Beta: Mist

Rating: Sometimes R/Mostly NC-17

A/N: Thanks for reading this story! It's almost over. There will be a sequel. There is so much to write and I'm already at nearly 40 chpts on this story. LOL. So I will continue it in another installment called Forks 98331: The Holidays. Hope you join us for more lies, backstabbing, angst and oh yeah LEMONY goodness. Xoxo

Forks 98331 Chapter 20 Part One:

It was a cloudy day, which was not unusual for these parts but it did create a even more depressing mood as they students, family and friends who knew Rosalie Rutledge arrived at the small town funeral home.

The scent of white roses seem to linger in the air as Bella and Jake walked next to each other into the room where there was hardly any seats left. It was packed. Bella was impressed. She knew Rose would be smiling down at the tons of mourners who arrived for her final showing.

Bella had heard from Jake that Miranda was pretty upset when he broke down and agreed to meet her at the towns park late last night. He swore nothing happened. They just sat on the swings talking about Miranda's memories of her life with her fraternal twin sister. He also mentioned that she apologized to him for sleeping with Edward, explaining that she did it out of anger not for any romantically angle. It did not help ease Jake's bruised ego from what Bella could tell but he seem to accept it better.

Bella was still a little nervous from James's unexpected phone call and package delivered to her home. She woke up early this morning to be prepared on time for today's funeral services when she received a cryptic text message from James that had her a little on edge.

"You always did look hot in black." C-ya soon

Was he just making a odd ball reference? She was wearing black today. It was customary to wear dark clothing when you went to a funeral. Did he know she was going to a funeral today? NO! How could he? Unless, he was somewhere out there watching her. She felt her stomach lurching as she remembered the night she had seen someone outside of her window. They had been standing by the tree then ran into the woods. Could that have been James?

This was not the time for James to make a reappearance in her life. She was just starting to feel good about herself. She was making good friends. She was doing well in school. She was not starving for attention in order to feel good about herself. He would only push her buttons. He would make her so angry that she would release her temper. A temper that her mother use to say could make a priest cuss from the fright of it.

No, this was not the right time for her. She had found Jake. Jake, her sweet, good guy who was charming and just adorable. She knew if Jake and James ever met that fists and blood would soon follow. Jake had a temper but James had tantrums. He went for the kill. He did not care who you were or how powerful you thought you were, he would take you down. He did not know how to let up. He had no idea what it meant to let a dying horse die. No, James was relentless. He pursued you with such incredible force that you were always confused if you should be flattered or hell, scared to death.

Bella began to glance around the room when she finally manage to locate Alice. She had not heard from her since the dance. She wondered how she was holding up. She knew that Alice and Rose had their differences but she had been her friend. She also knew that Alice was Miranda's best friend, which meant she was the shoulder that Miranda was crying on the most.

She hoped to get a chance to talk to her after the services. She wanted her to know she had a ear and was willing to listen if she needed her. She noticed that Alice was a few pews back from the family. Edward sat by her side. Miranda was on the front row with her parents and what Bella guessed was the older brother that Jake had mentioned had come home from college to bury his little sister.

The priest walk in, strolling with ease behind the podium as he begun the service. Everything was beautiful. Bella found herself thinking how it look more like a wedding than a funeral. She wonder if it had been intended that way? The casket was pearly white. It seem to glimmer under the spot lights above it. There were dozens of flowers all around it and behind it. The majority of them were white roses. Bella's instincts told her that this must have been Rose's favorite flower. Her heart broke as it dawn on her how little she knew about Rose.

Rose had made her enemy number one when she arrived at Forks High. She had never intended for them to fight so often but she had to stand her ground against Rose. Rose would never respect her if she had not done so.

Glancing around at the familiar faces from school and town she spotted Emmett in the back. His head hung low. He seemed to be hurting the most. It was rather sad as Bella remembered how happy Emmett had seemed the night she had went over to Edward's house for the movie. How he had jumped at the chance to be near Rose. She wondered if Rose's feeling were ever as strong for Emmett as his obviously had been for her.

