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: Hello all my faithful followers! Here's the second chapter I promised you! ENJOY!

Chapter 9: Realizations

I lay in my father's arms for several more minutes before pushing myself off his lap and onto the couch. My mind was at war with itself; one side telling me to run away as fast as possible, while the other was telling me that everything would be fine.

I felt my father's gentle touch on my arm, causing me to look up at him. Once sure that he had my attention, his face became serious. "Bella, I want you to listen to me very carefully", he told me. I nodded hesitatingly, unsure of what he was going to say to me.

"Nothing, I repeat, nothing that has happened this past year is your fault," he began before I interrupted. "But it is", I said before he held up his hand silencing me.

He gave me a stern look before saying, "Please do not interrupt me Bella. Right now I just want you to listen with an open mind, and try for a moment to believe that I am a loving father who is telling his precious daughter nothing but the truth". I blushed at his remark before acquiescing.

"As I said before, you are not at fault for anything bad that has happened to this family. You did not force James to hunt you. You did not force the Volturi into threatening our family. You did not force Victoria to create a newborn army to come and destroy our family. If you are going to blame someone, then blame the people responsible. James, Victoria, the Volturi! Not you, never you!" he said strongly.

I mulled over what he was telling me, but couldn't help but disagree. I looked at him doubtfully, to which he gestured for me to speak.

"How can you not see that it's my fault?" I asked him incredulously. "You wouldn't have had to hunt James down if he hadn't been hunting me. Victoria would never have had a vendetta against me if you hadn't killed James for me. You would have never endangered your lives fighting newborns if Victoria hadn't created an army to come and murder me! And Edward would never have gone to the Volturi if I wasn't idiotic enough to think jumping off cliffs for fun was a good idea!" I practically screamed at him.

I took a breath before continuing in a quiet voice. "Without me in your family, you wouldn't have to worry about the safety of your family. You wouldn't be worrying about the Volturi, or about nomad vampires. Your life would be much simpler without you guys having to protect some worthless…" I abruptly stopped speaking seeing the glare my father was giving me.

"Isabella Marie, you are not some worthless human, and I do not ever want to hear you say such words again", my father sternly lectured me.

"Ok", I responded quietly. My father's gaze softened when I responded, but the look he was giving me still made me uncomfortable. I felt like he could see right through me; like he was examining my very soul. It made me feel highly vulnerable.

"According to your thoughts Bella, then you could also say that Edward is to blame for every bad thing that has happened to us", my father stated abruptly. Startled by his statement, I vehemently shook my head while saying, "That's ridiculous! Edward hasn't done anything!"

My father shrugged his shoulders before replying, "If he had never fallen in love with you, we would never have met. If he had not killed James, then Victoria would never have come after you or us. If Edward had not left you, he would have never gone to Italy and provoked the Volturi", he stated matter of factly.

I was about to open my mouth to protest when he continued. "Then again, some of the blame could also lay with Jasper for attacking you on your birthday. We would never have left if it hadn't been for that event", my father continued to say in a mock thoughtful manner. "Or it could be Rosalie's fault for telling Edward that you had died, but then again it was Alice who told her first. Hmmm, perhaps I should just take all the blame. It was my decision to bring the family to Forks, and God knows nothing like this would have happened if we hadn't come to Forks", he finished almost sarcastically before fixing me with a look.

I stared back in shock, trying to process everything he had just said. "But it isn't any of your guy's faults! How could you have known that any of that would have happened?" I finally burst out.

My father responded with a triumphant smile. "Precisely Bella, and since I highly doubt you foresaw any of these events occurring, you are neither at fault", he told me sincerely. I sat back, feeling overwhelmed. What he said made sense, but a part of me still wanted to fight and say that it was my fault. However, that part was slowly losing the battle.

I looked up my father with the beginnings of hope stirring in me. "So-so it's not my fault?" I questioned quietly and hesitatingly.

My father leaned forward and looked me in the eyes before seriously shaking his head and replying, "No, it is not your fault".

I couldn't help the grin that slowly spread on my face. Looking back into my father's eyes, I could see he was being completely honest with me, and so I launched myself into his rock hard chest hugging him with all my worth. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I told him, over and over. My father's chest rumbled slightly as he chuckled. "You don't have to thank me Bella. It is my pleasure, as your father to be able to help you," he whispered to me lovingly.

When I pulled away I couldn't help but beam at my father. I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I guess I'd been carrying this guilt around for so long that I didn't realize how much it was affecting me.

It wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault. I wasn't a danger to my family and they weren't going to chuck me! I thought elated.

I blew out a breath and looked at my father. He was smiling broadly at me, but his eyes held a hint of sadness in them. I was about to ask him what was wrong when a huge yawn escaped from my mouth. Embarrassed, I covered my mouth and looked down.

I heard my father's low chuckle. "Tired Bella?" he asked lightly.

Now that I thought about it, I was exhausted. I was both physically and emotionally spent. Ugh, I thought somewhat guiltily. I must be pretty messed up if I can't even stay awake, even after having had a nap earlier. Glancing shyly up at my dad, I nodded at him. Sleep sounded really good.

I frowned suddenly, remembering that sleep meant nightmares. Glancing up at my father, he gave me a knowing smile before speaking. "I do not know about tonight, but over the next several days your nightmares should vanish completely as your subconscious starts to rid itself of its fears and doubts. However, since I want to make sure you have a full uninterrupted night's sleep, I believe it will be best if we repeat last night's sleeping arrangements", he informed me.

I nodded, feeling relieved.

My father then glanced at his watch before frowning slightly. "It is only 6:30, but I believe it will be best if you get into bed now. I'll let dinner slide tonight only, but as of tomorrow my 3 meals a day rule begins", he stated sternly while shaking a finger at me. I nodded tiredly. I was fading quickly now that the tension had left my body.

