Chapter 49 Interview (bella pov)
The session with Rebecca was hell I barely remember leaving the office and Edward driving me back to Carlisle and Esme's. It wasn't until I saw Renesmee that I felt a little releived and hugged her tight to me until she began to wriggle in my arms. When I let her go she looked at me with worry so I plastered a fake smile and dutifully ate the muffin she handed to me even though I felt sick to my stomach.
I was glad Edward didn't push me to talk about the session I knew that Rebecca thought it would be best that I told him everything but I just couldn't do it. When we put Renesmee to bed he took me to the music room and played soothing music with me lent against his shoulder. I didn't realise just how much this relaxed me and made me feel almost normal. Even so I tossed and turned all night knowing that when the police came over to take my statement I couldn't hide anything especially if I wanted to see them go to Jail when they were eventually arrested.
I'd gotten up early to clean the kitchen and living room. Renesmee had woken up once in the night crying but didn't take long to soothe back to sleep. She let Edward hold her tight and he hummed a lullaby I didn't recognise and before I knew it she was spark out.
It still hadn't been fully decided where she would finally end up Jayne was working on things for us. I knew that if she could persuade them to let us foster or adopt her permanently then she would. I knew no matter the cost to myself I would fight tooth and nail for her.
"Hey you." Edward greeted he had a sleepy looking Renesmee in his arms.
"What are you two doing up so early?" I asked walking over to them and giving them a big hug.
"Well we wondered where you were, Renesmee came in for a cuddle this morning and we noticed that you weren't in bed so decided to come and see where you are." He said raising his eyebrows.
"I'm sorry honey I wasn't very sleepy so I decided to get up and get some cleaning done. I'm sorry I missed cuddles." I told her pouting kissing her cheek causing her to giggle.
"Well why don't you two go curl up on the couch and watch telly whilst I make us some breakfast." Edward suggested handing me Renesmee.
I still felt a little weak so holding her took a bit out of me especially in the ribs which pulled uncomfortably but I did as he suggested and took Renesmee into the living room where we curled on the sofa and watched cartoons. She stayed in my lap curled up against my chest whilst I held her tight and just enjoyed our time together. Edward eg after all it wasn't like he was cooking a full English was it.
Renesmee sat between us whilst we ate in silence her eyes still glued to the T.V. A little before nine, I shooed them upstairs to get dressed while I cleared away the breakfast pots and made sure the kitchen was clean. I had decided that the kitchen was probably the best place to have the conversation as it wasn't the living room where we relaxed. Once I had the kitchen spick and span I headed upstairs to get dressed. I decided on a pair of jeans and a jumper something comfortable.
"Bella" I voice whispered behind me I spun round to see Renesmee stood with a wonky pony tail on the side of her head. My first thought was that she did it herself but I'm probably guessing that Edward had a go at putting up her hair.
I tried not to smile "Did Edward try doing your hair?" I asked smiling.
She nodded her head "Urm he offered and I didn't want to say no but…" She trailed off.
"Hey it's perfectly ok to say if you don't like something. Do you want me to redo your hair?" I asked holding up my brush.
She nodded her head and I patted the bottom of the bed she ran over and hopped onto the end crossing her legs. Being as gentle as I could I pulled the hair tie from her hair and brushed her hair out until it shone and was nice and smooth. I then gathered up her hair and pulling it to the middle of her head brushing out any bumps before putting in the tie. "There all better." I said smiling.
"So I'm guessing that I need to practise my hair skills then?" Edward asked standing in the door way. Renesmee stiffened in front of me and her big wide eyes looked fearfully towards Edward. Sensing her distress he came into the room and knelt in front of her "Sweetie I'm not cross in the slightest I know I did a terrible job of your hair and its ok to come running to Bella to sort it out for you. What I said a minute ago was a kind of joke and would it be so bad for me to practise tying hair up so next time it isn't so bad." He said giving her a big smile.
It took a couple of minutes but eventually she began to relax you could almost see her trying to work through what Edward had said. Finally she took a deep breath "So if there is something I don't like or want to do then I can tell you?" She asked quietly.
"Yep 100% and then we can talk about it. Sometimes as the adults me or Bella will decide something that perhaps you don't like but you still have to do like eating brussels or doing your homework, you may not want to do it but it's in your best interest that you do." Edward explained.
