"I'm not going to Jacksonville, mom. I'm staying in Forks." Bella said, a tone of finality in her voice.

"Bella, you will be better off with me. I know more about pregnancy than you, I can help you along the way. Plus, it's nice and warm in Jacksonville, and we have can build an extra room for the baby." Renee said convincingly.

"Mom, I'm staying put. Dad has been great about all of this, and he's trying. He doesn't know everything about pregnancy, but I have Angela's mom if I ever need immediate help. And I can call you when I need help. I will be more comfortable here. I have friends, and an OBGYN who I trust and who doesn't judge me. I've grown to love Forks." She rebutted Renee's argument, gathering the pile of clothes from where she had dropped them on the floor. Renee helped her pick them up.

"I know I can't make you move, but I wish you would." Renee tried to guilt Bella. She knew her daughter wanted to stay in Forks, but she truly believed she knew best.

"I'm sorry mom, but I'm staying." Bella answered, moving to the checkout with her purchases. This conversation was over.

*

Renee had spent the drive back to Forks trying to convince Bella to move to Jacksonville. So, it was with relief that Bella opened the car door upon arriving home. She could count on Charlie to calm Renee down. Bella said a quick hello to her father, rushing upstairs with her new clothes. Charlie wondered what was wrong, turning to Renee for an explanation.

"Okay, what happened?" He questioned, settling back into his seat at the dining table. Renee joined him, rubbing her temples.

"She won't see sense. I asked her to come to Jacksonville to live with Phil and I, and she point-blank refused." She explained. He recoiled in shock.

"Why didn't you bring this to me before asking Bella? I'm her father, I should be a part of the decision-making, too, Renee." He said bluntly, unimpressed. Renee had made a mess of things. How was it that she could not see - or believe - that her daughter was happy in Forks, and that Charlie was perfectly capable of caring for her?

"C'mon, Charlie. It's the logical answer. I'm her mother. It's only natural that I be there for the pregnancy and help her." Renee argued. Charlie shook his head in disbelief.

"You really don't understand, do you? She's happy here. The more you try to take her away, the more she will come to resent you. She's making her own decisions now. We can be there to guide her, but she can't be told what to do anymore. She's no longer a child." He explained slowly, as if he were speaking to a small child. He did not like to disrespect his ex-wife, but this was beyond the point of ridiculousness. This was the third time since Bella had moved to Forks that Renee had tried to convince her to move back. All she was doing when she tried to lay down the law was distancing herself from Bella.

"I guess you're right...but she's my baby. I can't help but care." Renee answered, wringing her hands in her lap. Charlie nodded solemnly.

"Nobody said you couldn't care. If you stop trying to run her life, you'll get along much better. Stop trying to get her to leave Forks. If she wants to move, she'll say so." Charlie advised, patting Renee on the shoulder. She nodded in response, grasping the hand that was on her shoulder, smoothing her thumb in small circles.

"You're a good father, Charlie."

*

Jasper and Alice had arrived that morning, and spent the better part of the day unpacking and re-arranging the house. Alice wanted to surprise Bella with a nursery at the manor, so she set to work, sketching designs. Bella was going to come over after dinner for a visit. She had spoken on the phone to Alice and Carlisle a few times after they had left, but she still missed everyone immensely. Alice and Jasper weren't the entire Cullen clan, but they were just what Bella needed at the moment.

Alice had moved on to her fourth sketch when the vision came. Bella was at the Thrift way, shopping. Alice's vision became clearer. Mike Newton was there, too. Were they shopping together? No, he was yelling at her. Bella was looking more and more upset and harassed as Mike's face changed from its normal pasty colour to a deep puce. Just as Bella's tears began, Alice's vision ended. Judging from the clarity of the vision, it would be happening within the next hour. Or, Alice surmised, it wouldn't. She set her sketchpad down on the coffee table.

"Jasper." She called at a normal volume; he would hear her anyway.

"Hmm?" Was his response, the muffled sound coming from the second floor. Alice walked to the foot of the stairs, turning her head to look upwards.

"Want to come to the Thrift way with me? Bella's about to be harassed by Mike Newton, and you're more intimidating than me." Alice asked, and Jasper appeared at the top of the stairs. He raced downstairs and was immediately next to Alice.

"Harassed? You mean..?" Jasper trailed off, and Alice immediately shook her head vigorously.

"Oh, god no. Not like that. He's going to verbally abuse her in the middle of the store." Alice answered as they walked out to the car. Jasper looked angry.

"How in the world does Mike think he has the right to do that? This is the last thing that she needs. When we get there, you take care of Bella. Leave Newton to me." He said fiercely. She smiled gently at her husband, happy that Bella had grown on him like she had on the rest of the family. For someone who was originally so opposed to letting Bella into their family, he now wanted to protect her from pain and suffering.

*

They arrived right on time; Mike's face was steadily turning pink from his anger as Bella stood in shock.

"Hey!" Jasper's deep southern voice rang out down the aisle. Mike immediately froze. Jasper walked towards them with long, powerful strides, coming to a stop in front of Bella, shielding her from view. He crossed his arms over his chest, towering over Mike, whose face had completely drained of colour. Obviously intimidated, Mike started stammering nervously, trying to explain how Bella had provoked him.

"Newton, I would be very careful what you say. Leave Bella the hell alone, and keep your mouth shut, or you won't be able to open it for a month." Jasper threatened, his jaw tense with anger. Mike nodded, looking contrite, fearful and embarrassed. Jasper could feel the anxiety rolling off the kid in waves, and he almost felt guilty. Almost. He could also feel Bella's shock, confusion and sadness.

"Good. Now apologise to Bella." Jasper ordered. He could hear Alice comforting Bella behind him, and felt another surge of anger towards Mike.

"S-sorry Bella...I'll just- just go now." Mike scampered off, and Jasper, satisfied that Mike would cause no further problems, turned towards his wife and his new sister.

"Bella, are you okay?" He questioned gently, sending off waves of calmness and happiness, though it was far from what he was feeling at the moment. Bella smiled a watery, weak smile and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She answered, but the quiver in her lip and the waver of her voice said otherwise.