A/N: alright my lovelies. Sorry I'm updating late. I was going to update early but then I got sick and couldn't. My daughter's birthday party was Saturday so no time then and then for a birthday surprise we took her to an aquarium out of state so no time yesterday either. So here I am at almost ten am on Monday morning. I hope you can understand. :)

and now for the aftermath. Warning, tears may be shed. Also, I may have made up some of that stuff about Abe Lincoln, I really don't know. Lol. And the places they visit are actual sights along the route they take so if you ever take the same road trip give them and the many others a visit. :) and I'm warning you now, I left you with a cliffhanger. Sorry. ;)

also credit to Fakin'it for more of the ideas for this chapter. Thanks!

Chapter Thirty- Six

Charlie

When I got the call I couldn't believe it. It couldn't be her. It couldn't be my Bella. Realistically I knew there was no way there was another old red truck that would be traveling to Forks around the time my little girl should have been getting home, but I couldn't bring myself to think of it being her.

She was just standing here this morning telling me she loved me and that she would do all she could to stay safe and now I'm being told by one of my own deputies that she may be at the bottom of a bridge.

That stretch of the river has to be a massive raging wash of water and debri from the storm last night. It's unlikely anyone would survive crashing into the river. I can't think of it though. I need to get moving.

By the time emergency crews and I get there the truck is pretty much submerged and on it's roof. She had to have hit the side of the bridge with some force and speed if the smashed front end, and the fact it flipped up over the barrier into the river, is any indication. The fire department are trying to get down into the river to see if she might still be in the truck, but even if she was she would have drowned by now.

I can only hope that maybe she managed to get out through a window or something before the cab was submerged completely and is downstream somewhere and trying to make her way back to the road. If not... No! Don't think about that yet! I need to be absolutely sure before I can consider even the possibility of her being gone. Not my Bella, not my daughter. I walk over to Steven who's the deputy I have on duty tonight and ask him what happened.

"Well Chief according to the eye witness, a Charlotte Whitlock, she came upon the scene just after the truck went over. She didn't see the actual crash. She said the only thing she can guess is it must have hydroplaned and was over corrected and when, the driver, saw where they were headed they braked real hard. All she heard was a screeching of tires and the crash.

"She pulled up and got out but by the time she got here the truck was in the water and quickly submerged. She said she didn't see a body come out but that it could have easily been dragged under the water and just didn't surface before being carried downstream."

I nod my head and go to check the scene. Sure enough there's clear indications of what this Charlotte Whitlock has stated. I stare at the skid marks heading for the bridge as I try to compose myself. I need to treat this like any other scene.

"Steven. Call in the Coast Guard just in case any," I have to swallow hard to get the rest out, "body floats far enough down to get to the ocean. Then call in the search dogs from Port Angeles. We'll need them in the morning. Call in reinforcements and lets split on either side of the river to see if we can find her, and call in someone to get the truck out of the river. Call me if it's empty."

"Sure thing Chief."

Three and a half hours later and I have no choice but to call off the search. It's nearing midnight and several people have had to head back due to injury. Almost every one of her male classmates showed up to help, as did several of the female ones. All six of my deputies and Deb, my dispatcher, came as did a number of the other townsfolk and most of the Quileute kids she hung out with, including Jake and Leah.

We searched and searched but it was just too dark to find anything. We'll have to start again at first light. By then the dogs should be here. The Coast Guard said the likely hood of a body making it to the ocean was unlikely, so they said to give them a call if we didn't find anything and they'd start their own search.

By the time I get back to the house I'm exhausted, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep. Sue's there when I pull in and she has a coffee and something to eat waiting for me. She tells me to head upstairs and get some sleep and she'll sleep on the couch.

I get a little bit of sleep before my nightmares wake me and I head to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for today's search.

Renee

When Charlie called me that morning I thought he was lying. That it was some kind of sick joke. How could my baby be gone? I know I wasn't the best mother in the world, but I loved Bella. She was my world. It hurt when she said she wanted to go to Forks to live with Charlie, but I understood it. It was probably a little much being around Phil and I at that time. I'll admit we were a bit over the top lovey dovey. Then when she went to Arizona after her fight with Edward I thought I would get her back, but she said she wanted to stay in Forks.

