Edward's POV

I didn't know what to say to Isabella Swan.

For twelve years I had relived the horrible day of her disappearance, searching daily for any new clues, scanning through old documents, and never letting her case grow too cold. She was always on my mind, and I had waited for the day when she would be found… but I still wasn't prepared… not necessarily for finding her – but for realizing when we did, exactly how broken she had become during her time in captivity.

I wanted to spend time with her, but Mom advised me to leave it for a little while, allow her to adjust. Bella had shut down and drawn in even further than when we had first found her and Mom tried to assure me that she was just overwhelmed and adjusting to the change in her situation, but it left me not knowing what to do.

So I returned to work, driving back to the station and filling out the necessary paperwork, ensuring that my statement was accurate and complete. There would be an inquest into the injuries that her captor had sustained, and which I found out had later killed him. Thankfully it was looking like self-inflicted alcohol poisoning which would hopefully be confirmed following the autopsy.

I wasn't sorry the bastard was dead.

By the time I was done, I took another drive by the hospital, debating returning to her side and instead deciding to go home and try and sleep. I would see her tomorrow. But as I turned the corner, I saw the first several news-vans lining up along the road… her story, and her return already making its way across the state, and no-doubt country.

Vultures. A media circus was the last thing that she needed.

If I thought I would sleep at all… I was wrong.

The next morning I was up and out early… instead of showing up to the hospital before sunrise, I went for a jog through town, not surprised to see new-vans set up everywhere, assorted shots of our small town being captured for splicing with their story. It took everything in me to keep going and return home to shower and dress for the day.

By the time I arrived to the hospital I wasn't surprised to see Charlie in the room with Bella, and I leaned against the door quietly, watching their interaction. He had been nervous about trying to connect with her again, but so far, things seemed to be going okay and Bella appeared to be at least slightly more rested and relaxed.

"Mr. Edward the policeman helper!" I almost didn't know what hit me as she ran towards me, hugging my legs as soon as she saw me. I don't know who was in more shock – Bella, her father, or myself.

"Well hello there Nessie!" I tried to recover and plastered the biggest smile I could muster on my face as she reached up, as though asking to be picked up. Before doing so, I glanced to Bella to make sure it was okay. She looked slightly worried, but nodded her head anyways.

"Grandpa is here and the doc says that once we're good we can go back to Grandpa's house! We just hafta be careful and make sure we eat enough food and drink lots of water. The Doc gave Grandpa a big list!" She exclaimed excitedly once she was in my arms and I couldn't help laughing.

"Is that so?" I asked and she nodded her head emphatically.

"I think you are going to love it at your Grandpa's house. He's got a big backyard and there is an old tire swing in the tree… maybe some time I can come over and push you in it, if it's okay with your Momma?" I half suggested and half asked her, again glancing at Bella for my answer. She was more relaxed this time and nodded again.

"I heard a rumour that somebody had a birthday just a couple of days ago…" I smiled as I set her down and she scurried over to Charlie's lap, nodding her head up and down. "Yes and Mrs. Esme said that we can have a party one day and have presents and everything!" She was almost giggling now and it was an amazing sight… she reminded me so much of Bella when we were kids.

"Well… I might just have a little something to hold you over for now…" I smiled at her as I reached into my jacket pocket.

"Really? A present for me?" She was practically vibrating with excitement and I couldn't control my own laugh as I pulled the small box out of my pocket and handed it down to her.

"What is it?" Her little voice was filled with awe as she stared at the box and I shrugged, telling her to open it and find out. As she pulled the bow off, I explained to her that it was the first part of her gift, it was some sort of headband thing with a green bow that she could wear in her hair. Immediately she tried to figure it out, pulling it over her head and trapping her wild hair down around her ears. Taking the lid off of the rest of the box her eyes lit up further when she saw the travel sized art set.

"Dr. Cullen told me you borrowed a bunch of his pens and some paper last night to draw pictures… I thought you'd like to have your own markers and paper to use until you can go home to Grandpa's house." I explained and she jumped back down off of Charlie's lap and into my arms. I was amazed at her show of affection, her willingness to trust us. Looking back over at Bella I could see the same amazement on her face… but I could also see her fear.

It was understandable. Looking at Nessie you could see the effects from her life kept in a basement. I had never seen a child so pale before… her eyes were huge and the same rich shade as Bella's had been, but they were circled with dark rings… nearly black. It made her look almost ghostlike. And of course, there was her size. She and Bella had both confirmed that she was nine years old… but she was the size of a much smaller child – maybe aged five or six. It was her personality though which really showed through… although you could see that she was haunted… her eyes much deeper and far more knowing than they should be… she also had an unexplainable light to her. She was almost happy, and from what I already could assume, and that Ma had explained to me… it wasn't what we should be seeing. There was no way that this child, born and raised without any social interaction aside from Bella and her captor, should be as open and trusting as she was… and her communication skills – although a little young for her actual age, were also quite remarkable… her ability to ask questions and interact with us mind boggling.

"Why don't we take a walk down to the cafeteria Nessie? We can get you something to snack on and maybe bring Momma back something too? And you can draw me a picture while Mr. Edward visits with Momma." Charlie stood up from the chair as the room quieted down, reaching his hand out and offering it to Nessie after looking for Bella's approval. Eagerly Nessie took a hold of it, practically pulling him out of the room.

We both watched them walk down the hallway before I spoke up, "Hey Bella". Brilliant.

"What happened at the fair… it's not your fault Edward. It's mine."

A/N: I just wanted to take a second to say thank you for the reviews on this story so far! This was just an idea that popped into my head one morning a couple of weeks ago, and I decided to write it out. I managed to write the majority of it in just a couple of days and have just been going through and editing it again for spelling/grammar.

As this story continues, it is about the family finding Bella after all of this time, and the ways in which they all cope with the horrific situation, and adjust to the girl that she has become. The POV's will change throughout the story and we will hear from most of our characters at some point, although Edward, Bella, and Nessie, remain the constant three perspectives. There aren't a lot of big up and downs… no remarkable cliff hangers. But it does address some deep issues – and there will be descriptions of suicide attempts, rape, various forms of addiction and mental illness. I realise that there are dark themes within this story, but I promise that there is a happily ever after eventually.

If this all sounds good, then please keep reading and I appreciate all reviews! If it's not your thing, I completely understand.

As always, please enjoy the rest of the story as I post a few chapters at a time.