Rekindling What's Meant to Be
JacobxBella
Rated T
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers
Rekindling What's Meant to Be
Chapter 5
Bella trembled as she stood at the front door of her old home, so afraid to raise her fist and knock on the door. Sure, she had her old house key and could just walk in herself, but she didn't feel right about using it, especially after no contact with her father for twelve years. She almost wanted to bolt and run, but she knew she wouldn't get very far with Jacob with her. That and she knew she owed it to herself and to Charlie to see him again and try to explain herself.
A comforting hand on her shoulder made her look up at Jacob who gave her a reassuring smile. Gently rubbing her shoulder with his thumb he said, "It's okay, you can do this Bells."
The brunette nodded and took a deep breath before going ahead and knocking on the door. They waited a moment before the door opened and Bella's eyes met the matching ones of her father. Giving him a weak smile she said softly, "Hi dad."
Charlie said nothing as he stared at his daughter in disbelief at the fact that she was really there, and just when Bella was afraid he wasn't happy to see her, Charlie grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her in a close hug. Tears weld up in Bella's eyes as her father hugged her. The last time he had hugged her like this, it had been the day she had gotten married and she had been sure she would never see him again. She had told him that she would always love him forever, believing that she'd be a vampire by this point and know Charlie would wither and die away as the years passed with her forever eighteen. Now here she was thirty-one years old, still human and with a twelve year old child. The path she had chosen had veered off drastically and it ended up with her back where her life took a turn for the first time.
Pulling away from her Charlie looked at Bella and said, "I'm so happy to see you, kiddo. I always thought I'd be furious when I saw you again—and don't get me wrong, because I absolutely am—but I'm still just so happy to see my little girl again." He turned towards Jacob and said, "Hi son. You're father is inside."
Jacob smiled and said, "Hi Charlie. Can we come inside?"
"Of course, come on in."
Charlie, Bella, and Jacob stepped inside the yellow house and made their way to the living room where Billy was cheering for the Mariners that were playing, Sarah doing the same and cheering when the Mariners scored. Jacob chuckled, already seeing that his daughter was turning into a Mariners fan. He didn't think his dad and Charlie would be able to convert her, but looked like he was wrong. Charlie cleared his throat and said, "Look who showed up."
Billy turned his head and his smile slipped from his face as his brown eyes landed on Bella. Quickly putting it back on he said, "Hello Bella. It's good to see you again."
"Y-You too, Billy," Bella replied nervously. She hadn't the slightest idea how Billy felt about her now. Looking at her daughter she said, "Sarah."
"Hi mom," Sarah replied softly. She knew she was most likely in trouble, especially now that her mother was here to most likely get her and return to Colorado, but she didn't want to leave. She had only been in Forks for two days and she already loved it. Turning her chocolate brown eyes to Jacob she said, "Hi dad."
Jacob smiled at her and said, "Hi Sarah. Have you been having fun with Charlie?"
"Yeah, it's been great! He and Grandpa Billy said that they're going to take me fishing one day. And Grandpa Charlie is going to show me how to use a rifle when I'm a little older."
"What? No! Absolutely not!" Bella cried, surprised to hear that.
"Sure, why not?" Jacob said.
"Jake!"
"What? I think it's fine if she knows how to use one if ever she need to."
"She's twelve!"
"And if she's old enough to hop on a plane and fly here by herself, she'd old enough to decide to know how to use a rifle."
Bella stared at Jacob in disbelief as Jacob stared at her in return, not breaking eye contact with her. Charlie and Billy watched in bemusement at the two, remembering how their offsprings' bickering would be amusing, just as it was now. However things were different now, the main thing being they had a child together that Jacob hadn't known about until the previous day and said child was getting to know the family her mother had neglected to introduce her to herself. They hadn't the slightest idea how things would work with both Jacob and Bella present, especially if Bella was trying to take Sarah back to Colorado.
Sarah walked up to her mother and said, "Mom, I know you don't like being here in Forks and basically hate it for some reason or other, but can't we stay for a few days or weeks? Please? I love it here so much already and I don't want to be away from dad and my grandpas. Please say we can stay for longer."
