Learning to Trust.
************** I do not own any of the character rights. No copyright intended. *****
PLEASE DO NOT READ ME IF YOU ARE NOT AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS PLUS. THIS STORY CONTAINS PROFANITY, VIOLENCE AND ADULT SITUATIONS. THERE ARE VERY GRAPHIC DETAILS. SO IF THIS OFFENDS YOU SHOULD STOP READING NOW.
This story is co-authored with petersgirl2011.
There is not one specific POV in this story. But the story will centre on the two main characters.
Chapter two.
CHARLIE POV:
My head and my heart both feel as though they're about to explode. After bringing Bella back home from Billy's, I put her to bed. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally, and it just broke me in two.
To see the state she was in, covered in cuts and bruises and with scars on her precious body and I can't even begin to think of the deep emotional scars she now has. All because of that bastard, Cameron.
If I ever see him I can make one promise to myself, that fucker is getting a bullet right between his eyes and I'll take great pleasure in seeing the life in his eyes, flicker out. The way I've had to look into my little girl's eyes and see them lifeless.
When we got home, I made her something hot to drink and she roughly explained what had been going on, between her and Cameron. She talked to me about how the beatings she received had escalated to a daily occurrence, that often, that she was frightened for her life and just had to come home.
Bella calling me daddy when I first saw her again, made me realise how desperately fragile she was.
She rarely called me daddy.
I could tell from the look in her eyes that the beatings weren't the only thing that had happened. I could tell by the look in her eyes, it's a look I've seen many times in my line of work. Just the thought of anyone touching her forcefully made me sick to the stomach.
All I can do now is just be there for her. I promised her that, but I don't think she believes me, I guess I'll just have to prove it to her.
I know I wasn't always there for her when she was a child. We started to get to know one another again when she moved here when she was seventeen, but that didn't last long, once Edwin got his freaky Vampire claws into her, Oh yes, I know all about the supernatural world. I got a crash course once I saw my future step-son turn into a freaking overgrown wolf. That was a shock, I'll tell you that much.
After the Cullen's left, Bella decided she needed to get away from it all, I wish I fought harder for her to stay with me and maybe she wouldn't have had to go through what she has. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I was brought out of my inner musings by the knock at the door. Who the hell is knocking this time of night?
I switched on the porch light and there stood my saviour, the woman I've come to love with all my heart, Sue. I quickly open the door, "Sue? What in the world are you doing here this time of night, not that I'm not happy to see you."
"Billy rang me; he said you might need me. He didn't say why, but I had to come once he told me that. Is everything okay?"
I brought her into the living room and we sat on the couch, I held her hand, "To be honest Sue, everything is so wrong at the moment."
"What do you mean Charlie?" It felt nice at that moment, knowing that Sue would be here to help support Bella with me. Now to tell her the awful truth.
"Earlier tonight, while I was at Billy's, Bella came home." Sue cut in before I could carry on. "Oh Charlie, you must be so happy to have her home, again. How long is she staying for? Has she brought her boyfriend with her?"
"Trust me on this Sue, if that little, jumped up fucker had come here with Bella, I'd be arrested for murder by now."
"What do you mean, Charlie? What 's wrong?"
"What's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong. While at Billy's tonight, Bella turns up. You should see her Sue. She's covered in bruises, oh god." My voice started to break up and my vision became blurred with unshed tears. "Carry on, Charlie. What happened to Bella? Is she okay?"
"No Sue, she's far from okay. Looking into by baby's eyes, you just know. She hasn't told me everything, but I can guess the rest. Sue, the bastard raped her, she didn't tell me this, but I've seen that look in her eyes, while at work before. Her eyes don't shine anymore; she has no life in her."
Sue gasped; she had the look of utter horror and tears on her face. I hadn't realised I had tears running down my face, until she started to wipe them away. "Oh god, Charlie. You know I'm here for you. Anything you need, for you, for Bella. Just tell me what you need."
As soon as she said that, did I realise how much I loved this woman in front of me. "I only need one thing from you at the moment, and that's you." I held her face between my hands and stared into her eyes. "Do you realise, how much I love you. I know I don't show much emotion, but I love you so much and I'm going to spend the rest of our days proving this to you, and to our children. I'm going to marry you soon, and I hope you're ready for it."
Sue let loose a chuckle. "God, Charlie. You're such a romantic. You can ask me again when you're not quite so emotional and a bit more sober."
"I don't know what you're talking about Susie. I'm as sober as a judge." Hiccup. "I did that on purpose." Sue laughed.
"Come on old man, let's get you to bed." She said as stood to help me up.
"Who are you calling old man, woman." I waggled my eyebrows at her. "Are you joining me in bed?"
"I will join you in bed, but just to sleep, you can keep you mitts to yourself. Plus, we need to be up for Bella in the morning." As soon as she said that, it felt like I'd been doused in cold water.
"God, Susie. How am I meant to help her through this? She's adamant, about not telling Renee. Or pressing charges, against the bastard. I can't do this by myself."
"Charlie, we'll do this together. That's what family's do. We just are there for her while she heals, that's all we can do. Prove to her that she's not alone and has no reason to be scared anymore. We'll protect her, she's safe now"
They both settled in bed, ready for what the morning brought.
BELLA POV:
I felt the morning light shine across my face, disturbing me from my first peaceful slumber in…. Well, I can't remember the last time I had slept undisturbed, it does a body good.
