Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
AN: Thanks to the lovely TwiDi for cleaning up my mess :) Check out her story You Don't Know Anything *hint it's in my favs ;). ILY BB.
For victims of domestic abuse you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233).
If you need help or have questions about child abuse or child neglect, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
Chapter 10
B POV
Dr. Cullen cleaned up my scrapes and made sure that I was physically ok. Then they hit me with the news that we had to go to the police station and file a report to press charges. Charlie promised not to leave my side.
While all this was going on, Esme tried to get Alice, Edward, Emmett and Jasper to head back to Forks. I couldn't blame her for not wanting them to be stuck hanging around a police station and possibly Renee's toxic self. Edward refused stating that he was a witness. The others also had declined to leave. I was now in the back of Carlisle Cullen's SUV with Charlie sitting beside me. He has yet to let me out of his sight.
I could see him struggling with wanting to say something, but I was a little worried it would be something along the lines of, 'Sorry, you are too much trouble, I'm just going to give you back to Renee'. I know he and I had shared a tender moment at the ball field, but Renee had moments where she would be nice to me and then turn on me the next minute. And while Charlie has never treated me or led me to believe that he would treat me the way Renee did, I still worried that one day that other shoe will fall.
"We're here." Esme says softly and Charlie grunts a little.
We make a slow progression into the Port Angeles police station. Alice is clinging on to Dr. Cullen for dear life. I feel bad for Alice, she has been sheltered and pampered her whole life and she is suddenly thrust into my world and sees that everything is not always pretty and light. She will, somehow, have to come to terms with this alternate reality; and I hope it doesn't tarnish the natural exuberance that makes up who Alice is. She has been nothing but kind to me and I'd hate to be the cause for her to change or hurt her in any way.
"Charlie, over here." The man, Charlie called 'Frank' at the field, calls him over. Charlie takes my hand and leads me over there.
"Frank, got the paper work ready?" Charlie says after shaking the man's hand.
"Yep, assault on a minor child and after reviewing Edward's little video tape, I think maybe tacking on attempted kidnapping, since she kept trying to call the child to her and holding her from returning to you. She also informed Bella that she wanted her to go with Mommy. And since you informed me the Mother has no legal right to take the child, or ask for her, well, I figure the charge of attempted kidnapping isn't so farfetched. DA agrees with me, after seeing the tape and talking to Mrs. Dwyer. Real piece of work that woman is." Frank shakes his head.
"We're talking three to ten depending on the judge and jury with these charges." A tall thin man comes out and gives me a small smile.
"Alistair, how are you?" Charlie stands and shakes the guy's hand.
"Good. And hopefully, soon you and your daughter will be as well. I had my clerk pull the custody papers you filed for Isabella. Clear cut really. I've also taken the liberty of filing a restraining order in case Renee makes bail, to keep her away from Bella. Though the arraignment is in the morning and I think I have enough proof to show she is at flight risk. Shouldn't be a problem."
"Hey, Al." Dr. Cullen says coming over.
"Carlisle." Alistair smiles.
"I attended to Bella's wounds that were inflicted by Renee this evening if you need me to testify, just say the word."
"Thank you, Carlisle. Oh and I sent that information to the Boston district attorney's office that you forwarded to me. That clinic should be under investigation soon."
"Thanks, Al, I would have given it to Thomas in Forks, but the man is a gossip; and I'd hate for that information to be made public." Alistair nods.
"I agree."
While Dr. Cullen and Alistair had been talking, Charlie and Frank had finished filling out paperwork. I hadn't paid much attention to them, I was more interested in what this Alistair had to say. Did he really mean Renee was going to jail for three to ten months? A commotion in the lobby pulled my attention away from thoughts of Renee in jail.
"What do you mean no bail has been set yet? Where the hell is my wife?" Oh God, I knew that voice too well. Phil was here. A faint reply could be heard and then Phil starts again, "I don't give a flying fuck about procedure. Where the fuck is my wife?" He screams in his harsh, cruel voice. A chill races down my spine.
