Chapter 4 – What happens now?

My hands were clasping my father's hand, which was still around my throat, I watched as Carlisle walked over "Let her go." His voice was low as he spoke, my father looked at him "No." he snatched back and that's when the chief of police walked in, his gun out pointing it at my father "I suggest you let her go now, you wouldn't want this to be any worse now." The chief spoke a collected anger in his voice. My fathers' eyes travelled to the gun and suddenly his hand released from my throat, and I landed in a heap on the floor. I backed myself into the corner pulling my knees to my chest in an attempt to curl myself into a ball. The chief quickly grabbed hold of my father and handcuffed him, Carlisle rushed over and kneeled next to me "Noelle, talk to me." He said gently but I couldn't seem to regulate my breathing, i was gasping for air, he placed a hand on my shoulder "You're having a panic attack, just try to breathe slowly." He explained and started to take deep breaths showing me what I needed to do, I tried to follow his breathing and eventually it slowed down, I looked at Carlisle and fell forward into him sobbing into his chest, he wrapped his arms around my frame and rubbed soothing circles into my back "You're safe now, you're safe." He said gently and lifted me up into his arms. He carried me out of the house and placed me down in the passenger seat of the car "I'm just going to speak to Chief Swan, I'll be back in a moment, okay?" he informed me and I nodded looking to the police car my father was now in. I then looked at Carlisle and Chief Swan who were discussing something, I wasn't sure what.

After around 5 minutes Carlisle returned to the car and sat in the driver's seat. He looked at me for a few moments "Noelle, he will never hurt you again." He said gently and I sighed looking at my hands "What's going to happen to me?" I asked quietly "Noelle, I wanted to ask if you would like to stay with my family and myself?" I looked up at him with a look of shock on my face "Really?" I was confused as to why he would want me to live with him and his family, like my father said nobody wants me.
"Yes, my wife Esme and I are foster parents, we have 5 adopted children which we fostered, and we still have all the relative credentials and paperwork. It's all been cleared but it is your choice." He spoke gently but I could detect a hint of hopefulness in his voice, maybe this was my chance at a better life?

"I would like that, please." My voice was quiet as I spoke, I couldn't seem to process anything that just happened, I feel like I'm in some sort of dream world. Carlisle continued to drive down the streets of Forks until he turned down a small road, it felt like this road went on forever, the forest lined the roads on both sides and that's when suddenly, a building appeared. My jaw could have fell to the floor when I saw the sheer size of it, it was a modern, graceful and well-proportioned house, it was four stories and was painted black, but the second-floor walls were wooden slats. The thing that intrigued me most were the number of windows this house had, it may as well have not had walls. Carlisle parked up outside of the garage and got out of the car, he walked around and opened the door "Are you ready?" he asked and I took a breath "I think so, Carlisle…what if they don't like me?" I could feel the anxiety rise in my body, this family knew nothing about me, what if the rest of the family didn't want me here. Carlisle gave me a soft smile "They'll love you; you don't need to worry yourself about that, alright?" his words were encouraging, and I stepped out of the car, I followed Carlisle through the front door and up the staircase which then led into the living room. The house was decorated beautifully, the walls were a bright white and had all kinds of artwork and different ornaments, I also noticed there were a lot of flowers around the house. We walked into the living room where I saw 7 pairs of golden eyes staring at me, I slightly hid myself behind Carlisle as I looked at them all.
"Everyone, I would like you all to meet Noelle. As your mother had already explained she is going to be staying with us. If you could all introduce yourselves." He smiled at them and I looked to see a woman with caramel coloured hair and a heart shaped face with soft features smiling at me "Hello dear, I'm Esme, Carlisle's wife." I smiled slightly at her, I could feel her warmth radiating around the room, she seemed very kind. The next to stand up was another woman, she was small and had pixie like features, a big smile was plastered across her face "I'm Alice! I'm glad we finally get to meet you!" she beamed and sat back down and then a man stood up, he was very tall and lean, he had honey blonde hair which fell just on his shoulder "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Jasper." He had a thick southern accent when he spoke, for some reason I felt really calm as I looked at him, he smiled slightly at me and sat back down. The next to stand was another woman, she was very beautiful and very statuesque, she had long wavy blonder hair "Rosalie, it's a pleasure." Was all she said and sat back down. The next to stand was a man he was very tall and muscular which I found a little intimidating but hi dimpled smile on his face soon washed that intimidation away "I'm Emmett and I really hope you like video games." He chuckled and sat back down, the next to stand was another man with bronze hair and perfect angular features "I'm Edward, it's nice to meet you Noelle." He studied me for a moment then sat down. Lastly another woman stood up, she had waist length brunette hair and beautifully soft features "Hi, I'm Bella. It's lovely to meet you. Edward and I also have a daughter, her name is Renesmee. She's out now but you'll meet her soon." She sat back down and I looked at them all and it clicked, they were all couples, Alice and Jasper were holding hands so were Rosalie and Emmett and as Bella just said, her and Edward have daughter.
"Thankyou for having me." My voice was quiet as I looked at them all, I then looked up at Carlisle who smiled at me and then turned to them all "Esme is going to show Noelle to her room." I could feel the relief in me as Carlisle told them, I did feel quite overwhelmed at the situation. Esme stood up and walked over to me, she gave my arm a gentle squeeze and smiled reassuringly "Your room is on the top floor, it's next to Carlisle's office, shall we go, see?" I nodded and I walked with Esme to my room.

I let out a gasp as we entered the room. It was huge, the walls were painted a soft grey and windows wrapped around the room as it was on the corner. There was a huge double bed which was a dark wood which had a blush pink bedspread on it. In the corner of the room was a grey cuddle chair with a small side table which had a vase of bluebells on it. To the left of me was a desk with bookcases either side. There were two doors either side of the bed, I looked at them curiously which I think Esme picked up on this as she cleared her throat "The door on the left side is your bathroom and the door on the right is your wardrobe." She smiled and I looked at her "Your house is amazing; you don't need to give me a room this nice." I replied and she rubbed my arm "It's my pleasure, Noelle. I want you to feel settled here." I had only just met Esme, but I really liked her, she had such a motherly instinct to her, I could feel her love. I looked at Esme "Thank you." I paused for a moment "Would it be okay if I went to bed? I just feel really exhausted." I admitted and she smiled sympathetically "Of course, darling. You get as much rest as you need. If you need me or Carlisle at any point do come find us." Esme left the room and I let out a deep breath, I walked into the bathroom and to the sink. I splashed some water on my face and looked in the mirror, I truly did look dreadful. My face was red and swollen from crying and there was a new bruise forming where my father had hit me. I sighed and walked back into the bedroom where a pair of pyjamas now sat on the end of the bed, on top was a note 'I thought you'd like some pyjamas, and you look my size. Xoxoxo -Alice.' I didn't even hear anyone come in or out of the bedroom which I thought was quite strange but I shrugged it off. I quickly got into the silky blush pink pyjama set which made me blend into the bedspread. I climbed into the bed and under the duvet, I curled up in a ball as I thought about everything that happened.

My life is really going to be different now, isn't it?