The characters belong to Stephanie Meyer but the story is my own.

Charles's alarm was shrill and ear piercing as it startled me out of a deep sleep. I rubbed my eyes, as they were sore from crying myself to sleep the night before. My hair was matted and needed some work. Before he could say anything, I slipped out of the bed and to the bathroom. The floors were freezing beneath my feet and I knew that I would either have to make some rugs or see if Charles would be willing to buy some.

I slipped the door closed behind me as I reached for a towel. I ran the water and cleaned my face quickly. Brushing out my hair I pulled it into a bun, leaving a strand hanging next to my ear. I made sure that I looked nice, perhaps even appealing to my husband. I quickly slipped into some fresh clothing and then glanced in the mirror one last time.

I quickly went to the kitchen and put water in the tea pot. Placing it on the stove, I turned on two burners before searching through the cupboards for a frying pan. Upon finding it in the bottom cupboard next to the stove, I found eggs and bacon in the cold box. I quickly started Charles's breakfast, knowing that having a good breakfast was a great way to start the day.

By the time Charles came downstairs and had his morning bath, I had all the food ready and coffee made for him. I was sipping on a cup of tea, waiting for him before I began to eat.

"Esme darling? Do I smell coffee?" He poked his head around the corner, his hair still damp. A grin split his face when he saw that I had already made breakfast. "Looks amazing sweetie! Just let me get dressed."

I heard him take the stairs two at a time, the noise resounding through the house. Shortly after he returned to the kitchen and sat down.

"Where's the paper?" He glanced around the table but did not see it. "Esme, where's the paper?"

"I didn't know that you wanted it Charles. Let me get it for you." I quickly stood and hurried to the front door, grabbing the paper and returning as fast as I could. I handed it to him and he nodded.

We ate breakfast in silence, as he was too busy reading his newspaper to bother attempting to hold a conversation with me. I knew that he was used to being a bachelor so I figured it would take him time to adjust to having another person in the house. When he was finished, he threw on his coat, and kissed me on the head before heading to the front door.

"Charles?" He paused as I hurried over to where he was. "I was wondering if I could get some yarn to make a rug. I found the floor a little chilly this morning."

"That sounds fine. There is money in the jar in the bedroom. Just make sure you have the receipt and can account for all that was spent." He then kissed me on the mouth and I waved goodbye as he pulled out the driveway.

I closed the door and bolted it, not wanting any company. I returned to the kitchen and washed the dishes. I looked through the cold box and only found a few items, not enough for me to make any kind of supper for Charles and myself. I guess I would have to go shopping.

The house was just outside of town so the walk would be good for me. I would have to be careful what I purchased as I couldn't carry a lot home with me.

First things were first though. I figured that Charles was not planning for me to live out of my suitcase so I gathered it from the bathroom and carried it upstairs. I discovered that a part of the closet was open as were several drawers in the only dresser. I made the bed and slide the suitcase under as it was the only storage spot that I could think of. When I was satisfied that the bedroom was clean, I walked over to the closet and found the jar hidden behind a hat box.

I noticed that many of the things that I was used to were not here. Charles was not very up to date in his appliances but I could easily get used to that. He didn't even have a radio but I knew that one of the guests had given us one so that would make housework a much happier task. I should stop by Mother and Father's and request that Father drop it off sooner.

I sat on the edge of the bed and counted out ten dollars. I figured that if I needed any more than that I was spending too much. I hunted around for a grocery bag but could not find one. I would grab some plain brown yarn to make one then.

I grabbed my house key and locked the door behind me, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and a blue jay was perched in the tree at the end of the driveway. I stopped as I noticed it singing while building a nest. A smile tugged at my lips as I remembered the day that I had. No those thoughts were wrong now! I had Charles as my husband and that's where it ended.

I took my time walking to the store, enjoying the air and the time that I had to myself. Entering, Mrs. Grouper waved and came over.

"Good morning dear! I'm surprised you are out and about already." She wrapped me in a hug a huge smile on her face.

