DC: I don't own it
Thank you to those that reviewed! This is an Edward/Bella fic for those who asked. Things are going to happen along the way but I won't say what. The next couple chapters will come quicker because I had a day without internet so I couldn't do anything I was supposed to...so I spent my day writing and playing Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney...which leads to random outbursts of OBJECTION!
Chapter 10,
When Bella returned home she felt better than she thought she would. Esme gushed over her the moment she returned and checked her from head to toe to make sure she was okay.
"Oh, Bella, we were so worried about you! Alice couldn't see your future and we thought something bad had happened!"
"I went to La Push. I ran into Jacob."
"Oh, well that's fine then. Could you do me a favor though?"
"Yeah," Bella said hesitantly, wondering if Esme was going to forbid it.
"Could you let me know before you go next time? Or Alice? She gets really scared when she can't see your future and it makes me worry."
"Sure, no problem," Bella agreed. It was harmless enough and Esme's sweet face softened with relief when she promised. Esme hugged her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Is that a smile I see?"
Bella nodded and smiled again. "Jacob talked me down."
"Really? I hope he behaved himself."
"He was a gentleman," Bella told her, "well except for pushing me into the ocean."
Esme laughed and ruffled her hair. "You smell like salt and werewolf."
"I should probably shower," Bella said with a laugh, smelling the salt. The werewolf she didn't mind.
"But he did behave right? I mean the last thing you need is a man taking advantage of your vulnerability."
"He promised that he'll behave until the moment I've gotten over Edward and then he'll make his move," Bella said with a laugh. "He recognizes that right now if he were to kiss me he would have a broken jaw. He actually kept trying to convince me to keep my faith in Edward."
Bella said the last part quietly and uneasily. She rubbed her arm slightly like she usually did when she was uncomfortable.
"It is important to keep faith," Esme agreed. "Once you lose faith you don't have anything left."
"I'm going to go take a shower," Bella said, breaking the uneasy air that had settled in the room. She walked upstairs to her room. She peeled her clothes off and tossed them into the hamper. She went into the large bathroom and sighed. She turned on the hot water and pulled the glass door closed. She used the shower this time, but it was no secret that she and Edward really enjoyed the whirlpool bath.
There was a small shelf on the wall in between the bath and the shower that held various shampoos and body washes. Bella reached for her strawberry shampoo and body wash. She grabbed a loofah off of one of the small hooks and tossed it into the shower. She looked at the almost empty shelf. Edward had taken his body wash because it was almost new, but left the shampoo that had a little left in the bottom of the bottle. He had also left his cologne and after shave by the sink. Bella had wondered, when she first saw the electric razor he had gotten from her as a christmas present, if he planned on returning with a bronze beard.
Shaking her head, Bella stepped into the hot water and wet her hair. She squeezed some red scented gel into her palm and worked it into her hair.
You missed a spot.
Well will you be a gentleman and get it for me?
I'll get it for you, but it's hardly being a gentleman.
Bella squeezed her eyes closed and hugged her arms. She bit her lip and promised her self not to cry. She had wasted too many tears on him. That's what she kept telling herself anyway. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to keep it together, to go one day without crying.
"Bells! We're going hunting! Wanna come?" Emmett asked through the door.
"Yeah, give me a minute."
She felt calmer than usual. She smiled and shook her head.
"Thanks, Jasper!"
"No problem!"
She washed the soap from her hair and ran some conditioner through it. She washed up and turned the water off. She dried off and dressed quickly in sweats and a t-shirt. She put on tennis shoes and went down to meet the boys.
--
Edward was leaning against the snow with a bloodless bear near him.
"You know it's a shame the Polar Bears are going extinct," his hunting partner said with a sigh. "They're so delicious."
"Then why do you still hunt them?" He asked mildly.
"Well, they're a once in a while hunt. And besides, how often do I get to see you anymore? What has it been, a year? I missed you Edward."
"I missed you too, Tanya."
The strawberry blonde smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "So what brings you up here?"
"I dunno," Edward sighed, "I was just driving and this is where I ended up."
