Alright, first, I wanna point something out.. Big thank you to Emily (I'm guessing she doesn't have an account) for pointing out a mistake of mine. Super sorry about that |= You're very observant lol.
Thank you for all the reviews last chapter, I absolutely love logging onto AIM everyday and seeing like 20 emails (= it makes my day!
But onto the chapter (= the chapter with characters that I don't own.. Well technically I don't own the names or the idea of them together, but I guess I kinda own them for this story (= Maybe.. idk.
Chapter 28 .. Bella
"So Bella, how was work?" Charlie set my plate in front of me and I pushed my books aside so I could eat.
"It was OK. Mrs. Clearwater has been taking a lot more time off to be with Seth and Leah so it's pretty much me and Edward running the place. But it's pretty cool." I picked up my fork and lifted up the piece of.. chicken? "Dad, what is this?" I pointed to the meat on my plate and raised an eyebrow at him.
"It's fish. Does it not look good?" He looked down at his own and cocked his head to the side.
"Dad, this is definitely not cooked right." I got up and picked up my plate, then went over to him and took his before he could take a bite. "Don't eat that, you'll get sick." I took them to the garbage and dumped them, trying to get rid of the smell, then put the plates in the sink, washing them off immediately.
"Sorry, Bella. But you've been so busy with school and work, and everything else, that I thought I should cook you dinner for once." He got up and walked over to the fridge.
I nodded and walked over to the fridge next to him and grabbed a paper off the top. "Don't worry dad, I got it covered." I walked over to the phone and picked it up. He gave me a look of question, but I stuck my finger up as the person on the other end answered. "Hey Tyler. Yep, delivery." I looked over at Charlie and he started laughing quietly. "Yep. Extra cheese. No, Charlie tried cooking again. Yeah, I know. OK, thank you!"
I put the phone back down and looked over at Charlie. "He'll be here in twenty minutes." He nodded and headed to the living room.
Roughly twenty minutes later, Tyler, the main delivery boy in town, pulled up with our pizza. I handed him the money and told him thank you. When he left, I put the pizza box on the table in front of Charlie and he turned the TV to something we would both enjoy.
Sitting there with my dad was different. It wasn't something we usually did, but since I was getting older, and leaving for school soon, and he was moving on with his life as well, it was nice. For the last eleven years, I always felt I was the one holding Charlie in this small town. I was his daughter, and I loved it here, and would have pitched the biggest fit if he mentioned moving, but I knew since Renee left, he hadn't been happy. He loved this town, and the people in it, but everything was a small reminder of what left him.
When he passed the diner, he went back to his first date with Renee, and it upset him. When he went downtown and saw the courthouse he had to be reminded of the day, a week after Renee turned eighteen, that they ran off and got married. Every time he came home, he knew he didn't have a wife inside waiting for him, instead he had the biggest reminder of all. Me. He had to come home to me everyday, and as much as I hated to admit it, I looked like Renee. I had Charlies hair and Charlies eyes, but everything else was her. And if my hair would have been naturally straight, instead of the slight curl halfway up, it would have been all her too. I reminded him most of Renee. And I hated it.
I always knew he loved me, but when she left us, I felt like he thought it was hard to get closer to me. We weren't the same. I always remembered coming home from school before she left and he'd be excited to see me, hug me, kiss me, then help me with my homework. But after she left, for the first couple years I came home to an empty house, and Esme waiting outside to take me home with her. He started taking on extra shifts at the station, and hated being home. When I got old enough to stay home and fend for myself, Edward and Alice would come over after school, and that's who I spent time with until dad came home a half hour before bedtime.
Over the years things got a little better. He spoke to me more, and just as we were getting closer, he made friends with Tom. Tom worked for the station in Seattle and kept offering to let Charlie come up and help out. Being the chief of police here, he felt it was his duty to help out elsewhere too. Then Tom started offering him jobs. He wouldn't tell me about them at first, but when he did, I started getting scared. I was no way, ever going to leave what I had here. I was mad enough at Renee to not let it all get to me, but he was still in love with her. And until he let her go, he would never be completely happy here.
The only reason I was happy here was Edward. And the rest of the Cullens. I needed them. They were the people that helped me more I ever expected them to. At ten years old, I would have never been able to hold a house down while Charlie went through his 'stage'.
