Chapter Thirty Five
Bella
Once things had settled down in Volterra, Chelsea had to go despite the fact she had given her word not to use her gift against us. Peter and Jazz took her away from Renee to kill her, Mum had seen enough for now but she seemed to have taken it all in her stride. She had eyes only for Felix and I was sure it wouldn't be long before she too joined the ranks of the vampires. I had to work out something to tell Phil now I knew that she wouldn't be returning with us to the States. Peter suggested a road accident but I thought Phil might push for a police investigation or at least ask to see the Police account of it and we didn't have the Italian police in our pocket or so I thought. It was only two days later that he came to me with a large manilla folder and a smile
"That should persuade Phil everything is legal."
I opened it to see Police reports of a fatal accident in the mountains. A car which plunged down a ravine killing the driver and passenger, one Renee Dwyer. There were photographs and reports translated from Italian all with official seals on them.
"How?"
"Don't ask Bella"
With that warning I decided to keep my questions to myself.
We said our goodbyes, Peter and Charlotte were staying on in Volterra to keep an eye on things as they settled down after Aro's death. Jazz and I flew to Portland and Charlie drove there to meet us, we decided it was too dangerous for me in Forks, if I were seen it would cause awkward questions. Charlie took the manilla folder offering to speak to Phil for us. He wanted to know how we'd managed the paperwork but I told him what Peter had said to me and he nodded and didn't enquire further. He was amazed by Renee's decision to stay in Italy although not about her acceptance of the vampire world.
"She always was a little strange Bella so it doesn't surprise me, I'm just glad she's happy. I never thought Phil was right for her. She needed someone more mature, they were like two children playing at house. What's this Felix like?"
I told him and he raised an eyebrow,
"Well he's certainly different. You do still have a problem though"
Jazz answered that,
"You"
"Exactly. I know about you and that's against the law isn't it?"
I nodded uncomfortably, Caius had actually approached me on the subject before we left.
"What will we do about your father? He can't be allowed to live knowing our secret Bella."
I persuaded him to give me time to talk it over with my Dad, especially after they, well Aro, had forced the decision on my Mother who had been innocent before he intervened.
Charlie
I knew I was in danger but I wasn't sure how much or how imminent. Did I want to join the vampires? It was that or die really. I knew I could ask for protection from the wolves but that would only cause a possible war and because of that the Elders might not agree to it any way. Jake was all for me moving to the Res and carrying on my life as usual but it was impossible, most of the time I would be off their land and vulnerable to whoever they decided to send to kill or change me. I'd discussed it with Carlisle and Esme too but they could see no way out of the dilemma except for me to become like them. It had its advantages, I could keep Bella in my life and that was worth a lot but it also meant leaving behind everything and everybody I knew. Friendships with the Quileutes would be severed, after all vampires were their deadly enemies. I decided I was getting too old for all these life changing decisions but Bella was keen on my joining them.
"You can come back with us Dad. Jasper will change you, he's done it hundreds of times so it will be perfectly safe."
I looked at the young man at her side,deciding the more I heard about him the less I knew him.
Bella
While Dad wrestled with his decision Angie rang the Hotel. She and Jake were coming to Portland and wanted to meet up with me. While I was happy that Jake had found his imprint I wasn't at all sure how he would react to me now I was a vampire. I would have liked to put the meeting off but we might not get another chance so I agreed that we would meet up in the city centre the following day. Jazz wasn't sure he would be welcome but as far as I was concerned where I went he went and if he wasn't welcome I didn't go either
"You're a feisty little newborn"
"I know but now I've found you I'm not letting go"
The city was busy as always but we met up and walked to the park where we would have more privacy to talk. Angie looked radiant and she'd run over to cuddle me as soon as we met. She also gave Jazz a hug which I thought was really nice but had Jake scowling at her.
"Jake grow up. I thought you wanted this meeting"
"Yeah Bella I did but I hoped it would be just us."
"Oh, you mean you and Angie and me? That's not very fair now is it? Jazz is my mate like Angie is yours"
He didn't look happy but he let it go, for now.
"So the leeches got Renee too? I guess Charlie's next, are there any others they want to change while they're at it?"
"Renee is happy about it, she's found her mate too."
"What is it, a dating agency?"
"Jake, do you want to talk or would you rather we left now? You're being obnoxious."
Angela squeezed his arm and shook her head,
"Don't spoil it Jake please. I've been dying to tell Bella our news"
I looked at her expectantly.
"Jake And I are going to get married in the summer and we were hoping you could both come"
"Where?
"On the Res, Mum and Dad aren't happy but as I'm an adult now they cant do anything about it."
"Will you be finishing college?"
Jaspers question caught her unawares,
"Oh, yes. We're renting a place until I finish then we'll settle wherever I can get a job."
"You wont be living on the Res with Billy then?"
"No but we do have news about Jakes dad. He's found himself a woman."
"Really? Who?"
"A family moved onto the Res from Montana and they have a widowed mother. Jake became friends with the eldest boy and Raven, that's the mother, and Billy hit it off right away. I think something might happen between those two eventually."
Looking at Jake I could see he wasn't entirely happy with this development,
"What's wrong Jake? Don't you like her?"
"She's OK, just a bit pushy is all."
There was more to it than that but I guessed I wouldn't get any more out of him for now. When they went off for dinner we agreed to meet again in a couple of weeks, before we went back to Italy, hopefully with Charlie.