"Well, we're all glad to see you again. How is your family?"
"They're fine," Edward said, "they probably want to skin me alive but they're fine."
"Even Carlisle? Man you must have really messed up."
"I left Bella, my fiance" Edward told her. "I was a real jerk about it too."
"Well it could have been worse," Tanya said with a shrug, "you could have left her at the alter or something."
"...something like that," Edward mumbled. "OW!" He was sent flying as Tanya's fist collided with his face.
"Edward you jerk! I hope you apologized and offered her a lifetime of servitude! That's one of the unforgivable sins!"
"Thank you, Tanya, I didn't feel bad enough," Edward grumbled, sitting up and rubbing his cheek. They stood up and started walking towards home.
"So why did you do it?" Tanya asked. "Did she piss you off?"
"No, never."
Edward launched into a brief recall of his father and the months he had suffered and how it left him wondering who he was.
"Well I hope you find yourself, and soon, otherwise you'll be living the life of a bachelor."
"You think so?"
"Oh come on, Edward, this girl probably thinks that you don't love her," Tanya moaned, "for a genius you sure are thick! I mean if I was the one left at the alter I'd kill you myself after crying my eyes out for months. Consider yourself lucky if she even wants to see you after you get back let alone love you."
"Do you think she'll move on?" Edward asked.
"Probably, with time. So are you going to go back home?"
"Not yet," Edward said quietly, "I still haven't found what I need."
"What you need, Edward, is to get laid. Badly. That's your problem right there! You're so sexually repressed!"
"How did this get to be about my sex life? I'll have you know that for a few weeks before leaving I had a very very good sex life with Bella."
"A few weeks? Good lord Edward! Roger and I have been rockin the box spring for about a year now. And when I say rockin, I mean rockin."
"You remind me of Alice, you know that right?"
"God I miss her," Tanya sighed, "we got along so well."
"This is just the kind of stuff she'd tell me. I still don't want to know."
"So she told you about the time she and Jasper made steamy love in the snow?"
"Eew! No! No! No! No! Ack my ears! She's my sister!"
"Not biologically my friend, and it's perfectly natural for a married couple to bow chika wow wow from time to time. Geez it's a blessing Carlisle and Esme managed to master how to be so silent or you'd be completely traumatized."
"Why do I keep talking with you?" Edward moaned.
"Because deep down Edward you love to hear the disgusting details that make you see your relatives in a different light. Just be glad I didn't tell you about Emmett and Roselie with the whips and chains."
"I'M LEAVING!"
Laughing, Tanya ran after him and they ended up racing back to the village.
--
Carlisle ran down the halls of the hospital to the O.R. The resident on call jogged beside him, panting details of the accident.
"It's Chief Swan," the resident told him. "Car accident. Would you like me to contact Bella?"
"No," Carlisle said firmly, "no need to worry her until necessary."
He stuck his hands under the icy jet of water and washed for a few minutes. He turned and a nurse pulled rubber gloves over his damp hands and another pulled a long green coat over the front of his scrubs. One of the nurses put a hair cap on his head and he put on a mask.
"Report," he said firmly, walking into the room where Charlie Swan laid on the table.
"Blood loss and unstable breathing. His heart beat is strong. Vitals look stable but not up to where we'd like them."
"Alright," Carlisle said, looking Charlie up and down. He took a deep breath and he could smell the blood. It smelled clean, just a hint of alcohol, but not nearly enough to impair his driving. Their big concern was the large gash on his forehead and the bullet wound in his stomach. "What is this from?" Carlisle asked.
"Pursuit. We've got the other guy in the next room."
"I'll check on him in a moment," Carlisle said. "He'll need stitches here, make sure the wound is clean. While you work on that, nurse, I'll work on the bullet wound."
"Yes, doctor."
It took Carlisle only a few moments to take the bullet out and calm the bleeding. Charlie was stitched up and on his way to recovery within no time. Carlisle told the nurse he would be in to check up before stripping the gloves and coat to put on another set for the next patient.
--
"Bella, it's Carlisle. Where are you?"
