Wow! We're up at 185 REVIEWS! I've been really busy the past few days, but I managed to get another chapter finished. Here is Chapter 7! The Cullens are back and they have a plan to save Bella. Will she let them?

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Bella

"Bella!" Alice shrieked, literally launching herself from the door and into my arms, hugging me tight. Her arms hugged over the fresh set of bruises I had received from Mike over the course of the week and I gasped in pain. Edward growled in warning, though it was pointless since Alice has released me at the very first sight of pain. My hands flew around my waist, holding my sides protectively against the pain. I tried to keep a straight face. It didn't work.

"Hey Alice," I whispered through my wince. The worry was apparent in her eyes as she looked frantically to Edward.

"Mike," was all he muttered.

"Mike?" Alice's voice was still a twinkling of bells, even as confused panic filled her voice. Her eyes scanned my face much as Edward's had, searching, "What about Mike?"

"He beat her," the words came out in an angry growl. I flinched.

"What?" roared Emmett's voice as he came barreling through the front door. It ripped off the hinges and fell limply to the side.

Apparently the entire house had been listening, because the rest of the Cullens filed out behind Emmett. Esme glanced at the destroyed door once. Their expressions were all enraged, even Rosalie. Even Esme. It was unsettling to see such a kind, loving woman so angered. I quivered under their stares, although I knew none of their anger was directed at me.

My fear did not last long. Jasper sent out a calming wave over the group and I welcomed it. Most of the Cullens threw annoyed glances his way; they wanted to feel enraged right now. I, however, smiled at him gratefully. I knew he wasn't blocking their anger, he was trying to keep me from falling apart.

"Why? Why did he even get close enough?" Alice's voice was shocked, wondering. It was so unlike her. I knew then that she had not been watching my future.

"She married him," Edward's voice held a sorrow that broke my heart.

"Get real," Emmett scoffed, throwing his head back with a laugh. Nobody's expressions changed. He chuckled reluctantly before fully gathering Edward's serious expression. He then turned his attention on me, eyes wide, "Bella?"

I nodded slowly. I anticipated his next question, "Why?"

"I was," I paused, my eyes flitting to Edward to gauge his reaction to my next words, "Was crushed," as expected, his face crumpled in pain and I found it hard to continue, "When you left. I became friends with Jacob Black. He took care of me. We were good friends. I think I even started to heal."

I trailed off slowly, the sadness entering my eyes, "But then he stopped talking to me."

I paused at Edward's growl. "I was broken twice there and I decided that I didn't care anymore," my words choked at the end. Edward took my hand in his and I continued, "Charlie threatened to send me back to Renee's unless I started to move on."

I squeezed my eyes shut against the onslaught of tears. They fell freely anyway, "I didn't want to leave Forks. I wouldn't let myself remember your name, but I had to stay here. Maybe you'd change your mind, maybe you'd come back. I couldn't leave, Edward. I just couldn't!"

"Shh..." he whispered softly into my hair as he lowered his face to press a comforting kiss on top of my head.

"So, I pretended to move on," I whispered, my voice still cracking, "I decided I'd be with the next person who offered. Three guesses who," I gave one dark laugh, "I could never love Mike, I knew that then. I know that now. I think he knew it, too. I don't think he ever cared about that part."

I felt the low growl rumble in Edward's chest, "It was the easier choice. It appeased Charlie and it let me stay in Forks. Mike was thrilled, of course. He was decent to me at first. He never beat me, that came after we were married... He only ever hurt me once before then."

"Still, why would you marry him?" Alice urged, her eyes full of questions.

"I..." I paused, knowing the true reason. Allie. "It was just to satisfy Charlie. I didn't want to find another person to love. I was still in love with Edward. Tying myself to someone I didn't love was easier for me. I could go on waiting and keep everyone happy."

"You're lying," Edward accused instantly. My eyes flew to his. They were hard, expecting me to continue with the truth. I thought I had lied well enough, but even after all these years, he knew me so well. I shivered as I prepared to tell the truth.

"I never wanted to, Edward," the tears fell freely from my eyes. His arms slipped securely about my waist, pulling me close. I turned to hide my face against his chest, enjoying his scent while it lasted. Would he leave me because of Allie? "He forced himself on me, after prom."

Edward stiffened.

"He raped you?" Rosalie's enraged voice shocked me. Of all the people to react, she was the one I expected the least.

"I got pregnant," it was barely a whisper, but I knew they heard it. They were shocked into absolute silence. I stared up at Edward, gazing into his wide golden eyes. I tried to hold onto my composure, but my face crumpled in sorrow. My knees gave out and I would have fallen, if it weren't for Edward's strong arms around me. I sobbed uncontrollably, my surroundings a blur.

