Authors Note:

Hello everyone, I just wanted to mention that I have approximately the next 35 chapters summarized, so hopefully, my chapters will come quicker. Again thank you all for sticking with this story. It is truly a work in progress as I learn how to correctly write a non-academic story. I felt really inspired by this chapter since my mother was actually a nurse, and while I didn't want to pursue that field of work, I still greatly appreciate the work they do, especially now during this epidemic. I can't claim that I have full knowledge of the field and goes on, but I hope to be somewhat close. There is also a reference and talk about child abuse in this chapter. I know this is triggering to many people, but I will try and be sensitive. I have another IMPORTANT! Correction Corner! This is something that I should have stated earlier and made more explicit in past chapters. NO, Sam has not phased yet. The Cullen did not arrive in Forks in previous chapters, But in this chapter, they will finally come and make an appearance. To help with the confusion, I will start posting the relative dates, months, years, and POV. Oh, before I forget, I am also posting this story on AO3. In case I have the unfortunate luck of getting my story pulled due to sexual content. Which is highly unlikely, but there is a chance. Plus, it will serve as a backup. I've also fixed some mistakes there. You can find me under the name RosalindBlack, and the story is still named Phlox over there. Let's get on a roll now. I, of course, do not own anything but Lily.

Yarrow

Lilly POV

(December 15th, 2002)

Today was the day. The day I had worked so hard for, the day I had spent years dreaming about. It was the first day I got to step into Forks Community Hospital as a registered nurse. Clinicals were hell, every day was grueling, but I knew that they were preparing me for the life I had chosen. Not many of my classmates had made it through, finding that they couldn't keep up or that this was not exactly what they had expecting. But to those who had made it through clung together and formed a close bond. It wasn't easy, most of the nurses that I followed on rounds seemed too hostile to me due to my age. I once overheard from the nurses that I wouldn't make it, and I was too young. But I was used to the criticism and was ready to meet the standard that it took to be a great nurse. The day I got, my results were the happiest day of my life. I still remember the feeling of dad holding me close and whispering how proud he was. Leah and I partied for what seemed most of the night celebrating.

Now that I was able to have a somewhat regular schedule but crazy, we hope we would be able to hang out more often. I slowly put on my scrubs that morning feeling nervous but, at the same time, feeling confident. I was slightly sad to take off my bracelet. It held a special promise between Leah and me that we would remain friends forever. Whenever I was not in clinicals, I proudly wore it on display. I knew that Leah was able to wear hers all the time, she had gotten a job as a secretary at Forks Family Dental. While she described it as a mostly dull job, she did feel a sense of pride. She was still dating Sam, and while he hadn't proposed yet, she kept saying it was coming soon.

She would say, "It's mainly a matter of time, he probably is worried that I'll say no, but I can't wait to be Mrs. Leah Uley."

I would often nod along with agreement. Sam and I really hadn't had much contact since my birthday. Which I content with I didn't want another reaction like that night. But other than that he was a great guy, Sam didn't really talk about himself much or really much at all, but he seemed fine with having to listen to Leah and me talking about what he would probably describe as trivial and girl things. When he did speak, it was like a wave of comfort that washed over me; just hearing his deep voice made me feel safe. I couldn't explain the feelings that arose just from his voice, but I knew it was dangerous, it scared me. So I pushed those feeling aside, storing them in the back of my brain in a cage. I shook my head, there is no time to be focusing on that.

It was time to get ready for the day. I would be doing a full 12 hours, thankfully my shift this week had been the morning shift, and I needed to be on my game. I knew I would make mistakes, every new nurse does, but I would learn from those mistakes. Like my professors had stated, experiences were the best way to learn, and while clinicals had started to help with breaking me, there were still some things I had yet to learn. Making sure I had everything straight and grabbing my stethoscope, I headed down the stairs to have my usual cup of coffee. As I finally made it downstairs, I saw dad doing the same thing.

