Scarred and Scared.

BPOV

Well, today was the day. You would think that it would be something happy like a wedding or graduation. But no, today was the day I had to face a court of people and tell them what Charlie did to me. This is going to be fun. Carlisle was going to defend my case for me, which is good I guess, don't want to be doing it myself. Jasper can obviously feel my tension because Edward turns and whispers in my ear,

"Bella, love, calm down, you're going to give Jasper a heart attack – it will all be ok." His voice soothes you…slightly.

"How can you say that? What if he's proved innocent and I have to go back?" Wow, it sounds worse aloud.

"Don't be ridiculous, I would never allow you to go back with him, over my pile of ashes." Edward growled, and then he composes himself, "Sorry Jazz…" I turned towards Jasper, who is at the edge of his seat. Alice was rubbing his arm soothingly and he smiled slightly towards her. Emmett and Rosalie were in the corner, hugging each other and every now and then giving each other sweet kisses. It was just like them to have their moment at a time like this. I could feel myself drifting off into my sleep-state…

*Dream*

Everything is black. Pitch black. I looked around, but I couldn't see anything but further blackness, it was like the time Edward left…

"Is…Is any one there?" you called out to the darkness, hoping for some kind of response.

"Isabella, come here!" a booming voice called. I saw an even darker figure stalking towards you…

It grabs you tightly by the arm…too tightly for a human. Vampire. The unknown vampire crushes my bones to practically dust. A bloodcurdling scream escapes your lips, but it just makes the vampire laugh darkly. He whispers something in your ear,

"I'm much stronger now Bells, I'm going to end this fair and squares, they aren't here to save you anymore…" My eyes searched for help, but there was no one else there. My prince in shining armour, who usually saved me from dreams like this, wasn't there. The tears trickle down your cheek, another bit of your bone gets crushed. I'm past screaming now; I couldn't stop thinking of the whereabouts my angel was.

"Goodbye, my daughter…" he whispered.

Never ending blackness.

*End of Dream*

"Bella?" Edward soothes me, "Bella, love, its ok, wake up Bella. It was just a dream, just a dream" Edward repeats, hugging you tightly. I just cry into his chest, hugging him until my muscles ache.

"He was, and he, and you, and I…" I stuttered, trying to get my nightmare out, it sounded like mush, even to me.

"Ssh Bella. Tell me all about it later, look – were here now." Edward whispered in my ear, I couldn't help but shudder, too much like me dream. Edward took hold of my hand and pulled me close.

The building was quite big and old, nothing like the movies. I could see camera's, oh great.

Isabella Swan, is it true Charlie threw a chair at you?" One reporter asked.

"Bella, did Charlie ever rape you?" Another asked, causing Edward to growl under his breath. I rubbed his thumb soothingly with mine.

Just then, a police car came driving up the road, the camera's flash even more. I cringed into Edward's chest; he wrapped his arms around me protectively.

It was Charlie.

Charlie was being dragged by two policemen, because he had cuffs on his hands and feet. His eyes had murder in them.

Just one more day, one more day…

In the Court (I have no idea how court goes so this is my poor attempt – just a warning)

The judge strolled in and took her place on the podium and tapped the desk, ordering everyone to sit.

"Court is now in session. Charles Swan vs. Isabella Swan is now before this court for trial." Announced the judge, I looked down in shame. Most of the Cullen's, except for Carlisle, we in the audience, watching tensely.

"Are all of the parties present?"

Charlie and I both nod.

"Are you ready to proceed?" The judge asks again.

You both nod again.

"Isabella, can you please stand for the oath." I stood up feebly and nodded.

"Please raise your right hand," I did as she said, "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of perjury?" She asks me.

"Yes, I swear" I sat back down and turned towards Charlie, who was still giving me the death glare, I shrank back in my seat.

"Charles, can you please stand up for your oath." Charlie grunted and stood up.

"Please put your hand on the bible," he placed his hand on the bible cover, "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of perjury?" He nodded and sat back down.

"Would the defendant like to make an opening statement" the judge asked Charlie.
"I have not harmed my own daughter in a way that could kill her." Charlie said, he sounded convincing to me. I knew he could be a good liar. The judge nodded and turned to Carlisle.

"As the defendant you have to say an oath too, so can you please raise your right hand." Carlisle raises his right hand to his heart and nodded towards the judge.

"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of perjury?"

"I swear." Carlisle answered, before getting out his briefcase to get my medical results and pictures.

"I would like to call Charlie to stand if you please." Carlisle asked. The policemen got Charlie up and pushed him to the stand. Charlie sat down and nodded for Carlisle to continue. "As you are aware, I am a doctor. Bella's medical results are appalling. She had over 75 cuts and burns, approximately 50 scars and several broken bones. She had to be hospitalized for 7 weeks in total. Charlie, did you do these injuries to Bella?" Carlisle said as calmly as possible.

"Bella is very clumsy…" Charlie muttered. I winced and looked down. That information was true, but Charlie did do most of them.

