A/N:I debated on leaving the story as just a one shot but my muse decided to pick up more of the story and run with it. My original idea had just been the dust blown in the faces so she could silence them and be heard. Hopefully this chapter holds up to the first.
The twins and I are in the truck driving away from the treaty line. I did it. I broke up with the abusive pattern they held on me. I got away. Just that knowledge made me sag in relief. But I knew my problems weren't over yet. Instead I now had to figure a way to break it to Charlie that I was adopting two thirteen year olds who honestly looked my age. And on top of that I felt the pull to move down to La Push. There was no way I was going to have Collin and Brady living away from the pack or the reservation. That would just add too many complications.
As we pull up to Sam and Emily's house I decide that Charlie needs to know quite a few things. Including Edward's treatment of me but not necessarily the full version. And I would make sure to tell him I feel safer on the Rez.
"Okay boys, let's help get the bonfire set up. Maybe we can have your Grandpa come down and he can be let in on some of the truth. We will have to talk to the council about whether he can know everything I'm betting." I shoo the twins along to help their brothers.
I make my own way inside to see what help Emily will need. "Hey Emily, what needs more hands?" I offer.
"Oh Bella thank goodness you arrived. Since I got the short notice, I'm in a rush to get quite a bit done in less time than usual."
I nod and wash my hands after securing my hair back. "Then let's do this."
The rest of the morning was filled with cooking and laughter as we let loose and enjoyed the simple tasks together. It was so nice to let loose and feel like myself. One of the favorite dishes I got to make was a fruit salad. Several cans of fruit cocktail, diced mangoes, sliced peaches (that I cut down to bite size pieces), pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges. Some cottage cheese, it adds texture but no real taste but I get if that others don't like it. It can be left out I guess. Whip cream (I use cool whip several tubs) and jello mix. The liquid drained off from the fruit of course before it's all mixed. Refrigerate and let set for a couple hours. [A/n: some people add coconut or marshmallow instead of cottage cheese or in addition. Can also be made sugar free/no sugar added.]
By mid afternoon it was as if the meeting this morning was a distant memory. Until Sam came in.
"Hey Little Mama, hi Babe." He greets us almost identically to this morning, but now he gave me a kiss on the forehead.
Emily greeted him with a smile and a soft kiss.
"Hey Sam could you run over to Billy's and talk to him about having Charlie show up? He needs to know, and I need back up. Even if we don't go into the legends or the full truth I need Charlie to know what happened under his nose. I need him to be on board with me moving down to the Rez so I can raise my boys and I feel safer here." I rattle off nervously.
"Of course Little Sister. You are pack and everyone will help you with this. Especially when we feel better when you are here too. I'll bet Billy will jump at the chance to help with Charlie." Sam assures me.
I sigh and relax. "It'll take care of most of the issues I face. It's a bit daunting. Luckily it's almost graduation so that's one last stressor. That's why the family hunt /I/they/I/ had. Celebrating another school graduation. Now I don't need to be bothered with a wedding I never wanted or the immortality they claimed I chose." I realized I was babbling and shook myself.
"Well everything is almost ready just needs to be brought to the beach." Emily cut in to change the subject.
"Alright dear. That was my original reason for coming in." Sam smiled.
He moved to the door and gave a loud whistle. "Okay guys you know the drill! Food is to be carried and set up no sampling it or hoarding it from anybody else. The girls worked hard to cook so respect them. The council is coming and Bella Mama's Pop too so let's hop to." He barked out like it was by rote.
Quickly the kitchen became a fire brigade style production line to move the food and essentials for the bonfire out and down to the beach. Emily and I grabbed blankets for ourselves for when it cooled off before following our pack.
Just as Sam had told them the tables and food were set up with the least amount of fuss. That task done they all worked together to build an impressive bonfire pile. Emily and I chose our seats to wait until the food needed uncovering. Sam ran off to speak to Billy.
I quit actively worrying about everything and watched the pack play around. It made my heart swell to see the care the others took to include my pups.
"They didn't join in the packs antics before yesterday." Emily whispers in my ear.
"Really?" I asked in shock.
"Mhm. They were withdrawn and too timid. Just having you, lets them cut loose and join in. You are already making a difference." Emily states.
"Then I am glad. It feels good to be needed. But to know I make a difference to someone rather than be a burden or a distraction is a balm on my soul to be honest." I confess.
"What do you mean?" Emily asks, her brows knit in confusion.
