A/N: Sorry about the wait! Thanks for being so patient.
Chapter 4
"I've paged Doctor Cromwell. She'll be in soon to do the examination."
"She's not even conscious yet, for god's sake—"
"Of course we'll wait until she's awake." Doctor Cullen's voice sounded displeased, and I felt the hand gripping mine tighten.
I took a deep breath, trying to find my bearings, only to be dragged roughly back to reality with the sharp pain in my side.
"Easy, Bella," said Jasper's soothing voice. "Not too fast."
"Jasper." My tongue felt thick and stupid as it formed the word, and I blinked my eyes open. The harsh fluorescent light was the first thing I saw, the bright whiteness forcing me to squeeze them shut. The next glance was tentative and I was careful not to look at it too directly.
"Hey there," said Emmett, speaking from my other side. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," I said, my voice raspy.
"Do you know where you are, Bella?" asked Jasper.
"Hospital," I said quietly. "Can I go home?"
"Not quite yet," said Carlisle softly, speaking from the foot of my bed. "We still need to figure out where you'll be going." The words made me nervous and I looked away from the gentle, blue eyes an down at my feet.
"My coworker, Darla Cromwell, will be coming in to examine you further," said Carlisle softly. "She'll need to do a sexual assault examination." At those words, my face flamed red and I shifted uncomfortably, wondering what burst of insanity had prompted me to admit such atrocities to my brothers.
When I remembered that they were right beside me, my eyes began to sting.
"Can't we just go?" I pleaded, chancing a glance at the youngest of my brothers. He was the least volatile of the two, and the one who was least likely to say something insensitive.
"The police need the test results, Bell," Jasper explained, his voice soft. "They're going to need evidence if they want to press charges."
"Charges?" I blurted, glancing back towards Emmett. His face was hard as stone as he watched me.
"Yeah, charges," he said lowly. "The deputies have him in custody, but to hold him they need some kind of proof."
"You called the police?" I gasped, trembling. "Why would you—"
"Why would I?" he boomed, incredulous as he leaned in closer to me. "Why? Because he hurt you, that's why. Because he deserves every damn bit of justice we can give him. I'll be god-damned if they let him do anything like this to anyone ever again—"
"He's going to be mad," I protested, my voice breaking. "Oh, you don't know how mad he'll be!"
"He can't hurt you anymore," said the kind Doctor. "This isn't something law enforcement takes lightly."
My stomach clenched with fear as I saw Charlie's angry face in my mind's eye, his hand reaching out to slap me for speaking out. I could almost hear his rage, his cruel names and his threats of violence…
"Hello Isabella," said a gentle, female voice from the doorway. I chanced a glance up, my face flaming red when the woman came in, wheeling a cart behind her. "My name's Darla Cromwell, and I'm here to examine you. Boys, would you give us some privacy?"
Carlisle sighed and whispered something to the woman on his way out, leaving me alone with her and my brothers.
"I'll be right outside the door, Bell," said Emmett roughly. "If you need me, just call." I wanted very badly for one of them to stay, but at the thought of being examined down there, my desire wavered.
I didn't want them here for that.
"Alright," said Dr. Cromwell, closing the door behind Jasper when he left the room. I stared up at her apprehensively as she approached my bed, drawing a chair up to sit next to me.
"I understand that this is a very difficult situation for you," she began, her voice gentle and kind, "but it's important for you to answer some questions. Do you think you can do that for me?"
I nodded, trying my best to avoid her very blue, very direct, gaze.
"Alright," she said. "When was your last period?"
Even that question had me balking, and it was only with great reservation that I replied.
"Two weeks ago."
"Excellent," she said, checking a box on her papers. "How about contraceptives?"
"No."
"No condom or birth control?" she asked.
I shook my head curtly, resting my chin on my knees. I closed my eyes and tried my best to block out the sterile whiteness of the hospital room, and the doctor's kind, probing eyes.
"Have you showered since the attack?" she asked.
"No."
"Bathed?"
"No."
"Any medical history I should know about? Diseases? Illnesses?"