"Bella, phone!" I looked back up and noticed Charlie wasn't sitting in his chair anymore. I shook my head and came back to the present.
"Who is it?" When I ran into the kitchen he was holding the phone out.
"Angela." He handed me the phone and I took it.
"Hey, Ang. What's up?" I pulled one of the chairs to the counter and sat down.
"Nothing much. Sorry I called your house, but you weren't answering your cell phone."
I dug into my pocket, and noticed it wasn't even there. "Yeah. Sorry. I don't know where I put it. Must be upstairs."
"It's OK. I just had a quick question. Are you and Edward going to prom this year?" I cringed at the word prom. I didn't enjoy dances, but Edward always talked me into going.
"Um, I'm not sure. We haven't really talked about it. But as soon as I know, I'll let you know. Why were you wanting to go shopping?"
"Yeah, I was hoping maybe you and Alice would go with me this year. I don't really want Jessica going." I laughed a little at what she said and agreed that even if I didn't go, I'd still go shopping with her.
When I got off the phone, I headed upstairs to get ready for bed. I took my shower and said goodnight to Charlie then crawled into bed.
The next morning I was awoke to the most beautiful sight. Edward was lightly shaking me and kissing my jaw and neck, making me giggle. I closed my eyes again and just laid there enjoying the feel of his lips all over my face. What a way to wake up.
"Bella, love, time to get up." I felt his lips move against my skin and shivered. How much better could this get?
I shook my head and attempted to roll over. Only to have him wrap his strong arms around me and pull me into a sitting position. "No. Wanna sleep." I slumped over slightly in his arms and he started laughing.
"Bella, we're late." My eyes shot open and I looked at the clock. Seven-fourteen. Crap! I had exactly sixteen minutes to get to school. I gently pushed him away, ran to the closet and grabbed the first thing my hands touched. Then I ran to the bathroom and took a quick shower. When I got out I ran down the stairs to gather my books from where I had left them last night and turned around to see Edward standing there laughing.
"What Edward?!" I put my hands on my hips as he straightened up and looked at me, trying to stop his laughing.
"Love, please go change your shirt." He walked over to me and grabbed my bag off my shoulder. I looked down to see what shirt I had on and groaned. In my rush I managed to grab one of my pajama shirts, so I ran up the stairs to change. When I found something decent, I ran back down and grabbed my bag from Edward. As I ran past him he also held out a poptart. I took that and went to the coat rack to pull my jacket on. Once Edward has his jacket back on we rushed out the door and Edward locked it behind us.
School was uneventful, except for the nasty looks from Jessica. Mike had recently asked her to prom after finally realizing I was most likely going to say no. Gee, don't know what tipped him off. Maybe it was the constant no's, maybe it was death glares from Edward, or maybe it was the whole pushing-Mike-into-the-pool event. Whatever it was, thank god. I never quite understood it all. Compared to some of the girls in this school, I was totally average. Had dull looks, didn't do any extra curiculare stuff like cheerleading or tennis, didn't really hang out with too many people other than Edward, Alice and occasionally Angel or Tyler. A couple years after the whole Tyler trying to kiss me epsiode, we became pretty good friends. And Edward forgave him and started hanging out with him too. It was nice, but I didn't need too many friends. I had the Cullens, and Rosalie and Jasper, and I didn't have much time for any of that.
"So, did Jasper tell you?!" Alice was bouncing up and down in her seat at the lunch table. Me and Edward just sat there and tried to eat our food.
"Bella, are you going to eat that?" I shook my head and pushed the apple across to Edward.
"Are you guys listening to me?!" I looked up just as Alice slapped her hand against the table. "I swear you two are so unobservant."
I smiled over at Edward and saw his dazzling smile grace his face as well. "Sorry Alice. What were you talking about?" I looked over at her and smiled apologetically.
"Jasper didn't tell you?" She looked over at Edward and he shook his head. "He's coming back to take me to prom! Like last year! It's going to be perfect! Bella are you gonna let me take you dress shopping or what?" She started bouncing in her seat again and I just stared at her wide eyed.
