I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. 26
(EPOV)
I waited until Bella was out of sight before I entered the house. I could hear the television from here.
"That you, Edward?" Charlie called out. I smiled wirily, who else would it be? I'm sure there wasn't many who would just enter the front door of the Chief of Police's house.
"Yes, Charlie." I answered walking towards the living room.
"You have been getting some phone calls from a Mr. William Bryan. He said it was important for you to give him a phone call at the office tonight. He said he would be there late." Charlie looked up from the game at me. "Are you in trouble?"
"No, not that I'm aware of." I shrugged. I was only slightly curious what Mr. Bryan wanted.
"Who is this guy, the name sounds familiar?" Charlie wasn't done questioning.
"He's one of my father's old partners at the firm. I have no clue what he would want with me." I answered honestly.
"What one is he, the 'I'm better than you' one or the portly one that seemed there just for the food?" He asked. I hid a laugh because he hit the nail on the head.
"He would be the former." I smirked slightly. "I'll go see what he wants."
I entered the kitchen to use the phone. It didn't surprise me that he was working on a Sunday at the office at all so I dialed up the office then his extension.
"Bryan." He answered curtly sound irritated that he was being disturbed.
"Mr. Bryan, it's Edward Masen. I'm returning your phone call. What can I do for you?" I asked politely.
"Oh, Edward, my boy I'm glad that it's you. I wasn't sure if my message would reach you. It seems that boon town you were sent to is filled with ignoramuses. The clown at the school was less then helpful and your new guardian wouldn't give me your cellphone number since I didn't have the time to explain to him who I was." I rolled my eyes.
"Well, my cousin was only looking out for me. I'm sure he didn't mean to offend you." I apologized to placate him. "Who at the school were you trying to talk to?" I asked curiously.
"A Mr. Turtle, I believe the name was." I smothered a laugh when he must have meant Mr. Tuttle. To be a fly on the wall during that conversation would've been interesting.
"His name is Mr. Tuttle." I corrected him. "He's the guidance counselor at the school."
"Well, that buffon shouldn't be. The man couldn't even divulge to me what college you will be attending in the Fall." He sniped. "I should call the Superintendent and the school board and have the man dismissed."
"First of all, sir, I'm sure you must realize that to do that wasn't ethical or possibly even legal. You're not my guardian so for him to divulge any personal information to you wouldn't be right. He was doing his job. Even if he could tell you, there wouldn't be much to tell you since I'm not going to college in the Fall." I defended the poor man since he didn't deserve to lose his job. There was a long period of silence and I started to wonder if he hung up.
"I'm sorry something must be wrong with the connection. I thought I heard you say that you weren't attending college in the Fall." He scoffed.
"You heard me correctly. I have decided not to go to college." I repeated slower as if I was talking to a small child.
"Well, that is ridiculous. Why wouldn't you go?" He sounded angry.
"I have decided to take a year off and travel." I answered calmly.
"That is absurd. No good college is going to take you into their pre-law program if you take a year off. This was not yours and your father's plans. Somehow you got off track. Apparently that lazy little town as fucked with your brain. You're going to college even if I have to gain custody of you myself. It's obvious that the small town police chief can't give you the proper guidance that you need." He threatened.
"Charlie has been a better role model for me than anyone else has ever been. For the first time I have had my nose out of my studies and learned there was more to life than school. I have never been happier."
"So this about this slut then." He replied snottily.
"One, Isabella is not a slut, and for the second leave her out of this." I snapped. He had pushed me too far with him insulting my angel.
"Edward, if you want a girlfriend my Brittney would certainly love to be there for you. I'm sure you find that she knows the role of a society life. She won't have to be trained for the role like your mother was." He suggested cooly.
"If I wanted a mindless bimbo as arm candy I would just find myself a blow-up doll." I snapped.
"Now see here." He hollered.
