I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Warning: Same warning as last chapter.
Ch 2
"Okay, maybe you technically weren't a hero that first day. However, you were the first person I could consider a friend. Emmett doesn't count since he was my brother. But I do remember the first time you both came to my real rescue."
Hero
(Bella, 6)
"Okay, class, please work quietly on your number bonds sheet. If you need help, raise your hand," Ms. Jeffries said.
The phone on her desk rang and she went over to answer it. After a few minutes, she hung up and came to me.
"Bella, you're being dismissed early. Get your things and head to the office," she told me.
"I am? Why?" I asked.
She shrugged. "Mrs. White didn't say. Perhaps, it's a doctor's or dentist's appointment. Go get your things so you're not late. I'll see you tomorrow."
I skipped down the hallway, wondering if it was Dad or Esme who was coming for me.
"Where are you going?" Emmett stopped as the rest of his class passed me. Edward paused, looking at me too.
"I'm being picked up. You're not?" I frowned.
"No. I'm going to PE," he answered.
"Emmett and Edward keep up with the class," his teacher called.
They rushed so they wouldn't get into trouble, and I continued on my way. I knew it couldn't be the dentist because Emmett and I went at the same time.
I walked into the office then stopped short. Standing by the front desk was my mother. When she saw me, she started to smile. But I knew that smile, it was the one she gave when she was mad but wanted a stranger to think everything was okay.
"Isabella, sweetie." She held out her arms for a hug, but I didn't go near her.
"Mrs. White, I'm not supposed to go with her. Dad and Esme said I need to tell an adult," I said to her.
"Nonsense. She's your mother. She's here for you," Mrs. White stated, looking at me over the top of her glasses. "And, young lady, you should address adults properly. It's Mrs. Cullen."
I was starting to get confused and scared. I was told to go to an adult for help and she wasn't helping me. I glanced at the principal's closed door and remembered he was a friend of Dad's.
"Mr. Thomas?" I yelled, running to his door, and started to bang on it.
"Miss Swan, that is enough. He's not even here." Mrs. White grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the door.
"I can't go with her. She hurt us, please, call my dad," I begged.
"Hogwash, I have known your mother since she went here. She wouldn't hurt a fly. A little girl belongs with her mother," she stated.
"What about Emmett?" I asked, hoping to stall.
"I'm sure he'll be fine with his father. Now come along, but first apologize to Mrs. White." Mom grabbed my arm tightly, making me wince.
"I hope my daddy sends you to jail," I hissed, glaring at Mrs. White. She blinked and frowned at me.
"That is quite enough." Mom pulled me to the door then whispered in my ear. "Not another word or you will pay."
I couldn't help but start to cry. She took us along the path which ran along the field. Leaning against a car was Mom's boyfriend who had tried to play doctor with me. I glanced around the field for Emmett and Edward's class. I spotted them both half a field away.
"Emmett!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Isabella, shut up." Mom covered my mouth with her hand.
I bit it, and she screamed, yanking it away. I used that moment to run toward Emmett, who was already racing my way, but Edward was faster than him. Before I could get to them, the mean man grabbed my arm and twisted it.
"Let her go," Edward yelled and tried to push the man from me.
However, the man was bigger and pushed Edward to the ground. Emmett lunged and tackled his knees, sending us all to the grass Mom tried to grab me, but I scurried to my feet, throwing my lunch bag in her face.
"Come on." Edward grabbed my hand, pulling out of her reach.
"What's going on here?" Coach was running in our direction.
"He will send me with them like Mrs. White." I started to panic.
Edward yelled. "Run."
"Not so fast." The bad man reached for me while still on the ground, but Edward kicked at him.
We ran for the road as fast as our legs would take us. Emmett was somewhere behind us. My foot caught on a rock, and I fell to the ground, skinning my knee.
"Get up, Bella, they're coming!" Emmett said.
"It hurts," I whimpered.
"Emmett, help her get on my back and take her bag," Edward ordered.
