A/N Thank you to everyone who has looked at my story. I'm amazed at the number of hits I've received already and it's been less than 24 hours since I originally posted! Please take the time to review so I know what you think and can improve my writing! Enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 2 – Anger

Now I know why mom left this damn place! It's so worn down and depressing, and what's with the non-stop rain? Enough already!

Bella was lost in her own thoughts as Charlie drove from Port Angeles to Forks, her new home. She had tried to tell Charlie to just leave her in Phoenix, but he wouldn't listen. What was the point in arguing anyway? Her life as she knew it was over. Her mother was dead and it was her fault – no matter what anyone said. She knew better. She knew that she should have seen the storm's severity and insisted on returning to the mall to wait it out, but she didn't. Instead she took the keys from Renee and got behind the wheel thinking they were so close to home already. What could possibly happen, right?

Now Bella was in Washington of all places, away from the only home she'd ever known. Talk about depressing. Forks was the polar opposite of Phoenix. In Phoenix the sun was always shining and in the summertime, the weather would be a blistering 110 degrees on a cool day. One could literally drown in Vitamin D. Sure, there were storms like the one the day of the accident, but they were few and definitely far between. Here in Forks, she didn't think there was any sun. It's like it packed its bags and traveled south – only it wasn't just a temporary stay. Instead of the beautiful sun and stifling heat she was so used to, she got thick gray clouds and constant rain.

Great… My own personal hell. What more could I ask for? she thought caustically. Well at least I'll get the damn punishment I deserve for killing mom.

Bella continued with these thoughts while Charlie drove. He was oblivious to the fact that she was contemplating ways to get away from here already. It couldn't be that hard, could it?

…..

Back in Phoenix after the funeral, Charlie had explained to Bella that he was taking her back to Forks with him. He expected her to blow up at him like she had so many other times in the last week, but she just hung her head and listened… At least he thought she was listening. He knew that she was going to need a lot more help when they got home than he would be able to give her, so while Bella was sleeping, he decided to call Esme and explain the situation. Bella would probably hate him for making her see a psychiatrist, but Esme Cullen was such a kind and loving individual, that he knew he didn't have a choice. If anyone could get through to Bella, it would be Esme.

Esme was the wife of his long-time best friend Carlisle Cullen. They were high school sweethearts and had been together for 20 years now. Instead of growing apart, as many couples do, their relationship only seemed to have grown stronger. Charlie saw the love that they had for one another and their family so he assumed she would show the same love and understanding to her patients. Esme easily agreed to take Bella on as a client and so Charlie made an appointment for the following evening. With that done, he made a makeshift bed for himself on the couch and tried to get some sleep.

The next morning Charlie finished getting things ready for their trip, loaded up the rental car and then walked in to tell Bella it was time to go. The sight he walked in on in the kitchen made his steps falter and his heart break into a million pieces. Bella was sitting on the floor with her back against the cabinets. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and was clutching them so tightly with her arms it was a wonder she was able to draw a breath. What made everything worse though is that Bella was obviously crying… hard. Not knowing what else he could do, Charlie helplessly sank beside her and pulled her into him letting her cry on his shoulder while he whispered that everything would be okay and that he would never leave her.

Once Bella was cried out again, Charlie helped her into the car and they set off for the airport. The flight to Seattle went smoothly, especially since Bella slept with her head on Charlie's shoulder. With it having been such a long night, Charlie rested his head on top of Bella's and drifted off to sleep as well. When they arrived at SeaTac airport, they quickly grabbed their bags and went to catch their connection to Port Angeles, where Charlie's police cruiser was parked and waiting for them.

…..

Bella and Charlie were both lost in their own thoughts as he drove the cruiser into the quaint little town. When he finally pulled into the driveway of his little yellow two-story house, he cleared his throat rather conspicuously.

Drawing Bella's attention, he said "Honey, why don't you go upstairs and have a shower. It's been a long day of traveling and it'll help you relax. The bathroom is at the top of the stairs to the left. You should be able to find everything you need in there." She started to turn and walk away without saying anything when he cleared his throat again, not sure how to approach the topic.

Bella turned to look back at him and noticed he was fidgeting with the zipper of his jacket. "What's on your mind Charlie?" she asked with a heavy sigh. She may not have seen him in 16 years until recently, but she knew that look. It was the same look that all parents had when they were unsure of how to say something to their kid.

"Well, um… I know that it has been really hard for you this last week and I want to help you as much as I can. You'll probably hate me for this, but I set up an appointment for you at 7 tonight to see Dr. Esme Cullen. She's the town psychiatrist and she is willing to help you talk about what happened and over come your grief. Plus, she's a wonderful woman and I think you'll really like her." Charlie finished his statement in a rush without taking a breath and then waiting quietly for the explosion.

"WHAT?" Right on cue. "You're sending me to a shrink? Why the hell do you think I need to see a shrink? Mom died Charlie. She died and it's my fault! I can't bring her back. You can't bring her back and neither can a goddamn shrink!"

