Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything

Chapter 17

Bella's POV

I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face as it shone through my window. I opened my eyes slowly and rolled over to see Edward sleeping peacefully, on his stomach, beside me. His shirt was off and I could see his scars on his lower back. Without thinking I leaned over and kissed them gently. When he moved slightly I panicked and thought he might freak out again, but when I leaned back I saw him looking at me with nothing but love in his eyes.

He smiled sweetly "Hey"

"Hey" I said as I lay back down next to him. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me on the forehead.

"Are you ready?" I whispered into his chest.

He didn't say anything so I looked up and I could see the fear in his eyes but he nodded.

"So we'll have breakfast and then we'll go ok?"

"Ok" he whispered. He sounded terrified and I knew that this would be the hardest thing he has ever had to do but I knew that in the long run it would be worth it.

We went down stairs and I made him pancakes, then we left for his house. I could see his hands shaking as they held the steering wheel.

I placed a hand on his leg "Edward"

He looked across at me.

"Its going to be ok, I'm here"

He nodded and gently picked up my hand and kissed it softly "I know, thanks for….everything really"

When we walked into his house we came across Alice in the kitchen eating breakfast.

"Hey Bella" she said excitedly "I'm glad you're here. I was just about to go shopping and…"

Edward cut her off "Are Carlisle and Esme around? I need to talk to them"

Alice looked confused at our serious expressions and pointed towards the living room "Yeah their both in there"

Edward nodded and pulled me into the room.

Carlisle and Esme were sitting on the lounge watching TV.

"Hey Bella, sweetie how…" Esme started to say but when she saw our faces she stopped.

"Um I need to talk to you guys about something" Edward said softly looking at the ground.

They both looked between us with puzzled looks.

I took Edward over to the lounge and we sat across from them.

"Hey what's going on?" Emmett said as he and Alice walked into the room.

"Edward wants to talk to us" Esme said looking at Edward with concern "Why don't you two give us some privacy"

"No" Edward said quickly "They can stay it kind of involves everyone"

Emmett and Alice sat down and looked at us in confusion.

We sat there for a moment in silence until Alice blurted out "You're not pregnant are you Bella?"

"No!" Edward and I said quickly. I felt myself blush and as I looked at Edward I saw his face was a bit pink to.

Alice sighed in relief "Well than what is it?"

Edward took a deep breath and I could see his hands shaking, I reached over and gently took them in mine. He looked at me and than back at the floor. He than began telling them about what had happened to him.

Edward spoke softly and I could feel how scared he was. As he spoke I watched his family's reactions.

When he spoke of how his grandfather used to abuse him Esme gasped and tears spilled down her cheeks. Even though Edward wasn't looking I knew he heard her, but he still continued. Emmett was staring at the ground with a look of fury and…shame on his face, Carlisle had his face in his hands and Alice, like Esme, was crying softly.

When Edward had finished speaking I looked over at him and I could see the tears slowly running down his cheeks. I put my arm around him and hugged him tightly.

"I'm so proud of you" I whispered into his ear.

He nodded and buried his face in my neck.

Everyone was quiet for a long moment until Esme walked over to us slowly and sat down next to Edward. He let go of me and turned around to face her. She pulled him into her arms and they cried together.

I could feel the tears running down my face as I watched Esme holding Edward.

"I'm so sorry honey" I heard Esme whisper "You've been through so much"

Suddenly there was a huge banging sound and we all jumped.

"Mum" Alice whispered "Dad just…"

Carlisle had left the room slamming the door behind him. Esme started to get up to follow her husband. But Edward stopped her.

"Let me go"

Edward's POV

Telling my family what had happened was even worse then telling Bella. I couldn't look at any of them. When Esme hugged me I felt as though the walls that I had built between us were broken down. I felt like her son.

I followed Carlisle into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table with his face in his hands and his shoulders shaking.

I cleared my throat to let him know I was there.

He looked up slowly.

"I'm sorry" I whispered softly.

He looked at me in confusion "Sorry? There's nothing for you to be sorry for"

"I should have…I don't know…" I trailed off.

He got up and walked towards me and for the first time I didn't flinch away.

"Edward what happened was not your fault…I just wish" he pulled his hand through his hair "I should have known something had happened…I should have tried harder to get you help"

"No its not…." I started to say.

"You had to suffer on your own for so many years…" his voice broke and I felt terrible.

I did the only thing that made sense I moved forward and hugged him. I heard him gasp but then he wrapped his arms around me.

It was slightly awkward and I knew we had a long way to go but I knew in my heart that we would be ok.

After my talk with Carlisle I walked back into the lounge room where Alice and Emmett sat still looking shocked.

"Where's Bella?" I asked

"Talking to Mum" Alice said quietly as she walked towards me. "Edward I…"

It was weird seeing Alice lost for words. "Its ok I know" I said and she hugged me tightly as she sobbed.

After Alice walked out Emmett got up. "Edward" he started "I shouldn't have…"

I stopped him "I don't blame you for anything you said. I understand where you were coming from"

He nodded slightly "I'm really sorry"

I nodded back "I forgive you"

Bella's POV

After Edward had gone to talk to Carlisle, Esme pulled me into the hallway.

"Bella I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done" she said with tears in her eyes.

I didn't know what to say.

"You helped me to know my son" she said and I felt tears well up in my eyes. She wrapped her arms around me and I hugged her back tightly.

"He loves you very much" she said as she let go.

I nodded "I love him to"

"He's been through a lot and its not going to be easy" she said quietly

I nod again "I know but he's worth it"

She smiles at me "He certainly is"

We walked back into the living room where Edward and Emmett where talking. I walked over to Edward and he pulled me into a hug.

"Are you ok?" I whispered softly

He nodded "Yes"

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Later that day Edward went and spoke to his parents alone, I stayed in his room waiting for him to finish.

When he walked into the room he looked a little shaken but also like a huge weight had been lifted from him. He wasn't keeping his secret from the world anymore.

"Hey" he said and came and lay down on his bed with me.

"How'd it go?" I asked.

He pushed my hair back out of my eyes "It was ok they just had some more questions"

I nodded.

"And I have to try therapy again" he said frowning slightly

"It might help"

"I know I just…I don't want to speak to a stranger"

"Well you can just try it and see how it goes"

He nodded "Ok" he leaned over and kissed me gently.

I leaned in and brought him closer to me. I would never get used to kissing Edward; it was the greatest feeling in the world.

We kissed a bit longer and then he pulled away "Bella?" he whispered

"Yes?"

"I think I'm ready" he said burying his face in my hair.

I gasped in shock "What? You mean…"

"Only if you're ready, of course, I just want to be close to you" he whispered into my hair.

I felt breathless.

Was I ready?

AN: Please review!!