Bella looked into her daughter's pleading puppy dog eyes, the exact way Jacob could make his go if he wanted her to cave. Sarah was as good a master at them as Jacob and Bella couldn't say no to her even if she tried. However her mind was reverberating with Edward's words for her to return home as soon as she got Sarah. At the same time her mind was also filled with Jacob's promise to protect them and how she had agreed to stay. She knew it wasn't completely right to just stay and not let the Cullens know it—even if she could care less what Edward thought—but she wanted to be happy again for once in her miserable life. Also for her home was where the heart was, something she thought had been with Edward and wherever he and his family went. But now she realized it was always in Forks where her real family was. Yes, things between her and Jacob were still very much tense, especially when the last time they had seen each other, he had been screaming while being dragged away from her at her wedding reception, but she knew she didn't want to be anywhere but at home with Charlie and Sarah. Also, Sarah obviously had no desire to return to Colorado and truthfully, neither did she.
Smiling down at Sarah she said, "Actually honey, we're not going back to Colorado."
"We're not?" Sarah asked surprised.
"No, we're going to stay here in Forks."
Charlie and Billy both displayed surprised expressions on their faces at Bella's statement. However Charlie's surprise turned to joy and he quickly wrapped his daughter and granddaughter in a tight embrace before saying, "This is great, kiddo! You and Sarah can move back into your old bedroom."
Jacob blinked and cleared his throat before saying, "Actually Charlie, I was thinking it'd be better if Bella and Sarah moved onto the Reservation with me and dad. Sarah's already kind of settled there and there is an extra bed for Bella to sleep in."
Billy frowned at his son's suggestion, wondering what he was up to. He had no problem with Sarah staying, but he still hadn't really resolved his feelings towards Bella. They weren't at all hostile, but he was still protective of Jacob concerning the brunette as he had been twelve years previous. Bella had continuously strung Jacob along, going back and forth between him and Cullen until ultimately choosing the vampire. And though he sympathized with her current predicament and knew she didn't have the same feelings for her husband, that didn't make him feel easy with her being back and choosing to stay, especially with Jacob encouraging it. Billy knew it wasn't the girl's fault, but Bella always brought trouble with her, vampire trouble and had no doubt the Cullen boy would eventually show up to get his wife back. And he knew with Sarah involved and knowing how the Cullen boy felt about her, it wouldn't end well. However despite his uneasiness, he was happy to see Bella again and slightly glad she was here. And the reason for that was seeing his son happy and grinning the way he used to. He just wondered how the rest of the Pack would take Bella's return. They were sure to know by now Jacob had gotten her pregnant and had his child, but he could only imagine the blow up once they actually saw her in the flesh. Leah and Paul especially, considering they were still savoring ill feelings towards her.
"You alright, Billy?" Charlie asked. "You look like you're lost in thought."
"Hm? Oh, yes a little bit." Billy smiled up at Bella from his wheelchair. "Welcome home, Bella. I hope your return will be permanent."
"What's that supposed to mean? Of course it is," Charlie said.
Billy glanced at his best friend before looking back at Bella, ignoring Jacob's scowl at him. Both Jacob and Bella knew what Billy was implying, that one day Bella may decide to leave again, especially if Edward came for her and Sarah. Bella knew going against Edward's warning could possibly be detrimental to Sarah, but she also believed Sarah would be safer in Forks surrounded by the Pack and happy than with the Cullens, being closely watched by Edward and unhappy.
Looking Billy in his eye Bella said, "I'm here to stay and I'm not leaving, no matter what happens; I promise."
Billy stared at Bella and searched her eyes for a moment before giving her a nod and smile. Turning back to the television he said, "Come on chief, let's get back to the game. The Mariners are going to win for sure this time."
"Yeah, let's watch!" Sarah said, getting comfortable next to Billy again. "Come on, Grandpa Charlie!"
Charlie chuckled before turning back to Bella and Jacob saying, "Well I've been summoned. Do you have all of your bags and clothes here, kiddo?"
"No, and neither does Sarah. But I'll buy us more clothes," Bella replied. Looking up at him she asked, "Dad, are you okay with Sarah and I moving to La Push? We can move back here if you want."
