Hey everyone sorry it took me awhile to update. I had a hard time with the first half of this chapter. I was picking and choosing scenes so I'm sorry if this isn't exactly up to par but I think the latter half is. I think some of you might agree but Carlisle has been a little soft lately, and I think he needs a little Jake to piss him off. I'm going to try and make him a little harder, but not towards Bella, because I'm getting tired of writing Carlisle who backs down and is the good guy. He needs a little Damon Salvatore from Vampire Diaries in him. I'm really having fun doing the playlists for these chapters so I hope y'all like the music I've chosen. So I think the next few weeks are going to be quite busy for Carlisle and Bella.
I've thought about your suggestions for things to happen in the story and I'm thinking along those same lines. As you've seen I've hinted lately at two very big requests you guys have given me. So, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who has reviewed and helped me: KimberlyAnnT, Delilah69, longtobeme, Cullen Cousin, 71star, whitegurl2013, carlisleisgodlove1985, AnimeAngel41, JJ1234, aixa00, Keeper of the Covenant, arrr, sonyabrady1971, Marlz85, Cailley Rachelle, IGOTEAMEDWARD, and Molz. I'd also like to thank all of you that I did not mention because there are several of you but you matter to me just the same. I'd like to thank three of my besties Amy, Ryan, and Brittany for giving me constant ideas when I have writers block.
So I'm obsessed with the end of this week's vampire diaries, God, Damon finally confessed his love but he wiped it from her memory so that he could say it to her but let his brother be happy with the woman he loves.
Anyway, for those of you who read my story "When you tell secrets" I may be deleting that story, but I might start over because I just don't feel it anymore. I can't write two stories at once because I like to focus on one plot at a time. I think I got burnt out writing that plot because I had literally just finished when I said forever, and then I was going through all the drama about my heart and then there was the surgery. So I might take a crack at it later but I will keep it posted on my page for now, but most likely I will restart it. After I finish "If you pull the trigger" which won't be for a while I am either going to write another Carlisle Bella story or I might switch over to Vampire Diaries for a while and write a Damon Elena Story. I'd just like all of your opinions on what you would think of another Carlisle Bella story where Carlisle is a vampire and Bella is running from her past living on the streets where she used to have to fight to survive and she's very bold but damaged.
Anyway enough with my blabbering, sorry for this super long authors note, I just felt like I had some things I wanted to say.
So here is this chapter's playlist:
Nobody sees me like you do by Holly Miranda
One day by KT Tunstall
Just impolite by plushgun
Postcards from far away by Coldplay
The only Exception by Paramore
All of those pretty lights by Andrew Belle
I need to know by Kris Allen
Brave by Tawgs Salter
Secrets by Onerepublic
I was wrong by Sleeperstar
I'll stand by you by the pretenders
Get happy/ happy days are here again by Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand
So please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter Twenty
The Only Exception
The sound of the car rolling across the snow covered and gravel road came too soon for Jacob. As much as he wanting to see Bella in order to persuade her to love him, he felt failure soon approaching. Carlisle would accompany Bella, unafraid to show affection, and so Jake must do the same.
"That must be them." Embry spoke up as he rose from his chair.
"Yeah, well let's go see." Jake agreed as he followed in suite.
Stepping out of the car was Bella who looked as beautiful as ever. Her dark wash jeans fit her well and were tucked into her leather boots, and to keep her warm she wore a green wool pea coat.
Carlisle was not acting possessive which shocked Jacob quite a bit. They seemed normal, but something seemed harder about him like he was looking for some sort of threat. With a meaning that Jake did not understand Bella put a hand on his shoulder and spoke in a soothing tone.
"We will worry about that later."
He sighed and leaned in to kiss her softly.
"I'm sorry, Love."
"Never be sorry for caring, Baby."
"I'd be happier if I had you back in New York where I have my stash."
What the fuck? Jake's eyebrows rose into his hairline.
"We'll be home soon."
