I LOVE YOU GUYS! Thank you again to everyone for reading and reviewing! You keep me going. Stupid question but has everyone read the first chapter of Breaking Dawn? If so, WOW HUH!? If not, I recommend it. Come on August 2nd!

Stephenie Meyer in all her brilliance owns everything Twilight. Absolutely no copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 15 – Kicked out

I got utterly and completely soaked walking back to my waiting family. I was clutching my torso trying to calm the shivers when I rounded the corner and their beautiful figures came into view.

"Bella! Oh God Bella," Edward yelled.

I couldn't see muchW detail through the sheeting rain but suddenly I felt cold arms around me and I was being towed swiftly toward the cars.

"What happened? Are you okay?" a chorus of voices asked.

I could only nod my head but the movement felt more circular then up and down.

After softly pushing me in the passenger side of the Volvo, I heard Edward address the others. "Meet us back at the house."

Nothing else was said. They parted and Edward was by my side in moments. I heard the purr of the engine and felt us turning back toward the house. Edwards's cold hand held mine, the anchor holding me together.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked again, his voice full of concern.

"I… I…d d don't k k k knoww," my teeth where hitting each other so hard I thought they'd shatter.

Edward pushed the heat in the Volvo to high and I felt the warm breeze begin to thaw my frozen form.

"Cchharrliee," I managed to say.

"We've got to get you cleaned up first Bella. It wouldn't do him any good seeing you like this."

I nodded again and the wetness in my hair splashed the leather seats. I could sense Edwards's curiosity but he didn't push for details about what happened and I was grateful for that. I was still trying to sort through the wreckage myself.

It took only minutes to return home. Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper were waiting under the cover of the garage. Edward led me past them without a word. Once in our room, Edward gently helped me out of my sopping clothes and into the warmth of the shower. I could make out Edwards figure through the frosty glass leaning against the bathroom counter. The heat of the water pulsated on my skin. I felt the tension seep out of my body and follow the water down the drain. Slowly, I rested my hands against the far wall of the shower and let my head fall so I was looking at my feet. The water pounded on my back.

"It was a show Edward, just a show," I finally said.

"What do you mean?" he asked, voice gentle and velvet.

"Asking me to be there, it made no difference. They would even let me see him," my voice turned acidic before I could finish.

Edward didn't respond, probably grateful I didn't go near Paul just as Sam had predicted. I tried not to let that bother me.

"I need Alice to watch Charlie for me. If his future disappears, and I don't care who goes near him, if it disappears, the treaty is broken."

"Of course," he replied. After another brief pause he asked, "what are they going to do with Paul?"

"Ha!" I snorted but cut myself off short. This was the question that would push me to the edge again. "Nothing," I spat, "they said they'd watch him and he wouldn't leave La Push, but that's it."

I heard Edward's low growl but he didn't say anything. Like me, he was probably too upset to form his thoughts into acceptable words.

I finished up quickly after that in anticipation to get back to Charlie.

As Edward and I walked down the stairs, I saw the still curious eyes of 5 now furious vampires. I took in a deep breath and explained to them what happened in La Push. Emmett was absolutely irate. His voice reached pitches I'd never heard from him before. He didn't take time from his rant to stop and breathe except for when he pat me on the back and congratulated me for "finally telling those flea ridden dogs where to go." Alice just shook her head but agreed to keep Charlie on constant watch. Esme hugged me relentlessly and promised me everything would work out. Rosalie remained quiet for the most part except when she tried to Emmett to lower his volume and poor Jasper was beside himself trying to control calm us along with control himself. Edward, with more effort than I can imagine, talked us all through it. After coming to the shared consensus that there was nothing more we sensibly could do, I asked Edward to take me back to Charlie.

Time, as usual, continued to tick by, ever changing, never stopping. This time though, I didn't dread the Earth's constant movement because the more it turned, the better Charlie got.

"Ouch doc!" Charlie complained while Carlisle worked to wrap gauze on his recently cleaned head wound.

"I apologize Charlie but it would help me if you stopped moving."

I stifled a giggle. Put a badge and a gun on that man and he's indestructible but re-bandage a sore and he turns into a big baby.

A full week had passed since Charlie first woke up and his improvement was visible everyday. He tried to convince Carlisle, to no avail, he was ready to go home the morning after he woke up. Charlie spirits seemed higher than usual today though because Carlisle was getting ready to sign his release forms. The tests confirmed he would make a full recovery with the exception of some scarring. Charlie would spend another week in bed (or rather on couch) at his home and return to duty the week after. As unbelievable as it seemed to be, the haze I'd been living in was starting to clear.

"Now Bella, this babysitting nonsense has gone on long enough," Charlie snapped.

My brows creased innocently but he didn't give me time to respond.

"You've already missed the first part of school and I won't allow anything more."

"Dad," I started, but Charlie interrupted me again.

"No Bella, I'm fine. You're married now and it's time for you to start living that life. I've got plenty of friends here and I'll be just fine."

I rolled my eyes thinking of Charlie's best friend Billy Black. "What will you eat dad? How will you get up the stairs? How will you shower?" I challenged.

"I'll manage just fine thank you very much," he said gruffly before turning and locking his eyes on Edward. "Now, I expect you to do as I'm saying. Get her out of Forks."

I looked up to Edward but he was staring intently at Charlie. I wondered what he was hearing.

"Yes sir," he finally said.

My mouth dropped open as Charlie sighed in relief.

I turned back to Charlie and narrowed my eyes. "Edward, can I have a minute alone with my father please?"

Edward didn't answer but kissed the top of my head and left the room.

"There is nothing to discuss Bella."

"Dad, I can't leave you like this," I said as I neared his bed. I sat on the end still overly careful not to cause him any pain.

Charlie took in a deep breath and I noticed for the first time moisture rimming his eyes. "Bella, I love you and I'm so grateful for everything you done for me these past couple years. I'm so glad you came to live with me too but it's time for you to start living your life. Sure, the timing of this," he gestured to himself, "sucks but it doesn't really matter. You don't belong here anymore and I can't stress enough how fine I'll be." Tears spilled onto his cheeks and he fidgeted uncomfortably. "Now, I don't want to talk about this anymore. I expect you to pack your stuff and kiss me on your way out of town."

I was about to start again but Charlie's glare stopped the words before they could escape.

"I'll miss you Bells," he said, with more emotion I've ever heard in his voice.

Was I really saying goodbye? Was this it? How could I leave him in such close proximity to the wolves after what just happened?

"I," I was going to say 'I can't go' but as I prepared the rebuttal to leave my lips, I knew it wasn't true. I could go, and now was the time. I had done what I could for him and staying in Forks would mean me staying human and inevitably, the Volturi's involvement. Both situations were impossible to accept or ignore. I knew Charlie wouldn't go a moment unwatched and though I granted the wolves little friendship now, I trusted Billy and Jacob enough to never let this happen again. Instead of finishing what I started saying, I whispered "I'll miss you too dad, everyday". And I leaned in and gently kissed his forehead.

Thank you so much for reading. Please review!