Notes: I would like to remind you all that this story will be much more graphic in its descriptions than the majority of my stories. It will contain graphic mentions of childhood sexual abuse and incest. Talk of child neglect, coercion and ptsd. This being said updates for this story will be much slower than my usual updating pattern because the topics are going to be heavy. This is an M rated story and may be difficult for some readers to digest. Please do not read if any of these things are a trigger to you. Do not put yourself in a position that you may be triggered by this because that is the last thing I want.
If anyone is needing support in anyway please do not suffer in silence, know that there is help out there and that you are never alone. I have included a few useful links to resources and helplines if anyone feels the need to reach out, alternatively my inbox is always open if you need to chat or even just want to say hi. Please please take care of yourselves.
Much love always,
Nell xoxo
For those in the UK: .uk/helpful-links/ this link will take you to a page that includes many different links to support services, advice and information.
For those in the US and Canada: /helpful-resources/abuse-survivor-resources-usa-canada/
For those in France and other areas of Europe: https//links/sources-of-help-for-survivors/
I apologise that I cannot provide more specific links but I wanted to make sure that I was offering options to as many readers as possible, unfortunately I live in the UK and don't have access to every option out there. I just felt it was important that if anyone needs help they feel like they have somewhere to begin looking.
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Once the School day was over with the Cullen children made their way home quickly. Alice only pausing long enough to call their 'father'/coven leader and request his presence at home.
Emmet and Rosalie being the first out of the silver Mercedes. Flashing into their extremely large house and standing in the living room waiting patiently or rather impatiently depending on who is asked on the rest of their coven congregating. Rosalie was unusually quiet as she rocked back and forth on her heels. Displaying her nerves in a rather uncommon way for the usually unemotional and closed off vampire.
Emmet was a ball of energy. Much like his usual self only worse, his childish glee causing his eyes to shine with such excitement it was blatantly obvious for Esme and Carlisle when they arrived in the room to see that something big had happened.
The rest of the Cullen kids all came in with small smiles gracing their lips, trying their hardest to contain their emotions. Wanting their 'brother and sister' to have their moment. Each taking a seat around the room. Alice plonking herself down on Edwards lap while Victoria sat tucked under Jasper's arm.
"I am assuming by Emmet and Rosalie's expressions and the rest of your unusual quietness that something has happened?" Carlisle questioned. His tone soft and enquiring as he and Esme took a seat on the love seat in the middle of the room. Both turning towards the aforementioned couple.
"Yes yes" Rosalie murmured quietly, pausing to gather her courage. "We met our mate today" she couldn't help the wistful smile that slipped past her usual defences as she glanced at their 'parents'.
"Isabella Swan" Emmet interjected, his voice full of all the excitement you would expect to see on the faces of children spotting gifts under their tree on Christmas morning. For to him it was a gift. The best gift he and his Rosie could have been granted.
"Your mate? Chief Swans daughter?" Carlisle asked, wanting clarification.
"Congratulations, that's amazing!" Esme cried happily as she got up to embrace them.
"Congratulations is right, we all know just how rare a gift a second mate is" Carlisle agreed as he too stood.
"Yes but.." Rosalie started but stopped. Unsure how to voice her hesitance. For how could she explain that she felt guilty? That she felt as if she was ruining the beautiful human girls life? They would have to turn her if they got involved. Taking away all chances she had at having a normal life. Of having children and growing old because Rosalie knew that as much as she has hated what she is she could never stay away from the girl now that she has seen her. She could already feel her heart crying out for the girl, feeling as if she were far to far away and she could never deny Emmet either. She would never be able to live with herself if she denied Emmet his second mate because he too would be feeling the pull like she was and if they didn't get the girl then she knew Emmet would never recover. She wouldn't either.
"But what Rosie?" Emmet asked curiously, his expression turning from utter glee to worry within seconds as he caught sight of his wife's agonised expression as she shook her head sadly.
"Rosalie is having doubts, she believes she would be destroying their mates life by denying her a chance of a human life. She feels selfish for knowing she won't be able to stay away from her second mate now that she has seen her" Edward answered for her and for once Rosalie was actually grateful to her brother for intruding on her thoughts. Normally she would have hissed at him or spat out an icy rebuff or accusation about him having no respect for her privacy. But as it was all she could do was look at him gratefully for she knew she would not have been able to voice any of her doubts out loud. She forced herself to take a breath and relax slightly as she felt Emmet wrap his arms around her in comfort.