"What the hell is going on out there?" Frank asks to no one in particular.
"Phil." I answer quietly.
"What was that, sweetheart?" Charlie asks me gently.
"Phil, Renee's husband." I respond a little bit louder than before.
The men, who had just seconds ago been calmly talking like old friends, all shared looks and took off to the lobby. I followed slowly behind them. My body filled with fear and trepidation at the thought of seeing Phil, being this close to him again.
When we got out there, Phil was yelling at the woman behind the desk, she was holding her own though telling him there was nothing she could do. My peripheral vision caught Edward, Emmett and Jasper standing in front of Esme and Alice. They looked like those guards you see outside Buckingham palace, only minus the red uniforms and big hats. They were unflinching and intimidating.
"Bella, go sit with Alice and Esme." Dr. Cullen says softly into my ear.
I moved from behind Charlie to go over to where the others are. As if in slow motion, Phil's head whips around. His eyes bulge slightly when he notices me. He licks his bottom lip and his face goes almost purple. It was so red at this point. He takes a step towards me, then shakes his head when he looks at the other people in the room.
"I should have known your worthless ass had something to do with this." He sneers. "Don't you think you caused enough problems? You stupid little bitch, you really don't think anyone is going to believe you, do you?" He taunts me.
"Enough." Charlie says in a cold voice, "I suggest you keep your snide comments to yourself and away from my daughter."
"Like you give a shit about her." Phil laughs, "though maybe from what Ren told me about you, you have another purpose for keeping the little slut happy?" He gives Charlie a knowing look. Charlie went to lunge at Phil but Carlisle held him back and Frank steps in front of him.
"Your wife's arraignment is in the morning, I suggest you leave and come back then, unless you'd like to sleep in one of our 'oh-so-comfortable' cells this evening for disturbing the peace?" Frank informs Phil who glares.
"What fucking time?"
"Language." Frank says. "Nine am. If you step in here a moment before, I'll personally show you to a cell."
"Fine!" Phil glares at me one more time before storming out.
"Are you ok, sweetie?" Esme asks pulling me into her side. It's warm and loving and everything like I always dreamed a mother's touch should be. Everything I'd never known.
"Bella, you know what he said isn't true." Charlie comes over and something overtakes me and I throw myself into his arms. He holds me tight and I start crying silent tears. I'm overwhelmed by the events of this day. The precarious hold that I've had on my emotions has finally slipped. "Shh, it's ok, baby girl." There is some mumbling and shifting around before everything becomes hazy.
The next thing I know, I'm curled up in the back of the Cullen's SUV next to Charlie, who is lightly stroking my hair. My eyes are burning from crying. I feel spent and achy. I haven't really cried in so long, that it has taken a toll on my body. Along with all of that, I really need a tissue for my clogged up nose. Ugh! I hate crying.
We soon pull into Charlie's driveway, he gently picks me up and carries me up to my room. Even though I try to protest that I can walk, he says he doesn't want me to pass out again. Esme soon enters my room and helps me change and gets me into bed. She lightly tucks me in, kisses my forehead and whispers goodnight.
It was all so sweet and caring more than I'm used to, more than I've ever known. And though I'm tired, I can't sleep, something is wrong. I know Renee is in jail at least till morning. I don't think Phil will do anything. He's always been all talk and he'd let Renee do the actual 'doing'.
"Hey, kiddo, rough night?" Emmett says coming into my room with a knock.
"I'm sorry." I apologize for the horror that is my Mother and her husband.
"Hey now, none of that." He pushes aside my apology, "I just wondered if you'd mind some company, in the form of this little lady who has been sitting outside your bedroom door." He opens the door further and Noel rushes in. I pull her to me and she licks my face.
"Thank you."