"I'm in La Push with Jacob," Bella answered, "I told Esme and Alice," she added quickly.
"No, it's not that." Carlisle rubbed the bridge of his nose. Even though Charlie was going to be fine, telling his daughter, who had a tendency to overreact was something he didn't want to do. "Listen, Bella, your father was in a car accident and was brought in."
"WHAT!"
He heard Jacob in the background asking what was wrong and Bella told him.
"We're on our way," Bella said. "Is he okay?"
"He's in recovery right now. Just a head wound, a broken arm and a minor wound in the stomach. The other guy is worse."
"I'll be there soon,"
"Alright."
They said their goodbyes and hung up. Carlisle left his office and went into the large room full of beds. Charlie was resting in one and the criminal in the one next to him with his hand cuffed to the bed.
Carlisle watched with mild amusement as Bella skidded into the room. "Did you run all the way from La Push?"
"Yeah," Bella mumbled. She looked at Charlie, who was still asleep. She sat in one of the plastic chairs by his side and waited for him to wake up.
"Is he going to be okay?" Jacob asked. Carlisle nodded.
"I'm pretty sure he'll make a full recovery,"
"Where am I?" Charlie mumbled as he woke up.
"Welcome back, Mr. Swan," Carlisle said with a smile. "You were in a car accident and shot."
"Shot?!" Bella cried.
"What is she doing here?" Charlie asked weakly.
"I called Bella after you got out of surgery and she came right over."
"Jacob?"
"Hey Charlie, glad you're awake."
"Dad, are you okay?" Bella asked.
"I'm fine," Charlie mumbled, glaring at the sleeping criminal.
Carlisle chuckled and told him that he would be released in a few days when he was sure that everything was healing properly.
--
"I don't need any help!" Charlie grumbled as Bella walked him into the house. "I'm fine!"
"Dad, you have a broken arm, a stomach wound and a head wound. You could barely take care of yourself when you were perfectly fine."
"Have some faith in me alright," Charlie growled.
"Let's not start down that road," Bella snapped, "now stop being so stubborn."
She sat him down in the kitchen and went to make some dinner. She was pleased to find that he did actually have food in the cabinets. She put a pot of water on the stove and took out a box of macaroni. After turning on the heat she sat down across from him.
"You're still mad at me aren't you?" Bella asked.
"Yes," Charlie grumbled. "Bella I can't stand watching you make mistakes."
"Edward..." Bella trailed off. "I never wanted things to end this way. If I had known..."
"You would have stayed human?" Charlie asked.
"I didn't have a choice in that," Bella answered, "Edward's father changed me."
"Carlisle?! I'll kill him!" Charlie cried angrily.
"No! No, it wasn't Carlisle. And even if it was I doubt you could kill him."
"What do you mean by Edward's father?"
"His biological father. The other vampire that I told you about. He bit me to get to Edward. It wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Edward and I were going to wait until after our honeymoon."
"You should have stayed human," Charlie insisted.
"Yes, dad, thank you. I know. I screwed up big time."
Bella stood up and poured the noodles into the water.
"He left to find himself," Bella said. "He said he didn't know who I was anymore and he couldn't love me until he at least liked himself. I don't think it helped that he knew how upset I was after my fight with you."
"Well," Charlie coughed and shifted uneasily, "I overreacted. I just thought that you were too forgiving when it came to that boy. It was hard enough knowing that you were going to marry someone I thought was unfit for you and then you told me that you've given up your humanity. Bells, I overreact when it comes to you. You're my little girl and I want nothing but the best for you. If you'll forgive this old fool, I'd like to stay in your life."
"Oh, dad," Bella came over and hugged him gently. "Of course I forgive you."
Charlie hugged her back with his good arm and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I get stupid when it comes to you."
"Did you tell mom?" Bella asked.
"Yeah and she laughed at me and called m a paranoid jerk," Charlie growled.
"Haha, that sounds like mom."
"So, I saw you with Jacob," Charlie said, a bit of hope in his voice.
"Don't go there," Bella said, pouring the noodles into a strainer and then mixing in the cheese. "I'm off men right now."
