A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner. I had some personal issues that I was dealing with and writing had to take a back burner.

I don't own anything except for this lovely storyline. The great SM was gracious enough to allow me time to play with her characters. If you are under 18, please don't read this story.

TISSUE WARNING!

Chapter 13: Here Comes the Truth

BPOV

I looked around at my siblings, but refused to look at Carlisle. I couldn't bear to look at his face, not when I was about to destroy him by telling him about the horrible abuse that Edward put me through for four long and excruciating months. My eyes met Jasper's concerned ones and I gave him a pleading look. I already needed help to get through this and I hadn't even started talking yet. I took a deep breath when I felt the calm wash over me. Offering a small smile to Jasper in thanks, I looked down at my hands in my lap and felt the first tear slide down my cheek.

"I'm going to tell you all everything. This is going to be very hard for me, but I feel you all need to know. I loved Edward with all my heart and I honestly thought he loved me. He told me once that he was a monster and I didn't believe him. He told me I should be afraid of him, but I didn't fear him. I risked my own life to save him in Italy."

I paused as a few more tears slid down my cheeks. I still had so much to tell them.

"I was exhausted physically and mentally when we got back from Italy and all I wanted to do was sleep. I was lying in bed with my eyes closed when I felt the bed dip and I opened my eyes to find Edward sitting next to me, but it was the look on his face that made me realize something was very wrong. He looked so angry and for the first time since I met Edward, I was truly afraid."

"Bella, you don't have to do this," Rosalie told me softly with venom shining in her eyes.

I shook my head as even more tears fell. I needed the strength to tell them. I stood up and Carlisle's arms slid from my waist and I walked into the middle of the living room. I began pacing as I tried to get my thoughts together. I could do this. I could tell them. What if they hate me?

"Bella," Jasper drawled. "Do you want me to help?"

I nodded and gladly accepted the emotions he gave me. I suddenly felt calm, and full of courage. I stopped pacing and turned to face my family, ready to tell them.

"I asked Edward what was wrong and he wanted to know why he smelt werewolf in my room. Before I could answer him though, he grabbed me by the tops of my arms and yanked me off the bed. He yelled at me to answer him and I told him he was hurting me. He responded by telling me that if I didn't give him the answer that he wanted it would be more than my arms hurting."

I paused, remembering the pain I felt after he hurt me the first time and not just the pain in my arms. Edward truly broke me by hurting me physically and mentally.

"I started squirming, fighting against the pain, but he only squeezed harder and I knew he was close to breaking both my arms. I blurted out that Victoria was after me and that Jacob had come to check on me. I begged him to let me go. He threw me on the bed then and began pacing in front of my window. He turned to me suddenly and told me that if I told anyone my father would pay."

I buried my head in my hands and wept. It did no good to keep quiet for four months because in the end my father was murdered any way. Edward made good on his threat to make my father pay. I was suddenly wrapped in a cold embrace and I soaked up the feelings of peace and love that I was feeling. I looked up into the concerned eyes of my family and then settled on Carlisle's sorrowful expression. I placed my palm against his cheek and he leaned into my touch. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. I had to finish telling them. They needed to know. They needed to know what kind of monster Edward truly was.

"For the next few weeks, it was the same thing. If Edward asked me a question and I didn't answer him fast enough, he would hit me and roughly grab me. The pain from him hitting me was nothing compared to the awful things he would tell me. He called me a whore, told me that nobody would ever want me. He told me that I wasn't good for anything. Edward said that I would never be enough for him, but he was stuck with me. He beat me down with each word that came out of his mouth.

"The worst came two months after the abuse started. I was severely depressed and I felt like I was drowning. I had cut Jacob out of my life because Edward would hit me a lot harder if Jacob called or came by. We came home from school one day and Edward was already angry with me because Mike Newton spoke to me in Biology and again in Gym. I had long since stopped begging Edward to quit hurting me. When I begged it seemed to fuel his anger and the abuse would be worse, but my cries from the pain seemed to please him. It was almost like he gained enjoyment from hurting me."

I began sobbing because I was about to tell them the very worst part. Carlisle picked me up in his arms and cradled me to his chest. I looked and saw Emmett and Jasper cradling Rose and Alice the same way I was being held. They were both silently sobbing against their mates chests.

Emmett and Jasper looked like they were ready to go hunt Edward down and tear him limb from limb. I wiped the tears away from my cheeks and tried taking deep calming breaths. I just needed to get this over with.

"I quickly realized that I was going to have to cut everyone out of my life. I had already lost all of you since Edward wouldn't allow me to be around any of you. I don't even think he wanted me to see Alice at school, but he couldn't stop that. He was making it to where I had nobody to turn to. I was trapped and I had no way out.

"As soon as the front door was closed was when the first hit came. I was walking to the kitchen when I was hit so hard in my back that I was sent flying towards the wall. Before my body could actually slam against the wall though, Edward had grabbed me by my throat and shoved me against the wall. My feet were dangling and I was gasping for air.

