Warning: Contains non-sexual spanking. Don't like, don't read, don't flame.

Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight in any way shape or form.

A/N: Wow! You guys are the greatest distraction from studying ever! Thanks so much for the reviews, especially those of you who have wished me luck on my exams!

Chapter 7: Opening the Floodgates

Actually agreeing to talk to Carlisle was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I wasn't used to opening up to anyone but Edward, and even then there were some things I just couldn't discuss with him for fear he would overreact. I'm a very private person, and I'm used to handling things by myself; needing help or protection makes me weak, and I hate that. The Cullens are always going out of their way to protect me; they've even endangered themselves and killed for my sake. They've done so much for me, such as accepting me into their family, while all I've done is bring danger. Edward thought he and his family were dangerous for me, but it was actually the opposite; I was the dangerous one.

I cringed at this line of thought. This is what led me to panic and run, I thought with an ache. How utterly stupid I was! I couldn't stand to be away from Edward anymore than he could stand to be away from me. If I had left that would have killed him and me, I thought horrified. What the hell is wrong with me?

I felt my chest tighten and my breathing become more labored the more I thought. Tears started falling as I started seeing black spots in my vision. Then, quite abruptly I felt myself being lifted up and placed in my father's lap. My back was against his chest and his arms were wrapped around my body.

"Breathe Bella, breathe. Breathe with me baby girl, come on; inhale, exhale. That's it, keep it up." I mechanically followed his advice and inhaled and exhaled as he did. "There's a good girl, keep it up. It's alright now sweetie, I've got you", he continued saying to console me.

As I started breathing my vision began to clear and my cries became louder. I didn't know why I was crying anymore, but I couldn't seem to stop. "I-I'm s-sorry D-Dad", I choked out.

I felt myself being turned around and the same comforting arms wrapping around me once more as I laid my head on my father's shoulder and cried. "You have nothing to apologize for Bella", he told me while rocking me gently back and forth.

His kindness only caused me to cry harder. I didn't deserve such a loving and caring father.

As my sobs increased the arms around me tightened. "Oh Bella", I heard Carlisle say in anguish, "let it all out baby girl, just let it all out. You're safe here, and I've got you." I responded by tightening my hold on him.

Eventually my sobs began to lessen, and embarrassment began to creep up, but my hold on my father did not lessen. My father's arms loosened their hold and he began to rub my back comfortingly with one hand while using the other to brush my tears away. I closed my eyes and leaned into his cool touch. When he removed his hand, I whimpered quietly until he began to rub the back of my head with it. I began to burrow myself into the crook of his neck, inhaling his comforting scent when he began to hum the beautiful, yet haunting hymn from his childhood. I tried to fight the sleep, but Carlisle sensing my resistance chided me softly. "Enough Bella, you need your sleep. Don't fight it, I will keep the nightmares away, I promise you." Hearing the sincerity in his voice, I finally gave in, but not before hearing my father emotionally say, "I love you Bella; sleep well".

Carlisle's POV:

I continued to hum to my daughter even after she had fallen asleep. I hoped that it would work as it did the night before and keep the nightmares away. I stood up when I noticed Bella begin to shiver and quickly grabbed one of the many blankets we had laying about the house for her. After wrapping it around her, I lay down on the couch with her on top of me.

I had never seen Bella so upset before, not even when I had spanked her for the drinking escapade. It broke my heart to see my baby girl so heartbroken, especially when I didn't know how to make things better.

I sighed quietly. As heartbreaking as it had been to see Bella so distraught, it had probably been a good thing for her to let out some of her pent up emotions. And it probably won't be the last time she breaks down, I thought to myself sadly. Once you open the gates, everything will just flood out at once, which makes me think that this is going to be a very emotional and draining week for the both of us.

