Chapter Six:
You Sure Like Making A Mess

Author Note:
Warning you now that this chapter didn't end up anything like the chapter I had written down in my chapter outline but let's hope that you still enjoy it.

Her hands began shaking slightly as she slowly picked up the last few shattered pieces of photo frame and placed them into the bin. Taking care to remove the photo from the floor and placing it onto the mantle piece, Bella felt the heavy pressure of tears that she refused to let fall.

''Are you okay, tsidá wił?'' Ephraim asked, watching his great-grandson's imprint as she thought to keep the tears at bay with great sadness in his eyes.

''I just wish that I hadn't made such a big mess in the first place. How do I tell my father that I broke up with my vampire fiance who now wishes to harm me for making the right decisions?'' Bella questioned, watching Ephraim closely while her mind replayed what she had caused by making the right decisions but far too late in the game.

Ephraim looked puzzled for a couple of minutes before shrugging and replying'' I never had to cover this with my own daughter so I have no ideas on how to combat this situation. I've never encountered this kind of mess so you're on your own until I can figure out someway to help you.''

''You're not really making me feel much better about my predicament, Ephraim. I'll manage this somehow, I just need to think about how to handle it delicately'' Bella reasoned, talking to both herself and Ephraim.

Ephraim laughed and replied'' Bella, my dear girl. You are so strong and capable but there is absolutely no way to delicately handle this situation. I would suggest you try to get at least one wolf on your side if you'd like to handle this yourself. Either that or suddenly begin phasing.''

Bella stared at the spirit in front of her before pointing at her skin and suggesting'' Are you forgetting that I am as white as pale-faces get? I don't have any Quileute or Native blood in me at all.''

Ephraim chuckled and placed his hand on Bella's shoulder as he praised'' You clearly don't know the origins of your family. The long-deceased spirits of your ancestors are proud of the strength you are showing and they know, as do I, that you will indeed help lead our pack and tribe towards prosperity.''

Bella nodded at Ephraim's words and rose from the floor, her face hardening as Ephraim's words resounded in her head. She wouldn't let down herself and all those who believed in her by not fighting with every part of herself for the life she wanted.

''I'm going to head out for a couple hours, pre-arranged appointment and all but remember what happens today. I could tell you who's going to come and visit you but where's the fun in that? Have fun, Bells'' Ephraim shouted, disappearing mid-sentence while his voice mysteriously echoed around the house.

Bella sighed in annoyance at Ephraim's words as she had a gut instinct that things wouldn't happen like they had last time. Intuition told her that it wouldn't be Sam who came to visit her to try and change her mind but with that reassurance came doubt and wariness on whom might come in Sam's place.

With a brief look at the clock and noting that whoever was coming would be here within the few minutes, Bella silently stood in the hallway and listened to the constant tick-tock of the kitchen clock. After what seemed to have dragged on forever yet in reality was merely 2 minutes, the door bell rang and Bella sucked in a deep breath.

Bella steeled herself for whoever might be on the other side of the front door before opening it slowly. She really had no idea of whom to expect from the Quileute wolf pack but it was a big shock to see Leah Clearwater standing on the porch, missing her usual sneer and attitude as she waited patiently.

''I have something really crazy to say which is going to make me sound like a lunatic so can I please come in?'' Leah asked, glancing around the surrounding area before meeting Bella's eyes and pleading silently for Bella to take her seriously.

Bella nodded and stepped aside as Leah brushed past her and headed straight for the living room while she closed the door. Bella took the seat opposite Leah and watched quietly as Leah seemed to struggle internally on how to word what she had come to say.

''Look, I am going to sound like I have lost my freaking mind but I haven't. I've been having some strange dreams for the last couple days and I've been trying to pass them off as some fabrication of delusion from my mind but they're not. I know that they're not and I just thought that you might hear me out'' Leah admitted, maintaining eye contact with Bella throughout her speech.

Bella nodded and gestured for Leah to continue with her speech while her mind was racing ahead, trying to rationalize why Leah would come to her saying something like this. Was this a joke? As soon as she had thought of that conclusion, Bella dispelled the possibility as this was Leah. Leah would never have come to her with anything like this if she was joking.

''I saw through flashbacks what looked like a previous time-line for both of us. I know you've been reborn back here, that you're not the same person you were last time. I can sense that you're stronger and more confident in the choices you're making. I know that I have been a bitch to you but what I've seen, the horrors of a future I will do everything in my power to prevent, has me here with you'' Leah proclaimed.

''I believe you, Leah. Every word you have spoken is true and I want to apologize for my actions leading up to this point. I've made so many mistakes and I've hurt so many people but I'm trying to make it right. I know how much my choices hurt Jake, my Dad, Billy, the Pack and even the human friends I pushed away. I never realized how much I'd taken my human life for granted until I'd become what I thought I'd wanted'' Bella admitted, surprised as she felt better for finally getting it off her chest just how sorry she was to at least one person.

