15 truths

EPOV

It had been almost a month since Bella had talked to the family. We had all started acting like we used to but Emmett was still careful around her just to be safe. She had become more relaxed and comfortable around the family, it was great. She didn't stay in her room as much but she always stayed close to me, not that I minded. She was starting to become more of a person than a scared shell of someone. She laughed and played around with the family it was awesome.

She began eating more having at least two meals a day. She was gaining weight steadily and was around 100 pounds now which meant she roughly gained 5 pounds since we first met her. I was still sleeping on her couch because her nights were still haunted by the horrid nightmares. I was always tired but I didn't mind because I was helping her.

So far there had been no news on Charlie. No sightings or any payments to his credit cards. Last week Bella even went to the mall with Alice. I had to come along but that was fine with me. She stayed close only leaving my side when she tried clothes on. But she walked out showing me each outfit as she did. She preferred long sleeves and pants because she didn't like her scars. Alice got her to try on a few short sleeves and tank tops but she didn't like the fact that her scars showed.

Flashback

We were in Hollister and Alice found a few tank tops for Bella to try on. Bella put them on even though she didn't want to. She also put on the jean skirt. When she stepped out she tried to hide her arms and stood there uncomfortable with all her scars showing.

"oh I was right that looks so good on you!" Alice squealed.

"I don't like it. I'm not pretty enough to wear something like this." She said softly. I glared at her appalled that she would say that.

"Bella, you are beautiful." I said to her. She looked at me like I was insane.

"No I'm not. My body is ugly because of my scars." She sounded so sad.

"These scars are a part of you and you are not ugly. You are the most beautiful person in the world. You don't need to worry about what other people see. You are beautiful and you don't need to hide your scars. Bella please buy some outfits like this" I was telling her the truth, every word I said came from my heart.

"But they are so ugly. I hate them." she whispered.

"It's ok Bella, you don't have to if you don't want to I'm just telling you that you look beautiful even with the scars." I said. She nodded still not looking like she believed me.

End flashback.

Bella let us get her a few tank tops but she still wore jeans all the time. She was healing nicely. Her ribs had set right and Carlisle took off her cast giving her a walking one instead which she only had to wear if she would be walking for a long time or if I wasn't going to be carrying her. There was a long scar covering her stomach but we took the stitches out a week ago. Her burns were healed but she had a lot of little scars, from where he beat her, which would never go away. All of her bruises were gone as well. Carlisle was very happy with her recovery rate.

Bella and I were being home schooled by Esme because she wasn't ready to face the school yet. We also kept her home for safety. Esme had home schooled us before when we moved all the time so it was easy for her to get into the routine again. Bella and I were always together and I liked it.

I realized that I was slowly falling in love with her. I didn't know it until a few days ago but I guess I always knew there was something drawing me to her. The reason I wanted to help her the instant I saw those bruises on her beautiful body. I felt a pull to her I couldn't deny and slowly and belatedly I realized I was falling in love with this beautiful girl.

I made my way to Bella's room internally debating if I wanted to ask her out on a date for tomorrow or not. I knocked on her door.

"Yeah?" came her voice from the other side of the door.

"It's Edward can I come in?" I asked.

"Sure" she called out.

BPOV

I sighed and stared at my ceiling thinking again of Edward. He always seemed to be on my mind now. He was always there when I needed him. He still slept in my room and woke me from my dreams. He stayed by my side when I went shopping with Alice, he even called me beautiful when I think I am ugly. Scars mar my body. The long scar across my stomach is an angry pink color and won't fade. Little scars cover my legs and shoulders where Charlie burned me and beat my body. My ribs weren't wrapped anymore but when I moved too much or stretched I could feel the pain again. Yes my body was healing but the scars were all there, a constant reminder of what had happened to me.

I sighed again trying not to think of that, instead I thought of Edward again. He was amazing, smart, gorgeous, helpful… the list goes on and on. His green eyes were so beautiful and his hair is bronze and messy. I'm falling in love with him. I know I am but how could he love someone like me? I'm beaten and broken and used.