He smiled and kissed her once more. A giggle escaped her lips and their smiles were pure.
Hand in hand the couple walked towards the Quintile men and greeted first by Sam.
"The pale face has returned!" Sam declared as he hurried toward Bella, then embracing her in a hug, and then doing the same to Rose.
Carlisle laughed along with Emmett at the sight of their girls.
"You've brought us fresh meat." Quil teased.
"Pale faced." Embry frowned, but only playfully. "I thought you liked men who actually walked in the sunlight."
"I like all kinds of men." Bella giggled. "But this one is my favorite."
"What was that?" Emily's voice sounded, causing Bella and Rose to call out her name in unison as the three embraced. "Hurry inside, all of you, it's getting cold."
"Yes, M'am." Sam teased.
"Don't sass me, Sam or you won't be getting any tonight."
He was inside in a heartbeat and the others followed in suite.
"So this is the one that Jacob was nagging about." Sam chuckled as he looked at Carlisle.
"This is Carlisle, my boyfriend." She looked at her love and then pointed out each member of her small quintile family.
"She used to be one of the boys believe it or not." Embry snorted while eying Bella.
"Oh, hush." Bella hissed.
"It's true." Sam laughed.
"God, remember the fight you put up about the bridesmaid dress for my wedding." Emily chuckled.
"I was in high school what do you expect."
"And look at you now." Jake said with a smirk, not able to take his eyes off her.
"Rosalie told me I had to get a sense of fashion because of living in the big apple."
"Yeah, but you come back here every year and don't dress like this." Jake snorted.
"Are you all gay or something? Since when do you care about my clothes!"
Carlisle had to stop himself from laughing, but it was too late. Isabella had turned on her heel and was looking at him. "What's so funny, Carlisle?"
"Nothing, Angel." His face didn't seem to agree.
"Carlisle." She taunted, putting her hand on his chest and letting it slide lower.
"You're cute when you're angry."
She sighed dramatically and pulled her hand away.
"You're in for it later, Baby." She sneered, despite her playful eyes.
"Shall I beg for mercy, Mistress?" He growled forgetting they were not alone.
"Maybe not for mercy, but begging is more than fine."
A throat was cleared and they pulled apart to douse the heat of their passions. They sat down in Sam's living room and Emily went to fetch refreshments and some old photo albums.
"So, you finally caught one?" Sam winked.
"By your terms, yes." Bella said with a roll of her eyes.
"Coming back for Christmas?" Quil asked.
Rose snickered and leaned against Emmett.
"Bella and I are going to spend Christmas with the Cullens."
"Alice is already planning…." Bella moaned.
Carlisle looked at Sam and smirked.
"Emmett and I have another brother, younger than me, but older than him, named Edward. But we also have a sister, Alice, who is a ball of energy and celebrates anything and everything. She quickly befriended Rose and Isabella, and now the three are inseparable."
"You've changed so much, Bella." Jake sighed.
"I know, Jake, but it's part of life."
Da Vinci sighed and lowered his head to the floor. Carlisle bent down and scratched his dog's head.
Just then Emily came into the room with coffee for everyone and a photo album. Carlisle took the bound pages from her gratefully and questioned her wink. But with the turn of the first page he understood. There was a picture of Bella back in high school, and even then she was beautiful, but he understood the comments about her change in clothes.
"Oh, not that old thing." Bella groaned.
"But, Love, it's only fair. I'm sure my mother will put me through Hell when she shows photos of me."
"I've already seen some at the Platts'."
"The ones my mother have are worse, but then there are those of Emmett."
"Hell no! Rose will not see those." Emmett protested.
"Yes, I will." Rose declared.
Carlisle chuckled and went back to looking at the photos.
"This was when Bella thought it was a good idea to climb a tree." Emily pointed to a picture of Bella in a cast at the hospital. "And here she was before she went on that hiking trip where she sprained both ankles. And oh this is from cliff diving."
"Bells, want to go cliff diving?" Jake spoke up.
