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Bella felt as if the air had been squeezed from her lungs. She vaguely remembered to flip the stove off again before sliding down the lower cabinets and sitting on the floor.
What the hell is going on here? First, Renee shows up out of the blue, and now she knows what fucking vampires are?
Bella stuck her head between her legs, attempting to fight off the anxiety attack she could feel building. She slowly sat back up and rubbed her abdomen.
It's okay, baby. We're fine. Momma is fine, she soothed. To herself or Sarah, she wasn't entirely sure.
Bella pulled her cell phone from her back pocket and dialed, still taking calming breaths.
"Bella? Everything okay?" Charlie answered.
"Dad, are you at Sue's?" Bella asked. Renee raised an eyebrow at Bella's question but continued staring at her sonogram. Renee was patiently waiting for a chance to talk for the first time that Bella could ever remember.
"Yep. You sound upset. You guys fighting again?" Charlie asked.
"No, Dad. Is Leah at the house? If she is, I need a favor," Bella said, still watching Renee.
"She's here," Charlie said.
"Ask her to find Jacob. She'll know where he is. I need him to come home now," Bella said as calmly as she could manage.
"I'll do that if you tell me what you're upset about," Charlie said firmly.
"Mom's here," Bella said softly.
"I'm coming," Charlie spat. "Leah," he hollered urgently, "Bella needs Jacob home right now."
Bella could hear the sound of a door slamming.
"Jesus, that kid can run," Charlie said in surprise. "I'll be there soon, Bella."
"Dad, don't. I'll be fine with Jacob here," Bella said.
"You know we can't have this discussion with Charlie here," Renee said softly.
Not softly enough to keep Charlie from hearing it.
"I. Will. Be. Right. There." Charlie's words seeped with anger, and the phone went silent. Bella pulled it away from her ear and scoffed. He'd hung up on her.
Damn it. Bella sniffled, wiping away frustrated tears. Renee glanced at her sadly before getting up to walk out the kitchen door. She sat on the back steps and lit a cigarette.
The familiar scent of Renee's preferred brand of cigarettes flooded Bella with flashbacks. Bella knew a day would come when she would need to deal with that trauma, but did that day have to be today?
Jacob had talked to Sam that morning about gathering everyone at his place. He planned to propose Paul's business plan, showing Sam and the Council that he supported the decision. The Council would be present as well to officially inform them of Bella's pregnancy. She still had to run out to Billy's beforehand.
Bella took another deep breath and stood to resume her tasks. Renee waited outside, smoking, as Bella finished putting items together.
"What is all of this about," Renee asked as she came back inside.
"I cook for Billy and Jacob a lot. Billy's disabled now, and Jacob…" Bella cut herself off abruptly.
You don't owe her a goddamn thing.
"I imagine life on the reservation is difficult for the wolves," Renee said as she reclaimed her seat at the table.
Bella gaped at her in shock again. What the fuck?
"Is that what Jacob is now? A wolf? I wondered if he would have the gene," Renee said.
The back door swung open as Jacob stomped inside. Renee's eyes widened in surprise as she took in his massive build. He hadn't had a haircut recently, and his hair was hanging in his face. He pushed it back with his hand and smiled at Bella.
"Jacob?" Renee asked incredulously. After a moment, she shot Bella an amused grin. "Much better," she said, clearly comparing him to Edward. Jacob smirked and pulled Bella into a hug.
"I'm guessing you are Renee," Jacob said. Renee smiled.
"I'm not surprised you don't remember me. The last time you saw me in person, you were four," Renee admitted. Jacob couldn't help but stare at Renee's features. Bella looked remarkably like her mother.
"Nice to see what you'll be looking at in twenty years, huh?" Renee teased. "With Charlie's eyes and nose."
Jacob chuckled, rubbing Bella's back.
"How tall are you now," Renee asked him.
"Six foot, seven inches," he said and chuckled.
Seriously? We're making small talk now?
"Jake, she knows," Bella said, looking up into his face. He glanced toward Renee and back curiously.
"And, what exactly does she know?" he asked.
"I know what you are, Jacob," Renee said. "I know what Edward is, too. I spent seventeen years trying to keep the supernatural from finding my daughter. Then I sent her headfirst into the middle of it. I'm guessing she's your imprint, too. Your mom always thought she would be."
Jacob gasped in surprise. Bella felt like the floor was falling out from under her.
