(Bella)

Fishing with Charlie was nice. I hadn't actually fished with him since I was a little girl. Most of the time I had just played with Jake while Billy and he had done the actual fishing. Dad had to show me how to bait my hook using worms and I managed to do it without skewering myself. He had to cast for me though, that was a bit beyond my skill level.

Once we had our lines in the water, we just enjoyed the early morning quiet. I could see why Charlie enjoyed this so much. It was so peaceful out here, away from everything. You could let your mind wander and mull over your problems without any pressure.

I let myself think about what happened at the Cullens for the first time since it happened. I had been so afraid of seeing them again after they left me, afraid it would tear open old wounds. Instead, I found myself almost ambivalent to them and that surprised me. I had missed them so much when they left. All of them, even Rosalie just a little bit, despite my feelings on her and Em's unhealthy relationship.

Seeing them again after time had passed allowed me to view them in a new light. I had always felt so inferior, like I wasn't good enough. I wasn't the same anymore, not that girl. Now I could see they weren't perfect like I had thought, on the contrary they had some huge flaws. I had changed since September, I had grown up a lot. I no longer believed in fairy tales.

When I realized Esme's intentions that day, I didn't even consider trying to stop her. Normally, I didn't think suicide was the right choice for anyone. But she wasn't human. She was a vampire, cursed with eternity and a memory that would remain just as clear now as it would be for the next thousand years. The pain she lived with would never dull, never get any easier. Her husband refused to help her, and she wouldn't leave him.

If I thought there was the slimmest chance that Carlisle would do the right thing and think of her for once in his life, it would have changed everything. Esme could tell that would never happen and she acted out of desperation and anger. I was sure that taking Edward with her was just a bonus in her eyes. She just wanted it to end.

I was glad I had time to sort out my own issues somewhat. All things considered, I was almost at peace with how my life was. I had my problems, but I had come to terms with them. My mother leaving was hard, but I had accepted it. My father and I were closer now than ever before and I had the prospect of keeping contact with him. My friends were supportive and my new coven would be by my side. I would be okay with my forever.

Edward leaving me like he did probably saved my life. I had six months to recover from having the mate bond broken. Six months to heal in a way that would have been impossible if I hadn't been human. If I had been turned before he left me, I probably would have gone insane like Victoria and needed someone to end me. If I hadn't had that time to heal and he had died, I would have wanted to die with him.

Because of having that time, I didn't feel any affection for him any longer. I still hurt, but it was the pain of betrayal and abandonment that echoed in me. It grew less and less sharp everyday now. Time started the process, but the real healing happened when I began letting it out, first to my Quileute friends, then again to Jasper.

When Edward died, it was like the last tendrils of the bond had burned up with him and I felt free. The new feelings that had begun between Jasper and I had pushed aside the old hurt, leaving less and less room for it. While I knew it was still there, it was less important, easy to ignore. I didn't want to pay attention to it now, not when I could focus on Jasper instead.

Carlisle shocked me the most out of all the Cullens. I had once thought of him as the perfect father figure. He had played the role very well, but it was obvious that he had always favored Edward. When he chose him over me it hurt me more than I realized. I was angry with him for leaving me, feeling like he should have known better than to have done that to me. When I was greeted like a guest it set me off and I couldn't help letting out some of my anger.

Later when he turned on me, I wanted to rage at him, but he wasn't worth it. Carlisle lost everything he cared about and nothing I could say to him would hurt him any more than what had already happened because of his own doing. It was his house of cards that burned up that day, I didn't even have to light the match. Although I did provide the lighter, I suppose.

My thoughts shifted to Emmett. He seemed to be adjusting pretty well to life with the Whitlocks, or it seemed so in the brief time we got to spend all together. I didn't know how he would do in the long-term. All he ever knew was life with the Cullens, with Rosalie. It couldn't be easy on him. I'd seen him with a serious expression more in the short time we were together in New York than the entire time I'd known him before.