"I'm sorry. Please, Edward, don't leave! I'm sorry," the words were strangled through my sorrows, "I love you. I'm sorry, Edward."

"Bella, Bella," he whispered my name softly into my ear, over and over, his fingers stroking through my hair. My sobs slowed and quieted before finally disappearing. Only then did he move his hands to cup my face so he could stare into my eyes, "I'm here to stay. Forever, Bella."

"Why are you apologizing, Bella?" Emmett's voice was unlike him. It was sad and confused.

"Because she thinks it's her fault," Rosalie answered before I could, her voice harsh. I flinched away from the tone. "Bella," she spoke directly to me. Perhaps for the first time. It had been so long, I couldn't remember, "It's not your fault."

"I made this choice, Rosalie," I whispered, my eyes moving to her face. She was angry, but I continued, "I chose to stay with someone I didn't love. I have to accept the pain I get for that."

"That's ridiculous!" Rosalie raged, stepping closer to me. Edward put his body between us and growled low in warning. Rosalie rolled her eyes, "Don't be stupid, Edward. I'm not going to hurt her. I'm trying to make her understand."

There was a silent communication between Rosalie and Edward that lasted for a few seconds. Then, Edward released me and stepped off to the side, watching Rosalie warily. I was shocked that I had been left to face her alone. A cold feeling of abandonment washed over me for a second before Jasper countered it with another wave of calm.

"Bella, Edward told you what happened to me, right?" Rosalie began in a gentler tone. So unlike her. I stared in shock, but nodded. She sighed before continuing, "I was raped and beaten to the point of death, Bella. I chose to be with the man that had done that to me before it happened."

That, I did not know. She stepped closer, her voice more urgent now, "You have to understand, Bella. You make choices in your life. Sometimes they're right and sometimes they're wrong. Regardless of your choices, Mike has no reason to hurt you. In any way. Mike was wrong to take advantage of you then. He is wrong to hurt you now."

"You have no reason to apologize, Bella," Alice chimed in then. "Mike should be the one apologizing."

"I can make sure he does that," Emmett growled, flexing the steel bands of muscle on his arms.

"I've already tried that," Edward grumbled. I looked toward him and he smiled grimly at me, "She doesn't want Mike hurt. Why, I can't imagine."

"Mike hurts me," I began, my gaze dropping instantly, "But he's wonderful to Allie."

"Allie?" Esme gasped.

"My daughter," I explained, "I knew he wouldn't let me name her Alice. He hates your family because... well, because I love all of you. So, I took the beginning of Alice's name and the end of Rosalie's name to make Allie. He seemed happy with it."

"Bella, he could hurt Allie, too," Alice reminded me.

"He wouldn't," I sounded sure, but I didn't feel it, "He likes to hurt me. He knows I would leave in an instant if it weren't for Allie. He brings home the money, pays for the house... If I left and we fought for custody, he would get it. Without me, he could hurt Allie."

"But Bella," Alice began, but I cut her off.

"He needs a punching bag," I responded. Edward snarled at my words, "I'll be happy to be one, so long as he doesn't hurt Allie. I can protect her if I'm there."

"Bella," Carlisle spoke now, his voice calm, "You are going to get away from Mike and you are going to take Allie with you."

"But I," I tried to explain, but Edward cut me off immediately. His eyes flashed with a smile. He had read Carlisle's thoughts.

"Maybe you can't support her on your own, but we can make sure that you can," Edward spoke, turning to me now. His hands held my face gently, his cool thumbs stroking my cheeks, "You have the marks to prove Mike is abusive. You'll have the financial status to support Allie. We can take care of both of you."

"But Allie in a house of vampires," Edward's brow furrowed and I continued quickly, "You know I have no problems with what you are. I just know I cause enough problems and with a three year old on top of that..."

"Bella, trust me," Edward chuckled, "If I'm fine with you, I'll be fine with Allie, too."

I stared into his eyes, feeling myself melt in the beautiful golden orbs. Edward meant everything to me and so much more. Deep down, I always had the fear that Mike would one day become abusive towards Allie as well. So, I finally saw it. The light at the end of the tunnel. I could get myself out of the hell I had fell into. I could save Allie from a fate as horrid as mine. I could save the both of us from Mike. We could be happy.

"Edward?" I whispered softly, coming to a decision. As quick as it was, I knew in my heart that it was right.

"Yes, Bella?" he smiled. Of course, Alice had seen what I was about to ask. Of course he had seen what she saw. I asked anyway.

"Would you like to meet her?"

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So, what do you think? It's not really a cliffy, I suppose. Maybe a tiny, little cliffy. Not really. Anyway!

Did you like the Cullen's reactions? What about Edward's reaction to Allie? Please, let me know! The more reviews, the faster the next chapter comes! BRING ON THE COOKIES!