A/N: so this is my first attempt at writing Twilight FanFiction. This story is set as an eventual C/B.
I do not own the Twilight saga, this is purely fiction. Seriously.
Edward pulled my trembling body onto his lap as soon as the seatbelt sign went off. His arms wrapped around me stiffly trying to bring me some sort of comfort in his awkward embrace. It wasn't exactly helping but the cool of his skin seeping beneath his shirt helped a bit.
I didn't know why I wasn't throwing myself at him, telling him I loved him despite everything he put me through and offer my forgiveness. Truth was I didn't have it in me to forgive him - even a bit.
For those long months he was gone, I had a lot of time to reflect on my relationship with him. I realized we weren't healthy , toxic, being the more appropriate word.
The way he took away my choices, the way he made me feel like an insignificant human not worthy of him or his family, the lies, the constant doubt that I loved him more than he loved me. Everything was always on his terms, and I was naive to think that's what love was.
I've seen real love down at the reservation with Sam and Emily. It was pure, healthy -looking past the imprint thing - they treated each other like equals despite one turning into a gigantic wolf.
They weren't my only example I could compare my healthy vs toxic relationships with. They were all around me , when I visited the cullens.
Alice and Jasper and Rosalie and Emmett.
So where did that leave us?
Should I forgive him because he went half way across the world to end his life?
If we didn't get back together would he pull another stunt? Edward could be really dramatic as he so demonstrated with his theatrics.
I guess my little cliff dive rendezvous could fall under the same category as him depending how you were looking at it.
I wasn't trying to commit suicide, not once. I wouldn't or couldn't do that to Charlie. Despite my zombie state I had enough sense to not put him through that. I was simply just thrill seeking and didn't realize how strong the current was.
From Alice's perspective it looked like I was trying to kill myself. I could see how she suspected that. I wasn't an adrenaline junkie when we met, and she didn't see Jacob pull me out of the water.
Edwards hand rubbing in small circles on my back broke me out of my reflection of 'the series of unfortunate events' as I deemed so in my head. Im sure with my luck there would be more. Perhaps I could become a writer and write about my life. Vampires and werewolves - yeah hello straight jacket, or death by the scary ass vampires in Italy. I was actually curious of how their laws worked, who created them and how the volturi rose to power.
Maybe Carlisle would educate me on vampirism.
"The family will meet us at the airport." Alice informed us , or more like me since Edward could read her thoughts.
I suddenly grew nervous and anxious. What will their reaction be ? I imagine they would embrace their pseudo son and brother with open arms, a emotional reunion no doubt.
I can't imagine what it would do to Jasper.
Im sure Alice would get the same treatment , we could have died after all. Her and Jasper's reunion would probably come from a scene out of a Nicholas Sparks novel, like they haven't seen each other in years.
But how would they react to seeing me? Would I be pushed out of the reunion to be cast outside standing awkwardly watching them? They did all abandon me without so much as a goodbye, Edward at least had the decent courtesy. They could have just all left leaving me to discover they left myself. I'd surely go crazy if that happened.
I decided I wouldn't expect anything, that would be the only way to protect myself from the hurt and rejection I would surely feel soon.
I buried my face in Edwards neck trying to find some sort of comfort to ease me into sleep. It should come naturally being in his arms since I've been longing the feeling for months. I'd probably sleep better in my own chair or in Alice's arms - Edwards grip however wouldn't let up.
He started to hum the lullaby he once composed for me into my ear, the beautiful melody took its affect and I was asleep in a matter of minutes.
-I WAS MADE FOR YOU-
Hearing loud shouts and commotion around me, my eyes flew open in a haze, the bright fluorescent lights caused my eyes to burn and I flinched away from the light blinking rapidly to gain focus.
I looked up noticing I was cradled in Edwards arms, as we walked into the airport his eyes darting around for a familiar face.
I tapped his arm gaining his attention, he looked down at me giving me a beaming smile.
I tried to smile back , but it didn't reach my eyes. What did he really expect?
