Bella continued to look out the window at Edward for as long as she could see him. Once out of sight is when her tears flowed freely down her face and she didn't dare look in the direction of Charlie. Her heart screamed for Edward and she secretly hoped he was following them and was going to take her home once the car stopped. How could he just stand there frozen and watch as Charlie man handled her to his car?
Knowing she called out to him for help and he left her there with nothing, no hope at all. Not even a word to let her know she was going to be ok and he would see her soon. Did he want to give her up to Charlie? No, she thought and shook her head to herself. He wouldn't do that. She may not understand it now or want to with her anger, but the only reason should could come up with was he had no other choice. He would come to her when he could. She didn't want to think he would just leave her like that.
Charlie continued to drive and never spoke a word. It was an uncomfortable silence the entire way. She was a little relieved that he had chosen his house of all places to take her and talk. At least it was familiar to her, even with bad memories lingering. Making sure she kept a distance she got out of the car once it stopped. Instantly she thought about running, but with the klutz she was she knew she could never out run him. She stayed on guard as he maneuvered them into the house. It was a very creepy cold feeling when he closed the door behind them once inside. The memories all too clear she closed her eyes and shook her head, moving to sit down in the living room extremely tense. Since Charlie had yet to say anything she knew she would have to be the one to break the silence if this was ever going to be over with.
"What do you want with me Charlie?" Her words were harsh with the tone she used.
He found himself comfortable in his usual chair and kept his distance. "To talk, just as I said."
"I doubt you have anything to say that I have not heard already." She could not help but be bitter at this whole situation and she was not going to show him she was weak anymore. "Don't you think that whole act at school was a little over kill?"
Charlie kind of flinched, but kept his cool. "You did not want to come quietly. Action was needed, but that isn't the point..." His tone faded and became softer. "As much as I know you don't want to hear this, you can't stay with Edward and the Cullens anymore..." He lifted his hand to make her keep quiet when she was about to open her mouth to protest. Not in a threatening way, just letting her know he was not finished talking.
"I know you don't want to stay with me, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to be staying with some boy either."
Bella glared and gasped slightly at his words, was he actually trying to be a father concerned with his daughter? He was in no position to try and give her advice to what he thought was best for her. All trust was lost and his words meant nothing to her.
He still wasn't finished and she stayed quiet. "By law until you are 18 you have to either stay here with me or move to Florida with your mother."
The hell if she was going to be that far away from Edward. She didn't want to stay with Charlie either though. "The Cullens have been more of a family to me and been there for me more in the past few weeks than you or mom. How can you think me being here or with mom is best?"
"I will not let you be raised by another family. Dr Cullen already has enough to worry about without another mouth to feed."
She continued to glare, he knew nothing of the Cullens. "He doesn't mind."
"Bella, I gave you a choice." He didn't take his eyes off her as he waited for her to speak.
What was this? This was nothing like she expected it to be. "So you aren't even going to apologize to me?
Tell me how horrible of a person you are? Tell me you have changed? Instead you are going to try and make my life even worse?" She stood up unable to control her new emotions.
"Would it make a difference?" His voice stayed calm even though she could tell her words hurt him. "No matter how much I tell you I'm sorry or that it will not happen again you still aren't going to forgive me. I'm not trying to make your life worse by bringing you back home. I'm trying to get you back in my life so you will give me another chance."
She still stood there unable to move as he spoke. "That isn't just something that changes over night..." She looked down and away from his stare. This feeling she was getting was extremely awkward. At the moment she did not fear him, but wasn't sure how things would be if she moved back here and he was being so calm about everything. Acting like nothing even happened it was really confusing. "I want to be with Edward."
"Here or Florida Bella." His tone was more stern now.
She met his eyes once more. "I don't trust you." This whole conversation was weird and uncomfortable at how casual it seemed to him.
"I don't expect you to and that is something I will have to earn back, but I can't if you aren't here to give me a chance." He pleaded with her.
