A/N: We usually do this at the end, but we needed to put in a WARNING. . .I (Kasi), when writing the review replies made a mistake. In the review reply, I told you that the graphic parts from Aro's club were done and over. There are two more chapters that have very subdued, yet graphic parts from the club. It seems some of you don't care for his time at the club, which we understand, however most of you also understand it is his outlet. We assure you that this story is about Bella and Edward ending together as a couple, happily ever after. But, they are not yet a couple. Normal disclaimer applies. Super huge thanks to all the rockin' ladies that make our story complete. . .Content1, Jess2002, Sallyhop, Aurellacullen FFN/Aylacullen TWCS, MustangMel1968, mersedez2001, toocute24, and Sarah. . . These girls are one awesome group of ladies to work with. Any mistakes in the final wrap belong to us.

Thanks,

Kasi and Nikky.

~HCV~

Chapter 11: Learning Some Background

I let out a sigh as the bus comes to a stop in front of me. As the door opens, I see Seth step off first, followed by Leah, and lastly Bella. As she alights, her eyes lock with mine and I give her a smile, which she returns right away. Suddenly, I notice her smile turn into a frown.

"Edward, why are you here, are you sick again?" she asks, and her face flashes with concern.

I shake my head. "No I'm fine; I just thought that I would come along with you today." I grip my hair, now worrying that I should have asked her before just showing up. "I can go if you would rather; I wondered if maybe you would like a friend here with you. I know you're still unsure of things, I just thought. . ."

I stop talking as her face lights up in a big smile. "Thank you, you're very kind, Edward. Are you sure that I'm not taking up too much of your time?"

I shake my head. "No, I want to be here with you. Come on we better go before we're late." She nods her head before looking to Seth and Leah.

"Seth, Leah, do you remember Mr. Masen?" she asks and they both nod. "We are going to see a friend of his and he would like to come with us. Is that okay with both of you?"

They both look amazingly clean and healthy in their school uniforms, and I give them a smile which they return.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Masen," they say together.

"Is it okay for Mr. Masen to come with us?" she asks and they nod their heads and each take one of Bella's hands.

"Thank you Seth and Leah, please call me Edward."

They smile at me then look at Bella who nods that it's okay for them to do this. As if by silent agreement, we all begin walking toward Carlisle's office.

"Edward, will we have a blood test like Bella did? She had a big, nasty bruise on her arm." Seth asks, and I frown about the fact that Bella had gotten a bruise from the injection.

"Seth, I received a bruise from a pillow once; I've told you how I bruise really easily," she says giving him a half-smile.

"Well, I am not sure if he will do any blood work with you. If he does, it will be a different one than the one Bella had. Carlisle has a magic cream that makes sure that you don't feel any pain." I notice Bella frowning at me.

"What?" I ask, leaning over to her a little.

"Why didn't I get the magic cream? It really did hurt, and I hate needles so much," she mutters.

I chuckle at her. "Well, if you need one again, I am sure Carlisle will give you the magic cream."

She snorts. "There is no way he's ever coming near me with a needle again."

I have to hold back on a chuckle as she looks really young as she says this. All she needs to do now is throw herself on the floor and kick her feet.

We arrive at Carlisle's office, and I go in first with Seth in front of me and Leah behind me. Bella comes in last, closing the door behind her.

"Hello, nice to see you again Little One."

Bella smiles at him. "Hello Carlisle." She places a hand on Seth and Leah.

"Hello Edward; this must be Seth and Leah," Carlisle says as he smiles towards both of them. "Well, let me see if I can tell who is who. I am guessing that you are Seth," he says pointing to Seth. I chuckle as I hear Seth giggle at Carlisle as he nods. "Well then, that means you have to be Leah." Leah nods her head, smiling shyly. "Well alright then, come in and sit down. I will need to take some notes; we can start with this young man here." Seth sits up smiling and is clearly not afraid at all of Carlisle. "Can you tell me your full name please?"

"I'm Seth Charles Swan."

"Do you know your date of birth?"

He nods his head. "December, 31st, 2003." So that makes Seth seven years and almost nine months.

Carlisle looks to Bella. "Was he born in a hospital, or at home?"

She glances to Seth. "Hospital. Mom had a few weeks left before they were supposed to be born. The police came to tell her dad had died, and her water broke while she was shouting at them. Then the EMT people came. One of them was a lady, and they took mom away to the hospital."

Carlisle looks at Bella and nods. "Do you know how early?" Bella bites her lip as she shakes her head. "Has he seen a doctor since he came home from the hospital?"

