Beta: MissEllen- Thank You!


CH.49 Homecoming

** Kleenex Warning**

Charlie's Pov

Pulling myself from my makeshift bed, I scrubbed my face with my hands. I felt like I was living in an alternate universe where night and day blended together without interruption. I was privy to the reality that magic existed alongside myths and legends. Demons from childhood nightmares walked amongst us, and even as the Chief of Police, I was powerless. I wondered if my union would provide a shrink for me.

Last night I had watched as a boy who was best known for pranks and goofing off, assumed control of a pack of mythical beasts. Quil's eyes had shown yellow long after the events of the council meeting had ended. He had said that he had felt a surge of power and that his words had come from somewhere other than this world. I believed him.

With that short explanation, he, Jared, and Paul had gone into the woods. I had laid down and fallen asleep before they had returned. As far as I could tell, they still weren't back. Sitting on the edge of Linda's couch, I questioned if there would ever be a time where things felt normal again. Somehow, I doubted it.

"Morning," Linda's tired voice rasped as she walked into the living room. "Did you get any sleep?"

Shaking my head no, I stood up, feeling my bones protest. "You?"

"About as much as the rest of us, I suppose," she continued on to the kitchen and started making a pot of coffee. I leaned forward and then bent at the knees in an attempt to stretch my aching body. Folding the blanket and setting it on the end of the couch, I followed the scent of coffee to the kitchen.

Linda handed me a mug, "Coffee will be ready in a few. I'm going to start breakfast. I imagine the boys will be starved when they get back."

I plucked my phone from the counter and saw several missed calls from Renee. I knew I needed to speak with her and call into the station and check on things there. I set my mug on the counter, "I'm going to make a couple calls," I told Linda and headed to the front door. Once outside, I closed the door behind me and drew in a deep breath and looked toward the forest. I saw the boys emerge from across the road. Quickly pocketing my phone, I shuffled down the steps to meet them in the yard. I hoped they had an update for me.

"No new scents, Chief," Jared reported before I could ask. "Redhead hasn't been back either."

"How's Embry?" We hadn't seen him since he'd taken off after the confrontation with Sam. I knew Kay was sick with worry.

Sighing, Quil looked at me, "He's a mess. Paul is going to get something to eat and then take over patrol for him. I've ordered him home to eat and get himself cleaned up." Quil scrubbed a hand over his tired face before meeting my eyes once more, "We'll make a schedule to continue patrols once Bella is here on the reservation. She'll never be unguarded."

I nodded, "I need to call Bella's mother back." I knew I couldn't put it off any longer.

"Uh yeah, about that," Jared rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "She's already at the hospital. Uh, you might want to head over."

"Damn it," I grumbled. There was no telling what trouble Renee was causing. I understood her wanting to see Bella, but her throwing a fit and making demands only made the situation worse. Looking down at myself, my uniform was wrinkled from sleeping in it and I badly needed a shower and a shave. "I'll get cleaned up and head over." I knew It sounded like I was headed toward a firing squad. Of course, when dealing with Renee, one never knew what to expect. I could very well be walking into a snake pit.

"Come on, you can take a shower here," Quil offered from his perch by the front door.

Once inside, I gathered what I needed and Linda showed me to the bathroom and gave me a clean towel. It felt strange being in someone else's shower, but I was thankful for the hot water that rained down on my tired muscles.

After shaving, I put on a clean, slightly wrinkled uniform. Shoving my dirty clothes into my duffel bag, I made sure I hadn't left anything on the floor or counter and then made my way back to the kitchen. The smell of coffee reminded me I had yet to have a cup this morning.

"I put some coffee in a thermos and made you a sandwich. I figured you'd be heading out right away," Linda handed me a large thermos and a plastic bag.

"Thank you." I stuttered, feeling my face heat up with the dreaded 'Swan' blush.

"Charlie, here's my number," Linda handed me a slip of paper. "Call when you're on your way with Bella."

Nodding, I let myself out and drew in a deep breath to settle my nerves. I climbed into my cruiser and headed to Forks.

Linda's Pov

It was less than an hour after Charlie left that he called letting me know he was on his way with Bella. He hadn't gone into any further detail, but the sound of his voice indicated that not everything had gone smoothly.

"They're on the way," I told everyone even though the boys had heard the conversation.

Kay looked ready to combust, the boys didn't look much better. "Quil, honey, if you need anything out of your room you might want to get it now." I reminded him.