"Can you put me down?" I asked in a soft whisper, he nodded complying to my request setting me on my feet. His touch didn't stray from the small of my back however as we started to walk.
"Edward! Oh my boy!" Esme sobbed tearlessly, running as fast as she could to not raise suspicion towards us flinging herself into his arms, I stepped away from them letting her through standing off to the side. I wasn't going to make a fool of myself and run for the others heading our way, looks of relief etched onto their face.
"Don't you ever do that again!" She sobbed into his chest, if someone were to walk by and see her tearless face they'd think she was as dramatic as her son.
But the shaky voice, trembles, and pain in her eyes proved otherwise. Esme would be bawling her eyes out if she could. A petty part inside me hoped it was an ugly cry. I hoped they all had an ugly cry, snot and all.
No one was that perfect.
"Im sorry mom." He smiled back jokingly trying to make light of the situation but Esme only clutched him tighter when he called her his mother.
Once she finally released him the others were hugging him, and Alice. Their reunion just as I imagined. I stared awkwardly at the floor, so a startled yelp escaped my lips as I was pulled flush against a hard chest, their face buried in my neck for the briefest moment. They smelled of cinnamon, musk and old books. It was strangely comforting.
They pulled back, their hands cupping either side of my face, his golden eyes full of so much pain and gratitude.
"Thank you Isabella, for bringing him home." Carlisle Cullen smiled warmly, thanking me on behalf of the coven.
I smiled up at him awkwardly mumbling a "no problem." Before stepping out of his embrace causing the doctor to frown.
I yelped again when I was suddenly in the air being swung around in a circle , the familiar bear hug of Emmett made me giggle but a nagging feeling at the back told me not to get my hopes up.
They'd leave again, if I let myself feel anything during this reunion I'm sure it would kill me when they left.
"Damn I missed you , baby bells!" Emmett grinned putting me back on my feet.
I only smiled in return not returning his sentiment, causing him to frown as well.
I had a feeling he was about to question me because the look on his face was sad and offended, but Esme wrapped an arm around me before anything escaped his mouth.
Her reaction wasn't the same tear felt reunion with Edward, but it wasn't cold either. I doubted Esme could ever be cold, she always had a sort of warmth to her. Like the patriarch she thanked me for bringing back their son.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath when Rosalie walked up to me next. I don't know what they were expecting but I was expecting a slap to the face. I caused this whole mess and the vain vampire wasn't my biggest fan, nor I hers.
But she surprised me. She threw her arms around my neck as if we were old friends who had been separated for too long. She unlike Esme sobbed into my neck. If that didn't send me into cardiac arrest the words tumbling out of her mouth should've . "Thank you for saving my brother Bella! This was all my fault , I hope you have it in you to forgive me." She wailed, her words muffled by my shirt.
I rubbed her back awkwardly, her being the first one I responded to surprised me. Maybe there was hope for us yet.
No Bella, don't get attached. They're leaving .
"We all make mistakes, there's nothing to forgive."
I didn't exactly know how she was involved in all of this , but I did my best to reassure her it wasn't her fault, it's not like she thrusted her brother into the son herself.
Jasper came up to me last, placing a hand on my shoulder giving it a squeeze. I suddenly felt a rush of confidence and reassurance at his touch.
"Don't doubt yourself Bella." He said as if reading my mind. I only nodded in return . If they had felt that way towards me they wouldn't have left. Or they would at least told me goodbye. Not even a "fuck you Bella Swan" email.
How could I believe a word they said?
"We better get going" Carlisle sighed, grabbing Esmes hand a pulling her out of the airport with the rest of us following . I couldn't help but to glare enviously at their joined hands.
Edward was back to touching me again, as if we were still together. He clutched my hand , I didn't protest only leant against him since I was dead on my feet, tired as hell.
When we approached the parking lot there was a van and the familiar black Mercedes waiting for us, I was a bit shocked they had a van at all. Soccer mom van wasn't exactly their style.
"I'll drive Bella home, someone has to explain this to Charlie." Carlisle says letting go of his wife's hand and opening the passenger door for me.