That hurt too. I understood that as well though, she was in love. Then the little prick broke her and I wanted her with me, she still wouldn't come. By then I knew she wouldn't be coming home with me, but I never imagined that she would never leave Forks all together. It's been too long. There isn't any conceivable way of her still being alive. It's hard as hell to accept, it'll be even harder to get Charlie to, but it's time to let her go. To mourn her loss. It'll probably be the hardest thing we have and will ever do, but we must if we're ever going to be able to get past it. We can't wallow in our grief. I know Bella, and she wouldn't want that for us.

Jake

Watching Charlie and Renee have to search for their daughter and not find her was hard. Watching them realize she was never coming back, harder. The hardest thing though is knowing she's still alive but can't let them know. Sometimes destiny sucks. I know there's no way she can allow them into the life she will lead with Jasper, but sometimes I wish she could. I mean why is it so bad for certain humans to know the truth?

I know there are those that would say something because they're just stupid, but Charlie wouldn't. I know he wouldn't. It just sucks I can't give him some comfort. The only thing I can do is be there for him during this time and let him grieve. I do give him what I hope are encouraging words, words that have a double meaning.

"I know it's not much Chief, but just remember that she's always with you. She's not totally gone, as long as you remember her. If you need anything, and I mean anything, just let us know."

"Thanks Jake. It's just so hard to imagine her gone."

Charlie

A week and a half. That's how long I kept the search going and nothing, nothing but a few scraps of clothing snagged on bushes and such that line the river. The dogs found those, but nothing else. No body, she wasn't in the truck. It looked like the seatbelt and windshield had broke in the crash and she was swept out which meant she was probably unconscious.

The Coast Guard joined the search after day two and they haven't found anything either. It hurts. It hurts so much because I lost her when I had just gotten her back. I shouldn't have let her go. I should have kept her at home and had her take a day off later on to go.

The last memory I got to make with my daughter was the day before she never came home, on a fishing trip she planned. It was almost as if she knew she wouldn't be coming home the next day, but that was ridiculous. No one knows when their last day will be.

After the report that no girls between the age of seventeen and nineteen have been reported as coming into any hospitals in the area, or as far away as Seattle- none have any been reported as being found by hikers or hunters or anyone else either- Renee talked to me and told me it was time to end the search, to start arranging things so we can say goodbye. I hated it, but I understood where she was coming from, but it doesn't make it any easier.

She's just gone, and now I have to arrange a funeral with no body and no casket. Her mother came up the day after the accident when I called her and let her know what happened. Phil took some personal time and came with her. He's been her rock and she's showed herself much stronger than when we were married. She has been with me everyday and I can't help but be massively appreciative. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't been here.

Probably wallowed in my grief. As it is I've taken some time off work to arrange this memorial/funeral and to work on my grief. My little girl is gone; and she's never coming back. Why did it have to be my Bella?

Bella

The time has flown by and Jasper has been my strength during all of it. It was hard to watch my parents grieve from afar. Charlie kept the search going longer than we thought he would, but I understand he just didn't want to give up.

It was Renee that got him to stop. Jasper said she sat him down and told him that their daughter wouldn't want them to prolong the search and not take time to grieve her loss. It helped him realize that they needed to let me go and allow my other loved ones to grieve for me too.

The phone calls were made, the search was called off and they started planning a memorial for me. I watched from the safety of the trees as my family and friends cried and laughed and cried some more.

People told stories and little anecdotes about my brief time here. Then my mother got up and spoke about my childhood. What I was like growing up and the trips we would take. Phil spoke about how quickly I accepted him and the last thing I ever told him. Then Charlie Swan got up. I could see the tears flowing down his cheeks and the droop of his shoulders.

He spoke of how happy he was the day I called and asked to move in with him. How excited it made him. He spoke of how happy he was when I made friends and even a boyfriend. He spoke of my hopes for my future and how much he wished I would be able to be here to make them come true.

And finally he said, "I love you Bells. You've been my little angel from the moment they placed you in my arms at the hospital the day you were born, to now when you watch down on us from Heaven and I hope one day we'll see each other again. Goodbye baby girl."

Jasper had to carry me back the house after that. I knew I'd only see Charlie again from afar. Eventually everyone I loved, with the exception of the Cullens, Peter and Charlotte, and Jasper, would all die. I would out live them, and their descendants and so on and so forth.

