BELLA

"Bella, I'm going to the airport to pick up Renee and Phil." Alice yelled up the stairs. "Rose is staying here, in case you need anything."

"Thanks." I whispered. I knew she could hear.

It had been a week since Charlie had died. We still didn't know for sure how the wreck happened. Jacob told me that they thought it was a hit and run drink driver. The problem was there were no witnesses. No way to prove it or get the guy that did it. It killed me to think that my father was dead and his murderer walked free. How fair was that? Shouldn't I at least have the peace of mind of some kind of justice.

The funeral was today. I was thankful for Alice and Emily. They planned the whole thing in a short amount of time with minimal help from me. It shocked me to see how well that got along. I had a feeling they were only trying for my sake. I appreciated that more than any of them knew. Alice had even arranged for Phil and Renee to fly up for it. The Cullens insisted on paying for first class. The knew this was just as difficult for Renee as it was for me. They wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. They even offered to pay for a hotel but Renee insisted on staying at Charlie's with me.

I was worried about seeing them. I had ignored all of Renee's phone calls. I had Jake or whoever was staying with me (neither one of my families wanted to leave me alone.) claim that I was sleeping. It's not that I didn't want to talk to her. I just couldn't handle anyone else's grief. I was too consumed with my own. I know that was selfish but I just lost my father. I think I had a right to be a little selfish.

I think that's why I prefered to spend time with the Cullens. None of them knew Charlie well enough to feel any grief for them. Most of their feelings were worry and sympathy for me. I could handle that because it was what I was feeling for myself at the time.

Jasper had quickly become my favorite big brother. His power to influence my feelings made them easier to deal with. Whenever he came over, we went through my emotions one at time. He used his powers to go through all the steps of recovery. I hated it at the times when he did it but I appreciated it now. I wasn't back to normal. I didn't think I ever would be. However, now I could face today with a little more confidence and control than a few days ago.

I was in my room supposed to be getting ready for the funeral. I had on a beautiful black dress. It fit comfortably. It was too tight or too loose. It was longsleeved and turtleneck. It came down to mid calf. It was made of a simple cotton blend. I was very surprised that Alice had picked it out and bought it for me. She had also bought a pair of black ballet flats, knowing I wasn't going to be able to survive the afternoon in heels. She had no idea how elated I was by her restraint in choosing the outfit.

I was a little angered by the fact that she insisted on buying me something new. I had a nice black suit that I could've worn. Then again, I guess I'd have to get use to the Cullens buying me things wheher I wanted them to or not. I did in fact put my entire financial future in their hands. I thought back to the conversation I had with them two days ago.

FLASHBACK

"Bella, the Cullens want to talk to you about something important." Jacob had told me that afternoon.

The tone of his voice told me that it wasn't something he was too happy about. He sounded torn. Like it was something that he didn't want me to hear but at the same time soemthing he knew I needed to hear.

I was proud of him. He had made a sincere effort to be nice to them when I asked them to come over. The visit started out a little awkward. No one knew exactly what to say. They all gave me their condolences then we sat in silence for a good half hour. Then I noticed Jacob and Edward having a silent conversation. It appeared that Jacob was silently asking Edward for permision to do something. Edward looked to Carlisle. Carlisle, who seemed to be in the know, nodded.

"Okay." I said. "About what?"

"I know it's going to be a couple days before you meet with Charlie's lawyer for the reading of the will but we wanted to discuss your financial situation from now until you can take care of yourselves." Carlisle explained.

I had a feeling I knew where this was going. I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I listened as Carlisle continued to talk.

"The family would like to aid you in paying for your living expenses. Jacob and the pack are willing to help as well. And I' sure Phil and Renee would too. We just don't want you to have to go without if we're able to help you." Carlisle finished. "You don't have to give us an answer right now. Think about it and then get back to us. But please think really hard before you decline. We don't want you to have to without the things you need."