I wondered if he had been hiding his serious side before, playing his own part in the Cullen act, or if he was struggling with his own feelings on everything that happened. It bothered me that everything was happening so fast and I didn't have time to find out. Tonight would be my party and after that I'd be on the way to Montana to be changed.

Between the three days of pain and the stories I'd heard about how unfocused it is at first as a newborn, I hoped I could still be there for my brother. I decided when I got back to the house I'd give him a call and see how he was doing. Just thinking about it made me smile.

I looked over at Charlie, his look serene and contemplative. He had a lot to mull over himself today. His life had been turned upside-down this week almost as much as mine had. Dad was taking everything much better than I ever imagined he would. Maybe that's where I got it from. Most people would crack if they had to deal with everything that got thrown at me.

"I think you got a bite Bells." Charlie said, pointing to the end of my line where my red and white bobber was being pulled under.

"Oh!" I said, focusing.

I jerked on the line, remembering something about trying to set the hook, managing to whack my dad in the head with the pole in the process.

"Sorry!" I said, nearly dropping the fishing pole.

Charlie just laughed it off, waving his hands at me as I panicked.

"Don't drop it honey. Reel it in." He chuckled, miming the movements as he rubbed his temple.

I bit my lower lip and jerkily wound the line in. Whatever was on the other end felt like a rock. My arm was getting tired embarrassingly fast but I tried not to let it show. When the end got close to the shore, Dad got a long poled net and scooped up my catch.

"A turtle!" He crowed.

"What?" I said, baffled.

"Come look Bells, just watch your fingers." He smiled. "These things like to steal your bait. Usually they let go before you can bring them in, but you managed to snag his shell somehow."

I carefully looked in the net at the huge irritated turtle, wondering how we were supposed to get him off my hook.

"Now what?" I asked.

"Just watch my line for me, I'll take care of him." Dad chuckled again, shaking his head.

He dug around in his tackle box, coming back with a pair of pliers and a metal glove on one hand. I watched as he used his boot to hold the turtle steady, reaching in with his gloved hand and pulling at the hook with the pliers, bending it until it worked free.

"Is he hurt?" I asked, worried that the animal would need a vet or something.

"No, once the hook is out he'll be fine. The problem is a lot of fishermen just cut the line and leave the hook in. Doing that can cause a lot of problems. He'll heal up." Charlie said, inspecting the small cut. "It came out clean." He picked the turtle up, letting it go in the shallows where it quickly took off.

"At least I caught something." I smiled ruefully.

Dad fixed up my line again with a fresh hook and cast it before taking back his pole. The excitement seemed to have disrupted the peace from earlier and he didn't slip back into the silence of earlier.

"Are you sure about all this Bells?" He asked. "Becoming one of them?"

"Yeah. I don't want to live my life looking over my shoulder. Besides, I think I was always meant to be like them. I've never fit anywhere, but I fit with them. I feel normal when I'm with them."

"Normal, huh." He scoffed. "I suppose I can see that."

I started thinking about Jasper and couldn't help but to miss him. He'd woken me this morning before my Dad could come in to find us together, which I was grateful for. As accepting as he was, he didn't need to see us wrapped around each other in bed. I'd surprised Charlie by having breakfast ready for us when he had come downstairs. I grinned thinking about how Jasper watched me move around the kitchen, stealing kisses whenever I passed by him.

"You're thinking about Jasper." My Dad said, watching my face carefully. I blushed, caught.

"I guess I was." I admitted.

"Do you love him?" He asked gruffly, a bit uncomfortable.

"Yes." I said, looking out at the water. "I wasn't looking for it, but it just happened. I just know he won't hurt me. I trust him."

"I know your mother and I weren't the best example to you, and after what happened with Edward..." He trailed off. "I know you aren't a little girl anymore Bella. You'll always be my baby, but you've grown up so much. I hate letting you go." He looked out at the water like I was, his voice a bit unsteady.

"I know." I said, my voice conveying more than those two words.

We didn't end up catching anything for the rest of the morning. Both of us were content to soak in the atmosphere and let the rest go unsaid. I replayed my childhood in my mind, all the times I had spent with my father. I tried to recall as much detail as I could, making the memories fresh in my mind. I hoped I would keep them in the change.

