Chapter 14

Pain, Anger, and Forgiveness

Damon's Point of View

The moment Bella shut the door sparkle boy and pup were in my face.

"How dare you hurt her like that, you selfish son of a bitch!" Edward screamed at me.

"I am going to kill you." Jake said and he transformed.

Before they could do anything they were thrown back a force and I looked towards the front door and saw Bella, "I told you if you want to fight do it somewhere else. This is my home and you will respect it; now all of you LEAVE!" she screamed and slammed the door shut again.

"Edward, Jacob, Bella is right; this is her property and we should respect her wishes." Carlisle said being the voice of reason.

"Carlisle is right Edward; she is in pain and needs to be left alone." Jasper chimed in.

As they began to leave the big one Emmett turned to me, "You better watch it." and than he left.

"I'm going to go and try to talk to her." Elena said to Stefan and than she threw me a dirty look and went to the house. Bonnie, Anna, and Lexi followed her. Elena turned before she knocked on the door, "Boys get that asshole out of here now."

Stefan came over and helped me up; we got to my car and he drove. We sat in silence for a little bit until he asked, "You kissed Katherine?"

"Not exactly; I was telling her to leave and than she kissed me. I was about to break away when Bella and Alice saw us." I said.

"That sounds like Katherine." Stefan replied. "What is she doing back here?"

"I have no clue….wait why aren't you freaked she is alive?" I asked him.

"Because I don't care if she is alive, dead, or whatever. I love Elena and so I don't care; except I want to know what she is doing here. It's never good when she comes around." he said and I had to agree.

Katherine loved trouble, "Stefan when I ran after Bella Katherine yelled 'you will pay for this Damon; you and everyone else.'" I told him.

Stefan tensed, "Katherine was always the vengeful type and I think we need to take this seriously. We need to talk to the Cullen's and the pack."

"What? No we can't; they hate me right now!" I said.

"Damon this isn't about who hates who; we have a vampire with revenge on her mind in town. They need to be warned and I will talk to them; you figure out how to fix things with Bella" Stefan said.

I started to think; how in the hell am I going to get Bella back?

Bella's Point of View

After I yelled at everyone for the last time I went into the kitchen; I needed a drink. After about ten minutes I heard a knock on the door. I was getting ready to fling whoever the hell it was as far away as I could until I saw it was Elena, Bonnie, Anna, and Lexi.

"Hey can we come in?" Elena asked.

I sighed, "Yea sure." I said and opened the door for them.

"How in the hell did you repel us from entering?" Bonnie asked.

"A spell I found." I said.

"Bella are you…." Anna started, but I cut her off.

"No I'm not ok and I don't you asking questions when you already know the answer. Look I just wanna be alone ok." I said.

They nodded and walked out the door. I wanted to cry, but I didn't have any tears left in me. The door bell rang and I went to answer it, the face in the doorway surprised me, "Edward what do you want?" I asked.

"I wanted to make sure you were ok." He said. "I will leave if you want me to." and he started to turn away.

"No it's alright we need to talk anyways; please come in." I said.

Honestly I didn't know what I was doing; here I am alone in my house with my ex.

Edward broke the silence, "So…"

"Breathe one word of what went down tonight Edward Anthony Cullen and I will throw you out." I said to him.

He laughed, "Oh I know you will; you've done it to me too many times I lost count. I was merely wondering what we were going to talk about."

"Well first off I didn't move here for Damon, but when I moved here something happened and I changed. I do love you Edward I always will, but it's a different love. Edward you will always be the first guy I kissed and fell in love with, but now it's more of a brotherly love." I finished and studied him for a minute.

Finally that lopsided grin formed, "Bella I only wanted you to be happy and I will not force anything on you. I want you to know though that if it ever changes I will be right here waiting. Just promise me I can always be in your life some form."

"Edward I want you to be in my life and if it ever changes believe I will let you know." I said and we hugged.

"Bella I have to apologize for what I did to you…." he started, but I cut him off.

"Edward, don't because I already know you're sorry and I forgive you. I should actually thank you because if you hadn't left I wouldn't have become who I am. In a weird way you've made me stronger than I have ever been." I said.

"Well do you think you would have changed even if I hadn't left?" he asked.

I thought for a minute and than answered, "Yes it would have been a while, but yeah I would of." I said. "Are you mad?"

"No I'm just glad to know now where we stand." He said. "I will always be here for you Bella." he pulled me in for another hug. "I should go you need to get your sleep and don't worry about Jake he feels the same way I do. Bella you should know Jasper told us about your feelings towards Damon and his towards you. They are real and when I read his mind I left out something. I saw the entire conversation and Katherine forced herself on him; he didn't kiss her back. I'm sorry I should have told you about it in the beginning, but I was angry he had hurt you." Edward finished.

