All characters belong to the fabulous Stephanie Meyer. As I forgot to mention at the beginning this story is all human

Silence says nothing chapter two: acceptance and Cullens

Bella P.O.V

When you're little you expect your parents to stay together forever. Unfortunately that was not true. It seems like more families are being split up theses days. People aren't the same these days. I do feel bad about snapping at Sarah, I know she's only trying to help. I stare blankly out of the kitchen window, my untouched tea still in my hands. I remember something my dad told me a week before he died. 'Don't dwell on today think of tomorrow, because then today will be yesterday and yesterdays in the past. The past is best left forgotten' my dad always came out with the craziest things. People who say they have no regrets in this life are liars. Lesson number two my dad taught me. I'm only sixteen and I already have so many. Lesson numbers three don't show your weaknesses to someone straight away; they can use them against you. I laughed a little at my thoughts. It had been three days since dad's funeral. When I came in I shut all the windows and locked both of the doors. I changed into a pair of my favorite sweats and my dad's baseball t-shirt. Even though it had been weeks since he had last been in this house I could still smell him around the place. At night I lay in his bed trying to forget about the nightmares I get. During the day I lounge around trying to remember a time when I was completely happy, not plagued by the thoughts of my past or what mum's latest conquest would do to me. It was one thirty and Sarah was due here at two with the people who want to adopt me. I poured my now cold tea down the sink and went for a shower; the least I could do was make myself look presentable. I took an extra long time in the shower, letting the warm water run down my back, undoing the knots I had there. I washed my hair with my favorite strawberry scented shampoo. I got out and put on a pair of skinny jeans and a black top. I placed my hair in a scruffy bun and went to wait downstairs.

Esme P.O.V

All our children looked at us expectantly. I didn't even begin to know how to approach the subject; I looked at Carlisle for help. He stood up next to me, cleared his throat and began to talk.

"As you may have heard Chief Swan was killed last week" they all nodded "his daughter Isabella is only sixteen, the same age and you and Alice Edward" he said to our son "she grew up in Arizona with her mother who-" he stopped taking in a breath of air before continuing "abused her" gasps broke out around the table "No one has been able to find out from the girl why Charlie was killed and what started it, but they do know that it was Bella's mother and step father who did it" he stopped letting them take in this piece of information "as I said before Isabella is still only sixteen and needs someone to take care of her so" the end of the sentence died in his mouth. They knew what we were telling them.

"You're going to adopt her" Rose said softly. She always had a soft spot for people like Isabella.

"She really needs our help'' he continued softly, this was a delicate subject "out of everyone in this town you all know what it's like to be in her situation'' it was true, one way or another they had all been there.

"She's told no one about that night?" Jasper asked. I shook my head.

"No one knows the full extent of her torture in Arizona either. All we know is that four weeks ago she phoned her father to come and pick her up from the airport. The only people who knew what happened to her were Charlie and Isabella herself. But her jumping on a plane in the middle of the night to come running to her father must give us some idea" I said to them.

"She needs people who understand, who won't judge her because of her past. You all know how spiteful some of the people in this town can be" all my children had suffered the taunts from that awful Stanly woman "She needs us" I finished.

"It would take time'' Carlisle started "no one knows what that poor girl has gone through. You all had one and other when you were going through what she is, its only right she has the same support. She's all alone in this world and Alice I know you understand that feeling more then anyone in this room" she nodded tightening her grip on Jasper's hand.

"When will she be here?" Rose asked deep in concentration. She told me once that when she was abused she took comfort in the fact that she had Jasper. I can't even imagine how Alice lasted eight years on her own and god knows how long Bella was being abused for.

"The thing is her social worker told her about her adoption after her father's funeral" Rose went livid.

"She told her after she had only just buried her father. How insensitive was that" She snarled. I agreed with her there though, it wasn't very tactful, no wander Isabella took it so hard.

"I agree. Bella didn't take it very well. We're going to meet her on Tuesday to get to know her a little bit and talk about our situation here'' he thought for a moment before adding "at some point it would be good for all of you to meet her, individually of course, and tell her a bit about your experiences'' he sighed and then looked at the clock "I need to get ready for work. Please think about what we told you'' and grabbed my hand and we left, leaving them to talk amongst themselves.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Rose P.O.V

I stared at the table as the others talked around me.

