Chapter 26

Bella POV

In Forks it oftentimes didn't just rain. It poured. It poured and poured. From the moment I broke down in Billy's backyard after Victoria's attack and after Charlie had rushed off with Harry and Sue, it poured.

As I sat in the hospital waiting room with Charlie and Billy, my Dad's arms wrapped around me and my arm awkwardly held to my chest to lessen the pain, it poured. No one knew what to say. No one knew what to do. So we sat. And we listened to the rain. And at least four times someone mentioned the rain was loud tonight.

The pain in my chest was lessening by the minute and I knew Jasper was getting closer to Forks. By focusing on the steady rhythm of the rain and the lessening pain in my chest I was almost able to forget the pain in my arm entirely.

My phone once again buzzed and I read the quick text from Jasper. In Forks, standing guard but not enough control to come into hospital. Edward's on his way. Love you.

And then I saw Edward come walking through the hospital towards us, looking every bit like the Greek God I still somewhat supposed him to be and I knew I was safe. The pain in my chest was minimal and I knew Jasper wasn't far. He sat with us and even made a joke about the rain when he tousled his hair and left rain drops all over his chair and shirt. I couldn't help but think of how just a year ago I would have found his rain darkened hair to be the epitome of attractiveness but now all I wanted was to see Jasper and his golden blond hair darked slightly by the rain they had clearly run through. Edward sat on my right side and held that hand, and by the look he shot towards my left arm and where it was cradled against my chest I knew he knew it was injured but I was so thankful he hadn't mentioned it. I'd rather just have him or Carlisle treat it than have to sit through the emergency room and the strange doctors. Not tonight. Not when I had my own personal team of doctors.

It must have been at least an hour later when Sam Uley made a very wet entrance into the waiting room. He and Edward made some awkward eye contact, but they were both respectful enough to be civil given the current situation.

Sam just wanted to check in. Find out what had happened. He said that they'd tried all the houses but couldn't find a sign of anyone so he'd run in here hoping to find something. I realised none of the boys in the pack knew exactly how bad it had all gone tonight.

Witnessing Billy tell Sam what had happened to Harry just kick-started all the emotions again and soon my eyes were watering uncomfortably and I wanted to leave. I couldn't just sit here any longer and not deal with the fact two innocent people were now dead because of me. But life wasn't fair and I needed to be an adult about this, I had to deal with the consequences of tonight. And that meant we needed to speak with Charlie. All of us needed to speak with Charlie.

And Charlie seemed to be the one most eager to start the conversation.

"So is anyone going to explain what the hell actually happened tonight? Because I get the feeling I'm the only one who's completely out of the loop." He said. His voice was gruff. I could tell he was trying to hold back his emotions, his voice gave away the tears I knew were going to flow freely when he let his guard down but also he was angry he was unaware of exactly what was going on.

"Dad, I am so sorry I haven't been able to tell you everything." I began, trying to think of how to say this, how to let him know there was more going on than I could say, to apologise for lying to him. "I haven't been completely honest about a lot of things that have gone on in the last year but a lot of that has been because none of this is mine to tell and a lot of it I wasn't ever meant to know."

I looked around, willing someone else to take charge and decide how much Charlie could know. Billy took the lead.

"Charlie, there are some things in life that are hard to understand and even harder to explain. And until you need to know it is safer to be oblivious."

"Well I think it's well past the time where I found out exactly what is going on here!" Charlie responded, his tone a little more heated than it had been.

"I agree Dad, but I think it's still going to be hard for all of us to tell you this, it's a lot of information and it's hard to process. It's taken me a long time to come to terms with everything. I just want you to be prepared for that."

"And how in the hell did you get involved in everything Bella?" He asked while glaring straight at Edward, and without even glancing at Edward I knew his face would be carefully arranged to look emotionless but I knew he would be not far from snorting in agreement, and blaming himself for all the danger I was in.

"Bella's involvement unfortunately all starts with me Chief Swan." Edward answered, his voice full of the self-loathing he did so well. But before he could continue his head shot up inhumanely fast and he glared at a woman who looked vaguely familiar standing about halfway down the hallway, she was clearly watching our strange little meeting until she saw what must have been a terrifying look in Edward's eyes before she scurried off. "Perhaps this isn't the best place for this conversation?" He addressed the entire group again, looking mostly human again.