"Morning Mrs. Grouper. Charles had to work today so I am running a few errands." I smiled at her as I grabbed a basket and began my shopping.

The material and wool was stored at the back, with a table for measuring and cutting the correct amount. I took my time looking at the wool until I found a nice green the match the bedroom. I grabbed five and then two skeins of a deep brown that wouldn't show much dirt. I had forgotten my knitting needles at home so I definitely needed to stop by and grab them.

A beautiful violet material caught my eye as I was turning to go grab some other small items. I couldn't resist feeling it and imagining myself with a blouse made from it. I quickly shook my head knowing that it was frivolous when I had plenty of nice clothing at home.

I walked over to the food and a rack of seeds caught my eye. I could start a small garden that would give us some fresh fruits and vegetables! What a wonderful idea! I grabbed a carrot, tomato, green pepper and cucumber package and placed them in my basket. I then looked for canned peaches as I wanted to make peach roast for dinner with scalloped potatoes.

I grabbed two cans as they were on sale, then decided to grab two more to put away as they stayed good for over a year and there were plenty of recipes that I could use the peaches for. I grabbed a bottle of milk as I had noticed that we were getting low as well as some more eggs. I would make bread when I got home but I wasn't sure if he had anything for making bread. So I grabbed all the ingredients and went to the counter.

"Goodness! He must have not cooked very much!" I smiled and nodded as I placed everything on the counter.

"He ate at the diner most nights. I plan on making sure that he has good meals every day. I am afraid that I am going to need a paper bag as Charles doesn't have grocery bags made." I smiled as she rang it all up and I paid her. I was surprised when it came to three twenty, much cheaper than I had expected. "Are you sure that's right Mrs. Grouper?"

"Yes dear! We got a great deal on the yarn so we are having a sale! Two for half price!" She handed me the bag and walked me to the door before waving me off. My next stop was the butcher.

I walked in and the door chimed, alerting Don that I was here. I patiently waited, looking over todays deals while he finished up out back.

"What can I do for you today Esme?" He smiled at me and I smiled back. Don had always been kind to me when Mother sent me to get meat for dinners. He would give me great deals and sometimes even sneak my extra's. If I came at the end of the day, he would give me some of the leftovers. Mother only had me do that when Father lost his job and money was very tight.

"I need a nice roast Don for dinner. Oh! And some nice breakfast sausage for tomorrow." I pointed towards the items that I wanted and watched as Don's adept hands wrapped the meat.

"I've got some nice steak here it's on sale if you'd like some." He weighed the meat and quickly punched in the total.

"Oh Don I wish I could! Perhaps next time but I don't dare. I'm not sure what Charles entirely likes so I don't want to buy too much today." He nodded and gave me the total, two eighty. "Don that's too little! The roast was priced at three dollars alone!"

"Nah Esme, it's enough. Don't argue with me girl."

"Yes sir." I handed the money over and took the bag from Don. I waved goodbye before heading next door to the vegetable store.

My hands were getting full but I still needed a few things. I knew that Mother would still be at her ladies meeting so perhaps I could catch a ride home. I entered the store and quickly grabbed a bag of potatoes, carrots, an onion and some apples. I was considering making an apple pie for desert.

I quickly paid and found that I had around three dollars left. I had done rather well and made sure that all my receipts were in my change purse. I grabbed my final bag and headed towards the Church which was halfway across town. I arrived just as mother was leaving the building. She spotted me and waved, waiting for me to catch up.

"Hello sweetie!" She guided me to the car and helped me put my items in the back seat.

"Charles did not have very much in the house. I only grabbed enough for a few days, when he is off on the weekend we need to get some more." I smiled and gave her a hug, already missing her.

"Well at least you were smart enough to grab some for a few days! The first week with your father, I was too afraid to go shopping so we lived off canned peas and a few potatoes!" She began laughing as she slipped behind the wheel. "Do you need anything from the house?"