"He got right in my face and told me that I would learn one way or another that I was his and if that meant that he had to beat me into submission that was what he would do. Edward released me and I dropped to the floor, scrambling to get away from him. I was finally able to get to my feet and I ran for the stairs. I knew I couldn't outrun him, but I had to try to get away from him. I was so afraid he was going to kill me, but a part of me welcomed death because then he wouldn't be able to hurt me anymore.

"Before I could even reach the stairs Edward caught me by my arm and roughly spun me around to face him. He asked me where the fuck I thought I was going. I couldn't tell him that I was trying to get away from him. The last time I told him I was trying to get away from him was when I am pretty sure he cracked my ribs. So I lied and told him that I needed to go to the bathroom, but of course he knew I was lying and called me a lying bitch.

"He told me that he was going to teach me a lesson that I would never forget. He yanked me upstairs and into my room, throwing me on my bed. He came towards me, but it was like I was his prey and he was stalking me. The look on his face was so fierce. I was terrified. He wasn't my Edward anymore and he hadn't been my Edward for months. I tried to scoot away from him, but he grabbed my leg and pulled me to the edge of the bed. Before I realized what he was doing, he had shredded my jeans and I was left in my t-shirt and panties."

Rose jumped up and growled. "He raped you?" She screeched. "Oh God!" She cried. I was shaking my head and crying, but I couldn't get the words out. Emmett and Jasper were snarling and I could feel Carlisle's chest vibrating from his steady growl. I looked at Alice and she had her head in her hands. She may have seen all of this happen, but it didn't make hearing about it any easier.

"I'm so sorry Bella," Alice whimpered. "I tried to find a way to help you. I tried, but he was constantly reading my thoughts when he was around. I should have helped anyway."

"No, Alice. You couldn't have helped. I had to get myself out of the situation, but I was stuck just like you were stuck in a position where you couldn't help."

Alice stood up and walked towards me; she wrapped her arms around me and sobbed. I held her to me for a moment and then released her. She moved to sit back in Jasper's lap.

"He didn't get a chance to rape me," I whispered. All eyes snapped to my face and stared at me. "He was going to. I cried out, begging him not to and began fighting as the tears fell, but if was of no use. He was just too strong. He climbed on the bed and put his hands on my thighs and squeezed hard, yanking them apart. I cried out from the pain and he laughed. Edward positioned himself between my legs, which prevented me from closing them. He told me that he was going to mark me in a way that no other man has before and no other man would.

"I begged him again not to do that to me. He reached for my panties acting as if I didn't even speak. Just as he was about to yank them away from my body, he jumped out of my bed and went to my window. He turned to me and told me he would finish at another time and to keep my mouth shut and then he left. I began sobbing and then I heard the door bang open and I knew Charlie was home. My dad called up the stairs wanting to know if I was home."

I paused crying again. I still had so much to tell them. Two more months of abuse that I had to share.

"I got dressed and wiped my eyes while I walked out of my bedroom, but as soon as Charlie saw me he knew something was wrong. He met me on the stairs and hugged me to his chest wanting to know what was wrong, but I couldn't tell him. All I could do was sob in my dad's arms. Eventually I pulled away and went into the kitchen to cook, telling him I just had a bad day. But I was silently thanking who ever could hear me that my dad came home and saved me, even if he didn't know it.

"The abuse continued and by this time it was happening every day. My ribs took the most abuse. I think Edward was trying to make certain that my ribs never fully healed. He never had a chance to rape me because Charlie was always home when I got out of school or he arrived a few minutes later. Unfortunately, Edward still found time to hit me. He even hit me a few times on our way to school or on our way back to my house. I was so afraid when he took me to see you all because I knew I had to keep my mouth shut.

"I knew I had to protect Charlie, but I failed him. It's my fault my father is dead and I will have to live with that for the rest of my life. If my father's death being my fault wasn't enough, I'm also the reason you all lost Esme and I'm the reason that Leah is dead too."

A sob tore its way out of my throat and Carlisle pulled me close and rocked me.

"Bella," Emmett called. "Do you really think we blame you?"

"You should," I told him simply.

"Well we don't, none of us do," Emmett declared.

I gave Emmett a small smile, but I wasn't sure if I should believe him. I couldn't stop blaming myself. Why wouldn't they blame me too?

Jasper stood up and made his way towards me with Alice walking beside him. They both knelt down in front of me and each took one of my hands. Their moves were almost choreographed, like they had done this many times.

"We love you Bella and I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you from Edward, but I will protect you now with my own life," Alice vowed.

"He won't touch you again," Jasper promised.

"And we don't blame you. We never did. Edward did this. Edward is at fault. Nobody is to blame except for him. Please believe me," Alice pleaded.