"In this weather, Jake." Bella was dumbfounded. "And aren't we a bit old for that."
Jake crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.
"We are not too old."
"Maybe you're not, but I am."
"Oh, so now you're all priss and no game." Jake challenged.
"I'm not playing games, Jake. I was young and foolish then. Unlike you I have responsibilities."
"It sounds like you stopped having fun."
She rolled her eyes and was relieved when Carlisle squeezed her hand.
"So tell me what Isabella was like in high school." Carlisle decided to change the topic. "Besides the victim of gravity."
"She smoked pot." Embry challenged.
"Embry!" Bella hissed.
"Isabella, I'm shocked." Carlisle stifled his laughter.
"I only did it a few times. Jake did it and so I thought I'd try it."
Jacob leaned forward and smirked.
"Ya see, Carlisle, Bells and I were dating at the time." Jake waggled his eyebrow. "And some of the older boys," he glanced at Sam, "we smoking and so I started and Bells was so fed up with me doing it that she tried it herself."
"At least I didn't get addicted."
"You can't get addicted." Jacob argued.
Isabella rolled her eyes.
"Says the boy who convinced me to cliff dive."
"You wanted to." Sam pointed out.
"For sport."
"We didn't know."
"Oh, shut up." Bella hissed and then changed the subject, altering Carlisle that something was wrong.
Carlisle kissed his love's cheek and brushed falling strands of hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear. Her eyes found his and he asked his wordless questions. She responded with a stare that said, not now.
Conversations carried only lightly but Jake was waiting for the right moment to speak. Rose and Emily had fallen into conversation along with Emmett and Sam. Quil and Embry were talking with Carlisle and Bella. Jake watched the love of his life smile effortlessly at her boyfriend when he made some sort of endearment.
"I can't believe you got her to go to a dance." Quil gaped.
"She hates dances." Embry agreed.
"It was a gala and she did not object in the slightest." Carlisle was puzzled.
"I went because I wanted to." Bella defended herself.
"I don't believe you." Jake challenged but with a smile.
Bella accepted the challenged and looked at Carlisle.
"I'll prove it." She breathed. "Turn up that song, will you Sam?"
Sam nodded and Carlisle led his angel to the center of the room. Moving like an angel she took his hand and let him lead her to their song, "The Only Exception" by Paramore.
She laughed happily as they glided across the floor, and soon he joined her in her blissful expressions. Rosalie and Emily smiled as they watched the pair dance with the uttermost grace. Bella murmured the words along with the song a few times.
"And that was the day that I promised I'd never sing of love if it does not exist but darling you are the only exception, you are the only exception, you are the only exception, you are the only exception."
Carlisle surprised her, and angered Jake when he began to sing softly but with more of a whisper in reply.
"Maybe I know, somewhere deep in my soul that love never lasts. And we've got to find other to ways to make it alone or keep a straight face. And I've always lived like this, keeping a comfortable distance. And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness because none of it was ever worth the risk. But you are the only exception, you are the only exception, you are the only exception, you are the only exception."
Then their soft voices of music, meant truly for one another, joined in harmony.
"I've got a tight grip on reality but I can't let go of what's in front of me here."
They laughed at the lyrics following knowing that that fear was far behind them, they would never leave one another, not ever.
"It's not a dream, oh. You are the only exception. You are the only exception."
Jake's anger rose as he saw how perfectly the pair fit together; they orbited around each other, always returning home to the center of embrace.
"You are the only exception. You are the only exception."
Jake perceived that Carlisle had problems of his own and a dark past, but how it fit with Bella he didn't understand. Carlisle spun Bella out and brought her back into the circle of his arms.
"You are the only exception. You are the only exception."
Carlisle lowered his lips to Isabella and whispered something Jake couldn't hear.
"You are the only exception."
Isabella smiled sweetly as their bodies merely swayed from side together and whispered in reply.
"You are the only exception."