"It's a long story, Bella, and," Renee looked down at her watch, "Charlie should be here any …" Renee pointed toward the front door and grinned as they heard the cruiser pull up in the drive. "As I said, baby," Renee walked out the back door to light another cigarette. "Some things never change."
Charlie stomped into the house and slammed the door.
"Bells, where are you at," he asked, sounding surprisingly tender despite the scowl on his face as he entered the kitchen. He immediately calmed when he saw Jacob at her side.
"Hey, son," he said.
"Hey, Charlie," Jacob grinned at him.
He wants to see Charlie hand Renee her ass, Bella thought. He smirked at her as she bit back a grin.
"Well, that's a little better," Charlie grumbled as Bella calmed down. Renee leaned against the stair railing with her cigarette, smirking.
"I see she still has you all wrapped around her little finger," Renee said, amused.
Charlie asked, "Renee, what the hell are you doing here?"
Renee smirked at him and said, "I came to see my daughter."
"I've told you she doesn't want to see you," Charlie said. "Those were her wishes, not mine."
"I suppose you kept my letters, too," Renee accused, still smiling.
Charlie glanced at Bella skeptically. "What fucking letters? There has never been a letter from you that I've seen."
"Exactly," Bella agreed. "Why would someone want to intercept your letters?"
"That's a good question," Renee agreed, putting out her cigarette. "Perhaps we should ask some of your friends, Bella. Edward, maybe?"
Charlie scoffed. "I hate that little creep. Fucking with the mail is a federal offense, you know?" He winked at Jacob, who laughed.
Renee asked, "Bella, how much does Charlie know?"
Charlie glared at them both suspiciously. "Know about what?"
"Look," Bella said, "This conversation cannot happen right now. We have important shit that needs to get done. We need to be at Sam's soon."
"Bring her with us," Jacob said firmly. Bella spun to look up at him angrily.
"Why the hell would you do that," she hissed at him.
"Bells," Jacob pleaded, looking down at her. "We need to hear what she has to say if it involves your safety. Let's bring Charlie, too. A lot of shit needs to get out in the open anyway."
"Jacob!" Bella yelled, "You can't just make that decision for everyone else. I'm not ready!"
"Bells," he cupped her face lovingly. "It's time. You already know that anything you learn is going to be found out one way or another. We might as well get it out of the way. We need to do this for Sarah."
"What do you mean 'do this for Sarah," Bella asked.
"You heard what Renee said about protecting you all of your life, Bella. If there is a threat toward you, there is a threat toward our child."
His words made Bella's blood run cold. She'd been so wrapped up in her panic over Renee's presence, she hadn't even fully processed her admission.
Charlie yelled, "What the fuck are you talking about? What threat?"
"There isn't one right now," Renee said. "I would feel it."
Bella spun on Renee. What did she mean by that?
"We have a lot to talk about," Bella said and sighed. She pulled away from Jacob and started stacking dishes into her cooler. Wordlessly, Jacob picked it up and jogged it to the truck.
"Bella, what the hell is going on around here," Charlie asked. "I'm going fucking crazy over here."
"Dad, take a deep breath," Bella said, wrapping her arms around his waist. Charlie hugged her and sighed as he relaxed while Renee observed quietly.
Bella wanted to slap the smirk off of her face.
Jacob came inside announcing he'd meet them at Sams, leaving Charlie more confused as he ran barefoot into the trees.
Charlie asked, "Where the fuck is he going?"
Bella tugged Charlie's elbow to lead him out the front door. "It will all be explained soon." Each of them walked to their vehicles.
"Renee, follow me, I guess," Charlie grumbled.
"If we're going to Allison Uley's old house, I remember where it is just fine. I assume her son Sam is who you were talking about," Renee said.
Bella gaped in surprise. Renee chuckled and shut her car door.
Bella looked over at Charlie anxiously.
"She's… different," he muttered, climbing in his car.
"Hey, Dad," she said as he rolled down his window, "I love you. More than I can ever say. Just remember that later, okay?"
"I love you too, Bells. Always have, always will."
Charlie pulled out of the driveway, and Bella climbed into her truck.
Bella thought for sure Renee would continue to follow her to Billy's. To her surprise, Renee correctly turned into Sam's driveway. Bella couldn't help but worry, despite her feelings toward her mother. The pack was protective, and Renee may find them threatening. They knew Bella's relationship with Renee was difficult at best.