"No, you see here." I interrupted him. "First, you insult the only man who acted like a real father to me. Then my girlfriend, who I love dearly and is irreplaceable in my life. Then you go after my mother?" I seethed. "Now you listen to me. I'm never going to be a lawyer. I will never work for you or with you. I will be selling my part of the partnership as soon as I'm legal. You can't stop me.
You could try to get custody all you want, but we both know you have no leg to stand on." I hung up the phone still seething.
I turned to see Charlie leaning in the doorway. I realized my conversation was louder than I intended.
"Everything, okay?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Everything is just peachy." I said sarcastically.
"So I would ask what he had wanted, but it seems like I would be asking the obvious." Charlie's mustache twitched slightly.
"Sorry about that." I sighed leaning against the counter. This wasn't the way I was going to tell him about not going to college.
"So when were you going to tell me about not going to college?" He started his interrogation. I wasn't sure if he was upset yet or not about it.
"I wasn't trying to hide it from you, honest. I just didn't know how to approach the subject yet." I explained honestly. "All my life has been school and tying to get ahead to get into a life that I don't even want. My father chose it for me not caring what I would want. Just always pushing and pushing and trying to control me and Alice like puppets. I can't do that anymore.
I need a break from school. I want to travel the world and do something that I want in life. I will go to school next year, but I'm going to study music. I'm not sure what I will do with it yet, but it's what I want and what I love to do." Everything came tumbling out.
"I see." Charlie nodded for a moment appearing to think about it. "What does Isabella think about all this? Doesn't she have one year of school left?"
"She's going to take a class over the summer and then she will be done. She was just one short to graduate this year too. She wants to travel with me." I answered fairly honestly.
"How does Dr. and Mrs. Cullen feel about that?" He questioned his face still seemed blank.
"They are supportive. They know that we are both hard workers and plan to go back to school." I replied.
"And if I'm opposed?" he asked.
"With all due respect, Charlie, you have done a lot for me. Bringing me here you showed me a different life. I feel as if I missed so much being buried in books all the time. I want a chance to explore the world. I'm not doing this as any disrespect to you, but I started to look in to being emancipated.
I don't want you to worry about me. I'm not one of those types to blow through their inheritance. I think I have shown you I'm fairly responsible and level headed and ready to take control of my own life." I explained calmly.
"I happen to agree with you." Charlie surprised me. He chuckled at the look on my face.
"Did you think I would argue and force you to school?" He had a slight smirk on his face.
"Well, I admit I wasn't entirely sure of your reaction. However, that would have been my father's response and as you heard his partner."
"I'm not him. And neither of you. Though I did wonder about when you first arrived here. You seemed just like him, too serious for your young age. There has been a change in you for the better I believe. You're probably more mature than most adults I know. I'm sure you didn't take your decision lightly. I'm not going to fight you and I will support your decision, as long as you check in with me once in a while."
"Thank you, Charlie." I smiled.
"My plan is to order pizza tonight, that alright with you?" He asked looking at the clock.
"That's fine." I nodded.
He started to walk back out the room and stopped looking over his shoulder. "Your mother would be happy to hear you going to do something with your musical talent." He informed me before going back to his game.
I smiled relieved that the conversation with Charlie went well at least. I wasn't too sure if Mr. Bryan would be an issue or if Mr. Wyatt will try to step in too. I made a mental note to contact Jeremy in the morning to see if he had any recommendations for an attorney to get emancipated. I didn't want to use him since that might cause conflict at the firm.
I headed to my room to wait for the pizza to come. I found Bella waiting for me on my bed.
"How long have you been here?" I greeted her with a small kiss.
"Before you hung up with Mr. Bryan." She answered. She pulled my arm until I joined her on the bed.
"I have a message from Alice. She says Mr. Bryan is full of hot air and won't follow through with his threats. It seems like Mr. Wyatt Sr. is on your side as well as his son. She told me to give you this." She handed me a slip of paper. "She says that Mr. Jenks should be able to help you. With Charlie supporting your decision that it should be a piece of cake." Bella smiled teasingly. "Of course that was the modified version of what she actually said. There was a bunch of other unnecessary adlibbing that I thought you could do without." Bella laughed.