Just the thought, that I had my dad sleeping down the hall from me, brought a smile to my face. I hadn't realised how much I needed him. He gave me the security that I think I need at the moment.
But, remembering his face as I told him what I'd been through broke my heart that little bit more. I couldn't tell him everything that went on, especially what he and his friends did to me, it was hard enough for me to handle that, and I couldn't do that to my dad. But I think he might have guessed. He wasn't made police chief for nothing.
Lying here, just contemplating my next move. Where do I go from here? Just the thought of starting anew, is a scary thought, but it brings a big smile to my face. I think I need to start at what love doing, well that would be cooking and baking, it quietens the mind and takes me away from reality. I suppose the thing to start with is looking into, maybe, community college courses.
I can't wait to become the old independent me again, I haven't been that girl for a long time, long before Cameron came on the scene, this goes back to Edward, just the way I handed control over to him so easily. What was I possibly thinking? Well that's easy, I wasn't.
The quiet of the morning was disturbed by clattering, down in the kitchen. I thought nothing else of it, until I realised that noise being made in the kitchen could mean only one thing, Charlie was cooking. SHIT!
I burst out of bed and bounded down the stairs. I soon came to a halt when I realised it wasn't Charlie cooking, but some woman, Charlie was cuddling said woman. Charlie doesn't cuddle. What the hell.
They hadn't heard me come in, so I cleared my throat and they jumped apart like the teenagers they were acting like. The way Charlie blushed made me burst out laughing. I laughed that hard it hurt to breath, oh I hadn't laughed that hard in god knows how long. I tried to compose myself enough to try and talk. "Dddaaadd….oh...my...god….you should…see your…faces…HAHAHAHAHA."
The woman seemed to compose herself quicker than Charlie, who was still wearing a tomato complexion. "Hi, Bella. I'm Sue Clearwater. We were just making breakfast. Would you like some, there's plenty."
I considered declining the offer, not wanting to intrude. Until my stomach announced itself, loudly! "Sure. Thank you, Sue." I turned to Charlie. "Are you having breakfast with us dad, or are you planning on nibbling Sue for the rest of the morning." I said chuckling.
Sue burst out laughing, while Charlie seemed to turn purple with embarrassment. Oh, that was so easy. "Calm down dad, I was just joking around." That seemed to calm the blush. "So, Bella. Any plans for today. Sue and I are heading down LaPush later, if you're up for a trip. What do you think?"
Just the thought of venturing out in public, looking the way I did, made me turn cold. My sight became blurry from unshed tears. "I don't know dad. I was just going to stay around the house for a few days, until the bruises start to ease." At that I started to sob. God will this ever stop, will I ever feel normal again.
A pair of slender arms came around me, unknowingly; I flinched under Sue's touch. "Bella, you're going to feel like this for a while, you can't expect a quick and easy fix. Your father and I will be here for you. You're not alone in this, you have people to support you and you have family who love you. But one thing I can promise you sweetheart is that you will feel normal again." Shit I think I said that aloud. But, forgetting that. I gripped onto Sue, for dear life. It felt nice to be held by a mother. Renee wasn't always the most affectionate of mothers so it felt nice to be held this way and this gave my emotions the free pass to let loose.
While cuddling Sue, I heard the front door shut, and realised Charlie had stepped out. "Is dad alright Sue?"
"He will be sweetheart; this has just hurt him a lot more than you think. Not because of you, but because of this situation. He feels as if he had fought harder for you to stay, you wouldn't be hurting like you are now. I know he doesn't show much emotion, sweetheart, but your dad has a soft gooey centre, under all that, rough exterior. He just wants you better. Now come on eat up, we're going to LaPush, and I won't take no for an answer. Now chop, chop. Days a wasting."
I chuckled at that. It felt so nice to be able to be free with my emotions and not to be judged.
Charlie came back in for breakfast; his eyes were red and swollen. I felt bad so I went up to him and gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. "Love you, dad."
He cupped my cheeks and stared me in the eyes. "I love you too, my sweet girl. I promise to keep you safe. Now, do as Sue says or she'll have both our asses." We both chuckled at that.
"CHARLIE!" Sue yelled at him in fake outrage, but her eyes sparkling with humour. We all settled quietly for breakfast.
After breakfast was done and dishes cleaned and put away, I went up to get showered and dressed. Before dressing, I stood in front of my full length mirror and stared at my naked body. God, it was absolutely grotesque, covered in bruises, scars marred by body. I refused to let that monster, take anything else away from me. I looked into my reflections eyes and I vowed, I would never again let any man over take my life and dig away at myself, until I was unrecognisable.
If the next man, that I choose to give my love to, tries to alter anything within me. Then they just aren't worth it.
After dressing, I made my way downstairs. Dad and Sue were waiting for me in the car, for the trip down to LaPush, to meet new friends and future family. I had a feeling that after today, nothing would ever be the same again. That's a good thing. I hope.
A special shout out to my reviewers: Fire6819. Kolor-my-world1220. Psychovampirefreak, hateme101 and to the guest reviewer. I hope you enjoy this chapter, your reviews gave me loads of encouragement. Any type of review is welcome, who knows, you might even give me ideas for future chapters.
I wasn't originally going to go with Charlie POV, but that's where the story took me, do you think I covered the topic well enough from his POV, let me know.
From now on, whoever reviews, will get little snippets from the next chapter.
Love you all. Otherworlder81.