Charlie took three calming breaths before he answered her. "Honey, what happened to your mom was a terrible accident. I've told you this a hundred times: it's not your fault! I know that you're going to keep blaming yourself and it's not right. You shouldn't have to bare that weight on your shoulders. You're only 17 Bella and I think that Dr. Cullen can help you see what really happened that night. She can help you realize that you are not to blame and when she does, you can finally move on with…"

"Move on? MOVE ON!" Bella was screaming at this point. "You want me to fucking move on when my mother is dead? What am I supposed to do in this hellhole anyway Charlie? You live in the middle of B.F.E! I bet there's not even a mall in this god forsaken town is there?" Charlie sheepishly shook his head before Bella continued on her rant. "Why am I even here Charlie? I haven't seen you in 16 years and then suddenly you're back in my life again as if nothing happened? It doesn't work that way!"

Bella regretted the words as soon as they were out because Charlie looked as if she had just slapped him. She knew the circumstances behind Renee leaving forks. Charlie had begged her not to go and even fought for custody over Bella for almost a year, all to no avail. Renee was awarded full custody and left to Arizona, never looking back.

"Bella, I know you probably hate me for not being in your life and I can't say how sorry I am for that, but I didn't have a choice. If I had, you would never have left Forks with your mother. I have always loved you and there hasn't been a single day when you didn't enter my mind. You are my daughter and I only want what's best for you. Will you please go upstairs, shower, and get ready to go see Dr. Cullen? This is something I feel is completely necessary and is there for not up for discussion." With that, Charlie turned and walked out the door to grab the rest of Bella's things.

…..

"Isabella Swan?" A woman slightly taller than Bella came out of the shrink's office and called her name. She was a pretty woman, but slightly plain. The thing that really struck Bella though was this woman's face. Never in her life had she seen a face so kind. The woman's face had a mousy look to it. She had large brown eyes, an upturned nose, chubby cheeks, and the most genuine smile that Bella had ever seen. Despite the argument with Charlie about no wanting to talk to a stranger about her problems, Bella lost all her inhibitions and instantly liked this woman.

She followed the doctor into the office and took a seat on the brown leather couch she was directed to. Taking a quick survey of her surroundings, Bella laughed to herself. Sure, the woman looked nice enough, but her office was exactly what Bella thought every shrink's office would be; generic painting on the walls, a brown leather couch, a matching oversized chair, and a mahogany desk with a lamp, a clock, and a small grouping of family pictures.

Huh. If it weren't for the fact that she's definitely in the picture, I would think that photo came with the frame. Talk about the picture perfect family. Bella was looking at a picture of what was presumably Dr. Cullen's family that was perched on her desk. They were a beautiful group of people, but they didn't all look related. Dr. Cullen was standing next to a tall, striking man with a wonderful smile on his face. He had his arm tightly wrapped around her, so Bella assumed this was Mr. Cullen. Next to them, there was a gorgeous blonde girl who looked to only be a year or two older than Bella. This girl was staring into the eyes of the enormous man next to her with a radiant smile on her face. The tall man with his black hair and dark eyes was looking right back down at her, his face lit up with an impish grin and adorable dimples. Were they married? They definitely looked like they were a couple. Now that Bella was looking more carefully, she noticed that all of the people in the photo were paired up. All but one that is. The final couple looked like polar opposites. The guy was extremely tall with blonde hair and hazel eyes. He towered over the girl he was with. She didn't even come up to his shoulders, but had beautiful dark brown spikey hair and deep brown eyes. They were looking at each other with such adoration that Bella almost felt she was intruding in the moment to even be looking at the photo.

Still, somehow she couldn't take her eyes off of it. There was one more person in the photo and he was breathtaking. Bella felt her breath hitch as she took in this god like creature. He was tall and thin, but definitely well built, as was obvious by the way his shirt hugged his body. He had hair that was not quite blonde, but not quite brown, and yet not quite red. It was the strangest color Bella had ever seen, especially on a guy, but what struck her the most were his eyes. This man had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen on a man or woman. They were the color of the purest emeralds and they seemed to see right into her very soul.

Bella was confused for a moment. She couldn't understand why everyone else in the picture was paired off but for some reason, he looked lonely. Surely his girlfriend was just not there that day. There was no way this gorgeous creature wouldn't have a girl friend, was there? Before Bella could think any more about it, the doctor cleared her throat.

Bella looked up a little sheepishly, wondering how long the doctor had been trying to get her attention. She was surprised to see the kindest, most understanding smile on the face of the woman seated across from her.

"It's so nice to meet you Isabella. My name is Esme Cullen. I've known Charlie for so long and have heard so much about you! Welcome to Forks!"

"Bella." That was all Bella could think to say. When the doctor looked at her questioningly, she frowned and said, "My name is Bella. I haven't gone by Isabella since I was 2." Bella couldn't get over the fact that this woman seemed to know exactly who she was, but apparently she was a friend of Charlie's, so she guessed that would explain a lot. "Is this your family Dr. Cullen? They are very beautiful." For some reason, Bella just couldn't draw her eyes away from the photo for any length of time.

The doctor smiled sincerely at her. "Please call me Esme. I want us to become friends Bella, and Dr. Cullen just sounds too formal. Yes that is my family. We are a bit unorthodox in that my husband and I adopted our children, but we are closer than any biological family you've probably ever met. Although I could talk about them all day, we're not here to talk about my family; we're here to talk about you. Are you ready to get started?"