Bella POV
I felt cool hands pull back my hair and put a damp washcloth on my forehead as I poured of the contents of my stomach into the toilet. I looked up to see Esme's worried face give me a soft, sad smile.
"Esme thank you so much but you really don't have to do this." I softly whispered.
"Oh nonsense Bella. I'm a mother! I've had to take care of Edward this way many times before it does not bother me in the slightest. I just want to help you." She said. I smiled.
"Thank you so much. For everything. It's been so long since I, or Alice for that matter, have felt a mother's love. Or any kind of love at all really. It's nice." I said. Esme's smile fell a bit at the thought again of what Alice and I had been through, but she was also very pleased that I already felt her presence as a strong mother figure in my life.
"Don't worry Bella, you girls are safe now. And we all love you both so much already." She said and my smile grew bigger and I sat there hugging her for about five minutes. Finally though I stood and the two of us made our way back into the kitchen. It was a strange sight because everyone else was sitting there, food still on their plates, but not eating. As soon as Esme and I sat down though, Emmett picked up his fork, which made me laugh.
"You okay Bell?" Alice asked me. I looked up to her across the table and nodded slowly. She smiled back and again picked up her fork, along with Esme and Carlisle, and finished her plate. Edward, although he picked up his fork as well, only picked at his food, barely eating anything. It struck me as odd and I worried for him because I felt some weird connection to him and I didn't want him to suffer from not eating. Soon though everyone finished and Esme stood to start dishes.
"Oh, let me help." I said, standing and grabbing my and Alice's plates. Carlisle stood at the same time though and grabbed the plates from my hands.
"Sorry Bella, but as your doctor, I'm telling you no, go in the living room and have fun." He said with a smile. I smiled back and followed the other three back to the couch.
"Well what now?" Edward asked.
"Video games, duh." Emmett said, grabbing the controllers. Alice and I laughed and then watched the guys play for the next two hours. It was all together a fun night. It was amazing cause I haven't felt this alive in forever. I finally felt like me again. I would be able to go to bed and not have to worry about Phil coming in and hurting me or Alice. It was a nice feeling. I can finally relax and get some much needed rest.
"Guys, I think I'm going to go to bed." I stated standing up. Alice had fallen asleep on the couch about a half hour ago and I was really getting tired. The guys nodded as I woke up Alice.
"What's going on?" she asked, broken out of sleep.
"You fell asleep on the couch. C'mon, time for bed little one." I said, pulling her arm.
"Goodnight girls." Edward said with a smile, and Emmett hugged us both. Then we went upstairs where I led her to her room, and once she was situated, went to my room. I stripped from my clothes and opened a drawer. To my surprise, Esme had also stocked our closets along with decorating our rooms. I didn't understand how she did it because we had only just arrived in Forks yesterday and that was when Charlie made the plans for us to come here. Esme was just that amazing. I smiled as my hands fell onto something silky, and I pulled out a silver silk nightgown. I slipped into it and then fell into the fluffy sheets of my bed, finally feeling safe and relaxed. But then Phil came back.
"Isabella!" he slurred, clearly drunk. It was just me and him, and we were standing in a forest somewhere. "Why, why did you leave me you little bitch?" he asked. I backed away from him, but another pair of arms wrapped around my waist. I looked up into bright blue eyes.
"Bella, why are you keeping my baby away from me? You left Phil, and now you have my baby. I want my child." Ben said.
"No! You can't have him!" I screamed, again picturing my perfect baby boy. "Stay away from me!"
"Silly little Bella." Phil laughed as he caressed my face. We're coming for you. Coming for you and Alice."
"And my baby. See, you stole Phil's baby and now you're taking mine too!" Ben added, and I shook my head no. They could have me, I didn't care anymore. But they would never have Alice or my baby.
"GO AWAY!" I yelled as their faces swirled around me. Suddenly though a great white light shone far in the forest, barely visible through the trees. Then I heard it.
"Bella." The soft velvet voice said. This angered Phil and Ben, and I earned a rough slap across my face.
"Stop, no!" I said. The white light kept growing brighter and closer, and the velvet voice kept whispering my name.
"Bella!" I opened my eyes and was met by two sparkling emeralds. Edward. Instead of being afraid by his close presence, I was immediately comforted. That's what I liked about Edward. Around Emmett and Carlisle, and even Charlie my own father, my body was afraid. But near Edward, instead of flinching away, my skin only yearned for his touch. "Bella are you okay?" he whispered.
"No." I said, letting the tears fall. He slowly sat on the edge of my bed and softly and cautiously pulled me to him, where I just cried into his chest for awhile. Finally though, the tears ended and no more were able to flow out.
"I'm sorry for that." I said, sitting up and wiping my face. He looked concerned.
