Hey! New chapter up for Save Me! Thanks to those reviewers/favoriters/alerters! You guys are awesome. I start school tomorrow (09/06/11) so our updates are going to slow a little since we are both so busy! Sorry I(we) hope you enjoy this chapter!
We don't own twilight..unfortunately.
Chapter Eight
JPOV(CDM)
I woke up angry, despite having a peaceful sleep. Today is the day. Today I have bite my tongue and watch that fucker embrace Rose and let her look at him like he's a fucking god. He saved her but he haunts and hurts her! I can't stand it. I don't know why she puts herself through it. I promised I'd be a good sport, well at least to Char and Pete; Rosalie doesn't actually know my detest for him. I sat at my piano and stared blankly out the window into the backyard. I just let my anger burn in me and bundle up until I was ready to take it out on something else later. The world is full of bastards. I've had too many experiences with them, it can't be normal.
Suddenly I noticed movement in the backyard and realized it was one of the girls walking around and taking a seat under one of the big oak trees. I probably should've left them alone but it was four in the morning, and it was freezing. I quietly made my way downstairs and grabbed a blanket from the living room before heading out the back door. The cool air embraced my bare chest and I shivered. Damn it, I should've wore a shirt. As I got closer I realized it was Bella and she was curled into a ball crying, sobbing actually.
"Bella?" I murmured as I approached, making sure she knew it was me.
"Just leave me here," she cried. "I just want to freeze."
Despite what she cried I wrapped the blanket around her securely. "No, I can't let you do that."
I watched whatever strength she had left crumble as she leaned into my arms. I hesitantly put my arms her and pulled her to my chest. I stroked her hair softly, soothingly, until I picked her up and cradled her like a baby in my arms. I carried her weightless body back into the house and went straight to the parlor. The farthest back room of the house, so no one could hear her. She clutched the blanket tightly around her and attempted to take a deep breath but it was strangled.
"I can't… I had a dream... I was in Penn's Park on a sunny summer day here," she whispered. "There was a little girl with me and she looked just like me. She started tugging my hand to the swing set and suddenly the storm clouds rolled in and she started calling me mommy…"
Oh Jesus… I thought, she can't be pregnant.
"And it broke my heart because I can no longer have children," she cried. "He ruined my chances of ever having family…"
I shushed her soothingly and rubbed her back as she sat in my lap. "I'm so sorry Bella. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But he's gone now. He can't hurt you ever again."
She sniffed and nodded her head. Her beautiful brown doe eyes stared up at me for a moment and I felt like they were piercing into my soul as they weld up with more tears.
"But who would ever want me now?" she whispered.
I hugged her closer as she snuggled her head into my shoulder and cried. I stroked her hair softly and shushed her. "Oh Bella," I whispered. "Everything is gonna be okay."
That became my mantra as I held her in my arms until she fell fast asleep from exhaustion. Once I knew she was in a deep sleep, I fell apart. And for the first time, in a long time, I felt tears fall down my face. I didn't sob or sniffle, it was just salt water against my skin. This beautiful girl who was fast asleep in my arms had her life ruined by a sick stranger. That was one thing Rose was lucky about, Royce didn't beat her first. He was just a drunk idiot. No, Bella's rapist was sick and twisted. He wanted to watch her suffer because it turned him on. I reached up and wiped my face with the palm of my hand before pulling the blanket more around Bella.
"Jasper?" Charlotte asked as she walked into the parlor.
I sniffled this time. "What Char?"
"Are you okay?" she asked as she took a seat next to me.
I nodded silently but of course I was lying. I looked down at Bella and moved a strand of hair from her face. "She can't have kids… That sick mother fucker…"
Charlotte gasped, raising her hand to her mouth. "My God…"
"I need to go for a run. Let off some steam. Can you watch her for me? Just make sure she's okay when she wakes up?" I asked her.
Charlotte nodded and snuggled into a blanket before I picked Bella up as I stood and placed her back on the couch so her head was in Charlotte's lap. I went to my room and changed into some shorts before heading out. I didn't care where I ran to, or for how long I was going to run I just needed to be out that house and I need to clear my head of everything.
BPOV(CDM)
I woke up to someone running their fingers through my hair and I almost screamed until I heard their voice.
"Shh, Bella it's just me Charlotte. You're fine," she murmured softly.