Im guessing this was their way of dismissing me. Carlisle will take me home, come up with some bogus story to Charlie while the others make a run for it.
I only nodded giving Edward a tight smile before climbing into the car, I didn't even give the others a second glance, I just pulled the door shut. I watched through the tinted window as the others climbed into the van, Edward staring at the car with a frown before he climbed in as well.
The sound of the car door slamming shut brought my attention back to inside the car. Carlisle gave me a sad smile before starting up the car and following them out of the parking lot.
We were silent for awhile none of us really knowing what to say. Carlisle tried talking to me but he gave up when he realized I wouldn't respond to basic small talk.
What were we supposed to talk about anyways? I couldn't get involved with them, engage in conversation and learn about their new lives without me only to be abandoned again in the morning. I couldn't do it.
-I WAS MADE FOR YOU -
We've been in the car for a half hour now, and I'm guessing he couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Isabella" he begged "Please tell me what's wrong."
"Why?!" I screamed at him. "You'll just leave again anyways. It's not like any of you care."
Carlisle opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the shrill ring off his cellphone. He sighed irritated before flipping it open.
"Hello."
He talked rapidly into the phone, so fast and low that I couldn't eavesdrop even if I wanted to. I clutched the handle as the car picked up did he think this was ? Nascar ? He shut the cell shut, hands gripping the wheel tight. I watched as we sped passed the van, looking in the rear view mirror I caught a glimpse of the Cullens getting out and running off, abandoning their vehicle.
Were they really trying to get away from me so quickly? A frown takes over my features and I tried hard to hide the hurt expression when Carlisle glanced my way.
I guess I failed because one of his hands left the steering wheel, reached out and grabbed my own, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
I gasped at the feel of his hand in mine. The tingling, the shock and the familiar coldness. I looked over at him, trying to find any indication that he felt it as well but his expression was impassive giving nothing away.
I shrugged it off as my body going into shock from feeling that sensation of the icy cold vampire skin.
"Isabella." He breathed, his voice and honey eyes so full of pain it made my heart ache, for the hole in my chest that was caused by their absence grow bigger.
I thought he was going to continue the conversation from before the phone call, but I was dead wrong.
What came out of his mouth next was bigger and hurt worse than the Cullen's abandonment .
Hurt worse than any heartache I suffered from the break up.
His words made the hole grow and my blood run cold. My whole world went crashing down.
"Alice had a vision, Victoria went back to forks. She went to your house looking for you."
No. No. No. This wasn't happening.
His grip on my hand tightened, anchoring me to reality.
"They're getting there as fast as they can, to try to prevent it but the vision had the same outcome."
My breath got caught in my throat, I found the air to thick as I tried to catch my breath, Carlisle stole another glance at me before trying to pull over.
"No! Keep going!" I nearly shouted in between breaths. He sent a panic glance my way, but otherwise complied. Seeing as there was barely any traffic, he shut off the headlights and picked up speed all the while coaching my breathing and mummering soothing words.
Hot tears streamed down my face, as I clutched his hand in the two of mine to prevent him from pulling away. I don't care if they left me the next day, or I was making a complete fool of myself, his touch was the only thing that brought me comfort at the moment. I relished in it as much as possible.
Suddenly a memory hit me, of being in the meadow. Laurent showed up to kill me for Victoria but the Wolves got him.
Wolves.
Jacob.
Maybe the pack could get there before the Cullens.
"Can I borrow your phone." I whimpered softly.
Carlisle looked at me quizzically, but otherwise handed it over. I gave a soft smile before flipping it open, still holding his hand in mine.
I dialled the number I now knew by heart, praying to every god up there that he had his phone on him and would answer.
It was on the fourth ring when he finally picked up.
"Hello." He asked, his voice husky and deep, full of sleep.
"Jacob" I nearly sobbed.