"Perhaps this isn't the time either? We're all in shock, I know Bella's hurt, and perhaps we should try and get some sleep before we come back and discuss this?" Billy suggested.

Everyone agreed, Charlie more reluctantly than the rest of us, but we couldn't fault Billy's idea. I offered our house to meet as it was neutral ground and thankfully everyone agreed. I didn't want to have to meet everyone in another parking lot or sports ground or meadow. Not when we were going to be having hard conversations with Charlie. I wanted to be somewhere warm, comfortable, and dry.

A quick glance at my phone told me it was after midnight, and with the adrenalin finally leaving my system I was beginning to crash and the sharp throbbing in my arm was getting worse. I needed to be patched up, some Tylenol, and Jasper. And then perhaps I would be ready for the conversation with Charlie.

"Bella," Sam said just loud enough to get my attention. "Can I talk to you for a minute? And…" He nodded his head at Edward to indicate he wanted to speak with him too. I wasn't sure if he just didn't want to say Edward's name or if he didn't remember it.

We quietly stood and met Sam about halfway down the hallway. About where the woman had been standing just a few minutes earlier. We were close enough to not worry Billy and Charlie, but just out of human earshot. We stood silently for a few moments before Sam started.

"Bella I am so sorry we were so slow to get to you and that we didn't catch her sooner."

"Don't be, she's crafty, and Laurent is just as bad it seems. And you got there in the end."

"Yeah well you don't have to worry about the one she was with, we got him about a mile away from Billy's."

"Laurent was a part of the attack?" Edward gasped.

"He was the one who grabbed Harry." I answered.

"And he's dead now. Anyway, what I really needed to tell you was that we can't patrol Forks tonight. With Seth and Leah both phasing tonight and in such traumatic circumstances we just can't spare the manpower."

"Of course, thank you for doing what you could for the last few days, everyone else is on their way back as we speak and we also have some trusted friends joining us so we will have more than enough manpower to look after the town for the time being."

"Okay, good. Well umm, I need to get back. The boys need to be told the news, and we need to try help Seth and Leah." His voice broke as he spoke about Leah, I could tell he still deeply cared for her, he didn't want to have to confirm what must be her worst fears.

"I really am sorry about Harry," I said, "He was a good man and he'll be sorely missed." I said, and Edward added his agreement.

"Thank you, he will be, he was too good for this." And with that Sam turned and made his way to what would have to be one of the worst nights of his life.

Once Sam left we stood in silence for a moment. The rain poured overhead and I wondered just how it was possible that once sound that barely changed could one day sooth me to sleep, and the next give such a sombre mood.

"Jasper and Rosalie are waiting outside for us when you're ready Bella." Edward said, breaking the silence.

"Thanks Edward, I'll say my goodbyes to Charlie and be out in a minute."

"I'll wait here for you, but I'll stay on guard duty for Charlie tonight. We don't anticipate Victoria doing anything else tonight but we really can't predict her very well."

"Thank you, seriously, thank you." I said, giving Edward a quick hug with my one working arm and leaving him in the hallway as I went to make my excuses to Charlie.

He wasn't all that keen on me leaving for the night. He didn't quite trust the Cullen's now that his brain had connected them with Victoria, but I was able to convince him by telling him I had hurt myself a little in the fall and Carlisle would be home and I wanted to see him about my sore arm. I was convinced it was broken but Charlie didn't need to know that. He'd probably try and convince me to be seen in the hospital and I really didn't want to do that tonight. It did hurt a little to leave him too. Tonight had been traumatic and Victoria had once again proven her ability to get into Forks and to hurt us. But if anyone was going to be able to hear her coming it would be Edward, and Charlie would be safe in his hands.

It hurt to walk away from Charlie but the second I stepped out into the parking lot I was in Jasper's arms and everything was okay.

My arm was burning, it was pouring with rain just feet from us and my shoes were quickly filled with water. But I was in the arms of the man I loved more than any one on this Earth and my lungs no longer burned.

Jasper threw his large jacket over my shoulders when I started to shiver and lead me to my truck where Rosalie was standing, huddled under her own rain coat. I threw her my keys when she held up her hand and soon I was bundled in between the two blondes trying not to shiver too much.

"What the hell?!" Rosalie snarled in frustration as she stalled the truck trying to reverse out of the park. Jasper just sniggered and I tried not to laugh too obviously.