"Good morning, dad," I said with a bright smile.

He turned to me with a smile and responded to my greeting, "Good morning Lily, you ready to start your first day at the hospital."

"I'm as ready as I can be," I said, reaching for my favorite mug.

"What time do you have to be there."

"I have to be there at 6'clock sharp, so I will be on time for the daily staff meeting. So I have about an hour and a half." I said placing my stethoscope on the table and went to fill my cup, it seemed that dad had brewed it a bit earlier, so it was the perfect temperature, I didn't feel like burning my tongue this morning. "When did you get up?"

"Oh, I've been up for about an hour. Didn't want to miss you getting up and seeing you off." Dad responded, giving me a side hug.

I set my mug on the table and returned his hug. "Dad you didn't have to do that, I'll be back tonight, and we can have a nice dinner to celebrate. I was planning on picking up some steak and potatoes on my way home."

"Can't I be excited for my Lily Pad's first day, besides I've always enjoyed our early morning talks. Also, steak and potatoes sound amazing." He said with his gruff voice while going to sit down at the table.

Sitting down across from him, I took a deep sip of the coffee, letting the caffeine absorb into my bloodstream to help me fully wake up. "Well, good," I said.

"Are you nervous about today?" Dad asked.

"Slightly, but I believe, no, I know I can do it," I responded with a determined nod.

"That's precisely the mindset you need going forward. Dad nodded his head and took a sip of his coffee.

We stayed at the table and talked a little but mainly just enjoying each other's company. It had been like this since I entered my college classes. Dad and I would often get up early and just have a moment to ourselves. Dad seemed to know that one day I would move out and that these moments would be gone. So, he tried to make these moments last. I barely noticed time slipping, but just being content in the silence, I did keep my eye on the clock in the room, making sure that not too much time had passed. I didn't want to be late, it would set a bad first impression, and I liked to pride myself on always maintaining a professional air when working. When the clock hit 5:30, I placed my and dad's now empty coffee cup in the sink. Dad immediately went and put on his gun belt, and I slipped on my brand new white tennis shoes.

"Well, I'll see you tonight. Love you." I said while opening the door

"Good luck today Lily Pad. Love you too," Dad said while grabbing his keys from the bowl that we kept them.

I tried to avoid most of the rain while rushing to my car. While I loved Forks' climate and typical weather, it didn't mean I enjoyed getting wet. I was still surprised that it hadn't turned to snow and ice covering the road, but I was thankful than it hadn't. Turning the car, I basked in the heat that came out of the air vents. Pulling my car out of the driveway, I felt the nerves come roaring back. "Will I be good enough, or will I make a fool of myself?" These thoughts whirled around my head for the full 30 minutes, but I had come to the consciences that I will be fine, I've studied hard and known what today might entail. While I don't predict to always come across large scale incidents automatically in this sleepy town, they did sometimes happen, and I must be prepared for anything. Finally arriving at my destination, I gazed at the building. You wouldn't be able to tell it was a hospital just from the outside, but it suited our tiny town. It wasn't large and looming but rather quaint and small. Some people were shocked we had a hospital at all due to the small population, but it was necessary and a welcome sight to the community.

Along with a small emergency, we also held several outreach programs, which I know our town prided on. After pulling into the staff parking lot, I stepped out of my car, took a deep breath, and steeled my mind. It was game time.

Walking up to the charge nurse, Mrs. Thomson. A shorter plump woman with grey eyes that wrinkled and with dark brown hair that was slightly greying. I felt somewhat intimated, but I resolved myself by remembering that most of these people have known me my whole life. But then I started worrying again. "What if they only saw me as that small child with pigtails, who broke her arm trying to surf the first time?"

"Calm Lily, you must stay calm," I said to myself. As if hearing my internal monologue, Mrs. Thomas turned around and gave me a bright smile.

