Settling In

Bella stood silently in the baggage claim. She already had a car waiting for her and her daughter's as soon as they gathered their bags.

She made the familiar drive to her father's house where he and Sue now reside. He and a group of locals had fixed up a three bedroom close to the beach and the forest for her to move into. It was absolutely perfect for her and the girls. It was almost secluded if not for the rather large log cabin just down the drive further.

Bella was filled with memories of when she and Jacob used to hang out on the beach or build motorcycles in his garage. The heart break she felt when he suddenly cut their friendship off, had left such a huge mark on her heart. She had healed with time, but it still left its mark. Of course meeting her late husband had helped significantly.

Bella pulled up to her father's house. It was a light faded blue with white trimmings. A beautiful flower garden complemented the large deck built around the front of the house. It looked comfortable and cozy. She could definitely see herself having lemonade with her dad and Sue while the girls played out front.

As soon as she climbed out and shut her car door the front door burst open. Bella did a double take when she realized who it was coming towards her. Jacob Black, he had grown a great deal in the last decade she hadn't seen him. He had a broad chest, defined shoulders and an incredible abdominal figure. She blushed deeply looking away.

"Bella!?" He sounded surprised to see her.

"Jacob," she replied flatly.

She honestly wasn't in the mood for pleasantries anymore. She may live on the Reservation now but she wasn't sure if that friendship would ever return. She didn't know him anymore, just like he didn't know her.

Bella helped her oldest daughter out of the car before turning back towards the house. A group of large men was now occupying the porch and several small children were now playing in the yard. She didn't say anything as she made her way to the opposite side to unbuckle her sleeping four year old.

"You want me to help with her," Jake asked grinning.

Bella just shook her head and made her way toward the door where her father was holding Ame. Crystal was just stirring when she reached her father and leaned in for a hug.

"Hey dad," she whispered kissing his cheek.

"Hey Bell. How was your flight," he greeted.

"Tiring actually. I'm glad the girls slept most of the way," she replied.

Bella clenched her jaw slightly and glanced quickly around at the gathered group. She recognized Embry and Quil from hanging out with Jake way back when. She wasn't surprised when she noticed the ring leader was nowhere to be found. She didn't bother saying hello to the strangers on the porch. She hugged Sue and headed inside and placed Crystal on her fathers bed.

"I'm going to head over to the house and start getting things settled in. Hopefully the truck will be here soon," she hugged her father again.

Kissing Ame on the cheek she made her way back to the car. She ignored the waves from Jake, Embry and Quil and headed in the direction of her new home. Of all the times she had visited during her time in college, not once did any of them acknowledge her existence. She had married into a powerfully wealthy family and after the death of her husband she was being forced into hiding. Her in-laws were taking care of everything on the business front.

The only thing that her in-laws didn't know was that Bella knew who killed her husband and why. She had been leaving clues for Bella for the past two years since Aaron's death, Victoria.

Driving down her new road Bella swallowed the bile that threatened to come up her throat. She was pleased to see the truck was already in front of the house. She wasn't pleased to see who was assisting the movers in setting up to unload, however.

Samuel Uley. The ring leader of Jacob's little group of friends. The one who stole her best friend from her. But that was all in the past now. Bella parked her car across the street and stomped her way up to the shirtless man pulling the ramp out. Her heals dug slightly in the ground and she stumbled right into the hard front of the man Bella loathed.

Sam had just finished setting the ramp up and turned to see a familiar petite woman stomping towards him, in a skirt suit that hugged her curves, and heels that complemented her long shapely legs.She was a tiny little woman with long mahogany curls that shown with hints of red in the sunlight. Bella Swan. Her heel hit a soft spot in the ground and she stumbled slightly. He rushed forward and helped her right herself, but instead of catching her with his hands, she ran right into him catching herself on his biceps.

Bella blushed brightly as she stood up straight and looked up at the man before her. She couldn't help but slowly drag her eyes over his large muscular frame before rising up to his face and finally looking into his dark chocolate eyes. She was mesmerised by those almost black pools that she felt she could get lost in. A man with a clipboard approached her then.