"Alice, I don't even know if I'm going yet. But that's great Jasper's gonna come back down for you." I started to go back to my plate, but then remembered the phone call last night. "Oh, but I did promise Angela me and you would go shopping with her. She's going with Ben I think."
"Yes! I know! They are so cute together." I started drowning Alice out and just looked up at Edward. His eyes were gleaming and sparkling and I could tell he was thinking of something. I started to ask him why he looked so happy, but he leaned down and kissed me, halting any current thoughts in my head.
Pretty soon it was time for biology and me and Edward walked hand in hand across campus. When we reached the door he stopped me right outside and brought my hand to his lips. He kissed it lightly then brushed his other hand across my cheek, causing an instant blush to stain them.
"So have you thought about prom?" He smiled down at me and dropped our hands back to his side.
I shrugged, "I don't know. You made me go last year, remember?" He chuckled, probably remembering how much effort it took.
Flashback: Eleventh grade; Junior prom.
"Bella, just come upstairs with me for a minute." Edward was holding his hand out for me to take and I let out a huff, finally standing up.
"Fine, Edward. But if you ask me what color socks you should wear to junior prom one more time, I'm gonna steal them all, and you'll go sock-less!" He laughed and drug me up the stairs.
When we got to his room he just stood there.
"What's going on Edward?" I walked over to him and he looked nervous. "Come on, I wanna go back downstairs and finish my paper."
He finally looked at me and took a deep breath. "You know I love you Bella. Like, you're my best friend, and I want you to be happy." He looked down at his feet and put his hands behind his back. He reminded me of a little school boy that just said something he thought might get him in trouble. I started giggling a little and his head shot up.
"Yes Edward. And I love you too, you're my best friend and I am happy?" I walked closer and reached behind him to grab his hands. "Now, what's going on?" He took another deep breath and walked over to the radio, turning it on. He stood there for a minute, still holding one of my hands while he waited for the CD to start. When it finally did I heard the music come through the speakers and knew immediately what song it was.
"Dance with me?" He held his other hand out, for me to take but I hesitated.
"What are you doing Edward. You know I can't dance." I attempted to take a step back, but he held his grip.
"Please Bella. I know it sounds weird, and really silly, but just please. Dance with me." He stepped closer, wrapping one arm around me and pulling me close. "Or I'll just have to make you." He grinned down at me and I laughed.
"You don't scare me Cullen." I wrapped one arm around his shoulder and put the other in his waiting hand.
"Oh, really, and why is that Miss Isabella?" I laughed as we started moving to the music.
"You just don't. I've known you too long. I know your strengths and your weakness'. I know that if I told you to let me go, you would. I know that there is a reason why you're doing this, and acting so strange. But I don't know what that reason is." I smiled up at him and he looked away from my eyes.
"Well, you know I'm going to prom right?" I nodded. "Well, I'm going alone. And I was thinking about asking someone in particular. But I'm afraid."
I pulled away just enough to see his face, but continue the dance. "Who are you thinking about asking? Maybe I could help." He looked down at me and smiled.
"Well, you know her." He spun me around and then pulled me back to him. I started laughing and wrapped my arms around his neck. He put his arms all the way around me and squeezed me tight; but not too tight. Perfect.
We stayed like that, just rocking back and forth till the end of the song. Occasionally he would lean down and say the words in my ear, making me giggle. Edward was as great as they came, and whatever girl that was lucky enough to be his future would be totally undeserving. She wouldn't be good enough for him.
"So, how are you planning on asking this girl to prom?" The song was over and when nothing else came out of the speakers I pulled away.
"I'm not completely sure yet, but I think I have an idea. Can you go over and open the big curtains while I grab something from over here? Then we'll talk." He let go of me and turned around to go to his bed. I nodded and walked over to the back wall of his room. The wall with the biggest window. It was nearly the whole wall, and it made for a gorgeous view, expecially being on the third floor.
When I slung the curtain over I saw writing on the window with blue window paint. I was curious and pulled them all the way over before standing back to get the full view of what was written. I gasped and put my hands over my mouth. Written all the way across his window in Edwards elegant hand writing was the words 'WILL YOU GO TO PROM WITH ME BELLA?'