Bella nods her head. "I took them to see Aro's doctor, and he gave them all the immunization shots they needed. Zafrina also took them for me for updates, if I had to work at the hotel. Zafrina is Aro's mom, and she promised that they would be okay and said that they needed those shots. She told me that they were very important for them to have so they stayed healthy."

Carlisle looks at her. "Can you tell me who Aro is, or the doctor's name?"

Bella frowns at him and then looks at me, confused as to why he doesn't know who Aro is. "Zafrina is the lady who lives next door to me; she is very kind and looks after Seth and Leah when I'm at work because you're not supposed to leave children by themselves. Aro is her son; he helped me get my jobs. They help me, and I know that I should have been there, but. . .have I done something bad?" She looks like she is getting upset, but at no point has she told him that I know Aro.

I grip her hand and rub the top of it, giving her a smile to thank her for keeping my secret. I turn to look at Carlisle and tell him who she is speaking about.

"I know Aro, as well as the doctor she is talking about. His name is Jason Jenks. I'm not sure you are familiar with him, but I will give him a call and ask him to fax all the paperwork he has on them."

Carlisle looks at me, nods his head, and then gives me a clear look to say that he wants to know more about this later. I stand up, heading towards the door.

"Okay, Leah can you tell me your full name?"

She nods her head. "Leah Sue Swan," she smiles at him.

I give Bella one last smile before closing the door, and then I dial Jason Jenks number.

"Hello Mr. Masen. I wasn't expecting your call for another week. Do wish me to book you an appointment?"

I sigh out. "No, um. . .I know this is delicate, but I am outside of Dr. Carlisle Cullen's office right now. He is seeing Seth, Leah, and Bella Swan; I mean Isabella Swan. I was wondering if you could fax Dr. Cullen any medical information that you have on all three of them." Hearing nothing but silence on the other end, I wonder if I had lost connection. "Hello, Jenks, are you there? Look, I will pay you if that is what this is about. Please, she said that a friend was helping her out?"

"Mr. Masen, there is really no need to pay me; they are both extraordinary children. I was just texting Aro to have him confirm what you were saying. Also, I was a little surprised that Isabella was there; she has always been my primary concern. I'm just really surprised that she would go to someone new. She would hardly ever stay in the room with me; and when she did, the door had to be left open. She always maintained a distance of a good few feet between us. Just so you know the kids are healthy and up to date on all their shots. I have medical records on them dating back to October 2006. That is the first time I saw them at the office Aro uses for his staff."

I rub my head, that would be five years ago in October.

"Have you ever seen their mom?"

I hear him let out a ragged breath. "Well, if that's what you want to call her," he retorts. "No, I haven't ever had the opportunity. She had already left them a few months before I saw them for the first time. From what I understand from Seth and Leah, she's never been back."

That was so fucked up; how the fuck could you just leave for five years without worrying about your children?

"Okay, what is Dr. Cullen's fax number? I have everything here, and I'll send it straight away."

I tell him the number and hang up. As I walk back into the office, I can hear Carlisle's fax machine already printing. Carlisle has finished checking over Seth and Leah's physical health and is instructing them to get their shoes back on and to come back over to take their seats. I watch as Carlisle sits at his desk and goes over his notes.

"So how is everything?" I ask the group.

"I am four foot, eight inches and weigh sixty-four pounds. Dr. Carlisle says I have great reflexes, and the best part is I only have six more inches to grow to be as tall as Bella." Seth holds up six fingers and Bella sticks her tongue out at him. I smile at their teasing behavior.

"What about you Leah, do you remember all of your information?"

She smiles at me. "Well, I am only sixty pounds, because I don't eat as many sweets as Chubby. I'm a little smaller though; I am four foot, six and a half. But, if Bella lets me get those high heel shoes like Sarah has, then I'll be taller than him." She smirks at Seth.

"No you won't, because I'm taller, Dr. Carlisle says so. Just because you wear those stupid shoes, won't make you taller. Besides I'm the oldest; the oldest is always the tallest."

Leah rolls her eyes. "But I will look taller than you Dumb, Dumb. And those shoes aren't stupid, you're just jealous."

Seth huffs and crosses his arms.

"Stop it right now, both of you. It doesn't matter who is taller than whom. Besides, I am the oldest, and at the rate you both are growing, you'll both be taller than me; you don't hear me moaning about it." They both look at her and laugh.

"That doesn't count Bella," Seth starts.

"Yeah, because everyone is taller than you," Leah adds.

"I think Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is taller than you," Seth continues with a chuckle.

To which I also laugh and look over at Carlisle who is trying hard not to as well.

"Isn't that the movie with the evil witch, and doesn't Dopey have a beard?" Bella asks.

