"None of us ever intended to make you feel as if you needed to repay us. We all love you very much." Jasper said.
"Exactly! We all were so happy to see that Carlisle had found his true mate. Especially since you both enjoy helping others more than yourselves. It's nice to see that you guys can be around each other without fighting too much." Alice explained.
I smiled and hugged Alice gently as well as the others. I cried again at how sweet everyone was being. Although I was going to feel a little self-conscious about eating in front of everyone. Jasper must have been keeping an eye on my emotions because he whispered something I couldn't make out to the others, leaving me with just Carlisle.
"I hope you really enjoyed your gifts Brittlyn. I know you wanted to do more for us, but we all knew you had been going through some tough times since you first came to Forks. My kids know how you really feel about them. We all absolutely loved the things you got for us." Carlisle said as I grabbed a little of the different food they had made.
"I know you guys did. I know none of you meant anything by getting me what you did, but it's really too much though. It's just hard for me to accept it all. I love everything and will not complain because I want to keep this as good a day as possible." I explained.
For a second I caught a glimpse of Carlisle's face as I went to sit down. He looked as if he were frowning for some reason. I couldn't possibly understand why he'd frown though. I couldn't even be sure that he'd even frowned because it happened so quickly out of the corner of my eye. I could sense that something was off though. Carlisle seemed a little more rigid than usual.
"Carlisle? Is something wrong?" I asked a bit confused and a bit concerned and confused.
He deliberated on whether he should say anything or not. He finally spoke, carefully phrasing what he was about to say. "Why would today turn out to be bad? Nothing has happened to make it bad from what I can tell."
"You're kind of right. Nothing has happened today to make things bad." I said a little too quickly.
"What do you mean that I'm 'kind of' right? No one has done anything wrong." Carlisle said.
"Listen Carlisle. I know maybe this be a shocker, but it's the fact you guys have a lot of money. More than a person would know how to do with. So sometimes you guys tend to go a little overboard and spoil me. Then I feel as if I need to do something to repay you guys. I know everyone says not to now, but one day, if I change then you guys might change your mind. And I feel absolutely terrible that I can't just do something for you guys now." I said, starting to feel a little irritated.
Carlisle could see I was getting a little mad. He was listening and feeling a little irritated too. His face was calm but the irritation was showing through his usually golden eyes. I could see the anger building up in him.
"But we won't change our minds on that. We just want you to be happy Brittlyn. So I don't understand why you feel this way." Carlisle said.
"It's because all of you are always going above and beyond!" I finally burst. "Sometimes I feel as if the gifts I receive are out of guilt or something. Like a few months ago when I tripped outside and Jasper was about to attack me after getting the scent of my blood. Then he tried to take me out shopping to make up for it when I told him it wasn't necessary. Or the time Rosalie was showing me how to change the tire on my car and accidently hit me in the leg with the tire iron pretty hard and left the bruise. Then she took me out to get some food."
Carlisle was mad now. He didn't like for anyone to talk about his family like this. "My family never meant to hurt you! And they weren't trying to buy back your love! Why do you think they'd do it on purpose?!" he asked.
I was furious now. "I wasn't saying that they meant to hurt me Carlisle! But It seems like they were trying to buy my forgiveness. I can't take the constant gift giving and always going shopping and being a human Barbie doll!" I finally growled.
Carlisle picked up a plate that was close by and threw it. To see him this angry was a little terrifying actually. Then Carlisle picked up a glass and threw it too. I was so frightened at his fit of rage that I left to go home without a word. I didn't leave a note or anything.
Just as I was leaving, the others were coming back from the woods. They were about to speak to me, but stopped before they even tried. They could tell that I was in a bad mood. I grabbed a random set of keys, not realizing whose they even were. I finally looked at the keys in my hand only to realize that they were the spares.
