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Chapter 22

Bella's POV

Once Billy had given us the idea to get the police report Jake and I were off, we were climbing into the Rabbit leaving the menacing Volvo sitting there. I still wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with that car, maybe drive it off one of the cliffs. It was all going to depend on what happened with this entire situation.

"Are you going to tell him?" I saw Jake sneak a curious peak at me from out of the corner of his eye.

"Tell Charlie?" I watched as he nodded at my question. I was actually a tad bit speechless. "I guess I have to tell him. I just don't want him to over-react. I want to handle this ourselves, it's our battle Jake not Charlie's."

I hadn't really given too much thought on what details I was going to have to spill to Charlie to get what I wanted. I knew I was going to have to tell him why I left New York. All he knew was that Edward and I broke up and I had a really hard time finding a new job that I could afford to support myself on.

Charlie was a smart man, and he did question that. "Bella, New York is full of jobs and people. You can't find anything at all?" He had asked me when I called to tell him I would be returning to Forks. It wasn't that he didn't want me to come back, I knew he'd be more than happy to have me but I think he felt almost as if he had failed me somehow. He couldn't exactly put a band-aid on what happened there, which is why I never really indulged too many details with him.

Charlie and I always had a don't ask don't tell policy.

The gravel crunched underneath the tires of the Rabbit as we pulled into the lot in front of the police station. I shot Jake one last nervous look before we both climbed out and headed off to face the music.

Luckily, Charlie was actually there. A few times I had come by to visit him he was out and about but not this time. We cautiously entered the police station and the receptionist a bubbly brunette named Jessica smiled at me.

"Bella! So good to see you again! I was wondering when you'd stop by here to say hello to all of us."

I meekly smiled at her, "Thanks. Is my Dad here? I really need to see him."

Jessica could tell that something was wrong with me because her whole demeanor changed, she was no longer bubbly and carefree but now more serious. "Yeah. Let me get him for you." She picked up her phone and quickly dialed a number, "Charlie, Bella is here to see you." After she placed the receiver back on the cradle she looked back up at me, "He'll be right out; I hope everything is ok with you Bella." Eyeing me one last time she slowly took her seat and got back to whatever it was she was going before we burst into the station.

Charlie appeared in the doorway a few minutes later eyeing up both of us, "Bells. Jake. What's going on? Why don't you come back to my office?"

I took Jake's hand and followed Charlie back through the doorway and down a long narrow hallway with several doors along the way. His office was at the end, I was thinking that it served some kind of purpose. Maybe it was an intimidation thing, and if so it sure was working.

Jake and I sat down in the two old and tattered chairs that faced Charlie's desk. He took his seat facing us, and I couldn't help but feel like I was twelve years old again and in some deep shit. "So what's going on guys?" Charlie's gaze shifted from me to Jake where he lingered before slowly coming back to me.

"Well, this is a bit complicated.." I started.

"Please don't tell me you are pregnant Bells."

Inwardly I groaned, but outwardly I only rolled my eyes. "Dad! No!" My nose wrinkled as I made a disgusted face. I had enough of pregnant talk for one day. "Actually, we need your help with something. We need copies of the police reports from my accident."

Charlie didn't say anything and that fact made me nervous as hell. "Does this have anything to do with that Volvo that appeared the day after?"

I let out the breath I didn't even realize I had been holding and nodded. Jake grabbed my hand out of Charlie's view, and for that I was grateful. I didn't feel like bringing up the subject of our relationship, just yet anyway.

"Jake and I have this under control, I promise you. We need to fight this battle. Edward and Vanessa are lying, and well we need to pull the rug out from under them. I found out some things when I called Esme to thank them for the Volvo. Edward has been lying, for a long time." Jake gently squeezed my hand letting me know I was doing great. He gave me strength when I had none; he was truly my sun and my reason for being.

It was fate.

Charlie let out a sigh before getting up from his chair and walking over to a dusty old filing cabinet in the corner of his room. He pulled out the top drawer and rustled around before pulling out a manila folder that he removed a couple of pieces of paper from.

"Bells. Jake. Just remember, if you guys need anything I'm here for you. I'm not going to do anything till you say the word, but just don't forget it." Charlie said as he handed me the paper I needed to fix this mess.

A huge smile brightened up my face and I stood up from my chair hugging Charlie over the desk, "Thanks Dad."

"Love you Bells. Don't forget it kid."

"Love you too dad."

"I never did think what happened in New York was right, go set things straight." Charlie patted me on the back on last time before he nodded to Jake. "And you, if you hurt my daughter you will have me to contend with."

Jake grinned and chuckled, "I don't plan on doing that, don't worry."

After we said our final goodbyes to Charlie Jake and I were headed back to his house to grab some things before making the drive to Seattle to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

As the Rabbit pulled up in front of Jake's house I saw Alice's tiny Volkswagen Beetle sitting out front. "Hope you don't mind, but Seth called Alice to tell her to go and grab you some things. We need to leave as soon as possible."

I didn't mind at all, I wanted this mess to be over with just as quick. It had been drug out long enough and it was time that someone cut Edward and Vanessa down to size, they were going to get what they deserved. I couldn't wait to see the looks on Esme and Carlisle's face when they found out the wool that Edward had been pulling down over their eyes.

They had no idea who their son even was.

Jake and I headed into his house where Alice, Seth, and Leah sat in the living room with Billy. Four pairs of eyes were instantly on us as we entered the house. "Well? Did you get the report?" Leah asked as she practically jumped up off the couch.

"Yeah, we got it. We need to leave for the airport as soon as possible." Leah seemed to calm just a little with Jake's answer.

"I packed you some things Bella. All of your essentials are in here." Alice handed me my bag, "I can't believe this! What a dickhead Edward turned into!" She shook her head, "Only you would find yourself in this mess you know? You attract trouble like moths to a flame." She chuckled and so did I.

Alice DID have a point.

"Hey now! Wait just a minute!" Jake laughed, "What about me?"

Alice raised her eyebrow at him, "Well, something had to make up for all her bad karma!"

I was glad that we didn't all lose our sense of humor in this situation; the atmosphere here in Jake's house was pretty relaxed with only a bit of tension. I waited in the living room with everyone while Jake grabbed a few things and packed a bag.

It wasn't long before we were climbing in the Volvo with Jake at the wheel, headed for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

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A/N – Headed to New York to end this! What's going to happen when Bella arrives at Esme and Carlisle's door… with Jake? Hmmm.

Looks like we are in the final stretch of this story :(

Thanks to everyone who is reading & reviewing! I can't believe the response to this story! Thank you guys sooooo very much! I am absolutely flattered at the response it's gotten!