"I just don't want her feeling like we have ruined her chances at any of that. It is the one thing that I wish I had. The one thing that still breaks me" she whispered, her expression heartfelt and longing. Emmet tightened his arms in response. Glancing around the room he was glad his family were there, he could see the concerned yet understanding expressions and knew his Rosie would be offered whatever she needed to help her navigate this.
"For what it is worth Rosalie, I don't think she will see it that way, from what I could see of her mind she needs us all as much as you and Emmet need her" Edward continued, clutching Alice slightly tighter too him as he allowed himself to finally feel the concern and heartbreak he had been suppressing ever since they had been in the cafeteria.
"What do you mean by all of that?" Emmet asked turning his gaze towards his brother.
"I can't read her properly, I could only hear little bits, the bits of her thoughts that were strongest or loudest I guess. But from what I could hear, I think Isabella's life has been nothing short of heart-breaking and although I couldn't hear much from what I can understand I am certain Rosalie that she needs us, a family, more than even she will admit but most specifically she will need YOU and Esme the most for I fear only you and Esme will be able to relate and understand what she has been through" his words were whispered, anger and discontent in his voice as he thought of the agony in the humans mind, knowing that she had been harmed greatly and warring with his want to be completely honest with Emmet and Rosalie about Isabella's past but knowing that it would be a betrayal to his knew human sister if he did so. Choosing half truth as the best route to help Rosalie understand her fears are unfounded but still respecting Isabella's right to privacy. After all her past was her past and if she were to tell it, it should be her decision to do so. No one else's.
"You mean?.." the blonde trailed off, horrified and heartbroken at Edwards words, knowing fine well there was only one reason he would name her and Esme specifically at being able to understand what the brunette had faced.
Though his grim expression and the anger in his eyes was answer enough. She turned into Emmets embrace, burying her face in his shoulder. Letting him ground her to the present moment as she tried desperately not to allow her beast to control her actions in a fit of uncontrollable anger. She would tare apart whomever had hurt her little mate. She would make them suffer in unimaginable ways and she would take pleasure in it.
Though with that conviction came the realisation that she didn't know anything about the situation and wouldn't, unless they could get their mate to trust them enough to open up.
"Okay" she finally whispered, finally allowing herself to believe what her brother said about Isabella needing them as much as they needed her. Though she wished so much that there was some other reason, ANY other reason as to why their human mate needed them.
"I'm going to have a new sister!!!" Alice bounced up, happily. Wanting to cheer Rosalie up and celebrate the conformation that Rosalie and Emmet would go after their mate.
Emmet chuckled, Rosalie trying but failing to hide a small smile at the enthusiasm her pixie like sister always seemed to display. How she and Edward were mated Rosalie did not know. Though she supposed it could only be an absolute tornado of a person like Alice that could ever balance out her brothers extreme melancholy.
-- Stepping out of her truck on Tuesday morning, Bella took a moment to breathe and scan the car park. Yesterday had been a whirlwind for the brunette and last night she had suffered yet another night terror that had woke her up at four am, shaking and sweating horrifically.
She hadn't been able to get back to sleep afterwards, she never could. No matter how hard she tried, once she had awoken she never could shake the overwhelming terror from her skin until she had scrubbed herself raw under the steaming spray of a shower. Her skin red and heated. It was the only thing she found that helped her calm down and feel ground once more. The feel of his hands, his sour breathe against her chilled skin always haunting her long after the nightmare was over, otherwise.
Her psychologist had told her that her need to shower after a nightmare was a normal response to trauma, though she had cautioned her about having the water too hot or scrubbing too hard. Something that she struggled with greatly. If the water wasn't scalding hot, if she didn't scrub her skin until it stung she never felt clean. So after her shower she had gotten dressed for the day, studied a little, completing some of next week's homework and then had gone down to scrub the kitchen and living room, both which were looking a little unkempt and had smelled a little of her fathers dirty socks before she had gotten to them. Afterwards she had cooked breakfast for herself and Charlie, all before the man came downstairs already dressed for work at seven am.
