I feel like i need to do a bit of explaining on top of what I mentioned a few chapters ago. This story is dark, and has trigger warnings mentioned in the summary. The story is also losely focused around a real life situation, hence the inspiration to write this story. The rape mentioned in the previous chapter may seem a little intense and more 'over the top' in comparison to Charlie's abuse so far, but the added pressure from CPS is not helping Charlie with his emotions, and increasing his negative emotions towards Bella and him feeling like she is burdering him etc. All of this is in turn worsening the abuse. A recent study showed that just under half of abuse victims experienced more than one type of abuse and this proportion is higher for women than men. I am happy to answer any questions. I'm sad people aren't liking where the story is going currently.
This chapter, we have another look into what is going on at the Cullen household. Don't worry, in the next chapter, Bella finally gets the help she well and truly deserves and needs.
Edward paced the garden over and over, knowing his feet were boring tracks into the grass.
"Edward, please stop. You're destroying my garden. This is a new home, let's not ruin it already." Esme was planting flowers along the border of the land and was not impressed with Edward.
"Sorry." He apologized, stopping to a halt. "I'm just so confused. Carlisle is shielding his thoughts from me all the time, and Bella is getting more mysterious by the day. You know, CPS were at the school today?"
"No, I didn't know that." Esme put the plant down, turning to look at him. "For Bella?"
"Of course for Bella." He ran a hand through his hair. "Carlisle called them because of her foot."
"It did look bad." Esme mused as Alice joined them outside.
"I know it looks bad, but why isn't he communicating with us? We can look after her at school if there are any concerns. Heck she's so clumsy it scares the life out of me. Is there something else going on?" Edward pushed himself to the grass in frustration.
"Her x-ray went well. Carlisle told me there weren't any broken bones." Esme said.
"Are we right to get CPS involved then?" Alice asked. She sat down next to Edward, hugging her knees to her chest. Edward could hear from her thoughts that shewas desperate to be Bella's friend and she felt confused with the current situation.Alice didn't have much experience with humans, especially ones whose future she couldn't see.
"I don't know." Edward threw his hands up. "It's going to really strain her relationship with everyone if she just keeps getting reported because of her clumsiness. She was so quiet this afternoon. The case workers seemed satisfied after talking to her at school. They were hoping she'd get checked out to see if there's any medical reason for it, like vision problems or balance issues."
"Mm." Esme moved over to them now. "Carlisle would've picked that up during her appointments?"
"Yes he would." Edward sighed.
"There's just something about her though." Alice remarked. "She's so quiet, so reserved. So thin and yet hungry all the time. She seems to be in pain a lot and in her own little world. Maybe she's not coping so well? She hadn't been in Forks long, right?"
"Nearly seven months. Phoenix is very different from Forks." Edward wasn't certain that was Bella's issue, but he didn't have much else to go off and didn't want to go against Carlisle's decisions when he didn't fully understand what was going on.
They were still discussing theories when Carlisle pulled into the driveway after his shift.
"You phoned CPS on her again?" Edward questioned before Carlisle even got out of the car.
Carlisle held his hands up in the air, his thoughts immediately becoming guarded. "Let's all go into the front room to talk."
Edward was first in, settling on the couch. He couldn't wait to hear what Carlisle had to say about the situation.
Emmett paused the TV as Rosalie curled into his arms. Alice made her way to Jasper who was already sitting on the couch. Esme hovered next to Carlisle.
"I phoned CPS, yes. I was concerned about Bella's injury. She is getting injured quite frequently and I didn't feel like the explanation of how she injured her foot added up. There was a lot of bruising, even up to her ankle. I was just concerned." Carlisle ran a hand through his hair. "Though, they have phoned and said there were no concerns after speaking to Bella and her dad separately. They will check in in a few weeks time to make sure everything is okay, and have advised that Bella tries to figure out why she is falling so much."
"There isn't a medical cause for that though is there?" Edward questioned his father.
"No." Carlisle shook his head. "I haven't picked up anything and she hasn't reported anything wrong with her vision. Though the low weight and low blood sugar can cause dizziness which may be having an effect."
"She's so thin." Rosalie whispered. "But she's been eating well. I've been keeping an eye on it."
"Good." Carlisle nodded. "All we can do is keep an eye on the situation. Continue to include Bella and make sure she feels welcome. She's welcome at the house anytime."
"Of course she is." Edward stood up. "But are we just letting CPS take control? Is Bella definitely okay?"
"I don't know, Edward." Carlisle closed his eyes briefly, offering an apologetic smile. "Bella doesn't know us very well yet, and it is CPS's job to handle these sorts of things. I trust the authorities judgement that it is being taken care of. I can't do much more at the moment. We will look out for her and be there for her if she needs us. It is important she feels like she can trust us. I can reassure you, that I am looking into Bella's medical history and trying to build up a picture of what her life has been like. If we feel CPS aren't doing their job, I will step in again. For now, we need to wait."
Edward felt slightly defeated as he took himself outside again.
He was worried about Bella, but knew there were procedures to follow. Although he felt uneasy, he wouldn't go against his coven leader. Carlisle had alerted the authorities on multiple occasions as a precaution because of Bella's injuries. Bella had never expressed any concerns. The thoughts of the caseworkers were positive that Bella was doing okay. He did consider going to meet Bella's dad, to see if he could get a glimpse into his thoughts, if he was still concerned over the next few days.
Edward had spent his whole life trying to turn off his mind reading ability. He found it overwhelming at times hearing every single thought. He had just longed for a second of silence.All he could think now, however, was that he really wished he could use his power on Bella. Even just to see into her mind for a second. That's all he wanted. He wanted Bella to be okay.
"She will be okay, Ed." Emmett came to join him on the lawn. "She's fascinating, but she's also stubborn and strong. We are all looking out for her. Dad knows what he's doing."
"I hope so." Was all Edward could respond.
"Let's go for a run." Emmett suggested. "I'm feeling a bit peckish."
Emmett took off towards the river, daring Edward to chase him, to run faster, to try and beat him.
Edward couldn't turn down a challenge, so he flew after him.
It felt good to have the breeze behind him, to clear his head.
Bella would be okay. She had to be.