The music finished with the final lyrics And I'm only way to believing, oh, and I'm on my way to believing while Carlisle tenderly kissed his love. He knew in that moment all he ever wanted was in his embrace returning his kiss and loving him. There was something very important he needed to ask Charlie before they left Forks and that would be his goal today.
They pulled apart and headed back to the couch, now full of love for one another. Carlisle pulled her into his embrace so that her body was close to his and her head rested on his shoulder.
"See, I like to dance." She murmured sweetly.
"And you do so marvelously." Carlisle whispered as he placed a kiss to her temple.
"So, Jake told us that your brother use to date Bella." Embry piped up.
"Indeed he did, and the connection was wrong. The moment I heard her voice, then laid eyes on her, we just knew."
Bella sighed in content as she smiled.
"Are you and your brother close?" Jake asked.
Carlisle shook his head.
"Our father played favorites, for reasons I thought I understood when he passed away, but I've come to understand that my father was just that, but never my dad, despite how Edward and Alice might see things. Emmett got the same treatment I did. Edward and I are a bit estranged and are trying to work things out."
"Motivation to get Bella, don't you think?" Jacob's smirk altered Carlisle of the evident danger, now he must play his cards carefully.
He knew all too well that Jacob was jealous as Isabella had explained it to him last night during a wild fuck. That was the thing with Isabella, they could talk during sex, which was a bit strange, and yet a bit of a relief. It allowed them to get anger out sometimes.
"Jacob." Bella scolded. "You have no right."
"It's all right, Love. That's expected. Jacob cares about you and he is only acting in the manner in which he feels is necessary."
Jake hadn't expected such a mature reply. He had expected Carlisle to rage, but now he had to act fast.
"So it's not awkward at all Bella, spending time with his family with your ex around." Jacob spat.
Bella sighed and looked at her childhood best friend. She took a moment to let the mirage crumble, and the ugliness came through. Jacob had changed, just as she did, but she found only a few remaining traces of the friend she once knew. Jealousy consumed him, and she couldn't help but feel guilty for showing such affection in front of him. But then Carlisle kissed her forehead and she remembered that she could not let herself fall to pity.
"Jacob, can I talk to you?" Bella asked as she rose from the comfort of her boyfriend's embrace. Jake knew he was in trouble just as before when she used his real name, and not Jake. "Alone." Her voice no longer suggesting a request, but instead a command.
Carlisle wanted to say something but he knew that tone of voice all too well. There was no arguing with her when the emotion left her voice, and it was safer to listen if you valued your life. Jacob got up from his seat and followed her into another room out of hearing range from the others. She shut the door and stared at her friend.
"Care to explain yourself." Bella was still in shock.
"I'm just scoping your prick out."
"Prick?" Bella gawked. "You've got a lot of nerve calling out my man. Are you trying to humiliate me? Him? God, what are you thinking?"
"I'm looking out for you, Bells. I'm worried."
She laughed she actually laughed until her face showed how pained she truly was.
"Not this again." Bella groaned. "I swear, I just can't have you around when I bring someone home that means something to me."
"God, even when I brought home Rose for the first time you thought… Shit you just don't want me to have friends at all, nevertheless a boyfriend!"
"That's not true!" Jacob stormed forward so that they were face to face.
"You just want me all for yourself!"
"No! What about Charlie, Bella? Don't you think he misses you and worries about you?"
"I keep in touch with him weekly. He has Sue, Jacob! He's not alone! You haven't gotten over me, that's the problem."
"I am so over you!" Jacob argued.
"You wouldn't be acting like a sixteen year old boy if you were over me. Damn it, Jacob!"
He grabbed her by her shoulder and yelled at her until she looked at him.
"Damn it, Bella. I fucking love you. I've had it planned for years and I've waited for you long enough. Carlisle is not for you. I am meant to be with you!"
"No." She felt cold all of a sudden. She tried to struggle away. "God, Jacob stop this."
She managed to free herself from his grip but found herself being backed to the wall.
