A/N: HELLO!

I'm finally back! I know this story was on hiatus for a little longer than planned, but now I'm full of steam! So, I'm not going to waffle... enjoy!

Chapter 8: The First Meeting

"Bella, everything is going to be fine. Relax."

I was sitting nervously with Emmett outside the meeting room. Today was the day Jacob and I officially announced our divorce– in the legal sense at least. Naturally, all our friends already knew, but I doubt any of them were too sure why. Jake and I had always been the couple that everyone expected to still be devoted to each other when we were ninety. They would never guess that in all honesty our relationship wasn't stable enough to withstand one stupid mistake. Not that I planned on clarifying that for them.

"Honestly, Bella, it will be fine!" I turned my head to Emmett and focused on the real world. Today was the day I never dreamed would happen, so it was difficult to believe I was really here. Jacob and I were getting divorced. Now. Well, sort of.

"What if it's not fine, Emmett? What if I mess up?" I challenged him.

"Why would you mess up?" he replied sympathetically. I admired Emmett for the faith he had in me. He was a friend of Esme's niece, Rose, and she had kindly given me his number. Esme had reacted to the divorce in a way I would never have expected from her. She wasn't disappointed with me or let down– if anything she was supportive. She didn't mother me either, which was another trait I expected from my maternal friend. No, Esme got angry. Not even a little ticked off. I mean pissed. I never expected anything like that from her timid character and, if I'm honest, it had scared me a little. I physically had to stop her from storming Jacob's house. Let's just say, I'm thankful Esme is my friend, not my enemy.

Emmett had instantly agreed to represent me after one phone call and a glowing recommendation from Esme, and hadn't judged me once. I guess part of that was his job. As a lawyer, he could hardly take sides. Especially when his party was the guilty one.

"I'm going to embarrass myself, I know it," I mumbled in reply to his question. As if on cue, I felt my cheeks heat up as I blushed.

"Bella, trust me. I've done this a lot more often than you, funnily enough. All we're doing is handing over your petition and child arrangement forms. Everything will be okay." I looked into Emmett's eyes. He really was the gentle giant. He was a hulk of a man– tall and broad –and yet not the least bit intimidating. He had wide eyes and a handsome face that never seemed to show irritation or anger. Well, not to me at least. Maybe things changed in the courtroom.

"Mrs Black?" The secretary approached me and Emmett with a clip board in hand. Something about the tone she used reminded me of something that seemed to have happened so long ago. My last doctor's appointment with Carlisle before Nessie was born. Jacob couldn't be there, and I remembered how disenchanted I had been. I also remembered how excited I had been at the prospect of having my own family soon. A family that was now laying in ruins at my feet. How times had changed.

"Yes, that's us," Emmett replied for me.

"You can go in now," she told him with a smile. I glanced at the hand on her clipboard. She was wearing an engagement ring. What was she doing working in the divorce courts? Was it some divine intervention rubbing this in even more?

"Thank you," Emmett dismissed her and Miss Bride-to-be tottered off in her heels. Hope she fell on her face.

"We're up, Bella," Emmett murmured as he stood. I forced my gaze off the secretary's retreating figure and nodded stiffly at him. Now was time to concentrate.

Emmett led the way towards the door across the room, and I glanced round quickly. I hadn't seen Jacob. Did that mean he wasn't here? We surely wouldn't start without him. So, he must have already sent in his petition. Or had he only sent representation, so he wouldn't have to face me? Any of the people waiting around here could be Jacob's attorney. I suddenly felt empty at the thought of not seeing Jacob. I had been through turmoil all morning worrying about this meeting and having to sit opposite him. Now he wasn't even here? All my energy disappeared. It just showed how much he cared.

Emmett paused at the door and turned to face me. He had his serious face on, and, if I hadn't already been living in hell for the past two months, I would easily be able to tell this was time for business.

"Half hour, Bella – I have every faith in you," he said simply. I tried a small smile to no effect, and he turned back to the door and pushed it open. Without hesitation he strode into the room as though he was the most important man in the world. An intimidation tactic no doubt. I'd let the little boys play their games if it meant I could get this over with faster.

"Good morning, gentlemen," he boomed as I scuttled in after him. I didn't know what I was expecting to find in there, but it wasn't this.

The meeting room was small with a large round table crammed in the middle. The florescent overhead lighting made me blink a couple of times as my eyes adjusted. Furthest away from me was the man, who I guessed was in charge, just by his sheer prowess. He had silver trim hair and sharp angular features that gave him a distinct powerful air. Oh yeah, he was The Man.