I looked for a key that would be interesting to me. The best ones I could find were the ones to a spare motorcycle that no one ever used. It was slick out from the rain and the freezing temperature last night. I wasn't thinking about that though. I put on a helmet and the spare jacket that was kept with the bike. I hopped on and started it like Jasper had shown me to do before.
Before I thought about what I was doing or anyone could stop me, I was on the road driving back home. Luckily I had made it back without being harmed. I parked the motorcycle inside the garage. As made as I was, I still didn't want it to be ruined. I walked into the house through the garage door. As soon as I walked in, something was off. I hadn't been inside for more than a couple seconds and hadn't hardly looked up.
When I looked around at my home, I realized that I was in danger. I couldn't say why I felt like I was about to get hurt, but I knew I was about to be hurt. I walked in a couple more steps. I had left the garage door open. Before I could turn to close it, someone grabbed me from behind. The most I could tell was that this person was a man.
One of his hands was over my mouth. The other had my arms pinned to my side. Whoever it was made sure I wasn't able to scream or hurt him so I could run. He gripped me very tightly. Who knows how long this man had been waiting for me to come back home.
"Hi sugar! Boy have I missed you!" The man said.
His voice sounded so familiar. I couldn't remember why at the moment. My brain was frozen with fear. It wouldn't let me think. It wouldn't allow me to move or make a sound in fear of getting hurt.
"I see your doctor friend decided to leave you alone. I couldn't imagine why he'd let a prize like you be left alone for any amount of time. Do you remember me?" He spun me around to look at him. "It's ok to speak if you want. Just remember not to scream or make any sudden movements. Otherwise I may do something very drastic."
I was struggling to remember this man. Suddenly I remembered who he was. The man who had assaulted me in the hospital. He was none other than Lucas Fritz. I had only been working here in Forks for three weeks when this man had assaulted me in the hospital. It was the same day that Carlisle had asked me to start dating him.
I distinctly remembered Lucas Fritz getting arrested that day for many things, like assaulting me and harming his daughter. I was so scared. Why was he here? Did someone bail him out? Or did he escape from prison? I wasn't sure what to do. But I finally answered his question though.
"Yo- You're Lucas Fritz. How… Why… When… ?" I asked, not able to fully ask any of my questions. He seemed to sense my curiosity among the fear.
"Well I escaped from prison about a week and a half ago. I had been planning on getting revenge on the 'good doctor'-" He started.
"He is a wonderful doctor!" I said defensively, interrupting the man.
"And I was thinking what would be the best way to get revenge on him. So I asked around with some of the other guys that were locked up. No of them knew much. So I wrote to a friend. A neighbor who agreed to watch the house while I was gone. He told me he knew the doctor. He found out the doctor was dating the nurse that was new there. Right then I knew exactly who he meant and how I was to get my revenge. So as soon as I formed the plan and was able to escape, I did. Now here I am." He smiled.
I was really worried now. I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. I was barely able to breathe. Lucas was moving closer to me. I didn't know exactly what he was planning, but I'm sure it wasn't good. There was one thing I had to ask, hoping he'd at least explain to me what I needed to know.
"Why are you here for me?" I asked.
"Like I said. I wanted to get revenge on the doctor. I thought what better way to do it than to come after his girl. I thought I'd finish what I'd started that day. I mean you are legal and I know you were enjoying what I was doing to you. I know that doctor wouldn't ever touch you like that or please you in any way. So I plan on getting you ready for him. I'm sure he'll thank me later." Lucas had stepped close enough to me as he spoke so he could touch me.
My eyes filled with tears knowing what was about to happen. There was no possible way that this was going to be stopped now. I prepared myself for a very stressful time. I know Carlisle would never touch me again after this. There was no way that this could be stopped now.
Lucas had ripped all my clothes off. He pinned me down on the ground and raped me. He got what he wanted. I was so scared, so numb, that I couldn't fight back. After Lucas finished with me, he hit me a few times. Once in my eye, once on my nose and lastly on my lip. Lucas threatened to do worse to me if I told anyone. He said he was going to kill Carlisle if he ever found out.