"Hello, Liliana, we're so glad you're here. You're a little early for the meeting, but that's just fine, it's better to be early than late. You'll be shadowing Carol for the day. Oh, there she is now." Mrs. Thomas waved a tall woman with dirty blonde hair over; I remembered her as the woman who helped me when I was 10 and got a particularly nasty strain of the flu.

"Thank you, Mrs. Thomas," I said with a slight smile.

"No, Mrs. Thomas dear, you're now one of us and a full-grown adult yourself. So, it's Helen." She said, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Well, look who it is, Liliana, you've gone and grown all up. I'm so happy you've decided to join us here at the hospital. You'll be a great addition to the staff." Carol said while giving me a hug. I smiled her, saying those words had instantly made some of my fears go away.

"Thanks, Carol, I'm excited to be shadowing you today. I hope I don't get in your way too much." I said with a slightly nervous smile.

Carol must have noticed my nervousness and smiled back "You'll do fine. We have full faith in you."

A slightly stern but kind sounding voice came through the air and said, "Alright, everyone, team meeting." I looked up to see Doctor Miller strutting to the center of a circle that had been formed without me noticing.

"I would like to take a moment and have us all welcome Miss Liliana Swan to our team. Liliana, welcome to the family." A round of claps went around the room, and all I could do was stare at the floor and blush. When the clapping had died down, he then stated, "Furthermore, I know this may come as a shock to many of you, but I have decided to retire and will be leaving after the new year. A new doctor has been hired, and he will start on the 2nd. I've read about some of his work and papers he's published, and I must say he is highly skilled and intelligent. He will be a wonderful addition to the hospital."

I was shocked but understood Doctor Miller had worked here for years, He was the one who delivered me and then my sister. I felt slightly easier to know that I wouldn't be the only new face to the hospital, but I was sure that the new doctor would have more practice, but still, it would be nice to not be the new kid for all that long.

Letting the voices settle down, he continued, "Well then, I hope you all have a good shift, and of course, let's do our best then." With that said, he turned and headed to the first patient of the day.

"Come on Liliana, let's get to it," Carol said as she began to walk briskly to the first patient that we needed to check on. I smiled. I could do this.

The day felt like it was moving at a fast pace. Carol was always doing something between checking her pager, writing paperwork, checking on patients, and filling medications; she never skipped a beat. My head was spinning with all the things too I needed to keep track of, but I felt the world come into realignment when Carol turned to me and asked, "Want to do your first antibiotic? I'll watch you."

Too afraid that I would squeak, I nodded my head and went and grabbed the antibiotic, and then headed into the patient's room. I knew how to do this, we had been taught multiple times how to place an antibiotic iv.

"Hello, my name is Liliana, I'll be your nurse today," I said as I stepped into the room.

"Well, if it isn't little Lily, It's been ages since I've seen you." A wheezy voice called to me. I smiled, it was Mrs. Green from the library. She was about 65 with long grey hair and light grey eyes. I would make dad take me twice a week to the library to get books to read and learn from.

"Hello, Mrs. Green. I see on your charts that you've been diagnosed with severe pneumonia. I'm here with your first round intravenous antibiotics." I responded as I stepped closer to her IV's to set up the bag.

"You have gotten so beautiful, especially with that long strawberry blonde hair and those sky blue eyes. Your poor dad must be beating away the boys with a bat or with that gun of his." She laughed as much as she could before beginning to cough.

I smiled at the women, "Wouldn't know Mrs. Green I've been too focused on getting my nursing degree. This might sting a little as it goes in, but it's completely normal, but if it is extremely painful, please tell me. The medicine will also make you tired. "

"Now, Lily, a girl of your age, should be focusing on finding a good man. How about my grandson he's studying to be a lawyer. I can give you his number, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to take you on a date." She continued on, saying as the meds began to flow into her IV.

"Really, Mrs. Green. It's fine, I'm happy focusing on work now, I'm sure I'll find the right guy sooner or later. Besides, life also seems to like to throw curveballs, so there's no reason to worry about it. It'll happen when it happens."