It took me the last three days of those horrid two weeks to grieve what I had lost and Jasper was perfect for all of them. He didn't try to cheer me up, to cajole me. He simply held me while I cried and told me how much he loved me, and made love to me slowly and sweetly when I asked him to.

Soon the day to leave Forks was finally here and as we packed everything up in a U-Haul, which Peter would drive, and climbed into one of the three vehicles I looked back one last time at the house where it all started. I thought back to the day I moved to Forks and saw Edward Cullen for the first time.

I had one thing to be thankful to him for. He brought me to his family and into his world. If it hadn't been for that, who knows if I would have ever met them. I'm sure Alice would have seen it though. After all I was fated to be with Jasper. One way or another I'm sure I would have become a vampire and met my mate.

Jasper

It hurt to watch Bella grieve for her family and her old life. I knew she needed it though. She had to grieve so we could move forward. As we drove down I-84 towards Boise, in my Mustang with Charlotte following in their car, and Peter in the U-Haul, I would catch her from time to time playing with the winged necklace I gave her.

I think it comforted her, as did her hand in mine. She hadn't let go of it since we got in except for the times we made our pit stops. As well as some sightseeing stops. Just quick things not too far off our route like Ex Nihilo Sculpture Park, the Multnomah, Latourell and Bridal Falls. We passed by the Bridge of the Gods so I pulled off on the shoulder so she could take some pictures. And I think her personal favorite of the day was Powell's City of Books.

I told her to get whatever she wanted and she decided to indulge herself and by the time she was done she had four bags full of books. We put them in the U-Haul with everything else- we decided to bring my bed and chair as well as anything else I had at the house in Forks, as well as all we had bought her for her new life- and got back on the road. By the time we pulled into the Motel 6 just outside of Boise where Rose and Emmett were waiting to join us, she was exhausted.

Both Rose and Emmett came out to join us and naturally Emmett had to pull her into a bear hug. I think she was immensely happy to see him because she clung to him longer than necessary and cried on his shoulder a little. He took it all in his stride and when he finally put her down she just gave him a smile which he returned and told him she was happy to see her 'big brother'.

I think Rose surprised all of us when she pulled Bella in for a hug as well. I felt for her emotions, but there was nothing more than happiness and kindness. Seems Rose has changed towards Bella. I just didn't know why. We went inside and Rose suggested Peter and Charlotte should go hunt and I should hunt up Bella a cheeseburger, which I was happy to do.

Bella

"Alright now they're gone I want to talk to you Bella. I'm sure I surprised you with the hug and I want to apologize for the way I used to act towards you. I'm sure you know by now what my story is. I just want to tell you that I still don't agree with your choice, mainly because mine was taken from me and I'd give anything to be able to go back and change things, except lose Emmett of course, but I also realize that not everyone feels the way I do.

"You come from a different time and not everyone in your generation wants the family life and babies. Also, I was afraid. I was afraid that you would tell someone what we are or judge us for it and I was wrong. I may not like being a vampire most of the time but since I was given a second chance I don't want to squander it and I was afraid the Volturi would find out about you. They still can but by then you'll be one of us and it won't matter anymore. So I hope you can forgive me Bella for being such a bitch and that we can start over and be friends, maybe even sisters?"

"Oh Rose. I always knew why you acted the way you did. Carlisle explained a lot of things to me a long time ago. I get it, believe me. If someone jeopardized everyone I loved I'd hate them too. I promise you that I will never hurt this family. And we're already sisters. We've been so since the day Edward introduced me to the family. This outcome was always meant to be. I know you don't like being a vampire, but I believe everything happens for a reason. You were meant to become a Cullen and to meet Emmett. Had Carlisle not changed you, you two would never have had the chance to be together. So yes, I forgive you."

"Thank you Bella. And you know, you're awfully wise, for a human that is."

She smiled at me and I smile in return. We got to talking about what would come next and I told them about the ranch I bought in Montana and asked if they thought Jasper would like it. If they would all like it really since there was enough room for everyone.

Both assured me they would and they'd be honored if they could live there with us. We changed the topic to tomorrow; and just in time too as Jasper came walking through the door a few minutes later. I wondered if he had heard what we were talking about.

I hoped not as it was a surprise. After I ate, Jasper and I went into the other room they had rented and had some delightful shower sex, after which he held me until I fell asleep dreaming of what was to come.