After he left, I laid there on the floor crying. I wasn't able to do much else. Once I cried myself dry of tears, I got up still feeling numb. I went to the bathroom to clean up. It was nearly two in the morning. I had to be at work by seven in the morning. I couldn't go to sleep, but it was too late for me to call in sick. I decided to stay up and I'd just work through my shift tomorrow. I'd hide my bruises and cut lip the best that I could in the morning. I hadn't talked to Carlisle since I left his house. So I'd try to avoid him as much as possible the next day.
Later I was dressed and ready to go to work. I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to directly talk to Carlisle today. It was going to be hard to control my emotions around him if he seen me like this. I was already enough of a mess. I had good control over my emotions at the moment. I didn't want to lose control. Especially not at work.
As I pulled into my parking place, I seen that Carlisle's car was already parked in its usual spot. But Carlisle was nowhere to be seen. I was happy that I wasn't going to run into him here now. I'd hate to have a break down before even starting work. Plus I'm sure he'd need his time to cool off after yesterday. I wasn't worried about that anymore. Last night I had wrote a note to leave on Carlisle's car or office door.
Since I had to leave the spare keys I had taken somewhere, I decided to leave these things in his office. The note simply explained how sorry I was about what I said yesterday and ruining his day. I knew better than to say anything. I only hoped he'd forgive me after he read the note. Hopefully he'd understand but wouldn't want to see me for a couple days.
When I knew Carlisle was busy and left his office door unlocked, I snuck in to leave my note and his keys for him. I knew he'd be able to smell my scent and knew I was here. I went on about my day after that. I got lost in my work, almost completely forgetting what had happened yesterday. I would smile and talk to my patients as if it were any normal day.
Suddenly someone grabbed my arm gently and made me jump and scream at them. I started to breathe oddly as I turned to look at who grabbed me. I saw that it was Carlisle. He looked concerned that I had reacted this way to him. He was only trying to get my attention to sign a paper for a patient we shared, but he was going to pull to his office instead now.
I backed away as I tried calming myself down. People were staring at me now. I quickly looked down, grabbing the papers out of his hand. I signed them, handed them back to him, and turned to finish my rounds for the day. I only hoped that he hadn't noticed the small bruises and cut on my face. I felt really embarrassed at how I reacted to his touch.
After the day was over, I was walking out to my car. I hoped Carlisle could be avoided. All hope was lost when I saw him standing next to my car. He looked as beautiful as ever. It was killing me to avoid him like this. I wanted to tell him everything, but was afraid of what would happen if I did. I looked down and walked over to him and my car slowly.
"Hi Doctor Cullen." I said in a low whisper. It was the first time I actually had to really talk today. My voice was very raspy. I saw Carlisle stiffen through my eyelashes.
"What's wrong love? I got your note and the spare keys. I'm not mad at you anymore. I'm sorry about yesterday as well. I will meet you at the house. Okay?" He said in such a soothing voice that I had to look at him.
I quickly nodded and got into the car and followed him home. Well, to his home. I didn't want to follow him at all. What I really wanted was to go back to my place and leave Carlisle be. I knew how upset he'd be with me. I knew how upset and hurt his family would be after what I said.
Carlisle drove at a steady pace for me. I knew it must drive him crazy how slow I must drive. For him to slow down this much would be maddening. But he did it so I'd keep up with him. I would occasionally lock eyes with him as he glanced back at me in his rear view mirror. The control that man had over me sometimes was so unreal. I wish I had the same effect as that golden haired babe.
We, soon enough, arrived at his place. He parked his car and cut the engine. I did the same. I opened the door looking down to the ground. I was too ashamed to look directly at Carlisle. And now that we were at his house again, I was extremely careful about what I was thinking knowing that Edward would be reading my mind. I stood by my car trying to stay strong emotionally, mentally and even physically. I felt as if all my energy were almost gone.