I had been thinking a lot lately and decided that I would ask him if he wanted to share the bed with me. It was not fair that he slept on my couch every night. We could easily fit into my bed together and have plenty of room. It wasn't just because I felt for him romantically it was because he was doing everything for me and it wasn't fair to him.

I wish I had the courage to ask him out on a date but I didn't so I wouldn't. I wasn't that confident. I stared at my ceiling trying hard not to think but it really wasn't working. I was still thinking of Edward. He helped me so much.

There was a knock at the door pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah? I called out.

"It's Edward can I come in?" Edward's voice came through the door.

"Sure." I said still laying down, I had my arms folded behind my head and my ankles crossed the one with the walking cast on under the other.

"Hi" Edward said walking into the room and shutting the door behind him.

"Hey" I said back scooting over to let him sit beside me.

"So I have something to tell you." he said. I became worried. "Don't worry it's nothing bad I swear." I nodded for him to continue. "So I realized something the other day and I have decided to act on it."

"Ok" I said slowly still confused. I sat up and turned towards him sitting Indian style, which was difficult thanks to the stupid walking cast.

"I realized that I like you Bella, a lot. I wanted to ask you if you would go out with me tomorrow night, on a date?" He seemed unsure. I stared at him in shock.

"You- you like me?" I asked my voice shaky.

"Yes"

"Yes I will go out with you tomorrow. I like you too Edward, a lot." I said smiling at him. He smiled broadly back and leaned forward kissing my cheek. I smiled and leaned back again just laying there. I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes it was light outside again. Edward was sitting on the couch reading a book when I sat up and looked at him.

"Morning" I mumbled.

"Morning sunshine." he smiled.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"11:30"

"Why did you let me sleep in so long?" I demanded.

"Because you needed it. And did you not notice that I didn't wake you up at all last night." He pointed out happily.

"Yeah and?" I shrugged not seeing anything special about it. "OMG no nightmares!!"

"Yup" he sounded proud. I smiled at him. I noticed my walking cast was off and I was in a tank top and pants pajama set. Esme must have come in to change me last night.

"So what's on the agenda for today?" I asked.

"Well I figured we wouldn't do much until we went to the movies and dinner. I picked that because it would probably be safer than a walk on the beach in the dark." He said.

"OK woks for me. What time are we leaving?"

"4?" he asked, I nodded.

"I'm going to go take a shower then can we get some breakfast?" I asked. He nodded. I got up and went into my bathroom. I started my shower and undressed slowly.

My body still hurt so I had to be careful. I slowly lifted my shirt over my head, my ribs were healed but they were still tender. My leg wasn't in it's cast so I didn't have to worry about not getting my leg wet. I stepped out of my jeans trying not to tug on them too hard. I slipped off my underwear and stepped into the warm shower. I couldn't have the water too hot or I would flashback to the burning water Charlie poured over my body. I shuddered at the memory and forced myself out of that train of thought.

I showered and shaved within a half an hour so that we could eat and relax before going out tonight. I got out and dried off before realizing that I hadn't brought any clothes into the room with me. I sighed, stupid, stupid, stupid, I thought wrapping my towel around me. I opened the door and tentatively stepped out of the bathroom into my bedroom. I looked over and saw Edward still reading. I hoped he wouldn't look up and see me on my way to the closet. No such luck.

He looked up and his eyes got wide as he noticed what I was wearing. I groaned in my mind.

"Hi sorry I forgot my clothes." I said blushing red continuing to limp towards my destination.

"I…its ok" Edward stuttered, his eyes flickered over my body clad in just a towel before he looked away quickly.

"K" I squeaked making it to the intended door. I stepped in and shut the door looking for something to wear.

EPOV

I was still reading but I was also listening for Bella, making sure that she didn't fall or anything while she was in the shower. She didn't thankfully. The door opened soon after the shower shut off, sooner than normal actually. I didn't look over for a second but when I did boy was I shocked. Bella was making her way through the room in only a towel that barely covered everything that needed covered. I was shocked. It was really different to see her like that. In such little clothing. Even at night she wore pants and a tank top never shorts. She was beautiful.

"Hi, sorry I forgot my clothes." She murmured her face blushing beautifully.

