Oh wow, thanks to everyone for all the reviews on the last chapter! I hope you're all enjoying this story so far!

Trigger Warning: This chapter has depictions of violence and assault (nothing too graphic) so please read with caution x

Edward stepped out of the elevator as soon as the doors parted.

Striding through the hall, Edward ignored his brother's taunting thoughts as he walked ahead of them. He'd avoided going on hunts successfully, not wanting to leave Bella's side at all. Or at least he thought he'd been successful in avoiding it until Carlisle kindly chastised him for neglecting his thirst. If his father hadn't urged him to go hunt to avoid attacking a patient or Bella, Edward would have continued starving himself for the sole purpose of being there for her. He could honestly care less about his thirst right now...

Carlisle hadn't called him all day with any news of Bella's scans, so all he could do was hope it was something temporary and not damaging to Bella's health. Walking around the corner, Carlisle's troubled thoughts made Edward stop in his tracks. His father was standing outside Bella's room with a worried look on his face. The thoughts the mind reader heard were none too pleasant.

"Carlisle-"

"Get out..." Bella's soft, trembling voice made him stiffen as he heard two heartbeats in her room now. Both beating equally fast. Jasper placed his hand over his brother's shoulder, and the pained look on his face told him it was bad.

"Isabella-" Charlie's stern voice was broken by the loud slamming of something and the clanging of metal falling.

Edward grimaced as he heard Charlie's thoughts, seeing how Bella hit her hand against the table with her untouched food on it as she let her anger out. "Get out of here!" She glared down at her hand that must be throbbing now, but the tears that ran down her cheeks broke his heart and enraged Edward when he heard Charlie's incredulous thoughts next. Thoughts of Jacob and the story he and his father had somehow burned into the man. A twisted story of Bella falling after rejecting Jacob's kiss, resulting in what they made it out to be—an accident.

As Edward made his way to get Charlie out of the room before he did more damage, Carlisle was already marching in and interrupting the man before he could continue speaking.

Edward was so angry with Bella's father that he couldn't pretend to be amicable when their eyes met as Charlie stepped into the hall. With a cold, unreadable glance, Edward walked past him and into the room where he found the love of his life—sobbing in her arm to quiet herself.

He held her in his arms as best he could without aggravating her injuries more, soothed her with his kind, loving words that could not be more true at this moment, and when she was on the verge of a panic attack—he could not have been more grateful for his brothers.

Emmett and Jasper had been by Bella's side since she was taken to the hospital. They were just as bothered by this whole outcome as he was, just as upset and hurt to see Bella so distraught. They loved her and would protect her no matter what; Edward was sure of it now more than ever. Carlisle, too, the fiercely protective thoughts that had crossed his father's mind before he escorted Charlie out of the room were proof of that.

But it was Edward who contemplated what he would do to Jacob Black with the monster inside of him roaring to be let out. To stalk its prey and rid the world of his vile thoughts. Edward was glad Carlisle escorted Charlie out of the room when he had because, at this moment, he wasn't too sure how good his restraint would be now that he felt particularly murderous.

Alone in the room now, he watched Bella sleep next to him, breathing softly as she laid on her back, tear tracks staining her cheeks.

She won't be able to see...

Jacob had broken her trust, touched her in ways she didn't want and lied to get himself out of problems—with Charlie Swan at least. And now he'd taken her sight as well. Seeing how Bella is suffering now, Edward promised he would make Jacob pay.

Placing a kiss on her forehead, Edward couldn't help but smile as Bella nuzzled into him, her hand gripping his hand as she mumbled in her sleep.

"I promise I'll protect you." He whispered, vowing to her that he wouldn't ever leave her. Even if she pushed him away to spare his feelings, Edward would be there.

Esme stood in the doorway of Bella's room, her hand closed into a small fist as she took in her new daughter's bruised face and empty gaze as Bella turned her head towards the window beside her bed where the sun was warming her up with its rays of light.

Esme smiled at that.

Bella always did love the sun and warmth—the complete opposite of Forks—of her entire family. And yet, Bella loved them all the same. She accepted them more than Esme ever thought a human could.

Raising her fist, Esme gently hit her knuckles against the doorframe.

When Bella turned her attention to the door, Esme immediately noticed the blank look in her eyes be replaced by something more welcoming. Esme's heart ached as she recognized what the girl was doing, or at least trying to do by masking her sadness, "Yes?"

"Hello, Bella."

