Bear

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!

Chapter Twenty One

Bella was surprised when she heard from Rosalie. It had been a while since any of the Cullens had been in contact. She had spoken to Alice briefly in the aftermath of Victoria's demise but since then, nothing. Bella knew that Jacob and his pack were renegotiating the treaty with Carlisle. The pack wanted the Cullens to leave. It was now believed that it was their moving to the area in the first place which had triggered the wolf gene and turned all their lives upside down.

"Rose, come in." Bella stepped aside and gestured for the stunning blonde to come inside. "It's good to see you."

"Likewise." Rosalie drawled as she strode gracefully into the hallway. An amused smile flittered across her face when she saw Bear trot immediately to Bella's side and emit a low growl. "I see your watchdog is on full alert."

"Bear, it's okay." Bella smiled at Rosalie apologetically as she bent down and stroked Bear's head soothingly. "She's one of the good ones, baby Bear." She assured him.

Bear wasn't convinced, but he backed down when he realised his mistress wasn't showing any signs of fear. Still, he kept close beside her as Bella invited Rosalie into the lounge to sit down. Puffball was dozing in Charlie's recliner while her son was playing tag with his own tail. Rosalie's face softened when she saw the two felines. "So beautiful." She murmured.

"How are your fur babies?" Bella asked as she perched on the edge of the sofa and motioned for Rosalie to sit next to her.

"Amazing." Rosalie laughed as her smile broadened. She quirked one perfectly manicured brow and looked at Bella keenly. "They've driven Edward out of the house. He couldn't stand being around them as they kept trying to attack him at every opportunity. He's been living in a cottage on the grounds."

"Oh, dear." Bella tried not to laugh. She put her hand over her mouth to stop the giggles. "Poor Edward."

"He's a fool." Rosalie said dismissively.

Bella just shrugged, not really knowing what else to say. It was odd how news of Edward didn't evoke the feelings it once had. Now she just felt indifferent toward him. "I still want him to find some kind of happiness."

"I think happiness is beyond him. He likes to wallow in his own misery." Rosalie paused for a second as her smile turned wicked. "But we are working to change all that. Even misery loves company."

"What are you planning?" Bella asked curiously. She reached down to stroke Bear's head as he lay across her feet.

"We will be decamping to Denali in a few days." Rosalie announced.

"You're leaving?" This news wasn't a surprise. There was nothing for the family to hang around for anymore. Their presence in the area was creating too much attention as none of them were showing any signs of aging. The staff at the hospital were already whispering about Carlisle's perpetual youth. "Permanently?"

"Yes, though Edward thinks it's temporary. It was the only way we could get him to agree to go. We are hoping once we are in Denali and he gets reacquainted with one particular old friend that he might see that a permanent move is best."

"You mean Tanya." Bella nodded as she guessed what the Cullen family were trying to do. "Will Edward give her a chance this time do you think?"

"Only time will tell." Rosalie sat forward and studied Bella carefully. "I didn't have to come and bid you farewell, but I needed to see and hear that you really are over Edward and that he no longer has any influence over you."

"I've moved on." Bella assured her. "I would never go back."

"Good." Rosalie relaxed and sat back against the sofa cushions. Her gaze flitted around the room before settling on Bella again. Her blonde hair shimmered in the weak light filtering through the window. She was dazzling in her intensity. "I wish you all the joy and happiness in the world, Bella." She said quietly. "Live your life and don't waste a second of it. Promise me."

"I will." Bella vowed. She felt tears prick at her eyes as she embraced the cool blonde in an emotional hug. It took a second for Rosalie to respond, but eventually she wrapped her arms around Bella and hugged her right back.

As soon as Jacob stepped inside, his lips met Bella's in a crushing kiss. She pulled him closer, wrapping her fingers in his hair. He broke away long enough to say. "I've missed you so much." He kissed her again before reluctantly letting her go. A worried frown settled on his handsome face taking Bella by surprise. "Do you want to tell me why you smell like a vampire?"