If Renee has a meltdown and gets handsy, Leah will probably slap her, Bella thought. Or Rachel. Shit.
Bella gunned her truck toward Billy's.
The crowd was oddly silent as they gathered around Sam's large backyard. Renee had been kindly welcomed, though many were confused by both her presence and Charlie's. When everyone had finished eating, Billy called for them all to quiet down. Sam, of course, had already been confided in by Jacob. He kept shooting reassuring winks at Bella from across the yard. Leah was so busy trying to not stare at Quil that Bella wondered how it wasn't painfully obvious to the others.
As was expected, Bella's pregnancy was announced. The couple was blessed, a symbol of receiving protection and health for the child from the ancestors. She'd been mortified when Old Quil flat out asked Jacob if he planned to make an honest woman of her. Charlie and Billy, of course, laughed their asses off.
Congratulations were given, although everyone already knew. Bella blushed as she caught Charlie and Sue sneaking loving glances at each other. Bella resumed her spot on the lawn next to Leah and leaned into her.
Leah teased, "Bella, it's august. How are you cold?'
"Shut up and snuggle me, bitch," Bella grumbled.
"Pregnant women are nuts," Leah muttered, putting her arm around Bella's shoulders.
Jacob announced Paul's plan to open a bar. Once learning Jacob's thoughts on the matter, The Tribal Council showed no opposition. While Sam was not exactly thrilled with Paul's already wild ways, he understood the potential advantages for Paul and the pack. The only one who seemed to have any disagreement about the matter was Rachel. Paul's plan would require her cooperation to work. There were, of course, some things they would need to discuss further in private. Paul, at least, now knew that his pack supported him. He shot Bella a grateful smile as the matter was closed. She returned the love by flipping him the bird.
Jacob continued to stand as he, again, introduced Renee to the crowd.
"Renee came to visit Bella today. They have their issues, and I don't expect those to be aired here. You both have the right to your privacy."
Bella could not help but grin at Charlie as he watched Jacob speak to the crowd. His presence was truly commanding.
"Jacob is his father's son," Renee whispered. Charlie chuckled, nodding.
"Everyone, the truth is that Charlie and Renee know our tribal histories. They've been connected with my family for over twenty years. You all know Charlie to some extent, but," Jacob chuckled, looking at Charlie, "he has never believed in our legends. As a child, I didn't either, but I think we all know I was wrong."
There was a collective chuckle as Charlie stared up at Jacob, confused.
"It's time for you to know something, Charlie," Jacob said. "Something Renee has already figured out somehow, which we're hopefully going to hear about shortly."
Everyone glanced at Renee who chuckled nervously.
"Jesus, Bella," Paul said before Bella pointed at him, silencing him instantly.
I have heard myself compared to my mother enough for one day, thank you very much.
Renee chuckled again. Not for the first time, she was staring as if she could hear every thought in Bella's head.
"Anyway," Jacob resumed, "the point is, Charlie, that our legends are true. We are descended from spirit warriors who shapeshift into wolves to protect our tribe."
Charlie chuckled. He had always scoffed at the superstitions, but it wasn't as easy to do with twenty believers waiting on your response. "Okay, son. Okay," he said. "If you say you guys come from wolves, you come from wolves."
"No, Charlie, listen," Jacob said earnestly. "We don't just come from wolves. Some of us are wolves. It is our job to protect humans from other monsters. That's what we do."
"This better be a prank, Jacob," Charlie said, huffing.
"It's not a prank, Charlie," Billy said. Charlie looked at Sue who shook her head, unable to meet his eyes.
"Somebody fucking better prove it," Charlie said, standing. Renee's face lit up excitedly.
"Oh, yes, I'd love to see," she said. Jacob chuckled, glancing at Bella. She sighed defeatedly.
He already likes Renee, damn it. He can't help himself.
Jacob asked, "Are you absolutely sure that you want to see?"
"Either show me or quit dickin' around, Jacob," Charlie said.
He thinks he is calling Jacob's bluff.
Jacob took a deep breath and walked toward the treeline.
Charlie asked, "Where the hell is he going?"
"You told him not to dick around," Paul muttered. Bella gave him a reprimanding look, and he snickered.
"Well, unless you wanna see him naked," Bella told Charlie, "he's gotta go into the trees first." Charlie began pacing.