Bella granted the woman a genuine smile that relieved her as she greeted, "Hi, Esme."

Esme walked into the room and smiled as she noticed her son sitting on the other side of the bed, his hoodie pulled over his head as he feigned sleep. It would arouse suspicion once the nurses and doctors passed the room and noticed Edward constantly staying up all night long. He and his brothers often pretended to sleep at night or early in the morning to ensure their secret was kept safe.

A nurse had been checking Bella's vitals when Esme walked in before excusing herself, a blush appearing on her cheeks when she realized she'd been blatantly staring at Esme with wonder. Esme thanked the young woman as she passed her on the way out before walking over to Bella.

Setting down a small bag on the foot of the bed, Esme smiled as Edward tilted his head up to meet his mother's gentle gaze. He smiled at her as he pulled his hood down, his unruly bronze hair making an appearance as the strands framed his face.

"I brought you some breakfast. Carlisle said you could eat normal food now, but I think it'd be safer if you ate something a bit more substantial."

Bella smiled, "I think I'd take anything other than hospital food at this point."

Esme and Edward chuckled, "Well, I hope you'll enjoy what I cooked for you."

As delicious as Bella thought Esme's cooking was, the strain she'd been put under over the last few days was evident when Bella lost her appetite completely after a few bites of buttered toast. Esme sat beside the bed, quietly observing how Edward would hand her the styrofoam cup of coffee or describe what was in the lunch box Esme had brought for her. Esme filled with pride for her son as she watched him gently take Bella's hand as he slowly walked her to the bathroom afterward.

"I'll be right outside the door. Call me when you're done," as Edward closed the door behind him and rested his back against the wall, he gave his mother a small crooked grin, "I'm trying not to be overbearing...she'll get annoyed if I try to help her too much."

"You're doing an excellent job so far," she encouraged as she smoothed her hands over her navy blue slacks, "I can't imagine it's easy for her to need help after clearly doing everything for herself all these years."

It was true. Esme had come to learn from Edward and Carlisle that Bella always took care of her mother, making sure she ate every night and sacrificing her own childhood by essentially becoming an adult so quickly. Constantly cooking and cleaning for Charlie since the man needed help on both ends, it seemed. On top of that, Bella prided herself in her studies and working her part-time job. Esme could only imagine what this is doing to the girl deep down.

"Carlisle and I will go speak to Charlie today when he comes to visit Bella," Esme said as she gathered up the lunch box that still had a good amount of untouched food in it. "Alice said it would be best if we spoke with him. If we tried to get, him to understand what truly happened on the reservation."

"I saw her vision," Edward ran a hand through his hair as they both listened to the running water of the faucet in the bathroom as Bella brushed her teeth. "He hasn't called Renee yet. He's probably planning on doing it once Bella is released."

Esme crossed her arms and frowned, "Do you think he'll be able to care for her?"

Edward closed his eyes. His brows pinched together as he contemplated what that could mean for Bella's recovery.

"I don't know anymore, mom. But what I do know is that I'm not letting Jacob near her again."

"And if Renee wants to take her?"

Esme could see the effect that question had on her son—could feel it because she knew Edward would suffer if they were separated again—but it was a question that had to be asked. Even though she also cared for Bella deeply, especially after the girl had saved her son from choosing death at the Volturi hands, Esme wanted the best for Bella.

Edward looked at Esme for a moment, but before he could answer her question, the soft sound of Bella's voice calling him made Edward turn and open the door to the bathroom.

"Sorry..." she heard Bella's apology resound with such guilt and sadness that Esme felt it in her heart. "The brace just makes it hard to move."

"Don't apologize, love. I'm here whenever you need me, remember?"

With a small, saddened smile, Esme turned on her heel and slowly walked out of the room. It was a slow-building realization that led her to Carlisle's office on the third floor and determination that urged her to speak as soon as Carlisle opened the door for her to walk in.

Before Carlisle could so much as speak another word, Esme turned and faced her husband.

"I have a suggestion that I want you to consider."

The crashing of the waves drowned out everything around her. The pale sunlight blinding her, making it impossible for her to keep her eyes open.

Rough, warm hands gripping her arms that she couldn't shake away no matter how hard she tried to run away. Her legs wouldn't work. They didn't allow her to move.

"You're playing games with me, aren't you?!"

The press of his lips against hers silenced her cries even after she tried pushing him away with all her strength.

Stop...

"Just tell me you care for me the same way I do!"

She couldn't see him...