Before either me or Renesmee had chance to respond the doorbell went. I shared a look with Edward that would be the police. "Are they coming to take me away because I don't want to go?" She asked looking back over her shoulder at me.
"No honey I'm not going to let that happen they are here to talk to me about what happened but Edward is going to take you for a walk perhaps go and get some ice cream then when you come back they will be gone and we can watch a film or do some baking." I told her hugging her close.
The doorbell rang again a little longer this time. Edward jumped up to answer whilst I got Renesmee into her shoes and a warmer jacket. We headed downstairs together to find them in the kitchen. Renesmee clung to my hand so tightly that it hurt a little.
A male and female Police officer sat at the table each with a mug in front of them they gave both of us a smile I smiled back but Renesmee hid behind me.
"Come on then kiddo lets head out for that walk." He said Renesmee let go of my hand taking Edwards.
I took a seat at the other end of the table and waited until I heard the door shut behind them before I started talking "I didn't want Renesmee to overhear anything so I thought it would be best if she and Edward went out for a while." I explained.
"That's understandable Mrs Cullen at some point we are going to need to question Renesmee as well." The female officer explained.
"No I'm sorry not going to happen without a child psychologist at hand officer…" I didn't know their names.
"Wilson but please call me Ruby. We have trained officers who know how to handle cases involving children." She explained.
"Well I'd rather you'd concentrate on catching the men responsible for putting her in that situation in the first place. Do you even have any idea where they are?" I asked my anger rising to the surface.
"All we know is that they are not in the state so you are not in any immediate danger." Ruby responded letting her words sink in before continuing "Now we need you to recall what happened from start to finish for me." She told me placing a recorder between us.
I closed my eyes taking a couple of deep breaths. Wringing my hands in my lap I started telling them the sordid tale. From the hassle Mike gave me in school and how Michelle didn't believe me, the way he kidnapped me in school and locked me in the boot of the car.
Through the explanation I could hear my voice in my head it was nothing but monotone and I sounded half dead. A part of me really wished that I was. I explained how I was tied to a table a replica of the one my father used my voice faltered as I came to the part I just wanted to forget. I paused taking a few deep breaths.
"Bella do you need a break?" Ruby asked.
I shook my head before barely managing to get out in a whisper what he had done to me. It was out there three people now knew and I didn't know what to say. I carried on staring at my feet the room had a deathly silence and I didn't know what to do next.
"Thank you Mrs Cullen for being so honest and open with us, I do need to ask if you'd consent to a rape exam." Ruby asked looking in my direction. I shook my head over and over I was not going to be able to do that again I couldn't.
"I understand your concern and fear but I have to insist that it would be best in terms of catching these men and putting them in prison." Ruby argued trying to get me to agree.
"I'm sorry I don't get it how is me having to go through that going to help you to catch these guys?" I asked glaring at them.
"It won't but the evidence we can collect will help the case." She replied.
"No it's not going to happen is that clear?" I practically yelled at them.
"Ok we can't force you to do anything." Ruby conceded looking at me.
I nod my head and take a couple of deep breaths "what will happen to Renesmee we still haven't heard anything about where she was going to live permanently."
"That's in the hands of the social but from what we know they are still of the mind that it would be best if she has a fresh start." Ruby told me.
"Well I am telling you now that she is staying with me and that is the best place for her. I will fight everyone for her. No matter what." I told her standing and glaring at her.
"I'm sorry but…" Ruby began but I put my hand up to stop her.
"Is there anything else I can do for you officers?" I asked trying to keep my voice steady.
"No Mrs Cullen that's all for today." Ruby responded before they both left my kitchen and my house.
The doors had barely shut before the tears spilled onto my cheeks my legs gave out and I sank to the bottom step of the stairs and sobbed my heart out. I didn't know how long I was there but when I heard Renesmee's laugh just outside the front door I managed to scramble up the stairs on my hands and knees and into my room shutting the door behind me. Rather than sinking down on the bed I go round the side and sink to the floor curling up into a tight and closing my eyes. I heard Edward call my name but I ignored him I hopped that he would get that I needed some time to myself and would give it to me.
I heard the door open and I squeezed my eyes shut I felt his arms wrap around my stomach. I pulled away as far as I could get. Shaking my head I held my arms out at length I couldn't look at him but he needed to know that I couldn't have him here not see me like this. He got the message and left me alone in the room closing the door quietly behind him.
At the moment I was alone and I couldn't handle anything else other than that.