"I already grabbed some shorts and stuff." he let me know. "Uh, should we stay or leave?"

"It might be best if only Kay and I were here," I told him, thinking it wouldn't do Bella any good to be bombarded with so many people. She had no idea about the pack. We were hoping to tell her as soon as possible, but wanted to make sure she was safe here on the reservation first.

"We're going to be... hell, I don't know where we're going to be, just yell if you need us." Quil told me walking to the door with Jared in tow. Turning back to look at me, "Mom, can you see if she'll see me?"

"I will, but honey keep in mind she doesn't know why anything happened, only that it did. Don't be disappointed if she says no." I told him wanting to wrap him in a hug.

Nodding, he and Jared left leaving Kay and me to wait. Kay fiddled with her coffee cup, heaping spoonful after spoonful of sugar into the mug. I didn't think she was aware of what she was doing. I let her be, I knew she was anxious and nervous.

"They're here," I whispered, hearing the gravel crunch and seeing Charlie's police cruiser from the window.

I stood up and walked to the door, pulling it open at the first knock. It took everything in me not to gasp. The girl standing next to Charlie looked nothing like Bella. Her skin was deathly pale and had a gray tinge to it. Her hair hung down in a mass of dry brittle waves and her body was so thin that no one would have guessed she'd been pregnant days earlier. She was looking down toward the ground so I was unable to see her eyes.

I was thankful. I was terrified to see what they would reflect.

Coming out of my stupor, I held the door open so Charlie could usher her around, I could see Kay gaping at the girl she had once thought would become her daughter in law.

"Follow me," I whispered, walking down the hall toward Quil's bedroom. I opened the door and stood to the side so Charlie could help Bella into the room. Kay moved to my side and grasped my hand and squeezed. Charlie helped Bella onto the bed. She lay down without a word and curled into herself, closing her eyes and blocking the world out. Quietly closing the door behind him, Charlie followed Kay and me back to the dining room.

In what had quickly become routine, we sat down around the dining table.

"I don't know how to help her." Charlie admitted in defeat. "She didn't say a word when I told her she was staying here." Shaking his head, "She didn't question anything, she just got into the car and stared out of the window."

"Time, that's the only thing that will help. She just needs time." I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince Charlie, Kay or myself. Maybe all of us.

Sighing, Charlie pushed himself from the table, stood up and patted his pockets for his keys, "I need to go into the station."

"Go, she'll be fine. We'll call if there's any problem at all." I promised.

Standing, Charlie shifted and peered down the hall before turning back to me, "Dr. Gerandy said she's having nightmares."

"We'll deal. It will be ok." I could see he was getting choked up. "Charlie, we'll be fine." I attempted to reassure him.

With a quick nod he left, leaving Kay and I to our thoughts.

Quil walked in with Jared trailing behind him. Both of them looked like lost little boys. It was a stark contrast to their hulking frames and the display of power they had shown last night when facing the council.

"How is she?" My son asked looking from me to the hallway. I knew he loved her. He really did think of her as his sister, and I knew he was hurting for both Bella and Embry.

"She's mourning." I told him. There wasn't anything else I could say.

"Can… can I go see her?" He asked.

"You can try, but Quil, if she wants you to leave, just do it. I know you love her but we have to do this on her time." I explained.

Quil's Pov

Even before I turned into a wolf and gained superhuman abilities, Bella had always smelled like baked goods to me. Before I reached the door I could smell her, but it wasn't the brownies and cocoa I remembered. She smelled stale, like all the sadness and grief had combined and left her with the scent of helplessness. My palms were sweaty as I tapped on the door. When she didn't answer, I cracked the door open and peered inside. She was laying on the bed with her eyes closed. Her breathing was uneven and restless, confirming my suspicion that she wasn't asleep.

"Bells…can I come in?" I asked quietly. She didn't say anything, instead she lifted her head and looked at me . Dear Spirits! I thought I would fall on my knees seeing the emptiness in her eyes.

"I love you Bells... you're my sister from another mister," I whispered and then left closing the door behind me. Walking back to the living room I couldn't stop the tears.

"She's…" I could not even think of a word to describe her.

"She's mourning, son. There's nothing we can do but let her do it." Mom told me giving me a hug.

When mom finally released me, I left quickly. I needed to get some air. I walked outside to find Jared sitting on the steps, "How is she?"

"I've never seen anyone look that haunted." I told him wiping my eyes. "Fuck dude." I sighed, sitting down. "She's like my sister, hell I love her as if she really were my sister" I said scrubbing my face with my hands.