We all nod our heads to answer her question, and she huffs.

"You're all mean," Bella says giving us all her best bitch brow. "And you two," she growls turning her attention fully to Seth and Leah. "I hope you like worms, because that's what you're getting for dinner tonight."

I can see they're all wearing the same silly smirk. Suddenly, the three of them stick their tongues out at each other, at the same time. Bella then turns her attention back to me, and I can see the evil glint in her eyes, and I am inexplicably excited to see what she has to say.

"Edward, be nice or you'll eat worms too!"

I chuckle at her and smile, loving this fun side of Bella that I've yet to see.

Smirking, Carlisle brings us back to order. "Okay, let's get back to going through all this information. Both Leah and Seth are very healthy. A little on the tall side of the scale for their age, but they are perfectly proportioned in height to weight and completely up to date on all immunizations. I've noted their childhood illnesses on the record. You've done really well in taking care of them, Bella." He gives her a smile. "Would you both like a lollipop?" Carlisle asks, and both Seth and Leah nod taking one each.

"Thank you, Dr. Carlisle," they both say before putting the treats in their mouths.

"Bella, can I have a quick word with you, please? Carlisle can watch Seth and Leah for a minute or two; we'll be just outside the door?" Bella looks at Seth and Leah who both shrug their shoulders and turn back to Carlisle and begin talking to him. I walk Bella out the door and close it behind us.

"Are you working at UW tonight?"

She looks up at me. "Yes, I told Mr. Brophi that I would be a bit late because I had an appointment. But I would try to get there on time."

I let out a sigh. "Look, it is already half-past four. By the time you get a bus home with Seth and Leah, you'll only have time to make them dinner; maybe not even enough time for that. You definitely won't have time to sit for a few minutes and eat with them before you'll have to leave again. If you'll let me, I could run you home."

She bites her lip and closes her eyes. "I'm sorry, it's nice of you to ask me, but I. . .I don't think that I can sit in the car. It's just. . .I can't do it."

I nod my head at her then smile. "Okay, stay calm Bella. How about we make a compromise, how about the three of you join me for dinner at the diner around the corner? After we eat, you can take the bus to campus so you can get to work on time, and I will take Seth and Leah to Zafrina's. That way you won't miss having dinner with the kids, and you aren't late for work. What do you say?"

She is still looking at me as if I am crazy. "Edward, that's very kind of you, but I'm already taking up too much of your time. You really don't need to keep spending money on us."

"I know that Bella, and this is about want, not need. First, I enjoy our time together and would like to spend more time with you and get to know you better. Second, I would like to learn more about Seth and Leah, who are a big part of your life. As for the money, consider the cost as a bonus for the inconvenience this appointment has cost you. But, above all and most importantly, I know that you want to spend time with them before you work, and this will allow you to have that extra time with them."

I give her my best sad puppy dog eyes and pout. She again laughs at me shaking her head at my foolery, but I just keep the face up and clasp my hands together as if I am begging.

"Okay, okay, fine! Yes, we will come with you to the diner, just no more of that sad face. Are you sure you don't mind taking them to Zafrina's afterwards?" She smiles as she speaks.

I shake my head and smile back, confirming that I do not mind. With my answer, she opens the door and walks back into the office.

We collect our things before heading to the diner across from the hospital. It is not the best or fanciest place, but it serves a full menu to choose from. I'm glad she agreed to this, at least I know she is eating something substantial for dinner tonight before she heads off to work.

We all sit and chat; Seth and Leah tell Bella about what they did at school. I'm stunned by how much they speak, until I see Bella's face, noticing how happy she is as she listens to their stories. When her eyes meet mine, I see then that she has a shadow of pain in them, and it dawns on me that she missed out on all this. She loves hearing their stories, but they sadden her because she never had the opportunity to experience it.

Since I know Bella can't read, I immediately point out the dinner special. Bella and I order the hot beef and gravy. Seth and Leah both have a cheese burger and fries. The best part is when the four chocolate milkshakes we ordered arrive. We have a wonderful time eating together, and I love watching the interaction between Bella and her younger siblings. She may only be their big sister, but you could tell that she is the best mother they could ever have.

"I love you both; I'll be home soon. Be good for Mr. Masen, sit nicely in his car with no fighting and be good for Zafrina. I'll be home at my normal time, and I will see you both when I get back." She hugs them, giving each a kiss on their head.

"Yuck Bella, I'm getting too old for kisses, plus you're a girl." Seth wipes the kiss away.