"Just think how many boyfriends that women has had for the past sixteen years'' Edward sighed running his hand through his disheveled hair. Poor Isabella, what she must have gone through.

"I can't it too sad" Alice whispered. When she first came to us she was so bruised and broken we thought we'd never be able to fix her. She wouldn't talk to anyone. We were patient with her. Then after a couple months she spoke to Jasper. He was so surprised. She told him about the last day in that awful prison she was kept in. Jasper listened with patience; he never told the rest of us what she said. From that day on he spoke to her everyday. Esme and Carlisle were so relieved. After her first year here she spoke to me and Esme

Flashback

We were sitting in the kitchen going over knew plans for a house that Esme bought in Forks. The boys were out with friends and Carlisle was at work. Alice came down into the kitchen with tears in her eyes. Esme looked up concerned.

"Sweetheart what's wrong" Alice came over to stand in front of her. I couldn't believe my ears at what she said next.

"It was ten years ago today that my mother was killed" her voice was croaky and flat. My hand immediately went to my mouth. Esme sat there shocked.

"How did she die?" she asked calmly so not to scare Alice.

"My father and step mother killed her'' she said "right in front of me" and then she let out a sob and started to cry. Esme pulled her into her embrace and gently rocked her. I smiled a tiny bit. This was breakthrough. I got up and joined in the hug.

End of flashback

"Maybe it would be a good idea for us to talk to her" I said to them. They looked around at each other "We've all lost someone we love in one way or another. We could talk to her about that" Emmett and Edward nodded.

"She's been abused Rose" Jasper said "how are we going to help her get over that" he said thoughtfully.

"With time" I answered. We will help her; I'll make sure of it.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Esme P.O.V

We drove to Isabella's house in silence, preparing for what we might see. I spoke with my children last night and I'm glad, and proud of them, of their decision.

The street were Isabella lived was very nice and homely. When we reached her house we stopped. Another car was already parked there so Sarah must already inside.

"Are you ready?" Carlisle asked me. I nodded and opened the car door. He came around to my side and took my hand in his. We walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. I heard shuffling and voices inside. Sarah answered the door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cullen Lovely to see you again" She shook both our hands and invited us in. The entrance led right through to the living room, where Isabella was sitting on one of the chairs. I gasped at the sight of her. She had gorgeous long brown wavy hair and brown eyes. She had a split lip which was still bleeding and puffy. She had a bruised cheek and a black eye. On her hand there were some scars. Sarah saw my reaction and smiled sadly.

"Her bodies worse believe me" she whispered so that Isabella wouldn't hear us. I heard Carlisle sigh. He saw too much of this at the hospital. She motioned for us to sit down. I sat opposite Bella who looked at me shyly.

"Hello Isabella" I smiled. She flinched. I looked over to Sarah.

"She prefers to be called Bella" well you could have told us that before I thought.

"Hello Bella" Carlisle said.

"Okay let's get started then" Sarah said. For the next hour we talked about what Bella would like to take and what would happen with the house.

"Bella we could help you sell the house, or you can keep it for when you're older" Carlisle told her. She looked shock at his decision. I hoped she would choose to keep the house. It held so many memories of her father.

"I can't" she began but stopped "my father died in this house" she said in a broken house "I don't ever want to live here again" she looked down at the floor trying to hide her tears.

"Okay then" Carlisle said.

"Bella we have five children at home, two of them are your age and three are older. They all went through similar situations you've been through" she looked back up at us.

"They're all adopted?" she asked. We smiled and nodded at her.

"They understand more than you can imagine. They know we're adopting you and they understand that you need time. To help you we thought that they could introduce themselves individually" I sighed "they want to help you" I finished. She thought for a minute. She looked so lost, so afraid.

"When will I need to move in?" she asked.

"Right away" I told her.

"I need to pack" she said getting up.

"I'll help you" I said giving Carlisle my bag.

"I'll meet you at home" he said walking out the door with Sarah.

Okay I've stopped there. What do you think? Thank you for those who put me on story alert. Please Review.