"She wouldn't be Alice if she didn't." I joined her laugher.
After a moment pause she was serious again. "She sees you disappearing tomorrow after school. Just be careful okay. I still think I should be near in case it doesn't go over well." Her eyes looked worried.
"I promise not to push him too far. I plan to talk to Jacob alone. I think deep down he knows I'm right." I kissed her cheek.
F
Jacob was sitting on the front steps at Charlie's door afterschool the next day when Bella dropped me off. He rose to his feet when he saw us and his face expressionless. I unbuckled myself and turned to her.
"I guess this is it. I will call you as soon as he leaves." I promised leaning in for a kiss. She sighed and nodded in agreement. Her eyes betrayed her nerves. She wasn't happy with the situation, not that I blamed her.
"I love you, it's going to be okay." I whispered into her ear and kissed just behind her ear.
"I love you too." She said softly.
I got out of the car and slung my bag over my shoulder. "Jacob?" I called out in greeting not smiling at him.
"Edward. Isn't she staying?" He looked towards Bella in the car. She paused from shifting the gears looking mildly surprised.
"I didn't think you would want her to stay. I will not tolerate her being talked to with disrespect." I narrowed my eyes.
"I understand that, but I was hoping to talk to the both of you." He responded sounding sincere. I heard the car shut off and the door open as she stepped out.
"Nice car by the way. The license plate is a real kicker." Jacob smirked. I was surprised that he got it since most missed the joke.
"Thank you. What can we do for you?" Bella asked her voice didn't betray any emotion.
"Maybe we can do this where we won't be overheard or watched." He looked around at the surrounding houses. I realized his concern for nosy neighbors overhearing things that they shouldn't. Before I could suggest going inside Bella took my hand and led us into the woods a bit. We came to a stop in a small clearing.
"Alright, Jacob, what is it. I was under the impression I wasn't going to see you for a while." I stood next to Bella and faced him.
He seemed to be at war with himself before he stuck out his hand towards Bella, it shook slightly. "Jacob Black." He announced. I lifted an eyebrow in surprise. Bella paused for a moment before reaching out her own hand.
"Isabella Cullen," she shook his hand lightly. He flinched faintly before letting go.
"You've met before," I replied coolly wrapping an arm around Bella's waist.
"I know, but I wished to start over." Jacob said solemnly. "You gave me a lot to think about since we last talked. I'm not above saying that you made excellent points and I have come to believe that you're mostly right." He admitted.
"Mostly?" I inquired. I wanted to know what he still disagreed with.
"I can agree that we treated the Cullens rashly. However, I can never agree to a human being changed even if it's his own free will." He was being honest. I knew no matter what I said it would go against his grain to agree a human should be a vampire.
"It's still not your decision to make." I retorted. Jacob shrugged and looked away.
"I know I can speak for my family and say that we are glad to see no animosity between the two groups." Bella smiled in good gesture.
"We wish for no animosity as well, but this doesn't negate the treaty." Jacob said apologetically. "I'm sorry but we still need to take every precaution for our people."
"That's fine, Jacob. We will understand and respect that. We will be moving on by late summer or early fall anyways." Bella didn't seem as bothered as I was.
"Jacob, before you go there is more that we need to talk about. You actually saved me a trip into La Push to find you or Sam. Though I rather it was you I talked to." I seized the opportunity to mention the impending war. Jacob tensed and looked uneasy as he glanced at the two of us.
"What is it?" His eyes darted between us. It occurred to me that this information might come better from Bella than myself.
"A situation has arisen that the Cullens need to inform you about it. I had volunteered to relay information since they couldn't enter La Push but perhaps it would come better from Bella." I looked down at my angel who gave me a gentle smile before facing Jacob. Her smile slipped for one more stoic in nature.
