Author's Note:

I'm back so soon! I started making notes and righting notes for this chapter when I started writing and I couldn't stop. I had to keep writing. We get into Charlotte's mind in this chapter. Would love to know what you guys think.

Thanks for reading, reviewing and the adds, they mean a lot!

-Lisa

Chapter Thirty

"So Charlotte has asked me to invite you Dr. Cullen and Miss Swan back to my office so the four of us can sit and discuss how Charlotte is feeling. Would you mind coming back with me?" Dr. Victoria Platt had asked as she met Carlisle and Bella in the waiting area.

"Of course," Carlisle answered as he stood up. Bella walked in front of him and he placed his hand on the small of her back as they followed the therapist into her office. They were anxious for this day and felt relieved that Charlotte finally wanted to discuss her feelings with them. Ever since dinner after her play, she had ignored Carlisle and Bella both. She didn't care that she was grounded. Carlisle went from worried to full blown scared with his daughter's behavior.

Bella and Carlisle sat side by side on a couch while Charlotte sat cross-legged in a chair across from them. Dr. Platt sat down in her seat on the side of Charlotte and began.

"Thank you both for being here this afternoon. Charlotte told me she wanted a safe place to communicate her feelings. She would like to tell you both how she is feeling. The only thing that both Charlotte and I ask is that there are no interruptions. You will get a chance to speak when she is done." She paused and looked at Charlotte. "Whenever you want to begin you may start."

Inhaling, Charlotte looked down at her hands. She played with the ring on her finger for a few seconds before she began to speak.

"I don't know where to start, so I will start from the beginning. When Bella first came to work at our house, I was a little reserved. I was afraid she was going to be like Kate and just not care. I was afraid to get close to her because every woman I had gotten close to who has liked me has left me. When we did start to hang out together, I felt important. I felt like there was someone I could go to and someone cared about me. I know dad loves me, but he was working a lot and didn't have the time. I really liked the time I was spending with Bella. I had fun shopping and getting our nails done.

"When I came home and saw them kissing on the couch I felt betrayed. I really thought Bella only acted the way she did to get to my dad. I felt betrayed and used. I felt like she didn't like me. The more time she spent with Peter in the kitchen, the more I felt she wanted the perfect family that she wanted to be Susie Homemaker and make life perfect." Charlotte paused before continuing. "I felt like she brainwashed my brother to forget my mother." She said crying.

Bella looked at Carlisle with a sad look. He reached for her hand and squeezed it as to say he knew that wasn't how Bella felt at all.

In tears, Charlotte continued. "I miss my mom so much and I feel like my dad is gone too. We don't ever spend time alone, unless he is yelling at me for being disrespectful. I kind of act out sometimes so we can just sit down and talk. I miss my mom. Before Bella came into our lives, dad used to tell me stories about my mom. It felt like she was still here. Once he got serious with Bella, he forgot all about those stories. It was like she really was gone. "

Charlotte took a moment to wipe her tears. "I don't know how I feel about having a baby sister. No one asked me how I'd feel if there was one. No one cared. It was like dad started playing house with Bella and forgot about everything else, like mom. I hate the idea of them getting married.

"I was so happy when we were in New York because dad was back to himself. He was a little sad and depressed. He tried dating a woman who we met once but she seemed nice. Dad was back though. He told us stories about mom again. It was like she," Charlotte paused and pointed to Bella. "It was like she had never came into our lives and I was okay with that. My dad was so upset after we left. The only thing I asked Bella was not to hurt my dad. He had been hurt enough with mom dying and Kate being well, Kate. What did she do? She hurt my dad so much that we couldn't stay on our house, my home where I had memories of my mom. We had to move across the country. When dad saw her at the conference, things changed immediately. We were supposed to go to Europe but instead we spent the time moving back here. No one asked me if I wanted to move back again either. No one asked me if I wanted a new sister. No one asked me anything! I was making friends and I was popular in New York. I had nothing here expect for Jane." Charlotte told her father. Both he and Bella had tears in their eyes. They were upset that she was feeling so badly.