"Seth, as Zafrina says. . .you need to suck it up and deal with it. Because, I just love giving you kisses and hugs. In fact, I think I will give you another." At that she grabs him, covering him in kisses.

"Bella, stop please, come on! Please!" Seth begs. However, Bella continues kissing him a bit longer before letting him go.

"Edward, do you have a sister like this?" Seth asks, nodding his head in Bella's direction.

"I do have a sister, sort of. She is my adopted sister, but she is a bi. . .very annoying person and she doesn't ever kiss me."

Seth turns to Bella, and he is about to talk when I carry on speaking. "However Seth, I always kiss her on the cheek when we have family dinners, and my mom always used to kiss me on the head before and after school. One time my mom even came to school, and it was during an assembly. She told everyone that I forgot to give her a good bye kiss, so she kissed me in front of everyone. I never forgot to kiss her good bye after that."

Seth looks horrified and then looks to Bella and gives her a kiss. "I'm sorry Bella, I love you, please don't ever do that to me." Bella rubs the top of his head and looks at me.

I move over to stand next to her. "It's a true story, and I might add that I was fourteen at the time." I raise my eyebrow at her.

She looks at me biting her lip and shaking her head; I can tell she is holding back her laughter. We wait with her until her bus comes, and then I drive Seth and Leah home.

"Well hello there, Edna. Hi Seth and Leah, you know the drill," Zafrina cackles. Seth and Leah walk in as they take off their jackets and shoes, placing them where they belong, before heading over to the couch.

"Hey Zafrina, can I ask you about when they first moved in?" I look in Seth and Leah's direction, before turning to look back at her.

"Yes, come on in, would you like some tea or coffee?" she asks, turning to walk in front of me as she heads towards the kitchen.

"Coffee would be great, thank you." She nods her head and begins making it. She sets a cup down in front of me, along with a sugar bowl and a creamer jug. "I just need to go and give this to Seth and Leah." She walks away with two juice boxes and a bowl of popcorn. It is about five minutes later when Zafrina returns, with a black book in her hand.

"Okay, let's see shall we. . .Sue Swan came to see the apartment in February 2006. Shit, that was five years ago, time travels so fast. I had thought that it was just over the four year mark, God! Well she paid for the first four months up front, which got her to June. She moved in on the last week of February, writing down on the form that it would be herself, Isabella, her eighteen year old step-daughter, and her own two infant children, Seth and Leah."

She looks at me and I nod my head. "So you have met her then?"

"Yes, I showed her the apartment. She was a bit too snotty for my liking, and I got a bad vibe from her, but I never judge a book by it's cover, so I gave her a chance. I only saw her a few days in March and April. I didn't even know that they were there most of the time. I remember thinking that she must never see her kids, because she was always going places. But then again, I always thought the kids were at their father's because they were never noisy. I never saw any of them except her. It was in April when she came over to inform me that she had to go away on business and that her step-daughter, Isabella, would be looking after the kids.

"I remember asking her if Isabella was old enough to be doing that. Her only response was to say that Isabella was eighteen, and she showed me an ID. I also remember her telling me that her dad had died, and she began to cry. I melted at her stories and was sucked into feeling sorry for her. She paid another two month's rent in advance before she left. The apartment was paid up to the end of August.

"I still did not hear or see any of the kids. Then around the end of April, I start knocking on the door to make sure they were okay. That is when I began to talk to Isabella; it was fucking hard at the time because she wouldn't look at me. Honestly, she looked like she wasn't eating. I was going to report it and began to watch her with the kids more closely. She always made sure they were clean, tidy, and happy. There wasn't a lot of food in the house, so she went without so that they could eat."

I frown, her lack of weight making more sense now. I look at Zafrina, seeing that this upset her also.

"But I just couldn't do it. . .report them to the authorities. As far as I could tell, there was no abuse being done to them by her; she just needed more money to pay for things. She was really great with them, and she clearly loved them, putting their needs first before her own."

I nod my head as I remember seeing that each time she was with them. Today showed that they are clearly very close to one another.

She continued. "It was June when I was walking along the park, and I saw them. She was trying to sell her pictures to make some money. She was taking them from place to place asking if anyone wanted to buy one. One time, I remember she went to a store and brought the babies with her. It began to rain while they were out, and little Leah got cold. I saw Isabella take her own coat off and put it on Leah to keep her warm and dry. When she came home, Isabella was soaked to the bone and shivering. Yet, she was carrying both the kids, as well as, two bags of food on each arm. That day, I managed to convince her to allow me to watch the children so she could go to the market or even to work if she wanted to get a job. I had to make it sound like it was best for them, it was the only way she would allow me to help her. I could have kicked my own ass when I saw how upset she became; she thought she had done something wrong. That is how I began to watch them."