"Jacob, when we last saw the pack you asked about a nomad that traveled through here." She started.
"Is he back to cause problems?" Jacob crossed his arms, the friendly look was completely gone.
"Not exactly." Bella shook her head. "Jasper was escaping his former life with his new mate. In his former life he was involved with a coven that fought over territory with other covens." Bella explained.
"You don't mean land, do you," Jacob looked disgusted.
"No, I don't. You know what they fought over, and you would be right. It's disgusting, revolting, barbaric, evil and I'm sure you could come up with more colorful words for it." Bella sighed. "Jasper knew of no other way at first. It was either go along with it or be killed. That was until he met his mate and found it was possible to survive on animal blood and there was a possible life for them up north." Bella went on to explain.
"So how does this affect the tribe?" Jacob was frowning.
"The coven leader he escaped from isn't happy that he did. She had been tracking him and plans on bringing an army of newborn vampires to destroy him and his mate and anyone else in their way. The army first stops is Forks." Bella told him.
"How do you know all this?" Jacob gave her a skeptical look.
"Jasper's mate has the ability to see the future. They came back to warn us. She wants something here." Bella glanced at me quickly, sadly.
"And that is?" Jacob was starting to look impatient. His body was also shaking slightly.
"She wants me. She wants to change me and then have me destroy Jasper, Bella, her family and the other vegetarian coven." I answered.
"She found Edward's scent when she was last in the area. Humans tend to smell sweeter if they are harboring a special ability. It's probably her plan to change Edward for his. We don't think she realizes that he's my mate, or if she does, she doesn't care." Bella's voice started to crack slightly with her pent up emotion. Jacob eyed her more warily.
"Look, you and the tribe don't trust vampires. I can't fault you for that. We still felt you deserved a warning that we would have twenty plus vampires heading this way bent on wreaking havoc. My family and the one's from Alaska have joined together to fight them. Hopefully we will be enough to stop them. But in case we aren't…" Bella took a deep breath before continuing. "We would like the wolves to fight with us since we would have the same goal. I can't lose my family, especially Edward. We need your help, please talk to Sam and see if he's willing."
Bella's lip trembled slightly as she bared it all out to him. Jacob was watching her carefully. His eyes had softened slightly when he saw her sincerity.
"I don't have to wait for Sam's approval, he's no longer Alpha, I'm. We will fight with you. Just name the time and place. We have been waiting to take out some vampires, might as well make us useful." Jacob gave us a hard smile. "I appreciate your honesty with us, grit and all."
"We have been meeting to train since newborns fight differently. If you would like to join us so mistakes aren't made on the war field it would be beneficial. Jasper's eyes are gold since he changed his diet. His mate's are not yet. Hers are orange still since she's still a newborn. But you have my word she has not had a drop of human blood to drink." Bella told him.
"I'll take that under advisement. Tell me the time and place to meet and my pack will be there." Jacob responded with a nod.
F
Shortly after we said are good-byes, Bella and I headed back to the house. We entered through the back. I flopped down on my bed as Bella remained standing still looking off.
"You know I didn't think I have asked, but are you okay?" I asked her. She gave me a sad smile and hugged herself.
"I'm not looking forward to this war if that is what you mean. The fact we might lose a loved one I can't even comprehend." She clenched her eyes shut.
"I know it's going to be so hard to watch you and Alice fighting vampires and not step in." I nodded.
Bella's eyes popped up and she starting shaking her head furiously.
"You aren't going to be there. You're not going be anywhere near that fight." She looked at me as if I was crazy.
I stood up fast towering over her. "Of course I'm going to be there. What do you think I'm going to do? Just sit at home like nothing is going on as you and Alice are fighting for your lives? No way, I need to be there. It's bad enough I'm not going to fight but I have to be there." I snapped. "I would go bat shit crazy worrying about you and Alice."
"You can't be there. Be reasonable. You would be in harm's way. I won't be able to concentrate if you're there. Not to mention Alice would lose focus too if you're there." Bella pleaded with me to understand.