The next day I woke to the delightful smell of coffee and a banana nut muffin mixed with Jasper's unique smell. What a delightful way to wake up! I scarfed down the muffin while the coffee cooled and he laughed at me telling me we weren't in that much of a hurry.

It was just after seven when we got back on the road, Rose's little red convertible now added to the caravan. There weren't as many sights to see on this leg of the trip until we got closer to Firestone but that was ok. We went to the Shoshone and Twin Falls. Drove off our route a ways to Salt Lake City to visit the Great Salt Lake. Then got back on the road to Firestone and through Laramie where we stopped to see the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument, which is nothing more than a bust of Lincoln's head on a red granite pedestal at a rest stop off the highway, but we had to make a pit stop for me anyway.

I will never forget what Jasper said.

"So Major, what do you think, a true likeness?" Peter asked with a grin. I think he was trying to get a rise out of Jasper but it wasn't working.

"Well it's hard to tell with just his head, Peter. The man was a giant, and highly intelligent. It wasn't that he was a bad president, it was that he did things the wrong way to get what he wanted. He had the right idea though. Most people in the south didn't own slaves to begin with, they had freemen and women, but those who did own slaves were hotheaded and didn't like to be told what to do.

"Maybe if he had been a little more diplomatic about it, a little less hot headed and patient himself, we wouldn't have had to fight a war in the first place. Granted for most if not all southerners the war was never about slavery. Lincoln made it about slavery when he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation to keep the British from siding with us in the war."

I hadn't thought about it that way. Lincoln was lauded as one of our greatest presidents and he was. But he was also known for his short temper and complete impatience. He didn't like to be told no either. It was his way or no way and he was willing to do whatever he felt necessary to get what he wanted.

"I was saddened when I heard he'd been killed. I think he might have done a lot of good during his presidency if he had had the chance." And with those final words Jasper herded us towards the cars and we were on our way.

Now we were headed west of Firestone into the Rocky Mountain National Park. We had some time before we had to head to the hotel, thanks to the early start and vampire driving which put us at our destination at only about nine hours instead of the eleven, despite the sightseeing, and Emmett wanted to scout out the trails and such and the possible hunting. He figured while I was changing and going through the newborn phase that this could be where we came to hunt. It was a ways from Elbert but it was probably the best place for better game.

I wanted to see the Chasm Falls and Sprague Lake, so Jasper pulled up and we went to the lake to have a picnic. We lazed about for an hour before taking the trek to the falls where we snuck off into the trees to make love. He would be away from me for most of the night hunting in preparation for tomorrow and the following days as I went through my change.

I asked him why he needed to hunt so soon after doing so and he told me because he needed to be at top strength to take my pain. Sure they didn't need to feed more than every two weeks or so but the pain I would go through would take a lot out of Jasper and so he needed to hunt before hand and as I wanted to do it as soon as we got there he couldn't wait until then.

Especially since he'd probably have to come all the way back here and even with vampire speed it would take him about thirty minutes both ways, so an hour total. Emmett and Rose would be staying in the room on one side of ours and Peter and Charlotte on the other.

As the light started to wane we packed up and headed back to the vehicles and drove off towards the cheap little out of the way motel we had chosen. After checking in I took a short nap, I planned on trying to stay awake for when Jasper got back from hunting.

I wasn't hungry when I woke so we took full advantage of the bed until about eleven when he decided it would be ok to leave. Less people to see him take off at vampire speed once he got into the trees. About twenty minutes later I got hungry. I was also getting a headache because some frat boy morons had chosen to use this hotel for an apparent party. They were in the room next to Rose and Emmett.

We had gotten three rooms, but Peter and Charlotte had spent their time with Rose and Emmett in theirs instead. I wanted to call and complain to the hotel clerk but I doubted they would do anything. Charlotte came to check on me a minute or so later and I asked if she could get me something to eat and some Advil. She and Peter went off after letting Rose and Emmett know what they were doing. They came back about fifteen minutes later and after I told them I'd be fine, went back to talk to Rose and Emmett, Peter complaining the whole way about not being able to hear himself think over the racket.

I didn't think anything about it at the time, but I should have. By the time I realized it was a trick, it was too late.

A/N: ok so, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next one we'll see just what she should have known. I'm sure you've guessed what will be happening next by now. ;)

please leave a review. I love to know what you guys think. I'll be updating the Pinterest page today with images from both this chapter and last weeks.