The Last Summer

Epilogue: Charlie's Letter

When Charlie's lawyer, J. Jenks, showed up at Bella's door the following Sunday, she was both surprised and suspicious.

"Mr. Jenks? Can I help you?" She asked, a little cautiously. "Is everything alright?"

He nodded. "Oh, yes, Miss Swan. May I come in?"

Jason Jenks was a short and chubby man, who always wore suits and was always a little nervous. He sat down on Bella's couch and wiped sweat off his forehead, his balding head was shiny from the humidity. It was nearly October but summer wasn't completely over in Forks yet.

"I know we've handled all your father's assets and gone over his will," He started, opening his small brown briefcase. "And I'm truly sorry if this causes you any grief, but I was under a strict agreement not to give you this letter until this very date."

"What's so special about this date?" She asked, her brows pulled together in confused.

"Exactly three months after Charlie Swan's death, should it be untimely." He said, a small frown on his large, plump face.

"Oh." Was all she could say, her breath catching in her throat.

He pulled out a sealed envelope and passed it to her. She turned it over in her hands and recognized her father's handwritten Bella on the front. She took a deep breath and looked back at Jenks.

"If you need any privacy to read it," He offered. "I can wait here."

She gratefully thanked him and almost too quickly walked outside to sit on the steps of the small back deck. The sun beat down on her and warmed her as she shivered, opening the envelope and unfolding the pages.

Dear Bella,

If you're reading this, it means I'm long gone.
I know you thought everything in my will was taken care of, but I've entrusted J. Jenks to give you this letter exactly three months after I die.

I wanted to give you enough time to realize on your own that you'll keep the house, and you'll stay where you belong - in Forks. You get that from your mother, you know... It always took her a little longer than most to realize what she wanted.

I know we haven't been close since you left. I'm sorry for that. I wanted to make things right but I could never figure out the right words to say to you.

I don't know what Seattle is like, or this husband of yours, but I do know that you have a Hell of a family back home who would do anything for you. I hope when you figured that out it brought you some peace to your life. I know it'll sure bring me peace, knowing you figured it all out on your own that you didn't need to run away. Sometimes what you're looking for is right where you left it.

After you read this Jenks will explain to you that I've left you one more thing. It's all the money I had saved up from the time you were born. It was your college fund, my retirement fund, every penny I own.

Do something with it that makes you happy, Bells. Whatever it is I'll be damn proud of you.

Love, Dad

PS: For the love of God, please give Jake another chance. The boy is too stubborn to go after you.

When she finished reading, Bella held the letter against her chest and let the tears fall freely. She sat quietly for a while with her eyes closed, listening to the birds chirp, the leaves on the trees that brushed against one another against the breeze. For the first time in months, she had felt completely at peace.

Charlie, her dad, was still teaching her things long after he left the Earth. She smiled and softly laughed out loud to herself, realizing just how alike they truly were, and just how well he knew her. She folded the letter carefully and slid it back into the envelope, a sad but true smile on her face.

When she returned to the chair and sat down across from Jenks, he smiled at her, hopeful. "Was it a nice letter?"

"Yes. Yes, it was. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Miss Swan. Are you ready to talk about the savings fund now?"

She nodded.

Bella spent the rest of the afternoon in her living room with Jason Jenks, as they discussed Charlie's last present, and what would come of it. She felt an inspirational purpose she hadn't ever felt before as he passed her multiple papers for her to read, and gave her legal advice.

The moment he drove away - after the sun had gone down - she was pulling out her cell phone and dialing Jacob's number, bouncing with excitement as she couldn't wait to tell him about Charlie's letter and gift. How she was ready to open this new chapter in her life and she wanted him to be a part of it.

If she had have been paying less attention to Jacob's voice when he picked up, and more attention to her surroundings, Bella Swan would have noticed the figure standing outside her window, peering in with very interested dark eyes.

Next: The First Spring

I've now started working on The First Spring, the sequel and second installment to my series. You can find the link on my profile.
Thanks so much reading!