"Yes actually. I left my knitting needles and I wanted to grab a couple of the wedding gifts. Charles doesn't have much in the house." I smiled as I slipped into the passenger side and settled in for the ride.

When we go to the house, I ran inside and grabbed the baking pans, my needles and the radio. Mother drove me home and helped me bring everything into the house.

"You weren't kidding! That poor man. Well thank heavens he has you now!" I grabbed the food and brought it into the kitchen.

"I want to make a mat for the bedroom, the floors are cold in the mornings. I also found that he has no up to date appliances or many cooking dishes. I can work with a lot but I can't make dinner without proper tools!" I laughed as I put the canned items away and then the fridge.

I turned to Momma and she was smiling at me, a tear running down her cheek.

"What's wrong!"

"I am just so happy to see you in your own home!" She kissed my cheek and then bid me goodbye as she had to get home and do some work of her own.

I quickly washed two of the pans and mixed up enough dough for two loaves of bread. I quickly placed them in the oven and began to prepare the roast. It was almost noon but I figured if I got the food ready now, I would be able to relax, listen to the afternoon radio show I enjoyed and knit the grocery bags.

I looked through the cupboards and found a roaster along with another cooking dish. I quickly sliced up the onion making sure to save half for another day. What I did use, I took half for the roast and half for the potatoes. I grabbed a can of peaches and put some water in the bottom of the pan. I then placed the roast in and opened the can of peaches pouring them on and around the meat. I then placed the onion in the same manner. Covering the pan, I placed it into the fridge. I quickly made the potato dish and placed it in the oven because it took time to cook. I quickly set the timer and went back to the entryway.

I grabbed the radio and set it up on the side table in the living room. I plugged it in and quickly found the station, turning the volume up just enough that I could easily hear the timer over the show.

I grabbed my needles and sat down, working on the first of the two bags. The timer rang just as I was finishing the handles on the second. I quickly put the roast in and set the potatoes on the burners.

I finished the bag and began working on the first mat. I was just getting halfway through when I heard a key in the door. I quickly set aside my items and went to greet my husband.

The door hit the wall with a bang causing me to jump. Charles walked in and threw his coat on the floor and his briefcase at the wall. I quickly grabbed the items and placed them in the closet for him to find later on.

"Hello Charles. How was your day?" I quickly kissed him on the cheek as I led him into the kitchen. I grabbed him a cup of coffee and sat down to listen to what he had to say.

"Horrible. One of our customers their accounts will not balance out. We have tried everything!" He slammed his fist into the table, spilling coffee everywhere. I jumped up, grabbing a cloth and cleaning it up. "What did you get at the store?"

He held his hand out and I went to my purse, pulling out the receipts. I placed them in his hand along with the change.

"I got some yarn, enough for two mats and two grocery bags so that I do not have to use the paper bags. I also got some food items such as a roast for tonight and some seeds. I thought I could start our own vegetable garden so we could have some fresh veggies." I smiled at him but my face fell as he glared at the receipts. He grabbed the one from the meat shop and waved it in my face.

"How did you get this much off?! Are you sleeping with the man?! Hmmmm? Did you show him your tits you whore!"

I never saw the blow coming. His palm struck my face, snapping my head sideways. I felt my lip split and blood began pouring into my mouth. He brought his hand up again and punched me. My neck cracked as I fell into the stove, almost burning my hand. I slid to the floor, disbelief flooding through me. He hit me three more times than stormed from the house. Tears began to flow down my face as my lip and cheek throbbed with each heartbeat.

Silence began to fill the house as the sun set. I slowly pulled myself to my feet, pulling a burnt roast from the oven. My tears continued to fall as I cleaned myself up and washed the blood out of my blouse. I hung it up to dry and put on a darker blouse. Fear had been crowding my mind and I wanted to flee, but where would I go? I disposed of the food and cleaned the dishes. When the clock chimed nine and there was no sign of Charles, I went to bed. I curled into a ball and allowed myself to cry as every dream that I had ever had, shattered before my eyes.