I'm back I'm back I'm back! It's been too long but this chapter was quite different for me! I say that a lot but this story is so far out of my comfort zone so it is way harder to write, plus I want it all to be from the heart and 100% accurate! So without further ado I give you Chapter 3 of Survivor!

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"Bella," My name rolled off his tongue perfectly. It actually sounded beautiful. "I like it," He smiled.

"Well Bella, would you like me to show you to your room?" He asked when I didn't say anything.

I nodded.

He led me to a room on the other side of the hallway, right next to the bathroom. It was a lot more simpler then his but it was just as beautiful and warm.

The comforter was a light beige, as were the sheets. The walls were a light brown and the furniture was stained a dark chocolate brown. There was a small flat screen tv on the dresser across from the bed, two windows on one wall, the bed against the other, and a closet completing the last wall.

I could not wait to bury myself in the covers and sleep on a soft surface for the first time in years.

"So what do you think?"

"It's perfect," I whispered looking around the room then meeting Edwards bright eyes.

"Great, I will be right across the hall if you need anything." He smiled stepping closer to me. "Sleep tight, Bella," He said, softly placing his palm against my cheek. I fought against the urge to flinch away and instead turned my head into his warm hand and closed my eyes.

He pressed a light kiss to my forehead and it took everything in my not to cringe, it was not out of fear just instinct.

Before I knew it his hand was gone and he was standing by the door. He gave me one last half grin before shutting the door and leaving me with my thoughts.

As I laid in bed waiting for sleep to take over I heard Edwards voice through the door.

He was speaking in a gentle tone, "Hi baby, how was your day?"

It was silent as the person on the other line responded. My handsome hero really was taken.

Not that I cared.

The conversation continued for a good 5 minutes. His voice never changed from being kind and gentle.

I heard him make plans with his girl for this weekend, which was 3 days away.

He ended the conversation by saying, "Goodnight Princess, I love you,"

It was remarkable to actually hear those words said by a man. You could tell by his tone of voice that he meant it.

Edward was so different from all the men I knew.

He was admirable.

I awoke the next day with a startle. I could not remember anything from the night before at first but then I took in my surroundings.

Everything came flooding back to me.

I hadn't slept that well in so long. I woke feeling safe, secure, and so well rested. I felt like I was in paradise.

After enjoying the warmth and softness of the bed a little while longer I stretched and rubbed the sleep away from my eyes before pushing the warm covers off of my body and standing up. I quickly straightened up the covers and moved toward the door.

I quietly opened it and poked my head through the crack.

Edwards door was still shut so I tip toed toward the stairs. They were so hard to maneuver down because the wood was so creaky.

I decided to do a little exploring before Edward woke up. I wanted to know more about my knight in shining armor.

Who was taken.

Ugh!

I needed to make myself stop.

I looked around the room, admiring the different furniture and beautiful paintings and pictures around the whole downstairs.

Edward had so many family pictures around his house, it was so amazing to see. I finally had proof that a normal, functioning family was possible.

All the people in the pictures were beautiful. Rosalie appeared in a few of them as did a very petite girl with black spiky hair and bright green eyes, almost as bright as Edwards but not quite. An older couple, who I assumed to be Edwards parents, were just as stunning as their children.

The women had big caramel curls and it was obvious where her daughter got her blue eyes. She was so elegant and warm looking. She seemed just how a mother should. Her features were so delicate and beautiful it was hard to look away. She did not look old enough to have children as old as Edward.

The man was so very handsome. Edward and the spiky haired girl got their eyes from him. He had blond hair that seemed to be graying on the sides but it did not fit his face. He too looked way to young to have children. He looked so kind, but as always looks can be deceiving.

As I strolled around the living room I saw more and more pictures, until I spotted her.

She had to have been the most beautiful human being I'd ever seen.

She had a mix of crystal blue and green apple eyes, auburn ringlets coursed down her back, a tiny little face you couldn't help but adore, and a lopsided smile identical to Edwards.

She could not have been more than 3 when that picture was taken but she was absolutely stunning.

My starring was interrupted when I heard movement upstairs. Instantly my stomach clenched and I felt like I was going to pass out.

I did not know what kind of mood Edward would wake up in. Maybe he had changed his mind and did not want my dirty self there.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach and waited for his approaching footsteps to descend the stairs.

My back was to Edward and I pretended to be gazing out the window but I was just secretly dreading what was to come.

"Good morning, darlin,'" Edward's sleepy voice called as he reached the bottom of the steps.

I hesitantly turned toward him and forced a small smile.

"Morning," I said quietly.

"Hungry?"

I nodded and followed him into the kitchen.

"What sounds good for breakfast?" He smiled leaning across the counter as I took a seat on a stool.

I just grinned back and shrugged.

I was not used to eating so much food in such a small amount of time.

