Chambers of the Soul
Summary: Bella lives with her abusive father; Charlie, her older brother; Maxi and her younger sister; Harmony. She almost thinks there's no hope but what happens when the new family comes to town? Will she ever be happy? What if Bella and her siblings became happy and then someone came back to haunt them…
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All characters and other twilight-related things belong to SM. I only own the storyline.
Bella Swan
"I'm sorry," Esme spoke softly. "There must be some mistake."
"No," the woman replied. "No mistake, someone informed me my children were here and I'm here to collect them."
"You can't have them." Esme was a lovely person but was firm and strict when she needed to be. The woman didn't like this.
There was a crash of something, and then footsteps getting closer to us. I cuddled Harmony to me closely. "Hello?" This was Renee's voice.
I wanted to hide. She claimed she was our mother, but how would we be certain? And could we trust her, after everything?
The woman entered the front room. She stood at about 5'4" She was very pale, and had clear, blue eyes and wavy, brown hair. She was similar to the memories I had of my mother, but I wasn't certain, and that's what scared me.
"My babies!" She shouted loudly, causing Harmony to flinch. She came hurdling towards the couch and I held my hand out to stop her coming any closer. I didn't trust her at all.
Edward sensed my discomfort and took a step so he was stood between the woman and us.
The woman looked hurt. "Excuse me. I want to hug my children."
Edward shrugged. "They don't want to see you. How can we trust you?"
She retrieved a cell phone out of her side pocket and held it out towards Carlisle. "Call child services, they've cleared it. They were supposed to phone you."
Esme and Carlisle shared a look before he retrieved the phone and went off into the kitchen to speak.
We all refused to do anything until he came back. He eventually did. His face was solemn and he gave the phone back reluctantly. "They say that they've did a background check, etc. She is their mother and because we are not family, they must go to her. If Charlie cannot look after them, she must…" He spoke to Esme; not even daring to look at us.
Harmony reached out to Esme with her little hands and Esme took her automatically. The Cullen's had become our family. We'd spent weeks with them and we had learned to trust them.
I didn't trust this woman. Even if the records proved she was our mother.
"So, that settles it then." She smiled smugly. "Where do you keep your stuff?" She turned and started walking towards the stairs.
"Um, excuse me." Maxi started. Renee turned. "Just because you're our mother, doesn't make it right to strut around here like you own it. This is the Cullen's house you should respect it."
"Oh yes!" Renee paused as if she was recovering from something. "Oh dear me, where are my manners?" She came back to the front room and sat down slowly on a chair. "This hasn't been a good start. I'm so sorry, it's just I was so eager to get my children."
Because Carlisle was so caring and considerate he accepted her apology. I wouldn't have. He sat down with Esme and held onto Harmony's petite hand. "It's quite alright," He smiled. "I can understand how excited you must be to finally see them. But I must ask – pardon if I am rude – why are you meeting your children? You should already know them."
Renee fidgeted uncomfortably as all eyes turned on her. "Well…things with Charlie just didn't work out right…I couldn't handle him sometimes, he was aggressive." She paused, looking at Maxi and I. "I loved my children so much but with them they kept weighing me down. It was impossible to escape. I could clearly see how much Charlie loved his babies. He took Maxi and Bella fishing most weekends," She smiled softly at a memory. "Bella always came back grumpy and tearful. Charlie never understood why she didn't like fishing." She rubbed at the tear on her eye. "I thought that leaving the three of them here with Charlie was the best option they had – they had a nice life here. If I had known my children were to be in danger, I would never have left them…"
Esme was sobbing lightly and Harmony kissed her on the cheek. "I know what its like to feel trapped and weighted down but I would never think of leaving my children. Surely you must have known leaving them with Charlie wasn't right, especially if he was aggressive to you?"
Renee looked away guiltily. "I wanted to escape…all I was thinking about was myself. I couldn't bear to endure another day in that house. Charlie was a wonderful father back then, despite his anger. He loved his children. I guess me leaving turned him for good and I destroyed my own babies' lives…"
Carlisle looked at the three of us – Maxi, Harmony and I. He sighed softly and came to hug us all. He held onto Harmony for a long time. "Even though I love you all very much and have grown to be your father, your mother is here and you must go to her. We can keep in touch…"
Harmony clung to Esme when she put to the ground. "NO! I want mommy!"
Esme choked on a sob and anger passed Renee's face, but only for a second. She dropped to Harmony's level. "But baby, I am your mommy…"
Harmony pushed herself into Esme's leg and Esme lifted her up into her arms.
Maxi and I already had our bags on our backs with the very few belongings we owned ourselves, even if we were resistant to leave the Cullen's.
Harmony looked at me. "Safe?" she whispered.
I shrugged helplessly. "I don't know sweetie, I really don't." I turned to Renee. "She has trust issues."
Renee nodded, accepting that her youngest didn't want to touch her. She walked to the car silently but I could make out a smile on her face. It didn't make me feel happy; it frightened me.
Esme cuddled and kissed Harmony gently then switched her car-seat from their car to Renee's with Carlisle's help. It was a struggle trying to get Harmony into the unfamiliar car but she eventually gave up and dropped into slumber.
Maxi and I climbed into the car with no hassle of course, but inside we wanted to stay with the Cullen's. I especially wanted to stay with Edward.
Edward gave me a hug through the window and we kissed softly. "You have my number," he whispered. "If you ever need me – day or night – you just call me. I'll always be here for you."
I nodded with tears in my eyes and leaned back against the seat. To stop myself from crying, I tried not to look at everyone else as they hugged me and waved. Rosalie would miss Harmony so much. Alice would miss the fashion shows, the fun she had dressing up. Every Cullen would miss something, even Emmett and Jasper.
As Renee pulled out of the long driveway and turned onto the road, my stomach flipped. I was nervous, and I knew this wasn't a good sign.
The whole way I watched the restless blue eyes in the mirror, hoping I could see into the soul of the stranger who was my mother.
PLEASE READ!
I'm going to write a new story. Does anyone have any ideas of what it should be about? :) like who it should be centered around Rosalie/Emmett Edward/Bella etc;D and what plot it should have :)
I put this chapter together quickly. Hope its okay! What do you think about Renee?
please review! :)
Savannah
Xxxx