Edward kneeled and Emmett lifted me on. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he took off again. Emmett ran alongside of us.
"This is the wrong way to the police station," Emmett hollered.
"I know. I'm taking her to my dad. Bella's hurt and it's closer. He'll call yours," Edward said.
We hurried down the rest of the street and took a left. People turned and looked in our direction, but we kept going. The mailman even called out to us to stop as we passed him. We didn't stop until we burst through the door of the clinic.
"What on earth; is someone chasing you?" Ms. Shelly, the receptionist, looked at us in shock.
"My mom and her jerk boyfriend. They tried to kidnap Bella. Call my dad!" Emmett yelled, sounding out of breath.
"We need my dad too, Bella's hurt," Edward added.
She stood from her chair and went to the hall. "Dr. Cullen, we have an emergency at the front!" She headed back to her desk and picked up the phone.
When Dr. C appeared, he had his cellphone to his ear, looking worried. He spotted us and frowned. "Esme, all three are in my lobby… I don't know, but I'll find out. Meet us here and can you call Charlie?"
"I'm already on it," Ms. Shelly interrupted while still on the phone.
Dr. C nodded and hung up. "Bella, can you walk?" He eyed my knee.
I shrugged and climbed down from Edward's back. I limped toward him, and Dr. C tried to pick me up. I uncontrollably started to shake, and he set me back down.
"Whoa, it's okay. I was just going to take you to an examining room to clean up your knee," he said calmly.
"Dad, her mom tried to take her," Edward told him, taking my hand.
"I've heard, but you're safe here. I won't let her take you, okay, sweetheart?" Dr. C said softly to me.
"I want my dad," I whispered.
"He'll get here as soon as he can. While we wait, can I clean your knee?" he asked.
"Can Emmett and Edward come with me?" I asked, grabbing their hands.
Dr. C gave me a small smile. "Yes."
He brought us to a room and warned me this time before he picked me up to place me on the table. Edward and Emmet took seats in the chairs. Dr. C started to clean me up and whatever he used was stinging, making my eyes tear.
"Sorry I'm being as gentle as I can, but I need to get the dirt out," he explained as rubbed some cream on it.
Edward brought me a tissue then hopped up on the seat next to me and held my hand. Dr. C placed a large Band-Aid on it.
"That should do it. Does anything else hurt?" he asked.
"My arm." I held it out.
He pushed up my sleeve and he examined the red marks. "Did your mother do this to you?"
"Yes, and her boyfriend… and Mrs. White," I answered hesitantly.
His eyebrows rose. "Mrs. White? Bella, can you tell me everything that happened?"
He was silent as I told him the whole story.
"You told Mrs. White your father was going to arrest her?" Dr. C questioned, smiling slightly.
"Uh-huh. I was mad. Am I in trouble? I tried to go to an adult like Mrs. Cullen said, but Mrs. White wouldn't help. She said girls belong with their moms." Tears slipped down my cheeks.
"No. None of you are going to be in trouble. I think all the adults will understand why you ran," Dr. C promised, then turned to the boys. "That was a very brave thing you did, helping Bella get away. Are either of you hurt?" he asked them.
"No, sir." Edward shook his head.
"My arm does. I landed on it when I tackled James," Emmett admitted, holding up his left arm.
"How about you exchange places with Bella so I can take a look." Dr. C helped me down.
Edward and I took the chairs as Emmett hopped on to the table. Dr. C examined it with a frown. Emmett winced and made a hissing noise when Dr. touched it.
"You have some swelling, so you'll need an X-ray to make sure it's not broken. I'll place the order in, and your dad can take you," he said. "While we wait, I'll go get you some ice."
Dr. C went to the door and opened it. Esme's hand was raised, looking about ready to knock.
"Is everyone alright?" She flew past him and gave Emmett a hug first then Edward and me. "Your dad was right behind me in the parking lot. What happened to your knee…and your arm?" She whirled back to Dr. C. "Did you see this?"
"Of course, dear," he answered.
