Thank you to all the wonderful people who have reviewed, favourited and followed and to everyone else who has given my story a read. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the continuation of the story. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions feel free to PM me or write them in the review section.

Chapter 4 should be posted Thursday next week. I apologise not updating this morning. It was my birthday yesterday and I had a lot of wine to sleep off this morning! :D I'm sure you all understand! Anyways, thanks again for reading and of course everything Twilight belong to Stephanie Mayer!

Enjoy!

-skbfa-

A/N Currently doing a bit of a edit, apologies if you thought it was a chapter update!


Chapter 3

"I turned 18 about two months ago." I begin. "And I found out I was pregnant about that long ago as well. My parents kicked me out when I told them the news. They're super religious and didn't want me in the house with a baby. My dad said..." I trail off, feeling ashamed of myself, Edward gives my hand an encouraging squeeze. "He said I have the devil in me."

A silence stretches between us and I can feel his hold tighten around me, protecting me.

"They told me to leave and not to come back until I got rid of it. I couldn't do that though. He's my baby and I love him already. Or her, I haven't found out yet. So I came to Seattle in the hope that I could make something of myself." A few tears escape and Edward's soft thumbs wipe them away.

"Oh Bella." He says, pulling me further into his lap.

"I drove here and slept in my truck for a few weeks. My morning sickness was so bad though that I barely left it. One night I drove to a car park it seemed safe enough but there were some guys that I didn't see. They broke the windows while I was sleeping and dragged me out. They beat me up and then stole my wallet and drove off with the truck. I dragged myself to that alley you found me in and I've stayed there since. Just leaving to find food and water and nothing else." The steady thump thump of Edward's heart gets me through my story and by the time I'm finished I just want to curl into a ball and sleep. "That's where I got the black eye from. One of them punched me in the face. I don't remember much of the attack though. I try not to think about it."

"You're safe now. I promise. Nothing like this will happen again."

I don't know how it will work but I trust him. I know without a doubt he will keep me safe. I relish in the warmth he provides, it feels so foreign but so unbelievably right. And not for the first time I wonder how I made it so long without feeling this kind off affection, and dare I say, love.

We're interrupted by a soft knock on my door and head poking around the corner with a gentle smile.

"Bella. It's good to see you awake. I'm Dr. Denali." The man tells me as he walks in. He's tall and broad shouldered with short spiky blonde hair. His voice is reassuring but I still shy away from him into Edward's chest. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry." I offer without even realising it.

He chuckles. "I'll make sure to get you a tray of food. But I mean physically? How does your body feel?"

I take a moment to concentrate on myself physically before responding. "Stiff and achy? My face is sore still and my back is a little sore. Nothing sever though."

"That's good to hear. May I listen to your heart?" I nod my head and approaches me cautiously. Edward sits back on the recliner next to my bed while Dr. Denali prods me and listens to my heart and breathing. "I need to ask you a few more questions, are you okay with Edward being here?"

I nod my head. I hope he doesn't leave my side for a very long time.

"I ran some blood tests." He takes in a deep breath before continuing. "You're pregnant. Were you aware of that?"

I nod my head again and draw my knees up to my chest. I already know where this is going.

"Bella, I have to ask given the circumstances you were found in. Were you raped?"

"No! No I wasn't. It was a boy in my class. We had sex a few months ago. The condom broke. He knows about the baby. But denies it's his."

"How old are you, Bella?"

"Eighteen."

"I wasn't sure if I needed to contact child services or not. We were unsure of your age." He tells me, looking towards Edward. "I knew you were young though and I was surprised by the size of your medical file. I have to ask, Bella. Were you being abused? Maybe a parent or sibling or your boyfriend? The injuries go back a long way and there are only so many times you can fall down the stairs before the excuse becomes suspicious."

I look down at my knees. Well the shape of my knees given that they're covered by a blanket. I've never thought of it as abuse. Discipline is what my father called it. To repent you must offer your pain to God. That's what he always said to me. God only hears your pleas when you suffer, he wants to know that you understand pain before granting serenity.

"My father is strict." I offer, reaching for Edwards hand. I can't do this alone. "He has a lot of influence in our town so it was always swept under the rug."

"Can you tell me what he did?"

"He used his belt mostly but sometimes he'd used his fists." I shrug. "He did push me down the stairs a few times, so the excuse was somewhat legitimate. Those were where most of the broken bones came from."

Edward gasps at my explanation. It's new information for him. We didn't get to this part.

"What about your mother? Did he hurt her as well?"

My mother. Even the thought that she gets that title leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. "No. She would hold me down and join in sometimes. Mostly she just slept and it was like I never existed."

"It sounds like you've had a rough go of life for the last 18 years, Bella. I want to set you up with a councillor to talk to. And I'll get you the address for a women's shelter unless you have friends in the city. I want you to stay here another night though. The rest will help with your recovery."

He talks about a few other inconsequential things but I think he realises I'm not really listening anymore and bids us goodnight.

"You're safe now, Bella. And we're here to help."

"Thank you Dr. Denali."

"You're the only person I know here." I murmur to Edward after a few moments of quiet.

"I don't want you to go to a shelter." He responds. "Let me take care of you." He pleads.

I don't even attempt to fight the idea. "Okay."

"Thank you, Bella."