Chapter One

Charlie

Things were different now between Bella and Jake, and Bella and myself. She had been devastated when she found out the Cullens had left in the night and once she realized they weren't coming back she became quieter and more solitary until I worried for her health, mental and physical. She moved robotically from home to school, touched by nothing and connecting with no one. Her school friends tried very hard to bring her out of her self-exile but even Angela gave up in the end, it was as if there were a glass wall between her and the rest of the world. At Christmas I invited Renee and Phil to visit, Bella refused to leave Forks to visit them but I thought having a family Christmas might help. As it was there was almost no festive cheer at all, she put up the tree and decorated the room without a word or a smile. Jake, who was the only person even remotely close to her now came along and tried to put a smile on her face but she just watched his antics in passive silence. Renee was heartbroken when she saw what Bella had become and tried to get her to go back to Florida when she and Phil left. Although I would miss her I agreed it might be for the best but Bella just dug her heels in,

"I have school to think about. My friends are here now"

"What friends Bella? You haven't been out with anyone or had anyone round the whole time we've been here. Jake is the only person you've even spoken to."

"I'm not going, my home is in Forks with Dad now"

"Are you sure Bella? I hate to see you go but maybe you'd feel better if you got away from here"

"Are you asking me or telling me dad?"

"Asking honey, I gave up telling a long time ago"

"Then I'm staying, and now I'm very tired, I think I'll go to bed"

She kissed us all dutifully and went out, we heard her climb the stairs like she was an old woman then close the bathroom door.

Renee

I was shocked at what my daughter had become,

"I always said this place would destroy me and now it has"

"Renee we're talking about Bella not you."

"It's the same thing. My daughter has become like the living dead. She doesn't talk, she doesn't see any one, she hardly eats. Charlie we have to do something. Did you ever find out where the Cullens went? Edward seemed so fond of her"

"Yeah, fond enough to drop her from a great height. I have no idea where the Cullens went and to be perfectly frank I don't care. I'm just glad they are out of Bella's life."

"You never liked him did you? I think your attitude scared him away."

"Oh really? You think I scared the whole family away? I didn't know I was that good at intimidation Renee."

"You know what I mean"

Phil stopped us getting into yet another argument,

"I think we should be focusing on Bella. She's very unhappy and if she doesn't start eating properly she's gonna fall sick. I suggest we leave it another month and if she hasn't improved we take her home with us Charlie. The sunshine and sea air might help and she'll have someone to look after her."

"I look after my daughter Phil and I resent the implication that I don't."

"It wasn't meant like that Charlie. I just think having female company might help, a mothers perspective on things. After all girls break up with their boyfriends all the time."

Charlie

The idea of Renee being a mother figure to Bella was laughable really, it had always been the other way round. My little girl had always been the adult, level-headed and sensible while Renee could hardly organise her day let alone care for a child.

"I think we have to respect her wishes. If Bella doesn't want to leave Forks I wont insist and I wont let you either. She's old enough to make her own decisions."

"Really Charlie? Well I have custody of her and I'll use it if I have to."

She'd never threatened me with that weapon before and it set me thinking, would a court decide in her favour or take Bella's wishes into account? She was old enough to say what she wanted, make an informed choice but with her fragile mental health I could see it would be a close run thing

"Renee lets not use threats. Charlie wants what's best for Bella too."

She looked at me hard faced then sat back in her chair,

"One month Charlie and she comes with me. No arguments."

Bella

They thought I'd gone to shower and were free to talk but I knew as soon as I was out of earshot they would discuss me so I sat at the top of the stairs listening to the argument. I wouldn't leave Forks but Renee's threat was real so I had to make an effort to look as if I were feeling better, getting over Edward. I could do it, I could act the part, and then I could stay in Forks where I knew the Cullens had been real. In sunny Florida they might seem like a dream and fade as easily and I didn't want that. It hurt to remember but that was better than forgetting them completely. I knew they weren't coming back, I wasn't stupid but there was always that tiny nugget of hope that I couldn't crush. While the house still remained, even empty, they just might come back one day. The furniture, some clothes, books, and odd CDs were still there. I knew, I'd been inside the house just once since that night, the night after Edward told me he was leaving. I couldn't believe it until I saw most of their things were gone, the garage empty except for the silver Volvo which had been discarded like me, unwanted now. I showered and climbed into bed, making sure the bedroom window was open, I couldn't bear to close it even when it snowed, just in case. It was that pathetic, I just couldn't say a final farewell to the Cullen family.