A/N: Thank you everyone for your reviews, alerts and adding this to your favorites. Sorry this story a little shorter that my rest. Please read a/n at the end.
Chapter 4
We stood in silence, looking anywhere but at each other. The only noise was the ticking of a clock. "I asked you a question, how much did you hear?" His eyebrows were knitted together in anger. I watched as he concentrated completely on me.
I gulped "Enough to know you wish I was not here" My voice cracked, unable to stop my trembling. I felt ready to throw up. I could feel a sweat breaking out all over my body,
"If anything bad happens to anyone in this family, it will be your entire fault. Don't get me wrong I understand you need help but I don't see where it has to be us. How is any of this our problem?" My heart sank down, low, lower, until it reached my toes. My eyes were watering and I couldn't stop them from pouring out. Edward looked at me with an angry expression. This was not the Edward Cullen I remember from my past. Now he was so different. He was rude, egotistic, a jerk. What had changed him? He continued to shatter my already damaged heart. "I bet you deserved what your husband did to you." Edward snapped.
I was appalled, what right did he have to say those things to me. He had no idea the hell I've been put through. If he knew, what day-to-day life has been for me he would be a shamed of himself saying those things to me. I took another step back, bumping into the bottom stair, my heart skipping several beats. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. How could this handsome man before me be so ugly with his words.
"How can you say that?" I rustled softly "Why are you being so mean to me?" I questioned. I could not understand why he was being so cruel. Where was the sweet boy, who once upon a time wanted to protect me from this cruel world?
"Please tell me," I whimpered. "Why are you acting like this?" At that very moment, a gasp came from behind Edward. Esme covered her mouth with her hand, a look of pure shock on her face. I wondered how much she had heard. She was mad. No, scratch that, she was livid. His eyes widened as he slowly turned coming face to face with his mother.
Edward stuttered "Mom….I" It was clear to see he had forgotten his mother was in the other room.
"Don't dare mom me. I raised you better than this. Why in the world you say something like that to Bella" Esme was clearly disappointed in her son. "Do you really believe she deserved to abuse? How can you believe that husband of hers had any right to harm her?" We all waited for him to speak however, he did not answer, just simply turn room mumbling to himself, slammed the front door open before slamming it shut behind him. All I could do was stand in shock, hurt and confusion. The tears were running freely now and they wouldn't cease. I put my hands on my face and cried as I screamed into my hands.
"Are you sure your okay Bella?" Esme asked looking at me with concern. I stared at a coffee mug sitting pointlessly next to her elbow. Sunshine beamed outside and the distant sound of traffic and dogs barking.
"Yea" I insisted, picking diminutive through my eggs and applesauce. "I'm fine. I swear Esme. I just have so much on my mind right now" I tried to say, but I barely stammered it out.
"I apologize for what my son said to you. I can't figure out why he would say things like that." Esme shook her head, "I raised my children to know right and wrong. I'll have Carlisle talk to Edward later tonight"
"No that's okay. Don't worry about it. I am sure he had his reasons. And also, I think he's right."
"Now you listen to me young lady. It's not your fault. I don't ever want to hear you say that. Like I told you yesterday, you are family and families stick together. No matter what. Do I make my self clear?"
"Yes ma' am," I replied "Where Carlisle anyway"
"Oh he got called in at five this morning. He should be home for dinner tonight."
"I hope you don't mind but I called Emmet and Alice last night after you were settled in. I've asked them to come to dinner tonight as well. They don't know you're here so they'll be in for a surprise."
"No I don't mind at all. I mean this is your house after all. You don't think they'll think the same thing as you know who, do you?"
"No I don't. Please don't worry yourself. Everything will work out in the end." Some how that didn't help me much "Trust me dear. Now finish your eggs before they get cold. We can't have you my daughter and grandchild starving now can we?"
"No of course not"
"Once you finish eating, I want you to march up those stairs, take a warm relaxing shower, get dressed and we'll make a trip down to the police station." Esme patted my hand, standing to place her coffee cup in the sink before turning back to me. "You are a brave girl you know. I take a lot of will power when taking the first step by getting out. So many women never speak out, seeking help. So many die each year by the hands of a love one. You know as well as I do that it was a matter of time before that man took your life."
I couldn't help letting a tear slide. "I know. But it doesn't make it any easier." I knew Esme was right. I also knew she would do what ever to keep me safe however, it didn't change that fact that Josh would most likely kill me when he found were I was. Just too many things could go wrong. I was not sure I was strong enough to survive it all.
"I want you to remember death is simple it's living that's hard. If you won't fight to keep yourself safe then fight to keep your child safe. That baby should be your top priority.
Be the best mother you can be. And don't forget, we all make mistakes." The elder woman explained, "Don't you ever forget that everything that husband of yours has done is his own fault, not yours. The first time he ever laid a harmful hand on you he was no longer a man but a monster." I turned to look at her. She was right. I knew in my heart that she was it was just getting my head on the same page.
"I am so thankful I ran into you yesterday. I'll never be able to repay you for all you are doing for me?" Taking a few more bits of food. I finished off my breakfast.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to repay me anything." Esme looked at me smiling." I'll tell you what. You let me spoil that baby of yours and I'll call that even."
I found myself smiling "I think I could do that" I felt my cheeks growing hot and I stoop up, "
Esme came up and hugged me gently, attempting to comfort the me, smiling as though she were my own proud mother. Whispering into my ear. "I promise Edward will come around. Just give him time. He was just caught off guard." I could only give her a small watery smile before going upstairs.
After trying a couple on it was obvious, I would need to do some clothes shopping. Looking in the mirror, I didn't see the girl I once was. So much had changed over the years that I missed who I had been. So with a slow deep breath "You can do this Bella." I said to myself. I was anxious to get this over with. I knew I had a hard road ahead of me but I would do what ever I had to, to insure the safety of every one I cared about. Hopefully Edward and I could fix things in do time. I never knew what people meant when they would say 'You could love and hate someone at the same time'. Now I do.
"Bella!" Esme called from the bottom of the staircase. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yea, I'll be down in a minute" I called out. I pulled off my tank top and pulled on a large blue sweater and black leggings.
"I'll meet you in the car" Was Esme reply. Slipping on some flats, I took my time walking down stairs. One thing I know without a doubt was how much I detested Josh, the things done to me, all the hurtful words spoken to my face. All the humiliations he put me through. It was time I fought back. I shook my head of any more thought of Josh and Edward as I pulled my coat off the rack by the door, slipped it on and headed outside. The ground was wet from a light rainfall; I let out a small sigh.
Sliding into the passage seat next to Esme, we pulled out of the driveway "Listen." She started. "Today is all about you, ok. After we file the necessary paperwork and give your statement to the police. We'll grab some lunch to take back to the house and we will seat back and take this chance to relax. Especially you, when was the last time you properly slept, you look exhausted."
"I can't remember it's been so long. I was always on edge when Josh was around and when he wasn't I still worried."
"Well, for today try and place your worry to the side. Okay dear?"
"I'll do my best" I sat back and watched the scenery pass by.
A/N: 2 Hope you like it. Next chapter up soon. Please Review! The more reviews the faster I update. Also on a side note. Please don't be too hard on Edward. Later on, you'll find out why Edward is acting this way. It won't excuse his behavior but it will give you a better understanding. These two, Edward and Bella, will work things out in the future but it won't be easy. I will be showing some flashbacks between Bella/Edward and Bella/Josh (Before and after marriage). I'm pretty sure this story will be a long one. So sit back and enjoy. Oh before I forget would you want read Edward's pov as well? Any one else's pov your interest in?
