Bella POV
"Claire." I heard James say. I opened my eyes, finding myself staring at the ceiling of our bedroom. I looked over at him.
"Yeah?"
"We're having a visitor today. I expect you to look nice as this is very important. And be on your best behavior." He said. I nodded. "And get your lazy ass up right now."
"Yes James." I said as I sat up. My right side ached and i grabbed it, wincing in pain. It had been about a month since Laurent had beaten me, and my ribs were still throbbing in pain. Normally broken bones would be almost healed by now, as I knew from all the times I had broken something simply from my clumsiness. However, I knew that it was very bad, as these ribs weren't even close to healing. I knew that they couldn't heal as long as the beating continued, and they did usually every other day. I was mainly worried one of the broken ribs would puncture a lung, as that would be serious and would probably end up killing me. I sighed and climbed out of the bed. I went into the bathroom and hopped in the shower, relaxing a bit in the hot water. Too soon however, I had to get out. I towel dried my body and hair, letting it fall neatly to the small of my back in its soft brown waves. I then left the bathroom, trying to figure out what to wear. What kind of company was coming? Was it the kind I should dress up for, looking professional? Or was it the kind of company that would end up being Laurent who would just hurt me more? I shuddered at the thought, but pulled out skinny khaki pants and a sweater. It was April, but it was still freezing outside. Damn Washington weather.
"Ah, there you are." James said as I walked out of the bedroom. "You look lovely." He smiled, kissing my gently on the lips.
"Thank you." I replied.
"Just in time too, the company should be here in a few minutes."
"Who is it?" I questioned. He smiled at me.
"Don't worry, it's a happy day." he replied, confusing me even more.
"Is Laurent..?"
"Out. I asked him if he could leave for this special occasion." He responded. I nodded, sitting down on the couch next to James. As we waited, he traced circles on my back, and oddly in was calming. I closed my eyes, enjoying this rare peaceful moment. Too soon however, we heard a car pull up the long drive. We both stood up as the doorbell rang. "Best behavior Claire." He warned as he exited the room to open the door. I stood there, my body shaking.
"Mr. Gigandet?" I heard a voice ask. I couldn't help but think that it sounded quite familiar.
"Yes, right this way." I heard James reply, as he shut the door. Then James walked back into the living room where I stood, and following him was a man I knew. My breath hitched in my throat. This could be it. I could go home now. "Claire, this is Minister Weber. He came today to help us sign the marriage papers. Minister, this is my Claire." James introduced.
"Hello, Mr. Weber." I said, shaking his hand and hoping he would recognize me. The last time I had talked to him was five years ago at Angela's birthday party, and so much had changed since then. He looked at me curiously, and I could see his head spinning trying to figure me out.
"Shall we begin?" Mr. Weber asked, still staring at me, as he sat in the chair and James sat on the couch.
"Um, would you like anything to drink Mr. Weber?" I asked. His eyes widened.
"Swan." He choked out. I smiled at the recognition, but shook my head to let him know to keep his cool.
"Excuse me?" James asked, as he had no idea what just happened.
"It's a drink." I quickly responded. James glared at me. "It's a really dumb name but it's basically ice water with a lemon slice." I said, hoping he'd believe me.
"Yes yes. It does seem silly to me how the kids call it a Swan but my teenage daughter is making me call it that. She says she doesn't want to have an 'uncool dad' as she put it." Mr. Weber chuckled, playing along. I smiled at him, then left to go to the kitchen, where I got him a glass of water, and made one for myself as well. I grabbed a beer for James, and headed back into the living room where I saw papers spread all over the table.
"Thanks babe." James said, grabbing the beer from me and taking a swig. Mr. Weber watched him with worry, as it was only 2 in the afternoon.
"So shall we begin?" Mr. Weber asked. His eyes locked with mine and I gave him a sad smile.
"Yes of course." I said. Mr. Weber then helped us make our way through all the paperwork, which took all afternoon. Finally at around 5:00 we got to the last page, and I was about to sign my life away. I sighed, looked at Mr. Weber one last time, then neatly wrote on the dotted line. Claire Desjardins. Strange, but that was the name that I had come up with in my head. While I felt restricted, as in James' mind we were now married, I still had a small bit of hope. Technically, the marriage was not legal, because technically, Claire Desjardins didn't exist.
"So, that's it?" James asked, standing up. Mr. Weber and i stood as well.
"Yes. I now pronounce you husband and wife." Mr. Weber said. James smiled, as he pulled me towards him and his lips touched mine. He kept kissing me until we heard a cough beside us. Finally he pulled away, a smile playing on his lips.
"Sorry Minister. Now that she's my wife I can't seem to keep my hands off whats mine." He said laughing. I looked over at Mr. Weber who gave me a sad smile. He kept standing there. I could tell he was uncomfortable and wanted to leave. But at the same time, he wanted to stay as he feared what James would do to me as he left.
"Thank you for coming Mr. Weber. It would be nice to see you again someday." I genuinely said with a smile. Hopefully someday soon. He nodded.
"Yes yes you as well. I better be going now. Uh- congratulations to the happy couple." He said forcing out a smile. James and I walked him to the front door, where we said goodbye again and the door closed. As I heard his car pull out of the driveway, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe I would be going home soon.
"Mmm." James moaned, as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to the bedroom. "Now you're officially all mine. Forever."
Charlie POV
"No no no no no, I won't take that! Run the reports through again Gerry, please!" I sighed, as I leaned over my desk. It was almost 7 in the evening and I was still at work, trying to sort through Bella's case. It had been a little over a year of her being gone, but I wasn't planning on giving up. Not now, not ever. Renee agreed with me partially, as she wasn't giving up either. However, she hated how I was always at the office late. She said I was going to work myself to death.
"Chief! Minister Weber is on line 3 for you. He says it's urgent." My receptionist told me over my intercom. I sighed and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Charlie!"
"Minister, what can I do for you so late?" I questioned.
"Charlie, it's Bella." he croaked out. I sat up straight in my chair.
"What?"
"I had a call today to go sign marriage papers kinda in between Forks and Aberdeen. It was about an hour and a half or so drive. Well I went there and it was this little house just in the middle of nowhere really and there was a man and a girl and.. Charlie it was Bella. I know it was. She looked terrible, but it was her. She's alive." he whispered the last two words.
"Oy my God, um what's the address?" I quickly asked. He gave it to me and i scribbled it down. "Thank you minister, so much. We're heading there right now, thank you." I said, a smile breaking across my lips.
"I just hope you bring her home safe." he said and we hung up.
"Gerry!" I called. "Rob! Mark! Johnny!" I called. The four of them quickly ran into my office.
"Yeah chief?" Gerry asked.
"I know where she is. We have to go, right now." I whispered.
"Really? Wha- how? Are you sure?" Mark questioned.
"Yeah we have to go now." I ordered. We ran outside. I hopped in the passenger seat of Gerry's cruiser, and the other three took Rob's car.
"Charlie?" Renee asked from the other end of the line. I had called her as soon as we hit the road.
"Renee, we know where she is." I croaked out.
"What?" I hear her almost yell.
"Yeah. We're heading there right now. I'll let you know when we have her."
"Okay. Hurry. And be safe." She whispered. "I love you."
"Love you too." I said, hanging up the phone. I looked over at Gerry. "Step on it."
A/n: SUPRISE ITS A CHARLIE POV! I wanted to write this story entirely in only Edward and Bella POVs, but this small excerpt just seemed necessary. Anyway I hope you enjoyed it so far! Bella might be coming home soon! Review and maybe I'll update sooner(;
~Rosalie3