There was nothing but darkness and the faint sound of her name being called over and over. She wanted to scream for someone, anyone, to get her away from his painful grip. She was so desperate that she shoved him away, cursed him with her frightened gaze, and at that moment, when she recalled the pure anger in his brown eyes, Bella felt frozen once again. His hands shoved her down onto the cold, wet sand, and the only thing she felt was the ear-piercing crack of her bones as her spine hit the rocks and her head slammed against the ground.

Bella...

And then...there was nothing. Absolutely nothing left as the darkness closed in on her.

"Bella!"

Bella opened her eyes wide with a start as her heart pounded in her chest, hard enough that it hurt her chest. Attempting to sit up as soon as she realized that she couldn't see anything, Bella tried to push away the hand on her shoulder.

"No...no!"

"Bella, it's me, Edward. It's me..."

Hearing his soft, pained voice breaking through the horrible roaring of her mind, Bella let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in.

"E-Edward?"

She was lying stiffly on her side now; she could feel her hand clutching the blanket on her bed in a vice grip. Her gaze, though feeling disoriented, saw nothing but shadows once again. Instead of seeing Edward's breathtaking face to comfort her, all she had now was his gentle touch that she'd just pushed away and his voice that sounded saddened now.

There was nothing else.

"I can't see..." tears filled her eyes instantly because she knew that no matter how much she said it from now on...no one could turn on the light to cast away the shadows in her vision.

Edward's arms gathered her up, bringing her close to his chest as his hand cupped the back of her head. Encasing her in his comforting embrace helped calm her down slightly as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Edward placed a kiss on her shoulder, not speaking a word because there were no words the could help ease her heartache right now. Bella wondered how he knew exactly what she needed without her asking for it. She was so lost every time she woke up, but Edward was always right beside her, holding her hand and speaking softly every morning to tell her she was safe—still in the hospital.

And even though it did little to take the pain and fear away, Bella found solace in Edward's persistence—comfort and safety in his arms that she wasn't sure she would ever be able to feel again on her own...

As she stared at the empty space over Edward's shoulder, Bella clenched her fists to feel the familiar sting of her nails biting her palms. Trying to feel anything other than this unending sadness that wouldn't go away. The insecurities and fear that had somehow dragged her down into the darkness.

Someone, please tell me this isn't real...please.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. Seth had come to visit her once more, which made her smile, helping her distract her mind from the fact that she could barely move or see with his warm presence.

"Paul said he wanted to come to see you," Seth said timidly, and she didn't have to see to know that Edward had tensed beside her as soon as the boy mentioned another member of his pack.

"Paul? Really?" Bella asked incredulously, remembering clearly how Paul had often referred to her as the leech lover after their first tumultuous encounter. After she'd defended J—him from Sam and the pack, not fully understanding what was going on exactly at the time.

"Well, sort of," Seth chuckled nervously from his seat beside her bed, "He pretty much said with a few bad words that he couldn't leave the rez yet when I told him I was heading over to the hospital today."

Bella played with the edge of the blanket that was draped over her legs, "Why's that?"

"Sam's orders. He wants the others to stay on the reservation for the time being."

"Will you be in trouble for being here, Seth?" Edward asked cautiously, voicing Bella's own concern for Seth's wellbeing.

Seth seemed to shrug in response, "Nah, Sam knows that I really wanted to be here to see Bella, so after I practically begged him—he caved and told me I was on patrol duty for a while at night."

That was surprising, but Bella didn't truly have enough space in her mind for any of it as it had all been taken up by what happened to her, what she had to do to recover from the accident, and how she was going to live again once she was out. Right now? It all seemed impossible to her.

"Thank you for coming, Seth."

"Of course, Bells," Seth said softly with a kind smile that warmed her heart when she could hear it in his voice.

Regardless of what had led them to be where they were now, Bella was grateful to have Seth by her side. It was comforting to know that he didn't somehow blame her for what happened on the beach. He didn't question it or tell her to speak to Jacob either.

She closed her eyes as yesterday's events unfolded before her again.

Charlie didn't seem willing to listen to her. To question what Jacob had done that she didn't want to see him right now—or ever.

It saddened her, but more than anything but Bella was angry—at her father, Jacob, and Billy for speaking to Charlie before she had a chance to. Then again, maybe she would have just kept it all to herself, or at least she would have tried to keep it to herself. There were so many thoughts and emotions going coursing through her that she wasn't sure if she should express them, let them spill out of her like an endless dam, or...bury it all under the ground.