"You're seriously telling me Jacob turns into a giant fucking - JESUS CHRIST" Charlie stepped backward as Jacob's massive wolf trotted out of the trees. He stood frozen as Jacob made his way toward him. Jacob sat down in front of Charlie, waiting patiently. Renee was in awe.
"I always hoped I'd get to meet one of the wolves one day," Renee said. Billy grinned at her. "I wasn't sure it would be Jacob."
"The hell you weren't," Billy laughed. "You called him the little wolf the whole time Sarah was pregnant with him."
"Someone wanna fill me in the rest of the way over here?" Charlie said, breaking out of his stupor. Jacob's laugh sounded like a cough as he darted back into the trees to phase back. Charlie stared at him wide-eyed as he walked back into the circle.
Charlie looked at Bella, asking, "Is this going to affect Sarah? Will she do this one day?"
Bella bit her lip, shrugging helplessly.
"Your guess is as good as ours, Charlie," Leah said. "I'm the only female wolf so far. Ever." Charlie sat back down, looking positively ill.
"I hate to ask this, but why were you worried that Edward was the father? He's a vampire," Bella said.
"Female vampires are sterile, but there are stories that claim some male vampires can still father children," Renee said. She grinned as some of the Pack snarled. "My sentiments exactly," she said. "These legends say that the child grows very quickly and the mothers don't survive."
"Well," Bella said as she tried to hide her horror, "Sarah is all Jacob's."
"Is Sarah the baby's name? You had not mentioned that it was a girl," said Renee.
"Sarah Hope," Bella said, looking at Jacob. She couldn't help but grin.
"I don't think any of you will have to worry about her turning later on," Renee said.
"Why do you say that," Leah asked a little too sharply. Renee smiled at her, glancing down at Leah's fingers threaded through Bella's.
"Because she is from my bloodline. While I would be more than proud to have a wolf grandchild one day, Sarah won't be a shapeshifter. She'll be a singer."
A collective rumble rolled throughout the circle as several of the wolves snarled. Bella's hands went straight to her abdomen.
Renee forced her soft smile back into place and said, "You should all consider this a warning. This child is a blessing, no doubt. She will also be a danger. Vampires don't know much about singers aside from the fact that they want our blood. It should remain that way. Some vampires fall in love with their prey and change them, but most do not. I was afraid of either of those fates happening to my daughter. Some vampires will purposely change humans with special gifts. Those gifts are amplified by becoming a vampire. These vampires often end up hiding from those who would attempt to use them to gain territorial power."
Renee turned to her daughter and said, "I wanted to keep you from all of it, Bella. The problem was, there was no protection here then. There was no pack left. My best friend and her entire family, including Charlie, were all sitting ducks with you and me living here. So, like every woman in my bloodline has done for centuries, I ran and took you with me."
Bella wiped away angry tears, trying to stay calm. She needed to hear the rest.
Renee looked around the group, easily keeping their attention. She had always been comfortable in the spotlight.
"Even as a child, Bella attracted danger. She is clumsy but charming. Kind but tough. She loves to a fault," Renee smiled lovingly at her daughter. "It makes people want to protect her."
Bella was surprised at the collective nods around her. Jacob playfully pulled her over to sit between his legs, putting his hands happily over hers on her belly.
"Bella has abilities that I knew she didn't understand two years ago. I honestly don't know if she is aware of them now, but she has always had them. She is empathic, has prophetic dreams, and a natural ability to shield herself from certain vampire gifts. She's a healer. She brings calmness and strength to others in distress. Unfortunately, she absorbs their stress, and it manifests for her in other ways later. Too much stress can set her off. She'll either go silent," Renee sighed, "or, become impulsive and reckless."
Bella blushed as there was another collective chuckle among the group. The Pack was well aware of just how reckless Bella Swan could be. Bella was surprised that her mother remembered these things about her at all.
She had been drunk almost daily for so long.
Renee said, "The older Bella becomes, the more these gifts will grow. She may have other gifts by now that I do not know about. Those are just the ones that we have always shared.
You all need to be aware that a singer's blood will call to certain vampires. The more blood-thirsty or masochistic the nature of the vampire, the stronger the call will be to kill the singer, or worse."
"Ugh. That makes sense," Bella grumbled. She looked over at a silent Charlie. He shrugged at her tearfully. He felt betrayed, that much was very clear. Pulling away from Jacob, Bella walked over and sunk to the ground next to Charlie. She put her arms around his waist, holding on until he finally slung an arm over her shoulder and hugged her back.
