Bella's POV.
Emmett pulled up to the palace. It hasn't changed, not one bit. I saw Jim open the doors for us.
"Lady Bella, it's been far to long." he kissed my hand.
"Not long enough." I whispered.
"Mommy, this is like Cinderella." Claire clapped excitedly.
"Well baby, why don't we go inside." She giggled. Jim opened the front doors for us and let us in.
"Your mother is in her room. Should I get her for you." I sighed and nodded. Emmett and I walked into the family room and observe everything. There was a big difference now. Instead of the room being centered on Rene, it was centered on Emmett and I.
"Isabella." I heard a sad voice. I turned to see Rene. She looked so pale, skinny, and fragile.
"Hey mom." I gave her the most genuine smile I could put up.
"Oh my little girl. You're here, your actually here." She hugged me tight, squeezing both Claire and I.
"Yeah, well you don't look very good." I told her when she pulled away.
"I don't care, I'm just so glad your actually here." that wasn't like Rene, she always cared how she looked. I mean she was Rene.
"Mom, how do you not care. You always care."
"Not anymore Bella. What I did was unforgivable. I understand that. It was sleazy and I regret everything about it. I understand very well why you will never forgive me. But every day I spend my life regretting the day I ruined yours.""Mom, what you did was unforgivable…but it had it's upside…Claire." that's when Rene actually took a look at Claire.
"Oh my. You have a daughter." She said looking at Claire.
"Yeah mom. I've had her for 4 years." I said in a duh voice.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. It's just that, well I shut myself out the world." I sighed.
"And who does the ruling?"
"Phil." I nodded.
"Mommy, who is she?" Claire whispered in my ear, she was hiding from Rene.
"Well Claire Bear. This is the Queen of France, she's my mom and your Uncle Emmy's, she's also your grandma." I could see very well that Claire was shocked she had some one else besides Sue."So. Mommy's a princess?" She asked.
"I was a princess baby. Not anymore." I told her.
"That's not true Bella. Your title was never taken away. You might have left, but you can't stop being the princess of France. And that also makes Claire the new princess." Rene said with joy. I sighed and looked around me; Emmett, Rose, Alice, and Japer weren't here anymore.
"Mom, can I go to the music room. I'm sure you want to talk to Emmett too. I mean Claire isn't your only grandchild." she immediately took a run for the stairs.
"What's the music room?" Claire asked.
"When I was young Claire, my mom set up a music room. Emmett played the guitar, but it wasn't his passion. I on the other hand, loved to play the piano."
"Mommy, daddy said you can teach me. Can you?" she asked.
"Yes Clair bear, but you need to have patients and wait until your a bit older. but you can't quit."
"No, I won't quit." I smiled and took her down to my old music room. Right there, my black beautiful piano was standing. It was as lovely as ever. Just like the one I have at home. I sat her on top of the piano before sitting down and admiring it. I began to play and went along with the music. From the very beginning I could feel this song was about Jake's death, tragic and horrible. I let the tears fall, remembering Jake always holding me when I fell apart, or how happy we both were when we found out I was pregnant, and the time we got mad at each other because he wanted to name out daughter Jessica and I wouldn't because it would always remind me of Jessica the school slut. Jake was my best friend, and a good husband. I just don't understand how that wasn't enough to forget Edward. I stopped playing, afraid I would ruin this beautiful sad song with an angry one. I guess after all this years, the right thing to do is to let it go, but I'm alone now, the only person I have to fight for is Claire, and I still want to break down.
"That was beautiful". I snapped my head up to meet a beautiful pair of green eyes. Edward.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. It wasn't full of anger how I though it would be, just curiosity.
"Well, Rene didn't know you were coming. Mom and dad wanted to come over and see how's she's doing. They dragged me along. What are you doing here?" "She is my mother after all." I told him.
"I know, but from the last time we saw each other you didn't look very close to ever forgiving your mom or I."
"I haven't, but that doesn't mean I can't come and check on her. Maybe it is time to let things go. If it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be." I said with a shrug.
"Isabella, why does that song sound so depressing?" I sighed and shrugged again. Claire was just looking at us, interested in our conversation.
"Bella where's Jake?" he sounded concern now. I looked at Claire and she began to cry silent tears. I picked her up and pulled her tight to my body. She sobbed on my chest.
"He died." was my only response. Claire cried even harder at my words.
"Mommy. I miss daddy." she whispered to me.