"But is she clumsy enough to squeeze her own arms until the bone starts to crack, plus the hand being twice the size of her own hand?" Carlisle demanded, growing angrier.

"You guys did leave; you don't know what she was like. Basically suicidal, isn't that right Bella?" Charlie glared at me directly. I winced and looked pleadingly at Carlisle, then turned around to look at the rest of the Cullen's. They were all fuming and heartbroken, especially Edward, his face was broken. I realised I had to answer. The truth.

"That was true, but I am a smart girl. I would never purposely hurt myself." I said calmly, well, trying to calm myself down.

"So, Isabella, when did Charles start to abuse you?" The judge questioned you. I winced at the memory. I noticed she didn't say the 'apparent' abusing; she must be on my side slightly. This was a good sign.

"September 18th ma'am" I answered and half of the Cullen's gasped. I was determined not to be weak; I held my head high and looked Charlie in the eye.

"I see, and Isabella, did it get gradually worse or was it bad from the start." She asked again.

"It was bad from the beginning. He threw a vase at me." I answered blankly; I didn't care about hurting Charlie's feelings. And the Cullen's knew about what Charlie did to me.

"Objection!" Cried Charlie's defended. "The vase had slipped from Charles hands when he was changing the flowers, he is as equally as clumsy as Isabella!"

I heard multiple growls from behind me.

"Charlie you can step down now, I would like to call Mike Newton to the stand please." Carlisle asked. Mike stood up nervously and made his way to the stand, Charlie hit him on the shoulder whilst passing.

"Michael, please put your hand on the bible and prepare to make your oath." The judge said. Mike nodded.

"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of perjury?"

"I swear" Mike agreed.

"Mike, at school, is it true that you saw Charlie leave the janitor's closet whilst Bella was lying on the floor in the fetal position?" Carlisle asked Mike.

"That's right, Mr Cullen. Charlie left the closet and I saw Bella lying on the floor, crying and hugging her knee's…" Mike trailed off, he sounded pretty calm for someone in court.

"That's all Mike." Carlisle said and Mike walked back to his seat.

"Bella, can you please go to the stand?" Carlisle asked. My eyes widened, but I reluctantly went to take my seat where my demon had once been.

"Bella, has Charlie committed the offences I said previously?" Carlisle questioned.

Be strong, be strong…

"Not all of them, as Charlie said, I am pretty clumsy, but I only bruised myself. The burns, broken bones, cuts and the rather large bruises are all his." I said expressionlessly, looking at no one.

"And is it true that he hadn't fed you properly in those 6 months?" Carlisle asked.

"That's right; I had to eat the scraps of his dinner, which were very minimal, sometimes none." I said meekly

"And from the medical results, you have anorexia right?" Carlisle already had known this, but the truth had to be known.

"Um, yeah, I'm starting to get better, but I still do have anorexia, weighing 5 ½ stone." I shrugged; I had adjusted to not eating after the first month.

"Thank you, Bella" I got up and sat back down in my seat, looking dully to Charlie on the way there.

"The defendants now have their chance to defend their case." The judge said. Charlie's defendant stood up and glared at me. He obviously didn't like me.

"I would like to call William Black to the stand please." The defendant asked, and Billy wheeled his way over the stand.

"William please raise your hand for the oath." The judge said. Billy raised his hand, "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of perjury?"

"I swear," Billy said huskily.

"Billy, you have visited Charlie and Isabella numerous times, is that correct?" he questioned.

"That is correct." Billy answered, uncomfortable.

"And has Charlie ever shown any signs of Abuse to Bella whilst you were present?" he asked.

"Charlie ignored Bella very thoroughly, only talking to her when he wanted something." Billy said, not showing any emotion towards his best friend. Charlie looked betrayed.

"That's all. Please step down. I guess that's all our case has to offer." The defendant said sadly. Charlie leant over to whisper something in the defendant's ear, his eyes widened but he recovered and nodded at Charlie.

"It is now time to make a verdict. Jury please make your decision." The judge said, nodding towards the jury. The next couple of minutes went by painfully slow. But sooner or later someone stood up.

"We, as the jury, say that Charles Swan is guilty of committing abuse and attempt of murder towards Isabella Marie Swan."

Once those words were uttered, I sighed in relief and a few tears made their way down my cheeks. It was all over.

"Then I here by say that Charlie is being sent to prison for a life sentence, Court over." The judge got up and left shortly after that.

Charlie got up and was escorted out of the room quickly. That was the last time I had to see him. But before I could comprehend anything, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist, lifting me up. I looked to see it was Edward, holing me tightly to his chest.
"It's all over now, love. You never have to see him ever again. I promise." He whispered in my ear. I kissed his cheek.

Finally, the weight that my muscles just couldn't carry was off my shoulders.

A/N – STILL not over! I have more to do!! But, as promised on Edwards life, this is a long chapter right? It took me forever to do! But doing a court case was really fun, it was like being on legally blonde