Disclaimer- I don't own Twilight.

You guys are so loyal… and I love that I'm having regular reviewers… I honestly don't deserve you guys!

I still have that Twitter link on my profile :D

Reviewer(s) of the chapter-

Vampirelizgurl- you sent me an amazing 10,000 character review… filled with things that made me laugh, so I am dedicating this chapter to you! To Vampirelizgurl!

MidnightTulip- for finally getting rid of that loser best friend she had. And giving me advice.

Angel27eyes- to tension! Lol. and for your dad! I wish him the best of luck…

Sanders61584- I hardly think 5 or 6 days should be considered a hiatus… but I made up for it this time, little addict, didn't I?

And special thank to (in no particular order)- twilightgirl80,ElspethGordie, KristenStewartFan, TwiDi, evanescence107, naynay87, Sara McCarty Cullen, Godschildtweety, Carlisle's-nose-extension (lol love the pen name by the way), BubbleBookz31, Ms. Jessica Cullen's BIGGEST FAN, treena-ivy-carter, Aljasice, lynne0731, and my beta, VaMpIrExPiXiE.

VOTE FOR PEDRO-

LAST ON SILENCE-

"Oh my gosh!" A sweet voice filled the room, "Oh Edward! She's just as beautiful as you said she was!"

I blushed under Esme's intense evaluation of me. I looked to Edward. Did he really tell her I was beautiful?

He shrugged, seeming a bit flustered himself.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella." Carlisle said, shaking my hand.

Honestly, it wasn't fair, every single member of this family was gorgeous… and Edward was adopted.

Esme just stared at me and Edward with watery eyes.

"Oh! How rude of me, would anyone like anything to drink?" She asked kindly.

I nodded, "A water, maybe? If that's alright?" I asked.

"Nonsense! It's fine, Edward, Alice? Would you like anything?"

They nodded, "Sweet tea." They said simultaneously.

Carlisle's eyes were locked on my cheek. He smiled at Edward.

"Did you stitch her up, yourself, son?" He asked.

Edward smiled slightly, nodding.

Carlisle smiled brightly at him.

"Nice work." He said and Edward nodded, a bit bashful looking.

Carlisle cleared his throat.

"So, we all know why you guys are here."

CURRENTLY ON SILENCE-

I gulped and my hand reached for anything to grab, and it ended up being Edward's thigh. Edward stiffened, adjusting himself and Alice tried to stifle a laugh and failed.

I blushed a violent red and opted for taking his hand instead and he gave me a strained smile, trying to ease my worry.

Carlisle cleared his throat and we returned our attention to him.

I spoke first, "Yeah. Well… you know why we're here, right? What do you know so far?" Maybe I wouldn't have to relive the memory by telling him the whole story.

Carlisle nodded, agreeing, "Well, I know that your father is abusive… I see that from your cheek. And I know it must be bad if Edward drove you all the way down here… but I think I can help you."

I smiled brightly and Edward nodded, expecting this.

It was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I could be helped. Edward saw the expression on my face and patted my knee, resting our adjoined hands on my leg.

"So, Bella, how long has this been going on with your father?" he asked, paper and a pen in his lap.

I hesitated, looking to Edward. He blinked, but then nodded for me to continue.

"Um… since my mom died from breast cancer… so a few years." I said, mad at myself because my voice was shaky.

He nodded, writing something down, I bit my lip.

"And… how bad has it gotten?" he asked quietly, his being the only voice in the room.

Edward's hand tightened around mine, "Well… it's gotten pretty bad. A couple of weeks ago he took a… knife… to my mouth, that's what Edward stitched. He's forced vodka down my throat, about a half a bottle… he kicks and punches."

I felt shock as I was saying this. My life had gotten so much better when I was running away with Edward… I felt… normal.

Now, reality came back, I wasn't a normal girl, and I had to stop thinking about Edward in a romantic way because he deserved better.

The epiphany saddened me and I looked to our entwined hands, giving one half hearted squeeze before letting go.

Carlisle spoke again. "And do you have any recordings of these injuries?" he saw the look on my face, "Don't misunderstand me, Bella, I believe you and my son. But a jury won't without proof."

I blinked and looked at Edward, he hung his head in his hands, "So I fucked up again, huh? I should've taken pictures and-"

I cut him off, "Edward, there's nothing we can do about it now."

He looked at me, and then at my cheek, and hesitated before nodding, but he still looked like he was berating himself for it.

Carlisle narrowed his eyes and let out a breath through his nose. "Hmm, this complicates things though. If you plan on putting your father away, then you'll need some outstanding evidence. Especially considering he's a respected police officer with convincing lies."

He looked at us apologetically, "We need more than just your statements." He clicked his pen against the paper.