"Bella," Rose whispered while walking towards me. "You are my sister and my best friend. Please know that the death of your father, Esme, and Leah are not your fault. We could never blame you for that. We all love you. I would give my life to protect you. I will protect you against Edward no matter what it takes."

"We all will," Carlisle spoke firmly. "Alice I assume you saw my conversation with Aro." With her nod he continued, "Did you fill everyone in on what he and I discussed?"

"Yes I told them, but I don't think they will find him. Carlisle I can't get a vision of him and I have spent the last two days searching for him constantly. It's like he is blocking me somehow and I truly don't see how Demetri will find him if I can't see him in a vision."

I began to shake with fear. It was only a matter of time before he came back for me. My breaths were coming faster until I was panting for breath.

"Breathe, Sweetheart. Take deep breaths with me. Jasper, calm her down please."

I focused on Carlisle's voice and soon I felt my breathing slow down and more calm wash over me.

CPOV

"Bella, he won't get to you," I promised.

"How can you know that? Alice can't see him. He could show up here any day and finish what he started with me," Bella cried.

"Bella, I might not be able to see him, but we will protect. I failed you once and I will not fail you again," Alice vowed.

"Darlin' do you trust me?" Jasper asked Bella.

"Of course I trust you Jasper."

"Then know that with my experience he doesn't stand a chance at hurting you ever again."

Emmett walked over towards us and opened his arms for Bella and she immediately stood up. He scooped her up and cradled her to his chest.

"She was on the verge a panic attack. We will all need to keep an eye on her. I don't want her alone for one second. No matter what, one of us must always be with her," I spoke firmly, but softly enough to keep it from Bella.

"Why don't we go for a swim," Rose suggested. "The pool is heated and indoors plus it is a nice sunny day out."

We all agreed and Alice and Rose took Bella upstairs to change into a swimsuit while Emmett, Jasper, and I walked to our rooms to change as well. I walked to the back of the house to go out the door that led to our indoor pool and went to sit in a lounge chair when I heard Bella approaching. I turned and my eyes widened.

Jasper and Emmett were in the pool already and they both jumped out to grab their mates and then got back in the pool. Bella walked up to me and smiled. I grabbed her towel and placed it next to mine in the lounge chair and pulled her with me to the stairs in the pool.

"You look amazing in that bikini," I told her with a hungry gaze.

"You look pretty sexy yourself," she smirked.

I grinned and scooped her up and jumped into the deep in. She shrieked and laughed when we came back up to the surface. We spent the next hour splashing each other and just relaxing. The best part of the day was when Bella decided she wanted to watch us play Marco Polo. She knew we were stealthy and she wanted to see how long we could play before the game was over.

Alice was out first since she couldn't not see the outcome, so she gracefully accepted that she lost and bowed out. Jasper was the next to go since he was focusing on our emotions and Bella said he was cheating. He chuckled and climbed out of the pool. I won in the end finding both Rose and Emmett.

We climbed out of the pool after the game was over and Bella walked up to me with my towel. I smiled and wrapped the towel around my shoulders.

"Did you cheat?" She asked me with a small smile.

I laughed, "No, Sweetheart. I don't have to cheat. I'm older and wiser."

"And sexier," she mumbled.

I leaned in close and whispered so low she could barely hear me, "you are sexy too."

She blushed and kissed me on my cheek and we all made our way inside to change our clothes and get settled in for the evening.

"Bella, what do you want to eat?" Rose inquired.

Bella paused for a moment thinking of what she wanted to eat. She finally settled on Chinese food telling Rose she wanted shrimp fried rice, shrimp egg rolls, and sweet and sour shrimp. I can only imagine how awful that food was going to smell, but if it made her happy I would buy her anything she wanted to eat.

Bella and I went upstairs to change and I noticed that Bella's room was right next door to mine. I wondered why I didn't realize that before. I went in my room to change and Bella knocked on my door. I opened the door to find her in a beautiful white sundress. I had already showered and changed into a pair of khakis and a blue polo shirt.

"Food's here," Emmett yelled.

I grabbed Bella's hand and we walked downstairs into the entertainment room to watch movies while Bella ate her dinner. We didn't even make it through the first movie before she fell asleep with her head on my chest. Alice draped a blanket over Bella and I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. Rose looked at me and gave me an approving smile, which I appreciated. I whispered my thanks to her and she smiled again. I carried Bella to bed that night around 10:30 and as I went to leave out of her room she called my name. I turned around and she was staring at me.

"Stay," she whispered.

I nodded and climbed into bed with her. I would stay every night with her if she wanted me to. I belonged with Bella. It no longer mattered that I was scared of loving her so quickly. It only mattered that I loved her and she loved me. I knew from this moment on, I would spend the rest of my eternity with Bella at my side as my mate, my wife, and my best friend.

A/N: I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I want to tell you all that I DO NOT condone abuse at all, of any kind. If you are being abused, please seek help.

I'm working on the chapter for The Change Within now and will either post it today or tomorrow. Thank you for reading and please leave me a review.