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THE GHOSTS OF MY LIFE

Chapter 14: The cat is out the bag.

One week down. Time with my cast was passing by quickly, something I was grateful for. However, the attention I was getting from Sam was out of this world; he came every day to my house, some days he spent the night, some days he just came for a little while before going home or going patrolling. I was rarely alone. Either Seth or Sue or someone was most of the time with me.

Pretty synchronized with my thoughts a knock on the door alerted me on the presence of my next babysitter.

I opened the door and encountered a smiling Leah carrying some groceries.

I smiled in returned "I assume you are my babysitter for the day. Come in"

She shook her head, never stopped smiling, or should I say, grinning. She held her free hand in front of me and revealed a ring.

"Is that an engagement ring?" I had to make sure before I got my hopes high.

"Yes!. Jake proposed last night." her eyes were shining with excitement and her cheeks were flushed. She was glowing.

I managed to take the groceries from her and placed the bag on the floor next to the door. Then I jumped into her arms and hugged her. "I am so happy for you, Lee". We remained hugging for a few more minutes before coming into the house.

She carried the bag into the living room and sat on the couch. Harry was with us, smiling hugely though a little sadly at our girl conversation. I wanted to cry and hugged him if he had a corporeal body.

"We were having dinner yesterday at his place. It wasn't any special day, we were just hanging out. Never would have I imagine that he was going to propose. It took me by surprise."

I was really happy to see her smile like that. Since I can remember, Leah has always had a crush on Jacob, he was all she ever talked about when we talked about guys. She dated a few guys here and there, but never on a serious base. The same for me, though, I dated like two guys ever. Sam has been the only boyfriend I have ever told my secret to. I knew that I would never regret it for a second, imprint or no imprint.

"We were eating ice cream while watching a movie. It wasn't even a romantic movie. He loves this Avatar movie, so we were watching it and then when the credits began to show up he just kneeled on the ground in front of me and asked me if I wanted to marry him. To say that I was surprised would be the understatement of the century."

I laughed and hugged her again. I was so excited for her.

"She looks so happy. I'm glad she's getting married to that boy. They are good for each other." I smiled at Harry's words. "I wish I could hug her and be there to take her to the altar and intimidate the hell out of Jacob. I hope your old man does." I stifled a laugh over the last statement.

"Have you told Seth, or our parents, yet?"

She shook her head. "Not yet. I call them all and requested a family dinner tonight to break the news. Jake is obviously joining."

I placed my hands in hers. "I'm looking forward to it. Your mom is going to be really happy about it."

She smiled wider (if that's possible). But suddenly her face turned sad. "Hey, why the sad face?"

Her eyes watered a little. "I just wish dad was here to see me getting married to Jake."

I froze. I wondered briefly if she knew that I could see her dad. Maybe Seth told her something. I shook those thoughts, he would have talked to me first...right?. I looked at Harry but he was looking at his daughter. Leah was busy looking at her ring to notice my stare. Eventually, Harry met my eyes and I raised an eyebrow, clearly asking for help. Do I tell her? Do I just feed her a "he is surely proud of you" speech"? Harry sighed and nodded. "Tell her. Seth knows anyways. It's about time the cat is out of the bag."

"Yeah...about that…"Leah looked at me. I swallowed and got ready to tell my sister, my best friend that I have been seeing her dead father for the past five years. "Promise me you'll keep an open mind."

She snorted. "I already know your deepest, darkest secret. I am pretty open minded Bella."

I sighed. "That's the thing, Lee. In this case, I don't think that's my deepest, darkest secret"

"What are you talking about?"

I looked at Harry, searching for any indication of doubt, anything that would keep me alive because I knew that once I told Leah, the chances of her murdering me were huge.

"That's like the third time you've done that. Who are you looking at?" She was growing suspicious, otherwise, her tone would have been more gentle.

"Your dad is here."

Her face turned unreadable. "What?"

"Harry is here. He is proud of you. He wishes he could walk you to the altar, and hopes that Charlie scares the hell out of Jacob before the wedding." I repeated what he said earlier.

"How long have you been talking to him?" I really wished she was screaming at me.

"Five years." I whispered back.

She stood up and started pacing.

Harry looked at her with disapproving eyes. "she's just in shock." He excused. I nodded because I knew that's what was happening. That didn't make it easier.