"Jacob, I love Carlisle. You and I were over long ago. It's been, what, around ten years. You need to find someone else, because I'm not the one. Carlisle knows all about James and he's the one protecting me. He has people watching out for me and even though Da Vinci was a gift so I could have a dog again, it gives Carlisle some peace of mind to know I have a form of defense along side me while I'm at work or out and about. You're judging things you don't even understand. Carlisle has his share of baggage but we work as a team to solve our problems. Once he tried to decide for me and he learned his lesson. You still haven't. I broke up with you when you pushed me too far, trying to choose how I would live my life. You've had our lives planned out since we were just friends, and I didn't have any say. I brought Carlisle home to meet my family, so that he could be just as much a part of mine as I am of his. But then you just sit there and make accusations that lead to this."
"I just wanted to get you back, Bells. I love you more than anything. You are my life."
"Do you even know how ridiculous you sound?"
"You're going to get hurt, Bella. Carlisle Cullen is a big city man, the kind that breaks women like you! If you had gone to the fucking shelter you would know that!"
Bella froze, and Jacob gasped when he realized what he had said.
"You don't know anything about Carlisle." Bella said with a shiver as her back pressed against the wall. "You don't know me."
"But Bella-"
"I hate you! Was this your plan to win me back? To break my heart? To point fingers and tell me I should be in the shelter I will be helping in soon."
"You're helping at a shelter?"
"Yes, fucking yes, Jacob! And you know it was all Carlisle's idea. He thought of it when I told him about James! He wants to help girls who have been through the same and worse shit and not just by writing some fat check. He wants to be part of the solution and get to make a difference in those girls' lives. He thinks it will be good for me to see them and see that I made it out alive and that I could have been in a shelter or that there are girls worse off than I was. He thinks it will help them gain hope that they heal and go out into the world and have normal lives. I mean look at me, I have a man who loves me, a good man who spends his days making sure that I'm safe. It doesn't matter how we met. We love one another all the same. I can't believe you… it makes me regret letting you come over last night. I only said yes when Charlie asked because I knew Billy wouldn't come if you couldn't and Billy is family. You're not family anymore, Jacob."
His reaction was rash and as she let out a scream when he slammed her into the wall, bruising her and causing tears to run down her cheeks as his lips painfully kissed her unwilling ones.
Carlisle had waited long enough. He knew better than to interrupt their argument but the second he heard her scream he was out of his seat, hand on the fabric of his pant leg where his gun laid hidden underneath. It was a matter of seconds before he burst through the door scanning the scene, finding his angel in an instant causing a feral growl of terror that was inhuman to escape his chest. As if he were some sort of animal he leapt at Jacob tearing him off his Isabella. Bella cried now with relief and fear as he watched the darker side of Carlisle take over. Her love's fist connected with Jacob's jaw and so began his beating of the man who assaulted her. Sam, Embry, Quil, and Emmett were in the room in an instant with Emily and Rose were behind them, Rose holding Da Vinci back from attacking Jacob.
Emmett went to his brother's aid with Sam, Emmett taking Carlisle's shoulder and convincing him to stop and Sam trying to convince Jacob to stop struggling so this could end. Emily was at Bella's side comforting her until Rose could get Da Vinci under control so that she could comfort her best friend as well.
"What did you do?" Sam demanded and then looked at Emmett holding back Carlisle who was still trying to get to Jacob.
"I fucking kissed Bella, Ok." Jacob was out of breath.
"He had her pinned to the wall!" Carlisle roared. "You all heard her scream. He hurt her!"
"Carlisle." Bella whispered as her body shook in fear, of course not of him.
The way Jacob had forced himself reminded her of James and she was terrified. Without even looking at her he knew what she was feeling and that the experience reminded her of James. Emmett saw it as well and let his brother go so that Carlisle could go to Bella. She felt he was her angel as he took her in his arms, soothing her and whispering calming words of love and comfort.