"If you're sure Lily, well dear, I think I feel the medications kicking in, so I think I'll sleep until the next dose." Mrs. Green said as she closed her eyes.

I turned to look at Carol, and she had a bright smile, "Good job, Liliana, you did well, now why don't we head to the next patient."

"Right," I said, and I followed Carol to the next room.

After that, the nerves seemed to disappear, and Carol continued to let me take a more active role in her day. She was content to watch me and help me when I made mistakes. Time seemed to move quickly, I barely registered when it was time to eat and take a break, but it was exhilarating. It was slightly jarring to work on people I knew from the community, but they always greeted me with a smile and were thankful that I had come to help them. There were a few new faces people who had recently moved in, and I had yet to know. Time rushed by, and I found myself checking on Mrs. Green again before I left for the day.

"Hello, Lily. It's good to see you again. Oh, Gerald, this is little Lily, you know from the library, the chief's daughter. She's the one who's been looking after me." Mrs. Green said. She sounded better a little less wheezy, but she still had a couple more treatments until she was going to go home.

Mr. Green turned to me and, with a crocking voice, said, "Oh, hello Lily, my you sure have grown up. Why I remember you coming into my bait shop when you were knee-high. You were always so grossed out by the worms. But I guess you have gotten over the squirminess being a nurse and all."

"I guess you're right, Mr. Green. Anyway, I'm just here to give Mrs. Green her next antibiotic drip." I replied, placing another bag of antibiotics and connecting it to her IV.

"I just wanted to say thank you, dear, for looking after me today. You've done a wonderful job." Mrs. Green said, placing her hand on mine.

"Why, thank you, Mrs. Green. I'm also glad you are feeling a bit better, but it'll be a bit longer till you can go home." Squeezing her hand. "Well, I'll see you in the morning, your night nurse should be in soon to check on you," I said, giving her a smile.

"Okay, dear, I'll see you in the morning. Tell your father, I say hello." She said while closing her eyes, letting the medication set in.

I gave Mr. Green a nod and headed out to retrieve my belonging from the locker room. I saw Carol doing the same when she turned to me and said

"Well, Lily, your first shift as a nurse is over. How do you feel?"

I smiled and replied, "I feel tired but not at the same. I feel like I've been in a tornado but safe in the eye of the storm. Most of all, I feel accomplished, and I can't wait to come back tomorrow."

"Good, those were my same feelings. You'll soon be standing on your own, and when all else fails, just know everyone believes in you here." She commented while wrapping me in a hug. The laughing "Now go and celebrate, just don't party too hard, you do have to be here early."

Chuckling back, "Oh, I won't, Dad and I just planned a nice dinner at home and then off to bed I'll be going."

I slowly walked to my car, enjoying the fresh night air. The rain had stopped for a brief period and while there were no stars due to the fog but there was a sense of peace.

Lily POV

(January 2nd, 2003)

I was cursing Leah today. Why had I let her convince me to drink last night? Sure it was New Year, and I was lucky I had the night off. But I should have realized that even though I had the day to sleep off most of the hangover, the headache would still be somewhat prevalent during my shift the night after. So here I am with a headache and about to enter the hospital with extremely bright white lights. I sighed; nothing I can do about it tonight just have to push through. I parked my car and noticed that there was a shiny brand new looking black BMW. It stood out like a sore thumb against the rest of the staff's cars. Oh, right, the new doctor starts today. Great I get to make a first impression with tiny jackhammers going off in my head. Sighing, there's nothing I can do best put on a brave and cheery face. I ran to the entrance hoping to stave off getting extraordinarily wet and just hoping on getting slightly damp. Walking to the locker room, I kept hearing whispers.

"Did you see him, he looks like a god."

"Why is someone like him has to be married."

"I swear he looked at me, and my heart stopped."

"What wouldn't I do to be his wife, hell even his mistress would be okay with me."