I rolled onto my back and left my head in her lap, staring up at her. She moved some hair from my face and smiled down at me. "You feeling better?"
I nodded. "Yes… sorry about that."
"I understand," she nodded.
"Who told you?" I whispered.
"Jasper," she answered. "He wanted to make sure we kind of laid off, especially Pete."
I remained quiet. I wish everyone didn't have to know but I understand why my friends tell everyone. They are really just looking out for me. I sat up but stayed next to her and pulled my hair into a pony tail. "How long have I been asleep?"
Charlotte leaned to look at the clock, "Maybe two hours? I fell asleep too, if it makes you feel any better. Jasper got you to sleep and then when I came down he went for a run."
I groaned. "I didn't want him to see me like that. I didn't want anyone to see me like that… That's why I left the house."
"He doesn't mind," Charlotte told me with a smile. "He doesn't mind all the crying, he's good with that stuff. He's like a human teddy bear. He's soft and warm, and ready to hug you back. He's a good boy."
"You really like him," I whispered.
Charlotte laughed, "I love him. He's my best friend, other than Pete of course. He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend."
That made sense. "That explains the touching…"
She smiled, "Yeah people don't really get it. They normally think I'm some two timing slut but that's just how Jasper and I have always been and Peter knows it doesn't mean anything."
"I know what doesn't mean anything?" Peter asked from the parlor doorway.
"Jasper and I's teasing," Charlotte smiled at him.
Peter came over and took a seat next to Charlotte, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Well he did have you first, so I guess it's okay," he laughed. "Nah, I trust you both and besides I'm better looking than Jasper so I know you'd never leave me for him."
Charlotte rolled her eyes at him with a smile and looked at me. "See what I have to deal with? These two goofballs twenty-four/seven!"
I smiled, "They don't seem that bad."
"So do you live here too or what?" Peter asked me.
"My dad is the police chief of Forks so he works night shifts every other week and he goes to Seattle for a few things. He doesn't like me alone in the house anymore so Esme told him I could stay here or at Ali's place."
Peter let out a whistle, "No parties at Birdy's."
"Pretty much," I nodded.
We sat there for a little longer and talked about random stuff, and I'm really glad to say I felt like I loosened up a little. I still couldn't stop from shaking when Peter walked in the room but I eventually stopped feeling so threatened. It was seven o'clock when Rose bounced down the stairs hand-in-hand with Ali all ready to go to pick stuff up for lunch. They said a quick hello and good bye to me after I declined the offer to go with them. I'm glad they got over their fight from a Thursday. They have been rocky lately.
Charlotte excused herself to get ready which left Peter and I awkwardly on the couch. I bit my lip and was wondering when an appropriate time would be for me to excuse myself as well.
"Bella, are you like Rose?" Peter asked.
"In what way?" I responded, that's a weird question.
He cleared his throat and I got the drift before he asked. "I mean...you know, do you like, like girls now and hate the men specimen or….?"
I looked down at my hands, "I don't know. I don't feel the attraction to girls but I'm not necessarily looking at guys at the moment… I'm not a lesbian. I've told myself enough times that not all men are evil because I know that's true. I mean a guy saved me right? So I just had some really bad luck…"
"So I don't have to worry about you trying to steal my girlfriend?" he teased, trying to lighten up the air. I smiled and shook my head in response. "Okay, that's good."
We were quiet for a moment before he looked at his fingers. "Do you remember the guy who saved you…?" he asked, then quickly added. "Shit, I don't mean to make you uncomfortable."
I bit my lip and ran a hand through my hair. "It's fine… I understand. I can't let it haunt me forever. It was really dark… and I know I was really out of it. You are probably going to think I'm crazy but the more I think about it the guy really seems like…"
I trailed when Jasper showed up in the doorway looking between Peter and I. "Jasper." I said.
"You guys alright?" he asked with a small huff. There he stood in black gym shorts and nothing else, with his six-pack sculpted chest all sweaty. I bit my lip and nodded.
"I have to go shower since Rose and Ali are gonna be back soon. It was nice talking to you Peter."
I squeezed past Jasper, who looked concerned, and was thankful to be out of there. My heart was racing, why can't I be stronger than this?
JPOV(CDM)
"What was that Pete?" I asked leaning against the door frame.
"What was that?" he repeated. "What was that? That was about to some insight into the situation and you ruined it! You and your sweaty ass had to walk in here, if you could've walked in five minutes later things would've been a lot different."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" I asked.