"I've got you, Love. No one is going to hurt you. I have you. It's all right. Sh. Sh. It's all right."
She clutched him tightly to her small form, and fought the tears.
"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, Angel. I won't leave your side. Everything is going to be all right."
"Just hold me." She whispered.
He held her closely and looked over at Jacob who was watching them with pain in his eyes. Blood dripped from Jake's nose and Carlisle thought it was best to remove Isabella from the situation. Sam nodded as if he were thinking the same thing and so Carlisle pulled Bella out of the room with the other two girls in tow and Da Vinci.
Carefully he guided her down onto the couch and let her curl up to him.
"Everything is going to be ok, Love." Carlisle coaxed again. "I love you, Isabella. I won't let him hurt you again."
She sniffled and nodded against his shoulder. Carlisle looked over at Rose with pained eyes. She had the same look in her own eyes, pleading him to heal her best friend.
"Carlisle." Bella murmured, now sounding less fear stricken as she sat up.
"Yes, my love." He panicked as he stared into her eyes.
"Thank you." She murmured and then smiled as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
"No need, Love. Do you want to talk about it?"
She sighed and leaned into him again.
"We just got into a fight and he cornered me and forced a kiss on me."
He held her close to him for her comfort and his own. She took a deep breath and Carlisle offered her his handkerchief, which she took gratefully and used.
Da Vinci rested his head in Bella's lap causing her to laugh as she petted his head.
"I love you." She murmured as she bent over to kiss to top of Da Vinci's head.
Then she looked back up at Carlisle and smiled as she wiped another stray tear from her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you, too." He whispered and then leaned in slowly to kiss her.
She smiled when his lips pressed against hers. All she needed was his love to make her feel better again.
"All is well." Rosalie sighed when Quil, Emmett, and Embry came into the room.
"Sam is patching him up." Quil explained.
Carlisle nodded and then pressed a kiss to Bella's temple.
Sam came out a few minutes later and went to hug Bella.
'Thank you." Carlisle met Sam's eyes.
"Jacob is cooling off. I can't believe he's so stupid. I'm so sorry, Bella."
Bella shook her head.
"It's no one's fault. Let's just move on to something else."
Carlisle smiled at the idea.
When it was time to go Jacob did not come out to say goodbye. Bella was happy to see all of her friends but now she was happy to see her father before she left to return home. She was currently sitting in the living room with Sue, Emmett, Rose, and Da Vinci. Carlisle had wanted to talk to Charlie about something.
"What is taking him so long?" Bella sighed as she petted Da Vinci.
She needed to be close to her love again.
"Man business." Sue chimed. "Men will be men."
"Amen to that." Rosalie laughed. "Bella, you know how Emmett and Carlisle can be when they get into an interesting conversation. They take longer than us doing our hair. They're probably comparing their guns."
Sue was now in on the secret and she couldn't help but smirk.
"Boys and their toys." She shook her head as her eyes laughed.
Later the two men rejoined the family and Bella gave her father a hug. It was time to go. Carlisle looked like the cat who ate the canary, whereas Charlie just looked proud. Something had happened between the two, what Bella could not figure out, but she couldn't press for answers because two of the most important men in her life were happy. She couldn't ask for more.
So what did you think? Any ideas, I know you all wanted to see Jacob get his just desserts. I know you all expected some big plan from him, but I say it was small thinking on his part. For all we know, or I know, or want you to know, he had a plan and he scrapped it. Some of you wanted to know if Jacob is the leader of the Quintiles, I guess technically yes. And he did say some bad things about Carlisle to the guys, but they all know him well enough to know how he over reacts. Sam is really in charge until Jake grows up, even though he is an adult he really isn't ready to lead. So I'm really happy with the soundtrack, and I really do recommend you go listen to those song because those are some of my absolute favorites and I have been wanting to use them I just didn't know when to. For those of you who watch Pretty little liars and Vampire diaries you will recognize some of the songs. So please review and have an awesome day.