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

I was swinging from a tree branch on a beautiful farm. My dress was made of the violet material that I had seen yesterday and was stunning. It hung to my knees and was lined with plain but soft white lace. I heard laughter behind me and I turned. Carlisle stood behind me holding a gorgeous blond girl on his hip, she had to be no older than two or three years old. Her eyes were the same color as mine and she was nibbling on a fresh strawberry. The bright red juice had stained her pale chin. A laugh escaped me as I slipped from the swing and walked towards my family.

As my dream faded and the sound of morning filled my ears, last night range all too clear. I winced as I tried to open my right eye only to find it swollen shut. My lip was twice its normal size and I was sure that there were more bruises forming. Instead of getting up like I should, I rolled over, pulling the covers over my head. I allowed myself to begin crying again, as fear continued to grow. Charles had hit me. No. He had beaten me. His anger was the most terrifying thing I had ever seen, the switch seemed to flick at the slightest thing. I know that I have to learn to not upset him but I felt I had done nothing wrong yesterday. Work had already angered him, most likely because someone had been hiding money causing the books to not balance out. Being so new to the married life, perhaps he was afraid that I had not been a virgin on our wedding night. My nightdress. It had blood on it from our first time together. That had to prove it to him. If I could make him see that I had done nothing wrong, then maybe this wouldn't happen again. I threw the covers off and dragged my body off the bed. I slowly stood, not wanting to send anymore shock through my body. I made my way downstairs, pulling the curtains closed so no one could accidentally see me. I entered the bathroom and quickly covered the small mirror with the hand towel, knowing that my appearance was horrible. Digging in the laundry basket, I found the nightgown, buried under Charles's clothes. From yesterday. I froze, my hand hovering over his shirt. Shaking, I pulled it from the basket and took a small smell of it. The scent was not at all comforting. It was the opposite of what I had always associated with safety. Father had always smelled of aftershave and wood shavings. It was a peaceful scent that had penetrated my entire childhood.

Charles on the other hand smelled of paper, ink and something I could not place. It was an awkward smell and make me itch. I stuffed the shirt back into the basket and left the bathroom as I had found it. I took the nightgown upstairs and placed it on the bed. Screw getting dressed. No, I have to. I need to keep with my regular routine. I entered the closet and glanced at my three skirts and two remaining blouses'. I grabbed the navy skirt and the grey blouse, getting dressed within minutes. I combed my hair and let it hang, not wanting or needing the extra tension on my face. Now for breakfast. I took one of the loaves of bread and made two slices, grabbing the frying pan and making toast. I fried up an egg as well and made a sandwich. After washing the dishes, I entered the living room and looked at the knitting that I had left yesterday. I clicked the radio on and sat down, picking up where I had left off. The music was soothing, allowing me to stay calm and actually find some enjoyment.

I was able to finish the two mats and placed them on each side of the bed, quite happy with the end result. They covered just enough of the floor that our feet would be nice and warn for the first few minutes of waking. I took the finished grocery bags and placed them in the hall closet on the hook that was behind the door. Charles's coat was gone as was his brief case. He must have slept on the couch last night.

I decided to try to make a dinner from what was left in the house. There were a few potatoes and the sausage along with the apples for the pie. I lugged the radio into the kitchen and turned the music up, dancing as I prepared to make some delicious food. I placed two of the largest potatoes on the pan and put them in the oven to bake. Taking the sausage, I sliced them down the middle lengthwise and began to slowly fry them with some onion. I added some minced garlic and flipped them. When the buzzer dinged, I pulled out the potatoes. Taking a bowl, I dug most of the insides out, leaving a one-inch layer around the edges and the peel. I cut up the sausage and mixed it with the potato, carrot and minced celery. I put it all back inside the peel and then sprinkled cheese on top. Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was four thirty, almost time for Charles to be home.

I didn't have the time to make a pie so I decided to make small single serving pies instead. I grabbed two small oven proof bowls and threw together the pies. At five, the oven timer dinged and I took out the supper, replacing it with the pies. I set the table, poured two glasses of wine and placed out diner. I covered the food with a cloth to keep it warm and went to the front door to wait for Charles.

At exactly five ten, he pulled into the driveway. I tried to put a smile on my face as I waited for him to come in. I heard him whistling as he walked up to the door. I opened it, making sure to stay behind before he could grab his keys. I shrieked as he handed me a bouquet of stunning red roses.

"Esme, I am so sorry sweetie. I allowed work to cloud my mind and make me think horrible thoughts. I was so upset with myself that I had dared to hurt you." He leaned in and proceeded to kiss each wound, making sure to not put any pressure. "It will never happen again." He held out a package and then hung his coat up in the closet.

"Go on sweetie. Open it." I hesitated, then motioned for him to follow me to the kitchen. I placed the parcel on the table, then went and got a vase from the cupboard. I made sure that the flowers were safe, taking a deep breath of the aroma. Then I turned around.

"Thank you Charles. I accept your apology but, I would be lying if I said that you didn't scare me. I never slept with Don, Charles. He was always kind to my family, especially when I was small, around eight and Father lost his job. I don't know why, perhaps it is because he never had his own children, but he always given me a discount. I just wish you would have let me explain." He pulled me into an embrace and kissed my head.