"Lately I have felt so alone. Jane is off with a boyfriend and that leaves me, by myself. I'm just sad with everything around me going one. I feel like no one wants to be around me." She took a deep breath and looked at Carlisle. "I know you don't want to hear this dad, but I am growing up. I'm changing, my body and mind is changing. I know I'm thirteen but I want a boyfriend. I want someone to love me and understand me. I have no one," she said balling.

Victoria handed Charlotte tissues and looked at Carlisle and Bella. They both were devastated. They knew she was angry but didn't know how depressed, how sad she was feeling. Softly, she spoke to Carlisle and Bella. "Charlotte just did something very brave. She has been walking around for over a year feeling like this. What are you two thinking? Just as you gave Charlotte the respect she asked for, she will not interrupt either one of you while you are speaking."

Carlisle was lost for words. He looked angry, sad and depressed. Bella spoke up in a quiet voice. "I am so sorry you feel that way Charlotte. I had no idea that you were as upset as you are. I obvious could figure out that you were angry with me and don't care for me so much now. I'm sad that you think so poorly of the relationship you and I shared. I truly, truly love you Charlotte. I love you like you were one of my children." Offering a small smile, she looked at Charlotte. "We were friends before we became family. I did all of those things with you like take you shopping, manicures and even that One Direction concert because I wanted to do them. No one made me and there were no other reasons than I wanted to spend time with you. I spend time with Peter too because I want to. I actually really miss that girl I knew before you got angry. I miss our girl time and I miss you Charlotte. If you wanted we could do things again. Any time you are ready, let me know. I will drop whatever I can to do something with you."

Bella stared at Charlotte. Charlotte looked away from Bella as she continued to speak. "When your dad asked me to marry him, the first thing I thought was we were going to be a family, for real. I look at this marriage as something that is not only brining your father and me together but also you, Peter, Emily and I. We're going to be a family Charlotte. I know your dad and I were talking about the wedding and we want you and Peter as involved as you can be with the wedding. We want both of your input with it." As Bella kept talking, Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"When I took the job with your dad way back when, I have to tell you, you tugged at my heart. I really thought that we would bond over the loss of our mothers. I thought we would have a special relationship because that is something we share. We share that heart ache that people just don't know about.

"My intention was never to replace your mom. I know first hand that a mother cannot be replaced. Esme is very special to me, and is very motherly but she isn't my mom. There will never be another your mom. You only get one in life. I miss my mom every day. When I had Emily I wish she was with me. When your dad proposed, I wished she was there. I wish she was here to take me dress shopping. I know you feel like this too with regards to your own mom.

"I like to cook and bake because that is something my mom liked doing. I feel like when I do it, she's with me. I love you and Peter and I love that I can cook with you. Peter remembers your mom cooking and baking with him, that's why we bonded over that. It's a way to keep both of their memories with us. I would never, ever try to replace her sweetie, I can't. I know I can't hold a candle to her. No one can. I would love to hear stories about your mom. Maybe we can do something together as a family, just the two of us or you and your dad that your mother liked doing. I don't want you to forget her Charlotte, she was your mom, but you can continue to live and love and remember her."

Victoria then handed tissues to Bella, who cried. Carlisle rubbed her back. "Dr. Cullen, would you like to add anything?"

Carlisle nodded his head. Tears spilt from his eyes as he began to talk. "Oh, my baby girl. I am so, so sorry you are feeling the way you do. I love you so much and I'm sorry you feel alone and betrayed. It is something that Bella and I didn't intend and don't want you to feel like that.

"If you ever want to talk about your mom or have questions about her, ask sweetheart. Just because I've accepted her death and I am getting married to Bella doesn't mean I don't still love her or think about her. She and I will always be connected. She gave me you and Peter. I love you two so much. I think I can speak for Bella when I say it isn't offensive that you want to talk about your mother or learn more about her. You are lucky to have Bella. Bella was right when she said you and her have experienced something that not many people have. You both experienced the loss of your mothers at an early age. Instead of being angry with Bella, use her as a sounding board. You two can relate to each other in a way I can't. I'm not forgetting her sweetie, I could never do that."

