You Saved My Life Chapter 4

BPOV

Carlisle paused, waiting for my answer. He was asking me to live with the Cullens? The people who torture me day in and day out? The people who get off on making my life hell? The people who prey on my misery, live off my pain? Is he insane? Clearly he doesn't know they torment me… I looked up to see he was still waiting for an answer.

"No…"

A look of shock came across his face, followed by confusion, then pain. "I-I don't… know what to say… May I ask why?"

Umm, well let's see what will happen if I live with the Cullen's... I could be murdered in my sleep. I could be pushed down the stairs. I could be pushed out of a window. I could eat poisoned food. I could walk through a door rigged with a bucket of pigs blood. Those are just the first to pop in my head. Of course, I'm not stupid –enough – to say this out loud. "No offense Carlisle, but I think I know where I'm not wanted…"

"What? Not wanted? Bella, Esme and I love you dearly, of course you're wanted. What could possibly make you think otherwise?" he asked, confusion lacing his tone.

Clearly, Carlisle hasn't mentioned any of this 'adoption' nonsense to his children, or he would completely understand just what I was talking about. "Carlisle, have you asked anyone other than Esme if they even wanted a new… sibling?" 'Cause Edward made it pretty clear to me he wants me nowhere near him or his home…

"No, but of course they'll want you Bella. Even they aren't cruel enough to force you into the system. They'll understand where you're coming from. They've all been there before." What they'll understand is that I'm at risk of being sent to a new home, with new people, and a new school, and all the while somewhere very far, far away from them. They'll be jumping with joy to get rid of me. They'll probably be praying that I do get sent to someplace unsafe.

Carlisle must have understood I was having a hard time believing what he was trying to convince me of, because he spoke up again. "Bella, I know what they did to Eric Yorkie was horrible, downright vicious and cruel, and if they survive the verbal beating tonight, you'll see they really are good people…"

Is he really that oblivious? Can he not read between the lines and realize I do not want to live with them? I don't even want to be in the same building with them, let alone live with them! "Carlisle…" If I snitch on them life will only be about 15 times worse, and I can't say 'I don't want to live with you' without sounding unappreciative. They're kind enough to even consider adopting me, and if I say no I'll sound like an ungrateful brat. "I think you should go home and have a discussion with the rest of your family, and then tomorrow see if you want to ask me again."

Obviously I'd say no again, but once he gets home and the rest of them find out what he is considering, they'll change his mind in a heartbeat. Then I'll be shipped off to someplace new. I almost smiled at the thought. Maybe school won't be so bad… I might even make some friends… or I could be completely invisible… Nobody would know who I am… it would be my choice who I was.

Carlisle interrupted my musings, sounding tired. "I don't know what you're going on about, but I'll go home and talk to everyone else about it. I'm sure they'll love for you to be part of the family. Please just consider it?" He looked at me with pleading eyes. Why did he want me to live with him so bad? If he cared about me that much surely he would have adopted me sooner…

I nodded timidly as Carlisle got up and left without another word. Once I was alone, everything caught up with me. Nobody died. Edward was alive. It felt like a substantial weight had been lifted off my shoulders. That brought the next question to the front of my mind. Why did I save Edward?

I've always believed that all life is sacred; I guess I learned that from Charlie growing up. It was just… when I looked up and saw the expression on Edward's face, the look that said 'I'm going to die'... I just couldn't let him die. Yes, Edward is an appalling person, and I would have loved for him to be put in his place, but that doesn't mean he deserves to die. Nobody deserves that fate. He's still human, still a person with feelings and emotions and a family. Who am I to decide who does and doesn't get to live? In reality, life would be much worse if Edward was dead. Sure, life for me would be less painful without Edward there to attack me daily, but would it really? The whole town would be grieving from his death. I couldn't imagine what it would do to Esme and Carlisle. I couldn't do it. I couldn't let people suffer just because I was. Besides, when it really comes down to it, the death of Edward Cullen would be far more tragic then the death of Bella Swan.

Thinking hurts. I don't like thinking. I took a deep breath; big mistake. It felt like my side had been lit on fire. Taking a smaller breath, I sighed and rolled onto my good side, feeling the pain meds do their magic and pull me under.

CPOV

The second I left Bella's room I was rushing to the nurse's station. There was not a chance I'd be able to stay here the rest of the day. Jackie looked up at me and offered a gentle smile.

"How can I help you Dr. Cullen?"

"Hello Jackie. I'm just here to inform you I'll be heading home early today. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, and my family needs me home."

A worried look came across her face. "Oh, I'm so sorry Dr. Cullen. You go home and get well rested. Tell the family I said hi."

"Of course I will. Have a good day Jackie." I said politely, walking to my office to collect my soiled clothing.

