WOW! All I can say is WOW! You all are amazing! You have made me feel so welcome with this story. Thank you all who read the story and an even bigger thank you to those who left me some love in the comments.
I have changed the way I am giving you translations for the Italian. Next to the Italian in the story are brackets that give you the translations. A thank you to kikim11 for the suggestion.
This chapter does not have a beta, but I have found one. A big thank you for the offer.
So without anymore ramble from me, here is chapter two.
I ran my hand threw my hair and walked over to the seats and slumped down. She had to be OK. She had to be in my life. I couldn't live life without here. I put my hands in my head, pulling at my hair.
Memories of the day we found her after Charlie flipped out and we got her home swirled around my head.
The car pulled up to the front of our house. The "Cullen Estate" as Bella so fondly named the extremely spacious mansion like house. She was still sleeping in my lap with her hand clenching my shirt as if she were hanging on for dear life. I carried her up the steps and was greeted by my mom. Her hands went up to her mouth as she gasped at what Bella looked like in my arms. She held the door opened and I made my way over to the couch and laid her down.
As I tried to pull my shirt from her hands her eyes opened and they were wide with fear. "No, please don't leave me Edward." She plead with me pulling at my shirt, pulling me closer to her.
"I'm not going anywhere, I am right here. I am just setting you down for a second. I'll be right back, I wanted to get you some new cloths."
"Don't leave me. Please!" She sobbed as she clenched my shirt tighter.
"**Calmati Bella. Lo non ti lascero, ti lo prometto. [Calm down Bella. I won't leave you, I promise]" I promised her as I sat down next to her and pulled her back into my lap.
As we waited for the doctor to show up to the house dad and mom were off talking, I am assuming he was telling her what happened at Bella's house. "He came home drunk tonight and dragged me out of the kitchen and started yelling at me." I heard Bella whisper. "He kept yelling that it was all my fault that she left. If I had just been an easier baby maybe she would have loved me more and stayed with him."
I didn't know what to say to her. How could anyone not love her. She was the easiest person to love. "I blacked out when he punched me in the face." I gasped and started shaking with anger. She started rubbing her hand over my heart to calm me down. Once I stopped shaking she continued. "When I came to I heard him watching TV so I quietly went upstairs and called you. I didn't know who else to call." She sobbed again.
"Hey, hey. I am glad you called you. You always call me when you need me. I will always be there. No matter where I am, I will get to you." I promised her.
"I know. I just...what happens now?" She asked.
"Now, you are a Cullen. You will live here now. You are not going back there Bella."
"I can't. I won't be a burden to your family."
"Isabella!" My dad said sternly walking over to us. "You are not now, nor will you ever be a burden to this family." He was now crouched down in front of her, her face cupped between his hands. "You have always been family, and you always will be family." He said as he kissed her forehead and pulled her into a gentle hug. "**Ti amo mia figlia. [I love you my daughter]"
"I love you too Carlisle." She sobbed into his chest.
BPOV
There were people rushing all around me. Pulling out needles, taking blood. Listening to my chest, ordering x-rays, flashing lights in my eyes. I started to panic. "Please, I need Edward, please just get me Edward." I cried out.
"Miss, we need to check you out and get your injuries stable first. Please, just calm down." Said a nurse who looked to be about my age. "My name is Angela, I am going to be your nurse right now. I need to you to tell me, on a scale of one to ten, what is your pain level?"
"Nine. I can't breath. It really hurts to breath." I say to her.
"I think you have some broken ribs Miss...?"
"Isabella."
"Isabella. We just took some x-rays and will have the results in a moment. Then we are going to take you down for a scan so that we can make sure there is no internal bleeding. I am going to start an IV so that I can give you something for the pain."
"When can I see Edward?"
"Soon, I promise."
"She has three broken ribs. We need to set them. We can do that while they bring the portable scan machine down here." I heard someone tell Angela.