Jake put pressure on her hand he held onto. Bella wince as she look down at their hands then back up at his face. His eyes were filling with tears as they began to play a video that showed pictures of Rose's life. Her first birthday cake with Miranda by her side, her first Christmas, her first bike and her first fall from it. Bella's eyes filled with tears as well as she watch Rose's life as short lived as it was on video.

She thought about what her father had revealed to her the other night, about Rose's death not necessarily being accidental as everyone at the moment believed. She could not fathom anyone pushing Rose down those stairs or hitting her over the head and then just simply walking away while she died. Was that person in this very room? Bella look to the left and then to the right. Wondering was it possible that someone they all knew had meant to kill Rosalie Rutledge?

Music began to play as they urge everyone to walk by one last time to view the body of Rosalie Rutledge. Bella was not sure if she wanted to do that or not. She had barely been to any funerals before and since she knew this person it seemed morbid. When Jake stood holding her hand in his, she knew she had no other choice but to follow him. That was what a good girlfriend would do she told herself as she reluctantly made her way down the aisle and to the front where the casket look more ominous than glimmering as it had when she was sitting far away from it.

Bella bit down on her lip as she felt Jake stop in front of the casket.

"May heaven welcome you Rose." Jake whispers as Bella sneaks a peek at Rose.

She smiles sadly. They had placed her in a beautiful white gown that made her look like a bride instead of a dead young teenager. Her hair was fixed it's usual way. Long curly golden locks sat on her shoulders. Her make up was exactly the way she worn it the night of the dance. Bella felt like weeping but was not sure exactly why. They were not that close. Still, it seem so sad that her life had to end so early. There was so many things she was sure Rose would have wanted to experience before death stole her away.

Jake began to walk away, Bella followed him casting a curious glance at all of the lovely flowers. She had to admit Rose had been loved even if she did not express love to others. Bella spotted Miranda on the front row holding her mother's shoulders as she wept and trembled. Miranda appeared much stronger than Bella would believe she could be under the same circumstances.

She spotted her father also at the back of the room leaning against the wall, he was wearing his uniform. Bella thought that was a little tacky but understood he was still on the clock while he was here.

Bella nodded at her father, who pressed his lips together and nodded silently back at her as she and Jake walk out of the building and to his truck. They had to drive about two miles away to the local cemetery where they would watch as they put Rose's casket into the ground before the ceremony would be officially over. Bella watch as Riley stood up to say a few words about his sister, he read a poem that he explained she use to enjoy him reading to her when she was little. It was bittersweet.

Everyone cried harder hearing his sincerity in each word. The casket was lowered as each family member tossed a white rose over her casket before walking away. Bella closed her eyes fighting back the unshed tears. She hated crying. She knew it was a natural expression but it made her uncomfortable, especially in front of others. Biting on the tip of her tongue she walked away as many people gave the Rutledge's their condolences before they got in the limousine that drove them away.

"That was hard." Jake sighed heavily as they climb into the cab of his truck.

"Yeah, it was." Bella agreed. Rubbing her arms, despite the heater on in the truck she still felt like she had a chill. Goose bumps line up her arms.

"Do you want to go to the gathering at the Rutledge's house? They usually have a great spread." Jake asks as he slams his hands on the steering wheel, making Bella jump.

"What's wrong?" Bella exclaims knowing something has upset Jake out of the blue.

"I feel like such an ass for saying that. Who thinks about how great the food is when someone's daughter has died?" Jake replies with a guilty glare.

"Oh Jake, it's okay. Seriously. This is….well….it's scary. We all knew her. We are having a hard time understanding how she could have died like that and why?" Bella lays her head on his shoulder wrapping her hands around his muscular bicep, trying to give him some comfort.

"Your right. It is so damn confusing and scary as hell. I mean if she can die simply from falling down a staircase who knows when our ticket is up?" Jake trembled with his personal fear of death. He never understood how it could just sneak up on a person.

