Wednesday 25th September
Edward roared with fury, picking up anything he could get his hands on in his room, and throwing them against the wall. Pictures were destroyed, their frames shattering, leaving tiny shards of glass scattered around. A lamp lay in pieces. Even the full length mirror had been ripped from the wall. Books from the shelves Bella had insisted on having in their room were strewn across the floor. The scent of her lingered, but she was gone. For a moment, Edward felt guilt for having chased her away. But he brushed those thoughts aside. It was her fault their marriage was broken. She would not co-operate. She refused to see reason.
Bella had got this far, but she would not get any further, Edward decided. He couldn't live without her- something he'd learned many years ago. The experience nearly killed both of them, and it was sure to do so again. He was determined to find her and bring her back. Bella had shielded her family's minds, save his and Carlisle's, when she was preparing to move out, so he wouldn't hear where she was living. But now Bella wasn't shielding their minds, and Edward could hear the address clearly in Rosalie's mind.
Number twenty-five, Littleworth. Such a beautiful place. I can't wait to leave with Emmett and be free like Bella!
Littleworth. Edward was sure he could find the way. Feeling decidedly calmer and the tiniest bit triumphant, he made his way down the stairs and out of the house, ignoring everyone and everything. Nobody moved to stop him, although Alice must have seen his plan in a vision. They all, bar Carlisle, knew about the restraining order Bella planned to issue against him, and they knew Edward would have to harass Bella before that could happen.
Soon after Edward went to find Bella, everyone else started to leave for work, and Carlisle was left with the woman Edward saved.
"Sarah," he said, softly. "I have to go to work now. You stay here and rest. Your injuries were far worse than I thought they'd be. Are you ready to tell us how you got them? We can't help you if you won't talk…"
"I was attacked," Sarah whispered. "Out there that night in Wallingford. On a quiet street."
"Did you see who it was? Anything that could help us track them down?"
Sarah shook her head. "He wore a black hoodie and mask. He was around the same height as you, I think. But it was so dark I couldn't make out anything else."
Carlisle sighed. "Well, tomorrow, we'll go to the police and report this."
Cleverly masking her horror at this suggestion, Sarah nodded. Carlisle gave her a small smile before getting up and leaving. Once she was sure he was far enough away, Sarah got up and crept out the back door of the house, hobbling across the garden and into the thicket of trees behind. Waiting there was Jimmy Dunstan, and Timothy Blakewell.
"Well?" Jimmy said. "Have you got anything?"
Shaking her head regretfully, Sarah said, "They don't trust me enough to have shared any secrets but I have noticed some unusual things about them. Their skin. It's really hard, ice cold and pale white. And their eyes. They change colour. Sometimes they're black and sometimes they're an amber sort of colour."
"Hmm, good work, Sarah," Jimmy said. "That's valuable information. How far along are you with gaining their trust?"
"Two of them trust me completely. Carlisle and Edward. The others… well, I seem to have accidentally broken up the family," Sarah said, hesitantly.
"Broken up the family?! What the hell do you mean by that?"
"Edward and Bella have split up. She's moved out with Jacob and Renesmee." At Jimmy's glare, Sarah winced but continued. "The others, they're moving out too. Emmett and Rosalie and Alice and Jasper. I know you wanted me to befriend them all, and I've ended up destroying the family. But I've gained the trust of two of them! That's enough for me to find out what they are, and when we reach the time to eliminate them, won't it be easier if they aren't united?"
"She has a point there," Blakewell said. "We could use this to our advantage."
After a few moments, Jimmy nodded. "Alright then. Continue whatever it is you're doing, Sarah, because it is clearly working. Blakewell and I will be back in one week to see how you're getting on."
He spun on his heel and stalked off into the woods. Blakewell turned to follow him but paused, looking back at Sarah.
"Sorry 'bout those injuries, Sarah," he said, grimacing. "I hope they aren't too bad."
Sarah waved a hand, nonchalantly, brushing his concerns off.
"It's fine. You had to. All part of the job," she said, forcing a smile.
"Yes. Well. Good luck."
Three days. That was how long Bella, Jacob and Renesmee had been living in Littleworth. Bella had to admit she was surprised Edward hadn't come after her yet. But it was only a matter of time before he did. One week. That was how long it had been since she found this house. Everything had been sorted so incredibly fast.
School finished a few hours ago and Bella planned on doing her work throughout the night. She happily moved around the kitchen, pulling out pots and pans from cupboards. Jacob would be returning from work soon, and Bella knew he'd need a big dinner ready. Renesmee was up in her room, sat at her desk, listening to music and doing her homework. She enjoyed the privacy she got here. The house, while smaller than any she'd previously lived in, felt less cramped and more spacious.
By the time Jacob returned home an hour later, there were two bowls of spaghetti waiting on the table, one much larger than the other.
"Renesmee!" Bella called. "Dinner's ready!"
Renesmee bounded down the stairs, slipping into her seat beside Jacob.
"How was school today, honey?" Bella asked.
"It was fine. I got almost full marks on my science paper."
"That's brilliant, Nessie!" Jacob praised. "Well done!"
"Mmm, thanks," Renesmee said, slightly embarrassed. "Mum, do you think Sasha and I could meet up next week?"
"I don't see why not," Bella replied, grabbing a napkin and chucking it at Jacob. "Just be careful."
"Mum, I'm half vampire. I think I can take care of myself," Renesmee said, sharing an exasperated look with Jacob.
