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I said when I first met Esme that she had to be living good. Living good seemed like a drastic understatement for how she really lived. They must be royalty.

The Cullen's home, if it can even be called that, was built in the middle of the forest in a small town where it rained a lot. There was a bubbling spring to the right surrounded by a meadow. And large trees surrounded the left and front side of the house, making a layer of dense foliage. Just over the roof of the 'house' you could see the peak of a…bluff?

The house was four stories high with multiple balconies and a larger deck in front, not to mention the windows every-fucking-where. It oddly fit into the scenery despite looking so modern.

Man, what a find.

I was pretty caught up in looking at the house and the surrounding area because when Esme laid a delicate hand on my shoulder I barely felt it. Emmett had parked right in front of the mansion and had disappeared behind the vehicle while Carlisle came around and opened my door.

He held his hand out to help me get out of the vehicle. What a gentlemen. I knew he probably was truly trying to help but I ignored his gesture and climbed out by myself. Surprisingly so, I did it without falling on my face. Point for Bella.

As the Doc helped his wife out of the car two more vehicles came up the drive. My jaw must've hit the sidewalk as a sleek black muscle car pulled pass us and into the garage, followed by a yellow, shimmering Porsche.

These people were loaded. So uhm, what the hell was I doing here?

I had never felt more out of place as Esme led me inside the white giant. Everything was clean and spotless and cost a fortune. I felt like a dirty invader. Maybe this was all a mistake.

Esme pulled me from my thoughts as she led me into a wide room with dark furnishing, the room itself was painted white. A large sectional was placed in one corner and that was where she led me to.

"I'm going to get you something to eat, I know you must be hungry." I sat down on the corner of a cushion and sunk right into the fabric. It was so damn comfy. She handed me a sleek looking remote. "Bella, is there anything you'd like?" I shook my head slowly and watched her walk out of the room.

I felt a bit vulnerable sitting in the large room by myself. What if someone came in and saw me on the sofa? Would they throw me out without asking Esme about me?

My heart sank into my stomach as I mulled the topic over. Maybe Esme was regretting bringing me here. Maybe she would let them throw me out. I tried to think back to the route. Fuck, I didn't even know where here was. I hadn't asked a single question in the car.

I could feel my heart start to pound in my chest. I was getting anxious. I pulled up my feet and laid back into the sofa. It was so warm and welcoming I couldn't help but curl up against it. I forgot that I was still wearing shoes and I pulled them off slowly and set them on the hard wood flooring. Sorry Esme.

I nestled into the soft material of the couch and already felt myself drifting off within seconds. I wanted to push myself up and off the couch, I wanted to stay awake. But every muscle, every bone in my body was shutting down. I pulled the remote to my chest as I let sleep take over.

Esme's POV

I was making a sandwich for Bella when Rosalie and Alice strode in through the garage door. I place a finger against my lips and they nodded coming up to the island counter. I waited to answer questions until I had finished making the sandwich and set it aside.

I knew they were all eager to hear what had happened.

"We have a guest, she might be staying for a while. Family meeting in 5." The both of them nodded and I picked up the plate with Bella's sandwich on it as the boys came in the front door. I didn't want them all to scare poor Bella but they beat me to the arch way. I looked around them and saw sleeping Bella. She had herself curled into a ball, the TV remote wrapped in her arms.

I didn't fight the smile that surfaced on my face. I stepped back into the kitchen, Carlisle and the rest on my heels. I put away the sandwich and then turned to Emmett. We'll put her in the guest room at the top of the stairs.

He knew what I was asking him and the grin he wore faltered for only a split second as he followed me into the living room. He picked her up in his arms as carefully as he could and carried her up the stairs. I went to my room and grabbed a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt for Bella. They were the first thing I had seen.

I was rushing back to the guest room, worried that Bella would wake up in Emmett's arms, or in a bed with only Emmett in the room. When I returned though he was pulling the covers over her and setting a glass of water on the night stand.

I smiled at his and rested a hand on his forearm in thanks before he retreated. I placed the clothes on the nightstand behind the glass and took the diner receipt out of my pocket. I wrote a little note on the back and propped it up against the clothes so she would see it.

I sighed softly and looked down at the fragile girl in the bed. She looked so young. I turned on the lamp in the corner of the room on the way out. She wouldn't wake up in complete darkness.

I closed the door quietly on my way out and walked back down the stairs to find my whole family waiting for me. Carlisle came up to me and planted a kiss on my forehead while wrapping his arms around me.

I cleared my throat and looked at all of their faces. They were eager and concerned and maybe just a little scared. It was all understandable. I had them waiting for hours to find out what was going on. It seemed that Rose couldn't help herself anymore.

"Whatisgoingon?" The words came out all at once and I put my hand up as they all started to talk, trying to find answers.

"Bella's going to be staying with us for a while. I don't know how long but I want her to feel safe here. She's scared and she hurt. I want you all to respect her and her space. We don't know what will set her off." I knew that that wasn't all they wanted to know but I knew Bella would feel safer if they didn't know everything about her.

"You didn't bring her to a shelter." It wasn't a question. I looked at my son and shook my head. Edward stood stock still and stared at me. I knew it was hard for them to see women in bad places, it would be harder to see her in our home but Bella would be safe here.

"I ran into her before Edward. She looked bad then, that was two months ago. The same bruise is on her face." He seemed to recoil at my words. It was just as hard for him to hear about it as it was for him to see it. Rosalie put her arm around her brother's shoulders and he nodded his head and stared at me. His eyes were full of pain. I stepped out of my husband's hold and hugged my son. He wrapped his arms around me for only a moment then I released him and looked at the rest of my family. They all had variations of the same look.

"If I had dropped her off at a shelter or a hospital they would have found her in days. This way she has a chance, she's a fighter." They were all listening to me, but their eyes were trained on objects around the room. "Make her feel at home." That's all that I had left in me.

Heads nodded slowly. Emmett had Rosalie wrapped up in his arms now and she was wiping tears away. Alice was nodding her head solemnly, holding onto Jasper's hand. He was staring at Carlisle. I let go of Edward and Jasper turned to give me a curt nod as he placed his hand on Edward's shoulder. They all dispersed throughout the house.

We were in a lull. I knew my kids supported me and my actions. I just hoped that they would do the same for Bella. Carlisle took me by the hand and gently pulled me to his chest.

"Bella was lucky you found her." He mumbled as he lifted my chin and a single tear fell from my eye. "I'm so proud of you." I gave my husband a watery smile. He stood by me in everything, he would stand by me in this.

More importantly though, he was willing to stand by Bella too.

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