"Understandable. It took me years to get over splitting from your mom."
"Well, at least you know I love Forks, so I'll stick around to take care of you."
"You honestly love this place?" Charlie asked. "Without Edward?"
"Yeah," Bella said pouring a bowl for Charlie and bringing it to him. "It's cloudy so I can go out during the day and appear human."
"What are you talking about?"
"I react to direct sunlight, but I don't die from it. Vampires basically look like they're made of a million diamonds in the sun."
"Ah, cool."
"It's nice. Made it a little difficult for Alice and Jasper when they were taking me to Phoenix that one time."
"When?" Charlie asked around a mouthful of noodles.
"Oh right, you don't know about that."
"About what?!"
With a laugh, Bella told him about James and the escape to Phoenix. She ended laughing about how Alice fabricated the evidence at the hotel so well that she could have sued them. Charlie laughed about that, and stopped when it hurt. Bella helped him into the living room. She disappeared back into the kitchen to make some tea.
"Carlisle says you have to drink some herbal tea," Bella said when Charlie refused. "You want to get better, don't you?"
Charlie grumbled but took the mug. Bella sat in the easy chair and crossed one knee over the other.
"There's something different about you, Bells."
"Aside from the whole vampire thing?"
"You're not a little girl anymore," Charlie said with a sigh. "You're graceful and mature. You're handling this whole mess very well."
"Well I wouldn't go that far," Bella admitted. "I think I drained Forks of it's tissues."
"I heard about that," Charlie said with a small laugh, "Nancy down at the store said that every other day those Cullen boys were in buying boxes and boxes of tissues."
"I'm surprised they wanted to speak to me afterwards," Bella said with a laugh, "their wives were pretty short when them for a while."
"I can imagine. One man do wrong all men suffer. It's a rule that I'm sure they've learned pretty well by now."
"Well I can understand why," Bella said with a shrug, "I mean you know what they say, chicks before dicks."
Charlie laughed and nodded. "So you're close with them?"
"They're like the sisters I've never had. Esme treats me just like one of her own daughters and Carlisle watches over me like he does the others."
"So are they really his children? I mean I understand the facade for the town but honestly?"
"Carlisle is over three hundred years old. He's the eldest, by far, and the others were changed mostly in the thirties."
"What about Edward? How old is he?"
"Physically he's seventeen. But he was born in Chicago and 1901."
"Wow. So you'll live forever then?"
"Yep, there are only a few ways that vampires can die."
"How?" Charlie asked.
"Torn to shreds and burned and starvation."
"Cheery," Charlie said with a yawn.
"Time for bed," Bella decided.
"I'm not tired!" Charlie argued.
"Yes you are, now are you going to come quietly or do I have to carry you to bed?"
"You can't carry me!" Charlie said. Bella raised an eyebrow.
"Super strength, dad. Made stronger because I'm still a newborn."
"I don't believe you," Charlie said with narrowed eyes. Bella shrugged and bent down. She lifted him effortlessly and marched him up to bed, ignoring his protests the whole way.
"I can turn iron back into powder by clenching my fist, I'm sure I can lift a two hundred something man."
"That's just not right," Charlie grumbled. "I'm supposed to be the strong one in this family."
Bella laughed and tossed him his pajamas. "Call me if you need help...unless it involved bathing or changing. Then I'll call Jake or someone."
"Gee thanks Bells."
"No problem, glad to help! I'm going to run back home for a bit to get some things, I'll have my cell with me so call if you need me. If you start bleeding or something...call Carlisle."
"You still queasy around blood?"
"No, but I'm still a newborn and it's been a week since I hunted last. Carlisle doesn't want me to be around blood until I'm at least a year old unless I'm well fed. It may take longer. Carlisle is the only vampire I know that has never tasted human blood. But that's because he's had three hundred years of practice. Oh! I take that back, Roselie hasn't either. I think that was because she had Carlisle, Esme and Edward to keep her in check."
"Even Alice? That sweet little thing?"
