Chapter One - For Bella
"But Daddy, I don't want to go!" The toddler cried. "Why am I going? I want to stay with you."
"Bella, you and Mommy are going to stay at Riverside with Uncle Rob. Now I want you to be a good girl; try not to stress Mommy out, understand?" The young girl nodded, with the seriousness only two year olds can achieve. "Take care of yourself, and please don't do anything reckless. I love you; remember that. Now go to the car, okay?" He bent over and kissed her forehead.
"Kay. Love you." The girl tottered out of the house.
A young woman with crazy curls descended the stairs, "Charlie, we don't need to do this." She said in a low voice. The crying had stopped hours ago; only despair was left.
"You know what she can do. It's better this way." Charlie mumbled, his eyes downcast.
"What will they do? She's just a child! She doesn't deserve this, she's just a…" The young woman collapsed sobbing on Charlie's shoulder.
"I know, Renee. I know. But they've sent people after us; we need to do this for Bella's sake."
"Charlie, I…I'll miss you." She turned to go.
"Wait!" Charlie held her by her shoulder. "I…"
"Just let me go, Charlie." Taking his hand from her shoulder, she turned and walked away, out of the door and out of his life.
He stumbled backwards, his vision blurring. He had always heard of heartbreak, but it was so different feeling it. So… real. His heart felt like it was being ripped in two, and the pain. It was indescribable.
"For Bella." He whispered as he sank down to his knees. "For Bella."