Bella's POV

We drove the rest of the way in silence. It was a long drive.
When we did finally arrive at the hospital, Edward was back to being a complete gentlemen. He opened the car door for me and let me go through the doors first.
"Sit," he told me, pointing at one of the empty chairs in the waiting room. I did.
I had been sitting for what seemed like forever when Edward finally came to retrieve me.
"My father's waiting for you." He took my hand and led me down the hall. We stopped in front of a small room, with Carlisle standing near the bed.
"Come on in, Bella." I looked up at Edward for reassurance, and he nodded, slightly pushing me forward. I stepped into the room, but looked back when I realised that Edward wasn't following behind me.
"Don't you worry, Bella. You'll be alright with me," Carlisle said with a smile.
"Edward?" I asked feebly.
"I'm sorry, love," Edward said. "But technically, by law actually, I cannot be with you until your examination is over."
I nodded slowly and walked over to sit on the bed as Carlisle walked over to Edward.
"Can I speak to you outside for a moment, son?"
Edward paused, but nodded after a few seconds. They stepped out of the room and Carlisle closed the door behind them. All I could hear was a faint mumbling. I couldn't resist. I tried to be as careful as possible as I snuck up to the door and placed my ear against it.
The words got clearer. They were talking loud enough for anyone to hear. They probably would. I supposed it would be kind of strange watching two men standing with their mouths open but not being able to hear a sound.
"Did you see the wounds?" That was Carlisle's voice.
"Just the ones on her arms. There might be more. That's why I brought her here. You can make her stop," Edward said.
Carlisle sighed. "You know I cannot make her do anything, Edward."
"You are a doctor. You have to make sure that she-"
"That she knows the consequences and understands fully the physical and mental illness this is most likely causing her," he finished for him. "That's what my duty is as a doctor. As much as I may like to make her stop, Edward, I cannot. It's not my job to force her into doing anything. I apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you, son. Truly I am. But that is the law." Carlisle sounded stern. Like a father reprimanding his child.
"Fine!" Edward snapped. "I'll be at home. Call me when you're ready for me to pick her up."
Then I heard footsteps. He was gone. I'd never heard Edward so upset. It killed me to hear him this way. Tears actually escaped and flowed down my cheek.
I ran quickly back to the bed and sat down, just before Carlisle opened the door.
He looked as if he was about to say something but then he looked up at my puffy face and red eyes.
"How much did you hear?" he asked.
"Enough," I replied.
"Don't worry about him, Bella. He's just worried for you, that's all," he reassured me with a smile. "So, let's get this over with, then," he said, less cheerily.
I nodded again and waited for further instruction.
"Bella, I'm going to need you to strip down into your underwear for me. Can you do that?"
I hesitated. I wasn't really eager to undress in front of my future father-in-law. He read my face easily.
"Don't worry. In this circumstance, I'm your doctor. Not father." He chuckled.
I smiled a tiny smile. I started with my jeans; my legs had less scars than anywhere else on my body. After shaking my sneakers off, I slowly pulled them down, exposing my pale skin. A few scars stood out. I heard Carlisle make a soft gasp. He could probably see much more than I could. Probably every single scar.
Then I lifted my shirt over my head and quickly hid my arms behind my back.
"Bella," he prompted. "I need to see it."
We stared at each other for a while before I gave in. Me in nothing but my undies, him in full-on doctor mode. But eventually I did and put my arms in display in front of me. Even I was shocked by what I saw. Dozens of scars coated my arms all the way up to my shoulders. Some were a bright red, the fresh ones. Most were somewhat faded, yet still prominent through my porcelain skin.
Carlisle gasped again, this time loudly, and pulled out my arms further.
He didn't speak. All he did was stare at my arms in shock.
My tears had stopped altogether. I couldn't even move.
He tried to regain some of his professional composure.
"Sit," he said. I did.
He remained standing. "Can you tell me a few things?"
I nodded, once again.
"How often do you self-mutilate?" I cringed at that term. I didn't like it.
"Every chance I get," I answered vaguely. I think he sensed my discomfort.
"How deep do you… cut?" he asked. Much better.
"Deep enough." I knew I was being vague. And I knew it wasn't helping much. But I knew they were going to make me stop. I couldn't stand that thought.
He sighed and sat down beside me on the bed, but turned so that he was facing me.
"Bella, I want you to listen to me very carefully. What you are doing is dangerous. Edward has told enough so that as not to burden you with too many questions." He sighed again. I remained silent. "As a doctor…"
He took a deep, unnecessary breath. "As a doctor, my one and only duty is to try. To attempt to help you see the danger of your actions. To try…" He paused once more, but I had patience. I waited for him to continue.
"But as a father, I want you to have the best possible solution to any problem. I love you, Bella. Edward loves you. And what you are doing to yourself is highly unhealthy…as a father, my duty is to help you…no matter what. And I will."
"I know it's wrong," I said slowly. "I want to stop. I do. But I can't. It's not as easy as I thought it would be."
"We will help you, Bella. Step by step," he said standing up.
"What's the first step?" I asked, timidly.
He seemed to be considering something for a moment. Then he looked back at me.
"You're going to have to be watched. Every second. That's the first step."