"What the fuck am I talking about? I'm saying she was going to tell me what she could remember about her savior and she was going to compare him to someone!" Peter told me.
"Jesus, really?"
Peter nodded and I rammed my fist into the doorframe next to me. I was about to question him some more when the doorbell rang. Damn it, he was early.
APOV (SCC)
"What else do we need to pick up?" I rattled a list of grocery items for lunch off in my head while I walked next to Rose, hand in hand, while she pushed the grocery cart. We were picking up stuff for when Emmett came for lunch later, and I was trying to work up enthusiasm about seeing him. Rose and I had moved past Thursday, but I still wish she would say something about it, him, anything. She had apologized and I had forgiven her, but she has yet to say something about it since. I wasn't about to bring it up, I knew that seeing Emmett was important for her today, he was her savior and she really loved him as a person. I wasn't about to ruin that for her. That would just make me look like the bad guy, and I love her, no matter what comes between us. Even him.
"I'm not sure, but I definitely don't want to forget something important." Rose said, her eyes scanning the grocery store for something we may have missed.
"Well.. we grabbed cheese.. but butter may be important. Duhhh." I laughed, grabbing a package and throwing it haphazardly into the cart, "I think we're good, really Rose." I laughed again.
"If you say so.." She said. She turned the corner into an aisle to get back to the front of the store to check out, and within a few seconds, was running down the aisle. It was only around nine, so there were very few people in the store, but the few that were there stared at her. She was like a child in a woman's body sometimes. I laughed at her, watching her run until she was halfway down, which was quite a scene in her high heels, before jumping onto the bottom rack of the cart and riding down the rest of the aisle.
"I have such a loser girlfriend," I joked with her when I had finally met up with her at the end.
"Yeah, you do, but you have to admit, that was some fucking sweet speed there, I was all aerodynamic." She joked back, moving her arms like she was doing the breaststroke, imitating her so-called "aerodynamic self".
"You really are a loser!" I bent over from laughing so hard, almost knocking the display of magazines in my state of outbursts.
"I'm not the one almost tipping over the whole freaking magazine shelf!" I could see the tears in her eyes from the laughter as I had to wipe my own away. These were the times that Rose and I had that I wouldn't give up for the world. These were the times I remembered when we had our arguments. Whenever something didn't go right, I remembered all the times that did. No matter our little quarrels, Rose brought out the best in me. And that was one thing I loved about her.
"Seems like you're asking for a race to the car, with that kind of teasing..." I trailed off, laughing.
"You're on. You know I'll win." She mocked.
"Oh yeah, right." I said in a fake believing tone, while the woman scanned our food, giving us a funny look before we left.
We talked in the car ride home about all the great memories that came to mind.
"So on a serious note though, what time is Emmett supposed to be here again?" I asked, checking the time on my phone while we drove down our street.
"Apparently... now?" Rose said with a questioning tone, pulling in the driveway behind Emmett's car.
"Oh..." I trailed off, "I didn't think it was now. We should have gone earlier."
"Me neither. I guess he's early though!" She said, the happiness in her tone shining through. I was panicking since we weren't fully ready for guests, but Rose didn't seem to mind at all. Rose jumped out of the car and left the bags, going straight for the door. I followed her, wanting to be a good host, even though it technically wasn't my house. I was here enough for it to practically be considered it.
"I'm so excited to see Emmett," Rose squealed, walking up the house front steps.
"I'm glad honey, me too." I smiled, and squeezed her hand in mine.
Rose opened the front door and stepped inside, I followed in behind her. Jasper and Peter were standing in the door with Emmett, and Peter and Emmett seemed to be making small conversation until we walked in. Jasper looked thrilled to be standing there, his lips forced together in a tight line and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Emmett!" Rose yelled, running up to him.
"Rose! How's my baby?" I cringed, and noticed Jasper across from me doing the same. Emmett pulled her into a tight embrace, bringing her feet a good foot off the ground.
"Awesome! I'm so excited that you're finally here!" Rose squealed, a huge grin on her face.
"I'm excited to be here!" He said, grinning back at her.
"Sorry Ali and I are late, we were picking up some stuff for lunch and kinda got sidetracked in the store." She giggled at what seemed like the memory of our races before her face turning serious again.