I turned around and saw Edward standing by the bed with a single red rose in his hand and a smile on his face. I looked back and forth for a good couple minutes before I ran over to him and jumped into his arms. He lifted me off the ground and spun me around twice before setting me back down.
"Me?" I looked up at him in shock. He could have any girl at Forks high he wanted. He could probably even go to Port Angeles and get a girl there. But he chose me? He nodded and handed me the rose.
"Are you sure?" I was still in disbelief.
He laughed and nodded again. "Yes, Bella. Of course I'm sure. There is no one else I'd rather go with." He smiled quickly faded and he gently squeezed my hands. "But if you don't wanna go Bella, it's OK. I'll understand." I reached up and kissed his cheek.
"Of course I'll go with you. I just can't believe you'd pick me. I'm just your best friend." I looked down at the beautiful rose and smiled.
"OK. I know that's not your favorite flower, but I thought it more appropriate for this occasion." I nodded. "And why wouldn't I go with you? Who took you to eight grade dance? Or homecoming freshman year? or the Valentines day dance last year? We go to every dance together, why not this one." He was right. We had gone to every dance together, mainly because Alice refused to let me skip and I didn't want to go with anyone particular. So Edward stepped in and started taking me. He knew I didn't like to dance, so we usually just sat around making jokes about how the other girls were dressed and the guys against the wall too afraid to ask anyone to dance. He made it entertaining.
"I know. The flower is perfect, and that.." I turned around to point to the window, "Was really cute. Thank you." He leaned down and I gave him a hug.
I don't know where I'd be in this world without my best friend.
"Mr. Cullen, Miss Swan? Are you two planning on joining us this period?" I quickly looked over at Mr. Banner and nodded.
"Yeah, I was thinking about it." I walked past him and took my seat with Edward right behind me trying to stifle a laugh.
"Smooth Bella." He nudged me and we took out our books, getting looks from everyone.
We were told to work with our partners to identify some plants under the microscope. Me and Edward had no problem with it and were soon done. We just sat back and started talking. It was so easy with Edward. Nothing had changed. We were still the best friends we were months ago. If anything, we just got closer. I still loved him, only way more. And I still went to him for everything. If I hadn't known better, I would have just said me and Edward have been dating for over eighteen years. But that wasn't the case. The only thing that mattered, was that I had him now. And I was planning on keeping him for as long as he'd have me.
After school we got in Edwards car and he drove us to work. I had always been excited about my job, but now it was just tiring. I still loved it, working around all that music and getting to sample CDs before everyone else in town was great. But since Mrs. Clearwater was taking more and more time off to be with her own children, me and Edward took on most of the work, being the only employees. It was hard, but nothing me and Edward couldn't handle together.
When we got there I noticed Sue packing up to leave, so I said goodbye and told her to have a nice day, then ran up the stairs to get the orders started. Edward went to the back to get the boxes he didn't have a chance to unpack yesterday and started on that.
After a couple of hours, I had finished everything, so I decided to go downstairs. I looked all around, but couldn't see Edward. I didn't see him anywhere, which was odd. He wouldn't leave. I walked up to the front desk just as I heard the bell over the door ding. I turned around only to come face to face with my worse nightmare.
Jacob.
I froze. I hadn't seen or heard from Jacob since I watched the tape. And after seeing that, I saw just what kinda guy he really was and what I could have potentially gotten myself into. I had only ever read about girls being abused or hurt by their boyfriends or guys they were dating. I never thought I'd actually be one of them. I know it only happened once, but once was enough for me. I turned around, hoping I could just run back upstairs and wait for Edward to come back, but I couldn't leave the front unattended.
"Hello Bella." I watched him walk over to the counter and put his hands on it. I took a step back, but made sure to stay behind it.
"What are you doing here Jacob? You're not supposed to come near me." I tried to take another step back, but he moved to the side of the counter, getting closer to the opening. "Don't move any closer."
He stopped, but looked over at me. "You stop moving, and I will."
I nodded and stopped, just as he moved back to his original spot. "Answer my question."
"I wanted to see you. To apologize to you." He leaned against the counter and folded his arms.
"What if I don't want an apology? Will you leave?" I took a step forward, a little put off by my bravery.
"I don't wanna leave Bella. I wanna say I'm sorry." He smiled at me, but it looked fake.
