Chapter Thirty Five

Bella

I wasn't sure quite what I expected to hear or if mom and pop would tell me the truth even now, but as mom began to speak pop took her hand and I listened.

She explained how she and pop had wanted a child of their own but had been unable to have one and how she had come across the accident that had taken my birth mom's life along with that of Cooper, her friend. All these years I had been led to believe she had left me with mom and pop for a better life with him when all along she had died. I could no longer blame Cooper either for stealing her affections and I suddenly remembered the fact that we had been going to meet his family.

"I know it was wrong, but there you were, such a sweet little thing and all alone. I thought they were your parents and both were dead when I took you. It wasn't until later I discovered your father was alive and had come looking for you. By then we had moved from our old home and I just couldn't bear to give you up. Can you understand that?"

I wasn't sure what to say. My real dad may have come looking for me, but I still didn't know why he and my mom had parted. Had he wanted nothing to do with me? I guess he would still have come looking if he found out my mom was dead. It was something I intended to find out when I met him and I would meet him. I was determined about that.

She went on to tell me how happy we had been as a family and how they had always intended telling me the truth once I was old enough but the time never seemed right.

"We knew it would have to be done eventually and then… well, we would have to say goodbye to you for good, Bella. It was just too dangerous to remain in your life once you knew the truth."

"Dangerous? Why? Because my dad was a cop? He's not anymore by the way. He was involved in an accident and had to retire on disability from the force. I checked up on him. He had a wife and family too."

They exchanged a worried look before pop took over.

"I guess you deserve the truth, there too, Bella. The trouble is that telling it to you would put your life in danger. Will you just accept that if the authorities discovered what we had done, they would start digging and that would be dangerous for everyone concerned?"

I frowned, trying to work out what he meant by that. Was he trying to tell me that he and my mom were involved in something criminal? That hardly seemed likely, neither of them seemed the type to get involved in something illegal. Except of course that they had, by taking me as a maybe it had something to do with the fact that he called Jasper, Major, and Jasper had called him Captain. Could they possibly have been involved in some undercover work for the military? It seemed unlikely, they were so young, but then I guess the military used young guys for dangerous work. I was more confused than ever but still determined to get to the bottom of this.

"I'd like to say OK, that will do and I guess it will for a bit, but I am going to see my real dad. I won't say anything about you and mom for now."

They looked at each other and I could tell that they were both genuinely worried now, but it was the best I could do.

"I tell you what. You take Ashley and get her settled. You did mean what you said about helping her with her mom didn't you? Or helping her if her mom won't have her back?"

Mom nodded, smiling wanly, "Of course."

"Then I'll go to Forks on my own. That way my dad will never connect us. And when I've seen him… well. I don't really know what I'll do then, but I will be in touch I promise."

Pop shook his head stubbornly.

"No way are you going across the country on your own. You've seen how dangerous it can be. I won't allow it."

I frowned.

"Then what do you suggest? I'm not going home with you. I want to meet my real dad. I'm sorry if that makes life difficult for you and mom, but it's something I have to do."

The door opened and Jasper appeared.

"I'll take her, that way you know she'll be safe and you can sort out the rest of the mess."

I opened my mouth to object, then shut it again. The idea of going to see my dad alone was daunting and I did feel safer in Jasper's presence. Besides, he'd already saved my life once and… I had a few questions for him. My pop trusted him too, even though he had once kicked him out. Still, that had been my fault, not Jasper's.

Pop hesitated and Jasper shrugged.

"Tell you what, I'll ask Darius to join us. Will that make you feel better?"

It might make pop feel better, but I wasn't sure I wanted Darius around. He'd already nearly killed Luke! Again, I was about to protest when it occurred to me that if I argued I would find it more difficult to get to Forks easily. Besides, there was no need for either of the guys to meet my real dad or even get anywhere near him.

It was finally agreed that while mom and pop organized things for Ashley and found us somewhere new to live, the cops made it impossible to go home to Ogallala, I would go to Forks and meet my real dad. I knew they were scared that they'd never see me again, that I would decide to stay with him and I guess at first that had been my first thought, but now… I couldn't help thinking about the fact that they had come to find and rescue me from the community and not once had they ever condemned my actions or shown anything but love and concern about my welfare and that of Ashley whom I knew my pop didn't particularly like.

I remembered mom's words to me in the motel after Jasper rescued me.

"Bella, listen to me. You did nothing wrong. You had a row with us, you decided that you knew better and that the grass was greener on the other side so you ran away. We are all to blame for that, for not talking to each other. For bottling everything up until no one would listen to anyone else. The important thing is that we are back together now and you're safe. We love you so much and that's all pop and I ever wanted."

