Here's chapter 16, enjoy :)

Bella's POV

Carlisle walked back into the room with a blonde woman, she looked friendly enough but I couldn't seem to stop the panic surfacing. I was scared of what was going to happen, I knew I would be safe with the Cullen's but was I strong enough to get through this?

'Bella this is Carmen, she's a detective from Seattle' Carlisle introduced the blonde woman. She steps forward and gives me a reassuring smile.

'Hello Bella, How are you feeling?' She asked.

'I'm fine' I whispered.

'Why don't we take a sit' Carlisle suggested. Carmen nodded at him and they both sat down on the other couch. My palms were getting sweaty and I had to take a few deep breaths to control my breathing.

'Bella, Carlisle has told me most stuff but I would like to ask you a few questions if your okay with that?' she asked me. I knew the quicker I got it over and done with the better.

'Yes that's fine' I said.

'Okay, well can you start by telling me what happened the other day?' She asked. I took a deep breath and proceeded to tell her that happened the other day. I told her everything from when Charlie was angry at me and accused me of telling someone that he had been abusing me. I told her everything that had happened after he got me in the house. About me knocking him out and running upstairs and phoning Edward. Edward and Carlisle coming and saving me, absolutely everything that had happened.

'How long has Charlie been abusing you?' She asked. That was the second time I had been asked that question.

'Since my mother died six years ago' I said.

'How did your mother die?' she asked. I hated talking about my mothers death.

'She had cancer' I said.

'Okay Bella. The evidence we have so far proves you have obviously been through a lot the past few years and we will have a really strong case against him. I will be sending an arrest warrant out for his arrest as soon as possible and we will get you the justice that you deserve Bella but before I go is there anything else you want to want to tell me' She said. I knew this was my opportunity to tell them that he had raped me but I didn't have the strength to, I didn't want Edward and Carlisle to think badly of me.

'No that's everything' I said.

'Okay, I'll be in contact as soon as we have him in custody' She said standing up from the couch. Carlisle got up from the couch and shook her hand.

'Thank you Carmen' Carlisle said and showed her out of the front door. As soon as she was out of the door, I sank back into the couch pillows and pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my head on my knees. I couldn't stop the tears from falling, I should feel better now that he was going to get arrested but I didn't. My head felt like it was going to explode. I felt the couch dip next to me and I felt a cold hand being placed on my arm. I flinched away from the touch. Right now I didn't want anybody touching me. I just wanted to be left alone. I looked up and saw Carlisle sat next to me and looking at me with sympathy in his eyes.

'Bella, are you okay?' Carlisle asked.

'Yes, I'm just overwhelmed. Is it okay if I have some time alone?' I asked him.

'Of course sweetheart, you know where we are if you need us' he said. I nodded at him and got up from the couch, tears still falling down my face. I couldn't bear to see the looks of worry and sympathy on there face anymore. I didn't want sympathy, I just wish none of this ever happened. I was sick of feeling sorry for myself, I was sick of the pain I felt when I thought about the past six years. I wanted it all to end. I was trying to be strong but it was all getting too much. I felt like screaming, I wanted to punch someone or something over and over and release some anger.

I slowly made my way up the stairs ignoring the pain that kept surging through my stomach and ribs with every step I took and walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind me. Why was my life so messed up? Why was it me that had to end up with deranged father that took pleasure out of beating his daughter.

I was angry at him for what he has done but I was angry at myself more because I was letting him ruin my life by letting the torture carry on. I wanted to be able to move on and forget about it all but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't forget anything. I knew I needed to give it time but I couldn't see how any amount of time was going to change anything. Every time I closed my eyes, I would see it. His face haunted me and I knew I wouldn't never forget it. I mean how could you forget your own dad abusing you for six years?

I sank to the floor and wrapped my arms around my knees hugging them to my chest and sobbed loudly into them. I didn't understand the emotions I was getting. One minute I was fine next minute the emotional pain was unbelievable like someone shoving there hand into my chest and ripping my heart out of my chest. I hadn't felt pain like this since my mother had passed away. That was the worst day of my life, seeing her fade away in front of my eyes. Saying goodbye to her, seeing how devastated Charlie was when she died. The first couple of weeks after she died, me and him were glued to each other then it all changed when he started drinking. I still don't know why all of a sudden he started to blame me for her death, I think that's why it hurt so much because I didn't understand what I did for him to hate me so much.