Probably noting my growing lack of awareness, my father picked me up and ran up to my room. Standing me up, he then placed some pajamas in my hands before steering me into the bathroom. "Change Bella", he ordered. "If you're not out in 5 minutes, I'm coming in", he then warned me before shutting the door.

Startled by that warning, I blearily shook my head before fumbling with my clothing. Once changed, I then quickly brushed my teeth before exiting.

When I walked out I found my father pulling back the covers to my bed. I was surprised to notice that he had changed into pajamas as well. He was wearing black pajama pants with a light blue t-shirt.

He turned towards me and held out an inviting arm to which I happily walked towards. He then helped me into bed before pulling the covers around me and setting himself down on my left side. I cuddled into his side, wrapping an arm around him, and laying my head on his chest.

"Y'sure ya don't mind d'ng this?" I tiredly mumbled.

"Not at all", he responded, while wrapping an arm around me and placing a kiss on top of my head. "Now go to sleep, sweetheart."

"M'kay. G'night Dad, love ya", I replied.

"Good night Bella, and I love you too", my dad whispered into my ear as I drifted off into a peaceful slumber to the sounds of his lullaby.

Carlisle's POV:

I stared lovingly at my slumbering child, hoping that the nightmares would not plague her tonight. I hoped today's talk would be enough to rid her of her personal demons.

Looking back at our conversation, my heart could not help but hurt at the look of utter hopelessness on my daughter's face. She honestly felt she was at fault for every bad thing that had happened. How absurd, I thought, but then again it was such a typical Bella reaction. I knew whatever was bothering her had to be something like this, but I did not think it would be so horrible.

Her dreams sounded terrifying. What pain she must have felt at seeing us killed over and over again every night, and then hearing that our deaths were her fault. No wonder she hasn't been sleeping or eating. And in typical Bella fashion, she has been trying to take care of this in her own way, without help. I shudder to think what could have eventually happened if I had not decided to push her into talking; if I had just let it go.

I am relieved to see that I was able to convince her that nothing was her fault, but I just hope she continues to believe it. Knowing Bella though, this will not be the last time I have to convince her that she is not to blame for every bad thing that happens to our family.

I internally groaned as I thought about tomorrow. Tomorrow will be no easier than today, I thought despondently. I will have to make sure Bella still believes she is no longer at fault, and then we will have to discuss her most recent behavior. I need her to explain to me what exactly has been happening these past weeks and what the hell made her think running away, especially in her condition, was the best idea. Not to mention discussing her flippant comment that she would be better off dead.

Yes, tomorrow will not be easy. I only hope my Bella will not be as difficult as today. Hopefully, with today's nap and a good night's sleep she will have better control of her temper.

The more I thought about the impending discussions, the more distressed I became about one topic in particular. That topic was Bella's serious lack of regard for her own health; her own life! She has let her health deteriorate these past couple weeks to the point she was passing out from exhaustion. Again, the image of the oncoming car heading straight for my sleeping Bella entered my mind. I shook my head to rid myself of the image. Sometimes I really hate how perfect vampire memory is.

Is Bella suicidal? I thought alarmed. I did not think so, but I had missed the signs with Edward and was unwilling to make the same mistake twice. I cringed at the memories of Edward's trip to Volterra. I had been truly terrified that I was going to lose my son that day. The feelings only intensified when I found out that Bella and Alice had gone after him. Bella, my little girl whom we had abandoned, and Alice, my exuberant and loving daughter, were risking their lives as well.

My heart seized at the memory. How close this family had come to losing three of its members; how close I had come to losing three of my children. Memories of that horrible day continued to wash over me.

We had all been a mess that day. Esme had tried so hard to stay strong, but I could see her falling apart at the seams. I have no doubt I looked the same. Jasper, my poor boy had holed himself up in his room. Esme and I did the best we could to comfort him, but it was a bleak time and we could not assure him that the others would come back safely. Rosalie was completely devastated. She never imagined that her brother would try and commit suicide, and she felt incredibly guilty for the pain we were all going through. She apologized in tears to all of us, and though we all, even Jasper had told her she was not at fault, she was inconsolable. Emmett, my big bear, had done the best he could to cheer her up, but nothing worked. Esme and I had also tried to help, but she refused to forgive herself.

And then the call we were all waiting for came from Alice telling us that all was well, and they were all on their way home. I will never forget the feelings of relief that coursed through my body. We were all in tears at the end of the call, hugging each other in sheer relief.

I remember in the airport when I first caught sight of Bella I had been shocked at the state she was in. She was so pale, skinnier than when I had last seen her, and had dark bags under her eyes. At the time I had chalked it up to the ordeal she had been through, and had brushed my shock aside. I had been more concerned with my son's suicide attempt, and with making sure there was never ever a repeat event than with my human daughter's health. Remembering back, her appearance was awfully similar to how she looked last night. Not as severe, but definitely similar.

Whether Bella is suicidal or not, I will make sure her thoughts no longer head in that direction. I will make sure she realizes how important she is, and how foolish it was for her to ever think things would be better if she were dead.

A/N: There you have it! Bella is finally starting to see the light and all thanks to our favorite vampire dad! Hope you're enjoying and, as always PLEASE REVIEW!

Just wanna say a big THANK YOU to all of you who wished me well on my exams, I really appreciated it! Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I failed Physics, which totally sucks because I spent days studying for it! rips book in half and sets it on fire while laughing maniacally Oh well, no big deal... but your reviews would help me feel better... hint, hint... As for O. Chem, I definitely passed, so woohoo!