"Thanks Edward; it helps a little, but I still feel betrayed and like I'm not good enough." I said quietly.

"Never think that Bella because it isn't true; ask anyone. Goodnight Bella." he said and was gone.

I locked up the house and went upstairs to my room. My phone had twenty missed calls from Damon and I wasn't ready to forgive him just yet.

Damon's Point of View

I decided to go back to Bella's I had to talk to her; grovel if I must. When I got there I saw Edward leaving; how could she do this to me? After the front door shut Edward looked my way and in a flash was in front of me.

"Damon it is not what you think." He said to me.

"Than what is it? You were trying to get your claws into her while she is wounded?" I snapped.

"No actually we talked and she told me that she loved me as a brother. Now I won't lie to you yes I still love her like that and I always will, but I would rather be in her life in some way than her hate me. Damon I told her how Katherine forced herself on you; Bella said it helped, but she is still hurt and doesn't feel worth anything. She has always been that way and now you have to show her you care. She won't forgive easily, but you already know that." Edward finished and I was dumb founded.

"Why are you trying to help us?" I asked.

"Because I want her to be happy and looking through Jasper's eyes I saw the love you two have for each other. It's stronger that what she and I had; I would rather be in her life than out of it all together. I won't stand in your way, but know this if you hurt her I will kill you." he said.

"Understood; you know Edward I wanted to kill you when I met you, but now I'm glad I didn't." I said.

"That makes two of us. Bella is different now; I can see that and with you she is more herself. Be good to her Damon." he said and than he left.

I listened to the house and it was quiet; Bella was already asleep. I guess I would have to wait until tomorrow. I climbed the tree next to her window and peered in. Last night I had been lying next to her with our arms around each other; now I was on the outside looking in. Stefan was right Katherine had something up her sleeve and I had no clue what it was, but I had to find out.

Monday morning

Bella hadn't come out of her house the entire weekend; everyone tried to talk to her, but she refused to answer the door. I was at the school waiting for her with a huge bouquet of lilies; her favorite. I saw her pull up in her car and she spotted me. I couldn't see her gorgeous deep blue eyes behind the huge sunglasses, but I knew she was still hurt. She got out of the car and started walking to the school. At human pace I ran to her about to grovel like my life depended on it; which it did since she was my life.

Bella's Point of View

I didn't talk to anyone all weekend; I had to figure things out. I mainly stayed in the hidden room studying up on everything I could find on that undead bitch Katherine. I found out she had caused a ton of chaos and was a vengeful bitch. Ten to one she was planning something since according to our books she loved toying with the Salvatore brothers. Well guess what Katherine I'm here; this is my territory and I am not going to let you wreck havoc. Sunday night I went to bed early since I had school, but of course it wasn't a peaceful sleep.

I am standing in front of the gazebo and Aunt Lizzie is already sitting down.

"Hello my dear Izzie." She says to me and pats the seat beside her.

I sigh and go to sit down, "You already know don't you."

"Yes my dear I know and I am so sorry." she said frowning and putting her arms around me. "He doesn't love her my dear; she is just playing him like before."

"Aunt Lizzie deep down I know that, but it doesn't hurt any less." I said starting to cry.

"I know my dear, but she is planning something." she said.

"What?" I asked.

"Something to do with Founder's Day you have to be careful. For now Katherine is gone, but she will be back." she said.

"I can't get a break can I?" I asked.

"What do you mean my dear?" she asked.

"Things start going good and than something gets thrown in to screw it all up." I screamed and stood up.

Aunt Lizzie came to stand beside me, "I know my dear; it is unfortunately part of our legacy as well, but all that happens makes us stronger. Bella do you love Damon and I mean enough to die for him or in this case become like him?"

I was caught off guard by her question. I remember with Edward I was ready and willing, but with Damon I didn't know, "I love him yes, would I die for him absolutely, would I become like him I don't know." I said and I felt ashamed.

"My dear the reason you don't know is because you are hurt; saying yes to my first to questions prove that you can and will overcome this. Yes it will take time, but in the end everything will work out." she said and kissed my head. "I must go; please give him a chance Izzie he loves you so much."

She walked out of the gazebo and I woke up. It was 7 and class started in an hour. I got dressed, had breakfast, grabbed my books and headed to school. When I got there I put my sunglasses on and looked over to see Damon with a huge thing of lilies. My heart skipped a beat, but than my mind sat there and reminded me of what he had done. I started to walk into the school, but Damon blocked my way;

"Bella please listen to me; I'm begging you." Damon said. I looked into his eyes and they held no light like they usually did.

