You asked for more so here goes. I won't be posting as often because I'm writing as I post now. Happy New Year to everyone and may it be a much better one for everyone. Jules xx

Chapter Eighteen

Rosalie

As soon as I saw my brother and Bella I knew Christmas had worked its magic. She was beaming while he looked extremely self-satisfied. I wondered if perhaps they had spent the evening in bed but it wasn't that kind of joy. Then I saw the ring on her finger and ran over to congratulate the happy couple.

"You did it, Jazz. Congratulations. Oh, Bella, I am so glad for you both."

Esme almost pushed me over in her eagerness to be next to admire the ring and congratulate the happy couple.

I steered Emmett away knowing he would ruin the moment with a completely inappropriate comment as he always did. Of course, it was impossible to keep him away for long and he was soon swinging Bella round the room. Luckily he had remembered her fragile state and was cradling her in his arms.

"Yes. We finally have you in the family, Bella. So, when are you tying the knot? Can I be your best man? Hey, maybe I can marry the two of you. It's easy to get a license to perform weddings these days, twenty bucks online."

"Emmett put Bella down. We are not savages and I'm sure once Jasper and Bella have decided on their plans they will fill us in."

Carlisle had a ring of authority in his voice although it was good-natured. I guess keeping this family in line must be hard work, just as he had intimated to me earlier.

Eventually, Esme took pity on Bella and whisked her off for some breakfast.

Once she was out of earshot I pulled Jasper onto the couch beside me, "Well done brother. You finally got around to doing it. I'm proud of you."

Jasper grinned and I winked at him, "Of course, you realize that she hasn't had any sleep for twenty-four hours so she could have been in a sleep-deprived coma."

He grabbed a cushion and was about to hit me with it when the doorbell rang. Who the hell was that? We weren't expecting visitors, especially on Christmas day.

Bella

Esme made me sit down and gave me coffee and fresh toast, "I'm so happy for you both, Bella. I don't think I've ever seen Jasper so relaxed and happy."

I was starving and with a mouthful of toast, the best I could manage was a goofy grin and nod of the head.

"What do you think your mother will say when you tell her? I know she liked Edward."

Swallowing down the toast which had suddenly become very dry I groaned, "Renee liked Patrick too. I guess she is not going to be happy to hear that I've become involved with Edward's family again."

"Well, I can understand that. She's only thinking of you. It's what parents do."

"No, not my mom. She gets something fixed in her head and it's next to impossible to change her mind. The only good thing is that in a few days she'll be off on her travels again and with luck, she'll be in darkest Africa or the foothills of the Himalayas or somewhere similarly isolated by the time we get married."

Esme laughed, "If she's any kind of mother she'll make sure she's there to see her only daughter married."

"Then I'll be hoping she's not like any other mother. Up until now, I would have said that was a given but the way my luck runs she'll be there breathing down my neck when I choose my dress and criticizing every choice I make. The last time I spoke to her she was still on team Patrick."

Suddenly Esme's head shot up and then she pulled a face, "I think you might be seeing her sooner than you hoped. She's at the front door."

I groaned, "Renee here? Do I have time to run and hide?"

Esme's hand descended on my shoulder, "Don't worry, you have plenty of friends on team Bella in this house. You carry on, finish your breakfast, I'll bring her through. And don't even think of making a break for it."

I smiled weakly at her joke. What the hell was Renee doing here? And more importantly, how had she tracked me down?"

There was silence from the other room and then Renee entered the kitchen looking ready armed for trouble and I knew she was ready for a fight.

Esme smiled at both of us, "I'll leave you to talk, but can I get you a drink first Renee?"

"No thank you, Mrs Cullen."

Renee took off her coat and draped it over the back of the chair ignoring Esme's outstretched hand and sat down opposite me. Her attitude reminded me of Patrick's attitude to Jasper and I wondered why everyone I knew outside of the vampire world acted so rudely.

As Esme left us she mouthed, 'Good luck' to me.

As soon as we were alone Renee steamed into me.

"Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to get a flight on Christmas Day, Bella? I spent the last few hours among strangers on a plane when I should have been in my hotel with Phil. We had dinner booked and then we were going for a walk followed by a show. Instead, I'm here trying to talk some sense into my daughter who has quite obviously lost her mind."

I held my temper as best I could," It's good to see you too, mom. Merry Christmas. How did you find me?"

She rolled her eyes, "It wasn't exactly difficult, Bella. I called Patrick and got Mrs Platt's number or should I say Mrs Cullen's number. Did she think using a different name would put me off?

Then I called around until I found out where her calls were being directed. It's not exactly rocket science. You do understand what you are getting involved with? Did you know that they have already threatened Patrick? That should warn you what kind of people they are even if you've forgotten Edward's awful behavior towards you."

I grimaced, this was awful, Renee was almost shouting in her ire.

"Mom, lower your voice, they can hear you."

"Good. That way they will understand that I can see through their deceit. I have no idea why they have targeted you but I can tell you what will happen next. Edward will reappear and turn your head again. Don't you see the trap? Patrick loves you. He's terrified for you and I think that's very sweet after the way you've treated him. What on earth can the Cullens offer you that Patrick can't?"

Now that one was easy to answer.

"The chance to live my life the way I choose, how about that? Patrick doesn't want me. He wants what he intends turning me into."

Renee rolled her eyes, "And what do you mean by that? What is it you think he's trying to do to you?"

"Sell the gallery for one thing. Become a clone of his stepmom. Can you see me as a Barbie clone hanging off his arm with a plastic moronic smile on my face? Because I can't. The whole family is like a TV series. Nothing is real except money, not to them."

