Chapter 19: Comfort of Strangers

Bella POV:

"Bells I love you. Don't you forget that."

"No dad I can't do it! I won't do it!"

"Yes you can Bella. You have to. You're stronger than you know. Just promise me you won't give up ok? Promise me Bells."

"I promise."

I woke up with a start. My body was shaking and covered in sweat. I put my head between my knees, trying to regain composure.

"Bella? Are you alright?" Jake came running up the stairs. "I only left for a few minutes to get you breakfast. Are you ok?"

"Yeah." I took another deep breath. "Yeah Jake I'm fine. Thank you." He smiled gently at me. Last night was rough and he was really good about it.

"I'll be right back up with breakfast. Stay right there." He returned with two plates full of eggs and bacon on a tray with coffee and toast.

"Wow Jacob. When did you learn to cook?" It all looked amazing, and last time I checked Jake could barely make toast.

"I called Emily." He shrugged, unembarrassed. "Liam called by the way. He would like you to come over to the Cullens' place when you can." I swallowed my current bite unevenly, my mouth went dry.

"Did he say anything else?"

"Nope. Look Bella, as much as I hate the Cullens, I really don't think they would ever hurt you. I'm sure they blame themselves just like I blame myself. And don't start in again on saying it's not my fault. We've been over this plenty of times and we know where it goes. I think the Cullens just want to apologize for what they've done. Give them a chance ok?"

"Jake what the hell is in this coffee that's making you all mushy?" He laughed heartily.

"Blame Emily. She puts love into everything she makes." I smiled at the comment. Emily really was a saint. I took my time finishing breakfast and then jumped in for a long shower. I didn't think I was ready to face the Cullens yet, but Liam seemed to think otherwise. It was time to man up again. I pulled on my jeans and favorite button down flannel. I was unsure whether to put on another black binding to cover my tattoo or to leave it be. Instead I compromised by keeping my sleeves rolled down.

"Alright Jake, I'm heading out. I'll see you later."

"Good luck Bells!" He called to me as the door shut. I drove at exactly the speed limit, I was in no rush to get there. But all too soon my car was pulling into the drive of the massive house. Just before I exited the vehicle, I made sure my pistol was securely tucked into the back of my jeans. Just in case.

"Perfect timing Bells. Alice and I were just going for a short walk. Here come in." Liam is comfortable in any place. He greeted me at the door and let me inside. Suddenly someone had thrown their body on top of mine and I shoved them off instinctually pulling my gun.

"Sorry! I'm sorry I know you don't like to be touched especially unwarned like that, but I saw you and I couldn't stop myself." Esme looked terrified at what she had done, and kept her hands up to show me she meant no harm. I hastily replaced my weapon and muttered an apology. My heart had skyrocketed at the unexpected embrace, and was taking its time going back to normal.

"Easy there trigger. Why don't you sit down and relax a bit? I've filled everyone in on pretty much everything, but I'm sure they'd like to ask you a few questions themselves." Liam led me to an armchair in the living room where the rest of the Cullens were seated. All were wide eyed and staring at me. I felt very uncomfortable, like a cornered animal. "Alice? Shall we?" The smallest Cullen only nodded and followed. She appeared as though she'd seen a ghost, and she did not look at me as she left with Liam out the front door. That son of a bitch left me alone! This is just fantastic.

"Well I guess I would first like to thank you for coming today, I know that must not have been easy. Also, we wanted to give you our deepest apology for what happened. Words cannot describe how sorry I am. I cannot even imagine what you've been through." Carlisle looked dreadful. I know vampires don't sleep and all, but he looked like he needed to now. Esme kept making a choked sobbing sound at Carlisle's words.

"Why are you apologizing? It's not like it's your fault." They acted as though they had given the Volturi my name.

"We left you. Unprotected. It is our fault." I'd never seen Emmett so somber. It was unnatural looking and I didn't like it.

"Look no offense to you all, but do you really think you could win a fight against the Volturi? There would have been nothing you could do. They smelt a scent and liked it. If anything, your presence would have made it more of a game for them, possibly making it worse." I sighed, running my hand through my hair. It was true. I wasn't saying all this to make them feel better. The Volturi were ruthless and unbeatable.

"Bella-"

"No Carlisle that's enough. I didn't come here to argue about my state of being. If that's the only reason I'm here then I might as well leave." I began to stand from my spot when Esme stopped me.

"No wait! I'm sorry Bella. We won't discuss that matter anymore. Please stay?" I hesitated. It was all still very awkward.

"Is it true that you can sleep?" Leave it to Emmett to break the tension.

"Uh yeah. Yeah I can sleep." His question threw me off a bit but I recovered.

"And your heart beats and everything. I can hear it now. That's amazing!"

"Emmett!" Rosalie smacked his arm like he had insulted me.

"No it's alright. I have a heart and blood and all. I just can't die entirely."

"Liam said," Carlisle started, "that you have werewolf and shifter blood mixed in you as well as vampire? Does that make you susceptible to change on the full moon?"

"Um no. I guess we're a little more irritable on a full moon, but no, we aren't forced to phase or anything."

"But you're strong right?" Emmett beamed as he asked his question.

"Well yeah. Probably a little stronger than a full vampire, but not immensely so." I was concerned where his question was leading to.

"So do you think you could beat me arm wrestling?" Ah. That's where it was leading. I decided to toy with him a little.

"Why do you ask?"

"Why else? I want to see what you can do!" Rosalie smacked him again and I chuckled and told him maybe later.

"Can- can you have children?" Rosalie asked timidly.

"No. No I'm afraid not."

"I'm so sorry." She whispered. I shrugged. I hadn't been at an age where I was thinking about children yet before I was turned, so it hadn't really affected me yet. Jasper appeared to be on the verge of asking me a question when the door opened to reveal my best friend and my former best friend.

"Oh good. You haven't shot anyone. I was worried there." God Liam was cheeky. But he was a good comic relief sometimes, everyone let out a shaky laugh except Alice. She was fidgeting around like she was trying to say something.

"Bella?" Alice finally gained her voice. "Would you mind taking a walk with me?" I looked at Liam with utter contempt and curiosity. What did he tell her? He just shrugged and grinned at me.

"Yeah sure." She smiled shyly and led me out the door, my stomach was in knots. I think I'd rather face the Volturi right now.

A/N: As Spring Break is winding down, I want to let you all know that my updates won't be as often as they are now. Not dramatically so! Just expect more updates on the weekend and less during the week. You know, because I have that much of a life. Haha. Anyways, I still thank you all for the support! I am thinking of you all and writing away! :)