A/N: this chapter was uploaded within 24hrs due to my fast great beta icul8er. She is the best. Luv Her!

Challenging Humanity

Chapter 19: Distracted Rage

Esme POV

I sighed looking around the kitchen, everything was clean and in order; I had left some food in the fridge for Bella and Alice. I knew Bella would be hungry, and I needed to remind her about applying some ointment, I didn't want a scar to be long lasting. I looked at the clock and shook my head. Carlisle had been on the phone since Charlie had left, he still has to tell me what's going on. After his call with Dr. Siobhan, he was acting very different. I don't understand what was going on. I knew in my gut it was about Bella; I just hope it wasn't something bad. I walked toward the office door; determined to make Carlisle explain what was going on.

"I know it's not true Billy."

I stopped by the door; Carlisle's chair was turned away from me. I just stood by the door. Carlisle's voice was filled with distress.

"Billy I know that too, but I don't want to cause problems right now. Bella is not 18 yet, what if Renee pulls the primary custody card? I will call Richard and see what I could do, but so far, all I know is that Renee has her bases covered. The only people who know the truth are the people who are closer to Bella. Yes I know Charlie really well; yes I know Charlie would never do that. Damn it Billy!"

I gasped at Carlisle; he never curses. Well, not unless one of his kids pushes him to his limit.

"Look Billy, I know Charlie well enough. I was not accusing, I was just confirming my own thoughts. Now I want you to calm him down and meet me tomorrow in my office. No not at home, in the hospital. I have rescheduled all of my patients for the afternoon. I don't want anyone to know anything. Yes that is better; I will just come to your house instead." He sighed, "Yes, it's okay; see you tomorrow. Bye." He abruptly turned around; his eyes were shut and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

I knocked on the door quietly, trying not to startle him. He suddenly opened his eyes and let his hands rest on the desk, "I didn't know the door was open…" he said, I could see his disproval of my standing by the door.

"I just came to ask if you'd like some coffee," I replied; while walking closer to my husband. Who gave a sigh of defeat and sat down.

"How much of that did you hear?" he pushed his chair and stood up.

I walked over to him raising my arms around his neck while laying my head on his shoulders.

"Enough to know that something had to do with Charlie and Billy; what's going on Carlisle?"

He shook his head, "I can't disclose this; it's a patient confidentiality I'm afraid." He didn't hug me back; just stood stiff.

I moved my arms away, but met his eyes, "I have a right to know, Charlie is more of a family member than some visitor. I want to know what is going on Carlisle."

Edward POV

I scowled at my cell. I put it on charge and just silenced it. Tanya was calling me again, for what reason I didn't know. I guess the threat from Alice was useless. What really amazed me was the fact that she actually thought I would talk to her after everything her dad had put us through. Her thoughts were really quite ridiculous. I looked at my cell again when the light flashed, signaling a call. I looked at it to make sure that it was only Tanya when instead it was Tyler. I flipped it open and answered.

"Hey man, where are you?" Tyler's voice sounded like he was out of breath.

"Nowhere, in my room. I'm grounded. We pulled some prank on my dad and he got crazy mad, why?" I lowered the music on my stereo so that I could hear better.

"We're all here in La Push court. We thought we would play some basketball. Jared called us all to play. Since everything in La Push is tense because of Sam and Leah, we thought this would change the mood. You in?"

"That's great man, I would love to shoot some hoops, but I can't come, my dad would kill me." I sighed, playing with the remote control of the stereo.

"What about Jasper or Emmett? We need some real players..."

"I'll ask, but I doubt it?"

"Oh, hey, how is Alice?" I rolled my eyes; I could practically hear his smugness. The idiot thought he was really funny to mess around with our protective brotherhood. He would purposely flirt with Alice just to get a rise out of me and Emmett. Emmett learned to ignore it, he explained it was better not to give a reaction, it was easier said than done for me. "I don't know I'll ask Jasper for you." I laughed ending the call. Tyler had stopped his annoying antics with Jasper, but it was really me that Tyler loved to torment. He knew I could easily lose my cool. He took great joy in what I did to Mike.

I looked toward my door then decided I was too tired to walk toward Emmett's room. I dialed his number.

"Why are you calling me? Did you actually escape!" Emmett's voice turned from annoyed to exciting.

"No Em, I'm still here. I was just too lazy to come to you, Tyler called. He and some guys are gathered in la push for some one on one in court. He's asking are you in?

Bella POV

I sighed as I looked toward Alice, who was busy in looking at all the clothes carefully and analyzing each, for what reason I didn't want to know.

I recalled the first time I had met her, in her home after I fainted; my hand went automatically to the bruise I had on my head. Which was had now completely disappeared. I've always been a fast healer.