Bella did not know how long she just stood there silently. It could not of been that long but it certainly felt like it. Edward was not going to be happy with this and she did not know if she could trust Charlie at all.
Her 18th Birthday wasn't that far off and thought if she could bare it until then it might be worth it.
Moving to Florida was out of the question. Edward would just have to stay there at Charlie's with her and be unseen. She had no idea how to convince him to be ok with it, but she knew Charlie wasn't going to give up with this. If she said no and left and went back to the Cullen's she could possibly just be creating problems for them. She didn't want that, not after how wonderful they had been to her.
She sighed heavily, but did not look at him. "Fine, I'll stay here, but you don't come near me. I'm not afraid to let the town know about you." She knew it wasn't the time to be throwing threats around, she just wanted him to know she wasn't going to put up with his games.
He simply nodded and turned on the tv. The way he was acting really bugged her and she couldn't put a finger on it.
She left then. Going outside and grabbing her phone from her pocket to call Edward. She made sure Charlie stayed inside and didn't try to follow her.
Edward opened his phone quickly, pulling it to his ear. "Bella? Are you ok? Where are you? Did he hurt you? I'm sorry."
She choked back her sobs at the sound of his voice. "He didn't hurt me and I'm ok, other than being scared to fucking death you were going to leave and just let him have me." She really had to get that off her chest even though she was grateful to hear his voice.
He flinched back at her words and shut his eyes. "I'm so sorry, there was nothing I could do. He set it up so the other officers would see anything I tried. I was so close to just letting go and not caring about anyone else, I was scared to death for you and me both."
Bella understood and was sorry she brought it up, not wanting to hurt him. "You're going to have to get used to sneaking around Charlie's again.."
That surprised him. "What do you mean?" She then went on to explain everything that had happened. Eward was not pleased.
"You can't be serious." He felt his fury begin to spike again and took in a deep breath to help it retreat. At least she was ok is what was most important to him right now. He hadn't done anything to her and she was unharmed. "I'm on my way there." He said hanging up the phone to her surprise.
He just stood there a minute after hanging up the phone to gather his thoughts. He knew deep down, had a gut feeling that this living arrangement wasn't going to end well. This time he would be there if something happened. Taking off on foot once more he headed to Charlie's.
Bella put her phone back in her pocket and retreated back to the porch to sit down on the steps. She kept looking over her shoulder to see if Charlie was coming every time she heard him move inside the house. No one could blame her for being paranoid and she was just going to have to tough it out for about 2 months. After sitting outside for a bid she began to get cold and went back inside and up to her bedroom. Knowing that was more than likely the first place Edward was going to look for her. She opened the door to her room and looked around. Everything was still the same, but it did not have that feeling of it being hers anymore. It was like walking into a strangers room with all your stuff in it. She shut the door behind her and locked it for good measure as she moved to sit down on her old bed.
It seemed like forever before Edward finally made it there. Bella jumped slightly when he entered her window, but quickly stood to run to him. He instantly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, taking in her scent in the process. It was not something he would forget, but liked having it fresh in his mind. She shook slightly in his arms as new tears appeared and flowed down her face. She had been so scared she was never going to see him again.
"I'm here Bella, it's ok." He stroked her hair and spoke softly to try and calm her emotions. After a few minutes he moved them to sit on her bed since she wasn't letting him go. He tried to lay with her there and relax, but he was extremely tense being in the house with Charlie so close to them. He could clearly hear everything he was doing and thinking and could not help but be on guard every time he came near the bedroom door. Before Bella could ask him what was wrong he spoke.
"I need to talk to you about something..." He pulled back from her some just so he could look her in the eyes. That instantly worried her to think the worst. However he quickly reassured her he wasn't going anywhere. "I just need to get this out in the open is all. Might make me feel better." He kissed the side of her head and took in a deep breath trying to find the right words to put together before speaking.
"I need help." He stopped and shook his head a little after that, was that the best way to start the conversation? Bella just gave him a confused look. "With what?"