I was slightly shocked; obviously, the comments were about this new doctor. His presence was shaking up the whole female staff, but I knew everything would calm down in a couple days. Besides, no one can be that handsome that they cause a frenzy. Placing my things in the locker, I stared at the pictures of dad and me and another one of Leah and me, I smiled. They were my biggest supporters, and it was only right that I kept their pictures in my locker. I closed my locker and headed to Helen to get my assigned patients to only see her whispering to Carol. I walked up to the desk and cleared my throat. They jumped spooked and looked around quickly to make sure it wasn't the new doctor catching them talking about him.

"Oh, Lily, it's only you. Thank god" Helen rushed out

"Well, I know it's going to be an interesting shift when someone says it's only you," I laughed out.

"Hush, you'll be in the same boat when you catch a glimpse of Doctor Cullen." Carol accused while wagging her finger.

I continued to laugh, "No man is that handsome."

"He is no man, He is a god," Helen stated with a blush. I was shocked. I have never seen Helen blush in my life and the entire time of working with her.

"If you say so, anyway, who are my patients for the night," I said, catching my breath from laughing.

Helen passed me their charts while saying getting back to her professional tone "There's Mrs. Jackson, 56, who came in talking about chest pain, we've kept her overnight to monitor her. Mr. Smith, 78, whose here with kidney stones. Miss Miller whose got alcohol poisoning, but we've got her monitored and started treatment. Finally, the first patient you should see is a young boy by the name of Joey Williams, 8, he has a suspected broken arm, this is the 3rd he's been here, and poor dear can't catch a break. He needs an x-ray, and then Doctor Cullen can see where to go."

I nodded my head, "Got it, anything else I should be prepared for, you know other than heart-stopping doctors."

"Stop mocking us, Lily," Carol snapped, going to smack me in the hip.

"Off I go then," sliding away from the two gossiping women.

I hurried down the hallway to room 202 while checking over his chart. 6 months ago, he came in with a broken ankle, apparently from skateboarding down the street. 3 months ago, with a fractured nose from flying over his bike after breaking too hard. Now he's been admitted for a suspected broken arm from falling out of a tree.

Stepping into the room, I immediately lock eyes on a painfully frail woman, this must be his mother. She looked as if a strong wind would blow her over and break her in two. Her eyes were dead; no emotion was in them, but there were tear tracks. She was focusing on her son, who also had a dead look in his eyes. He too looked too small for his age, and something didn't sit right with me that he has been here three times in the past 6 months. Knocking on the door to get their attention as they were both staring at the floor.

"Hello, my name is Nurse Swan. I'm here to take Joey to get his x-ray," I said, looking at the mother.

In an almost whisper, she responded, "Yes, thank you. Joey, can you go with the lady."

"Yes, mom," he said in the same level of volume as his mother.

"Come with me then," I said walking slowly in front of him

I decided not to make any sudden movement. The boy looked scared and skittish about every noise. Again this did not lighten my feelings about what had happened to the boy and his mother. I would have to bring up my suspicions as soon as I got a chance. I might be wrong and hoped to god I was, but it was better safe than sorry. We slowly arrived at the x-ray room, and I lead him into the room. I checked his clothes, and they appeared to be fine enough to where he wouldn't have to take off his shirt to take the x-ray.

"Okay, Joey, I'll lower the table and have you get on it. Then I'm going to put on this lead vest across your chest and stomach. After that I'm going to go behind that wall, you'll still be able to see me and when I tell you you're going to have to be very still and hold you're breath. Can you do that for me?"

"Okay," he said very quietly.

"Good, now go on and lie down," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.

We slowly got the x-rays and after headed back to the room. I told them it would only be a few minutes, and I'll be back with Doctor Cullen, and we'll discuss the results. Heading out, I looked over my shoulder to see Mrs. Williams giving Joey a hug and whispering something in his ear. I went to the x-ray developing room and started to develop the film. The fracture was a classic example of a greenstick fracture, a fracture when the bones actually bend and then cracks instead of cracking into different pieces. It was profoundly painful. I decided to try and find Doctor Cullen so we could get conformation and then discuss the best treatment and bring up my suspicions.