Alice was different. She never acknowledges that I was different. She would only ask me yes or no questions, which I could respond by moving my head. Jasper was nice, Emmett was funny, and Edward was just plain confusing. I thought about my plan to get even with them, but it seemed wrong now since I had hung out with them. The only people who deserved my revenge were Rosalie and Tanya. However, Rosalie wasn't worth the trouble. I sensed there was another personal problem that Rosalie was taking out on me. Tanya on the other hand had it coming.

I looked around the store for something interesting when my eyes fell on a very elegant tie. I immediately thought of Charlie. Charlie would look great in a tie. Renee didn't show me any pictures of the wedding with Charlie. She claimed she burned them before coming to Phoenix. I didn't know if that was true or not any more since I saw some pictures from their wedding in Charlie's living room. Now that I look back it, Renee was very childish, compared to how stable Charlie was. Charlie was smart, sensible and fiercely caring, while Renee was the complete opposite. It only worsened when she married Phil. I think marrying a younger guy, made her pretend like she could act like a child. Which she did. After her last email, that I had promptly deleted, Renee didn't bother to write back. That would have affected me, however I didn't have it in me to care anymore. I had Charlie now, and my gang in phoenix still worried about me, even if they didn't believe me. And maybe I had made friends here too. Angela was already a friend, but now I guess Alice was in the same boat.

I moved toward the rack of ties and grabbed the one I liked. However I remembered I left my piggy bank in my room. I brought it with me from phoenix for times like these and now... I sighed at my stupidity. I looked at Alice, after a second thought; I stopped considering the thought of borrowing money from Alice. No matter how nice Alice was right now, I just wasn't as comfortable as I would be with someone I knew for longer. Times like these I missed Kevin. He would just buy me anything I touched and wouldn't let me touch my savings. He knew the money I saved from all of my holidays and birthdays was for the University of Disabled. I've wanted to go there ever since I found out about it.

I tried getting a job at Wal-Mart once; I worked there for one week until Renee made me leave the job. She cried for hours saying that I was dropping out of school because of money. Honestly I wasn't, and Kevin had suspicions of Renee knowing that too, he said, Renee was just worried that no one would be able to cook and clean the house if I took up a job. I didn't look into it afraid that; it might be true. I loved Renee. No matter how crazy she was. She took care of me until I could take care of myself. It felt wrong to think something bad about her. However now it was different, I couldn't think of anything right about her. Since Phil moved in, she only thought about herself and Phil. It made me resent her even more when she didn't care how Phil's ignorance attitude was toward me. I mean if it was my daughter I would care about her, and ask her what her thoughts were if I married a younger guy, no matter if she talked or not. I would think even Charlie would do the same thing. He would actually give me the upper hand on his life dissection. I already saw how much he loved me, he saved a teddy bear for so many years, and never has one close female friend. Only friend I have met so far was Matt, Billy and Harry. I wouldn't mind if he had a female friend either. He seemed really confident in what he was. In just few days I figured out I was more like him then I knew, we both made the decisions we stuck with. I don't dislike Charlie anymore for not leaving Forks; somehow this wet place was growing on me more than I cared to admit.

I looked at the tie sadly. I really wanted to buy it; I hope it was here next time when I would come with my money (which would be tomorrow). Using my education money on Charlie was worth it, I was really regretting not pressuring Renee into letting me celebrate father's day with him. She would insist I should celebrate it with Phil, which was very uncomfortable and awkward situation. That celebration even stopped when I didn't allow Phil to sign adoption papers of mine. I was always Charlie's daughter, and I will never take that name away. It was the only thing I had of him since I was little. And I was grateful now that I met Charlie; I knew my decision was the right one.

"Hey! What's that?" I jumped startled when Alice came behind me to inspect what I was holding. "Ohh very nice, and it's so this season. We have to buy this." She took it right from my hand and took it over to the counter, while I ran behind her, I couldn't quite reach her since I kept bumping and tripping into racks full of clothes. I reached for her wrist right when she placed the tie on the counter.

I made a stop gesture with my hand to show her to stop; I really wish I brought come kind of writing tool to tell her something. Before I could find something to write, Alice took out her cell from her purse and gave it to me, I raised my eyebrows in question of how she knew I was looking for something to write, but I ignored it when I saw the cashier look at me impatiently. I typed quickly and gave it back to her. I turned my attention to the counter, my jaw dropped when I saw it was filled with clothes I was forced to try on. I shook my head immediately, I won't let her buy everything for me, was she challenged or something? I mean, didn't I make it clear I didn't want to buy these. I glared at her in protest. I was impressed she completely ignored me. She reached her purse and pulled out a Mickey Mouse credit card, it was actually cute. She read what I wrote on the cell, and huffed.