We hung our heads together now. What were we supposed to do? He was right, this most likely wouldn't pass through a court room easily. Even though I was his daughter, that didn't count for much, especially considering the fact that Charlie was so convincing. We should've seen this coming… Charlie would pull something last minute that would get both Edward and myself in trouble. I was fine if it was just me, but…

"We don't have anything more than the statements. Doesn't it count for anything that she's his daughter? She has the cuts-"

Carlisle interrupted, "The cuts could've been from you; I know they weren't, but you know Charlie will play that card, Edward. We need hard evidence that Charlie did this and no one else."

Edward looked at me, and we both knew that Carlisle was right.

Esme's eyebrows were knit together as she sat, uncomfortable. She obviously wasn't enjoying this. Alice noticed.

"Hey mom? Why don't we go out and get some late lunch for everybody?"

Esme nodded, and everyone in the room sent Alice a grateful glance. Such a kind and graceful woman shouldn't be involved in all of this sadness…

Once they left, I leaned my head against my hands.

"C-Carlisle… I'm so-"

"Don't say you're sorry, Bella. It isn't your fault. And if we don't find that evidence to take this to court, then the whole family will surely welcome you into this house, and we'll support you."

Sobs overcame me and I felt arms wrap around me. I heard little comforting noises in my ear and soothing hands smoothing down my hair.

I have no clue how long I stayed like that, but when my hazy eyes looked up, I saw Carlisle waiting patiently and Edward's arms around me.

I blushed and backed up.

"I'd love to stay with you guys until we find the evidence… if that's alright, of course…" I said.

Edward and Carlisle smiled.

"Then let's get you settled in and talk about this later." Carlisle said and Edward agreed before taking me upstairs.

"I'm sorry you don't get your own room, Bella, Esme is remodeling and there aren't any other rooms… unless you'd like to stay with Alice…just whatever you want…" he rambled.

I smiled. "Alice seems cool… but I think I'd be more comfortable with you, if that's okay?"

He smiled, "That's fine."

We walked to a nice room.

We looked at the room, and then at each other.

BASBASBASBAS

E.P.O.V.

"Oh… yeah, Edward. Right there…" Bella said as she obviously enjoyed this position.

"Mm… that position's okay, but there's another one I'd like to try…" I said, breathlessly moving my body against the bed.

I pushed hard, making her bite her lip.

"Yeah, I love it right here." I said, wiping some sweat from my brow.

I was panting against the bed frame, trying to build up my strength to go again.

"No… more, maybe…" Bella thought out loud, moving closer.

She pushed with me this time, and it was so much more enjoyable and easy.

"Mmm… that feels better." I said, closing my eyes and trying for a better angle.

We both crashed against the messed up bedding, chests heaving.

Bella looked delicious like that, against a messy bed, all breathless.

She slowly stood now, and I stood with her, looking at the bed.

She smiled at me, "Yeah, I like the bed in that position, you know, sleeping in two queens isn't as fun as one extra big bed." She looked excited.

We had decided to move the two queens together to have more room. They were heavy beds, and Bella couldn't decide on a position.

I had gotten the pills from Alice and I'd popped one, but I knew I wouldn't feel different for a couple of weeks.

In one way, I resented Bella for wanting to share a room with me.

How the hell was I supposed to get my release with her in the same bed? Well, besides the obvious way, she wouldn't go for that… mm. But what if she did? God, if she only-

I cut off my train of thoughts. Bella deserved better than to be thought of in such an explicit way.

"Again, Edward… I am really-"

Instead of speaking, I silenced her with a look. "Bella, we want you here. And you are not imposing."

She stopped talking. "Okay."

I smiled at her. "So you're sure you have nothing on Charlie?" I asked, a tiny bit hopeful.

She shook her head… " I wish I did… but I'm blanking and…"

"It's okay, Bella." I said, trying to go for a lackadaisical attitude about it but I think she saw the anguish in my eyes.

She sighed, laying back down on the bed.

"Bella! We're going shopping! It's going to be so much fun! Aw, I can't wait to have you as a sister! We're going to have so much fun!" a sing-song voice I've heard only too much in the past squeaked.

Alice stormed in, taking Bella by the shoulders and dragging her away. I laughed and rolled my eyes. But I was happy Bella had an excuse to go out and have some fun.

I did shoot Alice a look though, one that told her not to be too conspicuous. I trusted Alice not to be stupid though.

BASBASBASBAS

B.P.O.V.

"Hmm… what are your favorite shops?" Alice asked as she pulled me into her car and she pulled out.

"Uh… I'm not much of a shopper…" I said, gaping at her eccentric nature.

She gasped, "Well, we'll have to change that." she winked and pulled onto a busy street.

"Listen…" she said after a while, completely serious, "I know you like my brother."

I felt my face burn with heat, "I-I didn't know it was that obvious…" I said.

She giggled, "Oh, Bella, it totally is, I think my dopey brother is the only one who doesn't know, even Esme sees it."

My eyes widened, "But don't worry… he- probably will get mad if I say that," I shot her an odd look but she shrugged and continued, "But I'm curious, how did you find out about Edward's er… problem?"