"Bella?!" His voice was alert now. "Bella where the hell are you? Are you okay? You hurt? If they hurt you I swear to god , treaty be damned -"
"Jake, im fine." I assured cutting off his rant. "Charlie isn't. I don't have time to explain, but a vampire is going after Charlie. I don't know if the Cullen's will make it on time. I.. i cant loose him Jake."
"Shhh bells it's alright. Ill inform Sam. Well do everything we can. Ill contact you soon."
"Thank you."
The line went dead.
I then dialled the house number, hoping I wasn't too late.
"Hello?"
His voice sounded tired, but I was relieved to hear it.
"Dad?" I asked softly, knowing it was him.
"Bella?" He questioned. "Bella where the hell are you? I've been worried sick."
I imagined him sitting on the couch waiting for me to come home so he can reprimand me , despite me being 18.
"Im on my way home. Im sorry for worrying you."
He sighed heavily on the other line. "Just scared me is all,kid."
"I ... I love you, Daddy. Always." I closed my eyes pushing my head back against the headrest, wishing I was just having a nightmare, and not saying goodbye to my father for the last time.
I heard his breath hitch. Charlie hasn't heard me call him "Daddy" since I was five and we weren't exactly big on sentiments or feelings.
"I love you too, baby." I couldn't see it but I knew he was smiling.
Suddenly I heard a loud crash on the other line, my father grunting and a female voice that I distinctly remember. It was sickly sweet.
"Well isn't that sweet." Victoria nearly snarled.
I heard my fathers screams of pain in the background, Carlisle pushed the car to go faster.
"You're next , dear sweet Isabella." She purred into the phone before the line went dead.
Why was this happening to me? Why couldn't she just hunt me down? I pulled my knees up onto the seat, putting my head between my legs.
10 minutes of soothing words, and squeezing Carlisles hand so tight my knuckles were white and nearly shifted in my hand we arrived at my house.
Thank god we didn't have neighbours because the snarling that could be heard could have caused a problem.
Carlisle barely had the car in park, before I threw my door open running inside, with him behind me.
He threw the door open with such force the threshold shook, his eyes darting around quickly before he ran into the kitchen.
There in the destroyed kitchen of my house, Charlie lied on the floor in a heap of twisted limbs at awkward angles. I knew he suffered.
That however wasn't the most disturbing thing. A few feet from his body was a discarded bloody knife, looking down at my feet there was a head.
A head full of dark curls and a moustache.
She beheaded him.
She decapitated my father , so the venom wouldn't save him.
My daddy was dead.
Title song - For the love of a daughter -Demi Lovato
You're hopeless
Oh father, please father
I'd love to leave you alone but I can't let you go
Oh father, please father
So... Review
I couldn't be in here anymore . I ran for the door emptying the contents of my stomach into the grass, barley off the porch.
Carlisles held my hair back, and rubbed my back soothingly while I kneeled on the ground dry heaving.
When I was done and there was nothing left to come up, he pulled me to my feet silently handing me a bottle of water. I gratefully took it , taking a large gulp of the water, swishing it around to clean out the bile taste before spitting it out. I gulped down another mouthful to soothe my raw throat, before capping the bottle and throwing it back on the ground.
Noticing a thick purple smoke coming from the back compelled me to investigate. Once again my hand found Carlisles, entwining our fingers together and pulling him along.
"You don't have to Isabella." He mummers softly.
I shake my head vehemently. "No. I need to know she's dead. I need to confirm it's her and nobody else."
He nods in understanding, and leads me to the backyard.
The Wolves were still in wolf form, soft whimpers escaping their muzzles, but it appeared none were hurt, physically.
I silently did a count of all the Cullen's, once I counted all seven of them and a sigh of relief escaped me.
That meant the purple smoke belonged to Victoria.
The russet coloured wolf pawed towards me, his big head pressed into my stomach, with my free hand I ran it through his fur feeling the soft texture.
He looked up at me with sad brown pleading eyes, trying to convey they did everything they could.
I only nodded, quickly leaning down to press a kiss to his snout as thank you.
I heard a growl and without looking I knew it came from Edward. I would have rolled my eyes if I had the energy.
