Chapter Twenty Eight

Jasper

I had respected Charlie's wishes that I stayed away this evening but there was something going on and I was worried about Bella so once I knew the house would be quiet I made my way through the rain to the house. Before I got close enough to hear anything I could feel Bella's misery and anger and speeded up, jumping through her bedroom window to find her crumpled up at the foot of her bed sobbing silently, her fists clenched and wrapped in so much emotional pain it almost knocked me to my knees before I could brace myself.

She sensed my arrival as always and turned to look at me holding out her hands in supplication. I fell to my knees at her side and folded her against my wet jacket soaking up her misery and calming her while my own anger threatened to bubble over at any second. I thrust it back down, now was not the time to lose it, not with her parents so close by. I needed to know what had happened before making any decisions or taking any actions.

It took me almost an hour to calm Bella sufficiently to converse and even then her hands shook violently with suppressed emotion. She motioned agitatedly, she wanted me to take her away from here…now. I nodded but wrote that I needed to know what had happened, I would have to leave a note for the Chief, I couldn't just vanish with her unless he was the one who had done this to her and I doubted that. I knew he loved his daughter for all his faults and seeming blindness to his wife's true character.

It seemed Sophie had thrown down the gauntlet and Bella felt guilty at the thought of breaking up her father's marriage even though she hated Sophie and thought she was bad for Charlie. She wanted to leave, that way her father wouldn't be forced to make a choice he might regret later. I pointed out that leaving wouldn't solve his problem but she was begging me to take her away using gestures and expressions that together with her emotions were tearing me apart and eventually I agreed, unable to stand seeing her in such pain any longer.

I wrote a short note addressed to Charlie explaining that Bella had alerted me using her emergency signal and I had come over to see what the matter was early this morning and as she was so distraught I had taken her out of the situation for a while. It wouldn't do anything for my relationship with my boss but that wasn't a priority, my only concern was Bella and her well being.

Leaving the note propped against the vase of flowers in the middle of the dining table where it would be readily noticed I took Bella's hand and led her out into the darkness and away from the house to the trees. I was glad something had urged me to bring my car tonight although I could have carried Bella to our place quickly enough. She was already upset and shaking and I wanted to get her in the warmth and security of our house as soon as possible. It never occurred to me that Carlisle or Esme might have a problem with me bringing Bella to the house, I knew they understood there were serious problems at her place and with her stepmother if not her father.

Once in the car, she fell into my arms again and I held her tight calming her using my gift so I could drive back with her head on my shoulder, her hand clutching mine so tightly I could really feel her grip, even the ridged scars left by her attackers on that soft warm skin. It felt good to be a comfort to her, a rock she felt safe clinging too.

I was a different person around Bella and I knew I loved her, that she was my soul mate, but there was one hurdle still to be overcome and I couldn't put it off much longer. She had a right to know the truth about me, the whole truth, consequences be damned. I couldn't wouldn't, live a lie with the woman I loved more than life itself.

Charlie

My night had been plagued with nightmares and I was no closer to a solution now than I had been when I closed my eyes. Sophie's side of the bed was empty and cold, she'd obviously been up some time and I showered quickly bracing myself for the confrontation I knew was to come. In the kitchen she sat drinking orange juice and nibbling a piece of toast, a steaming mug of coffee and more toast waiting at my place opposite along with a ripped envelope and a sheet of paper placed deliberately beside it.

I slid into my seat and picked it up recognizing Jasper's neat to handwriting, what the hell was this? When I finished reading I put it back down and glanced at my wife who scowled back.

"Well? No comment? Aren't you bothered that your daughter's boyfriend came into the house during the night and spirited her away? I admit personally I'm relieved, it's saved a lot of unpleasantness and a nasty scene Charlie."

"Really? I take it you are glad Bella's gone?"

"Yes, I am. You didn't see it did you? She was coming between us Charlie and you were so blinded by compassion you failed to see what was happening. So yes, I'm glad and I'm making a stand right now, Bella is not welcome in my home any longer."

I got up and dumped my breakfast down the waste disposal before turning to answer my wife.

"I have to go to work but I plan on finding out what is really going on Sophie so is there anything you would care to share with me first? Anything I should know? Other than your ultimatum that is."

She glared and for the first time it struck me how spiteful she could appear.

"No, I think I covered it all last night but before you decide to take her part just remember…...I am your wife and you owe me some loyalty after twelve years."

I didn't bother answering that, just collected my gun from the cabinet and grabbed the cruiser keys before leaving just preventing myself from slamming the door in annoyance and frustration. I was beginning to feel the first real stirrings of distrust and even perhaps dislike for the woman I had called my wife for twelve years. It was cop instinct but something told me that Bella was the wronged party here and I was determined to get to the bottom of the puzzle before it drove a wedge between my daughter and me,

I wasn't surprised when Deb's told me that Jasper had called in sick that morning, he was certain to be looking after Bella but I was surprised to find Carlisle waiting outside my office to speak to me. I motioned for him to precede me and we sat facing each other across my desk.

"Carlisle, I assume this visit has something to do with my daughter? Is she at your place?"

He nodded looking uncomfortable but then cleared his throat and began to speak.

"I'm sorry if it seems we are being partisan here Chief but we could hardly refuse Bella refuge. She is very unhappy right now."

"Yeah, I know. Did she find a way to tell you what happened last night?"

"Enough for Jasper to understand that you wife would prefer it if Bella was no longer residing there."

"Yeah well Sophie said some rather unkind things to Bella. I know there are problems between the two of them but I get the feeling you know a lot more of what's been going on than me, you and Jasper that is."

"This is difficult for me Chief Swan, I consider both you and Sophie friends but I am concerned at some of the things Bella has been subjected to by her stepmother. Nothing physical I hasten to add, I think Sophie is too intelligent for that, she does seem to have been very clever at manipulating the situation but I don't expect you to take my word for it. Esme and I would like you to visit Bella at our house. Jasper and she are trying to put things together to show you Bella's side of the story. Would that be acceptable?"

I nodded grimly,

"I take it Bella is staying with you for now?"

"We have made it clear to her that she is welcome to stay for as long as she needs and wants our help and I really hope that is not going to drive a wedge between us, I value your friendship but I cannot stand idly by and watch a grave injustice."

In a way, I was relieved that Bella had such good friends, people she could rely on, but it should have been me she came to not strangers and that hurt.

I agreed to visit once I had things at the station organized and Carlisle left on a short and somewhat cool handshake. I wondered at his calm acceptance of my daughter with all her problems but then it explained much of her attitude to the family. They were the only people who treated her like a normal human being since her accident, much more so than even myself. Guilt kept me company the rest of the morning and instead of heading home for lunch I asked Deb's to ring my wife and tell her I had business at the doctor's house, a cowards way out but I just didn't want a fight with Sophie before I knew all the facts and it would come to a fight I was sure of that fact if nothing else.