"Really Bella, I mean really? You thought that just because you didn't bring money, you wouldn't shop, like really? Bella I really thought you were smart enough to know that I wouldn't let you spend your money either way? I mean friends do shop for each other you know. And plus I get the most discounts in this mall. It's the only one around here anyway and Edward actually pointers out that I should actually own this place from the money I spent on it. I actually shop every day. I even got a summer job here, which I can join this summer oh and you know remind me to show you the scarf I bought the first time I came here…"

I stopped listening when I watched the cashier scan items after items and the numbers were growing. The final price actually horrified me. I could actually buy my whole year shopping with the money like that.

"Oh stop with the face Bella, ok tell me more about cherry, I am soo dying to know. I mean CPRS? Like wow, and her parents. Did you find out more about her?" I shook my head and typed how she had a fever going up and down, and the pain plus her sweating. I didn't talk much with my friends which reminded me I needed to talk to everyone about that. Alice nodded in the right places while holding my elbow and walking me out of the shop with her. She pushed me to the next shop across. I felt my blush rush when I walked into Victoria secret shop. It was filled with very revealing lingerie.

"Do you think this will be comfortable?" Alice asked holding a pink bra. I flushed but nodded. I always heard about how this company's lingerie was the best. I never tried it. I stuck with Wal-Mart. Cheaper doesn't matter if it's hidden. "I have to find a new swim suit for the summer. And I need to find something very hot for Jasper." I just shook my head in embarrassment at her openness. Shouldn't she keep these personal details private? "I think I will buy some pink underwear, what do you think?" she asked, focusing on the items. I nodded; looking at the perfumes and lotions. I looked at the posters advertising some of the merchandise when some model caught my eye. She resembled Angela a little. My thoughts went to her; I wonder how she knew Alice. I typed and asked her about it. She grinned, "Well I actually met Angela through my dad. Her daddy's the pastor here, and he once came to the hospital for some treatment for his two twin sons. They were running a fever. His dad saw a picture of mine in my dad's office and he talked about his daughter. Angela was in the same grade as me, one day my dad introduced me to her in church. She is really nice. A little too shy, but very nice. She is always thinking about others. I found out she had a crush on Ben, I made Edward and Emmett be friends with him so I could make Angela get closer to him. They just started dating a month ago after a lot of pushes. They make such a cute couple. Sometimes Rosalie or I baby-sit her brothers so she or her parents go out. Rosalie and me worked together to keep Tanya and her little gang to mess with Ben or Angela. They just love to create drama." I nodded in understanding. That much could be seen by anyone. "How is your face by the way? Edward just texted me, saying mom is asking about you?" I shook my head and typed I was ok. I didn't feel pain anymore. Alice nodded, "I still think we should go and put some medicine. I don't want you to have this scar any longer. Ugh I can't imagine anything on my face besides makeup." I bit my lip from stop laughing.

'I am going to go and chat with my friends. I need to ask about Cherry. And I need to talk to some people for the wheelchair thing.' I typed to her, while grabbing some of the bags from her. I was going to return all of them tomorrow when I come back. I will not keep these.

Alice jumped up and down excitedly. I was a little impressed since she was wearing pencil heels. I shuddered remembering how I sprained my ankle the first five minutes when I tried shoes like that in Phoenix. "Ohh I want to help. I can be very persuasive?" she pleaded with her eyes.

I nodded while forcing her to the exit doors, I finally breath a huge relief sigh when I sat in the car, I didn't realize how much my legs were killing me. "Wasn't today fun Bella? Just imagine tomorrow we can do this all over again."

My jaw dropped at her comment.

Esme POV

"Enough Esme, I know exactly what this is about and I am not going to stand for it." Carlisle shook my arm off and walked to the door.

I was confused, "I don't know what you are talking about? This is only about Bella and I have a right to know."

"That is exactly what you don't have the right to, don't you understand! This has to do with my patient. Charlie or no Charlie, I am not going to discuss this!" his retort made me see red.

"Carlisle I have always respected your privacy for your patience, I just don't want Charlie to lose Bella. I know exactly the person Renee is…" he cut me off.

"It is NOT, your problem. Don't you understand, you are a mother to Edward, Alice, and Emmett? You are my wife, but Bella is not your daughter. Renee is her mother and Charlie is her father. No matter what I want you to stay away from this. I don't want you to do something that hurts someone..." he whispered after he had started from screaming.

