Chapter 1

Prologue

Bella rushes to answer the phone. She had been waiting for a call from Edward. It was date night, and he was going to see if he could get reservations at a new restaurant that had just opened.

"Hi Mom. Are you busy?" Siobhan asks.

Bella smiles. "You know I'm never too busy to speak to you. What can I do for you, sweetheart?"

"Oh, Mom." Siobhan bursts into tears. "It's awful!"

"Siobhan, what's the matter? Do you need me to come over?"

"It's Becky. She's gotten involved with this guy at school, and we think he has been hitting her. I've tried to talk to her, but she won't listen."

"Oh my goodness! Is she at home now?" Bella asks.

"Yes, he told her she wasn't allowed out of her room without his permission. She only ever comes down for her meals or to go to school. He even picks her up and drops her off after school. She hasn't been to cheerleading practice for the past two weeks." Siobhan continues to cry. "She is wearing long-sleeved turtlenecks, even though it's really warm for this time of year. Last night, her father put his arm around her shoulder to hug her, and she winced in pain, pulled away, and ran upstairs to her room. She wouldn't come out again till this morning for breakfast. I asked her how this boyfriend would know if she left her room. She just said, he always seems to know."

"Look, I'm going to call your dad. I'm sure he said he had a slow afternoon," Bella tells her. "We will see what we can do. I love you."

"I love you too, mom," Siobhan whispers. "Thank you."

After Bella disconnects from Siobhan, she takes a deep breath and dials Edward.

"I forgot to call you, didn't I?" Edward says instead of Hello. "I'm sorry about that, but I managed to get reservations for…"

"Are you busy?" Bella interrupts. "Or can you leave work right now?"

"I'm just finishing up some paperwork. Why? What's the matter?"

"Siobhan just called, crying. Becky is involved with a guy, and Siobhan thinks he's hitting her. He seems to be dominating everything in her life. He's told Becky she is not allowed to leave her room, so she only leaves for meals and go to school." Bella's voice cracks. "I don't want that for her; I know how it can end."

"I'm on my way home. Call Siobhan and tell her we will be there in a half hour, then call the restaurant and cancel our reservation. Everything's is going to be okay; we've dealt with worse."

"You're right, Edward," Bella says, calming down slightly. "I'll see you soon."

Throwing his paperwork into his bag, Edward tells his receptionist he won't be available for the rest of the day and to direct any patients to Dr. Mathew. It's not long before Edward is in his Volvo heading home.

Once home, he grabs his bag and heads for the front door, hoping to find Bella ready to leave.

"Honey, I'm home," Edward shouts.

Bella comes into the reception hall with her bag on her shoulder. Looking at her tear-stained face, Edward pulls her into his arms while she holds him tightly.

"Bella, we can get through this." Edward kisses Bella's nose. "Let's get to Siobhan so we can figure out what's going on."

They make the short journey to Siobhan's house. Edward holds Bella's hand over the console all the way there, caressing her hand every now and then to reassure her.

Leaving the car, they walk up the path holding hands.

Giving Bella a weak smile, Edward knocks, and they go inside.

"Siobhan?" he calls from the door.

"Oh, Dad!" Siobhan rushes into Edwards arms, wrapping her arms around him. "What are we going to do?"

Bella rubs her back trying to comfort her.

"Don't worry; we have this covered." He gently sways her back and forth. "We're going to her room where we can talk with her. We thought she might not feel so threatened in her own room and might open up to us. Everything will be fine. Do you trust us?"

She leaves Edwards arms going to her mother's embrace. "Always; I love you both."

"We love you too, Princess," Edward says. "All the way to the moon and back again."

"And nothing is more important to us than family," Bella says.

As Siobhan heads back into the kitchen, her parents go upstairs. They knock on Becky's door. "Becky, honey? It's Grandpa."

"And Grandma too," Bella calls out.

They hear muffled noise from inside. "Grandpa? Grandma?" Becky opens the door slightly, looking at them both.

"We just popped in to see your mom and thought you might want to come home with us. We haven't seen you for a while." Edward smiles. "You haven't been avoiding your poor old grandparents, have you?"

"Of course not, but…" Becky looks down sadly. "I'm not allowed to leave my room."

"Why? Are you grounded? I'll go and ask your mom." Edward turns toward the stairs.

"It's not Mom or Dad that say I can't," she says nervously. "It's my boyfriend, Brad."

"Well, can we visit with you in there?" Bella asks, rubbing Becky's fingers that are wrapped around the door.

Becky nods and cracks the door open a little more. Edward and Bella slip into her room, closing the door behind them.

"It's good to see you. I've missed you!" Bella pulls Becky into her arms and hugs her tight.

Becky winces with pain, pulling away.

"What's the matter? Have you hurt yourself?" Edward asks, going into full doctor mode.

Looking down, Becky shakes her head, "No."

"May I?" Edward asks.

Becky hesitates then nods once. Edward smiles kindly and pushes up her long shirt sleeve.

Bella inhales sharply, seeing something on Becky's arm that reminds her of her own arms many years ago.

"Oh Becky, honey." Edward pulls her into his arms gently. "What's going on?"

Pressing her face into his chest, she shakes her head as heavy sobs ripple from her heart. Edward looks at Bella in pain as Bella nods with understanding.

It is time.

When Becky's crying subsides, Edward leads her to the bed and cradles her in his arms. Bella sits beside them, patting her back.

"Becky?" Bella asks. "Have you ever heard the story about Grandpa and me?"

Becky shakes her head.

"Would you like to?" Edward asks softly. "It's not a pleasant one, but I think it might help."

Becky raises her head, sniffling as she looks at her grandparents. "Yeah, I think I'd like to know, if that's okay."

Bella and Edward look at each other as Bella grabs the box of tissues from Becky's nightstand.

"Okay, then," Edward says. "Let's begin."

I would like to thank Carolina Cullen 2012, Sarcastic Bimbo, Edwardsfirst kiss for their help these past few months. Karriek for her help and keeping me together love you.

Finally, my new beta Tiffany L Cullen and beta/pre reader who wishes to remain anonymous a big thank you and hug to you both you are both wonderful.