He sighed and let her go a little more, looking off into the distance. "I feel like I'm slipping... Every time I think of Charlie, or Mike, or anyone who has done you wrong I can't control myself. I mean I have so far, but its getting harder to hold back the demon in me. I'm stressed out all the time thinking I'm going to do something to hurt them and then hurt you in the process of doing so. I hate feeling like this."
Bella just stayed quiet and listened. It was the first time he really opened up to talk to her about his problems. She figured over the years he had lived he had just found ways to deal with his emotions since she never saw him like this before. "Because of me?" Her voice was low, almost a whisper, worried that she was the cause of his pain.
He reached up to brush her cheek with the back of his hand. "Yes and no. The fact that I love you so damn much and would do anything for you I think is what is causing me to be so protective. With that and everything that has happened its just all building up so fast I don't know what to do. I can't cry, I can't take my anger out on the people who deserve it and I have to stay calm all at once for you. So I don't disappoint you. So I don't lose control of my last bit of humanity and hurt you or someone else. I'm just so full of anger, all the time..." He shut his eyes and sighed before running a hand through his hair. "I Don't want to be a monster, but I can't help but want to kill them. Cause them some sort of pain for doing what they did. It's horrible..."
Bella cut him off then to cup his cheeks in her hands. "Edward..." Her face was sad and her eyes threatened to fill with tears. Her heart broke for him and she wanted nothing more than to take his pain away, but how could she do that when she felt like it was her fault. "I'm sorry..."
He looked back at her, his face just as sad and was sure if he could cry he would. "I don't want to be a monster. I don't want to have the feeling of joy when thinking of hurting them for causing you pain. It's sick." He pulled her back to him to hold her tightly for some sort of comfort. "I'm scared...I don't want to betray Carlisle." It was really really hard for him to admit that to her. He was suppose to be the perfect brave one who showed no weakness.
She had no idea what to say to him to make him feel any better. Not hesitating she held him just as close, trying to calm him the best she could. She kissed the side of his cheek bone and down to his jaw line as his eyes closed. "You just have to let me deal with some of the problems myself... You can't take it all in for the both of us and let it get to you like this. I may not be that strong physically, but I have been able to control myself emotionally and not completely break down yet. I'm tough and can take some of the pain for us too." She then kissed his neck and shut her own eyes. "You could never be a monster."
He left it at that for now, knowing there really wasn't much she could do to help with something like this. It was just good to be able to talk to someone about it at the least.
After a few weeks of being back at Charlie's Bella started to let everything fall back into place. It started to feel like it had before, other than her and Charlie not speaking too much. She still never let her guard down around him when they were alone together. Edward was with her all the time, other then when he left to feed in which case he did not go far after last time.
He found new ways to torment Mike at school without actually causing him physical harm. Even though ultimately that is what he wanted, it seemed to take the edge off just watching him become extremely jealous. Bella still only had that one class alone with Mike, but she knew of his games now and would not let something like that happen again. All the other times they were together Edward always made it habit to be as close to Bella as possible. He thought it was funny to be able to read Mike's mind and hear all the hate he had toward him. Which was fine since he did not want Mike to like him.
Edward's feelings quickly returned when he over heard some of Mike's thoughts at lunch that worried him. Apparently his jealousy was getting the better of him.
"Mike is up to something." He leaned over to talk softly into Bella's ear. She looked up from her food and gave him a weird look. "Like?" She quickly returned to eating but still listened.
"I'm not sure, he isn't sure, just be careful ok?" He moved to sit so he was facing her. His legs were spread to where she was sitting in between them, just to be closer to her. He placed his head on her shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Bella moved her free hand down to hold across his arm and smiled. Leaning her head slightly against his on her shoulder. "Ok. Don't let it stress you out."
He laughed a little and sighed playfully. "Fine."
He waited until she was done eating to mess with her. Making sure he got as much time to hold her as he could before they went to their different classes. This quarter they again had one class not together and of course Mike was in her gym class without Edward.