The tears wouldn't stop falling, I needed to survive this. I wanted to survive this but I didn't know how to find the strength to get on my feet and not let him hurt me no more. Even without him being here physically, he was still finding a way to harm me. His words travelled through my head 'You will never get away from me', how right he actually was. If it wasn't the memories that will haunt me, it will be the scars on my body that will remind me of his beatings and of the pain.

I don't know how long I stayed curled up in a ball but when the tears finally started to slow down, I slowly got to my feet and headed into the bathroom. I needed a shower to help relax my body, I needed to distract myself. I turned the water on as hot as it would go and stripped out of my clothes and climbed into the shower. The water burned my skin but it was least painful thing right now. I felt dirty and always will after what he did to me and that's another reason I didn't want Edward and the others to find out about the rape. I was used and broken and Edward would never want someone like me.

I grabbed the shower gel and cloth and scrubbed my body until it was red raw. After washing the shower gel off my body, I picked up the shampoo which smelt like strawberries and scrubbed my scalp. I hadn't washed my hair very often over the years and now that I had the chance it felt so nice and relaxing.

After I finished with my shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out nearly slipping over on the way but I managed to grab hold of the sink before I landed face first. I walked out of the bathroom and changed back into some sweats and tank top that I found in a draw. I put my hair into a messy bun before sitting down on the bed and taking some deep breathes. After I felt I was calm enough, I got up and headed towards the bedroom door and slowly made my way down the stairs. When I walked into the living room the whole Cullen family turned towards me causing me to blush bright red. They all give me welcoming smiles which made me relax.

'Bella, I'll like you to meet the rest of the family' Carlisle said.

'This is Emmett' he said pointing to a very large built man just like Edward had described but Edward was right he might look scary and intimidating but you could see the playfulness in his eyes. He stepped forward and held his hand out for me to shake. I took his hand into mine and shook it.

'It's nice to meet you Bella' He said.

'It's nice to meet you too Emmett' I said shyly. A beautiful blonde woman walked up next to him, she must be Rosalie. I have never seen anyone so beautiful in my life.

'Hi Bella, I'm Rosalie it's nice to meet you' She said smiling kindly.

'Hi Rosalie' I said quietly. Edward had described her as obnoxious and pretty much pig-headed but she seemed kind enough. She seemed to welcome me just as much as the others. Alice came bounding over to me and enveloped me into a giant gentle hug being careful not to hurt me. She had a cheerful smile on her face which was kind of infectious and made you want to laugh and smile along with her.

'Bella, I'd like to introduce you to my boyfriend Jasper' She said in her cheerful voice gesturing to a handsome blonde man. God the whole family looked beyond humanly beautiful.

'Hi Bella' Jasper said in an southern accent.

'Hi jasper' I said smiling at him.

'Why don't we all sit down and get to know each other better' Carlisle suggested. We all nodded and sat around on the couches, Edward came over to me and sat next to me. He pulled me close to his side and I rested my head against his cold chest. His cold temperature felt nice on my bruised, swollen face. We all sat and talked about everything and anything. What we like to do in our spare time, our goals and ambitions, our favourite movies and books.

Alice's hobbies of course included shopping and fashion design. Rosalie liked to fix cars and go shopping. Emmett loved his video games and movies. Edward loved to play the piano and make his new songs. Esme was interior designer and liked to improve old run down houses. Jasper liked reading books just like me so I knew we would get on perfectly and of course Carlisle loved to help people which is why he loved his job so much.

I don't know how long we spent talking but I found myself being able have some fun and be happy for a change instead of constant fear and pain that I was used to. I felt like for the first time in a long time, I was part of a family. Every single one of them had made me feel part of the family and I knew if I managed to get through the next few months, I will be very happy here.

Out of everyone, Edward was the one person I felt safest with and every time he touched me sparks would fly through my body like little fireworks. He was my hero and I really was starting to fall harder for him every second. One of his smiles could make my heart stop beating and make me fall to my knees. It really was unfair of how handsome he really was.

After a while we decided to watch a movie together, we watched some comedy but I didn't see much of it as I ended up falling asleep in Edward's arms and the next thing I remember is him gently picking me up and carrying me upstairs. Carlisle came in and give me a shot of morphine before wishing me goodnight and leaving the room. Edward comes over and lays down next to me. We lay looking into each others eyes. His golden eyes twinkle with.. Love? was it possible he loved me or was it just the morphine talking. I tried to keep my eyes open but I soon lost the battle. The last thing I heard before falling asleep was Edwards beautiful voice.

'Goodnight Bella' He said before placing a kiss on my forehead.

Thanks for reading :) xx

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