On My Way
Chapter 3
"Girls! It's so good to see you again." Esme hugged us all as she walked in the dorm.
"You too mom."
"Pack an overnight bag, I've cleared it and we're having a sleepover." Esme squealed like Alice.
I looked to Alice in a panic.
"You sure dad want us all there?"
"Carlisle won't be home until morning. He's working a double and we're meeting him for breakfast." Esme informed us.
"I- I think I'll stay here. I don't feel so good." I shook my head and walked toward my room.
Esme reached out and took my arm and I grimaced.
"Bella what happened?"
"Mom, she just slept wrong." Alice tried.
"Mary Alice." Esme warned. "Isabella Swan, tell me what's going on so I can help."
"Mom you need to come sit." Alice pulled her over to the couch.
Once Esme was seated I began to tell her what happened from the beginning, including the costume.
"Oh Bella!" Esme was up and holding me while I cried. "We need to get this reported and get a rape kit done. My son or not."
"I'm so sorry Esme."
"Why are you apologizing? He did this! He needs to pay!"
She drove us to the ER, called my dad on the way the exam was done by the time he was there and we filled him in on what had happened.
"I'm having patrols go there right now." My dad growled.
"No dad. Let campus security take care of it."
"They're not equipped." He snapped.
I started crying.
"Charlie. A word?" Carlisle motioned for him to step outside.
"Look, I know this is your son, but he needs to be arrested." I could hear my dad's voice raise at the end.
"I agree. Bella has always been like a daughter to us. No woman should have this happen to them. I'll bring him in myself if you'd like." Carlisle said.
"Fine. I'm staying here a few days."
"I'm going to have Bella stay with Esme and Esme will drive her back and forth to classes. We've got room at the house if you'd like." Carlisle offered.
"No, I'm going to stay at a hotel. Sue is already there." He said the last part softer.
They reentered and Carlisle told me the plan for the next few days.
Alice and Rose said they'd gather my books and clothes so I wouldn't have to worry possibly running into Edward.
Esme put me in a guest room and we'd go to the police department in the morning to make a statement.
Carlisle gave me a sleeping pill, and I'd slept good for a few hours but when I woke up a few hours later I was confused and unaware of my surroundings and started screaming.
"Shhhh, Shhhh… It's OK." Esme was sitting in bed rocking me.
Sobbing on Esme "I told him no. I told him to stop."
"That's all that matters. Get some sleep." She held me until I fell asleep.
Waking up I find Esme sitting in the chair reading the morning paper, freshly showered.
"What time is it?" I croak out.
"A little after 8. Carlisle just got home and is showering; would you like some breakfast before we go?"
"No thank you. I don't think I can eat. I feel like I'm going to be sick." I shook my head.
"Alice and Rose are downstairs. Emmett brought them over." My eyes went wide.
"Relax. He dropped them off and left. We're having a girl's day." She smiled and I relaxed a little. "I really like Rose. I hope Emmett doesn't screw it up. They're perfect for each other." She smiled.
"Yeah. She'll be a great addition to your family." I said as tears ran down my face.
"Hey. You'll always be family, don't ever forget that." Esme sat on the bed with me. "I'm going to go get the girls. Go shower and they'll leave your clothes."
The drive to the station was quiet. I was a nervous wreck. Sitting in the back with Alice I cried on her shoulder the entire time.
Arriving, I saw my dad and Carlisle were already there and felt dizzy.
"Esme, I feel dizzy."
"I knew I should have made you eat. Carlisle will surely scold me." She tittered.
"Here, hold tightly to our hands. Esme walk behind us encase she drops." Rose sighed.
Luckily walking inside Edward wasn't insight.
"Bells, you look pale." My dad stated.
"Bella do you have a fever?" Mrs. Clearwater asked.
"No ma'am. I just feel dizzy."
"She didn't eat." Esme sold me out.
"Let's get her into a room." A detective said.
After I was settled into a room with my dad and Esme, because I refused to let go of her; another detective brought me in some orange juice and cookies.
"This will help. It's from our blood drive." He smiled kindly.
"I'm Detective Lee and this is Detective Carmen. Do you want to tell us what happened?"
So, I again told them what happened and for the first time my dad heard it all the way from the beginning.
"The young man's father has brought him here voluntarily, and he claims it was consensual. You're both 16, barely. Just having birthdays, I see." Detective Lee said.
"Yes sir. I turned 16 on September 13th and Edward's is June 20th."
"Is this just saying rape because he broke up with you?" the detective asked.
"Excuse me!" Esme interjected.
"And you are?" the detective asked.
"I am that young man's mother. But this poor girl is like a daughter to me. Look at the pictures of her body. Look what he did to her. That was NOT consensual. She has vaginal tearing! She had to be stitched!" Esme slammed her hand on the table. "Something needs to be done!"
