All characters are Stephenie Meyers. I don't own them I wish I did ;o)

Enjoy this next chapter! The story is done I just have to type it up – Can you guess what may be going to happen? I will try to get what I can done today – My son is home with me today so not a lot of typing will get done I'm sure. Plus my husband just had toe surgery on Monday so he is hobbling around and home from work as well. He can't put his shoe on! So today is mommy get this, hun can you get this for me? Busy day for me! Enjoy this chapter!

Here is the last little bit from the previous chapter.

Bella wanted to head down stairs so we went together. Esme was waiting at the bottom of the steps as she scooped Bella up into her arms.

"I'm so sorry Bella."

"It's okay Esme. Thank you for getting my clothes. Thank you for being at the hospital."

"Anything for you dear."

"Is Carlisle home yet?"

"No not yet." Esme replied to Bella's question.

We all headed to the living room to sit. Bella sat with Alice and the whole family came to apologize to her about Charlie. Even Rosalie did which shocked me. Rosalie was being very understanding even with the way she acted yesterday.

'I'm sorry about yesterday Edward' her thoughts rang out. 'I didn't think Charlie would pass so quickly. I know you love her. Please forgive me.'

I just nodded my head and held Bella closer. The tides were turning. In which turn I had no idea.

~munchkin1978



Why?

Chapter 9

I felt Bella's phone vibrate again sometime later. She answered it and rose from the spot beside me and went into the front hall. I listened to her as she spoke but didn't move to follow her.

"Yes this is Bella Swan….. No I don't have a problem with it being tonight…. No it has not….. I was not aware that was what was going to happen…. Yes that will be fine… Thank you for calling me."

I heard her snap the phone shut and walk back into the room and sit back down. She was a little bit out of it. She waited a moment opened her mouth and shut it back. I looked at her and she opened her mouth again to speak.

"The reading of the will is tonight. After my mother gets here." She told me quietly.

"Really. That seems awfully fast."

"I know. I think my mom has to be there too."

Bella was quiet for the rest of the time. She sat with me until her belly rumbled signaling something to eat was necessary. I made her some more eggs as that was what she requested. She ate them and smiled as I put the dishes away for her. She was not going to lift a finger while she was here. I was going to dot on her.

"Are we taking your car?"

"The Volvo? If you want."

"I'd like to return the rental. It was rented at the airport so it has to go back there."

"Would you like to drive it to the airport and I will follow in the Volvo?"

"That would be nice. Then I don't have to pay the daily fee anymore."

Bella was still quiet right up till we had to leave. I didn't leave her alone and she didn't want to be alone. She wanted company. Probably to deter her thoughts from wandering to Charlie. I let her get into the rental I had driven; well Esme had driven here last night. I closed the door and told her I'd be right behind her. I got into my Volvo and tailed her all the way to the airport. She still didn't drive fast. Well she drove faster since it wasn't her old truck but not as fast as I liked to go. Today I didn't mind. Today was a day for Bella. What Bella wanted, Bella got. From me anyhow. I was doting on her. If she wanted to cry on my shoulder then she got to. I wasn't going to stop her.

She pulled into the rental place at the airport and went inside to close the account she had with them. I waited leaning against the Volvo listening to the guy at the register. He was calculating in his head if she was single. I was about to head in there when Bella paid and left. I would find her a good car so she didn't have to come back and rent one. It had to be one she liked however or I'd never get away with doing it. She came out and stood in front of me.

"Okay I'm ready."

"I guess we have to go get your mother now." I said not really wanting to but I knew it had to be done.

"Why Edward Cullen what did you have in mind?" She asked me her eye brows raised questioningly.

"Another time Bella. It's not the time, nor the place to be thinking that." I said. I did have those thoughts but I had controlled them up to now. I was not going to break that control. I did want to hold her close and kiss her. No stop thinking that Edward Cullen she is grieving. I had to stop this train of thought.

"Edward Cullen."

"Get in Bella or we will be late." I said cutting my thoughts off and Bella's.

I watched her step past me as I held the door open for her. She stepped in and sat down. The rain had started again and by time I had reached my side of the car I had rain droplets in my hair. I shook them out and pulled out of the rental place and head to the terminal.

We got there ten minutes to eight as the plane was landing. I listened to the people around us to see where we were headed before we reached the main flight board. Since Bella frequently flew out of the airport she pulled me along making sure I was okay with being here.

We slowed to a stop in front of the gate and waited. Renee came out a few moments later with a small carry on and a small suitcase. She stopped when she saw me but Bella went to go and get her. I watched from where I was standing and listened.

"Bella honey what is he doing here with you?"

"He is helping me mom. I didn't want to drive. So he offered. Plus we both have to go to dad's will reading."

"I do too."

"We figured as much. Dad has me listed as next of kin."

"It used to be me."

"Your re-married mom."

She pulled her mother along back to me. She didn't look happy to see me still. I offered to take her bags and she accepted. I took the carry on and the luggage and we headed to the car. I opened the trunk and placed the bags inside as Bella helped her mother into the back seat. Bella came and sat in the front with me. We pulled out of the parking lot and headed to Port Angeles right away or we would be very late.

We arrived just before nine and sat down in the board room and waited. Mr. Baker, Charlie's lawyer came in with a folder and sat down after greeting us one by one.

"Glad all of you could make it on short notice." He paused turning to Bella. "Bella Swan your father's will is here and he told me that upon his death I was to give you this."

I watched as he handed over a small box. She slowly opened it. Inside was a scroll of paper with a ring attached. Well it was two rings. She untied the rings from the scroll and looked at them. She placed them on the table and opened the scroll. It was the deed to Charlie's house and the account information to access the remainder of Charlie's savings.

