Chapter 10
Bella nearly collapsed at the airport when we were greeted by my ecstatic family. I had supported her sluggish body as she walked wearily beside me. She was fading so fast. My goal now was to get her to her home with her father, who was fretting to a near heart attack.
Pretending that Rosalie was not in the same vehicle as us, after she apologized to Bella, everyone was rather silent for the remainder of the journey back to Forks. I had to pinch myself with every urge to knock Rosalie upside the head. I didn't care that it was her mistake, because her big mouth, as usual, almost cost Bella's life, as well as my own.
"Let her sleep," I commanded Emmett and Rosalie.
To strategically soothe my nerves, I kept my eyes steadily on Bella. She draped her arm on the back of my shoulder, still as tired as I had ever seen her. Her eyelids were closed now, though she strained to keep her head up. I cupped my hand around the front of her neck for support.
Finally, her head fell limp on my forearm and I propped her up and she was fast asleep. Her breathing panned out to an even pattern. She lightly snored, in a deep slumber now.
I felt whole again, as if the other half of me that was lost for so long, was now reattached to my heart.
I knew that we belonged together.
Dodging Rosalie's curious glances, I pulled Bella over me, acting as her pillow. She didn't even so much as reposition herself, for she knew in her subdued state that I would not let any harm come to her.
I nuzzled my face down to her hair and lightly stroked her arm.
The time would be approaching soon to give her away to Charlie. I was terrified for a reason that I could not pinpoint. I contemplated it for the rest of the ride.
I realized that it was fear that Bella would wake up and shut me out of her life forever.
Dread encompassed me, as the vehicle rolled to a slow halt.
Charlie's thoughts hit me like a hammer to my head. 'That's him. Does he have her? Yes, he does. God give me strength not to shoot him right here and now.' Charlie's mind went hay wire.
I watched Bella's father stammer down the front steps, a glare visibly in his eyes. 'Never mind, I'll murder him now. How could he? What has he done to her?' Charlie's thoughts raced.
He approached the car, as angry as I had ever seen the man. His face was red, and his anger seemed to boil over with each step. "Bella!" he shouted.
I flinched, as did Bella. She jolted in my arms and peeled open her sleepy eyes.
"Charlie?" she mumbled.
"Shh, it's okay, you're home," I whispered down to her, brushing my lips against her ear.
"I can't believe you have the nerve to show your face here!" Charlie roared.
That was it. I knew now that I would not be forgiven by her father, and I could not blame him.
Hatred pure in his stare, Charlie shot an icy look at me. 'What have you done to her. I'll have you arrested now so help me!' yet he didn't say it, he wanted to. He was losing his control though.
"Stop it dad," Bella said, her voice still weak. I helped her stand, and she waivered, nearly falling on me. I scooped her up in my arms, and carried her onward, as I tried hard to push out Charlie's accusing thoughts.
Charlie teased a mental fantasy of grabbing his daughter out of my arms and knocking me in the face. I remained strong for Bella. I could not be afraid of her father if I chose to stay in Bella's life.
"What's wrong with her?" demanded Charlie.
I shook my head, smoldering my eyes in a congenial effort to pacify his rage. "She's just very tired Charlie."
Charlie's eyes slitted.
"Just let her rest." I added smoothly.
"Don't tell me what to do!" he barked. I pressed my lips together.
Charlie closed in on me, reaching for Bella, who could barely keep up chin up.
"Give her to me. Get your hands off her!" he commanded, and I had no choice but to obey him. Again Charlie entertained the thought of taking a good swing at me.
I stepped forward and tried to pass Bella to him, my eyes full of regret.
This was agony. Charlie loathed me, I could hear it loud and clear. Colorful names silently rumbled in Charlie's mind at me, though for the sake of his daughter he didn't say them to me. Yet.
Surprising me, Bella's fingers tightened on me, scratching the marble skin at the nape of my neck. She didn't want to let me go either. I felt my heart lurch. Bella didn't want me to go just as much as I didn't want to let her. Either that or she was scared to death of her father's fury.
"Cut it out dad," Bella retorted, her tone soft, yet stern.
Wildly, Bella constricted her arms around me, like a child who did not want to be held by any other. I felt joy swell over my turmoil.
Remorsefully, I stared down at her resolved expression. I swallowed a hard lump in my throat, reluctant to enrage her father any more than I had, yet unwilling to give up on Bella now.
Full of compassion and adoration, I realized that her love for me was still inside of her.
Charlie was blind with revulsion for me and concern for his only daughter. I understood his stress, though I should have seen it coming that after I had ripped Bella's heart when I had broken it off with her, Charlie had me to blame for her agony.
Winning back Charlie's trust was another job within itself, though Bella would come first. She was the one I cared about, the only one.
Charlie darted his stone cold eyes from me to her. His worry stirred up, as about ten questions hit him. 'What happened? Are you okay? What did he do to you? Why are you with him? I thought he hurt you? Where have you been, why haven't you called, God I'll kill him if he did anything to you, forgive me for what I'm about to do!'
I blinked my eyes, and I had to shut him out.
Inside of the vehicle, Rosalie and Emmett were quietly speaking to each other. "This is not good. Don't think Edward will live through this one." Emmett said to Rose.
My eyes flickered back to Charlie, as Bella rose her voice at her father, "Be mad at me!"
Why was she doing this for me? My mouth dropped open.
'What?' Charlie was floored too. 'Oh no….you're not….oh God, no…' Charlie realized something substantial about the way Bella slung onto me. A storm clouded over Charlie's dark eyes, as he sent another vicious look at me, his eyes narrowed with seething ferocity. 'No I won't allow it, no!'
I gasped, as Bella took another hit for me. She would let Charlie punish her to spare me. I was flummoxed. Bella Swan never ceased to amaze me.
We were still in love.
I searched Bella's frustrated face, and saw it in her eyes. She was not angry at me at all. She should have been scolding me, not her father.
Was it possible? Yes it was. She still wanted me. Though I had no idea why, but my dream just may come true after all.