"Why is the machine coming down, do you know how expensive that is? She is a student for God sakes, I doubt that she has insurance that will cover that machine. She is stable and can be transported." Angela stated.
"Angela, didn't you see who she came in with?" Angela shook her head no. "Edward Cullen. As in the Cullen Prince, next in line for the mafia throne. The chief said to spare nothing." Angela just stood there shocked as what I assumed was the machine came rolling into the room.
"Alright," Angela shook the shock out of her head, "lets get you scanned so that we can get your ribs wrapped up and some pain meds in you."
I laid there and tried not to panic as the scan did it's job. After what felt like forever the scanning was done and Angela was back at my side. "I am giving you something for the pain Isabella. It is really strong so you might feel a little tired. Just relax and let it take over. I will get your ribs wrapped up and then I will go and find your Edward and let him know what is going on." I felt a a slight chill as the medicine seeped into my veins from my IV and my eye lids became to heavy to keep open. The calm took over and my dreams took me back to the Cullens.
It was the night that Edward and his father rescued me from my drunken father's rage. I was sitting on the Cullen's couch with Edward sitting next to me holding onto him for dear life. I was so scared that my father was going to come back for me. Of course the rational side of my knew that Edward and his father would never let that happen. But the scared little girl in me was terrified beyond belief. I was also so confused, when Edward's father opened the car door Edward pulled out a gun, like he really knew how to use it. How did he know how to use a gun? Better yet, why did he have a gun in the first place?
As the doctor packed up he said that I didn't have any broken bones, but that I would be hurting for a while. I was badly bruise, but with the mild pain medication it shouldn't be a problem. As Esme walked the doctor to the door, I pulled back from Edward just a little bit and asked "Why did you have a gun when we were in the car Edward?"
He let out a sigh and looked up at his father. "Dad, we can't keep it a secret anymore, it is killing me that she doesn't know. I know that it was to keep her safe, but she will be surrounded by it now. She needs to know."
"What do I need to know? What's going on?"
"Bella honey," Carlisle started as he came to sit on the other side of me on the couch, "there are some things about my life, and now soon to be Edward's life that you don't know about. We haven't told you about it before now to keep you safe and keep you out of the life as much as possible. But, with you not going back to your father's house now, keeping you in the dark about it isn't an option anymore."
He let out a big sigh as he took my hand in his, "Isabella, I come from a long line of mafia dons. I am the fourth generation of mafia, and Edward, when I step down, will be fifth." I inhaled sharply and I felt my eyes widen. Mafia, my best friend and his family were mafia? "Our family, the Cullens, or as it is more traditionally know as Cullenza when our family first came to America, is a very prominent family in the mafia. We are the head of all the families that make up The Family."
I opened my mouth to question, but nothing came out. I was stunned, shocked, scared. Wait...scared? This was the Cullens. They wouldn't hurt me right? I looked at Edward who nodded and wrapped his arm around my wait. For whatever reason, I pushed his arm away and stood, walking away from him and his father. "Bella, wait!" I heard, but didn't turn around. I stood perfectly still trying to will myself to not faint.
"So...you...your criminals? You...you kill people?" I asked so softly I could barely hear myself.
"Some of the things that I have to do are not legal. I have had to kill some people, but only really bad people who have left me no choice Bella." Carlisle said walking towards me slowly with Edward following behind him.
"Bella," Edward said stepping around his father and coming towards me, "it is still me. I am still Edward, your best friend. Nothing has changed. We are still the same family you've had dinner with almost every night since we met." He reached out to me and I pulled back. The look of pain on his face when I did that was heart wrenching to see, but I was in shock. How was I supposed to comprehend this right now.