The bell rang and Bella moved to get up and throw her trash away, but Edward did not let her go. When she turned to face him he had a sexy grin on his face that made her melt. He pulled her back to him to sit in his lap with her legs straddling him as he kissed her. He did not care that other people could see them and the crazy thoughts he was hearing from everyone watching. She eagerly kissed him back also not caring about the other people around them. She was not going to see him for a while and wanted as much of him as she could get. He was thinking the same thing and they did not think about anything but each other until they noticed the lunch room was empty.
"Shit" Bella pulled away first and stood. "My teacher is going to kill me. Damn you and your irresistible lips." She smiled and gave him another quick kiss before running off toward the gym.
He just laughed at her quietly and let her go, not really caring he was going to be late, but did head in the direction of his class after she left.
She passed the gym and saw everyone already in there and quickly made her way to the locker room to dress out. She was pulling her clothes out of her bag as she was still moving and tried to kick her shoes off once she set everything down and could change. As she was lifting her shirt up to take it off she heard the outside locker room door shut. She stopped what she had currently been doing and stepped out from behind a row of lockers to see if anyone was there.
"Don't stop because of me." A voice called and Mike appeared from behind another row of lockers. Great just what Bella needed. Another reason to be even later and drama to deal with.
"Right. Let me just get back to taking my shirt off. You are disgusting, get out." Her cast had been removed so she wouldn't have to worry about that slowing her down now. She was tired of his games.
Mike glared slightly and moved closer to her. "I wasn't kidding. You and Edward love rubbing your relationship in my face and I'm honestly sick of it. I'm going to show you once and for all who you really should be with. Maybe I will change your mind. I know I will." He stopped to where he was beside the lockers and the only way for her to leave was to go past him.
Bella mock laughed at him. "Mike, even if I was single I wouldn't want to be with you." She went back to laying her clothes down and slipped her shoes back on.
That just made him mad and he moved to where he was within inches of her. She stayed on guard this time and tried to keep a safe distance between them.
"Why is it so hard to just accept you aren't my type?" She tried to keep a firm look on her face, even though she was worried at what he might try.
"You never gave me a chance." He kept moving toward her until she had no where else to go. Closed in by the lockers and wall almost like he had done to her before in the hall way.
Her heart started beating faster the closer he got, but she had to stay strong. "And you will never get one.
How is forcing me to like you going to make you happy?"
He just laughed. "This really isn't about you liking me anymore. Like I said I'm sick of you two playing the head games. It's my turn to play and for you to suffer." He reached out and grabbed her wrists before she even noticed what he was doing. Once captive by his hands she tried to jerk her arms free with no luck.
"Let go of me." Her eyes narrowed as she got angry. She wasn't scared of him and his actions were only causing her to become extremely irritated.
Bella wondered if he was getting off on this because he always kept that evil sadistic grin on his face.
"Struggling will get you nowhere." He leaned in closer to her face now and forcefully pressed his lips against hers.
"What do you want from me?" She was completely taken off guard at his action and shut her eyes tight as she tried to push him away. He was too strong and the only thing she could think to do was bite his lip.
He pulled away instantly and cursed. Hitting her in the side of the face with the back of his hand. "You stupid bitch." He reached up to wipe the blood away from his mouth and growled before grabbing her again.
Bella yelped at the sudden impact to her face and lost her balance. Before she could put her hands out to grab something to keep from falling she felt his hands on her again. In almost the instant he grabbed her she managed to keep one of her hands free and elbowed him in the nose, giving her enough time from his stumbling back to make a run for it. When Mike had been hit he fell to the floor and it allowed him to grab her foot and trip her. She fell even harder than she had the first time since she had been running, but it did not stop her even though it hurt. She maneuvered herself to roll over onto her back and kick him in the face as he tried to pull himself up over top of her. She may not be that strong, but she could tell from the yell he made and the fact he did not move after that, it hurt. She got to her feet and reached down to grabbed her things as she looked at him. "If you ever come near me again, I will have no problem letting Edward live up to his promise to kill you." He just sat there and held his face, not saying a word. She knew he heard her.