"Did you take pictures?" she demanded. "There are fingerprints on her arm."
She spoke so loudly that I jumped. Edward grabbed my hand.
"Esme, you're scaring them," Dr. C told her calmly.
"Oh, dears, I'm sorry. I'm angry with your mother—not you. She shouldn't have done this." Esme hugged me again.
"It's okay, Mrs. Cullen," I said.
"Since when do you call me Mrs. Cullen?" she asked, smoothing my hair.
"Mrs. White said kids should call adults by their proper names," I answered.
"Mrs. White is also the one that hurt her arm," Edward grumbled.
"She what?" Esme frowned, then looked at me.
"Both her, Mom, and her boyfriend grabbed my arm. I don't know who those belong to," I answered.
"Well, I will be having a talk with Mrs. White. As for your mother and James, they're behind bars at the moment." Dad spoke from the doorway.
"Daddy!" I stood and limped forward.
He picked me up in his arms and hugged me tightly. "I've got you, Bells. Are you okay, son?"
"Dr. C says I need an X-ray. My arm hurts," Emmett said.
"I saw the guy you tackled. I'm not surprised you're banged up too. I'm proud of you protecting your sister." Dad gave him a side hug. "Edward, thank you as well."
"He carried me all the way here," I told Dad.
"That was a good three miles—impressive," Dad said.
"Charlie, I already called ahead, the ER knows to expect Emmett." Dr. C returned and gave Emmett an ice pack.
"I can take Bella home; so she's not waiting around," Esme offered.
"That would be helpful." Dad nodded. "Are you okay with that, Bella?"
I hesitated for a moment then nodded. He placed me on my feet, and I went to stand with Esme. She placed her hand on my shoulder.
"What about our things? They're still at school," Edward asked.
"I'll go pick them up. Dr. Gerandy is covering for me for the rest of the day," Dr. C told him.
H
When we arrived back at the house, Esme made us a snack. Then she gave me some medicine since I was still very sore.
"Edward, I would like you to practice the piano," she told him.
"Do I have to?" He frowned.
"Yes, you have a recital coming up. Besides, you can play the song you've been working on for Bella. I bet it would cheer her up." She gave him a Mom look.
"Okay." Edward grinned.
He led me over to the piano and gestured for me to sit on the bench beside him. He shuffled a few papers around then started to play. I recognized the tune immediately and started to giggle.
"Scooby-Doo?" I beamed.
Edward played the song a few times and I sang along each time. After the third time, Esme started to clap for us.
"I am glad to see you in a better mood. I've been thinking, Bella, would you like to take piano lessons like Edward? I could talk to his teacher about teaching you too when she comes over," she offered.
I shook my head. "No thank you. I don't want to learn the piano, I like singing better," I answered her.
"Well, it just so happens she gives voice lessons too." Esme smiled.
"There's something wrong with my voice?" I frowned.
Esme chuckled. "Of course not, dear. You have a pretty singing voice. A teacher can help you learn to read music and breathing techniques."
I shrugged. "Okay."
"I'll go give her a call. Edward, you've put in your time if you want to do something else." Esme ruffled his hair.
"Mom." He ducked and tried to flatten his hair then turned to me. "Do you want to read comics?"
I nodded eagerly.
"I'll go get some and bring them down here, so you don't need to use the stairs. I'll be right back." He hurried away.
"So, Bella, are you still planning on marrying Edward?" She winked at me.
"Mm-hmm." I nodded.
Hero
"Back then I felt guilty Mrs. White lost her job. However, now years later, I realize how much worse that day could've ended up if you and Em weren't out on the field. Thankfully, it was the last I ever saw of Renée. She never tried again after serving time for attempted kidnapping. I overheard our parents saying it was never about me anyway. She only wanted my dad to give her money." I leaned forward and brushed the hair off his forehead, wishing I could see his eyes.
A/N: As Bella said, this is the last we see of Renée. Luckily Bella and Emmett have three adults who will be there for them.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.