Disclaimer: I do not own twilight, just he plot of the story.

Esme POV

I returned to the room, and I saw Carlisle hovering over the small child, checking her vitals. I could feel my heart breaking just thinking about what this child might have gone through., breaking form fear but not from what she had been through, the fear that I might not be able to help, but my husband was the strength to give me the knowing that I was going to try.

Just being in the same room made mama bear turning into pissed off mamma bear, I will protect my new cub, or at least almost "my" new cub.

"Carlisle what do you think happened to her?" my voice probably just returning to normal and just barley audible. Though I wasn't sure I wanted an answer I pretty much already had an idea, but I wanted my husband's opinion, I always want his opinion.

He sighed, "I am no expert, but I would nearly bet 3 months salary that Bella is a victium of child abuse…. maybe sexual force."

"So she was rap-WAIT! You said Bella?" he nodded. "So her name is Bella…" It is proper for her. Just as I said her name, the child started to stir awake I could see her breaths becoming faster, her hands clenching as if looking for something, I could only hope she was looking for me, for safety, that is what I wanted to give her.

"Bella?" she looked me right in the eye, but when she saw Carlisle over my shoulder she got a frightened look in her eye, so scared, but she trusted him earlier. What happened, what made her so scared?

"Carlisle could you give us a minute please, Love?" I asked softly from my husband who probably expected me to ask because he was already heading for the painfully white door. He smiled at me and nodded, I would have to repay him latter. He left the room.

"You don't have to speak, but can you trust me and nod your head?" I just needed a little bit more information out of this rueful angel, just enough to fill out the adoption papers that is. She nodded her head yes. I figured I would start the questions easy.

"Is your name Bella?" She nodded yes. I was glad she was being responsive, some how she must have found something in me to trust. She looks at me like I am her mom. Wow…mom. I wanted to test this theory so I said,

"are you scared?" she hesitated a second as if you tell me "not right now" and then shook her head no.

"Do you trust me, Bella?" when she nodded yes my heart became full of joy, pride, and sadness. Because a part of me thought, "one down a million to go" of course I was referring to the amount of people she should be able to trust but probably doesn't.

"Okay I have one more question for you, okay?" I could tell she was scared, but wanted to remain solid and strong. "my fighter" I thought. She nodded her head yes.

"Do you remember anything about your past, or do you remember how you got the marks on your back?" without any hesitation, she nodded yes. Oh this poor child.

~s2~

Carlisle's POV

I was relaxing in the hall just outside room 333 where young Bella was talking to Esme in. I had the adoption papers already for Esme to sign To tell the truth, I was a scared shitless when I saw Esme and little Bella out side of the hospital. My fatherly instincts kicked in, I could tell right away drugging this child wouldn't get me any respect or trust from this child so I had to use the safe-house-fatherly-caring-voice, it worked. Wow I will have one more child that would make 5 kids, 5 gifts is more like it. They get themselves into tons of trouble but they are still gifts… The ramble in my mind continued until a nurse came up to me.

"Dr. Cullen?" she asked. Lillian was the main night nurse, she was shy sometimes but was strong mentally when I needed her.

"Yes?" I answer kindly lifting my head from my hands. The nurse has known me for years and so by the look on her face she knew the situation was serious, but there was something else on her face… humor maybe?

"Your children are here, I heard about what your wife did, so I wanted to know what to tell them, or where to send them." I understood right away, by hospital protocol we are not suppose to let abuse victim around more than 3 people and 1 of those people has to be hospital staff. So it was Esme and one other person can be around her all the time…

"Thank you. Lilly, send them to my office until I can talk to them." I didn't want to leave them in the lobby… not after what happened last time.

"No problem Dr. Cullen." And she walked off.

-20 in. Latter-

Esme walked out into the hall, and told me Bella was asleep. I nodded and the only thing I could think to say was:

"Esme, the kids are here."

`END~