Chapter Info

Title: The Ruse

Number: 30/34

Warnings: Angst

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your reviews, comments, thoughts, and questions on this story!

-Abigail-

The rest of the weekend and well into Monday morning found them taking each other softly, roughly, and everything in between. Neither could say they were completely satiated as they had fifty years to make up for. But, they were satisfied for the moment because they had work to do. Alice would be up soon to drag Abigail away for dress shopping with the other women, and Carlisle had to work with the other men to figure out what to do. During their down time, which was only about two minutes in between each round if that, they discussed the situation. Clearly Abigail couldn't go back to work; she was much too different. Not only her eyes, but her skin was different. The lines of her body were a little bit sharper, she did indeed shrink an inch or two during transformation, and her hair was slightly different as well. Not to mention she was colder and much stronger than she had been the previous week. And while she was confident—as was Carlisle—that she was strong enough to avoid slipping and drinking from humans, they didn't want to take the chance.

So it was decided that they would tell everyone—except those on the reservation and Charlie—that she died, and Jones had killed her. Carlisle worked tirelessly to heal her, but it was unsuccessful. Billy, Sue, and Old Quil knew of the secret and while Charlie didn't, he knew Bella had "changed" and knew not to ask questions, so they knew he could handle Abigail's change as well. Plus Abigail refused to hurt him that way by faking her death, and they all knew since he would be around for Bella, it would be easier for him to know Abigail was alive and keep that fact a secret rather than having to hide each time. The guys would be making calls and arrangements, first to those in on the secret—which would also of course include the packs besides the humans—and then tell the general public of her demise. Jones would be tried for not only her kidnapping, but also her murder. The charges filed were kidnapping, assault, attempted murder, harassment, molestation, and now murder would be added onto that. Considering they had the video evidence, there would be no way he was getting free. Of course a body has to be produced, but as a doctor, Carlisle had contacts in science labs for cadavers and could get one of general height and weight to Abigail to be cremated in her place so there would be no questions. There would also be evidence they would provide to Charlie so they could show it at the trial, like medical records and such.

Frankly Carlisle wasn't thrilled about the idea because he would be forced to go in as a witness in court since he not only was one of those that found her, but also took care of her in an attempt to save her. And he would also have to go with the rest of the family and the packs as a mourner, but he had already told her since he knew the feeling as he had experienced it before, he would be fine. The wry comment earned him some fingers in his hair. But other than Charlie, the packs, and those three humans on the reservation, the rest of Forks would think Abigail Goodwin was dead.

"That includes Beth," Abigail had remembered during one of their intermissions and she decided to write up something and have Jasper help her fake it so the house and money was left to her friend, as a will of sorts, so she wouldn't have to worry about moving or losing it. While she was sad she would never see her again, Abigail knew the less people that knew, the better. There was no getting around the packs, Billy, Sue, or Old Quil knowing, and she had begged for Charlie to be included.

"And I still want him to walk me down the aisle." She had pouted until Carlisle gave in, earning a squeal and a blow job from her as her payment of gratitude. It would all be arranged as soon as Monday arrived and they finished with their consummation, but also so they could give people the weekend for some happiness.

Around eight AM, Carlisle finally dragged them out of bed, bathed them both in a quick bath, and then helped her dress before tugging her downstairs an hour later. She was pouting, but burst into laughter at the disgusted look not only on Emmett's face, but those of the rest of her children as well. "Did we interrupt your weekend?" she said with a self-satisfied smirk, hands on her hips as she looked between them.

"No," Emmett grumbled and looked away.

"I'm sorry, Baby Boy," she cooed to him, ruffling his hair and he just mumbled something at her because they all knew she wasn't sorry.

"Ready?" Apparently Alice was done waiting as she was dressed in a coat and rain boots, ready for the drive up to Port Angeles. It was pouring outside and Abigail was glad not only for the garage they had, but also for her new vampiric speed so she wouldn't get soaked. As it was, she wished she had a hat or something, but just went with a raincoat over her plain white shirt, lavender cardigan, and dark denim jeans. She had flats on and decided she would risk it as she didn't feel like going to search for socks and some boots that would fit her. Her bag was sitting on the floor by the front door and she pulled out her chain that held all her keys, and held them out to Carlisle, who raised an eyebrow.

"One's for my car, one's for the front door of the house, one is the back, and one is the deadbolt on the outside basement door. Since Beth is getting the house, she can have them. But," She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket, quickly scribbled while Carlisle had been getting dressed, "there are just some things I want from there, and I figured in your work today, you might be able to stop by and get them?"

