EDWARD
The family sat up most of the night discussing the things Bella would need our help with. We figured she'd need help with her living expenses until Jaocb graduated and got a job. She would need someone to pay for her to go to college. We'd have to fight her to get her to accept it but we wouldn't give up until she did. It was times like these when she needed to let people help her. We were going to ask Sam to speak to Jacob about all of it, though. We wanted to make sure that we weren't over stepping our boundaries.
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I stood in the field where the family usually played baseball. The family was standing with me and the pack was a good ten feet away. Carlisle had wanted them to come to the house so we could all be comfortable but they declined. They still didn't trust us. I couldn't blame them. Our species have been enemies for centuries. This was the first time we were all willing to come together for the sake of a human. It was going to be a difficult goal to accomplish.
I was going crazy with all the voices screaming in my head at the moment. Most of them were worrying about how Bella was handling things. I was worried too. I wanted to go over there this morning but Carlisle told me I should give her more time. We didn't want to overwhelm her. She was probably still in shock or close to it. It was best we didn't bombard her and make it worse. I did my best to push all the thoughts away as Sam started speaking.
"I want to apologize for Jacob's absence. Bella's not doing to well at the moment and I didn't want to ask him to leave her." Sam explained.
"It's perfectly understandable." Carlisle replied. "We're a little worried about her ourselves. We'd like to see her when she's ready."
"Of course." Sam stated. "Now, as we discovered last night, we all have similiar worries over Bella and her future right now."
"That's correct." Carlisle stated. "She's going to need all the support she can get in the coming months. And we think that it would be better for Bella if that stress came from parties that could get along."
"I agree. She doesn't need to worry about whether or not her friends are going to kill each other." Sam answered.
"Good. I give you my word that the family will treat you and your brothers with the utmost respect."
"And my brothers and I will do the same for your family."
"Now, there are a few other things we need to discuss. Funeral arrangements need to be made. I don't think that's something Bella can handle on her own." Carlisle continued.
"My fiance, Emily has already offered to take care of that."
"Um, Carlisle?" Alice asked.
"Yes, Alice." Carlisle replied.
"I was hoping I could help with those." she stated. "I'm the only one from the family that really knew Charlie. And I really want to do this for Bella."
Carlisle looked at Sam.
"I'm sure the two of you can arrange something." Sam replied looking at Alice. "I'll talke to her and we'll be in contact."
"Thank you." Alice replied.
"We want to let you know that price is not an issue." Carlisle stated. "We're willing to pay for everything."
"I'm sure Bella will appreciate that. We do as well but we already have a collection going through our tribe. We loved Charlie and want to help Bella in anyway possible." Sam replied.
"Of course." Carlisle said. "But whatever else you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Sam nodded.
"I would also like you to speak with Jacob on or behalf." Carlisle continued. "There are some things that Bella's going to need in the next few years and we want to provide them for her. However, we don't want Jacob to think that we are intruding. Nor do we want him to feel insult."
"Of course." Sam replied.
He was shocked at how much we were willing to do for Bella. He didn't think monsters like us would go this far for a human. I held back the growl that was forming in my chest at hearing his thoughts.
"We wish to help Bella with her living expenses until Jacob graduates hish school. We know that he'd be more than willing to get a job and help but he doesn't need that distraction from school. Especially, since we are willing and able to provide for her." Carlisle explained. "Also, we wish to provide the money for tuition at the college of her choice. We know that whatever Charlie was able to leave her won't be enough to get her through."
"Very well." Sam stated. "I will discuss this with Jacob and let you know how he feels. My brothers and I would like to help with the financial situation as well. It won't be much but we want to do what we can."
"Of course." Carlisle replied.
"Is there anything else?" Sam asked.
Carlisle looked back at the rest of us, making sure we didn't have anything to say.
"When can we see her?" Rose asked.
I was shocked at the worry pouring out of her thoughts. I didn't think Rose cared about Bella at all. She was silently begging that it would be soon.
"When she's ready." Sam replied. "I'll have Jacob let her know how worried you all are."
"Thank you." Rose replied.
Sam nodded. Carlisle continued to stare at the family. When no one else said anything, he offered his hand to Sam.
"Thank you for letting us help." he said.
"She's just as much your family as she is ours." Sam replied. "Will be in touch."
The pack disappeared into the woods. The family went off in the own directions trying to find the best way to deal with this.
JACOB
Last night had to be the worst night of my life. First we found Charlie unconcious but still breathing in the wreck. Then we prayed Dr. Cullen could save him. We watched Carlisle do everything he could to save Charlie. My heart broke when he said the words, "I'm sorry." Then I had to come back here and tell Bella. It broke my heart to watch my beautiful Bella break when she heard me say the words. I laid with her the whole night.
