This one is a little emotional, but I think you'll like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

xxx

DEC 2007: Bella and Leah's Room

Leah sobs into my chest as we lie on the bed. We've been like this all night. Renee was gone by the time I got home. I don't miss her. Charlie's harsh words are branded into me, and while normally I would hate him talking to her that way, what she did to Leah was inexcusable.

"Don't come home," He had said while Renee pleaded with him, before hanging up on her.

It should comfort me.

But it doesn't.

Without my mother, Charlie's hand likes to waver even more so.

I glance at my phone. My foot shakes. I'm so wound up, I feel like I could explode.

Edward said he was coming.

He was at least five hours away. I couldn't possibly stay at Charlie's office for five hours. I had texted him to just wait, that I'll talk to Carlisle about it during my visitation.

I wished I hadn't.

What did you think was going to happen? That he was just going to show up like some knight in shining armor?

My throat constricts.

But you did. You wanted him to fight for you.

It wasn't fair to him what I wanted. What I still want. Asking him to come was stupid. Carlisle would call the police as soon as he realized Edward wasn't coming home.

A knock on my door interrupts my thinking.

Seth pokes his head inside with a pillow and blanket.

"Can I sleep in here tonight?" He asks, wiping his eyes. "I can't sleep."

I motion for him to come in. "Yeah, you can sleep in my bed if you want. I'll just sleep with Leah."

My sister hiccups a little.

"You're such a scaredy cat," she says.

Seth grunts.

"You're such a bitch," he quips.

I roll my eyes.

"Both of you shut up," I say before looking at Seth. "Don't use that word Seth, Charlie will literally beat the shit out of you if he hears you."

Seth plops down on the bed.

"He already did, remember the porch," he says.

His voice is so nonchalant, like talking about the weather. It should be disturbing. Images of Seth screaming while running out of the house, Charlie belt in hand chasing him before pushing him on the railway on our porch beating him with the belt.

I swallow.

Shame fills me as I remember how I begged my mother to stop him. I didn't do anything but beg her.

You should have stopped him.

You're a coward.

Headlights shine through my window, casting an eerie glow on my walls. Leah starts hyperventilating.

"She can't be here," she cries holding onto me tighter. "He said she couldn't come back," she continues her voice rising in octaves. Her eyes go wild.

I let her go and peer outside.

It's a car I recognize.

I feel like someone's slammed into me.

I don't know whether to be relieved or scared as hell.

"It's not mom," I say.

Seth crawls up to the window.

"Who is it then," he asks.

The car door opens. A familiar face comes into view. My heart beats wild in my chest.

"It's my dad," I whisper.

Edward told my dad.

He told my dad.

I'm stunned.

I'm frightened.

The knock on the front door is loud. Leah grasps on my shirt like the only lifeline she has.

It's because you are.

Charlie's voice wafts throughout the house. My door opens. My dad stands in the doorway looking at the scene before him. Leah pushes her face in my chest. Seth just looks at my dad.

"What's up Mr. C," he says with an awkward wave.

If the situation wasn't so entirely fucked up, I would have laughed.

"Hello Seth," my dad says smoothly before walking towards me and a sobbing Leah.

She clings to me as my dad closes in and crouches down in front of us.

"What's going on Bella," he says.

I'm suddenly tongue tied, my mouth goes dry.

I want to be honest, but I'm sorry worried about Leah.

"You're going to take her aren't you," Leah whispers.

My dad's eyes soften some.

"Why don't you tell me what happened Leah," he says in complete counselor mode.

Leah's fingers curl more viciously around the fabric of my t shirt.

"Renee is not well, I've sent her to her mother's for now," Charlie says.

I jump at his sudden entrance.

"Edward told me you wanted to stay with us," my dad says ignoring him.

I blanch at his words.

It's now or never.

My chest hurts.

Leah cries harder.

"Yes," I say.

Leah completely comes undone.

"No," she shrieks. "You can't leave," she continues as she holds onto me. "You promised us, you promised!"

I blink back tears.

But it doesn't matter.

I'm going to go insane if I stay another minute here.

Bitch.

Yes, yes I am.

"I can't stay here, I can't stay with mom anymore," I say quietly.

My dad frowns some before standing up and looks at Charlie.

"Look, her Christmas break just started," he starts before looking back at me. "Why don't I just take her with me and we'll go from there."

Charlie just nods but Leah won't let me go.

I hate myself as I untangle myself from her.

"Please, please just stay," she cries out.

I shake my head, refusing to answer and refusing to cry.

I grab my purse, and turn to my dad.

"I want to go now," I say ignoring a completely breaking Leah.

"What about clothes-

I shake my head. "No, I want to go right now."

My feet speed past him as I make my way out of the house. As I reach his car, the front door is thrown open as Leah runs towards me. Charlie's rushes out, grabs her from behind as she thrashes in his arms.

"Bella," she screams.

I feel my heart crack.

My eyes burn.

"Bella!" She screams again.

The crack spreads, deepening.

"Leah, stop this," Charlie yells as he pulls her back to the house.

I shake my head.

Don't cry.

You don't get to cry after this, after what you're doing to her.

"Love me," she screams and I turn back towards her. "Love me more than you hate her!"

The crack in my heart doesn't spread.

It just shatters.

I throw open the passenger side door and slip inside as Carlisle gets in.

We back away from my home.

And you call mom a monster.

I hate my mother.

I think I might hate myself more.

Big turning point for Bella! One thing to keep in mind, Edward is still in high school, so realistically, there's no way he could just up and go get her. Most parents would freak out and report the vehicle to police. But don't worry, Edward will have his day, I promise!

I'm curious to know what you guys think about this one! It'll certainly be interesting to see how these two act living under the same roof.