Chapter 20

Bella POV

I sat comfortably across from Rosalie on her massive king-sized bed.

It felt so good to talk to somebody who understood where I was coming from, if only partially. Rosalie knew what it was like to be betrayed, but not this badly. She had been hurt by somebody who did not know who she really was. He was just the image of who the world thought she should be with, who the world wanted her to become. He didn't love her.

I was hurt by not one person, but seven. I was hurt by the only people who knew who the best of me was. They knew about every aspect of my life: everything I'd experienced, everything I cared about, what I loved, what I disliked, who I wanted to become. They loved me like nobody else did; they accepted me as part of their family. They took care of me, protected me, and listened to me. Rosalie had probably thought that she'd be with Royce for the rest of her life. I'd thought I'd be with the Cullens forever.

I told Rosalie a lot, but I'm sure that if it had been Alice, I would have said much more. I essentially told her the journey I had taken from the moment I was left in the forest by Edward. She was a good listener. She nodded and 'mhmm'-ed in all the right places, and she even held my hands when it became too much for me to handle. She could recognize when it was coming, too; my voice would break and my lip would tremble, but I tried to hold it together for Rosalie. I wanted her to like me, after all.

I had just finished my story when Carlisle appeared in the doorway. His eyes were fierce, but his expression softened as his eyes landed on me. I wiped away my tears with my hand and stood to walk clumsily over to him. I had one more step to go… And I tripped.

"Hi," I said embarrassedly as he caught me. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.

"Hello," he said laughing lightly. "I see someone is feeling better."

"I am," I said with a small smile, and new, different tears formed in my eyes. I was suddenly so happy to see him. I threw my arms around him to give him a hug, and suppressed a gasp at the pain I was still in. Naturally, it wasn't soft enough for their ears.

I looked up at Carlisle, and though he looked concerned about my physical condition, I couldn't help but notice how his eyes glowed with pleasure at my hug.

"Silly, you probably are feeling better emotionally, but not physically," he said, picking me up walking back over to the bed.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, silently asking him to stay with me. "I would break every bone in my body if it meant I could feel this way forever. Emotionally, I mean."

"That won't be necessary," he said, stroking my hair lovingly. "If you accept your place in this family, I promise you that you will. Not that you have a choice."

I rolled my eyes, even though I was the only one to know. This guy really cared about me.

"So… About… Um…" I didn't know how to put this. I buried my face into his shoulder embarrassedly. This didn't work out too well the last few times, my stubbornness preventing me from truly understanding what I was asking for. I decided to whisper, knowing that he could hear me and that it would help me speak. "Let's start over… Dad?"

I felt a blush form in my cheeks and move down my neck. This was way too embarrassing. What was I thinking?

Unexpectedly, Carlisle pulled back from our embrace and looked into my eyes. "Do you really mean it?"

I nodded shyly.

"Let's start over," he agreed, unable to contain a brilliant smile. "But not too much. Let's start a new beginning. We cannot forget what has happened; each member of this family, especially you, missy," he said, tapping my nose, "needs to heal from this. You are officially my daughter, inside and out."

I have never felt so complete.

SIX MONTHS LATER…

Carlisle POV

Life was better than it ever had been in my centuries of existence.

Not two weeks after our encounter with Charlie, we decided to pack up and move. Esme had had a house built years ago in a beautiful, sunny place away from humanity. I knew we wouldn't live there for too long of a time, but it was a nice place for our family to make memories and become stronger. Surprisingly, Bella did not object to our moving. True to her word, she was ready to begin a new life as a member of our family. She was making efforts to heal and cooperating with our every command.

Both physically and emotionally, Bella has improved immensely over the past six months. Her body has filled out much, eliminating the visible, bony areas that made her look so frail. Her skin is back to its normal, pale color. Even her hair is looking healthy again and has grown to a length in which Alice can style. Emotionally… Bella has become much stronger, but still has many self-esteem issues. There are times when I can see her hesitate or hear her heart rate hitch when she becomes anxious. More than once, I caught her crying in her room, but I, along with every other member of the family, am there to pick her back up when she's fallen down.

It's amazing how much more you can appreciate the things you have after a tragedy. I do believe that leaving my daughter behind and the events that followed were together the biggest tragedy of my life, one that I hope to never experience again for as long as I live. My family is the most important thing that I have, and I would do anything for each one of them.

THE END