"Yep. But she wasn't changed by Carlisle. She actually met him years later. It's a miracle she didn't lose her mind and feed on everything that moved! She was alone when she was changed," Bella shuddered. "So was Carlisle. Only he lived during a time when people were burned for witchcraft and stuff like that."
"Did it hurt?" Charlie asked, pulling his covers to his torso.
"Like hell," Bella answered quietly. "But I had support. Esme rarely if ever left my side and at one time all seven of us were in the living room and they were telling me that everything would be okay. It didn't help that Edward had just been kidnapped and they were all worried sick about him. It took us months to find him."
"Where was he?" Charlie asked.
"Chicago. In the house he grew up in."
"Poetic."
"Very," Bella sighed. "Get some sleep. I'll be back in about an hour."
"Alright, drive safe sweetheart."
"Who said anything about driving?"
"Wait! Bella what are you talking about!"
"Get some sleep, Charlie," Bella said, kissing his cheek and turning off the light on her way out.
--
"Where are you going?" Alice asked.
"I'm going to stay with Charlie for a while. He's recovering and he needs help. Besides, it felt good being there. Familiar. Not that here isn't. But I have a lot of memories with Edward here that I need to get away from for a while."
"That's understandable," Alice said. She looked at Bella's suitcase. "Wow you packed a library."
"I love to read, you know that."
"And I suppose you won't be sleeping," Alice agreed. "I forgot that Charlie probably sleeps."
"It'll be strange having quiet nights."
"So is Charlie more comfortable about...us?" Alice asked.
"I think so. I mean he understands at least that we won't hurt any of the unsuspecting townsfolk."
Alice laughed and put her arm around Bella's shoulders. "But dear sweet sister, that is the most fun of all!"
Bella laughed and gave Alice a hug. "What would I do without you?" Bella asked.
"You'd go absolutely insane. More insane then they thought I was!"
"Probably," Bella shrugged. She zipped up her bag and put it over her shoulder. "If you're bored, stop by and see me."
Bella was on her way out when she ran into Emmett and Carlisle. "Oh, Bella, are you going to be busy Friday?"
"Just watching over Charlie. Why?"
"We're going to go get a Christmas tree," Carlisle said with a cheerful grin, "we'd like you to come. I mean we usually go as a family."
"I'd love to! I'm sure Charlie would be glad for some time alone."
The Cullens bid her a safe couple of weeks and Esme sent a very large pot of chicken soup with her. Bella thanked her. Unlike Edward, Esme actually was a very good cook.
--
Carlisle was delighted when his phone rang and it was Edward. He picked it up on the second ring. "Hey Eddy!"
"What have I told you about calling me that?" Edward asked dryly.
"Haha, I just love to tease you."
"How's Bella?"
"Fine," Carlisle said. He momentarily debated over if he should tell her how much time she was spending with Jacob. "Charlie was in an accident so she's looking after him."
"So he's forgiven her?" Edward asked eagerly.
"It would seem so, yes. Bella told Alice that he seems comfortable with our situation. Good thing too, Esme wants him to join us for Christmas. Some sort of family thing she has planned."
"That's so great. I feel so bad for ruining things with Bella and her father."
"Edward, you didn't ruin anything. Charlie seems like the kind of guy who will have a problem with any man that tries to date his little girl...and leaving her a couple years ago probably didn't help your situation either."
"Can't we just forget about that?" Edward moaned. "It was the biggest mistake of my life and I just wish it never happened!"
"That was your biggest?" Carlisle asked, raising an eyebrow. "I would think shattering Bella's heart into a thousand pieces again would be the biggest."
"Don't start, Carlisle," Edward growled.
"I'm sorry. It's just Bella is like a daughter to me and you haven't seen what she's been like," Carlisle said, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet on his desk.
"She's pissed at me."
"To say the least," Carlisle agreed.
"She sent me a message telling me to eff off."
"Haha, that sounds like something she'd do! Can you blame her, Edward? Right now you are probably the last person she wants to talk to."
"Hm."
"Edward, where are you anyway?"
"I'm staying with Tanya for a while."
Carlisle stiffened. "I see."
