EDITED 29/05/2016.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, TWILIGHT AND THE CHARACTERS BELONG TO SM.

Chapter 2-

Back at the Cullen household, Bella is sat in the living room with Esme and Charlie. Esme offers Bella a drink and they are both sat in front of the fire watching Charlie sleep. Esme turns to look at Bella.

"Bella, my family are strange. There's Edward, my eldest. He's 35 this coming Saturday and is very focused on his job in the family business. Then there's Rosalie, who's 28 and has a 7 year old, Jacob. Alice, my youngest is 24 and is in a relationship with Edward's best friend, Jasper, who is 34 as well. Then there's me and my husband Carlisle, who's a doctor. He works at his own private practice, but helps people for free when they need it. I help him with those cases as a nurse, that's my on and off occupation. Mostly though I'm just a housewife, mother and grandmother.

Alice has just graduated from college where she majored in Art History and minored in Computer Science. She helps Jasper run the technical side of the business. He majored in Computer Science and minored in Business. Rose majored in Business along with Edward and they both minored in Mathematics."

Bella listens the entire time and when Esme finishes, turns towards her.

"Wow, smart family."

Bella comments in awe. Esme smiles at her.

"Thank you."

Bella smiles back and sighs.

"I will tell you my story now."

"It's okay dear, you don't have to. I didn't tell you mine for you to tell me yours."

"I know. I want to."

Bella smiles at Esme and she smiles back.

"We were happy. Dad worked for the FBI and was investigating someone and their involvement in the UK, I never knew who until that night. He met my mother while he was in London and they quickly fell in love. Their love was one written about in books, seeming unattainable but so effortless for them. A love everyone strives for. They were married 6 months after they met and moved into a lovely house in the country side. Dad was still working with the FBI, but he was stationed in the UK and only had to come to America twice a year to report back what he'd found out.

I came along 9 months after their wedding and my brother 3 years after me. They loved us so much and we never wanted for anything. My grandparents on my mum's side died 5 years ago and she was an only child. My grandparents had fertility issues and were told they would never be able to have children. It was because of the war, that's all I know. My grandparents on my dad's side died when he was 6 in a car crash and he was raised in the foster care system. Again, he was an only child. His mum was 7 months pregnant when she died. My dad was at his friends at the time. Both of my parents wanted a big family, but my brother was so big, my mother ended up having to have a hysterectomy, but we were loved all the same. We were such a close family and when my dad left for America it was hard on all of us, even though it was never more than 2 weeks at a time. We missed him so much.

He must have been on the verge of discovering something big about this person, because he was suddenly out much more with his team. He was working with the CIA to take this person down. It was all top secret so I didn't know who it was, but his boss in the FBI came to stay with us and 2 days later, the house burned down. I was fast asleep and I woke up to my mother's screams. The house wasn't on fire then… At least I don't think so. I remember my mum screaming "Don't do it. At least let me get my children out of the house." I could hear muffled shouts coming from the same room and then a man's voice that I didn't recognise answer her. I couldn't make out what he was saying though."

Bella takes a deep breath, preparing her for what she's about to say.

"I got out of bed and was walking down the hallway towards the dining room where the noise was coming from but the door was closed. It was then that I noticed the smoke coming from under the door. The door handle went down so I hid in the alcove next to the utility cupboard and two men walked out. It was too dark to see their faces. They just walked out and left my house on fire. When they walked out of the house, pulling the front door closed behind them, I walked to the doorway of the dining room.

I saw my mum, dad and my dad's boss, who was in England and staying with us at the time, tied to chairs and the room almost entirely engulfed in flames. My dad and his boss had my mum's scarves around their mouths, explaining the muffled shouts I'd heard earlier. I ran towards my dad and pulled off his scarf and he looked me in the eye. He told me that he loved me and Emmett and will always watch over me. He was passing out due to the smoke and I kept coughing, it was getting harder and harder to breathe. Then, as he was fading from consciousness, he kept saying Aro over and over again, I assume this is the person they were investigating. My dad's boss was already passed out when I got there and had a big gash on his forehead. My eyes hit my mum's and a tear fell from her eye. She told me to go and get Emmett and keep him safe. I was about to walk to her when a beam of wood that helped stabilise the ceiling fell on top of them all, and I knew they wouldn't have survived it.

I ran into the hallway and to Emmett's room across the hall from mine but he wasn't there. I thought he'd gotten out so I ran to his window, threw it open and jumped down. I didn't register the closed window. I was quickly pulled away from the house by my neighbour's son who told me help was on the way. I told them I wanted them to take me to Emmett, but they told me that I was the first one out of the house since they noticed the fire. I was about to go running back to the house when the roof collapsed. I broke down and fell to the floor. I only remember bits of what happened next, but I know that they told me my entire family had died. Emmett was hiding in his wardrobe and had passed out, that's what the police told me. My neighbour told me that I could stay with them until everything was sorted out, but it was too close so his son offered. His son was James. I moved in with him for a while and then he got a job in America; I went with him and that's when the abuse started.

He isolated me from everything I'd known and made sure I had no one to run to and know where to hide. I was always chubby. It was a sign of love for my mother, who was half Italian. After the fire, I piled on the pounds as food became my escape. It made me feel closer to my mum in a way. I thought James loved me but then he started hitting me. It was my fault, I know, because I'm so fat I repulse everyone. When I found out I was pregnant with Charlie, I was scared. Scared because I knew what would happen, and it did. He beat me to make me lose her, but she's a fighter.

The night I ran away, he beat me and forced himself on me. I knew not to scream too much because he would make it all last longer, so I just give in. I had made the decision earlier on in the evening that as soon as he fell asleep, I would grab her and run. He found us and I don't know what happened after I fell because everything went black.

When I woke up and saw an unfamiliar room and then you, I thought James had found me and put me somewhere while he hurt my baby girl. Then when you told me that she was fine and I saw her clean and in new clothes, I knew you could offer her more than I could. I get her Babygro's from the bins. I love her with everything I am, but I can't offer her anything. I'm sorry about what I did, but I thought it was the right thing and I want to thank you for helping us both. I will do anything I can to repay you."

Bella looks up at Esme to see tears streaming down her face. She moves closer to Bella and envelopes her in a hug that's so maternal it both warms and breaks Bella's heart.

"Dear, you've been through so much. You aren't repulsive, if you want to lose weight then great, but if not, fine. You would be healthier if you lost a few pounds, but it's your body and no one can tell you what to do. That pig beating you wasn't your fault. He's the lowest of the low. You are a lovely girl and it isn't your fault. You don't need to apologise or thank me, I understand why you did what you did and no one could doubt your love for your daughter. The first thing you said to me when you saw me was demand to see your baby girl and the maternal feelings you emitted towards her was as clear as day for anyone to see. You could have just left James by yourself but you didn't. You could have stayed with him but you didn't. You risked everything for her. We will always help you. Don't thank us and you don't need to do anything but be here and heal, both physically and mentally. You can stay for as long as you want."

Bella cries harder.

"Thank you, Esme."

"Now dear, what did I just say?"

Esme replies in a mock reprimand. They both smile at each other. After a while, Esme looks down at Bella.

"How old are you dear?"

Startled by the sudden noise in the room, Bella jumps.

"Eighteen."

Esme just clutches Bella to her tighter, going through that at such a young age. From the corner of her eye, Esme see's Edward and Rose standing in the doorway, partially hidden by the wall with tears in both of their eyes. Edward reaches over and wraps an arm around his younger sister, supporting her, and they both walk off in the direction of the staircase.

Again, please review. ~Megan xxx