"I could call the cops you know?" I took a step for the phone, but he got to it before I could.
He waved it in front of me and I froze again. "You'd need a phone for that." He set it in front of him and looked back at me. "Now listen to me Bella. I said all I wanna do is say I'm sorry. Accept my apology and lift that stupid order, and I'm outta here."
"Why aren't you in La Push. You're not supposed to leave." I slowly put my hands to my side, trying to feel for my cell phone, but it wasn't there. God, I need to carry that thing around more often!
"I told you, I came here to apologize. I'll go straight back in a few." He stood back up straight and I heard a door shut from the back of the store.
"Bella? Did you lock the backdoor? I had to run around to the car and get the key." I turned to see Edward coming into view and once he saw Jacob, I saw his teeth clench and his fists tighten. He started storming toward us and Jacob stood up straight, waiting for him to get closer. I wasn't going to see what happened to me, happen to Edward. I ran out from behind the counter and to Edward. I stopped in front of him, momentarily halting his approach, but he never looked away from Jacob. This wasn't going to be good.
"Edward, stop!" I put my hands on his chest, but it only fueled him more. He took a step forward, moving me with him. Once he realized I was in between him and Jacob, he gently, but quickly, picked me up and threw me behind him, then wrapped an arm around me while still facing forward.
"What the hell are you doing here?" He snapped at Jacob, but Jacob didn't flinch. I knew Edward didn't intimidate him. He was much bigger than Edward and Emmett wasn't around to help.
"I came to talk to Bella. Not you." Jacob took a step forward and I reached around to stop Edward.
"You have two seconds to get the hell out of here and away from Bella. If you don't do that, I'll call the cops and have your ass locked away again. You're not getting anywhere near Bella. You won't hurt her again." He tried to take another step but I stopped him. I threw his arm off of me and stood in front of him. He didn't look down at me, just made a move to push me behind him again.
"No Edward. Stop trying to move towards him! Let's just go to the back and call the cops." I put my hands on his chest and shoved him backwards. He wavered, but didn't move. "Come on Edward!" He finally looked down at me, but only for a second.
"Bella, love, please move. I can't handle him while trying to worry about you. Now go to the back and call your dad." He tried to move me, and I had to take a step to the side. He was just too strong for me. I wasn't going to leave him alone out here. He wasn't the one that took care of him last time, and I wasn't about to go through this again.
"Edward, please! Stop this!" I looked up at him and smacked his chest. He looked down at me and frowned.
"Bella, he hurt you. I'm not going to let that happen again." He grabbed me gently and moved me back to the side, but this time he moved to face me, so I was still in front of him, just not in between him and Jacob.
"Edward I want this to stop. Please come with me to the back." But before I could say anymore I heard sirens. I looked out the front window and saw a cruiser pull up. It was my dad. Thank god!
I pulled Edward back and watched my dad and Mark jump out of the car and walk to the door. As he walked in he went right to Jacob and cuffed him, sitting him down in a chair in front of the counter. He looked up at me and slowly walked over, pulling out another pair of handcuffs.
"Bella, please forgive me. I'm only doing my job." He walked over to me and Edward, and Edward let go of me.
"What are you talking about Charlie?" Edward looked down at the cuffs and then followed Charlies gaze to me. "Don't arrest her Charlie, she didn't do anything! What's going on?"
Charlie looked back at him, then to me. "I'm sorry Bella." He looked back at Edward and took a step toward him. "Edward, I'm not here to arrest her." Without another word he walked over to Edward and turned him around, cuffing his hands behind his back.
"Dad! What the hell are you doing?! They didn't fight, why are you doing that? Let him go!" I ran over to my dad but he turned around and grabbed me.
"Bella, I have to. A call came into the station this morning saying that they wanted Edward arrested. I told them I wasn't going to without a reason. They brought me a reason Bella, and I have to take him in. I'm so sorry. When the order was done I wouldn't let anyone else do it, not even Mark." He sat Edward down and looked back to make sure Mark had Jacob.
"But dad, there's no reason for Edward to be handcuffed, now let him go. Who would dare call in an order for him? He's never done anything wrong!" I looked back at Edward, and he looked terrified. "Dad, please let him go." I felt tears start in my eyes and I couldn't stop them.