"Bella, don't worry, kid, those people aren't going to hurt you again, ok? You belong here, with us. Dad says he wants to explain some things to you tomorrow. Maybe they will help to reassure you that you belong here. That you don't have to worry." He tells me with a smile. He leans over and kisses my forehead much the same way as Esme had. Noel jumps at him and licks his face. He laughs and pets her gently. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." I whisper.
"Ok, know I'm here, if you need me." He gets up and walks to the door. "Night, Bells." Gently he shuts it behind him. Noel curls into my side and I fall into a restless sleep.
Charlie POV
Who would ever dream that a simple trip to a baseball game could turn into hell on earth? God, when I think of what Renee and Phil had said to Bella it made me want to pull out my gun and hunt them both down. I felt like shit in the parking lot letting that nasty piece of work touch and talk to my daughter like that, but I knew that proof of abuse or an attack was needed to get her arrested. I might not have been able in the past to do anything, but that little video was something she couldn't throw in my face. She couldn't blackmail her way out of this one. As for her minor league baseball playing husband, he'd better watch himself. I know enough places out of the rez to hide a body where it would never be found again.
"Morning, Dad." Emmett says coming in the kitchen.
"Son." I greet with a half smile.
"Bella and Noel were still sleeping, so I let her be. I hope that's ok?" He asks.
"Yeah, I don't think she slept that well last night, so a good sleep in is probably what she needs. I need to head into work and I want to call up to Frank's and see how the arraignment went. What are your plans for the day?"
"Hang out here, work on the jeep. Maybe play some video games. You know same ol', same ol'. God, I love the lazy hazy days of summer vacation." He grins.
"Enjoy them now, one day you won't have three months of slothful living to enjoy."
"Haha." He laughs sarcastically. "Just for that, I'm becoming a teacher and keeping my summer vacation."
"Nobel profession, son. If that is your choice, I'd be proud of you. Of course, I'll be proud of you no matter what job you pick." I say honestly. Of course, Emmett being Emmett has to make a joke out of it.
"Even if I become a porn star?" He asks wagging his eyebrows.
"Well, son, as long as you're the best porn star you can be, I will be proud of you. But don't expect me to brag about it at the church luncheons." I say in a mock serious voice. He about falls out of his chair laughing.
"Dad, I assure you I would be the best damn porn star ever. However, I am leaning towards college and getting a job that requires clothing."
"Good idea, Em." I laugh and smack him gently on the left shoulder. "Now, I need to get to work. Do me a favor and keep an ear out for your sister." He nods.
"Will do." I smile and remind him that my cell is always on before heading off to work. Gotta keep Forks safe from the rampant crime, I laugh sarcastically to myself.
~0~
"Chief, there is a call on line two for you." Nancy the morning office assistant informs me.
"Chief Swan speaking?" I say in my official sounding voice into the phone.
"Charlie, it's Frank."
"Ahh, just the man I was getting ready to call. So, Frank, got any good news for me?"
"Well, I would call it good news." Frank gives a gruff laugh, "Renee Dwyer is being held without bail because she is being perceived at flight risk. With the assault and attempted kidnapping charges, the judge didn't want to risk her not showing up for the trial date. Oh, and she called the judge 'a fucking imbecile', which really didn't help her case. Kind of pissed old Wally off." Ah, she pulled the Honorable Walter Evans. Tough judge, started out as a lawyer working child advocacy cases.
"Good. Any idea when the case is going to be on the docket?"
"Well, Wally wanted to get it up by the end of August but Renee's attorney complained that wouldn't be enough time for her to put together a solid defense. So, we are set to go to court first week of September. Luckily, the Port Angeles court system isn't over loaded with cases, so, we can have a speedy trial date."
"I just hope Bella is up for testifying against Renee." I voice my inner thoughts out loud.
"Don't worry, Charlie, if it comes down to it we can have Al file some fancy paperwork, so Bella can just testify on tape or something."
"True. I should probably call Carlisle about a therapist for her, in case we need medical documentation. I've been putting it off because Bella has been doing so well since she got here, I really wanted her to trust us and feel more comfortable with us before going through therapy."