"Well with Renée I may have been her child but I grew up quick. I made my own food and soon took over most of the responsibilities around the house. I became totally self sufficient by age 12. So I know how to budget and run a house. But as I hit puberty life got hard because all of the men she paraded through our lives began to take notice of me. Nothing came of it but I knew she resented the loss of their total attentions. Then she met Phil. Great guy though he is only seven years older than I am. But he is great for her. He accepted my presence but didn't give me any untoward attention. He was around for her. Period. I just about jumped for joy once I realized he wasn't a flighty flake and could take care of business. After they got married I took my chance and moved here to be with Charlie. I hadn't seen him in years because I couldn't trust that I would have a home to go back to if I didn't stay with Renée and keep up on bills and such. But that's where things get better and worse. Charlie didn't need someone to pay bills or remind him of everything he needed to do. He works and pays his bills and is very present, or so I thought. So I cleaned and cooked but we both kept to ourselves. He got me Billy's old truck and enrolled me in school but that's the extent of paternal involvement he showed. Then I met Edward. Well you know how that went. Like a lead balloon on fire. Charlie didn't notice. And if he did he never did anything besides call him the wrong name. By the time Billy noticed anything I was too far gone on the pheromones to listen or care. When Edward took me into the woods after my birthday he called me a burden, a plaything, a distraction, weak and stupid. Then after all those months struggling to live I jumped off that cliff. I was half crazed and still affected by his shit. Then Alice showed up and dosed me with pheromones and whisked me off to Italy to save his ass. Then it all began again. But I knew things were wrong this time. I realized how much control he was exerting upon me and my life. The pack kept me sane honestly even with the hostility I used to receive. But now…. Now I have the pups. They need me. Not just for food and shelter or day to day convenience. They need someone who cares and listens and will be there. Sure they have the pack but they need just that bit more. They need someone who is their home. I can be that. They'll always be near me. Never abandon me or ignore me." I was crying by the end of my explanation.
Emily was holding me firmly and rocking me. "It's not just the pups Bella. You have all of us now. You are one of us and always will be." She too was misty eyed at my life I had before.
The twins were knelt beside us rubbing my back and leg giving me the comfort of their presence too. They were silent but tear streaks were apparent on their cheeks. They had heard how little I was taken care of. But unbeknownst to the four in our bubble of awareness the council, and Charlie in tow, had shown up. They had heard all of it. The truth of my whole upbringing.
"Is that all true Bells? How you raised Renée? Why you never came to see me?" Charlie whispered since he was quite choked up.
I nodded. "And Edward started out treating me like I was someone to cherish. So that was pure bliss to be cared for by someone for once. That was before he and Alice started grooming me and abusing me when I resisted. I was emotionally, psychologically and even physically abused by them.
I've been neglected and abandoned and hurt before but to be turned into someone I'm not then left like they did. It broke me. You saw that. You suffered. But you just stayed out of it. I needed you not just as my Dad but as the chief of police but you just turned a blind eye.
All Alice had to do was simper and bat her eyelashes. You enabled them.
The only place I feel safe is here in La Push even though the family is leaving. Edward has been punished by Carlisle for what he has done and so will Alice, but I can't go back to Forks. Not when they used to climb the tree outside my window and crawl in the window. He did that every night and held me while I tried to sleep. He threatened me with physical harm if I made noise to alert you. She did too and would torture me with hours of make up and all those clothes.
If he harmed me she hid it and would add to the injuries if I tried to fight. I didn't trip and fall in Phoenix. I was pushed and thrown.
When they came back I didn't want it but they took over again only worse than before. If he knew I wanted to come down here, when he told me I couldn't, he would disable my truck. If you planned to come and wanted to bring me with, Alice would call you and come up with plans to have me stay with her.
If they hurt me and I still made it down here … well Jacob hugs me with enthusiasm … he would push on the bruises by accident. No one seemed to notice. Only Paul did but you all brushed off as his seemingly hateful demeanor. Charlie I have these two boys to care for they have been disowned and have no one and nowhere to go. I'm claiming them so they won't end up slipping through the cracks in the system. If the council will allow it I plan to move here so they can keep a stable life with their friends and own people. But they will live with me. I graduate on Monday so all I need is a full time job. Newton's isn't going to cut it." I was on a roll and it all poured out. All without giving away the pack or cold ones.
"You can't take them in, they are your age!" Charlie blustered.
"They are thirteen Mr. Swan." Old Quil snapped.
"The growth spurts they went through alarmed their parents. They thought the boys were sick or something and rather than get help or investigate, they simply disowned them. They believe the boys will perish or become infectious to others and don't want that to circle back to them for any reason. The young lady is right they have no one to take them in. Since this can count as a council meeting I vote yea in favor of allowing her to take up residence in La Push."
"I vote Yea." Sue Clearwater spoke with authority.