She looked up at me and then to the lawyer. "He gave me everything?"

"That is only part of it Ms. Swan."

"Please call me Bella." He nodded acknowledging the name change.

"I will read the will and you will understand why in a few moments I'm sure."

In front of the lawyer were three more objects in sealed boxes. I was sure that they would be involved with the will some how. I searched the lawyers mind for the objects inside but he didn't even know.

"Shall I start Bella?" he asked her.

"Yes."

Bella was very still beside me. She was listening to her fidgeting mother. No doubt trying to drown her sound out with the lawyer. I listened as he started to read the words that Charlie wrote. He talked about his life and how fulfilled it was with Bella in it. He quoted that he wished things had gone differently but he was glad for the time that he had with his daughter. Bella had tears slipping down her face again as I pulled her closer as he continued speaking.

"…..to my darling Bella, I leave you the house and all the worldly possessions inside. They are yours to keep or do what you will with. The deed is yours. It's in your name now. The two rings attached were your grandparents. They are for you when you decide to get married."

Bella picked up the rings and looked inside. They said 'Love Forever'.

"Grandma Swan and Grandpa Swan had their rings engraved. I had only seen them once when Grandma had taken her ring off to show me when I was a little girl."

"They were given to your father for you when you got older." Renee told her quietly.

"Please continue Mr. Baker." Bella said calmly.

"To Mr. Edward Cullen, I don't leave any monetary gifts. What you have done for me is worth more than life itself. Please accept my gratitude and please look after Bella. She will need you now more than ever. If you do decide to get married after all please take this."

He handed me the small box. I opened it and closed it right back. Inside was an engagement ring.

"It was Bella's great grandmothers. I give you permission to use it and hand it down as you see fit. If you wish to modify it please feel free. It is yours now."

I nodded in acceptance. I took Bella's hands so she couldn't be tempted to look inside. She was questioning what was in the box without saying anything.

"To Renee my ex-wife and the mother of Bella, I leave my thanks. I am not hateful. I could never hate the one that gave birth to my child. I will forever cherish our time as husband and wife." Mr. Baker paused making sure that we all understood the first part of the will was completed. "There should be two more remaining boxes. They are for you Bella. There is another long one and the last one is for both you and Mr. Cullen."

I was handed the box and I let Bella open it. Inside was a notification. Well a legal note. I read it before Bella had time to finish the first sentence. It was giving me the right to help Bella over see everything that she was given today. I was now a legal representative to Charlie's estate. I was going to be staying here as long as Bella wanted me here.

"What do you think about this?" I asked in her ear trying not to alert her mother.

"Your not going anywhere without me." She smiled through the sadness I knew she was feeling. She had just told me what I had told her earlier. I was not going anywhere without her.

I had the proof I needed to take to the wolves. I would not be leaving with out Bella. Treaty or no treaty I was legally bound to be here. They couldn't deny it now. I knew Renee was still watching so I whispered into Bella's ear.

"I'll be taking that to the wolves."

Bella nodded letting me know she heard me. She also let Mr. Baker know to move on to the next item.

"The last box I have is also Bella's, but it is something that Charlie wanted to give to you himself. He wishes he could have because you have never seen these except in pictures. These were your grandmothers and they have been altered to your birthstone. There were diamonds in them but they have been replaced. The diamonds where your grandmothers as well taken and passed down from generation to generation."

Bella opened the last box and gasped. Inside was two beautiful renaissance style hair combs. They had the September birthstones in each slot. They would look beautiful on Bella with her dark chocolate brown hair. I nodded to Mr. Baker to continue as Bella turned them over in her hands.

He finished off the reading of the will. The remaining few legal notes and the signing of the papers that he had given them to the right people. Renee was not pleased that I had got something out of her ex-husbands death. Mr. Baker said his goodnights and advised us to head home for the evening. We left the board room and got back into the Volvo. Renee was quiet all the way home but her mind was doing most of the ranting.

"Where are you staying mom?" Bella asked her mother.

"Forks bed and breakfast."

"We will take you there."

I knew Bella wasn't going to stay in the house again tonight so I dropped Renee off and Bella got out and watched her go in. She didn't come back out.

"She is not taking it well." I told Bella as she got back in the car.

"I know. I am thinking she was hoping to get something."

"What about you? How are you feeling?"

"Okay. Sad but okay right now."

"Let's get you back to the house. We need to advise Carlisle of the legal papers. He needs to see them."

"When you go to them…. Can I come with you?"

"It's not safe Bella."

"But I will help you plead your case." She was determined to come with me. I could see it in her eyes. Today was a day for Bella. I wanted her safe.

"We will see okay." I wasn't going to let her near any of them. Not one of them. She wasn't going to come. I would make her stay home.

"That is all I ask." She said settling back in her seat.

I hated not letting her go, but I didn't want her hurt. This was something beyond her control. This was something I could control. I loved Bella with all my being. She didn't deserve to see what may come from the next meeting.

I drove home at my speed this time. Bella didn't object at all. She was rather quiet. I listened as her heart beat was steady. I looked over and she had fallen asleep. She looked so peaceful and serene. I could only hope she'd be like this in a few days. It was going to be rough for her. Her emotions being tugged every which way. They would settle soon. She didn't deserve this. She should be happy. Her happiness meant the world to me and I would do anything right now to get it back. Including destroying the treaty.


Well what did you think?

Not really a filler chapter but a good one. So Renee has arrived and not pleased with Edward doting over Bella.

The song for this chapter was Bittersweet by Apocalyptica. Didn't really have anything to do with the chapter itself but I like it and just listened to it over and over.

Please read and review. Let me know what you think!

~munchkin1978~