"Yes ma'am." The detective got up and nodded to whomever was outside the window as Esme pulled me into her as I cried more.
"Sorry Charlie. But they were pissing me off." Esme said defensively and my dad just chuckled and held up his hands. "No means no! I don't care that he's my son." Esme sniffled.
Carlisle walked in a few minutes later and said they needed to speak to both of them in private with Edward and their lawyer.
"Go Esme. He's your son." I pulled myself from her and pulled my knees to my chest.
"Bella…" she looked at me.
"Go…" I insisted.
"Do you want to stay with Sue and I tonight?" my dad asked.
I smiled a small smile "What's going on there?"
"She's important." He smiled.
"As long as you're happy." I reminded him.
"She makes me happy, you'll love her and she's very worried about you."
"Tell her thank you, but I'll be fine staying with Esme if they'll still have me. You're needed back in Forks." I pointed out.
"I know, I just have to make sure they do press some type of charges. Being as he's a minor, it could be a slap on the wrist, especially if there's no hard evidence." My dad said through clenched teeth.
"It'll work out." I had to remain positive so I didn't lose myself to this.
Esme walked in about half hour later.
"Bella, I know this is a lot and I'm on your side. Our lawyer has come up with a deal to keep Edward out juvenile detention; but he would have to go to a specialty program for sexual youth predators. He'd stay until he was 18 and then he'd be reevaluated. If he messes up in that time or any time after he gets out, he won't be allowed any plea deals. He can pursue his college degree online, but obviously he won't be able to do any of the lab work for the medical field, so he'll have to pick a new field of study." Esme held my hands and looked me straight in the eyes as she told me all of this.
"Fine. His life will be basically over anyway now that he can't become a doctor. Serves him right."
Esme hugged me tightly and said the papers would be drawn up and the lawyer would bring them by for me to sign tonight. Carlisle would drive with a detective to Oregon where the center was at and get him admitted, everyone would be told he decided to transfer schools as his record would be expunged if he followed the rules and stayed out of trouble.
Thanksgiving holiday came before we knew it.
Alice had been bouncing around for weeks, even with her and James breaking up a week ago.
"Have I told you two how excited I am about this?" she asked as we packed.
"About a million times." We laughed.
"Let's hurry up and finish. I want this to be the best holiday ever." Alice beamed.
"Oh yeah…" I sighed.
"Bells." Rose hugged me.
"Sorry. I'm just not feeling like celebrating. It's the first year I won't spend with my dad; and I know he's happy. I'm just still in shock over he and Sue's elopement and honeymoon."
"He deserves to be happy." Rose reminded me.
"I know and he will be, I will be a lot has happened in such a short time." I smiled sadly at her.
Alice and Rose were sharing Alice's room on the second floor, along with Edward's (which would stay empty) and Emmett's and Esme gave me back the guest room on the third floor that I stayed in a few weeks ago. Jasper's room was on this floor as well. Esme deemed it "The Sanctuary" floor as he always liked peace and quiet when he came home for leave.
"Bella, will you be OK up here alone?" Esme asked.
"Alone? I thought Jasper would be here too." I must have looked confused.
Esme laughed "He will, but given everything you've been through."
"Oh, am I afraid Jasper will hurt me too?" I asked.
She just looked at me.
"Believe it or not, I'm not super jumpy around guys unless they reach for me unasked or touch me from behind." I shrugged.
"That's good to hear." She sat on the bed with me.
"I'm seeing a counselor and I refuse to be a victim. Working at the bakery is the best therapy of all, when I get the chance to create I feel unstoppable." I smiled.
"I'm so happy to hear you say that!" she clapped her hands. "I'd like your help in the kitchen, we both know Rose and Alice aren't worth a damn."
Esme and I were in the kitchen baking cookies, the pies were cooling; Alice, Emmett and Rose had went shopping and Carlisle was at work, Jasper was due in tomorrow so a big dinner was planned, even though Thanksgiving was three days away.
Esme ran to the store to get some last-minute items and I was busy in the kitchen making a welcome home cake for Jasper. Esme told me his favorite was chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. I'd decided to make one from scratch. The cake was cooling and I was in the middle of mixing the frosting when "Ma, I'm home!" is yelled from the front door and I freeze.
"Mom? You in here?" I hear footsteps approaching the kitchen and I'm pressed against the counter as much as possible, taking deep breaths.
"Bella?" Jasper looks at me in surprise and I know I look like a deer in headlights.
"Um, hi. Yeah." I wave and tuck my hands in my pockets.
He cleared his throat and smiled before walking towards the fridge, which was right next to me.
"You OK?" he asked.
"Yeah. You just startled me. Esme said you weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow." I shrugged.