"Yea." Sam added, I tended to forget that as Alpha he sits on the council.
"Yea, it's unanimous." Billy proclaims as he smacks the armrest of his wheelchair.
"Now Bella dear, for the parental rights you'll have to come see the council hall for the paperwork and the next true meeting we'll approve it. Old Quil has to notarize it and make it all legal and what-not." Sue tacked on.
I simply nodded and thanked them all.
"Well till we can get a house built for the three of you, you can live in the apartment over the store it has two bedrooms and I'm sure we can get bunk beds or something." Old Quil offers.
"That would be greatly appreciated. We can fully move in on Tuesday, I'm thinking." I respond while asking the twins silently if they agree. I was answered with nods and great big smiles.
"Good. Next council meeting just so happens to be next Thursday." Billy smiles.
"Alright then it will all be settled soon. Now so long as those soul sucking leeches keep their word then life will be peachy." I state firmly.
"Now wait a minute here. You can't just up and move out and adopt two teenagers. You still need to go to college and have a life." Charlie booms.
"I can do college courses online and commute to the community college in Port Angeles if need be for proctored work and tests. And I plan to get full time employment as well. Who says that isn't a life?" I challenged.
"How will you meet anyone who is willing to deal with you essentially being a single mother of two teenagers? Are you that willing to live a life alone?" Charlie responded.
"You mean like you did after Renée left and took me with? You were alone before I moved back in. If someone can't handle that I have kids then they aren't worth my time. Someone who understands that my kids are part and parcel to a life with me is who I want to be with. If that means a life dedicated only to myself and them than it's a life well lived. If that's the case then dying a virgin of old age with two amazing sons will be worth it." I shot back only slapping a hand over my mouth at the last bit. Never intended to tell anyone that.
"She has the backing and support of all of us Chief Swan. She will never be alone and she won't be left hanging." Sam informed with a core of steel in his voice. The pack and imprints nodded in agreement.
"Abide by my choices or not. Should you choose to continue being a part of my life that is great. But be forewarned. Spurn me for making the choices I have … you will return to the lonesomeness you had in life before I came back." I looked Charlie in the eye challenging him to accept this or walk away.
"I stand by Bella, Charlie. I couldn't abide the girls running away when they did and now I don't even get phone calls. Do you want that life? I at least had Jacob." Billy tacks on as incentive.
"You May be my nephew but I stand with Bella." Old Quil stated. Huh that was new information.
"My Seth and Leah have chosen to back her as well. And I am right there with them." Sue informed Charlie.
His only living and remaining friends had chosen to side with me if he couldn't take the life I was choosing. We could all see the agony he was facing internally to know that I was grown and would walk away. He could accept it and stay a part of my life or deny my choices and lose everything. "How will you tell your mother?" He asks thinking it'll make him the lesser evil.
"Since she was all for me to be an abused woman just to be with Edward due to his family's wealth… She was cut out of the equation months ago when I told her I wanted to get away from him. She denied me sanctuary should I try to run away. She wanted me to be a gold digger like she is. Phil just got signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays so he will make quite a commission if he lasts playing pro ball." I shot back.
Charlie jolted in shock at that bit of information. He didn't know Renée was not talking to me.
"Seriously Bells? She really told you to roll over and take it just because he had money?" Jake asked.
"Yep. Told me that being that wealthy was a blessing and not to rock the boat and risk losing it." I replied.
"That's messed up. I didn't think women still thought like that outside of movies." Leah quipped.
"Oh there are those that do. Renée just happens to be one of them. It's part of why she left Forks." I told them.
"She wanted me to move to the big city since there were higher paying stations and positions at their precincts. I refused. I love small town life and my parents were falling ill. They passed not even a year after she took you away." Charlie supplied.
"So Charlie. Will you greet your grandsons or will you walk away?" I press since we had avoided the point long enough.
After a good couple minutes of thought on Charlie's part he raised his head and looked at the twins. "What are your names boys?"
"Collin and Brady Full-Swan." They replied together. Both stumbling over the last name for a second.
"Welcome to the family. Family dinner night is usually Sunday but your mom is graduating high school Monday so I'm taking you three for dinner that night. Dress nice because it'll be fancier than just the diner." He gruffly tells them.
"Yes Grandpa." Collin answered.
"Okay Pops." Brady agrees.
I nearly giggled at the look on Charlie's face when he heard their titles for him. He was almost poleaxed before melting to quiet pride and acceptance.
"Well can we light the fire and eat before it gets too cold?" Kim (Jared's imprint) asks.
A cheer in favor erupted followed by the roar of growling stomachs.
