Chapter Twenty: A Death in the Family

Bella (POV)

I couldn't reconcile my feelings. There was something deep and painful that had been dredged up when Angela was threatened. I found myself sneaking out of the house at the first opportunity. With Angela home, and the rest of the family were arguing about what to do with James and Victoria. Perhaps it was reckless to be going off on my own, but I couldn't keep away for another second.

I could see Charlie through the window watching television. He had a half empty beer resting on the arm of the couch. But it wasn't what he was watching, or where he was sitting that struck me. I didn't know what was wrong at first, and then I realized my death had completely destroyed him. My father was dead, well not physically, but there was no life in his eyes. Carlisle said it would be better, than how could he be like this? They promised me he would recover. I tensed my muscles, fighting the urge to run across the street and through the fragile door. I needed to tell him I was alright, and I needed him to heal, more than any nonsensical excuse about hiding my new nature.

I felt my resolve waning quickly, as my intellectual self fought with the instinctual and emotional part of me that needed to comfort him. Then a familiar hand closed over my left shoulder, and from the scent I knew that Esme had found me. I turned to her and let myself cry, even though yet again no tears escaped my eyes. She stood in silence and let me grieve, over the last vestiges of my human life. I stayed that way for a long while, until finally I pulled away and looked up into her sympathetic eyes.

"He said Charlie would get better, that my death would be easier on him. Was it a lie? Why can't I go and make all of his pain go away." She waited for me to finish with the patience of a saint. But I could see in her face a touch of disappointment, which made me feel ashamed of my impulses.

"He didn't lie, and Charlie should get better. It will just take time. What Carlisle meant was in the long term, Charlie will go through a shorter, and less painful cycle of grieving. It is the difference between watching you slowly wither away, versus a sudden and unexpected death. At least you were happy and hopeful the last time he saw you, which is an easy memory to cling to. Either way he would've had to suffer your death, as no parent should, at least this way he has a chance to move on while he's still young." She turned his attention to watch Charlie and I could see pain cross her features as she saw how utterly defeated my father was.

"He doesn't look like he is recovering. He looks like he died inside." Even though the concealment of this new life was important, I couldn't see how telling would do him any harm.

"Well if Angela is any indication, then I don't think it is a good idea. For one, she was nearly killed when Alice crashed her car. Then there was the incident earlier today, which proves to me that humans shouldn't be a part of our lives. We acted impulsively when we told Angela about you. It was done with the best of intentions, but I feel we have irrevocably altered her life, and now her only destiny is to become one of us. I can't help but feel guilty for endangering her like that." She looked down and I could tell she felt ashamed about something.

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked softly, trying not to sound accusatory.

"I helped Carlisle come to the decision to turn you, and no matter how well you have adapted to this life it was a manipulation." Esme reached up and fixed my hair, something Renee would do on occasion. It felt so natural and right that I felt myself smiling at her.

"You know how I feel about that. I've already forgiven Carlisle and Edward; I could never stay angry at you." I leaned my head against my shoulder and angled my vision back towards my father. "I don't think I can live with him like this. If he doesn't get better, and soon, I'm telling him."

"That could put him in danger, just like Angela." Esme warned, but she didn't break away, instead she wrapped me in her arms and held me tightly. I closed my eyes and accepted her embrace, she was so clearly on my side and her argument was simply made so I could look at every angle.

"I don't know if I care. What if he can't find the will to keep going?" I almost couldn't say the words, and my voice came out broken.

"Then we'll make it work somehow." She said kissing the top of my head.

"Thank you." I muttered. We stayed like that, lingering in a copse of trees just far enough away so that we couldn't be spotted. Until eventually I pulled away and gave her a warm smile.

"I hope someone is watching over Angela?"

"Of course, Edward and Mason took the first shift, and Rose and Emmett are running a perimeter. From what I understand she is having dinner with her parents and can barely eat. I'm worried about her." Esme looked down again, and then back at me with that same regret in her eyes that Carlisle had earlier.

"I'll take a shift too." I said hopeful that I could help.

"That may not be a good idea. You are still learning your own limitations, and as far as I know you have no combat training. I know your presence would be a comfort to Angela, but your funeral was just two days ago so your death is fresh in the minds of the town. And, we still don't know the extent of your gift, whether you can keep your control surrounded by a town of humans." Esme explained as softly as she could, but even though I could tell she was trying to protect me I felt an almost instinctual need to argue with her point.

"I'm right here, surrounded by people, and I'm keeping my cool." I said hotly, my anger building at the insinuation that I could be a danger to anyone. I had made my choice and wasn't about to give into the thirst I could feel pressing against my shield even as I spoke.

"That isn't my point Bella. I'm just trying to keep you from being in a situation where you have no options." Esme said a bit defensively, and then stopped and turned sharply to peer down the street.

"What is it?" I could feel something approaching, but I couldn't tell what it was. It was a presence, accompanied by a strong musky scent. I felt my blood boiling in response to the smell, and my natural instincts put me instantly on guard.

"Trouble, you need to hide there is no way they haven't sensed our presence. But I doubt they can tell how many of us are here." I reacted to her words without hesitation. There was something in my gut that told me she wasn't being evasive, just protective. It was less than a minute later when my old beat up truck roared up to Charlie's house. I could see Billy Black in the passenger seat, and Jacob was driving.