"I know Esme. I will be more open to listening from now on. Don't you worry. Now open it." He picked up the parcel and shoved it into my hands. I smiled and tore into the wrapping, gasping as the beautiful violet fabric tumbled into my hands. He smiled as he saw the shock on my face. "Mrs. Grouper saw you admiring it yesterday and mentioned it when I went in to get the flowers. Do you like it?"

"I love it Charles! Oh thank you!" I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. "Come on, we had better eat while the food is still hot."

We sat down at the dinner table and Charles took the time to ask me questions about my day. He wanted to know all about my radio show and then he told me about his day. I enjoyed the attention, not wanting this to end. After dinner, we sat down in the living room, Charles with a crossword and I took the material and began measuring the fabric. There was enough for the dress that I had dreamt about the night before!

The rest of the week went by with beautiful ease. I was able to finish the dress in time for Church on Sunday. Charles had gone out and gotten me a small amount of concealer so that the remaining bruises could not be seen. Charles was so kind to me over the next week as well. He even made me breakfast on Saturday morning and we had a good laugh over the burnt toast. I was beginning to forget what it was that I had done wrong. On the Tuesday of the next week I was able to go out and get as much groceries as we needed. Charles had also given me some extra money to get some small gardening tools so I could begin our vegetable garden. At the store, Mrs. Grouper did not approach me as she had the week before. There were two other women in the store who stopped their shopping and stared at me as I entered. I brushed off the strange feeling that I had gotten and went about my business. After paying for my order, Mrs. Grouper walked my outside, pulling me to the side.

"Sweet heart perhaps you should have stayed home today. No need to come out looking like that." She gestured to my face and I felt myself blush. Perhaps some of the makeup had come off. I grabbed some meat for dinner than hurried home, ashamed that I had possibly done something to make my husband appear to be a bad person.

That night at dinner, Charles asked if anything was wrong and I denied it saying that I was simply tired. Life had become much more complicated than I had imagined. I had to watch everything I did from how I looked when I left home to how I even acted around my own husband. I wished that Mother had taught me more during my time with her, under the safety of her roof.

The next evening everything changed. Charles came home in a foul mood, angered by some things that his co-workers had been saying.

"Esme!" His voice was dark, scaring me. I hurried to the front door wondering what it was that I had done this time. "Where did you go yesterday? Hm?" I took his coat and hung it up before turning around to face him. I crossed my hands but kept them at waist level so that he knew I was not being threatening.

"Just the main store and the butcher. I got what we discussed the night before. Did I not give you the receipts?" I swallowed, feeling a ball of fear growing inside of me.

"Yes you did. That's not the problem. Did you stop to talk to anyone?" I shook my head, wondering what was going on. "The women have been talking. Did you wear your makeup?"

"No, I thought it was all cleared up Charles."

"You fool!" The blow threw me into the hall table, knocking the glass vase to the floor. I gasped, as he stepped forward and grabbed my arm, squeezing it as hard as he could. "The women saw one of the fading bruises and told their husbands! One of those men is my boss!" He hit me again and my head snapped to the side. I felt my lip split again.

"I'm sorry Charles I didn't know!" I tried to raise my arm to stop the blow but he just shoved me into the glass all over the floor. I felt it cut into my hands and legs as they were uncovered. I began to sob, afraid that Charles just might kill me. I brought my bloodied hands up in front of my face I heard Charles gasp.

He scooped me into my arms but I began to tremble, afraid of him. He carried me to the bathroom, cleaned my wounds and then led me to the table for dinner. He served the food and did the dishes, apologizing the enter time for what he had done. I accepted his apology but begged him to be more careful. I was as new to married life as he was. We could only become better at this is we worked together.

Charles made love to me that night and while I still did not enjoy it, he seemed to be pleased with what he had done. When he was finally snoring softly behind me, I curled up in a ball and cried, praying to God that I never got pregnant.

The next morning after Charles left for work, I grabbed a scarf and covered my head. I made sure to keep looking at the ground as I slowly made my way to my Mother's house. As I knocked on her door, I felt my arm begin to shake. I pulled my glove down further, hoping that no one had seen me on my way here.

"Hello? Oh Esme!" My Mother pulled me into a hug and then beckoned for me to enter the house. I followed her, hesitating before I took off my gloves and scarf. "What brings you here today?" She gasped as she turned around and saw my bruised and cut up face.

"He lost his temper Mom. He, I was afraid he was going to kill me." I began to shake even harder as tears began to flow down my face. I gasped as Mother's hand connected with my cheek.

"How dare you! Charles is a wonderful man who can provide for you and your future children! You showed have stayed home until you were better! Put those back on I am taking you home!"

"But Mother…"

"No but's Esme. This is no the proper behavior for a wife. Time to smarten up." She grabbed her coat and made sure that I was covered before ushering me to the car. As soon as she pulled into the driveway she turned to me, a stern expression on her face. "Stay home. Pull the curtains. Do not come out again like this. Do not disgrace me Esme."

I nodded before hurrying into my home. I locked the door behind me and slide to the floor, being crushed by the weight of the life that had been placed in my hands.