She shrugs as if she is attempting to get rid of a bad memory. "Slowly, she started to leave them with me when she needed to. It was the end of July when she asked Aro for a job. I'm still not one hundred percent sure she knows what goes on in there. Aro of course, told her no. He knew who she was, and after she left he called me. He wanted to make sure she'd gotten back here safely. But she hadn't arrived yet, so he went looking for her and found her talking to one of those dip-shits that pimp out girls on Washington Street.

"He really fucking scared her that night; half of me wanted to kill him, while the other half knew that he had to show her what those girls go through each and every day. He only did it so that she would stay away and not talk to them again. Aro called Amun; he is my older son and owner of this apartment building. He got him to lower the rate of her rent and make sure it included most of her utilities. By the end of August, Aro called Marcus and got her the job at the college. A few months after that, he found her a job at the hotel."

She stirred some sugar into her coffee, the spoon hitting the side in an elegant manner. "Then he got John Jenks, Jason's brother, to make her a fake social security number. She doesn't know that he did that; she doesn't want anyone getting into trouble with the police. I don't even think she knows what it is, so don't fucking mention anything about it. Marcus and Randall, the man who ran the hotel, both worked out what her pay would be. Going by what she should be paying in taxes and paid her using the fake number."

I pull at my hair. This is so fucked up; so many things here are so fucking wrong! Not to mention how lucky she was that Aro found her before the fucker of a pimp could have done something. What fucking mother does this to her step-daughter?

"I'm taking it that she hasn't been back then, this Mrs. Sue fucking Swan?"

Zafrina shakes her head. "Nope, and she better keep the fuck away. There is a part of me that wants her to come back, because I've had five fucking years to plan the shit that I want to do to her. But right now, I need Isabella to realize that what she did to her throughout her life was wrong. She needs to know and learn that those two over there are so much better without their mother. I can't do that until she's strong enough to understand this."

I look at her and frown; surely Bella knows that what this so called mom has done is wrong.

"Don't look at me like that! She doesn't understand, Edna; she never had a normal upbringing. She didn't have contact with anyone; so she doesn't know what a mom is supposed to do. All she knows is, they say a lot of shit to you and leave."

I close my eyes and nod my head.

Fuck, of course she wouldn't, it wasn't until I had friends that I knew my mom was different. That's why she only seems to have pity and understanding for Sue Swan. It is truly a miracle that she can be so loving and good to Seth and Leah, since she clearly never got love from her mother. I wonder if her father was at least decent to her. Wait he never allowed her to attend school, so how decent could he have been?

"Don't stress Edna, we'll get her there. You've already changed her. I see it; she talks more to me, and she always smiles about going to work. Did you know you have helped me learn things, too? I didn't know she couldn't read. I mean, I knew she found it hard, but I didn't know how hard. She told me you're teaching her. Just keep doing what you're doing, as you told her, baby steps."

I open my eyes and look at her. I no longer see the crazy women that I first thought she was, but instead a kind-hearted woman who has been looking after someone.

"Thank you," I say and she looks at me and frowns. "You know, for making me stalk her. You were right; she did surprise me. I will try my best to not fuck up."

She nods her head. "You better not Edna or…"

I hold up my hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "Yeah, I know, you'll kill me."

She shakes her head. "Oh Edna, you'll wish I had done that; but fuck, you won't be that lucky. If you hurt her, then your ass is mine till you are old and grey. You better get going or you will be late getting to Aro's." I look at her and then to my watch, seeing that it is half-past six already.

"I will need that social security number, so I can have it all under the one payment."

She nods here head. "I'll text Aro and have him give it to you tonight."

I get up to head out and feel a sense of relief knowing that Zafrina looks out for Bella, Seth, and Leah the way she does.

Calling out, I tell them, "Seth, Leah, I'll see you both later, have a nice night."

They both look at me and wave. "Bye Edward," they say in unison.

I give Zafrina one last smile before heading out.

~HCV~

"Hello Sally, don't you just look adorable in your little kitty cat suit. You may crawl up on the bed, and you may use your hands. Soon, I will have some cream for you. Does my kitty want to come over to suck on my cock and find the cream?"

I watch as she crawls across the bed toward my voice. The black vinyl body suit is cut out to have her breasts and crotch completely in view. I can see the wetness dripping down her legs. Out of all the girls here at Aro's, she is always ready for me. I know she gets excited by the sound of my voice, especially when I talk dirty to her. She loves to role play, but I refuse to do the school girl thing. Lately, I no longer have the desire to have Sally 'The Maid' either.