"Humans are a threat to singers as well. Our blood calls out to many blood-thirsty things, and not all of them are monsters," Renee said.
"Also makes sense," Bella muttered.
Like abusive mothers with scary boyfriends and rapists roaming Port Angeles in groups. Bella shuddered.
"I'm going to have to tell you all of it, Bella, but some of it is personal," Renee said.
"I don't care. This is my family," Bella said. "They'll know whatever you have to say anyway. The pack is connected telepathically."
"What does that mean?" Charlie asked.
"When they're in wolf form, they can hear each other's thoughts, feel each other's feelings, and such," Bella explained.
"Doesn't that shit get confusing?" Charlie asked, earning a collective chuckle.
"More awkward than confusing. You get used to it eventually," Paul said.
"So," Jacob redirected the convo, "You were saying, Renee?"
"Bella do you know how I met Charlie?" Renee asked, glancing toward Billy.
"I know you were friends with Sarah," Bella offered, shrugging.
"Jacob's mother Sarah was my best friend. After Sarah got with Billy, I was eventually introduced to Charlie. Sarah told me about the legends. She was always fascinated by them. For a long time, like Charlie, I thought them to just be stories. Even though I knew vampires existed, I was skeptical. However, I, like you, had prophetic dreams since I was a small child. As I got older and experienced more things, I discovered that alcohol allowed me to shut my abilities down. So, whenever things began to be too much, I started tossing a shot now and then.
When I decided to leave your father, I had no idea how bad things would become. You remember that we kept moving and never had any money. What you did not know is the number of times we moved because of a new vampire neighbor. Even as a child, they seemed to be everywhere I went. The only thing that used to scare me more than a vampire following me, was the thought of one following you. This was why we often lived so close to my jobs. I had an encounter with one who was particularly nasty in a bar. He made it very clear that the second I left the bar, he was going to find me and kill me. I thought, well hell, I was going to die anyway. I might as well enjoy myself until I had to leave. So, I started to drink.
When I had enough alcohol in my system, he decided that he no longer liked the smell of my blood. It was the first thing that had worked in so long, Bella," Renee continued, "I thought, this was the answer. The alcohol would make them stop following me home and keep you safer. It would shut down my abilities so that those wouldn't call to them either. I truly wanted you to be able to live a normal life without supernatural creatures following you around. I realized what a mistake I had made later. I turned myself into an addict and left you to fend for yourself anyway. I thought that sending you back here was the right decision. I knew that at Charlie's, you would be back in contact with Jacob. From all of the dreams I have had about your future, it seemed it was where you were destined to be, even after four years away.
Bella, the Cullens were never supposed to be here. When you got hurt in Phoenix and I met Edward in the hospital, I knew exactly what he was. I couldn't try to warn you away from him. He wouldn't leave your side. I kept calling to check on you, but you wouldn't speak to me. I swear I wrote you probably twenty letters in the last two years."
"It wouldn't have mattered, Renee," Billy said, chuckling. "I tried. She wouldn't listen. Stubborn as Charlie, our Bella."
"So, all this time, the Cullens really have been the Cold Ones or whatever you guys call them," Charlie said.
Bella grinned at him, nodding. He pulled away, looking at her in disbelief. "You knew that little dickhead is a vampire, and you dated him anyway?" Bella laughed, nodding again.
"Jesus, Jacob, thank you," Charlie said laughing.
"For what," Jacob asked.
"Having a pulse," Charlie said, provoking more laughter. "I take there was more to what happened in Phoenix than I know about?" Charlie had questioned her about it numerous times. Bella sighed and nodded, finally admitting it.
"What happened?" Charlie asked. "You might as well get it out in the open now."
"A vampire named James was trying to kill me. I didn't run from Edward when I left here that day. I was running from James. I was terrible to you when I left because I knew it was the only way you'd let me go. I didn't want him to come after you, too. When I got to Arizona, he had figured out our plan to run. He threatened to kill mom if I didn't come to him. He even had me convinced she was there with him."
Renee teared up hearing this. "I didn't know you were there to save me, baby."