"We don't. We just try to live our lives to the fullest, like it's our last day on earth." Bella thought about the statement that had easily slipped out of her lips. It was the same thing her mother had said to her to comfort her when her grandmother had passed away in her sleep one night. It had startled Bella how death could just pounce on you. Of course she was a child when it happened but it was a very trying time for her. She had been terrified to go to sleep for several months before her mother manage to get her to go to sleep without fearing death was waiting for her to close her eyes to snatch her away from the world.

"Do you want to go? Or we could just go back to my place if you like?" Jake suggested.

Bella sensed that he was nervous about how to act around the Rutledge's now that he had dumped their other daughter.

"Let's just stop by for a few minutes to make a appearance and then take off." Bella did not want to seem uncaring to Miranda and the rest of their friends by not at least showing up for a few minutes.

"Okay." Jake gulp hard turning down the road that would lead them to the largest house in Forks.

"I need to talk to you." Edward hissed softly as he step up behind Alice. She had practically gave them the silent treatment the past two days. He was pretty sure she was having a difficult time with the death of Rosalie but there was something more. Something she feared telling him.

"Not now." Alice replied keeping her eyes in front of her not even bothering to look at him.

Edward snatch her elbow pulling her out of the busy room where people were choosing their food from a large buffet table. He saw the Rutledge's in the center of the room, Miranda was right by Riley's side so he knew now was the best time to get her alone to discuss what had happen at the police station.

Alice struggled but realized she was causing a scene when a few people look her way, she put on a polite smile as she relented and let Edward lead her out to the back patio.

"What is wrong with you?" Edward demanded as he kept his voice low.

"Hello, Rose is dead." Alice's eyes bug out as she snap at him.

"I know that. I mean, what is going on with you NOW? What did you tell Charlie Swan exactly? He was watching you and then he would look at Miranda during most of the service. So what gives. I need to know." Edward pleaded with her.

"Look, Edward, I told him ….everything. I told him that Miranda is ill. She does not know what she is doing. She needs medical help. She does not need to be lock up with killers and drug pushers." Alice explains as she covers her chest with her arms. Glancing through the patio doors to make sure that Miranda is still inside. She fears what Miranda will do once she learns she has betrayed her trust.

"So you told him she did it." Edward gasps. Running his hands through his hair as he clasps his fingers behind the back of his head, staring up at the cloudy sky with a sarcastic smirk on his face.

"Yes. I did." Alice states coldly.

"What is he going to do now?" Edward lowers his head keeping his hands behind his head.

"He is going to talk to her parents in the morning. He is going to confiscate the crown as evidence. He believes that Miranda needs help as well. He doesn't think it was her intention to kill her sister." Alice replies softly and slowly.

"Thank God! It's still going to shock the hell out of her parents and Riley." Edward drops his hands to his side as he looks into the window where Mr. Rutledge has his arm wrapped around Miranda's shoulders. He knows this family is going to be torn with a emotional turmoil when they are told everything.

"I know. I feel awful." Alice whimpers as a sob gets stuck in the back of her throat.

"You shouldn't. You were stronger than me." Edward pulls her into his arms, pressing her head into his chest while she weeps heavy onto his jacket.

"She is going to hate me." Alice cries out.

"She will at first but once she gets the help she needs she will realize that you were her saving grace." Edward kisses the top of her head as he looks up to see Miranda standing in the door way looking confused and upset at them.

"What is going on?" Miranda asks as she marches toward them.

Alice jumps out of Edward's arms as she begins to wipe away the tears from her face.

"Nothing. I just….its all so hard." Alice fumbled with her words as she look at Edward for some help.

"We were just saying how much this sucks for you guys. We wish we could help you more." Edward replies as he reaches out to grab her hand. She pulls her hand away, looking at them both with a suspicious gleam in her eyes.

"You can help me by not lying to me." Miranda states with a icy tone that reminded them both of how Rose use to react when she feared people were talking about her.

"We are not lying to you." Edward's brow scrunches together looking upset at her.

