Disclaimer: I own no twilight or anything to do with X-Files. I just like to have fun.
Chapter 36
EPOV
"Jake, it's Edward."
"What's up man?"
"Well there are a couple of things I want to talk to you about."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Well first of all I want use that tree in Bella's back yard to make a tree house for the boys. What do you think?"
"Now ain't it kinda cold man?" I chuckle a little.
"No in the spring I'd like to start on it."
"I don't see why not. You want some help?"
"Well yeah that would be great but also Bella isn't sold on the idea."
He laughs into the phone. "And you want me to help convince her?"
"Well yeah, I was hoping you would."
He laughs again. "I will try but I make no guarantees. So what's the other thing, you said 'a couple'."
"Well…Bella would kill me if she knew I told you but I think you should know too. She has had some things happening."
"Things? Things like what?" he stops laughing instantly and sounds concerned.
"Well over Christmas she has a knife in her tires, then she had an issue where the air was let out of them, then about two weeks ago we woke up to see a note on her car. Whoever left it, called her a bitch and said they wanted what was theirs. Rose and Em told her they needed to see it and she said sure but no one seen it since."
"Edward wait, did she say sure or sure sure?"
"Sure, sure. What does that matter?"
"Edward man you still have a lot to learn. When she says sure, sure, she is just pleasing you and has no intention of do as anyone asks. She was just shutting you guys up. Unfortunately man I taught her that. I guarantee you won't see it ever again. Hell man, she probably already burnt it or threw it away."
"But Jake someone is messin with her. I get she is your ex and I am the last person you should be helping but man, she can't get hurt…"
"Whoa Edward, calm down. First of all Bella can take care of herself, Charlie saw to it. Bella can kick some serious ass if she needs to and she always has a gun close by and Charlie taught her how to use it. So relax. Second Bella ain't just my ex man she is my best friend and you are what makes her happy so I will help you. If we get caught watchin out for her I am putting all the blame on you and she can kick your ass. We are gonna have to be slick about this and enlist a few more people cuz she is all over the place man."
"Alice, we need Alice." I almost screamed.
"I hate to say it but she can get it done. You stay with her today and…"
"Jake I have to work. I'm on lunch right now."
"Where is Bella? Girl's day. They meet once a week for lunch."
"That's right Leah said that this morning. Okay I will call Alice and get her on it, and let her know Bella is to be kept in the dark."
"Thank you Jake, I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to Bella."
"Edward, calm down man. I think Bella would be sending someone to you in the ER before they sent her there." Jake chuckles
JPOV
That guy is nuts, he thinks Bella would ever let something happen to herself. I enjoy a little chuckle to myself before I call Alice.
"Hello" she chirps.
"Alice, its Jacob, don't let Bella know I am on the phone. I know you know about the letter that was on Bella's car a couple of weeks ago."
"Yeah how do you know?"
"Who is so important that they can interrupt out ladies lunch Ali?' Bella asks.
"No one"
"Alice meet me after you get off work tonight we have a problem and I need your help. No laughing either little pixie." So she giggles.
"Okay, see you later then" and she hangs up, yes that damn Pixie hung up on me.
APOV
Jacob calls me while I am at lunch with the girls and I am supposed to keep it from Bella. What…a…moron. I had to do some fast talking to distract Bella from who called. Believe me when I tell you that was no easy feat.
I am sitting at La Push beach waiting for Jacob now and a part of me wants to yell at him but I could hear the concern in his voice when he called me earlier so I think I will hear him out and then yell at him, if he needs it.
"Alice" Jacob calls to me while walking with Leah by his side. I am so happy that Leah has joined our group. I think I see Jacob and Leah getting married they seem to be the perfect match. He is in no way romantic and she is not expecting it. They are like friends in a relationship. It's so cute I told Bella the day she married Jacob I saw another divorce in her future but I knew Jake would take it well. I knew it was a marriage of comfort and security not love. I know Bella she needs a romantic sap that is so into her that he will walk through fire. Bella keeps saying she doesn't want a fairy tale but really she does just an insanely personal one. Jake and Leah though those two will be together till death.
"Alice, thanks for showin up."
