Hey, guys. Sorry about the wait. I'm moving and my mom's complaining about how i don't do anything to clean the house. The poll is going to close tomorrow so you better get your votes in on what you want me to do with Mike. I finally hit 100 reviews! That's freaking awesome! Thanks guys.

Disclaimer:"100 reviews is almost up to my standards, but you gotta keep them coming. She doesn't ow anything, guys! If you make her happy, you make me happy!" S.M.

Chapter 10

EPOV

Bella's bones had been broken before; her ribs, arms, legs and hands even long before she came here. Since I was a child I hung around my dad a lot; he was always at the hospital, so I learned a few things, like how to read x-rays. Some bones tend show up brighter because they're new bones. In Bella's x-rays, most of the bones in her body were new.

"D -Dad?" I choked.

"It would appear that most of the bones in her body have been broken and more than once in some places."

"How," I looked at him. He had a calculating look on his face. He always had a solution to everything. I just couldn't believe what I saw.

"There are many possibilities; clumsiness, accidents, abuse, it could be anything. But when I looked at her arms and legs I could faintly see marks on her skin. Do you know anything about that?" I folded my arms across my chest.

"No, but Alice and Rose might know something about it. I'm not sure if you could get it out of them, though. Bella trusts them not to tell anyone, but I hope she'll tell me soon, though. I talked to mom about it."

"Did it help?" I nodded. "That's good, then. Nothing's broken, but she's going to need to take it easy until you go back to school. I wonder how she managed to heal so well." Carlisle stepped closer to further examine the x-rays.

I took a deep breath. Whatever happened to her had to be bad; marks and breaks like those don't come that easily.

"You did the rape kit, too?"

"Yes. She wasn't raped. He did scratch her thighs though and I don't think she noticed because she was partially unconscious. I bandaged those up, too." He was so absorbed in her x-rays that I felt like I was intruding on his thinking.

"Dad, can I go see her now?"

"Yes. Don't wake up her up. Bella needs her rest," he said without looking at me.

"Thank you."

"No problem. Page me when she wakes up." He turned and looked at me with a small smile on his face. I nodded. He seemed almost as happy as Esme was about me finding someone I truly care about.

I stuck my hands in my pant pockets as I walked through the mostly quiet halls of the hospital. I walked past the waiting area where everyone was still sleeping. There were a few nurses roaming the hallways and some patients out for a little stroll.

I reached Bella's room and stepped in, closing the door softly behind me. I brought up the chair from the corner of the room to the side of her bed. I took the ring out of my pocket and slipped it on the same finger it was on before. I laced my fingers through hers, enjoying the warm electrifying feeling.

She looked so peaceful. Her hair was fanned out over the pillow and her breathing was even. The heart monitor was steadily beeping. She turned her head and sighed then, her hand squeezed mine.

"No, Charlie," she mumbled.

Who the hell was Charlie?

"Get away from her." The heart monitor started to speed up. "They are my real family." She turned side to side. She still griped my hand. "Don't hurt them," she said a little louder. She started shaking and then she was crying. "Edward … help me," she whimpered.

I was ready to wake her up. The heart monitor was speeding then it slowed. Bella's grip on my hand loosened and she quieted. She didn't say anything else after that. I was worried about her. I didn't know who Charlie was and why she needed help. Her nightmare seemed to not only haunt her, but me as well.

I rested my head on her pillow, my face inches from hers. I brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her forehead. I watched her sleep for as long as I could before falling asleep on my own.

BPOV

My nightmare was horrible. Charlie had come to take me away from the Cullens and the Hales. He'd come to take me away from Edward. He told me that he killed my mother and that I was next. The Cullens/Hales defended me and Charlie tried to hurt them. He tried to shoot them.

He asked who they were and I told him they were my real family. It skipped to a part where he was beating me again and the only thing I could think to say was Edward . . . help me. After that everything went black. I didn't dream or have another nightmare, nothing. It was like I was numb. I felt frozen in time, frozen in the darkness.

I awoke to see a face, an angel's face only inches from mine. His green eyes piercing my brown ones to the core; I loved his eyes. He smiled at me. I felt something large and warm squeeze my right hand and I looked down and Edward had his hand around mine. The ring was there too which brought a smile to my face.

