Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, it belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

Author's note: First of all, I want to apologize for abandoning you all. I have been working on NaNoWriMo, which is National Novel Writing Month for the entire month of November. I had thirty days to write 50,000 words. I did finish and am very pleased with what I wrote; now I can continue this story. Please forgive me. This is a short chapter, but things will start to pick up. I've come up with a wonderful plot climax, which you will enjoy later on.

No beta this chapter, but I will for the next chapter. Enjoy!


Chapter 8 – Complications

Bella POV

I quickly pulled away from Edward not wanting to be free of his comfort, but not wanting to be seen like this. I rubbed my eyes to dry my tears. Glancing over at the door, I saw the four Cullen kids come in, talking joyfully about their mornings at school. The sight of Emmett frightened me slightly, but I rapidly calmed down and I wasn't sure how. The bright and cheerful Alice sat down next to me. I gave her a shy smile, not looking into her strange colored eyes.

"Hey Bella, how are you feeling?" she inquired.

"I'm a little sore. I couldn't find any Tylenol in the bathroom cupboard and then Edward tried to kill me with his cooking."

I threw a gentle glance over at the handsome young man and was surprised to find that he was frowning, not smiling at my attempt to joke with him. Edward gave Alice an almost angry look and she shrugged her shoulders. Their silent exchange didn't make any sense to me. Emmett and Jasper were arguing about something that I couldn't understand. Feeling uncomfortable, I got up off the couch and stared at the beautiful Rosalie as she admired her reflection in a hand mirror. Emmett saw where I was looking and began to tease her. I gave him a small smile and made a move towards the stairs. All of them in the same room were making me on edge.

"Are you okay?" Jasper asked. His pleasant voice calmed me a little, but I still wanted to be away from this family for a little bit.

"Is it okay if I step outside for some fresh air?" I inquired, looking at my bare feet.

Before anyone could answer, the front door opened again and Esme entered, carrying a large bag that I could tell contained a puffy blanket. It was bluish green with white polka-dots. She set it down and gave Rosalie a kiss on the cheek. The young woman hugged her mother and then went upstairs with the bag. I was again confused by this group of people. Esme came over to me and gave me a hug. I felt suddenly self-conscious about wearing sweatpants while the others were dressed in designer clothing. I hadn't even bothered to check my hair in the mirror when I was looking for Tylenol.

"How are you feeling dear?" Esme asked, coming up to me and giving me a light hug.

Surprisingly, her touch didn't bother me. Maybe I was starting to trust this strange family that was showing so much kindness to me. I smiled at Esme.

"I'm fine. Edward let me call my dad and tell him that I was okay. It really helped."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rosalie come back down the grand staircase. She nodded to Esme.

"Wonderful. Now, we have a surprise for you that might make you feel even better."

"What is it?"

Alice grinned, showing me her white teeth. She grabbed my hand and began to pull me upstairs. I resisted for a moment, but accepted her cold hand guiding me. I scarcely heard the other Cullens following us up stairs. Stumbling once on the carpet, Edward steadied me from behind, but quickly released me, avoiding my eyes. We stopped outside the door across from Edward's room on the third floor. I was very confused at this point. Were they going to lock me in his room and torture me until I agreed to please them like James always wanted?

"Open the door," Esme requested. "It's okay."

I placed my hand on the silver colored doorknob and pushed the white door open. Gasping, I stepped into the bedroom. The walls were painted a pale purple and decorated with pictures of ballerinas. A white desk leaned up against one wall with a laptop computer sitting on top. Next to it was a bookcase with very few books, but maybe there was a bookstore in town. The other wall had a white dresser and bed with the blanket that I seen Esme bring in. The white carpet was soft beneath my feet. I breathed in the smell of fresh paint, still looking at my bedroom. Stepping farther into the room, I glanced at the bed again and saw something that I didn't notice at first. There was pale blue leotard on the bed with a matching skirt. My feet came across a pair of ballet slippers on the floor. They were a pale cream and looked like they found fit my feet perfectly. I picked them up, running my fingers along the familiar material. I glanced up, blinking tears from my eyes and saw a stereo resting on a white shelf above the bed. Smiling, I turned to face the Cullens. Only Alice, Esme, and Edward were standing in the doorway observing me.

"Thank you," I choked out. "It's perfect."

"You are very welcome darling," Esme murmured, leaving me alone with her children.

Sobbing, I sat down on the bed and pulled my knees to my chest. Edward came over to me with a worried look on his face. I barely noticed Jasper appear in the doorway and put his arm around Alice. The tears in my eyes blurred them.

"What's wrong?" Edward's velvet voice desired to know.

"No one had done something so kind for me in such a long time. I don't deserve this."

"Bella, you are not to blame for what happened to you. It is not your fault and it will never be your fault. I will do many more kind things if I get to see you smile."

"You shouldn't! I'm horrible!" I yelled, covering my face.

"No, you aren't Bella."

"Please Edward; I am a tool for men and nothing else."

"Bella, listen to me." Cool fingers were placed under my chin and I looked into Edward's golden eyes. "You were ill used by a human monster. No one will ever harm you again."

"How do you know that? He could come after me!"

Edwards's eyes smoldered and I suddenly found it a little difficult to breath. "I will never let him hurt you again."

"You promise?" I muttered, not letting my eyes move from his.

"Yes, I promise you."

Smiling softly, I felt Edward's cold hands leave my skin as he gave me a crooked smile. Alice laughed in the doorway and I looked over at her. She winked.

"There are clean clothes in the closet for you to wear. If you don't like them, I can take you to get some more clothes when you are feeling better and aren't in pain."

Edward suddenly frowned at me. "You should have told me that you were in pain. I can go get some Tylenol from Carlisle's office."

He stood up and exited my bedroom, leaving me with his sister and brother. I glanced around my room and went to the closet to inspect the clothing that Alice had purchased for me. I hoped that it was comfortable and something other than dresses. Just as I opened the door, Alice gasped and Jasper called out her name. I turned in time to see her falling to the floor and Jasper catching her with his strong arms. Alice's eyes were looking far away at something that I couldn't see and she appeared to be seeing something from a nightmare.

"Alice?" I murmured, feeling fear fill me.

"Sweetheart, what do you see?" Jasper questioned.

I didn't understand what he was asking her, but I watched as Edward appeared in the doorway with a bottle of medicine. He dropped it and knelt beside his sister. Wrapping my arms around my chest, I tried to hold off my panic at the situation. Edward glanced once at me and then back at Alice. Jasper kissed her forehead as Alice's eyes refocused and she relaxed into his arms. She stared at Edward with fear in her eyes and a wave of calm filled the room, easing me.

"I won't let it happen," Edward snarled quietly. "Never."


Please review!

Emma