HE LEFT ME!!

home at last

Bella

"Bella!" Alice shrieked, literally launching herself from the door and into my arms, hugging me tight. Her arms hugged over the fresh set of bruises I had received from Mike over the course of the week and I gasped in pain. Edward growled in warning, though it was pointless since Alice has released me at the very first sight of pain. My hands flew around my waist, holding my sides protectively against the pain. I tried to keep a straight face. It didn't work.

"Hey Alice," I whispered through my wince. The worry was apparent in her eyes as she looked frantically to Edward.

"Mike," was all he muttered.

"Mike?" Alice's voice was still a twinkling of bells, even as confused panic filled her voice. Her eyes scanned my face much as Edward's had, searching, "What about Mike?"

"He beat her," the words came out in an angry growl. I flinched.

"What?" roared Emmett's voice as he came barreling through the front door. It ripped off the hinges and fell limply to the side.

Apparently the entire house had been listening, because the rest of the Cullens filed out behind Emmett. Esme glanced at the destroyed door once. Their expressions were all enraged, even Rosalie. Even Esme. It was unsettling to see such a kind, loving woman so angered. I quivered under their stares, although I knew none of their anger was directed at me.

My fear did not last long. Jasper sent out a calming wave over the group and I welcomed it. Most of the Cullens threw annoyed glances his way; they wanted to feel enraged right now. I, however, smiled at him gratefully. I knew he wasn't blocking their anger, he was trying to keep me from falling apart.

"Why? Why did he even get close enough?" Alice's voice was shocked, wondering. It was so unlike her. I knew then that she had not been watching my future.

"She married him," Edward's voice held a sorrow that broke my heart.

"Get real," Emmett scoffed, throwing his head back with a laugh. Nobody's expressions changed. He chuckled reluctantly before fully gathering Edward's serious expression. He then turned his attention on me, eyes wide, "Bella?"

I nodded slowly. I anticipated his next question, "Why?"

"I was," I paused, my eyes flitting to Edward to gauge his reaction to my next words, "Was crushed," as expected, his face crumpled in pain and I found it hard to continue, "When you left. I became friends with Jacob Black. He took care of me. We were good friends. I think I even started to heal."

I trailed off slowly, the sadness entering my eyes, "But then he stopped talking to me."

I paused at Edward's growl. "I was broken twice there and I decided that I didn't care anymore," my words choked at the end. Edward took my hand in his and I continued, "Charlie threatened to send me back to Renee's unless I started to move on."

I squeezed my eyes shut against the onslaught of tears. They fell freely anyway, "I didn't want to leave Forks. I wouldn't let myself remember your name, but I had to stay here. Maybe you'd change your mind, maybe you'd come back. I couldn't leave, Edward. I just couldn't!"

"Shh..." he whispered softly into my hair as he lowered his face to press a comforting kiss on top of my head.

"So, I pretended to move on," I whispered, my voice still cracking, "I decided I'd be with the next person who offered. Three guesses who," I gave one dark laugh, "I could never love Mike, I knew that then. I know that now. I think he knew it, too. I don't think he ever cared about that part."

I felt the low growl rumble in Edward's chest, "It was the easier choice. It appeased Charlie and it let me stay in Forks. Mike was thrilled, of course. He was decent to me at first. He never beat me, that came after we were married... He only ever hurt me once before then."