"Em?" I asked.

"I think he's at the cave. He looks like shit." Jared told me.

"I can't imagine how they feel. A kid. It's so fucking unfair." I had no idea how to help either of them.

Linda's Pov

The news had spread around the reservation like wildfire. Casseroles and food dishes were being delivered to the house hourly, and I was grateful not to have to worry about feeding everyone. The tribe had come together to offer whatever support they could.

Bella had been here for three days, and she still had not said a word. Each time I took food or drink to her, it took everything in me not to break down. Her eyes were so empty. Grief rolled off her in waves. Embry was damn near on death's door. I'd seen him twice since Bella had come to stay with me and both times I felt like I was looking at a dead man.

None of the boys were doing that well. I knew they were worried about Embry and Bella. There was so much pain and grief, it felt like a fog of sadness had descended over us all.

Jake was still missing. I imagined Billy was trying to keep him away, knowing there was going to be a fight. I knew each of the boys had searched for him, but so far had not found him. It was thought that Billy had sent him to another tribe for the time being.

Eventually he would have to come back.

Kay and I were once again sitting at the table drinking yet another pot of coffee. It felt like that was all we did anymore. She was beside herself. First she lost Bella who she loved, then Embry spiraled out of control. She had spent months fearing she was going to lose him, and if all that wasn't enough, she found out she was going to have a grandchild, only for the baby to be lost. It was just too much.

We heard the shower turn on and twenty minutes later, it turned off. "Is it ever going to get better?" Kay asked, but before I could answer, we heard a scream come from down the hall. We both jumped up, running towards Bella and when I opened the door, it only took one look to know what happened, and my heart ached. I could hear Kay sobbing; she, too, knew what was happening.

Bella sat in the middle of the bed staring down at her chest where two wet spots appeared on her shirt. Her milk had come in. She lifted her head and stared at me. My knees buckled, her eyes were vacant as tears streamed down her face.

"Th…th…there's no baby." She said, looking down at herself. "I... I don't have a baby... my baby…" Bella body shook as she cried. I didn't think I had ever witnessed anything this heartbreaking.

I couldn't imagine what she was feeling. Her body ready to provide nourishment for her baby, yet there was no longer a baby. I didn't know what to say, there were no words to offer that would bring her comfort.

"Ice, there are ice packs in the freezer." I told Kay. There was no way to stop the flow of milk except time, but ice would ease the discomfort. It was the only thing we could offer. I took a step closer to Bella, she lifted her head to look at me, and the expression on her face would forever be emblazoned in my mind.

Kay handed me the ice packs and I stepped towards Bella again, but she scooted back towards the wall. "If you put these on your chest… it will help with the ache." I told her sitting the ice packs on the bed. "Bella, honey if you need anything, we're just down the hall." I told her, not wanting to upset her even more.

Kay and I walked back to the kitchen. My heart ached for everyone, and there wasn't anything I could do. Kay was a sobbing mess, her hands shaking as she tried to take a drink of her coffee before giving up and holding her head in her hands.

I had never felt more helpless in my entire life.

Bella's cries floated down the hall like a tortured song. Kay sobbed silently in the seat next to me.

It was around midnight when Quil and Paul practically carried Embry through the door and I was thankful Kay was asleep. She didn't need to see Embry like this. He looked dead. I saw him inhale, his body shaking as they dragged him down the hall and into my bedroom. I heard the shower turn on and a few minutes later Quil and Paul both walked in and sat down heavily at the table.

"He hasn't seen her, we're hoping her scent will help. He's getting worse, before it was bad, but now… if something doesn't change, I don't know… I fucking don't know." Quil hung his head.

Pulling himself together, he rose from his seat, "I need to grab some shorts, how long has she been asleep?"

"About an hour, it's been a bad night." I told him and then nodded toward the couch where Kay fitfully slept. She hadn't been a sleep much longer than Bella had.

"I'll be right back." He said walking down the hall.

"How is she?" Paul asked quietly, almost looking shy.

"Not good." I told him thinking of earlier and shaking my head. His head snapped towards the hallway where Quil and a freshly showered Embry came into view.

I was speechless. Embry looked like a dead man walking.

"Come on man, you gotta eat something." Quil told him, helping him into a chair before walking into the kitchen. My son took out some lunch meat and grabbed the loaf of bread. I stood and helped Quil slap a few sandwiches together. Quil put a plate with three sandwiches in front of Embry. After a few minutes, Quil tapped Embry's shoulder, "You have to eat something."