I'd had similar events happen with all my children over the many years, I recalled sadly. The most recent had been with Edward several months ago after his return from Italy. He had broken down completely when I had confronted him about his suicide attempt. I flinched at the memory. All my children had at one time or another felt the need to hide something, though how they succeeded for any amount of time in a family with a mind reader, empath and psychic was beyond me. In the end however, they had all ended up like Bella here; doing something extremely foolish, and thus alerting their mother and I that something was wrong. Then when one or both of us would confront them, they would vehemently deny that anything was wrong before eventually breaking down.

Jasper's had been the most heartbreaking for me to deal with. He and Alice had already been living with us for a few years when it happened. Esme and I both begun to notice that Jasper seemed to be alienating himself from the entire family. We had both expressed our concern, but backed off when he had told us everything was fine, thinking that it would be best to give him some space. My other children followed suit, except little Alice. She would plead with him to come join the family, but he would always refuse, preferring to remain at a distance. It had hurt me greatly to see my newest son hurting, but since I did not know him well enough, I was unsure of what to do.

One day though, his pent up emotions unleashed themselves. He had been in a right temper the entire day, and the whole house was on edge due to his gift. I had let the attitude slide, knowing that something was bothering him, but he had crossed the line when he had shoved Esme. Esme had been trying to talk to Jasper the entire day, trying to coax what was bothering him so much, and as she went to lay a hand on his shoulder he had snapped. With a snarl, he had shoved her into the wall before screaming at her that she wasn't his mother so she should mind her own business.

I'll admit that I very nearly lost my own temper right there; however, knowing that a portion of my rage was being fueled by Jasper's, I swallowed the urge to go whip the boy then and there. The urge was further dampened when I saw the expression on his face of utter despair. After assuring that Esme was fine and ordering everyone out of the house, I had dragged the shaking boy to my office where I had demanded an explanation. Jasper had then given me such a look of fear that I felt the last of my anger slip away to be replaced by guilt and concern. I immediately asked Jasper why he was afraid, to which he responded reluctantly that he was afraid I was going to kill him.

At those words I could only stare at him in utter shock. My brave little soldier thought I was going to kill him, and yet there he stood, not even trying to fight it. I quickly expelled those thoughts from him, telling him that while I was his coven leader, I was first and foremost his father. I then explained to him how things worked in this family, but the second I had called him son he had broken down completely, shocking me once more into silence before my fatherly instincts kicked in and I pulled him into a hug, which caused him to cry even harder. Eventually though, he had explained to me that he had thought he was not wanted in the family. He felt that he was too damaged to be considered a good son, and that he had been considering leaving because he saw himself as a nuisance to us.

I shook my head at the memory. It had taken the entire family, but eventually we had all been able to convince Jasper how much we all loved him and considered him a part of our family. I will never forget the look of joy on his face, or the feelings of contentment and happiness that radiated from him.

Recalling this memory, I could not help but be struck by a sudden thought. Could Bella be having similar thoughts to what Jasper had? It would be a very Bella thing to do, I thought wryly; to feel as though she were a burden to us. The more I thought, the more I felt I was right. I recalled Bella mentioning before that she felt she brought nothing but trouble to us. Continuing to think along those lines I could not help the curse that escaped my lips. Bella had been running yesterday, I thought in horror and anger; she had been running away from us.

I looked down at Bella, who was sleeping peacefully, and had to fight the urge to shake some sense into her. Oh Bella, you and I are going to have a very serious discussion when you wake up. Enjoy your peaceful slumber because it will be the last bit of peace I will give you until I can get it through your thick skull that you are a part of this family now, whether you like it or not. One way or another I will make you realize how much you mean to this family.

Bella's POV:

I awoke to the soft sounds of Carlisle's lullaby and the feel of my father's hand as he brushed strands of hair out of my face. I blearily looked up at him in confusion before it all came rushing back to me. Oh God, I thought in horror and embarrassment; I had totally broken down and cried like an infant. My face turned beet red, and as I tried to hide my face in the fabric of his shirt he sat me up while chiding me softly, "None of that sweetheart. There's nothing for you to be embarrassed about".