"Hmm, does Anthony's little kitty like to scratch?" I ask as she drags her nails across the sheets between my legs. "Is Sally kitty ready to work to get some cream?"

I watch as she rubs her hands up my thighs. Normally by now I am rock hard. She does have a fine body, but my cock isn't responding. I can see her shock as she touches me, and without skipping a beat she pulls my semi soft cock into her mouth. As I watch her, I could not shake the feeling that this is all wrong. It isn't until I closed my eyes, that I am able to respond to her. I normally love directing the movements that the girls make when I'm getting head, but I can't bring myself to touch her. Don't get me wrong; when I come, it always feels amazing. But, I know I'm done. Without reaching climax, I pull back.

"Sally, I have a lot of things on my mind tonight, so I'm going to cut this short. You will still be given your full wage for the whole time. Garrett will be in shortly to remove your blindfold." I get up and make my way towards the door, opening it to find Garrett on the stool down the hall.

"Anthony my friend, is everything all right with the room?" Garrett asks as he gets up and walks over to me, with a frown.

"Yes, Garrett, everything is fine, I just need to talk to Aro. Could you find out if he is available?" He nods his head, walking into the room to first help Sally. I step into the private room to put my clothes back on and wait for Garrett to knock letting me know Sally has left.

I head to Aro's offices and find Felix standing outside of it. He frowns at me and points to a seat. "Aro is speaking with a prick right now, take a seat."

I give him a curt nod and sit down closing my eyes as I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to calm my breathing while I attempt to figure out what exactly just happened. I am still unsure what went wrong in the room, but it felt different.

Fuck no; it was just because Bella was on my mind. . .that is why everything felt wrong. You feel bad that there is a rather good chance that someone will hurt her physically.

"Anthony would you like a drink from the bar? Aro shouldn't be too much longer; he is just going over the rules with Paul again." Felix's voice breaks through my thoughts.

I shake my head. I want to keep my head clear, well clearer than it was a few minutes ago. "No thank you Felix, I'm fine."

I wish Aro would just throw Paul out, he is a yuck-ball, everyone knows it. Wait, Paul, I wonder if he is the same Paul that touched Bella when she was here. No, it can't be, but Felix said that he was going through the rules again. No, Paul is a common name and even if it is him, what are you going to do about it? Fuck him up, that's what. Really? Yes really. The fucking shit he had said to her that night, I should have beaten him down then and there. I was too busy being a prick myself, I have three words for you. . .pot, meet kettle. Fuck, why was I such a prick? The point is still there Assward, stop arguing with me and fucking ask if it is him or not.

I look at Felix and clear my throat to get his attention. "Is that the same Paul who grabbed Bella when she was here a few weeks ago?"

He tilts his head at me. "Bella?"

I sigh, forgetting that he doesn't necessarily know her by name. "She's about this high." I hold my hand up to roughly where she stands. "Thin, has brown hair and eyes, very pretty, came to see Aro."

Felix nods his head. "Ah yes, Isabella! Sorry, I didn't know you knew her, but yes, it is the same guy that put his hands on her."

I stand up, angry that the fucker is in the other room.

"But, I am glad that I am not the only one to see her like that."

I look at him like he has lost his ever loving mind. "Like what, what do you mean?" I clearly hear the anger in my voice.

"I mean that Isabella is a very pretty woman. I really enjoyed kicking the fuck out of him for what he did and said to her that night." I look at him dumbfounded; fuck, I did say that she was pretty out pouts. "Aro says that I can't touch him anymore, unless he gives the order."

He gives me a smile before stepping to the side of the office door. "You'll only have a minute or two before he will call me in." He gives me a grin. That is all the incentive I need. I open the door and head into the office.

"It will not happen again, I didn't know she was a friend. . ."

I hear the fucker say as he turns to look at me. He smirks at me, and all I see when I look towards him was Bella's face when he told her that he was going to fuck her and ruin her for every other guy.

"Anthony, what are you doing in here? Please step out, and I will talk to you in a moment. Felix!" I hear Aro say as I pull back my arm and hit that Paul fucker square in the nose.

I feel great pleasure from hearing the cracking noise; I know I broke his nose.

"Fuck you, motherfucker, it just started fucking healing. What the fuck is your problem, you cocksucker?"

I pull my fist back and hit him again, but as I go to hit him a third time, I feel someone pull me back. I shake them off before pulling the piece of shit up to me.

"How can you let him back in here after what he did to Bella? I thought you were watching over her?" I shout to Aro, as I hold the son-of-a-bitch by his throat.