Walking out of the hospital I made a bee-line for my car. I could feel my anger building already as I thought of the conversation that would take place once I got home; the sensible part of my mind fought to control it. This family meeting would not go over well if I did not cool my temper.

The drive home was short, as usual, and I quickly made my way into the house and towards the dining room table. "Family meeting, downstairs, now!" I shouted, taking my seat at the head of the table. Esme was the first one in, coming from the kitchen.

"You're home early." She stated, giving me a peck on the lips before taking the seat to my right.

"Yeah, the hospital didn't need me, and we have matters to discuss."

Jasper was the first one in the room, followed by Alice, then Emmett, then Rosalie, and lastly Edward. They took their seats without a word, waiting for me to begin.

I cleared my throat to speak. "Never, have I ever, been so ashamed of you. What you all have done is inexcusable, and a disgrace to this family. I can't even begin to understand what on earth gave you the desire to bully someone, let alone to the point where they would want you dead. You should all be given the same punishment as Eric, but-" I cut them off before they could defend themselves. "The judge in this town is not going to punish you. Any punishment your mother and I give you will not nearly be enough to punish you to the extent you all deserve." A look of hope came across their faces. "But that does not mean we will not try. Since the school is closed for the next few weeks you will not leave this house until school starts back up again. Not to go to the store, not to go for a walk, not to play sports in the backyard, not for anything. We will be taking your phones and they will be shut off for the next 6 months. Alice and Rosalie, your credit card privileges will be cancelled as well. Jasper and Emmet, all game systems will be brought into our room before dinner. All your TVs will be disconnected. Anything else electronic or anything that provides any sort of entertainment is no longer yours. Esme, do you have anything to add?"

"I want all of your iPods and laptops as well. You have a new bedtime too. After 8 o' clock, you are no longer allowed to leave your room. And that means you will be sleeping in your OWN bedrooms. No sleepovers, no midnight make out sessions, no NOTHING. Do you understand?" she paused, waiting as they reluctantly nodded their heads. "Good. You are my children and I love you, but there is absolutely no excuse for what you have done. I apologize ahead of time if I give you the cold shoulder or the silent treatment for the next few days but you deserve it. You deserve every bit of your punishment if not more." This was only just the beginning.

Jasper decided to take this time to speak. "You're right Esme. We do deserve it. And I understand if you guys are disappointed, and if you choose to ignore us for the next few days. We deserve that too. Speaking for myself, I intend on taking my punishment completely and owning up to my actions. What I have done to Eric and Bella is unforgivable and I plan on making it right and apologizing, even though a simple 'sorry' is not enough. I will spend every day trying to make it up to her and Eric if I ever see him again. And as for you guys, I love you too, and I'm sorry how much I screwed up." Wait, did he just say Bella?

"What does this have to do with Bella?"

"I've treated her worse than Eric and she deserves an apology as well." He said matter-of-factly.

"What do you mean you've treated her worse than Eric?" I asked, my voice rising. They all looked confused. What the hell was going on?

"Wait, Swan didn't rat us out?" Emmett asked.

"Are you telling me that you guys bullied Bella? Worse than you bullied Eric?" I roared.

"You did WHAT?" Esme screeched, standing up and looking murderous.

"I-I thought someone told you…" Alice explained.

"No, Alice, someone did not tell me. I went to the hospital to ask Bella if she would let us adopt her and she said no, because she thinks she'll be unwelcomed here. At first I thought it was because we didn't ask her when her parents first died, but now I find out it's because of you guys? Are you fucking kidding me? What has she ever done to any of you to deserve that? She is nothing but a kind hearted person, who is all alone, and you guys chose to pick on her? And then she goes and takes a bullet for you?" At this point Alice was crying. I didn't care. How could they ever do something so atrocious to someone as sweet as Bella?

"Get out of here. Leave. Go to your rooms." Esme whispered.

I watched as they filed out of the room. I couldn't even look at them.

"Did she really say that Carlisle? Oh please Carlisle, I want her to come live with us, but now she never will… I cannot believe them!" Esme cried to me. I nodded my head, trying to bring my anger down. It took a while, but after 10 minutes of silence, I spoke up.

"As much as I'd like to disagree, it really seems like they are truly sorry for what they've done. They will still be punished, and this does not make things ok, but I don't think they are stupid enough to bully again."

"I know Carlisle. I know. But I just can't believe they would do that to poor Bella…" she looked saddened.

"I think we should call them down and discuss Bella living with us. I'm a fool to think she'll say yes, but if they really are sorry for their actions, and like Jasper are going to work for her forgiveness, then I think we should ask their opinion of her coming to live with us."

She paused before calling out for the kids to come back downstairs. What was it, only nine in the morning? Today was shaping up to be a long day.