"Oh sorry, you have to double-pump the clutch."

That set Jasper roaring with laughter as Rosalie restarted the truck.

"This is such a piece of junk, how the hell do you drive a car you have to double-pump the clutch in?" She asked as she pushed the truck to its limits.

"It has its ups and downs but I wouldn't trust myself in something fancier." I laughed. The laughter felt good, it distracted me somewhat from the horror.

"Well a bit of advice for you Jasper," She said addressing him with a grin. "If you plan on buying this girl something shiny, consider a half decent vehicle rather than some flashy ring."

"I think I'd prefer something with two wheels rather than four." I replied with a wink, resulting in laughs from the both of them.

But the joking came to an end as we turned onto the Cullen's driveway and the jostling got worse. My arm had been stabbing and throbbing for hours now, but as soon as we were on the bumpier driveway, and the lack of suspension in the truck didn't help, it felt like I had an arm full of glass shards. At some point I ended up on Jasper's lap, cradled to his chest. It lessened the pain a little, but it didn't really stop. Not until Jasper carried me inside and placed me on the kitchen counter as Rosalie began to give instructions.

She gently took my arm in her delicate hands.

"I'm no Carlisle but I know a broken arm when I see one." She said with a wry smile. "He'll need to take a look at it later but I can splint and strap it up so you can have a shower and get a little sleep before the madness begins."

"Yeah Edward said something about some friends coming back with everyone." I knew they had planned to meet up with the Denali's in Seattle but I hadn't heard for sure if that went ahead.

"Well there's the Denali girls, Carmen and Eleazar. We met them as planned and they offered to come here as soon as word came out this had happened. Jasper, Edward and I were already half way to Forks before everyone was found and caught up on the situation though so they should be here soon." She answered as she began to splint and strap my arm in a plastic brace.

"But we also found a few other friends. Somewhat unexpectedly." Jasper added as he pulled himself up to sit alongside me, placing a glass of water and a couple of small pills in my free hand. "Just out of Seattle we found Peter and Charlotte." He added with a grin.

"Oh that's great. I remember you saying they would be handy in this situation."

"Yeah well they saw a bit of a crime wave was happening in Seattle and decided to pay a visit, partly because they're opportunistic feeders, but also because something seemed odd about it all. Then when they got here they immediately recognised the situation and began to make their way to see us. They don't exactly do the whole cell phone thing yet so it can be a little hard for us to keep in contact, but we ran into each other."

"So I get to meet the famous Peter and Charlotte?"

"You do. As soon as they heard about you they decided to come up and pay a visit after Seattle was sorted out but tonight really threw a spanner in the works."

"Yeah it really did."

I thanked Rosalie once she finished up with my arm and she gave us strict instructions not to get the brace too wet and to limit the movement of my arm until I'd gotten some sleep. Then Carlisle would be able to decide how to best deal with it if it needed anything else. I yawned out a goodnight to her, and Jasper helped me up the stairs and into our bathroom for a quick shower and then to bed. I didn't even feel my head hit the pillow.

….

To say the house was crowded when I woke up could have been labelled the understatement of the century. Before I even opened my eyes I could hear the chatter of people downstairs. Though I wasn't sure if it was that or the pounding rain that had woken me.

I woke up alone in bed and I couldn't quite decide if that was expected or not, but I quickly remembered all of the events of the previous night and realised it was probably to be expected. There were several guests in the house, there was a lot of planning to do, and there was surely going to be a meeting with some wolves today too. There was far too much to do for Jasper to spend an entire unnecessary night in bed with me. Even if I really wanted to wake up in his arms again. At least for the first time in days my chest wasn't on fire. Just my arm was.

Before I could even sit up in bed Jasper was by my side with a bottle of water and more painkillers.

"Good morning." He said as he kissed me softly.

"Morning, what time is it?" I asked. If I didn't have so much to do I would have loved another few hours' sleep, but we didn't always get what we wanted.

"It's only about six thirty if you wanted to sleep a little more?"

"No I might as well get up, I'm awake anyway." I said as I let Jasper help me out of bed.

I felt like I'd been hit by a truck and I must have been black and blue judging from Jasper's growl as I pulled my shirt over my head.

I quickly dressed in a pair of fleecy tights and one of Jasper's hoodies and some thick woollen socks that I'm pretty sure were his too, and I let Jasper lead me down the stairs to meet everyone.