"Anything for Bella Jacob, you know that. So spill it what's up
"Well I know you know about the letter but do you know about the two tire incidents?"
I gasp "No I didn't know about them. What happened?"
"Well I guess…over Christmas someone stabbed one of her tires, then someone let all the air out of them another time."
"Jake do you think he found her?"
"Yes Alice I do." His eyes have a fear in them I have never seen before.
"Well Jacob you know Bella will not allow anyone to protect her, she thinks she can handle it herself."
"Alice she probably thinks she is going to protect all of us from him." He sighs deeply and Leah rubs his back in small circles for comfort.
"I will talk with Rose and Emm. I know there is still a restraining order…"
"But will that stop him really?"
"I don't know Jacob…I don't know."
We finalize a few things then I head home. I call Rose and fill her in. To say this whole thing pissed her off would be a huge understatement. She does her normal Rosalie rampage then starts in on all the legal mumbo jumbo. She informs me she will talk to Emmett and make sure Bella will be safe.
*Two Weeks Later*
BPOV
I am really beginning to get irritated. It seems like where ever I go I run into someone anymore. Jacob and Alice are buddy- buddy and Edward is hovering. Rose and Emmett seem to be doing a lot of whispering and questioning. I really think I am losing it.
I wonder if they know what is going on. Maybe I can just move…. but what about Edward and Jake? Or the boys? They are settled and doing well and my parents are close. Ugh I can't leave but I can't put them all in danger. How did he find me? What if it's not him? What if it's another sicko? It has been what seven years…almost eight, since I have seen him. Something inside says it's him. If there is one thing I know it's do not ignore that feeling. I will just have to keep my eyes open and watch closely. Oh and will be talking to the school and the teachers personally. TODAY!
"Hey boss"
"Miss Swan what can I do for you?"
"I have something at the school that requires my immediate attention, may I get off now? It's about an hour early but I have everything done."
"Of course, Miss Swan. I did need to speak to you about your hours. We have been looking at the work you have been doing and noticing that you are finishing quickly and you have upped our sales thirty percent you now have an open schedule. The company has ordered you a new laptop for work. Now you need to know that should you quit it will need to be returned so I recommend you not put too much personal information on it."
"Yes sir. I am wondering though, why should I need a laptop?"
"Well it will allow you access to what is on your desktop here and this way while you are out you will be able have any information at your fingertips and should you have to work from home you will be well supplied. We also have a cell phone for company use only. I understand you have your own for personal use so I don't think I will have to worry about you taking advantage of the company. All expenses will be covered by Forks Supply and Shipping. Now as protocol I have to warn you should you be found taking advantage of these supplies you will have them stripped and you will be terminated."
"You have nothing to worry about sir."
"I know but I have to tell you rules and such you know." He waves it off.
"Well thank you sir. When should I expect them?"
"Monday at the latest. Now good luck at the school and if there is anything else I can do please let me know."
"Thank you sir. I will see you in the morning."
"Well here just take this I need you out tomorrow to these places. Your people skills are needed to deal with these people. Volturi industries is the biggest in Seattle we need them. They will bring in many others with their business. You are still new but I trust you Miss Swan. Please don't make me regret pushing the line for you."
"I understand sir you will not be disappointed." He nods in response and I take my leave.
I arrive at the school ten minutes later and head straight for the office.
"Mrs. Cope." This woman really needs to retire she has been here since I was in school.
"Bella, dear, how are you?" She asks as she approaches the desk.
"I need to speak with Tyler please."
"Sure he is free, just go on in."
"Bella, how are you?" he asks as he stands from his desk to walk up and hug me.
"I am good thanks and you?" I respond as I hug him back.
"I am wonderful. Loren will be so happy to hear I have seen you today."
"Be sure to tell her I said hi. However I have come to speak with you in regards to my boys and I'm sure Edward would not mind if I group Amanda in on this."
"Oh dear, are they alright?"
"Oh yeah they are healthy and growing like weeds as kids do." I motion towards the picture of his three on his desk.
He chuckles. "So what seems to be the problem?"