"No…" I said, opening my eyes to think. "I don't think so."
"Doctor Cullen obtained a blood sample from you earlier," she soothed, resting her hand on mine. "And neither brother mentioned any prior health concerns."
"Okay."
"Have you ever been pregnant?" she asked.
"No."
I opened my eyes once more when the scratching of the doctor's pen was all I could hear. Chancing a glance, I saw her filling a form with information, checking boxes and filling in blanks.
I didn't even try to read it.
"I'm going to have to ask you some more sensitive questions now, alright?" she said, her voice growing even more gentle. "I understand they might be hard to answer, but it's very important for me to know the whole truth."
I didn't respond, and she continued.
"How long has it been since the assault?" she asked.
"A few days," I said, biting my lip as I hiked the blanket higher.
"Can you be a little more specific?"
"I don't know," I said, frowning. "The day before yesterday."
"Friday?" she prompted.
"At night."
"Okay." Her pen scratched again, and my skin began to crawl. I could feel his hands…
"Was it the first time you'd had a sexual encounter?"
I flushed red as I shook my head, trying to keep my breaths steady.
"Was it the first non-consensual sexual experience?"
It took me a minute to decipher her words in my head, but once I did, my eyes began to water.
"No."
Charlie would kill me for sure.
Doctor Cromwell's questions continued on for another few minutes, each growing more and more intrusive than the last. She asked me how often Charlie used me. Whether or not I was in pain. What kinds of sex Charlie liked. If he'd ever done anything especially deviant that might have caused me injury.
It took some coaxing on her part for me to admit to the belt, which Charlie had used on a few occasions when he was particularly randy. She assured me that she would take a look at the scars on my back, just to make sure they had healed properly.
"The police have requested physical evidence," said Doctor Cromwell gently, once her line of questioning was finished. "Are you okay if I take some pictures?"
"Of what?" I asked, hesitant. Surely not down there pictures…
"Of your arms, and neck," she said. "And your fingernails."
"My fingernails?" I said, confused as I looked down. It was only when I saw the dark blood underneath them that I remembered raking them down Charlie's hand earlier this evening.
"I'll collect DNA evidence in a few minutes," she said gently. "Will you sign a consent to give them access to the photos?"
Knowing Emmett would throw an even bigger fit if I refused, I nodded resignedly, sitting up straighter for the doctor to do her job. The camera's flash was bright and disorienting as I lifted my arms and head to show the burgeoning bruises, wondering just how upset Charlie would be when it was all done.
I fisted my hands in Jasper's grey pyjama shirt as I tried to staunch the flow of tears, deep, shuddering breaths doing nothing to calm my frazzled nerves. My entire lower half ached, an uncomfortable reminder of what Charlie had done. Doctor Cromwell's probing fingers had only made things worse, and she'd been forced to call Jasper back inside when I panicked.
Jasper had come in to the room, frightened and worried, doing his best to distract me from the goings on at the end of the bed. I had been more than a little embarrassed to have him nearby when such an event was taking place, but he never once commented or teased.
When the doctor had pushed down on my sore, crampy belly I had lost total control of myself, succumbing to the flood of emotion that had threatened to break loose all night. She finished up quickly and removed my feet from the stirrups, but not before advising my brother to be gentle.
"It's done, kiddo," he said gently, rocking back and forth. "It's all done…"
My entire form shook violently against him as another wave of tears came on, leaving me at Jasper's mercy.
"Emmett's going to be here in a few minutes with some food," he said quietly, trying to distract me. "Do you think you can eat?"
"No."
"Okay," he said, running a hand down my back. "Just take it easy, Bell."
I was sure my face was red and swollen when my other brother poked back inside, his eyes scanning the room before he took a step inside.
"Hey," he said, nodding to Jasper. "Rose and Alice are waiting outside."
"They should go home," said Jasper gently. "We might be here for a while yet."
"I told them that," he said quietly. "Rose threatened to have me neutered."
Jasper's barking laugh startled me with its suddenness.