I loved it, do not get me wrong, it just felt so weird.

"Hmm," He said looking around the kitchen. "French toast?"

A huge smile spread across my lips and I quickly nodded.

"Coming right up!" He chuckled, grabbing all the items from various cabinets and the fridge.

French toast was the one thing I remembered my mother making that actually tasted amazing and edible.

The smell of cinnamon quickly filled the kitchen and my mouth began to water.

Edward worked quietly and quickly, occasionally speaking but otherwise just working in silence.

He was such a mesmerizing human being.

I couldn't thoroughly describe it no matter how hard I tried but there was just something about him that made me feel so safe despite my mind screaming against it. I wanted to badly to believe he would never hurt me and with every kind word and gesture I believed more and more he is my safety and it scared the hell out of me.

After everything I had been through man were labeled as nothing but disgusting pigs, but not Edward.

Never Edward.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of his voice.

"Hopefully they're good! I'm not a very talented cook," He said with a crooked smile, placing a plate in front of me loaded with french toast covered in syrup and butter.

"Oh shit I didn't even ask if you liked butter or syrup! I'm so sorry. Let me make you a different batch," He said quickly removing the plate.

I quickly began shaking my head no and reached my hand out and wrapped it around his wrist. He stopped talking and looked at me.

"I like syrup and butter," I whispered and a huge smile spread across his lips.

I loved when he smiled.

"Where's yours?" I asked as he sat beside me on the other stool.

"Still cooking," He said getting back up and handing me a fork.

I slowly dug into the food and it was absolutely amazing.

I tasted like heaven smothered in syrup.

"How is it?"

"Amazing!"

"Thank god," He chuckled.

Once Edwards food was finished cooking we both ate, holding light conversation.

"Damn I am a good cook!" He smiled, leaning back on the stool and rubbing his belly.

I just giggled earning a wink in response.

"So Bella can I ask you something?" He asked after a long period of silence.

I tensed up but nodded.

"Where is your family?" He asked.

I did not know how to answer. I did not want him to know what kind of people they were. I did not want him to hate me because of how disgusting they were.

"They died,"

"I'm so sorry," He said quietly looking at me but I refused to meet his gaze.

I hated lying, especially to Edward, but it was for the best.

"Don't be, it was so long ago I barely remember them," I said brushing it off like it was nothing in hope that he would let it go.

I think he realized I did not want to talk about it because he nodded but remained quiet.

"Where do you live, Bella?" Edward asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"I don't 'live' anywhere,"

"What do you mean?" He asked giving me a weird look. "You have to live somewhere,"

"The alleyway," I said shrugging. It was the only logical answer because it was where I slept.

"You don't have a home, Bella?" He asked looking at me as pity filled his eyes.

I hated pity.

I did not need anyones pity. My life was the way it was, no changing it.

"You asked me this already and I told you I do not have a home," I answered looking away from his eyes.

"I...I thought you just didn't want to tell me,"

"It's a long story," I said avoiding the topic. "But I'm leaving here today. I can't intrude on you or your home any longer," I said mentally making the decision.

"What? No you are not!" He said quickly. "You're staying here until we get everything figured out. I am not allowing you to go back to that alleyway," As he said this his voice grew louder and I shrank in my seat.

Loud voices made me think of my father.

"I'm sorry," He whispered after realizing I was frightened. "But I will not let you leave here unless you have a home to return to and since you don't you're staying here,"

I just looked up at him.

Part of me was so happy to stay because that meant I would get to spend more time getting to know Edward but the other part of me just wanted to leave because I knew I needed to get as far away from Edward.

There was so much I did not know about this man yet I felt so safe and comfortable around him.

I didn't even know his freaking last name for God's sake!

"Bella, I know you're still afraid, I don't expect you not to be! But I need you to at least trust me on this, please," He pleaded unleashing his beautiful eyes on me.

I just starred back at him, not agreeing but not disagreeing.

"It's settled then!" He smiled, sending a wink my way. "I need to go up to my office for a little while because I am supposed to be working from home today but I was thinking, since you will be staying here for a little while, we could go to the mall and get you some extra clothing, then go to the supermarket and stock up on food. How does that sound?" He asked putting the remaining dishes in the dishwasher then walking toward me.

A small smile touched my lips and I nodded.

"Great! Well please help your self to anything here, the remote to the tv is on the coffee table, and if you need anything my office is the door at the very end of the hallway," He said standing in front of my stool.

I just looked at him, like I always did. I never knew what to say when he spoke to me.

He gave me one last smile before briefly placing his hand on my cheek then walking into the living room and upstairs.

I just starred after him.

How could one person have any sort of effect on me? I was so broke and damaged, I didn't know how to act around Edward or figure out any of the feelings he gave me, if they were even real feelings at all.

