Well...sorry seems kind of lacking...but that's what i am. i hate that it's taken me so long!

kellyprovence - beta!

Bbebar - pre-reader.

Warning: For How Long deals with physical & emotional abuse. If these things offend you or are hard for you to handle then please don't read. It won't be anything too graphic but the abuse is still there.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or it's characters. I do own this though.

For How Long - Quiet Strength

"strength isn't always measured my muscle...sometimes it's heart that makes you the strong"

"He's not going to kill you. I'm not going to let him come near you." Edward says this with determination and perhaps he's telling himself more than me.

I look at him and I see the seriousness in his eyes. He wants to protect me and part of me thinks he can.

"I just don't know why they would bring him when I specifically said not to," I say quietly.

"Do you want to speak to your parents? I'm sure you can still tell them what you need to tell them."

I shake my head. I can't tell them what D's done to me with him here. It's too much. I wasn't prepared for this. I need to decide what to do though, because my mom will want answers and I'm not sure how truthful those will be with Demetri just outside the door.

"Bella, when they see you, they're going to know why you've left him. Your bruises are still very obvious."

"I just don't know how I'm going to do this with him here. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. It's all wrong!" I don't mean for my voice to rise, but I'm just so tired of all this. I want it be over and Demetri keeps finding ways of making sure that doesn't happen.

There's a knock on the door and both Edward and I look at it but make no move to open it.

Another knock and a voice. "Bella, sweetie, it's Mom. Can I come in?"

Edward's raised eye brow asks me for permission as well.

"I don't know what to say…" I whisper.

"This isn't going to be easy or perfect, Bella. It's just going to have to happen. I'll stay with you if you want me to."

I do want him to and I tell him so.

He walks over to the door and pauses for a few seconds. I take a deep breath and stand to face the door.

"Mrs. Dwyer, come in please."

"Why is Bella in here? She should be in the living room greeting her hus-" Her words cut off the second she sees me. My face. My bruises. My life.

She doesn't move, speak or even breathe. She looks sad, angry, confused and irritated.

My eyes shift to look at Edward and that breaks the trance my mother was in.

"What happened to you? Who…I don't…how long…"

I'm just about to open my mouth and speak when she turns to face Edward, who had settled against the bedroom door.

"Did you do this my daughter?" She asks so calmly you would have thought she asked for the time.

I can't help the gasp that escapes.

"No, Mother, Edward would never hurt me."

Edward looks as if someone's punched him but stays where he is.

"Then why is your face like that? Why won't he let you come out to where we are?" She asks, walking toward me.

"Mom, Edward had nothing to do with the bruises, I promise. He's only been wonderful and helpful to me."

"Then explain, Isabella, because I'm at a loss here."

I want to just dive right in, but I can't forget who's in the living room.

"Why did you bring Demetri when I asked you not to tell him anything about this?" I ask quietly.

Mom scoffs as if it should be obvious.

"He's your husband, Isabella. He deserves to know where you are and what you've been doing while ignoring his phone calls for days."

"He did this. He's the reason I have the bruises on my face, chest, sides, back. Now, tell me again what he deserves, Mother."

I didn't mean for it to come out like that, but I hate when my mom defends him. I know that she's had no real reason not to. I just want her to be on my side. Defend me.

There's silence. A long heavy silence that seems to tighten its grasp on me with every second that passes. I look to Edward. His hands are in his pockets and he's looking back at me. His eyes tell me I'm strong and he's proud of me.

Finally my mom speaks. "Well, people get upset sometimes, Bella. I'm sure he's very sorry and that he won't do it again."

Her words are slow and broken. She doesn't believe the words any more than I do and yet she's going to stand behind them.

"He's done it again and again. Since before we were married, Mom."

She shakes her head and brings her hand to her mouth.

"He beat me so badly this last time that I could barely open my eyes. Edward came over to see if I was alright because I had been avoiding his calls. He found me covered in the cuts and bruises. He insisted that I leave with him right away."

Mom turns to look at Edward now and he starts walking over to us. He comes to stand next to me.

"I gave up quite the fight, but in the end, he was right; I needed to stop letting D hurt me."

"Are you having an affair?"

I blink and let my mouth fall open. That's what she asks me after what I just told her?

"Mrs. Dwyer, I promise you that there are no inappropriate things going on between your daughter and I. There are more important matters to focus on."

"I just don't understand what happened to make him like this. I thought I raised you to be a good wife."

"I am a good wife. I do as I'm asked and I never embarrass him, but that doesn't matter to him! He's sick, Mom. You don't beat someone you love. Even if I was the worst wife in the history of wives that does not give him the right to beat me."

She doesn't say anything. She just stares at me.

"Bella, marriage is about give and take. Perhaps you took more than you gave? No one just beats their spouse for no good reason. Surely you can fix this."

"Mrs. Dwyer, with all due respect, I don't think you should be blaming this on Bella. She's done nothing to warrant physical violence and if I may, ma'am, I can't believe that you're insinuating that there's something that she can do to fix it. Demetri is the one who has the problem…he's the one who needs fixed."

"Edward, you'll excuse me if I don't take what you say to heart. It's obvious your feelings for my daughter go beyond those of a platonic nature. You have something to gain from this mess."

"Stop it! Don't make this out to be something we're making up for the sake of being together! Do I care about Edward? Absolutely, but I assure you that is not about an affair or anything. My husband beats me, Mother, and I'm trying to deal with that and get past it, but I need you and Dad to be there to help me. I also need Edward and his family. Can you understand that?"

My mom takes a deep breath.

"What I understand is that I need some time to process all of this. I also need to talk to your father. I'll get Demetri out of here, but I will not persecute him without knowing his side of the story, Bella."

Panic rushes through me.

"You can't tell him I told you yet. Not until I know what side you're on. I can't believe I even have to say that. I'm your daughter, damn it!"

"Yes, and as my daughter you should know how I process things. You will speak with Demetri soon and your father will call you later. Good night, Bella."

I watch as she turns and leaves the room.

My response is a whisper.

"Good bye, Renee."

i know it was short but i really wanted this chapter to be on it's own. i'm 600 words into 11.

i really can't thank you guys enough.

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-rach.