"Mrs. Cooper, I just need you to sign here. We'll unload everything and set up if you wish," the man said.

"Thank you," she replied and quickly signed before turning back to the half naked man.

"Mrs. Cooper?" He asked.

"Yes, it was my late husband's surname," she replied with a huff. "Can I ask what you think you're doing here?" She demanded crossing her arms.

"I was walking by and figured I'd lend a hand," he offered, squaring his jaw and trying to avoid looking anywhere else but her face.

Sam couldn't believe what had just happened a moment ago. Of all the women in the world it was her who he was destined to be with. Her, who hated him for reasons that he couldn't fix. Her, who he found lost in the forest behind her father's old house.

Charlie Swan was appointed by Chief William Black as a counsel member and so Bella was given permission automatically to live on the Reservation. He figured he could help make her feel at home. It had been a while since the last vampire roamed into their territory. They haven't seen the redheaded female leech in years, but she was still out there somewhere.

"Well, I don't need your help. I can manage just fine on my own, I've been doing it for two years," she huffed with indignation.

"My apologies Mrs. Cooper. I didn't mean to overstep," he replied politely.

He felt a stinging sensation in his chest as he spoke to her. He was the Alpha of the pack for fucks sake. Now he had an imprint that couldn't stand to look at him due to a misunderstanding and things he couldn't reveal to her because she was technically an outsider then.

Sam rubbed his rough hands over his face as he stepped around the small woman. He said his goodbyes and began walking home. He lived in the log cabin at the end of the drive and was relieved that she lived so close.

Bella directed the movers in the correct rooms with each box. She found herself thinking about Sam and his delectable abs and that strong jaw sprinkled with stubble. She blinked when she realized who exactly she was thinking of and shook her head to clear her mind. That self indulgent, best friend stealing, incorrigible, tall, dark and handsome man. She thought indulgently. She couldn't deny that he was handsome and by God those eyes. She could drown in their depths. She had wanted to run her fingers through his tousled hair and stare into those gorgeous eyes of his. Bella felt heat pooling at her center and her panties dampen at just the mere thought of his mouth.

She took a deep breath and started unpacking her kitchen while the movers put together the dining room table and all other large furniture. After the last kitchen box was finished and empty. Bella signed some more papers and locked up before heading back to her father's.

She was surprised to see the large group of men still there with their wives and children. Bella rolled her eyes when Jacob smiled and waved at her. The only two that she actually talked to out of the group was Seth and Leah Clearwater since technically they were siblings now after all.

"Hey B," Leah greeted when she arrived.

"Hey Lee," Bella replied.

At first the girls had not gotten along well but over time they warmed up to each other. Bella was grateful to have a sister and brother now, even if she didn't like the crowd they hung around. They sat and caught up with the mundane things in life, with the exception of the supernatural. Bella was being hunted and she couldn't very well tell her family about it.

As evening approached Bella got the girls around. She was just about to leave when Sam walked through the door. He stopped in his tracks and couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked outside with her father and Sue. Seth following close behind with a tired Ame and Leah with a now sleeping Crystal. Sam didn't seem to be able to move from his spot as his eyes followed Bella's every move.

"Everything okay Sam," Jake asked.

"Actually," he began. "I don't know."

"You imprinted on her, didn't you?" Jake asked grinning smugly.

Sam turned to look at his pack sitting in the living room. All eyes now glued to him. All he could do was turn and look at Bella again before replying. Seth and Leah were now watching their Alpha as well, waiting for his reply.

"Yes," he said clearly, not looking away from the beautiful burnett.

It had been such a long day. As Bella tucked her little girls in bed she couldn't help but smile at how absolutely adorable they were.

She took a long soothing bath, relaxing every tense muscle in her back. After drying off, getting dressed, and brushing her teeth, she climbed into her bed. She hugged a pillow tightly and let a few tears fall as she drifted off to sleep.