"I didn't want you to," Bella said. "I was trying to protect everyone around me. All the time. Anyway, James broke my leg, crushed some ribs, smashed me into some mirrored walls, and beat me up pretty well. Made some thinly veiled threats about raping me. Edward got to me in time to save me. James had bit me, though. Edward had to suck the venom out. If he hadn't, I'd be a vampire now," Bella admitted. She held her wrist up for Charlie to see her scar. His eyes brimmed with tears as he shook his head angrily.
"Despite everything, Dad, Edward never physically hurt me intentionally. He saved my life numerous times. The Cullens left to try to keep me safer. They thought they were responsible for all of the problems coming my way. Their presence here is what triggered the new generation of wolves, but they didn't know that," Bella explained.
"None of us are very fond of Edward," Jared said. "But we actually somewhat like the rest of them."
"Except Seth," Leah grumbled. Seth glared at her.
"He's not that bad," Seth grumbled back. "He's just different, that's all. He's smart."
"He's manipulative, Seth. Despite the goodness in him, don't let yourself be fooled," Bella said softly, surprising them all. "I've noticed many things that I was blind to before. I care about him, too. I probably always will to an extent. I would trust him to save my life, but not to respect me or my wishes. I know it doesn't make sense."
"You're right," Charlie said. "So this shit is why you lost it when they left, isn't it? You thought you were alone?"
Bella nodded, unable to meet her father's stare.
Charlie said, "I'm sorry, baby. If I had known ..."
"You'd have been in danger, too. It was safer for you to think that what they are isn't real," Bella said. "They have rules about humans knowing what they are. We can't tell anyone that is not a part of this group. That's why everything seemed so secretive all the time. It had to be. Besides, I was pretty sure you'd have wanted me to be mentally evaluated if I came home rambling about vampires and shapeshifters."
"Bella," Charlie said firmly, "I'm your father. I'm supposed to protect you."
"And you do. In every way that you possibly can. You can't protect me from them. Bullets are no match for Vampires, dad. They can crush you in an instant, literally rip you in half."
"So, are all these missing hikers getting ripped apart by vampires?" Charlie asked seriously. He looked around at the pack.
"Sometimes, yes," Sam said. "And the ones who kill humans around here die."
Charlie looked at Sam wide-eyed and asked, "What do you mean they die? They're already dead aren't they?"
"We have to tear them apart and burn the pieces," Sam said.
Charlie looked at Billy and said, "That's why I get random phone calls about you guys burning shit on the reservation, isn't it?" Billy laughed and shrugged.
Charlie glanced around at the pack. "And, I guess this is why the wolves are so big, huh?" Again, there was a collective chuckle.
"H-have you all had to kill vampires to protect Bells?" Charlie asked them somberly. Again, the Pack nodded collectively. Charlie saw Seth's nod and cursed softly.
Charlie asked, "You have a treaty with the Cullens, right?"
"Yes," Sam said. "I talked with Carlisle about their diet for quite a while at Billy's once. They don't drink from humans. They're called vegetarians in the vampire world, but they are animal drinkers. Mostly overpopulated animals like deer so that they don't mess with the ecosystem too much. You can tell them apart by their eyes. The Cullens all have golden eyes. Human drinkers have red irises. Their eyes turn black when they need to feed."
Charlie shuddered.
"They try to protect people, Dad. Carlisle hates what he is. It's why he's a doctor. He wants to save lives, not take them. You love Alice, too. You can't tell me you don't," Bella teased her father. "Alice is very fond of you. You are very fatherly to her, and her human family was cruel. I think she would do just about anything you needed."
Charlie smirked. "I do think a lot of Alice," he admitted. "God, I call her kid all the time. How old is she?"
"Older than you," Bella chuckled. "Keep calling her kid, though. I think she likes it."
Sue began chuckling as Charlie's face turned red.
"So," Bella said to Renee, "what you were telling us with all of this is that my child is going to be a danger magnet like I am and attract vampires here?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Renee said. "But, this is the safest place for you both to be. Believe me, I dragged you all over half the countryside looking. I shouldn't have taken you away in the first place."
The regret in Renee's voice was genuine. However, it did not absolve her.
Bella looked around at the group and let out a sigh of relief. Charlie wasn't freaking out. Everything was out in the open. Bella knew there would be more painful conversations with Renee coming, but those were for another day.
The one thing Bella couldn't stop worrying about, surprisingly, was Renee's letters. Someone had purposely kept them from her, along with Renee's warnings.
Who the hell had taken them, and why?
PLEASE REVIEW XOXO (Pretty please?)