"Fine. Then get in here. Jake and Bella are here." Miranda slips her hand into the crook of Edward's arm leading him as if he was her escort to a official dance.

"Are you feeling okay?" Edward asks with genuine concern as he looks down at Miranda.

"I am fine. I just….it's freaky that's all." Miranda pressed her lips together as they step inside. Bella and Jake were holding hands as they stood closely together. They were speaking with Mike and Paul who were holding plateful of food in their hands.

"I'm sure it is." Edward agreed but he was not sure if she meant the death of her sister or seeing the couple together in public holding hands and showing the rest of the world their love for one another.

Jake set on the tail gate of his truck listening to the radio spilling out of his truck while Bella ran inside of her house to change clothes and check in with Brenda. He knew it would take some time but when thirty minutes went by he was starting to think she had forgotten he was outside. Picking up his phone he dialed her number. She answered with a giggle.

"Hahaha….I did not forget you. Hold on." She replies and hangs up before he can say a word.

Jake laughs. She was up to something. He was relaxed knowing she was okay and had not in deed forgotten him.

A few minutes later Bella comes out of the house dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with a basket in one arm, a blanket in the other. Jumping off the truck he walks up to help her. Taking the basket from her as they walk back to the truck.

"What's in here?" Jake laughs at the mystery basket that was really heavy.

"It's our dinner. I noticed you did not eat at the Rutledge's and I know you have to be starving cause I am." Bella smiled proudly at him.

"Your right I am." Jake agreed happily but wasn't sure where she planned to have this picnic, as she walked around the side of the house, he just followed as she led them.

"Wow, here?" Jake was surprised that she chose to have a picnic outside when it was still rather a gloomy day. She sat the blanket down in the center of her back yard as she knelt down in the center of it, waving her hands for him to give her the basket. He knelt down next to her as she began to take out several containers filled with food.

"Damn, you had all of this in your house?" Jake shouts out followed by a long deep laugh.

"Yep. I try to keep it stocked up. Brenda isn't the best cook, so I often volunteer to fix myself something to eat." Bella reminds him of her mother's less than adequate cooking skills.

"Oh yeah." Jake says as he takes the plate she hands him along with a fork and napkin.

They both tore into the bag of chips, the tuna salad, the fruits she had sliced up, and two slices of chocolate cake that she had baked the night before for a late night snack.

"You are amazing." Jake moans in pleasure as he takes a big bite of the cake.

" Thank you Mr. Black." Bella says with happiness as she takes a large bite of her slice.

"So what was on your mind before we left for the funeral?" Jake asks curiously as he hands her a warm orange soda.

Bella looks up at him with a curious grin. She was surprised that he had pick up on her tension before they arrived at the funeral.

"I was just worried about the whole funeral thing. Hoping no one was going to make a scene." Bella partially lied.

"Who would make a scene at a funeral?" Jake look dumbfounded by that fear.

"I don't know." Bella chuckles as she shrugs her shoulders drinking the soda.

"Was that it? You just….well…you seem a little edgy. A little scared but I got the feeling you wanted to talk to me about something." Jake hoped he was wrong about his earlier fears that Bella was not as happy as he was in this relationship between them.

"What? No. I am fine. I love you. WE are fine." Bella suspected he thought it had to do with them. It did and it didn't really. She was not sure if she should tell him about James's unexpected call, package and they cryptic message this morning. She could not shake the feeling that he was here, somewhere lurking in the shadows watching them.

Their relationship was still new. She was not sure how he might react to learn her ex-boyfriend could be possibly stalking her. Would he believe her if she told him she had never encourage him to make contact again? Would he over react and want to hunt down the bastard and attack him? Too many uncertainties.

"Good. Cause you're my girl Bella." Jake lean over taking her chin in his hand as he tenderly kisses her mouth. Bella feels the warmth flowing through out her body as his kiss creates a passionate yearning in her.

" Good. Cause I like being your Bella." Bella whispers as he breaks the kiss, leaning back into his spot. He knew her father was home, he did not want to offend him in case he was spying on them from one of the windows in the house.

