Hello there! This one is short I know, but I will be posting the next chapter right after this one so it's a two for one, kinda. Sorry it has taken me so long to get this up. Okay so enjoy.

Alice POV

I listened to Bella's story, fearing that any minute I might burst into tears.

She talked of the appearance of a James Rowe, a bully from back home and how he showed up here.

She explained the fight that immediately ensued and how she had asked Edward not to get involved. Knowing Edward, he likely did not take that well.

I could practically hear him fuming, Bella does not trust him, and she is hiding something blah blah blah!

Bella is hurting now, so therefore she is my concern at the moment, not my immature brother and his dumb pride.

When she was telling me the story about James, I became slightly confused and she then had to tell me about her childhood to clear things up.

Bella began with all she could remember growing up, from her mother's neglect and substance abuse, to her father's alcoholism and eventual abuse of Bella in more ways then one.

Bella could hardly remember any of the sexual abuse or when it started for that matter, but estimating, she could pinpoint telltale signs starting at around age nine. When she explained why she could not recall many details entailing her abuse, I could no longer suppress my tears for her troubles.

Apparently her body had it's own defense mechanism.

A shield of sorts would go up and she would then slip out of consciousness, her body awake but her mind asleep.

This fact infuriated Bella the most.

She felt that in ceasing to be aware, she had inadvertently allowed her father to abuse her.

To her, she was to blame as well as her father.

I couldn't imagine dealing with things that she has lived through.

"But Alice! I don't know what to tell Edward, he will want the truth, but it is hard enough to tell someone something that you are deeply ashamed of," Bella said pausing to look down at her hands.

"It is another thing to try and explain that you practically let it happen to you and hope that they understand. How can Edward possibly want me after he knows about me? How can I tell him something I don't fully understand myself?" Bella asked more to herself then me.

"I can't imagine how Edward must be feeling right now, he must think the worst of me." Bella said softly.

Poor Bells!

She has had to go through so much and now all this!

And here she was worrying her little tush over Edwards's feelings!

"Hey Bella, Edward likes you, he may even love you for that matter. I would not count him out as of yet. He has been known to be very understanding, more so than me even. Give him a shot to show he can handle this! I am sure he will prove successful." I pleaded with Bella.

She had to know that my brother would not just up and walk away just because she had some problems.

That is not how we are.

" Bella dear, he and I may be as different as twins can be sometimes, but us Cullen's are fierce lovers. And if I am right, which I have no doubt I am, he loves you."

"Oh Alice I knew you would know all the right crap to say! Thank you for dealing with my mess!" Bella said throwing her arms around my neck.

I hugged her tightly in return.

Fierce like I said.

I love Bella just as much as Edward does or will, and I will have my eye out for any perverted, ass pinching, girl smacking, and Jasper punching bastards.

Ooh this mutha-whoops! Wait my mother taught me better than that.

The disgusting creature called James will regret all he has done to cause Bella distress and for hitting Jasper.

Wait and see.

"Hey Bella I think you and I could go for some ice cream and a movie, what do you think? We can be girly for a change!" I said trying to lift her mood.

"Uh Alice you are girly all the time! But I won't say no to ice cream!" Bella said laughing, her distress melting away for the moment.

'C'mon Bella, I just forgot I ate all the ice cream, we got to go buy some more." I said pulling her up of the bed.

She rolls her eyes at me and gives me a half smile.

"Oh and Bella? Smile like you mean it!" I say and we are out the door.

Hey folks, the next one should be up already so please review!!!.