"Charlie, I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe a therapist will help Bella open up even more to you." I nod though he can't see it.
"Ok then, I guess it's time to set her up with a professional."
"Just be there for her, Charlie, it's the best thing you can do." Frank informs me, his voice laden with sincerity.
"Always, Frank, always." I know this is true, because no matter what happens, I will always be there for my baby girl. Even if she gets mad at me about this therapy thing and she pushes me away, I will be there in the background letting her know that she is important and I'd do anything to protect her.
B POV
I woke up just after eleven in the morning, stunned. I had never slept that late before in my life. Even when I was sick as a child, Renee had me up before eight am. She said that I had no excuse or reason to sleep in. I had too much work to do whether it was to go to school or clean our meager 'living spaces'. I can't say homes, because we never really had a home.
I move quickly taking a fast shower and getting Noel's meal ready for her. She is so sweet waiting patiently, her tiny face under all that hair seems to be happy and glowing. She eats her food and walks back over to me, asking to be picked up. She likes to be lazy and have me carry her around. I put her harness on to walk out into the back yard so she could relieve herself and stopped cold.
The whole back yard was now fenced. I blink because I'm stunned and not sure I'm really seeing this. But it really is fenced. I let Noel off her lead so she can run around. I have almost all of this month and some of last month's allowance money left, next chance I get, I'm going to buy a toy or two to play with her in the backyard with. Maybe a soft ball would be nice, or a squishy little bone she can play fetch with.
Noel stands there looking at me and I have to laugh internally, she doesn't realize she is free to roam. I take off in a slow run around the yard and she follows. My ever faithful baby, keeping pace with me as best as she could with her little legs. I slow even more and I swear her eyes flash with gratitude.
"Bells?" Emmett calls from the doorway.
"Hi." I say acknowledging him.
"I need to run over to Jasper's house for about a half an hour. Do you want to come with?" I think for a moment and I know I'd really enjoy having a few moments alone.
"Can I stay here?" I'm not sure I'm actually allowed to be in the house alone, I haven't been left alone since I got here.
"Sure, you got your cell with all our numbers programmed. Call me if you need me, I can be back in like five minutes flat." He smiles and I smile back.
"Ok."
"See you soon." I wave as he leaves.
I bring Noel back inside for some water and a puppy treat. She accepts both then runs her little self into the living room and barks at the TV. My poor baby is addicted to the television. She is barking to let me know it is off and she wants it on. And being the over indulgent puppy-mommy that I am, I turn the TV on to Animal Planet and watch the funny animal video show with Noel curled in my lap.
I wonder at my light mood. After being humiliated and attacked by my Mother yesterday, you would think I'd be curled up in a ball crying right now. Only I'm not. It's freeing to know that I no longer have to hide the bruises that Renee inflicts. Charlie saw for himself the way she talks to me, the way she jerks me around. And instead of being utterly repulsed and banishing me, he had her tossed in jail.
Renee in jail.
God, how I hope she doesn't get out for awhile. How do I feel about the prospect of living life, knowing she was safely behind bars instead of free to come after me? It was amazing and like a dream come true.
"Yap, yap, yap." Noel's little yapping bark pulled me out of my thoughts. Her little body is tense and she doesn't look like her usual happy self.
Why is she barking at me? I wonder what I did to upset her, but then I realize it's not me she is barking at. It is something behind me that has her attention. Did Emmett come back in while I was zoned in my own little world? Why would she be so tense about Emmett though? Slowly, I turn to see the menacing face of Phil Dwyer.
"Did you really think I'd let your ass get away with tossing my wife in jail?" He laughs harshly. "You've already gotten away from me once, sweet innocent Bella. Now, I will make you pay. You will pay for Renee being in jail, pay for thinking you can leave me and you will pay with that tight, sweet little body of yours."
I gasp and jump off the sofa, almost falling over the chest beside it. Front door or stairs? I need to run.