I was silent after his speech. I took a minute to consider everything. I knew Renee was going to try to convinvce me to go back to Jacksonville with her. If I did that then I wouldn't need to take anything for the Cullens. I had to think about Jacob, though. He was here and he couldn't leave. He had an obligation to his pack and tribe. Yet, I knew he'd follow me anywhere. Then I had to consider my two families. I just couldn't up and leave either of them. Not after I finally had the Cullens back.

I knew Renee would be more than willing to stay with me. She'd get a job and help support me but I couldn't ask her to give up Phil for me. Ironically, that's what got me to Forks in the first place. At the same time, I couldn't ask Phil to give up his career to stay with my mom and I. He'd be more then willing, of course. I knew I couldn't be that selfish though.

Taking this offer from the Cullens seemed to be my only option. It would be the only way to keep everyone, including myself happy. I looked at each one of their faces for a moment. They all had varying degrees of worry and pleading in their eyes. I took a deep breath.

"I'm only going to take what I need." I finally said. "I won't spend your money for the sake of spending it."

"Very well." Carlisle agreed.

I looked at Alice. The look on her face told me that I wasn't getting out of a new wardrobe every few months. I sighed. I guess I'd just have to accept my new financial dependence. I promised myself I wouldn't complain about it. They were my family and they just wanted me to be happy. I may as well let them do it in whatever way they saw fit.

"There's one more thing." Carlisle said. "We know how hard it is going to be for you to accept this money from us. We want you to be able to get on your own as soon as possible. Which is why we are willing to pay for you to go to the college of your choice and major in whatever you like."

Once again that didn't leave me many options. I either had to accept the tuition money or spend the rest of my life living off others.

"I'll take it but it's going to be a small and inexpensive one." I agreed .

"If that's what you want." Carlisle answered.

END FLASHBACK

I studied myself in my vanity mirror. I was supposed to be putting on my make up but I couldn't clear my emotions enough to stop crying.

"Rosalie," I finally called. "Can you call Jasper?"

She didn't respond but I knew she heard me.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I said.

I felt some relief as Jasper walked into the room. I think is was more to do with his presense than he power.

"Rose said you needed me?" he questioned.

"Can you help me?" I said. "I can't get my emotions in check long enough to finish getting ready."

He nodded. I felt a sudden mix of calm and comfort spread over me.

"Thank you." I said as I looked back to the mirror.

Jasper and I were silent as I finished putting on my make up. I straightened my hair too. That was mostly to keep myself busy though. Jasper kept up with the calming and pleasant emotions.

Once I was finished, I turned to him. I knew I needed him to get me through this afternoon. I knew I'd have Jake at my side the whole time. He was the emotional support. I needed Jasper to be the emotional control. I knew crying would be a good thing. Yet, it wouldn't be so good if I got hysterical which was something I was bound to do.

"Do you think you could help me this afternoon? I don't think I'm able to keep it together for the sevice. Not with having to listen to everyone talk about him. Not when I have to get up and say things about him." I was practically begging. I felt more calm wash over me.

"It's okay Bella." Jasper stated. "Alice and Emily have already made plans for me and Jacob to be at your side the whole time. Alice saw you needing the support and control."

"Thank you, Jasper." I said and embraced him.

I made a mental note to thank Emily and Alice too. In fact, I owed both my families a huge thank you. I don't know what I would've done this past week without them. They were truly family to me in every sense of the word.

A/N: Sorry, nothing really happens right now. It was supposed to be longer but it's getting late. Besides, I think a mother/daughter heart to heart deserves its own chapter, don't you? That's what Bella and Renee are up to in this next chapter. BTW, when I said that Bella was better, I meant that she had accepted Charlie's death and was trying to move on. That's what Jasper helped her do. As you can tell, she's far from normal. She'll be okay, though. I can garuntee that. Thank you to my loyal reviewers. Please click the little button!!!!! I love hearing what you have to say.