Leah stopped her pacing and faced me. I stood up because I felt intimidated by her. "You've been seeing and talking to my father for five fucking years and you never thought to tell me?"

"It wasn't my choice Leah." She knew it wasn't my choice to talk about the people I see. She knew it, and her accusation infuriated me.

"Like hell it was. He's my dad. I'm entitled to know about it." She was crying now. Great, I made my sister cry.

Why did I have to listen to Harry and tell Leah today? She was so happy about her engagement.

"Leah, Harry asked me repeatedly to keep it a secret. It wasn't my choice. I had nothing to do with it! You know it. You have been with me through my worst times, you were with me that one and only time I ever told a family about their loving person looking after them in their afterlife. You know it isn't my fault.!" I cried out. "I know you're angry, and sad, and hurting. But like hell, you will take it out on me."I wiped my tears angrily.

"Oh yes. Be the victim now. Poor Bella, she can't handle seeing ghosts." That was like a slap. "I feel like a fucking joke to you. Let's play the poor girl who doesn't have a father." She shook her head and grabbed her purse and jacket.

"Lee...Where are you going?" I asked walking behind her while she put on her coat and stormed to the door.

"I'm leaving Bella. What do you think I'm doing?"

"Leah, please. Wait. Let me explain everything, and if you still want to leave, I won't stop you"

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say right now, Bella." She opened the door but stopped before leaving. "Who else knows about my dad?"

"Leah…"

"Tell. Me." she spat.

"Sam knows."

She nodded and laughed humorlessly. "Which means all the fucking pack knows. Even my fiancé. Perfect." She turned around and slammed the door after leaving.

I let out a scream of frustration. If I wasn't afraid of breaking my other hand I would have slammed it against the door."

I called Jake to warn him about Leah's state. I firstly congratulated him on the engagement and then replayed our fight. I warned him that she was angry and hurting and would probably slash out to him. He thanked me and ended the call when Leah arrived at his place. I sat heavily on the couch, wiping my tears away; but they were more than I could wipe away.

"She hates me. My own sister hates me" I sobbed.

"She doesn't hate you, Bella. She is just in shock. I'm not excusing her behavior, because she accused you of things that weren't true. But she's lashing out because she's in shock. Give her time to think about it." I knew he was right, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

I stayed home that night, not wanting to impose on the family dinner that was taking place at my old house. I was mad and angry that I had to miss out, but I knew that Leah needed her space.

Later that week I found out through Sam that as soon as Leah lashed out on Jake, he tried to calm her down and explain everything, but she wouldn't let him and she threw the ring at him before storming out of the house. I felt so horrible about it because it was my fault that Leah was so enraged that she would throw the cause of her happiness to Jake's face. Of course, she came to her senses two days later and the engagement was back on.

"She hates me now."I lamented again while eating a big chocolate cake, gift from Sam and his bistro.

"She doesn't hate you, baby. She's hurt and confused. Give her time" Everyone said the same. Sam, Harry, Jake.

"And Seth hates me too. He hasn't talked to me about it. Everyone hates me" I cried and pushed the cake away from me.

Sam rounded the bar that separated us and drew me into an embrace. I cried into his chest, letting it all go. The frustration, the anger, the fear, the hurt. I was the cause of all of this. "Why can't I be normal?"

"I don't want you to be normal" He whispered. "I love you the way you are. I wouldn't change anything about you. Please stop crying. I hate seeing you cry." I shook my head and he laughed.

"I'm a girl in her days that just had a fight with her sister. I'm gonna cry more than this" He laughed again and I felt him kiss the top of my head.

"You are crazy, woman, but I love you."

I raised my face enough to meet his eyes. "Thank you for being with me right now. I know you have a lot of work to catch on."

He just smiled and pecked my lips. "I love you" I whispered against his lips. I was sure that my face was all red, and lips were swollen and my eyes were all puffy, but I still kissed him. And then, I cried some more in his office while he took care of the bar part of his bistro.

How did everything go down like that? One minute we were celebrating her engagement and the next we were yelling at each other.

She had to know some time or another. I kind of understand her lashing out at Bella and poor Jake. Returning the ring? OMG!

Please let me know what you think of it.

Paty4Hale

18.11.18