"I...I...c can I have a minute to think?" I asked as I closed my eyes and shook my head a little and closing my eyes. "I...I...I can't breath." I said while making a dash to the sliding glass door that lead to the back yard. My hands fumbled with the handle trying to open it as I felt a panic attack coming on. I flung the door open and stumbled out into the slightly cold air. I made my way down the steps that lead to the gardens. I stumbled and fell to my knees trying to catch my breath. My mind was racing and my chest was so tight with fear and panic. What did this mean for me? What was I supposed to do now that I knew? I felt Edward behind me pulling my back to his chest while snaking his arm to my chest as he laid his palm over my heart and whispered "It's just me me Bella. Just breath Bella. Just breath. Feel my breath, follow my lead. **Respiro con me Bella. E 'solo a me. [Breath with me Bella. It's just me]"
I closed my eyes and listened following the rise and fall of his chest against my back. He has done this for me so many times when a panic attack struck me. I have been plagued with these since I was little and couldn't handle my nerves. Edward and his family were always there for me. No matter what it was or what I needed, I could always count on them for anything. When my father didn't show up for the father daughter dance and I was standing in the school gym all by myself in my dress that Esme helped me pick out, it was Carlisle showed up in the gym in his tux with a corsage for me. He danced with me all night long and then took me out for ice cream after wards. It was always Esme who was there as the mother I never had for every girl moment that I didn't know how to handle. It was Edward who was always there for me at school. I was so socially awkward that I didn't know how to function because I was so painfully shy. He always found the words that I couldn't, always gave me the strength and courage to socialize with him and his friends, always telling me they were my friends too. It was Esme who put me in my first dance class to help bring me out of my shell when I was eleven. It was Carlisle who paid for every dance class, every dance shoe, every dance costume. And it was the Cullens who were always there front and center at each dance recital I had. Cheering me on and bringing me flowers.
So why was I scared? They were still the same. They were still my Cullens. My...family. Yes, they were my family. I felt my breathing come back to normal. "Son, is she alright?" I heard Carlisle ask.
"She is breathing now, but hasn't moved. I don't want to move and scare her again." Edward said.
"I'm no scared." I say. I tried to stand, but was reminded that I was badly bruised and winced as I tried. Edward helped me stand as I turned to face him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and I felt his sigh with relief and wrap his arms around me. I just stood there holding my best friend. I pulled back, "Shocked? Yes. Scared...no. Your my Edward." I pulled away from him and walked towards Carlisle. "You have been more of my father than Charlie ever will be. There hasn't been a day since I met you that you haven't told me that you love me. Charlie never said that to me." I say grabbing his hands. "I won't pretend to understand what it is to be mafia, but in time and some patience from you, I think I will. I have never felt as safe as I do when I am here, or anywhere with all of you." I said though my tears.
"Grazi Dio. [Thank you God]" I hear Esme sob as Carlisle wraps me up in his arms, gently enough that he didn't hurt my bruised body. "I promise, with time, you will come to understand. I can't tell you everything, but you will know what is important."
Esme joined in on the hug telling me that she loved me telling me that she was never letting me go again. The night ended with me curled up next to Edward in his bed holding on to him with all that I had. I was safe, I was home.
EPOV
Fifteen minutes! Fifteen fucking minutes she has been back there. Someone should have come out to me by now. I'm Edward fucking Cullen. I don't wait! Don't these incompetent assholes know that? I stand and start to pace, running my hand through my hair to try and calm myself down. How long can it take to check her out? "Edward?" I hear. I turn to see my mother running to me. She reaches me and throws her arms around me. "How is she? How is my girl?" she asks.
"I don't know mom. She was talking when took her into the room, but no one has come out to tell me anything yet." I tell her, trying to contain my anger.
She pulls back from me to look at my face. "Is it bad Edward?"
I close my eyes, "Yes." I whisper.
"Oh Dio! [Oh God]!" she cries and buries her head into my chest.
I nod to my father as I look up at him. "Son." When my mom hears his voice she releases me and turns to him to hug him. "Shh, Esme. It's Bella. She is tough." he whispers to her. Then he looks me in the eyes, "Did she say who or why?" He asks me softly.