He nodded and opened the list. Most of it was books, the precious ones she had kept up in her bedroom. There were some articles of clothing including the dresses she had worn to the wedding, the dinner party, and her birthday party. She wanted her scrubs as well, and some random odds and ends like cell phone charger, some makeup, and her hair brush.

"You know we can replace all of this," he said, not unkindly, just matter of factually.

She nodded. "I know. But the books have notes in then from my dad. The dresses I just love. The scrubs...well I figured eventually I can get another nursing job, and that'll save me having to get new ones. The other stuff isn't important, but just stuff I thought of that I liked. If there's anything else you see that you want to grab, go for it." She smiled and leaned up to kiss him. He deepened it immediately with an arm around her waist and a quick tug against his body, making her undead heart feel like it was racing even though that was impossible. They only pulled away when Emmett cleared his throat in disgust and Abigail giggled, watching as Carlisle grinned down at her.

"I'll text you when we get there and on our way back," she said, and he nodded. She noticed the appreciation on his face and she squeezed his hand, letting him go. Already she felt cold, at a loss and her body screaming for her mate, but it would only be a few hours and she would be back in his arms. And truthfully she worried more about him and what he would have to endure. He knew of course that she was alive still, but he had to spend the day pretending to mourn her and while he would be able to come back to her once it was done, she knew he spent fifty years in mourning and she didn't want him to slip into that depression again. She knew him, could feel what it felt like for him, and wanted to protect him from that. For now, it was unavoidable, and that tore her up inside. But in the end, it would be for the best. They just had to get through this week.

"I love you," she murmured and gave him one last chaste kiss. He smiled softly.

"I love you, too. Be careful." She nodded, knowing she didn't need to argue with him about the fact she was invincible again, and finally followed the others outside.

As discussed, Emmett went with them and he drive Rosalie's BMW with Rose herself at his side. Abigail and Alice took the backseat, while Bella and Carlie took Carlisle's Mercedes. The guys would be piling into Edward's Volvo to do what errands they needed do that day.

"I'm so excited!" Alice squealed, reaching over to squeeze Abigail's hand.

Abigail chuckled happily. "Me, too, sweetie. I loved our first wedding, but I'm thrilled that you kids get to join us for this one." She smiled adoringly at the rest of her family there in the car with them, catching Emmett's happy grin in the mirror, and sitting back as the two cars pulled out of the garage with a squeal.

.x.x.x.x.

-Carlisle-

The others knew him well, and they all knew what this day would do to him and so Jasper stuck close by sending him waves of positivity so he wouldn't get stuck in the sadness and agony of going through the day pretending as if Abigail had died. He could call her up anytime to hear her voice and that was the only thing getting him by as they stopped at their first stop: the police station. The reservation they couldn't get to, so they would have to call Jacob or Sam to call the packs and get them along with Billy, Sue, and Old Quil up to the treaty line. It would be easier that way as well since there so many of them and it would avoid needing to explain things more than needed. At least with the Quileutes, he didn't need to put on the sham of her death.

Carlisle was glad that he saw Charlie's cruiser there when they arrived and while he wanted to talk to the chief first and explain, he knew that would be difficult with half the Cullen family showing up. And he was right as the receptionist directed them back to the break room where Charlie was drinking some coffee with a few of his deputies. Immediately Chief Swan's eyes found him and he stopped laughing, dropping into something crossed between cop and father mode, as he strode over to them.

"What happened?" he demanded, causing the others to all look at them as well. The Cullens were good at facades, they spent their lives constructing them and playing the parts. So the grave looks on their faces was easy, along with the way Jasper was particularly close to Carlisle. Clearly Charlie saw this as his brown eyes flickered from one to the other and then landed back on the two blond men in front of him.

"Perhaps we should take this in your office, Charlie," Carlisle answered in a slightly choked voice. It was easy to fake when thinking of his beautiful mate's death.

"No," the man growled, slamming his coffee mug onto the table beside him, the air permeating even more with the smell of dark roast coffee as the liquid sloshed over the sides and into the wooden table tops. They saw his hands had begun to shake as he put his hands on his hips, and they knew he wouldn't budge an inch until they told him what he needed to know. Carlisle sighed silently. "No, you tell me right here, right now. What happened?" He paused. "Who's hurt? Bella? Abigail?" Carlisle's flinch told him the answer and the doctor's eyes flickered down. "No..."

"We tried what we could," Carlisle whispered, wishing that Charlie would've come with them so they could've explained without giving him this heart break first. "But her lung was too damaged. She lost too much blood, not even a transfusion could've saved her. I'm sorry, Charlie. Abigail is gone."