"Yes. That's why you should be careful," Bella replied, distractedly. "Hey, do you smell that?"
"What?" Renesmee asked.
"It smells like-"
"Bloodsucker," Jacob growled.
Bella glanced at him, questioningly.
"He's become bloodsucker again ever since he hurt you," Jacob explained. "You shielding us?"
"Yes. He's close enough to hear out thoughts if I wasn't, but I don't think he's close enough to hear us talking."
Bella rose from her seat and wandered over to the window, lifting up the blinds and peering out. She quickly dropped them again, and rushed back to the dining room, lifting her finger to her lips in a shushing motion with one hand, and indicating them to continue their conversation as normal with the other.
"So, Nessie," Jacob said, louder than was necessary. "Anything else happen?"
"Oh, nothing much. What about you?"
"I finished the Jaguar x-j-6 m-k-1," Jacob said, proudly. "Dark green and as good as new."
A car pulled up outside.
"Rosalie doesn't like it. But then again, she always preferred the modern, flashy sportscars to the good old classics."
A car door slammed shut.
"That's great, Jake!" Bella said. "How's the customer this time? Not too difficult, I hope."
"Oh no," Jacob said, grinning. "No, Mr Wallace will be delighted. There's nothing he can complain about!"
Footsteps on the driveway.
"Hey, Renesmee. You finished with your spaghetti? You've been twirling it around on your fork for the past five minutes," Bella said.
"Oh, was I? Sorry Mum, I didn't realise."
"Too engrossed with Jacob's stories of cars?" Bella teased.
"Of course she was. My cars and stories are legendary!"
The three laughed but froze when they heard a knock on the door.
Taking a deep breath, Bella said, knowing full well Edward would be able to hear her, "I suppose I should go see who that is. Renesmee, dear, please eat your food rather than play with it."
"I'm simply far too interesting," Jacob joked.
Shaking her head, fondly, Bella walked to the door. She unlocked it and pulled it open, unsurprised to see Edward stood there.
"Hello, Edward," she said, calmly. "What are you doing here? I thought we agreed to each have some space."
"No, Bella. I never agreed to anything of the sort. As for why I am here… I insist you and Renesmee come home. If it is not bad enough for you to disobey my orders and leave our home, you forced our daughter to go with you."
"Edward, I did not force our daughter to go anywhere. She chose to come with me of her own free will, and since she is over eighteen, she is legally free to go."
"Then at least let me see her," Edward growled, trying to push his way past Bella, but she held her ground.
"Renesmee, darling, your father is here," Bella called. "Do you want to see him?"
"No, Mum. Why is he here?"
"Oh, he wants us to go back to living with him. Do you want that darling?"
"Oh, no! Please don't make us leave! I love it here!"
"Don't worry, I won't." Bella turned back to Edward. "Well, your daughter clearly does not wish to see you or go back to your house in Wytham. I suggest you leave now."
Edward didn't move. "Bella, even if Renesmee will not come home, you will."
"But I am home," Bella said, tilting her head in mock confusion.
He grabbed Bella's arms, roughly, pulling her towards him. "Bella, you will come back to Wytham with me. You won't last long here anyway. I know you won't let Alice or Rosalie help support you, and Jacob's earning aren't enough to go by on."
"On the contrary, Edward, I think we'll be able to last here as long as necessary. You see, my teacher's salary didn't go to our account. It went to mine, one that I made years ago just in case I ever needed it. You can't touch the money in there. And since I am not frivolous with my spending, I have quite an amount saved up. Edward, please leave. We have no need for you."
Furiously, Edward spun Bella round so she was stood on the front steps, and he was inside the hallway. But before he could take one step, Jacob appeared and placed a firm hand on Edward's shoulder.
"I advise you get out of our house now," he said, in a low, dangerous voice.
"Bella is my wife!"
"Not for long," Bella countered. "Now please remove yourself from my house before I call the police to escort you themselves."
Fuming, Edward shook Jacob's hand from his shoulder and stormed out of the house, getting into his car and speeding off. Bella watched him leave, sadly, before slowly closing and locking the door. She returned to the dining room where Jacob and Renesmee sat quietly, both having finished their meal.
"Well," she said, falsely brightly, grabbing the empty bowls and whisking them into the kitchen. "I think we can note that down as the first harassment!"
She dropped the plates into the sink, and began furiously scrubbing them clean, spending much more time on them than was necessary. She rinsed the soap off and placed them on the drying rack, drying her hands, and then walking to the living room. The lights were off; the room was lit up by the roaring fire, which, while none of the inhabitants needed it, they all found comforting. Renesmee and Jacob were curled up on the sofa together, talking and laughing. Bella smiled and walked away, unwilling to disturb their private moment.
Once upstairs, Bella grabbed the washing basket and collected the clothes from their rooms that needed washing, determined to do anything to keep her hands busy. She dumped the clothes in the washing machine, poured the powder in and turned it on. The gentle rumble from it filled the house. With no other chores to be completed, Bella went to her study and pulled out her half-filled lesson plans from the desk draw. But she couldn't concentrate. Edward had helped her get into Dartmouth, and added to her college fund, which led to her getting a teacher's degree and then this job.
But now Edward had reverted back to the ways of 19th century society.
Letting out a cry of frustration, Bella shoved the papers away from her, and put her head in her hands, sobbing. Jacob rushed up the stairs to Bella's study, and wrapped his arms around her. He didn't say anything; she didn't need words. She just needed to be held.