I cried with her. I cried for Charlie. I cried for her. I held her as tightly as I could. I wished I could've told her that everything would be alright. How could it? Her father, who she was just really getting to know, was dead. How was that going to be okay?
What did my sweet Bella ever do to deserve this anyway? Hadn't she been hurt enough in her life. Why did God have to take her father?
"Daddy, I'm sorry." she mumbled. "Please come back. I'll do whatever you want from now on."
She had finally cried herself to sleep. I hoped doing so would give her peace but she just slipped into her subconcious world. I couldn't belive that she was blaming herself for this. It wasn't her fault in the slightest. It was fate. As unfair as it was, it was meant to happen. I'd have to talk to her when she woke.
Sam had sent Embry around ten o'clock this morning. He told me the pack was meeting with the Cullens this afternoon to talk about a truce. One that we needed if we were going to help Bella through this difficult time. Embry said that Sam didn't expect me to leave Bella. He just wanted me aware of what was going on. I appreciated that.
I knew the Cullens would want to help. As much as I disliked the idea, I knew they had every right to. She was just as much their family as she was the pack's. They simply made a mistake when they left her. They've proved last night that they're still loyal to her and would do anything for her. I couldn't deny them that. I don't think Bella would let me if I tried. I'd play nice because I knew it would make her happy. She needed whatever happiness she could get, especially now.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I slowly shifted my body so I could pull it out. The screen was blinking Sam's name and number. I flipped it open.
"Hey Sam." I whispered trying not to wake Bella.
"How is she?" Sam asked.
"She finally cried herself to sleep." I replied.
"I hate to ask you this now. I know how bad you need to be with her but the Cullens need me to talk to you." Sam explained. "There are some things that they want to do for Bella but they want your permission first."
"Okay." I said. I really didn't want to leave Bella but I knew this was important. "Can you send one of the others in case she wakes?"
"I've already sent Jared. He should be there shortly."
"Okay. I'll meet you outside my house."
"Okay."
I flipped the phone shut and put it back in my pocket. I looked back at Bella's tearstained face. After kissing her forehead, I crawled out of the bed and went downstairs to wait for Jared. He was there before I even reached the bottom stairs. After a quick hello, I was out the door wanting to be home before she woke.
I reached La Push in about ten minutes (That's running, of course). Sam was waiting on my front porch. I phased back before I set foot out of the woods. He greeted me with a hug. I found I felt a little better after we pulled away.
"So what's going on?" I asked.
He gave me a quick low down on the meeting. He told me about out truce. He explained that Alice wanted to help Emily plan the funeral.
"They are going to help pay for whatever we need them to." Sam explained. "They also want to help with her financial situation for as long as she needs it. They acknowledge that it's something you'd be more than willing to do. However, they don't want you to be distracted from school because of it. They want you to be able o graduate. After that, then they'll let you do what you have to do."
I didn't like that idea. I wanted to protest but I had to think about Bella. I couldn't get any kind of good job without a high school diploma. So without one, I'd be no help to Bella. They were here willing and able to provide for her until I could. How could I saw no to that? She needed it and they could give it to her. It wouldn't make me any less of a man. I also had to consider that they were asking my permission. They didn't just go right off and do it. I appreciated the consideration.
"Okay. She's gonna need all the financial support she can get." I finally answered. "We'll help whereever possible. And I'm sure Renee and Phil will as well. But it's good to know though that if we can't get it together for her then she won't go without. Tell them I'm fine with that."
"Alright." Sam replied. "And they want to pay for her to go to the college of her choice."
"Of course." I said.
I didn't need any time to think on that one. I knew Bella would hate living off the help of others. She'd want to get a degree and a job as soon as she could. I knew it wouldn't be easy for them to convince her to let them do it. I leave that part to them. If they were willing to help her become financially indepedant then who was I to complain. I figured I'd have to thank them later.
"Is there anything else?" I asked.
"They asked that you give Bella their condolences and tell her they're thinking of her." Sam answered. "And they ask that we let them know when she ready for visitiors."
"Okay." I replied.
"You should get back before she wakes." Sam said.
I nodded and took off towards the woods. I phased the minute I cleared the trees.
Ten minutes later, I was back in Bella's bed soothing her as she cried in her sleep.
A/N: Guess what!!!!! I got a few ideas that might make the story a tad longer than I thought. Although, it is almost over, simply because the characters are where I want them to be relationship wise. I have a couple surprises planned, though. And am considering a sequel. So keep reading to find out what they are. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you to all of my reviewers. As long as you keep reviewing, I'll keep writing.