"Good morning, love," he said. His cool breath fanning over my face and I felt my mind go all cloudy.

I shook my head a little so I could answer him. "Hello."

"How do you feel?" He asked. I sat up and stretched out my limbs.

"Well my neck hurts a little and so do my arms." Both my wrists were wrapped up in the ACE bandages. Edward had his bandaged on one hand. I pushed the sleeve up on my left arm and my elbow had the same bandage on it.

"My dad will be here, soon."

"He's nice. I wish I had a father like that." Yea, wish is the key word, I thought.

"I said he'd take care of you." I smiled at him.

"Yes, you did."

I sat all the way up and Edward fixed my pillow. There was a funny feeling in between my thighs. I was going to look, but I didn't feel like it right now. The heart monitor was steadily beeping, for the moment. The IV in my arm was irritating. I wanted to pull it out, but I knew I'd get in trouble.

Carlisle came in a minute later. He was still sporting the white doctor's jacket and the clipboard. Only he would be able to walk around in that and make it look like the next new fashion trend for men.

"Morning, Bella," he smiled at me.

"Morning, Carlisle."

"How are you feeling?"

"My arms hurt, my neck hurts and what's that funny feeling on the inside of thighs?"

"That's just some bandages. You had some deep scratches around that area. I'll give you medicine for the pain, some ointment to put on your scratches and extra bandages. You'll need to change them every day for the next week and a half. I've written a doctor's note so you two will not be going to school for the next week."

"When can I go back to campus?" I hated hospitals and I didn't want to be in here for a long time.

"Well, you can leave today. But I wouldn't suggest leaving without talking to a few of your friends."

"Alice!" I almost screamed. I'd forgotten all about her. I missed her and Rose and the guys, too. The door flew open and Alice was by my side. She grabbed me up in a bone crushing hug.

"A –Alice s -stop." She was hurting my neck and cutting off my air circulation.

"Alice!" Edward hissed. Alice immediately let me go. The heart monitor went back to normal and Carlisle shot her a warning glance.

"Sorry, Dad," she said.

Everyone else filed in the room. Jasper came in followed by Rose and Emmet and another lady I'd never seen before. She had long caramel hair and a heart-shaped face. Her smile seemed to light up the room. Everyone looked so beautiful in here. I felt strangely insignificant. I looked down and blushed; having everyone's attention on me was a little unnerving.

"Hey, Bells! I'm glad you're okay," Emmett said, smiling hugely at me. He came over and patted me on the head.

"Thanks, Emmett." He beamed and then turned serious two seconds later.

"Now, where is that bastard, Mike Newton? I'd love to get my hands on him, right now."

"Watch your mouth, young man," The lady scolded him. She had a sing-song voice similar to Alice's.

Rose hugged me gently.

"I was so worried," she said in my ear.

"I'm okay, really." I smiled as she went to stand in front of Emmett who wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Bella, I'm with Emmett. I'd like to get my hands on him, too," Jasper said.

"Yea," Emmett flexed his muscles.

"Thank you, guys. Really, you've all been there for me for the past month or so and I really appreciate it." Edward squeezed my hand.

The lady walked over to me and smiled. Edward looked up at her and smiled.

"Bella, this is my mom, Esme. Mom, this is Bella." My eyes went wide. His mother! Oh, boy! I'd met both his parents, already and not under the greatest of circumstances. It was good nonetheless. She smiled at me and leaned in to give me a gentle hug.

"I'm glad you're alright, sweetie. I know Edward would not have been able to control himself if anything happened." I smiled as she pulled back and kissed my forehead.

"Can she come back, now?" Alice asked Carlisle.

"Yes, she can. But no shopping trips, Alice. Her ankle isn't up to par and I know how you are."

She smiled innocently. Although I didn't like what happened to me, I was grateful for the ankle injury. I hated shopping with Alice. Shop till you drop, indeed.

"I don't have any clothes," I realized.

"No worries. I've got you covered," Alice said as she pulled out a pair of dark wash jeans, a tank top, my black hoodie and my tennis shoes from a bag I hadn't seen when she came in.

"Thanks, Alice."

"Okay, everyone out. She has to change and dad has to take the IV out and sign her out. Jasper, did you get my car?" Edward asked.

"Yes, I got your car." Jasper threw him the keys. Everyone left accept for Carlisle and Edward.

