A/N:
Brittany 21: Did Jake imprint on Bella?
Well that's the million dollar question, isn't it? I would love to give you an answer but the fact is I don't even know. What I do know is that she has a chance with almost any of the werewolves imprinting on her or being Edwards mate. I might leave it up to the readers in the future after I have introduced and developed all the necessary characters.
I also want to give my thanks to Brittany 21, Jane and Lilithcase39girl for reviewing!
Bella's POV
While waiting for Dr. Cullen to come back, I had some time to think over everything that happened in the past 48 hours, and none of my thoughts were exactly positive.
What the hell was I thinking?! I couldn't believe how careless I had been today. I completely broke down after showing Charlie my bruises. He's probably is disgusted with me now, I would be. I'm surprised he didn't kick me out after looking at them. Every time I thought about his reaction to everything it just made me have a headache. Phil taught me that I could never show weakness. He taught me that no one would give me pity or compassion in life so must hide and lie about it, or else everyone they would know how disgusting I am. The first and only time I cried in front of Phil I had a limp for 3 weeks. On the other hand, when I cried in front of Charlie he just held me, just letting me cry, even went as far to comfort me. I remember how good it felt afterward, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Then we were at the hospital.
I quickly became embarrassed about my previous behavior and couldn't stand having Charlie in the room anymore. It was cowardly, I know, but I didn't want to see him come to his senses and leave me at the hospital alone. Not that I would blame him, who would want some broken, crying, ugly, little girl? I am so scared though. I am so scared that he will leave me alone, like Mom did. When I first stepped out of the car I was shocked how Charlie acted as if I never left. Charlie has been kind to me, but his pity could only last for so long.
And then there was Jasper and Emmett. They were even more confusing than Charlie. They had never meet me previously, but made me feel like I was a part of the family and that this is where I belonged. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and wanted. This confused and scared me out of my wits. Even though it is selfish to think so, I would hate to lose either of them. It horrifies me to think about what they must think of me now.
And then there was worst enigma of all. Jacob Black. After knowing the guy for no more than two seconds, he had seen through my carefully created mask I had built and developed over the two years after my mother's death. Those deep brown eyes had been my undoing and I could barely string together two sentences when looking in them. I wasn't in love with him though. I knew better than to fall in love again. I put a lock on my heart after my Mother's death, and then a little over a month later on the day that James first hit me, I threw away the key. Both relationships were a testament to me that love could only end in tragedy. At least for me.
I was so deep in thought I almost didn't notice Charlie stepping into the room. I jumped and he quietly apologized for not knocking. He didn't look me in the eye. My hands gripped and twisted my blanket hard as I prepared myself for the worst.
He cleared his throat and sat down in the chair next to my bed and looked up at me. I gasped; his eyes were red and watery from lots of crying. He reached to grab my hand and I flinched. Tears were now streaming down his eyes silently.
"Bella, I- I promise I won't… I will never hurt you." He spoke softly, but with such conviction that I found my throat swell up and my vision starting to blur. "I can't tell you how sorry I am. I'm your father… I mean, I should have known, but… Will you forgive me?"
Those were the last words I had ever anticipated to come out of his mouth at that moment. My jaw dropped from shock and a moment later I choked out, "There is nothing to forgive, I'm the one who should be sorry." I took my hands out of his to cover my face and felt an overwhelming sense of awe at the man next to me and self-disgust that I caused his tears and how wasted they were on someone like me. I started sobbing uncontrollably, making my ribs protest painfully. Then I felt Charlie wrap a blanket around me and pick me up. He held me just like he had done not an hour ago.
"No, no, no, this is not your fault, never think that…" He rocked me slowly till my tears ran dry and my sobs quieted. "Bella… Bella look at me." I wiped my face with the back of my hand then looked up at him, "Bella, I will always love you, no matter what, alright?" And in that moment something within me shifted. The fog of confusion over my mind dissipated, and suddenly I understood. He wasn't kind because he pitied an abused girl; he did this, everything, because he loves me. He loves me unconditionally. Overcome with emotion I nodded and smiled, not trusting my voice. He kissed my head and carefully placed me back on the hospital bed.
"Before I let the boys come in, we need to talk, okay?" His eyes darkened and he rubbed his hands together nervously. My mood quickly sobered and I was scared again. All my life I have hidden behind my lies, scared if anyone found out they would hate me. I wanted to be truthful and tell him everything. I didn't want to live in fear anymore. Showing him my bruises gave me so much relief, and I'm so tired. I'm tired of lying, tired of hiding my past. Surprising myself, I did what was probably the greatest act of bravery I had ever done in my life. I started to tell him everything.