When it was close to noon, we gave up on catching fish and packed up the gear. Charlie gave me a one armed hug and kissed my temple before handing me the small cooler with our drinks in it and asking me to carry it to the car while he got the rest. I smiled as I walked behind him, glad we had spent the time together. I should have come with him before now.

Pulling into the driveway, I could see the bikes were already in the back of Jasper's pickup, strapped down in the bed under my blue tarp. Our clothes and his guitar were in the backseat, protected from the elements. Charlie's expression looked tense seeing it, knowing what it meant.

"You two leaving straight from the party?" He asked.

"Yeah." I didn't need to say why. Neither of us wanted a teary goodbye. We'd both do better with an audience to keep things light.

Jasper was waiting for me beside his truck. As soon as I was out of Charlie's cruiser, he walked over to me and swept me up in a hug. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his neck. His scent surrounded me and I breathed him in. I could feel his relief at seeing me again and I sent him mine as well. He set me down and took my hand as we went into the house with Charlie.

"You catch anything?" He asked smiling.

"Bella caught a turtle." Charlie chuckled. "Other than that, they just weren't biting today."

"It was still fun." I admitted with a grin at my father. "I think I might like it more without the fish-gutting part actually." Charlie rolled his eyes, but I think he secretly agreed with me.

I made us both a sandwich for lunch while Jasper put away the fishing gear. I poked around in the shopping bags on the counter, making sure everything we needed for later was in there. The only thing we'd need yet was to pick up ice for the coolers on the way to the beach.

"I left the drinks outside in my truck." Jasper said.

"Perfect." I told him.

He pulled out the cell phone for Charlie and sat down across from my father, looking like he was preparing for a battle.

"Sir, I've heard you don't like these things." He started, pushing the small silver phone across the table. "But I'm asking you to make an exception. I've programmed in Bella's number as well as mine for you already."

"I don't need a cell phone. I have a phone in the house." Charlie's mustache twitched in irritation.

"I know that, but with this you can get in touch with us any time. Day or night. You don't have to give out the number to anyone else if you don't want to." Jasper reasoned. Charlie looked at the phone, his resolve cracking a little.

"Any time?" He said.

"Yes. Our kind don't sleep. If there is any trouble or you just want to talk about anything, use this phone to call."

Charlie reached for the phone flipping it open and examining it carefully. I was shocked he wasn't fighting more, Jasper had been right.

"I'll take it then. How much do I owe you." He said grudgingly.

"Nothing. It's for you to talk to Bella." Jasper said. "I'll be taking care of all of her needs from now on."

Charlie's eyes darted between us, his eyes tightening into a glare which he focused on Jasper. He may have been accepting to a point, but Jasper's statement just opened a new can of worms in his mind.

"You know, one thing I couldn't find when I found out about Montana was any sort of employment record for you. How exactly are you planning to support yourself and my daughter?" Charlie put the phone back on the table, breaking out his "cop stare".

"I'm independently wealthy." Jasper said, causing Charlie's eyebrow to raise. "If you need a description I suppose investor would be most accurate. Stock trades and real estate mostly. I haven't held a traditional job since I was a human. Back then I worked on my family's farm until I joined the army."

"So if she wants to go to college one day?" He asked.

"She could go to any college she wants and tuition would never be an issue." Jasper replied. "Bella will never want for anything."

Charlie nodded, still a bit reluctant as he picked the phone back up. He tested it out by calling my phone before hanging up the call and pocketing it.

"Thank you." He said gruffly.

I excused myself to make sure nothing was forgotten in my room. It looked just about how I left it. I opened the closet and found it empty, the drawers on my dresser too. My scrap book was gone, but everything else was just where I had left it this morning. I sat on my bed, remembering I had wanted to call Emmett. I dialed his number and smiled as he picked up.

"Bella Boo!" He bellowed into the phone.

"Hey Em!" I said. "How's the road trip?"