"Oh, it's okay, I was quite a bit early. I took traffic into account and it's possible that I ended up speeding a bit to make it here faster." Emmett chuckled.
Rose smiled, "Nice, Em. So is everyone introduced then?" She asked.
"Yep, we already did." Jasper said quickly, clearly not wanting to go through those motions again.
"Okay..." Rose said, not sure what to say to Jasper's fast response.
"So where are Bella and Charlotte?" Rose asked.
"Bella and Char went upstairs earlier to get ready for the day." Peter filled us in.
"Oh okay cool. So can I get anything to drink for anyone?" Rose said, walking in the kitchen and motioning for us all to follow her. Esme wasn't supposed to be home from running errands until lunch, so Rose and I had to help with things around here more than usual. She poured drinks for the guys and I, and a few minutes later Bella and Charlotte came down together. Bella seemed to look really comfortable with Charlotte, I was glad to see her being more herself with others. I knew that with Emmett being here, that would be another male for her to get used to, and that worried me.
"Hi guys." Charlotte said, smiling.
"Hey Emmett, I want you to meet Charlotte and Bella. Charlotte is Peter's girlfriend and Bella is Ali and my's best friend." Rose explained.
"Well hey to both of you. It's nice to meet you." Emmett said with a smile. Charlotte grinned and Bella forced out a small smile, although I knew by the look on her face that she was a bit frightened. I saw her hands visibly shaking from a distance.
"Well I think that the girls and I are going to get lunch together, if you guys are ready to eat?" Rose questioned.
"You know me.. I'm always hungry." Emmett laughed.
Rose giggled, "True, so is everyone else hungry too?" The unanimous vote was a yes, so after grabbing groceries, Charlotte, Peter, and Jasper went to go hang out in the living room while Emmett was shown his room and stuff by Esme, who was more than glad to hear that Emmett had arrived early this morning.
"I'll let you get settled and scope out the place when you're in your room. Hey Jasper? Can you help me to carry one of Emmett's suitcases up?" Esme called into the living room.
"Sure Esme." I heard muffled from the other room. Jasper passed through the hallway, a scowl on his face as he went to Emmett's car with Esme to grab his bags.
We were planning to have chicken breasts, mashed potato, green beans, and salad for lunch. Bella was making homemade rolls to go with it, and working on the salad. It was Rose's job to work on the chicken and I was doing the green beans and mashed potatoes. Esme came to help shortly thereafter, and soon the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.
"Jeez, it's about time that lunch is ready!" Emmett bellowed from the staircase, coming down ten minutes later. I laughed with Rose, he was actually pretty funny. Jasper came in to see if he could help with anything, and he had gone red in the face.
"You alright, Jazz?" Rose asked, rinsing her hands form the chicken.
"Yeah. I'm fine." He replied, it sounded like he was trying to hide from Rose how annoyed he was... at something.
Within the next half hour, everything was prepared and getting put into serving dishes to be put on the already set massive dining room table. As many people as there were in the house, the one thing it lacked was space, which was a good thing in this case. We all sat down around the grand table, and Esme helped everything to be served out.
"So do you all have plans for today?" Esme asked around the table while everyone started to dig in. They all kinda chattered and shook their heads for a second before coming up with a "no" and finally looking at Bella, Rose, and I for thoughts.
"I figured we could get out and do something fun since it is Saturday? Like shopping?" Rose asked the group, not having made plans ahead of time either.
"Where were you thinking of?" I asked her.
"I was thinking of Seatt- Well, we don't really have enough time to ride there and back since it's over three hours and already noon... We could ride up over to Port Angeles and spend the rest of the day and evening there?" Rose thought out. It was a good thing she decided against Seattle, we hadn't been there since Bella's rape and I doubt that was some place she wanted to visit anytime soon. Rose needed to start thinking, I wished she didn't mention it out loud. Bella's face had turned a pale color, more so than usual, and I instantly felt bad for her. Rose was in her own world because she was so wrapped up in Emmett being here, that she completely forgot about things like that with Bella. Jasper, who she was so excited to see just a mere week or so ago, seemed to be completely out of sorts and upset, and Rose didn't seem to notice a single bit.
"Sounds good," Emmett said, cutting a big piece of chicken in half and shoving it in his mouth.
"I agree," Charlotte said, "I could never not use a new shirt or two." She smiled and Peter nodded his head in agreement to going.
"So are we all set, then? Port Angeles it is?" Rose asked.