"I wanted to surprise everyone and I know she'd out do herself." He waved his hand at all the baked goods and grabbed one of my turtle brownies. "Damn! I've missed her baking. She's improved. Maybe she needs to go pro or send me more baked goods instead of store bought crap." He laughed as he downed his beer with the brownie.
"I didn't make those dear. This is mostly Bella." Esme laughed catching us in a staring match.
"Oh. Well they're damn good. Maybe you should go pro." He winked at me, Esme slapped him and told him to go shower and get settled.
"We're all going out tonight, my treat." Jasper said leaving no room for argument.
"Jasper, I'll cook. You need some home cooking." Esme argued.
"And I'll have it. I'll be here over a month! I'll have to go to training days on base, but that's just for a few hours. I'll expect a huge breakfast in the morning." He kissed her head and winked at me again before grabbing his bag and disappearing upstairs.
"So, let me get this straight, Edward decided to transfer and stay in Oregon for the holidays?" Jasper said at dinner.
When the discussion had turned to Edward I'd stopped eating and was glad I was sitting next to Jasper so I wasn't under his glare.
"Jasper, leave it." Carlisle sighed.
"No dad. He's always so selfish. He knows the holidays mean everything to mom and this is the first one I've been able to attend since high school." Jasper slammed his fist down on the table making me jump. Alice grabbed my hand and calmed me.
"Sorry. I'm not feeling well." I apologized for jumping.
"No, I'm sorry for worrying about his dumb ass." He sighed.
We finished dinner and headed home.
"Bella, do you want to with us to the movies?" Alice asked.
"No thanks."
Heading to my room I got in the shower and had a good cry.
Afterwards I headed to the balcony, I was in my pajama's but bundled in my comforter and grabbed my book to sit out there and read.
"This is the best place to read." I jumped at the voice.
"I'm sorry. I'll leave." I turned to go back.
"I don't bite Bella." And I bristled, turned swiftly trying to back away and ended up tripping over the blanket.
"Shit. I'm so sorry. I keep scaring you. Fuck." He held out a hand, but I shook my head and pushed myself into the railing, gathering the comforter around me.
"What happened? Who hurt you?" he asked.
"Nothing! No one!" I snapped.
"Bullshit! It's my job to study people Bella. I know you've been hurt and bad." He was pacing. "Do I need to get my mom? I think she's helped you. You two are even closer." He smiled at that thought.
I nodded and he jogged away quickly.
As soon as he was gone I got up and ran into my room, shutting the French doors and pulling the curtains, crawling in the bed.
"Bella, it's me. Esme."
"Come in Esme, it's your house." I smiled sadly at her as she walked in.
"You know no one will never invite themselves in without asking." She pulled me into a tight hug.
I gave her a strangled laugh. "Someone should've taught…" I mumbled but couldn't finish.
"I'm so sorry. You know that." She rocked me.
"It's not your fault though." I assured her.
Waking the next morning I had a horrible headache, jumping in the shower I rinsed off since I'd taken one the night before and dressed in a pair of leggings and a t-shirt, threw my hair up in a ponytail and headed downstairs.
Looking at the clock I noticed it wasn't even five in the morning so I set out to make a huge breakfast for Jasper.
Making cinnamon rolls from scratch, pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs and I was cutting fresh fruit when Jasper walked in.
"Who did this to you?" he touched my neck. Cutting fruit, and being jumpy don't mix well.
"SHIT!" I screamed and there was so much blood.
"Damn it!" Jasper grabbed the towel and wrapped my hand and rushed me to his dad's office.
"Sit down. I can stich this."
Carlisle and Esme came running in, the commotion from the kitchen no doubt waking them.
"Bella, are you OK!" Esme raced to my side.
"It hurts." I laughed to keep from crying.
"Who hurt you?" Jasper was now in front of me as Carlisle took over stitching.
I shook my head.
"Jasper leave her alone." Esme warned.
"Mom, she has fucking bite marks on the back of her neck! They're not that old." He growled.
"Jasper. Leave her be." Carlisle said with finality.
Jasper stormed out of the room and the front door slammed.
"I'm sorry for causing so many problems, maybe Emmett can drive me home."
"No, don't be ridiculous. You're staying. You're no trouble at all, Jasper is just very observant." Carlisle assured me. "That's what makes him good at his job."
"Let's go finish breakfast." Esme smiled.
"Oh no! It's going to be ruined." I shook my head.
"Then we'll get everyone up and go out, make a day of it." She instructed me to go shower and get dressed and she'd get the others up.
I decided on a pair of jeans, a green turtleneck sweater (I didn't want Jasper staring at my neck anymore), and green ankle boots; leaving my hair down as well.
"Bella green looks amazing on you." Alice smiled and I rolled my eyes.
"What happened to your hand?" Rose asked.
"Kitchen mishap." I shrugged.
"Bella, you don't have kitchen mishaps." Rose snapped.
"Well I did, so leave it." I pulled my hand back.
