Now for the answer to the burning question, what did Bella do? Jules xx

Chapter Nine

Bella

I couldn't wait to hear exactly what crime I was being accused of but it was Charlie who spoke first, before Carlisle could start.

"Bella, I understand there was trouble at your birthday party. Can you tell me what happened exactly?"

I looked at Carlisle puzzled, was he really here because I'd cut myself at my birthday party? What did that have to do with anything? After all Charlie didn't know that bleeding in the Cullen house was an extremely dangerous thing to do.

"Yes, nothing particular happened as far as I know. I tripped over and crashed into a table breaking some glasses and cutting myself that's all. Just a usual event in the life of Bella Swan! If I broke anything valuable I'm very sorry but no one said anything about it at the time."

"I don't think Dr Cullen was talking about an accident with a few glasses but if they were valuable glasses then of course we'll happily pay for them"

Carlisle shook his head,

"That wont be necessary Chief Swan. I would hardly call a few broken crystal glasses the crime of the century especially when compared to my reason for being here."

"The doctor seems to think that something went on between you and one of his sons and he's not referring to Edward."

I looked straight at Carlisle puzzled not only by what he was accusing me of but also his hostile attitude towards both Charlie and myself. What exactly was he talking about?

"Really? Then I guess I must have missed it. There was only Emmett there besides Edward and I think Rosalie would have reacted, violently, if I tried anything with him. Besides stealing boyfriends isn't my style."

"I wasn't referring to Emmett Bella."

It was the way Carlisle said it that really upset me. What was he trying to insinuate? Turning angrily to Charlie I spoke,

"Dad, I went to a party I didn't want and I tried to be as gracious as possible. I tripped and broke some glasses for which I apologised and I spoke to Jasper"

Looking back at Carlisle coldly,

"That is who you are referring to isn't it Dr Cullen?"

Then looked back to my dad again.

"I spoke to Jasper for exactly one minute. He came into the room, said Happy Birthday and went over to Alice. I have no idea where he went after that. I never saw him again."

Charlie nodded then turned back to Carlisle.

"That doesn't sound like anything for Edward to get upset over."

"If that were all then it wouldn't have upset him I can assure you. However she later met Jasper in the garden and I understand there was more going on than a simple spoken greeting. I also understand he gave her something".

"What? I never went into the garden. Edward was by my side all evening so how exactly could I have met anyone else? And he didn't give me anything. This is a lie and you know it Carlisle."

Charlie snapped at me,

"Bella that's enough. Rudeness won't help the situation and it's Dr Cullen to you. What exactly is Bella supposed to have done Dr Cullen?"

I was thinking furiously, as far as I remembered I hadn't seen Jasper again and the only time I left the others was when I went upstairs to use the bathroom so what was going on?

"Well if you insist on the details Chief Swan, we went to look for Bella, who had made her apologies and gone to the bathroom, when she didn't come back. Alice saw her with Jasper out in the garden. They were in an intimate embrace, I won t go into details as I'm sure your imagination can fill in the blanks, and she saw them kissing before Jasper handed her a gift and then left the party. Now that may be acceptable behaviour in your book but I find it totally unacceptable and morally reprehensible and I'm afraid to say this wasn't the first time. I didn't want to get your daughter in trouble and I thought the problem had been addressed but I think under the circumstances you should know the truth. It concerns Bella's flight to Phoenix, I don't know what she told you but the problem was that Edward had caught her with another boy from school in a compromising position. He came to me and asked my advice and as I knew how much her loved her I told him to give her the benefit of the doubt but it seems I've been proved wrong."

Charlie looked at me and I could see he was undecided, while I was fuming at Carlisle's blatant lies. He was turning my own father against me and I had no idea why.

"Is any of this true Bella?"

I coloured in anger which didn't help matters as it appeared I was blushing,

"No it's not. How could you believe that?"

He looked from me to Carlisle but I could see the doctor's words carried more weight than my own ever would. Carlisle, seeing he was convincing Charlie, continued.

"I think Chief Swan if you look in Bella's truck you'll find the gift Jasper gave her. Alice saw her put it in the glove box before Edward came to take her home. I can't of course prove the earlier instance but if this is true then...well."

"Rubbish. It's all lies Dad, I didn't do any of this. Why are you saying all these things Carlisle?"

"Well there's one way to prove the Doctor wrong Bella. I'll take the truck keys if you don't mind."

"Its unlocked."

I followed Charlie and Carlisle out to my truck fuming and opening the passenger door Charlie pulled the glove box open and reached inside. His hand reappeared holding a small rectangular present in wrapping paper with "Happy Birthday Bella, Love Jazz xx" written on it.

Charlie looked at it and raised an eyebrow,

"Inside young lady, I think you have some explaining to do and an apology to make."

I followed him in unable to believe it. Had I been set up by Jasper or had Edward left the gift as a prop for his own crazy story? But if this were Edwards way of punishing me for disobeying his stupid rules then why was Carlisle backing it up knowing it was all fabricated?

Carlisle remained on the porch steps and smiled sadly as he looked at the present in Charlie's hand.

"I'm sorry Chief Swan but it seemed best you knew what was going on with your daughter and why we are leaving. I'll go now, I think you and your daughter need to talk."

Charlie stopped him with a raised hand,

"Before you go Dr Cullen, I think Bella has something to say, don't you Bella?"

I looked into Carlisle's eyes trying to work out why he would say such things about me,

"Yes I do. We both know these are all lies Carlisle and I don't know why you are doing it but I'm really sorry I ever met your family."

I turned then and ran upstairs, so angry that tears were spilling down my cheeks scalding them. I knew this wasn't the end of the matter, for Charlie or for me.

Sitting on my desk was the photograph of Edward and I that Alice had taken at the beginning of the party and printed out for me. Seeing it I picked it up and tore it into tiny pieces taking them to the bathroom and flushing them away in my anger and as I turned I found Charlie coming up behind me still holding the gift wrapped parcel. He looked angry and embarrassed,

"I have no idea why you thought you could get away with that kind of behaviour Bella. You embarrassed yourself and you embarrassed me in front of a friend. Carlisle has gone and the family will be leaving Forks because of your behaviour. I think that's a little extreme even with such provocation but that's for Dr Cullen to decide not me. I'm ashamed of you, your behaviour is unbelievable and I don't have the faintest idea what I'm going to do about it but your grounding is now permanent. No outings, no visits unless they are for study purposes, and no calls to friends unless connected with school work. For now I suggest you stay in your room and think about what you did to that poor boy and his sister. I never liked Edward Cullen but that doesn't mean you can act as you like and upset the whole family. My own daughter behaving like that! I blame your mother, I should have known what would happen with you living with her for so long, loose morals were normal to her. I think I'll give her a ring, tell her exactly what she's responsible for teaching you."

I could have argued but what was the point? He wouldn't believe me now, he'd already made his mind up.

"Here"

He threw Jasper's present to me,

"I hope you like it when you consider what it's cost you."