"I think so." I said. I really hope Rose doesn't say something like that when Bella's around again.
We all ate everything, talking in between bites and the guests getting to know each other. I was glad to see everyone here and happy, my only concern was Bella and Jasper. Bella was always a concern for me, but Jasper seemed to be a step away from fuming.
After lunch Esme volunteered to clean up everything so that we all had time to get on the road and go shopping, bless her soul. Esme was so wonderful to have everyone over.
"So who's getting in which car?" Bella asked quietly, once we were out and in the driveway.
"Jasper, is it alright if me and Char take your bike?" Peter asked, grabbing the helmets.
"Yeah go ahead," Jasper nodded and so I looked between the rest of us.
"Bella and I can ride together, and if Jasper you want to join us.." I trailed off.
"Sure," He said quietly, seeming careful not to say something else.
"Awesome, then I'll ride with Emmett." Rose filled in, "This works out perfect. Okay, so we all are just following then? No need for directions?"
"Nope, we're good." Peter said. They got on the bike and Rose and Emmett got in Emmett's car, and I hopped in the driver's seat. In my rear view mirror I could see Jasper in the backseat, his angered expression looking out the window while I started the car and followed Peter and Charlotte out. Bella was quiet and didn't say much, and Jasper didn't say anything. I could tell he wasn't happy with something.
About an hour later I was find a spot to parallel park in on a street in Port Angeles. There wasn't nearly as much here as there was in Seattle, but you could definitely find some cute and interesting stuff.
Rose jumped out of Emmett's car, which was parked ahead of ours, with a zip in her step, "Hey baby. Have a good ride up?" She asked, holding my hand. Wow, a sign of affection. That was pretty much a first since Emmett got here. Was that really just this morning?
"Yeah, we just hung out." I said, walking down the road. Emmett, Jasper, and Bella had joined us, and Rose went to walk next to Emmett. Bella stayed close next to me, and Jasper beside her. Charlotte and Peter were parked a block up, so a few minutes later they had joined us as well.
"So where do you guys wanna go to first?" Rose asked.
"I think that Charlotte and I were going to check out that store across the way," Peter said, "Jasper, you want to come?" I think Peter knew that Jasper was off and needed some time to get away.
"Yeah, that's great." He said, joining their group.
"Bella and Emmett, you guys with us?" Rose asked, motioning herself and me.
"Yeah sure, whatever you want Rosie." I made a face. That's my name for Rose. Not that I was jealous.
"Okay then, we can meet up in say, an hour back here?" Rose asked.
"Fine with us." Peter said, and Charlotte, he, and Jasper made their way across the street and into the store. That left us to rome around the stores on this side of the street for a few. We looked into the first store that was on our way, which was a gift shop. There were a lot of funny things to get there and Emmett made tons of jokes, which made Rose laugh and Bella uncomfortable. I decided that she and I could go to the bookstore that was the next store over, and Rose and Emmett could spend some time together.
"This is a cool one... on psychology." Bella said, setting the book down and picking up another one while I watched her, "Hey, but thanks for coming here with me. I know books aren't really your thing, but I'm glad I could just get away for a few minutes."
"Yeah no problem. You know.. If you don't feel comfortable with a situation you can just excuse yourself.. like back there in the gift shop." I told her, smiling softly.
She smiled back, and set another book down, "Thanks Ali. I'm really glad I can talk to you."
"Always." I grabbed a random book from the shelf just for entertainment. Oh, cooking, yeah, that's not my thing. I set it down before Bella laughed.
"We can go to another store, I'm done here, whenever you're ready." She said, more herself than usual.
"Yeah, that's fine." We ended up hanging out and just talking for the next couple stores, and before I knew it, Peter, Charlotte, and Jasper were meeting back up with all of us for dinner. This shopping trip was a good idea that Rose had. Charlotte, Rose, Peter, and Bella all ended up buying different stuff, and I think it gave everyone some time to calm down from the craziness. Jasper didn't look much happier, but when Charlotte made a face at him for making fun of her for tripping, he chuckled. Rose was all about spending time and talking with Emmett, and as long as it didn't cause anymore problems, I was glad that she was happy.
Thanks for reading! Please let me know what is going on in your head...You don't know how much it means to me (us), and I'll promise to get the next chapter up sooner if you do ;) (a little bribing never hurts anyone).