Now I was torn. If I had never seen those clippings I would have continued in my life as their daughter feeling loved, secure and happy. They had been good parents to me, they still were, they'd proved that, but still I couldn't get my real father out of my head. I don't know what I expected him to do or say. I wasn't even sure he was still in Forks or even alive despite what I'd read on the internet, things changed so fast these days. His family might not want me, a stranger in their midst. It might all be too late yet, still, I had to face him. To meet the man who had helped create me and learn something about him and my real mom whatever pain it might cause everyone around me. Was that selfish? Of course, but it made no difference knowing that. I was driven by a hunger for information that would not be ignored.

Charlotte

It wasn't the outcome we wanted, but it could have been so much worse and if it came to the worst case scenario and Bella's father welcomed her with open arms then we had only ourselves to blame. We would have no choice but to vanish and leave her with a puzzle, but a family that loved her as much as we did or at least I hoped they years we had spent with Bella had been the happiest of our lives and would never be forgotten.

In the meantime, Peter and I had a task of our own, reuniting Ashley with her mother if that were possible or sorting out somewhere safe for her if not. She was so confused and upset right now that she didn't know what she wanted and that wasn't surprising, but I was sure once she understood she was not facing the pregnancy alone she would embrace the notion of motherhood.

Of course, the Major was right, we couldn't return to Ogallala, but if I could explain the situation to Ashley's mother, I was sure we could come to some arrangement where she could travel to meet us for a handover. No mother could leave her pregnant daughter alone or with strangers surely?

I knew Ashley was still uncertain about her condition, but I wasn't, I could sense the new life growing within her and soon she would too.

Bella had agreed to rest while the Major contacted Darius and made transport arrangements and Peter went to hunt, leaving me to call Deb's and pray that she wasn't at work, with a boyfriend, or drunk!

Luck was not on my side though, as her phone rang on until the answering machine cut in. I didn't want to leave a message so I rang off deciding to try again in a few hours. While I waited, I could write a list of things Ashley would need in the short term. She had left the community with very little and she desperately needed a few good meals if she could keep them down. It seemed she was one of those unlucky ones who suffered badly at the beginning of a pregnancy. I would also put together a bundle of things she would need for the baby when it came. I could be excited if no one else was. If only it was my baby, I was preparing for….

I had just finished my shopping list when the Major returned and I could tell he'd been to hunt too. Just as well when he planned on spending a lot of time in close proximity to my daughter.

"I caught up with Darius, he'll be here shortly. He's covered the ranch so you can go back there safely."

"Well, that's a relief. It'll be nice to be home again. I missed the ranch sometimes and I know Peter did. What did he say when you put forward your suggestion?"

He grinned.

"Do you really want to know? He thinks we're all crazy agreeing to Bella's demand, but I think he's got a soft spot for her. He also reminded me why it might be a good idea for two of us to go with her. It had totally slipped my mind about the guardian tribe there. I was thinking the treaty would cover me with the Quileutes, but as he pointed out to me, I'm no longer with them and you can bet the tribe will be aware of that. I don't envisage any problems, but if I can't have Peter to watch my back then Darius is fine."

"Well, thank you for that rousing vote of confidence, Major. And there I was thinking you trusted me."

Darius had slipped in through the window for some reason instead of using the door and stood in the middle of the room grinning.

"I should leave the mutt's to rip you a new one, Major, but I have been always a sucker for a fool and that girl of yours is surely one of the biggest fools I've come across. So, when do we leave on our cozy little road trip? I held onto the truck, it'll get us there in relative comfort. Have you told her yet?"

Jasper

I turned on him.

"No, and you keep your mouth shut Darius or I swear…"

Darius backed away arms raised but laughing loudly. I could see I was going to have to watch him. It would be like having Peter along.

"I surrender. My lips are sealed, but you know she's going to give you the third degree. She's seen a little too much, Superman."

"Fuck you, Darius."

"Nah, you're out of luck. I never did go for blondes. Does Bella know you swing both ways though?"

He went back out the window faster, but a lot noisier, then he came in and I began to wonder if it had been such a good idea to ask him to accompany us. Still, it was too late to change plans now. I just wished I had thought to suggest Emmett and Rose instead.

I was about to suggest waiting when the door opened and Bella came in with her jacket on and carrying a bag, she was ready and I could see from her expression that nothing was going to delay her.

"Darius says we're ready to go. I'll call you mom. Say goodbye to pop for me. I'll see you…"

She trailed off realizing she had no idea when or even if she would see them again. Pain flashed across her face and she ran to hug Charlotte tightly for a few seconds.

"Thanks, mom, for always being there for me."

Then she let go and turned, walking out without looking back.

"I'll keep her safe and let you know what's happening."

She nodded her thanks to me, but the feeling of grief flooding from her almost knocked me backward as I followed Bella out.