Warning: There will be character death in this chapter as well. I'm sorry. Have your tissues ready.
Chapter 6: The Worst Things to Happen
BPOV
I could hear several voices, but I couldn't understand what any of them were saying. I slowly opened my eyes and realized that I was still cradled in Carlisle's arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and apologized over and over. Esme was dead and it was my fault.
"I'm so sorry Carlisle. This is my fault. I'm so sorry," I cried.
"Bella," Carlisle cupped my cheek in his hand, forcing me to look at him. "This is not your fault. Esme died protecting you. Edward did this, not you. You have nothing to apologize for. Please don't blame yourself. I will help you heal and I will need you to help me too," Carlisle said, sincerely.
"I will be here for you and the rest of the family," I told him honestly, hugging him tightly.
"NO!" Alice screamed causing me to yelp and jump.
"Alice, what did you see?" Jasper was asking her while I tried to lower my heart rate.
"Oh god. Oh god. What has he done? How could he do that? I didn't see until it was too late. I'm so sorry." Alice was sobbing in Jasper's arms.
"Alice darlin', what did you see?" Jasper asked again.
Before she could answer, Carlisle's phone started ringing. He stood up, holding me with one arm and walked to his desk and sat in his chair with me cradled in his lap, picking up his phone. I hadn't realized we were back in his study.
Carlisle flipped his phone open, "What is it Sam? Did you find him?" He asked.
Carlisle waited for Sam's reply and I could see by the look on his face that the news was bad. I wondered what Alice had seen though.
"What? No! I'm so sorry for your loss Sam," he paused. "Yes, we'll be there tonight in the clearing at 7." Carlisle looked down at me as he flipped his phone shut. I knew without him even saying anything. My father was dead. I could feel the room spinning and I had to jump up and run to the bathroom.
I threw up the contents in my stomach and continued dry heaving when there was nothing left. I felt cold arms lift me up and when I opened my eyes we were in the kitchen. Carlisle grabbed me a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
He handed me the bottle and I drank nearly half the bottle before we made it to the couch. Carlisle sat down, keeping me cradled in his arms. He tucked my head under his chin and rubbed soothing circles on my back.
"Edward killed my dad?" I asked even though I knew the answer.
"Yes Bella. I'm so sorry. Leah and Seth followed Charlie home from the station and stayed in the woods behind the house to watch over him. Sam said that Leah told Seth to run when she saw Edward coming towards them. Seth didn't make it far before Edward was able to overpower Leah. Sam and Jacob were phased and running towards your house when they saw it happen through Leah's mind. Seth had already turned around to help Leah, but it was too late. Sam ordered Seth to wait for them before he could approach Edward. When the three of them made it back to Charlie, he was already dead and Edward was long gone," Carlisle said in between his own sobs.
I clung to Carlisle as I cried over the death of my father. I didn't realize we were alone until the front door opened and the rest of the family came in the living room. I looked up to see everyone was mourning just as much as Carlisle and I were.
Rose walked forward and reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Bella, I'm sorry about Charlie. His neck was broken. I know this is a bad time to ask, but do you want us to make it look like he fell down the stairs or a different type of accident?"
"I don't know. You decide. I can't deal with that right now. I need to call Renee," I mumbled.
"I'll call her once we set up the accident," Alice said.
I nodded and looked down at my hand still in between Rose's hands, trying to seek some kind of comfort.
"Alice, make it look like a car accident. We don't need to put Bella in the position of having to walk in to find her father on the floor. You and Rose will be with Bella at home when the news comes that Charlie was in an accident," Carlisle said then turned to me.
"Bella, I will be in the kitchen at your house with you. Jasper and Emmet can handle the accident. We'll need to discuss what you want to do before Renee comes. You are more than welcome to move in here and stay with us. Please consider staying with us. We've all lost so much already and I don't think any of us could bear it to lose you too," Carlisle whispered.
"I want to move in here. There's no way I can stay in my dad's house and I can't go to Florida with Renee. I don't want to put her in danger and I don't want to leave any of you," I told Carlisle.
"Thank you. We will keep you safe," Carlisle murmured and hugged me close.
I stood up and grabbed Carlisle's hand. The two of us walked out with Alice and Rose following behind us to Carlisle's car while Emmett and Jasper took off running towards my house. By the time we got there, my dad's cruiser was gone and I felt like a hold had been punched in my chest as we walked into my empty house. I looked around and started crying. Carlisle held me while I cried; I couldn't get the image of Edward killing my dad out of my head. Carlisle finally released me and went to the kitchen. He came back with a cold washcloth and wiped my cheeks.
"The deputy is coming. I need you to hold it together until he gives you the news. Can you do that for me?" He asked me.
I nodded and Rose pulled me to the living room where Alice was waiting for us with the TV. on. The three of us sat on the couch and waited.
"I'll call Renee after the deputy leaves," Alice told me. I gave her a small smile to show her my appreciation. There was no way I could make the call myself. I was barely holding it together. When the deputy knocked on the door my heart started pounding in my chest. Rose squeezed my hand and I slowly made my way to the door.
When I pulled it open, I immediately recognized Deputy Marks. His eyes were rimmed red and I knew he had been crying.
"Bella, would you mind if I come in for a minute?" He asked me.
"Um, sure. Is everything okay?" I directed him to the living room and nearly broke down when he sat in my dad's recliner. I introduced him to Alice and Rose and then sat in between them; waiting for the blow that I knew was coming.
Deputy Marks leaned forward and reached for one of hands, clutching it tightly. "Bella, I'm sorry to have to tell you this. There was an accident and the Chief, he didn't make it," he choked out.
A strangled sob ripped through my throat as Alice and Rose hugged me. I don't know how I will ever get over this. I never heard Deputy Marks leave or Carlisle come into the living room. I don't even remember him lifting me up and sitting me in his lap, but I heard him whispering comforting words in my ear.
Jasper's Darlin' Kathy original A/N: I'm sorry I let Edward kill three characters, but I promise you he will receive his punishment. Bear with me please. There will be justice. The next chapter will be the meeting with the pack.
