Chapter Forty Four
Charlie
I was watching for Bella's return, sure my threats were enough to ensure she would be back by night fall. When a car pulled up I was at the door ready, still wearing my uniform, ready if needs be to use the law. Jasper got out first and went round to open the car door for Bella who got out very hesitantly. They linked hands and walked up the path to me, Bella looking wan and scared. I waited glaring at the young man who was still holding my daughter's hand.
"Chief Swan"
"You aren't welcome here Jasper Hale, none of your family are. I assume Bella told you that."
"Yes she did but I thought I should at least attempt to explain and apologise"
"I'm not interested in anything you may have to say, or your parents for that matter. I was shocked when even they couldn't get their stories to match. Now I'd like you to let go of my daughter's hand and drive away from this house, and if I see you, or any of your family, or your cars, anywhere near my house or my daughter I will arrest you."
"I'm sorry you feel that way Chief Swan. May I at least say goodbye to Bella"
"I think you've already had plenty of time to say all you wanted. Bella, inside now."
"Dad please"
"Bella, in now"
"I need..."
"You need to get in the house now. Before I lose my temper altogether"
Bella
Charlie was getting angry now so I went inside knowing that Jasper would be close at hand. It was the only way I could get my feet to move and the tears started as I went into the house followed by Charlie who slammed the door behind us.
"Bella, in the sitting room now."
I went in and sat on the edge of the couch, my stomach churning,
"Right, I want to know what the hell is going on with you and the Cullen family"
"Nothing Dad, Jasper and I have fallen in love and..."
"Really? And what about Edward Cullen?"
My heart sank and I felt sick again,
"Edward? There's nothing between Edward and I"
"That's not what Carlisle told me"
"Doctor Cullen?"
"Yes, he said you went off with Edward to show him you weren't in love with him. Not that it made a lot of sense but then I'm not highly educated like him."
"What?"
"Yeah, crazy isn't it? Especially when Esme Cullen told me a different story. According to her you were with Jasper. So was it Jasper?"
"Yes."
"Why did Carlisle say it was Edward then?"
"I don't know. Dad I'm really tired and I feel sick"
"Really? Well its just as well I have you an appointment with Doctor Hill at Port Angeles Medical Center on Tuesday."
"What?"
"I thought you should get a check up. Make sure nothing did happen when you disappeared"
I got up horrified, panic filling me now.
"I wont go"
"Oh why? You and Jasper been up to something?"
"No."
"Then you have nothing to worry about do you?"
I ran out of the room and upstairs getting to the toilet just in time and throwing up until there was nothing left in my stomach. My chest sore from dry heaves I cleaned my teeth and showered crying all the time then put on a pair of jump trousers and a long-sleeved tee-shirt and climbed into bed unable to close my eyes without seeing Edward above me.
I heard Charlie come up a little while after me and open the door to check I was in bed so I kept my eyes closed and stilled my sobs for long enough to fool him. I heard him shower before going to bed and shortly after that his snores broke the silence of the night. A few minutes later I heard a tap at my window and pulled the curtains back to see Jasper on the ledge. I opened the window as silently as desperation would allow and fell into his arms as soon as his feet hit the floor. He picked me up and carried me to the bed sitting down and holding me tight while I told him what Charlie had said between sobs. As I spoke I felt calmness stealing over me so I could speak coherently.
"I need to be out of here before Tuesday or they'll find out I was raped, I can't explain the bruising and I can't..."
I stopped unable to say anything else for the fresh tears.
Jasper
I'd heard the conversation from where I'd been sitting hidden from view but she needed to tell me so I didn't try to stop her.
"I have to get away from here Jasper or I'll go mad. I feel so sick, so tense"
"Just try to hold it together for a couple of days and we'll sort out something for you. I'll be close the whole time Bella even if you can't see me I'm out there."
She snuggled into me and I could sense her feelings of security and safety, as always when I held her, and fell asleep eventually.
Bella
When I woke up it was morning and I was alone again, but he'd left me a note.
"I'll be back tonight. Just try to be strong for a little longer. Then it will be over and I'll look after you. Just remember I'm always there just out of sight. Love you Jazz xx"
I didn't go anywhere that day, Charlie was off and I heard him working out in the yard, chopping wood and cleaning the cruiser but always there so I stayed in my room trying to concentrate on getting through the next few hours without Jasper ready to take my hand when I felt scared. At lunch time dad called up the stairs,
"Lunch Bells"
"I'm not hungry dad"
"Bella get down here now. You need to eat."
I considered ignoring him but I knew it would only make things worse so I went slowly down stairs and into the kitchen. He smiled then saw my face,
"Sulking wont help and you look a mess. After you've eaten get yourself showered and dressed properly"
"Why?"
I sat at the table looking at the sandwiches Charlie had made but unable to eat. I picked up the glass of milk and sipped feeling the bile rising in my throat and swallowing it back down.
"Don't take that tone with me after what you've been up to. Billy and Jake are coming over this evening. They're relieved you are back like me"
"I'm not coming down Dad. I don't want to see them"
"Well you'll cook dinner and be polite to our guests while they are here."
I sat horrified by the thought of sitting at the dinner table with Jake and Billy but I didn't want to alienate Charlie any further so after forcing down my lunch I went back upstairs, just making it to the bathroom in time.
The afternoon was a nightmare, I broke out in a cold sweat at the thought of this evening but it was probably the last time I would see them and possibly the last time I would spend an evening with Charlie too so I would put a brave face on and try not to have a panic attack. When I went down reluctantly to start dinner Charlie looked at me,
"You OK Bella only you are acting really strangely"
"I'm fine, just tired I guess."
"Well try to look a bit more animated when Billy and Jake get here."
"I'll try"
I picked up a book but I wasn't really reading it, I wasn't turning the pages just hiding behind the cover and when the door bell went I jumped.
"You get it Bella, I'll get beers for Billy and myself, I guess you two will get sodas, you don't want to sit with us old uns listening to our fishing stories"
I didn't want to be here at all!
