Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 9.

Things were noticeably different between Edward and I. I'd go as far as saying we'd become good friends.

He was less uptight and a lot more flirty, but I didn't mind that at all.

Our sexual rendezvous were kept to a minimum. Edward was probably still sneaking in gorgeous girls over eighteen when everyone else was asleep. I was fine with that, as long as he'd follow through with his promise when I was no longer a minor.

Emmett and I were just as close. He'd been living with us for about five months now and we got along really well. It wasn't said outright, but I was sure Emmett was staying permanently. He got a job at the local sporting goods store, which he loved. I was glad though. I liked having him around.

It was at 3:30pm on Wednesday, and I was home alone. I decided to watch Friends before Jasper came for my tutoring session.

Just after 4, the doorbell rang.

Shit Jasper is early.

I quickly set up the study room and opened the door flustered and out of breath.

"Oh. You're not Jasper." I said to the man, standing in front of me.

He was tall, with green eyes and blonde hair. He was unhealthily thin. It was kind of scary.

He smiled kindly, despite my rudeness. "Hi, I'm Caius Cullen."

"Oh, Emmett's dad. Hi, I'm Bella."

"Nice to meet you Bella."

"You too. Um…no one is home at the moment, but Esme should be back from school soon. I think she's doing an after school class or something."

I tried to subtly look over his shoulder to see if someone would magically appear. No luck unfortunately.

"I don't mind waiting." He said.

I stepped to the side. "Come in. Would you like a drink?"

"Do you have any beer?"

"I'm not sure. I'll check."

Caius followed me to the kitchen.

Luckily for Caius there was a bottle hidden at the back of the fridge. I popped off the cap and passed it to him. He leaned on the kitchen island, watching me.

"Um…how was your flight?" I asked, hoping Esme would get home soon so I wouldn't have to endure unnecessary awkwardness.

"Amazing." Caius responded.

Okay…what am I supposed to respond to that?

Caius stepped closer to me. He used the back of his hand to stroke my cheek.

I froze. It was too weird. Carlisle barely hugged me and this man who I just met was openly caressing my face.

"I should go and -"

Caius placed a finger to my lips.

"Hush my dear…" He said.

My first reaction was to bolt, so I did.

Caius caught me by the wrist and pulled me into his arms.

"Oh Jane…" He said.

"Caius, it's Bella." I said, struggling to get out of his grasp.

"You smell like strawberries. What a beautiful scent."

I tried pushing him away, but I wasn't strong enough.

He kissed the top of my head. My mind was running a mile a minute. I tried to think of ways to get out of this situation but the end result was me frozen in the middle of the kitchen with tears running down my face.

"Let me go…" I sobbed.

"Jane, please don't cry."

"I'm not Jane!" I yelled. I tried to sound as harsh as I could but he didn't seem affected.

"I want to show you I love you. I love you so much."

Next thing I knew, I was pinned to the kitchen floor. With one hand, Caius holds both my hands together above my head. His other hand is stroking my face.

My heart had never beaten faster than that moment. I was so scared of what was going to happen next. The thought made me cry more. I let out a high pitch scream.

"Bella!"

It was Jasper.

"What the fuck!" Jasper yelled. Caius and I both looked up at him. His eyes were narrowed, his nostrils were flaring. He was mad.

He pulled Caius off me, shoved him to the ground and helped me up.

His face softened. "Are you okay, Bella?"

I felt so relieved but I couldn't stop crying.

My arms instinctively went around Jasper's neck. He rubbed my back telling me over and over how everything was okay now.

Jasper and I stayed in that position for a while. Neither of us made a move to let go of one another, and at that moment, I didn't care. Jasper made me feel safe.

"What's going on?" I jumped slightly, started at the sound of Edward's voice. He was standing before us. He looked mad.

"This guy forced himself onto Bella. It was lucky I got here when I did."

Edward didn't seem to notice Caius until Jasper mentioned him.

"Uncle Caius?" Edward said.

"That's your uncle?" Jasper asked incredulously.

I looked to Caius. He was sitting on the ground with his head between his knees. I wasn't sure what he was doing but I didn't care. I wanted to get out of there.

I stood up. Jasper followed me.

Edward came up to me and pulled me tightly into him. I was surprised. Edward and I were never openly intimate. But I didn't care at that moment. It was nice to have him close.

"I-I don't think I'm up for tutoring today." I said between sobs.

"Don't even worry about tutoring, Sweetheart." Edward said, stroking me head.

"Should we call the police?" Jasper asked.

Edward shook his head. "I'll see what my parents say."

"Please don't tell your parents." I cried.

Esme stepped into the kitchen then. "Don't tell his parents what?"

Great timing.

She watched Edward and I with a curious look on her face. I stepped away from Edward. She couldn't know about any of this. Not about Edward and I, not about Caius, not about anything.

"Uncle Caius attacked Bella." Edward said.

Fucking thanks, Edward!

Esme's eyebrows furrowed. "Caius?"

Edward pointed to him. The kitchen island was blocking her view.

She moved towards him, horror written all over her face. "Caius, what did you do?"

Before I could hear their interaction, I ran upstairs into my room. Edward followed after me.

I turned to Edward. "Why would you tell her?" I was fuming.

"She needs to know, Bella."

"It's not really your fucking story to tell."

"Please, love. I'm sorry I upset you."

"Just…just hold me please."

xx

I woke up to a knock on my door. Edward and I fell asleep on my bed. I sat up, waking Edward up in the process.

Edward answered the door. Standing there was Emmett, tears running down his face. He pushed pass Edward and sat on the bed beside me, his arms enveloping me.

"I'm so fucking sorry, Bella. I'm so sorry."

"You didn't do anything." I reassured him.

I moved to sit on his lap and we just held one another. We both needed the comfort.

Edward brought dinner up for Emmett and I and left. We sat on my bed eating while Emmett told me about his dad.

"He was always a kind, loving father. He'd always spoil me. Whatever I wanted was mine, really. Then he started gambling. He'd miss work to go to the casino. He lost money, obviously, and had to start borrowing. You know how it is.

"One day, people came to our house and started taking our stuff. Mom felt so hurt, so betrayed. We knew nothing about it until then. So, she left. I was in my senior year, so I stayed with Dad. Mom was so mad that I didn't go with her, haven't seen her since. "

"Oh, Emmett." I said, placing my hand on top of his. He smiled gently. I knew it was forced. I'd been there before, which made my heart break for him even more.

"Then the drugs started. I don't even know how he could afford them. When I tried to stop him, he'd get violent." He sighed.

"Anyway, we had no money for food, to pay for bills so I reached out to Uncle Carlisle and he took me in, as you know. I don't know why Dad's here now. I don't want to fucking see his face. If he hurt you…"

"He didn't." I said immediately.

"I know, but if he did I think I would've killed him. I feel so fucking bad."

"Don't."