I hear Aro sigh as he looks at Felix, who then grabs me in an iron grip. We hear a chuckle, and I look to Paul. He looks me up and down before he grins at me again.

"Bella? I take it you're talking about the hot little pure girl that was in here. I saw you look at her; you must want her as much as I do. Well, I do like to share, hell you can even have her first. That would be best; because when I am done, I am sure she will be too sore for anyone else. And hell, if you like to watch pain, you can watch while I fucking ruin her for any other man ever again."

I feel Felix's grip loosen, and I break free and hit the fucker again.

"That's for Bella, and if you ever so much as think about her again, I will fuck you up so bad that your mother won't be able to recognize you. Then, I will make sure that you know what it feels like to be fucked so hard that you're ruined for anyone else. I'm sure that my buddy Aro here can find some big motherfucker that needs a new bitch." Suddenly, I get pulled back and pushed to the side.

I watch as Felix picks Paul up by his throat and slams him against the wall. Aro stands in front of him.

"I told you that you were to never so much as think of Isabella again." Aro stops and glances to me. "Bella is like a baby sister to me, and I care very deeply for her. So do a lot of the people that work here." Looking back at Paul, he sneers. "I was going to give you a second chance, but I don't think my girls will like you, and I never put them in a room with someone they dislike."

"I am sure Jane would not mind being in a room with him," Felix grins.

As he says this, Paul looks scared shitless. "Fuck no, please no."

Aro smacks him across the face and jabs his finger harshly into his chest. "You are no longer welcome; therefore, you are to stay away from here. You are also not to touch Isabella; do not go anywhere near her. If you break either of these two orders, you will end up in Jane's favorite room for days. And I do mean several days." Felix drags a crying Paul away. "Shut the door," Aro calls out, and I see Garrett come up and do so with a bang. Aro then moves back to his seat and sits down rubbing his face.

"Anth. . .Edward what in the name of God was that about? I've known you for fucking five years, and I have never seen you that angry. I would never have considered you to be a violent man."

I sit on the seat opposite him. "Fuck, I really don't know. I spent time with Bella and the kids today. When I dropped the kids at Zafrina's, she told me about when they first moved here; it's just been playing through my mind since. All the things they took from her and robbed her of. She didn't even get to go to fucking school; they didn't teach her shit. She has learned everything she knows by herself or from friends. She is innocence personified. Did you know that she couldn't even read?"

I look at Aro and see him shaking his head.

"And for that puke to talk about her and her innocence makes me mad. I will fucking end that motherfucker if he ever comes near her. That is one thing in this world that is hers and only hers. She should be able to give that to the man she loves and who loves her back. Her purity is the only thing that hasn't been taken from her, the one thing she wasn't robbed of."

"You took her to see Carlisle, so you know for certain that she is a virgin?" Aro asks.

"Yes she is, and she will never sell that; I will not let her."

"Me either; I meant what I said to that bastard. If I find that he so much as thinks of Isabella, you won't have to end him. I will let Jane have him." The thought makes me shudder; I have heard stories about Jane. She is a very tiny girlish looking woman, who enjoys making full-sized grown men whimper like little cry babies.

I shake my head and jump up, pacing back and forth. "Aro, tell me what the fuck you showed her that night you found her talking to that pimp?"

He looks up at me then to the door as it opens.

"Is everything all right, boss?"

Aro nods his head. "Yes we're fine Felix; can you bring two double shots of Drambuie on the rocks?" Felix nods his head and shuts the door. "Let me have a drink, and then I will tell you, believe me you might need one too." I walk up and down his floor growling as Felix brings in the drinks and leaves.

"Edward, sit the fuck down, before you wear a hole in my carpet. My mother will kill me and you both if you do, she picked this out." I sit back down and groaned.

"The first time I saw Isabella with Seth and Leah was when I was helping my mother look after the apartment building for Amun, while the fucker was away. My mom told me what she knew about her, which wasn't much at all. To say I was surprised when she came here asking for a job is an understatement. The pain and desperation was so clear on her face, and it killed me to see her so broken.

"When I said no, I knew that she was close to making a bad choice. You see, everyone working in my establishment is here by their own choice, not because they have no other option. Some are sex addicts, others are subs who don't want a full-time Dom, and then there are those who just want to work here to have the ability to express and live out some of their fantasies. Some of my girls are here to find the perfect one for them. Isabella's reasons for coming here were. . .no are nothing like that. She does not belong in this world, and it was clear she knows nothing about this side of life. As guys, we don't usually see the whole virginity thing as important, not as much as women do anyway. But with Isabella, it is like she doesn't even know anything about it at all.