"Honey, I can't explain it here, but if you wanna ride with us to the station you're more than welcome. I'm sure Sue will be OK with you locking up early." He put his hand on my shoulder and I nodded.
"Let me go grab the keys." I ran up the stairs and grabbed my bag, turned everything off then ran back down. I noticed Mark was putting Jacob into a cruiser that must have just pulled up. I walked to the counter and turned the lights off behind it. I followed my dad to the door and locked it.
"Dad, can you at least put the cuffs in the front so he's more comfortable." I pointed to Edward and he nodded.
"Of course." He walked over to Edward and undid the cuffs. "Now don't try running from me young man." He laughed, letting Edward know it was just a joke. Edward smiled a little, but it didn't last long. When the cuffs were in front I walked over to him and dug his keys out of his front pocket. I reached up and kissed him before walking to the Volvo and getting in.
When I pulled up to the station behind Charlie, I parked quickly and got out, following them in. Dad sat him down in a chair in the waiting area so he could go back and make sure Jacob was taken care of, and to see what cell he was is. Probably to ensure Edward was put across the station in one far away from Jacob.
Just the thought of Edward in a jail cell for god knows what reason made me break down again. I put my head in my hands and started crying. I felt Edward hands rest of my shoulder and I shot up, putting my head on his chest. He turned in his seat and lifted his arms over my head and around me. I curled into his chest and cried.
"Bella it's OK. It's probably a misunderstanding. I won't be here long. Please don't cry." He kissed the top of my head and the nudged my face with his so I'd look up.
"It doesn't matter why you're here. The point is, you're here, and I don't you to be. You never do anything wrong. So what the hell are you doing sitting in a police station waiting to be booked? This is stupid!" I put my head back down and cried some more. "What is going on Edward?!"
I felt him kiss the top of my head again and whisper against me. "I don't know Bella. But we can handle it. Like I said, it's probably all a misunderstanding all I'll go home with you tonight."
"I hope you're right Edward." I reached up and kissed his lips.
Just as the kiss was starting to deepen, Charlie cleared his throat in front of us. I pulled away and Edward lifted his hands up over my head and stood up.
"I'm sorry about this Edward. Do you want me to call your parents?" He shook his head.
"No, if I have to stay here for longer than just the next couple hours, I'll send Bella home to tell them." He hung his head in front of Charlie and I stood up.
"No, I'm not leaving. Now explain why he's even here, and how we can get him out." I walked over to Charlie and put a hand on Edward.
"Well I got a call from Billy Black, Jacobs dad, and he told me his son is getting threatening text messages from Edward. He brought in a printout from the phone company, and they're all signed Edward." He looked over at Mark and he brought over the papers.
"That's ridiculous! Edward would never do that. He's been with me, when would he have the chance?" I grabbed onto Edwards arm and looked up at him. "You didn't do that, did you?" He shook his head quickly.
"No Bella. You told me not to, so I didn't. I thought about.." He looked back up at Charlie and saw the expression on his face, then decided to quickly defend himself. "Thought about it! I didn't do it!" Charlie let out a small chuckle and the volume of Edward voice. I didn't find this funny.
"Dad, is there any way we can prove Edward didn't do that?" I reached over into Edwards pocked and pulled out his cell phone, handing it to him. "Check it, get this over with. I want him out of those cuffs."
"I know Bella. I'm going to work as fast as I can." With that, he told Edward to say goodbye to me. I stood up on my tip toes and wrapped my arms around Edwards neck, kissing him with as much passion as I could muster at this point in time. When I pulled away I saw Edward smile and I stepped back.
Watching Charlie take him to the back was hard. I couldn't help but think that Edward didn't deserve this. Whatever Jacob was trying to pull now, was bull, and it needed to stop. This could potentially ruin Edwards future, and it would be all my fault.
I wouldn't be able to live with myself if this incident ruined everything he worked so hard for.
I had to do something.
Alright, I'm sooooo sorry about locking Edward up! It was kinda an impulse decision..
But I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'm already proof reading the next one, so it'll be up soon, maybe even later today if I'm not busy (=
Thanks! and go to my profile and VOTE!! Please! (=