Leading the boy back in with his mother, she immediately drew him into her arms and held him close. As if in a moment's notice, he would disappear forever. She also began checking him over as if looking for something wrong. My stomach dropped, what could make this woman so scared that she was worried the moment he was let out of her sight.

I shook my head, hoping to clear my worry for now. Now I needed to be strong and professional. "I'll be back with the doctor in a few moments. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable. Perhaps some water?"

The mother spoke up again, and nervously said, "Yes, some water would be nice."

I smiled, hoping to reassure her that she was safe here. "Okay, I'll be right back."

She looked a little appeased, "Thank you."

Walking out the room and heading to fetch them water, I began mulling over my thoughts. I didn't have definite proof, but their mannerism and the gaunt and sickly look on them made me suspicious. I didn't care if I was wrong, there was a slight chance I was right, and If I was right then, it is my duty as a nurse to report my findings and try and help her get help. I knew my father had some strings that he could pull if I asked him, but I didn't want to seem like I was abusing my connections.

Sighing, I was so deep into my thoughts that I wasn't paying attention where I was going till I slammed into what seemed like a brick wall. Falling down from the sudden impact, I didn't have time to register what had happened.

A deep and extremely enchanting voice spoke up from what seemed like the heavens, "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, are you alright, miss."

Looking up, I saw what seemed like an angel staring down at me. He was tall with blonde, almost white hair and a sharp angular face. But what really drew me in was his eyes, his deep amber eyes. I had never seen such color, and it was stunning. I must have taken longer than I realized to respond because suddenly, he was crouched down beside me, looking over my head, making sure I didn't receive some kind of head trauma with the force that hit me.

"Miss, are you alright?" He asked again, even his smell was addicting.

Speak dammit, I said to myself. But for some reason, my body would not react, it wanted to stay frozen staring at him forever. A minute later, I finally found the strength to speak.

"Oh … Umm …. Yes. I'm perfectly fine, just a little jarred. It was my fault I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?" I asked.

"I'm perfectly fine, Miss. It was my fault as well, I also wasn't paying attention. If I might ask, what is your name? It's only fair to know after I ran you over." He started laughing at the end, and I swore that I heard bells chiming.

"I'm Nurse Liliana Swan. But feel free to call me Lily everyone does. I'm guessing you are Doctor Cullen." I stuck out my hand to shake his. I now know why everyone was in such a tizzy. This man was a god.

"You would be correct. It's nice to formally meet you, Lily. Please call me Carlisle. I've only heard positive comments about you since I've arrived. I am quite pleased to work with you now and in the future." He grasped my hand to shake it. I was jarred by the temperature difference. It felt like an ice block. I summed it up to poor circulation and the almost freezing temperature of the hospital.

"I was actually going to try and find you in a bit. I need to talk to you on the Williams case." I said with a solemn face.

He was perplexed by my face "Oh is there anything new arising that needs my immediate attention. From the charts, it looks as if it is just a simple broken arm."

I shook my head "It is more than that, at least I believe. I have no proof, and a thorough exam might shed more light. But due to his and his mother's mannerism and thin frames and the fact that he's been seen here multiple times, I suspect there is abuse going on in the home. I know that I haven't been a nurse long enough to definitely say that it's true, but something feels wrong, and perhaps I'm overly cautious, but I trust my gut."

Carlisle gave me a quick nod "I feel strongly that something is going on as well. I am going to check. Of course, if I find more proof, we will have to file a report and rightly so. I also agree that I hope we are wrong, but from what I've read from his charts, this is not the first time this young boy has been seen here with a broken bone. This is the 3rd. He's apparently only lived in the area for about 6 months. This is way too often for a young boy to be seen, even if he's extremely clumsy or active."

