Sorry for the long delay, we have moved back into our house, but it's not finished and we have a lot of work to do ourselves. I found a quiet moment at 2am to write this. Dollybigmomma betad it for me and sent it back asking for more and made this chapter longer. I guess I don't spit out amazing work at 2am. I'm just glad she's patient with me.
Chapter 29 - In the Shadows
EDWARD
Bella was sure someone was following us everywhere. I was inclined to dismiss it. There were several people who seemed to watch us, but only a couple appeared to be watching us more than once. I didn't want to believe her stepsister would have that many people working for her.
It was starting to look that way, though. Alice started texting Bella the name of the person watching her, along with a screenshot of that person's Facebook page, so we could identify them. I made sure to make eye contact with each one. Even if the person was in plain view, Bella would frequently continue to look around. I worried about her mental health. I knew she suspected there was more than one person watching her, but Alice only ever sent one name at a time.
I needed to get Bella out of Forks. I tried to keep her in PA with me as much as possible, but she still wanted to spend time with her family as well as Claire, Seth's girlfriend. I wanted to bring up the stalking to her father, but Bella was afraid to out Alice. She didn't want to betray her, but I knew Alice had already betrayed Bella on some level by getting involved with Leah.
It was for that reason I suggested watching a movie at her house on a night I knew her father wasn't working late. I think the stress of the whole situation had been getting to her. She fell asleep halfway through the movie, and I held her in my arms, waiting for her father's return.
He grimaced, when he walked in and saw Bella asleep on my shoulder. I knew he wanted to say something, but was going to walk away instead.
"Sir, may I have a word with you?" I asked.
He let out of huff, like he wasn't going to say yes.
"It's of vital importance that we talk. I've actually been waiting for your return," I implored.
He looked at Bella and sat down, waiting to talk. Bella chose that moment to snuggle closer and mumble my name.
"You should probably wake her," he said expectantly.
"Actually, Sir, I'd like to talk to you in private. If you'd wait a minute, I'll put her to bed and be right down," I said carefully lifting my girl. I could see a sort of sadness in his eyes, as I carried her up the stairs. I tucked her in and then quickly rushed back down to meet him in the living room.
"If you're going to ask for her hand in marriage, the answer is no. You're both too young. You need a couple more years. I'd be okay with it once she gets through college."
"That's good to know, but not the reason I wanted to speak to you. FYI, we do plan on moving into together this coming semester and eventually marrying after college."
His face turned a deep red, and I wondered momentarily where Sue was. I really should have included her in this meeting, if only to keep Chief Swan from killing me. I didn't want her to downplay her daughter's activities, though.
"That isn't the reason for my request to speak with you, either," I said, pulling Bella's phone out of her purse, wondering if it was safe to turn my back to the man whose daughter I was defiling.
"What are doing? Does Bella know you go through her things?"
"I assure you, I'm not showing you anything she hasn't shown me herself, but she's under the impression she can't trust anyone here, and she didn't want to involve you in the mess. I think she believes she's somehow protecting you."
"From what?" he snapped.
I pulled up the thread of text from Alice on Bella's phone.
"What am I looking at?" I had his attention.
"Alice is working with Leah, as a sort of double agent. Not one that I'd trust. She sends Bella texts to let her know who's watching her."
"Leah?" he sounded pained.
"I don't think she's mentally sound and is using others to stalk Bella. Wherever we are, there's always someone there. Alice sends us a text with a picture, and I can usually spot the stalker shortly thereafter."
"And you're sure this is Leah's doing, not this Alice girl?"
That was a new theory. "No, but the point is Bella's being stalked, and I need your help to keep her safe. We know Leah's still manipulating people around Bella. We know she's still involved in trying to bully her. Leah threatened Seth's girlfriend, Claire, and told her she wasn't to associate or be nice to Bella. We suspect there are others she's threatening with various things."
The chief looked over the pictures slowly, frowning. "This can't be right. She's got half the town in here, including my receptionist and a deputy."
"Maybe that was why Bella was insistent on not involving you. Sir, I'm inclined to take her back home. I'd like to expedite renting an apartment and get her out of town, before Leah's unhealthy obsession gets worse."
