Chapter Forty Four
Bella
Charlie was being difficult, very difficult. While I'd been at the Cullen's Jasper and I spent every moment together. The ache disappeared when he was close and I didn't worry about Edward or the future or anything. But I'd had to move back home in the end. Charlie had dropped larger and larger hints until Carlisle reluctantly told me I must go back. I knew Charlie wanted me home for the last few weeks before I left for college. He'd offered to help me with rent for a small apartment but I'd got around that when Carlisle told him he had friends who had an apartment empty they would rent me cheaply, as a friend of the family. He wasn't entirely comfortable with being in the Cullen's debt but Carlisle put it so diplomatically that he couldn't really say anything other than, thanks.
The biggest problem was my relationship with Jasper. Charlie didn't trust him, he thought he was bad news although he couldn't point to anything Jasper had done. In fact Jazz had bent over backwards to be pleasant to Charlie, but nothing helped. "Bella, I don't like that boy" the conversation always started the same way. "Dad. He's very nice. What have you got against him?" Charlie sat scowling, "There's something not right about him. He's dangerous Bella. I've met men like him and they're always bad news. He'll get you in trouble." I laughed, "Dad, don't worry. We aren't doing anything like that. I promise." He went red, "I didn't mean that Bella but I'm happy to hear it. I mean he's trouble." I sighed "Dad. He's very special to me. Couldn't you just try to be nice to him."
He shook his head, "I'd rather you stayed away from him altogether. I don't want him here Bella." I got up, "Dad. I'm not going to stop seeing him but if you like I'll move out. It's only a couple of weeks till I leave for college and I'm sure Dr and Mrs Cullen wouldn't mind if I stayed there." He grabbed my arm, "Bella, I'm just trying to protect you. One day you'll look back and realize I was right." I shook my head, "Not going to happen Dad. Just accept he's a part of my life. I don't expect you to fall over him but just be polite. We won't stay in, so you don't have to make conversation or anything."
I think he knew he wouldn't win and he didn't want to lose me any sooner than he had to, so he nodded. "OK Bella. Don't go. I'll be ….polite..." I kissed his cheek. "Dad I promise you he'll never hurt me and he'll always look out for me." He snorted, "Yeah Bella. Heard it all before. Love is blind and all that. What is he going to do when you go to college? What does he do anyway?" This was a tricky one, "He's writing a book about the Civil War" I explained. His face took on that "oh yeah! Look, "Really. I wouldn't think he was old enough for that kind of research" I was saved from answering that by a knock on the door. I went to open it and Eddy from the station was standing there. "Charlie in, Bella?" I nodded, "Yes. Come in." He walked into the hall and took his hat off looking very uncomfortable. I called Charlie who came out grumbling about missing the start of the game. When he saw Eddy he stopped short. "You OK Eddy? What's up?" Eddy looked at me and Charlie opened the door. "We'll talk outside." As the door shut I heard Eddy apologising.
Charlie
Seeing Eddy standing there with that look on his face I opened the door and ushered him outside. "What's up Eddy?" He shook his head, "I'm real sorry Charlie but its Renee. We got a call from the Jacksonville ME. She and Phil were involved in an accident last night on the free way. They didn't identify the deceased until today. The car caught fire Charlie." I stood stunned, Renee dead? I nodded, "Thanks Eddy. I'll tell Bella. If you get any more information..." he nodded, "Sure Charlie. Soon as we hear anything. Do you want us to cover your shift tomorrow?" I thought about it, "Nah, I'll need time off later for the funeral." Eddy nodded and returned to the cruiser. I took a deep breath and went back inside. Bella stood where I'd left her. "Dad, What's happened?" It must have shown on my face, "Honey I just got bad news. Its your Mum." Bella went white, "Mum? What's happened?" She knew before I told her and collapsed in my arms as patting her back, I told her what I'd heard.
Jasper
As I drove up I could feel Bella's anguish and I moved faster than was usual in public, and knocked on the door. I just wanted Bella in my arms, to comfort her and stop the agony I could feel. As Charlie answered I saw Bella standing behind him, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Bella?" I pushed past him and took her in my arms, pulling her close. "Darlin' what's happened?" I stroked her hair and looked over her head to Charlie who was watching us. "Its Renee, Bella's Mother. There was an accident on the Free Way." I held her closer, "I'm so sorry Chief Swan, Bella." I guided her to the couch and sat with her on my lap. Charlie looked on in disapproval, but right now she was my top priority. As I calmed her, the sobs quieted and she crushed herself as close as she could, feeling the comfort of our connection. "Well, I guess I'll leave you to look after her. I'm going to the station. See if I can get the details." I nodded without moving and Bella kept her head in my shoulder.
Bella
I couldn't believe it, Renee dead? A traffic accident? I never thought about losing her or Charlie, and it was such a shock. When I saw Jasper I just wanted to be in his arms. I knew he would help the pain to become more bearable and he felt my need because he pushed past Charlie to gather me in his arms. Once I was sitting on his lap with his arms around me, surrounded by his smell I felt I could cope. That perhaps my world hadn't just ended after all. When Charlie had gone he stroked my face, "Its OK Bella. I'll be with you. We'll get through this. I love you and I'll never let you hurt I promise." I hugged him even tighter, crushing his body as close to mine as I could manage. Then the phone rang, I ignored it and it stopped after a while only to start again.
"It might be your Dad. Do you want me to answer it?" I nodded but I couldn't let go so he picked me up and carried me to the kitchen, "Swan residence" he said as he put the receiver to his ear. I heard a mumbling from the other end and Jasper went very still. I waited but he never said anything, just put the receiver down very deliberately. It was then I realized his body was still rigid and I felt the muscle in his jaw jumping. I pulled back to look at his face. He was seething, but shocked too. "What? Jasper tell me?" I was panicking. He shook his head, "We have to go." He started for the door. "Go where?" He didn't answer me, he just took off running, towards the Cullen house.