugly.
Continuing to ignore Edward. "You have to come home."
Bella risked a look up at Charlie, the look in his eyes was different and he wasn't the same person as she last saw him. His face was softer and less angry, he acted as if nothing ever happened. All she could do was shake her head at him and looked away again.
Edward turned the car on then and pulled out to leave, not caring that Charlie was still trying to talk to Bella and he drove away.
She looked over at him worried after a minute. "Hes going to come looking for me." She spoke softly and tried to lean against him. He quickly wrapped his free arm around her as he drove. "I will protect you, I don't think he really has it in him to come to the house. Everyone there knows what he did and I'm sure he knows that." He kissed the top of her head as he parked the car in the driveway.
Bella was still embarrassed about it all, she hated they all knew what happened because she felt they would act different. They already had to change so much with her being there, like making sure there was food in the house and making sure no one got too drawn to the smell of her. She wondered how long she was actually going to stay there, she didn't want to leave.
"Your family has done so much for me... I don't know how to repay you all." She looked at him in appreciation.
He smiled and went inside with her. "You don't have to do anything for us. You are part of the family."