Jacob was scanning the area with a look of intensity I hadn't seen before. His short hair wasn't the only thing that had changed, he looked older and had gained what seemed like twenty pounds of muscle. As soon as he disengaged the engine he was out of his seat, he sniffed the air like a predator searching for prey. Then his gaze narrowed in on Esme's hiding place. He launched himself into a run and crossed the short distance in a couple of seconds. Esme stood her ground and waited patiently for Jacob to get into earshot.

"Cullen, what are you doing here!?" Jacob showed little emotion beyond blind hostility, and it didn't suit him. I couldn't see any of the goofy grin he used to wear, or the kindness that used to define his beautiful eyes.

"This is our territory is it not?" Esme said simply.

"Territory, I don't give a shit about that right now. Charlie is our friend, not yours, and you leeches are the reason he is like this anyway. You have no right to stalk him like a vulture. Wasn't his daughter's blood good enough for you? Do want a taste of her entire family? Maybe go after Renee next?" Esme didn't move, but she flinched, and an anger widened her eyes that I had never seen before.

"We didn't kill Bella!" Esme said shrilly, her voice louder than she probably intended. "Jacob, I am just checking up on Charlie, I wanted to make sure he was recovering." Esme managed to quickly calm her anger, but even I could tell she was dangerously close to losing control of herself.

"Is her heart beating? Billy told me she wasn't dead, and I believe him. You made her into a monster, didn't you?" Jacob was upset, and his anger was causing his body to shake perceptibly.

"Jacob please, I don't want a fight here." Esme said pleadingly, although for the life of me I couldn't understand why she would worried about Jacob Black attacking her, unless he was one of those wolves we were supposed to be meeting with. I looked at Jacob again with different eyes, and the changes suddenly made sense, and I also realized Esme's calming words had no effect on him. His anger climbing fast towards the boiling point.

"You didn't deny it. You've broken the treaty, and that means war!" Jacob practically shouted, leaving Esme to stare at Jacob for several seconds as if she were trying to decide what to say.

"You would've allowed her to suffer indignity and unbearable pain for the rest of her short life, rather than let her become one of us?" Her question took Jacob aback. He obviously wasn't expecting a rational argument. This seemed to calm him down a little, and he relaxed his fists which were balled tightly, which made his russet skin turn white around the knuckles.

"That isn't the point. You bit her and changed her. You broke the treaty and we will be coming for you." He seemed to think that was it for the conversation and began to turn back towards the house. Billy was still in the truck staring into the darkness concealing Esme.

"Whether we broke the treaty is irrelevant. We meant no harm, and our intentions were pure. She is happy and has already embraced our lifestyle. Would you destroy her as well?" Jacob paused and studied her face. Then I realized that Jacob wouldn't believe her unless he saw me with his own eyes. Without really putting much thought into it, I quickly dropped from my perch to Esme's side. Jacob tensed up in preparation for a fight, then as he took in my face recognition twisted his features into shock and horror.

"Jacob, it's me Bella." Jacob flinched at my voice and took a step back.

"What have they done to you Bella? Is that really you?" For a second, I could see the old Jacob from my childhood in his eyes again. We weren't close, and it was surprising to see such a strong reaction out of him.

"Yes. Please don't be upset with them, they were only trying to stop my pain." I pleaded with him softly. But he quickly closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I don't think I can stop this, and I don't think I want to. We know this isn't your fault, but if you side with them, you are our enemy too." His face shifted back to the angry wolf that was threatening war with my family, even thought I was partially convinced it was just a horrible mask that he was forcing himself to wear. He took a deep exaggerated breath before continuing.

"Think about your choice, if you choose to leave them, come to La Push and let us know, you have my word that we will let you leave in peace. You need to hurry though; we cannot tolerate their presence for much longer." He sneered at Esme and then turned back towards Charlie's house. He walked over to Billy's window and they talked briefly before Jacob jumped in the driver's side. He roared the engine to life then made a hasty u-turn and sped back the way they came. Charlie was still staring lifelessly at the television, completely oblivious to the drama that had just turned a part of my life upside down.

"That went well." Esme said looking worried. "We need to warn the family. It looks like there is more danger surrounding us then any of us wanted to admit."

I looked at her and nodded, then stole one last look at my father wishing him better. Then we took off at a run towards the house. Just as we crossed the edge of town Esme's cell phone rang.

"Is Bella with you?" I could hear Edward's voice clearly. She didn't answer and instead handed me her phone.

"Edward? What's wrong?" I asked, not sure why he wanted to speak to me.

"Angela is safe at home, and we're watching the area. I thought you would want to know." Edward kept his voice even, and I felt a small smile curl at my lips from his thoughtfulness.

"Thank you." I said easily, it was things like this that made me want to give him another chance.

"Of course, I know how much she…" There was a strange sound, like stone grinding on metal and the phone landing on the ground. A few seconds later I could hear someone pick it up.

"Are you his mate?" The voice on the other end matched the tracker James. I stopped in mid-step horrified by the thought that Edward was suddenly gone.

"What did you do?" I practically screamed into the phone.

"I'm sorry he had to go, but he was in my way. Get this message to the white haired one, tell him if he wants his human, then he needs to come alone to the clearing where we met." Without another word he ended the call, and I started to run towards town faster than I had ever run before.


Author's Note: To answer a question, no they are not running. Maybe they should have, but Angela is in a different situation than Bella. There would be no easy excuses or convenient motivations for her to simply run away. So they stayed and tried to protect her.

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