"Alice isn't going to fight and neither are you. The wolves are fighting now so you can step away." I commanded, which didn't go over well judging by the look on her face.
"I'm fighting. My family needs me and my ability." Bella stubbornly argued. I knew she was right but still my emotions were on overdrive. I turned and punched the wall. "Fuck." I shook my hand as it throbbed in pain.
"Edward," Bella gasped and reached for my hand, I pulled it away childishly. "Give me your hand." She ordered in a no nonsense voice. I obediently held my hand out to her. She touched it lovingly and gently as she examined it. I hissed when she brushed a knuckle. "You cracked it. I will go get some ice and wrap it." She sighed letting go. "Feel better now that you hurt yourself?" She frowned disappointedly. She didn't wait for an answer but disappeared.
I sighed and sat back down ashamed by my actions. With my good hand I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. I didn't hear her come back into the room so I jumped in surprise when a cold ice pack touched my hand.
"Sorry," She said softly. "I have some pain killers and water for you. Open up." I looked up at her sad, worried eyes. I opened up my mouth obediently and swallowed the pills she dropped into my mouth and then swallowed the water she brought to my lips.
"I'm sorry. I thought it would make me feel better if the wolves helped, but I still feel so helpless. I don't like feeling this way." I apologized now that I was calmer.
Bella sat on my lap and rested her head on my shoulder. "No one does. It will work out, I can't not help my family." She bit her lip.
"I know. I'm ashamed that I even asked." I dropped the ice pack and slipped my hand up her shirt and in between her breasts. "Much better." I grinned. She rolled her eyes, but fought the smile threatening her lips.
Her phone rang and she pulled it out looking at it briefly before answering. The conversation was quick and low so I didn't hear much. She sighed when she hung up the phone.
"You win. I'm not going to be fighting. I will stay with you. We will hide you somewhere in the mountains. Alice thinks it's possible that Maria might get to you if we leave you alone somehow. So I'm going to stay with you and Alice won and she's now going to fight in my stead. She doesn't see it making a difference if I'm there so most likely they have no powers to worry about." Bella gave me a grim smile.
"She sees that working then?" I asked and Bella nodded. Slowly her smile became more genuine.
"Thank you," I kissed her cheek softly. She turned her head and her lips met mine. Her tongue licked my bottom lip to deepen our kiss.
"Show me." She started to purr as she pulled down the zipper to my fly. She pushed me down on the bed. She stood up on the bed straddling me. She stripped off her pants and her shirt tossing them to the floor with my pants. She lowered herself gracefully slipping over my cock.
She started to ride me slowly and then increasingly faster.
"Do you have any attachment to this shirt?" she purred and I shook my head no. Her hand came down ripping the shirt down the front. Her fingers traced my abs sending small little electric charges of pleasure through my body.
She leaned forward so her mouth was to my ear and her breasts were in my face.
"You know we can just enjoy ourselves hidden away in the mountains with no one around that can hear us." She whispered seductively. I moaned before grabbing her jaw and pulling her mouth to meet mine.
A/N: Jacob is slowly coming around. Give him time.
Charlie was accepting of Edward wanting to travel then go to college right away. If you haven't noticed Charlie doesn't like Edward Sr. very much so he's not going to care if Edward goes against his father as long as not doing something stupid.
Alice is going to fight. They already gave an accuse to explain her eyes so now she just has to make sure her hair isn't recognized. Jacob is the only one of the pack that has met her so far.
Thank You For All the Reviews
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Preview:
"What's this about a treasure hunt?" Charlie asked joining our conversation.
"It's more of a scavenger hunt that we sometime do when we go camping. Emmett wanted to do one this week to celebrate their graduation." Bella explained without skipping a beat. "By the way Edward you never got back to us if you were joining us?" Bella turned to me.
"Oh right. Charlie, do you mind if I go camping with the Cullens?" I asked out of politeness.