"No!" Charlie growled, and it was Edward who caught him and helped the police chief of Forks into a chair as he wept. Carlisle exchanged a look with Jasper, glancing up at the grave faces of the other officers, who had removed the hats and placed it over their hearts in respect. Carlisle could've wept himself if he could, clinging to Jasper's influence so he didn't fall into that agonized state again as memories from 1955 started to drown him.

Gingerly he sat next to the broken man and put an arm around his shoulders, tugging him up. "Come on, Charlie," he whispered, "let's go to your office."

Finally he allowed it, and Edward helped Carlisle move down the hall to the door labeled Chief Charlie Swan. They all went inside and shut the door as Carlisle helped him into his seat.

"We're so sorry, Charlie. This is why we wanted to speak to you alone first. Abigail isn't dead."

The man's head came up automatically, cheeks stained and he glared at Carlisle as he angrily pushed his tears aside and stood up again. "What?" he snapped, his voice thick. "But you said—"

"I know," he interrupted. "The others need to think that and you need to go along with it." Charlie looked very confused and angry, and Carlisle sighed. "Do you remember Jacob explaining to you that Bella has to change to become better?" Charlie didn't say a word, but gave a short single nod. "Well the same goes for Abigail. She's alive and she's healthy, but she had to change. You can come over after work and see her later. She and Bella went with the others to Port Angeles for the day. I'm so sorry we put you through that, but you and some of the Quileutes will be the only ones that will know the truth. It's imperative that you not tell anyone."

Charlie looked as if he wasn't breathing and Carlisle reached out to clap his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't tell you the truth out there. But Abigail specifically wanted to make sure that you be included in those that know she's alive. She'll be very angry that I upset you, but I know she'll want to see you."

Charlie gulped and slowly nodded, turning and they looked away as he got himself under control. He stopped shaking and the tears disappeared, they could smell it. All of them felt guilty for putting him through that, and Jasper sent more happiness to him to help him along. When he done he turned around, the only sign of his emotion was the redness around his eyes. His mouth was set into a thin line and he looked aggravated, but he sighed and gave another nod.

"'Course I wanna know," he grunted. "Don't do that to me again." Carlisle frowned and gave him an apologetic nod.

"We promise," he said softly.

Charlie nodded again. "You swear she's okay?"

"We swear." Carlisle nodded to Jasper who dug out the fake medical files that Carlisle had put together. "This details the injuries she sustained from being taken by Jones." He forced back the hiss at the sound of his name. "Between these and the tapes," The mention of those made Charlie's face grow haunted, "you should have no problem getting a conviction. And any of us can be called in as witnesses if the prosecution needs. But we have to keep Abigail out of the public eye."

The chief nodded, hands falling back to his hips, and he stayed silent for a couple moments while he processed everything. It was clear the man wanted to say more, but he didn't and Carlisle glanced at Edward who shook his head. Either he didn't want to say as it was too private, or he was angry and the words were that bad. Either way, Charlie was too much of a gentleman to say anything, and so finally he just sat back down and gestured the others to do the same even though there was only two chairs. Carlisle and Edward took them while Jasper stood behind them.

"You swear she's alive," he said again, and Carlisle nodded quickly, but silently. Charlie let out a breath. "Okay. Good. Yeah, I wanna see her. Tonight?"

"They should be back by dinner time. Come over to our house. We'll probably have Jacob as well." They all knew the young wolf well enough to know they couldn't keep him away. "I'm sure Bella wouldn't mind making up extra food for you both."

"Sounds good," he grunted. "So six is okay?"

"Perfect."

"Good." He messed around with some papers in front of him. "I'll keep up the charade here. Anything else you waiting for?"

"Just her death certificate. Jasper has a guy in Seattle that helps him. We're headed there after we talk to the Quileutes so we can get those papers, and a will of sorts she wrote up. She's giving the house and money to Beth, so we can inform her if you would like. We just have some things to pick up that Abigail requested."

"Probably be better if we tell her. More official," Charlie said. Carlisle nodded. "When?"

"Wednesday at the latest. We need to make sure Jasper's guy comes through for us, and we'll call you as soon as we have the confirmation."

"Good." Charlie nodded, scrubbed a hand down his face, and then stood up. The Cullens stood up with him and followed him out into the other room, their faces falling gravelly as Charlie went to join the others. Immediately they all clapped a hand on his back in support, and glanced at the Cullens. Carlisle bowed his head with grief and Jasper put a supportive hand on his shoulder, walking them out and back to the Volvo.

A shaky breath left Carlisle's throat and they were silent as they started up and squealed out in the direction of Seattle, knowing that the rest of the week would only be harder than this day was.