Bella had forgotten that Jacob would be able to smell Rosalie's scent. She had just been grateful that she had been able to see her one last time and say a proper goodbye. She had asked Rosalie to send her good wishes to all the family, including Edward, on her behalf. She thought it best not to say goodbye in person to the rest of the coven. Bella had planned to talk to Jacob about seeing Rosalie but his unexpected arrival had pre-empted things.

"Rosalie came by." She said eventually.

Jacob inhaled sharply. "Right." His eyes were tight shut, his face a grimace of pain.

Bella was shocked at how hurt he was about the visit. "Jake, I'm sorry." She apologised quickly.

Jacob opened his eyes again and faced her. His expression had hardened as if he was bracing himself for bad news. "Did you see him, too?"

"No." Bella whispered.

There was a flicker of surprise in his dark eyes, but his face remained expressionless. "Did you plan to see her? Them?" HIs voice was steady, but Bella heard his breath catch as he asked her the question.

"No, Rose's visit took me by surprise." Bella captured his hands within her own and pulled them up to her lips to kiss them. "She came to say goodbye. The Cullens are leaving, Jake. They won't be back."

Jacob watched her carefully as he tried to absorb what she was saying. "Leaving? For real?"

"Yes." Bella nodded.

"And he didn't try to talk to you or see you?" Jacob's face slowly began to relax.

"No." Bella shook her head this time. "And I wouldn't have wanted to see him even if he had tried. I'm over him, Jake. It's you and me now. I love you. In your heart you know that." She gazed up at him earnestly, begging him to believe what she was saying.

Jacob swallowed down his insecurities and his expression softened. His hand, so warm, cupped Bella's cheek, his thumb stroking her jawline. "I just love you so much." He took another deep breath. "I just can't understand how you can think of them like people. Or how you can want to see any of them after what they have put you through. I'm glad they're going. I can't pretend otherwise."

"I know that you see them differently." Bella reached up and stroked his face tenderly.

Jacob leaned down and kissed her. He wrapped his arm around Bella so she was snug and warm. She rested against him, breathing easier now that they understood each other.

Charlie came home from work early to find Bear shepherding Rocky as the intrepid little kitten dangled on the edge of the recliner. Puffball was curled up on the cushion. She opened her eyes when her favourite walked in and picked her up and placed her on his shoulder so he could take her place. Her thick tail curled around Charlie's neck as she settled down. Rocky tumbled off the recliner and was rescued by his hovering uncle. Charlie laughed as he patted Bear on the head. "Well done, boy." He praised him. "Where's Bells? Has she gone out without you?" It was rare for Bella to leave the house without Bear with her.

Bear whined as he stood up and wagged his tail. He knew perfectly well where his mistress was. She was upstairs in her room with Jacob. The closed door meant that he wasn't allowed in. He felt Charlie stroke him between the ears and he whined again, edging forward as he indicated for the older man to follow him. The police chief looked at Bear curiously before rising to his feet with Puffball balancing on his shoulder.

"Is there something you want to show me, boy?" He asked.

Bear wagged his tail again as he charged out of the lounge and sat at the bottom of the stairs. Charlie had scooped Rocky up before following the large dog into the hallway. "Are you telling me that Bells is upstairs?" He guessed.

Bear barked and began to climb the stairs. Charlie shrugged as he loped up behind the large dog. He didn't call out to Bella in case she was napping in her room or something. When he reached the top of the stairs he held a forefinger to his lips, indicating to Bear that he needed to be quiet. Bear sank down by Charlie's feet and obediently fell silent. Rocky was struggling in Charlie's grip. The police chief placed the kitten on the floor. Rocky immediately clambered up onto Bear as he tried to get onto his back. Puffball peered disdainfully down at them all from her perch on Charlie's shoulder.

"Bells." Charlie tapped on his daughter's bedroom door with the back of his hand so as not to surprise her. Then he opened the door and came face to face with his daughter straddling Jacob Black. His face turned beet red as they both looked back at him horror. Charlie swiftly closed the door again only to be faced with a grinning Bear as he wagged his tail joyfully at doing his good deed for the day.

A/N-thanks for reading. Writing this story has been a blast. I hope you all enjoyed it.