Charlotte looked at Carlisle as he continued. "I've actually been thinking about your mom a lot. I've talked to Bella about her too. I think she would have liked Bella. I think they might have even been friends. They are very similar. I think your mom would be upset if she knew how angry you've been and how you have been treating Bella. We don't have control over a lot of things in life and we know that because of the way your mom passed, but you can't let things hold you down. We have to live with what we have. I will forever be sorry that I didn't listen to Bella when she tried to talk to me, before we moved to New York. If I would have listened to her, a lot of things would have been avoided. I acted hastily and foolishly, like a child instead of listening to her. I was a coward and jealous and instead of being an adult and talk to Bella about the way I was feeling, I ran. I got you and Peter involved too. My point being is I handled the situation horribly, not Bella. Bella didn't do anything but love me, and Peter and you. It was me honey who messed that up. You have to stop punishing her for a mistake I made Charlotte."

Before continuing, Carlisle saw Charlotte look a little softer, but still sad. "When I hired Bella, she was hired to maintain the household and to take care of you and Peter. There was no intent of us getting together or falling in love. I didn't even think we'd be friends. As I mentioned, you can't always control what life gives you. Life gave me Bella. I never thought about starting a relationship with her, especially because of our age difference, it just happened. It was nothing Bella manipulated. From the beginning of our romantic relationship, she was worried about how you and Peter would react. I think it was when Bella told me about meeting Kate for the first time that made me feel something for her. The first time I ever heard about Kate wanting to send you and your brother to boarding school was through Bella. She was the one who told me Kate was making you feel terrible about yourself. I was stupid and I was blind by her and I really wish I would have never have met her. Since the first date Bella and I went on, she had been very vocal about how you and Peter might feel about us being a couple. I told her she had nothing to worry about. Obviously I was wrong and I wish that I handled everything differently and I wish I would have talked to you first. Maybe things would have been different and your relationship with Bella wouldn't have been sacrificed. I apologize and again, this was me and not Bella. I think if I learned anything through this session it is to listen to Bella. She seems to know what she is talking about."

While Dr. Platt chuckled at Carlisle's comment, he continued with his talk to his daughter. "In regards to yours sister, because that is what she is whether or not you want her to be, we were surprised. Although Bella and I had talked about having a child or two, she was not planned at all. Sometimes life can be full of unpredictable, good surprises. I mean, you and Peter weren't planned either and I could not have been more happy when your mom told me she was pregnant with the both of you. I love all three of you more than I could possibly begin to express Charlotte. I know you are angry at Bella right now, but regardless of that, you cannot take it out on Emily. She is your sister. Someday even though you are older than her, she will look up to you for the only reason that you are her big sister. She loves you. Emily will need your advice and help throughout life. She will more than likely chose you to talk about her boy problems or friend issues with. There will be times you will argue with her like you do with Peter, but you will love her at the end of the day, as you do with Peter. One day you will need each other to hold on to each other as you both navigate through life. Honey, whatever animosity you are feeling towards Bella you should not take out on Emily.

"As for the wedding, it is going to happen. Bella is going to be my wife. She will be your step mother. We are hoping and praying that you and Peter will be happy with our decision and take part in planning it with us. As Bella said, we want it to be a celebration of us becoming a family not just Bella becoming my wife and I her husband. The wedding isn't going to be tomorrow or next week or next month, but when it is planned we both hope that you will join us in planning and celebrating, after all, that day will be about you too.

Charlotte nodded as she wiped her eyes again. She listened as her father continued. "I do realize that you are growing up and I hate it. I hate that you have gone from this child who depended on me for everything and into a young woman. It's happening before my eyes and quickly. I hate that you are growing up, but it is life and there is nothing I can do to stop it. You have come a long way since you were that little girl who lost her mother. You have had to grow up quicker than the rest of your friends and it kills me that you didn't get to enjoy your childhood more. I'm proud of you though. I'm proud of the woman you are becoming. You are so smart and beautiful. I'm so proud of you sweetheart. Maybe I need to tell you more. When you say I don't like to hear that you are growing up, your right but I am dealing with it.

