Thanks for all the lovely comments. Again, I do not own The Twilight Saga! Let me know what you think please! Same warning still all apply
Carlisle
I was trying to keep the images of Bella's scars and cuts out of my head, but it is hard. I do not want Edward to keep reliving them. I could feel him flitch every time my control ceased.
"Can you both please, try harder!" Edward snapped. Alice was obviously failing in her efforts too.
"Sorry Edward. Do you want to explain to Charlie?" I asked tentatively
"No, I think considering I am the reason that his daughter is destroying herself, best I don't" Edward bit again
I grabbed his arm and he stopped in his tracks, Alice gliding to his other side.
"Edward, this is not your fault. If it were, this would have stopped on our return" I responded
"I broke her Carlisle. She started this because we left. It would have been better if I would have died that day in Italy"
"Don't even go there" Alice chipped in "I don't want to see that in my head"
"Now you know how I feel" Edward snapped
"You don't think I know how it feels Edward? Really? I found her. And I do not want to see your dead body mixed in with those memories too. You aren't going anywhere. That would actually kill Bella. She is ill Edward, this is no one's fault" Alice lectured her brother
"Edward, you can't think like that. It would not be better if you were dead, do you understand?" I have dealt with Edwards fleeting thoughts of death many times before. He hates what he is so much, he believes that is the answer to everything. Alice always gets a head up and it will pass.
"Can we just focus on the task, please!" said Edward. We were stood in the shadows behind the trees surrounding Bella's house. Charlies cruiser was already parked in the drive
"I will speak Edward if you don't want too, but Alice you may have to chip in" Alice nodded at me "He is not going to blame you Edward. He will be grateful you told him. Alice?" I hinted she should look for his reaction in more depth than earlier
"He is very unlikely to get mad at you Edward. Only if you put the idea in his head, see?"
Edward nodded as he watched her vision and we all walked towards the house. I knocked on the door and could see Charlies shadow approaching.
"Where is your key Bel-" Charlie stopping his sentence when he realised it wasn't Bella at the door "Oh Doctor Cullen, Alice, Edward, what brings you here?"
"Hello Charlie, please call me Carlisle. May we come in?"
"Where is Bella? Is she alright?" You could see the panic enter his expression
"Don't worry Charlie, she is at our house with my wife and other children. I think this conversation would be best in the house though, if you don't mind of course?"
"No, no, come on in Carlisle" Charlie stood to the side to allow us in "Go through there to the lounge" he gestured us towards the small room
"Thank you, Charlie" Edward replied
"Sit down"
We followed instructions. Alice perched on the sofa next to Charlie. I sat opposite on the armchair whilst Edward sat down on the floor as there were no more chairs.
"So, what's this about?" Charlie asked a bit awkwardly
"Well Charlie, you will have to bear with me, it rather difficult to explain" Charlie raised his eyebrows at me "It is about Bella. Have you noticed anything different about her recently?"
"Umm, no I don't think so. Should I have?" He glanced towards Edward
"No" Edward responded "None of us noticed anything either"
"Can you just get to the point, I am starting to get a bit concerned Carlisle" Charlie asked politely but he was obviously anxious
"Of course, sorry Charlie. Alice came over this morning to see Bella, as she often does. Bella cooked them so breakfast and when Bella went to wash up, Alice saw something on her wrist"
"What?" Charlie looked very concerned now, sensing the seriousness. We should have bought Jasper to calm his emotions
"It was a couple of cuts. Alice asked Bella, and she broke down Charlie"
"Broke down?"
"Yes, crying. She was extremely reluctant to show Alice, but she grabbed her wrist and pulled up her shirt sleeve" I took a breath "I'm sorry Charlie, but there were lots and lots of cuts, up both her arms"
"I don't understand? Did she fall?" Given Bella's track record it made sense this was his first instinct
"I mean she did it to herself Charlie" I sat whilst that information digested
"No, Bella, she, well, she wouldn't do that?" His voice was breaking, barley more than a whisper
"I am so sorry Charlie. Alice bought her back to our house, there was a couple of fresh ones that I had to stitch. She won't show me the rest"
"The rest? What do you mean the rest?"
"They are on her legs too, Alice got it out of her. It seems to have been going on for a couple of months" Charlie had gone very pale. Alice placed a hand on his leg and he grabbed her hand, obviously appreciating the gesture "Edward, go and make Charlie a sweet cup of tea" Charlie looked at me question "It will help with the shock"
"I don't believe this. That's not her, that's not my Bells" Charlie's eyes started to well up, Alice pulled a tissue out of her pocket, she obviously saw that coming "Thanks Alice, sorry"
"Don't apologise. I am very upset too. My wife has been crying this afternoon, as has Edward and Alice. Its allowed" I offer a small smile and Charlie let his emotions go as he let out a small sob
"What can we do for her Carlisle? Will you help her?" He said through tear fill eyes
"Of course, I will. I will do everything in my power to help. I must warn you, she really didn't want you to know. Well not just you, anyone. But the more people to keep her safe the better. If it were one of my children, I would want to know. I hope you agree"
"Absolutely. I needed to know. I am just so shocked"
"That's completely understandable. We can stay as long as you like"
"Wait, did you say more people to keep her safe? Do you think she is …" Charlie was obviously struggling to say the word
"Suicidal?" He just nodded at me "Yes I do Charlie. I think she is very poorly. It's no one's fault, not hers, yours, anyone's. She is just ill, sadly it is common" He must know this from his police work
Charlie took a big breath and another wave of emotion came over him. Alice put her arm round him this time as Edward returned with his tea, he took it in his shaking hands.
"Can I see her?"
"She is your daughter Charlie. She is at our house because we didn't want her to be alone before you got home. We didn't think she should be here for this conversation either, she is extremely distressed. I gave her some medication to take the edge off, we give it in the emergency department"
"Thank you. All of you. She is lucky to have you all. I guess I should take some time off work to stay with her"
"We can all take it in turns Charlie. You have to work, try and keep a normality. Alice can sit with her in the day"
"Hey Edward" Charlie addressed my son "You know, I meant it when I said thank you. I know I have been angry with you lately, but I am glad she has you and your family"
"Thank you, Charlie. But I will never forgive myself, I should have noticed" Even Charlie could see how destroyed Edward looked
"Now, come on, none of us noticed" Charlie responded "Let's work together to get my girl better alright?" He held out a hand of Edward to shake. Edward walked across and took his hand "You cold Edward, I can put the heating on?"
"No, it's fine Charlie. I think it's the distress of it all" Charlie nodded knowingly "We actually walked here because we didn't want you to drive by yourself, if that's ok?"
"Oh, you didn't need to do that. Shall we go now?"
"If you want to Charlie" I replied
"Yes, I need to see her"
"She may be a bit sleepy" I warned
"Well that's good" Charlie took a breath "I have no idea what to say to her"
"Just be there for her, that will be enough"
Charlie nodded and headed for the door. I quickly texted Esme to let her know Charlie was coming up, Jasper may wish to leave, although I wish he wouldn't. She replied quickly
Bella is awake and panicking. Shall I tell her dad is on his way?
No, just comfort her. We won't be long. I replied
