Lets say that Brandon was born on May the 3rd :)
Chapter eleven
4 months later
Brandon was now almost 5 months old (because he was premature), he is now being fed from formula milk, because feedings became too hard and exhausting, so Esme began to feed him from a bottle... now he just uses that. He can lift his head when he's on his stomach and play with little toys, which is too cute. He can smile and he smiles a lot. Usually mostly at Emmett, who I think he thinks is hilarious.
He loves all the Cullen's and lets them and myself hold him. But I was at the library one day and one of the ladies asked to hold him and he freaked out. So I think he's shy towards unknown people.
He can also almost roll over, and if we place a toy out of his reach, he gets angry right away and almost demands it back. Its really funny to watch what amuses him. He's becoming his own person.
I have been doing better, but haven't started therapy yet, because I wanted to concentrate on Brandon rather than my own thoughts. I was actually going to my first session today, after much convincing from Esme, who says Brandon will be fine with her and Carlisle for a few hours. I haven't left him alone with anyone yet.
Alice has gone to therapy though, and she is doing a lot better. She doesn't have nightmares any more and now she remembers everything and has stopped the strange memories from coming back at random times.
Alice and I are now best friends. As well as sisters.
Edward and I have grown close too, probably closer than Emmett and I, I don't know why, but something about him just clicks with me.
Emmett is hilarious and always makes me smile. I love him like a brother and actually wish he was my real one.
Carlisle has been great, and so has Esme. There the best parents and I have grown to care and love them a lot. I don't think I could ask for anyone better. I think I finally hit the jackpot.
Therapy was hard. I sat in the chair, telling this stranger some of my darkest secrets. She just kept asking questions and all I wanted to do was for her to shut up. We didn't get to any serious problems, but she did make me relieve a few of my childhood memories.
I was 6 years old and in the bath. The water wasn't deep because we couldn't afford much. Daddy was asleep in his room and Mummy was with Mary. I was supposed to be very quiet and not wake him up, because he would get angry.
A large bang from outside made me jump and then pause, hoping Daddy wasn't up now. But he was. I could hear him banging around in the opposite room and then in the hallway. His footsteps came closer and closer until the bathroom door swung open. He grumbled at me and told me off, slapping my cheek hard. He then grabbed my head and pushed it under the water.
"What do you remember when you were underwater?" The lady asked me.
I wiped away a tear "I remember... I remember thinking: I wish I could stop breathing. I remember actually thinking, praying, that my father would hold me under there until I couldn't breath. I was 6 and wanted to die!"
"But why did you want to die?" She asked.
I cried softly, holding my face in my hands. "Because I was scared all the time. I didn't go to school, I wasn't allowed out of the house and I remember on that day, I hadn't eaten in the past 4 days. I was hungry, tired, sick and sore. I just wanted to stop the pain"
"What made you go on? How did you manage to survive after knowing you actually thought of dying?"
I shrugged and wiped my cheeks, sniffing away the tears as I tried to compose myself. "Alice. I knew she was still there. I knew she still needed me"
The therapist, who I knew was called Tracy, smiled "So your sister means a lot to you?"
"Yes. She was what got me through it all. I thought during some points of my life... that I wasn't going to make it... and it was her, the thought that she needed me... that got me going. So, I would take a bullet for her... I've already shot one"
Tracy looked worried before she wrote something down and then smiled. "Alright Bella. You've made great progress.. but our hour is up and I think Dr. Cullen is outside waiting for you."
I wiped my cheeks again, blew my nose and then stood. Well, that made me worse than I already am! Now I'm thinking about all these things and rather her saying something nice and helpful, she tells me my hour is over! Jeeze... But I expected it to get better... hopefully, soon.
I went out to find Carlisle reading a small magazine, he smiled at me before leading me outside.
….................
Tomorrow was the 13th of September. Probably the worst day of the year. My birthday had never really been celebrated... which is really depressing. I can't remember the last present I got and I don't even want to remember a few of my birthdays.
As I walked upstairs with a really hyper Brandon, I was stopped. "Tomorrow is your special day Bella, are you planning anything?" Esme asked.
"No...."
She smiled "We'll good" Then she disappeared downstairs. Hmm... there up to something.
I managed to put Brandon to sleep an hour later. Never again will I let Emmett read him a bed time story.
And by the time he did go to sleep, it was about 8 so I went into my own room and watched a movie until I too fell asleep, the lights still on because for some reason... I had become afraid of the dark.
Singing woke me up that morning and I actually smiled. I opened my eyes to find Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Edward, Alice and even Brandon, who was sitting on the foot of my bed, all standing there smiling and singing 'Happy Birthday'
It was like a actual family.