"What on Earth are you wearing Bella?" Alice screeched as we came into view.

"Alice I got run over by an overgrown werewolf last night, I am dressing for comfort and to cover the bruises." I answered as she nearly leapt into my arms.

"I was so worried about you, you scared me." She whispered as she held me.

"I was worried about you too, all of you. I've been a bit of a mess since you left." I tried to laugh but it was awfully strangled.

Introductions with everyone were quickly made and we quickly settled in the lounge room to discuss exactly what had happened. Jasper and I claimed one of the large armchairs, I found myself curling up in his lap with his arms wrapped around me almost unconsciously. Our bond seemed to be encouraging us into physical contact, and for once I didn't mind the fact there were so many people around. I just needed to be in Jasper's arms and everyone seemed to understand. Before we began the discussion Esmé placed a steaming mug of tea in my hands and the warmth instantly radiated through me.

I looked around and saw that Edward was gone, as were Rosalie and Emmett. I guessed Edward was still guarding Charlie and it was Emmett and Rosalie's turn to run a patrol.

I started by going over exactly what had happened last night. I told them everything, from my fight with Jacob all the way to leaving the hospital, and Edward helped by adding in what he had heard in the minds of Charlie, Billy, and Sam.

It felt a little therapeutic to go over it all again but my voice shook as I recounted the attack and I knew this was going to have some sort of lasting effect. I felt Jasper using his gift through the harder parts of my story, as I told how I came outside to see Harry in Laurent's arms, how Laurent threw Harry to the ground and how Victoria lunged at me.

By the time I was finished talking, I was done. It was too much and I was more than happy to sit back and allow someone else to lead the conversation. I just drank my tea in silence, cradled into Jasper's arms, and observed.

They filled me in on what had happened in Seattle.

They had found some of the newborns, tried to get as much information from them as they could, and then disposed of them. I didn't like the idea of it, there was a very human desire in me to preserve the life of everyone, but I had to be realistic about the situation. These vampires had been created for the sole purpose of forming a ferocious army, the sole purpose of destroying us. And therefore their threat needed to be removed. It made me feel just as bad thinking of these newborns as it did thinking about Austin, or now Harry.

The whole situation was heartbreaking.

Finally everyone was up to speed and the planning could once again begin. They discussed so many potential plans for how to track Victoria, how to fight the newborns effectively, how to fix it all.

I had nothing to contribute to the conversation, and after a while my stomach was growling audibly so I left in search of food. As I left the room I noticed I had a few people watching me. Eleazar was looking at me with such an intense look of concentration it was intimidating, and Peter's eyes followed me as I walked through the room with a look I couldn't quite decipher.

About half way through my granola bar Esmé joined me in the kitchen and pulled me into one of her legendary hugs. For someone who was literally as cold and hard as stone she gave very warm, soft hugs. She didn't say anything as she let me cry into her shoulder for a few minutes. She gently stroked my hair and my back and she let me have the moment I needed.

Once I cried my eyes dry she handed me a tissue and I took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself a little more.

"I think a batch of fresh muffins sounds like a good idea, don't you?" Esmé asked.

I quickly agreed, happy to have something as normal as cooking with Esmé to keep me occupied. And it was probably a good idea to take some food to the meeting if any of the boys were going to turn up, otherwise they'd eat us out of house and home.

…

The boys took up an entire three seater couch, Sam and Embry on the actual cushions, Jacob lounging on the arm to the right of Sam and Quil standing behind Sam. Billy sat in his chair beside them and Charlie and I occupied the other lounge. Carlisle, Esmé, Edward, Alice, and Jasper stood around by the window of the opposite side of the room to the boys.

Once everyone was comfortable, and the boys were stuffing my muffins in their mouths Charlie began to speak. He only wanted to know what he 'needs to know' and nothing more. Just the basics, just enough to be informed and to be able to make his own decisions about his safety and mine. Not that I would actually listen to him should he deem my friends and family too dangerous.

And so Billy spoke, and then Carlisle. Some basic history was shared, but no names, nothing incriminating, and nothing too sinister sounding. It was the watered down version of the story and I was grateful for that. As I was sure Charlie would be too should he ever find out the whole truth.

"So let me get this straight, Billy, Bella, and I are the only humans in this room?" Charlie asked as he looked around incredulously.