"Always." He agrees as he smiles warmly at her. Bella's cheek burn red, with desire but like Jake she doesn't want to do anything too passionate out in the middle of her back yard in case they are being watch by Brenda or Charlie

Jake left just as sun was going down, Bella took everything inside before heading up to her room. Brenda and Charlie were lost in their own world watching some reality television show they both enjoyed as she made her way her upstairs. She took a quick shower washing off the make up and shaving her legs before she climb out of the shower, to change into her pajamas. Brushing her teeth and hair, she made her way to her room. She saw the dress she had worn for the funeral tossed on the end of her bed. Picking it up, she walk to the closet to put it back on the hanger. She did not feel like washing it since she had barely wore it for two hours.

Walking back to her bed she saw something shiny that had been underneath the dress. Inching closer to the bed, she lean over picking up the shiny object and felt her breathe get stuck in her lungs. Her hands shook so hard she slung the necklace across the room. It landed against the window pane before sliding down to the ground. Closing her eyes, she took several long deep breathes, trying not to hyperventilate as the panic began to sink in.

Bella covered her mouth with her hands, trying to hold back the scream that was struggling to be released. The necklace had been a gift from James. A gift she had given him back personally when she broke up a few days before she took off. There was no way it could have gotten here on her bed, without James being in town. How did it get in her room? Was he still there? Bella pivoted around the room staring frantically at any place he might be hiding.

Not able to hold her back her fear she raced out of the room and down the stairs.

"Geez Bella what is wrong with you?" Brenda look up from her show staring at Bella with an annoyed frown.

"Someone….necklace….my room…." Bella could not create a coherent sentence as the fear continue to take a hold on her.

"What?" Charlie jump out of his recliner looking alarmed as he grabbed her shoulders looking down at her face that had turn pale white as tears filled her eyes, streaming down the sides of her face.

"Dad, there is ….a necklace….it was on my bed….it….it was from my ex….I did not bring it here." Bella manage to choke out a few words in short segments to make a clear sentence.

"How could it have got in your room?" Charlie looked puzzled as he glanced over at Brenda for an explanation but she look at them both with a blank face. It was clear she had no idea what Bella was rambling on about.

"James. Dad, James called me last night. He threaten to show you how bad of a person I truly am." Bella answers as she sobs hard, her nose running as the tears continue to pour out of her eyes.

"James, the asshole who got you in trouble back in Arizona?" Charlie's jaw tighten at the mention of the guy who had led his daughter into some deep shit with the law and cause a big rift between Bella and her mother.

Bella nodded her head.

"Let's go look at it." Charlie took her hand and led her up to her room, where he check in her closet, under her bed but found no James. Then he pick up the necklace that had her terrified. It was a simple silver locket with a picture of James and Bella inside of it.

"Where did you find it?" Charlie asks.

"I picked up the dress I had worn at the funeral to hang it up when I return I found it, there." Bella pointed at the exact spot it had been lying on.

"Okay. It's time to put some security in this house. I don't like this. I don't like to think that asshole managed to climb in here and go through your room while we were downstairs." Charlie growls as he pulls out his phone, calling his guys. He puts out a watch on James and requested a squad car to make a ride by his house every hour until he tells them to stop. Bella felt much better.

"I will call a security company in town and get us a alarm system. Everything is locked up. You should be fine tonight. Leave your door open, just in case." Charlie kisses her forehead, rubbing her upper arms.

"Okay, thanks Dad." Bella hiccups.

"I'm sorry honey. I'm sorry that this asshole is trying to disrupt your life. I will stop him. I will protect you from him this time. I promise." Charlie vowed as he hugged her tight and swift.

"Thanks Dad." Bella crawls underneath her blanket as he turns off the light before stepping out of the room.

Closing her eyes she hoped like hell that James made a mistake in Forks. A mistake that her father could put him away for. Locked behind bars James would no longer be a threat to her future or to the present happiness that she was finding here in Forks and in Jake's arms.