"I know Claire, I know you do." I whispered back.
"I'm sorry Bella. I just didn't know." Edward said behind me. I felt his hands on my back trying to relax me, and strangely they did.
"Edward, I think you should leave the room." I told him. He moved to look me in the eye.
"Is that really what you want?" he asked.
"Edward" I heard an annoying shrike coming from up the stairs.
"Yes." and he sighed, leaving me alone.
"Mommy, who was that?"
"No one Claire bear, just an old friend." I lied.
"His cute." I laughed.
"Yes baby, he is." she giggled and wiped away my tears.
"Can we go see grandma." I raised an eyebrow and nodded. She walked to my side and skipped holding my hand. I saw Rene in the family room sitting with all her guest. She looked at Claire and then at me, and she smiled, I real smile of joy. Claire ran over to her side and kissed her cheek. I laughed at Rene's touched expression, she looked like her face would break from the smile. I was about to sit down when I saw Esme and Carlisle.
"Bella, dear. So good to see you." Esme said giving me a warm and loving hug.
"Esme, I've missed you. What's it been 4 years?""Yes it has." I kissed Carlisle's cheek.
"How have you been Bella?" he asked. I was sure no one really knew what happened to Jake.
"I've been fine." Esme looked at me and shook her head.
"Your lying my dear. I can see sadness in your eyes, I can also see you've been crying, just like I can see your daughter has been crying." She looked at Claire. I just shrug and sat between Emmett and Rene. Claire climbed up to my lap and hid her face in my hair.
"Bella?" Rene asked.
"Well, it's not like expect you guys to know what just happened." I told them. Emmett put his arm around me, letting me know it was best if he said it, knowing how hard it was for me. I leaned on his shoulder and tried my best not to cry.
"Esme, Carlisle's, Mom, Phil. We sort of just had a terrible accident. Jacob died." I heard a gasp from Esme.
"Oh my. How?" Rene asked.
"Well, he was kind of out. At a jewelry store, buying Bella something for there 3rd year anniversary. He got shot because he wouldn't give his car and money to some robber." I felt Rene's hand on mine, trying to assure me everything would be fine. I took a deep breath and looked at everyone, they all looked sad, but there was no pity, something I saw at the funeral, something I can't stand.
"How are you holding up?" Esme asked.
"I'm doing okay. It's Claire I get worried for at times. One minute she's all giddy and happy, the next she's crying."
"I think Claire will do fine." Rose said to me.
"So Bella when did you get married?" I heard that annoying voice again. I looked from where the sound came and saw none other then Tanya Denali. I wanted to laugh, but I knew that was disrespectful.
"2 years after living in New York."
"Right, after your first marriage." I felt myself wince at the low blow from the inside, but I didn't let it show at the outside.
"Tanya!" Esme yelled.
"No Esme it's fine. Yeah after my first marriage. So how are you Tanya, your boobs look as fake as your nose, did you get them fixed for what the third time." Everyone burst out laughing, I even saw Edward crack a smile.
"Mommy, why are her boobs fake?" Claire asked making Emmett laugh even more again.
"Because Claire bear, people like Tanya always try to look good. She wasn't happy being flat chest so she got a boob job. Didn't help much did it." I asked before picking up Claire and walking out the room. But I was stopped by her words.
"At least I don't have that pregnancy fat you do." I laughed.
"Sorry Tanya, wrong. I don't have it either." I lifter my shirt and showed my perfect flat tummy.
"It's called naturally working out. Something I'm sure you haven't heard of. I'm sure you have heard of lipo though" Again there was another roar of laughter and I left.
"Where are we going?" Claire asked.
"Well baby, where do you want to go?"
"Somewhere a princess would go." She clapped. I laughed and walked her towards the barn at the back.
"This is where your grandma would teach me and Emmett how to ride a horse." I told her petting Penny.
"She's pretty. Can I ride her." she asked. Julian the butler come over to help me.
"Sure baby. Julian can you hold her for a minute." I asked him. He smiled at me and grabbed Claire. I jumped on the horse's back, knowing very well this isn't how princesses ride horses, but right now I didn't care. Julian placed Claire in front of me.
"Okay Claire, I want you to be very careful and don't let go of the straddle." She nodded.
After ridding Penny for a while, I finally got off to feed Claire. She was already exhausted and I knew she would fall asleep after dinner.
"Baby, what do you want to eat?" I asked her. Her head was laying on my neck and she was already falling asleep.