The latter sounded better. It wouldn't burden anyone if she controlled her emotions more. Hid them away until she was all alone.

No one needed to know...Not Edward or Jasper, not Carlisle or Esme or even her parents.

It was better that way. Right?

Charlie had barely stepped into the hall when he noticed Dr. Cullen and one of his sons standing in the hall, the burly-looking one with curly hair. Who was he again? For the life of him, Charlie couldn't recall the boy's name but was astounded every time he saw his towering height and noticeable muscles.

Carlisle noticed him first and gave a polite nod, although the usual warm smile didn't seem to reach his eyes, "Chief Swan."

His son, however, didn't appear to look too pleased to see him as he barely acknowledged him before excusing himself, knocking on the doorframe before walking into Bella's hospital room. Peering into the room, Charlie noticed that another doctor appeared to examine Bella as he took the neck brace off. Edward was sitting next to her and holding her hand in silent support.

Charlie frowned as he unintentionally thought bitterly to himself.

Of course, he would be...

The third son was in there as well, sitting next to Esme on the couch by the wall to the left. Jasper, he reminded himself.

Practically all the Cullens were crammed into the room, surrounding Bella as if she were a part of their family. Charlie was starting to question what he was doing here at all...but that may only be the vexation he felt over the entire situation Bella had been put in.

A part of him questioned Jacob's story many times yesterday after he argued with Bella. It didn't add up—none of it did, and he still couldn't bring himself to understand how Bella could have fallen hard enough to become this injured. The bruises on her face and arm made it difficult to look at her without feeling a wave of painful emotions crashing into him. If Charlie knew anything about himself at this point, he could not handle too many emotions. In a way, he felt wildly inadequate to be a father.

Maybe he should apologize to Bella and explain-

"Bella has been recovering well from her back injury. She'll have to do some rehabilitation in the hospital every week but walking should be okay if she doesn't push herself too much," Carlisle interrupted his thoughts as his soft voice broke through the silence that had stretched on between the two men. "There is the lack of vision that will be difficult for her to adjust, but it's not impossible."

"So she can come home today?" Charlie asked awkwardly as the doctor had been observing Bella silently with him from the doorway. She was smiling up at the tallest Cullen as the young man made a joke with a wide grin, granting soft chuckles from the others.

Carlisle turned to face him slowly with an unreadable expression on his face before nodding, "She can go home tonight if all goes well.

"Great..."

"Have you considered the best way to help Bella transition into the house?"

Charlie frowned, "Transition? What do you mean?"

"Well, Bella will need to become acquainted with her surroundings, and I'll make sure to give her a walking stick as soon as possible," Carlisle paused as he waited for Charlie to look at him again since his gaze nervously shifted back to Bella, "it's important that she feels comfortable and safe in her own home, Charlie."

Safe...

"Did she tell you anything about Jacob? Did she say she didn't feel safe because of that? Because I don't know what she told you but-"

"She told me enough," Carlisle cut him off before he could dig an even bigger hole for himself than he already had, and by the looks on Carlisle's face, he'd managed to do just that. The doctor's amber-colored eyes that were normally warm like honey appeared to be much darker as he regarded Charlie in a cooler tone, "and as a father, I would first choose to listen to my child when something traumatic has happened to them. For their safety and so that they can know that they can trust me."

Charlie parted his lips, but this time, no objections slipped past them.

He felt at a loss for words.

Anger was the first emotion he felt, and he wanted to tell Carlisle he had no right to tell him how to parent. But as he looked to Bella, seeing the sadness in her brown eyes that had suddenly replaced the amusement she'd been expressing with Edward and his brother, Charlie suddenly lost all the fight he felt.

"I uh, I thought about sending her to Renee...she'll be better at this than me, I think."

"I believe that isn't up for you to decide, Charlie. It's up to Bella seeing as she's eighteen now. And I'd like to say that whatever she decides, we should all support her decision." Carlisle stated seriously as Charlie turned to walk into the room, properly overwhelmed by everything now after having this conversation with the doctor. But as it would seem, more than one Cullen was willing to let him in on a piece of their mind too.

Esme stepped into the hall before Charlie could walk into Bella's room and smiled at him, "Before you go in there, Chief Swan may we speak with you about one more thing? It's important that you hear this."

Thanks for reading x

What do we think about Esme and Carlisle so far in terms of how they're approaching Charlie?