"Not like that. She's engaged to Roger. You remember him?"
"The kid that used to throw snowballs at you? Yeah I remember."
Edward sighed at the memory and Carlisle chuckled. "Does Bella at least smile and laugh every once in a while?" Edward asked after a pause.
"Yes," Carlisle replied, "at first she just cried all the time but she's spending a lot of time with Jacob."
"Jacob? She ran to Jacob already?! She could at least wait a little while!"
"You expect her to wait for you, Edward?" Carlisle asked hotly. "I really don't think you have any say in who she spends time with. I'm glad you're trying to find yourself because let's face it you've been a mess since fall, but you could have waited!"
"But Jacob?! She ran to the werewolf that quickly?!"
"You make it sound like she's already sleeping with him," Carlisle accused, "and you have no right to be jealous, Edward. Whether or not you meant it, you gave her the message that you didn't want her anymore. If you didn't mean to let her know you don't love her then come back here and explain it."
"Yes or no, Carlisle, is she dating Jacob?"
"Come back and see if it bothers you so much," Carlisle growled.
"It doesn't bother me!" Edward lied.
"Yes it does. Did it ever occur to you that maybe you can't find yourself because you need Bella?"
Edward was silent. In anger, he snapped the phone shut. Carlisle slammed his phone down and swore to himself before leaving for his bedroom where he knew Esme would be.
"What can't your son just admit that he needs to come home?"
"More importantly, why is he always my son when he's being just as stubborn as you?" Esme asked with a small grin.
Carlisle tugged on his tie, loosening it and eventually pulling it off. He opened the door to their walk in closet and hung his tie up with the rest of his collection.
"He's staying with Tanya and her family, and he seems to be getting better."
"That's good."
Esme watched him take off his button up shirt and purred when he was completely topless. Carlisle looked back at her with his head slightly cocked to the side. He took off his belt and started to unbutton his khakis. He pulled them off and grabbed his sweatpants.
"Dr. Cullen," Esme said from the bed, having put her book aside.
"Yes?"
"I've been feeling some pains in my chest and lower abdomen."
Carlisle raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to give you an examination?"
"I think so," Esme replied smoothly. Carlisle walked over to her and had her lay down flat. Carefully and slowly, he unbuttoned her blouse and pushed it aside. She was wearing a pink bra, much to his delight. She looked so good in pink. He ran his fingers along her collarbone.
"Tell me where it hurts," he whispered, kissing her.
"I love your bedside manor," Esme moaned softly.
--
Bella had been walking down the hall when she heard it. Edward was staying with Tanya. Beautiful vampire Tanya. The same girl who had had a crush on Edward. He was with her and happy.
"Hey Alice, what does Tanya look like?" Bella asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
"Eh, fair. You're way hotter."
"Alice, honestly?"
"Fine," Alice said. They went up into her room and grabbed one of her many photo albums. "Lets see here," Alice said flipping through the pages. "Ah, here. That's her."
Bella looked at the picture. Tanya was gorgeous. Her hair was long, blonde and it hung over one shoulder like a wave of gold. Her eyes were sexy and narrowed. Her lips were full and perfect.
"Oh for the love of...she's gorgeous!"
"She's high matiaince. Edward said that she's a lot like me."
"How well did he get along with her?" Bella asked.
Alice shrugged, "pretty well. In fact she had a huge thing for him when we lived up there. But then again, he's Edward. Every girl has a thing for him at one time or another. Why so curious?"
"Edward is staying with her. And he's happy." Bella's voice was laced with tears.
"Don't you dare run away," Alice said suddenly.
"Try and stop me," Bella said through tears. She turned and ran out of the room and down the stairs, passing a confused Emmett on the stairs.
"BELLA! WAIT!" Alice called running after her.
--
Bella sat in her old bedroom sobbing into her pillow. She knew Alice wouldn't look for her here. She smothered her cries with her pillow, thankful that she no longer needed to breathe. This was a nightmare. Worse than a nightmare. This she couldn't wake up from.
TBC
A little more Edward here but I'm planning on more from in Edward's head.