"Bella you don't have to apologize. You were so strong for so long you needed to just let it all out, and I'm so glad I was here through that because you need to know that it's okay to let it out. I'm here now and I will keep you safe. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again okay? Neither will Charlie, Emmett, or my parents. We will protect you and Alice and cherish you both like the miracles you are." He said, his words making me smile. It was nice to be cared for, for once. I then glanced at the clock, where it read 2:30 A.M.
"Oh my, it's so early!" I gasped. "I'm sorry for waking you Edward." I apologized.
"Bella don't worry about it. I was up anyway cause I couldn't sleep, I was just listening to music." He said, standing up. "I guess I'll let you get back to sleep though." He said, tucking me back under the covers and kissing my forehead. My heart began to ache though and I spoke without thinking.
"Edward can you stay?" I blurted out, red filling my cheeks. "I mean, I think that you will be able to keep the nightmares away. I can't fall asleep and go back to them." I whispered the last part. His expression looked pained, and he nodded, sitting back down on the bed, atop the covers, where he lay down, keeping his distance but still grabbing my hand. I immediately felt safe and I smiled, where I fell back into sleep, this time dreaming about a certain bronze haired angel.
Edward POV
I opened my eyes and immediately smiled. Bella was sprawled across the bed, her head on my chest and her arms around my waist. I looked down onto her still form, taking in her beauty. She was definitely the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on, and I had no idea how anyone could hurt her in the way they did. Emmett had told me everything that she had said happened to her, all the way down to the names on her legs. That number had stuck with me since it left Emmett's mouth. 213. This beautiful girl had been raped a total of 213 times. How that was even possible astounded and sickened me. I wanted to physically rip every guy that had ever laid a hand on her to shreds. I didn't know what it was, but Bella brought out something in me that no one ever had before. I wanted, no I needed to protect her. No matter what, I would always make sure she would be safe.
"Edward?" I heard a whisper from the door. I looked up to see my mother's shocked face.
"Mom, um… Bella had a nightmare last night, and I heard her talking in her sleep. So I woke her out of it and just… oh I don't know I just held her and let her cry. And then I was going to leave but she asked me to stay to keep the nightmares away. I couldn't leave her she looked so vulnerable…" I rambled before she cut me off.
"Edward I don't care I'm not mad, just surprised. But no I knew something like this was going to happen. I know you Edward, and ever since Bella came you're different. Your father and I talked about this last night. You love her don't you?" she smiled. How was it possible that my mom knew everything?
"Mom, I don't know I can't explain it. I've never felt like this before I don't know what's going on. All I know is I want her to be safe and happy."
"I know. And I know it's love. Maybe you can't see that yet, and she probably doesn't either, but I know. Your father does too. You love her Edward, I see the way you look at her. And I couldn't be happier. She deserves to be loved, and she needs you. And you need her. I'm sure Charlie would be very pleased as well." She smiled and I shook my head. I know she was right.
"Thanks mom." I smiled. She kissed my head, and then walked out from the room. When the door clicked shut Bella began to stir, and finally she opened her eyes. She took in her surroundings and how she was laying when she suddenly jolted up and off me, a soft blush filling her cheeks. I chuckled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for laying on you like that…" she said, clearly embarrassed.
"Don't worry Bella, I quite enjoyed it." I smiled as my words only made her blush more.
"Well, um, thank you Edward. Thanks for everything last night, and thank you for staying with me. I honestly feel more rested than I have been in awhile.
"Good that's what I'm here for. Your very own pocket handy nightmare crusher." I said, completing my goal of getting a laugh from her. It was the most beautiful sound in the world. I softly reached over and brushed hair away from her face, and she grabbed my hand and held it on her cheek, closing her eyes. Suddenly though she jumped up and ran to the bathroom. I followed her, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"Ugh- morning sickness already?" she groaned. I chuckled again.
"Well I'll let you shower and get ready for the day." I said, standing up and pulling her into a quick hug. "Hurry up cause mom will most likely have some sort of breakfast waiting." She nodded, and I made my way to the door, opening it.
"Oh Edward?" she called. I turned back to look at her small body standing in the middle of the large room. "Thank you again. So much." She whispered. I smiled.
"Anytime love." I said, the words slipping from my mouth as I left her stunned when I quickly closed the door, a smile on my face.
A/n: AAAAHHHHHH! HE LOVES HER! Well couldn't see that one coming now did you? Lol. Well I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I do. Sorry for not updating in forever :( but oh well I hope this makes up for it. What do you think will happen next. Will Bella let Edward in as her true love? Will Phil come back? How is Alice dealing with everything, we have yet to have a chapter from her and now she is thrust into this crazy world where her own father abuses her so young, and now shes away and with people she isn't blood related to like bella is. Will Charlie stop Phil? Does the pregnancy go well? You'll have to wait and seeeeee(:
Love you all(:
3Rosalie