"Well Tyler, I want to be notified of anyone calling or stopping in to inquire about the kids. The only ones who are allowed to pick them up will be me, Edward or our folks, and you know what they look like, unless otherwise told. There is a snag in life for me right now and they are important to me." The floor suddenly became fascinating.
"Bella is there a reason I should worry for the rest of my students?" Fear rolled into his eyes.
"Oh no." I shake my head and look him in the eye. "Just have and extra set of eyes on them and I want to know of anything suspicious, even if it seem mundane. I will be speaking with the teachers as well."
"Well the kids should be out for their last recess now I will call the lounge and have Mr. Nelson, Miss Hansen, and Mrs. Johnson come here. We can all meet in the conference room." I turn and head that way as he calls to the lounge.
Three teachers enter, about two minutes later, with confused looks on their faces. Everyone takes their seats and I look at the clock. I have five minutes, so I get right to the point. "I am having a personal issue and I need all three children watched a little closer than normal. If one thing seems off I am to be notified." I look right to Mrs. Johnson. "This includes Amanda. I assure you Edward would more than allow it; I will be discussing it with him tonight. If you question it at all please feel free to call and verify with him. You should be warned if I find one slip and my children have to pay the price for said slip up I will be pissed off and all of you will know it. Are there any questions?"
"So it is made clear the only ones, other than staff, that are allowed to remove the children from your rooms are Bella, Edward, and their parents."
They all nod in understanding. I nod and head out to my car to look like I have been standing there waiting the whole time. I see Emmett sitting in his car a little ways down the road in his car. It may look empty but I know he is in there, I know it.
I hop up on the back of my trunk and watch Emmett out of the corner of my eye but I face the school. Out come my three angels laughing and play shoving each other into one another. The sight causes me to smile at how carefree they are when danger is clearly larking somewhere. When they reach me I plaster a smile on my face and greet the kids. Seth gives me a look that tells me I ain't foolin him. I think that is my second greatest fear. He will find out and will try to 'save' me. While I try to wordlessly convince him everything is fine I see something out of the corner of my eye but by the time I turn my head it is gone. It looked so familiar but I couldn't be sure. I shove the fear away and look to where Emmett was but he is pulling out and heading the way the blur went.
I get the kids in the car and head home. When we get home I rush the kids inside as I see an unfamiliar car parked by the curb two houses up. After I have them in I send them to play upstairs and I bolt the lock on the door. I know it sound paranoid but I had a bad feeling at the school and now I have three people that I love who depend on me. I need to protect them.
"Mama, what's the problem you seem a little off" I see a very concerned Seth standing in the kitchen when I walk in.
"Nothing baby, everything is fine."
"Then why was Emmett outside the school all day today?" he crosses his arms over his chest like my dad does when he thinks I'm lying.
"Seth listen Emmett's job requires him to watch the school and library. So he sits for a bit at one then moves to another, then comes back to the one."
"Really then why have you been looking worried lately and why did you lock the door?"
Yes my son is that observant. "Well baby, you know it annoys Edward when it is left unlocked. So I lock it now."
"Mom I love you, I really do, but I ain't buyin that stupid. You never do anything like that just to please someone. You gonna tell me or what…" he looks at me expectantly.
'Okay look… there is an adult issue right now that I have to handle and to do that and keep you safe I have extra precautions to take. I love you baby and I don't want anything to happen to you guys."
"Well what can I do to help?"
I want to tell him nothing but I know he will never settle for that. I rack my brain to find some way for him to help me. I must have been thinking too long because he pulls me from my thoughts.
"Mama?" he is lower his head to match my floor gazing. Then it hits me…
"You know what; yeah there is something you can do. I need you to help me watch out for Little Bill and Mandy. Can you watch them when I am not around, and if I ever tell you to take them and go I need you to do that? Can you handle that?"
He rolls his eyes. "Mom I have already been doin that. How do you think I saw Emmett ALL day." He raises his brow again. In a flash the duh look is gone but a look of confusion replaces it.
"What's wrong baby?"
"Mom, I feel funny."
"What do you mean? Are you sick?" I touch his forehead.
"No it's almost like there is something wrong, like something bad is going to happen. It's strange."
Oh shit!
