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If thy doesn't own, thou can't sue.
"You still haven't answered my question. Why do you care about what happens to me?"
BPOV
He stared deeply into my eyes, my heart quickened under his beautiful gaze. "I care because... I love you, Isabella Swan." he spoke with so much certainty that I nearly believed him.
I averted my gaze to stare out the window at the quickly passing trees. I wanted to believe him, so much. I wanted to confess my love for him, but that would only get him and his family hurt. For god's sake! My father is the freaking chief of police! He could put them in jail for some excuse he thought of, like kidnapping his daughter that he loved so much.
"Don't... say that. You're just doing it out of sympathy." I held up my hand when I saw him preparing a rebuke and continued. "Plus, I couldn't stand it if he hurt you." I looked down at my hands to hide the tears in my eyes as I thought of what could happen to him... I wouldn't be able to live if Charlie killed him.
I felt his long thin fingers under my chin, pulling it up so I had to look at him. "You don't need to worry about me, love. I'm just so worried about you, I couldn't stand it if you went back there." he said with saddened eyes.
Love? He actually called me love! "W-what did you call me?" I asked, uncertain if I had heard him right.
His eyes grew wide and a faint blush reddened his cheeks. "Um... I believe I called you love." he replied nervously.
I couldn't stand it anymore. Edward, the man I love, was right here, right in front of me. The sweet smell of nothing any cologne could make was surrounding me. I breathed in deeply and, for once in my life, I couldn't smell any alcohol... or blood.
I met his gaze shyly as I leaned in just a bit further. My heartbeat sped as he leaned in just a bit as well. "Kiss me, Edward," I whispered and shut my eyes as he leaned in to press his lips very lightly to mine, and I was floating on cloud nine. He was soft and gentle, nothing like I was used to.
He broke the kiss and we were both gasping for breath. He leaned his forehead against mine. I opened my eyes to find those beautiful green eyes holding nothing but love.
"I love you, Edward," I whispered, knowing I wouldn't regret it. How did I know? I'm not sure... I just had this really good feeling.
"I love you too, Bella," he replied and, out of the blue, he winced. I pulled back, looking at him frantically.
"What is it?" I asked, worried for him.
"Um, it's just my hand." he replied uncertainly, covering the hand Charlie had hurt before I could look at it.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, feeling extremely guilty for allowing that to happen to him. "Let me see." I added, trying to remove his right hand which blocked the view of his left.
"It's nothing, Bella. I'm just worried about you." he told me but I ignored him, persisting with trying to move it. He finally did move it with a sigh and I gasped.
His hand was swollen to half it's size and covered in a large, nasty looking purple bruise. I felt a few tears well up in my eyes. He had already gotten hurt because of me.
He pulled my face up to look into my eyes. "Don't worry, love. It looks worse than it feels." he said, wiping away my tears.
I gave a surprised yelp when someone knocked on Edward's window and fell back against my door. He had green eyes, just like Edward, and blond hair. He looked a lot like Edward so maybe it was his father.
Edward turned around and his dad smiled sheepishly, like he was sort of embarrassed for interrupting us. He back up as Edward opened the door.
"Hey kiddo, I just was coming out to see what was taking you so long to get out of the car... and who's this?" he inquired, gesturing to me.
I attempted smiling at him, I'm not sure what it looked like for it felt weird on my face. "I'm Bella," I said shyly, hoping he would like me.
"Hello, Bella. I'm Carlisle." he introduced himself sweetly but I reacted on impulse when his hand reached over to me. I flinched away from him and further into my seat.
He quickly withdrew his hand and looked questioningly at Edward who was looking worriedly at me. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to frighten you." Carlisle said sincerely with a worried expression.
"It's not your fault." I whispered.
"Um, Bella has something she needs to tell everyone... and you need to have a look at her." Edward explained to his father then he turned to me. "Do you feel up to telling everyone?" he asked, taking my hand in reassurance.
I was unsure. "Will you be there?"
"I'll be wherever you want me to be."
"Ok then, I believe I can tell them." I answered, still a bit uncertain.