I grabbed the hoodie and something fell out. I picked it up and realized it was a lacey black bra. It was similar to my underwear. How does she do that? I thought. It's like she can see the future or something. I shook my head.

"Do you need me to help you again or do you want to use the bathroom?" Edward asked.

"I'll use the bathroom. I have to put on my bra." I blushed, remembering that Carlisle was still in the room. When I looked up he was engulfed in whatever the clipboard in front of him said.

"Dad," Carlisle looked up. Edward pointed to the IV in my left arm.

"Oh. One second." He wrote a few things down on the clipboard and then walked over to me. "It might sting," he informed me. I turned my head not wanting to see him work his magic. I focused on Edward's face as felt a slight sting in my arm. "Okay, you're all set. It was nice meeting you, Bella."

"It was nice meeting you, too." I shook his hand.

"See you later, Dad."

"Bye, Edward. A nurse will bring you a wheel chair. Would you like a crutch?"

"Sure," I said.

He nodded and left.

I grabbed the clothes and slowly climbed off the bed. Edward helped me wobble to the bathroom. He pulled the strings loose on the back of the robe and closed the door to the bathroom. I pulled off the robe and put the bra on. I grimaced from twisting my wrists and moving my elbow too fast. I pulled on the jeans, but I couldn't quite get the tank top over my head without whimpering. I knew if couldn't get the tank top on I wouldn't be able to get the hoodie on either, at least not with any help.

"Edward?"

"Yes Bella?"

"Could you come in here, please?" The door opened and Edward's head popped in.

"What's wrong?" When his eyes landed on me they went dark. I was standing in the middle of the bathroom floor in only jeans and a bra. I turned around so he wouldn't see so much of me. A blush rose to my cheeks, I tried to get the picture of the way his eyes grew dark out of my head.

"I-I can't put on my shirt and hoodie without causing myself too much pain." He didn't answer. I didn't hear anything accept the sound of my breathing and the deafening pounding of my heart. I was about to turn around, but then I heard the door close and footsteps behind me.

Edward's hand flashed in front of me and he grabbed the hoodie and the shirt from the toilet.

"Lift your arms up as high as you can," I heard him say after taking a long, ragged, deep breath.

I lifted them up as high as I could. He slipped the shirt on me, but had a little trouble with my left arms because of my elbow. He did the same with the hoodie. Once I had them on he turned me around.

He placed his hands on my waist and pulled me closer to him. He still had that same look of desire in his eyes. My heart was still pounding in my ears and my breathing was labored. I placed my hands on his chest as I looked up at him.

"You know, I've tried to kiss you twice since the club," he said.

"You did kiss me," I said remembering when he found me.

"Yes, but that was to calm you down. And, it wasn't nearly as long as I wanted it to be." His voice was getting lower.

"I did calm down after th –," I was stopped by his lips; so soft and warm, moving against mine. I thought I was going to pass out. His hands griped my waist tighter as he pulled me closer to his chest. My arms went around his neck. I ignored the pain that was creeping down my forearm from my elbow.

His tongue traced my bottom asking for entrance, which I readily granted. It slid in my mouth hungrily. It tasted exactly as he smelled (if that was even possible). His tongue found mine and we battled for dominance. I felt like he was trying to memorize every part of my mouth at the same time. I was light-headed and I felt my knees start to give.

Edward held me up for a second longer before pulling back just enough to see my eyes. Our breathing was hard and distorted.

"That's how long I wanted it to be," he said against my lips.

I smiled.

"Well, that's not nearly as long enough for me."

He flashed my favorite crooked smile before kissing me softly, once, twice, a third time. He grabbed the hospital gown and led me out of the bathroom. There was a wheel chair waiting. He threw the gown on the bed and helped me in the wheelchair.

He pushed me to the front where Carlisle was waiting with a few bags in his hands.

"Hello, again, Bella," he smiled. "This bag has your meds in it; you can take them whenever you are in pain or if the pain is unbearable. This bag has the extra bandages and padding for the scratches on your thighs. Remember, you have to change those every day. I already signed you out, so here you go."

"Thank you, Carlisle, for everything." I smiled up at him as he handed me the bags.

"No problem."

Edward started to wheel me towards the front doors. "Bye, Dad."

"Bye, Edward."