Carlisle answered with a simple "That's correct." While everyone else just nodded in agreement.

"But you," Charlie pointed to the Cullen's by the window, "And you," He gestured to the half of the pack that were here, "Aren't the same kind of not human?" He asked.

Everyone once again agreed and he just took a moment to look at everyone.

"And are there many other non-humans around?" He said uneasily, as if he didn't want to hear the answer.

"There aren't too many others." Carlisle answered. "We represent the largest group, but we aren't too large numbers wise, we have our own form of government if you will that ensures the threat is never too large to the average human." He reassured him gently. "And there are some small groups of other kinds of beings often dismissed as mythical, but the boys of the Quileute tribe are unique in the world as far as I am aware."

"Our abilities came about due to the presence of others like the Cullen's." Billy added.

"To protect the tribe?" Charlie asked, glancing nervously at the Cullen's. "To protect yourselves from others like them?"

"Yes, but not from the Cullen's, they have proven themselves to be trustworthy allies." Billy answered, and I knew that was the closest to praise he would ever give the Cullen's.

"Like those ones last night?" Everyone nodded again.

"And how exactly did you get so caught up in all this Bella? Other than by dating him?" He grunted as he nodded to Edward, still not the biggest fan of my first boyfriend.

And so I told the brief abridged version of how my life came to be so complicated.

"I'm really sorry I couldn't tell you any of this earlier Dad." I finished weakly.

"Don't be sorry, I wouldn't have believed any of that if I hadn't have seen it all with my own eyes last night." Charlie answered and I pulled him in for a quick one armed hug.

It was a weight off of my shoulders to know that Charlie knew now. It was a little concerning he knew so much, but we technically didn't break the rule of keeping the secret, so really no one would be able to blame the Cullen's for Charlie being in the know. And he was barely in the know. I was just happy to know I most likely wouldn't have to break his heart when the time came for me to officially join the Cullen's.

The little meeting quickly wrapped up after that. Everyone made their promises that Charlie would be the best guarded person besides me, and I could see how that appeased him. He felt safe, and that was all I needed.

The boys all left first, disappearing into the forest beside our house to make the run back to La Push, other than Jacob who was driving Billy and looked like he needed to head home for the night's sleep he had missed running patrol. Edward and Alice left next, promising they wouldn't be too far but it was their turn to run a patrol, and soon it left me, my father, my adopted parents, and Jasper. We began to make our leave, I knew Charlie was heading up to La Push to help out with any funeral arrangements, and to see if Sue needed anything.

Esmé hugged Charlie as tightly as he was comfortable with and promised to look after me as I was as good as one of her children. Charlie couldn't help but be put to ease by Esmé, and I didn't blame him one bit. Carlisle and Charlie shook hands, and to his credit Charlie didn't even flinch at the cold hardness of Carlisle's hand, and he joined Esmé in her car parked in my trucks usual spot.

"You go with Carlisle and Esmé, I'll see you at home, I just want to talk to your father real quick." Jasper said, kissing my right hand quickly, something he didn't often do but something that never failed to send my heart crazy.

I raised my eyebrow at him in question. What would he want to speak to Charlie in private about? In answer he just sent me a little burst of a beautifully warm feeling that I knew to be the love he felt for me.

"Alright I'll see you then." I replied to him before I turned to Charlie. "Let me know if you need anything, or if Sue or anyone does? I'm happy to help out with any cooking or anything but I think I should avoid their place for a little while, I'm sure Leah and probably the rest of them don't want to see my face right now."

"Don't you blame yourself Bella," He said, pulling me into one of his rare hugs. "You are a good person who has been forced into a bad situation. You keep yourself safe, and I'll see you later. I love you Bells."

"I love you too Dad, you keep safe too." You're in more danger than you might realise Dad.

I quickly ran the short distance from the front door to the white SUV, trying my best to stay as dry as possible in this pouring rain and quickly sliding into the back seat with a little help from Carlisle.

As we pulled onto the street I couldn't help but look back at where I could see Charlie and Jasper sitting at the dining table and I couldn't help but wonder just what Jasper might be discussing with my father.

A.N. Thanks for reading, please let me know what you think of this one. I hope you're all still enjoying this story and are enjoying the build up to the climax. There aren't too many chapters left before the Victoria portion of the story ends and then it's all totally my own creation.