"You up for some early breakfast, Bell?" asked Emmett, sitting himself behind me on the bed. I felt the familiar, big hand on my shoulder before I shook my head, my stomach rebelling at the very idea of food.
"I got muffins," he said, doing his best to entice me. "Not even a bite?"
"No thanks."
"I spoke to the police," said Emmett gently, forcing one of my hands to release Jasper's shirt. He held it firmly in his own, running his thumb over my knuckles. "They want a statement from you and they're letting you come home with us."
"Good," said Jasper, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'd wondered…"
"Carlisle's promised to keep an eye on you," he said. "If you consent to going, they'll grant him temporary custody."
"Okay," I said, taking a deep, calming breath.
"Carlisle says you can write down what you remember, and he'll pass it on to the police department in Seattle," said Emmett gently. "But you don't have to worry about that right now."
"Okay."
"Carlisle's releasing you soon, so you can come home when he's done his shift," continued Emmett. "Are you feeling well enough to leave?"
"Yes," I said, shifting to look up. I wanted nothing more than to be free of this white, sterile prison.
"Alright," said Emmett softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to the crown of my head. "I love you."
"Yeah," I said, glancing up through my teary lashes to see his face. He offered me a half-hearted grin when I replied in kind, gently ruffling my hair.
"Just a little longer, and we'll blow this popsicle stand," he said. "Just rest for now."
"Yeah."
I did my best.
The unfamiliar car with the fancy leather seats smelled like pine.
"We're nearly there now," said Jasper gently, squeezing my hand. Dr. Cullen's eyes flickered back to the two of us in his rearview mirror, his gaze lingering on me.
"Tired?" asked the doctor gently, his eyes softening as I glanced up.
"A little," I said awkwardly, shifting in my seat.
"Esme's got a bed ready for you," he continued. "You can shower when you get in and then I'll give you something to help you sleep."
"Okay."
The pine smell was overwhelming, and I pressed my nose into my sleeve to dissipate it.
"Nauseous?" asked Jasper sympathetically, rubbing my back as I breathed in through my mouth.
"No." In, out. In, out…
"Alright." His voice was thick with disbelief and sympathy, and my face flamed red.
Carlisle, having overheard our hushed discussion, cracked his window open, letting the cool morning air wash over me. I breathed it in with relish.
We had driven through the main city center of Seattle, and were now cruising through the suburbs. Jasper had told me when we slipped into the doctor's Mercedes back in Forks that the house they were staying in was both grand and secluded. The area we were driving through now seemed like a place where the rich folks lived, as I had never seen houses of such size and scale in person before.
Maybe on a house-hunting show, but never with my own eyes.
"How much longer?" I asked.
"A few minutes," said Jasper. "The turn off is just right there."
Sure enough, when I glanced up, we were driving past the final houses on the block, the road ending with a "Private Property" sign and a long, narrow laneway.
The car leaned gently to the right as we made the turn, and the bumps got worse.
"Sorry," said Jasper unnecessarily, seeing my discomfort as the ride jostled my ribs. I grimaced and he helped me sit up straight, trying to make things as easy as possible. Carlisle slowed the car down in an attempt to lessen the blows, but that only made every pothole and divot even more pronounced. He did his best to find the perfect speed, but by the time we reached the end of the drive, my side was throbbing.
"Here we are," said Jasper gently, unbuckling my belt as I tried to take a deep breath. I opened my eyes and peeked outside, my jaw slackening when I saw the monstrosity before me.
"This is where you live?" I blurted, earning me a laugh from our driver.
"It's a little grand," said Carlisle gently, turning to face us, "but it's been home for me since the day I was born."
"Oh."
"Come on inside, you two, and we'll get Bella settled." His voice was gentle and kind as he exited the car, opening the door closest to me with a gentle flourish. I stared apprehensively as he offered me his hand, helping me up from my seat.
"There are only a few steps," he warned, glancing at the door. "Do you need help up?"
"No thank you," I squeaked, my shoulders hunching as I took a step back. "I'm okay."