Then there was Jacob. He had been here all the time. I heard my breath hitch in my throat as I saw he was watching me, but I deflated again when I noticed his expression was blank. No reaction at all. Great.

Next to him sat one of the most handsome men I think I had ever seen. He had copper hair that screamed "I just got fucked" and a strong jaw line, which clenched slightly as he swallowed. He was Jacob's lawyer, no doubt. Shame- if it wasn't for 'conflict of interests' I would have sure shown my interest in him.

"McCarty," the angular man greeted Emmett in an unnervingly pleasant way. He turned his head to me. "I assume you are Mrs Black?"

"For now," I grumbled in reply. He smiled tightly at my reply and motioned for Emmett and me to sit. When we were settled the room grew silent before the man continued.

"Well, I think we should start now." No shit. "I am Keith Mann, and I'm Chief Attorney here. Today is only a preliminary meeting for you to officially apply for divorce and discuss initial child arrangements."

Wait, what? Discuss? I thought I would just hand the forms over, sign and leave. I was actually expected to discuss with Jacob? I shot a glance at Emmett. I was not ready for this. What if he asked for Nessie? I hope not. I had assumed she would be staying with me, naturally. Couldn't everyone else just assume that too, and let me go home already?

"Now, I want to keep this short, but if either of you have any questions, please do ask them now." Mr Mann waited for either Jacob or me to speak. When we didn't he turned to our attorneys. "McCarty? Cullen?"

I expected a repeat of the previous silence but instead, Jacob's lawyer spoke up.

"Actually, I would like to propose a condition on behalf of my client before we submit our forms." I turned to glare at the unusually handsome lawyer. Didn't he know how this was killing me enough already? "I believe, and I have discussed it with Mr Black, that my client should be granted a greater share of the couple's assets due to the nature of this case, and its predicted outcome."

My mouth fell open with a small 'plop'. How heartless was Jacob? I took in the man with copper hair more carefully. I bet he had planted that seed. It probably meant he would be paid more at the end of the proceedings if he succeeded. I continued to watch him. I knew this God of a man would have to have some shortcomings, and I felt contempt bubble in my stomach.

With his rugged appearance, he didn't even look like he should be a professional attorney. I mean, where had Jake found him? He probably owed any success he had to his defined looks. He was like some floozy secretary, who was only at the boss' side because of the boob job she'd had last week. Watching him, I was suddenly glad Emmett was a man; otherwise he might have been charmed by Mr Cullen as easily as Jacob obviously had.

I found it hard to believe Jacob was the one who wanted more of our money. The idea was ridiculous. What would he do with it? I was the one looking after Nessie. I was the one who would have to buy new shoes and clothes and books and food. He had nothing like that. What would he spend the money on? More scrap metal more than likely, which he swore he could "fix right up".

"What are you talking about?" I blurted at the smart ass lawyer in front of me. "That's a moronic idea!"

"Bella, please," Emmett warned softly, and the man opposite me quirked an amused eyebrow at me.

"Are you saying you were not the one at fault?" he asked with a sloped smile on his lips. It was the kind of smile that would have made me giddy if my marriage wasn't at stake.

"I'm saying Jacob is not getting my money!" My fists were clenched, and I beat the top of the table with them.

"Mrs Black, if you do not calm down I will ask you to leave and let your attorney settle alone," Mr Mann told me sternly. I pursed my lips together but leaned back in my seat nonetheless to show my compliance. I stared at Jacob's attorney, and he stared back with that irritating smirk on his face.

"Thank you," Mr Mann continued. He gestured to Jackass. "Mr Cullen, please go on."

"As I was saying before I was interrupted." He shot another look at me. "It seems quite likely the divorce will follow normal negotiations on areas such as childcare, and, as a result, my client and I would ask for compensation. Mr Black feels this is only fair if the mother is to gain custody of the child."

"I hope you know you'll be paying it all back in child benefits," I scoffed.

"Mrs Black, I won't warn you again." Mr Mann shot me down. "McCarty, please control your client."

Emmett nodded once then turned his head to me and smiled reproachfully. I looked down at my lap. I was embarrassing myself and him. I had to voice my opinion though. It was just a shame I only knew how to do that with anger.

"Do any of you have anything further to say?" Mr Mann asked us all. Emmett murmured lowly, and the other side of the table remained silent, so I assumed it was a no too. "Okay then. I will take everything that has been said today into consideration when going over the forms and will see you again in a few weeks."

