Chapter Two
As I got ready for Carlisle's visit, I had the trouble of resetting my broken nose, I thought about what I'd say. How would I tell him, without getting Edward on my back again? I had too much to worry about. I had to cover all of the bruises Edward gave me, and cover my puffed skin. I put large amounts of make-up on, and decided to wear a turtleneck, knee length dress. It covered most of my skin that was damaged, and it was still dressy, just what Edward expected.
After I was presentable I, most hurtfully, went down to the kitchen. Edward was in the den, drinking some of his fine whiskey, waiting for Carlisle's arrival.
I searched around the kitchen for anything to make. I quickly decided on something easy and quick, but still fancy looking. Chicken Parmesan. My grandmother's recipe. It was used as a quick meal to feed many people.
As I prepared dinner, I heard a knock on the door, and Edward called me out to get it.
" Coming." I replied, wanting to be on his good side. I hastily got the door, and there, standing in a stunning navy blue suit, was my prince charming. I just knew he'd be the one to save me from the evil monster.
" Bella." Carlisle smiled widely at the sight of me. Then, as if he noted something off about me, he frowned slightly. " How are you, dear?" He asked concerned.
" Carlisle. I'm… fine." I stressed the word so he knew I wasn't fine. He'd ask me later about it, I could tell by the gleam in his eyes. " Please, come in." I know had to switch into wife mode, and start calling him Dr. Cullen. Edward found it disrespectable to call his boss by his first name. Edward knew of my past, how I grew up with Carlisle, how he's my close friend, yet it's still Dr. Cullen. It irked me to no extent.
" Yes, yes. Bella. Of course." He laughed gently. He walked in and went to the den, where Edward always waited for him. I took a giant breath before going back to the kitchen.
Thirty minutes later the food was done, and I was setting the table. Edward had left to the bathroom, and Carlisle had migrated toward me.
" Bella." He said as he walked in to the dinning area.
" Dr. Cullen." I whispered, hating to call him that. He was more than an acquaintance, and the sound of his title from my lips seemed stiff, to proper. I felt him move closer to me, just until he was almost touching my behind. I stiffened at his closeness.
" What happened, Bella?" He whispered to me. He placed a hand on my lower back. I struggled not to wince as he touched a welt.
I looked around, looking for Edward. I could still hear his footsteps upstairs.
" Carlisle." I whisper/cried. " He beat me last night." I whispered. Carlisle was silent, other than the harsh breathing he was doing. He removed his hand and I felt him move it lower, to where my dress hem was.
" I'm going to take a look, Bella." He told me softly. " Just a look."
I nodded. I trusted him completely.
I felt the light touch of his knuckles as he lifted my dress. When he got to my upper thighs, where the bruising and welts started, I heard him choke and sputter. He raised it the rest of the way and then, as if electrocuted, he released the dress and stepped away from me.
" I'm calling the police." He growled, and stomped off to the phone in the hallway. I released a long breath and started to cry. I finally heard Edward's steps on the stairs. At the same time, though, I heard Carlisle on the phone, asking for the police and an ambulance to come.
" Dr. Cullen? Why aren't you sitting in the dining room?" Edwards voice floated to me.
" Ah, Dr. Masen. I was paged; I just had to see what it was. Nothing too important, thankfully." Carlisle lied. I smiled tightly as they walked in. Carlisle's face was bone white, but his eyes held a fire that I'd never seen before.
" Bella, everything smells delicious." Carlisle said to me and winked behind Edward's back. I waited for them to sit down, so I could serve them. It only took five minutes to serve them, Carlisle served himself, and then I had to sit down.
I was cringing, just thinking about sitting on my sore bottom, thankfully as I started to sit, I heard sirens. I shot up and looked at Edward. He seemed to shudder before casting a long, hard glance at me. He slammed his fists onto the table and stood up.
" Damn it, Bella! You called the cops?!" He yelled. Carlisle stood up too, in a similar manner.
" No, I did. I saw what you did to her!" It was the first time I've ever seen Carlisle this mad. He was such a gentle man. Always nice. But even as he yelled at Edward, all I could see in him was compassion.
Edward looked at me, then out the window, where the blue lights were now visible.
" How could you, Bella?" Edward asked, putting on the puppy dog face.
" How could you?" I asked. My voice was strong, confident. I didn't think I'd be able to say it so strong.
There came a knock from the door.