Brandon was sitting at the end of my bed, a pillow behind him so he didn't fall. He was clapping his hands and making some weird noises, probably trying to sing.
I smiled at him and he squealed with delight, holding out his hands to me and opening and closing his fists. I leaned over and pulled him close, hugging him dearly.
"Happy Birthday Bella. These are from all of us" Esme said, handing me two small packages.
"Which one do I open first" I asked, tears forming.
Alice climbed up next to me, scooting under the covers and resting her head on my shoulder. "What's wrong?"
I shrugged "this is... these will be my first present... for a birthday... ever. Even when I was with Mum and Dad, all those years ago, they didn't have enough money to get me anything."
Esme came over and hugged me. "I know it must be hard to go through, but your mother loved you. And so do we. She would want you to be happy"
Carlisle kissed me head before pointing to the slightly bigger parcel. "Open that one first"
I heard Emmett and Edward groan. "But the other one is more exciting!"
Alice laughed "Yes, but you both know she'll like this one more"
I slid my finger into the edge of the paper and tore it open, Brandon pulling it down to his level to help me. Once we got the wrapping off I was holding a black case. Opening it with shaky fingers, I found a bracelet pinned on a velvet base.
"Oh" I said, surprised. "Its... its so pretty" I took it out of the case and found it to be a delicate chain, threading in and out of one another. Hanging off the chain were little charms. It was a charm bracelet.
"They all mean something" Alice informed me.
"That one, the smile, is me, because you said I always make you laugh" Emmett said, earning a laugh from myself.
"The piano is from me, because you like it when I play" Edward said happily.
"The heart is from me" Esme said, pointing to a small heart. "To show and remind you, how much your loved"
"The little crest there, represents a Cullen, and it is from me and the whole family, to show you that you belong here now"
"The two people hugging is me and you, because where sisters and always will be" Alice said, kissing my cheek.
I looked at the last one and smiled. "Brandon?" I asked, fiddling with the small baby boot.
Esme nodded "That is to remind you of how needed you are, not only from your baby, but by everyone now... because everyone loves you"
I wiped tears away as Esme took the bracelet and put it on my wrist. I silently promised to never take it off, because it is a sign of happiness... something that I have thankfully found.
"Now, open your next one!!" Emmett said suddenly, and loudly.
I did as I was told and gasped at the small key in my hand. "No..." I said, shocked.
Everyone laughed as they all helped me out of bed and pushed me toward the door and downstairs.
Esme had Brandon and was taking pictures while following behind.
At the front door, the pushed me out onto the porch and I silently held a battle to not turn and run from surprise. There, parked just in front of me, was a new car... well, I think it was new. It was a new shiny black Volvo.
I chuckled and looked at Edward, who shrugged. "You said my car was great for Brandon because it was safe"
I turned and hugged Carlisle and then Esme and then Alice and then Emmett and then Edward, all the time whispering thank you.
"We'll Bella, you got your license yesterday... are you going to go for a spin?" Esme asked.
"I'M COMMING" Alice yelled, running and going to go into the front, but Edward beat her to it. She huffed but climbed into the back seat.
I smiled at Esme and Carlisle, and frowned at Emmett. "You coming?"
He sadly shook his head. "Dad here told me not too, said I'd be too much of a distraction"
I laughed and took his hand "Come on!"
Once we were all seated in the car, safety, I turned it on and smiled when there was barely a sound I began to drive down the hill, with my siblings, in my new car... in our pyjama's.
"Goodnight guys, thank you, so much, for everything" I told Esme and Carlisle as I passed there bedroom door, going to get ready for bed.
"Your welcome Bella" Carlisle said, smiling.
I went to go but paused and went in and hugged them both. "I really mean it, thank you"
Esme smiled "Your welcome darling"
"We love you" Carlisle told me.
I paused at the door way and turned to look at them. Carlisle was holding Esme's hand above the blankets. Carlisle was smiling warmly while Esme was nodded. "We think of you as our daughter more and more each day" She said.
"I... I don't know what to say...." I said, surprised.
They both looked at me with nothing but respect, love and that parental look that only parents can have. "We don't expect you to say anything" Esme told me.
"We just wanted you to know. You and Brandon, you are both loved" Carlisle added
I wiped away a tear "I... I l...love you two... too" I choked out. And it felt so good. "I love you both... and... and I'm happy here... really... really happy. I could never have asked for better parents"
And I meant every word.
I was finally safe.
Review please... pretty please. All of you!