Carlisle opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the loud, obnoxious rumble of my brother's big Jeep. I frowned as he revved around the corner, coming to a hasty halt right behind the fancy black Mercedes.
It was only 9 in the morning, and I feared his noise would wake up Mrs. Cullen.
"How was your ride, Bell?" he asked, jumping down from the driver's seat. "You okay?"
"I'm good," I lied, wishing my sudden anxiety away. "Tired."
"Of course you are," he said, taking great strides towards me. "Come on inside and get some sleep."
Rosalie and Alice emerged from the back of the Jeep much more gently than my brother had, Rosalie stopping to close Emmett's door as she approached, solemn and frowning.
"Is Esme up?" she asked, glancing at Carlisle.
"I'm sure…"
"Carlisle!" came a loud voice from the house, and all heads wheeled around to look.
A woman stood in the wide doorway of the house, her hair tossed back in a hasty ponytail, a robe covering her nightdress. Her small feet were bare as she rushed out of the house, down the steps and onto the cold stone path to the cars, her eyes bright and sleep-deprived as she passed by her husband.
"Sweetheart, you must be exhausted," she said, barely stopping to greet Carlisle as she took me into her arms. "Come inside and get cleaned up. Are you hungry?"
This woman reminded me wholeheartedly of my own mother that I so often tried to avoid remembering. As Mrs. Cullen's worried eyes peered into my own, I couldn't help but imagine Renee, looking at me much the same way whenever I was hurt or sick.
"Oh goodness, sweetheart, please don't cry!" she said gently, drawing me in for another hug. "There now… That's right." I clenched my teeth together and did my best to stop before the floodgates opened. I didn't even know this woman…
"My name's Esme," she said gently, pressing her lips to my cheek as she pulled away. "Let's get you inside."
"Thank you," I managed, letting her lead me up the few steps into the house.
"You're very welcome," she said breezily, taking my coat from my hands as soon as it was off and handing it to Emmett. "Come, and we'll shower, alright?"
"Okay."
Jasper offered me an encouraging smile as Esme led me through the house, barely allowing me any time to look around as we went. As we passed what looked like a kitchen, I caught a glimpse of another stranger, a flash of ruddy hair at the table.
I thought I saw him glance up, but by the time I could turn to look again, we had passed him by.
"Here we are," said Esme, ushering me into a spacious bathroom. I pointedly avoided my reflection in the mirror as Esme reached into the shower stall and adjusted the temperature, procuring towels and washcloths from a cabinet.
"Take these and go on inside," she urged. "I'll come back in a few minutes with some clothes for you to wear."
"Thanks, Esme," I said, testing the name on my tongue.
"You're very welcome, sweetheart," she said, smiling a sadder smile than before. "Go and get cleaned up, and we'll see about breakfast."
"Alright."
When Esme left me alone the bathroom, I took a shaky breath and began to strip down. My ribs flared whenever I moved my arm, and my neck complained when I touched it, but the temptation of the shower was too much to pass up. Come hell or high water, I was determined to wash.
The stream of water was hot and steamy, and the strawberry shower products were suspiciously similar to the ones I used at home. My nails raked my scalp as I scrubbed the oil and dirt from my hair, and I found myself welcoming the sting.
I needed to feel clean.
The washcloth Esme had given me was plush and thick, and when I lathered it up with soap, I found myself rubbing most vehemently over my arms and torso. The force of the scrubbing left red scratches down my belly, but I didn't care.
Being naked brought the memory of his hands back, and I found myself rubbing most viciously over the places where his hands had been. I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed against my hips, my arms, down there…
I made the water a little hotter, directing the spray at my face. For a moment, the burn was insufferable, but with a little determination, I forced myself to endure.
Once I'd acclimated, my hand inched closer to the hot water knob again.
A little warmer…
"Are you okay, honey?" came Esme's gentle voice, and I jumped and wheeled around. The glass walls of the shower were all steamed up, and I couldn't tell where her voice was coming from.
"Fine," I said, my voice cracking as I wrapped my arms around myself.
What if she saw?