She knew she would be exhausted later, already could feel the bone deep tiredness settling inside her and she could only hope she could remain awake throughout her classes as to not draw attention to herself anymore than she would already.
Yesterday had probably not helped her case in the slightest if the whispers in the halls after lunch were anything to go by. Her defence of the Cullens had earned her more whispers than she had got prior to lunch. Which in itself had been a lot.
"Isabella right?" A soft sweet voice pulled her from her moment of collection and she felt her heart stutter a little as she turned, coming face to face with two of the kids she had defended yesterday. The blonde was completely gorgeous, as in runway model meets porcelain work of art gorgeous. Her tall slim frame meant she stood at least five or six inches talker than Bella, her hair a mesmerising gold that reminded her a lot of her saviour and those same golden eyes that doctor Cullen had sported took her breath away. The rather bulky male at the blondes side was in Isabella's eyes just as breath-taking. His muscle was pronounced but not in the 'in your face' type way but more in the athletic 'I've played for the school team since I was old enough to join' kind of way, he was a little shorter than the blonde but still several inches taller than Bella was. His soft baby face adding a level of adorable she really wasn't ready for.
"I'm Rosalie, this is Emmet" the blonde who she now recognised as the voice who had spoken to start with continued, offering a hand to the brunette and Bella desperately hoped they hadn't caught on to her gawking, though the playful twinkle in Rosalie's eyes and the small smirk that quirked at the corner of wine coloured lips told her that they had.
Bella smiled at them, reaching over to shake the gorgeous blondes hand, pretending she didn't see Emmets as she retracted, hugging her waist a little. She hoped he didn't take it personally, she didn't want to hurt his feelings but gorgeous or not she still struggled to feel safe enough to except any sort of physical contact with males. A lasting effect of her brothers evils.
"Hi, yeah it's Isabella but I prefer Bella, Isabella makes me sound old" she offered, smiling gratefully at Emmet when he dropped his hand without a word and smiled back at her.
"We wanted to come over and thank you for yesterday, no one has ever defended us before" the dark hair boy said sincerely, Rosalie nodding her agreement.
"Emmet is right, no one ever has but we are grateful you did. Our family might be a little unconventional to most but no one ever sees past that so thank you" the blonde murmured stepping a little closer to Bella. Before she could school her features the human felt a scowl slip onto her face at the thought of no one ever defending these two beautiful people. She didn't know what it was about them but she some how felt drawn to them in a way she had never experienced before.
"I'm sorry that that has been your experience, no one has a right to judge, especially when they're not even attempting to understand. Love is love in my eyes." She replied, hoping they would hear her genuine understanding. After all she had lived nothing but judgement for over a year in Phoenix from those who couldn't or just wouldn't attempt to understand her.
"It's alright, we are used to it by now, we don't let it get to us but it's nice to meet someone who is open minded for once" the blonde replied, offering the brunette a gentle smile as she rested her hip against her humans truck.
"We wanted to offer an invitation to hang out after school, moving can be difficult, especially in small towns" Emmet said, a cheerful grin splitting his face and Bella could have sworn the sight made her want to smile just as brightly. He reminded her of a Teddy bear, he seemed massive but she had a feeling that he was definitely more playful and easy going as his exterior suggested and his invitation made her feel a little excitement grow under her usual concoction of despair, fear and anger. Warming her a little. She could feel their genuine gratitude and wanted to get to know them.
"I'd love that, thanks" she replied, her voice more cheerful than it had been and she beamed when Emmet did a fist bump into the air before grinning at her cheekily. Her smile growing as she watched Rosalie watch Emmet fondly, rolling her golden eyes at him but smiling all the while.
"We can go to ours if you'd like? I could ride with you and direct you if that works?" The blonde offered wanting to ensure their mate found her way to their home safely and knowing she was probably the more comfortable option for the brunette.
Bella nodded, before picking up her rucksack.
"That sounds good, I'll meet you here at the end of the day?" She asked offering a smile and a wave as the two turned around and walked off to join the rest of their siblings who Bella had only just noticed stood a little ways away.
She smiled to herself as she walked towards the building knowing the bell would ring at any moment. Maybe today wouldn't suck as much as she had thought.