Now all she was going to have to do was keep Edward from going off once he found out about it. She hoped the fact she had taken care of it herself would be enough to keep him calm. Let him know she was able to stand up for herself every now and then and he did not have to worry.
Blowing off gym completely now she left the locker room and found the closest bathroom so she could see what kind of damage her face had taken. Looking in the mirror only revealed slight swelling. It was red, but did not think it was going to bruise that bad. Sighing she ran some water over her face and took in a deep breath. What was she going to do now? She couldn't go to gym and Mike show up looking how he did and tell them she did it. The fact she would be extremely late was enough to get her sent to the office anyways. She remembered once when Edward had told her skipping class was healthy every now and then, and she took advantage of that now. Without anywhere to really go since Edward had the keys to his car she just wandered the halls idly. She found the class Edward was in and sat down against some lockers outside the door to wait for him. There was only 15 minutes left and school would be out for the day anyways. She pulled her knees up to her chest and dropped her head down to her arms that were resting there as she waited.
Edward was sitting in class not really paying attention to his teacher or anything going on since he knew everything she was teaching. He got his work done and kept to himself like he always did in that class. Out of nowhere he picked up on the scent of Bella outside the door and became instantly alert. He couldn't just get up and leave the classroom and she never entered, so he quickly looked at the clock to see how much time he had left and she wasn't leaving so he figured he could wait it out.
Once the bell rang he was the first one out of the class and ran to where she was sitting on the floor. He startled her a little at how fast he had managed to get to her and she knew that look forming on his face when he saw her cheek. Before he had to chance to say anything she stood up and grabbed his shirt to head outside. "Before you flip out maybe you should hear what happened."
He couldn't help but be tense and went with her willingly. He already knew it had to of been Mike with the thoughts he was having at lunch, he just didn't understand why she didn't want him to say anything and was leading them outside.
"I promise you it wasn't as bad for me as you think." She let him go once they were outside and moved in the direction of his car with him following closely. He pulled her to him once they stopped at his car and looked into her eyes then back at her cheek.
"I can also promise it won't happen again." She grinned at him and he gave her a confused look.
"Why are you smiling?" He was too clueless at the moment to let his emotions get the better of him and brushed some hair behind her ear. She turned her head still with the grin on her face and he followed her stare, seeing Mike walking out of the building. Edward's face had almost a look of shock on it when he saw how horrible Mike looked. It was something Bella did not see often and he turned back to her with a grin of his own now. "You?" He lifted his eye brow.
She just smiled. "I guess my feet are useful for something other than tripping me." That caused him to chuckle and he pulled her against his chest and kissed the top of her head.
"You are so full of surprises." He placed a hand under her chin to make her look up at him for a second. "I'm still not happy I didn't get to take care of it." He was happy she handled it herself, but still serious.
Bella kissed his hand before he pulled it fully away and looked back to him. "I made sure to let him know if he ever came near me again he would have to deal with you." Edward just smiled and they got into the car so he could take her back home to Charlie's. Bella made sure to tell him the whole story of what happened on the way.
The tension could be felt in the car as she spoke, but he had to keep a clear mind that she handled it. The fact of what Mike was going to do if given the chance is what upset him. He knew how Mike's mind worked and he for sure would of had to kill him if things had gone any further. Maybe it was a good thing Bella handled it first.
He dropped her off at the house like he always did and would have to wait to join her once he got rid of his car. Charlie wasn't home yet and knew he wouldn't have to worry.
Bella went inside to grab a quick bite to eat and went to take a shower. She always had enough time to get those sort of things done before Edward returned.