Jacob felt his heart stall a bit in his chest at Bella's question. He knew she was asking to see what Charlie would want, but he knew if Bella and Sarah moved into the Swan house, the little pixie would be able to see them and let her douche bag of a brother know that Bella had no intention of returning. And Bella had never liked hurting Charlie and would most likely agree to move back in with him if he asked. Before he could think more about what would happen Charlie answered, "Yes, I'm fine with you both moving into Billy's house. It'll be best for Sarah to be close to Jacob and get to know her Quileute background. And you'll be close for me to visit, as well. But honestly, I'm just glad you're back home, Bella."
Bella smiled at Charlie and nodded before telling him she had to go and get her things out of the hotel she was staying at. Charlie nodded and allowed her and Jacob to leave before returning to the Mariners game with his best friend and granddaughter.
At the hotel Bella packed her things, double checking to make sure she had everything. When she was sure she did, she and Jacob left the room and walked to the checkout counter to check out and return her key. As they left the hotel and got into Jacob's car, Jacob said, "I was just wondering…did you want to get something to eat?"
The brunette looked at Jacob with a raised eyebrow before looking out the window, silently shaking her head. In a soft voice she said, "I just want to buy clothes for Sarah and I and rest. I know we had a moment earlier today, but I don't think I have the wherewithal to try dating again, especially when I'm still married. I'd rather just cohabitate and focus on co-parenting Sarah."
Jacob frowned before nodding and cranking his car. He could understand where Bella was coming from, but that didn't mean he didn't want a chance to court her again. He loved Bella and wanted to be with her and raise Sarah and be a family, but he knew it wasn't going to be any easier than it had been to get her to admit she loved him when they had been teenagers. That had been like pulling teeth and twisting her arm and wasn't sure he wanted to try that again. Maybe it would be best to just let Bella be romantically.
As he drove into town, he hummed softly to himself while driving to the clothing store. As he hummed, he didn't notice Bella turning her head slightly towards him, intently listening to his deep, gentle humming. It was so soothing to her and whatever anxiety she had been feeling had begun to melt away. Not all of it she was sure, but enough to make her comfortable, though she was always comfortable in Jacob's presence. Soon they reached the clothing store and Jacob parked the car. Getting out of the car Bella reached into her jacket and pulled out her wallet. As she opened it Jacob asked, "Are you making sure you have enough cash?"
Shaking her head Bella answered, "No, I have enough. I've been steadily pulling out money from the many accounts Edward has made in our name and putting it into a private account just for me over the years. I'm surprised he and Alice haven't figured it out yet. But what I'm doing is getting rid of these."
Bella pulled out at least ten bank cards and held them up to Jacob. Jacob looked at them incredulously, finding it ridiculous that those leeches had so many bank accounts, and probably more at several banks around the world. And all of the ones Bella were holding up said 'Isabella Marie Cullen'. Bella handed them to him before taking one and instantly snapping it in half, surprising Jacob with the action. She did the same to the others before giving him a small smile and saying, "That felt good."
Reaching back into her wallet she pulled out a single card and held it up, this one saying 'Bella M. Swan'. Putting it back in her wallet she said, "I'll be using this one from now on, that way Edward can't trace the cards and realize I'm staying in Forks sooner than he will eventually find out." She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and looked at it for a moment before throwing it onto the ground, smashing it instantly. She then began stomping on it harshly, surprising Jacob even more. Eventually Bella stopped stomping on the broken phone and huffed before bending down and picking up the SIM card and pocketing it saying, "I'll destroy this later and get a new phone and number. Well, let's go Jake."
As Bella seemed to strut towards the store, Jacob stood in shock watching her go. Bella had just snapped all of the bank cards tied to Cullen in half and smashed her phone. He looked down at the pile of broken cards on the ground before bending down and picking the pieces up, then running after Bella. He tossed them in the trashcan outside of the building before joining the brunette inside. And as he did he couldn't help but smile. Bella was ready to start a new life back in Forks and not restrained by Cullen in any way. Maybe things would be alright after all.
Author's Note: Hi guys! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'm sorry this chapter is so late, but I've been having a bit of computer trouble and am starting my final semester of college. Any who, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and stay tuned for more. XOXO, SehunsBae37.