Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All recognizable characters belong to SM.
Happily Ever After is Worth Fighting For:
A Bella and Edward Story Part 35
Bella was sitting in the Cullen's living room with Charlie, the Cullens, Quil Ateara Senior, Jacob, Sam, Quil, and Embry Call who was the newest wolf.
"Thank you all for agreeing to meet on such short notice. I asked you all here because I need your help." Bella said while nervously biting on her lower lip.
Edward wrapped and arm around her in a comforting manner and she leaned into his embrace. Drawing strength from him, she continued.
"I received a frantic call from a friend I made while living in Phoenix, Gwen Wilde. Ever since she was a little girl, her mother Judith Wilde always told her that if she found herself alone or in trouble that she should seek out the Elders of the Quileute tribe for assistance.
Gwen and I have kept in touch via email since I moved to Forks. She knew that I was close friends with the tribe so she asked me for my help in contacting you." Bella explained.
"Who are Gwen and Judith Wilde and why do they think that the Elders can help them?" Jacob asked curiously?
Quil Ateara Senior, Quil's grandfather spoke up.
"Bella, if I may, I can give some background information that will help."
Bella nodded her head and let Quil Senior take the floor. She was just as curious as Jacob.
"The information that I am about to share is very sensitive and will be unpleasant to hear but the truth must finally be revealed." Quil Senior said with a very troubled expression and eyes brimmed with tears.
Jacob, Sam, Quil and Embry all exchanged puzzled looks.
Quil Senior looked at Sam and then at Embry with sad eyes before continuing.
"Sam's mother Allision Uley suspected that her husband, Joshua Uley, had been unfaithful and confronted him. He admitted to it and claimed that it was because he was unable to cope with the responsibilities of a family. They had a huge fight which resulted in him packing his things and abandoning his wife and young son."
Embry Call's mother, Tiffany from the Makah tribe, moved to LaPush shortly after Joshua Uley had left. She was heavily pregnant when she arrived but never spoke of the baby's father.
Since the wolf gene in only carried by Quileute males, it stands to reason that Embry is most probably Sam's half brother." Quil Senior revealed.
Sam and Quil exchanged startled looks but said nothing.
"I know that there has been a great deal of speculation around the tribe but no one wants to bring up the past in order to spare Allision and Tiffany is determined not to speak of it." Quil Senior said.
Jacob looked confused and was about to interrupt when Quil Senior raised his hand, silently asking him to not to speak.
"What no one knows, is that another young woman from the Makah tribe was also pregnant at the same time.
Judith Wilde was only fifteen years old when she found that she was pregnant. She had no idea that the man she had fallen in love with was married and had a son. She came to LaPush when she hadn't heard from Joshua for a few weeks and found out the truth.
Truly devastated and filled with shame, she approached the Elders to assist her.
She didn't want to cause trouble for Allision or Sam. She also couldn't face returning to her tribe in her condition. She asked for money to travel to the city and end her pregnancy.
Wanting to avoid a scandal, we agreed.
She left and we never spoke of her again." Quil Senior said shamefacedly.
"You lot just gave a pregnant, fifteen year old, some money and never bothered to follow up to make sure that she was alright afterwards?" Rosalie asked in disgust.
Quil Senior just bowed his head and avoided anyone's gaze.
"So, I take it that Judith couldn't go through with the termination and ended up raising Gwen?" Esme asked for clarification.
"It would appear so." Quil Senior said.
"You mean to tell me that I have a half brother and a half sister?" Sam asked incredulously.
Quil Senior just nodded.
Sam and Embry both sat stunned for a moment trying to digest what they had just heard and then together they turned to Bella and said, "Our sister is in trouble?"
They caught each other's eye and exchanged half smiles before turning their attention back to Bella.
"Yes, Gwen had been seeing a boy from school named Frank Morgan. Frank was very nice at first but then his father died and he changed. He needed to control everything in order to remain happy.
At first Gwen made allowances for him because he was grieving but after a while she realized that he needed professional help. When she broached the subject with her, he hit her. She wasn't about to tolerate that so she called the police and pressed charges." Bella said
"Good for her!" Esme, Rosalie and Charlie said in unison.
Bella gave them a small smile and continued.
"Frank got a slap on the wrist because it was his first offence. The judge also felt sympathy for him because he had just lost his father.
Since then, he has been stalking Gwen but has always made sure to remain just shy of breaking the law. Both she and her mother are absolutely terrified. Since I have left Phoenix, they have moved three times and each time he has found them. They are at their wits end." Bella said.
Bella turned to Charlie and said, "Daddy, I was hoping that you could place a call to the Police Chief in Scottdale and ask for a protective detail until we can get to them."
Charlie nodded solemnly. He knew that the system wasn't perfect but he was glad to see that Gwen still chose to stand up for herself
Bella smiled, walked over to him and covered his ears before turning to Jasper to speak. Charlie just rolled his eyes and smirked at her antics while the others in the room snickered.
"Jasper, could you contact Mr. Jenks for new identification for Gwen and Judith." Bella asked is a whisper.
Smiling hugely while trying to hard not to laugh, Jasper agreed.
Bella released Charlie's ears and bent to give him a kiss on the cheek before turning to Emmett.
"Emmett, would you be willing to go to Scottsdale and collect them?" Bella asked.
Emmett agreed and Rosalie insisted on joining him so that the women would be more comfortable.
Bella smiled gratefully at her sister and Rosalie returned it.
"Wait, why can't Embry and I go and collect them?" Sam asked confusedly.
"While Quil Senior was speaking I came up with an idea but it would only work if you and Embry are alright with it." Bella said hesitantly.
"You think they would be safest in LaPush." Jacob guessed with an understanding smile.
"Exactly!" Bella exclaimed.
"I think it would be better if Sam and Embry both stayed put while Emmett and Rosalie lead him on a wild goose chase. If you two went, it would surely lead him back to LaPush." Bella said
Everyone murmured their agreement.
Suddenly, Quil burst into laughter and Edward hearing his thoughts joined him. Once they had composed themselves, Quil let everyone in on the joke.
"I was just imagining the little stalker's face if he came across Sam and Embry. They are intimidating enough in their human form. If they transformed into wolves, he'd wet himself in fear." Quil chortled.
Everyone laughed uproariously at that image.
Once everyone had settled down, Esme pointed out,
"Jacob, there is a house down the lane from you that is empty. It would be perfect for the two women."
"Esme and I can go and make sure it has everything they need." Alice offered while glancing at Esme tentatively.
Esme smiled in agreement.
"Sam and Quil, are you both alright with this?" Jacob asked.
"Yes!" They both exclaimed simultaneously.
"Great! Let's get to work. We don't have a minute to lose." Bella said.
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