Think quick, Bella!
Stairs, my cell phone is upstairs and I can lock the door. Phil advances on me and is just a step away, his hand reaching out to me, quickly I grab Emmett's empty cup off the table and throw it hard at Phil's face. He wasn't expecting me to do that and glass shatters on his face. He screams in pain. I pick up Noel and rush up the stairs. I slam Emmett and Charlie's doors shut so it's not easy to determine which room I'm in. I shut mine as well, then lock it and take Noel and my phone into the closet. Sitting up against the door, I dial the first number I can think of.
"Bella, what's wrong?"
"Phil, he's here." I whisper yell into the phone.
"Holy shit!" I hear some rustling noises and talking, "I'll be there in just a couple of minutes. Don't worry."
"Ok." I say in a hushed tone, I'm trying to be as quiet as possible and I'm hoping Noel will be as well.
"Jazz, call Dad at the station." Emmett asks me. "Where are you?"
"I… umm… my closet, Phil is in the house." I mutter.
"Ok, baby sis, stay quiet, I'm half way there already. Jazz has Dad on his phone; he's on his way there with some deputies."
I hear the door break open and I press even harder against my closet door, praying that Emmett gets here before Phil can get into my closet. I pick up one of the high heel shoes Alice has added to my wardrobe, thankful for the first time for the pointy six inches. I swear, with enough force this would have to hurt.
"Little Bella, come out, come out where ever you are." Phil calls in a taunting tone.
"Stay there and quiet, Bells." Emmett says into the phone.
I didn't answer him, afraid that even the slightest noise would alert Phil to my hiding spot. I pull Noel closer to me. I hope and pray that she will stay silent. If he catches me, I hate to think what he'll do to my baby.
"Bella, are you in there, you little bitch?" Phil coos. His tone sweet; his words not, "you know with Ren gone, I'm going to need someone to keep me warm and happy at night. And since you're the reason I no longer have my wife, you can take her place." He says in a conversational tone. "Now get your ass out of there!" He demands, his tone harsh and completely contradictory to how he had been sounding. I have to hold tight to the scared whimper that wants to escape me.
The door rattles under the force Phil is using to push it open. Noel is now growling as fiercely as she can trying her best to be intimidating and in other circumstances, I would find it adorable. But right now, I can only think of trying to get out of here alive. I gasp for air, panic is taking over. I somehow have disconnected the phone. I've lost the call to Emmett, my only line to safety. My body is shaking with fear and with the vibrations from the rattling door.
"Bella, don't be stupid, little girl. The quicker you get out of there, the less angry I will be at you." Phil is trying to reason with me. Ha! Like I'm really going to go out there with him, "Bella, Bella, Bella… don't you know you can't hide from me? Don't be the stupid little bitch that your Mother always claimed you to be, open the fucking door!" He demands.
The door rattles some more then suddenly it gets quiet. I know he hasn't left and I'm not dumb, I know not to open up the door to see where he is. All of a sudden a loud smash came from above me and I look up to see Phil's face leaning in threw a hole that has been punched into the door. I can't fight back the loud scream that emits from me.
"Aww, little Bella, did you really think you'd win?" His hand reaches in and he grabs my ponytail jerking on it. Noel jumps to my defense, biting down hard on his hand with her tiny sharp teeth. "Son of a fucking bitch!" Phil roars and tosses Noel off of his hand. She lands with a thump and a whine against the wall of the closet. I pull forward to go to pick her up and he pulls my head back, my hair wrapped around his hand.
"Please, let me go to her." I beg.
Phil swings the door open now that he has control. Pulling me up and slamming me into the wall as well. I look up into his almost black eyes and scream again. He slams his hand over my mouth and gives a wicked grin.
"I don't think so, bitch." Panic takes over and I feel like my breathing has stopped. Then my world goes black.
AN2: PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! And remember reviews let you know what happens a lot quicker, seeing as I have already started the chapter ;0) Reviews are the biggest inspiration!