Carlisle was looking very confused but led the way to his house once we were out of the car. Edward never let go of my hand.
It was a huge three story mansion somewhere deep in the woods. I could hear the soothing sound of a rushing stream nearby and the meadow where this house was built was magnificent. Flowers of many different colors and nicely cut grass.
"Wow," I muttered under my breath just as we were ascending the steps that led to the porch.
"Thank you," Edward chuckled.
I blushed. "It's really beautiful here." I appraised.
"My mom had a lot to do with constructing the design for this house, she liked the seclusive feel of a place in the woods." Edward explained just as Carlisle was opening the door.
I took a deep breath and Edward rubbed my hand reassuringly as we stepped over the threshold.
Everyone was sitting in the living room. Emmett, Alice; who had apparently called a cab, Jasper, Rosalie and Carlisle went to sit beside a women who I guessed was Edward's mother. They all turned to look as we entered and I smiled timidly. God, there are so many men... but Edward's family wouldn't hurt me? Right? God I didn't know...
EPOV
"Are you alright, Bella?" I whispered in her ear as she hesitated right inside the door. I don't even think she heard me, she seemed deep in thought as she stared at my family. She suddenly started shaking at my side and a sob broke through her chest.
I took her into my arms, she appeared to be having a panic attack. "It's alright, no one's going to hurt you," I murmured anxiously into her ear but she seemed far away in a different time. I hope she wasn't remembering anything that Charlie had done to her. I felt so useless, I couldn't fight off this unseen force that was attacking her. "Bella, sh. It's alright, look at me love." I murmured anxiously as I stood in front of her.
She didn't stop shaking or quit sobbing but her eyes focused on my face. "I-I'm sorry," she cried, as she fell limply into my arms. I caught her and a brought her over to the nearest couch.
"What's the matter? Did I scare her?" Emmett fretted as he came to sit beside me.
"You don't know yet, Em. She'll tell you when she's ready." I said softly as I continued to rub her back soothingly.
He looked confused but didn't push it. He scooted a bit closer and gently stroked her hair in a reassuring gesture.
She froze under his touch and so did he. "I won't hurt you, Bella," he murmured sincerely.
BPOV
I froze as I felt someone's large hand touch my head. It didn't seem to have the intent of hurting me but I had no idea.
"I won't hurt you, Bella," I recognized Emmett's sincere voice and I relaxed slightly.
I pulled away from Edward and Emmett dropped his hand. "I'm sorry... it's just... the last time I was in the room with so many... men I-I-I was in a lot of pain." I struggled through my explanation, remembering back to when Charlie had come home with a few of his buddies from work, all drunk.
Flashback
"Hey guys, let's find Bella, I'm sure she wouldn't mind have a little fun with us." I heard Charlie slur loudly from down the hall as I sat, still as a statue, in fear on my bed.
Some guys laughed drunkenly and I heard their unsteady footsteps coming towards my door. I was frozen right there as my doorknob turned and in came Charlie with a few of his friends from work, all still in their cop uniforms with their gun belts. I gulped in fear as I looked at all of them.
They chuckled and Charlie picked me up by my hair. I screamed as he threw me down on the ground by their feet.
"Get on your knees, John here needs a stress reliever." Charlie chuckled.
Before I could comply John pulled me up by my hair and put my hands where his zipper was. I quickly but unwillingly unbuttoned his jeans, unzipped them and pulled them down. A single tear fell from my eye as I took his number in my mouth and sucked.
I had to do that for all of them.
End of Flashback
I was shaking as I remembered that night with great detail. All of their moans and laughs as I cried.
I looked around and saw everyone with confused and worried faces. I took a deep breath to calm myself, I still had to tell them my story.
"Sorry, I guess I-I have something to tell you all." I croaked, my voice still thick with tears.
"You don't have to tell them till you're ready, love." Edward murmured in my ear.
"I'm ready," I stated strongly.
(A.N.) Please give me your thoughts! I love it when you do!!! Thanks to everyone that is still reading my story! I love you all! VIRTUAL COOKIES TO EVERYONE THAT REVIEWS!
Love,
Ms. White Christmas