"She gave me a name, but then they rushed her off." I reply.
"Is the place secure? If press gets wind..."
"I got Sam and his boys covering the entrances. No reports will get in. Especially where Bella is concerned, they consider her their family too. They will do anything to keep her safe. I got Emmett and Jasper working on the name she gave me. I think it is someone from her classes. That is where I am checking first." I say. I need to keep in business mode or I am going to break.
"I'm looking for an Edward." I hear
"I'm Edward." I say walking towards a woman.
"Hi. I'm Angela Webber, I am the nurse that has been caring for Isabella. She is stable. She has three broken ribs, but thankfully no internal bleeding. She is pretty banged up, but all of that will heal in time. I gave her some pretty strong pain medicine because she was really having difficulty breathing with her ribs. She will be sleeping it off for a while I imagine. She is waiting for a bed to open up. I want to her to stay for a few days to observe her ribs to make sure the breaks begin to heal and she can breath comfortably. She should be moved with in a few hours."
"Like hell she'll wait!" I hear my father say before I can get the same words out of my mouth. "She gets a private room now or I will move her to a more competent hospital. I donate enough money to this place that she will not wait hours to be resting in private. Where is your Caius, your chief of staff? I want to speak with him now."
"Carlisle. I have it taken care of already. I was just seeing to it myself." I hear a man say as he walks towards us. "Miss Swan is being moved as we speak."
"Thank you Caius. She is family even if her last name is Swan. She get the best, understood?"
"Of course Carlisle." He said then turning to the nurse. "Nurse Webber, she is being moved to room 619. Please see to it that her personal items are taken there and you will remain on that floor as her nurse. No other nurse is to go in and take care of her. You seemed to be the only one to be able to keep her clam. If anyone on the floor has an concerns please have them take it up with me."
The nurse turned to walk away, then turned back "She has been asking for you Edward. If you would like you can follow me you can see her. I look back to my father and he just nods his head. "Go on, your mother and I will come as soon as I talk to Caius."
Anglea stops outside the room where Bella was and comes out a few moment later with her purse. We walk quietly to the elevator. We ride in silence to the sixth floor. When we get to her room the orderlies are just getting her wheeled into the room. I see a big man start to uncover her and slip his hand under her. "Get your fucking hands off of her!" I yell running over to her. I push him out of the way and lift her up.
"Mr. Cullen, if you are going to cause a problem I will ask you to leave. Isabella doesn't need to hear any arguing going on around her. He was simply doing his job." Anglea whisper yells to me.
"I am sorry, but I am very protective of her." I say as I lay her down on the other bed. I notice the other bed is gone as are the orderlies. Angela is now checking Bella's pulse and checking on her IV. "When do you think she will wake up?"
"It is hard to say. The meds we gave her will knock her out for a while, but most likely the trauma of what happened has made her body shut down. Sleep is the a way for her to cope. Just give it some time, she will come around. Best now to just take a seat and wait, or maybe go home and get some sleep yourself. I highly doubt she will be up before morning." Angela answers.
"I'm not leaving her. I'm staying here until she wakes up."
"I figured as much. The cafeteria is closed, but I can get you something to eat from the nurses station. You look like you haven't eaten in a while"
"No, I am fine. If I want something I can send someone for that. Just take care of Bella, please."
"Oh, she is my number one priority, but really, you should eat something. At least let me get you a sandwich and something to drink."
I simply nod. I take a mental note to compensate Angela before we take Bella home. As she walks out the door I pull up the chair that is in the room next to her bed and sit. I take her hand in mine and rub her knuckles. It is a habit that I have always done with her since we were kids. "**Si prega di svegliarsi Bella. [Please wake up Bella] Please baby wake up." I whisper. "I...I need a chance to tell you how I feel baby. Open your eyes...please Bella, let me see those beautiful chocolate eyes." I pray to her.
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