"I'm sorry that Jane seems too busy for you now and I know how much that hurts you. You and Jane were always close. She has been there for you through a lot. I know you want things that girls your age think you want, but sweetheart, you are thirteen years old. You aren't a little girl, I know, but you are way too young to have a boyfriend. Someday you will have your first boyfriend and when you are an adult you will make a man happy and join him as a partner in marriage, but not any time soon. Maybe next year or maybe when you're sixteen we can sit down and discuss it again, but at thirteen you cannot have a boyfriend. This is something I am not negotiating on. I know you miss Jane but branch out, you can make new friends. There has to be someone at drama club that you can hang out with more. I know this is easier said than done, but it's an option.

Carlisle stood up and walked over to Charlotte. He stood next to her as he began to speak again. "I want nothing more than for you to be happy. You and Peter and Emily are my world and I want you all to be happy. I love you all. I will help you be happy in whatever way I can, however, you need to give that back. I provide for our family. I've given you basically everything you have ever wanted. All I ask in return is respect for both myself and for Bella. I want you to be happy for us. I want everyone to get along. I want everyone to be happy. Bella has made me happy for over a year. I would like it if you gave her another chance. I'm not saying you have to be best friends with her again, just be happy for the both of us."

Before Charlotte could answer, Dr. Platt looked at the clock. "I'm sorry but we need to end there for the day. Charlotte and I have our regular session on Thursday and we can discuss then if she wants another meeting like this. I feel like this was a good session today. Charlotte don't forget your homework. Dr. Cullen, Miss Swan, thank you both for being here today."

"Of course Dr. Platt. We'd do whatever we can to make Charlotte realize she is loved. We just want her to be happy again," Carlisle told the doctor as the three of them left the office.

The drive back to the house was silent. Charlotte dazed out the window without saying a word. Bella watched her in the side mirror. She didn't know what their relationship would hold. After Carlisle pulled into the driveway, Charlotte got out of the car and closed the door. Carlisle reached over and grabbed Bella's hand. "It's going to be all right Bella, I know it will."

"How did things go last week with Charlotte?" Alice asked at the office. She was holding Emily. She had been out of the office most of the week and hadn't had the chance to catchup with Bella.

Shrugging, Bella answered her. "It went better than I was expecting. She said she didn't want to have another group therapy session. She wanted time to think about everything that had been said. Also, she thanked me for breakfast this weekend when I made it. That's a plus, right?"

Smiling, Alice nodded her head. "Baby steps Bella, baby steps. Things will be okay." Alice stopped as she placed the sleeping Emily in her carrier. "Are you ready for that meeting with the Webbers, even if the reverend thinks you are living in sin?"

Bella laughed. "Angela was always a nice girl. I think I can make their living room and dining room look like it came from the pages of a magazine and still live my sinful life. I just have to run home and get my plans. I forgot them this morning but did remember to bring Peter's note for his parent teacher conference which both Carlisle and I can't make. I meant to call him today about it but I forgot that too."

"When is it?" Alice inquired.

"Next Wednesday. Carlisle has a meeting with Edward and I have the Brown meeting for the office."

"If it is that much of an issue I'll do the Brown meeting. Peter's education is just as important. No worries."

Bella stood up and hugged Alice. "You are awesome Alice, thank you. I owe you one," she promised as she glanced at her watch. "Oh, I have to get going if I want to make it in time for the meeting. Do you want a coffee on my way back?"

"Nah, and you don't owe me anything. You can give me more time with my precious goddaughter. Auntie Alice loves her Emily!" Alice beamed as she looked at the sleeping baby.

"Promise. When she wakes up she'll want a bottle. They are on my desk. Turn the warmer on now. Thank you Alice!" Bella talked to Alice as she walked out the door. She was thankful for her friend. She was happy that she made Edward happy.

Bella zoomed back to her house. She ran out of her car and ran into the front door. She fumbled at the door looking for the keys to the front door in her bag. She was trying to hurry when the door opened by itself. She looked around and saw no one. She held onto her cell phone and quietly entered the house. Something didn't feel right, then she heard the screaming and cries.