Chapter Fourteen

Bella

I loved my mother, I really did, but I was getting to the point where I had to remind myself of the fact. The closer we got to the wedding the more hysterical she got, convinced either everything would go wrong on the day or Phil would change his mind and run. If I'd been him I think I would have at least considered it but nothing phased him. He was there whenever training allowed, calming her and helping me chase up things to make sure her day would be perfect. All this meant the only time I had to get my things sorted out and packed was late at night and I was usually shattered by then. Renee had told me that my dad was paying for my stuff to be flown up so I could take as much as I wanted but I didn't think this was fair. I went through everything, throwing away anything I didn't need or want until I got everything in two cases and a bag. Looking back I didn't have much, we moved so often I learned to travel light so it was mostly my clothes and favourite books, my old teddy bear Max, and some photographs. I sent my school paperwork up to dad and he got me enrolled at the High School. For the first time I wouldn't be the new girl, watched and judged by everyone else. At least this time I knew there were some friendly faces waiting for me.

The wedding went off just as planned and Renee looked stunning and very happy. It wasn't a big wedding, we didn't really have any family just friends and they were joined by Phil's team mates and his sister with her husband. It was the first time I'd met them and I found Sally and her husband very friendly although I think they were slightly worried about Renee. She was a little disorganised and strange to their way of thinking but I got the idea they would be there if she needed anything.

"So you're off to live with you dad Renee tells us"

"Yes, it gives mum some time alone with Phil. They don't need a teenage daughter hanging around."

"I don't think Phil would mind Bella, he likes you"

"I like him too Sally. I think he'll be good for Renee."

"You don't feel you're being pushed out do you?"

"No, in fact I'm looking forward to living with my dad for a while, we haven't spent that much time together over the years."

"That's good then because I know Phil was a little worried you might resent him. It was nice to meet you Bella"

I sneaked out mid way through the reception and went home to enjoy some peace but I'd only just got in and made coffee when there was a knock on the door. Groaning at the interruption of my few minutes peace I went to open it staggered to see Garrett standing there.

"Garrett?"

"Bella, I'm sorry to drop in like this but I've been to visit friends here and I remembered where you lived. I just wondered if you'd like to go for coffee or something?"

I couldn't help a smile, he really was good-looking.

"I just made coffee, why don't you come in. I'm alone at the moment. My mum got married today and they're still at the hotel."

"Married? Wow. Thank you I'd like to."

He followed me in and sat on the couch watching me,

"Can I get you some coffee?"

"No I'm fine. I just wanted to see you again. It's not often I find someone I like talking to."

"I'm flattered."

"You should be, are you still going to Forks for Thanksgiving?"

"Actually I'm moving up permanently, to live with my dad that is"

"Oh, when do fly up?"

"Why?"

"Would you like some company? I'm going back to the Cullens myself soon"

Before I could answer him I heard the door open and in came my mother all smiles and sparkling eyes. She stopped when she saw I had a guest.

"So this is why you left the party early is it? Hello, I'm Bella's mother"

"The beautiful bride, she just told me. Congratulations"

He took her hand just as he had mine at the Halloween party and kissed it bowing his head. Of course Renee was enchanted.

"Thank you. I came to get changed. Bella don't forget you're supposed to be giving a speech in about an hour"

I had hoped my mother had forgotten about that but she'd been insistent that as her daughter I should thank everyone for coming and for the gifts and of course say a few words about how happy I was with her new husband. I was just glad we were talking a small group of people.

Garrett made his excuses and left and I wished I had the courage to follow him but I helped Renee out of her dress and into another, finding an earring which had miraculously vanished and then we went back to the reception but all the while I was thinking about Garrett's strange appearance. Had he followed me home? If he had that felt a little creepy, was he a stalker? He hadn't made me feel uncomfortable while he was here but once he'd gone I wasn't so sure. The fact he was going back to the Cullens meant I would in all probability see him again and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Not sure at all.

I was almost convinced I would see him waiting on the doorstep when we got back later that night but the place was Garrett free. I helped Renee off with her dress while Phil went to gas the car up for their road trip which was due to start the following morning although by the tipsy state my mother was in I wasn't so sure. I made sure she got to bed then went through to my room ready to shower and crash. I turned the light on then stopped dead, in the middle of my bed was a box of candy wrapped with a pink bow. I smiled, it was a nice gesture on Phil's behalf, a thank you for what I'd done. He had told me there would be something for me so I put it on the bedside cabinet and got ready for bed, falling asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The next morning I was the first one up just as I had suspected, Renee and Phil were still asleep, so no early start on the road trip then! I'd eaten breakfast and picked up Renee's carelessly discarded shoes, bag, and various ribbons and presents and put them in a tidy pile when Phil appeared still looking slightly hung over.

"Hey Bella leave that, you shouldn't be clearing up after us. Thank you for last night by the way, your speech was great."

I smiled and put the kettle back on, strong coffee was needed here.

"By the way this is for you"

He handed over a small package and I looked down at it, if this was from Phil then who had left the candy on my bed? I opened it to find a silver pendant in the shape of a heart.

"Just to remind you that your mother loves you very much and a thanks for allowing me to marry her"

"Thank you. I know you'll look after her Phil. Shall I take her some coffee too?"

He shook his head and winked,

"That's my job now. You relax, unwind, and Gerry will be here first thing tomorrow morning to take you to the airport."

"I could get a cab you know"

"Hey, I said I'd make sure you had help with your bags and Garry was happy to oblige. He has a job out there anyway so it wont be out of his way."

I went back into my bedroom the pendant in one hand thinking hard. Picking up the box of candy I looked for a note or a gift card but there was nothing so I untied the ribbon dropping it on my bed and eased the lid off the box. Inside was a white card,

Bella, Thank you for being you. Garrett x"

I dropped the card to join the ribbon frowning as I did so, I wasn't so much worried about him buying me candy but how had he got into the house to leave the box in my bedroom, on my bed? That was freaking me out. He hadn't been out of my sight after I let him in so he couldn't have done it then. I was beginning to get a bad feeling about Garrett and I hoped I wouldn't bump into him at the airport, or in Forks for that matter. He was certainly charming and great to talk to but I didn't like this development one bit.