"Damon I can't." I started to say, but than he got down on his knees.

"Bella I will stay out here all day if I must until you talk to me. I will make a complete ass out of myself. I will….." he ranted, but I cut him off.

"Ok I get it; meet me at my house after school." I said caving in.

His eyes lit up and he walked to his car and I walked up to our group. By the looks of it finally everyone was getting along.

"I thought he was going to sing like Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You. That would have been so cute." Lexi said.

"Shut up Lexi." I said and playfully stuck my tongue out at her.

School was pretty much normal; Caroline heard about what happened and flipped her lid. Than she was cold for a little bit towards the pack and the Cullen's, but when I explained we were cool she and Alice started talking about shopping.

"Oh Bella remember we have the Lockwood's party Saturday." Caroline said.

I groaned and Alice asked, "What's wrong?"

I laughed, "Oh it's a huge party that the mayor and his wife host that jump starts the festivities for Founder's Day."

"Yea and Bella hates these parties because the founding families are suppose to set the standard." Caroline chipped in.

"Yea well if the standard is being a snobby bitch like Mrs. Lockwood I'll pass. She is a tyrant towards the people working the party." I said.

"That's not all Mrs. Lockwood's parties are very jacket tie wear for men and dresses and heels for the ladies. This is the first time in over thirteen years Bella has attended a party so all eyes will be on her. You guys are invited as well and if you need to go shopping I can help with that." Caroline finished.

"Oh so all the attention will be on Bella." Emmett teased me.

"That's not all tonight is also the night the judges for the Miss Mystic Falls pageant will be there and Elena, myself and Bella have to make an impression." Caroline said proudly.

I groaned and Emmett laughed, "Bella in a pageant; now this I gotta see." he said.

"Speaking of which Bella, Mrs. Lockwood needs the name of your escort." Caroline reminded me.

"Escort?" Jake asked.

"Yea we have to do this stupid dance and our escorts are guys that do it with us." I said.

"Well if you need one I would be pleased to escort you." Edward said to me.

"No way Edward I get to." Jake said.

"Enough I haven't decided anything; hell I may even just drop out." I said.

"NO!" Elena and Caroline yelled together.

"If I have to do this you are too Swan." Elena said.

We both hated this whole entire pageant idea and we made a pact to do it together.

"Ok I won't." I said and thankfully the bell rang.

After school I headed straight home and of course Damon was already waiting for me. As soon as I pulled up he was at my door opening it for me.

"Thanks." I said.

"Bella please forgive me; I know I screwed up, but I didn't kiss her she kissed me…" he started, but I held up my hand for him to stop.

"I know Edward told me." I said and started walking towards the fountain and sat down. Damon did the same.

"Why are you mad at me then?" he asked.

I couldn't hold back my insecurities anymore, "Because I don't think I'm what you want." I couldn't go on and I started crying.

"Bella you are everything I ever dreamed of. You're gorgeous, confident, smart, and funny, you know who you are and you're not afraid of it. Do you know how hard it is at times to control myself with you? Half the time I just want to jump you and smother you with kisses. I love you Bella; everything about you." he said and than he started kissing my neck. "I love the way you blush, the way your body reacts to my touch, how we melt together as we kiss." and when he said that our lips met.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him back. He picked me up and head for the door; when we got to the door he asked, "May I come in?"

"Yes." was all I said.

He began kissing me again and than with his foot he kicked the door shut. In a flash we were in my bedroom and he finally laid me on the bed; his lips never leaving mine. I began to unbutton his shirt and than I put my hands on his chest. He pulled away and stared at me with those ice blue eyes and than he took my shirt off. I pulled his lips back to mine and we laid there kissing for a while. When he pulled away his lips never left my body. At first the kisses started at my neck and than trailed down my chest, over my stomach, and than he kissed my hip which made me arch my back. His face changed and I just looked at him for a minute and than pulled that face to mine. I unbuckled his pants and he undid the buttons on my jeans. Finally we slipped under the covers and became oblivious to the world.

A/N: I know some of you hated the way I ended the last chapter, but it had to happen like that so that Bella could close that chapter with Edward and Jake. So review and let me know what you think please. The reviews are what keep me writing. Thank you to everyone who reads the story and those of you who review. Thank you to everyone who puts me on their alerts and favorites list I really appreciate it. A special thank you to Dark-Supernatural-Angel for all the support and ideas.