I looked up to see Mr Mann smiling thinly at all of us before gathering his papers and making his way from the room. After he left, the atmosphere of the room totally changed. Whereas before it had a professional business air, now it just felt awkward.

I sat there watching Jacob and his attorney in silence, and they stared back at us too. I realised as the seconds ticked by that Jacob hadn't said one single thing during the whole- albeit short –meeting. He had let that smug-faced lawyer do all the talking. He really was a coward.

As if to prove my point, he quickly averted his gaze when I caught him watching me. Him not being able to meet my eyes felt like the ultimate betrayal, and I blinked furiously as tears filled my eyes. I would not cry. I would not give Jacob or his attorney the satisfaction. I had the feeling my tears would amuse Jackass no end.

"Let's go," I muttered to Emmett, shifting my head to the side, so I broke my stare. There was no point in staying. I really wanted to get home to my daughter and try to forget about today.

I picked up my handbag and swung it over my shoulder as Emmett stood and leaned across the table to shake the other attorney's hand. I childishly rolled my eyes. Why should we show courtesy to him?

Once we were outside the meeting room, and Emmett had clicked the door shut behind us, I took a huge gulp of air and let a shaky sob escape my throat. That had been tough.

Emmett placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, and I said nothing as I rooted for a tissue in my bag. When I found one I dabbed my eyes cautiously with it. I had worn waterproof mascara today, just in case, but it didn't stop my eyeliner from running.

"Would you excuse me a moment, please?" I asked Emmett when the tissue came away black. "I need to go sort myself out."

"Of course," he replied with a small smile. "I'll be over by the reception desk."

I agreed to meet him in a few minutes and headed off the find the ladies room. It wasn't too hard to find once I had interrupted a busy-looking man to ask for directions, and I soon righted myself.

Once I had carefully washed my face, I left the toilet totally ready to get shot of this place. I rounded the corner back into the waiting area to see Jacob and his attorney exiting the meeting room. I hovered behind the wall not wanting to pass them.

Jacob said something to his attorney, who laughed, and they playfully bumped fists. Oh my God, were they for real? After a few more words the two turned and headed in the opposite direction to me.

Before they disappeared, the attorney glanced behind him to look right at me. He smiled an odd crooked smile, and I felt myself foolishly blush. Then they were gone, and I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding.

I headed off again to find Emmett. How had Jacob's lawyer known I was there? It must have been a coincidence. Or did he want me to see how chummy he was with my husband for some reason- to rattle me or something. If that was his motive, it had certainly worked. I felt confused at least, and with my fragile emotions it would be enough to make me snap.

I found Emmett where he said he would be, and he escorted me out of the building. We stood in silence for a moment before I forced myself to speak.

"Do you think Jacob will get his money?" I asked. Emmett sucked in a loud breath and shrugged his shoulders.

"Hard to say," he replied. "Cullen can be very persistent."

Ah yes, Cullen. I preferred Jackass. It suited him better.

"But you'll help me, right?" I couldn't have sounded more pathetic if I tried. Emmett's booming laugh only exacerbated the feeling.

"It's what you're paying me for," he joked. Then, much more seriously, he placed a hand on the top of my arm and looked me straight in the eye. "Don't worry about it. I've dealt with worse than Cullen. I will fight for you no matter what."

Emmett's words almost set me off crying again, so I quickly thanked him and said my goodbyes before I could embarrass myself once more. I walked slowly along the sidewalk, trying to let today's worries slide off of me. It was easier said than done.

I stopped where I was and willed this whole situation to go away. I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds around me. People going about their lives. It was almost comforting. Without anyone else around to talk to me, I could pretend the night with Mike never happened. My life had changed so dramatically that evening; it was difficult to believe the world carried on as normal.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes again. I blinked, and my gaze fell on a silver car parked across the street. Sitting in the driver's seat watching me with an unreadable expression was Jackass Cullen. He dropped his eyes where he saw me looking at him and shook his head once. Then he flicked the engine of the car on and pulled away at high speed, carefully avoiding looking at my section of the sidewalk.

I exhaled loudly as I watched his car race away from me and narrowed my eyes. Why did I get the feeling that smirk would appear in my dreams tonight?

A/N: Thank you for reading, and I hope you still enjoy this story enough to stick with me. I've already started on chapter nine, so hopefully that won't take too long.

It feels good to be back with this story - I missed this Bella more than I realised.

Mel x