"Seth, we need to chat a minuet lets go to the table." We both move to the table sitting across from each other. "Seth, that feeling you have right now" I point to his stomach. "I know it's uncomfortable but I need you to listen to it and hold on to it till it goes away. What I mean by that is, please don't ever shove it off, okay. It's a good thing trust me. You know how Jake used to ask about my voo-doo powers."
"Yeah, he used to call it witchcraft." I have to laugh at the memories.
"Well that is what Jake is talking about baby."
"So I have witchy powers?" his brows crease into a 'V' shape.
I laugh through my nose. "No baby some would call it a sixth sense, others might call it gut feelings or gut instincts."
"Do you feel funny right now too?"
"A little yeah." I nod my head to the side. "Baby do you know what self-preservation is?"
"You mean like how you protect yourself?"
"Well kind of. That feeling you get it kind of like your mind and body telling you there is something that may harm you or someone you love. Or that something is all out wrong and you need to protect yourself. When that happens Seth," I take his hands in mine to beg him, "please, please listen to it and get yourself out okay. You never ignore it."
"What if you tell me to do something else?"
"If that is the case I need you to give me some kind of sign, or take the punishment of disobeying because if anything happened to you or your brother or sis…uh…Amanda I wouldn't be able to handle it. Never be afraid to tell me either about your feelings okay. I love you I really do baby and all I want is for you to be safe, healthy, and as happy as possible. I will never let you down. I will always be here."
"Oh mama you can be so confusing. Will I still be punished if I explain it to you later?"
"Depends on the situation, I don't need you taking advantage of this." I chuckle.
"Okay can I ask one thing though?" he looks so serious.
"Anything baby."
"Can we not tell people that I'm a freak please? You have to admit mom this sounds like something off of X-Files or something."
"I know baby, and you by no means are a freak okay. You just have good self-preservation" I smile in comfort.
"Okay well my friends won't call it that, they will call me a liar or super freak or something. So for now can it just be between us."
"Always baby." I smile again. "Do you have any more questions?"
"I don't think so, not right now anyway."
"Ok" I chuckle "go play." I release his hand that I forgot I was holding and he rushes off.
I head back to the kitchen to start supper I no more get the chicken out of the fridge and my phone rings. I know instantly its Edward.
"Hey Edward, how's work?"
"Bella are you okay?"
"Uh… yeah. Should I not be?" I ask confused.
"Well Em…" Ah hah I knew it.
"Edward I saw him its fine. Everything is fine. Amanda is fine."
"Well what about you and m…the boys?"
"Edward breath, I don't think it would be good for a doctor to pass out while working." I tease. "Everyone is fine; I am starting supper right now."
"Did you…"
I interrupt him. "Yes the door is locked. Will you please relax? I have this all under control."
"Okay." Now he sounds like he is pacifying me.
"Edward so help me if you don't stop acting like a crazed lunatic, or I will kick your ass. I am a big girl and I think I can handle anything that three kids give me."
"I know love I just worry. Maybe I should buy you a dog or something."
This is getting out of control he has been like this for weeks now. "Edward if you get me a dog I will teach it to attack you for all your absurdities. Now stop it." I half snap at him but this is annoying.
"Well I needed to tell you I have to stay late I have a meeting with one of the board leaders. So do you still have clothes for Mandy there?"
"Of course, Edward, it's fine. Will you be coming here tonight or to your parents place?"
"If I leave I will go to my folks place because I have to be up well before the sun and I don't want to bother you."
"Edward you are never a bother you know that, but alright." I try to hide the disappointment from my voice.
"Well love I have to get back to work I will talk to you soon okay. Oh and I was approved to stay here for my O.B. training, and I can keep working in the E.R till I am finished."
"Oh Edward, that's wonderful."
"It means Amanda will be there more."
"That's fine Edward. I smile a sigh though my nose.
"I know love. I will talk to you tomorrow okay."
"Alright, oh hey what about Amanda did you want to say hi?"
"Oh man, I don't have time. I will get them from school and play with them then. Will you explain for me?"
"No problem, have a good night."
"Bye"
"Bye"
I start the potatoes for supper when a thought hits me that makes me smile and warm from the heart. I will have to talk to Edward soon.
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