"Okay Ladies and Elders first. Then you ravenous lot can annihilate the rest." I call out.
"You heard the Mama, fall in to line and serve up." Sam bellowed half jokingly.
Everybody proceeded to serve up and find seats around the fire pit. Sam lit it before he settled in with his own plate.
"Well now I have a conundrum. The twins haven't heard the legends since they became part of this group… but we don't tell them to outsiders." Billy teased.
"Oh come now Billy, you know your Grandpa told them as bedtime stories when Dad would sleep over when you were kids. We have no outsiders sitting here." I countered.
He sighed. "I guess you're right. Guess I can retell them since he's already heard them." He looks around dramatically as if someone would object. No one did.
So we ate and when Billy finished his plate he began to tell about Taha Aki. The stories echoed with power as they poured forth. The fire and its smoke seeming to shift and dance into images to depict the events. I watched Charlie as it came to the discussion of the treaty with the cold ones. The smoke showed the Cullens pretty clearly if you paid attention but I wondered if he would catch it.
When the usual stories were finished Billy cleared his throat. "We have a new legend to tell." Everybody looked at him, "Most do not walk away from the cold ones when contact is made. They become food or are turned into one. This is the legend of a girl who has met many and lived." Billy preambled. He started weaving the new tale. "This the legend of a girl from the far south. She struggled and toiled her life away for the sake of others before she could escape and be closer to the people of La Push. But before she could even settle into life nearby, cold ones set their eyes on her. She became their obsession. Other cold ones crossed paths with her obsessors and they too coveted her. In a sick twisted game the girl fought off one of them nearly dying and even had been bitten by it. The original cold ones killed off the attacker and saved her life but their reign of obsession grew. She was saved from turning but was now caught in the web of lies deceit and abuse the cold ones had woven just for her. Only two of them were abusing her while the rest of their group ignored her or tolerated her presence. But when she had an accidental injury in front of them, one lost control and nearly hurt the girl. One of her abusers flung her out of the attackers way only to add injuries to her. She fell into a glass table covered in crystal settings. The group left except for the strongest of them. He healed her wound meticulously with tweezers, needle and thread and gauze. Her abusers decided their fun wasn't worth the cost if others got to drain her first. So days later she was abandoned and verbally abused in the process. Now the girl and her home had been saturated in her abusers stench to the point it took months to clear from her system. With life returning she became reckless like addicts in withdrawal might. Dangerous stunts and adrenaline fueling actions just to feel. But one such action brought her abusers attention thinking the game would never be taken up again. The abuser came to investigate while the other flew far away to be killed. Events unfolded so that the abusers were reunited with the girl and the game started anew. But now the girl was wise. She knew what they were doing and fought harder. She now had allies with the newest quileute protectors and found solace and safety in their care. Eventually the girl managed to escape from the cold ones and get to the protectors. The cold ones had left her alone to go hunt together. She jumped at the chance and made it to safety. Then the truth of her involvement came to light. Why she was around them. The cold ones figured out what she had done and raced back to retrieve her. She confessed the full truth to the group of them. The leader took offense and killed her biggest abuser and promised to deal with the other. Now the girl knew other cold ones had it out for her so she extracted the promise they would be dealt with so she could live her human life free of them. She chose life and will be cared for by the protectors."
By the end Charlie was white as a ghost. He looked at me and I could see the turmoil wreaking havoc within him.
"That's you." He states.
I nod.
"It's all true?" He asks.
Another nod.
"Are your sons protectors?"
"Yes." I whisper.
His eyes go wide. "Show me."
"Any volunteers?" I ask the group.
Quil pops up and moves away so he won't cause harm.
"Really not even gonna move out of view to strip and shift?" Leah demands with humor.
"He wants to see and this pair of cut offs have just about had it anyway." Quil answers before he concentrates.
With that he shakes and blurs. His pants rip and in his place stands a huge chocolate wolf.
"Go ahead and check him out Dad. It's still Quill. Just fluffy." I urge him.
"Oh I don't doubt it." He chokes out.
"Phoenix was a lie to keep you safe. Three strangers saw me with Edward and decided they wanted to eat me. I needed to protect you. So Alice and her husband took me away. But the tracker followed. He broke into Renee's house and used an old home move to convince me he had her. Trade me for her and all that. He tortured and beat me in my old ballet studio. He bit me just as Edward showed up. Carlisle stopped the bleeding and Edward sucked out the venom that causes the change.
When I told you I saw huge wolves the pack saved me from the second of the three. The third, the Cullens said they would take care of, as well as the vampire royalty that governs them. They demand I be turned but now I am protected by the pack so I can stay human since they are supernatural too. You deserve to be told the whole truth. You just had much of it told as a legend." I elaborated on what he had heard so far.