"I…it's ok" I stuttered like an idiot. My eyes raked over her body quickly taking in the gorgeous woman in front of me.

"K" She squeaked and went to the closet as quick as she could shutting the door behind her. I breathed out a sigh of relief when it shut. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

When she walked back out she was wearing a pair of form fitting jeans and a blood red long sleeved shirt. I sighed knowing that she didn't want anyone to see her scars. I took her hand and we walked downstairs to get something to snack on. We didn't do much of anything all day just lounged around and worked on our studies a little bit. Everyone else was out for the day Carlisle had some party that the whole family was invited to but Bella and I didn't go because she was still scared of people.

When it was time for us to leave I led her out to the car and opened the door for her. We sat quietly the whole way there, holding hands and listening to the radio. She had her eyes closed and her head resting against the door. She looked so relaxed, I really hadn't seen her this relaxed for a while.

I pulled up and parked at the restaurant, we were at a cute little Italian place called Little Italy. Her eyes slid open slowly as we stopped and I helped her to get out of the car.

BPOV

Dinner was great except for the horrid waitress flirting with my Edward. My Edward, god I like how that sounds. I learned a lot about him as we asked each other questions. Even though I had been spending most of my time with him we hadn't really talked about much, we talked about my past and his childhood but not about other things.

"How many kids do you want to have?" He asked firing another question at me, he had been asking many different questions like these.

"Two a little boy and a little girl. Maybe more but I'm not sure." I responded.

"nice, favorite color?"

"green and black"

"green?" he asked staring at me when I blushed. I nodded.

"Color of your eyes." I said looking down.

"O… Favorite flower?"

"Purple Orchids"

"What about…" he thought for a few minutes eating the chicken fettuccini he ordered. I had gotten the regular fettuccini and garlic bread. "Favorite food?"

"Don't have one but I do love ice cream." I smiled at him reaching over quickly to take a piece of chicken off his plate.

"Hey!" he said glaring as I chewed the piece of chicken smiling at him smugly. He reached over and grabbed my bread and took a bite out of it before I reached over and took it back trying to save my favorite part of the meal.

"What's the matter Edward?" I asked playing innocent. He just laughed and offered me another piece of chicken off his fork. I leaned forward and took the piece from the silverware.

"Nothing sweetie you are just too cute sometimes." I smiled broadly. He laughed again.

We finished up eating quickly so we could get to the movies on time. We decided to see Fast and Furious. One word to describe it, orgasmic! (an it is seriously an amazing movie!)

We slowly made our way out to the car. I was so tired Edward was supporting most of my weight. When we reached the car he gently set me inside and strapped my seatbelt on. I kissed his throat softly as he did.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight" I said softly.

"Anytime my Bella" he said kissing my lips gently before moving around to his side of the car. We were quiet on the way home as I fought to keep my eyes open. When we reached the house I was barely awake.

Edward came over to my side and undid my seatbelt lifting me out of the car and holding me bridle style in his arms. He carried me to the door and unlocked it setting me down to do so. We made it upstairs and to my room before I collapsed onto the bed.

"Bella doll you have to change into something different for sleep. It's not good to sleep in clothes." I groaned at him not wanting to move. I heard his soft laughter. "Come on" he coaxed.

"No go 'way" I said stubbornly.

"Bella come on it will only take a minute then you can go to bed." he said making me get up. I glared at him and walked over to my dresser. I hurriedly grabbed the pj's I wanted to wear and went in to change. I struggled with my walking cast finally getting it off. I cried out softly when I pulled my foot in the wrong direction while doing do.

"Bella are you ok?" Edward called.

"Yeah just a minor fight with my cast" I called back quickly trying not to feel the pain in my ankle.

"Ok hurry up baby I know you're tired you've done a lot today. More than you have in a while." Edward said. He was right. Lately I had been just laying around doing nothing trying not to do much.

I quickly finished getting dressed and made my way to the door as best I could. Edward was waiting at the door in his pajama pants. He easily lifted me into his arms and carried me to the big bed. He laid me down and then laid next to me., I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his chest.

The next morning we woke up to screaming.