I was shocked "He's only been here about 6 months, he was seen for the first time 6 months ago. My sister, whose supposedly extremely clumsy, can go 6 months without spraining or breaking something. He also has a greenstick fracture and is showing no visible signs of pain, even though it is excruciating." This raises more questions in my mind, and I wanted answers, especially if it meant helping the little guy and his mother, they looked so sad and dead inside.

"I'll go review the x-rays, then we'll talk about the best plan to get them to help if we are correct. My wife knows several charities that help abused women, and I know their numbers so I can give them to the mother," Carlisle said while quickly walking to go and review the film.

"My father is chief of police, so I'll be calling him if I have to report. He's on duty tonight anyway. He'll be sure to help them in any way he can." I added before heading to retrieve water and ice.

"Good, we have our bases covered. So the worse be proven true." He said

I fetched the mother and son some water and headed back to the room. I had been taught how to deal with abuse cases, but I never knew they would shake me so profoundly. I wished I could tell them it was going to be fine but I couldn't. I could only hope they would take the help offered and begin to heal emotionally and physically. Arriving in the room, I saw that they were staring off into space with the same dead eyes again. I cleared my throat.

"I have your water here. Sorry for the bit of the wait. I ran into Doctor Cullen in the hallway. He is going to review the film now and will be back –" Carlisle walking in as soon as I began speaking again, "well now, I guess."

"Hello, Mrs. Williams, Joey. I'm Doctor Cullen." He walked to place the x-ray on the lit-up board that would how Mrs. Williams and Joey exactly what is going on. Mrs. Williams had the exact same expression as most of the women that had seen him today. One pondering how such a man existed in this life. "As you can see, Joey here has cracks along his forearm, and they will easily break if we don't place a cast and allow them to heal. I'm going to need Joey to roll his shirt up to his elbow."

Both mother and son seemed apprehensive. Like they knew, the instance that his shirt was rolled up would see some of his damage. Joey began to roll up his sleeve, and the sight I saw made me want to instantly cry. On his arm was a large handprint mark, too large to be a woman's, around his wrist and several healing bruises further up. There were also clear signs of cigarette burns that riddled his arm.

Carlisle was the first to speak up and, in a very senior tone, asked, "Joey, how did these marks happen?"

Before Joey could speak, his mother tried to chime in when suddenly Joey turned to her and said, "It's okay mom, I have a strong feeling we can trust them. They will help us. It's time to finally be free. "

Mrs. Williams looked peaceful and, for the first time, gave a small smile to her son. "I have the same feeling too, son, besides I've done an awful job protecting you. It's time to get you help."

"You had no choice, mom, besides you're suffering too. I want to protect you too." Joey chimed in a watery voice.

"I'm guessing that means these wounds and perhaps your previous ones were not accidental as you claimed?" Carlisle said soothingly.

Mrs. Williams slowly nodded, "I know it was wrong to lie, but I felt that we had no choice. I didn't want Joey to be taken from me. I was scared to report the abuse under the same reason. It's been 10 years that I have been being abused by Joey's father, my boyfriend. Please tell me I won't lose him. He's my reason for living. He's my world."

I could hear the heartbreak in her voice. It took everything in me to not break my professionalism. I wanted nothing but to wrap her and her son in a hug. But decorum must be kept in such a serious matter.

"I can no say what will happen, but as a doctor and Miss Swan as a nurse will have to file a report. It would look better for you to come forward when the police come to collect the report and be honest about both your son and your suffering. Now, let's treat Joey's break, and then Miss Swan will ask for the police to come. We're going to help you as much as we can, but we are simply medical professionals, not social workers. I have serval numbers for women to help centers and would be more than happy to give them to you." Carlisle stated this information in a kind but an honest voice. "Miss Swan, if you could go and get the casting kit."

"Of course, Doctor Cullen. I'll be back in a moment." I replied as I headed out the door.

