Here's number 4! This is all I'm going to post for now. I'll try to be quick about updating though. Like I said, the story is done. It's just the posting that I have to do. But I'm getting tired now...

Anyhow, read, review and enjoy!

-Vampiremoon22

Dinner that night hadn't gone well. Charlie had come home drunk, as usual. When I finished the food on my plate, I'd reached for a second helping. Lately, it seemed I was more hungry than usual. It must be all the extra "work", I thought. Charlie slapped my hand away and glared at me. "Can't have you getting fat." He slurred.

"But I'm still hungry." I said. "Just let me have some more salad."

"I SAID NO!" He roared and shoved everything off the table. Then he stood and walked over to me. I looked into his eyes and was afraid. "Dad, I didn't mean to-to upset you." I scooted my chair backward, away from him.

Suddenly, I felt his hand slap my right cheek. The action knocked me from my chair. I hit the floor with a thud. I didn't say any more, but Charlie wasn't through. I sat up a little in time to see his foot meet my side. I knew better than to cry out, but I couldn't help as a small whimper escaped me. "You'll do as I say!" He yelled before punching my face. "Now, clean this up!" He left and went to the living room to watch some sports game, leaving me with the broken dishes and wasted remains of our dinner.

I slowly cleaned up the kitchen. I eyed the wasted food and sighed. I was still hungry. I waited until Charlie passed out in his chair before making myself a sandwich and heading back upstairs.

I sat on my bed and ate slowly. My stomach hurt. Not my side, where I was kicked. Not my eye, where I was punched. My stomach. I rubbed it for awhile and it felt a little better. I got up and walked to the bathroom. I studied my black eye in the mirror and became angry at myself. I knew better than to go against what Charlie said. 'It doesn't matter now.' I thought as I took out my razor.

'What doesn't matter?'

I was so startled that I almost dropped the razor. 'Don't do that!' I thought.

'Sorry.' The voice apoligized.

'I guess it's okay.'

'I've been thinking about you all day.' He continued.

'Yeah?'

'Yeah. Why are you the only person I can comminicate with like this?' He asked.

'Hell if I know.' I answered.

'I think...'

'What?'

'I think I want to meet you. In person. Where are you?'

'I don't know if I trust you.' I told him.

'Oh.' He sounded disappointed. 'Why don't we meet at a public place?' He asked.

'Because my dad would never let me out.' I thought.

'Well, we can still talk.'

'About what?' I asked.

'Anything.' He said. 'I remember last time you didn't seem too happy. You should really try to get away.'

'How am I supposed to do that?'

'Your dad goes to work, doesn't he? Leave sometime after he leaves.'

'It's not that simple.' I sighed. 'Where would I go?'

'You could come to live with us.'

'Us?'

'Me and my parents and brothers and sisters.'

'Sounds like you have a big family.'

'Yeah. We'd all welcome you though. There's plenty of room.'

I smiled. 'Sounds great.'

'What's your name?' He asked suddenly.

'Bella.' I said.

'Bella.' I like it. I'm Edward.'

'Nice to be formally introduced.' I smiled again.

'What would you do if you could get away from your dad forever?' Edward asked.

I closed my eyes. 'First I'd finish high school.'

'What year are you?'

'Junior.'

'So am I.' He said. 'Small world huh?'

I continued. 'I haven't really thought about what I'd do after that.'

'You should go to college.' He said.

'Like I could afford college.'

'I could help you.'

'That's sweet but I don't really even know you. Besides, I don't think Charlie will let me out of his sight until I'm 50.'

'Charlie?' Edward asked.

'My dad.' I explained.

'It's something to think about anyhow. You're more than what he says you are Bella.'

'I should probably get to sleep now.' I told him.

'Okay, just promise me you'll think about what I said.'

'I'll think about it.'

'Promise.' He insisted.

'Alright.' I said. 'I promise.'

Friday went by as usual at school. When I got home, Charlie was already there. He told me I had to "work" that night. I went upstairs and dressed, preparing myself for another night of torture. I was walking down the stairs when I suddenly felt the urge to throw up. "Dad," I started to say. "I think I'm going t-"

"YOU STUPID BITCH!" Charlie screamed at me.

"I-I'll clean..." I started to say before it happened again. I didn't understand. I'd felt so sick lately. "Dad." I pleaded as I tried to stand. "I don't feel..." I was vaguely aware of a pain in my stomach as my mind faded to black.

"Isabella?" I heard an unfamiliar voice say. I hurt everywhere. "Isabella?" He said again. "How are you feeling?"

"Ow." I muttered weakly. It was all I could say.

"Do you remember what happened?" He asked me.

"Stairs." I groaned.

"Yes. You took a pretty nasty fall down some stairs."

I opened my eyes. "Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital here in Forks. I'm doctor Carlisle Cullen."

I lay still for a moment. Then I remembered... "My dad!" I tried to sit up.

Dr. Cullen gently pushed me back down. "Your dad is okay."

"No. I..."

"Isabella, we have more important things to discuss."

"Like what?"

"We took a look at some of your bruises." He said. "Is everything... all right at home?"

There it was. A way out of everything staring me in the face. A path to freedom. All I had to do was say no. "N..." I started.

But then I heard Charlie's booming voice from the lobby. "She's my daughter, and I'll see her whenever I want!"

The door to the room opened and Charlie walked in. "She ready to go doc?"

I saw Dr. Cullen turn away from him for a second to look at me. I was cringing away from Charlie.

"Actually Mr. Swan, I believe she'll have to stay here for about a week."

"A WEEK!" Charlie exploded.

"Mr. Swan, you'll have to be quiet. There are patients resting..."

"Why a week?" He asked.

"We need to run some tests."Dr. Cullen told him. "And I want to observe her to be sure she's all right. It's going to take at least a week."

"A fucking week!" Charlie mumbled and left the room.

"Isabella, I need to speak with you about something else. Your dad said that you've been eating more lately and gaining weight. He also told me that you got sick tonight before you passed out. I don't mean to alarm you, but these could be signs of pregnancy."

I opened my eyes wider. He continued. "I'd like to run a pregnancy test."

"But..."

"When was your last period Isabella?"

"About six weeks ago." I answered.

He wheeled a wheelchair over to me. "Let's get you down to the lab."

Being in the hospital wasn't so bad. At least Charlie didn't come to visit me. I was alone most of the day with the tv in the small room. On Monday morning I was watching some kids' show when Dr. Cullen walked in. He was holding a folder full of papers.

"Good morning Bella." He said cheerfully. "How are you today?"

"I'm all right." I answered.

"Good. Good. I just wanted to discuss the results of your bloodwork."

I looked at him, afraid. "Is it bad?" I asked.

He shook his head while he leafed through the papers. "I wanted to be the first to congratulate you. You're going to be a mother!"