I also knew that one wrong look from Carlisle and I would snap in two. I waited a long moment for Carlisle to come over to me. Finally I heard his car door shut. He was over to me in an instant. It didn't surprise me much anymore how fast he had moved. I looked down at our feet waiting for him to either speak or move first. I lifted my head a tiny bit to look at him through my eyelashes.
Carlisle was hesitant for a moment, trying to think of a way to talk to me calmly. "What happened my love? I mean after you went home yesterday." He asked, unsure of how he should feel.
"I was umm… I was attacked." I looked down feeling the tears starting to come to the surface.
Carlisle was shocked. I could tell because the little bit of him that I could still see was rigid looking. I look at his beautiful face again. It was full of anger and sorrow and compassion. Possibly meant for me. Possibly not at all meant for me.
"What happened exactly Brittlyn?" Carlisle asked me aloud.
I hesitated on how I should tell him what happened. I finally decided to tell him the truth. It'd probably be painful for me to relive it this soon. Then I froze as I remembered what he'd said to me before leaving. That if I told anyone I'd be in more danger and so wouldn't Carlisle. I fought now to control myself.
"Tell me what happened love. I promise I will help you!" Carlisle said.
I could tell he was being sincere about this. I broke and told him now. "A man was waiting for me at home. He… Lucas Fritz, the man who had the little girl that was constantly in the hospital and had touched me the day we started dating, was there. He… He raped me and then hit me!" I finally broke down mentally and emotionally.
"Oh Carlisle! I'm so sorry! I'm ruined for you now!" I sobbed as I leaned me head on his chest and pressed myself against him, wanting to be comforted. I didn't know exactly what to do.
Carlisle hugged me back carefully, as if I would pull back from him. He was trying to sooth me as I sobbed into his clean clothes. I slowly started calming down. Especially as I took his scent in. He rubbed these small circles into my back. He pulled my face back enough to look at me.
"I want you to know that you are not ruined for me dear. There is no way that you'd ever be ruined for me. Remember our first night together when we had our very first romantic date? That's when you were ready and willing to give yourself to me. You are in NO WAY ruined to me. So please understand I'm at fault for letting this even happen to you. And with time I want to be with you again. Only when you are ready though." Carlisle explained to me compassionately.
I pulled his face to mine so I could kiss the fool I loved more than anything else on this planet. "Thank you Carlisle. Although I should warn you I also haven't slept since we got up yesterday. And I'm surprised that Alice didn't have a vision of this now that I think about it. Was she distracted?" I asked now curious as to why I didn't get help.
"She was very distracted. She was telling me about something she had seen today. She said you were leaving me a note and avoiding me all day. Now I know why." Carlisle said frowning.
I looked down, feeling more ashamed of myself than anything else. I wasn't even mad at Alice.
"I'm sorry that all this happened. I know you're always worried about my health and safety. But the only reason I didn't fight this was more for your safety. I didn't care what he did to me because I was more concerned about you." I explained.
Carlisle continued to frown. I could tell that he didn't like what I did. But I knew he still loved me because his frown slowly turned into a smile. I half smiled at Carlisle, not really sure if that was a correct response to his.
"I know you did this for your own reasons. I just had an idea. I really hope you will agree to it. I think it will make you very happy." Carlisle said, keeping his smile.
I suddenly felt nervous. I don't know why I felt nervous, but it sprang up out of nowhere. "Ok. What is your idea?" I asked.
"Well I will tell you soon. First you need to go get some rest. Jasper has been keeping you awake long enough now." Carlisle said, picking me up to pack me upstairs.
That's when I noticed Jasper standing in the doorway of the house. He must've been keeping me awake to tell Carlisle what he needed to know. As soon as we walked inside past him, I was out cold. I only hoped I had an alarm to wake me in the morning. I still had to work.