I took a deep breath; nothing had truly prepared me for this moment. Yes, we had studied what to do when abuse cases come through our doors, but I had never expected to face one so soon. I was shocked; she was willing to tell us. From what I had read, it was tough to get victims to admit that there is a problem. But for some reason, Carlisle's presence just seemed to put everyone at ease and make it look like everything would be okay. I hoped one day I would have the same presence. I grabbed the kit and went back to the room. Mrs. Williams had tears in her eye, and I could only deduce that she was telling Carlisle more information that she could help him file the report.

"I'm back with the kit, Doctor Cullen," I said

"Thank you, Miss Swan." He nodded back and grabbed it from my hands.

We made quick but delicate work on placing Joey's cast on and making sure everything was set right. After all, it was said and done. I turned to Carlisle.

"I'll go call Chief Swan and come here to get a report."

"Chief Swan, Is he related to you?" Mrs. Williams said.

"Yes, he is my father. He will help you any way he can. He is a kind man." I said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Then heading to the front desk.

"Helen," I said, stepping up to the desk "I'm going to need the phone. We have an abuse case could you call Chief Swan to come and collect the report. The mother is going to file charges."

"Oh, don't tell me it's that young boy," Helen replied with a shocked voice.

I responded with a quick but solemn nod. "Him and his mother."

"Alright, I'll call him right away," Helen said with a saddened tone. No one wanted to place that call.

Carlisle walked out of the room and started heading over to where I was, I met him halfway.

"The cast is set, I've left them alone to give them time together before Chief Swan arrived," Carlisle said with a quiet voice.

"He'll be here soon, the station isn't that far down the road. I should probably go and check on my other patients." I said, grabbing their charts.

Carlisle nodded, "I'll go with you; several of them are mine and would like to check on them also."

Walking to the first person, "Sounds fine to me."

It was silent. I was still focusing my whole mind on the Williams case, it consumed me. As if he could read my mind and wanted me to come back to reality, he spoke.

"You said you have a sister, is she also going into the medical field?"

"I wouldn't know, she lives with our mother in Phoenix. I haven't seen or talked to her since she was two." I replied

"Oh, why not," he said with a questioning tone, not meaning to be mean but to honestly wanting to know.

"Yes, Renée took her when she was 2 and left me with my dad. When I was 12, my dad and Renee decided that Bella would come here to Forks once a year during the summer, and I would go to Phoenix, so our paths never have crossed. She decided this summer that she wouldn't come here anymore, so I stayed here and finished up my nursing degree. I feel that something will come soon to help us become close, but it's still a long way out." I said with a monotone voice. Talking about my past always made me uncomfortable, I didn't want other people's pity. "Is it always this hard."

"I wish I could say it gets easier. But I cannot. Some cases will always stick with you, they'll be the cases that you go home at night and think about making it almost hard to sleep. But, what soothes me is that we are there making a difference in their lives, even if all we can do is treat their physical pain. But it is never right to steel your heart against these cases. Empathy is the most important feeling we can have as healthcare professionals." Carlisle said while placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I understand, Thank you," I said, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze. Again I was meet with a freezing temperature. Heading into room, I turned to look back and was caught in his captivating eyes.

Carlisle POV

There was something that shook me the first time I meet this girl. It wasn't just because she was smart. It wasn't because she quickly pushed away from her shock of my attractiveness and became extremely focused on her patient, which rarely happened. Most people would be awestruck and would stare for what seemed like forever. No, It was a deep feeling that she knew something that the world didn't. She spoke with confidence and with determination. She immediately picked up on the belief that something wasn't right from the moment she stepped into the room. I never have met another person who was able to pick up this feeling immediately. I knew this girl would have an effect on my world. But what I couldn't figure out would it be a positive effect or would it destroy the peaceful existence my family sought to maintain.

Well, that all folks. I'll see you next time. The next chapter will be other characters POV but mostly Sam's, things are going to kick off even further.