Jacob turned on his heel and left, I was about to bitch Edward out when he rolled his eyes.
"Relax Bella. He just went to phase."
I only nodded.
Jacob came back a few minutes later with a pair of cut off shorts, he strode up to me in long strides before pulling me into his arms.
We cried together mourning the loss of my father. He rubbed soothing circles into my back as we ruined each other's shirts, the others were silent through the ordeal for which I was grateful.
Occasionally I would feel Carlisle squeezing my hand since I refused to let go of his, letting me know he was here for me.
"Im sorry Bella. We did everything we could." He said pulling away, and wiping his eyes on the back of his hand.
I gave him another nod, not finding myself able to smile. "Thank you." I said loudly to everyone that was present.
That seemed like it gave them the go ahead to approach me, each of the Cullen's and the Wolves after they phased back giving me a hug while whispering their condolences in my ear.
Never once did Carlisles hand leave mine, even when his wife and son glared at the clasped hands, he only tightened his grip.
We were all sitting around in a circle around the smoke, most of the Wolves besides Jacob and Sam phased back , not comfortable in their human form around vampires.
This time I found myself between Carlisles legs leaning back against his chest, his jacket wrapped around me since I refused to go back into that house.
"What are we going to do now?" Sam questioned breaking the silence.
Carlisle sighed. "To prevent an investigation we need to cover up the murder." His grip around my waist tightened as he felt me stiffen.
"How do we do that?" My voice trembled.
"Take whatever you want to keep in the house, and set it alight." Jacob suggested. "It's the best way to cover it up."
I only nodded. "Alright, but I can't go in there."
"Thanks okay, just tell us what you need honey." Esme smiled sympathetically at me despite the fact I was cuddling with her husband.
I nodded giving them instructions on what to get, which mostly included some of my clothes, a few pieces of jewelry and pictures. I also requested a few of Charlie's shirts, and to have his badge put in his car so I can have it for the funeral.
They all nodded, and headed into the house. The Wolves ran off into the forest, Jacob gave me one more hug before following them.
Carlisle ran me back to his house with me cradled in his arms, he silently dropped me off outside the bathroom handing me my toilet bag Alice retrieved from the house and a long sleeve shirt, that after my shower I found it came to my knees,and a pair of plaid pj pants. Lifting the sleeve to my face, I inhaled the scent I knew was Carlisle.
feeling eyes burn into me, I looked up Carlisle was staring at me intently with his smouldering honey eyes that seemed to grow darker the longer our gaze locked.
I was instantly mortified, the blush coating my cheeks as I realized he caught me sniffing his shirt.
Carlisle being the gentleman that he was didn't comment on my slip up, but there was an indulgent amusement dancing in his eyes.
"The others will be back soon. Im assuming you want to sleep with Edward."
Thankfully I was able to hold back a grimace and only shrugged. I doubt Edward would be able to calm the nightmares tonight. I knew I was in for a restless sleep but honestly when was the last time I had a decent one?
Thankfully Carlisle didn't respond he just grabbed my hand and pulled me up the flight of stairs and pushed a door open revealing a queen size bed, which was the only furniture in the room.
"This is Esmes and my room." He shrugged. "We didn't see no need to bring the bed to Alaska, im sure Esme will get around to refurnishing by tomorrow."
"You're staying?" I stared up at him confused before a yawn over took me.
He gives me a smile. "Of course Isabella. "
I wanted to ask more questions but honestly I was dead on my feet. So I simply shrugged and climbed into the bed, with Carlisle tucking me in.
He bent down pressing a kiss to my forehead before moving to leave. I reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Please stay?" I didn't care if I was being inappropriate. Edward and Esme be damned, I needed him tonight.
He gave me a compassionate smile that was some what sad before climbing into the bed beside me. I laid my head on his cool chest while he wrapped his arm around my waist.
"As long as you need me." He vowed. "Ill be here."
Title song - For the love of a daughter -Demi Lovato
You're hopeless
Oh father, please father
I'd love to leave you alone but I can't let you go
Oh father, please father
So... Review?