Reborn
Chapter Nine
Author Note: The soundtrack to this chapter was all Kelly Clarkson from her new album. This is the most up to date chapter posted, first posted on TR in March. I am currently working on Chapter 10 but it's working progress.

''Don't even think about apologizing any more for being human and making mistakes. We all do'' Emily encouraged, giving Bella a small smile as she placed a small plate of food in front of the devastated girl and arched an eyebrow, daring her to fight with her.

Bella looked down, glancing at the table as the door opened and Leah waltzed through it, taking a seat at the table. Leah glanced at Bella and then at Emily before taking the plate from in front of Bella, taking a bite of the muffin on it as Emily made a disapproving sound to which Leah shot her a look.

Bella looked up, shooting Leah a look who smiled sadly at her before placing her hand over Bella's and giving it a squeeze. Emily couldn't help but look away, feeling like she was interrupting a private conversation to the two as they conversed with each other using their eyes.

The scraping of a chair on the floor drew her attention to the fact that Bella was standing up and heading for the door. Feeling sudden panic that Bella would leave and not return, Emily prepared to intercept her as Leah held her hand up, pausing her and watching Bella walk out the door.

''Let her go, she's not running away. She's going to Jake'' Leah said, motioning for Emily to take the seat Bella had just vacated. Emily sat down, smiling widely at Leah who handed her a muffin from her plate and rolled her eyes.

''Just because I gave you a muffin doesn't mean we're friends. It merely means I don't want you being able to talk'' Leah remarked, sending a pointed look to Emily who laughed and nodded, taking a bite as Leah smiled a small smile that Emily missed.

Outside the house, Bella was beginning the walk to the Black house and wiping her tears away as she tried to gather her courage for what was to come. Out of nowhere, Ephraim appeared at the side of her and shot her a wide smile as he asked''How are you doing, tsidá wił?'' to which Bella shook her head, subduing a sob as she fought to keep the tears at bay.

'' I've made such a mess. They all hate me like they deserve to. How can I live with myself if he hates me like they do? If he sends me away then I'd go, just to make him happy. I would do anything he asks to try to erase the guilty conscience that screams at me from the moment I awaken and haunts my every dream. He deserves to be happy, truly happy after all the drama I've caused'' Bella cried, locking eyes with Ephraim as she wrapped her arms around herself and prayed that she could fix the damage she had created.

Fully expecting Ephraim to agree with her, Bella was shocked into silence when Ephraim turned, standing in her path with a furious expression as he glared at her.

'' This self-hatred has to stop, Bella. You deserve to be as happy as Jacob does, do you really think the Spirits would go to such lengths to help someone if we didn't see something good in you? No-one is perfect, I certainly wasn't and neither is Jacob. We are not the Cullens, we don't hold you to impossible standards nor do we place you on a pedestal where the slightest fault or mistake is over-analyzed and you are crucified for it'' Ephraim part encourage-ranted, taking a deep breath before continuing.

''You need to remember the girl that Jacob loves, the sweet and loving girl who is independent and knows what she wants. The girl who can trip over her own feet but knows that Jacob will always catch her despite any obstacles in his path. You have been a fighter your whole entire life so fight for what you want, fight for what's yours'' Ephraim finished, hoping that the shattered girl in front of him would realize that Jacob would never send her away and that she would fight against everything negative that was being thrown at her.

Ephraim smiled to himself as Bella stood up straighter, raising her head up as she processed and took strength from his words. '' If I can go against a vampire in a battle of wills then I can face the shapeshifter whose heart I broke. I'm not running away from anything or anyone, I'll stand and face the repercussions of my choices'' Bella declared, looking over at Ephraim smiling and feeling as confident as her words were.

Ephraim nodded at her, pride clear in his eyes as he moved aside, letting Bella past and watching her walk away. Bella walked a couple of paces before looking over her shoulder at Ephraim, smiling as she said'' Thank you for everything, Ephraim'' to which he simply nodded and disappeared from view.

Bella turned back, continuing her walk towards the Black residence with a new found confidence in her step as she kept her head up straight and Ephraim's words of encouragement in mind. Before long, she came to the end of the natural forest path to see the Black house looming in front of her as she took a deep breath and continued on her way.

Walking up the small steps, she hesitated as she raised her hand to knock on but swallowed all her doubts as she knocked twice on the door, not giving herself any longer to doubt her decision to face Jake and Billy.

Hearing movements, Bella took a step away from the door as it was pulled open to show a scowling Billy whose expression only darkened as he realized who was on his doorstep. Throwing a glare at Bella, he turned and prepared to slam the door in her face as she threw herself forward and stopped the closing door using her entire upper body.

Shocked at Bella's actions, Billy allowed the door to swing back open as Bella slumped in the open doorway, gripping her left arm as she hissed at the pain radiating through it.

''What the hell are you playing at, Bella? Charlie will have my head when he finds out. How stupid could you be?'' Billy snapped, the harshness of his tone causing Bella to wince at the anger that she could hear so clearly in his voice.

''I know that I've hurt both of you with my actions but I came to apologize. Just hear me out please?'' Bella pleaded, looking up at Billy from the floor as he looked away and muttered something too quickly for her to hear. Billy shook his head, refusing to acknowledge or reply to her plea with a verbal retort as she pulled herself up from the floor.

''Billy, I'm not pleading with you as the person responsible for breaking Jake's heart but as your god-daughter. Please? I'm not here to hurt Jake or you, I'm here to apologizing for being so blind and not seeing what was right in front of me'' Bella pleaded again, wrapping her arms around herself as she tried to keep the tears at bay. She didn't know what she would do if Billy turned her away, the closest thing she had to a father figure who knew of the crazy supernatural world she found herself in.

Billy's silence after her second plea was neither good nor bad. At least he hadn't sent her away but the longer the silence continued, the more she panicked as Billy made us his mind.

Billy cleared his throat, drawing her attention to him as he warned'' I wouldn't be giving you time of the day if you weren't my god-daughter so keep that in mind. Why are you here? Jake's suffered enough at your hands and the Cullens.''

Bella nodded, understanding immediately that Billy was only speaking to her because of his loyalty to her father even if she was his god-daughter. ''I broke off my engagement and although it doesn't change the fact I broke his heart, Jake deserves to hear the reasons behind it from me instead of through the grapevine'' Bella began, locking eyes with Billy and hoping that he would see the sincerity in her words.

Billy went to open his mouth in reply as a husky voice drawled'' Dad, let her in. I know you're angry but this isn't something that should be discussed at an open door. She's family, regardless of who she's hurt or the decisions she's made.''

Author Note:
With this chapter officially done, I leave you wondering what shall happen next. If anyone is still confused about the previous chapter or this one then please feel free to inbox me and ask any questions you might have. I'll be nice and I'll explain if I've confused.