"You say they abused you…" he trailed off.
I repeated everything I had told the pack and the Cullens.
"I am so sorry. And now you can't even come home can you? The stink of them still fills the house?" He guessed.
I nodded. "Yeah I can't deal with it. I want my things but not enough to expose myself to the remnants of their control. It was germ warfare and I was the victim. The only abuse I never received was sexual. Alice has a husband and Edward is Victorian. So no premarital sex or intimacy thank the spirits."
"Thank goodness for small favors." He breathes out.
"Wait so he was over a hundred years old?!" He demands.
"106." I confirm.
"That's statutory!" He exclaimed.
"He's dead completely now so what does it matter? Carlisle killed him right in front of us. Burned to ashes." I replied.
"They are all complicit!" He pressed.
"And have a lawyer on retainer that can help them disappear. Why borrow more trouble?" I challenged.
"What about the other vampires?" He points out.
"Well the red head, Victoria, is based in Seattle from what I've witnessed with the news. She seems to be making an army to come take out the Cullens and the pack to get me. And the Kings in Italy… well Carlisle lived with them for a while and left on good terms he assured us I would be safe." I recited.
"So now you can stay human and raise the kids?" He asks for reassurance.
"That's the plan. I didn't want to become one of them. The kings demanded it and Edward would only comply if I married him. I refused continually. We were at a stalemate. I won." I told them.
My forgotten phone buzzed. Puzzled I pulled it out. It was an alert from my personal bank account that I had the bulk of my savings in that not even Charlie knew about. I was a multi-millionaire, almost a billionaire. I was still puzzled. An email came in. It was from Jasper.
Miss Bella,
I am writing to inform you that the bulk of Edwards worth goes to you in restitution for the despicable acts he and my late wife used upon you. The use of hunting abilities like the allure and pheromones is a huge law break. I don't know how they got that past Aro when y'all were in Italy but it is a killing offense. Once Edward's land holdings are liquidized the worth will as well be apportioned to you. You are the closest he had to a mate and we are affording the compensation that right would afford you. Victoria has been eliminated and her upstart of a newborn army as well. The kings agree that the pack protection gives you the means to live outside the kill or change Law. Lucky you have that loophole. Carlisle has been conscripted into service to the crown for the next hundred years in place of his children's crimes. Esme has gone with him. Emmett and Rosalie are taking the opportunity to get away and find life on their own. They wish you well. I will keep track of the rest of Edward's property management and will of course send the proceeds of sales to you.
At your service,
Major Jasper Andrew Whitlock.
I sat agape my phone laying precariously in my limp hand.
"What is it little sister?" Sam asks.
"As Edward's claimed mate I have been given his wealth in restitution for his abuse. The properties he owns will be sold off and the payments will be afforded to me. I'm a multi millionaire and will probably be a billionaire before long. The Cullens are disbanded. Carlisle and Esme to serve the Kings to serve for the crimes Alice and Edward committed. Alice has been killed. The red head is gone. Jasper is going back to Texas where his own people are. He was only with the Cullens because of Alice. He will handle everything and send me the money. It's already in my account." I whispered.
"Well we are not telling your mother." Charlie says lamely.
"She doesn't even know about the account. I get email statements and text alerts. No paperwork has ever been seen. I have had it since I was 9. She signed thinking it was a school permission slip. And I will be giving a sizable amount to the tribe and the pack. It's only right to give back to my family and our people." I claim.
"Good. She doesn't deserve a penny." Charlie nods in approval.
"We don't need any money from you Bella." Billy and Sam spoke at the same time.
"You all have done so much for me and I want to share what I have to make for better lives for the tribe and the pack. Please let me do this." I implored them.
I could see them all physically back down. The monetary gift would be accepted even grudgingly.
As the fire died down and the evening got cold everybody disbanded heading to their homes. Charlie stepped up to the boys. "Take care of your Mom boys. I expect I'll see you soon. If not before Monday. You three are all I have in the world. Be safe." He clapped them both on the shoulder before moving to me.
"Rest up and I'll see you soon baby girl. I'll air out your room and hope your things clear out from their scent enough." He hugged me and murmured that he loved me.
"Love you too Daddy. Be safe and don't you just eat pizza till Monday, you hear me?" I chide him.
"Always am." He replies automatically.
The boys and I watched Charlie make his way back toward Billy's house to head home.
The evening had turned out better than I had anticipated but now I was tired. After the roller coaster of the day I had it was bedtime. "Okay, lets go turn in at Sam and Emily's for the night." I tell the twins. My answers were a couple yawns and nods.