"What do princesses eat?" she asked. I giggled.
"What ever there cook makes for them." I kissed her forehead.
"Then I'll eat anything your cook makes." I laughed and walked towards the dinning room. Everyone was waiting for us.
"Sorry, Claire was having fun with Penny." I took a seat next to Rene and Emmett sitting Claire on my lap. Mayra brought out the food and served everyone, I told her I would feed Claire from my own plate. We were having soup and chicken. After dinner, everyone wanted to sit down and talk.
"Mommy, I want to sleep." Claire tugged on my hair and whispered in my ear.
"Mom, I'll see you later. Claire's tired, it's been a long day for her. I'm going to clean her up and put her to bed." She smiled lovingly at the both of us and kissed our cheeks.
"I'll see you tomorrow Bella." I nodded and looked at Alice.
"Where's her clothes Ali?"
"Oh it's the pink suite case in your room, the purple ones are yours." I rolled my eyes and left to my room. But I could still hear the conversation on my way up.
"Emmett will Bella be okay?" I heard Esme ask.
"I don't know Esme, Jake was her life line. She depended on him. With out him she would break down. Now Claire's the only thing keeping her here." I sighed. It was true, but it pained me that my brother has to go through all this pain because of me.
"Mommy, everything will be okay." Claire assured me. I looked at my four year old and knew she was right. Jake or no Jake, I would fight for her.
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"What about this one." I heard Alice say. This morning Alice decided it would be fun to wake both of us up and take us shopping. She's been trying to dress Claire for an hour already, and Claire doesn't decided on anything. I didn't pressure her, mostly because Jake was the one who always told her she looked pretty in this, making her chose that.
"No Alice, I don't like it." Claire stomped her foot. she was close to tears from not having a mans opinion.
"Claire bear. What would you like to wear?" I asked her. She smiled at me and kissed my cheek.
"I want to dress pretty like mommy." I was wearing black jeans with a yellow top and a deep v, with yellow heals. I laughed.
"But Claire, your to small for heels. Come on, I'll help you pick." she sighed and nodded. She wasn't that difficult with me, she ended up in a pretty yellow dress and black flats, something like mommy.
"Why did you let Bella pick and not me." Alice pouted. I shook my head telling her not too but it was too late. Claire had her sad face on and tears were threatening to spill. I picked her up and tried to sooth her. Alice looked confused. I only mouthed 'Jake' and she felt bad.
"Come on Claire. Let's go. Auntie Alice will buy you a new teddy bear." I told her and she stopped crying.
"A pretty brown one?" she asked Alice.
"Sweetheart I'll buy you a brown one, a purple, green, blue, I'll buy you the whole mall if you want." Knowing Alice she would.
"Okay Auntie Ali, let's go." Claire clapped.
"Bella I forgot to tell you. I have bad news." Alice looked scared for her life.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well mom's making me take Tanya." I groaned but didn't cuss at her, knowing she though I would.
"Well I guess I'll just have to try and endure it." I knew Rose was coming, and Rose wasn't much of letting people run there mouth.
"Mommy, the girl with the fake boobs is going?" Claire asked. Alice and I burst out laughing.
"Yes Claire bear, the girl with fake boobs is going." Alice said. We left my room laughing and Claire smiling like she just won a million dollars. Rose and Tanya were already downstairs waiting for us.
"Ready to go?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, we had a set back with Claire." Alice said.
"Auntie Rosie. Do I look pretty like mommy." Claire asked.
"Since when was Bella pretty?" Tanya snorted. I saw Claire glare at Tanya. She walked up to her and put her hands on her hips.
"I don't like you. Your mean." Claire said.
"Well kid, I'm not to found of you either." I could feel my temper getting out of control.
"Alice, or you shut her up or I will." but Rose decided to change the subject.
"Claire bear, you look beautiful. Just like mommy. Now let's go before Emmett and Junior decided it's time for me to take care of them." I laughed and grabbed Claire heading for the door. Rose has two kids to take care of now, no matter how old Emmett is. We drove to the mall talking about what to buy, Tanya was being a spoiled brat, but we mostly ignored her. Claire was like Alice, they both loved shopping. Claire would pick something up and Alice would buy it. They were un stoppable….
"Jerry, Julian can you take this bags to my room. I'll sort them out later." Alice said. They both nodded and picked up all the bags.
"Mommy, can I hear you play?" Claire asked.