I didn't realize I had tears I my eyes, until I felt the fury burn, it wasn't fair... "I know where I stand Dr. Cullen!" I sneered his name. "But I still have a right to know, don't you get it. Charlie and Bella are as much family as any. We are standing here because of Charlie!" I screamed back.

He suddenly turned his mad eyes on me, "really Esme, is that what this is about?"

I blinked back my tears, "wh..at do..you.. mean?" I whispered.

His eyes turned challenging, "you know exactly what this means…" his eyes were a reminder of something I didn't want to see.

I shook my head in denial, he wouldn't …he was forbidden..no… "no… I don't know! The only thing I want to know is that you know something about Bella! Something that is important! Even Charlie didn't listen to everything. I saw him run outside. Don't make this about me Carlisle, I warn you. DON'T!" in my rage, I grabbed a hardcover book from his shelve and threw it at him. He ducked his head down, and the book hit the table lamp. He was wrong. He can't tell me this! I grabbed another book to throw, but he stopped my wrist and made me drop the book.

"STOP IT! STOP IT THIS INSTANT! Esme enough." He screamed in my face.

I screamed in response and pushed him away. I couldn't control the fury, it was too much. My fingers shivered and I felt the room shaking. I grabbed a hold of some thing again and threw it too.

"THIS IS ABOUT YOU! This is about the one person you lost!" Carlisle voice was drowned in my screams. I pulled my hands over my ears, twisting away from him. He pushed my hands down, forcing me to look at him, "listen to me Esme, Bella is not him, and she is not your son. YOUR SON IS DEAD!"

The noise of my hand slapping against his face, deafened all other sounds. That was the last thing I saw when I was enveloped in blackness.

Carlisle POV

I looked down at my wife sadly. It was my fault. I had pushed her too much. I shouldn't have done this. I knew what I was doing, but I had to. She didn't see what was happening. She was doing the same thing she did before she got Emmett. I couldn't let Esme go to the first step. We came too far for her to back down. It wasn't right. Tears filled my eyes at the reminder of what happen. I should have called for help, I shouldn't have done this. Edward and Emmett were still upstairs; I couldn't let them see Esme this way. After one minute I put the keys to the car in my pocket and carried Esme out.

I drove around until I found the one place where I found my answers and my nightmares. I forced my tears to stop when I looked out the window.

A/N: sorry everyone for a no update in a long time. Honestly I hit a writers block. How shocking is that? I have all time and I hit writers block, not just that, I was loosing interest in this story. I realized if I was bored, so would be my readers so I thought I would fast forward to alittle thrill. This is more on the secret of esme. As you can now see, I brought this story to new turn, just more earlier than I thought I would. It was unexpected really. But I was loosing interest. I thought if I made things a little faster, I would be able to gain my interest back. I like to hear what you guys think?

Reviews I absolutely love. I am shocked how close I am to reach 500 reviews. Half way near my goal for 1000. I think by the time I am finished with this story, I would be able to get to my goal. Everyone who might be worried about this getting pulled like some of my favorites..dont worry, not gonna happen. This story is here to stay forever. I might go back and make some changes but I wouldn't delete any chapters any time.

This chapter was beta-ed real quick by icul8er. She got me this within 24hrs. love her!

My updates won't be a week away this time. I am getting my interest back and hopefully will update within a couple of days.

Review winners-

7HockeyStarVampireObsessed7

I really love this story. I like how you don't make Bella seem weak. I think it is really sweet and I can't wait to read more of it. I ink the idea is really creative and I would love to give the Denali's a piece of my mind if I could. Hey, can't Bella help Leah like she has been helping a lot of people? Great story, I love it!

12fanpire21

This is like the absolute best story on this entire website! It's nearly 5:30 in the morning and I haven't gotten any sleep because I really really wanted to read this. You have to update soon. Seriously. I will die if you don't. I'm not kidding. I love this story so much and you are like an awesome author! It's true whether you believe me or not. Just ask anyone. Now update. Please please please!

SpenceSince1993

lol, i can't believe I took so long to read this chapter. IU have been gone but I still did my five minute long happy dance. My boyfriend loves your story I made him sit here and read ever single word. He kept asking when the next chapter comes out so he's happy :)

I LOVE THIS STORY SO DAMN MUCH!

Vera-Cruz89

OME! I think Edward is so cute! When he smiled because she was using his cell was funny. Alice is Alice, she is a great power, and not to be messed with. I wonder what is going on in Esme's mind. What was it that she wanted to talk to her kids about? I kind of have a idea but I don't know if I'm right or not. Emmy! lol i have to say is funny as ever. Anyways You Lady are a Goddess among Gods! I love your story and I can't get enough of it. I can wait until you update. I will cry until then. :'(

I Love all my reviews and I cant wait for more!