What problem? I asked myself.

The antiandrogen, stupid.

My mind screamed back and I nodded to myself. "Well… I found the bottle of antiandrogen… and then I looked it up on the internet, and I ruled out the fact that he didn't have prostate cancer when he got all… sexy on the bed." I blushed as I said it and immediately covered my mouth.

She threw her head back, laughing

"I can imagine that, that's funny… but you should know something. Edward's pills ran out a day before you got here… and I gave him more, but it'll take him a week or two to get back to normal."

I cocked my head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean?" I asked.

She smirked at me and then turned back to the wheel, "It means, naïve little Bella, that you are going to be sharing a bedroom with an unmedicated hypersexual for about two weeks."

I gasped, my face probably a deeper scarlet.

I also licked my lips and I laughed again.

"So, I'm basically just asking you to give him some privacy to… you know… or else he'll attack you."

She squinted, "But I think you might like that, so never mind."

I coughed and she noticed my discomfort.

She just smiled and pulled into a parking lot in front of a mall the size of Washington state. I stared at it, incredulous.

"Come on! Let's go!" she said as she got out of her car.

I sighed and got out.

BASBASBASBAS

"Ugh… how do you shop so much, Alice?" I asked her as I plopped down on a food court chair.

One… two… five… ten… eighteen bags.

Wow. And it'd only been two hours.

She pouted, popping chow mein into her mouth.

"Well… it's important and next we're going pajama shopping!"

I narrowed my eyes, "Why do I get the feeling that you aren't talking about the fluffy or comfortable kind?" I asked, already knowing the answer to my question.

She smiled tauntingly, "Because it's true."

I gulped.

BASBASBASBAS

"Here we are!" she sang out and I froze.

"Victoria's secret?" I squeaked.

She laughed, "Of course!"

It actually wasn't that bad. They had really comfortable pajamas, Alice was just playing me. I got a few pairs of sweats, some boxer shorts and some tank tops.

The scary part was the underwear. Alice insisted on getting me push up bras and things I didn't even know the name of. I protested but she bought those too, saying I'd thank her later.

I blushed as we packed the bags into her car without being too obvious. We'd been out for the whole day and we decided to go back to the house after we got some dinner for everyone.

It made me nervous to be out… I was beginning to get paranoid and think that everyone who looked at me knew who I was. At one point, a salesmen narrowed his eyes at me, looking unsure of something, but I wasn't sure what.

My hairs were standing on end. All in all, I did not enjoy that particular shopping trip.

We parked into the garage and Edward came out to help us with the bags. He noticed the abundance of Victoria Secret bags and coughed slightly, groaning as he carried them inside.

Poor guy.

After all of the clothes were in the room, Esme helped Alice set the table while I got the food in the car with Edward. I saw Carlisle on the phone with someone Edward said was from the station.

"See, Carlisle is just telling them the truth," I bit my lip, worried that maybe they wouldn't believe him, "Don't worry, Bella, they'll believe him. Most of the guys have known Carlisle for years and know he'd never tell a lie, he's only looking for more ideas on how to help you."

I nodded and then threw an extremely grateful look Carlisle's way.

He nodded back to me and gave me a fatherly smile.

Everything seemed so… normal… and it felt normal, it felt easy to be comfortable with the Cullens.

I smiled at the ease of it all as we sat down for dinner.

BASBASBASBAS

After dinner we all settled into their living room with a piece of Esme's delicious looking strawberry rhubarb pie.

"Mm…" I said as I took the first bite, "Esme, you are a fabulous cook!"

She smiled warmly, her caramel hair glistening in the light of the soft fire. "Thank you, Bella."

Carlisle sat and joined us after he hung up the phone, "Well, Bella, Edward, I spoke with my guys, and they're all willing to do all they can to help."

I smiled, and I think my eyes may have been a bit teary. "Thank you, Carlisle… for everything."

He smiled at me again, "It's quite alright, Bella. We all consider you a part of this family and we'll all help you… but there isn't much promise without cold evidence."

He sighed and I felt… useless… I mean, what was I thinking? That we could just come down to Texas and magically this guy would put Charlie in jail?

Edward pursed his lips, "I… I just wish we had taken some pict-"

My eyes widened and I inadvertently cut him off. "M-my…"

"What is it, Bella?" Edward asked, sounding defeated.

"A-at… home, I have a… a stupid…" I gulped, stumbling over my words, "little diary… I... I'd take pictures and write things down… I always told myself that I'd turn him in… I'd satisfy myself with these thoughts about getting him in jail… I would never have the courage to do it… but I have it. It's… in my bedroom at home."

Hm… what's going to happen next?

Did you like my fake sex scene lol? And don't worry, Jasper and Jacob come soon.

Pix- (sorry guys, this is Jessica, my beta took too long to beta so this just came up without her.)

Chapter question- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TATTOO DESIGN AND WHERE WOULD IT BE? (oh yes, it matters.)

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