"Sure baby. Let's go." we walked towards the stairs and again I sat her on the piano while I played. This one, revolved around Claire, like pretty much everything else. I could see Claire happy with the song and began to fall asleep. She laid on the piano and let her eyes closed. I heard someone at the door, and saw Edward. He was standing there smiling, but I didn't stop to talk. I looked back at Claire and finished the song. I leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"How does it feel to be a parent?" Edward asked. I looked at him and he was sitting on the couch. I picked Claire up and sat next to him.
"It's the best feeling in the world. Your life changes, and everything revolves on your son or daughter. Nothings the same with out them."
"She's beautiful." Edward said. "She has your beautiful brown eyes." he reached over and removed the hair out of her face. I didn't say anything for a while.
"Why are you here?" I finally remembered what I wanted to ask.
"I don't know. I guess I just love to listen to you play. It's mesmerizing." I sighed. He was so close, and I felt comfortable with it. I knew it was bad, he was a married man, I was just getting over the fact that my husband died. But the closeness was so tempting, I wanted to reach over and kiss him. Claire stirred waking me up from what would be the biggest mistake of my life. I looked down at Claire and stood up.
"I think I should go and put her to bed." I told him and headed for the door.
"Bella, is it ever hard to take care of her?" He looked at Claire.
"Yes, but that never makes me love her less. No matter what she breaks or what tantrum she throws because I won't give her candy before diner, you don't ever stop loving them. No matter what. She's my reason to live, she's the reason why I don't break down. Each day I fight to be strong for her, and when I see the smallest smile or a giggle, it makes my life so much better. You get this joy just by seeing them happy."
"Did you and Jacob plan on having her?" I looked at him and he was honestly curious.
"Um, no. We didn't plan it, we never even talked about having kids, we sort of just went with it. When I found out I was 2 months late, I freaked out. Rose went with me to the doctors to get checked. When they confirmed that I was pregnant, well everything changed. I couldn't see life with out this baby. When I told Jake, he was more then happy, to say he even shed tears. When we actually had her in our arms, that was the most magical moment." I looked at him and he looked sad, he looked pained, and he also looked jealous.
"Edward, why are you asking me all of this?" he looked at me and I could see all his emotions in his eyes.
"Because Bella. I'm jealous, you and Jake have something as precious as Claire and I don't." I reached over and creased his cheek, I didn't know what I was doing until it was to late.
"I want a baby Bella. I want to have a family, to see my daughter or son running around chasing after the dog. I want to be able to read bed time stories. I want to do what you do for Claire." I felt bad for him. He wanted all of this, he wanted what I had, yet he doesn't.
"So why not have it?" I asked.
"She doesn't want to. She says she's to young to have kids, and she doesn't want to get fat. She says there a handful and she doesn't want to deal with there cry's." I sighed.
"So make her understand." I told him.
"she won't listen, each time I bring it up she only finds a way to leave or change the subject. I'm getting tired of her, I don't even love her."
"So why did you marry her." I asked no meeting his eyes.
"Do you really have to ask." I was about to speak when Claire stirred and opened her eyes.
"Mommy, can I have PB&J?" I laughed. She usually woke up after a nap craving for PB&J, something she got from me.
"Of course Claire bear." she looked next to me and saw Edward.
"Hi." she smiled and sat up right on my lap.
"Hello Claire."
"Did you listen to mommy play too?" she asked.
"Yes I did. And she plays very beautifully."
"Mommy's the best piano person." I laughed.
"Okay Claire. Let's get you your PB&J." I stood up and walked towards the door.
"Bella, can I hold her?" Edward asked.
"Claire bear?" I asked her. I saw her blush but she nodded and went to Edward.
We both headed up the stairs and into the kitchen. I began to make her a PB&J sandwich when Tanya came in.
"Edward. There you are. What are you doing?" She asked looking at Claire with hate.
"Nothing. Just playing with Claire." he said.
"Why?" she asked a bit confused.
"Because I want too." Edward said to her.
"Well can you stop playing with her and can we go out. I'm bored." she huffed. I sighed and went to pick Claire up into my arms.
"Go. She needs you." I told him. I could see the pain expression in his eyes but he left.
"Mommy. Where's uncles Emmy?" Claire asked, taking a bite from her sandwich.
"I don't know baby, you want to go look for him?" she nodded her head. I sighed and picked her up. We looked for Emmett and found him outside with Rose. I laughed when I saw him on the horse. He looked so heavy, poor horse. He got off and started walking towards us.