Edward's Volvo was parked out front, along with Emmett's jeep and Alice's Porsche and a black Mercedes. It was like a car show. Everyone got out of the cars and came up to us.

"We're going to the mall," Rose said.

"You guys want to come?" Emmett asked.

I looked up at Edward. I wanted to spend the week with him. Hell, I felt like I wanted to spend forever with him, but I wasn't so sure about that yet. I'm guessing he saw the want in my eyes because he shook his 'no' and then spoke.

"No, we're going to go my place. We've been through hell in the last twenty four hours, so we're just going to hang out."

"Well, mom says she's going home," Alice said. Esme's head popped out of the driver's seat of the Mercedes.

"Bye, kids." She waved. We all waved and said good-bye. She drove off. Everyone got into their respective cars and on their way.

"Carlisle put the crutch in the backseat of my car." Edward helped me out of the wheelchair and into the passenger seat of his car. Then I remembered something, I waited till he came back after giving the chair to one of the nurses outside the hospital and sliding in the driver's seat to ask.

"Edward?" He started the car.

"Yes, love?" That word made my heart swell with joy. Love, I smiled.

"What happened to my car?"

"Alice took care of it. It's back at school. Don't worry about it."

The drive to campus was a little long, but the silence was comfortable. He held my hand the whole way, sometimes kissing the back of it and smiling at me whenever I looked at him. I thought about telling him about Charlie when we got back.

I could tell that Carlisle seemed surprised, worried, and concerned when he looked at my x-rays. I wasn't sure what he saw, but I had a distinct feeling that it had something to do with my past years of abuse.

I was still scared to tell him, though. I know he knows I'm keeping this from him and he has done a good job at keeping his patience, I don't want him to wait anymore. I especially don't want to keep this from him if he wants a relationship with me. After that kiss in the bathroom, I felt like he should've taken me right then and there.

I'll tell him to night. I just wanted to rest and hang out with him. The clock on the dashboard read 11:00 a.m. It was still early, so I still had time. I hadn't taken my medicine yet, so I was in a little pain, mainly my ankle because I've been walking or standing on it too much.

Edward stopped at a grocery store. He told me to wait in the car while he went to get a few things. He left the keys in the car and I turned the radio on and listened to some rock station that I'd never heard of before. The DJ announced that a song called 'Somewhere I Belong' by Linkin Park was about to be played. It was a pretty good song. I might have to get it and put on my I-pod.

Edward came back with a few bags. He put them in the backseat after moving my one crutch onto the floor. We made our way back to campus.

Since Edward went to the store he didn't want to make two trips in and out of the building. He gave me my crutch and helped me out of the car. I leaned up against it on one foot while he got the bags from the back seat.

He managed to get all the bags on one arm held the other out for me. It was the first time I'd used the crutch so I was a little wobbly. As we made our way the elevator I griped his not-so-good hand a little too tightly. He grimaced and I muttered a sorry. We made it his room a minute later.

My jaw dropped when I saw it. It was like a mini apartment. There was a living area and kitchen behind that. A little further back was his bedroom. Next to that was the bathroom. I had to admit, it was all surprisingly neat and tidy for a teenage boy. He had the same flat screen T.V. that was in my room. The walls were white and the floor was covered in an off white almost tan color. It was nice and simple.

"I like your room," I said the words without realizing it.

Edward beamed as he placed the bags in the kitchen. I stood at the counter, partially leaning on it and the crutch. I didn't put any weight on my sprained ankle. Edward put the food away in the cabinets that hung above the sink, stove and microwave. He put some other things in the fridge. It was like he was stocking up or something.

It seemed like a good idea considering the fact that I was probably going to be spending a lot of time in here with him since everyone else had to go to school.

"I'll make lunch and you can pick a movie from the cabinet under the T.V. to watch. The DVD player is in there too," he said. I smiled at him and wobbled to the living room. He had more movies than I could count. I skimmed through them and settled on Anacondas, the one with Maurice Chestnut, not Jennifer Lopez.

A few minutes after, I put it in and pressed play. Edward came in with two sodas, some turkey sandwiches and chips. He smiled at me as he handed me a plate and a soda. He propped my leg up on the table over a pillow from his bed before sitting down next to me. I leaned into his chest as we watched the movie.

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Reader4Lyfe, peace.