I peeked up at him and he gave me a warm smile and a kiss on the forehead before standing me up on my feet. After steadying me to make sure I would not fall, he looked me in the eyes and asked seriously, "Did you have any nightmares Bella?"

"No", I responded in surprise while slowly shaking my head, "I didn't have any. Wow, your lullaby really seems to work like magic with me".

"My lullaby?" Carlisle asked with a soft chuckle.

"Yup", I replied in mild embarrassment. "Since you didn't give me a name for it, I decided to call it Carlisle's lullaby". I then gave him a bright smile, which caused him to laugh. He then ruffled my hair before guiding me into the kitchen.

"Sit", he ordered before heading towards the fridge. "You have missed lunch, and though it is a bit early for dinner I feel it best that you eat. It looks as though you haven't been eating well as it is, so no more skipped meals for you young lady" he said sternly. "This means at least three balanced meals a day. Am I clear Bella?" he continued while gazing at me sternly. "Yes sir", I assured him with a quick nod.

Carlisle nodded at me before smiling and beginning to prepare some food. I watched him curiously, wondering what he was going to make. When he finished I ended up with a small side salad, a plate of breaded chicken and rice, along with a tall glass of milk. A couple of pills were then set down next the milk, and when I looked up at Carlisle, he motioned for me to take them. "They're vitamins you are sorely in need of. Since you have not been eating correctly, you are low in several vital nutrients. You will take these vitamins every day until I tell you otherwise."

I frowned before sighing and taking the pills. There was no point in arguing when I knew he was right. I had not been eating well, and Carlisle was a doctor so he would know best. Swallowing the pills I then started in on my meal, but after eating the salad I found I was already full. I peered up at my father, who frowned at me. "I need you to eat at least half of the chicken Bella and all of the milk; your body is in serious need of the protein and calcium." I groaned and then began the arduous task of forcing the blasted chicken and milk down my throat. After three bites and most of the milk I couldn't handle anymore so I pushed the plate away and went to get up before I felt a hand holding me in my seat.

"I said half Bella", my father said before pulling the plate back towards me. Turning angrily in my chair I pleaded with him, "Dad really, I'm stuffed! I can't eat another bite, so let me up!" My father sighed, but did not release his hand. "I'm sorry Bella, but you are not leaving this chair until you finish at least half of the chicken. It is blaringly obvious you have not been taking care of yourself, so I am going to do it for you. Now eat", he ordered me sternly.

I considered mutiny at this point but a squeeze of my shoulder and a look at my father's face told me I had better not press my luck. I'd seen that look before and knew that if I fought him it would only end with me having a sore bottom and still having to eat the damn chicken. So with a huff I slowly but surely ate my way through half the chicken before my father removed his hand allowing me to get up.

My temper was simmering at this point, and I did my best to control it. I hated being treated like a small child, but I knew that fighting with Carlisle was fruitless. Closing my eyes and taking deep breaths, I slowly calmed myself down. When I opened my eyes I found my father staring at me compassionately before coming up to me and putting his arm around my shoulder. "Come my daughter, we have much to discuss", he said kindly. My heart glowed warmly when he called me daughter and I walked willingly towards what I knew would be a difficult conversation.

A/N: I know, not much happened, but this chapter was to show how emotionally upset Bella is at this point. In my experience, I have found that if you hold something in for too long, it will eventually burst it's way out and it probably won't be pretty. This means she's going to be pretty bipolar and emotional for a portion of this story as she deals with several issues. Carlisle will be as patient as possible, but there is a limit to what he can handle. Hope you enjoyed! PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

On another note, I've got two finals later today, one of which is Physics, and my last final is at 8 AM tomorrow and it's O. Chem! I am totally freaking out here! I can't wait for this time tomorrow because by then I'll be FREE! And as a reward for all you, i'm posting TWO chapters tomorrow!