"Hey Claire, hey sis." he kissed both our cheeks.
"Claire wanted to come and look for you. Do you mind taking care of her for a while?"
"No, it's fine." I nodded and left back to my room to grab something. When I found what I wanted I left back down to the music room. I put the picture frame in front of the piano and took out the music sheets. The picture was me holding Claire in my arms while I sat on Jake's lap on her birthday party…. I had this song in mind, it was sad, about Jake, but I wanted to write it down. I let the music feel the air, my tears slipped, I would constantly stop and right down the notes. I missed him, my best friend.
Flash back.
"Come on Bella. Don't be such a wus. Just make the jump." Jake encouraged me to jump off a cliff into the water. We weren't that high up, but it still made me a bit scared.
"Go with me?" I asked holding my hand out for him. He smiled and kissed my lightly before taking my hand.
"On three. One…Two…Three." we ran off the cliff. I felt the air beneath me and then the water. It was cold, of course, but the adrenalin of jumping was amazing. I swam back up and laughed. I wanted to do it again. Jake swam over me and kissed me more passionately this time.
"See I told you, you could do it." he said.
"Thanks Jake. You're the best."
"What can I say I'm good."
End of Flash back.
I was sobbing now and I couldn't stop. But I kept playing.
Flash back.
"Oh god, oh god. Rose, what if his mad." I kept tapping my foot on the floor nervously. I was waiting for the results from the doctor. Rose came with me to make sure I was okay.
"He won't Bella. He loves you."
"Isabella Black." I stood up when I saw the nurse had a paper in hand.
"Congratulations your 3 months along." my breath caught in my throat and she handed me the paper before she left.
"Bella breath. Everything will be okay." Rose said. I nodded and took a deep breath and looked at the paper. When I saw it confirm my pregnancy, I felt scared, shocked, and…happy.
End of Flashback.
I remember when I actually told him. He came from work early and I was just done finishing Dinner…
Flashback.
"Hey Babe, how was your day?" Jake kissed me and took a seat in front of me.
"Fine." I said poking my food.
"Bella? What's wrong?" Jake asked.
"Jacob. We need to talk." he froze.
"You never call me Jacob. Bella? What I do. I promise I told Emmett not to do it. But he wouldn't listen. Please don't be mad at me." he begged.
"Jake I have no idea what your talking about. That's not what I want to talk about." he took a deep breath.
"oh okay then. What do you want to talk about?" he asked standing up and kneeling in front of me. I didn't say anything, I slipped the paper out of my back pocket and handed it to him. He read it and I saw him go from frozen, shocked, to ecstatic.
"Were going to have a baby?" he asked.
"Yeah apparently." the next thing I know, he picked me up and swung me around telling me how much he loved me.
End of Flashback.
I wasn't playing anymore, I was on someone's lap crying. I didn't bother to look and see who it was. I just let myself sob, and I let the memorize come back.
Flashback.
"Emmett, there's something I want to ask you before I ask your sister?" I heard Jake say. I was going to my brothers room to see if he wanted to play guitar hero when I heard Jake's voice and stopped. I knew it was bad to listen in on their conversation but I was intrigued.
"What is it man?"
"I want your permission and blessing to ask Bella to marry me." I froze.
"Well..um…shouldn't you ask Charlie?" Emmett struggled to say.
"I already did. He agreed. But you're her brother and I can't just ask her with out your permission."
"I know how much you love her, and for that, you have me permission and blessing. Make her happy man. She deserves it."
End of Flashback.
I could feel someone's hand rubbing circles on my back trying to get me to stop crying.
"Why did he leave." I whispered.
"It's what destiny wanted." Emmett said.
"But he left me alone with our daughter. Emmett we were suppose to try again. He wanted to have another baby. And so did I. my dream shattered Emmett, I can never have a baby again." I cried harder.
"That's not true Isabella. You'll find someone, someone like Jake, who can love you and give you what you want."
"No I won't. He was my best friend Emmett. He was the glue when Edward broke me. Did I tell you what his last words were Emmett." I asked him.
"No." he whispered.
"I love you Bella, Never forget that. Emmett Jake had to start all over because of those words. He fought for me and fixed me again. I miss him Emmett. I miss him so much."
"Shush Bella. Just close you eyes and sleep. Everything will be better tomorrow. Jake's in a better place. You have a daughter to fight for." I sobbed and cried until I finally fell asleep.