''You can't shoulder all that blame, Bella, it doesn't just lie with you. I've had a lot of time to reflect and I'd like us to start over, we were once friends but life and our independent decisions have gotten in the way. After all, we're family. Your dad's like really distantly related to my Dad, going back about 3 generations but let's remember as well that each other's Dad is the other's Godfather. Truce?'' Leah asked, holding our her hand as Bella stared in shock at the wide smile that crossed Leah's face as she finished working.

Bella automatically shook Leah's hand before snapping out of her daze and returned Leah's smile. ''So do I get to call you Cousin?'' Bella cheekily asked, flashing Leah a mischievous look which quickly fell over her face when she caught a flash of blonde hair and noticed that Leah had tensed as well.

Leah had began shaking silently as Bella stood up and promised'' I'll see what they want and I'll be right back. There's some food in the kitchen if you'd like some'' to which Leah nodded and headed for the Kitchen. Bella walked to the front door and opened it, surprise coloring her expression as she realized that the blonde on her front porch was none other then Rosalie Hale.

''Can I help you, Rosalie? This really isn't a good time'' Bella questioned hurriedly, hoping the blonde would quickly tell her the reason for her visit and leave to stop further irritating the she-wolf inside who was doing a good job of keeping herself under control in the vicinity of a bloodsucker.

''I know the she-wolf is here so I'll make this quick. To be frank and to the point, we're worried about your safety now that you've made the right choice for the first time in the last two years. I'm just wanted to give you the heads up that Emmett and I will be keeping eyes on you when you're not in La Push or in the vicinity of the wolves. Take care, Swan'' Rosalie promised before disappearing into the treeline.

Bella shrugged, surprised by Rosalie's words before turning around to become face to face with a very pissed off she-wolf. ''Why the hell are they going to be keeping eyes on you? What's happened now? We got rid of the red-head months ago along with her army'' Leah questioned,slightly shaking in response to being so angry.

''I broke off the engagement for a lot of reasons and Edward didn't take my decision well. He said that if I thought that I could chose a flea-ridden mutt over him then I had another thing coming. I'm scared, Leah and I don't know what I should do anymore'' Bella admitted, looking down at the floor and biting hard on her lip as she fought to keep the tears at bay. The tears that always seemed to be there.

Leah wrapped her arms around Bella and hugged her close, whispering to her in Quileute as Bella broke down and began to cry. ''Hey, listen. I'll come and stay here the next couple days. I think that there is a reason the spirits let me know what you're going through by giving me those dreams. It could be because you need a protector or a friend but we'll figure this out. I give you my word, Bella.''

Bella nodded and cried harder in Leah's arms, overwhelmed by the drama with Edward and the realization that she wasn't alone in facing the mess that was her life. Leah was family and they'd have each other's backs. She knew they would be good friends as like Leah had said, their individual actions and choices had pulled them away from each other and the distance had made them forget a friendship that they'd maintained from a very young age.

While Bella thought over everything that had happened recently in her second chance and in her previous choice, Leah was thinking about Jacob and how she would make sure that he didn't lose Bella this time.

After all, the mere memory of Jacob having lost the imprint had Leah's blood running cold. She admired the strength he had in believing that Bella needed to fall in love with him before he told her about the shapeshifter mojo that would keep her ''chained'' to his side even if she loved him.

She looked forward to the day when Bella would realize that the family she so desperately wished to be a part of was already hers. She had a family within the pack and despite the fact her childhood was short-lived and truly lonely, that she would never be alone again.

Bella pulled away from Leah slightly and wiped her tears as she suggested'' You should probably go and get your things from home while I sort out where you're going to sleep. I'll be fine, I promise.''

Leah nodded and picked up the notepad close to them, quickly writing a number on it and handing the pad to Bella. ''That's my number. Give me a ring if you need me but I shouldn't be that long. 20 minutes tops'' Leah said before racing out the door, heading for the woods.

Bella climbed the stairs and headed for her bedroom where she began moving around her furniture, intending to make enough space to have Leah pull the spare bed-base and mattress from the loft so that she would at least have her own bed.

She was attempting to move her bookcase when she felt eyes on her suddenly and turned to see Ephraim lounging on her bed which now lay across the room. He smirked and waved at her before remarking'' You're going to pull a muscle if you're not careful. Leah will be able to finish whatever else you need doing in here.''

Bella nodded and stopped attempting to move the bookcase as she replied'' You're back earlier then I thought you'd be from the pre-arranged appointment you had. I have a couple of questions for you like why have the spirits allowed Leah to know what has happened?'' to which Ephraim chuckled and sat up on the bed.

''Leah is allowed to know because you need a friend, protector and family. My pre-arranged meeting was an informal meeting with the other spirits, they're very interested in how you are doing. You're not going to see me the next couple of days while I take care of some spirit things but I'll still be looking after you. Be careful and be alert'' Ephraim said before disappearing with a laugh.

Author Note:
Kind of a new twist that has developed, wouldn't you all say?

Translation: tsidá wił - young one