At that moment, Jasper walked downstairs in black jeans, a grey Henley and black boots "Are we going to eat or not? Running thirty miles makes you hungry."
We loaded up and headed to the diner.
Breakfast was a buzz about holiday activities, Alice and Rose talking about parties and shopping; Esme talking about the annual Holiday Ball, Seattle General threw every year and how we all needed to get outfits for that, and the men talking about football. I just sat there trying to avoid Jasper's gaze. He'd look at me in between talking with his dad and Emmett and stare, like I'd tell him my secrets.
"Alice, did you get someone to escort you?" I caught the tail end of the conversation.
"I did! I was hoping he could come over sometime so you and dad could meet him." She smiled.
"Of course, dear. Just let me know." Esme smiled.
"Bella, would you be OK with Jasper escorting you?" Carlisle asked.
"Oh, you want me to go?" I looked up.
"Bella, how many times do I have to tell you, you're family." Esme squeezed my hand.
"Well, then I guess it's up to Jasper." I shrugged.
"I'd be delighted to. You'll have a man in uniform as your escort, everyone will be jealous." He winked again making me blush.
"Oh, jealous they will." Alice giggled.
"Mary Alice." Esme smirked.
The women decided to go shopping after, luckily enough there was a driving range close by so we dropped the guys off there.
"Bella, I think my brother has the hots for you." Alice bumped my shoulder.
"Alice, please don't. I don't want anything to do with guys right now. I just want to finish school and open my own shop."
"OK… I'm bringing Riley." Alice squealed.
"The quarterback?" Rose asked shocked.
"Yep! He asked me out and if he can handle my family, he'll be worth it. His dad is a surgeon at Seattle General, so he's been to these before as well." Alice informed us.
"So, your parents don't care that he's older?"
"He's only three years older. He's 19."
"Besides, Jasper is older than that." Alice sing-songed into the dressing room.
"There's nothing going on between Jasper and me." I sighed.
"I bet there could be." Rose chimed in.
"Ugh, you too."
"Hey, Emmett talks. He can't keep a secret. He said that Jasper keeps asking who hurt you."
"Wait! You just said that Emmett can't keep a secret." I panicked.
"Well, he doesn't think of that as a secret. That's your story to tell." Rose assured me.
"Ok. Good." I breathed a sigh of relief.
We all found our dresses.
Rose found a red and white mermaid style dress, Alice's dress was a two-piece silvery lilac dress, the top was beaded and the bottom was knee-length tulle, Esme's dress was a deep maroon ball room gown with a sheer top and back and mine was a strapless white mermaid dress with a corset top and light blue design.
"Now to hide these from the guys until the ball." Esme sighed.
"Put them in my closet. You know they won't go in there."
"Good idea Bella." Esme hugged me.
Thanksgiving was fun and light, up until dessert.
We were all sitting around eating one of the many desserts I'd made and I walked back into the kitchen to get some more whipped cream, as I was in there the house phone rang so I yelled I'd get it.
"Cullen residence."
"Bella? Happy Thanksgiving! How lucky am I?" Edward sneered into the phone. "I miss you so much. Are you waiting for me?"
The bowl I was holding fell from my hands and the phone dropped from my ear.
"Bella?" Jasper and Esme came running in.
"Hello?" Jasper picked up the phone, while Esme calmed me.
Jasper was talking to Edward tersely when Carlisle walked in and took the phone; Jasper looked from me to the phone and took off out the door.
"Bella are you OK?" Esme looked me over.
"I need to lay down." I nodded.
"Do you want Carlisle to give you something?" she asked.
"No. I'll be fine." I took the back stairs up to my room and climbed in the shower, fully dressed.
Yes. I was strong. But hearing his voice and him acting like everything was OK and that I'd be waiting for him after what he did was a little much.
When the water ran cold, I stripped my clothes off, rung them out slipped on my pajama's and climbed into bed, knowing Alice and Rose would have me up in a few hours for Black Friday shopping.
Not knowing how long I was out I was awoke by arguing from Jasper's room.
"Just tell me the truth dad! It was Edward, wasn't it? That's why he's at a different school?" Jasper raised his voice.
"I'm not confirming anything. You just need to watch yourself around Bella. She's very strong, but fragile too. She's a lot like your mother." Carlisle assured Jasper. "Just take it slow."
"I can't go any slower dad. I've barely talked to her. It's driving me crazy. I'm crazy about her." Jasper snapped.
"But you don't know if she feels the same. She's a lot younger Jasper. Don't rush. Be a friend." Carlisle sighed.
"I'm trying, if she'd open up." He sat on his bed hard, from the noise it made.
"Just be understanding." They must have man hugged and then the door shut, and I fell back asleep, not to be awoke until I was served breakfast in bed the next morning by a smiling Jasper.
AN:
WOW!
ENJOY!
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