I remained seated for quite some time, just trying so hard to figure things out but when I couldn't I gave up and retreated to the living room.

I didn't really know what tv was, of course I had watched some when I was a little baby and heard of it as I grew up, but I didn't actually remember watching it so I decided to avoid it all together.

Instead I walked over toward Edwards massive bookshelf on the wall opposite of the tv.

The one thing my mother did right was teach me how to read.

Reading was my only escape.

Whenever I was lucky enough to get my hands on a book I allowed myself to get lost in it and just be the main character so I could finally escape my life and be someone completely different.

I ran my fingers all along the spines of his books. They were all so dusty showing Edward hadn't touched them in some time.

They ranged from fiction to nonfiction, scifi to romance, encyclopedias to fantasy fiction. But what caught my eye were the children's books on the very bottom shelf.

They were so bright and colorful.

Happy even.

I liked them best.

Just running my fingers over every book brought me a sense of familiarity.

I knew books better than I knew anything else is this god awful thing we called life.

Books never changed.

They were always the same no matter how many times you read the same book, no matter what page you turned to it would always be the same as it was the last time you read it.

Books were real, this life was fake.

I don't know how long I sat in front of the book case reading book after book, but it had to have been at least a good 5 hours.

I was pulled out of my own little word by the sound of Edwards footsteps on the stairs.

"Hey darlin'," He smiled after seeing me on the floor surrounded by books upon books.

I just smiled at him before returning to the romance I had been reading.

I hadn't even noticed Edward walked toward me until he gently pulled the book away from my face.

He was crouched in front of me with a crooked grin on his face.

"Ready for some shopping?"

I gave a half smile and shrugged.

"I've never been shopping," I explained Edwards expression became clouded by confusion.

His eyes turned sad for a split second before he forced that gorgeous smile onto his face.

"Well in that case I am honored to accompany you for your first time," He said holding out his hand to help me up. I took his large warm hand with my small skeleton like hand and allowed him to lift me to my feet.

"I laid out some of my sister, Alice, clothes on your bed for you. You both are about the same size so they should fit,"

"Thank you," I said quietly before walking toward the stairs.

Once I returned to my room I found an outfit on my bed.

It consisted of tight dark washed skinny jeans, a white v neck tshirt, and brown combat boots. I quickly changed then folded my pajamas and placed them near my pillow.

Everything fit perfect but I was too afraid to look in the mirror.

I returned downstairs and found Edward near the front door wearing his black peacoat. He had his keys in one hand and a handful of fabric in the other.

"This was also Alices, it's quite cold outside for a March day," He said handing me the jacket.

It was a red peacoat.

I slipped my arms through the holes but stopped once I got to the weird buttons.

I had never owned a peacoat and I had no idea why there were so many buttons.

Edward noticed my confusion, let out a little chuckle, and brushed my hands away.

His long pale fingers took place of mine and slipped over every button, fastening it into place. Then once every button was done he grabbed the belt that hung near my waist and tied it into a loose knot.

"Ready?" He smiled.

I nodded, returning the smile.

He opened the front door for me and then pulled it shut behind us, locking up.

Once we got to the car Edward came to my side and opened the door for me before I could even reach my hand out to open it myself.

I smiled at him before getting in and fastening my seatbelt as he shut the door then went to his side.

After we were both in and buckled out journey to the mall began!

I was nervous.

Big, crowded places were not my thing.

"The mall I want to take you too is on the other side of Seattle so it will take about an hour to get there," Edward said. He continued to talk but I couldn't concentrate because all I heard was 'other side of Seattle' meaning we were going toward where my parents were.

My heart began to race and my stomach clenched.

Seattle was a big enough city, just because it was around the same part didn't mean we would run into them, right?

Right.

I quickly calmed myself down and tried to listen to Edward and what he was saying.

"We can get you whatever it is you need, okay? Don't be afraid to just get it! I was even thinking if you are super uncomfortable shopping for certain things with me I could set something up for you and my sister Alice, the one I mentioned before, to go out. She loves clothes and anything that involves shopping so I know she'll be interested," Edward said.

He was always so concerned about what I was comfortable with, it was so new to me.

The drive was pretty quiet other than the light music in the background or Edward mentioning something here or there.

It was nice.

As we got closer to our destination things began to look familiar.

Places I had seen when I lived and escaped my parents.

I didn't feel right.

Once we got to the mall I tried to forget and just enjoy my day with Edward.

What was the worst that could happen?

FINALLY! Omg I'm so sorry that took forever but school has been absolutely crazy since it is the end of the year. Please don't hate me and just love the chapter!? Please review and tell me your thoughts! Reviews are what make me write faster and last chapter I only received one or two so please review more! It would make me so so so happy! The next chapter will come much faster than this one did I promise;*

~Karter