"I've got you some clothes," she said. "I'm afraid they're going to be a bit big on you, but they'll do until we can get you some new things."
"Thank you."
Please leave…
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
"No thanks," I said, turning the water up a little more…
"Alright. Call if you need anything."
"I will."
The door clicked shut, and I turned the water up again.
The little voice in my head popped back in, no doubt to interject its opinion with some malicious mental commentary, but I drowned it out with a burst of piping hot water over my neck and chest.
I endured the burn for a few moments before it became too much, and I slammed my hand down on the tap, turning the water off altogether. I took a few deep breaths and glanced down at my newly-cleaned body, my face heating up at the sight of the lobster-red skin.
Would they know what I had done?
I ignored my embarrassment for once in my life and used Esme's soft towels to dry off, wrapping my hair up before I grabbed the clothes I'd been given, noting that they were men's clothes, not women's.
"Bella?" Esme's knuckles knocked gently on the door once more, and I put the clothing on as quickly as I could.
The drawstring on the pants were my saving grace.
"Yes?" I asked, opening the door to peek outside.
"Oh good," said Esme, taking me in. "I was worried they'd be bigger…"
"Oh."
"Rosalie offered to lend you something, but she's not exactly a modest sleeper," said Esme, chuckling. "Jasper was more than willing to oblige."
"Oh," I said again, this time with more interest, glancing down at the comfortable pants and oversized t-shirt.
"I've got a bed ready for you down here," said Esme, removing the towel from my hair. She procured a hairbrush from under the bathroom sink and removed the cardboard wrapping, gently running it through the knotted ends of my hair.
It felt nice, and I blushed.
"Was your shower too warm?" she asked nervously, pressing a hand to my red, splotchy arm.
"No," I said quickly. "I like it hot."
"Alright," she said, not entirely convinced. "Am I pulling too hard?"
"No." She ran the brush up through the rest of my hair, using the towel to pat it dry before she pulled it back into a loose braid.
"There we go, sweetheart," she said. "Come on out to the sitting room. Carlisle's got some medicine for you to take."
"Okay," I said, turning to face her. "How long am I going to stay here?"
"Don't worry about that now," said Esme, smiling. "You can't very well go back to your father's house, and Carlisle and I are more than happy to have you."
"Oh."
"Come on out," she said again, offering me her hand. "I think he's got something for your ribs."
Yes, please.
When we left the bathroom, I was very glad to note that almost everyone had scattered, leaving only the kind doctor and my brothers in the sitting room. Both Em and Jasper looked up when Esme ushered me inside, and Carlisle stood.
"Here's something that'll help you rest," he said gently, offering me a water bottle and a little cup with a pill inside. "It's for pain."
"Thank you."
"No problem," he said, satisfied when I swallowed it down without complaint. The chalky, medicinal taste of it made me grimace, and I tried to rinse my mouth with some more water.
"Are you hungry?" asked Jasper gently, his eyes stuck on me.
"No."
"You should eat something," said Carlisle quietly. "You'll feel better for it."
"How about some toast?" said Esme, jumping up from beside me.
She looked so eager, I couldn't help but say yes.
"Wonderful," she said. "I'll be right back."
The bed was warm and soft, and I couldn't help but snuggle in. After my buttered toast, the pill began to take effect, and I found that as my pain receded, I grew more and more drowsy.
Esme had been more than eager to take me to bed, tucking me in under the heavy duvet. Emmett had boldly followed her inside, leaving Jasper to wait in the doorway, leaning on the frame as he observed.
"Have a good sleep, Bell," he said gently, smiling. "Come on, Em."
"Yeah," said Emmett, rising up from where he had been sitting by my side. "Sweet dreams, Bell."
"See you later?" I asked, yawning.
"For sure," he said. "When you wake up, just yell and I'll be right here."
"Okay."
My eyelids were heavy, and when Esme closed the curtains on the window, the dark made it even easier to drift away.
"G'night."
"Love you, Bell."
Love you too.
A/N: Thanks for being so patient, and sorry this new chapter took so long to get out. I hope you're all still with me! If you are, please leave a review.