The scene was heartbreaking. Six months ago all you had to do was look at Embry to know he was in love. The boy in front of me was someone else entirely. I had to look away.

Quil pulled his chair next to Embry. "She's asleep; you could sit in the room or something," he suggested. Paul and Quil shared a worried look between themselves, silently discussing Embry and further putting my nerves on edge.

Em didn't say anything he just stood and walked down the hall. "Fuck, if this doesn't work…" Quil mumbled, but I had heard him.

"What?" I asked, knowing they knew something I didn't.

Sighing, seemingly with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Quil looked from Paul to me. "We don't know what's going on. Bella isn't Embry's imprint, but he's physically ill from the separation. This is more than just grief. We don't know what it is, but it's something." Quil told me.

I didn't have much time to think about what Quil had said. A bloodcurdling scream pierced the silence. Kay shot off the couch as we all darted towards Quil's bedroom. The lamp on the nightstand was on, letting enough light into the room that we could see both Embry and Bella.

Bella had scooted herself against the wall. Her eyes were round as saucers and filled with tears. She was breathing heavily and I wondered if she was having a panic attack. Embry was leaned against the wall staring at her. His face was tormented as he looked at Bella. And Bella, Dear Spirits, she looked like she was being torn apart as she stared at Embry.

"Why are you here?" Her voice was as broken as her heart.

"I... I love you." Embry sobbed, crawling toward her.

Bella looked from Embry to all of us who were frozen in the doorway. She scrambled to the end of the bed and stood. She was so frail, I honestly didn't know how she was holding herself upright. She walked to the small bathroom in Quil's room and shut the door. Minutes later she walked out completely dressed. She didn't utter a single word as she stepped past us.

"She can't leave." Paul said looking over at Quil.

"I know." Quil said sadly.

Quil turned on his heel and followed her. When Bella was halfway down the hallway, he maneuvered himself in front of her, stopping her from going any further. "Bells… we need you to stay here," Quil told her quietly. "We just need you to stay here for a little while."

We needed to talk to Charlie before we dropped the wolf bombshell.

Bella tilted her head up to look at my son. "I don't want to be here," she whispered, hoarsely.

I could see my son struggling. He was doing his damnedest not to break down and cry right along with Bella. "We really need you stay here," he repeated in apology.

Shaking her head back and forth, she cried. "Please let me leave. Q…Quil, please don't make me stay. It hurts to be here. Please don't make me stay."

I knew Quil had to keep her here, and I knew tonight would haunt him for a long time, maybe forever. I felt so helpless watching as he took control. His new position didn't afford him to pass on this task. "Bells, I can't let you leave."

Bella's shoulders sagged in defeat before she turned and slowly walked back into Quil's bedroom and locked herself in the bathroom. I could see the little boy that he used to be battling the man he had become. All I wanted to do was wrap him in the safety of my arms.

"I'm sorry, Bells," he whispered to her ghost.

"We need to tell her." Paul said looking at the closed bathroom door.

"I'll call Charlie," I offered.

Quil's Pov

It took every ounce of strength I possessed not to break down, having to hear Bella beg me to let her leave. I heard her escape into the bathroom, locking the door to keep us away from her. I hated knowing we were hurting her even more than she already was. With a heavy heart, I walked back into my bedroom to check on Embry, terrified of what this had done to him. I wasn't prepared for what greeted me. Embry was kneeling on the floor, rocking back and forth with his head in his hands, sobbing with such force his body shook.

Hearing tires hit the gravel of the driveway, I whispered, "Charlie's here."

"I'll get him," Paul announced, fleeing. Three minutes later, Paul and Charlie walked in. Charlie halted at the bedroom door; his attention going straight to Embry, who was still on his knees.

"She wanted to leave. I stopped her," I told him, feeling the tears slide down my face. Fuck, I didn't care who saw. This was raw and it hurt.

"She's in the bathroom," Mom whispered.

Grasping my shoulder, Charlie stepped in front of the closed bathroom door. Tapping lightly twice, "Bella, honey, can you come out?"

When there was no response, Charlie hung his head and sighed. "Bells, we really need to talk to you. Please come out." Charlie sounded like I knew the rest of us felt.

Helpless.

Bella opened the bathroom door, her eyes were bloodshot and her face was stained with the tracks of her tears. She looked so tiny.

