A/N: I forgot to say that the link to Bella's prom dress is on my profile. This is also a spacer chapter that I thought was needed to explain Bella's past more.
I'm also super curious as to how everyone's found this story. Was it random? Did someone recommend it? Please let me know! You don't have to review it. My pm is always open and I also have a Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr account. All links or on my profile.
Chapter Song: The Story by Brandi Carlile
It was the evening before their junior prom and Bella and Edward were working on homework while sitting at her back patio when Edward asked her the most random question. A question she really wished he hadn't asked.
"Was...your Aunt Jane...cruel to you?"
Bella stared out at a squirrel circling nimbly around a tree as she tap-tap-tapped her pen against the table.
Edward's hand gently stopping hers made her jerk. He pulled away with a hurt/worried look in his eyes, but he stayed quiet; subconsciously knowing that she needed a minute.
Finally she started writing in a very precise manner. My Aunt Jane didn't...understand me.
She looked at him, he nodded encouragingly.
She chewed cutely on the top of her cap before continuing. That's putting it nicely actually. She hated me. Always told me what a titty baby I was.
Edward felt the anger sore at seeing this, but he controlled himself enough not to show anything, not wanting to upset her more.
I'd try to make her happy, but nothing worked.
Bella's aunt's hate ran much deeper than she knew. A hate that started and stayed harbored years before Bella was even born. Jane had always been jealous of her older, perfect sister, Elizabeth, whom everyone loved and cherished. Elizabeth was voted most likely to succeed, best smile, Ms. High School, prom queen once and homecoming queen twice. All the boys wanted to be with her, while all the girls wanted to be her. Even their parents favored Elizabeth openly while Jane was forgotten.
When Elizabeth dead, Jane didn't mourn her for even a second and was actually happy. Jane was also not sane. Not in the slightest. A mental disorder that could've easily been treated with medicine and therapy was left unattended and now Jane was lost. Bella's aunt would never be helped because now Jane was convinced that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her.
Bella never quite understood why her aunt let her go either. She'd been so adamant on keeping her. The truth was Jane wanted money, something she thought she get if she held on to Bella long enough. When Bella's parent's lawyer had informed her otherwise, that when she shipped her away to Charlie. Honestly, Bella wasn't concerned about the whys and how comes, she was just relieved to be away from her aunt.
"What happened?" Edward asked quietly, hoping against hope that Bella would say, Nothing.
She didn't. She wouldn't look him in the eyes as her pen wobbled against the paper now. She'd lock me in a closet.
Edward closed his eyes as he felt his chest constrict and tears welled in his eyes. He had to give himself a minute by looking away before he could look at her. Her face was a picture of calm. How could she be so seemingly untroubled? "How long?" he finally asked.
Bella pulled her eyes away to write, Hours. Sometimes a day.
"Why?" He spat the word, unable to hold back the anger as he imagined himself hunting her aunt down.
She was trying to get me to talk.
"By torturing you?" He was hollering now so he forced himself to settle down because he was obviously upsetting her.
Bella shrugged limply. I think a part of her meant well.
"No. Bella. There's not a single good part in that women."
Bella frowned. She has my mother and MeMaw's blood—MY blood inside her.
Edward shook his head. "Not enough to count."
Bella was frowning, writing nothing as she stared out blankly.
"Does Charlie know?"
Bella's head snapped to him. Absolutely not!
That had Edward frowning. "Why?"
It would only upset him. I'm safe now and I'm completely fine.
Edward wasn't so sure about the last part, but didn't push the issue. Again he was stuck between feeling obligated to tell Charlie and to keep Bella's trust. "You should tell him."
Why? She wrote that one word very aggressively.
Edward paused for a moment to think up a good reason. "Because you can't keep leaving him in the dark, Bella. And I don't want to have to betray your trust by telling him myself."
Bella laid her head down, eyes fully open and inches away from her pre-calculus book.
Edward didn't say a word as he watched two squirrels fighting over an acorn in the tree tops.
She sat up after a while, writing, Okay. I'll tell him. When I'M ready.
"Fair enough." Edward pushed back his chair while spinning hers around then picked her up and placed her on his lap.
Bella turned around, hanging her legs over the armrest and nuzzling against his shoulder.
He leaned his head against her as his hands caressed her hair, and legs, and sides, and just about every part he could without crossing over the groping line. "I'm sorry."
For what. She only signed since he was able to pick up small phrases.
"That you've been through so much."
She got her notebook to write, Don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong.
Edward smiled a little, but it wouldn't stay. "I know. I just can't help feeling...sad and angry."
The last word had her pulling back to look at him in the eyes with a shake of her head. Please let the anger go. For me.
Edward stared into her eyes, seeing how desperate she seemed. "I'll try."
She nodded as she wrote rapidly, Thank you. I've had enough anger and pain for a lifetime. I want you the exact why you are. Happy, sweet, carefree. I believe things happen for a reason.
Edward was so amazed by her. She made him realize what a ungrateful shit he was sometimes. Bella made him want to be better. To not let things like anger and fear hold him back.
I'm not glad that my parents and MeMaw died, but I know they're safe and happy wherever they are. I'm also not certain why I went through the things I did, but I'm sure I will know the reason in the future. I also know that someone or something wanted me to find you.
Warmth enveloped Edward from her words. He kissed her forehead, and cheek, and chin as she continued, And I'm really happy that I did.
He couldn't restrain himself after that, taking the notebook he dropped it on the table. Cupping her face with a hand, he guided her lips to his. He kissed her softly, treasuring her feel as his entire body seemed to become weightless.