She ran a brush through her wet hair once she was dressed and finished and opened the bathroom door. She could hear Charlie just getting home and walked over to the stars to peek down at him without being seen. Of course he had carried in a case of beer with him like he had done a few nights before and she sighed to herself. She noticed his drinking had not stopped from her being back, but he had not bothered her. That did not mean she wouldn't worry he would turn right back into the monster she had seen before. Having Edward in the house with her at night she knew if Charlie tried to do anything again it would end badly and at this point she wasn't sure what she might do anymore. Leaving her post by the stars she left and went to her room to get started on some homework before Edward came back.
Bella lost track of time as she tried to focus on her work, but at the same time letting her mind wander.
Edward showed up around the same time as he always did and now she knew she was doomed to get anything done. She quickly removed herself from her desk to be greeted by his arms. A much better place to be than sitting on the old wooden chair doing what she was suppose to.
Edward took her by surprised when he pushed her back onto the bed and climbed over top of her. He had not spoken a word since he had gotten there and moved slowly over her until he was in the position of his choice. When he moved down to kiss her it was forceful and passionate at the same time. Nothing to harm her, but to get his point across as the need of her lips. Bella gasped when he finally pulled away.
"There." He grinned and finally spoke. She just gave him a dazed look trying to bring her mind back to reality. She would never understand how to this day he still had that effect on her.
"What?" She asked still confused.
He could not help but laugh at her. "Just getting back what is mine." He leaned down to kiss her a lot softer this time. She understood what he meant since Mike was the last one to kiss her and eagerly wanted his lips even more now. She threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled him down on her even closer. That only caused him to groan and pull away from her. Not in a way of rejection, just a way to control himself. She let him move away some, but kept a hold on him to not go any further.
"What? You aren't going to claim the rest of me?" She teased. He cocked an eye brow at her and thrust his hips forward. "Don't think I don't want to." She could clearly feel he did indeed want her. Even though Edward was extremely comfortable with her now and they had already made love he still could lose control. That wasn't something he could master from just that one experience and would take time to get used to. Even then he had lost some of his control and hurt her slightly.
"So what's the problem?" She pouted at him playfully. Apparently Edward's thrusting turned her on and could smell her arousal and he had to shut his eyes. "You...are evil." He smiled just giving her a hard time and had to pull away and out of that position. "I don't think it would be a good idea with Charlie in the house." He moved them to where they could sit on the bed and lean against the wall. Still close enough to please them both.
"Oh yeah." She sighed, but was happy to go with him and just be close like that.
She had been resting her head on his shoulder while he played with her hair as Edward suddenly lifted his head up to look at the door. He had caught part of Charlie's thoughts. "Is he drinking again?"
Bella looked in the direction he had at first then back to him. "Sadly. He has been off and on the whole time I have been here and nothing has happened. Maybe he doesn't over do it anymore."
His hold on her tightened. "I don't like it."
"Just don't leave me." She also made the hold tighter she had on him.
"Never." He spoke softly and kissed her temple.
With the safety of knowing Edward was there she did not have to fear Charlie. She went on her way alone about the house to do random things and to get herself some dinner before returning to her room. As sexy as he looked on her bed and how badly she wanted to go to him she had to get her homework done. It was extremely frustrating to fight with herself like that, but managed to get it done.
After a while Edward approached her from behind where she had been sitting at her desk without her knowing. He leaned his head down to kiss her exposed neck and down her shoulder. He could feel her body tremble under his lips and smiled. She reached her arms up to run her hands through his hair as he continued to kiss on her and slide his hands down the sides of her body. Bella let her eyes fall shut to allow herself to focus only on him and his amazing touch. Once he reached her hips he moved to grab the bottom of her shirt and tried to bring it back up with his hands, she stopped him.
"We can't remember?" She opened her eyes to look up at him.
He gently pushed her hands aside and kept on his way as he kissed her forehead when she looked at him.
"He is passed out downstairs, it's ok." Even though in the back of his mind he kept telling himself not to, that he was still a risk to her, he could not resist her any longer and that caused all caution to be thrown aside for the time being. She was too beautiful and amazing for anyone to resist.