"Obsession with what?" Leah herself interrupted.
"Leah, I'm glad you made it here safely. How's school?" the chief asked her.
"It's going well. I'm exhausted from the drive. You know how long it takes to get back here. My girls need me, though. I can't let them down, can I?"
"Bella's in town-" the chief started, but was cut off.
"I know, Claire told me." Leah's eyes flashed toward me in a threatening manner. "It's sad that Bella doesn't have time for family until it's convenient to her. She never talks to anyone here, unless she wants something. She even ignores my brother and then plays all nice, trying to turn him against me with some insane story. Well, I'm not having it! He's my brother. She's not stealing anymore of my family from me!" Leah stormed out of the room and stomped up the stairs. I watched as she turned down the hall to her bedroom, away from Bella's. I was determined to spend the night and guard her. It was definitely a sneak-through-the-window night, if the chief wouldn't give me permission to stay with my girl.
"Sir, I'd like to stay with Bella, while Leah's home."
"I don't think that's necessary. I know they don't get along all that well. Leah's just rough around the edges. She didn't handle it well when her father died. She was a daddy's girl."
"With all due respect, Sir, I lost my parents as well, and I don't treat people like scum because of it. She obviously has issues and needs counseling. If she does something to hurt Bella, I'll take it out of your jurisdiction to make sure she gets prosecuted. I will not let her get away with hurting my girl any more than she has already. You may turn a blind eye to it and try and dismiss it, because on some level, you feel guilty for marrying your friend's widow, but I don't. It's time you wake up and open your eyes to what she's been doing to your daughter."
"Now you just hold on a minute! Leah hasn't done anything to my daughter-" he started.
I scoffed at him and shook my head. "If you believe that, then you really are clueless. I'll be staying the night, and if you don't want me to, I'll just wake Bella, and we'll go back to my parent's home until Leah's gone."
"You guys are ridiculous. Are they telling you lies now, Charlie?" Leah asked descending the stairs.
The chief shook his head no. "I don't know what's going on with them. It's nothing to concern yourself with, honey. Did you need anything? I know your mom was hoping to have a family dinner with everyone tomorrow night. Will you be able to make it?" he asked her.
"Of course, family actually matters to ME," she sneered in my direction.
"You should probably get going, Edward. I think I've heard enough for tonight. You should look into that friend of yours, not try to cause anymore family problems. Bella obviously didn't want this brought to me for a reason. Maybe she didn't think it was Leah, either," he suggested, and I was ready to strangle him to get him to open his eyes.
"She didn't think I did what?" Leah probed.
"It's nothing, it was obvious stupid of me to believe anyone in this family actually cared enough about her to try and protect her," I growled.
"Don't you get smart with me, boy!" the chief snapped.
"The only thing Bella needs protection from is herself. She's a graceless cow at best. It's a miracle she's not in traction," Leah laughed.
I gave a smug look to the chief, hoping he'd see Leah for what she was. It was obvious he didn't. Once I stepped outside, I called Bella's cell phone, only to remember it was downstairs.
Window it was.
I worked my way up the old tree and knocked on the window, hoping I didn't grab the attention of the chief and his shotgun.
Bella stirred after a few more knockings and sat up, confused. She opened the window, looking around outside. "What are you doing out there?"
"Leah's home, I asked if I could stay with you, but your dad said no. Pack your bag, you're coming to stay with me until she leaves again. I don't like her being so close to you, especially since you're going to be vulnerable while sleeping."
Bella pouted, but agreed to meet me out front.
I stood on the porch, waiting expectantly, ready to help with her bag.
"Where are you going?" I heard her father ask.
"I think it'd be best if I stayed with Edward while Leah's here. I don't want her feeling uncomfortable."
"Bella, that isn't an issue."
I knocked on the door, not willing to let her father talk her out of coming with me. Bella opened the door with a tight smile.
