Hi There,

I've had a very positive response after posting this chapter, so I have decided to post chapter two. I can't promise when I'll post again however because I just started back at school and I've taken on substitute work as well so I'm quite busy. However, I will be updating sporadically and if anything changes I'll let you all know.

Thanks for reading! And thank you to returning readers! I appreciate every single one of you. Enjoy.

Chapter 1

"I can't do this anymore." Bella wailed into the dark, wet evening sky. Sobs overcame her body for the third time that day as she felt the weight of the world upon her shoulders, and the weight of her daughter in her arms. Collapsing to her knees on the foot path, she clutched her daughter to her chest, begging to the stars for help. The little bundle in her arms squirmed and coughed softly but remained mostly lifeless. It wouldn't be long now until the cold night overcame her tiny, sick body.

Shuffling backwards, Bella propped herself up on a dirty street wall and looked down at her baby. Little Lucy Marie looked up at her mother with teary eyes, begging her to make her warm and safe again. Bella bent her head and placed a small kiss on her daughter's forehead and then tucked her safely under her arm. Blocking the harsh winter wind from her exposed skin. It was all she could do to protect her little one from the elements.

Hours later, Bella heard the shuffling of footsteps coming her way. She tucked into herself further and prayed that whoever it was would continue to walk on by her. She didn't dare look up as the people passed her and she held her breath until she was sure they had gone. Her warm breath misted into the air when she finally exhaled and when Bella looked up she realized she wasn't as alone as she thought she was. The people who walked passed Bella were standing a few yards away and were looking on her with uncertainty. It was a woman and man, who both looked to be in their late fifties. The woman's warm caramel hair was mostly tucked under a cozy looking beanie and her slim body was wrapped in a cream colored winter coat. She was wringing her glove covered hands as she looked down at the huddled figure, unsure of what to do. A few yards behind her stood the man, she assumed to be the older woman's husband. His face was shrouded in shadow but she could see the movement of his body as he jigged himself up and down. Trying to stay warm, she supposed.

Bella looked away. She'd experienced strangers guilt before over her assumed situation. She hated their pity. But mostly she hated how easily they got over their guilt and justified their ability to not give a damn. In a few minutes the same thing would happen with this woman and it would be last they ever saw of each other. The silence that stretched between them was louder than peak hour traffic in the city centre and it was only broken by the sound of approaching foot steps. Bella pulled little Lucy into her chest further and wrapped her arms tightly around them both. This wasn't going to end well.

"Are you alright?" A sweet voice asked. "I promise not to hurt you. I want to help, please."

"I'm fine." Bella chocked out between shivers.

"I'm staying at an apartment not far from here. Come with me and let me get you warmed up."

Bella couldn't help but hear the sincerity in the woman's voice but made herself dismiss it. It's a trap or a trick, she chanted to herself.

"Esme." A deep voice called from further along the foot path. "Es-"

"Carlisle, she needs help." The woman replied.

"Dear?" The deep voice asked, closer now.

Peeking up, Bella saw them both crouched in front of her and Lucy. She did her best not to be tempted by their pleading voices but the longing in their eyes was making her exterior shell crack.

"What if we get to know each other a little." The woman asked, moving around until she was sitting in a similar position to Bella on the dirty foot path. "I wouldn't want to go anywhere with strangers either."

On her other side she felt the man shuffle around until he too was seated besides her. They weren't touching but she could already feel their body heat radiating off them and onto her.

"My name is Esme Cullen. And this is my husband, Carlisle. What's yours, sweet girl?"

Esme was met with silence for a few long moments until Bella decided there was no harm in answering. These people didn't know who she was and she was almost certain they weren't the ones who were after her and Lucy.

"I'm Bella."