"She is emotionally immature for her age. No. . .let me restate that, she is smart and very mature in a lot of ways, like how she handles complications in everyday life, but intimately and emotionally is where she is lacking. I really don't think she's been shown love in any capacity apart from Seth and Leah. She is teaching them love and respect, even though I have the feeling that she has never been allotted any in her lifetime.

"When she first walked in here, I saw two things that were abundantly clear about her. I am going to tell you the second thing I noticed first. I saw a lost and scared young lady who was finding things very hard to manage in today's economy. She has been hurt; how bad I really can't tell you, but I know there is a shit load of years of hurt there. And she does not belong here. But the thing that scared me the most was the first thing I noticed about her. I saw an innocent girl who would have some of the guys in my club jizzing in their pants just to look at her. All it would take would be a cute little school girl outfit, hair put into pony tails, some knee socks, and the whole pure thing would have made me a shit load of money."

I growl at him, feeling the anger coming back. He holds his hands up.

"Edward, I am in the sex business. I always look at things that way first, that is why I went after her. I knew some of the uncaring pimps wouldn't see the hurt; they would only see the money. When I found her there, Garrett took care of the pimp, and I showed her around. I took her to see some of the girls in the house that the pimp ran. Some were beaten up pretty badly, and quite a few had tracks from drug use. We went into a part of the place that was being used by clients. There were all kinds of lowlifes in there. Some of the whores were getting slapped around. There were girls using drugs in plain sight. I took her from one hell hole to another, trying to show her the life she would have to lead if she got involved.

"I saw something that was disgusting, but pure luck for me and my scare tactic. I knew it would show her the horrible side to it all. A young working girl was being raped, and she was screaming for her pimp to help her, but the fucker stood there filming it. It was because the girl kept ten dollars of the money she got from a client, so that she could buy some food for her son. Isabella was shocked and shaking after observing this for only a minute or two. I sent Garrett to sort the fucker out and save the girl. The girl came back here with me, and she now happily works for me. She helped me by explaining to Isabella all the horrible things that had happened to her."

I look at him and it makes me sick knowing that she has been exposed to something like that. I am also somewhat saddened by the fact that Aro has a girl who has been through so fucking much working here.

"I helped her to get clean and off the drugs. She gave up her son, because she knew that she couldn't look after him. It became too much for her while she was detoxing. She gave him to his father's parents. It was about a year later that she started working for me. This is the only thing she knew, but she is well taken care of here, and I make sure she sees a therapist once a month; that is one of my rules for my girls.

"She is always in charge whenever she is in her room, and she only sees the guys who want to be dominated. Slowly, she has built up the trust she lost with her son. She visits him every other weekend and talks to him on the phone every night."

I nod my head at him.

"I didn't want that life for Isabella. I will do anything to keep her away; she deserves to be loved and cherished. All the girls here think the world of her. They all have come to love her very much and around here, she is not invisible," he chuckles.

"Most people would describe my girls as whores or scum, but out of all the people out there, they are the only ones that see Isabella for who she really is. Most people are too busy talking shit and looking down their noses to see the girl she really is. It saddens me when people treat her like she is 'scum,'" Aro makes the air quotes.

"The truth is most of the people who spend their time thinking of her as scum, are truly scum themselves. I only see her and how good and pure her heart is."

I let out a breath, and sigh over the fact that I too treated and judged her badly for no reason.

"Okay, my mother said you'd need this." He hands me a folder full of paperwork. "It is all the paper work Mrs. Swan filled out for the apartment, plus the little I found after she left. Isabella's social security number is on the back. There are some pictures in there of Isabella, Seth, and Leah when I first met them as well."

"Thanks, Aro, for telling me all of this. I promise to only help her and not put her in harm's way." I stand up, after we shake hands and head back out the door.

I look over the paperwork he gave me, but I am no closer to finding out anything new about Bella than when I arrived. The picture of her from five years ago is shocking. She's clearly put on weight since then, but she looks so fucking ill in the photo. If I didn't know she was alive, I would say she was half-dead in the picture. There are no other words that can describe the way she looked, and it breaks my heart to see her so unhealthy.

I talk briefly to Carlisle, who does nothing but praise Bella's efforts in taking good care of the twins. I dodge the bullet when he asks me again about Aro. I only give him a small amount of information. As I look at the photo again, I feel myself smile in wonder; Bella really is something. I just hope I can be as good of a friend to her as she needs and deserves.

A/N: So you learned a lot this chapter about smaller things, and about how Aro and Zafrina have protected Bella, Seth, and Leah. What are your thoughts and expectations at this point in the story? All reviews get a teaser, see you next Thursday.