Renee had stopped listening to me, instead, she was staring in disbelief at my left hand.

"Well, they didn't take long to reel you in, did they, Bella? Or have you been playing Patrick for a fool all this time? Where is he? Where's Edward? Or is he hiding from me? Just as well after all that he put you through."

I knew every word Renee spoke was being heard by the whole family and cringed.

"Mom, will you please stop? Let me tell you my side of the story as you're jumping to conclusions and only too happy to take Patrick's side."

Renee sat back folding her arms and glaring at me, "Go on then. This should be interesting."

I explained what had happened with Patrick and the accident.

"I told Patrick it was over before the accident and before you start again this has nothing to do with Edward. He's not even here, besides which he's now married."

She snorted but didn't say anything.

"So you see, Patrick was not the right guy for me even though you liked him."

I couldn't resist a little dig, "Just like Edward. You thought he was Mr Perfect at the time."

"Don't you talk to me like that. And just because Patrick wasn't the one doesn't mean you had to go running back to the Cullens. All this glitz and glitter doesn't mean they are good people. Edward's actions should have alerted you to that."

"Actually they are good people. I owe them a lot, especially Jasper."

"Oh yes, the brother. Weren't both of the other brothers in relationships? Or is my memory at fault?"

The kitchen door opened and Jasper walked in to stand behind my chair.

"Mrs Dwyer. Your memory is fine. Yes, I was in a relationship but that was over a long time ago. Last night I asked Bella to marry me and she said yes. I hope we can have your blessing. I promised Bella that I would always love and keep her safe and I intend to honor that commitment."

I held the hand he had placed on my shoulder feeling much calmer already.

"Well, you'll excuse me if I appear skeptical but your brother said much the same thing. He declared his undying love for her. He promised to take care of her and what happened next? He dumped her and the rest of you just upped and left. Do you have any idea how much that hurt my daughter? She almost had a breakdown and I'm here to tell you that I won't allow that to happen again."

"I'm not my brother."

She started at the cool tone in his voice. His attitude had shocked her.

"Now, it's Christmas day and the family is celebrating. If you'd like to join us we'd be pleased to include you but if not then I suggest you go back where you came from and leave Bella alone. She's old enough to make her own mind up."

Renee didn't know how to respond to this for a moment then she turned her attention back to me, her voice dripping sarcasm.

"And this is the man you gave Patrick up for? All I can say is don't come crying to me when it all goes horribly wrong and it will. You never could pick the right man. I guess you get that from me."

As Jasper tensed to reply Esme came through the door and took charge of the situation.

"Mrs Dwyer. I take it you won't be accepting Jasper's invitation to join us?"

Renee shook her head and Esme continued, "I thought not. Well, I've called you a cab. I suggest you leave before you insult any more of my family. I feel sorry for Bella. She really should be able to expect more support and understanding from her own mother."

Renee glanced at me but I was past talking, I was so embarrassed by her attitude. Seeing she would get no back up from me she stood up.

"Well, it seems you've chosen your path so I won't waste any more time on this. Goodbye, Bella."

Esme held out Renee's coat for her and ushered her out of the kitchen while I found myself shaking, choked with anger and embarrassment. How could I ever look the family in the face again after this?

Jasper leaned down to talk to me softly, "Bella, you are not your mother and no one here will think any less of you for her rudeness. Now come on, you have presents to open."

I felt myself redden as we joined the others in the lounge but they were busy chatting and immediately included me. Not a word was spoken about my mother's visit.

Esme stayed with her on the porch until the cab arrived and I think the two had a little heart to heart because Esme was smiling when she joined us.

"Your mother is going to stay at Patrick's tonight. It appears he didn't go to the cabin for Christmas. I suggested a hotel might be more appropriate but she ignored my advice. I did ask her what she meant about Patrick being threatened. It appears he told her that it must have been someone hired by us to intimidate him into staying away from you. When I pointed out that was a very serious accusation she ignored that too. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we get a visit from the authorities regarding that."

She stared hard at Emmett, "Please tell me that he doesn't have any proof that he was brought here or who you are."

Emmett grinned broadly, "Esme, would I be that stupid? Of course not. I knocked him out, brought him here in the trunk of the car and took him back the same way."

"What about the cellar? Could he give a description of that which would make the police suspicious?"

Emmett's grin widened, "No way. It was too dark. Anyway, I think we should pay him another visit, just to remind him what we said."

Carlisle shook his head, "No more threats. I'm sure he just assumed it was our family because you told him to leave Bella alone and he thinks Jasper is trying to snatch his girlfriend away from him so who else would it be?"

"Ex-girlfriend, Carlisle."

Jasper lifted my hand so the ring glowed in the light.

"Sorry, ex-girlfriend. It might be wise for you to speak to him, Bella. Tell him how the situation stands and that way he can't delude himself into thinking you are being coerced."

"That narcissistic asshole thinks too much of himself if you ask me."

Carlisle glared at Emmett, "No one did, Emmett. Let's try to avoid name-calling if we can. It is Christmas day after all."

Much as I hated the idea of facing Patrick again Carlisle was right. I should tell him that I was now engaged to someone else and wouldn't be coming back. At least this time he wouldn't be driving me around in a mental funk and I knew Jasper wouldn't be far away.

"Carlisle is right. Patrick won't let go until he sees he's lost. Besides, he knows I have dangerous friends now so he's hardly likely to try anything."

Jasper wasn't very keen on the idea but he was content to let me make my own decisions and I loved him all the more for that.

The rest of Christmas day was wonderful. We sang, we laughed and we all had a great time. It was nothing like the Christmas in the log cabin that I had been dreading, this was magical.