"Going good. We're in South Dakota now, so almost there." He said excited.

"Nice. We'll be heading out tonight. I'm throwing a party at the rez before we leave here. They are even letting Jay come."

"Really? That's cool of them." Emmett said, sounding impressed.

"Yeah, the pack are great. Listen, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know we didn't get to talk much and I am worried about you brother bear."

"Aww, I'll be okay." Emmett said sounding a bit embarrassed. "Can't keep me down for long little sister."

"Good." I smiled. "You going to teach me to hunt bears when I get there?"

"You bet!" He said with enthusiasm. "I wasn't sure you'd want to, you know with how things happened in New York."

I could hear his hesitation as he brought up the hunting trip. Emmett was the only golden eyed Whitlock now that Jasper had changed over.

"I'm not making up my mind either way until after I'm like you." I told him. "I don't think it's something I can understand yet."

"I get that. I have a hard time understanding how you can eat some of the stuff you eat too. Smells horrible!" He joked.

"You should see if you like coffee. Peter loves it. Drinks it all the time." I said smirking. I was sure Peter was listening in on the call from within the car. I was gift wrapping him this prank on Emmett.

"Really?" Emmett said, obviously curious. "I remember I used to have that when I was human."

"Yep. Ask him about it when you get home to Montana. I'm sure he'll make you some."

"Cool, I will."

"I gotta get going. I want to spend the rest of the day with Charlie while I can. You guys be safe, okay? I'll see you soon."

"You too Bells. Take care." Emmett said as I hung up.

I quickly sent a text to Peter. You're welcome! I knew he'd have fun laughing as Emmett actually tried drinking the coffee instead of just smelling it.

I got a reply immediately. I'll take pictures. And I giggled.

The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging out around the house with Charlie and Jasper. I cleaned while the guys sat in front of the TV, but we kept up a running conversation about Charlie's new plan to move to the rez and different properties he was considering.

Most of the buildings for sale weren't quite what he was looking for so Jasper suggested building something instead. My Dad seemed impressed with how much Jay knew about the construction business and what was involved in getting a home built. From zoning to permits, Jasper seemed to know it all. Charlie ended up agreeing to go that route and said he'd call him on "that damn phone" to get advice when he was ready to start.

At five o'clock Jasper and I got in his truck and followed my father's cruiser out to the beach to set up. We made a quick stop for ice and filled up on gas while we were at it.

The beach was already teaming with people. The pack had made a good start on the firewood and Sam had set up the tables. Emily was sitting in a chair watching them work, enjoying the rare opportunity to relax. Sue and Harry, along with their kids Leah and Seth pulled in behind us and Charlie went over to say hello while Jasper unloaded the supplies from the truck.

Quil and Embry came over and helped us haul everything down the beach and I went with Leah to go sit with Emily as the guys filled the coolers and set out the chips and paper plates.

"So that's Jasper?" Leah said. "Emily was telling me about him." She smirked.

"She was?" I grinned at her.

"Yep!" Emily said.

Jasper heard his name and looked our way, shooting the three of us a grin.

"You sure like them pale." Leah teased.

"I'm almost as white as he is!" I pulled up my sleeve, holding it out next to Leah's dark skin.

"True." Emily laughed. "Actually you might be whiter than he is vampire-girl."

"Hey Bells!" Jacob called. "When's the food getting here?" He was eyeing the unopened potato chips.

"You can wait 45 minutes." I told him. Turning back to the girls I continued. "He acts like he never gets fed."

We chased the wolves away from the tables and finished the setup ourselves. Everyone had arrived and I looked around, memorizing everyone's faces. My Dad had grabbed a chair with the elders and Sue, telling them about my turtle from this morning. I could tell he was enjoying himself and again I was glad I went fishing with him.

Sam was just lighting the fire and Jared was sticking torches in the ground around the area to light up things a bit more. Billy's radio was tuned to a classic rock station and and everyone was having a good time. I spotted Jasper sitting with Embry and Quil, talking quietly and smiled. Even Paul was behaving himself, no doubt on Sam's orders. He was staying as far from Jasper as he could I noticed, but other than that everything was going smoothly.