She stepped completely out of the bathroom and turned her body toward Embry. I held my breath, knowing whatever was about to happen was going to be painful.

"I loved you," Her whisper was so quiet it was barely audible.

"I… Bella…" Embry strangled out, his voice cracked with emotion.

"Did you know my Mom didn't want me?" She asked. "She didn't want me… told me every day how I should never get married or have a baby young. She told me how it ruins your entire life. She was nineteen when she had me."

Dear Spirits, I thought, knowing this was going to be worse than I could have ever imagined.

"Bells..." Charlie took a step toward her.

Bella turned her focus to Charlie,"You didn't look at me as the cab pulled away. I was little, but I remember watching and waiting for you to look at me. I kept waiting for you stop Renee from taking me away, but you never even looked at me. I came every summer and you dropped me off at Jake's. You only came back when it was time to put me on the plane again. I stopped coming." Her last words were nothing more than air.

I could hear Charlie's breath hitch as he hung his head in shame.

Bella's breath was coming out in harsh pants. I could see tears sliding down her cheeks as she turned back to Embry. "I'd never had a boyfriend before. I was always too shy. But then Edward… I was too naive to notice it was all wrong. His family was so nice and they called me daughter, sister and friend. They made up for the bad stuff. I didn't know that none of it was real." Bella took a deep breath, but it sounded more like a gurgle; as if she was struggling to breathe. "He walked me into the woods... It was cold and raining. Edward told me he had never loved me, that I wasn't good enough and that my human mind was nothing more than a sieve and that I would forget him. He promised it would be like he never existed. And then he left me alone in the dark. His family left without saying goodbye. They just disappeared."

Beside me Paul was growling. My mom and Kay were both crying and Em was breathing so heavily, I thought he might pass out. Charlie's heart was beating too fast. I was afraid he was on the verge of a heart attack.

"Jake… he was my best friend… but only if I could love him the way he wanted me to. When I couldn't, he did everything he could to hurt me. His friendship was as much a lie as Edward's love for me. Everything was a lie until you. Nothing was ever real until I met you." A sob broke free, making her pause. She looked like she was living every word she spoke.

"It happened so slow and quietly that it snuck up on me. I fell in love with you. I loved you for all the right reasons. You were my friend, my secret keeper… my everything. Until you were gone. You were the only thing that was ever real," Bella whispered.

"When I found out I was pregnant, I was scared. I was alone and I was terrified. I went to Port Angeles to have an abortion. But, I couldn't do it. I loved the baby already and I just couldn't do it." Bella struggled to speak. "I've never loved anyone or wanted anyone more than the baby that was inside of me. Listening to his heartbeat was proof that love really did exist. I... was going to get rid of him," Bella gasped for air. "He knew what I almost did so he left too. My own baby knew I wasn't good enough."

We were all struggling. Bella took a step past me and stood in the doorway, "I don't know why I'm here, and I don't care, but I am not staying." She said, hervoice more forceful than I'd ever heard it, as she pushed past me and walked down the hall.

"Fuck," Paul bolted out of the room.

Following behind, we could see Paul standing in front of Bella. He was looking at her with the softest expression I'd ever seen on his face. "Bella you cannot leave. I'm sorry, but we need you to stay here," he told her.

"Paul, get out of my way," Bella yelled. Her voice was hoarse but she managed to make the words sound forceful.

Paul stood to his full height. "I can't do that."

"Why the hell not, none of you had a problem throwing me away before," She screamed, rounding on all of us.

"Some help?" Paul growled.

"Bella… we need you to stay here," Mom told her, moving to stand beside Paul.

"No… I'm nineteen. You can't force me to stay," She yelled trying to wiggle past my mom and Paul.

"Fuck!" I yelled. "Bells, we're werewolves there's a redheaded bloodsucker after you," I blurted. She stopped her struggling and turned to face me with a wide eyed stare.

"Victoria," She whispered.

"Some crazy redheaded leech wants to kill you, so you can't leave, okay," Paul attempted to make her understand.

"Move!" Bella yelled, determined to leave despite what we'd told her.

Paul gripped her shoulders so she couldn't move past him. "Bella, she will kill you."

"Good," She whispered, catching him off guard and slipping out of his grip.


AN: Good News, were beginning to turn the corner. There are still a couple of chapters that will warrant a Kleenex warning, but we are getting to the light at the end of the tunnel. Also, if you are a reader of Jailbait, Yes, I am still working on it. It's just going slow and Rl is hectic right now.