The chief glared at me, but I didn't flinch, as I took Bella's bag from her shoulder. "Sir, I'll be sure she makes it to the family dinner tomorrow. Have a good night," I said dismissively. I wrapped my arm around her and guided her to my car. I didn't know why, but I felt an urgency to get her away from that house. I looked back at it before I pulled away, and I saw Leah watching us from the window, her expression disturbing at best. I couldn't wait for her to get out of town again. I needed to find an apartment back home fast, so we could get back to school and on with our lives. I just wanted my girl safe.
My mother was surprised I had brought Bella home, but was still welcoming. She was patient with me and didn't push me on our relationship one way or another.
"Would you two like a snack? I can whip something up if you're hungry," my mother offered.
"I'm good, thank you for the offer, but I think I'm just going to go straight to bed. Which room do you want me in?" Bella asked.
"You're staying in mine," I answered before my mother could suggest her staying in the guestroom. That wasn't happening.
Bella looked at my mother to see if she'd protest, but my mother just gave her a tight smile and a nod.
"Okay then," Bella seemed nervous. "You can stay down here and visit with your mom. I'm sure she'd like to spend time with you, before we have to head back to school."
I gave her a light kiss and settled down at the kitchen table. "Do you have any cookies on hand?" I asked hopefully.
My mother chuckled and brought me a plate, kissing the top of my head, when she set it in front of me. "How's school going for you, sweetheart? Are you enjoying your classes?"
"Yeah, they're a lot more challenging than my undergrad classes, but Bella's great with helping me study and stay focused."
"Really, I would've thought she'd be more of a distraction. Have you made any other friends?" she asked, and I wasn't sure what she was getting at. Something seemed a little off.
"I've made a few friends through class projects, but I don't really have time to socialize. There really isn't any free time at this stage in my degree. There'll be even less when I start my residency."
"Have you told this to Bella? Is she ready for that kind of neglectful relationships, where she isn't your priority?"
"She's fully aware of my goals and is very supportive. What are you getting at, Mom? I thought you liked Bella."
"I do, but you haven't dated anyone other than her. Things seem really serious between you two."
"It is serious between us. I love her and plan to marry her. We're moving in together this coming semester."
My mother let out a sigh and nodded her head in acceptance. "Very well, if she makes you happy, then I'm okay with her."
"She makes me very happy. I appreciate you always being nice to her."
"What else would I be, silly? She's a guest in our house. Speaking of which, I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from any sexual activity while she's staying with us. I saw she brought a rather large bag."
"Her stepsister is in town. They don't get along, and Bella didn't want to cause any trouble."
"What trouble could she possibly cause?" my mother asked and glanced toward the stairs warily.
"Things have become rather tense between the two. Her stepsister, Leah, doesn't come off as completely sane, and her family refuses to see it. I'm thinking about taking Bella back to school early."
My mother frowned at the idea. I understood the sadness in her eyes. I knew she'd missed me, but Bella's safety was more important.
"We're getting an apartment. If we get a two bedroom place, we can have a guest bedroom, and you can come and visit us."
I wanted to escape her sad expression, so I quickly kissed her goodnight and hurried up to my room and readied for bed. I loved having my girl with me. I technically hadn't promised my mother anything about having sexual relations with Bella, and I wondered if we could be quiet enough not to disturb my parents.
I started to undress and got the uneasy feeling I was being watched. My window blinds were open, so I went to close them, but not before I could scan the tree line to see if anyone was out there. I thought I saw something move in the shadows, but it was too dark to tell. I looked back at my sleeping girl and knew she was safe. I pulled my shirt back on and hurried out the back door to where I thought I'd seen someone, using my phone as a flashlight. I found some large footprints in the dirt. I took pictures of them, wanting to gather some evidence for myself. Someone had been there, but I had spooked them off. I rushed inside and grabbed Bella's phone, sending off a quick text to Alice.
Who is watching me now? it read.
I don't know, was the immediate reply. Isn't Leah there with you at home? came shortly thereafter.
I'm not home, was all I texted back. I wasn't about to let her know where Bella was. Her not knowing where Bella was at the moment made me wonder if she really was to be trusted. Of course, the man I had chased off could have already let Alice or Leah know he'd been made. I was back to square one, and I knew I had to be more alert than ever.