When the barbeque arrived Jacob and Seth helped them bring everything out to our spot on the beach. Jasper went with them and signed for the delivery, giving the drivers a big tip from their reactions. It smelled amazing and with the fire going strong we all crowded around the tables filling up plates. Once I grabbed my food, I ended up sitting next to the fire leaning against Jasper.

"Would you tell us what happened to Edward and Esme Cullen?" Sam asked while we ate. "Jacob told us they had died, but not how."

"Esme lost her infant son when she was a human and tried to kill herself by jumping off a cliff. Carlisle changed her before she died, but she never got past it." Jasper started. "To make things worse, Carlisle always favored his first changed, Edward, even above his own wife. While we were there, she finally had enough and asked him to choose between her and Edward. Carlisle refused to do so. Esme then attacked Edward. During the course of the fight, she pushed them both into the flames, killing them both." Jasper finished while I picked at my food.

"So you were not involved?" Sam asked.

"No, we witnessed it and prevented anyone from interfering as the pair fought. However, the Cullens will likely blame my coven for their own problems anyhow. Especially since Emmett decided to leave them and join with me.

"Emmett. He's the big one right?" Jacob asked.

"Yes. The remaining Cullens are Carlisle, Alice, and Rosalie."

"At our last meeting we came to a decision." Billy spoke up. "We have dissolved the treaty. If the Cullens come back here we will give them a warning to leave. After that there will be no warnings. They may not feed from humans, but they can still do harm to them." His aged face turned toward me. "With only three of them now they would be wise to listen to our warning."

"That is your business." Jasper said. "My advice to you is not to seek them out. If they come to you, give them your warning, but don't go looking for them. The tribe doesn't need to attract their attention when they have all but forgotten about you."

"Thank you for your advice." Sam said. "We agree and will do as you say."

After that the conversation lightened up some. I told everyone the cover story of my going to Phoenix, not revealing our true destination. I could tell no one really believed it, but they didn't question it and I was grateful for that. I made sure I had everyone's phone number programmed into my phone, promising to call and keep up on the rez gossip.

Charlie let everyone know about his upcoming retirement and plans to move onto the rez which drew the spotlight off of me. Everyone started suggesting land he could use to build his cabin on when he told them he was going to have something built from scratch. Sam even offered to take him around the area on wolf-back to check out the various spots which really got him excited.

As the night wore on I started to feel the early start catching up with me and had to fight off my yawns. I didn't want the night to end. As much as I wanted to get on with my life, tomorrow would mean all this would be forever in my past. I leaned against Jasper and tried to fight my heavy eyelids, each blink seeming to take longer than the last.

I must have dozed for a little while because I woke up in Jasper's arms. I was being carried across the beach toward his truck. Charlie was walking with us, talking softly to him.

"You take care of my girl Jasper. She's all that matters to me." Dad said.

"I will, she means more than my own life." Jasper told him.

"Dad?" I said groggily.

"Bells honey, go back to sleep. You can call me when you get where you're going." Charlie soothed.

"Kay." I mumbled, snuggling into Jasper again and drifting off.

The next time I woke it was daytime and I was sprawled out in the front seat of the truck, my head on Jasper's lap as he drove. He had covered me with his jacket and I pulled it closer as I shifted, trying to get my bearings.

"Are we there yet?" I asked.

"Not even close sugar." He laughed.

"I have to pee." I said, my face scrunching up as I caught a whiff of my own morning breath.

"Humans." Jasper mocked. "I'll find somewhere to stop. You want breakfast too?"

"Umm... Just coffee."

It was another fifteen minutes before he found a turnoff that promised coffee and bathrooms that were up to my standards. I cleaned up and once I was caffeinated I felt much better. I almost bounced as I walked back to the truck where Jasper was refilling on gas, smiling huge.

Now that we were on the road, I could almost see my future before me. We got going again and I took Jasper's hand.

"Let's go home." I said, sending him my certainty.