AN I almost left it there but I guess I will keep going since it has been a while.

I sat bolt upright along with Edward.

"What is it Alice what's the matter?" I asked frantically. Everyone came into the room behind here wondering what the screaming was about. They looked at Alice then over to us their eyes getting wide. I looked to Edward and then to where I was sitting and it dawned on me what the screaming was about.

"ugh." I groaned and flopped back on the bed. I was hoping this could wait for a little while longer. "Edward and I are together now go away I need more sleep" I stated closing my eyes and laying one of my arms over them to keep out the light.

"OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!" Alice screamed out.

"ugh Alice stop it and go away I will talk to you about it later I am really tired and am not feeling good so please." I murmured softly.

"Bella dear are you ok?" Esme's calm voice asked as she stepped from the group.

"Yea Esme I'm fine." I whispered softly.

"Ok everyone out let them be for now. Bella holler if anything gets worse and you need to keep it easy for the day ok I don't need you getting worse all over again." Carlisle said. I nodded and he ushered everyone out.

"Good morning beautiful." Edward said softly. I blushed.

"Good morning." I said back softly.

"What's the matter sweetheart?" he asked and I sighed.

"I don't know what's wrong Edward I just have a bad feeling and I'm not feeling good. My head is pounding, it feels like I have been hit with a sledgehammer a few times." I said quietly.

"Ok just lay down I'm going to close the blinds so that the light doesn't come in here." he said getting up and walking to the window still in just his pajama pants. I watched the muscles in his back move as he walked away and closed the blinds. I looked away when he turned around.

"Thank you" my voice was really quiet I didn't raise it at all.

"just sleep baby girl." he said quietly. I nodded and laid down beside him putting my head on his chest. I sighed as his arms wrapped around my body. I let my eyes slide shut and fell back asleep in Edwards arms.

I woke up t the door banging open again. I groaned and leaned up to glare at the person but stopped dead when I saw Alice's petrified face.

"What happened?" I asked fighting my way to a standing position and limped my way over to her.

"Jazz!!" I yelled out. He was in the room in a flash.

"What?" he asked out of breath.

"What is wrong with her?" I asked looking at Alice.

"Ali baby? You need to talk to us." Jasper said softly. Just then Emmett came into the room his face somber.

"Turn on the TV to channel 3." he said quietly. Edward did as he said and then I heard the newswomans voice.

"And now we have an urgent alert. Former Chief of Forks Police Charlie Swan has been charged for the rape and abuse of his daughter Isabella Swan and the abuse of his son Jasper Swan. The police ask that if anyone sees this man." a picture of Charlie appeared on screen, "that they call this number and tell them when and where he was spotted. Charlie was last seen 3 hours ago in Port Angelous and is said to be on the move back to Forks where he is looking for his son and daughter. He is said t be armed and highly dangerous. Please if you have any information inform the police immediately." then it cut off.

The entire room was silent and for a moment I couldn't comprehend what was just said. Before my legs gave out from under me. I felt Jasper's familiar arms around me stopping me from hitting the ground. I was still quiet and I heard noise but didn't understand any of it. I stared at the tv and did nothing. Finally a sob broke from my body and I couldn't stop them. I cried even harder.

"Shhh…" I slowly became aware of what was happening around me.

"What happened?" Emmett's voice came through.

"Carlisle what is wrong with her?" Jasper demanded.

"Jasper let me see her." I think that was Edward.

"Everyone quiet. Jasper carry her to the bed. Then everyone back off." it was Carlisle that started getting himself together. "I think she went into mild shock just let her be for a few minutes." his voice was calm and slowly I got all my senses back.

"I'm ok." I said my voice strained.

"Oh Bella you scared me." Edward said wrapping an arm around me and kissed me softly on the lips.

"Sorry, I'm ok." I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

It was really quiet again. Then the phone rang.

AN ok so there you have it another chapter and I know it took me a while to get out but I am really lost on where to go from here and I was trying to figure it out. I would love to hear what you have to say and what you think should happen next. I am losing faith in my writing of this story and I need some inspiration to help me going. Let me know what you reader want to happen next!!